ON SAFARI

Out of sheer and utter boredom, or some kind of inspired mundanity, I will post a link to Safari, Apple's web browser par excellence.

When a web browser outperforms your expectations, generally speaking, you want to recommend it to the world. That's what blogs are for.

Yet, for some odd reason, while I was composing this post and simultaneously downloading the latest versions of Safari and iTunes/QuickTime together (you know how Apple does it), my Safari browser crashed and/or closed itself before I could finish this post. How rude!

[I found out later that Windows shut down Safari due to an executable file which turned out to be harmless as far as I can tell.]

Well, not to be denied, I had to restart my download and resume posting. Fun, fun, fun...

It looks like my progress meter is showing that Safari is done downloading and iTunes/QT is in progress. Sometimes--somehow--technology and the great minds behind it redeem themselves quite admirably. Or it could be that I'm in an unusually good mood today. A combination of both is my humble assessment. Nevertheless, I credit the Holy Spirit with this one for sure.

It is a slow download, but I am in the mood to wait and learn in the meantime of other things online.

May the God of the Bible grant you deliverance from any heaviness and worry resulting from this economic nightmare we are living under. I pray for His peace and comfort in you today in His Son Jesus Christ's name, amen.

HOW DID THIS HAPPEN?

How did 2000 years of Biblical tradition, knowledge, and scholarship get it wrong?

I must ask this question immediately after coming to grips with a view of Scripture I have never held before, namely, preterist.

I am currently investigating for myself the claims of such learned men as Don Preston, William Bell, and others on this view. It is worth looking into.

More to come...

ANOTHER FAVORITE

Q. When does a website become a favorite?

A. When one spends precious many minutes listening to podcast after short, sweet, hard-to-beat podcast, a broadcaster is sure to have entered the inner sanctum of the human heart and won some measure of closely-held confidence.

Quiz over. You win.

LewRockwell.com is the latest addition to my "Favorites" list of web sites on this blog. I woke up early today and found a new podcaster that piques my interest in things socio-political, economic, and/or religious (Biblical). "The Best-Read Libertarian Website in the World," is not your average website of this sort. Check it out.

My last favorite entry was AD70.net, which you may find in a previous post.

PRETERIST PERSUASION

The nice thing about blogging is you can post something you believe in, even if it's brand new to you (and perhaps your readers). In this case, it's preterism. AD70.net is the site for Preterist Radio Podcasts, which I have just recently begun listening to. A.D. 70 is the year Jerusalem was destroyed after a three-and-a-half year war with the Roman army.

It was such an unprecedented kind of destruction and suffering inflicted on anyone at any time on such a large scale, that the Roman army consigned one of their captives, a Jewish general named Yosef Ben Matityahu (later Titus Flavius Josephus, to chronicle the awful situation. So we have The Jewish War as a record of the "end of the world."(Matthew 28:20)

The Greek word translated "world" in the KJV is actually aion or "age." Other translations, such as the NIV, translate it that way. This is why it is good to consult other Bible versions and the original languages.

ISLAM IS HERE

Just as a public service, by way of blogging, I would like to post the following link as a so-called Religion of Peace Update:

STUDENT KILLS PROF

I will give you three guesses as to the student's religious affiliation. No, he is not a Christian, conservative, or Republican. But he did carry out the demands of his "faith."

Welcome to the New Crusades.

LAMENTATION

It's hard to know what to post and what not to post in a blog. Supposedly, the eyes of the world and Satan are watching my every word--waiting for me to get tripped up in self-indulgent bloggery as I verbally dig my own hole and avoid godly correction. Or so I think.

I am in the Book of Lamentations in the Bible. I feel I am living in the same scenario as that painted by the prophet Jeremiah. Flapping in the breeze, hung out to dry in the sun, devoid of life-giving water, I cling to the remnant of my once-vibrant faith in God and struggle daily to maintain some semblance of godly living--whatever that looks like.

Perhaps the LORD will have mercy on me, unmerited though it is. Totally undeserved favor is what I crave most. Repentance is the call of the day. "Ichabod!" No glory.

Knowing Jesus will not leave me nor forsake me, I press on. Limp, halt, crippled by sin, I walk--no, crawl--to the cross. Calvary is my only hope, forgiveness is my prayer. Presumption and pride are my sins. God's grace is my only shelter.

