Voting For Romney As An Evil

What will you actually be voting into office?

*Updated*

Here are several links regarding Romney's recorded stances on issues supposedly important to "conservatives" and "Christians". If you are against homosexuality and abortion, then you should vote accordingly. That is, refuse to vote for all politicians who have a pro-abortion stand INCLUDING situational abortion (rape, health, death).

Common Sense: Voting Lesser of Two Evils? Obama Appreciates Your Support :

Quote:

Life

There is no single issue of greater concern to conservatives and Christians as the issue of life. Without it, there are no other rights, and all other political debate becomes moot. So, you would assume there would be a distinct difference in the two candidates on this issue.

If you were to make that judgment solely on the basis of the candidates’ rhetoric, you would be right. However, I can tell people I look like Mr. Universe until I’m bluer in the face than Papa Smurf, but that doesn’t necessarily make it true.

Actions speak louder than words.

Barack Obama is, arguably, the most pro-abortion President in our history. And, while federal funding for abortion is still outlawed by Congress, he has made it abundantly clear he would like to see that obstacle removed, so that young mothers don’t have to be “punished for their mistakes.”

So, where does Romney stand? Just a tad to the left, believe it or not.

His “ObamaCare only better,” Commonwealth Care, provides for taxpayer subsidized abortion, even in elective cases; copays are only $50. He placed members of the Planned Parenthood Board of Directors on the board the oversees the healthcare program, thereby guaranteeing it would remain a taxpayer subsidized “right.”

Commonwealth Care was instituted in 2006, roughly two years AFTER is supposed “pro-life conversion.” He praised the legislation, and went on to appoint the Planned Parenthood board members to the oversight committee, until it was politically expedient to deny he had anything to do with it.

OK, so that was more than six years ago, right? Ancient history in the world of politics, right?

So, let’s look at what he’s done for us lately, shall we? How about the $50,000-a-plate fundraiser held for his benefit in May at the Florida home of Phil Frost? For those of you who don’t know, that’s the CEO of Teva Pharmaceuticals, which happens to be the maker of the Plan-B “morning after pill.”

Family Values

Recently, President Obama was forced to admit what just about everyone already knew about him from the get-go: he’s all in favor of gay marriage. And, like the life issue, one would assume that putting an “R” behind Romney’s name means he’s on the other side of the political spectrum.

And, again, you would be very wrong. Once again, his record proves he’s to the left of the current President on the issue.

In 2004, the Massachusetts Supreme Court created a bit of a constitutional crisis by insisting the Legislature go back to the books and create a law that would allow gay marriage, noting that it did not have the power or authority to “make law.” The Legislature refused to take up the issue.

So, Romney took it upon himself to: 1) violate the Constitution of Massachusetts, thereby violating his Oath of Office, and 2) usher in a new “civil rights movement” by ordering gay marriage into effect. He directed new marriage licenses be created to eliminate words like “husband” and “wife,” replacing them with “Party A” and “Party B.” Then he abused his power as the state’s chief magistrate to coerce officials who didn’t comply with the “new law” he created.

Of course, he says the Supreme Court made him do it. But, the Supreme Court had already acknowledged it lacked the authority to do so. And, there was a strong precedent for a Chief Executive to tell a Supreme Court go take a flying leap.

It’s called the Dred Scott case, and Abraham Lincoln’s refusal to enforce it.

But, I’m sure you would point out that the gay marriage situation in Massachusetts is “stale news.” Perhaps Romney has seen the error of his ways, even though he has made no indication to that effect, so let’s look again at more recent “history.” So, let’s look at the folks he hangs out with, shall we?

Perhaps one of the most important people working on behalf of Romney’s campaign is uber-bundler Paul Singer. He’s a Big Money guy, right? Well, that may be true, but did you also know Paul Singer is one of the biggest fundraisers for the gay rights movement?

According to Fortune Magazine: “Since 2001, Singer has quietly given $8.6 million to nonprofits to support gay rights. He spent another $1 million bankrolling the successful effort to pass New York’s same-sex marriage law last year. One of his sons, Andrew, is a Massachusetts doctor who is gay and was married in that state.”

So, I guess supporting the guy who ushered in his son’s “right” to marry another man was kind of a no-brainer.

End quote.

Fully documented liberal left wing  record of Romney's social and fiscal and social record

Romney's judiciary choices

Romney not only gave Planned Parenthood money, but gave them extra power as governor.  Why do you think he wouldn't do that again as president, since he already has a track record of doing so?

Embryonic research 

Flip flopped  on gun control over the years. This shows lack of integrity to "values" and conservative voters. 

LDS' plan for America

Why voting for the lesser of two evils is always wrong:

Quote:

(1) God does not want us to be in league with  evil! The lesser of two evils is still an evil.  Instead, God wants us to embrace what is pure and good and then simply to trust Him with our future. If the worst candidate wins, so be it. Perhaps that is needed to wake up more of us, or perhaps God intends to judge this nation. It would be a mistake to interfere in either case.

(2) If we vote for a bad candidate, we will be held partly responsible for the harm done by that candidate. This is true even if our sole intent was to defeat a worse candidates. One evil does not justify another. It would have been better not to vote at all.

(3) Supporting the lesser of two evils tells politicians that it is acceptable for them to do likewise. If we won't stand for what is right and take the necessary hits, how can we demand it of our politicians?

(4) Pragmatic voting always results in a downward trend in the quality of candidates. Politicians won't change if they know we'll vote for them anyway. Good candidates seldom receive the support they need to become viable. The problem of bad choices is thereby perpetuated, and the nation continues to deteriorate until the day when our choices will be an Adolf Hitler or a Joseph Stalin.

(5) The argument that the lesser of two evils will buy us time to get our act together and field better candidates is wishful thinking. What invariably happens is people again become apathetic, and the greater evil makes an even stronger comeback.

(6) Voting for the lesser of two evils is a defensive act. What team ever won playing only defensively? We need to move offensively! Vote for someone based on who they are, not on who they aren't. Vote FOR a good candidate, not AGAINST an evil candidate. Don't stoop to their standard  -demand that they rise to yours.

