Peace on Earth - the Divine Reality of the Christmas Story.

Who do you think Jesus really was? A humanitarian? A philanthropist? A social activist? A jazzed up carpenter? (Thanks to Allistiar Begg for putting it that way.)

Christmas cards are abound with the phrase Peace on Earth. What do you think that means?

Luke 2:13 says:

"Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 14"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."

Now, I am no bible scholar, that is for sure, but I am saved, born-again into Christ. I was not always that way. It took a very long time for me to come to that place, so it is out of experience that I feel qualified to make this explanation about what Peace means.

We are all sinners...all...you've heard me say that before on this blog. Not a one of us isn't a sinner. The 10 Commandments, I'm sure you have read them. Have you not ever broken one of those? If you are like other people you will immediately say, "Well, I've never killed anyone." You have, you know, when you think murderous thoughts about someone; your wife or husband, your mother-in-law, your boss, that snooty department secretary, the guy who cut you off on your commute to work, or, lately, those right-wingers like me who don't want anything to do with ObamaCare.

A few years ago my own mother told me she never told a lie in her life. "You just lied right there, Mom," I told her. There are no perfect people. Not even me...heh. But I've got something she doesn't. Forgiveness.

How does this tie in with Peace on Earth, you ask. God came to earth in the form of man, peace was born in that child. He was perfect in every way, and he went through all of our trials and struggles while he was here. By his own choice, he suffered being beaten beyond recognition and then nailed on a cross. At that moment he took on all the sins of the world, yours and mine, just so that we could be reconciled to God. All God has ever wanted is to have a relationship with us.

The good news is this: when you accept it and ask Jesus to come into your life you can experience Peace, the peace of Jesus, told by those angels, is brought into your heart. When you are in right relationship with God, you then live in the Kingdom of God, which is here now for those who believe.

You need to hear the story of Christ, whoever you are. Don't balk at it. There is only one way to get to the Peace on Earth that the peaceniks talk about. Accept Jesus, tell the Good News to Jews and Gentiles alike, and when the whole world knows then Jesus will return and begin the next phase with a new earth and a new heaven.

Don't take my word for it. Ask Him yourself. He will answer you. If you need some help with that, let me know.

Merry Christmas, friends. I pray God's blessing upon you.

Gay Marriage Passes the Senate in Vermont

Same-sex marriage vote worries Vt. politicians.

It should!!!!

MONTPELIER — He's a freshman Democrat from a conservative district, forced to take a position he worries could cost him his seat.

She's a former Republican lawmaker who knows too well his dilemma: Nine years ago, she voted "yea" to civil unions, and it cost her her job.

With votes on gay marriage under way at the Statehouse, state Sen. Matthew Choate and former Rep. Marion Milne offer perspectives that illustrate the dilemma confronting 180 Vermont legislators.

Vote "yes" and you're a hero to the gay and lesbian lobby, a pariah to those who believe government shouldn't tamper with a social institution. Vote "no" and you're seen as a bigot by some, a champion by others.

A same-sex marriage bill moved a step closer to becoming law Monday, with the state Senate passing it in a 26-4 vote. The House takes up the issue Tuesday, with a vote scheduled for Friday. Gov. Jim Douglas, who opposes the bill, hasn't said whether he will veto it if the Legislature passes it. [Read the rest here.]

If you give them an inch, they will take a mile. Like this recent article from New Hampshire.

State House Dome: Transgender rights in 'bathroom bill'

REPUBLICANS call it the "bathroom bill."

Democrats call it a non-discrimination bill.

In either case, House Bill 415 is stirring up interest, e-mails and phone calls from as far away as Boston, according to its sponsor, Rep. Ed Butler.

Butler filed the bill to close what he sees as a loophole in state law that allows discrimination against transsexuals. The bill adds to a host of laws -- which bar discrimination on the basis of sex, age, race, creed, color, sexual orientation or religion -- the words "gender identity" or "gender expression." [Read the rest here]

I will actively work towards unseating the Senators who voted Yea on this bill... and there are some in the list that I like. For the record, homosexuality is an abomination to the Lord. No need to argue with me about that. Ask yourself the question; Where will you spend eternity? It is an answer that you need to have before you go another day.

The picture on this post is of Sodom and Gomorrah. That is where we are heading.

A biblical answer for USDA/APHIS and Mike Johanns

Proverbs 12:11

11 He who works his land will have abundant food,
but he who chases fantasies lacks judgment.

USDA, Mike Johanns, all you all, you are chasing a fantasy of food safety and disease tracking by the methods you are pursuing. You will never get full voluntary compliance for NAIS. You've got it all backwards. The real enemy of food, besides USDA and FDA are the CAFOs, importation of foreign, not inspected meat that doesn't have to meet the same NAIS obligations that you are trying and lying so hard to cram down our throats and the bogus USDA "organic standard". Don't you think it is time to re-evaluate and scrap your plans?

Here is Proverb 12 in full. It is a wise man who works to rightly divide the word of God. There is much profit in these words.

Proverbs 12

1 Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge,
but he who hates correction is stupid.

