Welcome

Greetings,
I invite you to join discussions, it enhances the reading experience for everyone. Please share your thoughts, opinions and knowledge in a respectful manner. May we all learn something in our endeavor to educate our hearts and minds. I look forward to hearing from you!
Sincerely,
TC AVEY

Wednesday, February 29, 2012

I Am A Follower: The Way, Truth, and Life of Following Jesus Book Review


I Am A Follower: The Way, Truth, and Life of Following Jesus by Leonard Sweet was an interesting book to read.  In some areas he challenged my core perceptions of church leadership, in others he educated me on scripture through translating original Hebrew and Greek terms, and through it all he motivated me to be a better follower of Christ- a first follower.

I have to say this book was nothing like I expected.  It started off slow for me. I am not a musician or dancer and know little about the arts, so his initial hook to grab my attention fell flat.  However, as I turned the pages I found jewel after jewel that kept me wanting more. 

There were times I wasn’t sure if I agreed with Leonard and I would have to stop reading and spend time in prayer.  By the end, I admit, he managed to transform the way I view certain aspects of Church leadership and followership. I also admire the way he so thoroughly delves into what it means to be a follower of Christ and what disciplining others really entails.   This book pushed me to go beyond the normal "church" experience and to become a first follower- which isn't an easy thing to do! First followers live a life of sacrifice, taking up their crosses daily instead of just when it is convenient and they encourage others to grow in their walks as well.  I like a book that tests my knowledge and pushes me to grow- far too few books these days move me the way this one did.  I will definitely be re-reading.

At the end of each section there are Interactive that are useful in helping one expound on their reading/thinking. I believe these are good for a Bible Study group to do together.  There are also a few video clips online he directs you to.  I am not a huge fan of having to stop reading and go to my computer to watch videos, but I know many people enjoy this.  Leonard uses a wide variety of methods to get you thinking and to maintain your attention.

Overall, this book will definitely challenge you and push you to become a truly devoted follower of Christ. I encourage anyone, especially church leaders, to read this book.  I’m not sure you will agree with everything, but I believe it will get you thinking and isn’t that the point of reading a book like this… to teach us new things, to challenge/test our core beliefs, to encourage us to be better followers of Christ and to help us mentor those who are new in their walk with God?

I want to leave you with a few exerts from the book that really spoke to me.

“Followers are more than believers.  The devil and the demons believe in Jesus.” Pg. 45

“You tell me your virtues, and I will tell you your vices.  Our strengths are our real Achilles’ heel, even more so than our weaknesses…The very best in us is but a hair’s-breath distance from the very worst in us…We naturally float downstream with the flow of our strengths.  It takes unusual salmon strength to swim upstream against our natural inclinations and to grow in areas where we aren’t naturally “gifted”…Whatever God calls you to do, it’s going to be bigger than you are. If you can do it in your own strength, then no faith is required.”  Pg. 163-168  

“The disciples were instructed to feed the sheep, not lead them.  Christ will lead them.  Jesus is the Shepherd.  We are the sheep.  All of us.” Pg. 180

Disclaimer: This book was provided by BookSneeze for honest review.


Monday, February 27, 2012

Modern Day Bonhoeffer: Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani


First part of Oct. 2011 I wrote about Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani, a Christian convicted of Apostasy in Iran back in 2009.  He has faced multiple court hearings over the years and has been given the “opportunity” to recant his Christian beliefs and return to the Islamic faith.   Last week may have been the final hearing with a guilty verdict ordering his execution.  It is unclear if he is now sentenced to death despite the outcry from various nations and organizations.   I have searched the web and have not come up with a clear answer to this; however it does appear the end is near for this modern day Bonhoeffer.

Thinking of him makes me wonder: how many of us could stand strong in our faith when faced with death?  How many of us could face losing not only our lives, but leaving our children and spouse, all for the sake of Christ?

But that is what we are all called to be willing to do…to give all for our Savior who gave His all for us.

