Auld Lang Syne

     We hear it and  sing it every new year's, but do we even know what it means?
 The title comes from the old Scottish language and means, "Old Long Since".
This could be interpreted today as, "The good ol' days", or "For old times' sake".
It was written by a Scottish poet by the name of Robert Burns in 1788 and it is a simple little poem about remembering the loves &  friendships that have come  and gone.


Should old acquaintance be forgot, and never brought to mind?
Should old acquaintance be forgot, and old times since?
CHORUS: For auld lang syne, my dear, for auld lang syne,
We'll take a cup of kindness yet, for auld lang syne.
And surely you'll buy your pint cup ! And surely I'll buy mine !
And we'll take a cup o' kindness yet, for auld lang syne.
We two have run about the slopes, and picked the daisies fine;
But we've wandered many a weary foot, since auld lang syne.
We two have paddled in the stream, from morning sun till dine;
But seas between us broad have roared since auld lang syne.
And there's a hand my trusty friend ! And give us a hand o' thine !
And we'll take a right good-will draught, for auld lang syne.

Have a Happy 2013!!!

The Uniqueness of Jesus Christ

     You've all heard the Christmas story told throughout  tv, radio, and Internet.  You've seen the movies.  But I want to take it a step forward and examine who this Jesus was/is, and who He claimed/claims to be and his uniqueness in comparison to all other great religious world leaders such as Buddha, Mohammed, Confucius, Zoroaster, etc.

In Luke 22:70   What was Jesus' reply to the council of the elders' question as to whether He was the Son of God?   "Yes, I am."
In Matthew 27:43  What did the chief priests, scribes, and elders quote Jesus as having said about Himself?  "I am the Son of God."
         (The phrase, "Son of God", as used by Jesus Christ or in reference to Christ in His relationship to God is used in a very special sense, as that of a "unique" Sod of God.  In John 3:16,18; 1 John 4:9 the word "begotten" means a unique, unoriginal relationship:  an eternal relationship.  The very fact that He never includes Himself when He uses the term "our Father" - as He taught His disciples how to pray - and of course He never included any others when He says "My Father" or "My own Father" show that He viewed Himself as Son of God in a very special sense.)

In John 5:18, Jesus calls God is own father.  Stating this, He was making Himself out to be equal to God the Father.  How do we know this?  Well, in Leviticus 24:16, it says: 'Moreover, the one who blasphemes the name of the Lord shall surely be put to death; all the congregation shall certainly stone him.  The alien as well as the native, when he blasphemes the Name, shall be put to death.'
("Blasphemy" is giving the attributes of God to a creature- which is what the Jews accused Jesus of doing.  The Jews from ancient times have interpreted the command of Lev. 24:16, as prohibiting the utterance of the name "Jehovah"- Lord or Self Existent One- and reading for it "Adanai- Master- or "Elohim" - God or one supreme deity or Creator.  Blasphemy can also mean attributing some evil to God or denying Him some good which we should attribute to Him.  see also Romans 2:24)

Again, in John 8:53-58, Jesus answers both questions in verses 53 and 57:  "Before Abraham was born, I Am."  (Jesus' response not only reaffirmed His eternal, timeless, absolute essence, which is an attribute that only God has, but also identified Him as being one in essence with Jehovah God of the Old Testament, who also said that He is the "I Am"  in Exodus 3:13,14).  Jesus calls Himself the "I Am".  God calls himself the "I Am".  Its interesting to see many false teachers in today's society are calling themselves that as well. (http://youtu.be/5WRg7nrKnkg)

In John 10:30 -38  Jesus says in verse 30: "I and the Father are one."
(the word "one" - "ev" - in Greek, which was the original language that the New Testament was written in, means "one in inner essence or substance"  See also John 1:1, 14, 18; 5:18)  For this reason, the Jews took up stones to stone Jesus, because He was making himself out to be God.  Why did they do this?  It was customary in Old Testament times to refer to some as gods.  Most especially Judges who represented divine justice.  So why did they protest and call Jesus a blasphemer when He called Himself the Son of God?  Especially since He qualified, as demonstrated through His miraculous birth, perfect life, miracles, and fulfillment of scores of prophesies?  (Psalms 82:6; Exodus 22:8; II Chronicles 19:5, 6)

