Seeds of Turmoil: The Biblical Roots of the Inevitable Crisis in the Middle East,
Bryant Wright
From the opening sentence to the end of the book, my attention never waned. Though I believe myself to be well informed on the situation, biblically and historically, the narrative and development was such that I didn’t want to pass quickly over any part!
This is a terrific introduction to the issue and Bryant hits the nail on the head as to the source of the problem. Seeds Of Turmoil is a good introduction to Islam and to the relationships between the three religions of the book.
The unstated assumption behind the book suggests political Zionism is representative of biblical Israel.
I will happily pass this book on to others as an introduction to the problem along with a briefing on Political Zionism and Christian Zionism.
I received this book as part of Thomas Nelson’s blogger’s review program, gratis, and the freedom to post my opinion.
Pearcey Report
Saturday, September 18, 2010
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Portrait Of A Man
Patton: the Pursuit of Destiny by Agostino Von Hassell and Ed Breslin,
Have always been intrigued by Patton’s sense of destiny. Reading this volume enabled me to see the impact of his exposure to the scriptures wherein one encounters the message of a sovereign creator working all things after the counsel of His own will.
This bio also lends tremendous credence to the impact of parents and grandparents on the education of a child without the aid of government schools. The pressures Patton faced as it became apparent he wasn’t a product of the government system only attest to the effectiveness of educational warehousing in cloning.
The book does a great service in explaining the background and motivations behind the slapping incidents.
It is a shame the movie did not follow the biographical material outlined in this volume. Would have been a much better service to the memory of this man!
Patton and Smedley Butler are two terrific leadership role model.
I received this book free from the publisher through the Thomas Nelson bloggers book review program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
Have always been intrigued by Patton’s sense of destiny. Reading this volume enabled me to see the impact of his exposure to the scriptures wherein one encounters the message of a sovereign creator working all things after the counsel of His own will.
This bio also lends tremendous credence to the impact of parents and grandparents on the education of a child without the aid of government schools. The pressures Patton faced as it became apparent he wasn’t a product of the government system only attest to the effectiveness of educational warehousing in cloning.
The book does a great service in explaining the background and motivations behind the slapping incidents.
It is a shame the movie did not follow the biographical material outlined in this volume. Would have been a much better service to the memory of this man!
Patton and Smedley Butler are two terrific leadership role model.
I received this book free from the publisher through the Thomas Nelson bloggers book review program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
Friday, August 13, 2010
Signs of the Times, Signs of the Timers!
NUTS.
For over 60+ years I have listened to the Mantra: these are the signs of the times.
Some years back, I began to ask, “…the times of what?”
Most said, “…the end of the world…” But, as I searched the scriptures I failed to find any text supporting that assertion.
Others responded, “…the signs of the end…”. To which I queried, “…the end of what..?”
Again, I was met with the assertion: the end of the world.
Others said, “…the last days…”, to which I responded, “…the last days of what…?”
Still others asserted “the end”, to which I responded, “…end of what…?”
Never in all these years have I heard any of the “…this is a sign of the end…” proponents admit to their assertions being wrong. Most egregious among these “prophets” ( in my opinion) being John Walvoord, Hal Lindsey, and Jack van Impe. (I could also include John Hagee: ).
It does appear most of the aforementioned have made good money via book sales based upon their assertions and the religious community’s credulity. (To their detriment, they neglected to give heed to the Apostolic admonitions to “test the spirits” ( 1 John 4:1) and (2 Timothy 2:15). My hope is they used this income to further the kingdom’s advance!
These men ought to be eternally grateful we are no longer are bound to Deuteronomy 13 & 18!
Against all of these “end times proponents”, I find myself bound by Ephesians 3:20, 21.
When will the saints learn assertions are not arguments?
When will they learn assertions by godly men are no more valid than assertions by the ungodly?
Sincerity is not the standard, truth is! (Isaiah 8:20 & 2 Timothy 2:15).
How much damage has been done to earnest saints led astray by such assertions?
How much fodder has been provided to the like of Dawkins and Hitchens?
For over 60+ years I have listened to the Mantra: these are the signs of the times.
Some years back, I began to ask, “…the times of what?”
Most said, “…the end of the world…” But, as I searched the scriptures I failed to find any text supporting that assertion.
Others responded, “…the signs of the end…”. To which I queried, “…the end of what..?”
Again, I was met with the assertion: the end of the world.
Others said, “…the last days…”, to which I responded, “…the last days of what…?”
Still others asserted “the end”, to which I responded, “…end of what…?”
Never in all these years have I heard any of the “…this is a sign of the end…” proponents admit to their assertions being wrong. Most egregious among these “prophets” ( in my opinion) being John Walvoord, Hal Lindsey, and Jack van Impe. (I could also include John Hagee: ).
