From My Perspective - - -

In a review and editorial, Loren Green, Fox News Religion Contributor uses the headline, “Combating Religious Intolerance With A UN Resolution?” and notes: “It probably slipped most people’s notice. It wasn’t a big story. It was a little routine vote at the United Nations on a resolution called “Combating Defamation of Religion”. It passed — for the ninth year in a row. The resolution, on the surface, seems almost a no-brainer for the General Assembly. Of course, people should be respectful of other religions. But that’s not exactly what this resolution says. Many member nations, including the United States, as well as several non-profit groups like the Becket Fund and the Washington-based American Center for Law and Justice, see the resolution as the proverbial wolf in sheep’s clothing. The Combating Defamation of Religion resolution was introduced and promoted by the 57-member nations of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC). The OIC has lobbied since 1999 for the plan. According to the American Center for Law and Justice, the resolution is based on the Cairo Declaration of Human Rights in Islam, which states that all rights are subject to Shariah law, and makes Shariah law the only source of reference for human rights. However the resolution was amended to appeal to a more diverse group. Drafts of the resolution in early October would have made it a criminal act and violation of international law to “defame another religion.” Although the drafts were amended to say all religions, only Islam is mentioned by name. And the U.S. lobbied specifically to remove any reference to it being a criminal act…”

One could ask: “Where is the danger, and what is the subtlety?” It’s interesting that secularists quickly noticed the implication if the Resolution passed in its original form. “One U.S. Ambassador commented a few weeks ago how divisive this issue is: The resolution could criminalize free speech, and that it’s a cover for criminalizing domestic free speech. The point is: if a resolution by the world body criminalizes speech even speech that defames and is in bad taste, then International Law could potentially brow beat and trample on the U.S. Constitution. That’s why the U.S. voted “no.” The resolution is non-binding. There’s no international body to enforce it. But it does set a tone of what is and is not acceptable. The U.S. official said, it would give countries the ability to pass anti-free speech laws if it criticizes a religion, it would make it difficult to proselytize or share your faith unless you practice a State approved faith, or could make you fear changing your religion.”

From My Perspective - - -

Everyone views life through his/her personal prism. We do not exist in a vacuum! We all have our values and biases. However, there are those who believe some “magic” has been at work in their behalf – maybe “karma”! There are numbers of people who believe that everything occurring in life is to be relegated and embraced as “good luck” – a matter of being in the right place at the right time. It is viewed as “chance” (things just happen). One can hear some commentary allude to “having to play the hand you’ve been dealt.” Much of this falls into the areas of relativism (no ideas or beliefs are universally true…their validity depends on the circumstances in which they are applied), and/or fatalism (all things are subject to fate, are predetermined, or that they take place by inevitable necessity). Determinism attaches itself to these views of life by allowing: “… that every state of affairs, including every human event, act, and decision is the inevitable consequence of antecedent states of affairs...” In other words, free will and intelligent choices are inconsequential – things are the way they are because of natural forces that predetermined that’s how they would be.

The above views and definitions have serious consequences. All of those views rule out Design and Order in the Universe. It becomes part of the Evolutionary School of thought and finds expression through various philosophies in the quest for Being and the search for Reality. If one’s presuppositions disallow for the supernatural, then the quest and search become endless and more and more circular. It becomes impossible to arrive at any foundational reality. In like manner, any attempt to define reality apart from the supernatural causes one to wander in the abyss of incredibility.

On the one hand, Paleontologists focus on “body fossils and trace fossils as the principal types of evidence about ancient life, and geochemical evidence has helped to decipher the evolution of life before there were organisms large enough to leave fossils. Estimating the dates of these remains is essential but difficult: sometimes adjacent rock layers allow radiometric dating, which provide absolute dates that are accurate to within 0.5%, but more often paleontologists have to rely on relative dating by solving the jigsaw puzzles of biostratigraphy (the study of the spatial and temporal distribution of fossil organisms, often interpolated with radiometric, geochemical, and paleoenvironmental information as a means of dating rock strata).” On the other hand, the Psalmist understands origins and life and reality much differently. In Psalm 139:13 through 18, “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them! Were I to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand. When I awake, I am still with you…”