(7) Principled voting means making sacrifices until enough people wake up, but it is necessary to get the ball rolling. Our nation's Founding Fathers sacrificed much to secure our freedoms. We too will need to make some sacrifices to regain some of those freedoms. What are we waiting for? Delay and compromise will only deepen those sacrifices.

End quote. Source: Constitution Party of Ohio

Voting for the Lesser of Two Evils, aka "The Devil With His Mask On"

Rom 3:8 And why not say (as we are slanderously reported and as some claim that we say), "Let us do evil that good may come"? Their condemnation is just.

Jos 24:14  "Now, therefore, fear the LORD and serve Him in sincerity and truth; and put away the gods which your fathers served beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the LORD. 15  "If it is disagreeable in your sight to serve the LORD, choose for yourselves today whom you will serve: whether the gods which your fathers served which were beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living; but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD."

Romney serves the idols of the polytheist Mormon religion. How can we follow such a man?

1Th 5:19  Do not quench the Spirit; 

1Th 5:20  do not despise prophetic utterances. 

1Th 5:21  But examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good; 

1Th 5:22  abstain from every form of evil. 

You say,"I'm not voting for a pastor"? I say: Since when is politics not a spiritual issue for the Christian? Why act like the unbelievers in the voting booth? Where is our faith to stand for Christ and not approve of a polytheist cult member to rule over us? Did that work for Israel. Ever?

I'm not a pastor so I guess I don't have to strive to obey Scripture in 1&2 Timothy...it doesn't apply to me, right?I'm not wanting to be an elder so I can violate those requirments. They have nothing to do with my life, right?Since people don't send their kids to public school to become a pastor, its ok that they removed God, Scripture, and prayer out of the schools, right? Faith has nothing to do with the principles by which we vote or how we choose a candidate apparently. It also has nothing to do with education. Oh, but it does. Just check out how many Christians deny Genesis 1-3, who believe in Evolution and Psychology instead of Scripture. It has EVERYTHING to do with how we think:

Rom 12:2  And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. 

Eph 4:17  So this I say, and affirm together with the Lord, that you walk no longer just as the Gentiles also walk, in the futility of their mind, 

Eph 4:18  being darkened in their understanding, excluded from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the hardness of their heart; 

Eph 4:19  and they, having become callous, have given themselves over to sensuality for the practice of every kind of impurity with greediness. 

Eph 4:20  But you did not learn Christ in this way, 

Eph 4:21  if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught in Him, just as truth is in Jesus, 

Eph 4:22  that, in reference to your former manner of life, you lay aside the old self, which is being corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceit, 

Eph 4:23  and that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind, 

Eph 4:24  and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth. 

Pragmatism has little to do with the life of a true biblical Christian.

Pro 15:16 Better is a little with the fear of the LORD Than great treasure and turmoil with it.

Psa 37:1 A Psalm of David. Do not fret because of evildoers, Be not envious toward wrongdoers.

Psa 40:4 How blessed is the man who has made the LORD his trust, And has not turned to the proud, nor to those who lapse into falsehood.

Lastly, you might say,“Not voting is voting for Obama.” I say : And what was the excuse of all the nations before our democracy/republic? God still condemned them to judgment even without a vote. When you vote, YOU are placing YOUR name and His next to a man, deciding he should lead us. When you vote, you aren't voting against someone, you are voting FOR someone. That's how the system has always worked. There is no box marked "No" or "Yes". Your vote is FOR someone.  My vote must be earned: I will not throw it away to someone who is pathetically inept and a total compromiser and considers us mere pawns in his personal game of politics.

Last election the same arguments were used to vote for McCain, but God still hasn't changed His standard.

Don't bother going here if you don't want to see what the grave error is in voting for the "lesser of two evils".

Jeremiah 17:5, “Thus says the Lord, ‘Cursed is the man who trusts in mankind and makes flesh his strength and whose heart turns away from the Lord.’” 

If folks here are willing to compromise so much for this election cycle, I wonder what else you are willing to compromise on? Each cycle its more and more compromise; a lower and lower standard is hailed as our only choice. Next term what's worth compromising? 

**Update**

"40 Points That Prove That Barack Obama And Mitt Romney Are Essentially The Same Candidate" documented article.

Alan Keyes "Should I Keep Silent About Romney's Record?"

Voting For the Lesser of Two Evils As A Christian? Read This

“The Devil With His Mask On”

Josh Craddock
Persuasive Speech
© February 5, 2009

“Yes, I would campaign for the NAZIs and cast my vote for Adolf Hitler.” These words shocked me as they came out of my friend’s mouth. What shocked me more was that this young man is a conservative homeschooled Christian. Why would such an intelligent individual not only admit he would vote for Hitler, but say it with pride? I believe the problem goes deeper than misguided logic and actually explains why conservatives lost the recent Presidential election.

Today, I will expose the implications of a mentality that has become pervasive within conservative Christian circles: the view that one must vote for the lesser of two evils. I will attempt to persuade you to instead choose a righteous path in every situation. Using the 2008 Presidential election as a case study, we will learn about the lesser of two evils philosophy. After that we will analyze and weigh its justifications, and finally we will look at what our moral responsibilities are and determine a plan of action.

During the recent Presidential election, Obama’s views on abortion were well known. His support of extremist pro-abortion groups, his pledge to sign the Freedom of Choice Act, and even his support of infanticide were no secret. ("Obama's Abortion Extremism." Washington Post, Apr. 2008.)

John McCain’s views however, demonstrated a disconnect between his campaign rhetoric and his record as a Senator. Eight years after they released a report naming McCain’s presidential candidacy as a threat to the pro-life movement, ("How John McCain Threatens the Pro-Life Cause." National Right to Life News Feb. 2000.) National Right to Life reversed its position when it became clear that McCain was the 2008 Republican frontrunner and gave him a “100% pro-life” rating. ("Pro-Life Senator John McCain." National Right to Life News. Oct. 2008.) If one only listened to McCain’s rhetoric and National Right to Life’s rating, we might be led to believe that he is pro-life. However, as we look at his record, we see that he is not.

