On the True Meaning of Family

I always thought of the word "family" as etched in stone. The old saying, "blood is thicker than water" I had heard many times and I believed it was true. It wasn't until later in life that I started to question this.
Sometimes, our family members can hurt us beyond belief and it can often seem as though strangers are more apt to be kind and loving toward us than our own flesh and blood. The words of Jesus come to mind, "A man's enemies will be those of his own household". Why should this be? Remember the story of Cane and Abel? With these brothers, jealousy led to outright murder. In a productive and fruitful family unit there must be love, compassion, and a mutual respect for one another.
A true family is not one in which the members will only come to you when they need something from you. This would be called a dysfunctional family. What about the story of Joseph and his brothers? You know.... the brothers who sold him into slavery because they envied him; his coat of many colors; and his dreams?
Just because you have a brother or sister doesn't mean they are necessarily looking out for your best interests. A friend that you meet along the path of life can bond with you and love you more than a blood relative ever could. When you are raised in a dysfunctional family it seems that every member is out for themselves. This is sad and if you happen to be going through the heartache this brings, just know that you are not alone. I know how painful this can be. I have had to sever ties with toxic family members. Was I right to go no contact with them? I'm not sure, but I only know that the alternative was killing me spiritually, emotionally, and physically. When you are in a catch 22, what can you do?
Toxic people leave us little choice. In this life, we will have to deal with those who for numerous reasons are just too lethal to mess with. It is then that you will have to make decisions based upon what you are able to endure. Don't feel guilty for severing ties with those who suck the life out of you and only use you for their own gain...even if they are family members.

Libby Escapes Prison Stint: Some Good Ole Boys are Above the Law

I wish I could say I'm surprised that our President has commuted Scooter Libby's prison sentence, but I am not. I figured the President would pardon Libby. As it happened, Libby had already been given his prison number which was 28301-016!

Yes, a prison stint was nipping at Libby's heels and he was feeling the heat (or was he)? Then out of the blue, wa-la! Bush stepped in and saved the day for Libby. This is nothing but favortism at it's highest level. Although Libby broke the law, he will not be held accountable by serving the prison sentence which was handed down to him by the courts.

Here's the facts:

• Libby was found guilty of Obstruction of Justice and was to serve 30 months in prison.
• There was a hefty fine as well but our President has said that the fine will stand.

Like that's going to make a difference. Libby's friends and family can have a few cocktail parties and raise the money for his fine of $250,000.

Since yesterday's act of our President, Libby will not have to suffer the consequences of his lawlessness. President Bush has said that the jail sentence handed down by the courts was "excessive". But I say that the President and his cronies ability to dodge accountability is excessive.

Cheney In The Spotlight
These people are unbelievable. And as if Libby dodging prison via his friend, President Bush isn't enough, vice-president Dick Cheney recently theorized that he is not part of the executive branch!

According to the Courant, "Vice President Dick Cheney's penchant - no, obsession - for secrecy reached a new low recently when he claimed that he doesn't have to obey an executive order issued by the president because the veep "is not strictly part of the executive branch."1

If you want to read more on this, there is an article entitled "When the Vice President Does It, That Means It's Not Illegal". Who knows? perhaps these people think they aren't accountable to God himself. So, what does this say of the morals and values of those in our present administration?It says that President Bush and his friends who serve in Washington are above the law. It says that they use their power to show favortism. It says that Libby and others who break the law won't be held accountable as the rest of us would under the same circumstances.

Democrats Do It Too

For those who may think that this administration is the only one which leans toward croneyism, Bill Clinton did this sort of thing as well. Here is a list of those clinton pardoned while serving as president.

This nation is a mess and I don't believe that the next President is going to be able to salvage it.

1. http://www.courant.com/news/opinion/editorials/hc-cheney.1.artjul02,0,1936531.story

If Envy Could Speak

If envy could speak, it would say, "there is something you have that I want". Who would envy speak to? It could be your neighbor, a stranger, or even your best friend.

• When we are not content with what we possess, we will be envious of others and what they do possess. I've never put a lot of stock in possessions, but there are many people who do. We are quick to take note of our brother or sister's life and sometimes conclude that we've been given a raw deal when comparisons are made.
  

Why did Joseph's brothers fake his death and sell him as a slave? They envied him. They all knew that he was Jacob's favored child. The dream Joseph had which depicted his brothers all bowing to him only made matters worse and more tense between Joseph and his brothers. There is an awesome simplicity in this bible story. Joseph's brothers believed they had been handed a raw deal and baby brother Joseph was a young, spoiled kid who had everything handed to him by their father.

