November 2nd

In two days it will be November 2^nd, the day for which we've all been waiting, lo these many months - election day! In two days it will all be over. No more TV ads blaring a bunch of innuendos about the character of some politician's opponent. Is it just me or does this latest election cycle seem to be more vitriolic in nature than the others have been? Without giving away my age, I've seen many elections come and go and they just seem to get worse in mud-slinging and character assassination with each one.

I don't editorialize on politics in the sense that I promote one candidate over another, but I do use "politics" and "politicians" in general to teach lessons. And, I have to admit that they do provide some great (as in appropriate) illustrations, usually in the negative sense. Today's editorial will be of the nature of offering some advice to all politicians everywhere, but especially those already elected and those seeking to be elected to a seat in the federal government realm of politics. It will also provide advice to us as we make our decisions on who to vote for.

I ran across this "advice" quite a few years ago and in fact cited it once in an editorial "way back when." I remembered it and dug it out from the catacombs, dusted the cobwebs off of it, reread it and decided that it would be something we might need to consider again as we see "the day" approaching. If I'm successful with my presentation, you'll see this lesson apply to both "the day," (Nov. 2^nd) and "the day" of the Lord, (date unknown).

The "advice" which I'm about to cite to you was written by a minister (name unk.) back in the year 1916. I just wish that my editorials were read by some of our elected officials because, if they were, they might recognize the wisdom voiced by the words of that unnamed minister and act accordingly. He entitled his wise words "The Ten Cannots." Read them with me here and see if you don't agree with him and find his insight very applicable to today.

            You cannot bring about prosperity by discouraging thrift.

            You cannot help small men by tearing down big men.

            You cannot strengthen the weak by weakening the strong.

            You cannot lift the wage earner by pulling down the wage payer.

            You cannot help the poor man by destroying the rich.

            You cannot keep out of trouble by spending more than your income.

            You cannot further the brotherhood of man by inciting class hatred.

            You cannot establish security on borrowed money.

            You cannot build character and courage by taking away men's

            initiative and independence.

            You cannot help men permanently by doing for them what they

            could and should do for themselves.

I don't know about you, but I see each and everyone of these "cannots" being violated by our current class of politicians and it worries me. I'm particularly concerned by "cannot #7," the inciting of "class hatred" that seems to be rearing its ugly head lately and it reminds me of another "cannot." One spoken by Jesus and reiterated by Abraham Lincoln: "And if a kingdom/house be divided against itself, that kingdom/house cannot stand." (Mark 3:24-25)

I said that this lesson would also apply to "the day" coming which is of much more importance than this or any other "election day." I suppose we could refer to it as our "election day" as it will be the day in which Christ returns and takes the "elect of God" home with Him to Heaven. (Ref. Col. 3:12 and 1 Thess. 1:4) And, when you think about it, this will be the most important day in the life of everyone who ever lived on this earth, both of the "elect" and the "non-elect."

Since we're looking at "cannots" lets look at a few that pertain to the importance of which "party" we're in on "that day." Obviously, if the "elect" get to go home with Christ and be with God forever in Heaven, then the "non-elect" are relegated to another location. I don't think that we have to spend any time or space in this editorial surmising where that "forever" location will be so rather, let me provide you with some Biblical "cannots" that help illustrate the difference in the two "parties" and their designated eternal destinations.

I think that by knowing these "cannots" you can make the proper decision as to the election of the party in which you want to belong. And, I have to tell you that, you have to make a choice because Christ says "No man can serve two masters... that you cannot serve God and mammon." (Matt. 6:24) You see, by not choosing God as your "master" (His "party"), by default puts you into Satan's "party", the "non-elect party."

How about a little further look into the platform, so to speak, of God's "party." In defining how one becomes a member of "God's elect," His "party" we see in John 3:5 Christ laying out the basic membership requirement: "Verily, verily, I say unto thee, except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God." Then, in another place (Luke 14:27) we find Him saying this: "And whosoever doth not bear his cross and come after me, cannot be my disciple."

Ok, we've discussed the eligibility requirements for being in God's "party," IE: first being "in," or a "disciple" of His Son, but we need to also understand that should we decide to, shall we say, "switch parties" we also switch eternal destinations. In John 15 Christ likened Himself as "the true vine" and His disciples as "branches." He goes on to say that should we switch party allegiance we'd be like a lopped-off limb because, as said there in John, a "...branch cannot bear fruit of itself." It has to stay connected to "the vine" in order to be viable.

The "vine," as used by Christ to represent Himself, is what we call a metaphor. In closing our thoughts today, I'd like to portray this last point of the lesson about staying true to "God's party" and understanding the consequences of leaving it by using one more metaphor, that of a "ship." I see this metaphor as relative to the "party" of God. I think that you'll easily see the connection.

                    "Except ye abide in the ship, ye cannot be saved." (Acts 27:31)

Ron Covey

Dan Rather

"The dream begins with a teacher who believes in you, who tugs and pushes and leads you to the next plateau, sometimes poking you with a sharp stick called 'truth.'"

Dan Rather, American journalist (1931- )

 

Barnes & Noble nook

Barnes & Noble introduced a new version of their digital reader a couple of days ago. This new "Nook" will be in color, unlike previous readers which only displayed print in black letters on a white screen. We suspect other readers will follow closely with their own color versions.

 

If you're reading this (is that a dumb way to begin this sentence?!), you already know about digital reading. You also likely know that ebooks are now all the rage. Oprah Winfrey made a splash a couple of years ago when she promoted the Kindle, Amazon.com's version of a digital reader. Now there are multiple devices available, and prices continue to fall. Of course, a computer connected to the Internet has long had the capabilities that these newer devices have.

 

Why would a person be interested in an electronic reading device? Because it taps into a world of literature, adding a new level of convenience. You can shop for books using these devices and download whatever you'd like to read. Instead of having shelves full of books that you've read (and may never read again), you have only a handheld device, able to open any of the "books" you've downloaded. You can also download hundreds of the older classics for free.

 

In a July 19, 2010 story in the New York Times, Amazon announced that sales of ebooks are now outpacing sales for hardcover books. For every 100 hardcover books sold in the three previous months, 143 ebooks were sold. That type of trend has been noted by other major sellers of books. It has led some to ask if books will survive. Some libraries are already making significant cuts in their purchases of "hands-on" books.

 

And what about "the" book, the Bible? Does all of this suggest that one day the Bible will no longer enjoy its place as the best-selling book of all time? Will it even exist in the future?

 

I'm not a predictor of future events, but I do know something Jesus stated clearly: "Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away" (Luke 21:33). According to Jesus, God's word will be around for a long time.

 

Peter reaffirmed this claim in 1 Peter 1:23-25: "... having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever, because 'All flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of the grass. The grass withers, and its flower falls away, but the word of the Lord endures forever.'"

 

Does this mean that hardcover and leather-bound copies of the Bible will continue to grace the shelves of bookstore? I can't predict that (though I feel that there will always be a place for printed books). The important thing, however, is not the medium, but the message. Whether I read from a papyrus parchment, a printed page or a digital device, it's God's message that has power.

 

Words on a page have no power at all until they are transferred into our hearts. That's what James urged: "Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls" (James 1:21). No, God's word is not endangered. But a human soul without God's saving word? That's a scene of impending doom!

 

Timothy D. Hall.

 

Bill Gates

"Life is not fair.  Get used to it."

Bill Gates, American business magnate (1955- )

 

Poems about Jesus

Pierced hands, feet and side, but He'd simply abide

With the plan of redemption in sight

Since all men were cursed, lost, Jesus paid the high cost

Oneness in Him is God's holy delight.

World of men in confusion stand beguiled by illusion

That many ways, conflicting, are yet true

But in woeful compromise, they fall short of the prize

Who, despite truth, do not what God says to do.

Full and free, Christ's shed blood, forms that atoning flood

Which can save one who God's law has breached

But, though free, it has cost, so to save one who's lost

One must go where the blood can be reached.

Balm of Gilead bleeding gives grace so exceeding

Such hope found in His gift so free

Obedient and faithful, I find blessings so hopeful

Which brightens my daily journey.

Our orders, His demands, delivered by nail-scarred hands

He calls Christians to spread broad the news

And molded by recognition, the daily commission

Is their seeking the lost e'er they lose.

In times of fear and war, and whether near or far

Still unity must be our cry

For eternity lurks, may there be none who shirks

The plea for which Jesus did die.

Men's fickle trends fall, but towering over it all

Is the prayer of a Lord before His dying,

One as He and God are, there's our beacon and star

Purest unity all error denying.

 

-- Neal Pollard

James 1:26

It's strange isn't it, how things occasionally just "slip out of our
mouths." We really never meant to say whatever we said, but sometimes we do.
For me, most often I find it hard to keep my mouth shut when someone is
sharing their problems of present difficulty with me. It's natural (I
think), to want to commiserate with them, to share with them and let them
know that you have experienced similar things in your life. Most of the time
though; what they really need is just a listening ear on which to unburden
themselves.

We have the same problem when someone mentions another person, far too often
in a negative way. We are tempted to "join in" and add our personal comments
regarding that person or persons. At times we may even be the one who is in
the forefront of the discussion.

At other times, we may be speaking directly to someone and either on purpose
or inadvertently say something hurtful or mean. Once it is said, it's
impossible to take it back.

One author wrote: "My grandson, Justus, age 10, and his sister Taylor, age
13, were always teasing each other. One day, Justus was getting "sensitive"
about things his sister was saying to him. I reminded him that he had said
the same types of things many times in days past. With quiet reflection, he
spoke a gospel truth: "But it doesn't hurt as much coming out of my mouth as
it does going into my ears."

There is a children's song that says, "Be careful little tongue what you
say. the Father up above is looking down in love, so be careful little
tongue what you say!

James puts it this way in James 1:26, "If you claim to be religious but
don't control your tongue, you are fooling yourself, and your religion is
worthless." (NLT)

There are times I mess up and say the wrong thing, even though I try very
hard not to. Thankfully my wife is very forgiving, but I am even more
thankful to my God that he is even more forgiving! How are you doing?

Russ Lawson

Who first spoke of slippery slopes?

 

                                "The righteous shall inherit the land, and dwell therein

                                  forever. The mouth of the righteous speaketh wisdom

                                  and his tongue talketh of judgment. The law of his God

                                 is in his heart; none of his steps shall slide." Psa. 37:29-31

There is a phrase I've heard used of late and I'm going to use it as the catalyst for today's lesson. The phrase to which I refer is "Slippery Slopes." I don't know about you, but I have no problem understanding the meaning of that phrase. I've been on "slippery slopes" several times in my life, as I'm sure you have also.

There are lots of natural "slippery slopes" about for us to discover. Icy sidewalks for one. I grant you that here in SoCal we have very few icy sidewalks, but they do sometimes occur. Especially in the mountains when you happen upon a phenomenon known as "black ice." Whoa Nellie, I'm here to tell you that you can be in for Mr. Toad's Wild Ride if you're not careful.

Back in the mid-west part of the country one sees a little sign on all the bridges one comes to that reads: "CAUTION - ice forms on the bridge first." Trust me, it does. But, you know, mud, snow or even fallen leaves have sent me "sliding" down the slope too. I don't like to slip and slide and especially don't like to fall. Cal. Tech doesn't like me falling either. They say it upsets their seismographs.

But, let's talk for a few minutes today about some Biblical "sliding." Or, maybe we could refer to it as "Spiritual sliding." Probably the first Bible reference I think of is something we see as a very poignant picture in Deuteronomy that's called "The Song of Moses." It's basically a song detailing the final prophecy of Moses and, as you read it you almost hear a funeral dirge for Israel being sung. After all his efforts in behalf of his people Israel, think how sad Moses must have felt to be prophesying these words. Read this in chapter 32.

He talks about the wonderful things that God had done for the people and yet when they "waxed fat" they forsook Him. This is after He cared for them as an eagle that watches over her chicks. After they had been provided all of the good things of life. They shot off into idolatry and God was very displeased with their attitude. So much so that He said "I will heap mischiefs (disasters) on them; I'll spend my arrows upon them." (Verse 23)

I don't know about you, but I'd just as soon NOT have The Lord piling disasters on me and shooting His arrows at me. I'm going to assume that He's a pretty good marksman. See Israel was sitting nice and safe, not to mention fat and wealthy, but then they stepped out on the "slippery slope" of idolatry. The "slippery slope" of wanting to be like their neighbors around them. Wanted to be like the "Jones's".

God, through Moses, warned them about this "slippery slope" they were getting out on. That they were getting themselves involved with, and into, things that were not only bad for them, but was going to bring them harm if they persisted in running around out there on that "slope." He warned them that there were some absolutely terrible thing stored up for their punishment if they didn't straighten up.

But you know, He knew that they would go right on trying to keep their balance out there on that "slippery slope." Look at what He says in verse 35: "To me belongeth vengeance, and recompense; their foot shall slide in due time..." Then He sort mocks them and says (I'm paraphrasing) "now that you're sliding and falling, where are your gods. Obviously they can't do you any good."

Well, don't you think a lot of people today are pretty much like the Israel that Moses is "singing" about in his song? And you know what, we can also find ourselves out on a "slippery slope" sometimes, can't we? It's easy to say, "nah, I won't do anything like they did," but when you say that, remember what Peter said; "Me, Lord, no way, not me Lord."

And when you think about it, we've got a lot of "slippery slopes" in the world today that can easily cause us "mischiefs." Just take a moment and think of some. A few that immediately come to my mind are "slopes" like "euthanasia." Are we getting to the point in our society where it's OK to arbitrarily kill someone who is sick. You don't want to open that door. Pretty soon, there'll be "others" who can decide whether you are worthy of being kept alive.

I'm not even going to address the "slope" of same-sex marriage. Where that can lead to is downright scary, not to mention vile. But the "slope" of same-sex marriage is just part and parcel of the "slope" of moral declivity pervading our society. We have lowered the standards of just about everything to do with society today and in so doing, have created a myriad of "slippery slopes."

Here in California there's a measure on the ballot to legalize marijuana.  If that's not a "slippery slope" I don't know what is.  Here's an opinion from a retired police officer who used to enforce our state's narcotics laws:  marijuana is a "Controlled Substance."  There are very valid reasons for it being "controlled."  Why then, would we as a society, want to make something that's dangerous to society, both healthwise and in many other ways "uncontrolled?"  With all my heart and mind, I just don't want to see our society kick over that "proverbial rock."  To step out there on that particular "slippery slope."

Yeah, maybe some might say that they're not like old Israel, they're not worshiping idols, but guess what? It doesn't matter what the name of the "slippery slope" is that you're treading, rest assured that "your foot will slide in due time." And when that "time" comes, you'll wish that you hadn't found out what "mischiefs/disasters" the Lord has stored up for "sliders" and you'll, no doubt, find out just how good an "arrow" shooter God is.

Ron Covey