Last week I wrote a post on blessing those who curse us.  I wrote about how God loves ALL men- when we fully understand that, when we fully devote our lives to Christ, we are able to love others with the heart of God and not with our own limited capacity.  God loves those who are persecuting Youcef.  

Youcef is being a true ambassador of God’s love and he is willing to die for his faith in God.

Are you? Am I? 

I would like to say that I am.  But truthfully I am not faced with that type of decision.  It’s easy for me to say I would die for Christ and it’s even easier for me to write this post.  What is challenging is actually taking action (and this really shouldn't be challenging- yet somehow it is).  

But what can we do for Youcef?

As believers we are called to pray for our brothers and sisters in Christ.  

Youcef needs our prayers…just as much as those persecuting him need our prayers.  I encourage us all to make it a point to pray for Youcef and his family daily.  I challenge you to pray for those who desire his death as well.  

I too will be taking up this challenge and praying this week.  I also feel led to fast.  Please only do this if you feel led by God and AFTER checking with your physician.  There are many types of fasts; please research the various types and then decide which you would like to do and for how long.  Due to health reasons I cannot do a “traditional” fast, therefore for the next 7 days I will be fasting from hot tea and sweets.  (I have also fasted from media/entertainment in the past.)  

Regardless if you chose to join me in fasting, I ask the Christian community to continue to spread the word and to speak out regarding this violent atrocity against Christianity.  I ask also that you keep Youcef and his family (he has a wife and two children) in your prayers.  I don’t think any of us can imagine all he and his family are suffering.  Pray for their strength, safety, peace and guidance.  Pray this hero doesn’t have to become the next Christian martyr.  Pray also for the salvation of those holding him captive.  And above all, pray God’s will is done.

“Live wisely among those who are not believers, and make the most of every opportunity.” Colossians 4:5 NLT

Every opportunity…Youcef is doing just this.  His dedication to Christ is having an impact around the globe.  He spurs me to live my faith out loud and to make the most of every occasion- be it in the grocery store, the doctor’s office or any other place I find myself. 

Questions:  How about you, is Youcef encouraging you to be more than you currently are in Christ?  If you are not a Christian, how does hearing someone is willing to die for their faith make you feel?  Does it inspire you to come to know a love so great you are willing to die?

Here are two articles that tell of this courageous man of God, along with links to my older posts related to topic.  









Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Bless Those Who Curse???


“bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you” Luke 6:28 NIV

How are you able to bless those who curse you?  

I know the standard “Christian” answer to that- through Christ and His love you are able to overcome your human emotions and do good to those who do you wrong.  

But HOW do you do that?

 I am currently reading, Memoir by G. Leibholz (which is part of one edition of  the book, The Cost of Discipleship by Dietrich Bonhoeffer).  It is an account of the life and death of Dietrich Bonhoeffer.  In it, the reader gets a glimpse of how Bonhoeffer gave his life willingly for the cause of Christ.  

Bonhoeffer poises the concept that God suffers from man’s neglect, from man’s remoteness from his creator.  Because God suffers, Bonhoeffer felt his own suffering paled in comparison.  He also truly believed that God suffered alongside him, that he was not alone in his prison cell, that he was not alone in hurting for the German people who so needed God.  

The concept that God suffers with us is not knew.  However, reading the poetry and letters written by Bonhoeffer has awakened in me the realization of how much God truly loves all mankind.

When I see commercials of hungry children, when I watch the news and see countless acts of unexplainable violence and when I drive down the road and see the homeless, I know that God aches.  

He aches for His creation.  He longs to draw us near, to hold us close as a mother does her precious baby. 
While He has given us free will to choose Him or the world, He is not indifferent to our pain.  

Why would we think that?  

Don’t you have compassion for those you don’t know?  Why wouldn’t He, the maker of us all, not hurt when He sees us hurting?  Why do we not attribute this type of emotion to God?  

The God who allowed His son to die for us, who gave the ultimate sacrifice- a sacrifice I could never imagine giving-  is still crying out for us to come to Him!  

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Matt 11:28 NIV

I have a strong feeling, that if needed, He would send His son, yet again, to redeem us all! 

