GLOBALISM REVISITED

January 4, 2011

“It is not appropriate for Christians to herald planetary doom, thereby attracting and drawing together the fearful. Nor should they yawn in the face of impending calamity by escaping into a comfortable world of complacency, fantasy, or addiction. Instead, Christians must be wise as serpents, gentle as doves. To win over doubters requires wisdom, not stealth; prevailing prayer, not brute force.

“Perhaps more now than ever before, it’s time to shake sleep, study to show ourselves approved, maintain spiritual sobriety, and exercise vigilance. Being well read and up-to-date on vital issues is a great start; but more exactly, believers must heed biblical mandate by praying diligently, exercising faith, and practicing charity.”

This quote comes from the conclusion of a well-written six part article by Debra Rae.  If you are interested in the topic of global government, this well-researched and well-documented effort is worth your time.

I’m not as certain about the white horse rider’s identity as Debra is but who agrees on everything in the book of Revelation?  I think she is spot on for the most part and her conclusion in part one is an example of her insight: – CR

“By design globalism’s inner workings escape the public eye all the while proponents tightly weave together geo-politics with economic and religious components. Its political strand is decidedly socialist; the economic strand, Marxist; the religious strand, varied versions of Cosmic Humanism.

“Make no mistake. Fingered enemies of globalism are sovereign nation-states, free enterprise capitalism, and the God of the Bible. For apparent reason, godly patriots of our nation do well to wake up and sound the alarm before the tsunami of global governance crashes its borders.”

1.      http://www.newswithviews.com/Rae/debra179.htm

2.      http://www.newswithviews.com/Rae/debra180.htm

3.      http://www.newswithviews.com/Rae/debra181.htm

4.      http://www.newswithviews.com/Rae/debra182.htm

5.      http://www.newswithviews.com/Rae/debra183.htm

6.      http://www.newswithviews.com/Rae/debra184.htm


16 Comments | BIG GOVERNMENT, Commentary, globalization | Permalink
Posted by Chris

PRAISE BE TO GOD FOR THE GIFT OF 2010

December 31, 2010

There’s not a person on the planet who had a perfect year in 2010.  Every one could tell you that bad things happened.  They could tell you of good things.  One thing is certain:

If you are reading this, you are alive.  Since no one under a year old can read this, God has given you another year of life.

We have been given a gift.

Will all who read this be alive to say the same thing when the last few hours of 2011 wind down?

Only God knows.

A good question to ask would be about how we’ve used this gift.  This post is going to leave that topic alone and only focus on the gift itself.

2011 holds no guarantees of life for anyone.

For some, 2010 has been pretty tough.  I’m over 50.  I understand, a bit, what tough times are.  The butterfly that follows me around the internet represents a real one that appeared during a tough day that happened years ago.

I don’t put a great deal of emphasis on whether God caused that butterfly to flutter by on that tough day.  I do put a great deal of importance on the Words of God which the butterfly reminded me of.

You have had tough days like that.  What do you turn to at such times?

You probably know people who are sick and poor.  You probably know people who are very sad.  Their sadness may come from their family problems or their loneliness.  You may even know someone who has been told by doctors they have less than a year to live.

I got a phone call today about a family member in such a situation.

In the greatest sermon ever preached, Jesus said, “Do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself.” (1)

No one knows what 2011 will bring.

We do know that God allowed us life in 2010.

There is a flip side to these comments about life.

Can we say with the great Apostle: “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain?” (2)

What an excellent way to live!!!

How does one have such an attitude?

The fruits of the Holy Spirit are love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. (3)

Faith comes from one source.

“So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.” (4)

Praise be to God for His Word and for the gift of 2010!!!