From My Perspective - - -

Tension is a current experience in the world and in individual lives. The most recent news about events in Mumbai (Bombay), India is an example. Once it was learned that those responsible for the attacks were being trained and coordinated by leaders in Pakistan – tensions heightened and other nations have attempted to intervene to lessen tensions between two nuclear nations. An article in today’s International Herald Tribune states: “Fresh evidence unearthed Thursday by investigators in India indicated that the Mumbai attacks were stage-managed from at least two Pakistani cities by top leaders of the militant group Lashkar-e-Taiba. Indian and American intelligence officials have already identified a Lashkar operative, who goes by the name Yusuf Muzammil, as a mastermind of the attacks. While Muzammil appears to have served as a control officer in Lahore, Pakistan, Lakhvi, his boss and the operational commander of Lashkar, worked from Karachi, a southern Pakistani port city, said investigators in Mumbai…”

Meanwhile, The Jerusalem Post has been reporting: “The IDF is drawing up options for a strike on Iranian nuclear facilities that do not include coordination with the United States, The Jerusalem Post has learned. While its preference is to coordinate with the US, defense officials have said Israel is preparing a wide range of options for such an operation. It is always better to coordinate, one top Defense Ministry official explained last week. But we are also preparing options that do not include coordination. Israeli officials have said it would be difficult, but not impossible, to launch a strike against Iran…” Tensions between nations are stimulated by the desire to survive and exist.

On Monday, the Christian Post reported a finding on the tension within ethical values of young people today. They report: In the past year, 30% of U.S. high school students have stolen from a store and 64% have cheated on a test, according to a new, large-scale survey suggesting that Americans are too apathetic about ethical standards…The competition is greater, the pressures on kids have increased dramatically, said Mel Riddle of the National Association of Secondary School Principals. They have opportunities (to cheat) their predecessors didn't have - the temptation is greater. The Josephson Institute, a Los Angeles-based ethics institute, surveyed 29,760 students at 100 randomly selected high schools nationwide, both public and private…Michael Josephson, the institute's founder and president, said he was most dismayed by the findings about theft. The survey found that 35% of boys and 26% of girls (30% overall) acknowledged stealing from a store within the past year. One-fifth said they stole something from a friend; 23% said they stole something from a parent or other relative…64% of students cheated on a test in the past year and 38% did so two or more times…36% said they used the Internet to plagiarize an assignment…42%...Despite such responses, 93% of the students said they were satisfied with their personal ethics and character, and 77% affirmed that when it comes to doing what is right, I am better than most people I know…"

From My Perspective - - -

For many of us, Christmas has always meant (1) a time for Santa Claus, decorated trees, gifts, family gatherings, reading of “Twas The Night Before Christmas…”, or (2) A Designated time for the Celebration of the Birth of Jesus Christ – Choir Cantatas, Candlelight Services, Pageants, Manger Scenes, Caroling, etc. There has always been much tradition and ritual as December 25^th approaches.

The past several years has seen a movement away from the Traditional Observances to a more Commercial and Secular one. Santa is still tolerated; gift giving is greatly encouraged; popular seasonal songs have replaced the Christmas Carols, the Christmas Tree is now called the Holiday Tree, Merchants wish you Happy Holidays rather than Merry Christmas, etc. There has been a serious effort to change Christmas observances from a religious orientation to a secular observance. On the American Atheists Webpage, the following is stated: “Atheism is a doctrine stating that nothing exists but natural phenomena (matter), that thought is a property or function of matter, and that death irreversibly and totally terminates individual organic units. This definition means that there are no forces, phenomena, or entities which exist outside of or apart from physical nature, or which transcend nature, or are “super” natural, nor can there be. Humankind is on its own.” With that in mind, they totally disavow the observance of any date (December 25^th or other) that would celebrate the Birth of a Supernatural Being called the Son of God.