But Joseph was God's chosen, and he did in fact love his brothers, whether they recognized it or not. One thing about envy - it blinds us to such an extent that we won't really see the love people have for us. Everything else is blocked out when the green-eyed monster is set loose in one's life.

I have been envied and yes, I knew it at the time. What I wanted was to be able to sit with that person and say, "Look, I love you, and all that I have is yours. You don't have to be envious of me and angry at me for anything. If you want or need anything I have, just ask for it and it's yours.

But envious people are never reasonable. they would rather sit in a corner and sulk about what they lack and what you have! They then stew on the matter and the end result is often hatred toward those people they envy. People waste precious time being consumed with envy. If you are honest with yourself, you know whether envy is a destructive force in your life. If so, pray this prayer with me and let's cut envy out of your life altogether!

Dear God, I have allowed envy to take me for a ride. Envying people causes me to resent them and I don't want this anymore. I know that me not being contented with what things I do have is the root of envy. So I ask you then In Jesus's name to take charge of every aspect of my life, especially with respect to envy and it's grip that I've been under.

The Things of This World

All of us have the capacity to be consumed by people and things down here on earth. However, these things which make up life here on earth are temporary. How often do we forget that this life we live is but a vapor and then it's gone?
Consider the words of Paul the Apostle in his letter to Timothy:


2 Timothy 2:4
No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.

Foolish people live their lives as if there is no tomorrow. These people are continuously living in pleasure while on this earth. What do they think of the afterlife and eternity and where they will spend it? For the most part, they cannot think beyond their next adventure or pleasurable experience so where they will spend eternity really doesn't cross their minds.

Living for self and for the moment

There is nothing more futile and foolish than a person who lives for himself and for the moment. These people are walking a tight rope and at both ends of that rope is only destruction.


In my life I have known a number of people who live this way. They fly by the seat of their pants, prefer to live life on the wild side, and taking risks is second nature to them. Knowing them like I do, I often wonder what enables them to continue travelling this dead end road that only leads to more misery and ultimately their destruction. Friends, it is SELF that enables and drives them forward. They are consumed with the affairs of this life. They have been conformed into the image of this world, and not God's dear Son, Jesus Christ.

Matthew 6:21; For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
This scripture tells us much about ourselves.

• Where is your treasure? What or who means more than all else to you?


• What are the things on this earth that you just cannot seem to live without?


• Are you only concerned and taken aback by this world and the things in it or are you more interested in the things of God and the world to come -that one which is eternal and shall never pass away?

This world offers us good things, and it is not a sin to partake of them. The sin is in allowing this world and the things in it to become our God! In allowing them to become more to us than what they should be is what we all struggle with.
When we cross that line, we are committing idol worship and we find we are worshipping the creation more than we worship the creator.
If you have allowed this to happen in your life, please know that it is never too late!

1. Know that the past is done, you cannot undo it.


2. Now that you have understanding of the matter, stop allowing the things God has created for you to be more to you than he is!


3. Put the things of this world in their proper place and keep them there

Dealing with Lazy People

It's wrong, it will wear us down, but we've all done it. How many times have you taken care of a loved one when they were fully capable of taking care of themselves?

Dear readers, there are a lot of lazy people out there who want to be "taken care" of by any soft touch they can find. As the return of our Lord draws near, we will notice more con-artists and lazy, dependent people who come to rely on the generosities of family and friends to support them.

I call them lazy because that is what they are. More people than ever before prefer to lay around, shirk the responsibilities a job entails, while expecting others to take care of their daily needs. Who do these lazies expect help from? The government, family members and friends.

The bible outlines in specific detail what should happen to a man who is "able" to work but will not.

2 Thessalonians 3:10-13

10 For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat.

11 For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies.

12 Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread.

Now notice I said those who are ABLE to work have no excuse not to. The disabled, elderly, and children are exempt altogether.

You see, I am writing on the subject of lazy, dependent people because I've noticed an increase in able-bodied young men who prefer to lay around the house all day, waiting for mommy and daddy to bring home the bacon and cook it up for them!

Providing for one's family

Those who shirk the responsibilty of taking care of their families:

1 Timothy 5:8

But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.

The root of laziness is selfishness. These people don't want to sacrifice the least bit of "self". However, they are more than ready to sacrifice your hard earned money and efforts in order to satisfy their own needs. Each of us are responsible to keep ourselves busy, working and providing for our families. If we don't do this, it says a lot about our character.

How many times has a parent pulled their hair out due to a lazy adult child who mooches off of them?

How many times has a spouse been driven to utter exhaustion due to holding down 2 jobs because their lazy spouse refuses to contribute to the family he is responsible for?

Friends, these things should not be allowed to continue. What can you do and just how do you stop it? Stop enabling the lazies.