What price hasn’t He paid? What price won’t He pay to get our attention?

Why do we think of the Bible as ancient history and not realize that the God of the universe still yearns for a relationship with His creation?  

 While the Bible is history, it is a living history- still applicable today.  His call, His desire, His will for all man is to come to their creator, to stop living as if dead and to stop breaking His God- sized heart day after day.  

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16 NIV

God loved us enough to die?  Do we love Him enough to live?

So to answer the question I started with: we bless those who curse us because God blesses us when we curse Him with our random (and not so random) acts of neglect and remoteness, with our overt and covert sins. 
Bonhoeffer understood how much God loved ALL mankind, even the Nazi’s; therefore he was able to be kind in the face of cruelty.  

When we begin to view others through God’s eyes, we are able to love them with God’s heart.  That is what enables us to bless those who curse us.  We are ambassadors of His heart, His pain and His forgiveness.

God aches for us all…do you ache for others?

“How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?”  Romans 10:14 NLT

Monday, February 20, 2012

What's Going On?

WI Elementary School Confiscates, Bans 2nd Grader’s Christian-Themed Valentines

Court Temporarily Blocks NYC From Banning Church Worship in Public Schools

UK Human Rights Chair: Christians Asking for Religious Exemptions Is Like Muslims Pushing for Shariah Law

Atheist Family Sues to Have ‘Under God’ Removed From Pledge of Allegiance

Teen Atheist Wins Big: School District Won’t Appeal Ruling to Take Down Prayer Banner

There Is No Truth Except Allah’: Colorado Student Quits High School Choir Over Islamic Song

Proposed Document Asks Presbyterian Denomination to Condemn Israel‘s ’Apartheid Against the Palestinian People’

Atheists to Hold Massive ‘Woodstock for Non-Belief’ in Washington D.C.

ACLU Sues to Remove 10 Commandments Display From NM Courthouse Lawn

http://www.theblaze.com/stories/aclu-sues-to-remove-10-commandments-display-from-nm-courthouse-lawn/

California: High School Math Teacher to Be Fired for Calling Student ‘Jew Boy’

http://www.theblaze.com/stories/california-high-school-math-teacher-to-be-fired-for-calling-student-jew-boy/

 

These stories caught my eye this past week.  All of them, except the last, occurred the third week of February.  And none of them are related to the battery the Catholic Church is undergoing regarding the mandate to have them go against their beliefs, a mandate that is wrongly focusing on women’s health and not the fact that this Administration is acting in direct contradiction to the First Amendment:   Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof


America, what is going on?

 

My mind cannot begin to comprehend the assault religion is undergoing in our nation.  It wasn’t long ago that we all remembered our Judeo-Christian heritage.  While some did not agree, they did not attack what our country is founded upon, at least not this openly and frequently.

 

Questions:  What are your thoughts as you read these headlines?  How does it make you feel?  What other headlines are catching your attention?    

 

“If you board the wrong train, it is no use running along the corridor in the other direction.” 
 Dietrich Bonhoeffer
 



Wednesday, February 15, 2012

This Isn't Going Away: Why You Should Care About the Religious Health Care Debate


I haven’t wanted to get into the debate over the health care regulations in the Catholic Church BUT I feel I must and here is why:

After talking to liberal friends and hearing their less than satisfactory defenses of our Governments intrusion into a groups religious beliefs, I feel I must speak up to the countless others who are not thinking this through.

Here are the arguments I have heard supporting the mandate that the Catholic Church disregard their fundamental beliefs and my rebuttals- in no particular order:

1)       Obama is just trying to make health care equal for all womenLet’s forget for a moment that women CHOOSE to work at Catholic institutions and know BEFORE hand what their healthcare package will include/exclude and let’s think about all the other options available for women:  Planned Parenthood, Spouses Insurance, Private Insurance, Paying out of pocket, and more.  Women have been happily working in Catholic organizations for YEARS and have managed without these new provisions by our Government.  It is part of the free market, if women do not want to work for these organizations they wouldn’t and these organizations would go out of business. Speaking as a person who WILLINGLY CHOSE to work for TWO different Catholic Hospitals, I was more than happy to give up contraceptives for the other privileges of working there.  I also chose to have my baby born in a Catholic Hospital, if I didn’t want to abide by their regulations I would have CHOSEN to go to another facility. 