The Traditional Date for Celebrating the Birth of Christ – December 25^th – is challenged as being nothing more that the occasion of Winter Solstice. They deem it an astronomical and/or cultural event. Their approach to a December Celebration is debunked and their argument states: “There are two occasions each year when the position of the sun at a given time of day does not seem to change direction. In the Northern Hemisphere, the summer solstice occurs around June 21 and is the longest day of the year. The sun stops getting higher in the sky, and the days begin to grow shorter. The winter solstice, which occurs around December 21, is the shortest day. The sun stops getting lower in the sky, and the days begin to grow longer. The winter solstice occurs at the instant when the Sun's position in the sky is at its greatest angular distance on the other side of the equatorial plane from the observer. Depending on the shift of the calendar, the event of the winter solstice occurs some time between December 20 and December 23 each year in the northern hemisphere, and between June 20 and June 23 in the southern hemisphere, during either the shortest day or the longest night of the year.

The American Atheists in Olympia, Washington are demanding their right to post a sign near to or opposite the public Nativity Scene. KiroTv in Washington is reporting that an atheistic sign will be included in the state Capitol’s holiday display that includes a holiday tree and a Christian nativity scene. The sign, a new addition this year, is sponsored by the Freedom from Religion Foundation, and states: “There are no gods, no devils, no angels, no heaven, no hell. There is only our natural world. Religion is but a myth and superstition that hardens hearts and enslaves minds!”

Consider these things with me - - At the time of the Birth of Jesus Christ, there was much political pressure upon people. Everyone had to travel to the town of origin for a national census. This occasioned Mary and Joseph having to travel to Bethlehem. King Herod feared a rival king emerging. Matthew 2:13-15 records, “…an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. Get up, he said, take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him. So he got up, took the child and his mother during the night and left for Egypt, where he stayed until the death of Herod. And so was fulfilled what the Lord had said through the prophet: Out of Egypt I called my son.”  Herod was unsuccessful in his efforts and the American Atheists will be unsuccessful in there’s as well. The Celebration of the Birth of Jesus Christ is not secular anyway. Let the Church do what it should do – join with the Angels of old and Herald the Birth of Jesus Christ and His Gospel message!

From My Perspective - - -

For quite some time, a debate has been taking place in terms of a Purposeful Creator versus a Purposeless Evolution. A Poll conducted by World Net Daily regarding – “BY DIVINE APPOINTMENT: Is Barack Obama God's Sovereign Choice For America's Next President?” (267 votes) shows results through November 30^th…
No, he was the establishment media's choice - they just think they're God - 34% (90)…
Yes, God is sovereign over everything - all things, whether we like them or not, work to his purpose and his glory - 26% (69)…
Yes, and if this doesn't make Americans repent of their many sins, God could give us someone even worse next time - 12% (31)…
No, Obama is rabidly pro-abortion and God hates abortion - 6% (16)…
No, Obama's victory was the result of millions of Americans exercising their free choice - 6% (15)...
Other Poll Suggestions:
Yes, and given his wealth-destroying economic philosophy, I fear his victory is evidence of God's displeasure with America - 4% (11); Yes, the Bible says all authority is from God - 3% (9); Yes, God is testing our patriotism to see if we'll prove worthy of the freedom he gave us - and for which so many made the ultimate sacrifice - by resisting Obama's tyrannical policies - 3% (8); Other - 2% (6); No, there is no God - 1% (4); Yes, if by "God" you mean Allah - 1% (4); No, God has more important things to care about than who becomes our next president - 1% (2)...
The remainder of the Poll receiving insignificant response was:
No, God controls the spiritual realm but leaves the social realm to people - 0% (1); Yes, God has raised up Obama to heal our land - 0% (1); No, God believes in separation of church and state - 0% (0); Yes, God hates war and killing - Obama opposed going into Iraq from the beginning and he will bring our troops home - 0% (0); Yes, he's the Messiah - God has to be on his side - 0% (0); Yes, it's such a long shot for a black man to be elected in racist America, it had to be a miracle - 0% (0); Yes, otherwise it means Obama not only beat McCain, he beat the Almighty - 0% (0)...