Put your foot down and hold them accountable for a change. Tell them that if they want:

• food


• shelter


• clothing

then get off their couch and get a job!

God is Capable, Just Wait

It's nearly impossible in the midst of a crisis to wait upon the Lord for an answer and a way of escape. Our impatience coupled with our overly exaggerated faith in self often leaves God out of the equation altogether.

Why do we feel so capable to handle trying situations in our lives? Because we have too much "self" confidence and not enough "God" confidence. Looking entirely to ourselves for answers to life's problems is most like swatting a gnat with a pencil. There's nothing wrong with self confidence, but generally we all overdo it by placing too much faith in our abilities and not realizing God's capabilities. The next earth shaking crisis you encounter, may you choose to take it to God first and in doing so, you will have put "self" in it's proper place.

Those Who Have Went the Way of Self

When you reject Christ, you have opted to go the way of self.
A self-serving life is one which will cost you much by the time you get to the end of it.
A person who is overtaken with self will come to the end of his life alone, angry, and empty. Such a person has always been empty because they are without God. And it is so easy for these people to hurt others. Where is the compassion and empathy they feel for those around them? It is non-existent. They have self preservation in mind above all else. One cannot have a relationship with someone who is overtaken with "self", because in the end, they always prove to be one-sided and too hurtful to endure for any length of time.

The Good Samaritan: A Picture of How Jesus Would Have Us Treat One Another

Luke 10:30-37

A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell into the hands of robbers, who stripped him, beat him, and went away, leaving him half dead. Now by chance a priest was going down that road; and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan while traveling came near him; and when he saw him, he was moved with pity. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, having poured oil and wine on them. Then he put him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. The next day he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said: "Take care of him; and when I come back, I will repay you whatever more you spend." Which of these three, do you think, was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers? He said: "The one who showed him mercy." Jesus said to him: "Go and do likewise."

Why would Jesus tell us the story of the Good Samaritan? Because he wanted us to know how we are to treat others, no matter if they were strangers or beloved family members.
The Good Samaritan treated the stranger on the road like a brother, yet he didn't even know the man. This is a portrait of how mankind should treat one another. Jesus desires us to conduct ourselves as the Good Samaritan did.

But what of the others who passed by and did nothing for the man in need? They had gone the way of self.
And notice, one was a man of God, a priest.

Narcissists and Sociopaths (those without conscience) who tend to only think about themselves are wreaking havoc in the lives of others everyday. These damaging people's mindset is geared toward what is best for them at the sacrifice of innocent others they run into during their time here on earth.
While walking on the road of life, be sure of one thing:
That you meet the savior, learn of him, and take up his ways instead of becoming acquainted with the evil one, learning of him, and taking up his ways.

Those Who Point the Way to Jesus

You should be able to recognize the preachers and pastors who point the way to Jesus.
If you have been listening, you know that there are many pastors and preachers who will point you towards "achieving prosperity", but they seldom focus in on Jesus and his message.
In our present culture, who/what gets talked up by the Christian preachers and teachers? Who/what gets the primary bulk of their airtime?

• Do they spend their time instructing you on the power of wealth?

• Do you hear the salvation message or just another message on how to "sow a seed and get wealthy"?

I get annoyed by the ones who wear our ears out by talking up prosperity and the ability to get wealth. These have chosen not to give time toward pointing the way to Jesus and giving glory to him. Instead, they are giving glory to getting rich in this life which is precisely what Jesus said not to do.
Matthew 6:19:

• 19 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:

• 20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:

• 21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

If Jesus were on the earth today, do you believe he would spend his time instructing you on the fine points of prosperity or would he talk to you about his father in heaven?
Would he tell you about his Mercedes Benz or the love you are to have for your brother?

I cannot see how people are taken in by these smooth talkers, these wolves in sheep's clothing. All we have to do in order to not be deceived by them is to listen to what or who they are giving most of their airtime to.

The preachers and teachers who give you a repeated diatribe on the fine points of prosperity are bogus. They key in on this subject because it is useful to them.
How man times have I heard, "Sow a seed and see all of your loved ones saved and your debts demolished"? And who do you sow your seed to? Why them, of course. How long must we endure these charlatans?

Jesus pointed to his Father God and gave glory to him. He pointed to the Holy Spirit. He pointed to the truth, the word of God.

Are the majority of our television evangelists and teachers following in his footsteps? I think not. It is a sad state of affairs when you seldom see a preacher open his bible but instead he will find the time to read some man's poem he stumbled onto that has inspired him. There is nothing wrong with reading an inspiring poem, but give the word of God priority.

