The Blog of Truth

What Does "God Inspired" Mean?

2011-10-23T17:42:00.000-07:00

Image via WikipediaTHE QUESTION:
I have heard it said that the Bible was "inspired" by God. What does that mean?

THE ANSWER:
The Greek word for inspiration literally means "God-breathed." Because the Bible was inspired by God, or "God-breathed," -- because it originated from Him -- it is absolutely without error. "God--breathed" does not mean that God dictated the precise words to the writers as though they were stenographers. On the contrary, each writer's literary style and personality comes through. Each writer was super-naturally motivated and influenced by God's Spirit to convey His message to humanity.

RELEVANT SCRIPTURE:
Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet's own interpretation. For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit. 2 Peter 1:20,21

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Can Prayer be Directed to Jesus and/or The Holy Spirit?

2011-06-04T06:43:00.000-07:00

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THE QUESTION:
Is it OK to direct prayer to Jesus or the Holy Spirit, or should we address all prayer to the Father?

THE ANSWER:
From Jesus' teaching regarding prayer in John 16:23-27, it would appear He is instructing us to address our prayers to the Father. However, when you read John 14:13,14 (below), it seems to teach that we can also address prayer to Jesus. Scripture does not clearly prohibit directing prayer to either Jesus or the Holy Spirit. When we pray, the Holy Spirit helps us. See Romans 8:26,27. I see no real problem in directing prayer to the Father, the Son, or the Holy Spirit. I think it is very important to remember that we have one God, present in three persons. God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. When you pray to one you are praying to all three.

RELEVANT SCRIPTURE:
In that day you will no longer ask me anything. I tell you the truth, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. John 16:23

And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. You may ask me for anything in my name and I will do it. John 14:13,14.

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A reason to weep... A reason to fight

2011-05-16T12:23:00.000-07:00

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Rep Allen West & Rep Duncan D. Hunter slam Military Leadership Diversity Commission report.

The left is still relentlessly trying to denude our military to the point it will be ineffective and unable to do it's job. Amazing that a 780 SAT will get you where you can violate the Honor Code with impunity while WHITE applicants with a SAT score of 1400 and and a spotless background will be rejected. I am sick of social experiments in the military. Let them go play with the forest rangers or fish and game. Now Obama wants a Military Czar that way he can do whatever he wants without the formality of working with congress. This is a semi-hidden dictatorship within a slowly dying Constitutional Republic and it will certainly grow under the chosen one. Rep Allen West & Rep Duncan D. Hunter slam Military Leadership Diversity Commission report

Obama and the democrats at work behind closed doors. They won't rest until the degradation of our country/military is completed.

In case you weren't aware of the Military Leadership Diversity Commission Report... interesting reading.

A 31-member Military Leadership Diversity Commission, set up by Pelosi's Lame Duck Congress a year ago, requested that the Secretary of Defense, Robert Gates, execute a "social experiment on diversity"; the goal of the recommendations is to change the make-up of the leadership of the US Armed Forces. The Commission contains a sizable number of civilian-equal opportunity professionals, as well as some retired and active military personnel.

Because ethnic minorities are less likely to meet eligibility requirements for entrance into the US Armed Forces, the Commission is urging the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, and Air Force to either lower or eliminate the standards that have always been used for acceptance of recruits into the military. The Commission proposal states education, entry test level scores, criminal records, and drug use that up to this time have been used to disqualify a large numbers of applicants, including some minorities and all felons, unfair and should be eliminated.

The commission completed a 162-page report and strongly recommended that the Secretary of Defense and the Congress endorse the proposals, that they act to execute the Commission's "social experiment on diversity."

The Commission wants Secretary Gates to appoint a "Diversity Czar" who will bypass the Congress on all future matters concerning their proposed "social experiment on diversity" and that in the future the Diversity Czar be permitted to by-pass Congress and report directly to the Defense Secretary.

Another of the many recommendations is that at confirmation, all future flag officer selectees be required to demonstrate to the Senate Armed Services Committee that they have a rich background in promoting the "social experiment on diversity"; future promotions to flag would no longer be based upon what senior officers are best qualified to lead military personnel into combat and/or would be most effective at improving their command's "Combat Effectiveness."

While the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs is driving the current aggressive indoctrination of the US Armed Forces, in order to turn the US Military into an openly homosexual organization, the Military Leadership Diversity Commission is pressing the Pentagon to make additional destabilizing changes to the US Armed Forces in the midst of three theatres of armed conflict. Among the many initiatives in its study, is a recommendation to open infantry and armor units to women; the study said that women should be allowed into male-only units to "create a level playing field" in promotions "for all service members who meet the qualifications."

Hardened Combat Veterans say that "direct ground combat" is not like a MP being subjected to exchange of small-arms gunfire with insurgents, or of military personnel being wounded by an IEDs when transiting in a convoy, or a service member being abducted by terrorists while on patrols or on guard duty. There is a true lack of understanding of exactly what direct ground combat entails, what closing with and destroying an enemy combatant by the most violent means available is; often it is a direct eye-to-eye confrontation, then being required to employ upper-body physical strength that physically fit US Marines, US Army Rangers, or US Navy SEALs train for. Direct ground combat is defined as an action when opposing forces engage in violent, intense, close-in, hand to hand combat. According to former Commandant of the US Marine Corps, General Carl Mundy, units which are trained repeatedly into fine-tuned teams to engage and defeat the enemy directly, exist and operate on the basis of masculine cohesion. "I believe that female service members bring tremendous skills and talents to many sectors of our armed forces, but I believe equally strongly that they are not best suited for the unique demands associated with direct combat units."

Congressman Allen West as well as Congressman Duncan D. Hunter, 2 of the 12 endorsed Combat Veteran For Congress who were elected in the 2010 mid-term election (out of the full slate of 27 endorsed candidates who won their primary elections), have already gone public on their view of the proposed "social experiment on diversity"; they feel the proposal is intrusive and inappropriate.

"This is the last thing the military should be thinking about," said Cong. Duncan D. Hunter, a member of the Armed Services Committee who saw combat in Iraq and Afghanistan as a US Marine Corps Officer. "Our military is engaged in a shooting war," the California Republican stated. "This is just another distraction that can't interfere with what's most important - winning in Afghanistan. Congressman Duncan added, "some people seem to think the military is a staging ground for social testing, and that attitude only puts lives at risk."

Congressman Allen West, a Florida Representative, who as a senior Army officer completed a 1 ½ year combat tour of duty in Iraq, and a 2½ year combat tour of duty in Afghanistan said, "The US Military is a merit based organization where anybody can succeed." Congressman West said the report "is a slap in the face to those minorities who have achieved seniority." In an interview with The Daily Caller, Congressman West, who is black, was not pleased with the report, and said that the military is not a social experiment for outside groups to impose their theories.

The US Naval Academy Admissions Office now openly practices the "social experiment of diversity." The Naval Academy Admissions Board now admits student with SAT scores in math as low as 410 and verbal scores as low as 370; the SAT score cut off for Midshipmen had normally been around
600 out of a possible 800 score.

A former Admission Board Member agreed to make the following statement on conditions of anonymity; he said " The unfairness is absolutely real." The "social experiment on diversity" has been driven by the Chairman of the Joint Chief of Staff's and the CNO since their appointments, and has resulted in the admittance of marginal students, mostly athletes and minorities, while by-passing fully qualified white students in the pool of 15,000 applicants annually. The results of the admittance of marginal students has been an increase in serious violations of regulations such as drug use (resulting in multiple dismissals), excessive use of liquor and inebriation on weekend liberty, increased violations of the Honor Code requiring retraining to retain minority students (as a former member of the Honor Committee there was no such thing as honor retraining; Midshipmen do not lie, cheat, or steal) and recently, one Midshipman lied to a law enforcement officer when in custody for a federal offense.

The Brigade of Midshipmen have been negatively affected by the "social experiment of diversity," and now the US Armed forces will be subjected to that same experiment during a wartime environment. The Supreme Court has ruled that admission procedures at institutions of higher education that consider percentages of race and gender as a consideration for selecting and making up an entering freshman class is discriminatory and those actions by a college Admissions Board are a violation of federal law.

The "social experiment on diversity" imposed on the Brigade at the US Naval Academy, pushing an openly homosexual environment on the US Armed Forces, and now the proposal by the Military Leadership Diversity Committee have all put the US Military is under unreasonable destabilizing pressure. The proposal by the Commission to select future flag officers of the US Armed Forces using some type of litmus test on diversity will not improve the "Combat Effectiveness" of the US Military.

By recommending that senior military officers only be selected for flag if they pass a test on diversity, and considering their race and gender by some percentages, will not result in the promotion of the most qualified senior officers who would improve the "Combat Effectiveness" of the US Armed Force (there will be no more Admiral Bull Halseys, General Pattons, General Chesty Pullers, General Jimmy Doolittles, etc., because they would not be "politically correct" selectees).

The American people are unaware of the aforementioned coordinated assaults on the most effective and professional military force in the world, they are not aware that the agenda that is being driven by socialists and liberals who oppose the US Armed Forces high standards of duty, honor, country, and its support for the Judeo-Christian religions is hurting the stability of the force. Those coordinated assaults by progressives, pushing a "social experiment on diversity", will weaken the US Military over the long term.

The actions of outside forces supported by the Obama Administration are continuing to push the above listed changes that are marginalizing the "Combat Effectiveness" of the US Armed Forces. The US Military has protected and defended the US Constitution, the Bill of Rights, and the Republic for 234 years, experimenting with the structure and make-up of the US Military organization and assaulting its leadership structure will destabilize the US Armed Forces. We must rely on the judgment of the 12 elected Combat Veterans For Congress and other Congressmen to coordinate their efforts to halt the above listed dangerous experiments with the US Armed Forces.

Joseph R. John, USNA '62 Captain, USN (Ret) Chairman, Combat Veterans For Congress PAC Reagan Associate/Reagan Administration Alumnus Former FBI/Former DHS Federal Law Enforcement Officer
264 S. La Cienega Blvd., Suite 186 Beverly Hills, CA 90211 Fax: (310) 859-0811 http://www.CombatVeteransForCongress.org

Sent: Sunday, March 13, 2011 4:25 PM Subject: LTC(R)/Rep. Allen West slams military diversity report

Rep. Allen West slams military diversity report - by Caroline May

http://dailycaller.com/2011/03/11/rep-allen-west-slams-military-diversity-report/

Urim and Thummim

2011-05-12T11:24:00.000-07:00

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QUESTION:
In the Old Testament I find references to Urim and Thummim. What are they?

The words mean "lights and perfections," and they are believed to be a name for stones of the breastplate of the high priest. They possibly were stones in addition to the stones of the breastplate (see Leviticus 8:8). In some mysterious way not fully revealed, the Urim and Thummim were used by priests to discern the will of God. They were probably sacred (divinely approved) lots or stones cast like dice to determine a "yes" or "no" answer from God. (read Numbers 27:21; Deuteronomy 33:8; 1 Samuel 28:6; Ezra 2:63)

RELEVANT SCRIPTURE:
Also put the Urim and the Thummim in the breastpiece, so they may be over Aaron's heart when he enters the presence of the Lord. Thus Aaron will always bear the means of making decisions for the Israelites over his heart before the Lord. Exodus 28:30

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Blasphemy

2011-04-09T07:49:00.000-07:00

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TODAY'S QUESTION:
I have heard there is one sin that won't be forgiven. Is this true, and if so, what is it?

True. The unforgivable sin is blasphemy against the Holy Spirit. The general definition of blasphemy is: speaking about God or sacred matters in a disrespectful or rude way. The true sin of blasphemy is to attribute the work of God to Satan, or the work of Satan to God. To do so is to, in effect, call the Holy Spirit of God the unclean spirit of Satan. God finds this unforgivable. (for Biblical examples of blasphemy see Matthew 12:24-29; Mark 3:22-30 and Luke 11:14-23) What does all of this mean to us today? I think we are called to carefully examine all things religious that we come in contact with to determine if they are from the Holy Spirit of God, or from the unclean spirit of Satan. We are not to judge people, but we are to judge their works, with the test always being the Word of God.

Relevant Scripture
"But whoever blasphemies against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven; he is guilty of an eternal sin." He said this because they were saying, "He has an evil spirit."
Mark 3:29-30

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Good News Regarding Islam

2011-03-17T19:35:00.000-07:00

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I spent two hours with Mosab Hassan Yousef last evening. Well, to be totally honest I spent two hours with about 1000 others watching and listening to him. I did not get within 100 feet of him. But, never the less it was time well spent. The most encouraging thing he said was he firmly believes that Islam is going to implode, and will do so within ten years. He is very serious and, I for one, hope he is correct. This is good news because Islam is such an evil religious system.

The thing he revealed that I found the most surprising and amazing is that he is working on a movie that will reveal to all Muslims who Mohammed really was. And that will move many Muslims away from Islam.

If you will recall, a fatwa (order to kill) was put on a Danish cartoonist a few years ago for a cartoon depicting Mohammed. It is against Islamic law to depict Mohammed in any form.

From past news: A Somalian man broke into the home of Kurt Westergaard on Friday armed with an ax and a knife. He is accused of the attempted murder of the Danish cartoonist.

So, what do you think they will want to do with Mosab Hassan Yousef? He is a very brave man committed to his beliefs.

Please read this entire report, and watch the video. Then “google” him for more information.

Mosab Hassan Yousef: The Hamas prince who was spy for Israel

BY RICH SCHAPIRO
DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER
Thursday, February 25, 2010

He was Israel's most valuable spy inside Hamas - and certainly the most unlikely.

For more than a decade, Mosab Hassan Yousef disrupted dozens of suicide bombings and assassination attempts by the militant group, saving hundreds of lives.

Infiltrating the upper echelons of Hamas came relatively easy for Yousef: He is the son of Hamas founder Sheikh Hassan Yousef.

"So many people owe him their life and don't even know it," an Israeli security agent told the Israeli daily Haaretz on Wednesday.
"People who did a lot less were awarded the Israel Security Prize. He certainly deserves it."

Yousef's astonishing career as a spy is chronicled in his soon-to-be released memoir, "Son of Hamas."

Yousef, 32, was recruited by the Shin Bet, Israel's internal security agency, in 1996 after he was arrested.

Inside Israel's intelligence community, he became known as the Green Prince - a nod to the color of Hamas' flag and his pedigree as the son of one of its founders.

Yousef's exploits are the stuff of legend.

He once picked out a suicide bomber in a crowded square after the Shin Bet received a vague tip.

About 10 years ago, in the Palestinian uprising known as the Second Intifadeh, Yousef supplied intelligence that led to the arrests of several key Palestinian leaders.

Among those Yousef helped take down is Ibrahim Hamid, a Hamas commander in the West Bank and Marwan Barghouti, who is accused of orchestrating numerous attacks on Israeli civilians and soldiers.

There was one person Yousef would not help capture: his father, Sheikh Hassan Yousef.

The elder Yousef did not elude authorities for long: He was arrested in September 2005 and is in an Israeli prison.

In a statement from prison, he said it was possible the Israelis recruited his son, but that his son had no access to the movement's secrets.

"Whether what Haaretz reported is true or not, Mosab was not an active member in Hamas or in any of its military, political or religious branches, or any other body," the elder Yousef said.

Yousef fled the West Bank in 2007 and is a devout Christian living in California.

The revelations of his stint as a spy come amid suspicions that a Hamas informant recently helped Israel assassinate a top leader in a Dubai hotel last month.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Mosab Hassan Yousef’s book “Son of Hamas” has been published and is available almost everywhere including Amazon.

Go here to see the video (about 10 minutes) - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tYXHKLmpVBs&feature=related

Slain in the Spirit

2011-03-14T18:00:00.000-07:00

QUESTION:
On TV I saw a preacher touching people on the head and they would fall over as if in some sort of trance. They called it being "slain in the spirit." Is this a biblical practice?

ANSWER:
No, it is not. I do not find either the term or the experience anywhere in the Bible. There are examples in the Bible of persons dropping to their knees, or even falling prostrate before God, but these examples do not support the phenomenon of "slain in the spirit" as it happens today. In the Bible people dropping to their knees or falling prostrate always fall forward. In the phenomenon of "slain in the spirit" they seem to always fall backward. Could it be the person touching them is actually pushing a little? Proponents of the phenomenon of "slain in the spirit" often point to such passages of Scripture as Genesis 15:12-21, Numbers 24:4, and Matthew 17:6 but these offer no support when studied carefully. The Idea of being touched by a human being who is "anointed" by the Spirit and then being knocked out cold is not a biblical phenomena.

SCRIPTURE:
The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with the work of Satan displayed in all kinds of counterfeit miracles, signs and wonders, 2 Thessalonians 2:9

Wayne

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Greater Miracles than Jesus?

2011-01-09T11:45:00.000-08:00

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QUESTION:
In John 14:12 Jesus seems to indicate that we would do greater miracles than He did. What did He mean?

Jesus was not granting his followers sweeping supernatural powers so that we could out-perform His miracles. He was foretelling of the coming of the Holy Spirit and a resulting worldwide ministry. In this verse Jesus is saying that His many followers would do greater things in total (in number) than He Himself would do. As an example, followers have taken the gospel to multitudes of people. Jesus is referring to the entire impact of God's people on the world. He was speaking in terms of quantity, not quality. Remember, Jesus was not trying to impress anyone and was not going for any records. He was performing miracles as part of God's overall plan, and we should do our part for that same plan.

SCRIPTURE:
I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the father.
John 14:12

Wayne
www.Capstone-Ministries.org

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The Why and How of Christianity

2010-08-03T11:01:00.000-07:00

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So here is the deal… God is a perfect being and is glorious. Man, on the other hand, lives in a fallen state. All humans have sinned and are sinners. As such every person falls short of the glory of God.

In His word God tells us that our sin means we deserve death, but because of His grace God has granted us an escape from death. God grants us the gift of eternal life through Jesus Christ. Through this act of grace God demonstrates his love for each sinner. While we were (are) still in our sin Jesus died for us, in place of us so that we will have eternal life. Jesus took our sin upon Himself and accepted our penalty.

While God offers this gracious gift to each sinner, each sinner must accept the gift. Look at it this way – If someone wanted to give you a gift and brought it to your front door and left it there, a gift has been offered. However, for the gift to have value it must be received. If you never opened your front door and picked up the gift available there it would have no value. The gift must be received.

So God offers us the gift of eternal life with He and Jesus but we must receive that gift. God has given us free will to make the decision to accept or not accept His gift. To accept His gift we must accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior, and turn away from our sinful ways. When we do this all of our sins are wiped away, because Jesus has already died just for that purpose. When you accept God’s gift with a right heart (you are sincere) you receive the gift of salvation and eternal life.

Please understand that this is the ONLY way you can spend eternity with God in Heaven. There is no other way – you cannot do it without God’s grace. You cannot do it yourself. It does require faith, but if you ask, God will also give you the needed faith.

If you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. God has made it clear to us that "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."

What some people don’t understand is that we, each of us, are eternal spiritual beings. We have a physical body while we are here on earth, and it will one day no longer be alive. But our spiritual bodies will live on for all eternity. Eternity is a VERY LONG time. God has given you the option to spend eternity with Him and Jesus… or spend it elsewhere. Make no mistake about it though; you will spend eternity somewhere. Why not spend it in paradise with God?

ACCEPTING GOD’S GRACIOUS GIFT

If you have not accepted God’s gift why not do it right now? It’s an easy simple process. Just read and repeat the following short prayer with a sincere heart and you will receive eternal salvation:

Lord Jesus, I know I am a sinner and I need your forgiveness. I know you died on the cross for me. I now turn from my sins and ask you to forgive me. I now invite you into my heart and life. I now trust you as savior and I will follow you as Lord. Thank you for saving me. Thank you for your gracious gift.
Amen

Wayne
www.Capstone-Ministries.org

Relevant Scripture
Romans 3:23
Romans 6:23
Romans 5:8
Acts 3:19
Ephesians 2:8
Romans 10:9,10
Romans 10:13

THE SPIRIT OF HOLY WEEK

2010-03-29T10:18:00.000-07:00

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It's Saturday. What a week it has been. It is very dark in here, and a bit cool. Not cold, just a bit cool. I think these linen cloths they wrapped my body in keep it from being too cold. You see, it was yesterday I died, but you know that. Are you wondering how I can sense cool or cold? Remember that I have always existed, from before the beginning, and will exist forever. There are no blank spots in my existence, not even when my body was dead and in this tomb. I am the Alpha and the Omega. I have almost completed my work here on earth. I have suffered; I have died; and tomorrow I will rise again. Tomorrow morning when Mary Magdalene and the other Mary come to anoint my body, they will find it is not here, but I will have someone explain it to them.

I have cried a lot in the past few hours, not because of my circumstances, but because of yours. You see, I have done what was required of me, and I did it to save you. To my sadness, there are many of you who still won't acknowledge me. Even after all I have done for you, because of my love for you. Yesterday, I cried out "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" But I know why; it was for you -- because of my love for you. So now I ask you -- why are you forsaking me? I love you -- please come to me.

Oh yes, what a week it has been. It was just last Sunday that I arrived in Jerusalem. I entered the town on a donkey amidst shouts of "Hosanna to the Son of David, the King of Israel. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord" from an enthusiastic welcoming crowd. It was only a short time later the same crowd was yelling "Crucify him!" , but that did not stop me from loving them. They did not know what they were doing.

On Monday, there was a little incident at the temple. When I got there, merchants were buying and selling doves and other things, and money changers were profiting from very active trade. They had turned my house into a den of robbers! How dare they! My house is to be a house of prayer. So, I turned over their tables and drove them from the temple. What else could I do? They had created an environment of stealing instead of healing. It could not be tolerated.

Tuesday was a little better. I was able to spend some time teaching at the temple. But even while doing so, my authority was questioned. Later in the day I went to the home of Simon the Leper. A woman there named Mary poured some nice perfume on my head, and then poured the nard on my feet and wiped my feet with her hair. She really didn't know it but she was preparing my body for burial.

Wednesday is the day that the plot against me began to take shape. Judas went to the chief priests and asked them what they would give him if he would hand me over to them. They gave him thirty silver coins.

Thursday I enjoyed Passover in a large upper room with my disciples. I let Judas know that I knew he would betray me. He denied it, but we know the truth, don't we? During the meal I taught the disciples about the new covenant and how to stay in communion with me with bread and wine. The bread is my body, and the wine is my blood -- poured out for you. Later in the day we went to Gethsemane because I wanted to pray. I was very distressed and troubled. My soul was overwhelmed with sorrow. I fell to the ground in prayer and asked the Father to take this cup from me if it was possible, but I knew it wasn't possible, and I wept. Sweat that was like blood dripped from my body. I was in torment, but I understood my mission; a mission of love. A mission of salvation.

Friday was the worst! First I was arrested, then a trial that was nothing more than a mock trial. After it ended, I was flogged and handed over to be crucified. What do you know about flogging? Do you know that it is done with a leather whip with multiple ends, and that there are sharp pieces of bone and metal in each end? Do you know that it leaves the back raw and bleeding, and sometimes exposes bones and organs? Do you know that sometimes it actually causes death? Did you know that? I endured that for you -- because I love you. And do you want to know something else? I would do it again -- for you.

After they were done flogging me, they made me carry the cross they were to crucify me on, up the hill to Golgotha. People spit on me and mocked me. They hung me on that cross, between two robbers. They pierced my side with a spear. I died on that cross. I won't tell you how horrible death on a Roman cross is, but you ought to know they came up with this method of execution because it is the most painful death imaginable. My mother was a witness. It is finished. In just a few hours I will leave this tomb, and my mission here will be finished, but I will be with you always -- until the end.

My beloved, I tell you the truth -- I did it for you. You and your salvation. Yet, I weep because some among you won't acknowledge me. Some among you won't listen to what I say when I say "Knock and the door will be opened." I love you so much that I want you to spend eternity with me in paradise. Won't you accept my invitation? Won't you let me live in you? Won't you experience the joy of real life?

CHRIST IS RISEN!

Be blessed,
Wayne
http://www.Capstone-Ministries.org

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Holy Laughter

2010-03-27T09:13:00.000-07:00

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Question: A friend of mine went to a church service where several people broke out in "holy laughter." Is holy laughter biblical?

Based upon all that I can find in scripture, it is not. When I look at the ministry of Jesus, I don't find a single recorded case of people breaking into uncontrolled laughter. Further, I find none in the ministry of Paul or in the ministries of any of the Apostles. I don't find a single verse of Scripture that says that when the Holy Spirit comes upon a person he or she breaks out in uncontrollable laughter. I do however find Scripture that indicates this phenomenon is not of the Holy Spirit. Lets start with the one above, Galatians 5:22,23. How do we reconcile uncontrolled laughter with the fruit of self-control? In the holy laughter phenomenon, people laugh uncontrollably even when there is nothing funny to laugh about. That is not self-control! 1 Corinthians 14:40 says "But everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way." It is hardly fitting or orderly when people laugh uncontrollably in church. For God is not a God of disorder but of peace. 1 Corinthians 14:33 No, I don't find anything in Scripture that even remotely resembles holy laughter. Since we are told to test all things against Scripture (1 Thessalonians 5:21) I must conclude the phenomenon of holy laughter is not biblical.

RELEVANT SCRIPTURE:
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
Galatians 5:22,23

Be blessed,
Wayne
http://www.Capstone-Ministries.or g

If you enjoy some of the articles posted here please subscribe to this blog via RSS feeds or email. Send your friends here too, and consider being a follower. You can subscribe and/or become a follower in the left-hand column.

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Must I tithe a full 10%?

2010-03-11T09:28:00.000-08:00

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Question: As much as I want to, I can't always give a full 10% of my income to the church. I feel bad about it but sometimes there is just not enough money. How much trouble am I in?

Not much, depending on your attitude. The concept of tithing (giving 10%) is Old Testament teaching. There is nothing in the New Testament where God tells believers they should give 10% of their income to the church. The New Testament suggests giving by grace. We are to give freely as we have been given freely to. (see Matthew 10:8) This is an attitude thing. For some this will be less than 10% and for others, those materially blessed by God, the amount will exceed 10%. (see 2 Corinthians 9:7) I do believe the Old Testament tithing concept should be used as a guideline or a goal we should strive for even if we are struggling financially, but if you are truly giving what you are able you are making God happy. Remember, He knows your heart. More important than the amount of money you are giving is that you have given yourself to the Lord. Only then will you have a proper perspective on money.

RELEVANT SCRIPTURE:
For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what he does not have. 2 Corinthians 8:12

Be blessed,
Wayne
http://www.Capstone-Ministries.org

If you enjoy some of the articles posted here please subscribe to this blog via RSS feeds or email. Send your friends here too, and consider being a follower. You can subscribe and/or become a follower in the left-hand column.

27
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When Resurrected did Jesus Have a Material Body?

2010-03-03T16:24:00.000-08:00

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Question: I think the Bible teaches that when Jesus was resurrected He had a material body. Is that so, and if it is, how did He get into a room when the door was closed and locked?

Good question! You are no doubt referring to John 20:19. First question first. Yes, the resurrection body of Jesus was material, otherwise there would have been no resurrection. Jesus Himself predicted His bodily resurrection in John 2:18-22. On to the second part of your question; how did He get on the other side of the locked door? I don't know, but please let me remind you of a few things. First, Jesus is God and therefore can do anything! Remember He performed many miracles prior to His crucifixion and we, with our limited earthly knowledge, are unable to explain how they were done. For just one example, how about when He walked on water. Scripture also tells us that Christ's resurrection body was "supernatural." Some use this as an answer to your question, but I don't accept this answer. It seems to suggest He would not have been able to enter the closed and locked room in His pre-resurrection body. That simply is not true. Jesus is, and always was, God. He can (and could) do anything He chose to do.

Relevant Scripture
"Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have."
Luke 24:39

Be blessed,
Wayne
http://www.Capstone-Ministries.org

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26

Can Christians Play Cards, See Movies, Go to Dances?

2010-02-22T08:41:00.000-08:00

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Questions: I have some friends who say it is wrong for Christians to play cards, go to movies, go to dances and stuff like that. Is that correct?

I do not believe so. The above Scripture, 1 Corinthians 10:23, seems to indicate otherwise. I think studying 1 Corinthians (specifically chapter 8) will give you a lot of insight into this age-old question. While this chapter talks about meat, eating and idols, try replacing those with cards, dances and movies, or anything else for that matter, and in no particular order, and see what message you get. I think we are being told that while what we do is somewhat important, the affect of our actions upon those we come in contact with is far more important (see verse 13). Also: It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or to do anything else that will cause your brother to fall. Romans 14:21 So, it appears playing cards, going to movies, going to dances and such activities can be OK, or, under some conditions, not OK. You might find it helpful to apply the test of 1 Corinthians 10:31,32 to any questionable activity. I think the answer will become apparent.

Relevant Scripture
"Everything is permissible" -- but not everything is beneficial. "Everything is permissible" -- but not everything is constructive. 1 Corinthians 10:23

Be blessed,
Wayne
http://www.Capstone-Ministries.org

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25

What Would Jesus Do?

2010-02-17T10:52:00.000-08:00

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Question: "What would Jesus do?" is still popular right now, and was very popular in the recent past, especially among the young. Does it really have any application to how Christians are to live their lives?

Absolutely! WWJD can be applied to every event and decision in our lives; right now, today! In view of 1 John 2:6, we ought to constantly be asking ourselves this question. You see, the standard for Christian living is not the Ten Commandments (though we need to heed them), and it's not even the Golden Rule (though we ought to heed it)-- the standard is Jesus Himself. The Lord Jesus gave His disciples a new law to live by: John 13:34, and the example of Himself. Jesus is our model. You are wrong if you ask yourself "What would other Christians tell me to do?" And wrong even if you ask "What would other Christians do?" But you will always be right if you ask "What would Jesus do?" and then do the same. Of course, you must know Jesus before you can know what Jesus would do.

RELEVANT SCRIPTURE:
Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did.
1 John 2:6

Be blessed,
Wayne
http://www.Capstone-Ministries.org

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24

Did Moses Write Genesis?

2010-02-15T09:11:00.000-08:00

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Question: How could Moses have written Genesis when writing was not yet known in his time?

This is an old criticism which is still voiced sometimes today. First, we need to all get on the same page; writing was known and widely used long before Moses' time. Archeologists have unearthed an ancient library in the city of Ur containing thousands of stone "books." You may recall that Ur of the Chaldees was Abraham's home long before he migrated to Canaan, and those stone books were written even before Abraham's day. Many of the books constituted records of very mundane activities, which seems to indicate that not only scholars, but also common tradesman could read and write. It is quite certain that Moses, educated in the palace of the Egyptian emperor as he was, was fully competent to write the Pentateuch (the first five books of the Bible).

RELEVANT SCRIPTURE:
Since then, no prophet has risen in Israel like Moses, whom the Lord knew face to face. Who did all those miraculous signs and wonders the Lord sent him to do in Egypt -- to Pharaoh and to all his officials and to his whole land. Deuteronomy 34:10-11.

Be blessed,
Wayne
http://www.Capstone-Ministries.org

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23

Did God Get Tired on Day Six of Creation?

2010-02-08T17:47:00.000-08:00

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Question: If God is all-powerful why did he have to rest after working on creation for six days?

Well, certainly not because he was tired! He did not rest in the sense that His physical energy had been depleted or that He needed to recuperate. An all-powerful God doesn't need to rest. The Hebrew word for rest communicates the idea of "ceasing from activity." Genesis 2:2 simply says God completed His work on creation and stopped. The job was done. There was nothing further to do. Perhaps He ceased working in order to make a division between His work of creation and His later ongoing work in the world. Whatever the reason, it's clear that He modeled a pattern that He wants us to follow -- we should rest one day in seven, and we are to set that one day apart as holy to the Lord.

Relevant Scripture
By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work. Genesis 2:2

Be blessed,
Wayne
http://www.Capstone-Ministries.org

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22

What is the gospel?

2010-02-06T20:10:00.000-08:00

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Question: What is the gospel?

The word gospel, translated from Greek in the New Testament literally means "good news." The gospel is simply the "good news" that Jesus the Lord, the Son of God, became a man so that He could die in atonement for our sins, then after being buried for three days rose from the grave forever settling our sin-debt before a holy God. Perhaps the best single definition of the gospel found in Scripture is the one above -- 1 Corinthians 15:3,4. According to this passage the "good news" has four components: (1) man is a sinner; (2) Christ is the Savior; (3) Christ died as a substitute for man; and (4) Christ rose from the dead. From the time of Paul, this is the "good news" he and others preached. We are called to do the same.

Relevant Scripture
For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, 1 Corinthians 15:3,4.

Be blessed,
Wayne
http://www.Capstone-Ministries.org

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21

Will I Become an Angel when I Die?

2010-02-02T12:30:00.000-08:00

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Question: Growing up I believed that we humans became angels in heaven when we died. Is this so?

No. Many people grow up with this misconception. It probably stems from parents seeking an easy way to explain the afterlife to children, but it is incorrect. Colossians 1:16 tells us that Christ created the angels, and that He created them as angels. Elsewhere in the Bible distinctions are made between man and angels supporting their being separate distinct creations. Hebrews 12:22,23 seems clearly to distinguish between "thousands and thousands of angels in joyful assembly" and "the spirits of righteous men made perfect." 1 Corinthians 6:3 tells us there will be a time (in the afterlife) when man will judge the angels. It also seems that 1 Corinthians 13:1 makes a distinction between humans and angels.

Relevant Scripture
What is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him? You made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor. Psalms 8:4,5.

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Be blessed,
Wayne
http://www.Capstone-Ministries.org

20

My Husband is Not a Christian. Should I Leave Him?

2010-01-25T14:32:00.000-08:00

Image by Loci Lenar via Flickr

Question: My husband of five years is not a Christian. I thought he might change with my influence, but he shows no signs, and now I feel "unequally yoked." In view of 2 Corinthians 6:14 am I justified in seeking a divorce?

Answer: Absolutely not! The Scripture you referenced in no way suggests or condones divorce. 2 Corinthians 6:14-18 admonishes us to be careful in entering into relationships, (all types not just marriage) and that we should enter into relationships with believers whenever possible. If, for some reason we do not heed the admonition, God has provided ample Scripture to guide us in those relationships, once established, even if we are "unequally yoked." I think the Scripture that is applicable to your situation is 1 Corinthians 7:13,16. Go and read it, and while you are at it read Genesis 2:24. Remember, your marriage was a covenant with God as well as with your husband. God does not honor divorce, and Christians should not consider divorce an option (or at least the very, very last option in cases of abuse or danger). God joined you together, and told you to stay together, so you better figure out how to do it. I will pray for your situation.

Relevant Scripture
"Haven't you read," he replied, "that at the beginning the Creator 'made them male and female,' and said, 'for this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh?' So they are no longer two, but one. Therefore what God has joined together, let no man separate." Matthew 19:4-6

Be blessed,
Wayne
http://www.Capstone-Ministries.org

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19

Is the Trinity a Valid Christian Doctrine?

2010-01-21T11:20:00.000-08:00

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Question: I hear Christians speak of the "Trinity" yet I cannot find the word in the Bible. Does that mean it is an unbiblical doctrine?

Answer: You are correct in that the word "Trinity" does not appear in the Bible, but the concept is clearly derived from Scripture, and is a biblical doctrine. Throughout the Bible references are made to the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. There is but one God existing in three personalities (or persons). In fact, there is very strong biblical support for the doctrine of the Trinity. Some of the Scripture supporting one God --
1 Corinthians 8:4, James 2:19, John 5:44, Romans 3:30 and more. On the one hand, the Scripture is clear that there is only one God; yet, it also is clear that there are three distinct persons who are called God in Scripture. God the Father -- 1 Peter 1:2 and others, God the Son (Jesus)-- John 20:28 and others, God the Holy Spirit -- Acts 5: 3,4. The concept of the Trinity carries through the entire Bible and I have given you a very small sampling of supporting Scripture. No, the word Trinity is not used in the Bible; Yes, the doctrine of the Trinity is a valid biblical doctrine.

Relevant Scripture
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, Matthew 28:19

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Be blessed,
Wayne
http://www.Capstone-Ministries.org

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18

Is Jesus telling us to hate our families?

2010-01-18T10:46:00.000-08:00

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Question: I am having a little trouble understanding Luke 14:26. Jesus seems to be telling us to hate our families. Is this so?

Jesus' comments in Luke 14:26 are an example of hyperbole, a form of speech that exaggerates for emphasis. Jesus was setting up an extreme contrast to make a point. He was describing to His disciples the total love and commitment they were to have. In the Hebrew mindset of the time to "hate" simply meant to "love less." Jesus was saying that our supreme love must be for Him. Everything (and everyone) else must take second place. Measuring our love for Christ against all lesser loves may make these lesser loves seem like hate by comparison.

Relevent Scripture
"Anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me;" Matthew 10:37

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Be blessed,
Wayne

http://www.Capstone-Ministries.org

17

If Jesus came to save us, what happened to all those in Old Testament times?

2010-01-11T14:45:00.000-08:00

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Question: I'm confused. The Bible says Jesus died on the cross for my sins. What happened to all those people in the Old Testament who died before Jesus came?

It's important to remember that Jesus the Christ, the Lamb of God, died for each of us individually; His sacrifice was for all of us, including those in the Old Testament. You can look upon this as sort of "retroactive" atonement. Remember God always had a plan of redemption for us, and that plan was laid prior to the foundation of the earth being laid. Jesus always was going to be the sacrificial lamb, from the beginning. So the Old Testament believers received the redemption and atonement in the same manner we have; by the blood of Christ. Their sins were imputed to Him beforehand. (see Romans 3:25 --best in the King James version) Christ died for our sins; past, present and future. In the case of the Old Testament believers, it's just past sins.

Relevant Scripture
For this reason Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance -- now that he has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant. Hebrews 9:15

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Be blessed,
Wayne

http://www.Capstone-Ministries.org

16
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Where do babies spend eternity?

2010-01-07T12:10:00.000-08:00

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Question: My sister's baby boy lived just one year then died. Where will he spend eternity? What if he had died in the womb?

Let's start with your second question. First, it is important to know that even though a child in the womb does not "breathe" it is alive in the mother. Therefore it has a soul and a spirit as well as a living body in the prenatal state. This, in essence makes your two questions one. What happens to children who die before they are old enough to accept Jesus as their lord and savior? Everyone needs salvation, even those too young to know it. We are all born into sin. However, those children who die prior to reaching their individual age of accountability are under the blood and saved by the blood of Christ. Remember, Jesus died for all, including the children. Children who are to young to accept Jesus, and understand what they have done, will spend eternity in heaven with God. It is very important that just as soon as your children are old enough to understand, you lead them to Christ. See Mark 10:14

Relevant scripture
Even from birth the wicked go astray; from the womb they are wayward and speak lies. Psalms 58:3

In the Grip of Grace,
Wayne

www.Capstone-Ministries.org

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15

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Was Jesus Simply Just a Good Moral Teacher?

2010-01-04T09:30:00.000-08:00

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I have heard that Jesus was not really God, but was a good moral teacher who was trying to set an example for us. Is this true?

Absolutely not! Jesus told us He is God in several places in the bible. In addition to the verse above, read John 6:29,40. Think about it for a minute; Jesus as only a good moral teacher does not make sense. If Jesus said He is God, and he is not, then he must have been a liar. If he was a liar, how could he have been a good moral teacher, since the act of lying reflects bad morals. Would someone who was just a teacher of moral values claim that the destiny of the world lay in His hands? Would he tell people they would spend eternity in heaven or hell, depending upon their believing in Him? I think not. Further, for Jesus to tell people that He is God, and the Savior of the world (Luke 19:10) when he really was not, would be the height of immorality. Yes, Jesus was (and is) a good moral teacher, but He also was (and is) God.

Revelant Scripture
"I tell you the truth," Jesus answered, "before Abraham was born, I am!" John 8:58

Jesus answered: "Don't you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, 'Show us the Father'? John 14:9

In the Grip of Grace,
Wayne

www.Capstone-Ministries.org

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13

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Does God sanction the celebrating of Jesus’ birth?

2009-12-25T11:42:00.000-08:00

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There is not a Christmas season that arrives that does not bring with it discussion and even discord over the actual birthday of Jesus. It seems to me that Christian brothers and sisters would not squabble over such a small thing. It might be a good thing to remember the teachings of Jesus relating to loving each other. But, since many seem stuck on resolving minor meaningless differences I decided to put my 2 cents worth in.

Let’s start with what we know for sure about His date of birth. What we know for sure is we really don’t know. We do know that there are several dates that have people who will swear are the correct birth date. There are some that say it had to be in May, and they can provide their “evidence” proving it. And there are those who say it had to be in September, and they also can provide their “evidence” proving it. Of course there is the ongoing debate regarding December 25th vs. January 6th. Yes, there are those who have “proof” that the birth of Jesus truly is December 25th. If you are interested is some of the pro December 25th arguments you may want to visit the Wikipedia site at the bottom of this article.

The truth is rather than focusing on whether the date we celebrate His birth is the correct date, we probably ought to think about if we should celebrate it at all. There are some out there that think we should not. Usually they will point to Deuteronomy 12:28-31, which reads:

28 Be careful to obey all these regulations I am giving you, so that it may always go well with you and your children after you, because you will be doing what is good and right in the eyes of the LORD your God.
29 The LORD your God will cut off before you the nations you are about to invade and dispossess. But when you have driven them out and settled in their land, 30 and after they have been destroyed before you, be careful not to be ensnared by inquiring about their gods, saying, "How do these nations serve their gods? We will do the same." 31 You must not worship the LORD your God in their way, because in worshiping their gods, they do all kinds of detestable things the LORD hates. They even burn their sons and daughters in the fire as sacrifices to their gods.

Personally, I do not believe that the above scripture prohibits Christians recognizing or celebrating the birth of Jesus.

In any event, the date really doesn’t matter. If God had decided it was important He would have made the date clear. He did not, however He did give us quite a bit of information about the birth, so He felt that it was important. I would agree it is not as important as the resurrection, but it did have to happen first. I think what is important is our attitude towards Christmas. There are those who believe Christmas is a compromise with paganism and others who have other problems with Christmas. Trust me, I have heard it all. Having said that, December 25th happens to be the day we observe as the birth of Jesus. If I am going to observe it at all, I will do so on that date. I guess I could observe it in May or September but I probably won’t see quite as many Nativity scenes.

So, how should Christians celebrate Christmas? I believe it is important to remember that Christmas is really about gifts. Oh, not the temporal material gifts that it seems to have become about, but the gifts Jesus gave us. Christ gave us gifts of eternal value: His love and companionship along with gifts of salvation, forgiveness of sins, the indwelling Holy Spirit, His righteousness, peace, joy, wise counsel, healed minds, restored relationships, and adoption into His eternal home. Now those are some gifts I am glad I received!

I hope you always appreciate Christmas but from the correct perspective.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chronology_of_Jesus#Year_of_birth

Be blessed,
Wayne

www.Capstone-Ministries.org

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CHRISTmas Message

2009-12-21T13:22:00.000-08:00

******************************************************************

Because we are celebrating the birthday of our Lord. I thought it would be meaningful to look at Isaiah's prophecy, made more than 700 years before the birth of Jesus, and then the fulfillment of that prophecy in the New Testament.

A Child Is Born
Isaiah 9:6,7
6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7 Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David's throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this.

Commentary
Isaiah includes many direct predictions of the coming Messiah, including this passage, which established that the Messiah will come from Galilee (read verse 1). The lands Isaiah mentions as "humbled" in verse 1 are the very regions devastated by Assyria's armies (2 Kings 15:29). Thus Isaiah offers a word of distant hope for those parts of his nation most affected by war.

Matthew 1:18-25
18 This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. 19 Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. 20 But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins." 22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: 23 "The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel" --which means, "God with us." 24 When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. 25 But he had no union with her until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.

Commentary
1:18 Pledged to be married. There were no sexual relations during a Jewish betrothal period, but it was a much more binding relationship than a modern
engagement and could be broken only by divorce (see v. 19). In Dt. 22:24 a betrothed woman is called a "wife," though the preceding verse speaks of her as being "pledged to be married." Matthew uses the terms "husband" (v. 19) and "wife" (v. 24) of Joseph and Mary before they were married. 1:19 righteous. To Jews this meant being zealous in keeping the law. Divorce her quietly. He would sign the necessary legal papers but not have her judged publicly and stoned (see Dt. 22:23-24). 1:20 In a dream. The phrase occurs five times in the first two chapters of Matthew (here; 2:12-13,19,22) and indicates the means the Lord used for speaking to Joseph. son of David. Perhaps a hint that the message of the angel related to the expected Messiah. take Mary home as your wife. They were legally bound to each other, but not yet living together as husband and wife. What is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. This agrees perfectly with the announcement to Mary (Lk 1:35), except that the latter is more specific.

Have a blessed CHRISTmas,
Wayne

PS: Please do two things for me. First, please email or otherwise notify your contacts about this post as ask them to come and read it. Second, become a follower of this blog. You can do that on the left. thanks, Wayne

www.Capstone-Ministries.org
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Is Infant Baptism Valid?

2009-12-15T12:51:00.000-08:00

Question: My parents told me that I was baptized as an infant. Some of my Christian friends say I need to be baptized again. Why?

Baptism is one part of your overall commitment to Christ. It is a public proclamation of that commitment. That being so, the person being baptized must be old enough to have made a sincere commitment to Christ himself or herself. Children can do this at a fairly early age in some cases. I see baptism of infants as the parents committing the child to Christ, and that is OK, but I believe the biblical pattern is for people to be baptized following conversion (see Acts 16:29-34 for one example). Baptism is not necessary for salvation. 1 Corinthians 1:17 Lets not forget the thief on the cross next to Jesus. He was saved though never baptized. Having said that I want to say baptism is biblical and important. If you were baptized young, and/or are not sure you had given your life to Christ prior to your baptism, just do it again. Jesus considered baptism so important that He did it Himself, and made it part of His instructions in "The Great Commission" (read Matthew 28:16-20)

Revenant Scripture
As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and lighting on him. Matthew 3:16

In the grip of grace,
Wayne

www.Capstone-Ministries.org

12
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Evolution vs. Creation

2009-12-10T17:16:00.000-08:00

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The evolution vs. creation debate is a question of origins. Were we intelligently created or did we simply evolve randomly? How did we get here? Are we the products of Creation by a higher intelligent power with a purpose, or are we simply an accident? Are we the result of a cosmic accident or a series of such accidents?

The media of today likes to portray the evolution vs. creation debate as science vs. religion, with creation being religious and evolution being scientific. Often, if you don't agree with this label, you too may well be labeled. It really does not matter which camp you are in. If you are an evolutionist or creationist, and you don’t agree with the type cast you receive, you can be criticized and maybe even called a religious fanatic who is trying to pass off religion as science or, perhaps even worse, trying to disprove science to promote a religious worldview. I think we can agree that neither model of our origin has been proven and certainly there remains doubt. Otherwise, the theory of evolution wouldn't be called a "theory.” Whether we like to admit it or not, those who subscribe to the theory of evolution do so by faith. And it takes just as much faith as believing in creation, maybe even more.

Since there is no doubt that I am a Creationist the balance of this article will be written with that slant. After all, why would I want to argue the Evolutionist position since I believe them to be wrong?

Evolutionists, as hard as they try, can not come up with reasonable answers to a couple of very fundamental questions about Evolution.

Question #1. Most Evolutionists say the “Big Bang” exploded into our perfectly formed universe as we have it today. If that is the case where did the mass of matter come from? Science does not explain scientifically where the matter came from that “Big Banged” it's way into our universe, as we know it today.

Question #2. How did living things initiate life in themselves? Science cannot explain scientifically how living things initiated life in themselves.

Question #3. How did life not only initiate life in itself, but how did it do it from absolute sterility? Again science cannot answer how life begot itself from absolute sterility.

These are three very basic questions that, as far as I am concerned, must be answered if Evolution is to be given any credence at all. And, as I indicated, science is unable to provide any credible answers here. In order to accept this “science” you must accept, on faith, that these things “just happened.” You must swallow hook, line and sinker all the unexplained parts they simply can not answer.

So, let’s attempt to establish some examples of the thought processes. To accept the thinking of the Evolutionists you would have to believe that it is possible to have a skyscraper where construction began on the 5th floor and progressed upward from there. The Creationists of course will ask, “where is the foundation?” To answer honestly the Evolutionists will have to respond "well, there is no foundation. " This answer assumes the Evolutionist will answer honestly.

Applying the Evolutionists form of thinking in another way, I seriously doubt an
Evolutionist would get on a train which they know passes over a bridge that is missing some tracks.

I really don’t consider these really good demonstrating examples, but I don’t see them much more difficult to conceive and believe than the lack of reasonable answers to the three above fundamental questions.

As for me – I find Creation much easier to believe than Evolution. Creation takes less faith.

Be blessed,

Wayne

www.Capstone-Ministries.org

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Does God punish children for the sin of the parents?

2009-12-09T05:36:00.000-08:00

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I remember reading in the Bible that God punishes children for their parents sin. Is that so?

No, not exactly. In fact there is scripture to the contrary. Please read Ezekiel 18:14-20, and the promise of the new covenant -- Jeremiah 31:28-34. Children often do inherit problems from the parents. Sinful patterns of behavior are often passed on to family members. An environment of alcoholism, sexual abuse or violence can scar children for life, but these children will answer to God for their own lives, not for those of their parents. Your question probably came from reading Numbers 14:18. I believe scripture is consistent in that God punishes people for their own sins, and Numbers 14:18 is referring to passing on of a sinful nature, or the sad results of sinful parents. Are not "crack babies" punished for the sins of their parents? The parents do it though, not God.

Revelent Scripture
Fathers shall not be put to death for their children, nor children put to death for their fathers; each is to die for his own sin. Deuteronomy 24:16

In the grip of grace,
Wayne

www.Capstone-Ministries.org

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11

Why Pray if God is in Control?

2009-12-03T11:16:00.000-08:00

If God is in control of everything; if God is sovereign and rules all, why should we pray?

While it is true that God is sovereign and rules over all, we must understand that God has ordained not only the "ends" but also the "means" to those ends. God has not only predetermined to bring certain things about, but also He has ordained to accomplish some specific things as a result of the individual prayers of His saints (us). Therefore, we absolutely should pray for specific needs. Let us not forget the teaching of James 4:2 "You do not have, because you do not ask God." (also see 1 Thessalonians 5:17) Further, our God is the God of love and a God of personal relationships. He desires that we be in communion with Him. He wants a close personal relationship with each one of us. How could that be possible without intimate conversation? That alone is reason enough to pray.

Relevant Scripture
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. Philippians 4:6

Be blessed,
Wayne

http://www.Capstone-Ministries.org

10
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Does God ever change his mind?

2009-11-07T12:45:00.000-08:00

Some people believe that God cannot change his mind contradicting his unchanging nature. Others believe that since God knows all things, he does not change his mind. However, the Bible often speaks of God's mercy in terms of God changing his mind about judgment. God does change his mind, but not the way we humans do. God, being sovereign can predetermine to change his course of action in response to our prayers, while leaving his ultimate purposes unchanged. He simply builds in options into his purposes from the start. Its kind of like taking a trip and altering the route along the way, but ending up at the pre-planned destination. Our God never changes, but can change his mind in response to our prayers. For examples of God changing his mind see: Exodus 32:9-14; Isaiah 38:1-4; Hosea 11:8,9; Jonah 3:10

Relevant Scripture
When God saw what they did and how they turned from their evil ways, he had compassion and did not bring upon them the destruction he had threatened. Jonah 3:10

Be blessed,

Wayne

Capstone Christian Ministries

9

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DOES GOD ESTABLISH ALL GOVERNMENTS?

2009-10-21T07:20:00.000-07:00

The Bible seems to say that God establishes all governments. Does He establish the bad ones too?

In some cases God allows unjust or even evil leaders to obtain positions of power and leadership. Sometime they even become rulers over nations. That does not mean that God participates in their evil activities. God can, however, use human deeds -- good or evil -- to help accomplish
his greater purposes, which are always good. A Biblical example is His use of evil Babylon to discipline the nation of Judah. He permitted brutal rulers to conquer his people in the hopes that his people would turn again to him. See Habakkuk 1:6

God always wants leaders to govern fairly and justly. Sometimes they don't.

Relevant scripture
Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.
Romans 13:1

Be blessed,
Wayne

8

http://www.Capstone-Ministries.org

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WHY DID GOD WIPE OUT ENTIRE CITIES?

2009-10-16T11:27:00.000-07:00

If God is a God of mercy and love, why did He find it necessary to wipe out entire cities or populations of people? Why didn't He at least exclude the children? Surely they were innocent of any wrongdoing.

Answer
There are several places in the Old Testament where God opted to kill entire groups of people; men, women, children and in some cases even the animals. (see Deuteronomy 2:34 and 3:6,
Joshua 6:21 and Jeremiah 11:11; 14:11-12; 15:1-2) God takes no pleasure in death (Ezekiel 18:32 and 33:11), but being a just God did what was necessary for the overall good of His perfect plan.

In every case where the people were killed in mass they were steeped in sin, and were worshipping other gods. Clearly God finds this intolerable, and in fact tells us this, and tells us of the consequence. Read Deuteronomy 8:19-20. This verse is pivotal to understanding the nature of God relating to obedience and commitment to Him. It's not like they weren't warned. While God would have preferred that these people repented and turned to Him, they did not and in fact went so far off track that God's judgment became inevitable. They were so degenerate that they were beyond repentance. Prominent among their sins were: idol worship, sexual perversion, and the sacrificial slaughter of infants. Their societies were contaminated at every level. Left alone their degenerate lifestyles and practices would have infected more of God's people. So God dealt with the problem directly and forcefully. As far as the destruction of innocent children is concerned, we cannot know why God included them, but must remember that God's ways are just and He does no wrong (Deuteronomy 32:4). We can rest in the knowledge that it was the right thing to do. Remember, the physical death of a baby is not the same as eternal death. God simply moved these infants from one existence to another, and no doubt far better, existence (Matthew 19:14; Mark 10:14; Luke 18:16).

These children are in heaven with God (Romans 2:12-16). One of the characteristics of us humans is that we try to figure out, with our finite knowledge and ability to understand, why God does what He does . We can not and we will not be able to fully understand
Him, until we dwell with Him in heaven. This is not to say we shouldn't continue to learn about Him and to strive to know Him, but we must understand that He is God and we are not. God's ways are not our ways and God's thoughts are not our thoughts, but as the heavens are higher
than the earth, so are His ways higher than our ways and His thoughts than our thoughts (Isaiah 55:8). We cannot "put him in a box."

Relevant scripture

Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable His judgments and His paths beyond tracing out! (Romans 11:33)

Be blessed,
Wayne

http://www.Capstone-Ministries.org

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WHY DOES GOD TEMPT US TO SIN?

2009-10-14T14:37:00.000-07:00

******************************************************************
Question: I struggle to do the right thing, but it seems I often do the wrong thing. Why does God tempt us to sin?

God does not tempt us. That is one of Satan's specialties. God does test us at times, but he does not tempt us. What's the difference? Tempting is trying to get a person to do something wrong. A trial (or test) is a situation in which God gives a person an opportunity
to do something right. God never tries to trip us up, but he does allow tough circumstances to build our character and spiritual maturity. On occasion God may test us by putting us directly into Satan's line of fire. God doesn't test us so that we may fall into sin. He tests
us so that we might be victorious. As far as your struggle to do the right thing, we all struggle there. You are not alone. Even the Apostle Paul faced this struggle. Romans 7:7-25 Make up your mind that you will not be tempted by sin, and then do the best you can. Ask God for forgiveness when you fail.

Relavant Scripture
At once the Spirit sent him out into the desert, and he was in the desert forty days, being tempted by Satan. He was with wild animals, and angels attended him. Mark 1:12,13

Also see: Matthew 4:1-11 & Luke 4:1-13

God bless,
Wayne

6

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The Bible speaks of "fear of God." Should we live in fear or terror of God?

2009-10-06T10:55:00.000-07:00

The Bible speaks of "fear of God." Should we live in fear or terror of God?

No, we should not. The fear the Bible is referring to is not the kind of fear that makes us tremble. This fear is actually another word for reverence or worship. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of all knowledge. I think this suggests that if we properly acknowledge God and give Him the worship He deserves we will begin to gain wisdom. We are to approach God with an attitude of humility and awe, not dread and fright. We should fear God in our daily lives, whether relating to money, work, marriage or other issues we face, giving God the honor due Him by obeying His will in each of these areas. A wise person will seek God's perspective on matters before acting. God deserves our fear, but we are not to be afraid of Him.

Relevant Scripture:
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline. Proverbs 1:7

Be blessed,
Wayne

www.Capstone-Ministries.org

5

Jonah spends three days and nights in the belly of a big fish – Truth or Fiction?

2009-09-29T14:49:00.000-07:00

Interpretations of the Book of Jonah

Perhaps the greatest difficulty connected with this book is the matter of determining the method of interpretation. The following are the main theories of interpretation:

* ALLEGORICAL --- "An allegory is a story consisting of a series of incidents which are analogous to a parallel series of happenings that they are intended to illustrate." Thus: Jonah = Israel ....... Jonah's flight = Israel's failure to fulfill its spiritual mission to the nations ....... The "great fish" = Babylon, which swallows up Israel in the captivity ....... Spitting out Jonah = the restoration of Israel to their homeland ....... Etc ....... Etc. (Jeremiah 51:34 speaks of Babylon "swallowing" Israel "like a monster," and it "filled his stomach." Then, in vs. 44, God says He will "bring forth out of his mouth that which he hath swallowed up.") --- Some regard this as biblical proof of their theory that Jonah is merely an allegory.

* PARABOLIC --- "A parable is a short, pithy story with a didactic aim." The moral of this story --- God's love for the nations. Jonah typifies "the narrow-minded, exclusive Jew with no love for the nations beyond its borders."

* MYTHICAL --- This point of view assumes that the whole story is nothing but a myth or legend which arose around some incident in the history of Israel.

* HISTORICAL --- This view holds that the narrative describes events which actually took place. This is the most likely view. Those who object to this view do so primarily on the basis of the miraculous element in the account (the "great fish" incident, for example). "Jesus placed His sanction on the story as historical fact ..... therefore, the historical interpretation is the only interpretation worthy of acceptance to all who believe that Jesus is the Christ"

The fact that this account should be regarded as historical, however, does not mean there are no parabolic or allegorical or spiritual lessons to be derived from it. However, the only way you can consider it a myth is to be a non-Christian, and ergo, not believe any of the miracles.

An Argument for the Historic Accuracy of the Book of Jonah

The story of Jonah spending three days and three nights in the belly of a big fish
has called forth much disbelief. I am not sure why. This is the story of another miracle and is no greater a miracle than the virgin birth or the resurrection of Jesus. So, I really can’t understand the disbelief.

The question each believer needs to ask him/herself is: Do I believe our God is capable of performing miracles, and am I ready to accept them ALL? If my answer is yes, then why do I have a problem with Jonah? Remember that the Jonah miracle was confirmed and vouched for by Jesus himself in Matthew 12:39-40. He vouches for this historicity and literalness of Jonah by seizing upon it as an example of His own literal Death and Resurrection.

If you have doubts as to the miracle of Jonah in the fish, your issue is not with the historic record of Jonah, but with the Lord Jesus Christ Himself. Also see Luke 11: 29-30. So… Christ said that the Book of Jonah is true. That settles the matter for all of those who believe in the authority of Christ. If you don’t believe in the authority of Christ, you probably should not even have read this far.

There is some room for speculation, but not on whether or not the story is accurate. We can speculate as to how Jonah survived in the big fish. Perhaps it is a simple as God protected him, just as He protected Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego in The Fiery Furnace. Or could it be that Jonah actually died and was resurrected three days later?

Was the miracle one of keeping him alive, or was the miracle in raising him from the dead? Since The Book of Jonah illustrates the resurrection, I'm of the opinion that God raised him from the dead. But clearly that is my opinion and subject to debate.

In any event the Bible is full of accounts of God doing miracles. The Christian faith rests on the miracle of Christ's resurrection. Jonah and the big fish is simply another miracle.

God said it… I believe it!

Be blessed,

Wayne

www.Capstone-Ministries.org

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Will Christ followers be judged?

2009-09-25T13:04:00.000-07:00

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Since the sins of believers were washed away by Christ on the cross, how can believers be judged?

Good Question. Since we are justified by faith and not by works, how can we be judged at all? 2 Corinthians 5:10 is telling us of the importance of living according to what we believe. While salvation is a matter of faith, other eternal rewards depend on our faithfulness. See
1 Cor.3:8 & 3:13-15. We believers are judged righteous in Christ, but will also be rewarded in accordance with the things we do while in the body, whether good or bad. It does matter what we do. God expects our behavior to reflect Him in us. The details of this judgment are not important. What is important is that the Judge is fair and will reward us as we deserve.

Relevant Scripture

For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.
2 Corinthians 5:10

Be blessed,
Wayne

4

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Are we saved by grace alone?

2009-09-22T11:41:00.000-07:00

Are we saved by grace alone, or do we need to do good works?

Our salvation is a gracious gift of God. God gave us this gift when we accepted Jesus as Lord and Savior. No one can take this gift from us. It is irrevocable. You cannot earn your way into heaven. Works are not necessary. Having said that, you will notice many Christians who spend a lot of time doing "works." That is normal and natural byproduct of Christianity. The Holy Spirit residing in us moves us to do good works. In fact it is difficult not to do good works, considering God prepared them in advance for us to do. We cannot earn salvation through works. When you really consider it, isn't it a bit silly to think we (us sinners) could do anything for a sinless Holy God that would get Him to change his mind and let us into heaven? After what He did for us! For more on faith and deeds Read James 2:14-24. In reading don't confuse justification with salvation.

Relevant Scripture

Ephesians 2:8-9
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith -- and this not of yourselves, it is the gift of God -- not by works, so that no one can boast.

Ephesians 2:10
For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

James 2:14-24
Faith and Deeds
14What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? 15Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. 16If one of you says to him, "Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? 17In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.
18But someone will say, "You have faith; I have deeds."
Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do.
19You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.
20You foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless[a]? 21Was not our ancestor Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? 22You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. 23And the scripture was fulfilled that says, "Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness," and he was called God's friend. 24You see that a person is justified by what he does and not by faith alone.

Be blessed,
Wayne

www.Capstone-Ministries.org
3
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Can You Lose Your Salvation?

2009-07-30T10:11:00.000-07:00

Someone recently asked me if someone who is saved, someone who has accepted Jesus, fall away and lose their salvation?

In a word -- no. Having said that, some explanation is in order. When a person accepts Jesus as their Lord and Savior, they must be sincere in that acceptance. They must have a right heart. They cannot just be playing a game or dabbling in Christianity. They must develop a personal relationship with Jesus. True believers won't fall away though they may have times where they "backslide." Luke 8:13 speaks of falling away, but I believe this is referring to the appearance of falling away, rather than truly falling away. I think anyone who "falls away" was not truly sincere in their acceptance. John 10:28 says "I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand." Since "no one" includes us, we cannot do anything to take ourselves away from God. Again this assumes we were sincere in our acceptance. Salvation is a gracious gift of God. Once accepted, it is ours and we cannot lose it.

Relevant Scripture

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith -- and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God. Ephesians 2:8

I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand.
John 10:28–29

Be blessed,
Wayne

www.Capstone-Ministries.org

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How can a loving God sentence people to eternal suffering in hell?

2009-07-27T10:00:00.000-07:00

Our God is indeed a God of love. As such he gives us free will. He does not "sentence" us to hell. We get to make that choice. Hell is eternal separation from God. Since God is love, hell is the absence of love. Since God is light, hell is the absence of light.

Our God is not only the God of love, He is also perfect righteousness and absolute holiness. As such, there can be absolutely no sin in his presence in heaven. We are all sinners, forgiven by God's grace and Christ's sacrifice in place of us. The truth is we all deserve hell, but God provided an alternative: heaven.

God's word makes it clear that He would prefer every human being spend eternity in heaven with Him, but He left the choice to us. Accept Jesus as Lord and Savior, or accept hell. Easy choice for me!

So God does not "sentence" anyone to hell. He gives us a choice. It is truly up to each of us individually. Choose heaven, or choose hell.

In the grip of grace,
Wayne

Love all - Trust some - Harm none

http://www.Capstone-Ministries.org

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2009-07-27T07:26:00.001-07:00

Would you like a free Video Producer application? Go here: http://is.gd/1J3oP You can make videos for any purpose... for free!

2009-07-27T07:24:00.001-07:00

And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God... - Romans 8:28

2009-07-27T07:23:00.001-07:00

'The taxpayer: That's someone who works for the federal government but doesn't have to take the civil service examination.'- Ronald Reagan

2009-07-27T07:22:00.001-07:00

The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants.
Thomas Jefferson

2009-07-27T07:17:00.003-07:00

We are always the same age inside.
Gertrude Stein (1874 - 1946)

2009-07-27T07:17:00.001-07:00

Football is a mistake. It combines the two worst elements of American life. Violence and committee meetings.
George F. Will (1941 - )

2009-07-27T07:15:00.001-07:00

Good morning to all... I am on Cabo countdown. 11 days. It will be a great 2 weeks. Have a blessed week. Let me know if I can pray for you.

SAINT WAYNE

2009-07-20T07:25:00.000-07:00

Yep… that’s right I am a saint. Oh, I am not saying I have been declared a saint by the Catholic church or anything like that. I have been declared a saint by God. He’s even higher than the Catholic church, you know…

Seriously, a while back I was asked: I have heard Christians refer to one another as saints. Why is that?

I answered: Because that is what we are. Let me explain. The word “saint” literally means one who is set apart. As used around the time that both Romans and Philippians were written (about A.D. 57 to A.D. 62) it meant those who were dedicated to God. This included all who believed in Jesus, regardless of their individual character or spiritual maturity. Today it means the same thing. A saint is not someone who, through their own power or strength, has attained a certain level of purity. A saint is someone who believes in Jesus Christ and because of that belief has had the stain of sin washed away by the blood of Jesus. Because of Jesus, saints are clean. We are saints because of what Jesus did for us, and not because of anything we do. His death on the cross did away with the sin problem for all who believe in Him. That sets us apart, and makes us saints.

Some relevant Scripture

To all in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints; Grace and peace to you from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ. Romans 1:7

Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus at Philippi, together with the overseers and deacons: Philippians 1:1

Saint Wayne signing off. Thanks for reading!

www.Capstone-Ministries.org

Love all – Trust some – Harm none

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2009-07-20T07:21:00.001-07:00

The spirit of resistance to government is so valuable on certain occasions, that I wish it always to be kept alive.
Thomas Jefferson

2009-07-20T07:18:00.001-07:00

'Of the four wars in my lifetime, none came about because the U.S. was too strong.'- Ronald Reagan

2009-07-20T07:17:00.001-07:00

My reading of history convinces me that most bad government results from too much government.
Thomas Jefferson

2009-07-20T07:16:00.001-07:00

When they discover the center of the universe, a lot of people will be disappointed to discover they are not it.
Bernard Bailey

2009-07-20T07:15:00.001-07:00

Remember -- Love all – Trust some – Harm none

2009-07-18T07:43:00.001-07:00

Happiness is not achieved by the conscious pursuit of happiness; it is generally the by-product of other activities.
Aldous Huxley

2009-07-18T07:41:00.001-07:00

It is incumbent on every generation to pay its own debts as it goes. A principle which if acted on would save one-half the wars of the world.
Thomas Jefferson

2009-07-18T07:40:00.001-07:00

The trouble with our liberal friends is not that they're ignorant; it's just that they know so much that isn't so.' - Ronald Reagan

2009-07-18T07:38:00.001-07:00

Never take your own revenge... "Vengeance is Mine, I will repay," says the Lord. -- Romans 12:19

2009-07-18T07:37:00.001-07:00

Good day all…God wants you to let Him know your needs. I will gladly do that for you. Feel free to send me your prayer requests. DM ok.

2009-07-17T08:43:00.001-07:00

The democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing to work and give to those who would not. Thomas Jefferson

2009-07-17T08:42:00.001-07:00

'The most terrifying words in the English language are: I'm from the government and I'm here to help.' -Ronald Reagan

2009-07-17T08:38:00.001-07:00

Love all - Trust some - Harm none

2009-07-16T14:51:00.001-07:00

When we get piled upon one another in large cities, as in Europe,
we shall become as corrupt as Europe.
Thomas Jefferson

2009-07-16T09:46:00.001-07:00

Walking isn't a lost art: one must, by some means, get to the garage.
Evan Esar (1899 - 1995)

2009-07-16T09:33:00.001-07:00

This is my first post via ping.fm. Just checking it out.

THE BATTLE is GETTING HOT

2009-07-09T14:14:00.000-07:00

THE BATTLE is GETTING HOT
-Darren Smith. (5 Jul 09).

[Author of the "FALL OF BABYLON" word - reprinted below at the end]

Many people have labeled me as a doomsday prophet over the
last few weeks as God has sent the Words He gave me all over
the world. The overwhelming response has stretched us to the
breaking point....

I would like to share a couple of things with you guys about the
whole doomsday thing. I believe that Gods Kingdom will crush
all the kingdoms of the world. I also believe that we bring forth His
Kingdom when we live the Gospel and not just talk about it.

Just yesterday in the street in Galveston we saw 4 people
receive healing and all 4 where born again on the spot. We also
had testimony of several that received healing the week before as
well. 3 different people received the miracle of getting a house and
off the street after we prayed with them last week. As we minister
to these people, we share with them the power of God over every
aspect of their life and the fact that if they die to this life they are
raised with Christ and it is Christ in them, the hope of glory that
rules their life.

It's amazing that people who are in such bondage to sin and
so broken by this life can receive and step right into the Kingdom
so quickly when many who have been religious all their life still do
not live in the power of God. These miracles are available to all who
believe and enter into Christ but few ever enter in. We see so many
miracles because we are trying to expand the Kingdom of God and
not trying to build our own kingdom. Everyday we live a faith walk
trusting God for our daily bread and to use us in His Kingdom with
no care for what this world has to offer.

The freedom is understanding that if you are in Christ you are
dead to this world. Dead men have no rights but you do have an
inheritance that is secure in Christ.

With this said I will be faithful to speak what the Lord has me speak.
I believe words such as the Fall of Babylon are warnings to come
out of her and live for Christ. As far as the timing I believe that these
shaking's are already in motion, but I do realize that God may have
mercy and hold back giving more time to repent. Either way I stand
ready to advance His Kingdom in times of wrath or in times of peace.

Last, I would ask you to pray for us as we have come under attack
for the very words the Lord gave me to send out. Many have taken
these words as an attack on the USA, but they are not an attack,
they are indeed an indictment on the hedonistic culture that we
have created and the god of self that rules this land. This government
is so corrupt and is a tool in Satan's hand to hinder the Kingdom of
God, but many still hold to the thought that it is a God fearing
government to the point that they have sent the message of Fall of
Babylon to the authorities. I have been called a terrorist,
anti-American, anti-government, as well as a false prophet just for
simply sending out the word that God gave me. Even though this
troubles me, I will stand on the Word of God and continue to shout
from the mountains this message, as well as spreading the word of
the Gospel with signs and wonders without fear of man.

The time may come that the true church has to go underground, if
so we are ready for what ever comes. With this said, we will increase
the call to repent to this nation and its leaders who are spinning out
of control. May God give us time to bring in the harvest. If you are
dead to this world step into faith and live the Gospel.

"FALL of BABYLON" - REPRINTED from 4 WEEKS AGO
-by Darren Smith. (1 Jun 09).

The Lord kept me up most of the night bringing a word for me to
share and to share now. Many times I wait until I have prayed over
what I hear in my spirit, but I can't wait to send this word out.

Last night while praying before I went to bed, The Lord gave me a
vision that really rattled me. In the vision I saw this land split into
four parts with each one under its own flag. Each region had terrible
destruction and many people were dead. As I looked over the
destruction I was crying and the Lord asked me, "Why are you
crying over the fall of Babylon? As a matter of fact, why have you
been praying for the healing of Babylon?"

In this vision I didn't have an answer and the Lord opened a scroll
and started reading off the indictments against our country, but
before each one he clearly called the USA Babylon.

The list was long and to the point, with such points as the killing
of several generations of unborn children. Beside this charge He
added that these babies had been sacrificed to the god of self. The
list also included greed, idolatry, pride, fornication, and many others,
so many I could not even read them all.

As I looked at the list of charges I was overwhelmed and broken
by the fact that we live every day in a nation that is so far removed
from God and in total opposition to the Kingdom of God, yet we are
comfortable here. We have become just like Lot living in Sodom,
the prosperity that the nation offers us has blinded us from the evil
that rules this land. We complain about how bad it is but still stay
attached to it with every ounce of strength we have.

The Lord told me to look at the nation as He sees it, not through
my eyes but through His. I could not look too long before I had to
agree and repent of loving Babylon. Once I repented the Lord told
me to prepare for the fall as time is running out. I must preach the
Gospel of The Kingdom not the Gospel of America. America is
already judged, the time of shaking is now and will increase rapidly
this summer. Water shortages and food shortages will become
common this summer, as well as fuel shortages. Civil unrest will
become common place in large cities first but will spill over into
the rural areas as well.

Natural disasters will stretch the resources of the nation to the
breaking point and the government will use this to take freedom
away. Brothers up north take note, you will see this start to happen
quickly. Please seek the Lord for direction as you are out of time.
The west coast will see this soon as well, please prepare.

In this vision there was a great wasteland that appeared to be in
the center of the nation where everything was wiped out and I saw
masses of people wandering without direction. They were dirty and
ragged, almost dead and there was no relief in sight. Most of you
reading this think I'm crazy I'm sure, but I must be faithful to share
what I'm given to share.

The Lord told me to cry from the mountain tops to repent and seek
the Lord now!! We don't have any more time to seek after the things
of this world. He has also given me teaching to prepare people to
pass through this time of shaking into the Kingdom and I must be
faithful to preach this word anywhere I have an open door.

If you want to hear this word please contact me to set up times
and places, but again I must warn you, we are running out of time.
We must stop living like we have all the time in the world. We
must stop crying over the fall of Babylon and press into the Kingdom.

-Darren Smith - EMAIL -
streetscapeministries@yahoo.com

--
YES! - You have permission to post these emails
to friends or other groups, blogs, boards, etc. Go for it!

God bless,
Wayne

Love all - Trust some - Harm none

.

Arizona Woman's Open Letter to U.S. Leadership

2009-07-07T06:15:00.000-07:00

The following letter, read on Glenn Beck's show, is rapidly circulating around the country. Americans everywhere identify with this 53-year-old woman. She has gi ven us a voice. Once you read this, you will want to forward it to all of your friends...

GLENN BECK: I got a letter from a woman in Arizona . She writes an open letter to our nation's leadership:

"I'm a home grown American citizen, 53, registered Democrat all my life. Before the last presidential election I registered as a Republican because I no longer felt the Democratic Party represents my views or works to pursue issues important to me. Now I no longer feel the Republican Party represents my views or works to pursue issues important to me. The fact is I no longer feel any political party or representative in Washington represents my views or works to pursue the issues important to me. There must be someone. Please tell me who you are. Please stand up and tell me that you are there and that you're willing to fight for our Constitution as it was written. Please stand up now. You might ask yourself what my views and issues a re that I would horribly feel so disenfranchised by both major political parties. What kind of nut job am I? Will you please tell me?

Well, these are briefly my views and issues for which I seek representation:

One, illegal immigration. I want you to stop coddling illegal immigrants and secure our borders. Close the underground tunnels. Stop the violence and the trafficking in drugs and people. No amnesty, not again. Been there, done that, no resolution. P.S., I'm not a racist. This isn't to be confused with legal immigration.

Two, the STIMULUS bill, I want it repealed and I want no further funding supplied to it. We told you no, but you did it anyway. I want the remaining unfunded 95% repealed. Freeze, repeal.

Three: Czars, I want the circumvention of our checks and balances stopped immediately. Fire the czars. No more czars. Government officials answer to the process, not to the president. Stop trampling on our Constitution and honor it.

Four, cap and trade. The debate on global warming is not over. There is more to say.

Five, universal healthcare. I will not be rushed into another expensive decision. Don't you dare try to pass this in the middle of the night and then go on break. Slow down!

Six, growing government control. I want states rights and sovereignty fully restored. I want less government in my life, not more. Shrink it down. Mind your own business. You have enough to take care of with your real obligations. Why don't you start there.

Seven, ACORN. I do not want ACORN and its affiliates in charge of our 2010 census. I want them investigated. I also do not want mandatory escrow fees contributed to them every time on every real estate deal that closes. Stop the funding to ACORN and its affiliates pending impartial audits and investigations. I do not trust them with taking the census over with our taxpayer money. I don't trust them with our taxpayer money. Face up to the allegations against them and get it resolved before taxpayers get any more involved with them. If it walks like a duck and talks like a duck, hello. Stop protecting your political buddies. You work for us, the people. Investigate.

Eight, redistribution of wealth. No, no, no. I work for my money. It is mine. I have always worked for people with more money than I have because they gave me jobs. That is the only redistribution of wealth that I will support. I never got a job from a poor person. Why do you want me to hate my employers? Why -- what do you have against shareholders making a profit?

Nine, charitable contributions. Although I never got a job from a poor person, I have helped many in need. Charity belongs in our local communities, where we know our needs best and can use our local talent and our local resources. Butt out, please. We want to do it ourselves.

Ten, corporate bailouts. Knock it off. Sink or swim like the rest of us. If there are hard times ahead, we'll be better off just getting into it and letting the strong survive. Quick and painful. Have you ever ripped off a Band-Aid? We will pull together. Great things happen in America under great hardship. Give us the chance to innovate. We cannot disappoint you more than you have disappointed us.

Eleven, transparency and accountability. How about it? No, really, how about it? Let's have it. Let's say we give the buzzwords a rest and have some straight honest talk. Please try -- please stop manipulating and trying to appease me with clever wording. I am not the idiot you obviously take me for. Stop sneaking around and meeting in back rooms making deals with your friends. It will only be a prelude to your criminal investigation. Stop hiding things from me.

Twelve, unprecedented quick spending. Stop it now.

Take a breath. Listen to the people. Let's just slow down and get some input from some nonpoliticians on the subject. Stop making everything an emergency. Stop speed reading our bills into law. I am not an activist. I am not a community organizer. Nor am I a terrorist, a militant or a violent person. I am a parent and a grandparent. I work. I'm busy. I'm busy. I am busy, and I am tired. I thought we elected competent people to take care of the busines s of government so that we could work, raise our families, pay our bills, have a little recreation, complain about taxes, endure our hardships, pursue our personal goals, cut our lawn, wash our cars on the weekends and be responsible contributing members of society and teach our children to be the same all while living in the home of the free and land of the brave.

I entrusted you with upholding the Constitution. I believed in the checks and balances to keep from getting far off course. What happened? You are very far o ff course. Do you really think I find humor in the hiring of a speed reader to unintelligently ramble all through a bill that you signed into law without knowing what it contained? I do not. It is a mockery of the responsibility I have entrusted to you. It is a slap in the face. I am not laughing at your arrogance. Why is it that I feel as if you would not trust me to make a single decision about my own life and how I would live it but you should expect that I should trust you with the debt that you have laid on all of us and our children. We did not want the TARP bill. We said no. We would repeal it if we could. I am sure that we still cannot. There is such urgency and recklessness in all of the recent spending.

From my perspective, it seems that all of you have gone insane. I also know that I am far from alone in these feelings. Do you honestly feel that your current pursuits have merit to patriotic Americans? We want it to stop. We want to put the brakes on everything that is being rushed by us and forced upon us. We want our voice back. You have forced us to put our lives on hold to straighten out the mess that you are making. We will have to give up our vacations, our time spent with our children, any relaxation time we may have had and money we cannot afford to spend on you to bring our concerns to Washington . Our president often knows all the right buzzword is unsustainable. Well, no kidding. How many tens of thousands of dollars did the focus group cost to come up with that word? We don't want your overpriced words. Stop treating us like we're morons.

We want all of you to stop focusing on your reelection and do the job we want done, not the job you want done or the job your party wants done. You work for us and at this rate I guarantee you not for long because we are coming. We will be heard and we will be represented. You think we're so busy with our lives that we will never come for you? We are the formerly silent majority, all of us who quietly work , pay taxes, obey the law, vote, save money, keep our noses to the grindstone and we are now looking up at you. You have awakened us, the patriotic spirit so strong and so powerful that it had been sleeping too long. You have pushed us too far. Our numbers are great. They may surprise you. For every one of us who will be there, there will be hundreds more that could not come. Unlike you, we have their trust. We will represent them honestly, rest assured. They will be at the polls on voting day to usher you out of office. We have cancelled vacations. We will use our last few dollars saved. We will find the representation among us and a grassroots campaign will flourish. We didn't ask for this fight. But the gloves are coming off. We do not come in violence, but we are angry. You will represent us or you will be replaced with someone who will. There are candidates among us when he will rise like a Phoenix from the ashes that you have made of our constitution.

Democrat, Republican, independent, libertarian. Understand this. We don't care. Political parties are meaningless to us. Patriotic Americans are willing to do right by us and our Constitution and that is all that matters to us now. We are going to fire all of you who abuse power and seek more. It is not your power. It is ours and we want it back. We entrusted you with it and you abused it. You are dishonorable. You are dishonest. As Americans we are ashamed of you. You have brought shame to us. If you are not representing the wants and needs of your constituency loudly and consistently, in spite of the objections of your party, you will be fired. Did you hear? We no longer care about your political parties. You need to be loyal to us, not to them. Because we will get you fired and they will not save you. If you do or can represent me, my issues, my views, please stand up. Make your identity known. You need to make some noise about it. Speak up. I need to know who you are. If you do not speak up, you will be herded out with the rest of the sheep and we will replace the whole damn congress if need be one by one. We are coming. Are we coming for you? Who do you represent? What do you represent? Listen. Because we are coming. We the people are coming."

Makes sense to me...

Wayne

Love all - Trust some - Harm none

.

The Biggest Economic Mistake Since The Days Of Herbert Hoover

2009-07-01T06:30:00.000-07:00

Rep. McClintock gave the following floor speech in opposition to the Cap and Trade legislation on June 26, 2009.

I had a strange sense of Deja Vu as I watched the self-congratulatory rhetoric on the house floor tonight, and I feel compelled to offer this warning from the Left Coast.

Three years ago, I stood on the floor of the California Senate and watched a similar celebration over a similar bill, AB 32. And I have spend the last three years watching as that law has dangerously deepened California’s recession. It uses a different mechanism than Cap and Trade, but the objective is the same: to force a dramatic reduction in carbon dioxide emissions.

Up until that bill took effect, California’s unemployment numbers tracked very closely with the national unemployment rate. But then in January of 2007, California’s unemployment rate began a steady upward divergence from the national jobless figures. Today, California’s unemployment rate is more than two points above the national rate, and at its highest point since 1941.

What is it that happened in January of 2007? AB 32 took effect and began shutting down entire segments of California’s economy. Let me give you one example from my district. The City of Truckee, California was about to sign a long-term power contract to get its electricity from a new, EPA-approved coal-fired electricity plant in Utah. AB 32 and companion legislation caused them to abandon that contract. The replacement power they acquired literally doubled their electricity costs.

So when economists warn that we can expect electricity prices to double under the cap and trade bill, I can tell you from bitter experience that in my district, that’s not a future prediction, that is an historical fact.

Gov. Schwarzenegger assured us that AB 32 would mean an explosion of new, green jobs — exactly the same promises we’re hearing from cap and trade supporters. In California, exactly the opposite has happened. We have lost so many jobs that the UCSB economic forecast is now using the D-word – Depression – to discuss California’s job market.

M. Speaker, the Cap and Trade bill proposes what amounts to endlessly increasing taxes on any enterprises that produce carbon dioxide or other so-called greenhouse gas emissions. We need to understand what that means. It has profound implications for agriculture, construction, cargo and passenger transportation, energy production, baking and brewing – all of which produce enormous quantities this innocuous and ubiquitous compound. In fact, every human being produces 2.2 pounds of carbon dioxide every day – just by breathing.

So applying a tax to the economy designed to radically constrict carbon dioxide emissions means radically constricting the economy.

And this brings us to the fine point of it.

When you discuss the folly of the Hoover Administration – how it turned the recession of 1929 into the depression of the 1930’s, the first thing that economists point to is the Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act that imposed new taxes on over 20,000 imported products.

Waxman Markey is our generation’s Smoot Hawley. In fact, it’s worse because it imposes new taxes on an infinitely larger number of domestic products on a scale that utterly dwarfs Smoot-Hawley.

Let’s ignore for the moment the fact that the planet’s climate is constantly changing and that long term global warming has been going on since the last ice age. Let’s ignore the fact that within recorded history we know of periods when the earth’s climate has been much warmer than it is today and others when it has been much cooler. Let’s ignore the thousands of climate scientists and meteorologists who have concluded that human-produced greenhouse gases are a negligible factor in global warming or climate change.

Ignore all of that and still we are left with one lousy sense of timing. In the most serious recession since the Great Depression – why would members of this house want to repeat the same mistakes that produced that Great Depression? Watching how California has just wrecked its economy and destroyed its finances, why would they want to do the same thing to our nation?

M. Speaker, this is deadly serious stuff. It transcends ideology and politics. This House has just made the biggest economic mistake since the days of Herbert Hoover.

If this measure becomes law, two things are certain.

First, our planet will continue to warm and cool as it has been doing for billions of years.

Second: Congress will have delivered a staggering blow to our nation’s economy at precisely that moment when that economy was the most vulnerable.

FIREARMS REFRESHER COURSE

2009-06-24T16:10:00.000-07:00

"Those who hammer their guns into plows will plow for those who do not." ~ Thomas Jefferson

1. An armed man is a citizen. An unarmed man is a subject.

2. A gun in the hand is better than a cop on the phone.

3. Colt: The original point and click interface.

4. Gun control is not about guns; it's about control.

5. If guns are outlawed, can we use swords?

6. If guns cause crime, then pencils cause misspelled words.

7. Free men do not ask permission to bear arms.

8. If you don't know your rights, you don't have any.

9. Those who trade liberty for security have neither.

11. What part of 'shall not be infringed' do you not understand?

12. The Second Amendment is in place in case the politicians ignore the others.

13. 64,999,987 firearms owners killed no one yesterday.

14. Guns only have two enemies; rust and politicians.

15. Know guns, know peace, know safety. No guns, no peace, no safety.

16. You don't shoot to kill; you shoot to stay alive.

17. 911: Government sponsored Dial-a-Prayer.

18. Assault is a behavior, not a device.

19. Criminals love gun control; it makes their jobs safer.

20. If guns cause crime, then matches cause arson.

21. Only a government that is afraid of its citizens tries to control them.

22. You have only the rights you are willing to fight for.

23. Enforce the gun control laws we ALREADY have; don't make more.

24. When you remove the people's right to bear arms, you create slaves.

25. The American Revolution would never have happened with gun control.

God Bless America!

.

The Plantation

2009-06-19T08:50:00.000-07:00

Article by:

Star Parker - Syndicated Columnist

Six years ago I wrote a book called Uncle Sam’s Plantation. I wrote the book to tell my own story of what I saw living inside the welfare state and my own transformation out of it. I said in that book that indeed there are twoAmericas - a poor America on socialism and a wealthy America on capitalism.

I talked about government programs like Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), Job Opportunities and Basic Skills Training (JOBS), Emergency Assistance to Needy Families with Children (EANF), Section 8 Housing, and Food Stamps. A vast sea of perhaps well-intentioned government programs, all initially set into motion in the 1960s that were going to lift the nation's poor out of poverty. A benevolent Uncle Sam welcomed mostly poor black Americans onto the government plantation. Those who accepted the invitation switched mindsets from "How do I take care of myself?" to "What do I have to do to stay on the plantation?"

Instead of solving economic problems, government welfare socialism created monstrous moral and spiritual problems - the kind of problems that are inevitable when individuals turn responsibility for their lives over to others. The legacy of American socialism is our blighted inner cities, dysfunctional inner city schools, and broken black families.

Through God’s grace, I found my way out. It was then that I understood what freedom meant and how great this country is.

I had the privilege of working on welfare reform in 1996, passed by a Republican Congress and signed 50 percent. I thought we were on the road to moving socialism out of our poor black communities and replacing it with wealth-producing American capitalism. But, incredibly, we are going in the opposite direction.

Instead of poorAmerica on socialism becoming more like rich American on capitalism, richAmerica on capitalism is becoming like poorAmerica on socialism. Uncle Sam has welcomed our banks onto the plantation and they have said, "Thank you, Suh."

Now, instead of thinking about what creative things need to be done to serve customers, they are thinking about what they have to tell Massah in order to get their cash. There is some kind of irony that this is all happening under our first black president on the 200th anniversary of the birthday of Abraham Lincoln.

Worse, socialism seems to be the element of our new young president. And maybe even more troubling, our corporate executives seem happy to move onto the plantation.

In an op-ed on the opinion page of the Washington Post, Mr. Obama is clear that the goal of his trillion dollar spending plan is much more than short term economic stimulus. "This plan is more than a prescription for short-term spending - it's a strategy forAmerica ’s long-term growth and opportunity in areas such as renewable energy, healthcare, and education."

Perhaps more incredibly, Obama seems to think that government taking over an economy is a new idea. Or that massive growth in government can take place "with unprecedented transparency and accountability."

Yes, sir, we heard it from Jimmy Carter when he created the Department of Energy, the Synfuels Corporation, and the Department of Education. Or how about the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964 - The War on Poverty - which President Johnson said "...does not merely expand old programs or improve what is already being done.. It charts a new course. It strikes at the causes, not just the consequences of poverty.”

Trillions of dollars later, black poverty is the same. But black families are not, with triple the incidence of single-parent homes and out-of-wedlock births.

It's not complicated. Americans can accept Barack Obama’s invitation to move onto the plantation. Or they can choose personal responsibility and freedom. Does anyone really need to think about what the choice should be?

"The trouble with socialism is that you eventually run out of other people's money."

Labor Unions Have Outlived Their Usefulness and Must Go

2009-06-08T06:29:00.000-07:00

*********************************************************************

Labor Unions in the United States have outlived their usefulness and need to be outlawed. As we look back we see that the Labor Union movement is barely over 125 years old. It can be tracked back to about 1880, maybe a bit beyond. When we consider the conditions for workers back then and through the Great Depression, the need for labor unions is apparent. If not for unions, children would be working in factories, people would be working much longer hours every day, and there would be no weekends off; all these are important facts. I believe unions were absolutely necessary and historically served a good purpose. I also believe they no longer serve a positive purpose, but they have actually contributed in a big way to our current economic crisis. We have come too far for our society to allow the conditions mentioned above, even without labor unions.

Consider that in modern times there is not one major corporation subject to labor union organization of its employees that has been successful. Not a single one! Oh, you will be able to find some second tier companies that seem successful in spite of unionization, but on some of these the jury is still out. Additionally, if you look at heavily unionized states, like California, it is pretty easy to see the enormous negative impact of the labor unions. If the state of California were not controlled by the unions and their unreasonable contracts, it would have a far easier path out of its financial woes.

Let’s take a look at the General Motors situation. With the U.S. economy continuing to shed jobs—In Detroit, the UAW has been in the way of a reasonable solution. While they have agreed to some concessions as part of the GM's bankruptcy negotiations with the federal government, their real goal was and is to keep GM afloat to provide jobs for their membership. GM has become about jobs, not about building automobiles. It should have been allowed to fail without government intervention, and it most likely would have were it not for the labor unions. Let’s face it… had the labor unions been eliminated five years ago GM would probably not have found itself in it’s current financial condition. Oh, I know there are some other factors, but those probably could have been dealt with were it not for the unions.

So, GM exists only to provide jobs for the union workers, and for no other reason. Even our government has acknowledged that allowing GM to disappear would cause such unemployment directly and in allied businesses, that it may be the kiss of death for our economy. However, having said that, it is my bet that GM will be allowed to fail as soon as it is determined that the economy could survive the impact.

A wise move by the United States government would be to outlaw all labor unions right now, before it has to deal with the Union Bosses when the time to let GM fail arrives. Outlawing all labor unions at this time would also prove to be an economic blessing to California and other states finding themselves in a similar position.

Tough times require tough decisions. I hope we are up to the challenge.

Be blessed,
Wayne

Love all – Trust some – Harm none

Link to me at: www.LinkedIn.com/in/wcweeks

Follow me at: http://twitter.com/wcweeks

Be a friend at: www.Facebook.com

.

A Review of "Historic Photos of the Chinese in California"

2009-05-19T10:33:00.000-07:00

******************************************************************************
Text and Captions by Hannah Clayborn – Copyright (c) 2009 – Turner Publishing Company, Nashville, TN 37219
******************************************************************************

The book "Historic Photos of the Chinese in California" recently came into my possession. It looked like the standard coffee table book of photos. However, there was something about the picture on the cover that caused me to examine it carefully. I was then compelled to turn it over and look at the nine photos reproduced on the back cover. Each one commanded a bit of my time to study it fully. I was drawn to each photo.

I found the same thing happened when I opened the book. I was not able to put it down and, in fact went completely through it twice, and no doubt will visit it again.

Being a California native, I have a modicum of knowledge about how the Chinese fit into the development of California. I think most of us know there was a significant Chinese contribution to the establishment of the railroads, at least in the west, but the enormous offering made to railroad construction overshadowed some of their other contributions to California. Having lived in northern California, I was also aware of the hundreds of miles of rock walls built by the Chinese as fences for the ranchers marking the boundaries of their lands. Beyond that, I knew very little of California Chinese history.

Hannah Clayborn has done a stellar job of bringing some of the other Chinese contributions to light by way of an excellent photographic journal, combined with on-target comments and captions. Like many others, the Chinese were attracted to California in part as a result of the Gold Rush. However, because they were unable to own land or file gold claims they mostly ended up working for others for very low laborer’s wages. Their dreams of riches by way of gold were pretty much wiped away.

In 1850 there were 25,000 Chinese in California as recorded in California’s 1852 census. Many left the gold fields to seek employment and income elsewhere. As Chinese women were somewhat restricted from immigrating, this was a largely male population and a very able work force. By 1870 Chinese made up ten percent of California’s population, but accounted for almost 25 percent of the unskilled labor force. Chinese laborers were active in farming, fishing, sharecropping resulting in vegetable sales and other menial labor-intensive tasks as well as working the gold fields. In addition they proved to be very adept as cooks and shopkeepers.

While I am able to relay a bit of Chinese history here, I want to credit Hannah Clayborn, as this book is the only reference I used as a source of information. If you have found what I have written interesting, I must tell you it pales in comparison to Hannah’s book. The book "Historic Photos of the Chinese in California" is a must see. From beginning to end, with hundreds of photos and comments, the history unfolds. If you are at all like me you will be spellbound.

I understand this review may seem more like a promotional piece for the book rather than an objective review, but there was just no other way I could write it. This book is an exciting piece of work.

Be blessed,
Wayne

Love all – Trust some – Harm none

Link to me at: www.LinkedIn.com/in/wcweeks
Follow me at: http://twitter.com/wcweeks
Be a friend at: http://www.facebook.com/

.

Scams are Rampant in the Foreclosure Prevention / Loan Modification Business.

2009-05-18T14:43:00.000-07:00

===========================================================
No doubt you know by now that there are a lot of low-life scammers out there who are looking to take advantage of homeowners who are at risk of losing their homes via foreclosure. It is really a shame but it seems that mankind will always try to take advantage of others when they are down on their luck or facing trouble. It’s really the opposite of what it should be.

There are several types of scams you should be on the lookout for. One that is fairly common is where the scammer offers to make you a new loan. However, in that large stack of documents you are asked to sign is a document actually transferring the ownership of your home to the person or company. Don’t sign any documents unless you know exactly what they are. Don’t take anyone’s word for what they are except a trusted advisor or your attorney. Don’t let this be an attorney the scammer has referred you to.

Another common scam is the person or company who is coming to your rescue. They profess to take over all communication and negotiations with your lender or loan servicer. Typically, they will want a fairly large fee up front, and often an additional smaller fee when a successful agreement is reached. You may be instructed to not talk with your lender yourself as you may just get in the way of the negotiation process. Often, once the scammer has received your fee they do nothing. They don’t even contact the lender but because you have been instructed to not discuss your loan with the lender yourself, you won’t know they are doing nothing until some time further down the road. Now you are in a worse position because you are further delinquent and also out the money paid the scammer.

One of the newer schemes that is growing in popularity is attorneys who offer to file a lawsuit against your mortgage lender or servicer to stop the foreclosure process. The lawsuits are filed on the basis of an error in the loan documents causing a RESPA or TILA violation or filed on the basis that no legal promissory note exists. Often because of the loans being sold in the secondary market, no one knows where the note is. I am not suggesting that attorneys going down either of these avenues are working a scam. I would think they are not, at least the vast majority are not. They are providing a legitimate legal service. What I have seen though is that the cost to the homeowner for this legal service is very steep.

There are also many legitimate Loan Modification and Foreclosure Prevention firms in business that will provide an honest service to homeowners in trouble. The issue is how do you find a good one among so many dishonest ones? And if you do find one, they are normally very expensive, but at least you will get something for your money.

If you should decide to hire a firm to help you, be sure and do your homework. Check with the Better Business Bureau and licensing agencies. This is one of those times where a referral from someone you trust has real value.

Don’t forget that the federal government is now offering some help to homeowners in jeopardy of losing their homes. You might want to consider starting with HUD who offers a state-by-state listing of counselors who are approved by the housing department and offer their services free or at a low cost.

Be blessed,
Wayne

Love all – Trust some – Harm none

Link to me at: www.LinkedIn.com/in/wcweeks
Follow me at: http://twitter.com/wcweeks
Be a friend at: www.Facebook.com

.

Staying in Twitter’s Good Graces While Building Followers Fast

2009-05-07T08:50:00.000-07:00

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If you are fairly new to Twitter, there are probably some things about it you don’t yet know, but that you need to know. Where Twitter is concerned ignorance is NOT bliss. In fact, break a rule or two and you can get your Twitter account suspended. I have not personally experienced this, but have seen many suspended accounts in a few short months of tweeting. Just from that casual observation I can tell you I don’t want to experience it!

OK… so your Twitter account is open and you have a few followers but you would like to have a lot more. As you look around on Twitter you see people with thousands of followers. In fact, about mid-month April 2009, one Ashton Kutcher became the first member of Twitter to have over one million followers. How did he do that? I haven’t a clue, but how to get one million followers is not what this article is about. I just wanted to point out that having a lot of followers is possible, if you do it right.

There are some guidelines at Twitter that you will need to observe. The first one is to realize that Twitter forces you to start slow. You need to try to balance your followers with those you are following. I’m not talking about the need to follow who is following you, but that the number of followers and those you are following stay fairly close. This is most important while those following you total less than 2000. Until you get to that number you will not normally be able to follow more than 2000 yourself.

Start by following people you know. Follow all of them as they are likely to follow you back. Then start to add others, that you don’t know, but might like to know. You can use Twitter’s search feature to find people with interests similar to yours. Follow them, but don’t follow too many each day. You will probably be ok to follow 50 new each day, or 10% above the number of your followers, whichever is larger. Once you get past the 2000 block imposed by Twitter you will be able to step this up a bit, but in any event you probably won’t want to follow more than 15% above the number of people following you. Twitter has some sort of stop in place, but they don’t let that out. Let’s assume you get to 5000 followers. That means you can follow around 5750. Since about 1/3 of the new people you follow will follow you back, that means of the 750 above 5000 about 250 will follow you back. Having a few over 10,000 following me, I am following a little over 11,000

I don’t use any sort of qualifying to select who I will follow, except I follow people following interesting people. I make the assumption there will be common ground. I try and follow all the new people I am going to follow on Friday, and stop following all who are not following me back each Thursday. That way I am covering the weekend users and giving the weekday users several days to follow me back.

OK… time for some personal bias. I don’t follow anyone who does not have a picture posted to their Twitter profile. It does not necessarily have to be a picture of them, but there must be some picture posted. My reasoning here is that if they won’t even take the time to put up a picture, they probably are not serious about Twitter and probably won’t be around very long. Most of the time I won’t follow those who don’t have a person’s name. I like to avoid the strange ones out there. I also won’t follow any one with evidence of any sexual overtones. If I see any profanity in their posts I immediately un-follow. I don’t follow anyone with any sort of title in their name line, especially Dr. or PHD. The reason is simple… my experience has been that they don’t follow back.

All you really need to do is set a regular somewhat conservative routine of following and un-following and you will be into the big numbers before you know it. Happy Tweeting!

If you want a lot of Twitter followers fast, check this out: http://bit.ly/sOlA1

Be blessed,
Wayne

Love all – Trust some – Harm none
http://www.capstone-ministries.org/

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JESUS NOT INVITED TO OBAMA’S GEORGETOWN SPEECH

2009-04-22T08:45:00.000-07:00

This is a dual post. I posted it a few days ago on another blog -
Restarting America - http://www.americanrestart.com/
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Jusus Not Invited to Obama's Georgetown Speech

You know people, I am irritated.

A few days ago President Obama gave a speech at Georgetown University. First, let me say I find it troubling that Georgetown University, a Catholic university, would invite anyone who is pro-abortion and pro-fetal stem research to to speak there. But even more troubling is that once Obama accepted the invitation, his staff requested that a symbol of Jesus be covered up and the university agreed.

The symbol that needed to be hidden was “IHS.” Without going into a lengthy explanation, let me say that it is actually an abbreviation of the name Jesus.

The White House spin is that concealing the monogram was not their intention but that they wanted to provide a suitable background for the flags that typically appear when an American president speaks. Balderdash! Look at where the flags are and where the monogram was.

I wonder if anyone at the White House would have had to guts to ask that a Star of David be removed if Obama were invited to speak at a Synagogue, or request head scarves be removed if speaking at a Mosque? Somehow I don’t think so. But to belittle Jesus, well, that’s OK.

Mr. President and White House staff… that’s NOT OK. Jesus is my King, and God is keeping track.

Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. Galatians 6:7

If anyone is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels. Luke 9:26

So it seems it’s OK for the president of the United States to bow before the Muslim ruler of another country, and it’s OK to shake the hand of the leader of Venezuela, Hugo Chavez a sworn enemy of the United States, but he cannot give a speech at a Catholic university and have the name of Jesus showing.

Be careful Mr. President…

Your comments are welcomed and appreciated. Especially welcome are suggestions of subject matter.

God bless America,

Wayne

Love all – Trust some – Harm none

Link to me at: www.LinkedIn.com/in/wcweeks

Follow me at: http://twitter.com/wcweeks

Be a friend at: www.Facebook.com

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The Jesus of the Old Testament

2009-04-15T08:36:00.000-07:00

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A while back I wrote an article about how Jesus actually spoke some of the Psalms and David recorded them. That brought about a surprising response from some readers. A number of them told me I was wrong because the Psalms had been written before Jesus was born.

People, please don’t take this wrong, but Jesus has always existed with God, the Father. Jesus was born into human form to complete the work that God sent him to do, but he existed long before that physical human birth. He has existed for all time, as has God. Jesus was born in human form so that He could die on the cross to save all of mankind, and fulfill God’s sovereign plan.

The gospel of John chapter 1 verse 1 reads: "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." In this verse, the Word refers to Jesus Christ, who is distinct from the Father and yet is God in the fullest sense.

If you now go to the first page of the Bible, Genesis 1 and read the entire chapter, just 31 verses you will have covered the six creation days. Pay special attention the verse 26: Then God said, "Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move along the ground." Read that verse again slowly. God used the word "us" and the word "our." Who was he talking to? He was talking to Jesus of course. It could have been no one else.

Also, Jesus said: "Moses wrote of me" (John 5:46). Moses lived about fifteen hundred years before Jesus! How could Moses have any knowledge of Jesus, unless it was divinely revealed to him by God, perhaps by Jesus Himself?

The majority of Christians understand that Jesus, along with the Holy Spirit and the Father make up the triune God, or the trinity. But a lot of Christians don’t realize that Jesus is revealed in the Old Testament. From John 1:1 we know that Jesus is "the Word" or that "the Word" is indeed Jesus. We also know, from John 6:46 that no one has seen the Father except the one who is from God. From Colossians 1:15 we know we know that Jesus is the image of the invisible God.

Understanding that, we must ponder the following Old Testament scriptures indicating seeing God:

Genesis 16:7-13 -- Hagar saw God.
Genesis 18-19:1 – Abraham saw God.
Genesis 32:28 -- Jacob saw God.
Exodus 33:11 -- Moses saw God.
Joshua 5:13-6:2 -- Joshua saw God.
Judges 6:11-23 -- Gideon saw God.
Isaiah 6:5 -- Isaiah saw God.
Job 42:5 -- Job saw God.

This list was not intended to be exhaustive so there may be others who saw God.

In view of John 1:1 and John 1:18 & 6:46 -- Who did they see? It was not God the Father, so we are left with no other choice except Jesus, the visual image of the godhead.

So my friends, since Jesus has been with God for all time and working along with Him, it’s pretty safe to conclude that Jesus did indeed speak some of the Psalms.

Learn more at: www.Capstone-Ministries.org

Be blessed,
Wayne

Love all – Trust some – Harm none

Link to me at: www.LinkedIn.com/in/wcweeks
Follow me at: http://twitter.com/wcweeks
Be a friend at: www.Facebook.com
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THE SPIRIT OF HOLY WEEK

2009-04-10T08:40:00.000-07:00

It's Saturday. What a week it has been. It is very dark in here, and a bit cool. Not cold, just a bit cool. I think these linen cloths they wrapped my body in keep it from being too cold. You see, it was yesterday I died, but you know that. Are you wondering how I can sense cool or cold? Remember that I have always existed, from before the beginning, and will exist forever. There are no blank spots in my existence, not even when my body was dead and in this tomb. I am the Alpha and the Omega. I have almost completed my work here on earth. I have suffered; I have died; and tomorrow I will rise again. Tomorrow morning when Mary Magdalene and the other Mary come to anoint my body, they will find it is not here, but I will have someone explain it to them.

I have cried a lot in the past few hours, not because of my circumstances, but because of yours. You see, I have done what was required of me, and I did it to save you. To my sadness, there are many of you who still won't acknowledge me. Even after all I have done for you, because of my love for you. Yesterday, I cried out "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" But I know why; it was for you -- because of my love for you. So now I ask you -- why are you forsaking me? I love you -- please come to me.

Oh yes, what a week it has been. It was just last Sunday that I arrived in Jerusalem. I entered the town on a donkey amidst shouts of "Hosanna to the Son of David, the King of Israel. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord" from an enthusiastic welcoming crowd. It was only a short time later the same crowd was yelling "Crucify him!" , but that did not stop me from loving them. They did not know what they were doing.

On Monday, there was a little incident at the temple. When I got there, merchants were buying and selling doves and other things, and money changers were profiting from very active trade. They had turned my house into a den of robbers! How dare they! My house is to be a house of prayer. So, I turned over their tables and drove them from the temple. What else could I do? They had created an environment of stealing instead of healing. It could not be tolerated.

Tuesday was a little better. I was able to spend some time teaching at the temple. But even while doing so, my authority was questioned. Later in the day I went to the home of Simon the Leper. A woman there named Mary poured some nice perfume on my head, and then poured the nard on my feet and wiped my feet with her hair. She really didn't know it but she was preparing my body for burial.

Wednesday is the day that the plot against me began to take shape. Judas went to the chief priests and asked them what they would give him if he would hand me over to them. They gave him thirty silver coins.

Thursday I enjoyed Passover in a large upper room with my disciples. I let Judas know that I knew he would betray me. He denied it, but we know the truth, don't we? During the meal I taught the disciples about the new covenant and how to stay in communion with me with bread and wine. The bread is my body, and the wine is my blood -- poured out for you. Later in the day we went to Gethsemane because I wanted to pray. I was very distressed and troubled. My soul was overwhelmed with sorrow. I fell to the ground in prayer and asked the Father to take this cup from me if it was possible, but I knew it wasn't possible, and I wept. Sweat that was like blood dripped from my body. I was in torment, but I understood my mission; a mission of love. A mission of salvation.

Friday was the worst! First I was arrested, then a trial that was nothing more than a mock trial. After it ended, I was flogged and handed over to be crucified. What do you know about flogging? Do you know that it is done with a leather whip with multiple ends, and that there are sharp pieces of bone and metal in each end? Do you know that it leaves the back raw and bleeding, and sometimes exposes bones and organs? Do you know that sometimes it actually causes death? Did you know that? I endured that for you -- because I love you. And do you want to know something else? I would do it again -- for you.

After they were done flogging me, they made me carry the cross they were to crucify me on, up the hill to Golgotha. People spit on me and mocked me. They hung me on that cross, between two robbers. They pierced my side with a spear. I died on that cross. I won't tell you how horrible death on a Roman cross is, but you ought to know they came up with this method of execution because it is the most painful death imaginable. My mother was a witness. It is finished. In just a few hours I will leave this tomb, and my mission here will be finished, but I will be with you always -- until the end.

My beloved, I tell you the truth -- I did it for you. You and your salvation. Yet, I weep because some among you won't acknowledge me. Some among you won't listen to what I say when I say "Knock and the door will be opened." I love you so much that I want you to spend eternity with me in paradise. Won't you accept my invitation? Won't you let me live in you? Won't you experience the joy of real life?

CHRIST IS RISEN!
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THE CURSES OF JESUS

2009-04-07T14:26:00.000-07:00

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Since becoming a Christian in 1991, I have spent a lot of time in the Bible. I have read it several times and one time even front to back. I have spent many hours in Bible study with others. But I just learned something that blew me away! I must admit that in all of the Bible reading I have done, I have never been very fond of the Psalms. They seemed repetitious to me, with David asking God to crush his enemies. As you know, David wrote most of the Psalms.

So, what is it I just learned? I learned that while David was the instrument to get the Psalms down on paper, what he was recording was not his own thoughts. David was recording prayers of our Lord, Jesus. Armed with that revelation, the Psalms took on a new meaning for me and became very interesting.

In many of the Psalms the psalmist seems to desire destruction, shame, judgment, fear, defeat, scattering, persecution, confusion and even death of his enemies. The Psalms containing such reflected desires are known as "imprecatory" or curse Psalms. The curse itself is called an imprecation.

So, now understanding that these imprecations are prayers of Jesus, then we now understand that these are curses from Jesus. It is Jesus calling down curses, from God, on His enemies. It is interesting to note that only Jesus can do that. We cannot, and David could not. Jesus teaches us to love our enemies and that we cannot seek revenge on out enemies as vengeance belongs only to God.

How then do we reconcile Jesus’ teaching of love your enemies with His curse prayers? That is not as difficult as you might think. The Lord Jesus Christ is praying these prayers of vengeance. They had to be of Christ for them to make any sense at all. These prayers signal an alarm to all that continue to be an enemy of Jesus. And, His prayers will be answered! God’s wrath will be revealed upon all that oppose Christ. Anyone who refuses to acknowledge the work Jesus did on the cross and rejects Him will bear the dreadful curses of God.

We must accept Jesus fully if we are to truly know who he is. There is perfect harmony in the Person of Christ. We must know Him as the loving and merciful Savior who forgives sin. We must also know him as the one who is coming in judgment of all who disobey His gospel.

2 Thessalonians 1:6-10 says "God is just: He will pay back trouble to those who trouble you and give relief to you who are troubled, and to us as well. This will happen when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven in blazing fire with His powerful angels. He will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. They will be punished with everlasting destruction and shut out from the presence of the Lord and from the majesty of His power on the day He comes to be glorified in His holy people and to be marveled at among all those who have believed."

If you are still have some trouble accepting the imprecations as being from Jesus, the epitome of love and forgiveness, then consider the imprecations of Jesus contained in the New Testament. A good place to start is with Matthew chapter 23; Known as Seven Woes. Verses 13, 15, 16, 23, 24, 27 and 29 all condemn and call forth the judgment of God to fall on them. Clearly these are curses very similar to the imprecations of the Psalms. Then in verse 33, Jesus says "You snakes! You brood of vipers! How will you escape being condemned to hell?" This is quite a strong curse. You can see another in Matthew 26:23-24. I think I have made my point, but you can find other curses in the New Testament.

To say Jesus is love is indeed a correct statement, but He is clearly much, much more than just love.

Be blessed,
Wayne

Love all – Trust some – Harm none

Link to me at: www.LinkedIn.com/in/wcweeks
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A NEW SCHOOL PRAYER

2009-03-31T15:48:00.000-07:00

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This has been around for a little while, but it is one of those things that should be read by everyone from time to time. This was most recently sent to my by a Zapper friend named James. Thanks Zapper James.

It is often attributed to a school aged child of 12 to 14 years of age and often to a different child. It is commonly credited to 12 year old in Arizona. I checked with Snopes and they indicate "undetermined" as to the source. In my opinion it does not matter who wrote it, the content is still valid.

Since the Pledge of Allegiance & The Lord's Prayer are not allowed in many public schools anymore—

Please think about this as you read it.

A NEW School prayer

Now I sit me down in school
Where praying is against the rule
For this great nation under God
Finds mention of Him very odd.
If Scripture now the class recites,
It violates the Bill of Rights.
And anytime my head I bow
Becomes a Federal matter now.
Our hair can be purple, orange or green,
That's no offense - it's a freedom scene.
The law is specific, the law is precise.
Prayers spoken aloud are a serious vice.
For praying in a public hall
Might offend someone with no faith at all.
In silence alone we must meditate,
God's name is prohibited by the state.
We're allowed to cuss and dress like freaks,
And pierce our noses, tongues and cheeks.
They've outlawed guns, but FIRST the Bible.
To quote the Good Book makes me liable.
We can elect a pregnant Senior Queen,
And the 'unwed daddy,' our Senior King.
It's 'inappropriate' to teach right from wrong,
We're taught that such 'judgments' do not belong.
We can get our condoms and birth controls,
Study witchcraft, vampires and totem poles.
But the Ten Commandments are not allowed,
No word of God must reach this crowd.
It's scary here I must confess,
When chaos reigns the school's a mess.
So, Lord, this silent plea I make:
Should I be shot; My soul please take !!!
Amen.

Think about where we are people…

Your comments are welcomed and appreciated.

Be sure to watch for my new blog "Restarting America" which will begin posts tomorrow, April 1. Save this URL so you can visit daily: http://www.americanrestart.com/

Be blessed,
Wayne

Love all – Trust some – Harm none

Link to me at: www.LinkedIn.com/in/wcweeks
Follow me at: http://twitter.com/wcweeks
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.

HOW LONG DO WE HAVE?

2009-03-24T10:55:00.000-07:00

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ALEXANDER FRASER TYTLER, (Lord Woodhouselee) was born in Edinburgh, on the 15th of October, 1747. He has been credited with the following:

"A democracy is always temporary in nature; it simply cannot exist as a permanent form of government. A democracy will continue to exist up until the time that voters discover they can vote themselves generous gifts from the public treasury. From that moment on, the majority always vote for the candidates who promise the most benefits from the public treasury, with the result that every democracy will finally collapse due to loose fiscal policy, which is always followed by a dictatorship."

The average age of the world's greatest civilizations from the beginning of history, has been about 200 years. During those 200 years, those nations always progressed through the following sequence:

1. from bondage to spiritual faith;
2. from spiritual faith to great courage;
3. from courage to liberty;
4. from liberty to abundance;
5. from abundance to complacency;
6. from complacency to apathy;
7. from apathy to dependence;
8. from dependence back into bondage

So, my friends, if this is true where do you see the United States right not? I would say around 6-7. How fast are we progressing? How long do we have?

Your comments are welcomed and appreciated.

Be sure to watch for my new blog "Restarting America" which will begin posts on April 1. Save this URL so you can visit daily: http://www.americanrestart.com/

Be blessed,
Wayne

Love all – Trust some – Harm none

Link to me at: www.LinkedIn.com/in/wcweeks
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AMERICA AND LOAN MODIFICATIONS

2009-03-17T09:39:00.000-07:00

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I kept telling myself that I was not going to write this one, but here I go. You may or may not know that I have spent the last several months in the Foreclosure Prevention/Loan Modification business. So I write from personal knowledge via experience and inside observation. I know first hand that what I am about to say is correct.

First, let me say that I am no longer in that industry, and I am no longer in that industry for two reasons.

First reason: During my short few months doing Foreclosure Prevention/Loan Modification I watched the industry become engorged with charlatans, scam artists and out & out crooks. It seems there are more people trying to take advantage of financially troubled homeowners than there are legitimate helpful businesspersons wanting to help the financially burdened homeowners. I could not in good conscience continue in an industry so full of crooks that I was ashamed to tell people what I did. The last thing I need is to be painted with the same brush as the charlatans, scam artists and crooks. My reputation is too important to me.

Second reason: In the recent past I began getting more and more calls from people who were not having a problem making their mortgage payments. These are people who purchased a house and it had dropped in value, like many. One that is fresh in my mind was a situation where the homeowners had paid $600,000 for the home a couple of years ago, financed almost 100% of that purchase price and now the home has an estimated value of $400,000. They wanted the loan reduced to that amount. What gall! They freely paid the going price for the home, but because the market has set a new value, they want the bank to take a $200,000. Loss. They have no hardship; they can make the payments, but just want the mortgage amount lowered. In my opinion they are as criminal as the scammers mentioned above. They are simply trying to profit from the economic chaos.

Wake up America! If you make a purchase and the economic circumstances change what effect does that have on your promise and obligation to pay. You signed your name and made a commitment. Have we reached the point in America that our promise means nothing? Is it the responsibility of government to bail us out of every poor decision we make? Using a tactic I learned from a friend, I asked these people a simple question: If the market had gone the other direction and the home was now valued at $800,000, would you be ready to give the gain to the bank? If not, then why the heck do you think the bank should eat the $200,000 loss caused by your poor judgement? It just makes no sense.

It’s time for America to start regaining our moral compass. Perhaps honoring our commitments and promises is a good place to start.

Be blessed,
Wayne
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HOW CLOSE WE CAME!

2009-03-13T09:35:00.001-07:00

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Though it was not widely publicized we, the United States, narrowly averted the catastrophe of a complete economic collapse last September. On September 18, 2008 there was an "electronic run" on the U.S. Banking system that could have caused a collapse the entire economy of the U.S., and within 24 hours the world economy would have collapsed. It would have been the end of our economic system and our political system as we know it.

This is very scary stuff, and except for Rush Limbaugh and just a few others, nothing was reported about this. Democratic Representative Paul Kanjorski made attempts to get some information public but was greatly ignored. He had taken his information from the September 24 House Financial Services hearing at which both Paulson and Bernanke are present. He paraphrased what Paulson and Bernanke had said:

Begin paraphrase:

On Thursday (Sept 18), at 11am the Federal Reserve noticed a tremendous draw-down of money market accounts in the U.S., to the tune of $550 billion was being drawn out in the matter of an hour or two. The Treasury opened up its window to help and pumped a $105 billion in the system and quickly realized that they could not stem the tide. We were having an electronic run on the banks. They decided to close the operation, close down the money accounts and announce a guarantee of $250,000 per account so there wouldn't be further panic out there.

If they had not done that, their estimation is that by 2pm that afternoon, $5.5 trillion would have been drawn out of the money market system of the U.S., would have collapsed the entire economy of the U.S., and within 24 hours the world economy would have collapsed. It would have been the end of our economic system and our political system as we know it.

We are no better off today than we were 3 months ago because we have a decrease in the equity positions of banks because other assets are going sour by the moment.

End paraphrase:

I know that Kanjorski has from time to time been dismissed as a bit scatterbrained, but you can see and hear for yourself.

http://financialserv.edgeboss.net/wmedia/financialserv/hearing092408.wvx

This is a long video, so I suggest you fast forward to the 1 hour, 50 minute and 48 second mark. This is archived footage from the September 24 House Financial Services hearing at which both Paulson and Bernanke are present.

I had wondered why the bank account guarantee figure had suddenly gone from $100,000 to $250,000. Now I know why! It was done to stem a potential crisis. A potential crisis our elected representatives did not want us to know about.

Let’s not forget this!

Wayne

Love all – Trust some – Harm none

Capstone Christian Ministries
I Cured Type ll Diabetes and You Can Too!
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Storing Wine for Aging

2009-03-05T09:39:00.000-08:00

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Although position is important when storing wine, temperature is the most important storing factor overall. Even though you may not have the ideal conditions for storage, you should always have the optimal level of temperature. The temperature when storing your wine is very important, as it affects the overall quality, flavor, and longevity of the wine. Most wines need to be stored for long periods of time, which is why the temperature is so very important.

The temperature for storing wine should always be between 50 and 65 degrees F. When stored in this range, the wine will develop quite nicely. In the days before refrigeration, wine was stored in underground cellars and caves. When refrigeration came along, it quickly became the easiest and most preferred way to store wine, as it allowed you to maintain the same desired temperature.

In this day and age, science plays a major role with wine making. Science has proved over the years that aging is actually a chain of chemical reactions that occur over time. Depending on the temperature, the chemical reactions can either be good or bad. Chemical reactions all have unique energy factors that need to be met for each individual reaction to happen. If the temperature isn’t right, the chemical reactions in the wine won’t occur.

If wine is stored in direct sunlight or in a hot area, the increase in temperature can result in a chemical reaction that can damage both the flavor and the quality of the wine. Wine that has been damaged from heat will normally turn brown due to the oxidation. When this happens, the flavor and quality of the wine won’t be any good. Wine that is damaged from heat loses all of it’s flavor and color, making it virtually impossible to drink - or sell.

Colder temperatures on the other hand may slow the aging process, although it can also prevent the wine from getting the chemical reactions it needs as well. Lower temperatures may not affect the quality or taste of the wine, although it isn’t recommended. All bottles of wine, until they have been opened, should be stored in a location with a temperature above 50 degrees F. This way, the wine will be in the proper temperature for storage and able to get the chemical reactions it needs.

You should keep any open bottles in your refrigerator, as the average temperature is normally 41 degrees F. You shouldn’t keep bottles that you haven’t opened in the fridge, as the temperature is much too cold. If you follow the above tips when storing your wine, you’ll find the taste to be spectacular. Storing wine will always raise the value and add to the taste - providing you store it the right way.

Be blessed,
Wayne
Love all – Trust some – Harm none

Capstone Christian Ministries

Wayne’s Treasure Trove

How I Beat Type 2 Diabetes

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MEXICO WINE COUNTRY TRIP

2009-02-22T14:42:00.000-08:00

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As an amateur winemaker and one who enjoys wine, my wife and I planned a trip to the Mexican wine country in upper Baja. Located in the north part of the state of Baja California Norte, the route of wine (Ruta del vino) enjoys Mediterranean weather perfect for growing grapevines. There are just a few places in Mexico that combine these unique features: the altitude, seasons, temperature and summer evening marine breezes - in addition to being home to folks with a love of the art of making wine.

My wife, Susan and I took an early Wednesday morning flight from Sacramento to San Diego, rented a car with Mexican insurance and headed south. It took about 15 minutes to get to the border and 70 minutes after that we were in Ensenada via the toll road (which cost a total of $6.00 from the border to Ensenada – worth every penny).

We checked into the hotel where we had reservations, Hotel Cortez, in the central and tourist section of town. The hotel is about 50 years old but well maintained. We ended up staying there three nights. Since it was about lunchtime, we walked a couple of blocks to a restaurant named “Mariscos de Bahia de Ensenada” that had been recommended to us by the desk clerk at the hotel as a good place to have seafood. It was good recommendation as the food was very good. After lunch it was back to the hotel for a quick nap.

Next was a drive out to Valle de Guadalupe (Guadalupe Valley) which is Mexico’s premier wine region in Baja. It only took about 30 minutes to reach the valley. We poked around there a couple of hours taking in the sites of the valley and the towns of San Antonio de las Minas, El Porvenir and Francisco Zarco. The road between Ensenada and Guadalupe Valley is currently being upgraded from 1 lane each direction to 2 lanes each direction for about 15 miles and was it rough traveling. What made Susan the most nervous is the 2 to 4 foot drop-off on the right side of the lane. Not wanting to be on this road after dark, we were careful to be back in Ensenada before nightfall.

After dark we walked around town a bit and came upon a restaurant and wine bar called Capricho’s and settled in at the bar to try some local wines. We tried 2 glasses each of local reds and found them to be of excellent quality. We were pleasantly surprised to exit after paying only $14.00 before tip. To add to the pleasure of the experience we spent some time talking with the proprietor, Carlos. He is a wealth of information relating to the wines of the area and many other interesting facts, and quite a charming host. If you want to find Capricho’s just ask anyone where Hussongs is. Hussongs Cantina is the Baja's oldest bar and is the verified originator of the margarita - everyone knows where it is. Capricho’s is directly across the street.

Thursday morning we enjoyed a leisurely coffee at a little coffee & tea shop just a door or two down from the hotel. This was one of Ensenada’s several establishments on the main street with charming European style enclosed outdoor seating. Great for people watching! Next we drove to the downtown section of Ensenada, away from the tourist area, where many businesses are located. Our purpose was to visit a dentist Susan had found on the internet, as I needed a small piece of bonding replaced. We visited Dr. Anda and set an appointment for 9:30 Saturday morning. We then visited several pharmacies to obtain a couple of prescription drugs for our dogs. We usually get them on line but thought they’d be a better price in Mexico and indeed they were. We then headed south of Ensenada a few miles to the Baja Country Club. On the way we passed the area where the “big box” American stores are located. There is a Home Depot, Costco, Wal-Mart, Smart & Final to name a few, and an Applebee’s restaurant. We actually stopped in the Wal-Mart for a few minutes. All the aisle signs were in both Spanish and English. Some of the locals call the area “San Dieguito.” That would be “Little San Diego”.

Baja Country Club has an 18-year-old golf course, but residential development surrounding the course has just recently begun. Fairly high quality homes are being built and sold, a few of the homes were occupied, some completed and ready to sell and still others being built. The homes range from 1600 to 1900 square feet, and are situated pretty close together. The construction quality is, I would say, a step or two above the typical quality of housing development homes in the United States. Prices ranged from $170,000 to $250,000. A real good value if one wants that style of living. It doesn’t appeal to either Susan or I as we are not golfers but it was interesting to see.

After a bit more sight seeing, and a nap, it was off to find a place to eat. It was already after 3:00 and we were getting hungry. Susan had heard about Santo Tomas Winery’s restaurant called La Esquina de Bodegas. So we decided that was our late lunch-early dinner target. The restaurant is set in part of the old winery production center, with an adjoining art gallery of local work. Our meal at the Esquina turned out to be a real delight. First we selected a bottle of one of the Santo Tomas red varietals; I don’t remember what it was, but it was quite good. To go with the red we ordered a cheese board to start . Then we both chose one of the 4 course daily specials, Susan had the fish and I ordered the steak. It was a quaint and elegant, yet a cozy place to enjoy a leisurely meal. We each had one additional glass of wine and the total tab came to $46.00 before tip. Talk about real value!

Friday. Breakfast was at Tacos Del Sol about a block from the hotel. We both had the traditional Mexican breakfast of Chilaquiles (con Huevos). Very nice. We enjoyed talking with Jamie Espinoza who waited on us; perhaps he is the proprietor. In any event he is very friendly and interesting.

After breakfast we headed off to Valle de Guadalupe to meet up with Steve Dryden, our guide through the wine country for the day. Steve Dryden is a wine, food and travel writer who lives in the Guadalupe Valley, where he guides individual and small group wine tours. He is an extremely well versed authority on the Valley wines. In addition to his freelance writing, he is also on staff at an English language newspaper, the Baja Times. With Steve we visited 3 local wineries with our first visit to Tres Mujeres (Three Women) artisan winery. Steve had made an appointment for us to have a private tasting. They have a charming rustic wine cave for their tasting room and Ivette, one of winemakers was our lovely hostess. The wines we sampled were delicious. It is sort of a co-op winery started by three women, but now has 6-7 women and a couple of men involved. In Mexico the artisan wineries fall under a different law than the large commercial wineries. It all has to do with taxation, and the number of cases an artisan winery can produce each year is restricted. It seems like a pretty good system to me as it allows someone to get started making and selling their boutique wine and then move up as economics dictate.

The second winery we visited was Rancho Malagon (Viñedos Malagon). Our host there was the very hospitable Nathan Malagon, young winemaker and ranch manager. Nathan shared the history of his family with us and his passion for creating high quality wine was evident. The wines we sampled were excellent. This winery is actually a small commercial winery, not an artisan winery, and they are beginning to export their award winning wine to the U.S.

Our third and final winery visit was to the L.A. Cetto Winery.
L. A. Cetto is one of the most renowned and oldest wineries in Mexico. In addition to the vineyards, L. A. Cetto offers gardens, a picnic area, wine tasting room, and facility tours. Founded by an Italian, Angelo Cetto, history says that Cetto started the wine business in 1930, bought a number of small local wineries in the 1980’s, and now he is responsible for producing more than half of Mexico’s wine. Cetto cultivates 2,500 acres of vineyards in Baja California; also produces tequila and olive oil. This was an interesting visit and the wines were pretty good, but not quite the quality experienced at the two prior wineries.

Now it is early afternoon, about 2:00 PM, and time for a bit of lunch. Steve took us to Los Naranjos Restaurant in Valle de Guadalupe. The good food, verdant gardens and attentive service made for a perfect lunch. Steve shared many insights of life in the Guadalupe Valley and overall it was a memorable experience.

After lunch we parted company with Steve and drove back to Ensenada. Later that evening, we poked around town a bit and decided on going back to Capricho’s for a light supper. We ended up ordering a bottle of wine and a scrumptious cheese plate of local artisan cheeses that went well with the local wine. Once again we chatted with Carlos, the gracious host and owner.

Saturday morning we again had Chilaquiles at our now favorite Tacos Del Sol. Then off to the dentist for my little repair job. The re-bonding of one tooth had been quoted at $450 in the States and my dentist took pity on me when I told him I had no dental insurance and said he could do it for $250. I am glad I decided to put him off. I am very pleased with the work Dr. Anda did in Ensenada, and his charge was $65.00. I love Mexico!

Off to the Guadalupe Valley again. We arrived early afternoon and checked into the B&B where we were to spend the night. Adobe Guadalupe is a working winery, plus a bed and breakfast with six guestrooms. Adobe Guadalupe produces 5000 cases of wine per year. There is a large wine cave where tastings are held in addition to a pool, meditation garden, and of course a wine processing facility. The Moroccan garden is a quiet garden with olive trees from where you can enjoy the view of the vineyards and the mountains. On the grounds are also stables where they currently breed Aztec horses. Aztec horses are the result of a selective mix between pure blood Andalusian and Quarter horses. Everything is very well cared for and attractive.

Sunday morning was breakfast with hour host Don Miller and other guests. Afterwards we all walked out to the stables. Some went horseback riding and Susan and I headed north en route to Tecate.

The terrain in and around Tecate is very different than that of the Guadalupe Valley. It is hilly and very rocky; lots of large boulders. We located the hotel we had been referred to, the Estancia Inn and checked in. We killed a little time then walked about a block to a restaurant named La Mision. The food was quite good. Early to bed Sunday night. Monday morning after breakfast at the hotel restaurant, La Mesquita, we started the trip back to San Diego Airport to catch our flight to Sacramento. It was raining in San Diego. Our trip home was uneventful, and that’s just how I like them.

Overall I am really pleased with this trip and would recommend it to anyone who has an interest in grape growing, wine or just an interest in Mexico. It was time well spent.

Recommendations:
Tacos Del Sol – 1001 Lopez Mateos at Blancarte, Ensenada
Capricho’s Restaurant – 138 Ave. Ruiz, Ensenada
Rincon de Bodegas de Santo Tomas - Avda Miramar 666, Ensenada
Adobe Guadalupe - Col. Rusa de Guadalupe, Valle de Guadalupe
Steve Dryden - Valle de Guadalupe - sbdryden@hotmail.com

Blessings,

Wayne

Love all – Trust some – Harm none

Capstone Christian Ministries

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GOING DOWN THE WRONG ROAD

2009-02-10T06:23:00.000-08:00

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There are times when I see what is happening around me and I am just amazed. That is happening to me right now, as I watch our leaders lead us the wrong direction. The decisions they are making regarding this “Economic Stimulus” stuff are just wrong.

When you try to take in the full program it becomes overwhelming. Numbers in the billions and trillions will cause your head to spin. However, the numbers simply confuse, and the size of the problem does the same thing. So let’s reduce it and take a look.

Let’s reduce the problem down to one family. Let’s assume the family is heavily in debt and their income has been greatly reduced or eliminated. Perhaps they have lost their job. This family knows that they must take some action or they will end up bankrupt. What are the options?

Option 1 - They can spend more money and maybe the people they spend it with will feel so enriched that they will hire them. People, you cannot spend you way out of this kind of problem.

Option 2 – They can borrow more money to live on and wait out the problem. People you cannot borrow your way out of this kind of problem.

OK… Let’s go back to the government. The government gets all of its money from us. That is worth repeating: The government gets all of its money from us. They seem to think if they spend more money, our economic problems will go away. Let’s assume I am a contractor and the government grants me a contract to upgrade government buildings. Where do they get the money to pay me? From you, that’s where! So, they are simply redistributing the money. They are NOT adding anything. They have nothing to add. All they have comes from us. It comes from you, and it come from me.

Now, we the people, via the federal government, own the largest insurance company, many banks and automobile manufacturers. Who knows how many other business we will end up with as we try to stimulate the economy. Can you say SOCIALISM?

Webster: Socialism - Any of various theories or systems of social organization in which the means of producing and distributing goods is owned collectively or by a centralized government that often plans and controls the economy.

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A Page From History

Norman Mattoon Thomas (November 20, 1884 to December 19, 1968) was a leading American socialist, pacifist, and six-time presidential candidate for the Socialist Party of America.

The Socialist Party candidate for President of the U.S., Norman Thomas, said this in a 1944 speech:

"The American people will never knowingly adopt socialism. But, under the name of "liberalism," they will adopt every fragment of the
socialist program, until one day America will be a socialist nation,
without knowing how it happened."

He went on to say: "I no longer need to run as a Presidential Candidate for the Socialist Party. The Democratic Party has adopted our platform."

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So What is the Answer?

The fix for our economic mess is so simple I cannot believe I have not heard anyone mention it.

Temporally suspend corporate income tax for a period of say three years. It is private enterprise, not the government, who create our economy. Currently, the average combined federal and state corporate tax rate in the U.S. is 39.3 percent, second only to Japan's combined rate of 39.5 percent.

This action would create a temporary windfall for corporations. What would they do with this windfall? They would expand, they would increase production, they would build new plants, they would hire more workers. In short, they would do all of the things necessary to really correct our economic woes.

And guess what? The loss of tax revenue would be less than $500 billion per year. Way less than what will be spent trying to fix the problem. And it would not be socialism.

There is you answer Mr. Obama. Wake up and do what will work.

Be blessed,

Wayne

Love all – Trust some – Harm none

Capstone Christian Ministries

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A Modest Sensible Proposal...

2009-02-06T11:37:00.000-08:00

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I did not write this, and I don't know who did, but I like it. Enjoy, Wayne
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A Modest Sensible Proposal...

Dear American liberals, leftists, social progressives, socialists, Marxists, Obama supporters, et al:
We have stuck together since the late 1950's, but the whole of this latest election process has made me realize that I want a divorce. I know we tolerated each other for many years for the sake of future generations, but sadly, this relationship has run its course.

Our two ideological sides of America cannot, and will not ever agree on what is right, so let's just end it on friendly terms. We can smile, chalk it up to irreconcilable differences, and go our own way.

Here is a model dissolution agreement:

Our two groups can equitably divide up the country by landmass each taking a portion. That will be the difficult part, but I am sure our two sides can come to a friendly agreement. After that it should be relatively easy!

Our respective representatives can effortlessly divide other assets since both sides have such distinct and disparate tastes.

We don't like redistributive taxes so you can keep them.
You are welcome to the liberal judges and the ACLU.

Since you hate guns and war, we'll take our firearms, the cops, the NRA, and the military.

You can keep Oprah, Michael Moore, and Rosie O'Donnell (You are, however, responsible for finding a bio-diesel vehicle big enough to move them).

We'll keep the capitalism, greedy corporations, pharmaceutical companies, Wal-Mart, and Wall Street.
You can have your beloved homeless, homeboys, hippies, and illegal aliens. We'll keep the hot Alaskan hockey moms, greedy CEO's, and rednecks.

We'll keep the Bibles and give you NBC and Hollywood.

You can make nice with Iran and Palestine and we'll retain the right to invade and hammer places that threaten us.

You can have the peaceniks and war protestors.

When our allies or way of life are under assault, we'll provide them job security.

We'll keep our Judeo-Christian values..
You are welcome to Islam, Scientology, Humanism, and Shirley McClain.

You can also have the U.N. But we will no longer be paying the bill.

We'll keep the SUVs, pickup trucks, and oversized luxury cars.
You can take every Subaru station wagon you can find.

You can give everyone healthcare, if you can find any practicing doctors.
We'll continue to believe healthcare is a luxury and not a right.

We'll keep The Battle Hymn of the Republic and the National Anthem.
I'm sure you'll be happy to substitute Imagine, I'd Like to Teach the World to Sing, Kum Ba Ya, or We Are the World.

We'll practice trickle down economics, and you can give trickle up poverty its best shot.

Since it often so offends you we'll keep our history, our name, and our flag.

In the spirit of friendly parting, I'll bet you whatever you want on who will need whose help in 15 years.

P.S. Also, we'll throw in Barbra Streisand and Jane Fonda.

Be blessed,
Wayne

www.Capstone-Ministries.org

Weep for the USA

2009-01-28T11:13:00.000-08:00

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Interesting! This is from our friends in the United Kingdown. We shall see. To good not to post. Enjoy!
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Read it and weep for the USA

Sent: Sunday, January 11, 2009 9:57:36 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern
Subject: The Daily Mail in London, England writes:

The Night We Waved Goodbye to America . . .Our Last Best Hope On Earth

Peter Hitchens, Daily Mail (London),

Anyone would think we had just elected a hip, skinny and youthful replacement for God, with a plan to modernize Heaven and Hell - or that at the very least John Lennon had come back from the dead.

The swooning frenzy over the choice of Barack Obama as President of the United States must be one of the most absurd waves of self-deception and swirling fantasy ever to sweep through an advanced civilization. At least Mandela-worship - its nearest equivalent - is focused on a man who actually did something.

I really don't see how the Obama devotees can ever in future mock the Moonies, the Scientologists or people who claim to have been abducted in flying saucers. This is a cult like the one which grew up around Princess Diana, bereft of reason and hostile to facts.

It already has all the signs of such a thing. The newspapers which recorded Obama's victory have become valuable relics. You may buy Obama picture books and Obama calendars and if there isn't yet a children's picture version of his story, there soon will be. Proper books, recording his sordid associates, his cowardly voting record, his astonishingly militant commitment to unrestricted abortion and his blundering trip to Africa, are little-read and hard to find.

If you can believe that this undistinguished and conventionally Left-wing machine politician is a sort of secular savior, then you can believe anything. He plainly doesn't believe it himself. His clichï¿C2-stuffed, PC clunker of an acceptance speech suffered badly from nerves. It was what you would expect from someone who knew he'd promised too much and that from now on the easy bit was over.

He needn't worry too much. From now on, the rough boys and girls of America's Democratic Party apparatus, many recycled from Bill Clinton's stained and crumpled entourage, will crowd round him, to collect the rich spoils of his victory and also tell him what to do, which is what he is used to.

Just look at his sermon by the shores of Lake Michigan. He really did talk about a 'new dawn', and a 'timeless creed' (which was 'yes, we can'). He proclaimed that 'change has come'. He revealed that, despite having edited the Harvard Law Review, he doesn't know what 'enormity' means. He reached depths of oratorical drivel never even plumbed by our own Mr. Blair, burbling about putting our hands on the arc of history (or was it the ark of history?) and bending it once more toward the hope of a better day (Don't try this at home).

I am not making this up. No wonder that awful old hack Jesse Jackson sobbed as he watched. How he must wish he, too, could get away with this sort of stuff.

And it was interesting how the President-elect failed to lift his admiring audience by repeated - but rather hesitant - invocations of the brainless slogan he was forced by his minders to adopt against his will - 'Yes, we can'. They were supposed to thunder 'Yes, we can!' back at him, but they just wouldn't join in.

No wonder. Yes we can what exactly? Go home and keep a close eye on the tax rate, is my advice. He'd have been better off bursting into 'I'd like to teach the world to sing in perfect harmony' which contains roughly the same message and might have attracted some valuable commercial sponsorship.

Perhaps, being a Chicago crowd, they knew some of the things that 52.5 per cent of America prefers not to know. They know Obama is the obedient servant of one of the most squalid and unshakeable political machines in America . They know that one of his alarmingly close associates, a state-subsidized slum landlord called Tony Rezko, has been convicted on fraud and corruption charges.

They also know the US is just as segregated as it was before Martin Luther King - in schools, streets, neighbourhoods, holidays, even in its TV-watching habits and its choice of fast-food joint. The difference is that it is now done by unspoken agreement rather than by law.

If Mr. Obama's election had threatened any of that, his feel-good white supporters would have scuttled off and voted for John McCain, or practically anyone. But it doesn't. Mr. Obama, thanks mainly to the now-departed grandmother he alternately praised as a saint and denounced as a racial bigot, has the huge advantages of an expensive private education. He did not have to grow up in the badlands of useless schools, shattered families and gangs which are the lot of so many young black m en of his generation.

If the nonsensical claims made for this election were true, then every positive discrimination programmed aimed at helping black people into jobs they otherwise wouldn't get should be abandoned forthwith. Noth ing of the kind will happen. On the contrary, there will probably be more of them.

And if those who voted for Obama were all proving their anti-racist nobility, that presumably means that those many millions who didn't vote for him were proving themselves to be hopeless bigots. This is obviously untrue.

I was in Washington DC the night of the election. America 's beautiful capital has a sad secret. It is perhaps the most racially divided city in the world, with 15th Street - which runs due north from the White House - the unofficial frontier between black and white. But, like so much of America, it also now has a new division, and one which is in many ways much more important. I had attended an election-night party in a smart and liberal white area, but was staying the night less than a mile away on the edge of a suburb where Spanish is spoken as much as English, plus a smattering of tongues from such places as Ethiopia, Somalia and Afghanistan.

As I walked, I crossed another of Washington's secret frontiers. There had been a few white people blowing car horns and shouting, as the result became clear. But among the Mexicans, Salvadorans and the Third World nationalities, there was something like ecstasy.

They grasped the real significance of this moment. They knew it meant that America had finally switched sides in a global cultural war. Forget the Cold War, or even the Iraq War. The United States, having for the most part a deeply conservative people, had until now just about stood out against many of the mistakes which have ruined so much of the rest of the world.

Suspicious of welfare addiction, feeble justice and high taxes, totally committed to preserving its own national sovereignty, unabashedly Christian in a world part secular and part Muslim, suspicious of the Great Global Warming panic, it was unique.

These strengths had been fading for some time, mainly due to poorly controlled mass immigration and to the march of political correctness. They had also been weakened by the failure of America's conservative party-the Republicans-to fight on the cultural and moral fronts.

They preferred to posture on the world stage. Scared of confronting Left-wing teachers and sexual revolutionaries at home, they could order soldiers to be brave on their behalf in far-off deserts. And now the US, like Britain before it, has begun the long slow descent into the Third World . How sad.

Where now is our last best hope on Earth?

Be blessed,
Wayne

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1084111/PETER-HITCHENS-The-night-waved-goodbye-America--best-hope-Earth.html

VOTING YOUR MORAL VALUES

2009-01-26T08:03:00.001-08:00

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With the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday just past, I have been thinking about values. He was clear in his campaign for equality and is to be lauded for that. However, at the time not everyone admired his work, in fact many opposed him. He was ahead of his time. He was a leader. He was a man who had the courage of his convictions… his moral convictions.

It is not always that way. In the recent election there was some discussions of whether or not a person should vote as their moral convictions lead them. Today, it seems the general consensus is that it is wrong to vote your moral convictions unless everybody else already shares them. No one ever really explains exactly what constitutes an offense in voting one’s values, but the complaints appear to be aimed mostly at conservative Christians. Christians are viewed as divisive when they try to “force their religious opinions on us.” But, as UCLA law professor Eugene Volokj wrote, “That’s what most lawmaking is – trying to turn one’s opinions on moral or pragmatic subjects into law.”

Those who think Christians should keep their moral views to themselves, it would seem, are bound to deplore many praiseworthy causes. One such cause was the abolition movement, which was mostly evangelical churches courageously applying Christian ideas of equality to the institution of slavery.

It is not surprising that the slave owners frequently used “don’t impose your values on me” arguments. Their contention was that whether or not they owned blacks was nobody else’s business.

I cannot think of a better argument and reason to vote your moral values.

Be blessed,

Wayne

Love all – Trust some – Harm none

www.Capstone-Ministries.org

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The I Have a Dream Speech

2009-01-19T09:42:00.000-08:00

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If you have never taken the time to read this, you really should. It’s amazing!

The following is the exact text of the spoken speech, transcribed from recordings.

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I am happy to join with you today in what will go down in history as the greatest demonstration for freedom in the history of our nation.

Five score years ago, a great American, in whose symbolic shadow we stand today, signed the Emancipation Proclamation. This momentous decree came as a great beacon light of hope to millions of Negro slaves who had been seared in the flames of withering injustice. It came as a joyous daybreak to end the long night of their captivity.

But one hundred years later, the Negro still is not free. One hundred years later, the life of the Negro is still sadly crippled by the manacles of segregation and the chains of discrimination. One hundred years later, the Negro lives on a lonely island of poverty in the midst of a vast ocean of material prosperity. One hundred years later, the Negro is still languishing in the corners of American society and finds himself an exile in his own land. So we have come here today to dramatize a shameful condition.

In a sense we have come to our nation's capital to cash a check. When the architects of our republic wrote the magnificent words of the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence, they were signing a promissory note to which every American was to fall heir. This note was a promise that all men, yes, black men as well as white men, would be guaranteed the unalienable rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

It is obvious today that America has defaulted on this promissory note insofar as her citizens of color are concerned. Instead of honoring this sacred obligation, America has given the Negro people a bad check, a check which has come back marked "insufficient funds." But we refuse to believe that the bank of justice is bankrupt. We refuse to believe that there are insufficient funds in the great vaults of opportunity of this nation. So we have come to cash this check — a check that will give us upon demand the riches of freedom and the security of justice. We have also come to this hallowed spot to remind America of the fierce urgency of now. This is no time to engage in the luxury of cooling off or to take the tranquilizing drug of gradualism. Now is the time to make real the promises of democracy. Now is the time to rise from the dark and desolate valley of segregation to the sunlit path of racial justice. Now is the time to lift our nation from the quick sands of racial injustice to the solid rock of brotherhood. Now is the time to make justice a reality for all of God's children.

It would be fatal for the nation to overlook the urgency of the moment. This sweltering summer of the Negro's legitimate discontent will not pass until there is an invigorating autumn of freedom and equality. Nineteen sixty-three is not an end, but a beginning. Those who hope that the Negro needed to blow off steam and will now be content will have a rude awakening if the nation returns to business as usual. There will be neither rest nor tranquility in America until the Negro is granted his citizenship rights. The whirlwinds of revolt will continue to shake the foundations of our nation until the bright day of justice emerges.

But there is something that I must say to my people who stand on the warm threshold which leads into the palace of justice. In the process of gaining our rightful place we must not be guilty of wrongful deeds. Let us not seek to satisfy our thirst for freedom by drinking from the cup of bitterness and hatred.

We must forever conduct our struggle on the high plane of dignity and discipline. We must not allow our creative protest to degenerate into physical violence. Again and again we must rise to the majestic heights of meeting physical force with soul force. The marvelous new militancy which has engulfed the Negro community must not lead us to a distrust of all white people, for many of our white brothers, as evidenced by their presence here today, have come to realize that their destiny is tied up with our destiny. They have come to realize that their freedom is inextricably bound to our freedom. We cannot walk alone.

As we walk, we must make the pledge that we shall always march ahead. We cannot turn back. There are those who are asking the devotees of civil rights, "When will you be satisfied?" We can never be satisfied as long as the Negro is the victim of the unspeakable horrors of police brutality. We can never be satisfied, as long as our bodies, heavy with the fatigue of travel, cannot gain lodging in the motels of the highways and the hotels of the cities. We cannot be satisfied as long as the Negro's basic mobility is from a smaller ghetto to a larger one. We can never be satisfied as long as our children are stripped of their selfhood and robbed of their dignity by signs stating "For Whites Only". We cannot be satisfied as long as a Negro in Mississippi cannot vote and a Negro in New York believes he has nothing for which to vote. No, no, we are not satisfied, and we will not be satisfied until justice rolls down like waters and righteousness like a mighty stream.

I am not unmindful that some of you have come here out of great trials and tribulations. Some of you have come fresh from narrow jail cells. Some of you have come from areas where your quest for freedom left you battered by the storms of persecution and staggered by the winds of police brutality. You have been the veterans of creative suffering. Continue to work with the faith that unearned suffering is redemptive.

Go back to Mississippi, go back to Alabama, go back to South Carolina, go back to Georgia, go back to Louisiana, go back to the slums and ghettos of our northern cities, knowing that somehow this situation can and will be changed. Let us not wallow in the valley of despair.

I say to you today, my friends, so even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream. It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream.

I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: "We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal."

I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood.

I have a dream that one day even the state of Mississippi, a state sweltering with the heat of injustice, sweltering with the heat of oppression, will be transformed into an oasis of freedom and justice.

I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.

I have a dream today.

I have a dream that one day, down in Alabama, with its vicious racists, with its governor having his lips dripping with the words of interposition and nullification; one day right there in Alabama, little black boys and black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and white girls as sisters and brothers.

I have a dream today.

I have a dream that one day every valley shall be exalted, every hill and mountain shall be made low, the rough places will be made plain, and the crooked places will be made straight, and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together.

This is our hope. This is the faith that I go back to the South with. With this faith we will be able to hew out of the mountain of despair a stone of hope. With this faith we will be able to transform the jangling discords of our nation into a beautiful symphony of brotherhood. With this faith we will be able to work together, to pray together, to struggle together, to go to jail together, to stand up for freedom together, knowing that we will be free one day.

This will be the day when all of God's children will be able to sing with a new meaning, "My country, 'tis of thee, sweet land of liberty, of thee I sing. Land where my fathers died, land of the pilgrim's pride, from every mountainside, let freedom ring."

And if America is to be a great nation this must become true. So let freedom ring from the prodigious hilltops of New Hampshire. Let freedom ring from the mighty mountains of New York. Let freedom ring from the heightening Alleghenies of Pennsylvania!

Let freedom ring from the snowcapped Rockies of Colorado!

Let freedom ring from the curvaceous slopes of California!

But not only that; let freedom ring from Stone Mountain of Georgia!

Let freedom ring from Lookout Mountain of Tennessee!

Let freedom ring from every hill and molehill of Mississippi. From every mountainside, let freedom ring.

And when this happens, when we allow freedom to ring, when we let it ring from every village and every hamlet, from every state and every city, we will be able to speed up that day when all of God's children, black men and white men, Jews and Gentiles, Protestants and Catholics, will be able to join hands and sing in the words of the old Negro spiritual, "Free at last! free at last! thank God Almighty, we are free at last!"

Be blessed,

Wayne

Love all – Trust some – Harm none

www.Capstone-Ministries.org

http://www.curetype2diabetes.info/

http://www.yourfinancingconsultant.com/

Link to me at: http://www.linkedin.com/home
Follow me at: http://twitter.com/wcweeks
Be a friend at: http://www.facebook.com/home.php

.

COME BACK COWBOYS

2009-01-13T17:10:00.000-08:00

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I was born a bit after the Great Depression on August 14, 1943, during World War 2, about 20 months after Japan attacked Pearl Harbor, in a little town in northern California named Colusa. It’s in a county by the same name, and located a few miles southwest of Sacramento. I lived there until I was seven or eight years old. Obviously, I don’t recall a lot about those first seven or eight years, but I do have a few memories. I remember walking to the movie theatre on some Saturdays to see a western serial movie. It cost 10 cents to get in, and 10 cents for popcorn. On a good Saturday I got a quarter, and could buy a candy bar or a soda too. Most Saturdays though, I got just the dime it cost to get in. That was OK. After all, we were a country just out of a war, and I was not from a wealthy family. In fact, I did not know it yet, but we were quite financially poor. For the dime we got: News Reel, a cartoon and usually a double feature. For that dime I would be captivated for an hour and a half or two hours by such great cowboys as: Roy Rogers, Gene Autry, Hopalong Cassidy (William Boyd), The Cisco Kid & Pancho (Duncan Renaldo & Leo Carrillo), Randolph Scott, Lash LaRue, Smily Burnett and Tex Ritter. They greatly impacted the moral values of an entire generation. When they died, a little bit of America died too. If you haven’t heard of them, do a little research. You will learn something of value. These were real American heros. Why? Because of the common attributes of these legendary cowboys, like:

1. They were never looking for trouble, but when it came, they faced it with courage.
2. They were always on the side of right.
3. They defended good people against bad people.
4. They had high moral standards.
5. They had good manners.
6. They were honest.
7. They spoke their minds and they spoke the truth, regardless of what people thought or "political correctness," which no one had ever heard of back then.
8. They were a beacon of integrity in the wild, wild West.
9. They were respected. When they walked into a saloon
(where they usually drank only sarsaparilla), the place became quiet, and
the bad guys kept their distance.
10. If they got in a gunfight, they made sure they could
outdraw anyone because they did what it took to prepare for the worst. If
in a fist-fight, they could beat anyone.
11. They always won. They always got their man. In victory,
they didn't stay around to take the credit and have the town give them a
parade, they just rode off into the sunset.
12. Cowboys in white hats were always on the side of right, and that was
their might.

Those were the days when there was such a thing as right and wrong, something blurred in our modern world, and denied by many. Those were the days when women were respected and treated as ladies, because they acted like ladies. Now as a mature adult, I still like cowboys. They represented something good -- something pure that America has been missing.

So, I long for the return of the cowboy…

Be blessed,

Wayne

Love all – Trust some – Harm none

www.Capstone-Ministries.org

http://www.curetype2diabetes.info/

http://www.yourfinancingconsultant.com/

Link to me at: http://www.linkedin.com/home
Follow me at: http://twitter.com/wcweeks
.
.

CAUTION: SOCIAL NETWORKING CAN COST YOU A JOB…

2009-01-09T11:25:00.001-08:00

*****************************************************************************

If you are happy with your job, or are looking for a new job both can be impacted by your social networking. A lot of people of all ages are finding the social network sites like: Facebook, MySpace, Twitter and even LinkedIn fun and entertaining. There is absolutely nothing wrong with using them, but you need to use some discretion and common sense.

With smaller budgets and less staff to conduct interviews, companies are increasingly using social networking sites as a way to screen prospective hires. Its an easy thing to check most popular social network sites for a profile and get a sense of who the prospect really is. So, if you are going to be online remember that everyone can see you. You and your friends should be very careful what you post. Stay away from things like off-color jokes, stories or comments. A picture of you holding a drink won’t help your job prospects.

Social networking sites typically let you post as much information about yourself as you like, including your education, work history and favorite music and books. You can join countless fan groups or causes. Status updates, which tell how you're feeling at any moment, offer yet more clues about you. How much you should reveal varies depending on your unique situation. The bottom line is that if you're looking to land (or keep) a job, you need treat your online profile like a resume.

Most of these sites do offer some privacy options that can somewhat restrict who sees what. That said, it's always safer to assume anything you post online can become public. After all, Facebook alone has more than 140 million registered users and LinkedIn, which is widely used by recruiters, has more than 33 million users worldwide. If a recruiter comes across your profile, there's a risk they'll judge you based on information that's not relevant to a job you may desire.

So, as I said at the start of this article, if you are looking for, or looking to keep a job, discretion and common sense are in order. Use your social networking skills to help, not hinder your job opportunities.
Be blessed,

Wayne

Love all – Trust some – Harm none

www.Capstone-Ministries.org

http://www.curetype2diabetes.info/

http://www.yourfinancingconsultant.com/

Link to me at: http://www.linkedin.com/home
Follow me at: http://twitter.com/wcweeks

ONE MORE BAILOUT NEEDED

2009-01-05T08:11:00.000-08:00

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It looks like we are about to have a veritable perfect storm of bankruptcies, foreclosures, lost incomes, credit card losses and we will be living from paycheck to paycheck. It is possible that for up to 20% of the United States population, there will be no paycheck to depend, on and credit lines will dry up.

The Treasury Department's $700 billion bailout plan, also known as the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP), is one of the main U.S. tools to address the financial crisis. Here is where the money has gone so far:

AIG $40 billion
JP Morgan $25 billion
Citigroup $25 billion
Wells Fargo $25 billion
Bank of America $15 billion
Merrill Lynch $10 billion
Goldman Sachs $10 billion
Morgan Stanley $10 billion
PNC Financial Services $7.7 billion
Bank of New York Mellon $3 billion
State Street Corp $2 billion
Capital One Financial $3.55 billion
Fifth Third Bancorp $3.45 billion
Regions Financial $3.5 billion
SunTrust Banks $3.5 billion
BB&T Corp $3.1 billion
KeyCorp $2.5 billion
Comerica $2.25 billion
Marshall & Ilsley Corp $1.7 billion
Northern Trust Corp $1.5 billion
Huntington Bancshares $1.4 billion
Zions Bancorp $1.4 billion
First Horizon National $866 million
City National Corp $395 million
Valley National Bancorp $330 million
UCBH Holdings Inc $298 million
Umpqua Holdings Corp $214 million
Washington Federal $200 million
First Niagara Financial $186 million
HF Financial Corp $25 million
Bank of Commerce $17 million
Chrysler $4 billion (more auto mfg bailout $ coming)

There may have been a few more since this list was compiled and we know commitments have been made to at least one other auto manufacture, but for this list:

TOTAL: $207.08 billion

Even so… there is one more bailout needed. And it will have a much greater impact than all of the above bailouts.

We need a MORAL bailout!

This much needed bailout has seven parts:

Part one – We have had, and have, an excessive belief in our own abilities. As a nation and individually we think we can do anything and everything. We have no limits.

Part two – As a nation and individually we have desired others traits, status, abilities, or situation.

Part three – As a nation and individually we have an inordinate desire to consume more than that which we require.

Part four – As a nation and individually we have deteriorated to the point that everything sexual is acceptable. Porn is rampant and readily available. We have an inordinate craving for the pleasures of the body.

Part five – As a nation and individually we have lost control of ourselves in our relationships with others. We attempt to control others by an expression of fury and/or threats.

Part six – As a nation and individually we have become selfish and covetous. We have an inordinate desire for material wealth or gain.

Part seven – As a nation and individually we have become lazy. We expect provisions from others when we won’t fend for ourselves. The United States has more people on government welfare (support) than ever before in our history.

There you have it folks… the seven parts of the needed bailout…

Pride, Envy, Gluttony, Lust, Anger, Greed & Sloth. The Seven Deadly Sins!

Fortunately, the bailout is readily available… to you and to me. It is available to everyone!

Its called the BIBLE. Why not start collecting your share of the bailout now!

Be blessed,

Wayne

Love all – Trust some – Harm none

www.Capstone-Ministries.org

http://www.curetype2diabetes.info/

http://www.yourfinancingconsultant.com/

Link to me at: http://www.linkedin.com/home
Follow me at: http://twitter.com/wcweeks

.

MEDICAL MIRACLES

2008-12-30T11:06:00.000-08:00

***********************************************************************

Do you know anyone who was diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes in the last five years who was subsequently declared healed? The medical establishment is very reluctant to ever declare someone healed of this disease. Yet they did, and the answer to the question is “yes” if you know me.

Do you know anyone who, in the past three years had abdominal surgery to repair hernias (up to 3), who, when the surgeon began the surgery found there were actually 5? It took a rather large piece of surgical mesh to fix them all, and resulted in a very painful recovery. The answer to the question is “yes” if you know me.

Do you know anyone who, in the past three years was diagnosed with, and cured of, prostate cancer? The cure involved both radiation and hormone therapy. Daily radiation for seven weeks (37 days) and a year of hormone therapy. A year of hormone therapy will give men a whole new empathy for women in menopause! The answer to the question is “yes” if you know me.

Do you know anyone who, in the past year, was diagnosed with Deep Vein Thrombosis (blood clot in the upper leg) and subsequently cured. A portion of the cure required daily self-injection (sometimes twice a day). The answer to the question is “yes” if you know me.

By now you are probably wondering if there is a point to all of this. And yes, there is. I am celebrating the fact that I will enter 2009 much healthier than I have entered any year in the past five years. That is a good thing. That is a result of several miracles. I am about as healthy as I can be, except I ought to lose a few pounds. I will work on that in 2009.

So, how did I get healthy… Well, I am a Christian and I believe it is the result of the prayers of many people. I believe God answered those prayers and healed me. Often when He performs miracles we have a part to play, and I had a part to play in each of the healing miracles above. But He did the healing. All glory be to Him.

Be blessed,
Wayne

Love all – Trust some – Harm none

www.Capstone-Ministries.org

Link to me at: http://www.linkedin.com/home
Follow me at: http://twitter.com/wcweeks

THE FREEDOM OF AGING

2008-12-27T09:13:00.000-08:00

This is currently going around the internet. I got it from my lovely wife, and felt it was worthy of posting here.
***************************************************************
On Getting older:
.
I am entitled to eat that extra cookie, or not make my bed, or to buy that silly cement gecko that I didn't need, but looks so avante garde on my patio. I am entitled to a treat, to be messy, to be extravagant.

I have seen too many dear friends leave this world too soon; before they understood the great freedom that comes with aging.

Whose business is it if I choose to read or play on the computer until 4 AM and sleep until noon?

I will dance with myself to those wonderful tunes of the 60&70's, and if I, at the same time, wish to weep over a lost love ......... I will.

I will walk the beach in a swim suit that is stretched over a bulging
body, and will dive into the waves with abandon if I choose to, despite the pitying glances from the jet set.

They, too, will get old.

I know I am sometimes forgetful. But there again, some of life is just
as well forgotten. And I eventually remember the important things.

Sure, over the years my heart has been broken. How can your heart not break when you lose a loved one, or when a child suffers, or even when somebody's beloved pet gets hit by a car?

But broken hearts are what give us strength and understanding and compassion. A heart never broken is pristine and sterile and will never know the joy of being imperfect.

I am so blessed to have lived long enough to have my hair turning gray, and to have my youthful laughs be forever etched into deep grooves on my face.

So many have never laughed, and so many have died before their hair could turn silver.

As you get older, it is easier to be positive. You care less about what
other people think. I don't question myself anymore. I've even earned
the right to be wrong.

So, I like being old. It has set me free. I like the person I have become. I am not going to live forever, but while I am still here, I will not waste time lamenting what could have been , or worrying about what will be.

And I shall eat dessert every single day. (If I feel like it)

For my true friends reading this post:

MAY OUR FRIENDSHIP NEVER COME APART ESPECIALLY WHEN IT'S STRAIGHT FROM THE HEART! MAY YOU ALWAYS HAVE A RAINBOW OF SMILES ON YOUR FACE AND IN YOUR HEART FOREVER AND EVER!
.

Be blessed,
Wayne
.
Love all – Trust some – Harm none
www.Capstone-Ministries.org
.

Link to me at: http://www.linkedin.com/home
Follow me at: http://twitter.com/wcweeks

.
.

Jesus is NOT the reason for the season

2008-12-20T17:21:00.000-08:00

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At this time of the year there seems to be ample reminders that “Jesus is the reason for the season.” That got me thinking, and caused me to conclude that is not really correct. Jesus is NOT the reason for the season. Oh, I think the idea behind the original campaign was a good one: it was to get us thinking about Jesus rather than the commercialism that is rampant in December. Lord knows we need that.

We human beings are the reason for the season. We were sinners bound for hell, but Jesus came born as a baby, human like us; lived a sinless life (unlike us) and died for us. We are the reason He came. If it weren't for our sinful nature and behavior, He wouldn't have had to ever leave Heaven. But for us, He came in the flesh to live amongst us, to teach us, and to die for us. He endured death on a Roman cross so that you and I can be assured of eternal life. Had we been capable of not sinning, there would be no celebration of Jesus birth, because He would not have needed to come to save us. But He needed to die for us to take away our sins… and He did.

So, you see, Jesus is not the reason for the season; we are. What an awesome God we serve!

Wayne
Have a GREAT CHRISTmas !

www.Capstone-Ministries.org

Love all – Trust some – Harm none

Link to me at: http://www.linkedin.com/home
Follow me at: http://twitter.com/wcweeks

.

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