It does appear most of the aforementioned have made good money via book sales based upon their assertions and the religious community’s credulity. (To their detriment, they neglected to give heed to the Apostolic admonitions to “test the spirits” ( 1 John 4:1) and (2 Timothy 2:15). My hope is they used this income to further the kingdom’s advance!
These men ought to be eternally grateful we are no longer are bound to Deuteronomy 13 & 18!
Against all of these “end times proponents”, I find myself bound by Ephesians 3:20, 21.
When will the saints learn assertions are not arguments?
When will they learn assertions by godly men are no more valid than assertions by the ungodly?
Sincerity is not the standard, truth is! (Isaiah 8:20 & 2 Timothy 2:15).
How much damage has been done to earnest saints led astray by such assertions?
How much fodder has been provided to the like of Dawkins and Hitchens?
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Crooked Sticks
One of the many faceted ways in which the Creator God confounds saints and sinners alike is the manner in which He effects His purposes.
In retrospect we discern He has been writing with “crooked sticks”.
Whenever we begin to suspect this, we respond as the prophet Habakkuk in Hab. 1:13…”thou art of purer eyes than to behold evil…”
Let me share my outline of the Minor prophet Habakkuk: Chapter 1-NO! Chapter 2-OH! Chapter 3-AH!
Poor Habakkuk.
He forgot God operated outside the prophet’s frame of reference.
What was evil for the prophet was not evil for the Creator God. (do you presume to hold God to a standard?
Forgive the analogy…but every time I found it necessary to physically discipline one of our children I suspected they thought it “evil”. Years later, they generally recognized it as “good”. Just as David in Psalm 119:71 & 75.
Crooked Sticks abound today!
‘Course, they have always abounded throughout history.
This is the manner of God’s working with a fallen race! At the moment, we are experiencing a close proximity to what God “experiences”, i.e. almost instantaneous awareness of current events! YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, etc. The experience is almost overwhelming…frustrating…confusing.
Add to that the modus operandi of Government in terms of propaganda and confusion and the effect multiplies exponentially.
Whither shall one turn? Who does one trust?
Isaiah advised us and did the Apostle Paul.
Thank God for the doctrine of His Sovereignty
In retrospect we discern He has been writing with “crooked sticks”.
Whenever we begin to suspect this, we respond as the prophet Habakkuk in Hab. 1:13…”thou art of purer eyes than to behold evil…”
Let me share my outline of the Minor prophet Habakkuk: Chapter 1-NO! Chapter 2-OH! Chapter 3-AH!
Poor Habakkuk.
He forgot God operated outside the prophet’s frame of reference.
What was evil for the prophet was not evil for the Creator God. (do you presume to hold God to a standard?
Forgive the analogy…but every time I found it necessary to physically discipline one of our children I suspected they thought it “evil”. Years later, they generally recognized it as “good”. Just as David in Psalm 119:71 & 75.
Crooked Sticks abound today!
‘Course, they have always abounded throughout history.
This is the manner of God’s working with a fallen race! At the moment, we are experiencing a close proximity to what God “experiences”, i.e. almost instantaneous awareness of current events! YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, etc. The experience is almost overwhelming…frustrating…confusing.
Add to that the modus operandi of Government in terms of propaganda and confusion and the effect multiplies exponentially.
Whither shall one turn? Who does one trust?
Isaiah advised us and did the Apostle Paul.
Thank God for the doctrine of His Sovereignty
Thank God For the Whistleblowers
Is it plausible a manifestation of the Common Grace of God in our time is the presence and conduct of governmental Whistleblowers?
Personally, I think so!
To me, each of these whistleblowers manifests the Shamgar spirit.
They are part and parcel of what A J Nock referred to as The Remnant.
Thank God such men and women exist, for their very presence or potential presence puts the fear of God in the psyche of those within Government.
We are all familiar with Lord Acton’s comment “Power tends to corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely”. We tend to assign this phenomenon to the larger entity, but it most certainly applies to someone in every governmental level.
Who among us hasn’t been treated as a serf by some local bureaucrat? The bureaucrat hides behind the euphemism of “public servant” when, in point of fact they rapidly become petty tyrants.
What do they fear, at all levels of “public service”?
Why, the Whistleblower!
Duh.
God, in His infinite goodness, insures there is one or more Shamgars at every level. Men and women possessed with clarity of thought and vision, coupled with a sensitive conscience and who finally say, “Enough is enough” and blow the whistle.
The “systems’ “ response? Ignore them. Ridicule and stigmatize them, circle the wagons and fight them, attempting to bludgeon them into submission. Failing in the latter, they kill them. Eric Hoffer let us know this is the only effective means of dealing with a “True Believer”.
