MARIJUANA AND THE BIBLE

January 4, 2014

If you haven’t heard this story, I would be surprised . My friend, Delight in Truth, has predicted that things like this will continue to increase. In Delight’s words:

“◾Marijuana and perhaps other drugs of abuse may become legal in more States (in the new year)

In Colorado, a tax of up to 25% is being charged to the (now) recreational “drug.” With only 4 states in the nation in the black, many may see marijuana as a great way to raise revenue.

I think Gary makes some good points here. You may want to skip the first minute for the upcoming conference that I will not be attending.

Delight goes on to point out:

“The Bible tells us that in the end-times morality will break down and people will become more evil.

“This accelerated course evident in the last few years will intensify in 2014.

“And it must be so because the Word of God told us so.

1But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. 2For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, 4treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. (2 Tim 1-5)

“12Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, 13while evil people and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived (2 Tim 12)

ONE MAY SEE DELIGHT’S PREDICTIONS HERE

Part of my response to Delight was:

“In Matthew 24 Jesus said: “7 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and in various places there will be famines and earthquakes. 8 But all these things are merely the beginning of birth pangs.”

I think, along with friends of mine, that we may very well be at the beginning of this period. The verses above should make us aware of what is ahead.

“God will not be mocked and people will reap what they have sown.”

I agree with Delight’s response to my comment:

“We now wait and see how eschatological history unfolds….”

CR


“SO HELP ME GOD” A NEW AIR FORCE ACADEMY?

October 28, 2013

The Air Force Academy is considering dropping the phrase “so help me God” from its oath after atheist Mickey Weinstein and his Military Religious Freedom Foundation (MRFF) filed a complaint.

The Academy’s oath is: “We will not lie, steal or cheat nor tolerate among us anyone who does. Furthermore, I resolve to do my duty and live honorably, so help me God.”

You can read the rest of the article HERE.

My comment:

Academy Public Affairs Director Maj. Brus Vidal said that “at present, the phrase ‘so help me God’ remains as part of the oath. Vidal told the Air Force Times they could: 1) make no change 2) make the God part optional or 3) strike the entire oath.”

My brother graduated from the Air Force Academy.  He is a Christian who worked hard to get into the academy.  It took him an extra year of diligent study after high school to get accepted. My family had no special political connections.  My brother had to earn his recommendations with his own efforts. The neighborhood knew that my brother was preparing for something as he woke early in the morning, put on his heavy army boots, and ran through the streets of West Covina, California. I always admired his ability to run the endurance races (cross-country).  I think the fastest I ever ran a mile took 7 minutes.

When one individual can file an email complaint about this subject and have Academy Superintendent Lt. Gen. Michelle Johnson respond to it in just over an hour, there is a major problem.   According to the article, The Superintendent told “Weinstein immediately (that she) had a poster that contained the oath removed from a prep school wall (at his request) and that the Academy would consider removing ‘so help me God’ from its oath.”

At this time of year, I should be putting up something about the scary nature of our world as Halloween approaches.  I submit that this article is evidence that another frightening event seems to be occurring at one of the greatest military training institutions in this country.  What could be more scary than that?

cr


EVER HEARD OF THE BURNING MAN GATHERING?

September 7, 2013

I found this story at a blog that I recently became aware of.  It is called “M’Kayla’s korner” and has some very interesting articles, like this one, there.  I am putting her blog on my blogroll if you would like to check it out.

This is one very strange event:

‘Burning Man’ Draws 68,000 To America’s Largest Pagan Cult Gathering

My comment:

The New Age movement is alive and well and moving into the churches at an alarming rate.  Check out your church’s statement of faith.  Make sure that it coincides with the truth of God’s Word.  Unfortunately, solid Bible teaching is getting harder to find.  Seek and ye shall find.

cr


MAYWAGE

August 29, 2013

I know this is a very serious subject.  But I can’t refrain from sharing this humorous part of a movie called “The Princess Bride” that deals with marriage.  “Buttercup” is being forced to marry “Prince Humperdink.”  The priest doing the ceremony is quite the character.  What he says is actually good.  It’s the way he says it that, if you are in a mood, may get a giggle out of you.  We could all use a good laugh these days.