2)      Conservatives picked this battle because it’s an election yearSERIOUSLY!  That should not even be an argument.  Republicans, Libertarians and anyone who is tired of the Liberal agenda being pushed down their throats did not start this controversy.  THE LEFT DID!  The left chose to violate the First Amendment and mandate what a private religious organization should include in their healthcare packages.  In fact, if you want to go here: please help me understand WHY THE PRESIDENT CHOSE TO DO THIS IN AN ELECTION YEAR- THIS IS ALMOST POLITICAL SUICIDE…so why did he do it?  I’m serious; help me understand because it doesn’t add up.  Maybe it doesn’t make sense to you either and that is why you assume conservatives have picked this battle.  Let’s look at some facts:  From stats I have found, Catholics make up approximately 70 million of the voting population and have recently supported part of Obama’s healthcare reform, why tick them off now?  In 2008 Catholics voted 54% for Obama and 45% for McCain.  Obama also has the majority of the Hispanic vote (comprising of 50 million Hispanic/Latino Americans, of which approximately 70% identify themselves as being Catholic) which comprise more than 40% of the total Catholic votes in the USA.  This is not making sense.  Why is he waging this battle- is it really so important women have these mandates?  I mean is there an epidemic I am not aware of?  Why is he going after a basic tenant of the Catholic philosophy?

3)      Catholics use birth control; they don’t follow their own rules so why shouldn’t they have insurance coverage?  First:  That is between them and God.  Second:  Just because some of them don’t follow their own rules doesn’t give the Government the right to ignore them, unless the Catholic Church changes its beliefs, this is a violation of the constitution.  Third:  While the media is focusing on the birth control aspect, there are two other mandates that violate the Catholics beliefs- drug inducing abortion medications and sterilization.  Again, I say we live in a free market.  If people regularly use a Catholic doctor but want an abortion, they know they have options.  If a man or woman want to ensure they cannot have children and they normally see a Catholic physician they can go to a different hospital and have those procedures performed.  They are not limited, they are not forced…they have options- they simply must exercise their brains and use other venues to achieve their goals.  I repeat- FREE MARKET!  Being Catholic or working for a Catholic organization does not mean you do not have access!  THIS IS NOT ABOUT EQUAL HEALTH CARE COVERAGE- THAT IS AN EXCUSE, IT IS AN ESCAPE GOAT- FOR WHAT I DON’T KNOW- BUT I DO KNOW THIS ARGUMENT IS NOT MAKING SENSE.

4)      Separation of Church and StatePlease learn history.  The first time this phrase was used (to my knowledge and I admit I learn something new every day) was in 1580 when King Henry the VIII wanted an annulment from his wife and the church said NO. This didn’t sit well with the King, so he took matters into his own hands.  Long story short, this lead to this phrase.  The meaning behind it comes from those in the church arguing that a Government should not be allowed to attack a person’s conscious and make them act contrary to their religious beliefs.  As long as those beliefs do not break laws- murder, rape, stealing…you get the picture- the 10 commandments.  The Government should not be allowed to shape policies to fit their personal mindset/beliefs and thereby force others to act contrary to their own.  When our founding fathers made reference to the separation of Church and State they too meant that the Government should not enact laws that make a religious body act against their consciouses.  When Thomas Jefferson made this statement it was in a letter to a Baptist church- not a political document like history likes us to assume- reassuring them that the Government would not create One religion that the new country would have to follow, like the Church of England.  

5)      It is constitutional, it is a right to have birth control. First- Why is it a right?  Life, Liberty and the pursuit of happiness are all unalienable rights given to us by God, the rest are all manmade.  We all have access to birth control, it’s not like some people can never have it.  Second- IT IS NOT CONTITIUTIONAL!  First AmendmentCongress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof;  Did you catch that?  The Government cannot prohibit the free exercise of religion.  Making the Catholic Church violate part of its beliefs goes against the constitution.  It is that simple.

