Sunday, February 17, 2008
Update
Hi everyone!
It's been awhile since I've logged on to this blog. A lot has happened since I've done so. I think that the biggest news, as a family, has been our adoption of siblings. Kathy and I signed on for foster care here in New Mexico. We took in siblings, as such. Then a social worker contacted us to let us know that they had what they felt was a good match of siblings for us to adopt. They were right. You can read up on it through my ministry outreach home page, which is http://donschink.com
God bless!
- Don
It's been awhile since I've logged on to this blog. A lot has happened since I've done so. I think that the biggest news, as a family, has been our adoption of siblings. Kathy and I signed on for foster care here in New Mexico. We took in siblings, as such. Then a social worker contacted us to let us know that they had what they felt was a good match of siblings for us to adopt. They were right. You can read up on it through my ministry outreach home page, which is http://donschink.com
God bless!
- Don
Friday, April 14, 2006
A PEACE RELIGION
It's been awhile since I've posted anything on this site. My personal friend, Pastor and Author, J Grant Swank, has posted the following message that I'm passing on to you... and trusting that it will be a blessing to you on this Good Friday...
Here's a PEACE RELIGION
Scapegoat
Friday, April 14, 2006 -- J. Grant Swank, Jr.
". . .to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord. . ." Ephesians 3:11Jesus did not come to earth to be a martyr. He did not come to sympathize for our pain.Jesus came as Sinless Sacrifice. Only Jesus, the One who knew now sin, could satisfy the justice of eternity.
Therefore, Jesus died on the cross to procure our salvation. That was the "eternal purpose" which deity "purposed in Christ Jesus."Second person of the trinity created this world.
Second person of the trinity incarnated Himself in this world. Second person of the trinity died on the cross for this world. Second person of the trinity ascended from this world. Second person of the trinity will return to this world to rule. Second person of the trinity will present all things to the Father at the dissolving of this world.Before this world was molded, second person of the trinity set Himself aside as its Sinless Sacrifice in case the project went wrong. It did go wrong. Therefore, second person of the trinity became our "propitiation"--our substitute.
Consequently, once again, Jesus came not here to be martyr nor sympathize with our pain but to die in our place. If He had not, we would all be doomed to damnation. That is the magnitude of Calvary, the most significant historic event of this planet. Jesus was born to die as our scapegoat.
Therefore, when Jesus was in His public ministry, He did not call His disciples to perform miracles or stage evangelistic campaigns. Jesus called His disciples to deny their own rights in order to pick up their day-by-day crosses in following Him.Because Jesus' chief purpose for this sphere's span was the cross, He made it clear that the disciple's chief purpose is the cross. It all makes balanced sense.
Further, as the disciple carries faithfully his cross, Jesus is there at that cross. There can be no more meaningful place for Jesus to reside than at the cross of each grace child for it was the Calvary cross that drew Jesus to earth.Everything centers on the cross--the cross of Jesus and the cross of each believer. Cross is central to every dimension of the faith. However, it is the cross that we most neglect.
The birth of Jesus receives exceptional attention for there is little pain there. The resurrection receives its due for it is jubilant. But the cross basically is sidelined for it is a call to suffering and only the truly astute souls understand the blessing of that suffering.
Here's a PEACE RELIGION
Scapegoat
Friday, April 14, 2006 -- J. Grant Swank, Jr.
". . .to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord. . ." Ephesians 3:11Jesus did not come to earth to be a martyr. He did not come to sympathize for our pain.Jesus came as Sinless Sacrifice. Only Jesus, the One who knew now sin, could satisfy the justice of eternity.
Therefore, Jesus died on the cross to procure our salvation. That was the "eternal purpose" which deity "purposed in Christ Jesus."Second person of the trinity created this world.
Second person of the trinity incarnated Himself in this world. Second person of the trinity died on the cross for this world. Second person of the trinity ascended from this world. Second person of the trinity will return to this world to rule. Second person of the trinity will present all things to the Father at the dissolving of this world.Before this world was molded, second person of the trinity set Himself aside as its Sinless Sacrifice in case the project went wrong. It did go wrong. Therefore, second person of the trinity became our "propitiation"--our substitute.
