Friday, May 09, 2008
Edwin Arthur Powell
In Memoriam
A blessed Mother's Day tribute to my beloved son and daughter, Joshua and Minami, far from us in Japan, in memory of Edwin Arthur Powell, whom God in His Sovereign Wisdom and Mercy took to Himself.
As I wrote at the time, my faith teaches me that the souls of babies who die in infancy, are with the Lord Jesus who said, "Suffer the little ones to come unto me, for of such is the kingdom of heaven."
I know that someday I will see and know this precious little one, whom God in His unquestioned wisdom and grace, took from us before we knew him. He was taken away in weakness and frailty, but we will know him in strength and glory.
A number of years ago I planted a small bunch of violets just off our front porch. Since then, every year, they have reseeded themselves and seem to come up in random places, as God wills. The picture at the top of this post is published in memory of Edwin.
I do not know if they observe Mother's Day in Japan, but Sunday is Mother's Day in America, and this flower is for Minami, who is loved dearly by Grandma Penny and Grandpa Bud.
We will never forget.
Labels: Edwin Arthur Powell
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Monday, May 05, 2008
Do not think that the world does not have its doctrines of justification, but not by faith in the blood of Christ. It is justification by whim and political advantage.
During the 90's liberals justified the lying and the repeated fornication and sexual assaults of Bill Clinton and attacted viciously those who deemed them immoral and a disqualification for office.
Now these same people are justifying the bitter hatred and racism of the pseudo-minisster Jefferson Wright whose church Obama joined in ordr to gain politcial advantage.
Of course liberals have morals only when it suits their politics and then only those morals that suit their purpose. They can change them like actors changing costumes in 15-second blackouts..
During the 90's liberals justified the lying and the repeated fornication and sexual assaults of Bill Clinton and attacted viciously those who deemed them immoral and a disqualification for office.
Now these same people are justifying the bitter hatred and racism of the pseudo-minisster Jefferson Wright whose church Obama joined in ordr to gain politcial advantage.
Of course liberals have morals only when it suits their politics and then only those morals that suit their purpose. They can change them like actors changing costumes in 15-second blackouts..
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Friday, April 25, 2008
"In the LORD put I my trust: how say ye to my soul, Flee as a bird to your mountain? 2 For, lo, the wicked bend their bow, they make ready their arrow upon the string, that they may privily shoot at the upright in heart. 3 If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do? 4 ¶ The LORD is in his holy temple, the LORD’S throne is in heaven: his eyes behold, his eyelids try, the children of men." (Ps 11:1-4)=============
The man who trusts the Lord might rightfully say, "Why do you call me to flee like bird."
You say, "But the wicked are bending their bow; their arrows are poised to fly at you; they will suddenly destroy you."
"Ah, that is true," says the righteous, "and if the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do against evil men? But God is in his holy temple, His throne is in heaven, He is aware of the devices and plans of men--He even sees the archer who secretly aims at the righteous." Exactly
The foundations of the work of God in the world are not Hillary, Barack, or John. Thank God for that. If you are distressed over the prospects of this next election, then you have not properly considered what the promises of God are, and you maybe look to too much from government.
God is on His throne in heaven and He rules all things and brings everything into judgment. What happens in the world should not affect our peace and tranquility, for God is judge of all the earth.
"I have seen the wicked in great power, and spreading himself like a green bay tree. Yet he passed away, and, lo, he was not: yea, I sought him, but he could not be found. Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright: for the end of that man is peace." (Ps 37:35-37)
"Yet he passed away." Where is Hitler? Where is Mussolini? Where is FDR? Where is Mao? Where is Napoleon? All of them are gone. The godly of years past have gone on to glory; the wicked have been turned into hell. The world continues along in the path ordained for it.
"Therefore the redeemed of the LORD shall return, and come with singing unto Zion; and everlasting joy shall be upon their head: they shall obtain gladness and joy; and sorrow and mourning shall flee away. I, even I, am he that comforteth you: who art thou, that thou shouldest be afraid of a man that shall die, and of the son of man which shall be made as grass;" (Isa 51:11-12 AV)
Why should a man, or a woman, who are going to die, bring distress to the inheritors of eternal life? Amen and Amen.
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Wednesday, April 16, 2008
The Scourge of a Lying Tongue
20 Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth.
21 As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire; so is a contentious man to kindle strife.
22 The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.
23 Burning lips and a wicked heart are like a potsherd covered with silver dross.
24 He that hateth dissembleth with his lips, and layeth up deceit within him;
25 When he speaketh fair, believe him not: for there are seven abominations in his heart.
26 Whose hatred is covered by deceit, his wickedness shall be showed before the whole congregation.
27 Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein: and he that rolleth a stone, it will return upon him.
28 A lying tongue hateth those that are afflicted by it; and a flattering mouth worketh ruin. (Pr 26:20-28)
The Apostle James declared that the tongue is set on fire of hell. Solomon said that contentious men are wood and coal to kindle and keep the fire going. The slanderer is not to be believed because he has many abominations in his heart and covers up his wickedness.
James also puts it this way: "Where there is envy and strife, there is confusion and every evil work." The phony words cover up iniquity, and in time the rottenness will be revealed.
Faithful ministers are the especial butt of railings and bitter words, because the preaching of the word stirs up the flesh. In order to hide his sin the contentious man adds sin to sin. "He hath a devil," they said of the Lord Jesus. "Who do you think you are?" they added. "He said he would build the temple in three days," others said. "We be not born of fornication," still others said, meaning that Mary had conceived the Lord out of wedlock. The angrier they got, the more vicious their words were, for anger and hatred burned within them, "He casts out devils by the prince of devils."
God, however, has a very special care for his faithful ministers. "He that speaketh truth sheweth forth righteousness: but a false witness deceit. There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise is health. The lip of truth shall be established for ever: but a lying tongue is but for a moment." (Pr 12:17-19)
The lying tongue may gain a temporary goal, but the lying tongue cannot change the fabric of the universe, which is the creation of God. Truth arises from the grave that the contentious person prepares for it; it rises up and says, "You are a liar."
1Ch 16:22 Touch not mine anointed, and do my prophets no harm.
21 As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire; so is a contentious man to kindle strife.
22 The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.
23 Burning lips and a wicked heart are like a potsherd covered with silver dross.
24 He that hateth dissembleth with his lips, and layeth up deceit within him;
25 When he speaketh fair, believe him not: for there are seven abominations in his heart.
26 Whose hatred is covered by deceit, his wickedness shall be showed before the whole congregation.
27 Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein: and he that rolleth a stone, it will return upon him.
28 A lying tongue hateth those that are afflicted by it; and a flattering mouth worketh ruin. (Pr 26:20-28)
The Apostle James declared that the tongue is set on fire of hell. Solomon said that contentious men are wood and coal to kindle and keep the fire going. The slanderer is not to be believed because he has many abominations in his heart and covers up his wickedness.
James also puts it this way: "Where there is envy and strife, there is confusion and every evil work." The phony words cover up iniquity, and in time the rottenness will be revealed.
Faithful ministers are the especial butt of railings and bitter words, because the preaching of the word stirs up the flesh. In order to hide his sin the contentious man adds sin to sin. "He hath a devil," they said of the Lord Jesus. "Who do you think you are?" they added. "He said he would build the temple in three days," others said. "We be not born of fornication," still others said, meaning that Mary had conceived the Lord out of wedlock. The angrier they got, the more vicious their words were, for anger and hatred burned within them, "He casts out devils by the prince of devils."
God, however, has a very special care for his faithful ministers. "He that speaketh truth sheweth forth righteousness: but a false witness deceit. There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise is health. The lip of truth shall be established for ever: but a lying tongue is but for a moment." (Pr 12:17-19)
The lying tongue may gain a temporary goal, but the lying tongue cannot change the fabric of the universe, which is the creation of God. Truth arises from the grave that the contentious person prepares for it; it rises up and says, "You are a liar."
1Ch 16:22 Touch not mine anointed, and do my prophets no harm.
Ps 105:15 Touch not mine anointed, and do my prophets no harm.
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Tuesday, April 15, 2008
EU defends biofuel goals amid food crises - Yahoo! News
EU defends biofuel goals amid food crises - Yahoo! News: "The EU Commission on Monday rejected claims that producing biofuels is a 'crime against humanity' that threatens food supplies, and vowed to stick to its goals as part of a climate change package."
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"How Sweet It Is," to quote Jackie Gleason. People shouldn't fool with Mother Nature, especially when they are playing God.
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"How Sweet It Is," to quote Jackie Gleason. People shouldn't fool with Mother Nature, especially when they are playing God.
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The First Draft of History Looks a Bit Rough on Bush - US News and World Report
The First Draft of History Looks a Bit Rough on Bush - US News and World Report: "President Bush often argues that history will vindicate him. So he can't be pleased with an informal survey of 109 professional historians conducted by the History News Network. It found that 98 percent of them believe that Bush's presidency has been a failure, while only about 2 percent see it as a success. Not only that, more than 61 percent of the historians say the current presidency is the worst in American history."
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Yes, but current historians are like new magazines such as the US News and World Report. They do not write history, they write propaganda, because they are products of their age, just like reporters, subject to the same prejudices.
Any act cannot be judged except by future events and no one knows now what those events will be.
So the story is asinine. No body knows it better than the historians, but modern history, just like modern journalism has become organized and profitable transgression of the Ninth Commandment.
Contemporary history thought that Harry Truman was a terrible president, but subsequent events proved him right about the cold war and communist agression.
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Yes, but current historians are like new magazines such as the US News and World Report. They do not write history, they write propaganda, because they are products of their age, just like reporters, subject to the same prejudices.
Any act cannot be judged except by future events and no one knows now what those events will be.
So the story is asinine. No body knows it better than the historians, but modern history, just like modern journalism has become organized and profitable transgression of the Ninth Commandment.
Contemporary history thought that Harry Truman was a terrible president, but subsequent events proved him right about the cold war and communist agression.
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Friday, April 11, 2008
Gram
My grandmother was known as Gram, and she died in Oregon when I was about six years old. She had lived in the hills of Kentucky, married to a petty county official, part-time preacher, bootlegger, and general scoundrel. She had several grown daughters and five children at home, my mother then being the youngest at 3 years old. One day Granddad packed up every thing in a wagon, hitched the horse to it, called the kids and Gram and drove away, never looking back. Gram never saw her daughters or her grandkids again. One thing Granddad knew about the Bible was that women were to be in subjection, and Gram knew that, too. She kept the five kids with her and Grandpa and rode the wagon clear to Oregon. They stopped for a year in Missouri, where my youngest uncle was born.
Granddad always had money in his pocket but spent nothing on the family. Everyone had to shift for himself; Gram had to make do the best she could to feed the family. It took them about three years to come into northern Oregon and make their way south to Medford. It was there that Gram found out that in the case of a divorce, the Oregon courts often awarded the kids to the mother. This would never happen in Kentucky in those days for the father always had custody.
Gram decided to stay put. She squatted in an empty house with her six kids, took in washing, went to the Methodist church, and reared the lot of them, all through the great depression. The boys generally married good wives and the grandchildren went to church and confessed Christ.
Gram never saw most of them. Granddad went on South to Yuba City and died there, never seeing his family again or sending a dime of support. Most of the grandchildren and great-grandchildren confess Christ and live Christian productive lives today. The sins of the father were not visited upon them; the Lord worked in their lives; and they were added to the church.
They are the offspring of a woman who had a few years of grammar school education, who worked from sunup to sundown, walking miles to the homes of the rich to do their washing, read her Bible every day, made quilts, went to church every Sunday. Among her children no one could lay a finger on her and they spoke reverently of her until the day she died in my mother’s arms. She would not have been comfortable in any of our modern churches, but she knew the grace of God, loved her Bible, and believed in Jesus Christ. She never went to a spa, never visited a hairdresser, never knew anything but toil and faith. But she had iron in her veins.
I have only a very dim memory of her, and I am not sure the one I see in my mind is that of the small picture that my Mother always had in a place of prominence in our home. I am not proud of my grandfather, but I am immensely proud of that heroic Kentucky woman.
My grandmother was known as Gram, and she died in Oregon when I was about six years old. She had lived in the hills of Kentucky, married to a petty county official, part-time preacher, bootlegger, and general scoundrel. She had several grown daughters and five children at home, my mother then being the youngest at 3 years old. One day Granddad packed up every thing in a wagon, hitched the horse to it, called the kids and Gram and drove away, never looking back. Gram never saw her daughters or her grandkids again. One thing Granddad knew about the Bible was that women were to be in subjection, and Gram knew that, too. She kept the five kids with her and Grandpa and rode the wagon clear to Oregon. They stopped for a year in Missouri, where my youngest uncle was born.
Granddad always had money in his pocket but spent nothing on the family. Everyone had to shift for himself; Gram had to make do the best she could to feed the family. It took them about three years to come into northern Oregon and make their way south to Medford. It was there that Gram found out that in the case of a divorce, the Oregon courts often awarded the kids to the mother. This would never happen in Kentucky in those days for the father always had custody.
Gram decided to stay put. She squatted in an empty house with her six kids, took in washing, went to the Methodist church, and reared the lot of them, all through the great depression. The boys generally married good wives and the grandchildren went to church and confessed Christ.
Gram never saw most of them. Granddad went on South to Yuba City and died there, never seeing his family again or sending a dime of support. Most of the grandchildren and great-grandchildren confess Christ and live Christian productive lives today. The sins of the father were not visited upon them; the Lord worked in their lives; and they were added to the church.
They are the offspring of a woman who had a few years of grammar school education, who worked from sunup to sundown, walking miles to the homes of the rich to do their washing, read her Bible every day, made quilts, went to church every Sunday. Among her children no one could lay a finger on her and they spoke reverently of her until the day she died in my mother’s arms. She would not have been comfortable in any of our modern churches, but she knew the grace of God, loved her Bible, and believed in Jesus Christ. She never went to a spa, never visited a hairdresser, never knew anything but toil and faith. But she had iron in her veins.
I have only a very dim memory of her, and I am not sure the one I see in my mind is that of the small picture that my Mother always had in a place of prominence in our home. I am not proud of my grandfather, but I am immensely proud of that heroic Kentucky woman.
Labels: Gram iron
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Friday, April 04, 2008
Wonderful quote, worthy of one named after the great reformer!
If a man is called to be a street sweeper, he should sweep streets even as Michelangelo painted, or Beethoven composed music or Shakespeare wrote poetry. He should sweep streets so well that all the hosts of heaven and earth will pause to say, here lived a great street sweeper who did his job well.- Martin Luther King, Jr.
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It is too bad that so many of our black brothers today have listened to other voices and would say, "Who wants to be like one o' them white folks?" But they should pause a moment and listen to their best friends like Bill Cosby.
If a man is called to be a street sweeper, he should sweep streets even as Michelangelo painted, or Beethoven composed music or Shakespeare wrote poetry. He should sweep streets so well that all the hosts of heaven and earth will pause to say, here lived a great street sweeper who did his job well.- Martin Luther King, Jr.
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It is too bad that so many of our black brothers today have listened to other voices and would say, "Who wants to be like one o' them white folks?" But they should pause a moment and listen to their best friends like Bill Cosby.
Labels: good works, MLK
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It's an Unmitigated Disaster!!
Lloyd's warns of a lack of natural disasters Business The Guardian: "Lloyd's of London warned yesterday that an absence last year of natural disasters or man-made accidents was putting pressure on firms to reduce premiums in 2008.
The world's oldest and biggest insurance market said that though the lack of major disasters had allowed firms to push up profits 5% in 2007, underwriting margins were being squeezed."
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What are we going to do without more disasters? Liberalism will have nothing to scare people about in order to increase the power and size of government. Algore will have to give up the billions he stood to make in selling indulgences for those who use too much carbon. Conspiritorialists will have to find other things to blame on their favorite enemies. What will Bush-haters do with no disasters to blame on him.
Worst of all, the dispensationalist will have to change his predictions about the immanent return of Christ; for if there are no earthquakes, hurricanes or other natural disasters, how will he be able to read the signs of the times. Its a disaster!
We need to pray [to whatever god you pray to] that we will see an immediate increase in disasters so that these careers can be saved, and by saving these careers we can revive the world's economy. Without disasters who is there to save?
Lloyd's warns of a lack of natural disasters Business The Guardian: "Lloyd's of London warned yesterday that an absence last year of natural disasters or man-made accidents was putting pressure on firms to reduce premiums in 2008.
The world's oldest and biggest insurance market said that though the lack of major disasters had allowed firms to push up profits 5% in 2007, underwriting margins were being squeezed."
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What are we going to do without more disasters? Liberalism will have nothing to scare people about in order to increase the power and size of government. Algore will have to give up the billions he stood to make in selling indulgences for those who use too much carbon. Conspiritorialists will have to find other things to blame on their favorite enemies. What will Bush-haters do with no disasters to blame on him.
Worst of all, the dispensationalist will have to change his predictions about the immanent return of Christ; for if there are no earthquakes, hurricanes or other natural disasters, how will he be able to read the signs of the times. Its a disaster!
We need to pray [to whatever god you pray to] that we will see an immediate increase in disasters so that these careers can be saved, and by saving these careers we can revive the world's economy. Without disasters who is there to save?
Labels: anger, Disasters, Gore, science, Warming
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