It is both surprising and revealing that in a nation boasting a high percentage of “born again believers” and an “evangelical” orientation such responses to this Poll are given. If these results are representative of a random cross-section of the population, then the Christian Church had best re-evaluate its’ message and educational programs in terms of content and practical application. The observation stating: “Sitting in a Church does not make one a Christian any more than sitting in a garage makes one a Car!” has validity. It may be that the confusion here is based upon a false premise, namely, that attendance and belief systems are synonymous. One can recite The Apostles’ Creed (with/without: He descended into hell) but that does not substantiate it as a foundational belief, but merely as part of the ritual in the church one attends.

From My Perspective - - -

Thanksgiving is a favorite and festive time. Family and Friends gather, as the Pilgrims of old, to celebrate a time of Thanksgiving. There is a large meal – Turkey and Stuffing, Pies – Pumpkin, Apple, Mince Meat, Sweet Potato and Pecan… It is a time to recognize God’s Bountiful provision and care. The 53 Pilgrims who marked that first Harvest/Thanksgiving period consisted of: 4 Married Women; 5 Adolescent Girls; 9 Adolescent Boys; 13 Young Children; and 22 Men, among them – John Alden, William Bradford, Myles Standish .

Edward Winslow wrote concerning the First Thanksgiving in America: "Our harvest being gotten in, our governor sent four men on fowling, that so we might after a special manner rejoice together, after we had gathered the fruits of our labors; they four in one day killed as much fowl, as with a little help beside, served the Company almost a week, at which time amongst other Recreations, we exercised our Arms, many of the Indians coming amongst us, and amongst the rest their greatest King Massasoit, with some ninety men, whom for three days we entertained and feasted, and they went out and killed five Deer, which they brought to the Plantation and bestowed on our Governor, and upon the Captain and others.  And although it be not always so plentiful, as it was at this time with us, yet by the goodness of God, we are so far from want,  that we often wish you partakers of our plenty."

William Bradford recorded his memories: “They began now to gather in the small harvest they had, and to fit up their houses and dwellings against winter, being all well recovered in health and strength and had all things in good plenty.  For as some were thus employed in affairs abroad, others were exercised in fishing, about cod and bass and other fish, of which they took good store, of which every family had their portion. All the summer there was no want; and now began to come in store of fowl, as winter approached, of which this place did abound when they came first (but afterward decreased by degrees).  And besides waterfowl there was great store of wild turkeys, of which they took many, besides venison, etc. Besides, they had about a peck of meal a week to a person, or now since harvest, Indian corn to that proportion.  Which made many afterwards write so largely of their plenty here to their friends in England, which were not feigned but true reports."

Some of the Lyrics from America, The Beautiful are a suitable reminder: “America! America! God shed His grace on thee, And crown thy good with brotherhood, From sea to shining sea! O beautiful for pilgrim feet, Whose stern impassioned stress; A thoroughfare for freedom beat Across the wilderness. America! America! God mend thine every flaw, Confirm thy soul in self-control, Thy liberty in law.” There is a Hymn Refrain that can serve as a Thanksgiving Prayer most should be willing to offer: “Great is Thy faithfulness! Great is Thy faithfulness! Morning by morning new mercies I see; All I have needed Thy hand hath provided Great is Thy Faithfulness, Lord unto me.”

Consider these things with me - - - Exodus 23:16 reminds us of the perpetual celebration of Thanksgiving. The Lord instructed His people, “Celebrate the Feast of Harvest with the first-fruits of the crops you sow in your field. Celebrate the Feast of Ingathering at the end of the year, when you gather in your crops from the field.” In the story of the Chicken and the Pig, the Pig reminds the Chicken that laying an egg is merely a contribution (and the normal routine continues), whereas to provide the Bacon and Ham requires total commitment (the Pig has to be slaughtered). Which brings us back to our Turkey and The Last Gobble. The Turkey can only celebrate vicariously! The Turkey’s life of strutting around the Barnyard unexpectedly came to an abrupt end so you/we can celebrate the Bountiful Blessings of God and His faithful provision for us. The Turkey had to die so we could be nourished – and gave his last gobble! Jesus had to die so we could be cleansed from our sin and have eternal life in Him – and gave His last cry: “Father, forgive them!” Have we died to self and self-interests? Have a Happy and Joyous Thanksgiving!

From My Perspective - - -

The way one approaches life is vital. These are serious times in which to live. Therefore, it behooves us all to give greater thought and to be more definitive in how we respond to “these times that try the souls of men.” In economic matters, this truth is just as urgent. The sound economic theory, stated as a parody, or cliché (of sorts) is: “If your outgo exceeds your income, your upkeep will be your downfall.” We are confronted with very serious financial matters. Much of this has occurred because of excessive risks in both loans and credit. The question before our nation and other nations of the world is: “What do we do now?”

It appears as though the response of our nation among the economists, government leaders, and the Central (Federal Reserve) Bank is characterized by glibness.  The definition of the term describes the actions that are being taken: “Performed with a natural, offhand ease; Showing little thought, preparation, or concern…” To illustrate this point, we have a report submitted yesterday from the Bloomberg Press stating the following:  “The U.S. government is prepared to provide more than $7.76 trillion on behalf of American taxpayers after guaranteeing $306 billion of Citigroup Inc. debt yesterday. The pledges, amounting to half the value of everything produced in the nation last year, are intended to rescue the financial system after the credit markets seized up 15 months ago. The unprecedented pledge of funds includes $3.18 trillion already tapped by financial institutions in the biggest response to an economic emergency since the New Deal of the 1930s, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. The commitment dwarfs the plan approved by lawmakers, the Treasury Department’s $700 billion Troubled Asset Relief Program. Federal Reserve lending last week was 1,900 times the weekly average for the three years before the crisis…” All of this is occurring while the reality of business failures is multiplying; mortgage foreclosures are increasing; unemployment is rising – and the government committing over 7 trillion dollars into a situation that the Bloomberg Report characterizes as, ”The worst financial crisis in two generations has erased $23 trillion, or 38 percent, of the value of the world’s companies and brought down three of the biggest Wall Street firms.” The question is: when will this Glibness end?!

When the Queen of Sheba came to visit King Solomon, several factors began to interplay with each other. There was the pride, lust and naiveté of King Solomon. There was the subtlety, flattery, and craftiness of the Queen of Sheba. The account of this meeting can be read in II Chronicles 9:1 through 12. Note the dynamic of what occurs during this meeting: “When the queen of Sheba saw the wisdom of Solomon, as well as the palace he had built, the food on his table, the seating of his officials, the attending servants in their robes, the cupbearers in their robes and the burnt offerings he made at the temple of the Lord, she was overwhelmed. She said to the king, The report I heard in my own country about your achievements and your wisdom is true. But I did not believe what they said until I came and saw with my own eyes. Indeed, not even half the greatness of your wisdom was told me; you have far exceeded the report I heard…” At the end of the day, we read: “King Solomon gave the Queen of Sheba all she desired and asked for; he gave her more than she had brought to him. Then she left and returned with her retinue to her own country…”

Consider these things with me - - - God has blessed our nation. It is inappropriate and sad when nations come to a point where they forget Who their Source and Resource has been. Can the words “King Solomon gave the Queen of Sheba all she desired and asked for” be a commentary regarding the Government “Bailout” of Banks and Businesses and Industries in our nation. Large companies that have made very large profits come and ask for $25 Billion to $50 Billion. Will we allow our Glibness to contribute to the downfall and/or demise of our nation? Will our excesses and lack of responsible financial acumen (shrewdness shown by keen insight) blind us to the inevitable bankruptcy toward which we are headed at an accelerated rate? If you were headed toward a bridge that had collapsed, would you continue to proceed at full speed - not slowing down or stopping - until you had plunged over the precipice? Disaster is preventable! Will we return to our Source and Resource while there is time? I hope you will and that you will be thankful you did!