Consequently, once again, Jesus came not here to be martyr nor sympathize with our pain but to die in our place. If He had not, we would all be doomed to damnation. That is the magnitude of Calvary, the most significant historic event of this planet. Jesus was born to die as our scapegoat.
Therefore, when Jesus was in His public ministry, He did not call His disciples to perform miracles or stage evangelistic campaigns. Jesus called His disciples to deny their own rights in order to pick up their day-by-day crosses in following Him.Because Jesus' chief purpose for this sphere's span was the cross, He made it clear that the disciple's chief purpose is the cross. It all makes balanced sense.
Further, as the disciple carries faithfully his cross, Jesus is there at that cross. There can be no more meaningful place for Jesus to reside than at the cross of each grace child for it was the Calvary cross that drew Jesus to earth.Everything centers on the cross--the cross of Jesus and the cross of each believer. Cross is central to every dimension of the faith. However, it is the cross that we most neglect.
The birth of Jesus receives exceptional attention for there is little pain there. The resurrection receives its due for it is jubilant. But the cross basically is sidelined for it is a call to suffering and only the truly astute souls understand the blessing of that suffering.
Thursday, November 24, 2005
"Safe Sex" By the World's Standards is Anything But Safe!!!
My friend and fellow-pastor/author, Rev. Grant Swank wrote the following article:
CRAZY SEX
Recreational sex. Is that what they call it? Now it could be called anything but safe. It’s crazy "out there." That is, if you want to downplay the seriousness of humans beings disappearing because of the dreaded disease overflow.
According to Reuters’ Kamil Zaheer, the United Nations has sounded the blaring alarm. Five million people are coming down with HIV worldwide, just in this year alone.
This is the "highest jump since the first reported case in 1981. Taking the number living with the virus to a record 40.3 million."
So the biblical message of sex within the marital commitment makes sense. Monogamous sexual relationships. That’s what makes safe sex. It’s an old preaching theme, but it is the right one when it comes to sexual activity.
Yet liberals of all stripes have derided the biblical definition for so long that the present generation globally thinks nothing of one-night stands, several in a bed, and multiple partners ad infinitum. That includes both heterosexual and homosexual alliances.
Therefore, with sex the main topic of today’s entertainment industry, the biblical note gets put way back on the back burner or slid off life’s stove completely.
Nevertheless, there is a remnant of moralists that has figured out what makes sense and safety when it comes to sexual participation. It’s monogamy. It’s that promise made when married that sex will be thoroughly enjoyed within the bonds of commitment.
Once again, God gets in the last word, being the Alpha and Omega, beginning of ending of everything planetary. God gives the body. Give provides the sex gift. God then makes the rules. It’s only right.
And those who break the rules pay. Along with those breaking the rules are the innocent ones who did not break any rules but suffer nevertheless. That too is part of being an inhabitant of a spiritually damaged world.
"The 4.9 million new infections were fueled by the epidemic's continuing rampage in sub-Saharan Africa and a spike in the former Soviet Union and Eastern Europe, the UNAIDS body said in its annual report.
"’Despite progress made in a small but growing number of countries, the AIDS epidemic continues to outstrip global efforts to contain it,’ the report said."
Of course to make the message all the more complicated, there are religious groups who espouse recreational sex of both homosexual and heterosexual varieties as God-blessed. These include the Episcopal Church, Unitarian Society, and United Church of Christ (Congregational). There are many in the Presbyterian Church, United Methodist Church and Evangelical Lutheran Church of America who are pushing for denominational sanction of the same.
Therefore, instead of spreading the gospel, these denominations spread HIV/AIDS. Instead of using the weekly pulpit for preaching the biblical message of salvation through Christ, the pulpit is used for the politically correct damaging allowance. Such apostates will all answer at the Judgment Seat of Christ.
The biblical congregations still preaching the God-revealed message are not seeing the rise of HIV/AIDS within their memberships. Instead, they are presenting the alternative lifestyle of Christian holiness that yields a change of morality within the life. That in itself staves off the HIV/AIDS virus within those faith communities.
Such biblically-based denominations include the Salvation Army, Southern Baptists, Pentecostals, Missionary Church, Plymouth Brethren, Christian and Missionary Alliance, Evangelical Free Church, Church of the Nazarene, Church of God/Cleveland TN and Church of God/Anderson IN, as well as the Seventh-Day Adventists, Church of Christ (not to be confused with the United Church of Christ/Congregational), Free Will Baptists, Free Methodist Church, Evangelical United Brethren, and various independent congregations.
"More than 3.1 million people have died this year from AIDS, including 570,000 children — far more than the toll from all natural disasters since last December's tsunami. Southern Africa, including South Africa — which has the world's most cases at more than 5.1 million — continues to be worst-hit.
"Saying nine out of 10 people in developing countries do not know their HIV status, UNAIDS Executive Director Peter Piot called for an unprecedented response to the global AIDS crisis." In other words, the world already has an HIV epidemic never dreamt of when the first case was reported.
"’A business-as-usual approach will not do,’ Piot told a news conference in New Delhi. India, with about 5 million HIV sufferers, has the second-highest number of cases after South Africa and there are concerns many cases are unreported."
True. Piot is right on target. But will anyone in public life espouse the biblical holiness lifestyle that puts away the HIV/AIDS virus completely? That would surely be giving a message that would not be "’business-as-usual,’" that’s for certain.
--------------------------------------------------Email: joseph_swank@yahoo.com
CRAZY SEX
By J. Grant Swank, Jr.
As pulished on: MichNews.com
Nov 23, 2005
Recreational sex. Is that what they call it? Now it could be called anything but safe. It’s crazy "out there." That is, if you want to downplay the seriousness of humans beings disappearing because of the dreaded disease overflow.
According to Reuters’ Kamil Zaheer, the United Nations has sounded the blaring alarm. Five million people are coming down with HIV worldwide, just in this year alone.
This is the "highest jump since the first reported case in 1981. Taking the number living with the virus to a record 40.3 million."
So the biblical message of sex within the marital commitment makes sense. Monogamous sexual relationships. That’s what makes safe sex. It’s an old preaching theme, but it is the right one when it comes to sexual activity.
Yet liberals of all stripes have derided the biblical definition for so long that the present generation globally thinks nothing of one-night stands, several in a bed, and multiple partners ad infinitum. That includes both heterosexual and homosexual alliances.
Therefore, with sex the main topic of today’s entertainment industry, the biblical note gets put way back on the back burner or slid off life’s stove completely.
Nevertheless, there is a remnant of moralists that has figured out what makes sense and safety when it comes to sexual participation. It’s monogamy. It’s that promise made when married that sex will be thoroughly enjoyed within the bonds of commitment.
Once again, God gets in the last word, being the Alpha and Omega, beginning of ending of everything planetary. God gives the body. Give provides the sex gift. God then makes the rules. It’s only right.
And those who break the rules pay. Along with those breaking the rules are the innocent ones who did not break any rules but suffer nevertheless. That too is part of being an inhabitant of a spiritually damaged world.
"The 4.9 million new infections were fueled by the epidemic's continuing rampage in sub-Saharan Africa and a spike in the former Soviet Union and Eastern Europe, the UNAIDS body said in its annual report.
"’Despite progress made in a small but growing number of countries, the AIDS epidemic continues to outstrip global efforts to contain it,’ the report said."
Of course to make the message all the more complicated, there are religious groups who espouse recreational sex of both homosexual and heterosexual varieties as God-blessed. These include the Episcopal Church, Unitarian Society, and United Church of Christ (Congregational). There are many in the Presbyterian Church, United Methodist Church and Evangelical Lutheran Church of America who are pushing for denominational sanction of the same.
Therefore, instead of spreading the gospel, these denominations spread HIV/AIDS. Instead of using the weekly pulpit for preaching the biblical message of salvation through Christ, the pulpit is used for the politically correct damaging allowance. Such apostates will all answer at the Judgment Seat of Christ.
The biblical congregations still preaching the God-revealed message are not seeing the rise of HIV/AIDS within their memberships. Instead, they are presenting the alternative lifestyle of Christian holiness that yields a change of morality within the life. That in itself staves off the HIV/AIDS virus within those faith communities.
Such biblically-based denominations include the Salvation Army, Southern Baptists, Pentecostals, Missionary Church, Plymouth Brethren, Christian and Missionary Alliance, Evangelical Free Church, Church of the Nazarene, Church of God/Cleveland TN and Church of God/Anderson IN, as well as the Seventh-Day Adventists, Church of Christ (not to be confused with the United Church of Christ/Congregational), Free Will Baptists, Free Methodist Church, Evangelical United Brethren, and various independent congregations.
"More than 3.1 million people have died this year from AIDS, including 570,000 children — far more than the toll from all natural disasters since last December's tsunami. Southern Africa, including South Africa — which has the world's most cases at more than 5.1 million — continues to be worst-hit.
"Saying nine out of 10 people in developing countries do not know their HIV status, UNAIDS Executive Director Peter Piot called for an unprecedented response to the global AIDS crisis." In other words, the world already has an HIV epidemic never dreamt of when the first case was reported.
"’A business-as-usual approach will not do,’ Piot told a news conference in New Delhi. India, with about 5 million HIV sufferers, has the second-highest number of cases after South Africa and there are concerns many cases are unreported."
True. Piot is right on target. But will anyone in public life espouse the biblical holiness lifestyle that puts away the HIV/AIDS virus completely? That would surely be giving a message that would not be "’business-as-usual,’" that’s for certain.
--------------------------------------------------Email: joseph_swank@yahoo.com
Thursday, March 24, 2005
The Fight for Terri's Right to Live
The following article was submitted and published in various publicatons for 3/23-24/2005:
Terri Schiavo's name is now a household name in every house in America. Yet it never should have been. She is a very tragic victim of circumstances that are out of her control. Her parents, Bob and Mary Schindler, made several bold and brave last-ditch efforts to save the life of their precious daughter.
It seems that her husband, Michael Schiavo, the one who swore allegiance "Til death do us part," appears to have wanted to hasten her departure from this earth. We even may understand the human side of a man being lonely and wanting companionship, as husband Michael did, in finding a new housemate and even fathering children with his girlfriend. But a large and growing number of us around the country wonder why such a person didn't just divorce her if he wanted another woman that bad. We wonder why he didn't just turn her guardianship over to her parents and other family who loves her so deeply and who have been more than willing to take on whatever was involved with her situation.
Michael has stated that Terri once expressed that she would not want to live in a state such as she is today. However, it took him seven years to even recall her having made such a statement. Also, there is no living will, just this statement that seems to have been suddenly remembered at such a convenient time. And it is this unverifiable statement that seems to be holding so much weight with those who are refusing this precious young woman her chance to live and to resume treatments that could possibly enable her to have at least a fighting chance to be rehabilitated. The question comes up again and again as to why does Michael fight so hard to see her dead? What motives drive this man to such extremes to where her parents are forbid and blocked from giving her the loving assistance that they so willingly desire to do?
While there are those who would criticize our president and others who stepped in to try to save Terri's life, it was quite appropriate to do so. After all, as the original intents of our founding fathers of this country are studied, it is clear that they were concerned for the preservation of life, liberty and happiness, to mention just a few things. In short, although not all of our founding fathers were professing Christians, the majority was. And those who formulated our government did so with strong moral and ethical convictions. So when our leaders speak out for such a cause as saving this young woman's life, they are acting in accordance with the heartbeat of our founding fathers. So, I'm proud of President Bush, Governor Bush in Florida, as well as others whom I observed speaking out in defense of a girl who is currently unable to defend herself.
I can't help but wonder what our courts are coming to when so many judges are so quick to make such a heartless decision to eliminate Terri Schiavo's life while letting hardened criminals live who are known rapists and murderers, for example. This is a death sentence of an innocent young woman who is not a criminal, but who is merely a victim.
Also, the nurses who have spoken out are to be commended. They did so at possible great cost and loss of their careers. But they did so because they want the world to know that Terri is not a total vegetable. She has responded in several ways, even spoken a work or so from time to time. She has responded to her parents. It was when her husband and his legal beavers stepped in and stopped her rehabilitation that her progress was stifled. As far as those doctors who testified as to her condition, it would not be all that difficult to get individuals in their position to do so for any number of questionable reasons. Perhaps even the notoriety and its possible enhancement of their careers might be enough incentive. Whatever their motives, even those less qualified than they know and testify that this is not a true representation of Terri Schiavo's condition.
I can't claim to second-guess Terri's husband, Michael, and his motives. But it seems that many are expressing strong and increasingly strong suspicion as to why he is so adamant to see the girl that he once professed love for a lifetime with in marital vows die a horrible death of starvation. Starvation is known as a horrible way to die.
The value of life is in the forefront of this life and death issue as well. We might justifiably wonder what direction that our nation is heading in when we consider this issue. In observing how this case has been handled, it seems that the courts have taken on responsibility to choose life and death issues. Is this what we want them to do? Is this what they are appointed to their positions for? When the majority of those who handed down their judgments did so in favor of death over life, of the finality of a death sentence rather than giving the benefit of doubt in favor of life and of redeeming an innocent life, what are we to think? As such, it appears that we need to take a hard look at our judicial system and reign back some of the authority that some of these officials are assuming to have.
In closing, let me assure Terri Schiavo's family and friends that there are a vast majority of fellow-Americans, as well as people around the globe, that are deeply concerned about such issues. As such, we are praying for all involved, especially for Terri as she lays there starving to death, as a result of heartless individuals who have determined that she should be forced to die in such a horrible manner. May we all stand strong for those issues that this country was founded up, most with deep-seated spiritual roots, founded in the principles of Christianity. When we surrender our values and our convictions to those with different motives, it will be a sad and tragic day for our nation. Remember the sad lessons of past history and the resolve that those who have gone before us displayed to correct wrongs so that our nation can stand strong and proud steeped in those great traditions that have made our country one that we all can be proud of.
The Fight for the Right to Live
- By Rev Don Schink, Pastor-Evangelist
Sonlight Ministries of Tijeras, New Mexico
- March 23, 2005
Sonlight Ministries of Tijeras, New Mexico
- March 23, 2005
Terri Schiavo's name is now a household name in every house in America. Yet it never should have been. She is a very tragic victim of circumstances that are out of her control. Her parents, Bob and Mary Schindler, made several bold and brave last-ditch efforts to save the life of their precious daughter.
It seems that her husband, Michael Schiavo, the one who swore allegiance "Til death do us part," appears to have wanted to hasten her departure from this earth. We even may understand the human side of a man being lonely and wanting companionship, as husband Michael did, in finding a new housemate and even fathering children with his girlfriend. But a large and growing number of us around the country wonder why such a person didn't just divorce her if he wanted another woman that bad. We wonder why he didn't just turn her guardianship over to her parents and other family who loves her so deeply and who have been more than willing to take on whatever was involved with her situation.
Michael has stated that Terri once expressed that she would not want to live in a state such as she is today. However, it took him seven years to even recall her having made such a statement. Also, there is no living will, just this statement that seems to have been suddenly remembered at such a convenient time. And it is this unverifiable statement that seems to be holding so much weight with those who are refusing this precious young woman her chance to live and to resume treatments that could possibly enable her to have at least a fighting chance to be rehabilitated. The question comes up again and again as to why does Michael fight so hard to see her dead? What motives drive this man to such extremes to where her parents are forbid and blocked from giving her the loving assistance that they so willingly desire to do?
While there are those who would criticize our president and others who stepped in to try to save Terri's life, it was quite appropriate to do so. After all, as the original intents of our founding fathers of this country are studied, it is clear that they were concerned for the preservation of life, liberty and happiness, to mention just a few things. In short, although not all of our founding fathers were professing Christians, the majority was. And those who formulated our government did so with strong moral and ethical convictions. So when our leaders speak out for such a cause as saving this young woman's life, they are acting in accordance with the heartbeat of our founding fathers. So, I'm proud of President Bush, Governor Bush in Florida, as well as others whom I observed speaking out in defense of a girl who is currently unable to defend herself.
I can't help but wonder what our courts are coming to when so many judges are so quick to make such a heartless decision to eliminate Terri Schiavo's life while letting hardened criminals live who are known rapists and murderers, for example. This is a death sentence of an innocent young woman who is not a criminal, but who is merely a victim.
Also, the nurses who have spoken out are to be commended. They did so at possible great cost and loss of their careers. But they did so because they want the world to know that Terri is not a total vegetable. She has responded in several ways, even spoken a work or so from time to time. She has responded to her parents. It was when her husband and his legal beavers stepped in and stopped her rehabilitation that her progress was stifled. As far as those doctors who testified as to her condition, it would not be all that difficult to get individuals in their position to do so for any number of questionable reasons. Perhaps even the notoriety and its possible enhancement of their careers might be enough incentive. Whatever their motives, even those less qualified than they know and testify that this is not a true representation of Terri Schiavo's condition.
I can't claim to second-guess Terri's husband, Michael, and his motives. But it seems that many are expressing strong and increasingly strong suspicion as to why he is so adamant to see the girl that he once professed love for a lifetime with in marital vows die a horrible death of starvation. Starvation is known as a horrible way to die.
The value of life is in the forefront of this life and death issue as well. We might justifiably wonder what direction that our nation is heading in when we consider this issue. In observing how this case has been handled, it seems that the courts have taken on responsibility to choose life and death issues. Is this what we want them to do? Is this what they are appointed to their positions for? When the majority of those who handed down their judgments did so in favor of death over life, of the finality of a death sentence rather than giving the benefit of doubt in favor of life and of redeeming an innocent life, what are we to think? As such, it appears that we need to take a hard look at our judicial system and reign back some of the authority that some of these officials are assuming to have.
In closing, let me assure Terri Schiavo's family and friends that there are a vast majority of fellow-Americans, as well as people around the globe, that are deeply concerned about such issues. As such, we are praying for all involved, especially for Terri as she lays there starving to death, as a result of heartless individuals who have determined that she should be forced to die in such a horrible manner. May we all stand strong for those issues that this country was founded up, most with deep-seated spiritual roots, founded in the principles of Christianity. When we surrender our values and our convictions to those with different motives, it will be a sad and tragic day for our nation. Remember the sad lessons of past history and the resolve that those who have gone before us displayed to correct wrongs so that our nation can stand strong and proud steeped in those great traditions that have made our country one that we all can be proud of.
Thursday, March 17, 2005
The Incomparable Christ
There is a little tract that is published by the Faith, Prayer and Tract League that is worth taking a look at, called, "The Incomparable Christ." It reads as follows:
He came from the throne of the Father to the womb of a woman. He put on humanity that we might put on divinity. He became Son of Man that we might become sons of God. He was born in a supernatural way, lived in poverty and was reared in obscurity. He had neither wealth nor influence, yet the wisdom of men has never matched His wisdom. Never has a man spoken like this man. His family was inconspicuous and uninfluential. In infancy He startled a king. As a boy, He stunned theologians with His knowledge and wisdom for He was taught of God. In manhood, He ruled the elements and quieted the raging sea. He healed the multitudes without medicine. And fed thousands from a boy’s lunch. Even demons obeyed Him and He gave back life to those who died. He never wrote a book, yet none of the libraries of the world can contain the books that have been written about Him. He never wrote a song, yet He has furnished the theme of more songs than all song writers combined. He never founded a college, yet all the colleges together cannot boast of as many students as He has. He never marshaled an army, yet no leader has ever had more volunteers. Great men have come and gone yet He lives all. Herod could not kill Him. Satan could not tempt Him to sin. Death could not destroy Him. The grave could not hold Him. He laid aside His purple robe for a peasant’s gown. He was rich yet for our sakes He became poor. He slept in another’s manger. He rode on another’s donkey. He was buried in another’s grave. He conquered death and rose on the third day as He said He would. He ascended into heaven and is now at the right hand of the throne of God. One day He will return with power and great glory to judge the world when every knee shall bow to Him and every tongue shall confess Him as Lord. His friends gladly. But enemies seeking for a place to hide from His face. He is the perfect one. The only one who can satisfy the soul. He gives everlasting life to those who love Him. He is altogether lovely. But best of all, He is my Savior.
He came from the throne of the Father to the womb of a woman. He put on humanity that we might put on divinity. He became Son of Man that we might become sons of God. He was born in a supernatural way, lived in poverty and was reared in obscurity. He had neither wealth nor influence, yet the wisdom of men has never matched His wisdom. Never has a man spoken like this man. His family was inconspicuous and uninfluential. In infancy He startled a king. As a boy, He stunned theologians with His knowledge and wisdom for He was taught of God. In manhood, He ruled the elements and quieted the raging sea. He healed the multitudes without medicine. And fed thousands from a boy’s lunch. Even demons obeyed Him and He gave back life to those who died. He never wrote a book, yet none of the libraries of the world can contain the books that have been written about Him. He never wrote a song, yet He has furnished the theme of more songs than all song writers combined. He never founded a college, yet all the colleges together cannot boast of as many students as He has. He never marshaled an army, yet no leader has ever had more volunteers. Great men have come and gone yet He lives all. Herod could not kill Him. Satan could not tempt Him to sin. Death could not destroy Him. The grave could not hold Him. He laid aside His purple robe for a peasant’s gown. He was rich yet for our sakes He became poor. He slept in another’s manger. He rode on another’s donkey. He was buried in another’s grave. He conquered death and rose on the third day as He said He would. He ascended into heaven and is now at the right hand of the throne of God. One day He will return with power and great glory to judge the world when every knee shall bow to Him and every tongue shall confess Him as Lord. His friends gladly. But enemies seeking for a place to hide from His face. He is the perfect one. The only one who can satisfy the soul. He gives everlasting life to those who love Him. He is altogether lovely. But best of all, He is my Savior.
Saturday, February 12, 2005
Crazy Chicks
The following account is a true story that actually is reported as accurate here in New Mexico! ...
Once upon a time there were two crazy chicks! They went to carjack a vehicle, apparently successful at first, having forced the occupant from the vehicle and then fleeing in it. However, upon abandoning the car, police discovered a camera that was left behind... Guess what? The girls had taken their own pictures and when police had the film developed, there were the girls! So they were able to identify the carjackers from the pictures in their own camera and both were arrested and subsequently charged! I just can't help but wonder... if they were blondes!
Wednesday, December 22, 2004
Quit Compromising and Keep Christ!
The Majority In Our Nation Realizes Our Need To Keep Christ In Christmas!
- As shared by Rev. Don Schink, (c) 2004
It's CHRISTMAS time! Yes, you politically-corrected dear hearts! Whether you like it or not, Christmas is still a very important celebration! Yes, you more conservative citizens who are alarmed at what a minority has been able to accomplish, while acting against the desires, the wishes and the good faith of most Americans. It's Christmas! It's the grand and glorious celebration of the Savior of all mankind!
America Online recently conducted a pole with three questions:
Question #1: "Are you OK with Christmas-themed retail displays?
Answer: 96% said YES and 4 % said NO.
Question #2: Are you OK with Christmas music in public school?
Answer: 95% said YES and 5% said NO
Question #3: Are you OK with Christmas displays in a local display?
Answer: 97% said YES and 3% said NO
These percentages held true throughout the survey. In fact, when 359,488 AOL members cast their votes, the percentage was the same as when the count was only up to 201,164 members. In other words, the results of this pole remained true throughout the entire process.
I recently had a conversaton with a lady who went to her child's Christmas program where the public school leadership had carefully carved out any and all mention of Christ, of Christmas, or anything else that would commenorate the true meaning of the holiday. In fact, instead of singing, "We wish you a merry Christmas," the words were changed to say, "We wish you a happy holiday." She was upset. Our nation's kids are being improperly influenced to society without Christan values. She noticed that other religions' influence were allowed, but not Christianity. This is dead wrong. The results upon this nation will be devestatingly negative if this is allowed to continue the way it is.
Consider this, people! Of you consider all of the cults, atheist groups and other such ones, it shows that the majority unanimously and without question value Christ in society. They value our Savior's birth as Savior of mankind. So why do we allow such a small minority to influence and to make decisions to remove Christ and the positive influences of Christianity from our society?
Come on, people! A minority should never be allowed to over-ride the majority, especially with something as important as Christianity's influence in our society, from the school to the marketplace to the courts and other branches of our fine government, or anywhere else! Come on people! It's time to take our na
Wake up people! Our founding fathers reconized the importance that God as the Supreme Authority was to have in positive influences upon our nation. They recognized how important that solid Christian morals, principles, ideals, and decent morality are to any nation. They also recognized that the lack of these would also result in the sad and serious decline of ours, or any other nation, emphasizing the seriousness of the impact of including God as the ultimate leader and as the ultimate authority of our nation.
Take action people! Keep after your public officials! Let them know that you will not tolerate such a tiny majority in taking away the freedoms that our founding fathers realized as being so vitally importabt! Tell them that the opinions of the 95% to 97% of our population that continues to respond that the Christian influence are the ones who truly must be honored!
Consider this, people! The interesting point of this survey is that it was conducted by a fairly liberal organization that would normally be expected to have had far different results. In fact, other surveys are quite often influenced by the more liberal to moderate crowd. I have often cringed at poll results that measure what has appeared to be a spritually and morally declining population. Yet, even where there was undoubtedly quite a few folks who are probably not on fire in their faith for the Lord, yet the majority have soundly answered that Christianity is the influence that they want in our nation, in our schools, in public places, and therefore undoubtedly, in our homes.
Speak up, people! This is the United States of America! This is not the U.S.S.R. This is not China. This is not an Islamic middle east nation. This is the United Sates of America! This is a nation that we can be proud to be a part of! This is the nation that was founded upon sound Christian principles and God's Word, the Bible. Guess what? Although the majority of our founding fathers were professing Christians, not all of them were. But they came to the decision as a group, Christians and non-professing leaders alike, that the Christian influence and the godly principles of the Word of God are what is needed for our nation. This fact was good enough for the first few hundred years. This is just as crucial, even more so, in our day, to prevent the continuous moral decline of our nation.
Enjoy the spirit of true Christmas! Yes, dear hearts, "Jesus is still the reason for the season!" He is still the same as He always has been, for our world, for our nation and for victorious living in the individual hearts and lives of whoever chooses to allow Him to rule and to reign!
To the more liberal non-believing reader, you don't have to choose this. No one will drag you or anyone else screaming and kicking against your will into the kingdom of heaven. Hey! Listen! It's just like this: If you don't want to go, you don't have to! Of course if you refer what the Bible describes as a place of absolute agony, where screaming and gnashing of teeth is the norm, then you're free to go there. That's your choice. But leave me and mine and the majority of the residents of our nation to enjoy our choice! You really are the minority, if that's where you stand! We are all free moral agents, free to chose our direction and eternal destinies. You choose yours. We'll chose ours!
I stand with Joshua of old, where we read in Joshua 24:15, "As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord!" There's not a doubt in my heart and mind. I have made that decision. I will live and die by it. It is Christ for our nation and our nation for Christ! Not all chose this. That's clear. But for those who do, we need to stand up and clearly proclaim what is clearly the choice of the majority of our nation!
As you pray today:
1. In your heart, where do you stand in this issue?
2. How can you impact your own circle of influence?
3. What can you do to make sure that you are where the Lord would have you to be, personally?