2 A good man obtains favor from the LORD,
but the LORD condemns a crafty man.

3 A man cannot be established through wickedness,
but the righteous cannot be uprooted.

4 A wife of noble character is her husband's crown,
but a disgraceful wife is like decay in his bones.

5 The plans of the righteous are just,
but the advice of the wicked is deceitful.

6 The words of the wicked lie in wait for blood,
but the speech of the upright rescues them.

7 Wicked men are overthrown and are no more,
but the house of the righteous stands firm.

8 A man is praised according to his wisdom,
but men with warped minds are despised.

9 Better to be a nobody and yet have a servant
than pretend to be somebody and have no food.

10 A righteous man cares for the needs of his animal,
but the kindest acts of the wicked are cruel.

11 He who works his land will have abundant food,
but he who chases fantasies lacks judgment.

12 The wicked desire the plunder of evil men,
but the root of the righteous flourishes.

13 An evil man is trapped by his sinful talk,
but a righteous man escapes trouble.

14 From the fruit of his lips a man is filled with good things
as surely as the work of his hands rewards him.

15 The way of a fool seems right to him,
but a wise man listens to advice.

16 A fool shows his annoyance at once,
but a prudent man overlooks an insult.

17 A truthful witness gives honest testimony,
but a false witness tells lies.

18 Reckless words pierce like a sword,
but the tongue of the wise brings healing.

19 Truthful lips endure forever,
but a lying tongue lasts only a moment.

20 There is deceit in the hearts of those who plot evil,
but joy for those who promote peace.

21 No harm befalls the righteous,
but the wicked have their fill of trouble.

22 The LORD detests lying lips,
but he delights in men who are truthful.

23 A prudent man keeps his knowledge to himself,
but the heart of fools blurts out folly.

24 Diligent hands will rule,
but laziness ends in slave labor.

25 An anxious heart weighs a man down,
but a kind word cheers him up.

26 A righteous man is cautious in friendship, ^[a]
but the way of the wicked leads them astray.

27 The lazy man does not roast ^[b] his game,
but the diligent man prizes his possessions.

28 In the way of righteousness there is life;
along that path is immortality.

Footnotes:

1. Proverbs 12:26 Or man is a guide to his neighbor
2. Proverbs 12:27 The meaning of the Hebrew for this word is uncertain.

National Day of Prayer 56th Annual May 3, 2007

Like it or not, this country was founded on Christian principles. To those of you who this angers, you might consider that when the day comes for you to stand before the Lord how will you feel when He says, "You did not know me and I do not know you."

2 Chronicles 7:14 (KJV)

If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

The History Of National Day Of Prayer

Because of the faith of many of our founding fathers, public prayer and national days of prayer have a long-standing and significant history in American tradition. The Supreme Court affirmed the right of state legislatures to open their sessions with prayer in Marsh vs. Chambers (1983).

The National Day of Prayer is a vital part of our heritage. Since the first call to prayer in 1775, when the Continental Congress asked the colonies to pray for wisdom in forming a nation, the call to prayer has continued through our history, including President Lincoln's proclamation of a day of "humiliation, fasting, and prayer" in 1863. In 1952, a joint resolution by Congress, signed by President Truman, declared an annual, national day of prayer. In 1988, the law was amended and signed by President Reagan, permanently setting the day as the first Thursday of every May. Each year, the president signs a proclamation, encouraging all Americans to pray on this day. Last year, all 50 state governors plus the governors of several U.S. territories signed similar proclamations.

The National Day of Prayer is Significant

The National Day of Prayer has great significance for us as a nation. It enables us to recall and to teach the way in which our founding fathers sought the wisdom of God when faced with critical decisions. It stands as a call to us to humbly come before God, seeking His guidance for our leaders and His grace upon us as a people. The unanimous passage of the bill establishing the National Day of Prayer as an annual event, signifies that prayer is as important to our nation today as it was in the beginning.

Like Thanksgiving or Christmas, this day has become a national observance placed on all Hallmark calendars and observed annually across the nation and in Washington, D.C. Last year, local, state and federal observances were held from sunrise in Maine to sunset in Hawaii, uniting Americans from all socio-economic, political and ethnic backgrounds in prayer for our nation. It is estimated that more than two million people attended more than 40,000 observances organized by approximately 40,000 volunteers. At state capitols, county court houses, on the steps of city halls, and in schools, businesses, churches and homes, people stopped their activities and gathered for prayer.

The National Day of Prayer is Ours

The National Day of Prayer belongs to all Americans. It is a day that transcends differences, bringing together citizens from all backgrounds. Mrs. Shirley Dobson, NDP chairman, reminds us: "We have lost many of our freedoms in America because we have been asleep. I feel if we do not become involved and support the annual National Day of Prayer, we could end up forfeiting this freedom, too."

History Summary

1775 - The first Continental Congress called for a National Day of Prayer
1863 - Abraham Lincoln called for such a day.
1952 - Congress established NDP as an annual event by a joint resolution, signed into law by President Truman.
1988 - The law was amended and signed by President Reagan, designating the NDP as the first Thursday in May.