From My Perspective - - -

Upon entering College, the class was assigned and challenged to read the dictionary – at least five (new) words a week. Reading a Dictionary can be very boring or very exciting. If one is to expand his/her vocabulary, there is no alternative. For those who study people and their vocabulary usage, the following is the best estimate of a Vocabulary Count in various sectors: “Grade 1 Student =1,000 words; Normal Person (Graduate) = 5,000 to 6,000 words; University Professor = 15,000 words; Spelling Bee Winners = 30,000; College Dictionary (Abridged) = 50,000-70,000; Total Words in English Language = 250,000 (Growing); Dictionary (Unabridged) with derivatives = 450,000…”

After completing Graduate Studies, there was a renewal of interest in words and their meaning. Watching a TV Program such as Firing Line with William F, Buckley (plus reading his editorials) became a motivator for expanding vocabulary. One program in particular featured Gore Vidal, an intellectual and rival and critic of William Buckley, In one of Vidal’s vitriolic tirades, Buckley responded with a twinkle in his eye - very glibly and sarcastically – “your comment was stated so mellifluously by you.” Obviously, Vidal was not intending his words to be spoken “sweetly or smoothly flowing; sweet-sounding…”

There are not all that many who have mastered the English Language. An Editorial Writer who comes closest to a Buckley-type is George F. Will. In a recent column on public financing of Presidential Elections, Will makes this comment about the Washington Post – “The Post, which is melancholy about the system's parlous condition…” Parlous meaning, ”perilous, dangerous”! He then gives his terse and practical bottom-line with these words: “The Center for Responsive Politics calculates that, by Election Day, $2.4 billion will have been spent on presidential campaigns in the two-year election cycle that began in January 2007, and an additional $2.9 billion will have been spent on 435 House and 35 Senate contests. This $5.3 billion is a billion less than Americans will spend this year on potato chips…”

Currently, Bill O’Reilly is closing his O’Reilly Factor telecast with words that are either obscure and/or obsolete. His website lists 61 words that he most often uses. When reminding people about email sent to him, he will use a word: “Don’t be meretricious (based on pretense, deception, or insincerity)”. A word that used to be a favorite of his is, “Don’t be a blatherskite (a person given to voluble, empty talk)”. An amusing citation is, “Don’t be a codswallop (nonsensical talk or writing).” One that he hasn’t used in a while is, “Don’t be a jabberwocky (an example of writing or speech consisting of or containing meaningless words)”.

Consider these things with me - - - The words one uses are important. Those words, most often, can and will be of the more common sort so one can communicate clearly. During this week of Thanksgiving, words that should flow readily and be heard are, “Grateful, Blessings, Thanks, Gratitude, etc.” Rather than using words such as, Beneficent or Philanthropic, how simpler it would be to suggest being kind to and doing good for another! An older Hymn suggests: “Count Your Blessings, name them one by one…; And it will surprise you what the Lord has done.” Someone thought the lyric could be changed slightly to: “Count Your Blessings, name them by the score; And it will surprise you there are many more.” As you approach Thanksgiving Day, take time to echo some of the thoughts of David in Psalm 103:1 through 6, 8 – “Bless the Lord, O my soul; And all that is within me, bless His holy name! Bless the Lord, O my soul, And forget not all His benefits: Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases, Who redeems your life from destruction, Who crowns you with loving-kindness and tender mercies, Who satisfies your mouth with good things, So that your youth is renewed like the eagle's. The Lord executes righteousness And justice for all who are oppressed…The LORD is merciful and gracious; he is slow to get angry and full of unfailing love…”

From My Perspective - - -

As we look at these times, there is a vague similarity to the events surrounding World War II. In his first speech as Prime Minister, on May 13^th, 1940, Winston Churchill met his cabinet and sought to gain their confidence, and that of the people of Great Britain. While he wanted to encourage them during very difficult and hard times, he said: “I have nothing to offer but blood, toil, tears and sweat.” Churchill’s address ended with these stirring words: “We have before us an ordeal of the most grievous kind. We have before us many, many long months of struggle and of suffering. You ask, what is our policy? I can say: It is to wage war, by sea, land and air, with all our might and with all the strength that God can give us; to wage war against a monstrous tyranny, never surpassed in the dark, lamentable catalogue of human crime. That is our policy. You ask, what is our aim? I can answer in one word: It is victory, victory at all costs, victory in spite of all terror, victory, however long and hard the road may be; for without victory, there is no survival. Let that be realized; no survival for the British Empire, no survival for all that the British Empire has stood for, no survival for the urge and impulse of the ages, that mankind will move forward towards its goal. But I take up my task with buoyancy and hope. I feel sure that our cause will not be suffered to fail among men. At this time I feel entitled to claim the aid of all, and I say, "come then, let us go forward together with our united strength."

