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

6 Comments | Bible Prophecy, Commentary, Creation, globalization, News, theology | Tagged: , | Permalink
Posted by Chris

BETWEEN HEAVEN AND HELL

January 3, 2014

“On November 22, 1963, three great men died within a few hours of each other: C.S. Lewis, John F. Kennedy, and Aldous Huxley. All three believed, in different ways, that death is not the end of human life. Suppose they were right, and suppose they met after death. How might the conversation go?”

In his book, professor Peter Kreeft “imagines their discourse as a modern Socratic dialog..”

“Combining logical argument and literary imagination, Kreeft portrays Lewis as a Christian theist, Kennedy as a modern humanist and Huxley as an Eastern pantheist.”

Everything in quotes above can be found on the back jacket cover of this book published in 1982.

I thought a good way to begin the year was to recommend a book that looks at three different perspectives. If these three men could have had this discussion, it may have gone something like this. If you click on PHOTO SOURCE , the first few pages are available for viewing.

Of course, we’ll never really know what this conversation would have looked like. It probably would not have gone quite as smoothly (if one can call it that). An author has time to think of the main tenants of belief that men have and I would be surprised if each of the three characters would come “off of the cuff” with such quick responses. In spite of this, Mr. Kreeft has, I think, captured the “faiths” of these men and creates a dialog that represents three of today’s prevailing worldviews. As Eastern mysticism and humanism seem to be outpacing Christianity these days, I think the book is a good educational tool.

The book is an easy read; only 114 pages. I have the original but another printing was made in 2008 and I can’t imagine any changes being made.

If you have read the book or do so because of this post, I would appreciate your comments. I plan on reading this book at least once a year to stay familiar with views I don’t hold. In this conversation, I would agree with C.S. Lewis and his Biblical beliefs.

My son got the book online for under $4.

I hope you have a chance to read this interesting book.

CR

IMPORTANT FOLLOW UP:

It is May 19th, 2017. I have just read a review of another book by Peter Kreeft. That review was on my friend Maria’s blog before she stopped blogging. Because of the information in Maria’s blog post, I will no longer be able to recommend anything by Peter Kreeft. In time, I may get a chance to reread this book to see if this entire post needs to come down. Until then, I’m leaving it up because, for whatever reason, I thought it was pretty good the last time I read it.

CR)

PHOTO SOURCE

ANOTHER BOOK REVIEW

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Posted by Chris

2013-2014

December 31, 2013

How many interesting things happened in your life in 2013? For me, 2013 was all about new people whom I met. I’ve met some wonderful people in life and through cyberspace. I would like to share my “big moments” of 2013. This not a chronological list.

There are several people whom I met through blogging who have become friends. Chris (Delight in Truth) and Sherryn (The Narrowing Path) are two people whom I respect and have had fellowship with online. Their blogs are excellent. Dawnmarie decided to stop her Christian themed blog this year and has simplified life with “A Little Bit of Sugar.” I have been Inspired by the “Christian poetry of Deborah Ann,” and the life of Gregory and his blog “Through the Eyes of this Calvinist.” Although I’ve known her since college, “Mrs. Acuna’s Blog” was also added to my blog roll this year. “M’kayla’s korner” is another blog added because of its informative content and m’Kayla’s knowledge of false teachings. I have continued to follow Kassey’s “Ponder Anew.” Although we are no longer working together, we keep in touch here and via Facebook.

It would be wrong to leave out Manny’s blog “Cracked Pot.” He has recently posted lengthy articles about Calvinism and he has been on my blog roll almost since the beginning.

Many interesting people were met through these blogs. Austin, whom I met at Sherryn’s blog, and I have been emailing back and forth. These people come from as close as my own state of Arkansas (Gregory) to a friend in Hong Kong (Lest). Others are from Australia, England, Romania, etc.

It was also nice to get reacquainted with Barbara Anable this year. I have known Barbara, who lives in the same city, for years and somehow we lost connection when I changed the theme of the blog. She has contributed posts in both Wings of the Winds.