What is in a man's heart will come out of his mouth. He will open his mouth and talk on the things which are most important to him. Take time to listen to those around you who claim to be Christians and carry God's message to mankind.

The Neglected Children of Drug Addicted Parents

I can think of nothing worse than to be raised by drug addicted parents. The children who live this hellish existence find that they are always at the mercy of their addicted parent's whims. We all know that you cannot reason with or live around a drug addict without it messing you up in your mind, body and spirit. We as adults can get away from this situation. But the children who are under the care of these addicts have no way of escape.
There are many detrimental effects of living in a home with a drug addicted parent:

1. Severe Neglect: The children often are not fed, cleaned, or watched properly. The addict cares more about what they need than what their kids need. This will be how it is until the children are taken out of the home or the addicted parent gets clean. I am not talking about a simple matter of lack of choice of foods available to the children. I am talking about NO food for the children. Many addicted parents will take their support check and use it for drugs while leaving their children without basic food, clothing, and adequate essential needs for existence.
2. The Parents Who are Never There: Most addicted parents will leave their children with other people while they are out having a high old time. They cannot be bothered with being responsible for caring for their kids because they are totally irresponsible. So they will run off and leave their children alone or with younger siblings and this is when accidents and abuse happens as well as other situations that will scar these kids for life.
   
3. Physical and Mental Abuse: Drug addicts are notorious for abusing others. And the child who is stuck in a home with an addict for a parent will no doubt suffer much physical and mental abuse at their hands. An addict is prone to taking out their frustrations on others around them and the child stuck in a home with these people as parents are always the ones who are subjected to the most extreme forms of abuse.
   

These precious kids will suffer LACK on all levels. They will lack nurturing, adequate food and shelter and most of all, love. An addict does not love himself or he wouldn't do the things he does. He only keeps one thing as the centerpiece of his life - his drug of choice.

If you know of a child who is perhaps in danger due to living with a drug addicted parent, contact your authorities.

To report abuse, you can always call the National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-CHILD.

If the abuse is a life-threatening emergency, call 911.

Rick Warren's Porn Profiting Church Member

I thought I'd heard enough of Rick Warren and his antics when I got an eyeful of his book, "The Purpose-Driven Life" and an earful of his purpose-driven rap, but no such luck.
I recently clicked on a Christian news site and found out that one of his most prominent church members is none other than Rupert Murdoch, owner of Fox network. Murdoch is also responsible for building a hard-core porn network of which he is profiting greatly.
Murdoch's pastor is Rick Warren of Saddleback church in California.
Now this is where it gets touchy because Murdoch is the one who published Warren's book, "Purpose Driven Life". You see, Murdoch owns Zondervan Publishing Company.

Folks, you couldn't dream this scenario up in a million years. I've always said that the love of money causes Christians to turn their backs on God and ruin their witness to this world in one fell swoop. Greedy gain has proven to be the downfall of many Christians. They get their eyes off the Lord and his word in favor of focusing on prosperity and financial gain in this life.
Warren is fond of speaking out against pornography and now he finds himself with a church member who profits greatly from televising it! Murdoch himself is responsible for making it possible for men and women to stay steeped in the sin of lust and lasciviousness!

Now keep in mind that Murdoch claims to be a born-again Christian.

What of Warren and this situation he now finds himself in?
Should he treat brother Murdoch any differently than he would another member of his mega-church?
Should he take him aside and set him straight on the fact that born again Christians do not produce and profit off of pornography?

Warren would do well to take Murdoch on a bible tour and the first stop would be to
1 John 2:16

For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.

Then he might want to guide him onward to
Galatians 5:19
Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

1 Peter 4:1-3
Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin;
2 That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God.
3 For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries

One thing is certain, if or when Warren sets Murdoch straight, we will not hear about it. Personally, I am not holding my breath. I don't think we will hear so much as a peep about open rebuke, confession, and repentance where Murdoch is concerned. Warren is the pastor of his church and is to be the shepherd of the sheep who choose to attend there. He and every other pastor and Christian teacher are given great responsibility and accountability. They are there to oversee and guide those that God has put in their care - their congregations.

I am so sick of these mega-preachers who refuse to stand up for God's word and refuse to rebuke their members openly on outrageous sin issues such as these. Without a doubt, this is one situation in which Warren should do so.

Sociopaths Growing in Number?

I visit a variety of group forums from time to time and lately I've noticed an increased number of topics on the subject of sociopaths. The threads I've had time to read often peak my interest because I write from time to time on sociopaths.

It should come as no surprise to us that we are being exposed to many more people with these characteristics as the return of the Lord draws near.

