Socialism coming to America!

I have been reading a series by Peter Kreeft where Socrates meets different people from the past: Jesus, Sartre, Marx, and Machiavelli. I have just finished reading Socrates Meets Marx, and I found the ending very interesting, especially with elections coming very soon.

The crux of the book is that Marx meets Socrates after his death and they go through his Manifesto that he wrote regarding communism. The book was very good and not only informs, but teaches how to truly debate in a fashion where truth is the end result. All Christians could learn from these books as the end being truth is ultimately, Christ.

At the end of the book, Socrates cites directly from Marx’s book regarding how Communism can best infiltrate society. I am going to list it verbatim.

"1. Abolition of property in land and application of all rents of land to public purposes.
2. A heavy progressive or graduated income tax.
3. Abolition of all right of inheritance.
4. Confiscation of the property of all emigrants and rebels.
5. Centralization of credit in the hands of the State, by means of a national bank with State capital and an exclusive monopoly.
6. Centralization of the means of communication and transport in the hands of the State.
7. Extension of factories and instruments of production owned by the State. . . .
8. Equal liability of all to labour. Establishment of industrial armies, especially for agriculture.
9. . . . . Gradual abolition of the distinction between town and country, by a more equitable distribution of population over the country.
10. Free education for all children in public schools" (Socrates Meets Marx, 191).

Can you pick the points out that America is already following and which party and people are pushing several of these points as we speak?

I typically tell people that you should pick based on who is lining up with the absolute truth we learn from Scripture. If their record and cultural life demonstrates those principles then we can feel partially assured that other areas will be dealt with in the same fashion.

I am not a conspiracy theorist, but if the shoe fits then we need to wear it. And reading some of these points, it makes me a little worried as to what is happening in America with the policies we are voting into law.

Today we are seeing the first principle taking more and more affect through the “eminent domain” laws. Government is taking private property for the shear purpose of making money. Some of congress continues to try to vote in more taxes and making it more difficult for the average person to make a living. And they try to say they are only going to tax the rich, but ultimately it will affect the middle and lower class the most. The rich tend to own the companies and they are going to make their salaries, as they own the company. They will just make cuts in employee packages or fire people to make sure the profit is there to make their salary. Tax burden does not solve anything, but only makes one more dependent on the government.

There are a couple of other points that America is heading down, but I will only focus on the last one, and that is free public education for all children. The free school system is where our children can be indoctrinated in any form the government wants, as it controls the education department. Whoever controls our children’s minds controls the future in some respects. Just look at where we are at today and then take a look at how the education system has changed over the years. You will see a direct correlation.

It is important to know Biblical truth and standards and then use those to determine whom you will vote for in elections, as they will be our representatives. All morals are legislated, it is just a matter of whose morals will be indoctrinated into our country.

Romans 1:28, “Furthermore, since they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, he gave them over to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done.”

If we do not start engaging our culture with absolute truth according to the absolute standards of the Bible, we are going to end up on the wrong side of God. We are going to get what we ask for, God or not?

Descending into Our Purpose!

John 3:30, “He must become greater; I must become less.”

Luke 14:33, “In the same way, any of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be my disciple.”

“A life of worship to God is about daily sacrificing your interests in all other things and making him your focused adoration. He wants you to love him first and foremost and let nothing come in the way of solely pleasing him.” – Josh McDowell.

This past Friday we talked about descending into prominence, that is giving up everything for the sake of Christ. Not in the sense of selling all possessions and giving it all away, but in the sense of giving everything we are and have to Christ for His use. If that means then giving it all away then fine, but overall we are to recognize all our gifts, spiritually, physically and materially, are from Him and to be used for the sake of His kingdom.

Philippians 2:5-8 says, “Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death— even death on a cross!” What does this look like in our lives?

Though we cannot duplicate the perfect ministry of Christ, we can reflect the attitudes and motives Jesus did. First, we can be a servant to those around us. If God, Himself, can serve by coming and dying on a cross for us then there is absolutely no reason we cannot serve others. Jesus served when in fact they should have been serving Him. As any great leader, He led by example. Jesus demonstrated what it means to serve our brothers and sisters. How are you doing in this area? Are you serving sacrificially, or just when it is convenient? Do you serve those who will benefit you, or do you just serve, not worrying about if anyone notices or says anything?

This also leads into the next area of how we should be descending into Christ likeness. We should be portraying a humble attitude. Christ relinquished everything for us when He became a man and entered our physical world. He had to start using doors and riding mules, eating and sleeping, and listening to His parents. He gave up worship for cursing and being spit upon. Our omniscient, eternal, all powerful Jesus yielded to the binding restrictions of the human flesh. Talk about the ultimate in becoming humble. What have you given up that you deserve for the sake of the kingdom? How does your personality line up with Christ? Do you consider all this world has to offer rubbish as Paul did, or do you love the recognition and the accolades from others?

Jesus was also obedient to the Father, to the point of death. Not only death, but the most heinous death imaginable during Jesus’ time, crucifixion. Jesus came to do one thing: to do what God the Father commanded, nothing more and nothing less. He did this completely and without sin. Jesus demands the same from us. The verse from Luke above gives evidence of this. Jesus demands we give up everything for Him. He does not suggest it. Are we obedient to this? Or do we hang onto a couple of small areas because they are just too fun, or we want to make sure we have a safety net? How obedient are you? Will God say to you, “well done good and faithful servant?” Or will He say, “not too bad, but could have been better?” Are there areas we need to give up to God and act in obedience?

The awesome thing is that if we follow the attitude and example of Christ we will experience joy. Joy, not from receiving a reward because of your action, but from having a deep relationship with Christ. He will fill you with His love and comfort more and more. It is a gift that will take you by surprise because of your pure and self-less service. Are you serving this way? Do you experience the joy of Christ? If not, why?

We all need to continue to reflect on how our attitude is lining up with Christ. This will ultimately lead to defining our purpose and who we are in Christ.

“If you are to be a Christ follower, you must demonstrate His characteristics, and not the worlds. ‘The appeal, however, was not only to a life of lowliness and hardship; it also contained the reminder that victory followed humiliation and that God’s glory will ultimately prevail.’” – Expository Bible Commentary.

Struggles in Our Lives

I have been talking to people that have been struggling a lot lately. While I was cleaning out one of my old briefcases the other day, I found a poem that I wrote during a very trying time in my life. I thought I would it with you. Maybe it will help during your time of struggle, or at least let you know that we all go through the valleys.

My Struggle
By Alan Seymour

I know Your there, and I can feel your presence.
I can feel my self-indulgence, which makes me stress.
Where do I turn? Who do I talk to?

I yell and try to explain, but no one understands or hears me.
Is anyone out there that can de-scramble my mind?
Do I have a mind? Do I feel anymore?

The emotions hit so fast I can’t stop them.
Is talking to yourself crazy, even if you answer?
O’ God I need You more than ever – can You hear me?
Where do I go? What do I do? Will crying help?

I am a disciple of God. I am His.
I know I am loved, yet I don’t feel loved.
I feel – I don’t know? What is the point?
Where am I going with this?
An exercise in fruition. Did it help?

Only God sees the future. I am His.
What He deems, I will follow.
Though it cost me everything,
I will not walk away from the One who paid it all.
My faith is strong, my resolve is able.
This day to will pass and my joy return.
Until then I can only ask – Why?

A LITTLE LAUGH!

The Woodpecker Might have to go!