The blog hasn’t had as many hits since I went with a more Christian theme. That is just fine with me. The “politically conservative” (whatever that is these days) Wings of the Wind that dealt with local and national politics was successful. I am more concerned these days with spiritual matters and will throw in something that relates to politics when I think it is important. I plan on continuing with Christian material and will continue to try and get up 12 posts a month.

I joined a theological discussion group on Facebook.

I joined a creationist/evolutionist discussion group on Facebook.

I really enjoy the theological group, but the origins group gets quite heated at times. If one goes, it’ll be that one.

I also started playing a strategy game online this year. It started as a joke as my son had the game and I gave it a try with a name taken from my middle name: Lavern. My son had called himself Granticus so I became Lavernicus. I have met people from all over the world through this game. It is a real time historical strategy game and I have made quite a few mostly young friends there. I like the game because it has a good filter for nasty words, there is no blood, and it helps keep my mind active. No word searches for me, thank you. I see it as chess. I am an average player. I don’t spend much time there as I’m a busy guy, but it’s the only game I play and have come to enjoy the company of several players. I want to thank them for understanding that I’m a Christian and for listening to me when asked about my faith. Jews and Muslims also play. There are Christians who play. Servant2Lord has his own YouTube channel and has put up a few of my games. Feudal Lord lives only an hour from me whereas Servant lives in New Zealand. Thanks to Gualtiruzzo (ruzzo), Rob, Vladek, Aleric, Kocha Panda (Panda), kingedawg (king), Friedrich Smith (FS), Iron Price, Quetzalcoatl (Quetz), Schoob57, Marco Polo, Shin, bear, Granticus22 and many others whom I will add as I think of them. Thank you for putting up with my Christian discussions as you were organizing games. I hope we both learned something. I plan on not playing as much in 2014 because I must keep up on the changes in the world that relate to my Christian beliefs.

On the home front, if you are still reading this, there have been changes. I am now teaching in a substitute capacity. My son is in college. My daughter got a job working with kids at a church.

There are some things that don’t change. Like the love of God, my wife of 32 years continues to stay the same. I am a very blessed man in so many ways.

That about sums up my 2013. Please feel free to comment and share things that happened in your life this year.

God’s blessings to all…

Chris Reimers

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Posted by Chris

SIMPLICITY AND PURITY OF DEVOTION TO CHRIST

December 29, 2013

“But I am afraid that, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, your minds will be led astray from the simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ. 4 For if one comes and preaches another Jesus whom we have not preached, or you receive a different spirit which you have not received, or a different gospel which you have not accepted, you bear this beautifully.”

These words were penned by the Apostle Paul through the Holy Spirit in approximately 40-47 A.D.  I ran across this section of scripture in  Mr. Spurgeon’s Devotional Bible.  Regarding 2 Corinthians Charles Spurgeon comments:

“The Second Epistle to the Corinthians was written by Paul from Macedonia, after Titus had returned from Corinth, and informed him how the Corinthian church had received his first letter (written fairly recently by some accounts).  The news was of a mingled kind, and caused him both joy and sorrow.  The Apostle seems at the time of writing it to have been much troubled and perplexed.”

God’s Word continually amazes me with its mysteries.  Here we find a possibly troubled man of God communicating through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit that there is a simplicity in our faith (in the bold letters at the top).  Mankind tends to make everything so difficult.  There are some things of God that are, well, uncomplicated.  “Without faith it is impossible to please God.”  I find this verse straightforward and to the point.

The Gospel is not a difficult message.  See the Link entitled “The Gospel” at the top of this blog.

I am not, in any way, trying to discourage those who are digging deeply into God’s Word to discover things they do not know.  On the contrary, I think every Christian should be doing this as if we were the Bereans.

