My Thoughts On A Quote From Aristotle

"A tyrant must put on the appearance of uncommon devotion to religion.
Subjects are less apprehensive of illegal treatment
from a ruler whom they consider god-fearing and pious."
-- Aristotle

Religion is a deceptive term. It is often a substitute for a meaningful and genuine relationship with one's maker. Religion is a system. God is the supreme being. Religion is run by men. Nobody runs God. Religions come and go. God does not come and go. He is eternal. He cannot cease to exist. Religion changes with the times. God operates in different ways at different times, but He is always the almighty God. Religion has been corrupt. It has lied at times. God is holy. He cannot lie. He is perfect and flawless. Along the same lines, religion has, at times, misrepresented its' purpose. God has never, ever misrepresented His purpose. There may have been many times when we did not necessarily understand His purpose or purposes, but God is not the author of confusion. What is the point of my discourse? Seek God, not religion. It is an election year. Hopefully, the Presidential candidates will take heed.

THE WORD, THE WORD, THE WORD

The USA is a blessed nation. It was started by men and women who believed the Word of God. The problem with the United States today is that it has a great deal of religion but it does not have enough people who know the Word of God. The Word of God must be studied. Please believe that candle lighting and "religious procedures" can never be an adequate substitute for the knowledge and the practice of the Word of God. I could write volumes about this subject. Today I will keep it short. Abraham Lincoln was a great President. Did he have a great deal of formal education? No. What did he have that contributed to his greatness? He had one book as a youngster. The Bible. With this book he learned how to read. Where do you think he acquired his wit, patience and wisdom? Where did he acquire his love for humanity? I would like every reader of this comment to read Psalm 119. Every single verse pertains to the power of the Word of God. We do not need religion. We need knowledge of the Word of God. Bible believing Christians need to preach in the streets of our great country. The Word of God needs to get out there. We need people to be on fire for Jesus. HE IS THE WORD. HE IS THE WORD MADE FLESH. It is indeed a joyous season. But how can we be on fire for Jesus if we do not know His Word? Jesus is God.

Dr. Bill King's Theory Is Backed Up

Many years ago, a close friend of mine and I were sitting in a restaurant discussing politics. His name was Dr. Bill King. He was an optometrist in National City, at the South Bay Plaza. He was probably one of the most brilliant persons I have ever met. I shall never forget him. May he rest in peace. I used to call him "Doc." Government and politics were his favorite topics. He enjoyed criticizing communism. He claimed that communism was created by very intelligent men. However, those men were incapable, in spite of their intelligence to become wealthy. They were jealous of the wealthy and successful. They were jealous of the hard-working, skilled and disciplined. Those were Doc's claims. I had not thought of our conversation in many years (it took place over 40 years ago). Approximately 3 days ago, I came across a quote that reminded me distinctly of "good old Doc." It was written by Henry Hazlitt, who was an American economist, philosopher, literary critic and journalist. Hazlitt died in 1993, at the age of 99. I have no idea if Dr. King had ever heard of Hazlitt.

"The whole gospel of Karl Marx can be summed up in a single sentence: Hate the man who is better off than you are. Never, under any circumstances, admit that his success may be due to his own efforts, to the productive contribution he has made to the whole community. Always attribute his success to the exploitation, the cheating, the more or less open robbery of others. Never, under any circumstances, admit that your own failure may be owing to your weakness, or that the failure of anyone else may be due to his own defects - his laziness, incompetence, improvidence, or stupidity." Henry Hazlitte

Tebow Praying

Everyone who mocks, judges and criticizes the way Tim Tebow prays should read Matt. 6:5 and 6:6 for greater understanding. Jesus was telling people not to pray in public "to be seen of men." He was not prohibiting public prayer. Tebow is not praying to be seen of men. He is praying to give praise and thanks. He is praying for focus, and to do his best. The football field does not have "rooms and doors." Critics need the Holy Ghost for greater illumination. The Bible says in "everything give thanks." Rooms and doors are not required. Jesus knows what He is talking about. Jesus is God. "Cherry picking" scripture in order to condemn someone's actions is both foolish and mean spirited. It is an attempt to justify unfair, unfounded and inaccurate accusations.

Tim Tebow's Critics

Tim Tebow is sometimes criticized for praying in public. Some have even quoted Matthew 6:5,6. Those who quote those verses for the purpose of mocking Tebow are wrong. The key part of Matthew 6:5 is meant to teach us not to be sanctimonious. "THAT THEY MAY BE SEEN OF MEN." Jesus gives us the condition for not praying in public. Tebow does not pray to be seen of men. This is obvious. He prays for strength and to praise and thank God. Public prayer is at times a Christian duty and tradition. If public prayer is not valid, why then does every NFL team have a Christian Chaplain? Public prayer is wrong if it is done for the wrong reasons. Are Tebow's critics qualified to judge what is in a man's heart? "Then Peter said, silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk." (Acts 3:6) God used Peter to heal a man who had never walked in his life. The healed man was over 40 years of age. He did it through public prayer. Our relationship with God is a relationship that produces power. "For God has not given us a spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind." The problem with many of Tebow's critics is that they have religion, but they do not have the Holy Ghost.

Supporters of Communism

Supporters of communism in this country are often intelligent people who do not like to work. They are resentful of the successful, industrious and talented. The SOC would also like to be successful, but they are often blinded by jealousy due to the success of those who do not think like them. Many times the SOC think they are leaders. They are not leaders. They are frustrated people who are able to detect problems but are unable to solve them because their solutions are inadequate. Many of the SOC are idealists that truly believe that most human problems can be resolved by government. What they do not realize is that government is unable to exist in a positive form unless hard working people support it. Hard working people need motivation. Can government provide it? Sometimes. What is the purpose of government anyway? I will give you Abraham Lincoln's answer: "The purpose of government is to do for the people those things which the people cannot do for themselves." Well......the government cannot give me heaven. The government cannot give me peace and joy. The government cannot give me eternal life. The government cannot give me love. Government is ill-equipped to provide those things. The SOC is also ill-equipped to provide those things. I must seek those things on my own. Part of the job of government is to not impede my quest.

Welcome December

It is my favorite time of the year. Mainly because of Jesus. The Christmas season is all about Jesus. It is party time because of Jesus. I recommend you get drunk on the Holy Ghost. It is party time. Stay away from liquor. Don't you know how to party? Hit the streets. Be afraid of nobody. Be afraid of nothing. Tell the folks about Jesus. Tell them about His love and His power. You can dance while you talk because it is party time. Lift Him up. Lift up Jesus. "And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me." (John 12:32) And if you must drink and drive, drink the wine of the Holy Ghost. It is Jesus in you. "Christ in you, the hope of glory." (Col. 1:27) Have a great time.......don't forget to invite me.