Other attributes of God that Jesus claimed were:
Eternal - John 1:1, 2, 14, 18 ("In the Beginning" means beyond the beginning of creation in time to eternity.  see John 17: 5, 24) John 8:58; Micah 5:2; Revelations 22:13 (22:12,16,20; 1:8,17, 18) Isaiah 9:6

Non-Changing - Hebrews13:8; 1:10-12; Colossians 1:16

Almighty - Revelations 1:8; 22:12-16, 20; Matthew 16:27; Hebrews 1:3; Philippians 3:20, 21; Matthew 28:18

Holy - Luke 1:35; John 6:69; Mark 1:24

In Being Worshiped - Matthew 2:2; 8:2; 14:22, 33; 28:9, 17; Hebrews 1:5,6; Matthew 4:10.  Notice that Jesus did not reject or turn away this worship from Himself.  He identified Himself in equality with God.

In Forgiving Sin - Luke 5:20-24  didn't Jesus claim to have this authority?

Creation of all things - Genesis 1:1-25; Colossians 1: 13-16

Life - John 14:6; John 11:25; 1:4

Resurrection - Acts 17:30,31; I Thessalonians 1:9,10; John 2:19 -21

In Name - Matthew 28:19; II Thessalonians 2:16,17; Isaiah 9:6

And the many more attributes that is said of Jesus that only God can claim.  And upon studying the Scriptures, you will see that Jesus has fulfilled many of them.  Something no other man in history has been able to do.    This is what makes Jesus so unique.  This is what makes Jesus, God.

The Gospel:  https://net.bible.org/audio/get/46-1Corinthians-15.mp3

All Bible references were taken from the New American Standard Bible.

The Secularization of America

A young man opens fire at a middle school, killing teachers and children.  Another young man goes to a shopping mall and starts firing at random.  Yet, still, another young man goes into a movie theater and proceeds to massacre everyone in sight!  My question is why?  What would possess someone to go on a shooting rampage and kill civilians for no apparent reason?  With no regard for life?


The Scopes Trial of 1925 was won on a progressive  premise of a "theory" that says man was developed from a lower level of animals. Despite the fact that Scientists dispute that theory, it has been accepted as scientific fact by society as well.  From that trial, a host of other disputes came to surface as the Government gained control of education in America,  the banning of pray in school and the not teaching the Bible, in what has also been accepted as a "Separation of Church and State" clause that is not found anywhere  in any of our founding documents.   Completely dismissing  the fact that the American school was established as a means to read the Bible and teach puritan values.  The shared Judeo/Christian values that once encircled our diverse society has been replaced by secularism.  Most especially in our higher learning schools that were established by religious leaders for the very purpose of teaching Biblical values!

In the 1960's the deviant Marxist ideals of Herbert Mancuse brought about the sexual revolution in America.  Although Marxism had already creepted into our society long before this, it came to the forefront during this time.  His ideas brought about the notion of relativism, with an emphasis I would add in the cultural aspect. This movement brought about the breakup of the family unit, and the challenge of the Capitalistic economic structure. The "subservient" culture class became the head of the movement, and challenged every aspect of the American structure.

The 1970's brought about Economic and Foreign Policy disaster  in the form of Anti-Semite President Jimmy Carter.  His domestic policies of tax and spend buried the middle class and job creation,  and sided with radicals in International affairs in the always unstable Middle East.  It also brought about a case that would change the course of American History.  In 1973 the Supreme Court of the United States took it upon themselves to play God and impose a personal moral verdict which has led to infanticide. The case was Roe vs. Wade.  The subject was Abortion.  The problem with the case is that it was subjected to case law interpretation, instead of Constitutional law.  If the latter had been used, the case would have been thrown out and/or dismissed.  Was this a violation of the Government's own use of "Separation of Church & State"?  This case was clearly a moral issue, in which the State stepped its bounds when it determined to assume when life began.  A truly ethical violation.

The 1980's brought about domestic prosperity in the form of lower inflation, Inventions and job creation from newly elected  President, Ronald Reagan.  However by this time, both parents were forced to work to provide for their families because of the destructive policies of the last administration.  This produced the "Latchkey" kid syndrome, where more children came home to empty houses after school. 