Jesus, Savior, pilot me
over life's tempestuous sea;
unknown waves before me roll,
hiding rock and treacherous shoal.
Chart and compass come from thee;
Jesus, Savior, pilot me.

Hope truly comes from Jesus. Listen.

IE KUDOS

This has nothing to do with worldview, politics, religion, or anything else--but browsers! Namely, Internet Explorer and its wonderful ability to import favorites from Firefox and put them in their respective folders automatically.

I generally refrain from using IE simply because it's a pain to use, and slow. But for online classes through my community college, IE is required for optimal performance. Or so they say.

In any event, I found IE to be deficient in its selection of favorites which I've created. So I simply clicked on the File menu, chose Import and Export, and clicked which browser's favorites I wanted to import to IE. Done.

Within mere seconds, IE imported all (I suppose) of my favorites from Firefox. Having all of my stored favorites is a great comfort. It takes a very long time to save sites for future reference, as you well know.

Well, I won't bore my readers with further kudos to IE-- at not least until I find another feature which saves the day (and my sanity).

ITALY, AMERICA UNITE!

I read an article today by the American Vision organization and thought I would post it here. It is a description of the situation going on in Italy where a European court has struck down the right to display crucifixes publicly. It is a direct attack on the religious liberties which the Italian people must protect. The article reads in part:

"The European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg declared the public display of crucifixes in schools in Italy illegal. This was in response to a complaint filed by a Finnish-born mother who sued the schools for displaying the crucifixes. Crucifixes in the classrooms of public schools in Italy are mandatory by law, and that law is approved by the majority of the population, whether they believe in Christ or not. But the Court in Strasbourg decided against the democratic opinion of the Italian people and declared the law illegal."

The article goes on to talk about the deficiency in American Christianity to wage the same battles it won in eras past (American Revolutionary War, abolition of slavery, civil rights, etc.), and how we must be revived by the Spirit of God--the same spirit which raised Jesus from the dead and quickened our spirits to be born again.

"If the Spirit of Him Who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He Who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit Who dwells in you." (Romans 8:11)

Revival breeds reformation, and Heaven knows we badly need it in this country. The Christians around the world who are suffering for their faith in Jesus Christ know too well the real battle that is out there. We have been spoiled by our prosperity and affluence (indeed blessed), only to compromise the gospel for social and political expediency. May God deliver His people from complacency and raise up a standard in the land for the cause of Christ.

In Jesus' Name.

VETERAN'S DAY

It is inspiring to see the military pull together in the face and wake of Islamic terrorism in its ranks. I have no doubt this psychiatrist needs to be exorcised as well as treated for his well-deserved wounds. May God grant him the grace to wake up and realize how good those brothers- and sisters-in-arms were whom he killed in cold blood and in the name of a false god.

May God have mercy on this country for allowing such enemies of the gospel, and of our nation, to attain such positions of authority and trust, only to betray their true identity and intentions.

May God bless the men and women of our military, keepers of the freedom we all need and cherish.

CALLING ALL ARMINIANS: READ THE WHOLE BIBLE!!!

In scouring YouTube for James White videos yesterday, I came across an alarming headline in the Related Videos frame: "Calling All Calvinists: A Call to Repentance." If that's not a provocative statement, I don't know what is.

Over the course of yesterday and today, I have watched all four videos in the series. Wow! How can such a talented and beautiful Christian sister be so hateful and wrong about so many things in one--let alone four--videos? She snarls, hisses, and spits her vitriol continually throughout the series at the name and adherents of "Calvinism." I put that in quotes because she has so grossly misrepresented it that I cannot equate true Calvinism with her sick caricature of it.

Her persistent, out-of-context misapplication of Scripture is indeed breath-taking. I took the time to watch and see if she could convince me of how sinful and deceived I was, but she failed. Miserably.

The one question I have is this: why is she condemning and judging John Calvin and those who dare to agree with him on many things about God, while calling "Calvinists" to stop judging and condemning? Gosh, sounds kinda hypocritical to me.

Thank God there are many sound, Biblical responses to Monica Dennington's viscious attacks on us Christians--oops, I meant Calvinists. Many of them reside in Google's search results.