Chris Reimers

___________________________________

(1)  Matt. 6:34

(2)  Philippians 1:21

(3)  Galatians 5:22-23

(4)  Romans 10:17

(5) http://apprising.org/2010/12/30/the-emerging-church-is-unaware-its-dead

Note: Today, an internet post by an “emergent” source used a picture of a butterfly.  I am in strong opposition to the movement within many “Christian” churches called “Contemplative Spirituality/Mysticism” that hides itself behind various names.  It has taken the focus off of Biblical Christianity and has put emphasis upon mere subjective feelings.  Many of these “emerging” practices are Buddhist, Hindu, and “New Age” in nature. (5)

3 Comments | Commentary, LIFE | Permalink
Posted by Chris

POLITICS, CHRISTIANITY, AND HATE GROUPS

December 29, 2010

In a recent post on this blog I quoted a statement by a radio talk show host:

“This shows how salvation for the born-again, Bible-believing Christian is not in the Republican Party, the conservative movement or in winning the culture war, but in Christ Jesus.” (1)

I agree strongly with this statement.

I agree so much with this statement that my focus of late has been mostly about things happening in churches.

In an upcoming post, I will make a comment about Hindu and Buddhist practices being taught today in almost all of our “Christian” denominations.  The post won’t go up until I feel comfortable with the amount of research done.

I continue to be amazed at the things “churches” are allowing.

Anyone who knows me will tell you what I think of political involvement.  I may not have helped our new mayor get one vote. But if you ask her, she will tell you that it wasn’t because I didn’t try.

HotSprings Mayor-Elect Ruth Carney/Photo by Barbara Anable

Although I believe our salvation is in Jesus Christ alone, that doesn’t mean we are to sit by and watch things unravel.

Here is the scripture that some American Christians use for their lack of participation in, or their unwillingness to place any moral connotations on, the political process:

1Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God.

2Therefore whoever resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves.

These verses are found in Romans 13.

It is interesting that when these words were penned, Nero was emperor.

I do not question the word of God.  In the end, are we not strangers and pilgrims on this earth? (Heb. 11)

At the same time, there are three points that must be made regarding these verses.

First, one must never forget that scripture gives us an exception to these verses.

“But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men.” (Acts 5)

No one has the right to control a person’s conscience.  There are times when a believer will, by obeying God, make men angry.  Many scriptures can be found relating to this reality.

This is the reason so many Christians did not survive the cruelty of Nero. They would not deny their Lord.

“Nero had the self-admitted Christians arrested.” – Tacitus (2)

Second, we live in a unique political situation.  The power of our government lies with “We the people.” There are only 20 Federal Republics on the planet and looking at the list, I would contend that we are perhaps the freest country in the group.

Since the power of government lies with us and not with someone like Nero, we are in a unique position.  We control what becomes law and what doesn’t.  That makes us responsible for how we are governed.  Therefore, I think it would be irresponsible of us not to be involved in the process.

Another argument against political involvement by Christians is that “Jesus wasn’t politically active.”

I will not try to defend the Roman Government that existed at the time that God chose to become a man; particularly the methods used to punish offenders of Roman law.

However, it is worth noting that laws did exist:

“Tribunals were set up for crimes against the state, and eventually these came to include treason, electoral bribery, embezzlement of state property, adultery, and murder by violence or poison…” (3)

Yes, we all know Jesus’ response to the tax question:

“…render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s and to God the things that are God’s.”

Aren’t these spiritual and political statements within the same sentence?

Everything Jesus did and said has huge ramifications for any government.

The definition of politics is “activities associated with government.”

The word “government” brings to mind a verse that is very popular at Christmastime:

“For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; And the government will rest on His shoulders; And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6

During Jesus’ ministry, he was looking towards the government spoken of in this verse.

I don’t understand how any American can say that Christians shouldn’t be involved in politics.  We should be particularly active when it comes to issues that relate to righteousness.

I should mention here that a Theocracy will not be possible until Jesus returns.  Some say that’s what some Christians want.  Yes, Christians want one, but because of man’s sinful nature it is not now possible.

There is a third point.  I don’t think it’s right for folks to quote the first two verses of Romans 13 without quoting the rest of the chapter as it relates to involvement in politics.  Here are the first two verses again:

1Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God.