There is another part of these verses that stands out.  It is the section that states: “For if one comes and preaches another Jesus….”  It shouldn’t be a surprise to Christians then, if there are many Jesus’s out there.  If Paul was dealing with them, we will have to be able to recognize them.  Examples would be the Jesus of the: Muslims, Mormons, Jehovah’s Witnesses, Hindus, etc.  Many believe that Jesus was a prophet or a good man and not God in the flesh.  I was “speaking” online to a young Jewish man the other day and had to explain that Mormons believe that they may be gods some day. “As man is, God once was; as God is, man may become.” You may see the origin of this statement HERE.

The purpose of this post is to support Paul’s message in the verse above that our core beliefs are simple.  At the same time, there are many mysteries.  How can man fully grasp the term “everlasting” or the term “a Triune God?”  These are things we’ll never understand this side of heaven but we believe them because the Bible teaches them.

If you want to clear away the distress and confusion out there, meditate on these verses.  Then, when you are ready, ask God to give you wisdom as you search His Word for answers.

God’s blessings…

Chris Reimers

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Posted by Chris

I HEARD THE BELLS

December 24, 2013

Back around Christmas in 2010, I put up these two posts about a story that intrigued me when I heard it.  I have since found out that Mr. Longfellow had some interesting beliefs (Have the revisionists taken him apart, too?) .  However, the words of this song are so inspirational that I felt led to share the story once more.

I HEARD THE BELLS – PART I

I HEARD THE BELLS – PART II

When Brother Dick led the congregation in singing last week, he would never know how his selection of this song would bless me this year.

It is not one of the more popular Christmas Songs, but as I sang the song I did something I don’t always do I’m sorry to say.

I took note of the words.

This song, indeed, fits the times in which we live.

I looked at the bottom of the page and saw that the words had been written by the famous American poet, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow.

I went home and did some research.

I discovered that hymn books remove two of the verses that were originally written by the famous poet.

The verses are removed because they have references to the American Civil War.

Mr. Longfellow wrote the poem on Christmas Day in 1864, when the war had affected nearly everyone in the country.

Unfortunately, the great poet was no exception.

Three months after the war had begun, in July of 1861, tragedy struck the Longfellow family.

Francis Longfellow had just trimmed some of seven-year-old Edith’s hair.  Mrs. Longfellow then decided to preserve some of the clippings in sealing wax.  While melting a bar of sealing wax with a candle, a few drops of the super heated wax fell on Fanny’s dress.  The hot wax ignited the dress, swallowing the beloved wife and mother in flames.

Fanny ran to Henry in the next room.  Henry grabbed a small throw rug and wrapped it around his wife, attempting to smother the flames.  Unsuccessful, he finally wrapped his arms around his wife in a last attempt to stop the fire.

Henry’s attempt not only burned his face, hands, and arms severely; the effort to save his wife had failed.

Fanny Longfellow died the next morning.

Because of his injuries and his unbearable grief, Henry was unable to attend his wife’s funeral.

Two years later, Charles, Henry’s oldest son, a lieutenant in the Army of the Potomac, was severely wounded in the Battle of New Hope Church.  This happened the month before Christmas in 1863.

It is no surprise there is no entry in Mr. Longfellow’s journal for the Christmas of 1863.

Still grieving over the events of the past few years, Henry put his famous pen to paper on Christmas Day in 1864.

This poem is the result.

Jean Baptiste Calkin added the music in 1872.

Mr. Longfellow heard his words in music for a decade, until his death in 1882.

The words have inspired many, as they have me in 2010.

May God give you a peace that passes all understanding, like He did to Mr. Longfellow, throughout this Christmas season.

Chris Reimers

(Composed on Christmas Day, 1864)

I heard the bells on Christmas Day

Their old familiar carols play,

And wild and sweet the words repeat

Of peace on earth, good-will to men.

