Critical Life Lesson ~ ”Do You Know How To Catch Wild Pigs?"

Life has a way of raising Red Flags of Warning - and if we ignore them, or become acclimated to the problems they warn us to avoid, we become like the wild pigs in this story. 

I found this graphic illustration today on Facebook and feel strongly that I must help raise the Red Flag of Warning against the Liberal Socialist Democratic Agenda washing across America today like a flood of sewage water.

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CRITICAL LIFE LESSON   ~  ”Do you know how to catch wild pigs?
By Graham Lear
https://medium.com/@graham100200/critical-life-lesson-do-you-know-how-to-catch-wild-pigs-f3626a84c161

A chemistry professor in a large college had exchange students in his class.  One day while the class was in the lab, the professor noticed one young man, an exchange student, who kept rubbing his back and stretching as if his back hurt.

The professor asked the young man about his problem.  The student told him he had a bullet lodged in his back.  He had been shot while fighting communists in his native country who were trying to overthrow his country’s government and install a new communist regime.  In the midst of his story, he looked at the professor and asked a strange question. He asked: “Do you know how to catch wild pigs?”

The professor thinking it was a joke asked for the punch line.  The young man assured him it was no joke.

“You catch wild pigs by finding a suitable place in the woods and putting corn on the ground.  The pigs find it and begin to come every day to eat the free food."

“When they are used to coming every day, you put a fence down one side of the place where they are used to coming.  When they get used to the fence, they begin to eat the corn again and you put up another side of the fence.  They get used to that and start to eat again."

"You continue until you have all four sides of the fence up with a gate in the last side.  The pigs, now used to the free corn, start to come through the gate to eat the free corn again. You then slam the gate on them and catch the whole herd."

"Gradually the wild pigs have lost their freedom.  They run around and around inside the fence, but they are caught.  Soon they go back to eating the free corn.  They are so used to it that they have forgotten how to forage in the woods for themselves.  So they accept their captivity.”

The young man then told the professor that is exactly what he sees happening in his homeland, Great Britain.  Momentum keeps pushing us toward Communism/Socialism and keeps spreading the free corn out in the form of programs such as supplemental income, tax credit for unearned income, free university places, welfare entitlements, etc. - while we continue to lose our freedoms a little at a time as the Labour government forces people in the UK to participate in many of these programs whether they want to or not.

One should always remember two truths: (1) There is no such thing as a free lunch, and (2) you can never hire someone to provide a service for you cheaper than you can do it yourself.  As we see this wonderful government “help” becoming a problem which confronts the future of democracy in the UK ~ folks in America should be able to see that same future becoming reality here.  God help us all when the gate slams shut!

Quote for today: “The problems we face today are there because the people who work for a living are now outnumbered by those that vote for a living.”

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I pray that you have found this story interesting as we contemplate (1) what is happening in Europe and Great Britain and (2) realize that with the Liberal Socialist Democratic Party willing to sell our homeland and our children's legacy for more power, money, and votes - that same erosion of democracy and sovereignty is fast becoming a reality in America.

With more and more Illegal Immigration becoming the norm instead of the exception today - with more and more compromising and selling of our long-held moral values - with more and more corruption becoming apparent in all levels of political office across America - we see the empty headed Entitlement Crowd growing in number and demanding more and more government handouts to allow them to live their amoral lifestyles with impunity.

How can we stem this tide of Anti-American values and morals, this habit of selling America for personal political gain, power, and money?  Glad you asked.

All who love America and want to live in a free America, leaving a legacy of a free, moral America for our children and grandchildren - MUST VOTE CONSERVATIVE in all future elections (local, state, federal) and begin to stand against the Blue Tide of Erosion which has captured far too many political offices across America using devious voting base made up of Illegals, cemetery residents, and folks who will vote multiple times for money.  Food for thought?  Yes!

God bless, have a wonderful, blessed day,

Bill

"YOU" Are Invited To Our IBBC-Riverside 2018 CHRISTMAS CANTATA "The King Is Here"

WE WISH YOU A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS
AND INVITE "YOU" TO OUR 2018 CHRISTMAS CANTATA "The King Is Here."

THE KING IS HERE, A Christmas Cantata
Saturday, December 15, 2018 ~ 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM

International Bible Baptist Church - Riverside
5932 Challen Avenue, Riverside, California 92503

We at IBBC-Riverside will be so honored if you will join us at this special event to Worship Our KING!.