Sociopaths are those people who are only out for themselves. They usually won't hold a job, but encourage everyone around them to. They tend to tell others what they want to hear, even though it is never the truth. These people strike out to do whatever they desire without respect to your feelings because what you feel doesn't matter a hill of beans in their mind.

Sociopaths are spoken of in the bible:

1 Timothy 4
Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;
2 Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;

What are the signs of a seared conscience?

1. One who has no compassion or sympathy for their fellow man. They just don't care about anyone but themselves and what they want.
2. They tend to view others as objects which can be used, maneuvered and shuffled around like chess pieces on a board.
   
3. Speaking lies in hypocrisy - the bible nailed it!
   

Stoning the Adulterous Woman

Perhaps one of my favorite passages in the bible is that of Jesus and the adulterous woman.
We can glean more from this passage than only understanding the forgiveness of God toward us sinners.
John 8:
3 And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto him a woman taken in adultery; and when they had set her in the midst,
4 They say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act.
5 Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou? 6 This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not.
7 So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them,
He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.

9 And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst.

What does this story tell us about the sociopath?
All of these scribes and pharisees had a conscience. They realized that they had sinned before and had no right to stone this woman.

Compare this with the mentality and conscience of the sociopath - Ice people. The sociopath would have lied and said they had not sinned and therefore had a right to stone her. This is the # 3 characteristic that the bible nailed - Speaking lies in Hypocrisy!

See, you cannot deal with these people and have any type of a meaningful discussion or relationship with them. As I've said before, you cannot hope to have a relationship with a scorpion and believe me now, a sociopath will hurt you every bit as much as a scorpion's sting will. You get too close and that's it, you will suffer pain. This is how a sociopath gets to you. They will find something you may be able to offer them and they will charm you right out of the shirt off your back.

The sociopath and his "love" for you

The sociopath only loves himself. Many hope to change sociopaths but be warned, you can try until you are blue in the face but if a person's conscience is seared, they will harm you if they feel the need to. If it comes down to you or them, forget it. You are expendable while they never are.
The very essence of the the sociopath's demeanor is loving himself at all cost and as I said, everyone else comes in a distant second. I will never say there is no hope for a sociopath. But then again, I never will say that about anyone. I will tell you that praying for one of these people is the best you can do. And take care of yourself and steer clear of them if at all possible.
The very essence of Christianity is love for one another and loving self is the essence of the sociopath. These are Jesus's words and commands:

John 13:34
A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.

John 13:35
By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

The words of Peter:
1 Peter 3:8
Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous:

The Words of John:
1 John 4:7
Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.

For more on the sociopath, follow these links:
The Seared Conscience of the Sociopath Part 1
The Seared Conscience of the Sociopath - Part 2: His way of life
The Seared Conscience of the Sociopath : Part 3

Our politicians: More talk while their faces turn away from Iraq

Time keeps ticking away, yet those in Washington cannot seem to pull themselves away from their meaningless fluff in order to come up with an exit strategy from Iraq. I have to say, I don't care to watch the evening news anymore. I don't want to hear of another man or woman who has lost their life to the war in Iraq. Hearing of our military death tolls angers me to no end. Every time a news item revealing how many more men and women we've lost comes across the screen, I have this same thought: Our government seems content to let this massacre continue.
Our politicians and those in charge of our military could do something about this tragic situation, yet they seem strangely indifferent and uninvolved. According to this news item from May 29: 10 U.S. Soldiers Killed On Memorial Day, 5 British Nationals Kidnapped, "Gunmen dressed in police uniforms kidnapped five Britons from Iraq's Finance Ministry Tuesday, the same day that two suicide bombings killed at least 44 people and U.S. officials announced the Memorial Day deaths of 10 American soldiers".

Friends, this is not an isolated incident. These types of killings and kidnappings are a regular occurrence now. What do we hear from our President? Is he silent on this issue that is the single most important one this nation has faced for years?

A recent article from Counterpunch seems to sum it up. Here is a snippet:

"President Bush can meet with family friend, Prince Bandar while Vice President Cheney meets with King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia, but neither leader are able to meet with Cindy Sheehan and the mothers who ask to know why their children have died in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Our President and politicians seem indifferent, aloof, and unconcerned about the ever growing death tolls in Iraq because they are unconcerned! Man, what a revelation.
They are much too busy finding ways to line their pockets and stay in office. From the time of our President's infamous, "Bring it on" statement to this day, The Prez seems like it doesn't matter how many of our military are killed and maimed.
Why are we still in Iraq?
Why are more of our sons and husbands, wives and daughters, dying?
These have been my questions over and over again. I can see my own son giving his life to protect this country. It would be hard on me, but I could take that. I could accept that. But I could never get my arms around him giving his life for an unjust and futile cause.

