Sunday

HOW A 29-YEAR OLD C.K. CHESTERTON FLIPPED 4 ARGUMENTS AGAINST CHRISTIANITY UPSIDE DOWN

WE ARE CURRENTLY STUDYING GENESIS IN OUR ONEYEARBIBLE BLOG. 

Some of the best commentary by Bob Deffenbaugh on a variety of subjects is included in this daily (fairly intense) Bible study.  I am linking to some of my favorites of the past week.  Incidentally,  if you don't want to read the entire commentary, look at the bold-faced points then skip to the conclusions at the end of each article.

Here are a few of my  recent favorites:

A Proper Perspective of Poverty and Prosperity

The Proper Use of Power 

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BELOW another excerpt from Pastor Tim Keller's new daily devotional, The Songs of Jesus, today from Psalm 16:7-11

  7I bless the Lord who gives me counsel;in the night also my heart instructs me. 8 I have set the Lord always before me;because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken. 9Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices;my flesh also dwells secure. 10For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol, or let your holy one see corruption. 11You make known to me the path of life;in your presence there is fullness of joy;at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

THE BEST IS YET TO COME.  If God is our greatest good, we get what can't be lost and will only increase---infinitely.  The Lord is at our right hand. To be at someone's right hand is to be their advocate in court or support in battle or companion for a journey.  In Christ this is literally true (Acts 2:24-36). Because he died and rose for us, he is our representative in heaven (so we are completely forgiven) and companion on earth (so we are intimately loved). And someday we will not just sense him at our side but see him face to face.  In our resurrected bodies that will be endless, unimaginable pleasure (verses 9-11).  Now we have nothing to fear. 

PRAYER: Lord, as I lay down in sleep last night and rose this morning only by your grace, so keep me in a joyful, lively remembrance that whatever happens, I will someday know my final rising----the resurrection---because Jesus Christ lay down in death for me and rose for my justification.  Amen.

An Incredible Story of Healing @ Mark's Daily Apple

NEO: TRUMP CALLS CRUZ WORSE THAN HILLARY.....IS HE OUT-OF-HIS MIND IN SOME IN SOME MAJOR WAY?

HERE'S THE FRIDAY TRANSFORMATION STORY @ MARK'S DAILY APPLE, and what a story it is! Anyone who thinks drastically changing your lifestyle and eating habits doesn't work needs to read this, then read it again.

Without a doubt Mark Sissom's primal lifestyle blog and books are helping to change and heal more overweight and chronically sick people than thousands of doctors, prescription drugs ever could. This is not a diet, but a complete lifestyle overhaul that heals and gives people back their will-to-live and be productive. What a great story!

Read it and be inspired and encouraged.

I am a 43-year-old man who was an intravenous meth user for 18 years, in prison three times, jail 18 times, and homeless. I was saved from my drug use and criminal life, but I had become depressed. I became reclusive and began to eat myself into obesity…topping the scales at 315 pounds. 

I had absolutely no energy and was completely useless to my wife and son. The example I was setting for my two-year-old son was an unhealthy lifestyle. Unless I changed my habits, and he continued to eat what I was serving him, his health would also suffer. I was eating fast food, processed food, cereals, boxed foods, canned foods, juices, sodas, etc. 

Out of concern for my well being, my cousin, who has been living the paleo lifestyle for years, introduced me to Mark’s Daily Apple for more information and direction on eating paleo. What I read made sense, and I took it on 100%. 

I was amazed at not just the weight loss, but at the enormous increase in my energy. Over time my depression lifted.

 Using nutritional information from Mark’s Daily Apple in combination with my workout routine, I was able to lose 140 pounds and gain lean muscle in 15 months. My energy level is remarkable. Bed at 8:30 p.m. and up at 3:30 a.m.I am a personal trainer for others, and I care for my two sons and my wife, so my days are always jam packed, and I never fatigue....

Read more: http://www.marksdailyapple.com/going-primal-transforms-a-family-of-four/#ixzz3y1vANZ94

 Read more

The Trail Leadeth Upwards

GOSH, IT'S BEEN AT LEAST TWO YEARS SINCE I'VE BEEN ABLE TO WALK THESE BEAUTIFUL DESERT TRAILS AND MOUNTAINS! It's great to be back in southern Arizona for a week or so and enjoy the stunning weather, prayer and winter exercise for a little while. It just doesn't get any better, even with all that's going on in the world. The economic rodeo will be there when I return.

Sunday

TAKEN FROM PASTOR TIM KELLER'S NEW BOOK, THE SONGS OF JESUS (A Year of Daily Devotions In the Psalms) 

PSALM 11 

 In the Lord I take refuge.  How then can you say to me:

    “Flee like a bird to your mountain.
² For look, the wicked bend their bows;
    they set their arrows against the strings
to shoot from the shadows
    at the upright in heart.
³ When the foundations are being destroyed,
    what can the righteous do?”

⁴ The Lord is in his holy temple;
    the Lord is on his heavenly throne.
He observes everyone on earth;
    his eyes examine them.
⁵ The Lord examines the righteous,
    but the wicked, those who love violence,
    he hates with a passion.
⁶ On the wicked he will rain
    fiery coals and burning sulfur;
    a scorching wind will be their lot.

⁷ For the Lord is righteous,
    he loves justice;
    the upright will see his face.

DON'T DESPAIR.  When life crumbles, the desire to run away and hide in despair is strong. David counters this impulse with three insights:  theological---God is still on his throne and will execute justice in his wise time (verse 4); practical---crises are really tests, opportunities to evaluate 
what is true and solid and what is flimsy and should be discarded (verses 4-5); and spiritual---what we really need is the knowledge of God's presence and face (verse 7).  Only love makes you interested in gazing on someone's face.  Pray until God and his love become more real to you.  Then you won't run scared.

PRAYER:  Lord, people are saying, 'It's over, just give up.' But I won't panic---or should I say,  Lord, help me to not panic'? I know you are on your throne---but my heart doesn't feel that----so speak to my heart.  Let me love you enough not to be scared.  Amen.

Ted Cruz 'Apologizes' To New Yorkers Who Have To Live With de Blasio and Cuomo

TED CRUZ JUST MADE THE PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN INFINITELY MORE INTERESTING AS IF TRUMP IS NOT ENOUGH.  His faux apology of the year to New York went something like this,

 “I apologize to the millions of New Yorkers who’ve been let down by liberal politicians,” he needled.

Then he blasted top New York Democrats by “apologizing” to those “denied jobs because Governor Cuomo won’t allow fracking.”

He “apologized” to “African-American children who Mayor de Blasio tried to throw out of their charter schools that were providing a pipeline to the American Dream.”

And in a final dig at the mayor, Cruz said New York law enforcement and first responders deserve an apology because de Blasio “stands with looters and criminals.”

Cruz also stood by his “New York values” slam at Thursday night’s GOP presidential debate.
“Everyone understands the values in New York City are socially liberal, are pro-abortion, are pro-gay-marriage, focus around money and the media,” Cruz said.

“There are not a lot of conservatives coming out of Manhattan,” he joked.

Cruz’s fusillade came late Friday, after New York elected officials ripped into him for trying to win votes in the Midwest by disparaging New York.

“On behalf of all New Yorkers, I’m disgusted at the insult that Ted Cruz threw at this city and its people,” de Blasio said.

OK, back to Ted Cruz's comment on Donald Trump's New York values, take a look at this thanks to Stuart Schneiderman ( without further ado watch Trump talking to Russett in 1999):

Trump's Great Looking Family and What He's Really Like

UPDATE TO THE LIVING WAGE CROWD: BEHOLD!WALMART TO CLOSE 269 STORES, FIRE 16,000  AFTER RAISING MINIMUM WAGE
ANGLICAN COMMUNION TAKES A STAND ON SAME-SEX MARRIAGE WITH AMERICA'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH

TRUMP SAYS IF ELECTED PRESIDENT, his company would be like peanuts to him, adding, Run the company kids, have fun! You can't deny that all of his adult children---so far---have seemed to turn out well. They appear to be real, functioning, productive adults, to his and Ivanka's---or is it Ivana?-- great credit.

Let's Go to Tonight's Republican Debate Together, Shall We?

EXCELLENT, SUBSTANTIVE DEBATE.  MY FINAL FOUR: CRUZ, TRUMP, RUBIO, CHRISTIE.

THOUGHT MODERATORS DID WELL.

BEST QUOTE FROM TED CRUZ WHO HAS ARGUED 7 CASES BEFORE THE SUPREME COURT: HE'S NOT TAKING ANY LEGAL ADVICE FROM DONALD TRUMP.... Best righteous indignation: Still Donald Trump who flaunts his anger and disdain for political correctness as his polls continue to rise....We can't be the stupid country anymore...says stopping Muslim immigration would be temporary; We have to get to the bottom of this; he wants security/vigilance for our country...He's right about China's devaluation of the Yuan and the havoc it's wrecking to our economy. Rubio's best shot: Railing about the Second Amendment and Obama's unilateral gun control measures....going after Obamacare and all the degradations of the current administration.... Best governor showing: Chris Christie vows to kick Obama's rear end and better fund our intelligence community...says Hillary Clinton cannot be president with her many foreign policy disasters...says sanctuary cites are a big problem.... Best debater---Ted Cruz, Ted Cruz, Ted Cruz in total control of himself even as Trump deflects Cruz's accusations that the New Yorker is not a true conservative... Jeb Bush still leaves me cold, cold, cold... Ben Carson takes on President Obama's ridiculous bombing policies of ISIS oil tankers.... Kasich agrees with Trump in being for open trade and fair trade.

 WILL BE THERE COMMENTING, AS NECESSARY, IF I'M NOT STRUCK DUMB... It's on Fox BUSINESS channel, not Fox News. I expect it to be noisy, unruly and at times desperate.

The main event starts at 8 Central.

Not So Comforting Advice From Conservative Royal Scottish Bankers Who Predicted the 2008 Meltdown---Sell Everything!

 STARTED HEARING WARNINGS ABOUT DEFLATION MONTHS, IF NOT SEVERAL YEARS, AGO. The mega-deflation of oil and the junk bonds got the ball rolling and certainly seemed harbingers of  more to come.

This RBS release is not really news, but certainly bears repeating. All markets are extremely dangerous and volatile right now, and may continue for some time to come. Not time to make big ticket purchases or investments unless it's in cash instruments. I myself don't like the sounds of words like cataclysmic. Highlights of this rather ominous piece today in The Telegraph:

RBS cries 'sell everything' as deflationary crisis nears. Clients told to seek safety of Bunds and Treasuries. 'This is about return of capital, not return on capital. In a crowded hall, exit doors are small.' RBS has advised clients to brace for a “cataclysmic year” and a global deflationary crisis, warning that major stock markets could fall by a fifth and oil may plummet to $16 a barrel.

I don't think we've ever lived through a real, honest deflationary period in my lifetime.  Sure, we know inflation.  But, here we may be heading toward uncharted territory.

Sunday--Biblical Wisdom Bestows Well-Being and Extends Life

Wisdom Bestows Well-Being--Proverbs 3:1-6
 

1 My son, do not forget my teaching,
    but keep my commands in your heart,
² for they will prolong your life many years
    and bring you peace and prosperity.

³ Let love and faithfulness never leave you;
    bind them around your neck,
    write them on the tablet of your heart.
⁴ Then you will win favor and a good name
    in the sight of God and man.

⁵ Trust in the Lord with all your heart
    and lean not on your own understanding;
⁶ in all your ways submit to him,
    and he will make your paths straight.^[a]


WISDOM CAN ONLY COME FROM READING, BELIEVING, OBEYING THE WORD OF GOD  which is why being in the Scriptures daily, persistently, is the only ultimate path to growth and lasting maturity.

Otherwise we are  constantly buffeted about on the stormy seas of external conditions which change and ultimately only disappoint. Being smart and intellectual are not paths to wisdom.....Remember,

²⁷ But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the (worldly) wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong (1 Corinthians 27).

 
   Reading the book of Proverbs and through the entire Bible regularly (linked on my siebar) are wonderful ways to begin, or continue, each of our journeys into wisdom and maturity.

Another great daily resource devotional, though not as in-depth, intense or rigorous is Walk Thru the Bible, a free, daily email delivered to your inbox after you register.   Every morning, I read the daily selections at OneYearBibleblog.com and Walk thru the Bible---both great ways to start the day.

Thank you for coming by. May God bless you with wisdom  and all good things in the New Year.

North Korean Defector Talks Life Under Authoritarian Dictatorship

BEST SELF-DEFENSE BODY WEAPONS TO STOP AN ATTACKER COULD THIS HAPPEN IN AMERICA? ARE WE HEADING IN THAT DIRECTION ALREADY--LIKE SHEEP TO THE SLAUGHTER? It's about total obedience to the central powers-that-be with no push back allowed. But before that can happen, the citizens stop even trying to stand up for what they believe, and so leaders fill the void of political apathy and laziness. Make no mistake, the thought police are here and terrorizing everyone---including our children---with their shaming and punishing. Stuart Schneiderman has a great piece up today on Trump Versus Political Correctness.

Sunday, Abraham's Age At Ten Major Events In His Very Long Life

THIS REALLY PUTS THINGS IN PERSPECTIVE AS TO WHEN ABRAHAM'S MAJOR LIFE EVENTS HAPPENED and how long he and Sarah waited---mostly in faith---for the promises of God to be fulfilled.

He was 100 (!) when his son of promise, Isaac, was born to Sarah who was 10 years younger.... long, long before the era of viagra!  God provides, often supernatually.