Here is one of the best. This is what real Calvinism looks like!

CLARIFICATION

It seems that a common misconception of Calvinism is the belief that, for example, Abraham would never have left Ur of the Chaldees had he been a Calvinist. After all, they claim, Calvinists don't do: they just pray.

I take great offense when someone slanders me, be it ever so slightly--especially when they use Calvinism as their justification. Do I do that to them? I notice "free will" believers go out of their way to attack Calvinism. Do I do that with "free will" people? No. I defend, to the best of my ability, what I believe to be sound doctrine from the Bible, based on what I've learned over the years from reputable Bible teachers who are known for their warm, evangelistic tone and knowledge of Scripture.

Do the names RC Sproul, John MacArthur, Sinclair Ferguson, John Piper, James White, and Charles Spurgeon ring a bell with anyone? None is infallible as a pastor, teacher, and preacher. But all are excellent in rightly dividing the Word of God.

Nine times out of ten, I agree with free willers! But they must have their fun and slander Calvin. They're wrong, but that doesn't matter to them. I'm a sinner like them. I know I must endure the growth process of sanctification as they must. It is indeed a blessing to be called a child of God.

When we decided to follow Christ, it was by the grace of God alone. Our wills were remade, reborn by the Spirit of God and His Word (Scripture and Jesus). Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. (Romans 10:17)

I only defend Calvinism because it gives God all the credit and glory for our salvation, and because I think it is very arrogant to believe that I know better than him or any other Bible scholar what the Bible teaches. He and many others have proven themselves to have a better, bird's eye view of things in Scripture. Nothing wrong with that, right?

I wish free willers could see that I agree with them 99% of the time, except when they slander Calvin (and me) with misconceptions of Scripture that neither of us believes!

CALVINISM UNDER FIRE... AGAIN

Well, it seems the issue of "Limited Atonement" (Particular Redemption) and other points of doctrine in the theological framework of Calvinism have come under scrutiny. Not that there's anything wrong with that. But I am weary of the opposition's neglecting the historical significance of probably the greatest proponent of Calvinism: namely, Charles Haddon Spurgeon.

Spurgeon was a staunch defender of the Faith and a very outspoken defender of Calvinism (properly understood). He was also one of the greatest evangelists who ever lived, by any measure. His works live on in print and audio form. So many superlatives can be applied to his life and ministry that it almost goes without saying. He had his share of controversy against those who would compromise the gospel and change the message to suit unbelievers-- and thus damn their souls with false teachings.

How is it that the greatest Calvinist of them all (except for John Calvin the original, and probably the greatest theologian who ever lived), Charles Spurgeon, is overlooked as the best example of applied Calvinism? Somehow, I think if he were to apply for a job as a pastor in today's churches, he would be rejected out of hand because he professed to be a Calvinist.

Well, much debate will doubtless ensue on this matter. I intend to avoid sinning by engaging in vain controversy. I'd rather trust an all-powerful God Who can save His people in spite of their spiritual deadness and raise them to new life all by Himself without their "free will" helping Him.

Thanks for attacking Calvinism. It strengthens my faith in God, not myself. I feel much safer that way.

A BRIEF DISTRACTION

It has been my wont of late to get up early and blog about the chapter in the Bible I am currently in. Today is the Book of Jeremiah, chapter 21. First, I read it in my Bible. Next, I listen to it online at BibleGateway.com. Then, I go to SermonAudio.com and pick a sermon from among many on the chapter. While the sermon is playing, I blog.

I forgot to mention I also use e-Sword (see previous post and link on side) to view commentary and dictionary usage of words and passages. One thing I noted was the spelling of King Nebuchadrezzar's name. In Hebrew, it is Neb-u-chad-rez-zar. But the common English spelling is Neb-u-chad-nez-zar, with an "n" instead of an "r." I'm going with the R this time. Sorry, traditionalists.

In any event, scouring the Internet for Biblical resources yields an abundant crop of every variety. Sad to say, many are not teaching sound doctrine, but are fattening the wallets of their professors.

Blogging can be a distraction from the business at hand. So I shall cease and desist (for now) and take up my lament (or song) later.