On the other side of the Atlantic, Franklin Delano Roosevelt gave his First Inaugural Address in 1933. He shared this grim perspective and reality to a desperate but hopeful nation: “This great Nation will endure as it has endured, will revive and will prosper. So, first of all, let me assert my firm belief that the only thing we have to fear is fear itself—nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror which paralyzes needed efforts to convert retreat into advance….In such a spirit on my part and on yours we face our common difficulties. They concern, thank God, only material things. Values have shrunken to fantastic levels; taxes have risen; our ability to pay has fallen; government of all kinds is faced by serious curtailment of income; the means of exchange are frozen in the currents of trade; the withered leaves of industrial enterprise lie on every side; farmers find no markets for their produce; the savings of many years in thousands of families are gone. More important, a host of unemployed citizens face the grim problem of existence, and an equally great number toil with little return. Only a foolish optimist can deny the dark realities of the moment…Happiness lies not in the mere possession of money; it lies in the joy of achievement, in the thrill of creative effort. The joy and moral stimulation of work no longer must be forgotten in the mad chase of evanescent profits. These dark days will be worth all they cost us if they teach us that our true destiny is not to be ministered unto but to minister to ourselves and to our fellow men…In this dedication of a Nation we humbly ask the blessing of God. May He protect each and every one of us. May He guide me in the days to come.”

Consider these things with me - - - and remember the thinking of King David in Psalm 27, “The Lord is my light and my salvation—whom/what shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life--of whom/what shall I be afraid?…Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then I WILL BE CONFIDENT…My heart says of you, Seek his face! Your face, Lord, I will seek…Teach me your way, O Lord; lead me in a straight path…I AM STILL CONFIDENT of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.” Don’t lose your focus or your confidence. Trust the Lord now – and – always!

From My Perspective - - -

A recent news release mentions: “A group of humanists announced this week plans to plaster over 200 buses in Washington D.C. with ads bearing its godless holiday" message. Ads proclaiming, Why believe in a god? Just be good for goodness' sake, will appear on the outside and inside of DC Metro buses starting next Tuesday and will run throughout December. Newspaper versions of the ads ran in The New York Times and The Washington Post this week. The advertising campaign is part of an effort by the American Humanist Association to reach out to like-minded individuals around the nation's capitol and elsewhere who might be interested in humanism. The atheistic group espouses the belief that one can live a moral life apart from a belief in a god or the afterlife. "Humanists have always understood that you don't need a god to be good…So that's the point we're making with this advertising campaign. Morality doesn't come from religion. It's a set of values embraced by individuals and society based on empathy, fairness, and experience…Fred Edwords, spokesman for the humanist group, said the campaign seeks to connect with non-theists who feel a little alone during the holidays because of its association with traditional religion…”

While this is appalling, how long have we tolerated the Lyrics to Santa Claus Is Coming To Town without too much of a whimper. And yet, the Lyrics are ascribing to Santa Claus the non-communicable attributes of The Triune God - - - “He sees you when you’re sleeping…He knows when you’re awake…He knows if you’ve been bad or good…So – be good for goodness’ sake…” We indoctrinate the young children with the Lyric and use it as a ploy to stimulate better behavior and obedience – or – “Santa won’t bring you anything for Christmas!” And – what are we doing? Teaching the children that Santa is “omnipresent – everywhere present at the same time”; Santa is “omniscient – he knows everything you do and where you go”; Santa is “immutable – he never changes from one year to the next”; and – “Santa is making a list and checking it twice” – because he will hold you accountable for whether you have been “naughty or nice” – he is coming again – so “be good for goodness sake.” The Humanists are demonstrating that same lifestyle and belief system with the advertisements and signs proclaiming – “you don’t have to believe in a god - - be good for goodness sake…” The Humanists have learned their theology from Santa very well…

It is amazing to listen to the arguments of their spokesperson. Very intelligent people present and make their argument in a very gentle and soothing way. The Bible (which they care for not at all) addresses this type of positioning by intelligent people. As a matter of fact, one could approach the atheist and humanist by suggesting “you seem far to intelligent to believe the diatribe you espouse because The Bible – The Word from The True God indicates in Psalm 14:1, “The fool says in his heart, ‘There is no God.’ They are corrupt, their deeds are vile, there is no one who does good.” These same words are repeated in Psalm 53:1. The atheist’s even have their mocking version of “The Lord’s Prayer” and change the words… “Or brains, which art in our heads, treasured be thy name. Thy reasoning come. Thy best you can do be done, on earth as it is. Give us this day new insight to help us resolve conflicts and ease pain…” etc.