God bless, Bill

Click on image to enlarge: 

The United Nations "Mandates" Abortion Legalization! ~ Really?

AMERICA IS HOME TO THE WORLD'S TWO LARGEST SUPPORTERS OF INFANTICIDE!   ~  If anyone doubts that statement, consider these facts.  We all recognize that Planned Parenthood Federation of America, Inc., aka, Planned Parenthood, is the world's largest Abortion Clinic.  

Planned Parenthood has its headquarters in New York City - and has local Infanticide (mass killers of babies) clinics in most every city and community in America.

And we have the anti-America organization named the UNITED NATIONS also headquartered in New York City.  The UN's latest move against America's moral values was recently announced. 

On November 13, 2018, we see the United Nations issuing its mandate that all nations MUST legalize Infanticide, aka, Abortion.  Has the United Nations already declared itself to be the One World Government?

From the associated article:

UN Committee Declares Sovereign Nations ‘Must’ Legalize Abortion
https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/un-committee-declares-sovereign-nations-must-legalize-abortion?fbclid=IwAR0Mj8rIE1Y1_2QL5X2jlQF5UxokPkbRzYUJXKdfSkYVTbEAqSeKhpziLwo

 GENEVA, Switzerland, November 13, 2018 (Population Research Institute) – The Human Rights Committee at the United Nations Office in Geneva has adopted a radically pro-abortion document that could have lasting implications for pro-life laws worldwide.

 The document, known as General Comment No. 36, is the first of its kind to declare that states “must” legalize abortion in cases of rape, incest, health of the mother, and when the pregnancy “is not viable.”  

First, please notice that the United Nations refers to all nations of the world - as STATES.  No, America is not a "state" under the United Nations.  America is a sovereign nation - and regardless of the attempts by Obama, Hillary, and the Liberal Democratic Party to surrender our sovereignty to the United Nations - America will remain a sovereign nation.  America is under the control of God and never the United Nations or any other man-devised organization.

For the record, statistics DO NOT support or want Abortion on Demand, i.e., the indiscriminate killing of innocent babies just for convenience.  Folks have tried to use rape, incest, and mother's health to support the convenience of Abortion on Demand as their choice of birth control.  But, statistics show that those three combined account for much less than 3 percent of the one million abortions in America each year.  That leaves about 970,000 babies killed via abortion - as a chosen method of birth control - for convenience.  That grieves God and all Christian believers.

Reasons Given For Having Abortions In The United States
By Wm. Robert Johnston, Last updated 18 January 2016 http://www.johnstonsarchive.net/policy/abortion/abreasons.html

Summary:  This report reviews available statistics regarding reasons given for obtaining abortions in the United States, including surveys by the Alan Guttmacher Institute and data from seven state health/statistics agencies that report relevant statistics (Arizona, Florida, Louisiana, Minnesota, Nebraska, South Dakota, and Utah).  The official data imply that AGI claims regarding "hard case" abortions (rape, incest, mother's health) are inflated by roughly a factor of three. 

Actual percentage of U.S. abortions in "hard cases" are estimated as follows:  In cases of rape, 0.3% ~ in cases of incest, 0.03% ~ in cases of risk to maternal life, 0.1% ~ in cases of risk to maternal health, 0.8% ~ and in cases of fetal health issues, 0.5%.   About 98.3% of abortions in the United States are elective, including socio-economic reasons or for birth control.  This includes perhaps 30% for primarily economic reasons and possibly 0.1% each for sex selection and selective reduction of multi-fetal pregnancies.

The United Nations has decided and mandated that all nations MUST legalize abortion.  Really?  Has the United Nations already decided that it "IS" the One World Governing Body?

Let's take a look at the conceiving, gestation, and background of the United Nations and its headquarters in New York City:

Most people are not aware that the United Nations is only the afterbirth of the failed attempt to raise up the League of Nations to rule the world.  In the afterglow of World War 1, there was a meeting of One World Government advocates in Paris who devised a scheme named the League of Nations. 

One of the prime movers in this aborted attempt to rule the world was Colonel Edward Mandell House, a political advisor to President Woodrow Wilson.   "Colonel" was not really a military title - but a title he self-invoked to himself for purposes of self-importance.  The following facts will give you a better understanding of how the United Nations was conceived in an attempt to rape America and the world:

En Route To Global Occupation
By Gary H. Kah, page 29
Published 1992 by Huntington House Publishers,

Colonel House, as he was called, was an agent committed to the one-world interests of the Rothschild-Warburg-Rockefeller cartel, serving as their point-man in the White House. 

