Bible in American History.....

It appears to me that some people just like to lie.  They get a kick out of looking you square in the face and telling you something they know isn't true but try to use to "force" you to their way of thinking. 

In the South we have several sayings about people who lie to prove a point.

"His tongue is long enough to cut his throat."  "He can talk up a tow sack."  (To fill a sack with foolish talk or nonsense.)  "Crooked as a worm on a hook."     "Like a Bug arguing with a chicken."

"He has a tongue for Tolling."  (To lure, lead on, entice with lies.)  "Rather tell a lie on credit than the truth for cash."  (Prefers to lie.)

And my personal favorite....."Put grease in yer pan, yer fish is burning." (You are incorrect, lying, tell the truth!)

Lately....that's all I can think about as I post the columns from American Minute   I started posting these because I thought they would be a wonderful topic of conversation around the evening supper table.  Yet the more I post, the more I am aware that progressives have been viciously lying to us.  I recently heard one leftist commentator say that it had been over 50 years since the government promoted Biblical study.  Here's a few choice Southern sayings for that guy....

"His head is full of stump water."  (Dumb)  "He'd hold a fish under water to drown it." (Stupid, dumb)

I don't like calling people stupid or dumb....yet what else do you call someone that expects you to believe such a silly obvious lie?? 

I enjoyed the following post by American Minute.  Amazing that I was busy living my life and never heard about this.

A Joint Resolution of the 97th U.S. Congress proclaimed "A Year of the Bible."


It was signed by Democrat Speaker of the House Tip O'Neil, Republican President of the Senate Strom Thurmond and President Ronald Reagan, who stated OCTOBER 4, 1982:

"Now, therefore, I, Ronald Reagan, President of the United States of America, in recognition of the contributions and influence of the Bible on our Republic and our people, do hereby proclaim 1983 the Year of the Bible in the United States.

I encourage all citizens, each in his or her own way, to reexamine and rediscover its priceless and timeless message."

Similarly, on January 25, 1941, President Franklin D. Roosevelt wrote the prologue of a special Gideons' edition of the New Testament & Book of Psalms distributed to millions of World War II soldiers:

"As Commander-in-Chief, I take pleasure in commending the reading of the Bible to all who serve in the armed forces of the United States.  Throughout the centuries men of many faiths and diverse origins have found in the Sacred Book words of wisdom, counsel and inspiration."

FDR continued:

"It is a fountain of strength and now, as always, an aid in attaining the highest aspirations of the human soul."

 
All I have left to say is that anyone that believes this is no longer a Christian Nation --- "They are doing a heap of stirring but making no  biscuits!"  (A lot of talking with no results)
God loves you,

Debbie

Pastor's Corner

Can you be saved inwardly and not look like it on the outside?

Debbie Jansen
Author, speaker, minister

It depends on if you are talking about physical appearance or the impression you leave with your character or rhetoric.  While we are instructed to be "modest" in attire....specifics on our looks really isn't a focus of the Bible.  I do think that there are many styles that don't reflect the values of the Christian Faith and probably should be avoided....but appearance is NOT as important as what we say, what we do and the motive of our heart.

Having said that, If you are truly saved - your life will change.  You will talk and act differently.  You will feel uncomfortable around anything that doesn't reflect Christ.  Your purpose and the direction of your life will change.  You will be different. 

I remember a man that attended a Wednesday evening Bible study.  He was so dirty and smelly it was hard to sit next to him.  His beard was straggly and brushed against a filthy shirt.  His hair was greasy and looked as if it hadn't been combed in months.  His fingernails were filled with dirt.  He sat with his arms folded and frowned as he watched my Dad teach.  Later that week he asked Dad to come pray with him about Salvation.  No one at church said anything about his appearance.  No one asked him to change.  My Dad didn't ask him to change....but change he did.  When he returned for Sunday morning (with wife and baby in tow) everyone was scrubbed and clean.  It was hard to tell he was the same man.  It didn't stop there.  He continued to grow and within just two years he became a deacon in the church and a well respected man.

When you become a Christian....you will change.

Ken Jansen
Music Pastor
Crossroads Community

This question makes me think of the idea of Baptism. It's an outward sign of an inward confession. If your life doesn’t show that God is within you… is He?

When I asked Dr. Crocker to answer this question he sent me a long story.  I tried to edit it for space but couldn't.  It's just too good.  I hope you enjoy this as much as I did!



Dr. Ken Crocker
Pastor, Missionary, author



Let me tell you a true story about Frank Nantz. Years ago I was his pastor. I was 28 years old and Frank was close to 70. He was tall and lanky, with big hands and had lost a front tooth. He couldn’t hide it because he smiled all the time.

He was the most lovable, kind hearted and generous man I ever knew. He was a deacon in the church, and loved everybody. I called him “Uncle Frank” like everyone else.

The day I moved in the old parsonage the church started building a new one across the street. Frank was the best carpenter around, so I saw a lot of him every day. He just showed up with his tools and started working. He laughed a lot and had so much fun that everyone was happy to have him around.

He always had interesting tales to tell about his life working in the coal mines of West Virginia. I learned about “tommy-knockers,” a strange knocking sound that the miners believed was a warning about an impending cave-in. He dug coal by hand in veins so small he had to lie on his stomach and push the coal behind him. All this took place hundreds of feet below ground in the damp, dark world of the coal miner.

No, he wasn’t perfect any more than I was. We came through town one day from a fishing trip and he had to stop at a gift shop. He hurriedly bought his wife a birthday card and we drove to his house.

I waited while he went inside to give his wife the card.

“Frank Nantz, what do you mean by such a thing,” I heard her say in a loud angry voice. There was more talking and then she came out to the car.  She showed me the card. It read: “Happy birthday to my brother.”

Frank apologized over and over again, and finally she simmered down. He grinned sheepishly, and said: “I’m sorry Maggie, I messed up again.” Then she smiled and said, “Well, all right, I guess you were in a hurry.”

She finally laughed about it with us. How could you stay mad at a man filled with such humility, love and kindness?

He lived in a small little “doll house” down the street from the church and although he had worked hard all his life he got by on Social Security and a small pension. He attended every service at the church and there was absolutely nothing he wouldn’t do for the Lord or for those in need.

I loved him and considered him one of the best Christians I had ever known. One day I saw him coming up to the sidewalk in front of the parsonage.

“Brother Crocker” I’ve got something for you,” he said. He had something held high in each hand.

“My wife knows you like butterscotch and lemon pies, and so she baked one of each for you. I guess we will soon have a fat preacher.” We laughed, sat down and talked for a while. Every Friday he would come to the parsonage with two pies. I never told anyone, but I enjoyed his visits as much as the delicious pies.

One day I asked him how he became a Christian and the story he told me was beyond belief.

“ I grew up poor in West Virginia in a coal mining town. We were so poor my daddy would catch rattlesnakes, pull their fangs out with a pair of old pliers, and give them to me and my sister to play with.”

He talked about the grinding poverty and the many days he spent in the mines digging coal by hand.  Often, at the end of the week he would get a paycheck with a black snake across the front of it. He explained what that meant.

“Well, we had some really hard times back then. We ate the squirrels I killed and the fish I caught by hand in the river. But we still had to get things from the company store. Those items went on the books, and at the end of the week if we still owed the store we got a paycheck with that long black line on it telling us that we were overdrawn at the company store.”

“Frank said: “Like everyone else I drank to forget all the misery and soon was a terrible drunk. When we moved up here I got a job at the RCA plant making television picture tubes. I made good money but couldn’t break the habit of smoking and getting drunk on week ends.”

He went on to tell me what a terrible drunkard he was and how he abused his family. Maggie and the children begged him to go to church with them on Sunday Morning.  Instead he chose to sit under a willow tree in the front yard.  “I was so sorry I would curse and throw whiskey bottles at my wife as she took the children to church on Sunday morning.  The really sad thing for me is that my boys followed in my footsteps. Now they won’t even talk about going to church or changing their ways.”

I couldn’t believe the story he told me about the man he use to be. There was no way I could picture this lovable old friend as that kind of man.

“What changed you Frank,” I asked him.

“I had a bad sickness and wound up in the hospital,” he said, “and they didn’t expect me to live. I was awake early one morning and suddenly I saw something that could have only been a vision. I saw a beautiful river and standing on the other side was Jesus. I was worn out, tired and sick and begged the Lord to let me come over there with him.”

“No Frank,” he said. “You are not fit to come over here. You’ve never been born again. It’s not too late. You could turn your life over to me. It’s up to you.”

“Then he disappeared,” Frank said as he wiped the tears from his eyes. “I knew what I had to do and as soon as my wife came to see me I took her hand and begged her to forgive me for all the things I had done to her. I didn’t know what else to do and I pleaded with her to pray for me to be saved.”

“I was born again, like Jesus taught in the bible,” He said. “It took months for me to apologize to people I had hurt, to mend the fences, take back the things I had stolen, and get things right in my life. All the old troubles and bad feelings just disappeared,” Frank told me.

“What about all the bad habits Frank? Were they hard to quit? Was it a struggle to change your life,” I asked?

“Not a bit”, he said, “In fact it was as easy as pie. I’ve never wanted another drink, I quit smoking, cursing, and my bad temper disappeared. It was like a miracle. God changed me because he knew I couldn’t do it myself. Over night my attitudes changed.  I couldn’t wait to get to church and I lovef everything about being a Christian. I’m happier than I’ve ever been in my life.  I asked the Lord to take over my life and make me the person I should have been. Not a day from that time to this have I ever failed to pray, read my bible and look for ways to serve the Lord.”

When I resigned as Pastor of the church, he came to see me. “I’m really going to miss you,” he said. “If we don’t see each other again, I’ll see you in the Morning.” I knew what he meant.

Frank never worried about whether or not he was saved....he changed and he knew he was!

God loves you,

Debbie, Ken and Dr. Ken


Free Class ! Principles of Parenting

Debbie is doing a free class on her Mommy Detective blog.  She will cover all the information she gives in her two-hour "Principles of Parenting" class.  If you click the "follow" button on this blog or on my Mommy Detective blog....you will receive the class study guide - free!


Principles of Parenting - Planning to have good children
This class teaches tested principles that will help you achieve your personal parenting goals. It includes the basics for better communication, discipline, and family dynamics. Practical behavior modification tips are included.

I hope you will check it out!

Mommy Detective

God loves you,

Debbie

Change vs. Truth - The tragedy of University of Arizona

I am not a difficult older woman who hates young people and their ideas!  I love children, teens and young adults. 

What I do hate is waste.  I hate to see lives wasted and opportunities missed.  As a true Mommy Detective, I've spent my life trying to dig through the facts and discover the Truth of any situation.  Truth isn't always easy.  Sometimes Truth can hurt our feelings or make us feel bad.  Sometimes Truth demands that we change a habit that we've become comfortable with.  Sometimes Truth means we have to get off our butt and work to change for the better.  But Truth usually does not leave us where we are and it moves us to making something wonderful out of our lives - and that is always worth the work!

It is human nature to resist change.  We get comfortable in our misguided or unintentional mistakes and we fight to stay the same.  Even with the best intentions and the greatest desire to change - every one of us will feel a resistance to change. 

Yet....if we are to be the best that God created us to be - we must change.  And unfortunately, in my entire life - (dare I say in all of history?) I have never heard anyone say this:  "My life is great!  Everything is going good for me.  I have everything I want.  I think I'll change."

When life seems to be okay - or when we've accepted the life we have - it's un-natural to want to change it.  Instead we hold our breath and hope that nothing disturbes the way things are.

YET.....Again.....if we are to be the best that God created us to be - if we are to change our world and make it better than it ever was....WE MUST CHANGE.

CHANGE is good.  Change moves us along.  Change helps us reach for the gold. 

CHANGE CAN also BE BAD....What if I make a wrong choice?  What if my change makes things worse not better?  Can I go back to what I was?  And if I can't go back will I regret this change for the rest of my life?

I believe that Change is good but it demands a committed responsibility to finding TRUTH.  If you ignore the facts in any situation you will regret your change.  

A great example of this is our country.  We have made change our God.  We encourage people to change, to be edgy (never understood this term - have mental picture of someone about to fall off a cliff - why is that desirable?), to be different for the sake of being different.  Young children grow up feeling as though the only way to have a successful life is to be seen as "different" - yet at the same time they try to look like everyone else that's following the stupid looks and behaviors of superstars. 

Can I just take a bunny trail here?  Why would anyone care what a movie star or music star has to say about anything?  They are not thinkers.  Their main focus in life is self and doing what a director or writer tells them to do.  Hum....they are just followers.  What our youth needs is someone who will "teach" them to be thinkers, entrepreneurs and inventors.  We need youth that are determined to find answers to societies problems.  We don't need more followers....we need more leaders!

Okay....back on the main trail here. 

When you are considering change you must have all the facts....you must consider every side and check out all the details of your change.  If you don't, you will be in the middle of change only to find because of some new information that you've made the wrong move.

Let's look at one example.  Back in the 60's, our country bought into the nonsense that the way to protect your child's self-esteem was to never say no.  Saying no would hurt little Johnny's psyche so we have to protect him.  Now those children are adults.  These are the people in our society that want to put down every attempt to "control" the evil in our society. 

If you are raised believing that every thought, every whim, every desire you have should be explored - regardless of what it does to others.....then any attempt to say "no" to you will cause a fight. Every contradictory thought would be an attack.  That's why some childish people can't stand to look at a religious symbol.  That symbol isn't hurting them.  They have the choice to look away or do the same thing I do when some evil is portrayed on TV - I turn it off and try another channel I believe in.  Only a childish spoiled brat whose never been forced to have boundaries would want to force others to cater to his own selfish desires.  I believe this is why America is so involved in catering to criminals and shifting our focus from caring for decent people to the elevated rights of criminals.

Here's the problem with that philosophy.  Catering to someone who is doing wrong does not make them change.  He's getting what he wants.  He's receiving respect even though he's a killer or a rapist.  He's allowed to go on functioning in society even though he's mentally or physically abused a child.  He's allowed to hold on to every stupid excuse he can fine to avoid change. Why would he change? 

I was appalled by the actions of the University of Arizona.  If I had been a relative of one of the victims, I would have left the building.  Why?  Because none of the people there were had respect for the grieving and the dead.  Clapping and cheering for someone who was murdered is not showing respect.  Hadn't any of those animalistic attendees ever been to a funeral?  I heard one commentator say, "Perhaps this was just what the crowd needed.  After three days of gloomy news, maybe they needed a release." 

That comment made me furious.  I had just sent an e-mail to Bret Bair and explained how awful I thought the pretend memorial service was.(perhaps I'll post my comments to him)  But then to hear a commentator excuse their actions - well that just infuriated me more.  I was not mad at the commentator but at the sentiment and belief that all we can expect from our children - from those that hold the future of this country in their hands - all we can expect from them is selfish animalistic behavior!  We can and should expect much more.  We can and should expect our youth to have some class and respect for others.

Those spoiled students didn't have to walk into the bedroom of their loved one and know that they will never return.  They didn't have to pick out the casket or make burial arrangements.  Remember - this was only three days after the shooting.  Most funeral services hadn't happened.  And while these poor victims were still in mourning, they were fooled into attending an emotionally difficult situation by misrepresenting a political pep rally and calling it a memorial service. 

I've stood beside a casket and looked at a relative that's passed on.  Even as a Christian and knowing that they were with Jesus and someday I would see them again - my heart was broken.  Every thought of them took my breath away.  Every moment was filled with pain, anger and yes some guilt.  I felt guilty every time I smiled - knowing that they couldn't smile.  It takes time - lots of quiet time - to get over that feeling.  It takes reflection and hugs and peaceful contemplation. 

At the pretend memorial services in Arizona, the University President allowed ill-mannered, selfish, animalistic children to hurt the victims of the shooting.  It seemed as though he was seeking his own moment of fame by issuing T-shirts and encouraging the crowd to be rowdy.  Mr. Obama is also to blame.  While he may have been caught off guard, where was his leadership?  Why didn't he simply address the crowd with an off scripted reprimand?  Why didn't he take control of the situation and defend the victims?  Instead he joined in the disrespectful display by saying nothing.  (Which again speaks to Mr. Obama as a president.  He's not a leader.  He's a follower.  He bows and apologizes and follows.  He doesn't lead.)  And I'm sorry.  I do not agree with all the commentators that say his speech was comforting.  Poppycock!  It was filled with political overtones.  If it had truly been a memorial service it should have pointed only to the victims and their families.  Mr. Obama should have only been a vessel spotlight pointing to the victims.  He should have resisted any attempt to point the spotlight on himself or any political agenda.  Instead his speech was heavy with political rhetoric overtones.  Instead it spoke to a pep rally for America and Obama's political stand.

The TRUTH is....Someone at that ridiculous pep rally should have taken the mike and defended the "grief stricken" families.  Would that have been difficult and hard?  Yes.  But would it have been proper and right?  Yes.  Would it have taught some of those in attendance about good manners and unselfish behavior?  Perhaps.  Would the victims have felt vindicated in their grief?  Would they have felt like someone truly understood their pain?  Would they have avoided the problem of leaving the building and feeling guilty because they didn't want to clap but rather wanted to cry?  Yes! 

What the TRUTH in this situation would have done is open a conversation about good manners and appropriate behavior.  And change?  Maybe we should think about the way things used to be and realize that selfish - my desires and needs first - was not a "good change".  Maybe we should consider how we can help our children have a good self-esteem without become animals bent on having what they want at any cost.  I feel sorry for the victims of Arizona.  They were betrayed by that University, the university president and staff, Mr. Obama and those spoiled brat attendees.  I am saddened that they had to be hurt again.  No handshake by a passive president can make up for the pain they will feel over the next few weeks knowing that the crowd was more interested in politics than in their dead relative. 

Class and respect is a wonderful comforting virtue.  When it is absent it leaves the heart feeling sick and alone.

God loves you,

Debbie 

National Day of Thanksgiving and Prayer

Brought to you by American Minute

On OCTOBER 3, 1789, from the U.S. Capitol in New York City, President George Washington issued the first Proclamation of a National Day of Thanksgiving and Prayer to Almighty God, as just one week earlier the first session of the U.S. Congress successfully approved the First Ten Amendments limiting the power of the Federal Government.


The First Amendment begins:

"Congress shall make no law respecting the establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof."

In his Proclamation, President Washington stated:

"Whereas it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the Providence of Almighty God....we may...unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations..."

Washington continued:

"and beseech Him to pardon our national and other transgressions, to enable us all, whether in public or private stations, to perform our...duties properly...to render our national government a blessing to all the People, by constantly being a government of wise, just and constitutional laws...and to bless them with...peace and concord...and the increase of science...and...to grant unto all Mankind such a degree of temporal prosperity as He alone knows to be best."


How can anyone state that this is no longer a Christian nation without looking and feeling like a fool?  More and more we are learning how deep our Christian heritage is.  This country was built on Christian principles and it's success is based on the observance of God.  Any man that tries to remove Godly attitudes from this country will kill our freedoms and our future!

God loves you,

Debbie

Arnold Joseph Toynbee - historian

Brought to you by American Minute

Historian Arnold Joseph Toynbee died OCTOBER 2, 1975.


Providing foreign intelligence for the British during World Wars I and II, Toynbee was a delegate to the Paris Peace Conferences.

Educated at Oxford "almost entirely in the Greek and Latin Classics,"

Toynbee taught at King's College of London, the London School of Economics, and the Royal Institute of International Affairs.

His 12-volume "Study of History," 1934-1961, described the rise, flowering, and decline of 26 cultures from Egypt, Greece and Rome to Polynesia and Peru.

"Civilizations die from suicide, not by murder," argued Toynbee, who saw religion as a prime motivation in history.

"When I started, religion was not a prominent feature...In writing my study, I have been constantly surprised to find religion coming back to fill an even greater place."

Toynbee continued:

"So what does the universe look like?..It looks as if everything were on the move either toward its Creator or away from Him."

Arnold Toynbee wrote:

"The course of human history consists of a series of encounters... in which each man or woman or child...is challenged by God to make the free choice between doing God's will and refusing to do it.

When Man refuses, he is free to make his refusal and to take the consequences."


What a wonderful observation by an intelligent and dedicated man.  How well have you been able to explain this philosophy to your children?  They deserve to know that others believe in God and His will.

God loves you,

Debbie

Destruction of God's Creation

In my new booklet, Scriptures Against Abuse, I discuss the consequences of destroying God's Creation.  Most Christians don't put a lot of emphasis on God's view of the destruction of talent - but God's consequences are severe.

God values every human.  In Matthew 10 Jesus was talking about not being afraid of your enemies.  In verse 29 he let us know how important we are and that He watches everything that is done even to the least of his creations.  In verse 30 he confirms our importance..."And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered.  So don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows."

The question then is....If God values you life so much that he even numbers the hairs on your head (which for me may take several angels just to keep the record straight) - how will he react when someone destroys His creation?

People rarely think about this side of the issue.  Most Christians are taught to go the extra mile, give the last penny, suffer for Christ and give 100%.  After all, the man we follow gave his life for all of us.  He was the ultimate sacrifice.  Do we need to do all that?  Of course! 

The problem is that while we study about giving and sacrifice - we must understand that there is a balance.  Jesus sacrificed in order to accomplish a goal.  He asks us to sacrifice in order to accomplish a goal.  Sacrifice or destruction just for the sake of destruction is actually a sinful act.  It's the same a suicide.  It destroys God's creation and we are not allowed to do that!

For example....We do not have the right to destroy someone physically and we do not have the right to destroy a person mentally or emotionally.  God is not about destruction!

So....what will he say on the day of judgement when we stand before him and he asks..."What did you do with the talents I gave you?"

Let's suppose some talented young man gives this answer....."Well, God....it's like this.  I know you gave me a singing talent but my wife wasn't on board with that.  She didn't like me in the spotlight and well...she wanted a more normal life.  I tried talking with her but it escalated to arguments and finally she said she would divorce me if I didn't get a normal job.  And you know....you said that you hated divorce, so I quit my pursuit and love of music and I got a job so I could save my marriage."

Let's look at scripture for this one.  In Matthew 25: 14-30 Jesus told a parable about three men whose master gave them talents (money) before he left on a journey.  Two men did their best to increase the money.  The third man wasn't a bad man - he was a frightened man.  He knew the owner was hard to deal with and he was afraid that if he tried to increase the money and instead lost it that the owner would be angry.  So...he took the money and hid it in the ground.  In verse 26 Jesus showed no compassion for this man. 

*Remember parables are just stories Jesus made up to prove his points and to share his understanding of God's laws.

In verse 26- 30  Jesus was incredibly hard on this man.  "His master replied, 'You wicked, lazy servant!...Take the talent from him and give it to the one who has the ten talents....And throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth."

Whoa!  That's really harsh.  Jesus is not compassionate with people who destroy the talents he has entrusted to them.  That poses an important question for victims of abuse, victims of mental stress and victims of past experiences.  If God has placed certain talents within you, which is more important....to stay in a destructive situation or to get out where you can actually promote your God given talents?

Do you have a friend that constantly puts you down and makes you feel so defeated that you wouldn't dare share your talents with your Sunday school class?

Do you have a pastor who wouldn't let God share a testimony in the pulpit unless he presented references and went through a vetting process?  You feel like you have a talent but wouldn't dare offer it to your pastor.

Do you have a God given talent that you want to pursue but your spouse keeps your self-esteem so low there's no way you would ever cross them to take a stand for truth?

Does your job provide a great salary but limits your ability to pursue your talents?

Why are you so afraid of leaving those situations in pursuit of God's will for your life?  Will you be punished at the judgement for turning away from or hiding the talents God has given you?

While we are trying to get along with our dear Christian friends, trying to have Godly homes and trying to get closer to God.....it's important that we are all aware that God expects you to use your talent!  If you don't there are grave consequences.  Remember how he cursed the fig tree because it didn't bear fruit?  Remember what he said in Mark 9:43-48?  That's the  - if your hand (foot or eye) causes you to sin, cut it off scripture. 

God has a purpose for your life!  God gave you talents that are different from everyone else in the world.  God demands that you protect and promote those talents.  God must come first!  In Matthew 10:37 Jesus said, "Anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me." 

In other words....nothing in this world should come between you and God.  And....nothing in this world should keep you from promoting the talents God has given you.  Every Christian should be aware that the destruction of your talents is not right.  We must all work together to assure that every individual within the body is doing what God created him/her to do.

God loves you,

Debbie