Date: November 30, 2009 8:19 PM
Topic: +DEV+ Joy in His Presence
Joy in His Presence
“You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.” (Psalm 16:11)
Scripture Focus: Psalm 16
David wrote Psalm 16 as his personal celebration. He was expressing the joy he had in his close fellowship with God.
We could read the psalm as simply a reflection of his experience, but let’s read it with eyes of faith, knowing that our unchanging God, who gave David a song, can also fill our hearts with sweet melody.
David experienced joy in God’s presence by making a deliberate choice. He trusted God for what He had planned for his life and to preserve him in death. As a result, he discovered that apart from the Lord, he had nothing of lasting value.
The psalm comes to a climax as David sings the words of today’s verse. God has shown him the way of life. In His presence alone can be found the true joy that his heart craved. And in closeness to God are pleasures that nothing can diminish or remove.
David wrote from personal experience. That experience can be ours. Pleasures that can never fade are to be found at God’s right hand. It was true for David. It’s true for you and me.
Insight: Where are you searching for the happiness your heart craves? What promises are you pursuing? True joy awaits you in God’s presence.
To subscribe to this Devotional list send an email to daily_devotions@embarqmail.com with “subscribe-daily devotionals” in the subject line and I will be honored to add your email address to this list.
Monday, November 30, 2009
Sunday, November 29, 2009
+DEV+ Eternal Glory
Date: November 29, 2009 7:54 PM
Topic: +DEV+ Eternal Glory
Eternal Glory
“Our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen.” (2 Corinthians 4:17-18)
Scripture Focus: 2 Corinthians 4:7-18
In medieval times scientists were occupied with alchemy, trying desperately to achieve the transmutation of base metals into gold.
The apostle Paul discovered that God is the true alchemist. He can take the afflictions that threaten to defeat and even destroy us and turn them into eternal glory that far outweighs our suffering.
Paul felt keenly the distresses that tortured his body, mind, and emotions. There was no concealing of his weakness, but he did not lose heart. Within his body lived an eternal spirit that was being renewed every day. What kept him going was the certainty that God was actively at work transforming his stresses, perplexities, and pain into something of eternal significance. God was taking the negative experiences of earthly life and transforming them into positive facets of glory. God was changing Paul into the image of Jesus Christ!
The same God is working in your suffering today to prepare you for eternity. Praise Him for being the divine alchemist.
Insight: Your burdens, weaknesses, difficult relationships, your losses—all are materials God is using to transform you into the image of His Son.
To subscribe to this Devotional list send an email to daily_devotions@embarqmail.com with “subscribe-daily devotionals” in the subject line and I will be honored to add your email address to this list.
Topic: +DEV+ Eternal Glory
Eternal Glory
“Our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen.” (2 Corinthians 4:17-18)
Scripture Focus: 2 Corinthians 4:7-18
In medieval times scientists were occupied with alchemy, trying desperately to achieve the transmutation of base metals into gold.
The apostle Paul discovered that God is the true alchemist. He can take the afflictions that threaten to defeat and even destroy us and turn them into eternal glory that far outweighs our suffering.
Paul felt keenly the distresses that tortured his body, mind, and emotions. There was no concealing of his weakness, but he did not lose heart. Within his body lived an eternal spirit that was being renewed every day. What kept him going was the certainty that God was actively at work transforming his stresses, perplexities, and pain into something of eternal significance. God was taking the negative experiences of earthly life and transforming them into positive facets of glory. God was changing Paul into the image of Jesus Christ!
The same God is working in your suffering today to prepare you for eternity. Praise Him for being the divine alchemist.
Insight: Your burdens, weaknesses, difficult relationships, your losses—all are materials God is using to transform you into the image of His Son.
To subscribe to this Devotional list send an email to daily_devotions@embarqmail.com with “subscribe-daily devotionals” in the subject line and I will be honored to add your email address to this list.
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
+DEV+ New Every Morning
Date: November 25, 2009 9:08 PM
Topic: +DEV+ New Every Morning
New Every Morning
“Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” (Lamentations 3:22-23)
Scripture Focus: Lamentations 3:19-40
God was disciplining His wayward people. Feelings of hopelessness brought the prophet Jeremiah to the brink of despair, but one truth kept him from giving up. He knew that though God was punishing His people, He was acting in love. God had not for one moment abandoned them. He could have given up on them completely, for they had done nothing to deserve His patience. However, His compassion for His sinning people caused Him to deal with them with love. Though they sinned against Him daily, new proofs of His compassion came every morning.
God has not changed. He still disciplines His own because He loves us. He never throws us aside as worthless, and He never turns away from us. His discipline is for the purpose of turning us back to Him. The psalm-writer recognized this when he wrote, “Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I obey Your Word. You are good, and what You do is good; teach me Your decrees” (Psalm 119:67-68).
Insight: Rather than fear God’s discipline, thank Him for His love and that His compassions are new every morning.
To subscribe to this Devotional list send an email to daily_devotions@embarqmail.com with “subscribe-daily devotionals” in the subject line and I will be honored to add your email address to this list.
Topic: +DEV+ New Every Morning
New Every Morning
“Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” (Lamentations 3:22-23)
Scripture Focus: Lamentations 3:19-40
God was disciplining His wayward people. Feelings of hopelessness brought the prophet Jeremiah to the brink of despair, but one truth kept him from giving up. He knew that though God was punishing His people, He was acting in love. God had not for one moment abandoned them. He could have given up on them completely, for they had done nothing to deserve His patience. However, His compassion for His sinning people caused Him to deal with them with love. Though they sinned against Him daily, new proofs of His compassion came every morning.
God has not changed. He still disciplines His own because He loves us. He never throws us aside as worthless, and He never turns away from us. His discipline is for the purpose of turning us back to Him. The psalm-writer recognized this when he wrote, “Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I obey Your Word. You are good, and what You do is good; teach me Your decrees” (Psalm 119:67-68).
Insight: Rather than fear God’s discipline, thank Him for His love and that His compassions are new every morning.
To subscribe to this Devotional list send an email to daily_devotions@embarqmail.com with “subscribe-daily devotionals” in the subject line and I will be honored to add your email address to this list.
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
+DEV+ Which Way, Lord?
Date: November 24, 2009 9:13 PM
Topic: +DEV+ Which Way, Lord?
Which Way, Lord?
“How gracious he will be when you cry for help! . . . Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, ‘This is the way, walk in it.’” (Isaiah 30:19, 21)
Scripture Focus: Isaiah 30:19-26
Imagine driving through a strange city at rush hour. You know your destination, but not how to reach it. You try to read the map and then to identify street names as you approach intersections, aware that you are irritating other drivers as you slow down.
Instant to the rescue is the tracking device provided in your rental car. Once you set it up you hear the soothing voice of a competent guide. “Take a right here. Then at the next light take a left.” The jumble of streets is still as confusing, but now you move with confidence.
God provides that kind of guidance. He doesn’t relieve you of the responsibility of making your way through the maze of life, which can be incredibly complex and confusing sometimes, but He promises to be right there beside you.
Though the promise in today’s verse is addressed to Israel, we know that God will not leave His obedient child in doubt. “Turn here,” He whispers to our listening hearts. And we move ahead with confidence.
Insight: Praise God for giving you the direction as you need it through life’s maze. “If the Lord delights in a man’s way, he makes his steps firm.” (Psalm 37:23)
To subscribe to this Devotional list send an email to daily_devotions@embarqmail.com with “subscribe-daily devotionals” in the subject line and I will be honored to add your email address to this list.
Topic: +DEV+ Which Way, Lord?
Which Way, Lord?
“How gracious he will be when you cry for help! . . . Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, ‘This is the way, walk in it.’” (Isaiah 30:19, 21)
Scripture Focus: Isaiah 30:19-26
Imagine driving through a strange city at rush hour. You know your destination, but not how to reach it. You try to read the map and then to identify street names as you approach intersections, aware that you are irritating other drivers as you slow down.
Instant to the rescue is the tracking device provided in your rental car. Once you set it up you hear the soothing voice of a competent guide. “Take a right here. Then at the next light take a left.” The jumble of streets is still as confusing, but now you move with confidence.
God provides that kind of guidance. He doesn’t relieve you of the responsibility of making your way through the maze of life, which can be incredibly complex and confusing sometimes, but He promises to be right there beside you.
Though the promise in today’s verse is addressed to Israel, we know that God will not leave His obedient child in doubt. “Turn here,” He whispers to our listening hearts. And we move ahead with confidence.
Insight: Praise God for giving you the direction as you need it through life’s maze. “If the Lord delights in a man’s way, he makes his steps firm.” (Psalm 37:23)
To subscribe to this Devotional list send an email to daily_devotions@embarqmail.com with “subscribe-daily devotionals” in the subject line and I will be honored to add your email address to this list.
Monday, November 23, 2009
+DEV+ Last Resort
Date: November 23, 2009 11:01 PM
Topic: +DEV+ Last Resort
Last Resort
“Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you; he rises to show you compassion. For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him!” (Isaiah 30:18)
Scripture Focus: Isaiah 30:1-18
Judah was in trouble. Sennacherib of Assyria was intent on crushing the nation. His army had swept through the land, taking cities, gathering spoil and captives. Only Jerusalem was left.
When King Hezekiah refused to admit defeat, Sennacherib waited outside the walled city to starve the people into submission. In time, Hezekiah paid Sennacherib off by stripping his city, including the temple, of much of its riches.
Sennacherib returned to Assyria with his spoil and captives, but Hezekiah feared another attack. He sent a secret delegation to Egypt, begging for an army to be sent to Judah in the event of Sennacherib’s return.
Hezekiah’s negotiations were not so secret. God knew, and sent the prophet Isaiah with a strong warning. Trouble awaited them because they had looked to Egypt as their last resort and did not look to God for help. Security was not in an alliance with Egypt, but “in repentance and rest.” Their strength lay “in quietness and trust” (vs. 15).
Insight: God has a prescription for times of trouble: repentance and rest, quietness and trust. If we follow it, we will experience His graciousness and compassion.
To subscribe to this Devotional list send an email to daily_devotions@embarqmail.com with “subscribe-daily devotionals” in the subject line and I will be honored to add your email address to this list.