He first gained national prominence in 1912 while working to get Woodrow Wilson nominated as president.  After Wilson's election, he became the president's most trusted personal advisor.  House was to Wilson what Henry Kissinger would later be to Richard Nixon. 

He was, without question, the dominant figure in the White House, exerting his influence particularly in the areas of banking and foreign policy.  His accomplishments as Wilson's chief advisor were many.  Among other things, be successfully persuaded Woodrow Wilson to support and sign the Federal Reserve Act into law.  Later, realizing what he bad done, President Wilson remorsefully replied, "I have unwittingly ruined my country."  

Bill Gray Note:  The Federal Reserve Act of 1913 was created by a small group in Congress during a congressional recess period when few members of congress were present.  In other words, it was a midnight theft of congressional and American rights - while the majority were asleep.  And it is a non-government organization which has been given total control of America's monetary and financial system.

During World War I, which began within a year after the Federal Reserve Act's passage, House would make secret missions to Europe as Wilson's chief foreign diplomat.  It didn't take long before he managed to drag the United States into the war (April 1917).  As the war came to an end in 1918, House worked diligently to help plan the League of Nations.  Funded in part with Rockefeller money, the League was to serve as the first political step toward the forming of a world government.

President Wilson, as a result of House's counsel, would become the leading spokesperson for the League of Nations, publicly viewed as the League's chief architect, in spite of the fact that House was really the one in charge.  However, much to Wilson's dismay and embarrassment, he could not even persuade his own country to join the organization.  The American people strongly resisted this move toward globalization, placing heavy pressure on Congress to reject the treaty, thereby keeping the U.S. out of the League.

The non-entry of the United States into the League of Nations represented a huge setback for Colonel House and the internationalists.  There could be no world government without the participation of the world's leading power (America).  The setback, however, proved to be only temporary.  The globalists would learn from this experience and would never again underestimate the power of the American people or of Congress. 

To make sure that a similar incident didn't happen again the second time around, the cartel, working through House and his accomplices, would establish the Council on Foreign Relations.  (En Route To Global Occupation, Gary H. Kah, page 29)

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En Route To Global Occupation
By Gary H. Kah, page 37

To make sure that the United States would not back out of joining the United Nations as it did with the League of Nations, the international body would this time be located on American soil.  This gesture would make the American public less resistant to the move.  The land for the United Nations building was "graciously" donated by John D. Rockefeller, Jr.

Bill Gray Note: The League of Nations was headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, and Colonel House and his globalist friends could not shove it down the throats of the American people.  To circumvent that happening again, their next move was to plant their bastard child of the League of Nations, the United Nations, in America.  The Rockefeller family donated land in New York City to be the world headquarters of the United Nations - and the UN has been a foreign squatter in America ever since.

By getting the United States to join the U.N., which represents a limited form of world government - the Council on Foreign Relations had accomplished its first major objective.  Using its influence in public education and the media, the CFR would now proceed to cast a favorable image for the United Nations among the American public, eventually leading step-by-step to U.S. participation in a full-blown system of world government.  This, it was realized, would take some time. 

Had the CFR tried to bring the U.S. into a world government all at once, the effort would have failed.  The American people would have reacted full force against such an attempt.  The immediate purpose of the U.N. was therefore merely to warm Americans up to the idea of global government.  It was all part of the conditioning.  (En Route To Global Occupation, Gary H. Kah, page 37)

Folks, the United Nations does NOT have the best interest of America, nor the American people, at heart in their scope of interests.  Their goal is to make America a subservient puppet nation under full control and government of the "One World" United Nations. 

And since the early years of the 20th century the Liberal Democratic Party leaders have been working hand in hand with the international globalists to harness the government of America.  We saw it with Woodrow Wilson and with every Democratic party leader since - until it reached a peak in the hands of Obama and his female counterpart, Hillary Clinton.  Bernie Sanders is firmly onboard as are all of the Liberal Democrat and RINO political leaders.

But when the United Nations attempts to MANDATE the killing of babies, Infanticide, for all the world - my love of God, my love of children, my love of family, faith, and decency - and my love of America mandate that I fight back.

President Trump, your mandate from all true Americans is to stop funding and following the corrupt United Nations foreign leaders squatting in New York City ~ and give them their Eviction Notice from all American soil. 