In 2005, McCain voted to provide a third of a billion dollars to fund abortion in the cases of rape and incest, authorizing taxpayer funding for more than 300,000 abortions. (U.S. Senate. U.S. Senate Roll Call Votes 109th Congress - 1st Session On Passage of the Bill (H.R. 3010, As Amended). 27 Oct. 2005.) Through 2008, he continued his support for expanding Embryonic Stem Cell Research: the fatal experimentation and dissection of the tiniest boys and girls. ("McCain Says His Support Of Embryonic Stem Cell Research Is Unchanged." Medical News Today 27 Jan. 2008.) At the Saddleback Forum with Pastor Rick Warren, McCain claimed to believe that life begins at conception. (“Obama, McCain talk issues at pastor's forum." CNN 17 Aug. 2008.) Yet this is irreconcilable with his thirty year record of supporting and funding the wrongful killing of the innocent. It is clear that McCain was willing to lie in order to win our votes and we were all too ready to believe him.

Some of us did not know McCain’s pro-abortion record and voted for him in ignorance, but those of us who did justified our support for his candidacy by pointing to him as “the lesser of two evils.” We made political calculations, concluding that we had to support the pro-choice Republican in order to beat the more radically pro-choice Democrat! When did we forget that there are some issues, such as abortion, that are non-negotiable? When someone supports mass-murder, that person is automatically disqualified as a candidate that Christians can vote for with a clear conscience. Even if our candidate had won, we would have lost. So where then does this idea of “voting for the lesser of two evils” come from?

It certainly does not come from our Constitution. When citizens are obliged to support one person who doesn't represent them in order to stop another person who also doesn't represent them, they end up with a government that doesn't represent them. President John Quincy Adams enjoins us to “Always vote for principle, though you may vote alone, and you may cherish the sweetest reflection that your vote is never lost.”("John Quincy Adams Quotes." Think Exist Quotations. 05 Feb. 2009) Because of the “lesser of evils” mentality, voters have been manipulated into a system that effectively destroys the idea of a Republic as envisioned by our Founding Fathers.

Similarly, nowhere in the Bible does Christ say “do the lesser evil so that you might achieve good for my kingdom.” In fact, Paul warns us not to do a little evil in order to potentially achieve some future good when he says: “Why not say… ‘Let us do evil that good may result!’ Their condemnation is deserved.” (Romans 3:8. NIV.) Scripture is clear that moral considerations take precedence over political expedience.

The decision to vote for the “lesser evil” is primarily made out of fear. Fear of the devil with his mask off chases us into the arms of the devil with his mask on. But this fear is a bottomless abyss. A conservative in NAZI Germany during the 1930’s applying the “lesser of two evils” standard could say, “The Marxists are ahead of every other political party in the polls, so even though the NAZIs want to kill the Jews, I think the Marxists may end up killing more people than the NAZIs. Therefore, I will vote for Hitler.” History would eventually prove that assessment correct, since the NAZIs only murdered six million while the communists in Russia alone murdered more than twenty million. ("That abyss has no bottom." TheologyOnline. 19 Oct. 2008.) Of course we know that the German in our example could never be justified in supporting Hitler. But by the standard of fear, it is easy to see how even Christians like my friend would say that, in that situation, they would. When we no longer fear God and instead fear wicked men, what candidate wouldn’t we support, provided the alternative is worse? If our justification for supporting one evil is fear of a greater evil, then there is no depth of depravity and atrocity we will not support, as long as we fear a darker alternative. Voting for the lesser of two evils abandons the immovable moral standard of righteousness and replaces it instead with a shifting foundation of moral relativism and situational ethics.

Christ’s standard requires that we fear no one but God. Matthew 10:28 exhorts us to,“fear not them which kill the body… but rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.” (Matthew 10:28. KJV.) Is it truly such a terrifying thought to consider what our country would be like if one million Christians chose to reject the “lesser of two evils” philosophy and instead chose to honor God by refusing to do some evil that good might come of it? We aren't called to calculate which candidate will murder fewer innocents, we are called to “seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness.” (Matthew 6:33. NKJV.)

So how, then, are we to seek it? We know that any person who advocates and defends the intentional killing of innocents is a conspirator and an accomplice to murder, and from his record we can see that John McCain was just such a man. We also know that Christians should not support mass murderers, even if they are afraid of other mass murderers.
Instead, our standard of behavior should be based upon trusting God. ("John McCain's Tragic Pro-Abortion Record." American Right to Life. 12 Oct. 2008. ) Therefore, it is every Christian’s moral responsibility to use the authority given to them only within the boundaries of righteousness and to act in accordance with God's will.

Critics argue that voting on principle is impractical, but Christians ought to act on the wisdom of God, even if it appears foolish from a human vantage point. Nevertheless, I believe that the wisdom of God offers the only path to real success even in human terms. Christ does say that if you faithfully seek God's kingdom, “all other things will be added unto you.” (Matthew 6:33. NKJV.)

There are two benefits to voting based on principle rather than political expediency. The first and most obvious is that when a citizen votes for a Godly (though imperfect) candidate he honors God by voting morally. Second, every vote for such a candidate adds to the likelihood that he will win the election, reaping pragmatic benefits. The only reason Godly candidates lose is because too few voted for them. When we create imaginary requirements to vote for only one of the two main candidates, we submit ourselves to a system that advocates moral relativity and presses us into making excuses for unrepentantly wicked men like John McCain. (“Is it Immoral to Vote for McCain/Palin? Battle Royale XIII.” TheologyOnline. 08 Oct. 2008.)

It’s the devil’s game to give you two evil choices and act like he’s the good guy by letting you “choose” one. When given choices A and B by the devil, what would Jesus do? The answer is C. When Christ was asked by His disciples, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” Jesus answered, “Neither…” (John 9:2-3. NIV.) Given two wrong choices, he refuses both.

We are to follow Christ’s example and choose the good that God has provided to us in every choice and circumstance. When we vote we must actively look for the candidate who most effectively stands for His will. When we find such a candidate we should vote for him or write in the name. We are never forced to choose between two evils and never have been. Jesus knew this and lived it. Christ came into this world to make sure we would always have a right choice. With Him, we can stand in faith, even in the face of seemingly impossible odds, and overcome evil with good, because all things are possible through Christ.

To read more, you can explore my previous notes The Lesser of Two Evils: The Devil With His Mask On & McCain: The Other Pro-Choice Candidate.

http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=337730757553 

Taking Jesus Seriously

He also took that of Adam and Eve's as well. One sin and they died spiritually and began to die physically. One sin and they were thrown out of the Garden of Eden, cursed.Moreover He took my sin and offense against Him pretty seriously too! Yeah, I'd say God takes these things seriously. We should too.