Topic: +DEV+ Last Resort
Last Resort
“Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you; he rises to show you compassion. For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him!” (Isaiah 30:18)
Scripture Focus: Isaiah 30:1-18
Judah was in trouble. Sennacherib of Assyria was intent on crushing the nation. His army had swept through the land, taking cities, gathering spoil and captives. Only Jerusalem was left.
When King Hezekiah refused to admit defeat, Sennacherib waited outside the walled city to starve the people into submission. In time, Hezekiah paid Sennacherib off by stripping his city, including the temple, of much of its riches.
Sennacherib returned to Assyria with his spoil and captives, but Hezekiah feared another attack. He sent a secret delegation to Egypt, begging for an army to be sent to Judah in the event of Sennacherib’s return.
Hezekiah’s negotiations were not so secret. God knew, and sent the prophet Isaiah with a strong warning. Trouble awaited them because they had looked to Egypt as their last resort and did not look to God for help. Security was not in an alliance with Egypt, but “in repentance and rest.” Their strength lay “in quietness and trust” (vs. 15).
Insight: God has a prescription for times of trouble: repentance and rest, quietness and trust. If we follow it, we will experience His graciousness and compassion.
To subscribe to this Devotional list send an email to daily_devotions@embarqmail.com with “subscribe-daily devotionals” in the subject line and I will be honored to add your email address to this list.
Sunday, November 22, 2009
+DEV+ The Light of My Life
Date: November 22, 2009 9:15 PM
Topic: +DEV+ The Light of My Life
The Light of My Life
“The Lord is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid? . . . My heart will not fear.” (Psalm 27:1, 3)
Scripture Focus: Psalm 27
The remedies are hotly debated, but the problem is not. Our country is desperately in need of an alternate to foreign oil.
In today’s verse we find David praising God for being his never-failing power source. Equally in times of calm and in time of turbulent storms, the Lord is his light and his salvation, to be counted on.
What, then, is there to fear? David’s confidence is so great that he almost issues the challenge, “Bring on your worst! You can’t scare me! I’m confident that God will save me.”
Where did David find his confidence to know God would unfailingly provide light in a time of darkness? He found it in a single heart desire—to stay close to the Lord. “I want to live in His presence, I want to gaze on His beauty, and I want to seek Him in His temple” (vs. 4).
David knew God and that His resources were available in time of need. He could sing with joy, “You are my lamp, O Lord; the Lord turns my darkness into light” (2 Samuel 22:29).
Insight: Do you shrink from life’s challenges because you are uncertain of your ever-ready, never-failing power source? Let God turn your darkness into light.
To subscribe to this Devotional list send an email to daily_devotions@embarqmail.com with “subscribe-daily devotionals” in the subject line and I will be honored to add your email address to this list.
Topic: +DEV+ The Light of My Life
The Light of My Life
“The Lord is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid? . . . My heart will not fear.” (Psalm 27:1, 3)
Scripture Focus: Psalm 27
The remedies are hotly debated, but the problem is not. Our country is desperately in need of an alternate to foreign oil.
In today’s verse we find David praising God for being his never-failing power source. Equally in times of calm and in time of turbulent storms, the Lord is his light and his salvation, to be counted on.
What, then, is there to fear? David’s confidence is so great that he almost issues the challenge, “Bring on your worst! You can’t scare me! I’m confident that God will save me.”
Where did David find his confidence to know God would unfailingly provide light in a time of darkness? He found it in a single heart desire—to stay close to the Lord. “I want to live in His presence, I want to gaze on His beauty, and I want to seek Him in His temple” (vs. 4).
David knew God and that His resources were available in time of need. He could sing with joy, “You are my lamp, O Lord; the Lord turns my darkness into light” (2 Samuel 22:29).
Insight: Do you shrink from life’s challenges because you are uncertain of your ever-ready, never-failing power source? Let God turn your darkness into light.
To subscribe to this Devotional list send an email to daily_devotions@embarqmail.com with “subscribe-daily devotionals” in the subject line and I will be honored to add your email address to this list.
All I ask is that you consider the suggestion here.
Date: November 22, 2009 11:08 AM
Topic: All I ask is that you consider the suggestion here.
All I ask is that you consider the suggestion here.
The entire Congress of the United States is corrupt. And I mean both Houses and I mean both major parties.
I realize that a few Members of each House are trustworthy, but, as a group they are absolutely the most corrupt bunch to ever disgrace our Nation.
In November of 2010 the entire House of Representatives will stand for re-election; all 435 of them. One third of the Senate, a total of 33 of them, will also stand for re-election. Vote every incumbent out.
And I mean every one of them. No matter their Party affiliation. Let's start all over in the House of Representatives with 435 people who have absolutely no experience in running that body, with no political favors owed to anyone but their own constituents. Let's make them understand that they work for us.
They are answerable to us and they simply have to run that body with some common sense.
Two years later, in 2012, vote the next third of the incumbents in the Senate out.
We can do the same thing in 2014 and, by that time we will have put all new people in that body as well.
We, the People, have got to take this Country back and we HAVE to do it peacefully.
That's what the Framers of our Constitution envisioned.
I am also suggesting term limits on the NEW BUNCH --8 YEARS FOR REPRESENTATIVES AND 12 YEARS OF SENATORS. NO EXCEPTIONS. THE LONGER THEY STAY IN OFFICE THE MORE POWER THEY GET AND THEY LOVE IT AND WILL DO ANYTHING TO GET RE-ELECTED.
WE HAVE TERM LIMITED THE PRESIDENT -- NOW LET'S TERM LIMIT THE LEGISLATORS.
Please, if you love this Country, send this (as I have done) to absolutely everyone whose email address appears in your address book.
This thing can permeate this Country in no time. Let's make it happen.**
VOTE THE POWER ABUSERS OUT........LET'S TAKE AMERICA BACK !!!!!!!!!
IF YOU LIKE THE WAY THINGS ARE GOING IN OUR COUNTRY, THEN DO
NOTHING.........
Topic: All I ask is that you consider the suggestion here.
All I ask is that you consider the suggestion here.
The entire Congress of the United States is corrupt. And I mean both Houses and I mean both major parties.
I realize that a few Members of each House are trustworthy, but, as a group they are absolutely the most corrupt bunch to ever disgrace our Nation.
In November of 2010 the entire House of Representatives will stand for re-election; all 435 of them. One third of the Senate, a total of 33 of them, will also stand for re-election. Vote every incumbent out.
And I mean every one of them. No matter their Party affiliation. Let's start all over in the House of Representatives with 435 people who have absolutely no experience in running that body, with no political favors owed to anyone but their own constituents. Let's make them understand that they work for us.
They are answerable to us and they simply have to run that body with some common sense.
Two years later, in 2012, vote the next third of the incumbents in the Senate out.
We can do the same thing in 2014 and, by that time we will have put all new people in that body as well.
We, the People, have got to take this Country back and we HAVE to do it peacefully.
That's what the Framers of our Constitution envisioned.
I am also suggesting term limits on the NEW BUNCH --8 YEARS FOR REPRESENTATIVES AND 12 YEARS OF SENATORS. NO EXCEPTIONS. THE LONGER THEY STAY IN OFFICE THE MORE POWER THEY GET AND THEY LOVE IT AND WILL DO ANYTHING TO GET RE-ELECTED.
WE HAVE TERM LIMITED THE PRESIDENT -- NOW LET'S TERM LIMIT THE LEGISLATORS.
Please, if you love this Country, send this (as I have done) to absolutely everyone whose email address appears in your address book.
This thing can permeate this Country in no time. Let's make it happen.**
VOTE THE POWER ABUSERS OUT........LET'S TAKE AMERICA BACK !!!!!!!!!
IF YOU LIKE THE WAY THINGS ARE GOING IN OUR COUNTRY, THEN DO
NOTHING.........
Declaration of Independence
IN CONGRESS, July 4, 1776
The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America
When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for
one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected
them with another, and to assume, among the Powers of the earth,
the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and
of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions
of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which
impel them to the separation.
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal,
that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights,
that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.
That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men,
deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed,
That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends,
it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute
new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing
its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect
their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments
long established should not be changed for light and transient causes;
and accordingly all experience hath shown, that mankind are more disposed
to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing
the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and
usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce
them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw
off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.
--Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now
the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government.
The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated
injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment
of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts
be submitted to a candid world.
He has refused his Assent to Laws, the most wholesome and necessary
for the public good.
He has forbidden his Governors to pass Laws of immediate
and pressing importance, unless suspended in their operation
till his Assent should be obtained; and when so suspended,
he has utterly neglected to attend to them.
He has refused to pass other Laws for the accommodation of
large districts of people, unless those people would relinquish
the right of Representation in the Legislature, a right
inestimable to them and formidable to tyrants only.
He has called together legislative bodies at places unusual,
uncomfortable, and distant from the depository of their
Public Records, for the sole purpose of fatiguing them
into compliance with his measures.
He has dissolved Representative Houses repeatedly, for opposing
with manly firmness his invasions on the rights of the people.
He has refused for a long time, after such dissolutions,
to cause others to be elected; whereby the Legislative Powers,
incapable of Annihilation, have returned to the People at large
for their exercise; the State remaining in the mean time exposed
to all the dangers of invasion from without, and convulsions within.
He has endeavoured to prevent the population of these States;
for that purpose obstructing the Laws of Naturalization of Foreigners;
refusing to pass others to encourage their migration hither,
and raising the conditions of new Appropriations of Lands.
He has obstructed the Administration of Justice, by refusing his Assent
to Laws for establishing Judiciary Powers.
He has made judges dependent on his Will alone, for the tenure
of their offices, and the amount and payment of their salaries.
He has erected a multitude of New Offices, and sent hither swarms of
Officers to harass our People, and eat out their substance.
He has kept among us, in times of peace, Standing Armies
without the Consent of our legislatures.
He has affected to render the Military independent of
and superior to the Civil Power.
He has combined with others to subject us to a jurisdiction
foreign to our constitution, and unacknowledged by our laws;
giving his Assent to their Acts of pretended legislation:
For quartering large bodies of armed troops among us:
For protecting them, by a mock Trial, from Punishment for any Murders
which they should commit on the Inhabitants of these States:
For cutting off our Trade with all parts of the world:
For imposing taxes on us without our Consent:
For depriving us, in many cases, of the benefits of Trial by Jury:
For transporting us beyond Seas to be tried for pretended offences:
For abolishing the free System of English Laws in a neighbouring
Province, establishing therein an Arbitrary government,
and enlarging its Boundaries so as to render it at once
an example and fit instrument for introducing the same
absolute rule into these Colonies:
For taking away our Charters, abolishing our most valuable Laws,
and altering fundamentally the Forms of our Governments:
For suspending our own Legislatures, and declaring themselves
invested with Power to legislate for us in all cases whatsoever.