So, for my part, I thank God for the whistleblower, adding him or her to my personal prayer list and pray that, if I am ever faced with a similar decision I would not draw back!
Personally, I think so!
To me, each of these whistleblowers manifests the Shamgar spirit.
They are part and parcel of what A J Nock referred to as The Remnant.
Thank God such men and women exist, for their very presence or potential presence puts the fear of God in the psyche of those within Government.
We are all familiar with Lord Acton’s comment “Power tends to corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely”. We tend to assign this phenomenon to the larger entity, but it most certainly applies to someone in every governmental level.
Who among us hasn’t been treated as a serf by some local bureaucrat? The bureaucrat hides behind the euphemism of “public servant” when, in point of fact they rapidly become petty tyrants.
What do they fear, at all levels of “public service”?
Why, the Whistleblower!
Duh.
God, in His infinite goodness, insures there is one or more Shamgars at every level. Men and women possessed with clarity of thought and vision, coupled with a sensitive conscience and who finally say, “Enough is enough” and blow the whistle.
The “systems’ “ response? Ignore them. Ridicule and stigmatize them, circle the wagons and fight them, attempting to bludgeon them into submission. Failing in the latter, they kill them. Eric Hoffer let us know this is the only effective means of dealing with a “True Believer”.
So, for my part, I thank God for the whistleblower, adding him or her to my personal prayer list and pray that, if I am ever faced with a similar decision I would not draw back!
Monday, July 26, 2010
For Shame
Why am I surprised?
Time and again, our government conducts itself in the most shameful of manners.
Recall the Tuskegee Experiments?
Recall Agent Orange?
Recall Depleted Uranium?
Recall Exon Valdez?
Recall the BP use of chemical dispersants?
At this point, we have reached a new low. It seems as if BP and the Government have hit upon a new strategy to hide their ineptitude: slave labor.
To me, this is a significant step lower than the use of "coerced informants" to obtain convictions.
By using "slave labor", the government will be able to hide from the public the deleterious effects of the dispersant upon humans, let alone the aquatic and avian populations.
Will we ever say, "Enough is Enough?"
Patrick Henry said it best: "Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains or slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take but as for me; give me liberty or give me death!"
A concept foreign to our recent past and current generation.
Time and again, our government conducts itself in the most shameful of manners.
Recall the Tuskegee Experiments?
Recall Agent Orange?
Recall Depleted Uranium?
Recall Exon Valdez?
Recall the BP use of chemical dispersants?
At this point, we have reached a new low. It seems as if BP and the Government have hit upon a new strategy to hide their ineptitude: slave labor.
To me, this is a significant step lower than the use of "coerced informants" to obtain convictions.
By using "slave labor", the government will be able to hide from the public the deleterious effects of the dispersant upon humans, let alone the aquatic and avian populations.
Will we ever say, "Enough is Enough?"
Patrick Henry said it best: "Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains or slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take but as for me; give me liberty or give me death!"
A concept foreign to our recent past and current generation.
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Talk About Contrast
Without a doubt, BP and our government have seemingly destroyed our Gulf environment.
Thankfully, God IS sovereign and man will not ultimately screw up creation.
In terms of the immediate, it certainly looks bleak.
For me, personally, I am appalled at the concern for the wildlife in the Gulf area (though, by no means do I suggest we ought not to be concerned). But, for a nation which kills without conscience more than a million humans annually via abortion, I simply cannot rouse myself to save a Pelican or Porpoise!
I am concerned for the inhabitants of the Gulf area whose livelihoods are being callously ignored by our government, irrespective of their public pronouncements.
Maybe, God in His sovereignty, is moving to provoke our populace to rise up in indignation (maybe righteous indignation), and take back their government.
For far too long, we have allowed our politicians free reign such that they have forgotten they are accountable representatives versus our rulers!
In my lifetime, “Public Servant” has become an oxymoron!
Thankfully, God IS sovereign and man will not ultimately screw up creation.
In terms of the immediate, it certainly looks bleak.
For me, personally, I am appalled at the concern for the wildlife in the Gulf area (though, by no means do I suggest we ought not to be concerned). But, for a nation which kills without conscience more than a million humans annually via abortion, I simply cannot rouse myself to save a Pelican or Porpoise!
I am concerned for the inhabitants of the Gulf area whose livelihoods are being callously ignored by our government, irrespective of their public pronouncements.
Maybe, God in His sovereignty, is moving to provoke our populace to rise up in indignation (maybe righteous indignation), and take back their government.
For far too long, we have allowed our politicians free reign such that they have forgotten they are accountable representatives versus our rulers!
In my lifetime, “Public Servant” has become an oxymoron!
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