“There are only two types of Christians… those who are humble and those who are about to be humbled.” 

~Charles Spurgeon

John MacArthur Speaks Out Against Contemplative Spiritual aka Spiritual Formation

Over the last several years I've posted articles about Contemplative Spirituality and how its coming into "Evangelical" Christianity, mainly by the Emergent Church Movement. Finally John MacArthur speaks out on this important issue. Spiritual Formation is another name for Contemplative Spirituality and borrows from pagan Eastern Mystic religions, trying to blend in with Christianity.

Many "Christian" schools---colleges and seminaries---along with churches, books, and conferences are bringing in this junk which is anathema to God. We must reject it whole heartedly if we want to be loyal to Christ Jesus alone.

Psa 1:1  Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; 2  but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night. 

2Co 10:5  We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ, 

Eph 5:6  Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience.

Eph 5:7  Therefore do not be partakers with them;

Eph 5:8  for you were formerly darkness, but now you are Light in the Lord; walk as children of Light

Eph 5:9  (for the fruit of the Light consists in all goodness and righteousness and truth),

Eph 5:10  trying to learn what is pleasing to the Lord.

Eph 5:11  Do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but instead even expose them;

Eph 5:12  for it is disgraceful even to speak of the things which are done by them in secret. 

2Co 6:14  Do not be bound together with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness?

2Co 6:15  Or what harmony has Christ with Belial, or what has a believer in common with an unbeliever?

2Co 6:16  Or what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; just as God said, "I WILL DWELL IN THEM AND WALK AMONG THEM; AND I WILL BE THEIR GOD, AND THEY SHALL BE MY PEOPLE.

2Co 6:17  "Therefore, COME OUT FROM THEIR MIDST AND BE SEPARATE," says the Lord. "AND DO NOT TOUCH WHAT IS UNCLEAN; And I will welcome you. 

Bill Nye: all talk but no face to face discussion with the Creationist Scientists That He Slams Personally

AIG:

As many of you know, Bill Nye (called the “Science Guy” from PBS-TV) had a video on YouTube that has received millions of views—mainly the result of front-page promotion by much of the secular media giants (ABC-TV, CBS-TV, Yahoo.com, etc.). Nye’s video was a harsh attack on those who reject evolution.

In response, AiG scientists Dr Georgia Purdom and Dr. David Menton posted a YouTube video in rebuttal.

Will Bill Nye debate? 

Well, we’ve already seen a lot of web chatter by secularists saying that they don’t debate creationists. They claim creation has nothing to do with science and that Christians like Dr. Purdom (with aPhD in Molecular Genetics from Ohio State) can’t be real scientists if they are creationists. 

They argue that there is no debate because evolution is fact. In other words, these secularists use every excuse they can put forward because ultimately, they do not want to debate creationists. They don’t want the public watching such a debate. They realize that when the public hears the creationist information that has been censored from them and learn how they’ve been brainwashed, they will definitely question evolution. 

Will the secular media take up our challenge and publicize our debate challenge as they did Bill Nye’s video? 

We suspect not. Because the secular media by and large support Bill Nye’s false statements about evolution and science, the mainstream media would not want the general public to hear anything else. It’s almost always this way. Most in the secular media aren’t out to report news—most of them have a very liberal anti-God agenda. But we are used to that.

To dare question or reject the cult religion of Evolution earns anger and personal attacks from the Left, which merely demonstrates they don't have a leg to stand on. What they are doing is defending their religion of Evolution, without which they are left with a dangling worldview that doesn't even work consistently nor rationally. 

Even the Evolutionist Richard Dawkins had to admit that he doesn't know how the "Big Bang" started--where that material came from to create it. At the end of the day, his reason for evolution---how we got here and why we are here---is nothing more than ignorance--simply he doesn't know. He's left with life beginning on Earth on the backs of crystals and aliens ( see "Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed" movie). He actually stated this. And since then he's also admitted that maybe, just maybe, there is an "Intelligent designer" that created everything. 

East vs West: how do you see Islam?

This is exactly what I've been saying. Westerners are gullible and willingly ignorant to buy the sanitized version of Islam, when true Islam is what is in the quran and hadiths--what we saw on 9-11, what we see in  the various Middle Eastern countries like Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Egypt, Libya, Iran, Afghanistan, Syria, Indonesia, and parts of Africa. A Westernized Islam is not true Islam---its packaged that way to get dumb Westerners to accept Islam and then its too late to turn back. Islam is a political religion that seeks to overtake all nations by either submission or by sword.  Its a bloody, violent, woman-hating, soul-destroying, carnal political religion that hates the God of Scripture and the souls of men.

Ironically, its the liberals that are defending the very political religion that would slaughter them with the sword because of their lifestyle.

Libyans Kill and Riot Over A Movie

So the US goes in and deals with Libya and takes out their dictator. What do we get in return? The rioting and burning of our flag and a dead American at the US Consulate all because of a little movie that shows a dead leader of Islam in an unfavorable light.

Islam is intolerant of the West unless we take out a dictator they are tired of. Islam is a wicked political religion and should not be tolerated nor aided in any way.

MOPS Heads Toward Contemplative Spirituality

From Lighthouse Blog:

Sad News for Preschool Children - MOPS heads contemplative The organization that focuses on the mothers of preschoolers promotes contemplative - results will be spiritually devastating for children.

MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) is widely known for its ministry to Christian moms who have preschool age children. On their "faith position," it reads: "MOPS International exists to encourage, equip and develop every mother of preschoolers to realize her potential as a woman, mother and leader in the name of Jesus Christ." Christian organizations like Focus on the Family have helped to make MOPS successful and widely known through radio and web outlets.

It is with sobriety and sadness that Lighthouse Trails reports that MOPS is promoting contemplative spirituality. This means that not only will tens of thousands of mothers be introduced to contemplative but potentially thousands of children will be affected also.