Why a post about marriage?  Well, today is my 32nd wedding anniversary.  Have you read Proverbs 31?  It describes a Godly wife.  Somehow, 32 years ago, a 22-year-old-know-little married a young lady similar to the one described in Proverbs 31.  I have been very blessed.

There are mixed feelings.  As I checked Flickr for a good photo to accompany this post, sadly many were of homosexuals getting “married.”  The fact that almost every decent picture was copy written tells me that marriage is still important to some.  I had to take my own picture.

You don’t need me to tell you that we live in contradictory times.  We have some of the best health care the world has ever known, yet we kill the unborn.  We are supposedly evolving into something better, at the same time, all appearances make it look like we are as we have always been: sinners.  Advances in technology screeeeeeem forward.   Ethical standards lurrrrrrrrrrrrrch backward.  There is a scripture that makes me think we are nearing the second coming of our Lord.

It is:

Daniel 12:4

 
“But as for you, Daniel, conceal these words and seal up the book until the end of time; many will go back and forth, and knowledge will increase.”
 
————-
 
I received an email from a friend of my wife wishing us a happy anniversary.  She is one of many of my friends who thinks Jesus may return in our lifetime.  I thought He would be here long ago.  If He does, praise be to God.  If not, I’ll be content to spend the rest of my days with one of the greatest blessings of my life.
 
cr

IS CHUCK MISSLER OR HERESCOPE ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE ALIEN ISSUE?

July 7, 2013

(3-26-16 Update: Many Christians are spending a lot of time on issues like the one discussed here. Do you agree with the Herescope posts or with Chuck Missler? In spite of all the concerns put forward by the Herescope article, no author’s name is given that I can find. As far as I can tell, the author is the “Discernment research group.” I think an article with so many footnotes, as is found on the Herescope site, should name the author or authors. It is properly footnoted, however, and appears well-researched.)

 
 
“As one who was very much caught up in this new wave of thought, I am in a unique position to evaluate this unusual book. I believe this book by Chuck Missler and Mark Eastman may well prove to be the most significant book of our times. It could also prove to be the most critical book you have ever read personally. The conclusions the authors carefully develop may alter your own entire world-view in ways that may significantly affect your personal destiny.”[1]
-By Sarah H. Leslie
 
This quote is from the same Sarah H. Leslie who helped Ken Silva write THIS POST for Appraising Ministries.  Confused already?  Well, so am I.  HERE is the “about” to Appraising Ministries.  It’s creator, Pastor Ken Silva, is very ill as I write this and needs prayer from the Christian community.  I am a reader of AM and have learned quite a bit from his blog.
 
So, what is the point of this blog post?  The point is that there is all kinds of speculation going on “that may significantly affect your personal destiny.”
 
This discussion involves important names like Mr. Missler’s. It is why I think the following Herescope articles are important.  They take a cautionary position when it comes to quoting occult sources without any kind of disclaimer.  After reading the articles, I find myself in agreement with them.

A New Cosmology for the Church-A Book Review

HERE IS THE LINK to the post on a blog called “Herescope” that discusses the disturbing facts about the book pictured to the right. It includes disturbing information like the following:

The Truth:  Many of these sources employed by Chuck Missler in Alien Encounters involve reports from people who have been openly engaged in practices such as “remote viewing”[82] or mediumistic “channeling.”[83] These are occult techniques popular in the New Age Movement that are also related to clairvoyance.[84] While it is true that the U.S. government was involved in many experiments with these occult practices, that does not make any of them credible, ethical, accurate or truthful.[85] Some of the leaders in these experiments were seeking methods of altering the human brain and changing worldviews. This especially includes those at the Stanford Research Institute (SRI) such as Willis Harman, who had influence over evangelical leaders to change their eschatology.[86]

Methods of altering the human brain and changing worldviews?  (See a better pic here.)