God bless America,

Bill 

Click on image to enlarge:

 

MISUSE OF THE BIBLE - Dr. Henry M. Morris, Institute Of Creation Research

Earlier this week I posted a new blog on our Bill & Dory Gray Christian Ministries blog site, and sent it via my Friends Ministry eNewsletter.  It is titled "God Continues To Work At IBBC-Riverside!"   In my blog I shared thoughts and notes I used for the inaugural Seniors Sunday School Class at our International Bible Baptist Church in Riverside, California.  In my blog I told you:

Danny Garcia and I were asked to lead the Seniors Class and taking a lead from many successful sports coaches, it seemed right to go "back to the basics."   Why back to the basics?   Because like all successful teams we want to be so grounded in the basic teachings of our Christian faith - that no question will throw us, or confuse us when God gives us an opportunity to share His Word with the world. .  .  .  An effective Christian life and the way we view the Bible, God's Written Word, must have a solid foundation. .  .  .

We all should be able to acknowledge that there are Essential Christian Doctrines which define our salvation and which cannot be compromised. .  .  .

And there are many Non-Essential Christian Teachings which are important for us to understand how they relate to our Christian faith - which are interesting to discuss - and which are helpful in making us more mature believers and witnesses.   But they DO NOT define nor affect our salvation.

In the list of Essential Christian Doctrines I began with the Bible being our rock solid faith foundation - for our faith, our walk with the Lord, is built upon the foundation of God's Word, His Bible.  So obviously it is very important not only that we daily read and study our Bible - it is also very important as the foundation of our faith how we read our Bible.  As I said in my earlier blog, we should view the Bible as the Holy Spirit Inspired, Holy Spirit Inerrant, Holy Spirit Literal Written Word of God.  Which is the way a conservative theology church and conservative theology believers will read the Bible.

Yet on the other hand there are many churches and believers who view the Bible as only a book of metaphors, myths, and symbolisms meant only as a guideline for the Christian faith.  This is the Liberal view of the Bible, also called the Postmodernism or Liberalism.  We see Liberalism running rampant in our secular and political world today, and we see much of that Liberalism seeping into our Christian churches and denominations.

This is an excerpt from the article "The Elements of Liberalism" found at CARM (Christian Apologetics & Research Ministry):

Denial of inspiration, inerrancy, and/or authority of the Bible, .  .  . Affirming experience over Scripture, . .  . Imposing secular ideals upon Scripture.  .  . Gender Neutral wording in reference to God, people, mankind, etc. .  .  .  Yes, liberalism is dangerous because it leads to a denial of biblical truth.  But denial of biblical truth usually means that things contrary to Scripture are often affirmed. 

Consider this quote:  "If we look at the denominations that approved women's ordination from 1956-1976, we find that several of them, such as the United Methodist church and the United Presbyterian Church (now called the Presbyterian Church-USA), have large contingents pressing for (a) the endorsement of homosexual conduct as morally valid and (b) the approval of homosexual ordination."   (The Elements of Liberalism, by Matt Slick - https://carm.org/elements-liberalism)

In our Sunday School Class last Sunday I emphasized that those who take a Liberal view of the Bible, God's Word, are still our Christian brethren - yet their beliefs and theologies are often built upon sand and not upon the solid rock of God's Word (Matthew 7:26-27). 

That said, when this eNewsletter from the Institute of Creation Research came today via e-mail, I knew that I have to share it with you, my Christian brothers and sisters.  For we want to build our spiritual foundation upon the Solid Rock of Jesus Christ and God's Word.

Misuse Of The Bible
By Henry M. Morris, Ph.d.  | Wednesday, November 21, 2018
https://www.icr.org/article/10944

“. . . his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.” (2 Peter 3:16)

Bill Gray Note for clarity:  2 Peter 3:14-16, "Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless; and consider that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation - as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given to him, has written to you, as also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which untaught and unstable people twist to their own destruction, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures."

It is vitally important for every Christian to study and use the Scriptures, for they constitute our only real authority (note Matthew 5:18; John 10:35; 14:26; 2 Timothy 3:15-17; 2 Peter 1:19-21; etc.).  In doing this, however, it is just as important that we not misuse the Scriptures, for this can be almost as dangerous as ignoring them altogether.