6)      This wasn’t originated with Obama, stop blaming him.  I really don’t care who originated it, he has endorsed it and is carrying it out.  If he didn’t support this initiative we all know he wouldn’t have let this go on, he would be pointing fingers at the real culprit.  

7)      It’s only birth control, what’s the big deal…most Catholics use it anyway?  The media is focusing on the birth control aspect, but from what I have read, it also includes abortion inducing medications, like the morning after pill.  Abortion is very much against Catholics beliefs, even if there are some who chose to go against that principle.  Sterilization- tubal ligation and vasectomies- are also included in this mandate.

8)      Women should have the right to choose to have a baby or not.  I’m not going to go into pro-life vs. pro-choice - it is a very personal issue and I do not want to “push” my beliefs onto another and I will not judge another on how they view this issue.  I will say however, that the Government should also show this respect for the Catholic Church- they are Pro-life and they do not prohibit women from seeking abortions, they simply do not want to help fund it.  They should not be made to violate their collective consciouses.  Our Government is overstepping its boundaries here and needs to be a respecter of persons and religion.  They like to talk about tolerance, where is the tolerance for the Catholic beliefs?   Catholics are not forcing people to accept their beliefs and they are not prohibiting women from making individual decisions- there is no need for the Government to step in.  

9)      Didn’t you hear, Obama recently compromised and the Catholic facilities don’t have to pay for these services now…the insurance companies do!  That’s great, keep those blinders on and don’t look at the bigger picture.  How are insurance companies going to like this- being forced to pay for a service for a religious organization?  They aren’t.  In fact, to cover the costs of having to pay for this mandate they will have to PASS THE COSTS ON TO THE CONSUMERS- THAT’S RIGHT, ALL OUR INSURANCE COSTS WILL GO UP!  How else are they to afford this?  And when my insurance goes up because the Catholic Church won’t pay for sterilizations, contraceptives and meds that end life, I will either be angry at the evil insurance corporations that are sucking the life out of me, or I will be angry at the Churches.  Either way, anger prevails.  There is one other option:  The insurance companies will refuse to cover Catholic organizations.  How would you, the employee, like to have no insurance paid for by the organization for which you work?  Or maybe, just maybe, this is the bigger goal- get more people dependent on Government health care!  Obama Care anyone? 

These are the arguments I have heard supporting this mandate against the Catholic Churches, so far I am not convinced.  Are you?  What other arguments, for or against, this policy do you hear or believe in?  Please share in a respectful manner. 

Monday, February 13, 2012

It's Not Hard to Catch Gods Attention


“The Lord is near to ALL to who call upon Him, To all who call up Him IN TRUTH.” Psalms 145:18 NKJV (emphasis added).

When you’re in a crowd and you hear your name being shouted, you tune the noise of the crowd out and search for the one calling your name…you give them you’re attention because you want to know who is shouting at you and what they want.

When you’re busy working and your loved one needs you…you give them you’re attention because you love them.

When you’re in a hurry but you’re friend calls…you give them you’re attention because they are your friend and you value them.  

Similarly, when we call out to Jesus… He gives us His attention.  When we speak His name, when we turn to Him in prayer, when we seek His council…He gives us his attention.

As His children, we are loved, we are valued friends and he wants to know why we are calling out His name. 
When we pray, we need to remember we have the ear of God.  It is not like leaving a voice message.  God ALWAYS answers when we call out to Him!  

We may not like His answer- “yes”, “no”, “wait”- but He is faithful to listen and to answer.  We don’t have to wonder if He got our message- we have assurance that He will be NEAR to all who call on Him.  

Can you imagine… have you really grasps the awesomeness that when we call out to God, He is listening? 
Take a moment to absorb the fact that the God of the Universe hears you when you pray.  You have the attention of GOD!  Wow, that is pretty awesome!