I am sad to say there is also this quote: In a roundtable discussion about Nephilim at the Prophecy Summit 2012 with L.A. Marzulli, Rob Skiba and Douglas Hamp, Derek Gilbert acknowledges the influence of Alien Encounters:

1:44: GILBERT: “I’m like our twelve-year-old Dachshund, I’ve got the gray on the muzzle on both sides. And to my right, the author of the Nephilim Trilogy, and I must say, along with Chuck Missler’s book Alien Encounters, one of the reasons that I am sitting in this chair tonight, um, also the books Politics, Prophecy, and the Supernatural; The Cosmic Chess Match, and now the Watchers series on DVD—which you here in the audience have seen out on the table outside, please welcome L.A. Marzulli. [audience applause] [7]

The Prophecy Conference, held in Branson, Missouri, was sponsored by Prophecy in the News.  I no longer get my magazine from Prophecy in the News, but it always had interesting articles.  I agreed with some and disagreed with others.  Those who have read this blog know that I have put up podcasts from Gary Stearman, whom I think is a brilliant Bible scholar.  None of the ones I have put up involve anything promoting the occult.  I really like Gary, but some of the company he keeps is questionable. This is the most recent post of Gary discussing the character of Superman:

https://chrisreimersblog.com/2013/06/19/the-comic-book-messiah/

Many of Gary Stearman’s podcasts relate information about the current events in Israel (Here is one from 7/8/13, complete with ad banner, that is an intriguing view of the current situation in Egypt).  I am very interested in Israel, as I believe there will be some kind of conflict there soon (no brilliance needed there). And, of course, it is from Jerusalem that Jesus will reign during the Millennium.

I haven’t put anything up recently because all of the podcasts begin with an ad for the upcoming Prophecy Summit II in Colorado (That has now changed).  Many of the people mentioned in the Herescope article, which I find well researched, will be present in Colorado Springs.

A New Cosmology for the Church, Part 2

*NOTE: (3/26/16) I am reviewing this post since it has appeared in my top 10 recently more than once. The link above no longer exists. In fact, “Part 2” is missing from Herescope’s archives. However, YOU CAN FIND PARTS 3 AND 4 HERE.

Click on the “Part 2” title above and you will see just that.  It is a continuation of part 1.  It should be the July 5, 2013 post.  If not, check the archives. I think Herescope has valid questions and concerns.  Consider the following quote from the post: Under the subheading “The ‘Star People’,” Missler reports at length on a “landmark conference called the “’Star Knowledge Conference’” which was “convened by Lakota medicine man Standing Elk to share secret tribal traditions about the ‘Star People’ (Extraterrestrials) with a prestigious group of prominent UFO researchers.”[54] The footnote for this conference references “Richard Boylan’s Star Knowledge Conference Report.”[55] I could not locate a list of attendees at this conference, but the glowing report in Alien Encounters actually seems to be made in the first person. Did Missler (or his co-author Eastman) attend this Star Knowledge Conference?

You can see more about the George Catlin painting HERE. When I first googled the name of the man who published the conference reports, Richard Boylan, I found his official website[56] which “contains reports, articles, and other information on the Star Visitors, on their starcraft (UFOs), and on the advanced-Human Star Kids and Star Seed Adults so numerous now in our population.” Boylan, who says he is a “retired Clinical Hypnotherapist,” holds some elaborate conspiracy theories about “Star Nations,” and on his website he offers to teach children “Psychic Exercises.” He also posts articles such as “Effects on Human Consciousness and Spirituality of Upcoming Announcement of UFO Reality.”[57] His website had plenty to be concerned about so I kept researching him, especially since Missler covered the Star Knowledge Conference for many pages in Chapter Two.

There you have it.  You can read the Herescope posts yourself and see what you think.  Each have extensive footnotes. As I have stated in previous posts, I do believe there is something going on out there and that it is Satanic in nature (Ephesians 6).  We must be careful, however, that we make God’s Word our primary source of spiritual information.

Chris Reimers

HERE is another take on Mr. Missler.  I haven’t studied this issue enough to know if I agree with all of it, but I share concerns.


RED BALLOON

April 9, 2013

Relativism: a view that ethical truths depend on the individuals and groups holding them.

Wouldn’t you say that we live in a pretty relativistic world?

CR


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


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