Freedom Of Speech? It Cost Peter His Life

I truly believe that free speech is what has made America a great nation. Free speech is a very, very special concept/idea/persuasion/philosophy/power and right. Nothing compares to it. It is too special. Apostle Peter told a man who was lame from birth: "Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth; rise up and walk." And he took him by the right hand and lifted him up, and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. So he, leaping up, stood and walked and entered the temple with them, walking, leaping, and praising God." (Please check Chapters 3 and 4 of the book of Acts in the Bible) Yes, it was a miracle that took place. The rulers of the people and the elders of Israel clearly realized it. What did they do? They prohibited Peter and the other believers from "speaking at all or teaching in the name of Jesus." How did Peter respond? "But Peter and John answered and said to them whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you more than to God, you judge. For we cannot but SPEAK the things which we have seen and heard." (caps mine) (Acts 4:19,20) Peter kept on preaching. He was imprisoned and eventually crucified. (head down on a cross) All for practicing freedom of speech. Also, if freedom of speech discontinues in the United States of America, this great country will soon become a Third World Country. I do not refer to declaring national secrets that threaten the security of the nation. Nor do I propose scandalous declarations that ruin reputations and/or threaten the health and safety of people. We are beyond that. Freedom of speech is paramount, and must continue to be so.

Some Pretty Good Advice

Be a thinker.  Be courageous.  Be a hard worker.  Do not be a cruel person.  Be fair.  Be good to people.  Strive for excellence.  Continue to grow.  Lack of growth can cause some serious problems.  Sounds good to me.  What do you think?

*Constitutional Cases (Quote)

"The public welfare demands that constitutional cases must be decided according to the terms of the Constitution itself, and not according to judges' views of fairness, reasonableness, or justice."

Justice Hugo L Black  (1886-1971)  US Supreme Court      (Justice Source:  Lecture, Columbia University)

England Is A Great Nation

England is a great nation. It has shown hospitality  London is a great city. It was attacked by a Syrian migrant. It needs revival. It needs the genuine power of God. It needs the Word of God.  It needs to embrace the promises of God. As I see it, the same war is going on in many places.  It is spiritual

warfare.  It is the job of the secular government to protect the citizens against those who use weapons to kill and maim. That is natural/human/national warfare. But it is not spiritual warfare.  It is the responsibility of Christian believers to practice their faith with power.  Why? Because the "weapons of our warfare are not carnal." (ll Cor. 10:4) Certain Muslim extremists practice their faith by the use of natural/physical warfare.  Blowing up buildings is not acceptable. Who benefits from that? Nobody.  Being hospitable?

Being kind? Sharing/obeying the Word? Yes to all 3. I am not proposing that England or any nation, become a theocracy. The US has survived so far as a democratic/republic. The freedoms of assembly, speech, the press, and religion have worked very well in this country.  One "freedom" that has NEVER

legitimately existed here is the freedom of BTWIDOD. Which translated, means: "Believe the way I do or die."

Parents: How About The Forgotten Curriculum?

The new school year has started. It is time for youngsters from the ages of 5 to 18 years to get going and continue to prepare themselves for the years to come. In accordance to their ages and grades in school, they will be learning academics.  You know: The "3 Rs.  "riting," "reading," "rithmetic."  (A couple of misspelled words there to make a point) How about the "4th R"?  The 4th R is simple yet very important. It gets to the core of human interaction.  It facilitates, or can complicate communication. It can make a social environment comfortable.  The lack of it can make it seem hostile.  Even when it truly is not.  It is quite simple and easy to practice, unless you do not like people and you tend to be intolerant of their differences.  My advice:  work on it. Get good at it. The practice of it pays dividends.  It is called respect.  If you have not learned it at school, make it a point to learn it anyway.  You won't be sorry.  "Give respect, get respect."

Welcome, September!

Welcome, September!  Heat waves, new clothes, new kids, new school year, new classes, football practice and so on.  Just reminiscing.  Those days are gone, but Septembers of the past invade my heart. Current Septembers are good too, just in a different way.  A better way.  A more peaceful way.