In March 2006, it came to our attention that MOPS Was Part Of CCN (Church Communication Network), a network of Christian ministries that promotes contemplative spirituality. However, and perhaps even more disturbing, MOPS is promoting (and selling) books that are pro- contemplative. The book that stands out among the others is Breathe. The author, Keri Wyatt Kent, is a writer for Willow Creek Community Church and often speaks on Spiritual Formation. Her upcoming book, Listen: Finding God In The Story Of Your Life, teaches readers to "listen" to God through "spiritual practices," including the practice of silence. The author quotes extensively throughout the book both contemplatives and New Agers, including Henri Nouwen, M.Scott Peck, Sue Monk Kidd, Anne Lamott, Julia Cameron, Rick Warren, Richard Foster, Ruth Haley Barton, and Eugene Peterson (read A Time Of Departing for more on the New Age and/or contemplative connections to these mentioned authors).

As with many contemplatives, Kent said (in her book) that she didn't really get a lot out of the Bible until she started practicing contemplative methods such as Lectio Divina: "When I was introduced to the ancient practice, Lectio Divina, everything changed" (p. 151). Kent encourages the use of breath prayers and quotes contemplative Jan Johnson to help build her case for this practice.

For those who might be saying right now, "Ok, so MOPS likes one of Kent's books,Breathe - it isn't this one that is so blatantly contemplative and filled with New Age meditation concepts and quotes. But on the back cover of Listen: Finding God in the Story of Your Life sits an endorsement by Elisa Morgan, president of MOPS, which reads: "Keri offers insightful and practical help for all of us who are "hearing impaired" in our spirits. Ah ... what a relief!"

On the MOPS website, they also sell newly released Chicken Soup for the Mothers of Preschooler's Soul by New Agers Jack Canfield and Mark Victor Hansen and MOPS, Elisa Morgan. (The Chicken Soup for the Soul books are discussed in A Time of Departing.)

We pray that Elisa Morgan will realize that contemplative spirituality is not going to help nurture little children and their mothers but will in fact harm them spirituality to immeasurable degrees. Once again, we beseech organizations that call themselves "Christian" to reject the teachings of contemplative prayer and cling to biblical truth.

Speakers at RE 2012: men you should avoid

2Jn 1:9  Anyone who goes too far and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God; the one who abides in the teaching, he has both the Father and the Son. 10  If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house, and do not give him a greeting; 11  for the one who gives him a greeting participates in his evil deeds. 

Source.

Here we have Driscoll's Resurgence conference site using John Piper to promote the "doctrinally deep" Rick Warren. Its one warm cozy group of men who parade each other around and slap each other on the back. Meanwhile, they lead millions into error, impurity, and unholiness.

Non-Essentials You Say?

Some will say, “You make too much of non-essentials.” That is a thing I frequently hear—non-essentials! There are certain things in Scripture, they tell us, that are non-essentials, and therefore they are not to be taken any notice of. Doctrinal views, and the Baptism of Believers, for instance—these are non-essential to salvation, and therefore, is the inference which follows according to the theory of some—we may be very careless about them!

Do you know, Believer in Christ, that you are a servant? And what would you think if a servant should first wittingly neglect her duty, and then come to you and tell you that it is non-essential? If she should not light the fire tomorrow morning, and when you came down, she were to say, “Well, Sir, it is non-essential; you won’t die though the fire is not lit”—or if, when she spread the breakfast, there was no provision there but a crust of bread, and nothing for you to drink; what if she should say, “Well, Sir, it is non-essential, you know? There is a glass of water for you and a piece of bread—the rest is non-essential.” If you came home and found that the rooms had never been swept, and the dust was upon them, or that the bed had not been made, and that you could not take an easy night’s rest, and the servant should say, “Oh, it is non-essential, Sir; it is quite nonessential.”

I think you would find it to be non-essential for you to keep her any longer, but extremely essential that you should discharge her! And what shall we say of those men who put aside the words of Christ, and say, “His precepts are quite non-essential”? Why, I think because they are non-essential, they therefore become the test of your obedience! If you could be saved by them, and if they were necessary to your salvation, your selfishness would lead you to observe them; but inasmuch as they are not necessary to your salvation, they become tests of your willingness to obey Christ!

~ Charles Spurgeon, sermon #359: 



There is no such thing as a non-essential biblical doctrine. All biblical doctrine is essential, else why would the King make dictates? Does God indeed say things that are not to be taken seriously? Does He waste His breath? Did He not say that even a jot and title will not be removed until the Law is accomplished? And did the Author of Scripture pick each word down to its particular verb tense to make His sovereign point?

Biblical Christians will not question nor have the audacity to change what the King has demanded. When HE states who is to be baptized and how its to be done, for example, this is not an option to be ignored or for us to change. We obey HIM as He has already spoken. Spurgeon is right: the test of faith is to see if one will indeed submit to the Lordship of the Lord...else why bother calling Him "Lord, lord" and not do what He says? Do we know better than the King of kings and Lord of lords? No we do not.

Luk 6:46  "Why do you call me 'Lord, Lord,' and not do what I tell you?

Luk 6:49  But the one who hears and does not do them is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. When the stream broke against it, immediately it fell, and the ruin of that house was great."

Mat 5:18  "For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke shall pass from the Law until all is accomplished. 
Mat 5:19  "Whoever then annuls one of the least of these commandments, and teaches others to do the same, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever keeps and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

Mat 5:20  "For I say to you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven. 

Rom 16:26  But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith

Mat 4:4  But he answered, "It is written, "'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.'"

Joh 8:31  So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in him, "If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, 32  and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."

Jas 1:19  Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger;

***Updated***

Eric Powers of The Biblical Christ Institute wrote something more about this false dichatomy between essential and non-essential truth, called "Doctrinal Triage".

Songs for Autumn

Want a list of real Autumn music that is as beautiful as the season itself?

Thanksgiving by George Winston

Harvest Time by Herbie Hancock

Thanksgiving by Jim Brickman

Thanksgiving by Michael Allen Harrison

Autumn Leaves  (classic and sung by myriads of artists over the years)

Colors/Dance by George Winston

Kiss the Rain by Yiruma

Adagio by Secret Garden

Autumn by Ryan Stewart

Eyes of a Child by Ryan Stewart

Sometimes When It Rains by Secret Garden

September Song by Ella Fitzgerald

Romance Sur la Sein by Jim Brickman

You can check these out on iTunes or Amazon and see if you like them.

Literal Six Day Creation As Written Is Not An Optional View; It Is The Only Christian View And Is the Foundation of the Gospel Itself

The Foundation of the Gospel

by Nathaniel T. Jeanson, Ph.D.

"In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth." (Genesis 1:1)

The foundation of the gospel is God’s character and nature, a foundation laid right at the start of Scripture. Genesis 1 states most of God’s attributes implicitly or explicitly. For example:

(1) His freedom: "In the beginning God created" implies that, before the beginning of time, space, and man, only God was. No one was present to compel or instruct God to create; He did it of His own, un-influenced free will.

(2) His sovereignty, omnipotence, and rule: "God said . . . and it was so" (Genesis 1:9, 11, 24, etc.). We never find a verse that says "God said…and it failed." The entire universe obeys His commands.

(3) His omniscience: Before the universe was created, it existed only in His mind--He knows all things!

(4) His omnipresence: Since God created space and time, He is not bound by it.

(5) His transcendent holiness: Is there any being or substance with these attributes? Our God is far above and distinct from His creation!

(6) His goodness: "God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good"--a comforting thought for children of this absolute, sovereign Monarch. Thus, Genesis 1eminently displays the glory of God.

What does His nature have to do with the gospel? Consider that the only logical responses of created beings to this glorious God are to glorify Him as the God that He is and to give Him thanks for His goodness and creation. Our inborn failure to do this (Romans 1:21) earns us just punishment--the eternal wrath of the glorious God (Romans 1:18). Only by hiding behind the sacrifice of the obedient Christ are rebels like us saved from the holy wrath of the transcendent Creator. NTJ

Bill Nye The Science Guy Slams Christians and Our Creationism

Bill Nye the Science Guy is now saying Creationism is "inappropriate for children"! Talk about blind faith in evolution and drinking its kool aide....he is utterly a fool uttering foolish nonsense while having nothing to back up his ignorant opinions.





Two scientists from the Creation Science Museum weigh in on Nye's comments:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r-AyDtD6sPA&list=UUXLsVwHXCzoSY9b8M65pOJg&index=2&feature=plcp

Ray Comfort weighs in here.

Bill Nye's Crusade for Your Kids.

Have You Died To Self?

“Suppose you have been neglected or unforgiven. You sting with the hurt of the insult from such an oversight, but your heart is happy because you have been counted worthy to suffer for Christ. That is what dying to self is all about. When your wishes are crossed, your advice disregarded, and your opinions ridiculed, and yet you refuse to let anger rise in your heart to try to defend yourself, you are practicing dying to self. When you lovingly and patiently stand face to face with folly and spiritual insensitivity, and endure it as Jesus did, you have died to self. When you are content with any food, money, clothing, climate, society, solitude, or interruption by the will of God, you have died to self. When you never care to refer to yourself in conversation, record your own good works, or desire commendation from others, you are dying to self. When you can honestly rejoice with a brother who has prospered and had his needs met and never feel any envy though your needs are greater and still unmet, you have practicing dying to self. When you can receive correction and reproof from one of less stature than yourself, and humbly admit he’s right with no resentment or rebellion in your heart, you have died to self. Are you dead yet?” 

~Anonymous

Romanizing Your Children

‎"If we continue to send our children to Caesar for their education, we need to stop being surprised when they come home as Romans." 

~ Voddie Baucham Jr

Christian, Are You Miserable and Lacking Joy?

You have no right to be miserable; you have no right to be lacking in joy. If you do not have the joy of salvation – I am speaking to Christians – there is only one reason. It is because you are deliberately listening to the devil rather than the word of God. You need to look again at the oneon the cross, and you must ask questions. What is he doing there? Was it an accident or was it deliberate, why was he there? What was the object? Listen to what he says: “I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance” (Mark 2:17).

~Martyn Lloyd-Jones (“Looking unto Jesus”)

Jesus, the Christian's Deliverer

My deliverer!
(James Smith, "The Love of Christ! The Fullness, Freeness, and Immutability of the Savior's Grace Displayed!")

"I am poor and needy; come quickly to me, O God. You are my help and my deliverer; O Lord, do not delay!" Psalm 70:5

How frequently are we poor Christians involved in dangers and difficulties, from which we cannot extricate ourselves! Surrounded as we are by enemies and evils--this can be no wonder. But how are we to be delivered? To whom are we to look for relief and rescue? To Jesus alone, who is emphatically "The Deliverer!" 

He has power--and will exert it!
He has wisdom--and will employ it!
He has merit--and will apply it,
for the deliverance of all who call upon Him to do it.

He delivers . . .
from sin,
from Satan,
from dangers,
from damnation!

He delivers . . .
freely,
frequently,
and effectually.

He has delivered . . .

Joseph from the evil designs of his brethren,
David from the hand of Saul,
Daniel from the lions, and
multitudes in every age, from eternal Hell.

He delivers from all evils--and from the most determined foes!

David celebrated his delivering mercy when he sang, "For you, O Lord, have delivered my soul from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling--that I may walk before the Lord in the land of the living!" Psalm 116:8-9

How sweetly encouraging is this--to view Jesus as our present deliverer in every season of trouble, and in all circumstances of danger--to know that He is ready to arise for our rescue, and appear for our deliverance.

What need we to fear? Why should we indulge our gloomy apprehensions? He has already conquered every foe, and whenever He appears--all flee before His face. There is . . .

such majesty in His countenance,
such terror in His frown, and
such love in His heart toward His people--
that whenever He appears on their behalf--all their enemies melt away like snow, and depart as a midnight dream!

O gracious Deliverer of Your people, deliver my soul from . . .

the power of sin,
the influence of the world,
the force of temptation,
the deceitfulness of my own heart,
and the designs of all my foes!
Keep me by Your mighty power, through faith, unto salvation!

"The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold!" Psalm 18:2

"He is my loving God and my fortress, my stronghold and my deliverer, my shield, in whom I take refuge--who subdues peoples under me!" Psalm 144:2

Do You Worry About Tomorrow?

I love this.