Consider these things with me - - - This is a special time when children can be weaned away from Santa’s Claws, and the secular humanism surrounding this important season. It may be viewed as trite – but – this a time to prepare for the celebration of the Birth of Jesus Christ. The children could celebrate the Birth of Jesus by having a Birthday Cake for Jesus and get the children away from the grasp of Santa’s Claws. It is a time to remember that God “was demonstrating His love for us”, in that, while we were still sinning – Christ was born so He could die for those sins (Romans 5:8)… It is a time to get the children away from Santa’s Claws so you can teach and rehearse the Biblically-based songs about Christmas and the Birth of Christ with them. They should learn and memorize the words to the great carols, such as – Hark! The Herald Angels Sing.” It would be a good Lyric by Charles Wesley to learn, as well as a Classic Musical Score by Felix Mendelssohn. It is time to be assertive about Jesus Christ. It is His Celebration – so – let’s CELEBRATE!!

From My Perspective - - -

In the ebb and flow of life, as one shuffles from place to place, it appears that altruism is either lost in our culture or shoved so far into the background that it is no longer recognizable. If it was implemented in practical ways, much of the dialogue and posturing with which we have become all too familiar would no longer be relevant. We would be doing and being what we should have always been doing and being. Altruism (according to Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary) is: “Regard for others, both natural and moral; devotion to the interests of others; brotherly kindness; -- opposed to egoism or selfishness…” The American Heritage Science Dictionary defines it as: "Instinctive cooperative behavior that is detrimental or without reproductive benefit to the individual but that contributes to the survival of the group to which the individual belongs…”

A Headline in the UK Newspaper, The Guardian emblazons: “37 Million Poor Hidden In The Land Of Plenty…” The story-line continues: “Americans have always believed that hard work will bring rewards, but vast numbers now cannot meet their bills even with two or three jobs. More than 1 in 10 citizens live below the poverty line, and the gap between the haves and have-nots is widening…That is 12.7 per cent of the population - the highest percentage in the developed world…Each year since 2001 their number has grown…” There are similar reports from other places… In France, “The number of poor people in metropolitan France was estimated at 7.9 million, which is equal to about 13.2 percent of the total population… From the India Post News Service comes a report – August 8, 2008 -“Poverty falls in India, but number of poor increases…The Poverty rate in India has dramatically declined although the number of poor has increased in 20 years up to 2005, according to new World Bank economic estimates. As per the revised estimates for India, the percentage of people living below the $1.25 a day decreased from 60 percent in 1981 to 42 percent in 2005. Even at a dollar a day (2005 prices), poverty has declined from 42 percent to 24 percent over the same period….” The statistics are dramatic from India – the numbers (instead of percentages) would be – 600 million down to 429 million; down to 240 million…

What if an old form of assisting the poor followed the philosophy of: “If you give a man a fish, he can eat for one day. If you teach him how to fish, he can feed himself the rest of his life.” I appreciate the ministry service and philosophy of Food For The Hungry. On their webpage (http://www.fh.org) they state what they do and what their goals are: “FOOD SECURITY - Transferring farming technologies to increase agricultural production, promoting forestry, soil conservation and water conservation… ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT - Micro-enterprise, irrigation, natural resource management, education, water & sanitation, community health. HEALTH - Preventing malnutrition, illness, and poor sanitation practices; performing health assessments and administering first-aid treatment; training and educating local health-care representatives…” They go beyond mere food distribution. They seek to challenge people to stretch themselves beyond their situation and circumstance so they can produce for themselves.