2Therefore whoever resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves.

Here are the remaining verses:

3For rulers are not a cause of fear for good behavior, but for evil. Do you want to have no fear of authority? Do what is good and you will have praise from the same;

4for it is a minister of God to you for good. But if you do what is evil, be afraid; for it does not bear the sword for nothing; for it is a minister of God, an avenger who brings wrath on the one who practices evil.

5Therefore it is necessary to be in subjection, not only because of wrath, but also for conscience’ sake.

6For because of this you also pay taxes, for rulers are servants of God, devoting themselves to this very thing.

7Render to all what is due them: tax to whom tax is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor.

8Owe nothing to anyone except to love one another; for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law.

9For this, “YOU SHALL NOT COMMIT ADULTERY, YOU SHALL NOT MURDER, YOU SHALL NOT STEAL, YOU SHALL NOT COVET,” and if there is any other commandment, it is summed up in this saying, “YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.”

10Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.

11Do this, knowing the time, that it is already the hour for you to awaken from sleep; for now salvation is nearer to us than when we believed.

12The night is almost gone, and the day is near Therefore let us lay aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light.

13Let us behave properly as in the day, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual promiscuity and sensuality, not in strife and jealousy.

14But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh in regard to its lusts.

Verse 5 is a key verse.  Looking at the rest of the passage, we are to lay aside “deeds of darkness” such as those mentioned in verse 13.

Verse 5 is obviously referring to subjection that doesn’t violate the laws of God.  Otherwise, the entire chapter is meaningless.

If the government tells me that I have to kill someone or steal something, I should, in the words of Peter and the apostles, “obey God rather than man.”

Now, if anyone has read this far, I will explain why I have made these comments.

Yesterday, an article was published about two organizations that have drawn a moral line.  They have decided to follow Biblical principles and not those of the world.

The article begins:

“Two of the nation’s premier moral issues organizations, the Family Research Council and Concerned Women for America, are refusing to attend the Conservative Political Action Conference in February because a homosexual activist group, GOProud, has been invited.” (4)

I applaud the Family Research Council and the Concerned Women for America for this decision.

Yesterday’s article in World Net Daily went on to say:

“The American Conservative Union, longtime organizers of CPAC, disclosed just before Christmas that GOProud would be considered a “participating organization,” the second highest level of participation. As a “participating organization,” GOProud has a voice in planning the conference.”

The article also notes other problems the American Conservative Union is having.

This is the second time the Family Research Council has been in the news this month.

The Family Research Council has recently been called a “hate group” by the Southern Poverty Law Center. (5)

If you heard this news, your response was probably like mine…”WHAT????”

Concerned Women of America (CWA) is another of the 18 groups considered “hate groups” by the SPLC. (6)

Also listed by the SPLC as “hate groups” are: the American Family Association (AFA), Coral Ridge Ministries, Family Research Institute (FRI), Illinois Family Institute, Liberty Council, National Organization for Marriage, and the Traditional Values Coalition.

The vote to allow GOProud to participate at the Conservative Political Action Conference was evidently a close one. It doesn’t change the results. The action by the American Conservative Union is another example of how definitions continue to change.

Just because something has the word “conservative” attached to it doesn’t make it a good thing.

Sadly, the same could be said about the word “Christian” these days.

This verse is something the American Family Council and the Concerned Women of America believe:

13Let us behave properly as in the day, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual promiscuity and sensuality, not in strife and jealousy.

Both groups have published materials about the adverse affects that homosexuality has on society.

Their concern for righteousness is to be commended.  Thankfully, there are groups still willing to take a stand on moral issues.

Sadly, the percentage of churches willing to take such a stand continues to decrease.

How many more hits will the walls take before the city gates are wide open?