That should put some power behind your prayers.  You are valued and you are heard.  

So next time you go to God in prayer, remember He answers when you call.  He never screens His calls and He is never too busy to give you his attention!  

There is another part to this scripture, He is near to those call out to Him in truth.  What does that mean? 
To me it means that as His children He always hears us, always is near and always gives us His attention.  However, if we are not part of His flock, if we are saying a lip service prayer, a greedy prayer, a prayer to test Him, or using his name in vain, He does not have to answer.  He may still answer to prove He is God, but it is not guaranteed that He will give us his ear.

So to sum it up- If you are a child of God, take courage and be bold because God is giving you His attention.  If you don’t know Him…wouldn’t you like to?  Wouldn’t you like the assurance His children have that He hears and He cares?

Wednesday, February 8, 2012

If You Don't Stand...Who Will?


Have you heard of Martin Niemöller? 

He was a German Pastor and theologian who initially supported Hitler but realized the error in his judgment and became an outspoken force opposing Hitler’s rise to power.  He was arrested in 1937 and wasn’t released until 1945 by the Allied forces.

Below is one version of a poem he is famous for using.  While there is some controversy regarding the initial wording and the exact date it was originally used, I think you can plainly see how his words ring as true today as they did years ago regarding political apathy. 

“First They Came…”

“In Germany they first came for the Communists,
and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Communist.

Then they came for the Jews,
and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Jew.

Then they came for the trade unionists,
and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a trade unionist.

Then they came for the Catholics,
and I didn't speak up because I was a Protestant.

Then they came for me —
and by that time no one was left to speak up.”

Insert whatever title/name/organization from today’s current events and you can clearly see how apathy, tolerance, ignorance and fear can affect us all. 

So next time you think you ought to speak up about something, even if it doesn’t affect you, DO…especially if it doesn’t affect you, speak up!  

Questions:  What do you think of the blatant disregard our Government is showing to the Catholic Churches beliefs?   Does it matter to you that our Government is pushing its values upon a private institution or does it not affect you because you are not Catholic? 

Monday, February 6, 2012

What's Sticking Out of Your Eye?


As I listen to the news my heart grows heavy.  As I listen to fellow Christian’s talk of hope for the future, my heart grows even heavier.

That may sound absurd to you… it does to me too.  The problem is that I hear Christians placing their hope and trust in manmade solutions.

Example: 2012 Presidential Election.  

No president is going to “fix” our nation.  A Godly president can help guide us in the right direction, but to think all of our troubles will go away if the “right” president is elected is crazy.

Remember the Old Testament.  God did not want to have kings over his chosen people- he had freed them from the bondage of a king already.  God intended that He be their king… that they defer to Him and His laws.  But the people were stubborn and God gave them what they desired, knowing man is fallible.  

While there were kings in the OT that sought God and treated the people well, there were others who oppressed the people, who worshiped pagan Gods and lead the people astray. It took tragedies and wars to get the people to turn their hearts back to God.  

For American’s to think that the “right congress” or the “right president” will turn our nation around is misguided and short sighted.  Change has to start with us.  Each individual and family must start being the change they want to see in Washington.  They must stop compromising on their core beliefs and allowing corruption to go unchecked.  

While Godly leaders help a country, its citizens must be Godly as well.  

“But someone will say, "You have faith; I have deeds." Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do” James 2:18 NIV

It’s time we stop TALKING about how to live, how to be responsible, how to “fix” America and start LIVING it!

How can we expect Washington to be fiscally responsible and morally sound when many of us are not?  Now you may be thinking, “I pay my bills…I’m not like so-and-so”.  

I wonder, how much do you spend on non-essentials?  What expensive gadgets do you have that you could do without?  How much do you spend on entertainment?  Are you planning a lavish vacation this summer that you will put on your charge card?

I’m not saying God doesn’t want us to enjoy life.  I am saying that we need to learn to cut back.  What if you didn’t spend so much eating out…could you afford to make an extra payment on one of your bills?  What if you didn’t have that latest gadget…could you donate to a charity, sponsor a child or help a friend in need?