He has abdicated Government here, by declaring us out of his Protection
and waging War against us.
He has plundered our seas, ravaged our Coasts, burnt our towns,
and destroyed the lives of our people.
He is at this time transporting large armies of foreign mercenaries
to compleat the works of death, desolation and tyranny, already begun
with circumstances of Cruelty & perfidy scarcely paralleled in the
most barbarous ages, and totally unworthy of the Head of a civilized nation.
He has constrained our fellow Citizens taken Captive on the high Seas
to bear Arms against their Country, to become the executioners of
their friends and Brethren, or to fall themselves by their Hands.
He has excited domestic insurrections amongst us, and has
endeavoured to bring on the inhabitants of our frontiers,
the merciless Indian Savages, whose known rule of warfare,
is an undistinguished destruction of all ages, sexes and conditions.
In every stage of these Oppressions We have Petitioned for Redress
in the most humble terms: Our repeated Petitions have been answered
only by repeated injury. A Prince, whose character is thus marked
by every act which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler
of a free People.
Nor have We been wanting in attention to our Brittish brethren.
We have warned them from time to time of attempts by their
legislature to extend an unwarrantable jurisdiction over us.
We have reminded them of the circumstances of our emigration and
settlement here. We have appealed to their native justice
and magnanimity, and we have conjured them by the ties of our
common kindred to disavow these usurpations, which would inevitably
interrupt our connections and correspondence. They too have been
deaf to the voice of justice and of consanguinity. We must, therefore,
acquiesce in the necessity, which denounces our Separation, and hold them,
as we hold the rest of mankind, Enemies in War, in Peace Friends.
We, therefore, the Representatives of the United States of America,
in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of
the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name,
and by the Authority of the good People of these Colonies,
solemnly publish and declare, That these United Colonies are,
and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States;
that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown,
and that all political connection between them and the State
of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved;
and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to
levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce,
and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may
of right do. And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm
reliance on the Protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge
to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.
The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America
When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for
one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected
them with another, and to assume, among the Powers of the earth,
the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and
of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions
of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which
impel them to the separation.
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal,
that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights,
that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.
That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men,
deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed,
That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends,
it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute
new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing
its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect
their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments
long established should not be changed for light and transient causes;
and accordingly all experience hath shown, that mankind are more disposed
to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing
the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and
usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce
them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw
off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.
--Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now
the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government.
The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated
injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment
of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts
be submitted to a candid world.
He has refused his Assent to Laws, the most wholesome and necessary
for the public good.
He has forbidden his Governors to pass Laws of immediate
and pressing importance, unless suspended in their operation
till his Assent should be obtained; and when so suspended,
he has utterly neglected to attend to them.
He has refused to pass other Laws for the accommodation of
large districts of people, unless those people would relinquish
the right of Representation in the Legislature, a right
inestimable to them and formidable to tyrants only.
He has called together legislative bodies at places unusual,
uncomfortable, and distant from the depository of their
Public Records, for the sole purpose of fatiguing them
into compliance with his measures.
He has dissolved Representative Houses repeatedly, for opposing
with manly firmness his invasions on the rights of the people.
He has refused for a long time, after such dissolutions,
to cause others to be elected; whereby the Legislative Powers,
incapable of Annihilation, have returned to the People at large
for their exercise; the State remaining in the mean time exposed
to all the dangers of invasion from without, and convulsions within.
He has endeavoured to prevent the population of these States;
for that purpose obstructing the Laws of Naturalization of Foreigners;
refusing to pass others to encourage their migration hither,
and raising the conditions of new Appropriations of Lands.
He has obstructed the Administration of Justice, by refusing his Assent
to Laws for establishing Judiciary Powers.
He has made judges dependent on his Will alone, for the tenure
of their offices, and the amount and payment of their salaries.
He has erected a multitude of New Offices, and sent hither swarms of
Officers to harass our People, and eat out their substance.
He has kept among us, in times of peace, Standing Armies
without the Consent of our legislatures.
He has affected to render the Military independent of
and superior to the Civil Power.
He has combined with others to subject us to a jurisdiction
foreign to our constitution, and unacknowledged by our laws;
giving his Assent to their Acts of pretended legislation:
For quartering large bodies of armed troops among us:
For protecting them, by a mock Trial, from Punishment for any Murders
which they should commit on the Inhabitants of these States:
For cutting off our Trade with all parts of the world:
For imposing taxes on us without our Consent:
For depriving us, in many cases, of the benefits of Trial by Jury:
For transporting us beyond Seas to be tried for pretended offences:
For abolishing the free System of English Laws in a neighbouring
Province, establishing therein an Arbitrary government,
and enlarging its Boundaries so as to render it at once
an example and fit instrument for introducing the same
absolute rule into these Colonies:
For taking away our Charters, abolishing our most valuable Laws,
and altering fundamentally the Forms of our Governments:
For suspending our own Legislatures, and declaring themselves
invested with Power to legislate for us in all cases whatsoever.
He has abdicated Government here, by declaring us out of his Protection
and waging War against us.
He has plundered our seas, ravaged our Coasts, burnt our towns,
and destroyed the lives of our people.
He is at this time transporting large armies of foreign mercenaries
to compleat the works of death, desolation and tyranny, already begun
with circumstances of Cruelty & perfidy scarcely paralleled in the
most barbarous ages, and totally unworthy of the Head of a civilized nation.
He has constrained our fellow Citizens taken Captive on the high Seas
to bear Arms against their Country, to become the executioners of
their friends and Brethren, or to fall themselves by their Hands.
He has excited domestic insurrections amongst us, and has
endeavoured to bring on the inhabitants of our frontiers,
the merciless Indian Savages, whose known rule of warfare,
is an undistinguished destruction of all ages, sexes and conditions.
In every stage of these Oppressions We have Petitioned for Redress
in the most humble terms: Our repeated Petitions have been answered
only by repeated injury. A Prince, whose character is thus marked
by every act which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler
of a free People.
Nor have We been wanting in attention to our Brittish brethren.
We have warned them from time to time of attempts by their
legislature to extend an unwarrantable jurisdiction over us.
We have reminded them of the circumstances of our emigration and
settlement here. We have appealed to their native justice
and magnanimity, and we have conjured them by the ties of our
common kindred to disavow these usurpations, which would inevitably
interrupt our connections and correspondence. They too have been
deaf to the voice of justice and of consanguinity. We must, therefore,
acquiesce in the necessity, which denounces our Separation, and hold them,
as we hold the rest of mankind, Enemies in War, in Peace Friends.
We, therefore, the Representatives of the United States of America,
in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of
the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name,
and by the Authority of the good People of these Colonies,
solemnly publish and declare, That these United Colonies are,
and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States;
that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown,
and that all political connection between them and the State
of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved;
and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to
levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce,
and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may
of right do. And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm
reliance on the Protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge
to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Trigger-Happy Muslims and Deluded Infidels in the Happy Land of Make-Believe
GrassTopsUSA Exclusive Commentary
By Don Feder
11-19-09
Let me tell you about the Happy Land of Make-Believe. It‚s a magical place where ideology trumps reality, evidence is irrelevant, and illusion reigns supreme.
Liberals are permanent residents of the Happy Land of Make-Believe. Some conservatives are not immune to its allure.
The Happy Land of Make-Believe is populated by journalists, academics, Democrats (and some Republicans), feminists, gay activists, pacifists, isolationists, socialists and other refugees from the real world. A resident of the Happy Land of Make-Believe may be identified by his blind faith in the following propositions:
That after marching 20 miles with a full pack, a 90-lb woman is every bit as effective in combat as a 190-lb. man
That two men living together sodomizing each other are now a family rather than two men living together sodomizing each other
That we can provide health insurance for millions who are currently uninsured and it will neither increase insurance costs, result in rationing or necessitate a general tax increase
That we can solve the problem of illegal immigration by bestowing amnesties on an estimated 12 million to 15 million of them, which it goes without saying won't send millions more heading for our borders.
That a man who‚s had himself mutilated and takes regular doses of female hormones is now a woman, his chromosomal makeup not withstanding
That criminals, psychopaths and jihadists obey gun laws
That a Palestinian state won't look like Dodge City on a Saturday night with everyone on crack cocaine
That we can keep brutal regimes from acquiring nuclear weapons by confessing our sins and sending diplomats to sit around a conference table with them
The Happy Land of Make-Believe is built on one part wishful thinking, one part political correctness and one-part fear. In Make-Believe Land, acknowledging reality is insensitive and a crime against diversity. Unpleasant truths are ignored and cherished dogmas go unchallenged. Conceding the existence of evil admits that the world is a dangerous place and monsters must be confronted or the innocent will suffer.
Nowhere is the Happy Land of Make-Believe more manifest than in the matter of Islam, Moslems and terrorism. Hence, the reaction to the Fort Hood murders.
This we know of Major Nidal Malik Hasan, the man charged with 13 counts of murder:
While he was shooting fellow soldiers, Hassan shouted "Allahu Akhbar!" (Allah is the greatest). Interesting, it's always cries of Allah-this or Allah-that which accompany acts of terrorism, never "Jesus saves!" or "Mazel Tov!"
Despite having been born in the United States, Hasan listed his nationality as Palestinian.
He was an avid proselytizer for Islam. At Walter Reed Hospital, where Dr. Hasan was a psychiatric intern and a psychiatrist for six years, he was reprimanded for trying to win converts to the religion of peace. Since, by definition, his patients all had mental problems, it's surprising he wasn't more successful. He also handed out Korans prior to the killing spree, thereby exemplifying cause and effect.
While at Walter Reed, Hassan attended the radical Dar al-Hijrah mosque, in Falls Church, VA, at the same time as two of the 9/11 terrorists. Hasan became quite attached to the mosque's jihad-preaching imam, Anwar al-Awlaki, and stayed in touch with him via the Internet when al-Awlaki relocated to Yemen.