The 1990's produced a false assumption of prosperity, but upon future studies, shows that the Clinton Presidency  was nothing more than a popularity contest at the expense of the American people. This Millennium has brought us full circle to the Godless beliefs of the past 100 hundred years or so.  Add on massive spending, continuous wars, an infestation of drug use/abuse, government & societal irresponsibility, God given and Constitutional rights being taken away, greed, and  a  lacking sense of Community. One can sense the world  spinning out of control!  We see it every day in the news and in our culture.  Is it really any wonder the kids of today are going around killing people at whim?  Who or what is to stop them from doing it? The Church and its Biblical moral absolutes  have been silenced and made irrelevant, even though the past illustrates that Biblical standards helps a society.  So if a society does not want whats good for them,  why are we so shocked when a kid goes into an elementary school and fires at point range at little kids?  After all, in today's ethical relativism,  isn't that his "right"?  If America does not come back to the moral standards it once had, I don't see how the generations of tomorrow will prosper.  How do you see America and her future?

Dont' wait, Start Now!!!

                                                                Ask me how if your ready!

     As the year is almost at a close, I'm reflecting on all the things I set as a goal for this year.  Although I haven't  accomplished them all, I did have significant success  towards achieving them.  First thing on my agenda was to lose weight.  So I made it a goal to join http://www.teambeachbody.com/mybrwnblt  to help me be accountable for my fitness actions, and  I have  made some progress.  I have so far lost a total of 20 lbs.
     Even though I still struggle with eating healthy and exercising, I have the  means and support to continue to aim for the rest of my weight lost goals.  I will lose the weight, because I have predetermined in my mind that this is  what I want.   I'm setting goals for my health and my business.  I have noticed that since losing weight, I have much more energy to do things. It also shows in my  work. My  confidence is stronger since joining Beachbody .  It's theme is about helping people break the cycle of obesity.   Something I can say is meaningful to me.  Anybody can do a job, but when you put "meaning" behind it, then you know your are making a positive difference.  I'm determined!   I'm determined not to stay in the same rut every year.  I'm determined to get out of  my rut and help those who are in the same shape I'm in. Beachbody does more than offer quality weight loss products, but it also rewards you financially, as the late great Zig Ziglar's motto says, "If you help others achieve what they want".   So here's my challenge to you.  If your serious about losing weight, I mean so serious that your sick of how you look when you see yourself in the mirror, then let me know.  Together we can kick some major fat out of our bodies and into a healthy lifestyle.   If I, the biggest skeptic, can lose 20 lbs, then I know for sure you can too.  It starts with one step at a time. Are you ready to take that first step?

Recommended Christian Books

Spiritual Leadership by  J. Oswald Sanders                                      Moody Press
Hudson Taylor's Spiritual Secret by Dr. & Mrs. Howard Taylor            Moody Press
Failure:  The Back Door to Success by Dr. Erwin W. Lutzer             Moody Press
A Survey of Bible Doctrine by Charles Ryrie                                     Moody Press
The Battle for the Bible  by Harold Lindsell                                       Zondervan
The Islamic Debate by Josh McDowell                                               Here's Life Publications
Attributes of God by Arthur Pink                                                         Baker Book House
Encourage Me by Charles Swindoll                                                     Multnomah Press
The Calvary Road by Roy Hesson                                                      Moody Press
Lords of the Earth by Don Richardson                                                Regal Books
An Outline of New Testament Survey by Walter Dunnett                   Moody Press
George Mueller by Faith Coxe Bailey                                                 Moody Press
The Kingdom of the Cults by Dr. Walter Martin                                      Bethany House
The Bible in Balance by Harold Lindsell                                             Zondervan
Who Says? by Fritz Ridenour                                                                 Regal Books
Protestant Biblical Interpretation by Bernard Ramm                         Baker Book House

 

Recommended Bible Study Books

Naves Topical Bible 

Ungers Bible Handbook

Ungers Bible Dictionary or The New Bible Dictionary

Youngs or Strong's Concordance or New American Standard Concordance   (Or NIV)

Wycliffe Bible Commentary 

Commentary on the Whole Bible   by Jamieson, Fausset & Brown

The Bible Knowledge Commentary (Old and New Testament)

Interpreting the Bible by A. Berkeley Mickelson