Chris Reimers

Sources:

  1. https://chrisreimersblog.wordpress.com/2010/12/16/can-conservatism-save-u
  2. http://www.unrv.com/culture/christian-persecution.php
  3. http://library.thinkquest.org/26602/government.htm
  4. http://www.wnd.com/?pageId=244741
  5. http://news.yahoo.com/s/dailycaller/20101215/pl_dailycaller/familyresearchcounciltopgoplawmakersfightbackagainstsplchategrouplabel
  6. http://www.splcenter.org/get-informed/intelligence-report/browse-all-issues/2010/winter/the-hard-liners

Leave a Comment » | Commentary | Permalink
Posted by Chris

I HEARD THE BELLS

December 24, 2010

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

4 Comments | Words that Uplift | Permalink
Posted by Chris

TWO BABES IN A MANGER

December 24, 2010

In 1994, two Americans answered an invitation from the Russian

Department of Education to teach morals and ethics (based on Biblical

principles) in the public schools. They were invited to teach at

prisons, businesses, the fire and police departments, and a large

orphanage. About 100 boys and girls who had been abandoned, abused, and

left in the care of a government-run program were in the orphanage.

They relate the following story in their own words:

It was nearing the holiday season, 1994, time for our orphans to hear,

for the first time, the traditional story of Christmas. We told them

about Mary and Joseph arriving in Bethlehem. Finding no room in the inn,

the couple went to a stable, where the baby Jesus was born, and placed in a manger.

Throughout the story, the children and orphanage staff sat in amazement

as they listened. Some sat on the edges of their stools trying to grasp

every word. Completing the story, we gave the children three small

pieces of cardboard to make a crude manger. Each child was given a small

paper square, cut from yellow napkins I had brought with me. No colored

paper was available in the city.

Following instructions, the children

tore the paper and carefully laid strips in the manager for straw. Small

squares of flannel, cut. from a worn-out nightgown an American lady was

throwing away as she left Russia, were used for the baby’s blanket. A

doll-like baby was cut from tan felt we had brought from the United

States.

The orphans were busy assembling their manger as I walked among

them to see if they needed any help. All went well until I got to one

table where little Misha sat. He looked to be about 6 years old and had

finished his project. As I looked at the little boy’s manger, I was

startled to see not one, but two babies in the manger.

———————————————————–

Manny, my blogger friend and creator of Kairos Now, posted this story on his site yesterday.  What an excellent story for Christmastime! (Manny has a new blog now so the following link comes from a source that I found this year…2013)

Here’s how this true Christmas story ends:

TWO BABES IN A MANGER

Leave a Comment » | Words that Uplift | Permalink
Posted by Chris

THE CHRISTMAS STORY BY KIDS

December 22, 2010

Imagine how a preschooler would answer questions about Christmas.

One might get a few interesting responses.

As this came from an email sent to my family, I won’t identify the sender.

I will say, “Thank you.”

Enjoy. -CR

http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=ki8EcnVbd-Q

Leave a Comment » | Words that Uplift | Permalink
Posted by Chris

“GOD WILL TAKE CARE OF YOU”

December 22, 2010

Barbara Anable sent this to me and it’s too good not to share.

This is one of the cutest things I’ve seen in a while, and it is accompanied by a wonderful truth.

A two-year-old steal the show?  Nawwwwwwwww.  How about “is the show.”

The song fits the season well.  The words remind me of the verse:

” Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they?”

Enjoy. -CR

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MLPp4gXUY3o

Leave a Comment » | Words that Uplift | Permalink
Posted by Chris

MERRY CHRISTMAS – GOD LOVES YOU

December 21, 2010

I don’t pretend to understand God’s love. I know enough about God’s love to share the story with others, but I am too unlike God to fully comprehend it.

To understand the love of God completely, one would have to be God. One would have to have done what Jesus did.

We know one thing absolutely.

God loves us.

The Bible tells us that:

“There is none righteous, not even one;

“There is none who understands,

“There is none who seeks for God;

“All have turned aside, together they have become useless;

“There is none who does good,

“There is not even one.”

This information is given to us in the Old and the New Testaments (Ps. 14, Romans 3)

Sounds pretty bad, huh?

Then there’s the Love of God.

I think if the world really understood it, we wouldn’t be in the mess in which we find ourselves.

I don’t understand it fully. That is the problem I have.

Jesus knew why He came into the world.

“And being in agony He was praying very fervently; and His sweat became like drops of blood, falling down upon the ground.” (Luke 22)

His burden came from you and me and from everyone who has ever existed.

Jesus came into the world because of our sin.

A recent Mel Gibson movie that I never saw made an effort to depict the physical suffering of Jesus.

I’m told the movie did a good job of it.

The agony, the drops of blood in the garden, didn’t come from the knowledge of the physical treatment He would receive.

The agony came from the weight of the world that was on His shoulders.

The weight of the world’s sin was on His shoulders.

The pain of the crucifixion was infinitely minute compared to the weight of the sins that He bore.

“He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross.” (1 Peter 2:24)

This is the love of God. This is why Christians celebrate His birth.

Without Christ we are lost.

But, nothing can separate us from the love of God.

“For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:38-39)

Again I ask why. Why did Jesus do it?

I’ve mentioned the love of God. There is an accompanying answer.

The verse from 1 Peter that I’ve quoted above has an interesting finish.

“He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross…

so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; for by His wounds you were healed.”

Thus, we know the “why.”

1 John 1:9 tells us the “how.”

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

What a promise! What a blessing! What love!

I will never understand God’s love fully, but I understand enough.

The sinless baby placed in a feeding trough is the way, the truth, and the life.

What a gift!!!

Merry Christmas.

Chris Reimers

2 Comments | Commentary, LIFE, Words that Uplift | Permalink
Posted by Chris

THE DIGITAL STORY OF THE NATIVITY

December 20, 2010

Madman Dave

I went to one of the blogs on my blogroll today and saw something that I think you would enjoy.

I really don’t know how to explain it except to say that Dave Wilson’s Blog Faces of Lions explains it as: “A Portuguese advertising agency re-imagines the Christmas story unfolding in our social media age.”

The three minute video is entertaining.

See it here:

http://facesoflions.wordpress.com/2010/12/20/the-story-of-the-nativity-told-in-social-media

CR

Leave a Comment » | The Lighter Side | Permalink
Posted by Chris

“NOT UNTO MEN”

December 19, 2010

“Ye serve the Lord Christ.” – Col 3:24

To what choice order of officials was this word spoken? To kings who proudly boast a right divine?

Ah, no! Too often do they serve themselves or Satan, and forget the God whose sufferance permits them to wear their mimic majesty for their little hour. Speaks then the apostle to those so called “right reverend fathers in God”, the bishops, or “the venerable the archdeacons?”

No, indeed, Paul knew nothing of these mere inventions of man. Not even to pastors and teachers, or to the wealthy and esteemed among believers, was this word spoken, but to servants, aye, and to slaves. Among the toiling multitudes, the journeymen, the day labourers, the domestic servants, the drudges of the kitchen, the apostle found, as we find still, some of the Lord’s chosen, and to them he says,

“Whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.”

This saying ennobles the weary routine of earthly employments, and sheds a halo around the most humble occupations. To wash feet may be servile, but to wash his feet is royal work. To unloose the shoe latchet is poor employ, but to unloose the great Master’s shoe is a princely privilege. The shop, the barn, the scullery, and the smithy become temples when men and women do all to the glory of God!

Then “divine service” is not a thing of a few hours and a few places, but all life becomes holiness unto the Lord, and every place and thing, as consecrated as the tabernacle and its golden candlestick.

Teach me, my God and King,

in all things thee to see;

And what I do in anything

to do it as to thee.

All may of thee partake,

nothing can be so mean,

Which with this tincture, for thy sake,

will not grow bright and clean.

A servant with this clause

makes drudgery divine;

Who sweeps a room, as for thy laws,

makes that and the action fine.

-Charles Spurgeon

Leave a Comment » | Words that Uplift | Permalink
Posted by Chris

« Previous Entries
Next Entries »