 “You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye.” Matthew 7:5 NIV

It’s easy to see the 4x4 sticking out of Washington…much harder to see the planks in our own.
It’s time we stop expecting Washington to act differently when we won’t.  It will hurt us to cut back, but cut backs are necessary.  

Even the best of men are capable of be corruption.  Elections are not how God intended us to live.  But since it is how we operate, let’s stop pushing blame off and start being the change we want to see.

Let’s stop trusting in manmade solutions and start trusting in the promises of God.  I did a post recently on 2 Chronicles 7:14.http://tcavey.blogspot.com/2012/01/ifthen.html  It is a wonderful promise from God when his people humble themselves, pray, seek him and turn from their wicked ways.  I think humbling ourselves and turning from our sins is a difficult thing to do.  Partially because we have gotten comfortable justifying our sins and watering them down, instead of taking God at His word.  

Anything above God is an idol:  Work, family, possessions, home, entertainment…you name it.  
  
Ask yourself:  What sin are you holding onto?

Question:  Are you trusting in man to turn our country around or are you seeking God…asking Him what He wants you to do differently?

“You can identify them by their fruit, that is, by the way they act. Can you pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?” Matthew 7:16 NLT

Thursday, February 2, 2012

Soros Predicting Another Economic Collapse?


By now you are probably tired of hearing about Soros.  I know I am tired of writing about him, but the man keeps popping up.  Granted what I have shared so far is more a history of who he is…but I firmly believe history repeats itself.  It was necessary to share his history so you would have a framework to understand what you hear in the media- media he tends to manipulate (sorry I haven't had a chance to post on this topic, it will be coming soon).

Soros is making headlines again.  Have you heard?  Probably not, at least not in the context that would catch your attention.  

Remember Soros has a history of capitalizing on the collapse of economies- unless you are a financial wiz you probably don’t understand how he manages this any more than I do… I simply know it to be fact.  He is the “man who broke the bank of England”; he made Billions while the majority lost almost everything. (visit my post http://tcavey.blogspot.com/2011/12/little-red-riding-hood-better-know-her.html for more examples of how he has profited from others misfortunes).

Jan 23, 2012 he predicted the downfall of the Euro.  Why is this important to you?  Because this is his MO.  After making his announcement on the 23rd, people started panicking and selling their Euro bonds. This has created even more uncertainty in an already fragile financial environment.  

With Soros you have to look past what he is saying, past even what he “appears” to be doing, and look at his other hand.  Remember he studied at the London School of Economics, which teaches Fabian philosophies… wolf in sheep clothing (http://tcavey.blogspot.com/2011/10/soros-education.html)

Remember also that his ultimate goal is an Open Society and he views America as the main obstacle to achieving that goal (http://tcavey.blogspot.com/2011/09/introduction-and-references.html).  If Europe collapses, it will spill over to America, hurting American’s who have nothing to do with Europe simply because our economies are so closely linked, our money to tightly interwoven.  

Now you might support an Open Society, but does your picture of an Open Society match his?  Who knows, he doesn’t go into detail about how his Open Society will operate.

I encourage you to spend time on www.soros.org and learn more his Open Society.  You may find yourself agreeing with many of its goals, accomplishments and mottos.  Spend even more time on that sight and look for the holes… look for what is NOT being said.  Also, independently research and validate the grandiose nature of his purposes and THEN tell me if you really support an Open Society.  Next, read his own words, do you still agree with him?  What has his past “accomplishments” in other nations really done to and for those citizens?  

All this takes effort to look up.  It takes caring about people you have never met, but it is required if you want to protect America from Soros’ “lofty” goals. 
 
What he says and what he means are not always the same.  The conclusions you may draw are not necessarily the ones he does.  It is almost like in 2008 when Obama campaigned on CHANGE.  He promised changed and boy have we got it.  But ask yourself- is it the change you THOUGHT we were going to get?  