The loved ones who have lost family members to this war are the first ones our government should give an account to.
The intelligence was flawed and this was the reason why we waged this war? Well it isn't flawed anymore. We have known full well for some time now that going into Iraq was a mistake.

War Profiteering

I will tell you my opinion of why we are still there and why our government has told us to buckle down and get ready to be there much longer than anticipated: It is because there are some getting very rich off of us staying there! Carlyle, Halliburton, Bechtel, and other corporations are loving this and every drop of blood that is spilled is nothing to them. If we leave, the money spigot stops for these people. But all is not lost. There is always something we can do, no matter how futile the situation may seem.

You can contact your Senate, just dial the switchboard for Congress at (202) 224-3121 and ask for your senator by name.
If you need additional contact information for your senator, here is the place to get it.

Who wants us out of Iraq? The Out of Iraq Congressional Caucus. Take note of the names while you're there.

America Is A Mess

The mess that has become America cannot be fixed by any man. The only way for this country to get out of the mess that it has been in and remains in is by repenting collectively as a nation. We have went to Iraq and are there fighting an unjust war and untold numbers of innocent people have been murdered and maimed as a result of our foolishness. I truly don't care what many might say. If I do not speak this, it is on my conscience and that is something that I can't live with.

It is not only the war that we've waged against Iraq which has been our undoing. We send our military and national guard off thousands of miles away to spread "democracy and freedom" to those who don't want us intruding within their space, while our own northern and southern borders are a joke. Our unguarded borders will also be our undoing. And while some enjoy the cheap labor this offers, there will be a bitter pill to be swallowed in the end. I fear that the bitter pill will prove to be much more devastating to our nation than we fully understand.

I have related before on my site that I believe God's protective hand is being slowly but surely withdrawn from this nation. This is not to say that he will not watch over and protect those in this nation who remain faithful to him till the end. But there will be repercussions to us as a nation because of our sin and indifference to his commands.

What will the consequences be of our disobedience, failure to repent, and callousness to God and his word? I want to tell you that I cannot fathom it. I only know that God has had long patience and has been very good to this nation for so long that we have become as spoiled expectant children in the good things he's always provided to us. We take him as well as his protective hand for granted.

The scripture which relates to us that in the last days, "Everything that can be shaken WILL be shaken" is precisely what I believe we are in for. We will all be shaken. We will all have doubts and fears. We will all be tested in these last days before our Lord's return. But this test is one which we have brought upon ourselves. This nation should be the light bearer for all others but instead, we find that our light has dimmed and is now barely a flicker. How can we be a beacon to all nations if our light is almost out? the answer is, we cannot.

For Every Addict, The Hammer Will Drop

An addict will go on abusing drugs until some tragic event in their destructive life forces them to stop. I have had experience with addicts and I would say that for 90 % of them, it takes some really BAD times for them to stop. Most of them are incarcerated and some of them suffer severe health problems which stops them in their tracks. This is best for the addict because most of them won't come to the end of themselves and stop using unless the hammer drops (right on top of their heads).

This is because drug addicts are notorious for pushing the envelope. They have no control over themselves or their erratic lives. Many addicts will find themselves looking at a very long prison sentence because for years they have seemed to escape the consequences that all of the rest of us have had to pay.

But rest assured, someday the piper will have to be paid. That long awaited past due bill will have to be paid. The addict will end up having to pay the painful price of giving drugs his heart and soul.

But when the addict finally has to suffer these consequences, there is newfound hope for him. He is now forced to think about his life and how he has lived it.
He sees how empty his life has become and is now able to reflect on how many times he has hurt those who love him.

He is alone, frightened, without his comforter (his drug of choice) and it is in this time that he will turn to God IF he doesn't continue on in his stubbornness. God is waiting, he has always been waiting for this person to turn to him so that he could know what living a life truly can be. A real life is one in which you love others and love God, your creator. It is one in which you are not concerned about self, but concerned for the feelings and well-being of others. These things are foreign to those who are still abusing drugs. But the hope is there when the addict comes to the long end of himself.

The Call Has Went Out: Buy no Gas on May 15th

I'm unsure of how much of this pain we are supposed to take. Gas prices went up again yesterday in my neck of the woods.
I want to tell you about an interesting discussion I had at my local Wal-mart recently. A worker in the garden department caught an attendant at a nearby gas station upping the prices once again. She commented to me that she didn't know what she and the rest of us were going to do about these surging gas prices. She told me how hard it had become to make it to work with current gas prices eating away at her finances. While she was telling me this, a man walked up to us. I guess he had overheard our discussion. He told us the only thing that we can do about the gas gouge is to ban together. He said that there is a nationwide call going out for everyone. The call is for everyone to buy NO gas on May 15th.
I've decided to let everyone I know be tuned into this and they've agreed that they would join me and the rest of the citizens of the United States in saying no to big business and to the money hungry oil and gas producers and whoever else is responsible for gouging us until we cannot see straight. I am angry and I don't mind saying it. Our media should do more to look into this nightmare.

So once again, I urge you all to buy no gas on May 15th. The thinking is that this will cost those robbers a few billion dollars if we just stick it to them one day!

About This Site

Conquerors In Christ has been online for over six years and I am presently in the process of renovating my site. Should take me no more than a few days to get my articles back up. In the meantime, I want to thank you for your patience!

Conquering Addiction: Who's in charge?

Seeing someone you love struggle with a drug addiction or other addiction will wear you down mentally. It will depress those who seem to be of the strongest character. Those who feel as though they can do something to free their addict of the prison of drugs are the ones who will be in for the biggest fall and let downs of life. This is because there is nothing you can DO to stop your addict from using. You, their loved ones are totally powerless in this matter. The addict has lost control of his or her life and you as their loved one can never gain back that control of what they have lost. It is not in our power to do such things.

We all sit idly by and must watch the devastation and chaos that is their life unfold as they veer further off the right course in life.

What spouse of an addict has not experienced these feelings of helplessness? Which parent of the addict has not known the depths of this decline? We know all too well. Conquering drug addiction is the job of the addict coupled with the love and support of those around him.

The addict is the one who has allowed the addictive substance into his life. It was his open arms that welcomed it. If addiction is to be conquered, it must be the addict who severs the relationship once and for all.

Many addicts wish to pull their loved ones into the fray by begging and pleading for help from them. Now we as their loved ones wish to help in whatever way we can for as long as possible, but it is ultimately up to the addict to get clean and to stay clean. There are no exceptions to this rule.

Why do many addicts seem to go on for many years without getting clean and changing the course of their lives?

I believe that many of them continue on in their addictions far longer than they would have to because they are being enabled by those who love them.

Well meaning loved ones will often give money and other means to score drugs to their addicted loved ones and this will enable the addict to carry on his dangerous lifestyle. I have enabled addicts before, but I don't anymore.

When the loved ones of addicts fully grasp the truth that their addict cares more for the drugs than they do them, this is when the enabling behavior stops.

The addict truly does care more for their drug of choice more than they do their loved one's feelings or needs. This is sad but true. The structure that surrounds the drug addicts life is totally geared toward scoring and doing more drugs. This is what it's all about for them. The addict may care about what his actions are doing to you, it's just that when the rubber meets the road, they care more about their drugs.

Many years ago I decided I would stop enabling the addicts in my own life and would turn all of my cares and worries about them over to the lord in prayer. This is when my life took a turn for the better. Giving into an addicts whims is draining. It will depress you and take your life away if you let it. All of you who are in a similar circumstance must let go and let God get into the center of your addicts destructive mess which is his life.

A Second Warning for America

For some years I have written on the topic of the downfall of the United States. The reasons for America’s approaching downfall and recent decline are many. It is my opinion that for years America has shown God its back and not its face. Many in America do not feel that they need God anymore. The lady of freedom snubs her nose and turns away her face from the very creator who gave her the freedom she has enjoyed for many years. My first warning was back in 2004.

In a nutshell, here is what we face:

Due to our lack of repentance, we will suffer. This is by our own choice and God has nothing to do with it. When we as a people do not repent of our sins and of our failure to recognize the God who made us, we will be chastised and suffer in numerous ways. I cannot get away with turning my back on God and you cannot get away with it either. The mercy of God is greater than any other, but it is not eternal in the face of stubborn and proud man. He is long-suffering, not wanting any to perish in their sins, but we have our part to do as well. Our part is to recognize that we have turned our back on God and to repent.

I gave a warning previously. I am now prepared to say more.
1. There will be a great earthquake in California and will involve the ever active San Andreas fault.
2. The inadequate guarding of our southern and northern border of the United States will prove to be one of the biggest causes of our demise. Terrorist cells will grow and escalate in America due to our open borders.
3. There will be terrorist attacks in random cities in the United States.
4. These attacks will escalate and will ultimately lead to WW3.
5. There will (possibly) be a military draft and because of this, there will be martial law in our country and great chaos. Americans will not go along with a draft willingly. But due to escalating attacks in our nation, the call will go out for one.
6. Chaos and destruction coupled with an escalation and progression of terrorist acts, there will be great bloodshed and fear.
7. Financial ruin for the United States is a certainty and I have written about this for years .

Doubt and Disbelief

Many will choose to disregard these warnings as they have heard some or all of them before. Regardless of how the Lord has prepared us for these incidents, we will all be shocked and find ourselves in a state of utter disbelief at what will be occurring in our own nation. We in America could never imagine chaos and deep lamentations would be at our very doorsteps. We had better wake up; we had better be ready to meet our maker.

What did we bring into this life?

Just as we are reminded of in the scriptures, we brought nothing into this life and it is a certainty that we can take nothing with us when we depart it.

1 Timothy 6:7

For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.

Think of it this way, if you were to die today, what would happen to you? If you are saved by the blood of Jesus Christ, you have no need to worry. If you have shrugged off salvation and the truth that we are offered by him, you have every reason to fear.

Knowing that these things will happen what should we think and do? We should get the truth in us if we are lacking it. The truth I speak of is the word of God, The bible. This truth illuminates and empowers us with strength, love and faith. It then enables us to live this life without fear and with much love and compassion for others.

God protecting his children and the fiery furnace
Do I believe that God will protect his own during the dark days that are soon coming upon our nation?

Yes, I do. However, lately I have been gaining more insight into how Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego felt when they were faced with the fiery furnace. Below is the commandment of the king put to them:

The king said:
15 Now if ye be ready that at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and dulcimer, and all kinds of music, ye fall down and worship the image which I have made; well: but if ye worship not, ye shall be cast the same hour into the midst of a burning fiery furnace; and who is that God that shall deliver you out of my hands?

Here is the response from the children of God:
Daniel 3:
16 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter.
17 If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king.
18 But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.

I believe that we must get this down in our spirits. We must understand and accept that no matter what we may face, we will not allow ourselves to succumb to the powers of evil and what they may do to us. Jesus talked about this and how we are to respond to it:
Matthew 10:28
And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.

This is my nation. I do not want chaos and destruction to come to it. But I know that due to our lack of repentance, these things will most likely come to pass in our lifetime. Because of our culture of self , we will pay a high price.

Many years ago I had a dream. I will not go into the full explanation of the dream, but I will just say that it was frightening to me. At the end of it, right before I woke, I saw a bible with threads of light flowing out from it and through its pages. The vision of this bible was to be my answer and helper to the fear the dream had brought upon me. I was being nudged by God to get those words of truth and light down into my spirit and heart. This was the remedy for all the fears and grief that I would face and that others would face in the future. We must work now, while we are able, to get the truth of God’s word down into our hearts. While we are able, we should pray and draw closer to God than ever before. This is the most vital part of our preparation for the dark days ahead.

Forgiving others is easier if we remember these things

Forgiving others is saying "I was once like you", and because of this, I can relate and have compassion upon you. I can forgive you because I have been forgiven. In forgiving you, I will give what I have received. We don't always have to know the reasons why people do the things they do but we always know the one who teaches us forgiveness - The Lord Jesus Christ.

The facts are: We have all done things that we are ashamed of and regret. We have all at one time or another gotten off the right path in life and have been led astray. If we say we have not, we are deceived. To say that we have not done this, we lie, because if this were true, if our lives have always been spotless, this would make us equal with Jesus, the spotless and sinless lamb who was slain for our sins.

Too much of the time, we Christians have selective memory. We forget those times in our life before we came to Christ. I know we do this, because we are much too hypocritical towards those that are out of the way - the unsaved.

The Apostle Paul was a very humble person. He talked of his life and what it was like before coming to Christ.

Galatians 1: 13For ye have heard of my conversation in time past in the Jews' religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the church of God, and wasted it:

Some more on Paul's conversion:

Acts 9:

1And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest,

2And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them (christians) bound unto Jerusalem.

3And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven:

4And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?

Paul persecuted the church of God and caused trouble and pain to Christians in many ways, yet God brought him out of this.

This enabled Paul to extend compassion and forgiveness to others in his life. This is the way it should be with us as well. I don't want to forget what Christ, through the power of the Holy Spirit has brought me out of. If I forget, I will lose my compassion and mercy that I should be showing others I meet in this life.

What is wrong with hypocritical and judgmental Christians today? They suffer from forgetting what Christ pulled them out of. How can you truly be thankful for your life, salvation and truth that God gives if you don't remember where you came from?

I know Christians who say we are to forget all of our past, forget about everything that went on with us before we came to Christ, but I tend to disagree.

I believe that God allows us to remember our past for these very important reasons:

1. So we won't go back to what he brought us out of.

2. To keep us humble.

3. To teach us about forgiveness

4. To give HIM the glory for what we've come out of.

During your life walk, don't neglect to remember what God has brought you out of. His mercy and forgiveness is rich toward us, so let's extend that mercy and forgiveness toward others. Let's all give what we have received from him.