Over the course of years, Hasan told his fellow officers that he believed the U.S. Army is at war with Muslims, that suicide bombers are like soldiers who throw themselves on live grenades to save their buddies, and that "Muslims have a right to rise up against the U.S. military." He also spoke approvingly of individuals who would "strap bombs on themselves and go into Times Square."
Had an evangelical Christian serving in the military expressed the same sentiments (say by declaring that killing abortionists is justifiable homicide or that the U.S. government is at war with Christians) he would have been cashiered in no time flat. Other than mild reprimands, no disciplinary action was taken against Hasan. As another staff member at Walter Reed explained, "You don't want to close him down just because" his views are "different." Now, shut your eyes tightly and repeat after me: "Militant Islam is just different" and "you don't want to close down jihadist ravings."
In 2007, Hasan did a show-and-tell for other personnel at the hospital, in the form of a slide presentation on "The Koranic World View As it Relates to Muslims in the Military." Slide #11 observed, "It's getting harder and harder to morally justify being in a military that seems constantly engaged against fellow Muslims."
None of this alerted his colleagues, the brass or the FBI to Hasan's potential to go Islamic. Their answer was to order him to take comparative religion courses, which was supposed to encourage him to love Christians and Jews.
All that was missing was the good doctor wearing a name tag that said: "Hi, I'm Major Nidal Hasan. Where the infidels at?"
The commander in chief, the media and the generals are in deep denial about Hasan's motivation.
"It is unclear what might have motivated Major Hasan," The New York Times declared in its initial report. ("Allahu Akhbar" wasn't a dead giveaway?) A follow-up story was headlined "Told of War Horror, Gunman Feared Deployment" a sort of pre-post-traumatic stress syndrome. Yes, Dr. Hasan would have been in the thick of things. A lot of shrinks come back from Afghanistan missing a clipboard or a prescription pad.
Associated Press, The Washington Post and National Public Radio initially hadn't a clue as to why a swell guy like Hasan would open fire on fellow soldiers. (Hint: It was Major Hasan, in the Soldier Readiness Center, with a Koran and a 5.7-millimeter handgun, shouting "Allah is Groovy!")
Interviewed on "Meet the Press," on November 8, Army Chief of Staff General William Casey (who missed his calling as a sensitivity trainer) pleaded: "Our diversity, not only in our Army, but in our country, is a strength. And as horrific as this tragedy was, if our diversity becomes a casualty, I think that's worse."
Here is the ideal warrior for the Age of Obama. Casey should demonstrate his commitment to diversity by offering to lead a squad of randomly picked Muslim GI's on a mission in Afghanistan all of whom are behind him with loaded weapons.
Barack Obama is the mayor of the Happy Land of Make-Believe. Speaking at a memorial service at Fort Hood on November 10th, President My-Job-is-to-Fight-Negative-Stereotypes-of-Islam told mourners that the "twisted logic that led to the tragedy" was "too hard to comprehend."
Now, if Major Hasan had been a follower of Mother Theresa or Mahatma Gandhi, whose teachings he interpreted as a license to kill, that would be twisted logic.
As a Moslem who takes his faith seriously, what Major Hasan did is perfectly comprehensible. The U.S. Army is killing Moslems. Members of the religion of peace have a sacred duty to protect their co-religionists. America is evil. Suicide bombing is justified. Oh yes, and, as Hasan explained to his colleagues during his slide presentation, "We (Muslims) love death more than you (infidels) love life."
In the Happy Land of Make Believe, Islam is a warm and cuddly creed, worthy of respect bordering on reverence --1,500 years of evidence notwithstanding. Moslem militants don't understand their own religion. Jihad really means a spiritual struggle, not the slaughter of unbelievers. The scholars and religious authorities of Cairo's Al Azhar, the citadel of Sunni orthodoxy, are pulling our legs when they proclaim, "Jihad means to war against non-Muslims" to establish the supremacy of Islam.
Thus, every act of terrorism becomes a misunderstanding or a symptom of mental illness. Would that Moslems only understood their religion as well as Obama, Casey, Condolezza Rice (who once dubbed Islam "the religion of love and peace"), George W. Bush, and The New York Times.
In all likelihood, our president also finds the following just too hard to comprehend:
The 2005 Kuwait grenade attack by U.S. Army Sgt. Hasan Akbar, killing two officers and wounding 14 others. The delusional Hasan, who clearly was ignorant of the wonderful teachings of the Koran, told investigators that he launched the attack to keep servicemen from killing his fellow Muslims in Iraq, where they were about to be deployed. Sound familiar?
The plot by five Moslems to attack Fort Dix in 2007, and kill as many soldiers as they could
That, according to FBI counter-terrorism officials, jihad is preached at one in ten of the 2,000 mosques in the United States. (And that's what they know about.) We need a federal program to teach Islam to imams.
The June shooting spree at an Arkansas recruiting station by misinformed Moslem Abdulhakim Mujahid Muhammad, that left one serviceman dead. Did Muhammad fear deployment to Afghanistan?
Four Moslems arrested in Newburgh, N.Y., in May, charged with plotting to blow up synagogues and a Jewish community center in the Big Apple. When they were arraigned in federal court, Assistant U.S. Attorney Eric Snyder said the defendants were "eager to bring death to Jews and the Jewish community."
D.C. sniper John Muhammad, who was executed last week for 10 random homicides in 2002. Why is it those who kill for their religion are never named Jimmy Jesus or Milt Moses?
Muzzamil Hassan, founder of Bridges TV whose mission was to showcase the many examples of "Muslim tolerance, progress, diversity, service and excellence" arrested on February 12 and charged with cutting off his wife's head after she threatened to divorce him. Perhaps it was a peaceful decapitation.
Khalid Kelly (I kid you not), an Irishman living in Pakistan, who told the London Times that he wanted to wage jihad (not the spiritual-struggle kind) against U.S. and British troops. "I'm already on the path to jihad. I've already picked up a gun and done target practice to make myself familiar with weapons," Paddy O‚Dynamite Belt declared in a November 15 interview. "Next week, inshallah (Allah willing), I could be in Afghanistan fighting a British soldier." Kelly also told The Times he hopes his son Osama, age 3, will become a martyr "before marriageable age."
All of the hijackings, suicide bombings, beheadings of captives and honor killings committed in the name of the peaceable faith, including the 9/11 attacks and the estimated 24,879 Indians murdered by Islamic terrorists during 1994-2005.
In the happy Land of Make-Believe, when 13 American heroes are murdered in cold blood, we may pause to shed a tear, then obsess about how this might threaten diversity, our new national credo.
We should be thankful that the Happy Land of Make-Believe was as yet uncharted territory in 1941. Imagine Gen. Douglas McArthur worrying about how Pearl Harbor might negatively impact on the German-American Bund, and President Roosevelt telling Americans that Nazism and Bushido were all about tolerance, brotherhood and love.
Don Feder is a former Boston Herald writer who is now a political/communications consultant. He also maintains his own website, DonFeder.com.
GrassTopsUSA Exclusive Commentary
By Don Feder
11-19-09
Let me tell you about the Happy Land of Make-Believe. It‚s a magical place where ideology trumps reality, evidence is irrelevant, and illusion reigns supreme.
Liberals are permanent residents of the Happy Land of Make-Believe. Some conservatives are not immune to its allure.
The Happy Land of Make-Believe is populated by journalists, academics, Democrats (and some Republicans), feminists, gay activists, pacifists, isolationists, socialists and other refugees from the real world. A resident of the Happy Land of Make-Believe may be identified by his blind faith in the following propositions:
That after marching 20 miles with a full pack, a 90-lb woman is every bit as effective in combat as a 190-lb. man
That two men living together sodomizing each other are now a family rather than two men living together sodomizing each other
That we can provide health insurance for millions who are currently uninsured and it will neither increase insurance costs, result in rationing or necessitate a general tax increase
That we can solve the problem of illegal immigration by bestowing amnesties on an estimated 12 million to 15 million of them, which it goes without saying won't send millions more heading for our borders.
That a man who‚s had himself mutilated and takes regular doses of female hormones is now a woman, his chromosomal makeup not withstanding
That criminals, psychopaths and jihadists obey gun laws
That a Palestinian state won't look like Dodge City on a Saturday night with everyone on crack cocaine
That we can keep brutal regimes from acquiring nuclear weapons by confessing our sins and sending diplomats to sit around a conference table with them
The Happy Land of Make-Believe is built on one part wishful thinking, one part political correctness and one-part fear. In Make-Believe Land, acknowledging reality is insensitive and a crime against diversity. Unpleasant truths are ignored and cherished dogmas go unchallenged. Conceding the existence of evil admits that the world is a dangerous place and monsters must be confronted or the innocent will suffer.
Nowhere is the Happy Land of Make-Believe more manifest than in the matter of Islam, Moslems and terrorism. Hence, the reaction to the Fort Hood murders.
This we know of Major Nidal Malik Hasan, the man charged with 13 counts of murder:
While he was shooting fellow soldiers, Hassan shouted "Allahu Akhbar!" (Allah is the greatest). Interesting, it's always cries of Allah-this or Allah-that which accompany acts of terrorism, never "Jesus saves!" or "Mazel Tov!"
Despite having been born in the United States, Hasan listed his nationality as Palestinian.
He was an avid proselytizer for Islam. At Walter Reed Hospital, where Dr. Hasan was a psychiatric intern and a psychiatrist for six years, he was reprimanded for trying to win converts to the religion of peace. Since, by definition, his patients all had mental problems, it's surprising he wasn't more successful. He also handed out Korans prior to the killing spree, thereby exemplifying cause and effect.
While at Walter Reed, Hassan attended the radical Dar al-Hijrah mosque, in Falls Church, VA, at the same time as two of the 9/11 terrorists. Hasan became quite attached to the mosque's jihad-preaching imam, Anwar al-Awlaki, and stayed in touch with him via the Internet when al-Awlaki relocated to Yemen.
Over the course of years, Hasan told his fellow officers that he believed the U.S. Army is at war with Muslims, that suicide bombers are like soldiers who throw themselves on live grenades to save their buddies, and that "Muslims have a right to rise up against the U.S. military." He also spoke approvingly of individuals who would "strap bombs on themselves and go into Times Square."