I thought how, as the day had come, The belfries of all Christendom

Had rolled along th’ unbroken song

Of peace on earth, good-will to men

And in despair I bowed my head: “ There is no peace on earth,” I said,

“For Hate is strong, and mocks the song

Of peace on earth, good-will to men

Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:

God is not dead, nor doth He sleep;

The wrong shall fail, the right prevail,

With peace on earth, good-will to men

‘Til, ringing, singing on its way,

The world revolved from night to day,

A voice, a chime, a chant sublime,

Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

————————————————————–

“I Heard the Bells” with commentary by Pastor Bill Mitchell

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HUdAo3N0iEA

“I Heard the Bells” by Rod Kim (Operation Christmas Child)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f_IXSiHF4cU

The story behind “I Heard the Bells”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MvJdmMG6VWk

Johnny Cash sings “I Heard the Bells”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IcP8xvgwucs&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VJFZ1y_o9p4

This is Sarah McLachlan’s version:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qn_1-z0d7iQ

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Posted by Chris

POLAR BEAR LOVE

December 17, 2013

Thanks to Barbara Anable for sending in another wonderful video.

cr

I’m reminded of the scripture:

“And God made the beasts of the earth after their kind…and God saw that it was good.”

Genesis 1:25

4 Comments | Creation, LIFE, Words that Uplift | Tagged: | Permalink
Posted by Chris

THE BIRTH CERTIFICATE QUESTION THAT WILL NOT GO AWAY

December 8, 2013

This is one question that will not go away in my mind.  The picture above shows the birth certificate of David Bomford.  Some think it was used to create a bogus Kenyan birth certificate for Barack Obama.  I don’t know if this is true, but I do believe, for many reasons, that the birth certificate that was published on the White House web page (noted in the videos below) has been faked.  I point you to the following videos, which I think give good evidence to back my beliefs.

VIDEO I

VIDEO II

VIDEO III

VIDEO IV

What do you think?

cr

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Posted by Chris

MY MEETING WITH NELSON MANDELA

December 6, 2013

This autobiography is taken from Amazon.com.  Dr. Hammond has written several books and one of them is featured there.  I learned of Dr. Hammond from a theological discussion group with many Romanians and others in which I am involved.  In the research I did on Dr. Hammon, I only found one link that appeared negative.  My computer security would not allow it to be shown.  As there is another Dr. Hammond of note, I’m not sure which one the negative post referred to anyway.  This forum is open to any who would like to add their knowledge of Dr. Hammond or of Mr. Mandela.  This article from the NEW AMERICAN lends a bit more credibility to Dr. Hammond’s comments. 

cr

“The official government of Sudan, Ministry of Foreign Affairs website includes an article that declares that missionary Peter “Hammond should expect to be bombed when he comes to Sudan … he should expect to be shot on sight”!

“Dr. Peter Hammond is a missionary who has pioneered evangelistic outreaches in the war zones of Mozambique, Angola and Sudan. Often travelling by off road motorbike, Peter has travelled hundreds of thousands of miles to deliver Bibles to persecuted Christians in Africa and Eastern Europe. In the course of his missionary activities Peter has been ambushed, come under aerial and artillery bombardments, been stabbed, shot at, beaten by mobs, arrested and imprisoned. On some mission trips he has flown far behind enemy lines to the beleaguered Nuba Mountains in Central Sudan with tonnes of Bibles, books and relief aid. He has then walked throughout the war devastated Nuba Mountains showing the Jesus film in Arabic, proclaiming the Gospel, training pastors and evading enemy patrols.

“Rev. Peter Hammond is the Founder and Director of Frontline Fellowship, the Founder and Chairman of Africa Christian Action, the Director of the Christian Action Network and the Chairman of The Reformation Society. He is the author of The Greatest Century of Missions, Faith Under Fire in Sudan, Holocaust in Rwanda, the Great Commission Manual, Faith in Action, Putting Feet to Your Faith, In the Killing Fields of Mozambique, Biblical Principles for Africa, the Discipleship Handbook, Slavery, Terrorism and Islam – the Historical Roots and Contemporary Threat and The Greatest Century of Reformation and the Power of Prayer Handbook. In addition he has co-authored or contributed to: Fight for Life, Make a Difference, The Pink Agenda and South Africa – Renaissance or Reformation?, Character Assassins – dealing with Ecclesiastical Tyrants and Terrorists and Reforming Our Families. He is the Editor of both Frontline Fellowship News and Christian Action.