Little single days

(J.R. Miller, "Daily Bible Readings in the Life of Christ" 1890)

"Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own!" Matthew 6:34

One reason which our Lord gives against anxiety for the future, is that we have nothing to do with the future. God gives us life by days--little single days. Each day has . . .
its own duties,
its own needs,
its own trials and temptations,
its own griefs and sorrows.

God always gives us strength enough for the day. But if we insist on dragging in tomorrow's cares and piling them on top of today's cares--our strength will not be enough for the load. God will not give additional strength--just to humor our whims of worry and distrust.

So the lesson is, that we should keep each day distinct--and attend strictly to what it brings to us. Charles Kingsley says: "Do today's duty, fight today's temptation--and do not weaken and distract yourself by looking ahead to things which you cannot see, and could not understand if you saw them." We really have nothing at all to do with the future--except to prepare for it, by doing the duties of today with fidelity.

No one was ever crushed by the burdens of one day. We can always get along with our heaviest load--until the sun goes down. Well, that is all we ever have to do. Tomorrow? Oh, you may have no tomorrow; you may be in Heaven. If you are here--God will be here too, and you will receive new strength sufficient for the new day.

"As your days--so shall your strength be!" Deuteronomy 33:25

****************************


Php 4:4  Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice!
Php 4:5  Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near.
Php 4:6  Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 
Php 4:7  And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Php 4:8  Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. 

How Bad Is it?

Perry Noble and those who greet him. Worse, those whom he "pastors". See the list.

They violate this Scripture passage:

2Jn 1:9  Anyone who goes too far and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God; the one who abides in the teaching, he has both the Father and the Son. 10  If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house, and do not give him a greeting; 

Pragmatism: the Trojan Horse Within Evangelicalism

              
                  (photo source)

Excerpts from John MacArthur's article:

What is pragmatism? Basically it is a philosophy that says that results determine meaning, truth, and value -- what will work becomes a more important question than what is true. As Christians, we are called to trust what the Lord says, preach that message to others, and leave the results to Him. But many have set that aside. Seeking relevancy and success, they have welcomed the pragmatic approach and have received the proverbial Trojan horse.

Let me take a few minutes to explain a little of the history leading up to the current entrenchment of the pragmatic approach in the evangelical church and to show you why it isn't as innocent as it looks....

Church leaders reacted to the world's indifference, not by a return to strong biblical preaching that emphasized sin and repentance, but by a pragmatic approach to "doing" church -- an approach driven more by marketing, methodology, and perceived results than by biblical doctrine. The new model of ministry revolved around making sinners feel comfortable and at ease in the church, then selling them on the benefits of becoming a Christian. Earlier silence has given way to cultural appeasement and conformity....

Even the church's ministry to its own has changed. Entertainment has hijacked many pulpits across the country; contemporary approaches cater to the ever-changing whims of professing believers; and many local churches have become little more than social clubs and community centers where the focus is on the individual's felt needs. Even on Christian radio, phone-in talk shows, music, and live psychotherapy are starting to replace Bible teaching as the staple. "Whatever works," the mantra of pragmatism, has become the new banner of evangelicalism.

Many of today's church leaders have bought into the subtlety of pragmatism without recognizing the dangers it poses. Instead of attacking orthodoxy head on, evangelical pragmatism gives lip service to the truth while quietly undermining the foundations of doctrine. Instead of exalting God, it effectively denigrates the things that are precious to Him....

Go here for the entire article with specifics of the dangers of pragmatism and what we should do about it.

Silence From the Homosexual Activists On Homosexual Pedophilia

Where are the homosexual activists when it comes to pedophilia, as in the Sandusky case?  Where's the care for the children and their innocence being violated in the most heinous way possible? The silence is deafening.

“Also, since homosexual activists push so hard for Gay Straight Alliances in schools, many of which have clearly introduced younger gay boys to older gay men, it is difficult for gay activists to take the high moral ground when it comes to exposing and condemning Sandusky,” the conservative pundit contends.

“There have been problems at Penn State for a long time, and this report finally reveals it for the world to see,” Gramley commented. “Under the leadership of Graham Spanier and the free rein the board of trustees gave him, Penn State has been traveling down the wrong road and needs to get back on course. The culture that was allowed to exist created the scandal, ignored the cries of innocent boys and hoped to keep it under wraps to protect the school’s reputation. Additionally, what cannot be ignored is the homosexual connection – all Sandusky’s victims were young boys.”

“One reason would be that there could be the appeal to horseplay or roughing it up or the like. And within the context of his charitable organization, it was expected for him to be around boys, showing a real interest in them,” Brown posited before giving the main reason that is consistently avoided by the media. “The other reason is that to report a homosexual pedophile means to risk giving homosexuality a bad name, and one does not do that and emerge unscathed.”

He said history already shows that influence.

End quote. 

Bullying really does work. This is the politically correct (but morally and spiritually corrupt) mentality today. That's just wrong. 

Examine Yourself To See If you Are In The Faith

If you didn’t come to Jesus with the contrite attitude of giving Him everything that you are or ever will be…You never truly came to Him.
If you aren’t ready to humbly confess & forsake your sin… You are not ready to come to Him at all.
If you don’t trust Him in faith to run your entire life through His Word… You do not have saving faith.
If you are ashamed of Jesus… He will be ashamed of you before the Father.
If your faith doesn’t habitually produce godly fruit… You have dead faith that cannot save. 

If you want salvation your own way with your own stipulations… You do not have biblical salvation; you have religion. 

When you come to the point of faith that trusts Jesus and denies self…When you are ready to take up your cross daily and follow Jesus… When you are willing to sell all to purchase that pearl of great price (Jesus)… When you hate your sin and want to worship God…Then you are ready to be His and He is ready to be yours.

~Susan Brackley

For more info go here.

I Support Chick-Fil-A

1Co 6:9  Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, 10  nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God. 

Jud 1:7  just as Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding cities, which likewise indulged in sexual immorality and pursued unnatural desire, serve as an example by undergoing a punishment of eternal fire.

God's condemnation of homosexuality is abundantly clear--He opposes it in every age.

- In the patriarchs (Genesis 19:1-28)

- In the Law of Moses (Leviticus 18:22; 20:13)

- In the Prophets (Ezekiel 16:46-50)

- In the New Testament (Romans 1:18-27; 1 Corinthians 6:9-10; Jude 7-8)

Why does God condemn homosexuality? Because it overturns God's fundamental design for human relationships--a design that pictures the complementary relationship between a man and a woman (Genesis 2:18-25; Matthew 19:4-6; Ephesians 5:22-33).

~John MacArthur  

Liberal Logic 101

Absolutely correct.

August 1 Chick-Fil-A Appreciation Day

August 1, 2012 is Chick-Fil-A  Appreciation Day for their stand for biblical values like traditional marriage and family, despite the culture's demand that they submit to their ungodly principles and practices. 

The Uncoverted In Churches

‎"To introduce unconverted persons to the church is to weaken and degrade it; and therefore an apparent gain may be a real loss."

 – Spurgeon

Teaching theology to a heathen will not bring him to faith in Christ. He may learn the evangelical
vocabulary and verbally affirm the truth. He may accept the truth of a list of gospel facts. But
without a divine miracle to open his blind eyes and give him a new heart, he will only be a
theologically informed pagan, not a Christian.

~John MacArthur

Quote:

Why is it that people are trying so hard to get nonbelievers to stay in their churches? There seems to be more effort in keeping the uncommitted happy than to upholding holiness in the church. The most persecuted people in the church, in my opinion and observation, are those who are trying to hold the bride of Christ to a true biblical standard. What a shame! Today pastors are centering more on getting people to come and stay in their churches that they forget that God wants His bride holy. The church was never intended to camp unbelievers. The church is designed by God as a place where the church members (His body of believers) can get together to worship, minister their spiritual gifts in order to edify and build up the rest of the body, and where the godly Elders can feed the sheep the Word of God from the pulpit so that they, having been fully equipped with the wisdom of the Word, can go forth and live a victorious Christian life throughout the week and win others to Christ. It is great to invite unbelievers to hear the true message of salvation but to have them fit in, attempt to serve, and be permanent minglers and loiterers within the church is to invite Satan’s people to infiltrate and desecrate God’s bride. To welcome tares and wolves into the church is to violate God’s purpose and design for His people. 

“Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears. And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified” (Act 20:28-32). 

“Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you” (2Co 6:14-17).

End quote.

Susan Brackley 

Many churches are amusing the goats instead of feeding the sheep as Spurgeon said. This is one of the worst problems of the churches today: wrong ecclessiology. And as we know, wrong doctrine leads to wrong practice. If we invite the world into the churches, they become the focus, distractors, and the agent of cowardice in leadership for fear of wanting to offend the offenders of God. No church discipline will be practiced, either.

J.C. Penney Stock Crashes Amid Homosexual "Marriage" Push

AFA reports:

Stock rated "junk" status, loses 50% since February, 350 layoffs at home office

The company is going downhill fast. Since February, the company stock has lost more than half its value, and Standard & Poor's Ratings Services lowered its credit rating on J.C. Penney Co. further into "junk" status.

Snapshot of J.C. Penney under same-sex marriage crusade 

February 2012	May 2012	June 2012	July 2012
JCP announces Ellen DeGeneres as their new spokesperson.	JCP launches catalog ad featuring two "gay" moms.	JCP launches catalog ad featuring two "gay" dads.	JCP stock rated "junk" by S&P. JCP fires marketing exec.
Stock price: $41.32	Stock price falls to $35.67	Stock price falls to $25.83	Stock price falls to $20.02

Praise the Lord! Perhaps they will reverse their pro-sodomite agenda and stop pushing such deviance in our faces.

The Good Shepherd: Comfort For Christians

"I am the Good Shepherd; I know My sheep, and My sheep know Me. I lay down My life for My sheep!" John 10:14-15

Jesus is the loving Shepherd of His chosen flock. He knows His sheep--and loves them too. He knows...
their names,
their persons,
their abodes,
their needs,
their enemies,
and their desires. 

Their names are engraved on His heart, and on the palms of His hands. He came into the world that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. He gave His life as a ransom price for them. He says, "I lay down My life for My sheep."

He gathers them by His Gospel and Spirit--and feeds and enfolds them in little flocks below. He gathers the lambs with His arm and carries them in His bosom, and gently leads those that are with young. He feeds them in green pastures, and causes them to lie down beside the still waters. He protects them from the roaring lion, the raging bear, and the devouring wolf! He says, "I give them eternal life, and they will never perish--ever! No one will snatch them out of My hand!"

Jesus . . .
restores them when they wander;
heals them when they are sick;
cleanses them when they are filthy;
changes their pasture whenever they need it;
watches over them every moment; and
guards them day and night, so that no one may harm them.

He leads them--and they follow Him . . .
knowing His voice,
loving His person, and
obeying His commands.

He is now engaged in preparing pasture for them above--where the wicked cease from troubling, and where the weary shall forever rest! He will come again and receive them unto Himself, that where He is--His sheep may be also.

He loves them too well to forget them, and is too concerned for them to neglect them. He never takes His eyes off them! This tender Shepherd listens to the bleating of the feeblest of His lambs--and sympathizes with the weakest of His flock. He has promised to feed them, and lead them to fountains of living waters--and to cause sorrow and sighing to flee away forever. His presence shall be with them, when they pass through the dark valley of the Shadow of Death, and His rod and His crook shall comfort them.

His strength shall be made perfect in the weakness of His lambs,
His wisdom shall shine in the way He conducts them, and
His love will be displayed in every part of His conduct towards them!

Lambs of Jesus! Listen to your Shepherd's voice, keep close to your Shepherd's side, and aim to honor your dear Shepherd's name!

(James Smith, "The Love of Christ! The Fullness, Freeness, and Immutability of the Savior's Grace Displayed!")

Free Will vs. God's Absolute Sovereignty

To argue that man is a free moral agent and the determiner of his own destiny, and that therefore he has the power to checkmate his Maker, is to strip God of the attribute of Omnipotence. To say that the creature has burst the bounds assigned by his Creator, and that God is now practically a helpless Spectator before the sin and suffering entailed by Adam’s fall, is to repudiate the express declaration of Holy Writ, namely, "Surely the wrath of man shall praise Thee: the remainder of wrath shalt Thou restrain" (Ps. 76:10). In a word, to deny the sovereignty of God is to enter upon a path which, if followed to its logical terminus, is to arrive at blank atheism. ~AW Pink