EARLY MORNING EDIFICATION

While listening to a sermon on Jeremiah 20 by Timothy Dane (SermonAudio.com), I am feeling the desire to blog. There are many sermons on this chapter.

I just got through reading it on my own and also in e-Sword, a free program. Many free resources are available for this desktop gem, such as Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Bible.

It is a shame that Passhur, a priest in the temple at Jerusalem and chief officer in the house of the LORD (v.1), treated Jeremiah, a prophet of the LORD, so, well, shamefully.

It is a reproach on the priesthood when one of their own is mistreated by their peers. Such was the lot of Jeremiah. God will judge the persecutors of His people. Hallelujah!

UNEMPLOYMENT AND OTHER THINGS

It's always a challenge, if not a waste of time, to blog about something personal--like unemployment. Even though it is good to be out of the rat race for a while, it can be discouraging to think I lack what I used to have... a job! But not just a job: a position, a sense of accomplishment and value. Ahh, whatever.

I'm enjoying the time off, but regretting it at the same time. My health has not been what it used to be either. I seem to have mostly sleepless and rough nights with bronchitis or high BP. It may be diet related. So when I'm sick and tired of being sick and tired, I'll do something about it. Otherwise, I'll just go on suffering and jobless.

Sorry to hang my heart on my sleeve today. I usually reserve my sentiments here for political and religious fervor. But today, I'm being a little honest. Heh, heh.

Looking forward to learning and practicing web design as a profession. Otherwise, who knows? I can always pretend to be a blogger. Writing here is almost as much fun as figuring out how to code HTML and CSS. Other programming languages beckon the unsuspecting IT-wannabe (that would be me) to their study and practice. But the foundations must be laid before the house can be built.

HOPE FOR THE WORLD

In spite of all the rhetoric, political wrangling, and conflict of every sort, it is our only hope to look to Jesus. He is the One sent by God the Father to us on earth. It is to our own misery that we do not reckon ourselves with that truth. He is our only hope.

Look to Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith. (Hebrew 12:2)

DOCTOR SCHIFF IS IN

I am a fan of Peter Schiff's, simply because he stands in the face of popular opinion and blows away any semblance of contradiction and controversy when he speaks truth. His is a refreshing perspective because it is hard medicine, realism instead of hype. The doctor has diagnosed the problem and it is up the the patient (us) to respond.

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart	Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c
Peter Schiff
www.thedailyshow.com
Daily Show Full Episodes Political Humor Ron Paul Interview

PRESIDENT Q

If anyone wants to view a case study in mentally incompetent world leaders who have no business standing in front of the United Nations General Assembly, witness Moammar Qaddafi:



I actually prefer "President" Obama over this nut because at least Obama is coherent. Even the translator had trouble following his "reasoning." You can hear the frustration in the poor fellow's voice.

I hope this video posts properly here. The preview of it had some layout issues. Oh, well.

A RARE MOMENT I AGREE WITH OBAMA

Well, intrepid fans of controversy, I want to post my agreement with "President" Obama (I'm still not convinced he is eligible). Let us "birthers" (those of us who are skeptical of his birth place and secrecy about his past) go down in history as either dead-wrong and irrelevant, or right-on-target and still irrelevant!

But what Barack Obama called Kanye West the other day was accurate. I won't repeat it here, but the King James Version of the Holy Bible calls the animal an "ass," and it has a first name.

I finally (serendipitously) came across the video clip of Kanye making an *** of himself. Although I did not see him acting particularly awful, the gist of his actions were rude and distasteful. But when you're rich, famous, and not afraid to do stupid things like that...

I mean, who does he (West) think he is?

Here is the embedded bit of chutzpah:

MTV Shows

I was passionate (vehemently opposed) about this enough to blog, almost as mad as I was at Perez Hilton for being a j***a** toward Carrie Prejean in the Miss America pageant. Remember that?

What an ***!

Sorry, I'm not feeling/being very evangelical at times like this. Seeing high-profile, virtuous people under attack does that to me. At least Kanye apologized in his blog.

ANN COULTER IN THE ZONE

Sometimes ya just gotta visit some good, politically charged (with conservative ions) websites like Townhall.com and see what sticks. I just feel like posting a link to "in-the-zone" Ann Coulter's column on healthcare Obama-style. You can read it here: