An obamaination?

Ladies and gents, boys and girls, blacks and whites, old and young, fat and ugly...
*pause for laughter/disgust...
the United States of America has voted for a new president and that man is Barack Obama. We here at LIFE congratulate him on his victory (albeit over our endorsed candidate) and wish him well on his quest to become a the next "great" president. (on the heels of a great president)

So here is the question as a people, nation, and news outlet, should we show him respect because he is our president? See back in the day the media would go at great length to do what it took to show respect to our president. Or should we rip into him by saying he is an idiot because he is change we cant believe in? Like our current media and people of this nation have done to president Bush. What is the right thing to do and why? Throw it all out here...use the Manifesto if you have to...

2012!!!

Life Commentary endorses these candidates...

McCain
Hoekstra
Franz
Hoogendyk

ALE81

Lets go in order (kinda)

First, September 11th

My heart goes out to those who lost family in the terrorist attacks, and the families of those who have died fighting the great threat of Islamic Terrorism. I would also like to thank the brave men and woman of our armed forces who are still fighting to keep the freedoms we currently enjoy. I thank George Bush for staying firm and not degrading to mud slinging, like so many of the "statesman" in Washington.

*Editors note: I generally don't get into the personal side of Bret Reed, but I feel that this is a very important subject and post.

Ok now on to the 12th

Happy anniversary to my mother and father, and happy birthday to dad.

Now lets go back in time a bit, and then come back ahead to the 12th. (that sounds weird)

A while back I was asked a couple of questions that needed to make their way to the blog eventually (kinda). The first was especially asked to be put here on the blog. The second question was not really intended to be directed to the blog, but I felt that I didn't do a good job answering it. I'll take another shot at it here. (the asker will remain anonymous, because I don't know if they wanted their name attached)

Where do you get your morality (or lack of it) from, how does it affect you, and what makes you chose to believe what you believe? I know most of you reading this will say that the Bible is what you believe, and that you follow Jesus Christ. What makes makes you believe this? Think well about your answer. (my personal answer after the next question)

What does "born again" mean to you?

I apologize for not following this verse very well. 1 Peter 3:15 (KJV) But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:

“Born again” Is when someone first becomes a Christian. A man by the name of Nicodemus asked Jesus about it in John chapter 3. Ok so how do you “first become a Christian” or how are you “born again” or “saved”? Many believe that you can be “born again” through good works, or being baptized or many other good works. The Bible clearly states that there is nothing we can do to work our way to heaven (the major problem with most religions today)

Titus 3:5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;

Here is what the Bible says you do have to do.

Acts 2:21 (King James Version) And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.

Romans 10:9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

To tie the questions together, here is my story and why I believe the Bible. Even though my world view may be limited I have seen enough to convince me that the Bible is totally correct. I've heard most or all of the arguments for and against the Bible. While there are good points both ways, nothing can change what I have seen God do in my life my, my parents lives, and Christians all around me.

This link offers 10 reasons that can also not be refuted.

Ok, so here is my story about how I became a Christian.

As most of you know our family lived in WI for the first half of my life. During that time we attended the Greater Point Baptist Church (pastored by Woody Bamgardner) I am sure you have heard of CBH Ministries, Children's Bible Hour, Keys for kids, Uncle Charlie, Adventures in Odyssey, Sugar Creek Gang etc. When I was younger I really liked things like that (still do, just don't listen to it much) well they, I think CBH, put out a monthly booklet for kids, I don't remember the name of it. Anyway it had things in it like "fill in the blank" look here in your Bible and write this verse here, and in the first booklet, last question was "Have you ever been Born Again" or something like that. I don't remember much at all about this part, but I think I asked my mom, who was helping me because I didn't know how to write or anything, what it meant. What she said or I prayed or when exactly the date was I don't at all remember, but I do know that she wrote it in the booklet. O and you sent the booklet back in and they sent it back with a grade. I remember getting it back saying "Congratulations" signed by the part that the date was written.

Many years passed...

For whatever reasons I began to have doubts "Am I imagining what I did" "did I say it right." This went on for a long time. On and on until the BBFC had their Basic LIFE Principles Seminar, and Bill Gothard talked about doubts of salvation etc. He managed to list EVERY doubt I had right in a row. He told a story about a man having doubts especially about the "date," "his age when he was saved," and all the rest. One day the man was mowing his lawn, had the doubts, and couldn't stand it anymore. Bill said the man got it settled going to the barn by taking a board and writing on it the date and time and praying for salvation right there.
(KJV) Romans 10:9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
After I heard that I was kinda like, "well thats nice but once saved always saved" but the doubts were still there and maybe even more so. Another not so long a time passed. In September our church always has it's "campmeeting," after the first couple of services it was time to get it settled. On September 12, 2007 I prayed the "Sinners Prayer" and was Born Again. Praise the Lord! I wrote down the date on a board, and put it in the ground under a tree I was kneeling by. I cannot thank Him enough! I felt so free of guilt and sin.

I hope that if anyone has any questions that they will email me, and I will do my best to answer them.

Thx,

Staff Editor S-S

The Sacred Cow Barbecue: Part III

My friend (that was weird to type) Rhonda sent me this article and the writer (Kristi) was kind enough to let me copy and paste it.

As always my comments appear in italics. (sept for the Bible verses at the end)

Who's Right?

During the course of my life, I've interacted with many Christians of various persuasions. There have been the "conservative" and the "liberal" and anywhere inbetween. I'd say that a great percentage of the Christians I know believe in the Bible as God's Word and hold to basic orthodox beliefs about God the Trinity, the atonement, the second coming, the final judgment, etc. BUT I have become increasingly aware of the great differences in other areas, small or great.

Let's take group A. They love God, they love the Bible, and they study it diligently that they may apply it to their lives. They are probably also influenced by other sources, such as denominational precedents, books, teachers, the culture, etc.

Let's take group B. They love God, they love the Bible, and they study it diligently that they may apply it to their lives. They are probably also influenced by other sources, such as denominational precedents, books, teachers, the culture, etc.

Looks like they should be in unity, right? Wrong. Between groups A and B (and even individuals within those groups) you can be sure to find differences of belief in areas such as:
-Eternal security
-Women's attire (including pants, jewelry, and head coverings)
-Women's role in society and the church
-Music
-Dancing
-Sabbath keeping
-When the Tribulation will be
-Alcohol consumption
-Courtship/dating
-Education
-Food
-"Family planning"
-Probably more that I can't think of at present

Some may be neutral on one subject because they really don't consider it important or it doesn't affect them, while others will strongly argue their position one way or the other, even giving Scriptures to support it. On either side of an argument, you can find someone who is dogmatic and carnal, and you can find someone who is loving and spiritual.

I wonder what a new believer thinks when they start seeing all this division in the church. Granted, even in New Testament times there appear to have been disagreements about certain subjects (like eating meat offered to idols). But I wonder if there is more dichotomy now than ever. Of course I don't know. Is it a reflection of the end times or that the world has crept so much into the church? Has the culture affected the church more than the church has affected the culture? Can we always know the exact right or wrong on an issue? Does what I believe as right make every opposing view wrong? Unlikely.

Spot-on!!! I couldn't agree more. It would do Christians some good to read Romans 14 a bit more often then we do. I believe that the things she mentioned are really minor. I feel that we miss the major points (read: Ten Commandments) and try and hit the minor points. How do you think it looks to people who are not Christians? Nothing against standards, beliefs, and opinions (like this one) but people take things way to far (again, like this).

Just throwing out some food for thought. I guess the best way to know the truth is to keep connected with the Source of Truth, Jesus. Thank God for the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, Who is there to show us the way one step at a time! This morning I read this:

For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strenghtened with might by His Spirit in the inner man; that Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth and height; and to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fullness of God. Eph. 3:14-19

What say you?

Great questions Kristi, thank you for allowing me to share it.

Ok some things that need to be stated...

1. It looks like a few of you aren't ready to write the 10 commandments yet, thats ok, we"ll be waiting...JK

2. For the moment the few guys on this blog will remain on our side of the barbed wire with regard to the schooling debate. One day in the near future our opinions will be said, as it has come to my attention over the last few weeks that it is of more importance, and debate then I had realized at the time I posted it. I had intended it to be a filler before a "Main Event" (which will come soon) but now it will be a debate that has to go on... later

3. As it has already been a crazy start to the summer, and looks like it will continue as such, I doubt that I'll be able to keep up with posting as much as I'd like. I will do my best as some great topics are in the bag like Ron Paul and (something), morals, more BBQing, who I'm voting for and why, and of course more about schooling (sorry kitty, but it must continue)



4.I have been tagged by hamburg, to name my favorite book and such. Normally I do not like this sort of thing (this time is no different) and this is not a personal blog. That being said, before this occasion I was planing on putting up a chat box just for people to discuss any book they are reading, want to read or whatever...



Ok, so, I normally don't like Candorville, but when I saw these two, I had to put them on.

The Sacred Cow Barbecue: Part II

In this next edition of the debate on symbolism, that I have decided to affectionately call, The Sacred Cow Barbecue (shut-up dave, quit laughing) now where was I at...

O yeah "the next edition", for all of you who think you know all these things are wrong (and they're not), and all you people who have no standards, or convictions (JK), I pose this question...



(without looking at your Bible, asking someone, or anything else)


...


drum roll...


...


do you know what the 10 Commandments are?
(added 6/28/08) (I don't care about the order you put them in)