“For over 26 years, Peter has been dedicated to assisting persecuted Christians and to working for Reformation and revival in Africa. Peter has developed the Biblical Worldview Seminar and Great Commission Course to mobilise Churches to comprehensively apply the Lordship of Christ to all areas of life and to fulfill the Great Commission.

“Peter was born in Cape Town (in 1960) and brought up in Bulawayo (in what was then war torn Rhodesia – now Zimbabwe). He was converted to Christ in 1977, worked in Scripture Union and Hospital Christian Fellowship, served in the South African Defence Force and studied at Baptist Theological College, Cape Town. He also earned a Doctorate in Missiology and has an honourary Doctorate of Divinity. Peter is married to Lenora (whose missionary parents Rev. Bill and Harriett Bathman, have pioneered missionary work into Eastern Europe for over 55 years). Peter and Lenora have been blessed with four children: Andrea, Daniela, Christopher and Calvin, whom they homeschool.

Here is the interview with Dr. Hammond, who met with Mr. Mandela personally:

PART I

PART II

A SOURCE ON MR. MANDELA AND ABORTION

A SOURCE ON MR. MANDELA AND COMMUNISM

I must admit that I didn’t know much of what is stated by Dr. Hammond or information contained in the other two links here.  I could have included other links that were also found. What do you think?

cr

After receiving THIS VIDEO from my friend Delight in Truth, I checked out one of the claims made.  Sure enough, Nelson Mandela did write an essay called “How to be a Good Communist.”  You can see it HERE.

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Posted by Chris

SPEED RIDING

November 20, 2013

http://player.vimeo.com/video/36398302

It’s so nice to be in contact with Barbara Anable once again.  She sent me this and I had to put it up.  As Barbara said: “This is an amazing and beautiful video!”  How can one watch this and not think of our wonderful Creator God.

This video made me think of THIS ARTICLE CALLED “Secrets from the Most Distant Galaxy.”

Enjoy both.

cr

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Posted by Chris

THOU ART FROM EVERLASTING

November 19, 2013

“Thou art from everlasting.” Ps 93:2

Christ is EVERLASTING. Of him we may sing with David, “Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever.” Rejoice, believer, in Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, today, and for ever. Jesus always was. The Babe born in Bethlehem was united to the Word, which was in the beginning, by whom all things were made. The title by which Christ revealed himself to John in Patmos was, “Him which is, and which was, and which is to come.” If he were not God from everlasting, we could not so devoutly love him; we could not feel that he had any share in the eternal love which is the fountain of all covenant blessings; but since he was from all eternity with the Father, we trace the stream of divine love to himself equally with his Father and the blessed Spirit. As our Lord always was, so also he is for evermore. Jesus is not dead; “He ever liveth to make intercession for us.” Resort to him in all your times of need, for he is waiting to bless you still. Moreover, Jesus our Lord ever shall be. If God should spare your life to fulfill your full day of threescore years and ten, you will find that his cleansing fountain is still opened, and his precious blood has not lost its power; you shall find that the Priest who filled the healing fount with his own blood, lives to purge you from all iniquity. When only your last battle remains to be fought, you shall find that the hand of your conquering Captain has not grown feeble. The living Saviour shall cheer the dying saint. When you enter heaven you shall find him there bearing the dew of his youth; and through eternity the Lord Jesus shall still remain the perennial spring of joy, and life, and glory to his people. Living waters may you draw from this sacred well! Jesus always was, he always is, he always shall be. He is eternal in all his attributes, in all his offices, in all his might, and willingness to bless, comfort, guard, and crown his chosen people.

C.H.Spurgeon

 

2 Comments | Commentary, Creation, Helps, LIFE, Love of God | Tagged: , | Permalink
Posted by Chris

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