Many people twist the Scriptures (Eisegesis), seeking to make them fit some opinion of their own, hoping thereby to give a pseudo-biblical authority to their peculiar prejudices - instead of allowing the Lord to say what He means.  Such distortion of Scripture has generated a plethora of cults and heresies - past and present.  This was essentially Christ’s view of the Pharisees: “In vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men” (Matthew 15:9).

Similar - perhaps even worse - is claiming to receive new Scripture, or perhaps new (and authoritative) insight on existing Scripture.  “Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it” (Deuteronomy 4:2).  “Add thou not unto His words, lest He reprove thee, and thou be found a liar” (Proverbs 30:6).

Cults and heretics distort and supplement the Scriptures, but still deadlier are the liberals who try to explain away the Scriptures.  “If any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life” (Revelation 22:19).  This act of distorting and then denying God’s Word (“Yea, hath God said. . . . Ye shall not surely die,” Genesis 3:1, 4) was the very lie of Satan that brought sin into the world.  No wonder the Bible warns so severely against it!

Bill Gray Note:  Underline and some parenthetical emphasis is mine.

Let me close by reminding us all that there are two ways of reading God's Word:  Read "FROM" The Bible (Exegesis)  ~  Read "INTO" The Bible (Eisegesis)

Do you want God's Word to define your theology, what you believe and what you teach(Exegesis)?

OR

Do you want create your own predetermined theology - and then cherry-pick Scripture to prove your beliefs, your comfort zone(Eisegesis)?

God bless, have a wonderful, blessed day,

Bill

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God Continues To Work At IBBC-Riverside!

GOD CONTINUES TO WORK at International Bible Baptist Church - Riverside (IBBC-Riverside), my home church fellowship for the past two and a half years.   The year of 2018 began with God making it possible for us to buy and renovate our own church building.  By His grace we have been able to expand to two services each Sunday.  

And as part of our commitment to soul winning, evangelism, and missionary ministries - Pastor Sergio has reorganized our Sunday School Classes to be more effective in training our people to be ready to meet the challenges of those endeavors. 

Last Sunday was our inaugural day to kick off these new Sunday School ministries.  Danny Garcia and I were asked to lead the Seniors Class and taking a lead from many successful sports coaches, it seemed right to go "back to the basics."   Why back to the basics?   Because like all successful teams we want to be so grounded in the basic teachings of our Christian faith - that no question will throw us, or confuse us, when God gives us an opportunity to share His Word with the world.

An effective Christian life and the way we view the Bible, God's Written Word, must have a solid foundation.  And that solid foundation is built around our personal and corporate Statement of Faith, aka, Statement of Beliefs.  For that is what we believe - and our beliefs should reflect those our church fellowship teaches.  If not, back to the Bible (Acts 17:11).

Since we are beginning this new journey in our IBBC-Riverside Sunday School classes, it seems appropriate to take time to discuss our Statement of Faith, what we believe and what we teach, to make sure we are all on the same page.  In other words, the Basics.  That was my initial goal for this new Seniors Sunday School Class.

When we meet people and tell them about our church fellowship, often they will ask, "What does your church believe and teach?"  What will we tell them?  Can you and I tell them what we believe and teach at IBBC-Riverside - and support those beliefs from Scripture?

In 1627 German Lutheran theologian, Rupertus Meldenius, wrote in a tract on Christian unity, “In essentials unity - in non-essentials liberty - in all things charity.“    That should define our Christian walk.

We all should be able to acknowledge that there are Essential Christian Doctrines which define our salvation and which cannot be compromised.  Any person or church which denies any of these Essential Christian Doctrines, needs to rethink that position and do as the apostle Paul teaches us in Acts 17:11 - test that teaching against Scripture, the full 66 books of God's Word.

And there are many Non-Essential Christian Teachings which are important for us to understand how they relate to our Christian faith - which are interesting to discuss - and which are helpful in making us more mature believers and witnesses.   They DO NOT define nor affect our salvation.   Yet, agreeing or disagreeing on such teachings should lead each of us, individually and corporately, into a deeper study of God's Word as we test the teacher and the teaching - against Scripture (Acts 17:11).  Let us all be good Bereans - as we study God's Word to make us more effective in sharing His Word with the world (Matthew 28:19-20, Acts 1:8, Mark 16:15).

