Posts Tagged ‘politics’

Oh, a wiseguy eh?

Dec
14

The true story of the Magi

Matthew 2:1-12 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, in the time of King Herod, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem 2saying, “Where is the one who is born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” 3When King Herod heard this he was alarmed, and all Jerusalem with him. 4After assembling all the chief priests and experts in the law, he asked them where the Christ was to be born. 5“In Bethlehem of Judea,” they said, “for it is written this way by the prophet: 6And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are in no way least among the rulers of Judah, for out of you will come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.’”

7Then Herod privately summoned the wise men and determined from them when the star had appeared. 8He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and look carefully for the child. When you find him, inform me so that I can go and worship him as well.” 9After listening to the king they left, and once again the star they saw when it rose led them until it stopped above the place where the child was. 10When they saw the star they shouted joyfully. 11As they came into the house and saw the child with Mary his mother, they bowed down and worshiped him. They opened their treasure boxes and gave him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. 12After being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they went back by another route to their own country.

The Joy of Pain

Dec
13

Luke 2:8-14 Now there were shepherds nearby living out in the field, keeping guard over their flock at night. 9An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were absolutely terrified. 10But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid! Listen carefully, for I proclaim to you good news that brings great joy to all the people: 11Today your Savior is born in the city of David. He is Christ the Lord. 12This will be a sign for you: You will find a baby wrapped in strips of cloth and lying in a manger.” 13Suddenly a vast, heavenly army appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 14“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among people with whom he is pleased!”

The Pinocchio Problem – Election Day 2012

Feb
20

Who do you put your faith in to help change our country and solve our political problems?  Republicans?  Democrats?  A third party?  Guess what.  None of them are the solution to our nation’s problems.  Click on the link to hear why this election is no big deal!

Romans 8:1-4 So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. 2And because you belong to him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death. 3The law of Moses was unable to save us because of the weakness of our sinful nature. So God did what the law could not do. He sent his own Son in a body like the bodies we sinners have. And in that body God declared an end to sin’s control over us by giving his Son as a sacrifice for our sins. 4He did this so that the just requirement of the law would be fully satisfied for us, who no longer follow our sinful nature but instead follow the Spirit.

 

In Dependence

Dec
21

To be independent is the opposite of being dependent.  So when it comes to your own life, do you have independence or are you in dependence?  Do you work to provide for yourself and your family or do you depend on government to provide for you?

The only way to have real freedom and liberty, is to live a life that is self-controlled, self-reliant, and self governed so that nobody else has to control you.

Are you truly free?

Life

Feb
22

Jesus said that the greatest love is shown when a person is willing to lay down his life for a friend.  I’ve heard so many true stories of people who gave their life to save somebody else or to save a group of people, and they’re always amazing.  I’ve often wondered how I would react in a similar situation.  If it was my family, like my wife or child, I’m sure there would be no hesitation to make that sacrifice for them.  But what about for a close friend, or an acquaintance, or a stranger, or even an enemy?  Yet that’s what Jesus did for us.   While we were still his enemies, Christ died to save us.  That is truly amazing, and it does demonstrate an amazing love.

So if the greatest love is shown by sacrificing your own life to save somebody else’s, then wouldn’t the greatest hate be to sacrifice somebody else’s life for the convenience of your own?  Have you ever thought about that–how unkind and uncaring and intensely selfish it would be to take someone else’s life simply to improve your comfort?  Can you imagine anyone being so calloused?  But it happens all the time.

By the People

Nov
8

It’s been a year since the last presidential election. Remember all the commotion and excitement around the race for president? And now people are already upset about the government again. And once again politicians promised change, and delivered a lot of the same, old thing. They’re writing checks that the country can’t cash, quibbling over partisan nonsense, and ignoring all the things they said during their campaigns. Yet, every time there’s another race people get excited again. It’s like they think there’s going to be some amazing difference this time. But the truth is that real changes come when the American people stand up and take responsibility for their own nation. The government is not only supposed to work for us–it’s supposed to be us. And if we really want to see change, it’s going to mean changing ourselves and forcing our political leaders to do what we tell them to do or get out of the way and let us do it ourselves.
Anyway, this is a short talk I gave during the last presidential campaign. Enjoy!