Maybe it is, maybe you are okay with the fatness of our Big Brother government, if so, good for you (by the way I do not completely blame Obama for this, we have been heading down this track for YEARS).  I however think American’s should have spent a little more time asking Obama what his Change really meant.
Unfortunately we did not do that.  Instead, many liked what they heard, assumed what he meant, and “voted for Change”.  

Let’s not make that same mistake with Soros.  His words, his attitude towards America and his history’s involvement in other countries are there to analyze.   We need to be aware that he helped fund the Bretton Woods III meeting in April 2011 in which many “leaders” gathered to decide how to manage the monetary system- funny but I think our government should have some say in this, don’t you?  Bretton Woods I lead to the creation of the IMF…how’s that working out for us?  (You can Google for more information, go to Ron Pauls site or follow this link - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bretton_Woods_system, I was intending to post next on this topic, but this is more pressing information.)  

Let’s also remember that he down played and criticized many conservatives for voicing concern over Europe’s and America’s economies as well as the unrest that follows.  He even implied they were fear mongering and spouting conspiracy theories.  Now, in his own words, he is validating what many have been warning about for the past few years.  


“We are facing an extremely difficult time, comparable in many ways to the 1930s, the Great Depression...The best-case scenario is a deflationary environment. The worst-case scenario is a collapse of the financial system.”

“As anger rises, riots on the streets of American cities are inevitable. “Yes, yes, yes,” he says, almost gleefully. The response to the unrest could be more damaging than the violence itself. “It will be an excuse for cracking down and using strong-arm tactics to maintain law and order, which, carried to an extreme, could bring about a repressive political system, a society where individual liberty is much more constrained, which would be a break with the tradition of the United States.””

“Soros insists the key to avoiding cataclysm in 2012 is not to let the crises of 2011 go to waste. “In the crisis period, the impossible becomes possible.””

The Financial Times article, “How to Pull Italy and Spain Back From the Edge” talks about Soros’ purposed plan to help these countries by issuing Treasury Bills.  Isn’t it great that he always has a plan ready in times of crisis…after all, can’t let a good crises go to waste, now can we?  

I urge you to read, The Shadow Party by Richard Poe and David Horowitz - it was written well before Obama became president, but it's information is vital to understanding what is transpiring that the average American is unaware of.

Wednesday, February 1, 2012

Why Don't I Pray?


Last week, shortly after writing Monday's post about the promises of God when we humble ourselves and pray, God spoke this to me.  I thought about adding it to Monday's post, but didn't feel that was what God wanted.  He is talking to me about prayer...and he is talking to you about it as well.  

Prayer is powerful, prayer has promises attached, and the need for prayer was demonstrated to us by the life Jesus lead.  So why don't I pray more?

That being said, here is what spoke to me last week.  I pray it touches your heart and moves you forward.

Growing up I participated in a very active youth group at my church.  Looking back, I remember praying ALL the time.  We would pray before service, we would pray after service and all the other usual times.  

But we prayed others times as well.  Before going anywhere we would pray for a safe journey.  Before eating at a restaurant we would pray before satisfying our hunger.  Before doing an activity, like paint ball, we would pray for everyone’s safety.  Before going to an amusement park we would pray not only for safety, but also that we showed Christ’s light to those around.  Before doing a charity event we would pray we did it with the right attitude.  

Before everything we prayed… and after everything we thanked God.

So why don’t I still do that?

Why do I limit my prayers to the morning, meals and before bed (and times of crisis)?

“Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.” Ephesians 6:18 NLT

Notice it says “all times” and “every occasion”.  

Ouch!

So going forward, I’m going to make an effort to pray before going to the store.  Not just for a close parking spot or for good bargains, but that God will use to me minister to those around me.

Before going on a date with my husband I’m going to pray God blesses our time with good conversation and that we fall more in love with every moment.  

Before going to church I’m going to pray God speaks directly to me.

Before even going to eat in a restaurant I’m going to pray I am a light to those watching.

Before everything, I’m going to make an effort to pray…and after everything I’m going to thank God.

Going forward I’m going to take this scripture to heart and pray!  

How about you?