I have taken my class leader notes and put them into a short video so that I can share our new IBBC-Riverside Sunday School adventure with all my Friends.  I pray you will find this useful in your evangelism efforts.  All comments and suggestions are welcomed - whether we agree or agree to disagree, let's have a dialogue about God's Word and His message of eternal life for all who will, "By grace, through faith" believe and receive Him as Lord and Savior.

"Essential And Non-Essential Christian Doctrines" IBBC-Riverside Sunday School - November 18, 2018 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=12I5SQD5dw4

God bless, have a wonderful, blessed day,

Bill 

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Gifts Seniors Have To Give ~ Dr. Harold Sala, Guidelines International Ministries

God never ceases to amaze me!   So often when an issue or thought is heavy on my mind, voila!, a message, i.e., e-mail, blog, comment, etc., from another will come addressing that very issue.  That happened today. 

Last night I lay in bed wrestling with a thought that has long bothered me. For many years I have wondered why so many churches teach "Unity" - Unity in Christ, Unity in Fellowship, Unity in Worship, etc.  Yet as soon as that church has more than ten members - they begin to divide the fellowship.

I have seen this happen in Sunday School classes, Bible studies, and many other functions throughout the church family.  But I have seen it especially in Bible studies and Sunday School classes.   And I have often asked myself, "Why?  Why do they teach unity, and then divide the people?"   To the best of my knowledge, we have a number of Bible translations - King James, New King James, New American Standard, New International Version, and many others.

But, I have never seen a Bible translation specifically designated:  Youth, Young Adult, Young Married, Old Married, Single Men, Single Women, German Shepherd, Poodle, etc.   Okay, those last two were being a wee bit facetious - but you get the point.  God did not author a Bible just for Young Adults, nor for Senior Adults.  

When we have Responsive Scripture Reading in our worship service, I have never had anyone tell us, "Please open your Young Adult Bible" or "Please open your Senior Bible."  And when I go into most Christian bookstores today, I never see Bible shelves labelled in that way.  I see KJV, NKJV, NASB, NIV, etc. - but never YAB nor SB.

So, why do churches which preach "Unity" - immediately start segregating us by age, marital status, color of our eyes?  Okay, I am getting a wee bit facetious again - but I often get that feeling when I hear "Unity" but see "Segregation."

But enough of my ranting.  Let me share with you the eNewsletter which came today from Dr. Harold Sala of Guidelines International Ministries. 

And I pray it will prompt all of us to consider, "Are we depriving our younger generation of the knowledge and wisdom of the older generation?  Are we depriving our older generation of the energy and enthusiasm of our younger generation?  What can be gained by integrating the two ~ instead of segregating them?"

The First Five Gifts Seniors Have to Give
By Dr. Harold Sala,  November 09, 2018

“Gray hair is a crown of splendor; it is attained by a righteous life” (Proverbs 16:31).

A senior citizen, eyeing a parking spot that had just been vacated at a mall, was slowly backing up his aging luxury car, to get room to maneuver into the spot when a teenager in a small, red sports car came from the other direction and zipped into the spot.  Jumping over the side of his little car, the youth called out, “That’s ‘cause I’m young and fast.” 

The old man revved up his engine and plowed ahead - straight into the little sports car folding it up like an accordion.  Then, turning to the horror-stricken youth, he said, “That’s ‘cause I’m old and rich.”

Why is there a gap between the young and old?  I did a study of what Scripture says about the elderly.  First, I noticed that many directives are found in the Old Testament, most of them written by Moses, ensuring not only that the elders among us be given respect, but that their needs be provided for.  About all that Paul adds is that widows are properly taken care of by the family of God.

I’ve also noticed that the farther we as a society move from God’s norm and plan, the more we shuttle our elders to “warehouses for the aged,” as Margaret Mead described them, checking on their health only to determine how long it will be until the will is executed and we can get our hands on their money.

“Grandma,” asked a little boy, “where do you keep your bucket?”  Somewhat puzzled, the elderly lady asked, “What do mean, ‘my bucket’?” she asked.  “Well,” replied the little boy of about five, “daddy says that when you kick the bucket we get a lot of money.”

What do seniors have which younger generations need besides money?  Plenty!  Try these for a living inheritance.

Gift #1:  Give the benefit of your experience.  No, your children and grandchildren don’t always want advice on how to handle things.  They, like you did a generation before, want to live their own lives and make their own mistakes.  But your experience is a valuable asset.  Shared judiciously and kindly, it can be a tremendous help.  Nobody can live long enough to make all the mistakes so we can learn much from the experience of our elders.