Had an evangelical Christian serving in the military expressed the same sentiments (say by declaring that killing abortionists is justifiable homicide or that the U.S. government is at war with Christians) he would have been cashiered in no time flat. Other than mild reprimands, no disciplinary action was taken against Hasan. As another staff member at Walter Reed explained, "You don't want to close him down just because" his views are "different." Now, shut your eyes tightly and repeat after me: "Militant Islam is just different" and "you don't want to close down jihadist ravings."
In 2007, Hasan did a show-and-tell for other personnel at the hospital, in the form of a slide presentation on "The Koranic World View As it Relates to Muslims in the Military." Slide #11 observed, "It's getting harder and harder to morally justify being in a military that seems constantly engaged against fellow Muslims."
None of this alerted his colleagues, the brass or the FBI to Hasan's potential to go Islamic. Their answer was to order him to take comparative religion courses, which was supposed to encourage him to love Christians and Jews.
All that was missing was the good doctor wearing a name tag that said: "Hi, I'm Major Nidal Hasan. Where the infidels at?"
The commander in chief, the media and the generals are in deep denial about Hasan's motivation.
"It is unclear what might have motivated Major Hasan," The New York Times declared in its initial report. ("Allahu Akhbar" wasn't a dead giveaway?) A follow-up story was headlined "Told of War Horror, Gunman Feared Deployment" a sort of pre-post-traumatic stress syndrome. Yes, Dr. Hasan would have been in the thick of things. A lot of shrinks come back from Afghanistan missing a clipboard or a prescription pad.
Associated Press, The Washington Post and National Public Radio initially hadn't a clue as to why a swell guy like Hasan would open fire on fellow soldiers. (Hint: It was Major Hasan, in the Soldier Readiness Center, with a Koran and a 5.7-millimeter handgun, shouting "Allah is Groovy!")
Interviewed on "Meet the Press," on November 8, Army Chief of Staff General William Casey (who missed his calling as a sensitivity trainer) pleaded: "Our diversity, not only in our Army, but in our country, is a strength. And as horrific as this tragedy was, if our diversity becomes a casualty, I think that's worse."
Here is the ideal warrior for the Age of Obama. Casey should demonstrate his commitment to diversity by offering to lead a squad of randomly picked Muslim GI's on a mission in Afghanistan all of whom are behind him with loaded weapons.
Barack Obama is the mayor of the Happy Land of Make-Believe. Speaking at a memorial service at Fort Hood on November 10th, President My-Job-is-to-Fight-Negative-Stereotypes-of-Islam told mourners that the "twisted logic that led to the tragedy" was "too hard to comprehend."
Now, if Major Hasan had been a follower of Mother Theresa or Mahatma Gandhi, whose teachings he interpreted as a license to kill, that would be twisted logic.
As a Moslem who takes his faith seriously, what Major Hasan did is perfectly comprehensible. The U.S. Army is killing Moslems. Members of the religion of peace have a sacred duty to protect their co-religionists. America is evil. Suicide bombing is justified. Oh yes, and, as Hasan explained to his colleagues during his slide presentation, "We (Muslims) love death more than you (infidels) love life."
In the Happy Land of Make Believe, Islam is a warm and cuddly creed, worthy of respect bordering on reverence --1,500 years of evidence notwithstanding. Moslem militants don't understand their own religion. Jihad really means a spiritual struggle, not the slaughter of unbelievers. The scholars and religious authorities of Cairo's Al Azhar, the citadel of Sunni orthodoxy, are pulling our legs when they proclaim, "Jihad means to war against non-Muslims" to establish the supremacy of Islam.
Thus, every act of terrorism becomes a misunderstanding or a symptom of mental illness. Would that Moslems only understood their religion as well as Obama, Casey, Condolezza Rice (who once dubbed Islam "the religion of love and peace"), George W. Bush, and The New York Times.
In all likelihood, our president also finds the following just too hard to comprehend:
The 2005 Kuwait grenade attack by U.S. Army Sgt. Hasan Akbar, killing two officers and wounding 14 others. The delusional Hasan, who clearly was ignorant of the wonderful teachings of the Koran, told investigators that he launched the attack to keep servicemen from killing his fellow Muslims in Iraq, where they were about to be deployed. Sound familiar?
The plot by five Moslems to attack Fort Dix in 2007, and kill as many soldiers as they could
That, according to FBI counter-terrorism officials, jihad is preached at one in ten of the 2,000 mosques in the United States. (And that's what they know about.) We need a federal program to teach Islam to imams.
The June shooting spree at an Arkansas recruiting station by misinformed Moslem Abdulhakim Mujahid Muhammad, that left one serviceman dead. Did Muhammad fear deployment to Afghanistan?
Four Moslems arrested in Newburgh, N.Y., in May, charged with plotting to blow up synagogues and a Jewish community center in the Big Apple. When they were arraigned in federal court, Assistant U.S. Attorney Eric Snyder said the defendants were "eager to bring death to Jews and the Jewish community."
D.C. sniper John Muhammad, who was executed last week for 10 random homicides in 2002. Why is it those who kill for their religion are never named Jimmy Jesus or Milt Moses?
Muzzamil Hassan, founder of Bridges TV whose mission was to showcase the many examples of "Muslim tolerance, progress, diversity, service and excellence" arrested on February 12 and charged with cutting off his wife's head after she threatened to divorce him. Perhaps it was a peaceful decapitation.
Khalid Kelly (I kid you not), an Irishman living in Pakistan, who told the London Times that he wanted to wage jihad (not the spiritual-struggle kind) against U.S. and British troops. "I'm already on the path to jihad. I've already picked up a gun and done target practice to make myself familiar with weapons," Paddy O‚Dynamite Belt declared in a November 15 interview. "Next week, inshallah (Allah willing), I could be in Afghanistan fighting a British soldier." Kelly also told The Times he hopes his son Osama, age 3, will become a martyr "before marriageable age."
All of the hijackings, suicide bombings, beheadings of captives and honor killings committed in the name of the peaceable faith, including the 9/11 attacks and the estimated 24,879 Indians murdered by Islamic terrorists during 1994-2005.
In the happy Land of Make-Believe, when 13 American heroes are murdered in cold blood, we may pause to shed a tear, then obsess about how this might threaten diversity, our new national credo.
We should be thankful that the Happy Land of Make-Believe was as yet uncharted territory in 1941. Imagine Gen. Douglas McArthur worrying about how Pearl Harbor might negatively impact on the German-American Bund, and President Roosevelt telling Americans that Nazism and Bushido were all about tolerance, brotherhood and love.
Don Feder is a former Boston Herald writer who is now a political/communications consultant. He also maintains his own website, DonFeder.com.
+DEV+ The God Who Is Enough
Date: November 19, 2009 8:42 PM
Topic: +DEV+ The God Who Is Enough
The God Who Is Enough
"Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken." (Psalm 62:5-6)
Scripture Focus: Psalm 62
Do you know someone you would characterize as a godly person? Have you noticed how amazingly uncomplicated his or her lifestyle is? The person may have a full schedule with many heavy responsibilities. Trials may be almost overwhelming. Still, instead of stress and tension, you see calmness and simplicity.
The reason is apparent as we reflect on today’s verse. When we look to God to be the source of our rest and the solution to our fears, we discover that He is enough! We do not have to be slaves to worry. We can stop searching for people who will listen to our endless rehearsal of trivial problems. We can look to God alone and discover day by day that our trust has not been misplaced.
Something is lost. Tell Him. You suffer from burnout. Tell Him. Disappointment shatters your dreams. Tell Him. Does this seem too simplistic? Try making the Lord your source of inner rest and strength. See if He does not prove to be far more than you could have thought or even desired!
Insight: Have you tried to lean on the Lord while you are also relying on earthly props? Ask God to reveal Himself to you as the God who is enough.
To subscribe to this Devotional list send an email to daily_devotions@embarqmail.com with “subscribe-daily devotionals” in the subject line and I will be honored to add your email address to this list.
Topic: +DEV+ The God Who Is Enough
The God Who Is Enough
"Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken." (Psalm 62:5-6)
Scripture Focus: Psalm 62
Do you know someone you would characterize as a godly person? Have you noticed how amazingly uncomplicated his or her lifestyle is? The person may have a full schedule with many heavy responsibilities. Trials may be almost overwhelming. Still, instead of stress and tension, you see calmness and simplicity.
The reason is apparent as we reflect on today’s verse. When we look to God to be the source of our rest and the solution to our fears, we discover that He is enough! We do not have to be slaves to worry. We can stop searching for people who will listen to our endless rehearsal of trivial problems. We can look to God alone and discover day by day that our trust has not been misplaced.
Something is lost. Tell Him. You suffer from burnout. Tell Him. Disappointment shatters your dreams. Tell Him. Does this seem too simplistic? Try making the Lord your source of inner rest and strength. See if He does not prove to be far more than you could have thought or even desired!
Insight: Have you tried to lean on the Lord while you are also relying on earthly props? Ask God to reveal Himself to you as the God who is enough.
To subscribe to this Devotional list send an email to daily_devotions@embarqmail.com with “subscribe-daily devotionals” in the subject line and I will be honored to add your email address to this list.
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
+DEV+ Read My Heart, Lord
Date: November 18, 2009 10:04 PM
Topic: +DEV+ Read My Heart, Lord
Read My Heart, Lord
“We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express....The Spirit intercedes for the saints. (Romans 8:26-27)
Scripture Focus: Romans 8:26-27
My heart is overflowing today as I present my prayer requests to the Lord. My list includes people for whom I care most deeply. I carry them on my heart and in my mind, but I honestly do not know how to pray for some of them. They represent staggering needs and complex problems.
I don’t know how to pray and can only cry, “Lord, do whatever will accomplish Your good purposes.” Or “Pour out Your love, Your wisdom, Your resources.” Or “Glorify Your name, Lord, in this situation that is so filled with despair.”
“Well,” you counter, “that certainly isn’t presenting your requests to the Lord.”
I agree. Sometimes the needs are so bewildering that I do not know how to formulate my desires. Furthermore, I’m too weak and too foolish to know what to say. The Holy Spirit is right there to meet this most intimate of needs. He listens to our hearts and knows how deeply we want God’s will, but are limited in knowing what it is. He interprets our desires and presents them to our Father.
Insight: The Holy Spirit is listening to your heart right now and is interceding for you. Thank Him!
To subscribe to this Devotional list send an email to daily_devotions@embarqmail.com with “subscribe-daily devotionals” in the subject line and I will be honored to add your email address to this list.
Topic: +DEV+ Read My Heart, Lord
Read My Heart, Lord
“We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express....The Spirit intercedes for the saints. (Romans 8:26-27)
Scripture Focus: Romans 8:26-27
My heart is overflowing today as I present my prayer requests to the Lord. My list includes people for whom I care most deeply. I carry them on my heart and in my mind, but I honestly do not know how to pray for some of them. They represent staggering needs and complex problems.
I don’t know how to pray and can only cry, “Lord, do whatever will accomplish Your good purposes.” Or “Pour out Your love, Your wisdom, Your resources.” Or “Glorify Your name, Lord, in this situation that is so filled with despair.”
“Well,” you counter, “that certainly isn’t presenting your requests to the Lord.”
I agree. Sometimes the needs are so bewildering that I do not know how to formulate my desires. Furthermore, I’m too weak and too foolish to know what to say. The Holy Spirit is right there to meet this most intimate of needs. He listens to our hearts and knows how deeply we want God’s will, but are limited in knowing what it is. He interprets our desires and presents them to our Father.
Insight: The Holy Spirit is listening to your heart right now and is interceding for you. Thank Him!
To subscribe to this Devotional list send an email to daily_devotions@embarqmail.com with “subscribe-daily devotionals” in the subject line and I will be honored to add your email address to this list.
+DEV+ Waiting for You
Date: November 18, 2009 6:41 AM
Topic: +DEV+ Waiting for You
Waiting for You
“Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me. (Revelation 3:20)
Scripture Focus: Revelation 3:14-22
God has every right to enter our lives. After all, He created us for Himself. In making us in His own image, He gave us an immense capacity to know Him and find our delight in communicating with Him.
But we were born into the human race which is estranged from God. Our wrongdoings have built a barrier that separates us from the One who made us for Himself. God’s immense love caused Him to provide the way for us to be reconciled to Him. And at what a great price! His own Son gave His life for us so that we might become His children.
We belong to God both by His act of creating us and by His act in purchasing our redemption with Jesus’ blood. Still, He does not force His way into our lives. He waits for us to invite Him in.
According to our verse for today, Jesus Christ is in one of two places in your life. He is either standing at the door and knocking, or, in response to your opening the door, He has entered your life and you are enjoying fellowship with Him.
Insight: Jesus Christ has made His choice: He desires close fellowship with you. What is your choice?
To subscribe to this Devotional list send an email to daily_devotions@embarqmail.com with “subscribe-daily devotionals” in the subject line and I will be honored to add your email address to this list.
Topic: +DEV+ Waiting for You
Waiting for You
“Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me. (Revelation 3:20)
Scripture Focus: Revelation 3:14-22
God has every right to enter our lives. After all, He created us for Himself. In making us in His own image, He gave us an immense capacity to know Him and find our delight in communicating with Him.
But we were born into the human race which is estranged from God. Our wrongdoings have built a barrier that separates us from the One who made us for Himself. God’s immense love caused Him to provide the way for us to be reconciled to Him. And at what a great price! His own Son gave His life for us so that we might become His children.
We belong to God both by His act of creating us and by His act in purchasing our redemption with Jesus’ blood. Still, He does not force His way into our lives. He waits for us to invite Him in.
According to our verse for today, Jesus Christ is in one of two places in your life. He is either standing at the door and knocking, or, in response to your opening the door, He has entered your life and you are enjoying fellowship with Him.
Insight: Jesus Christ has made His choice: He desires close fellowship with you. What is your choice?
To subscribe to this Devotional list send an email to daily_devotions@embarqmail.com with “subscribe-daily devotionals” in the subject line and I will be honored to add your email address to this list.
Monday, November 16, 2009
+DEV+ His Seeking Heart
Date: November 16, 2009 7:44 PM
Topic: +DEV+ His Seeking Heart
His Seeking Heart
“In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents. (Luke 15:10)
Scripture Focus: Luke 15:1-10
Ten-year-old Holly listened as her Sunday School teacher told Jesus’ story of the shepherd who would not rest until he found his one lost sheep. “Jesus is like that strong, caring shepherd,” her teacher said. “He is looking for His lost ones. It doesn’t matter how small the sheep is or how far it has wandered away. Each one is valuable to Him.”
Then the teacher asked how we know that Jesus loves each lost sheep. Holly answered, “Well, when the shepherd found the sheep, he scooped it up and carried it all the way home. I did that with my dog when it was lost. I was just so happy to find it.”
“Jesus is seeking lost sheep today,” the teacher explained. “He wants each to be safe in His arms. When He finds one, He is happy, and so are the angels. Draw a picture of what you think it’s like in heaven when the Shepherd finds a lost boy or girl.”
Holly thoughtfully picked up her colored markers and began to draw. I treasure her picture. Her angels are exuberantly doing what Holly liked best to do—gymnastics!
Insight: Take time today to thank Christ for loving you and constantly seeking to save each lost person.
To subscribe to this Devotional list send an email to daily_devotions@embarqmail.com with “subscribe-daily devotionals” in the subject line and I will be honored to add your email address to this list.
Topic: +DEV+ His Seeking Heart
His Seeking Heart
“In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents. (Luke 15:10)
Scripture Focus: Luke 15:1-10
Ten-year-old Holly listened as her Sunday School teacher told Jesus’ story of the shepherd who would not rest until he found his one lost sheep. “Jesus is like that strong, caring shepherd,” her teacher said. “He is looking for His lost ones. It doesn’t matter how small the sheep is or how far it has wandered away. Each one is valuable to Him.”
Then the teacher asked how we know that Jesus loves each lost sheep. Holly answered, “Well, when the shepherd found the sheep, he scooped it up and carried it all the way home. I did that with my dog when it was lost. I was just so happy to find it.”
“Jesus is seeking lost sheep today,” the teacher explained. “He wants each to be safe in His arms. When He finds one, He is happy, and so are the angels. Draw a picture of what you think it’s like in heaven when the Shepherd finds a lost boy or girl.”
Holly thoughtfully picked up her colored markers and began to draw. I treasure her picture. Her angels are exuberantly doing what Holly liked best to do—gymnastics!
Insight: Take time today to thank Christ for loving you and constantly seeking to save each lost person.
To subscribe to this Devotional list send an email to daily_devotions@embarqmail.com with “subscribe-daily devotionals” in the subject line and I will be honored to add your email address to this list.
Sunday, November 15, 2009
+DEV+ My Shield
Date: November 15, 2009 7:36 PM
Topic: +DEV+ My Shield
My Shield
“But you are a shield around me, O Lord; you bestow glory on me and lift up my head. To the Lord I cry aloud, and he answers me from his holy hill.” (Psalm 3:3-4)
Scripture Focus: Psalm 3
There may be periods in our lives when we fit so comfortably with a group of believers that their joy becomes our joy, their faith our faith. Then disaster strikes. We suffer hurts and losses so devastating and so personal that the group faith alone no longer holds us up. We need—oh how we need—a deep and intimate faith-relationship with the Lord. We need a shield to protect us from the pain and humiliation. We need a shield that is tailor-made to the particular battle we are in. But who can make a customized, personalized, made-to-order shield in our emergency?
God can! In fact, He personally becomes your shield. You have Him all to yourself to meet your particular needs. He is available to you as if you alone were the object of His love and care, which you are indeed, if you are trusting Him. His promises are yours today. His goodness and bountiful gifts are available. His heart of love will meet your needs. In His good time He will bring help, and you can give all glory to Him.
Insight: God is closer to you than your need. He may not save you from the trouble you face, but He will help you through it. Look to Him to be your shield and protector.
To subscribe to this Devotional list send an email to daily_devotions@embarqmail.com with “subscribe-daily devotionals” in the subject line and I will be honored to add your email address to this list.
Topic: +DEV+ My Shield
My Shield
“But you are a shield around me, O Lord; you bestow glory on me and lift up my head. To the Lord I cry aloud, and he answers me from his holy hill.” (Psalm 3:3-4)
Scripture Focus: Psalm 3
There may be periods in our lives when we fit so comfortably with a group of believers that their joy becomes our joy, their faith our faith. Then disaster strikes. We suffer hurts and losses so devastating and so personal that the group faith alone no longer holds us up. We need—oh how we need—a deep and intimate faith-relationship with the Lord. We need a shield to protect us from the pain and humiliation. We need a shield that is tailor-made to the particular battle we are in. But who can make a customized, personalized, made-to-order shield in our emergency?
God can! In fact, He personally becomes your shield. You have Him all to yourself to meet your particular needs. He is available to you as if you alone were the object of His love and care, which you are indeed, if you are trusting Him. His promises are yours today. His goodness and bountiful gifts are available. His heart of love will meet your needs. In His good time He will bring help, and you can give all glory to Him.
Insight: God is closer to you than your need. He may not save you from the trouble you face, but He will help you through it. Look to Him to be your shield and protector.
To subscribe to this Devotional list send an email to daily_devotions@embarqmail.com with “subscribe-daily devotionals” in the subject line and I will be honored to add your email address to this list.
Thursday, November 12, 2009
+DEV+ So Very Close
Date: November 12, 2009 9:26 PM
Topic: +DEV+ So Very Close
So Very Close
“The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” (Psalm 34:17-18)
Scripture Focus: Psalm 34:15-22
After waiting for nearly an hour for takeoff, our frustration mounted as the flight attendant announced that our flight had been cancelled. We would have to disembark and make alternate arrangements to get to our destination.
As we chatted with the passenger seated next to me, we noticed that the announcement had shaken her deeply. She began to pour out the pain that gripped her heart. “If only the airline knew how desperately I need to arrive right on schedule—to be at the hospital and see my mother before it is too late. If only they could care even a little!”
How I longed to point her to the One who is right there at the place where our hurt is deepest. And if the Lord Himself is near, then all that is good and right is near. He is not at hand to judge us or to make light of our pain, but to bring healing and restoration in His closeness.
What causes you pain today? What is crushing your spirit? Christ waits to draw close and touch your hurt with healing.
Insight: “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds” (Psalm 147:3). He heals broken hearts with Himself.
To subscribe to this Devotional list send an email to daily_devotions@embarqmail.com with “subscribe-daily devotionals” in the subject line and I will be honored to add your email address to this list.
Topic: +DEV+ So Very Close
So Very Close
“The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” (Psalm 34:17-18)
Scripture Focus: Psalm 34:15-22
After waiting for nearly an hour for takeoff, our frustration mounted as the flight attendant announced that our flight had been cancelled. We would have to disembark and make alternate arrangements to get to our destination.
As we chatted with the passenger seated next to me, we noticed that the announcement had shaken her deeply. She began to pour out the pain that gripped her heart. “If only the airline knew how desperately I need to arrive right on schedule—to be at the hospital and see my mother before it is too late. If only they could care even a little!”
How I longe
d to point her to the One who is right there at the place where our hurt is deepest. And if the Lord Himself is near, then all that is good and right is near. He is not at hand to judge us or to make light of our pain, but to bring healing and restoration in His closeness.What causes you pain today? What is crushing your spirit? Christ waits to draw close and touch your hurt with healing.
Insight: “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds” (Psalm 147:3). He heals broken hearts with Himself.
To subscribe to this Devotional list send an email to daily_devotions@embarqmail.com with “subscribe-daily devotionals” in the subject line and I will be honored to add your email address to this list.
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
+DEV+ Taste and See
Date: November 11, 2009 9:37 PM
Topic: +DEV+ Taste and See
Taste and See
“Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him....The lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.” (Psalm 34:8, 10)
Scripture Focus: Psalm 34:1-14
Behind our congenial greetings and polite smiles often lies an ancient and dark question. It is ancient because it originated in the Garden of Eden. It is dark because it raises doubts about the One who loves us best of all.
“Is God really good?” The question was originally raised by the serpent with the first woman. And it has been whispered in the hearts of each generation to this day.
It may be whispered again in a phone call with unhappy news, in a disappointment, in a gone-bad business deal, or in a devastating medical report. Any of these may lead us to ask, “Has God abandoned one of His children?”
But the psalm-writer challenges us. When things are at their worst, when the enemy has pushed our backs to the wall and God seems far away, that is the time to take refuge in Him. That is the time to take Him at His word. “Taste and see,” and in so doing we will find that, contrary to the evidence around us, God is there, and He is good.
Insight: God is good. If you would know it from personal experience today, set your heart to take refuge in Him in spite of doubts that raise questions in your heart.
To subscribe to this Devotional list send an email to daily_devotions@embarqmail.com with “subscribe-daily devotionals” in the subject line and I will be honored to add your email address to this list.
Topic: +DEV+ Taste and See
Taste and See
“Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him....The lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.” (Psalm 34:8, 10)
Scripture Focus: Psalm 34:1-14
Behind our congenial greetings and polite smiles often lies an ancient and dark question. It is ancient because it originated in the Garden of Eden. It is dark because it raises doubts about the One who loves us best of all.
“Is God really good?” The question was originally raised by the serpent with the first woman. And it has been whispered in the hearts of each generation to this day.
It may be whispered again in a phone call with unhappy news, in a disappointment, in a gone-bad business deal, or in a devastating medical report. Any of these may lead us to ask, “Has God abandoned one of His children?”
But the psalm-writer challenges us. When things are at their worst, when the enemy has pushed our backs to the wall and God seems far away, that is the time to take refuge in Him. That is the time to take Him at His word. “Taste and see,” and in so doing we will find that, contrary to the evidence around us, God is there, and He is good.
Insight: God is good. If you would know it from personal experience today, set your heart to take refuge in Him in spite of doubts that raise questions in your heart.
To subscribe to this Devotional list send an email to daily_devotions@embarqmail.com with “subscribe-daily devotionals” in the subject line and I will be honored to add your email address to this list.
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
+DEV+ Clean—Really Clean
Date: November 10, 2009 9:51 PM
Topic: +DEV+ Clean—Really Clean
Clean—Really Clean
“If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves....If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:8-9)
Scripture Focus: Psalm 32:1-5
Grandma was our resident stain expert. Whatever had soiled our garments or table linens was brought under her scrutiny. After analyzing the stain with her practiced eye, she prescribed the remedy and treatment. Her only requirement was, “Bring it to me right away. Don’t wait, and don’t try to treat it yourself before showing it to me. Your remedy may just set the stain and make it more difficult to remove.”
Grandma was right, and her advice closely parallel’s God’s remedy for the sin that soils our hearts.
In Psalm 32 the writer describes the problems that result from living with unconfessed sin. While he would not even acknowledge it, his dishonesty “set” the stain. He was completely miserable with the unresolved transgression until he finally admitted his sin and stopped trying to conceal it from God (Psalm 32:5). Immediately God’s forgiveness washed over his soul, bringing cleansing and restoring his joy.
Insight: When we confess our sins, God is faithful. He can be counted on to forgive and cleanse us—every single time.
To subscribe to this Devotional list send an email to daily_devotions@embarqmail.com with “subscribe-daily devotionals” in the subject line and I will be honored to add your email address to this list.
Topic: +DEV+ Clean—Really Clean
Clean—Really Clean
“If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves....If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:8-9)
Scripture Focus: Psalm 32:1-5
Grandma was our resident stain expert. Whatever had soiled our garments or table linens was brought under her scrutiny. After analyzing the stain with her practiced eye, she prescribed the remedy and treatment. Her only requirement was, “Bring it to me right away. Don’t wait, and don’t try to treat it yourself before showing it to me. Your remedy may just set the stain and make it more difficult to remove.”
Grandma was right, and her advice closely parallel’s God’s remedy for the sin that soils our hearts.
In Psalm 32 the writer describes the problems that result from living with unconfessed sin. While he would not even acknowledge it, his dishonesty “set” the stain. He was completely miserable with the unresolved transgression until he finally admitted his sin and stopped trying to conceal it from God (Psalm 32:5). Immediately God’s forgiveness washed over his soul, bringing cleansing and restoring his joy.
Insight: When we confess our sins, God is faithful. He can be counted on to forgive and cleanse us—every single time.
To subscribe to this Devotional list send an email to daily_devotions@embarqmail.com with “subscribe-daily devotionals” in the subject line and I will be honored to add your email address to this list.
Monday, November 9, 2009
+DEV+ The Joy of Our Hearts
Date: November 9, 2009 10:11 PM
Topic: +DEV+ The Joy of Our Hearts
The Joy of Our Hearts
“How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!...Your statutes are my heritage forever; they are the joy of my heart.” (Psalm 119:103, 111)
Scripture Focus: Psalm 119:97-112
Reading Psalm 119 is almost like stealing a look at a love letter. The writer of this beautiful psalm is almost euphoric in expressing his love for God’s Word. He feasts on it, yet hungers for more. He bathes in its fathomless wisdom, yet craves to return to it. It satisfies him, yet it increases his desire to learn more.
The knowledge he acquires from the Word has given him wisdom that exceeds the knowledge of his teachers. That alone would seem to be enough. But he goes on to tell of blessings that go far beyond the satisfaction of knowing his intellectual needs have been met. Loving God’s Word is more valuable than accumulating gold. It’s sweeter than honey. It’s better than an inheritance or a generous pension plan. It provides joy that fills his heart.
The psalm-writer would find it inconceivable for a person to be chronically unhappy and at the same time be filled with God’s Word. When we read it with an open heart, the Living God speaks through its pages. And when we respond, He gives joy.
Insight: How’s your appetite? As you feast on God’s Word, you’ll experience the joy of knowing that He is speaking to you through it.
To subscribe to this Devotional list send an email to daily_devotions@embarqmail.com with “subscribe-daily devotionals” in the subject line and I will be honored to add your email address to this list.
Topic: +DEV+ The Joy of Our Hearts
The Joy of Our Hearts
“How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!...Your statutes are my heritage forever; they are the joy of my heart.” (Psalm 119:103, 111)
Scripture Focus: Psalm 119:97-112
Reading Psalm 119 is almost like stealing a look at a love letter. The writer of this beautiful psalm is almost euphoric in expressing his love for God’s Word. He feasts on it, yet hungers for more. He bathes in its fathomless wisdom, yet craves to return to it. It satisfies him, yet it increases his desire to learn more.
The knowledge he acquires from the Word has given him wisdom that exceeds the knowledge of his teachers. That alone would seem to be enough. But he goes on to tell of blessings that go far beyond the satisfaction of knowing his intellectual needs have been met. Loving God’s Word is more valuable than accumulating gold. It’s sweeter than honey. It’s better than an inheritance or a generous pension plan. It provides joy that fills his heart.
The psalm-writer would find it inconceivable for a person to be chronically unhappy and at the same time be filled with God’s Word. When we read it with an open heart, the Living God speaks through its pages. And when we respond, He gives joy.
Insight: How’s your appetite? As you feast on God’s Word, you’ll experience the joy of knowing that He is speaking to you through it.
To subscribe to this Devotional list send an email to daily_devotions@embarqmail.com with “subscribe-daily devotionals” in the subject line and I will be honored to add your email address to this list.
HE DID IT BECAUSE HE IS MUSLIM
HE DID IT BECAUSE HE IS MUSLIM
He did it because he’s Muslim.
The president won’t say it, the press won’t say it, the generals won’t say
it -- yet we all know it.
He did it because he’s Muslim.
And the politically correct ignoring of that fact disrespects his victims
and makes a mockery of all who are in danger today because of militant
Islam.
No, we are not at war with Islam, but Islam most assuredly is at war with
us. It has been specifically since 1983 and generally since 610.
And yet the president raised in Islam stood up Friday and warned the nation
not to “jump to conclusions.” A man named Nidal Malik Hasan, who had begun
the day dressed like the sheik of Araby, who had written and said that
suicide bombers are heroes, who shouted Muslim slogans as he opened fire,
ended up killing 13 innocent Americans -- and the condescended-in-chief told
us not to jump to conclusions.
Just yesterday the Army’s top general, Gen. George Casey, said, “It’s way
too soon to be drawing any conclusions about what happened or what his
motivations were.”
Well, maybe that’s true for political generals with their lips on the
president’s arse, but for the rest of us the issue seems pretty clear.
He did it because he is Muslim.
And while, no, not all Muslims are our enemy, it is an undeniable fact that
tens of millions of them are. Included in that number is Nidal Malik Hasan,
a natural-born American who got a free college education and medical degree
courtesy of the American taxpayer and the American Army.
And yet, before the blood was mopped out of the processing center at Fort
Hood, an across-the-government effort to cover for this guy was underway.
Within two hours the FBI was telling reporters that the murders were not
terrorism. CNN’s Pentagon reporter suggested that the military’s anti-stress
programs were flawed. The White House said the motive was unknown and the
generals started defending Muslim soldiers.
Which merely adds insult to injury.
A Muslim guy, shouting in Arabic about Allah, kills more than a dozen
Americans and the generals depict American soldiers as shallow cads expected
to start lynching Muslims at any moment. He did it to us and somehow we’re
the bad guys. Truth be told, Muslim American soldiers killing non-Muslim
American soldiers actually have a body count that’s pretty significant. At
the same time, there is no record of any violence going back the other way.
And yet General Casey hit the TV circuit yesterday fearing Thursday’s
carnage would “cause a backlash against our Muslim soldiers.
“I’ve asked our Army leaders to be on the lookout for that. It would be a
shame if our diversity became a casualty.
“What happened at Fort Hood is a tragedy, and I believe it would be a
greater tragedy if diversity became a casualty.”
Let’s run that through the bull-crap detector. He said “diversity” becoming
“a casualty” would be “a greater tragedy” than “what happened at Fort Hood.”
That must be very comforting to the 13 families making funeral arrangements.
Hurt Muslim feelings is “a greater casualty” than dead American soldiers.
That comes as no surprise to anyone who has seen the rules of engagement our
combat troops are forced to operate under.
Let’s hear from one last lying moron. Sen. Lindsey Graham, also primping for
the Sunday TV shows, said of the Fort Hood gunman, “This is just about him.
It’s certainly not about his religion, Islam.”
No honest person can say those words, and no patriotic person can silently
suffer them.
He did it because he is Muslim.
He repeatedly and angrily denounced the war because it killed Muslims. He
wrote and argued that a Muslim suicide bomber who killed American troops was
the moral equivalent of a Marine who throws himself on a grenade to save his
buddies. He said that by killing American troops a Muslim was performing a
heroic service by saving the lives of the Muslims those American troops
might one day kill.
That’s what a major in the United States Army wrote.
And then he did it.
He killed American troops who were going into a war zone where they would
face Muslims. He gunned down men and women, soldiers and civilians, and he
was praising Allah as he did it.
And the president of the United States isn’t honest enough to recognize what
that means. Rather, he and the entire power structure of the nation and
media want to play a charade that spits on the broken bodies of Thursday’s
attack.
Instead of candor, we got scolding and blame. The media repeated nonsense
about the man being teased for his religious beliefs, it spoke about an Army
that puts too much stress on people, and we all got reminded that the people
in charge think we’re a bunch of savages.
But we are not the ones who kill people because of their religion. That evil
is done every day, for years on end, by Muslims.
Muslims like Nidal Malik Hasan.
Be honest enough to speak the truth.
He did it because he is Muslim.
- by Bob Lonsberry © 2009
He did it because he’s Muslim.
The president won’t say it, the press won’t say it, the generals won’t say
it -- yet we all know it.
He did it because he’s Muslim.
And the politically correct ignoring of that fact disrespects his victims
and makes a mockery of all who are in danger today because of militant
Islam.
No, we are not at war with Islam, but Islam most assuredly is at war with
us. It has been specifically since 1983 and generally since 610.
And yet the president raised in Islam stood up Friday and warned the nation
not to “jump to conclusions.” A man named Nidal Malik Hasan, who had begun
the day dressed like the sheik of Araby, who had written and said that
suicide bombers are heroes, who shouted Muslim slogans as he opened fire,
ended up killing 13 innocent Americans -- and the condescended-in-chief told
us not to jump to conclusions.
Just yesterday the Army’s top general, Gen. George Casey, said, “It’s way
too soon to be drawing any conclusions about what happened or what his
motivations were.”
Well, maybe that’s true for political generals with their lips on the
president’s arse, but for the rest of us the issue seems pretty clear.
He did it because he is Muslim.
And while, no, not all Muslims are our enemy, it is an undeniable fact that
tens of millions of them are. Included in that number is Nidal Malik Hasan,
a natural-born American who got a free college education and medical degree
courtesy of the American taxpayer and the American Army.
And yet, before the blood was mopped out of the processing center at Fort
Hood, an across-the-government effort to cover for this guy was underway.
Within two hours the FBI was telling reporters that the murders were not
terrorism. CNN’s Pentagon reporter suggested that the military’s anti-stress
programs were flawed. The White House said the motive was unknown and the
generals started defending Muslim soldiers.
Which merely adds insult to injury.
A Muslim guy, shouting in Arabic about Allah, kills more than a dozen
Americans and the generals depict American soldiers as shallow cads expected
to start lynching Muslims at any moment. He did it to us and somehow we’re
the bad guys. Truth be told, Muslim American soldiers killing non-Muslim
American soldiers actually have a body count that’s pretty significant. At
the same time, there is no record of any violence going back the other way.
And yet General Casey hit the TV circuit yesterday fearing Thursday’s
carnage would “cause a backlash against our Muslim soldiers.
“I’ve asked our Army leaders to be on the lookout for that. It would be a
shame if our diversity became a casualty.
“What happened at Fort Hood is a tragedy, and I believe it would be a
greater tragedy if diversity became a casualty.”
Let’s run that through the bull-crap detector. He said “diversity” becoming
“a casualty” would be “a greater tragedy” than “what happened at Fort Hood.”
That must be very comforting to the 13 families making funeral arrangements.
Hurt Muslim feelings is “a greater casualty” than dead American soldiers.
That comes as no surprise to anyone who has seen the rules of engagement our
combat troops are forced to operate under.
Let’s hear from one last lying moron. Sen. Lindsey Graham, also primping for
the Sunday TV shows, said of the Fort Hood gunman, “This is just about him.
It’s certainly not about his religion, Islam.”
No honest person can say those words, and no patriotic person can silently
suffer them.
He did it because he is Muslim.
He repeatedly and angrily denounced the war because it killed Muslims. He
wrote and argued that a Muslim suicide bomber who killed American troops was
the moral equivalent of a Marine who throws himself on a grenade to save his
buddies. He said that by killing American troops a Muslim was performing a
heroic service by saving the lives of the Muslims those American troops
might one day kill.
That’s what a major in the United States Army wrote.
And then he did it.
He killed American troops who were going into a war zone where they would
face Muslims. He gunned down men and women, soldiers and civilians, and he
was praising Allah as he did it.
And the president of the United States isn’t honest enough to recognize what
that means. Rather, he and the entire power structure of the nation and
media want to play a charade that spits on the broken bodies of Thursday’s
attack.
Instead of candor, we got scolding and blame. The media repeated nonsense
about the man being teased for his religious beliefs, it spoke about an Army
that puts too much stress on people, and we all got reminded that the people
in charge think we’re a bunch of savages.
But we are not the ones who kill people because of their religion. That evil
is done every day, for years on end, by Muslims.
Muslims like Nidal Malik Hasan.
Be honest enough to speak the truth.
He did it because he is Muslim.
- by Bob Lonsberry © 2009
Sunday, November 8, 2009
+DEV+ Our Unseen Companion
Date: November 8, 2009 8:19 PM
Topic: +DEV+ Our Unseen Companion
Our Unseen Companion
“Surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:20) “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” (Hebrews 13:5)
Scripture Focus: Matthew 28:16-20
Jesus has given us a job to do. We are not left on earth solely to enjoy the benefits of our relationship with Him. He asks us to be busy serving Him, spreading His Good News throughout our planet.
Some of us are mobile and can go. As we fulfill our mission, we experience Jesus’ promise to be with us every step as we go. But what about those of us who are not mobile and cannot go to other parts of the world? Are we to live outside the circumference of His promised presence?
There is a geography of the heart. It’s possible to be so committed to obeying the Master that we direct our whole lives to the goal of spreading the Gospel. Our time and resources, our priorities, our hearts’ desires are all focused on obedience. Our prayer interests and what delights our hearts are all related to Christ’s kingdom.
For all of us—those who go and those who stay—if our hearts reach out in obedience, we each can know the personal presence of our Savior.
Insight: Ask the Lord to help you give the spread of His Gospel a high priority. Then you will know His personal presence in a wonderful new way.
To subscribe to this Devotional list send an email to daily_devotions@embarqmail.com with “subscribe-daily devotionals” in the subject line and I will be honored to add your email address to this list.
Topic: +DEV+ Our Unseen Companion
Our Unseen Companion
“Surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:20) “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” (Hebrews 13:5)
Scripture Focus: Matthew 28:16-20
Jesus has given us a job to do. We are not left on earth solely to enjoy the benefits of our relationship with Him. He asks us to be busy serving Him, spreading His Good News throughout our planet.
Some of us are mobile and can go. As we fulfill our mission, we experience Jesus’ promise to be with us every step as we go. But what about those of us who are not mobile and cannot go to other parts of the world? Are we to live outside the circumference of His promised presence?
There is a geography of the heart. It’s possible to be so committed to obeying the Master that we direct our whole lives to the goal of spreading the Gospel. Our time and resources, our priorities, our hearts’ desires are all focused on obedience. Our prayer interests and what delights our hearts are all related to Christ’s kingdom.
For all of us—those who go and those who stay—if our hearts reach out in obedience, we each can know the personal presence of our Savior.
Insight: Ask the Lord to help you give the spread of His Gospel a high priority. Then you will know His personal presence in a wonderful new way.
To subscribe to this Devotional list send an email to daily_devotions@embarqmail.com with “subscribe-daily devotionals” in the subject line and I will be honored to add your email address to this list.
Monday, November 2, 2009
Time for a short vacation
Date: November 1, 2009 8:41 PM
Topic: Time for a short vacation
Time for a short vacation
It has been since 2000 since the last time I took any kind of vacation, So I am going to take the next week to just kick back and to a little reflection and Bible studies and just over-all rejuvenating. I’ll pick back up next week in sending the devotionals.
Everyone have a blessed week
To subscribe to this Devotional list send an email to daily_devotions@embarqmail.com with “subscribe-daily devotionals” in the subject line and I will be honored to add your email address to this list.
Topic: Time for a short vacation
Time for a short vacation
It has been since 2000 since the last time I took any kind of vacation, So I am going to take the next week to just kick back and to a little reflection and Bible studies and just over-all rejuvenating. I’ll pick back up next week in sending the devotionals.
Everyone have a blessed week
To subscribe to this Devotional list send an email to daily_devotions@embarqmail.com with “subscribe-daily devotionals” in the subject line and I will be honored to add your email address to this list.
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