Death comes a knockin'

7:50am

Please read this article about Elena Kagan, the Supreme Court justice nominee, from World Magazine:

http://online.worldmag.com/2010/07/09/kagan-doesnt-shudder/

Economics

8:39am

I am reading through a book titled, The Battle, by Arthur C. Brooks. The subtitle ingeniously tells the theme in a nutshell: How the Fight Between FREE ENTERPRISE and BIG GOVERNMENT Will Shape America's Future. Mr. Brooks argues that one of the causes of our financial collapse is government policy and intervention. His argument is iron clad and irrefutable. I recommend the book to anyone who is concerned about the move to socialism/one-world government that was ramped up under the Republican administration of Bush 43 and now by the policies of President Obama and his Democratic regime.

My ongoing concern, however, is about the real BATTLE that is raging across the universe--the war for the souls of men. The fight that began in the Garden and will end by the power of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ (AMEN!).

Eph 6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

As Christians, our primary concern should be the souls of men and the Word of God, two of the things that we know are eternal. As strangers and aliens in this world, our main emphasis should be on the Kingdom of God and battling against the gates of hell through the power of our Lord. As Francis Schaeffer so aptly predicted in many of his works, modern America will willingly sell her freedoms for the promise of personal peace and prosperity. Frankly, I don't see a return to the good old days because both political parties are in control for power, not for the benefit of the American people.

It seems that we are willing to pray for peace but not for the right reasons. Hear what the apostle Paul tells his missionary associate, Timothy, in 1 Timothy:

1Ti 2:1 I exhort therefore, that first of all supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men;

1Ti 2:2 For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.

1Ti 2:3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior;

1Ti 2:4 Who will have all men to be saved, and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

The peaceable life that Paul has Timothy prays for is for the primary purpose of the spread of the gospel of Jesus Christ. It is not for the personal peace and prosperity that many prominent heretics propose to their congregations here in the US and around the world.

We can fight for free enterprise over socialism as long as we are fighting for the freedom to further the kingdom of God. Some day, as all of us know, this life will end. Will we have spent our time on the things that are really important?

1Pe 1:24 For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and its flower falleth away:

1Pe 1:25 But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached to you.

Dentist

8:29am

Well...you learn something new all the time it seems. I found out this morning that the canal inside your tooth can calcify over time when you have a large filling (from my childhood). I found out that my regular dentist (great brother named Wes) would prefer that my root canal be done by an endodontic specialist.

What bothers me is that it wasn't even a (stinkin') cavity! Ahh...the sins of my childhood are coming back to haunt me.

I will have to drive about 90 miles for my "consultation." Then, they will set up an appointment for the procedure. Luckily, they had an opening for a consultation in six days :)

Maranatha

7:04am

Before heading out to see the dentist this morning, I wanted to make a comment on the encouragement of having a prayer list. A list that you can add to and highlight the answered prayers. I know that I need encouragement (more than I think) and the prayer list reminds me that God answers prayer.

I have a numbered list, with bullets, of prayer requests for individual families inside (and outside) our fellowship. Whenever God answers a specific request I "color" and "bold" the answer so that the answers jump out when I open the prayer document.

One of the things that I have been encouraged to do as a result of the list is to be more specific in my prayers for individuals. For example, instead of just asking for repentance for a brother, I am specifically asking the Lord to bring him back to our fellowship. Repentance is tops, but I also really would like to have him back with us.

Also, as I have prayed for us, God has answered prayers in ways that I didn't ask. Certainly, in ways that are better than my specific requests.

Got to go get a "bad" tooth looked at this morning. I hope, err pray that Wes can take care of it ASAP.