Gift #2:  Share your wisdom. “Old so soon; smart so late,” we sometimes quip, yet the reluctance to sue, or to tell off your boss, or to file for divorce which an older generation has is often not a weakness, but a reflection of their greater wisdom - something which can be acquired only with time.  Frankly, wisdom is something that is transmitted by being there, by caring, by listening, not by a recitation of, “Here’s what I would do if I were you” counsel.

Gift #3:  Provide connectivity.  And what’s that?  If you are the senior generation - whether you are 60 or 90, you are the bridge to the past, and there is tremendous strength in being connected to the family tree (biological and spiritual).  It’s the difference between a sapling blowing in the wind and a branch being attached to an Oak or Banyan tree.  Talk about your youth, your family, and your memories as a child.  These memories form a valuable tapestry.

Gift #4:  Perspective.  “One of the reasons young people take their lives,” commented a funeral director, “is that they lack perspective.  They don’t understand that you can work through problems.”   You seniors have been there.  You’ve lived through wars and depressions and you know that God will take you through tough times.  Pass that on.

Gift #5:  Godliness.  This, of course, you can’t pass on unless you have it yourself.  Timothy was the product of his godly mother and grandmother.  Though God has no grandchildren, godly parents can make a tremendous difference to the third and forth generation.  Never forget it.

Resource reading: Psalm 92:12-15

Personally, I love the energy I receive through fellowship with the many different groups in our church family.  The very young make me smile - the younger youth excites me when I see them stepping forward and participating in our worship and studies. 

It is exciting to hear from the young adults about their educational and career endeavors.  I am encouraged when I am with young married couples and see that God-given institute still alive and well with them.  And I gain much needed knowledge from joining in discussions with older adult and seniors in our church family.  It is as though I draw life-blood from all of them, all ages.

I know we all have heard the old well intentioned comment, "Grandpa tells so many stories!"   But have you stopped to consider that this is because grandpa has traveled many more roads than you - and just may have knowledge to impart?  In the late 1980s I became interested in family genealogy and began to dig into my family tree.  I had an uncle who was 100 years old - and I was excited to sit and talk with him. 

My mom and I went to see Uncle Louie when I was home on a visit, but when we got there he was taking a nap.  I told mom, "Not a problem.  I will be back in a few months and then we will see Uncle Louie."  That was never to happen, for Uncle Louie passed away a month later.  All that family knowledge went with him.

Imagine how much we all miss when we segregate people in our church family into different rooms.  Just my thoughts!  And I was blessed and encouraged today when I found the Dr. Harold Sala agrees with me.

God bless, have a wonderful, blessed day,

Bill 

Click on the image to enlarge:

 

The Left Behind Book Series And Movies - Life Changers?

This week on Facebook a member, Krista B., of the group "Rapture Discussion: Pretribulation, Posttribulation, or Prewrath?" posted:

I know we're not supposed to post videos on here (on that group page), but this is a 3 minute clip about the Rapture. . . and such a powerful scene.  The reason I'm posting it is for that one line where Bruce (the left behind pastor) says, "Knowing and Believing are two different things"    I wonder how many people truly recognize that?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ig_zGghP4YA&fbclid=IwAR0bL5kgbUXowN7mmkFSiLfsP32P0ADdn06YayDFic5jeKb2vS4u-ykLu7U

I began writing a response to Krista B:

Hi Krista B, I am glad you posted that short video - for the three Left Behind Series movies are great and, in my opinion, are very close to what is taught in the Bible.  In 1995, before the movies were released, I had begun to read the Left Behind book series (13 books) and my only disappointment was that they only made three movies, which do not cover the complete series of books.  I highly recommend people interested in Biblical eschatology read the full Left Behind series and watch the three movies.

But instead of posting a response just to Krista, I decided I want to share this blog with all my FRANs (Friends, Relatives, Associates, Neighbors)  ~  For knowledge of the coming End Times events and consequences of believing or not believing - is too important to not share it with you.

Let me start by describing the scene which my Friend, Krista B., found so convicting.  In the beginning of the movie we see the battle of Ezekiel 38-39 occurring - and shortly thereafter we see an international passenger jet flying from New York to London.  The pilot of the plane is not a believer, but his wife and young son have become believers - so he has heard of the Rapture and end times eschatology, but does not believe.

During the flight to London the Rapture happens - and many of the passengers suddenly disappear.  In the back of his mind are the thoughts of the Rapture, but they stay in the back of his mind.   He and the rest of the world are saying that some kind of weird warp of nature has caused millions of people to disappear - never attributing it to God.

Upon returning to New York and home, he finds that his wife and son have disappeared.  All their personal items, including clothing are still there - but no trace of them.  This shock brings the Rapture to the forefront of his thoughts - and in disbelief he picks up her Bible.  In desperation he goes to the church his wife and son had been attending - and that is where we see the young pastor in an empty church wondering why he was left behind. 

And that is when the realization hits this young pastor and he acknowledges,"Knowing and Believing are two different things"   He realizes that he had been teaching the Word - but he had not truly been believing the Word.  That sudden realization will come upon many people, lay and clergy, who erroneously call themselves Christian, on that fateful day.

And that is when the airline pilot walks into the church as the young pastor is on his knees in true acceptance of Jesus Christ  - and the pilot kneels and joins him in this conversion.  They both have been left behind, but they join forces to make a difference during the coming Tribulation.

That is the three minute video that Krista has shared with us.  It is powerful, but only a brief sample of what you will find in this book series and the three movies.

In 1995 I began an exciting odyssey in eschatology.   Starting in 1995 Dr. Tim LaHaye and Jerry Jenkins began publishing a great series of books titled the Left Behind Series.  Those books can best be described as Prophetic Novels - for they describe the coming End Time events very well.  I have long loved to read historical novels because I love history and reading a novel based upon true historical facts is both entertaining and educational.  Instead of reading a dry historical text book of facts - I am reading an exciting story based upon true historical characters and events.  A great way to learn history. 

Of course we must first know the author and his/her credentials.  I have a number of historical novel books and series - Lincoln (multiple authors), the Earth's Children Series about the people groups of Prehistoric Europe (Jean M. Auel), The People series telling of the prehistoric people groups who migrated through Siberia to our continent and became our Native Americans (Kathleen & Michael Gear), the Brotherhood of War series by W.E.B. Griffin, detailing America's involvement in wars during the 20th century, from the World Wars through Vietnam. 

And, one of my favorites, the Left Behind series is the same - but just the opposite.  These books combine a prophetic look-ahead - but wrapped around an exciting story line with believable characters.  When the first book, Left Behind, came out in 1995 - I started on an exciting adventure.  And, after finishing the first, I could hardly wait for each new book to come out.  It took about ten years to finish the whole series.

The Left Behind book series:

1.  Left Behind: A Novel of the Earth's Last Days     (October 1995)
2.  Tribulation Force: The Continuing Drama of Those Left Behind    (May 1996)
3.  Nicolae: The Rise of Antichrist      (October 1997)
4.  Soul Harvest: The World Takes Sides     (August 1998)
5.  Apollyon: The Destroyer Is Unleased     (February 1999)
6.  Assassins: Assignment: Jerusalem, Target: Antichrist     (August 1999)
7.  The Indwelling: The Beast Takes Possession     (May 2000)
8.  The Mark: The Beast Rules the World     (November 2000)
9.  Desecration: Antichrist Takes the Throne    (October 2001)
10. The Remnant: On the Brink of Armageddon     (July 2002)
11.  Armageddon: The Cosmic Battle of the Ages     (April 2003)
12.  Glorious Appearing: The End of Days     (April 2004)
13.  Kingdom Come: The Final Victory    (April 2007)

In October 2000, the movie based upon the first book, "Left Behind" was released and it was well received.   In October 2002, the second movie, "Left Behind II, Tribulation Force" based upon the second book was released.  And in October 2005 the third Left Behind Series movie, "Left Behind III, World at War" was released.   My only disappointment is that they did not make movies of the rest of the books.

It is my strong desire that all of my Friends, believers and secular, will read this book series and watch the three movies.  For my believing Friends, this can only solidify your faith and your sense of eternal security in Christ.  For my non-believing secular Friends, I pray this will at least give you food for thought - for eternity, never ending time, is a very long time to be without God's glorious presence and joy.

These are the three movies.  Even if you do not want to take the time to read the books, watch the movies.  That might encourage you to go back to read and savor the books.

Left Behind, The Movie
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d-veeckZyAw

Left Behind II, Tribulation Force
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OhGsSS1IKjs

Left Behind III, World At War
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3C-CSqzY7qo

God bless, have a wonderful, blessed day,

Bill 

Click on the image to enlarge: