Archive for June, 2007
The Death Penalty DOES Deter Crime
WOW! They finally came up with a study which proves what I’ve been saying for decades: The death penalty deters crime. At the very least, those who pay with their lives for the murder or rape committed will NOT go on to commit further crimes. All to often we have a “revolving door” court system where the same criminals commit the vast majority of crimes. Perhaps now we can convince folks to move the system along and clear the backlog in our prisons of violent criminals on death row.
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The Seven Mountains Of Culture
The following is an excerpt from a newsletter I receive from Herb Pinney in Las Cruces, New Mexico. The following is very thought provoking. How can we as Christians have a positive impact on our world? By being salt and light and yeast – not being clumped up but by being spread out through society. It’s past time for a change in the way we think. I didn’t realize that brother Pinney had this type of vision. It’s similar to what we’re trying to do here in Pereira – reach into the heart of society to effect positive change on many levels. He expresses things very well, especially the need to have a positive impact on all levels of society.
Three decades ago two luminaries of the Christian world got a flash of brilliance from God. Go to the youth of the nation, no matter how they want to earn their living, and capture their hearts and vision of a future with and for Jesus Christ. Two decades before that, I had decided to give up on being the geologist on the moon rocket, and to start shooting higher than the moon for my life’s work. In making that decision to go back to college and prepare to be a workplace minister, working with new and troubled churches, I would be earning the majority of my income in the market place. My deep conviction is that if Christianity does not work in the market place, it does not work at all. I have spent my life in unknown places, making the gospel known as I worked in the business world in Europe and the United States. It has prepared me for what God has in store for me, Agape Christian, and Morning Glory over the next twenty years.
The two shakers and makers that God sent a glimpse to, were Loren Cunningham of Youth with a Mission (YWAM) and Bill Bright with Campus Crusade for Christ. The impact of these two men with short term mission’s trips, campus work and the media with the Jesus Film that has now been shown to over 5 billion people, is monumental. The Jesus film has been translated into more languages than any other film and after the Passion of The Christ was shown in Arab countries, the film was in such demand that a million new copies had to be printed in various Arab and 10/40 languages. It was advertised as “the rest of the story.”
The glimpses that these men grasped were that if Christianity were to make an impact in the 20th and 21st century in the whole world, they would have to impact:
- BUSINESS
- GOVERNMENT
- FAMILY
- RELIGION
- MEDIA
- EDUCATION
- ART/ENTERTAINMENT.
Our Bible colleges, and seminaries have had some little impact on main street America. A strong impact in the third world. With the advent of mega churches doing so well in the Christian Churches and leading evangelical groups, still 80plus% of churches in the United States are at a plateau or declining. We are losing our teens that go to secular colleges at a rate of well above 90%. (Christianity Today and World Magazine have both reported that even the Campus Crusade for Christ, YWAM, and many campus ministries from coast to coast are predominantly Oriental, Latino. Anglos are a disappearing breed in Christian organization on campus. The other side of that story are Christian Church Campus houses in secular colleges that are reaching all flavors of the young). Across the nation, Bible College graduates with a ministerial degree are dropping out of the ministry at an alarming rate. I am a friend of our Bible Colleges, I have served on the Trustees of two different Bible Colleges over the years, and count a number of Bible College Presidents as good friends. My children that went to college, went first to Bible College. What I am about to write is nothing I did not say, while in board meetings, and in private conversations with leaders in the Bible college movement. We are missing the boat by not cross training our students so that they are most desirable to industry as well as ministry. I was constantly chided at Ozark Christian College in the 1950s, that “only those that could not get along with a church board and congregation became ‘tent maker’ or ‘market place ministers.’ I was at the top of my class, I would be wasting my time with small churches and the business world.” What I am saying, our Bible Colleges and those of a dozen other Bible believing denominations, have done fairly well with religion, but they have, in most cases ignored the other six areas of impact on culture. In the past decade, Walden Media has worked at taking Christianity in the arts and entertainment. Christian radio and TV are providing media for the choir (most of it non-biblical in my opinion.), Focus on the Family has worked at elevating the family back toward where God would like it to be. We really are, across the board, afraid of business, government, and education. To be bluntly honest, and even preachers ought to be honest once in a while, never before in U.S. history has Christianity had less influence on American culture than it does today. I do not believe that I need to illustrate or prove that point, if you read the news or watch “teleconfusion,” you know what I mean. I just want to make this caveat, there has been a good beginning in the right direction with Pacific Christian College in Fullerton. California, that has elevated to Hope International University, Cincinnati, and Kentucky and other having crossed that line, or others getting their ducks in a row, to cross the University line to have Christian Education for all seven areas of cultural responsibility, we are moving the right direction. But you still read and hear resistance from the old-line Bible colleges that think the only way to preach or witness is from behind a pulpit in a tie and suit.
Dr. Lance Wallnau is an expert in the elevation of Christianity to reach all seven peaks of culture. Let me list them again for you, they are critical: Business, government, family, religion, media, education, arts/entertainment. Dr. Lance writes, “That 3 to 5% of educated people control the national and workplace, agenda for ours or any country. In some third world countries it is even a smaller percent. These people dominate culture and set the direction for everyone else.” It is our goal at Morning Glory to provide Guatemala with a good number of that 3%.
Maybe one out of thousands will rise to this level from the ranks of religion. Once in a great while you have a Billy Graham that is respected but basically ignored by culture. A Mother Teresa that looked President Bill Clinton in the eye and called his attention to abortion, hunger, and illnesses world wide, he smiled and went on to shake the next hand. What you really have are hundreds from the business world that get quoted and followed in Time, News Week, and the like. You have thousands from the education world that are speaking out and being listened to. Nearly the whole country bowed at “the alter” of embryonic stem cell research at the words of Michael Fox and “Superman” Reeves. And then we could mention the influence in Washington D.C. at the words of Nancy Reagan and dancer son about how important to “science” this all is. No evidence, no facts, just emotion from media stars. The battle for Christian apologetics and our world view is no longer being led by us ministers, even the ones of us with a scientific education, it is a battle between highly educated scientists. And other highly educated scientists over the scientific autopsy report on what happened at creation and beyond, it is called Intelligent Design today. (After our 10PM supper last night Melba and I previewed the DVD “The Privileged Planet” by Dr. Gonzalez, astronomer with U. of Iowa. He was denied tenure because of his magnificent proof by our planet’s position and direction by Intelligent Design.) And the educational world is frightened to near death over I.D. They can’t refute it, they must ban it at once, at all cost, before anyone gets to hear the Conner’s report in the trial for public opinion. What I am writing is this, if we Christians want to make an impact on the next 93 years of the 21st century, we need to impact the seven mountains of culture, all seven of them.
Dr. Lance Wallnau went on, “That industry is not necessarily looking for Christian employees. They are looking for highly trained men and women that example Christian qualities in their lives. You know, “no drinking alcohol to excess (a Herb note, if you don’t take the first drink, you will never need to be picked up drunk off the floor. I ran for 45 years with the alcoholic auto world, I never once lost an advantage because of drinking bottled water or Sprite. In fact, a couple hours into the evening, I had all the advantages on my table), non drug users, solid family men and women that are not going to embarrass the company with scandal about sexual relationships that hit the news. Men and women that have been taught the work ethic of honesty, dependability, and who paid attention in class, learned the lessons and were not passed because of pressure from parents, or alumni.” Sounds to me like the average graduate from our Bible colleges and Christian Universities. If they are being properly educated, they can slip right into one or two of the seven mountains of culture and we will have a toe hold on a strong move upward. They can have a world wide impact for Christ. Dr. Lance is a very highly paid advisor to mega churches, multi-million-dollar para-church organizations, governments, business and Fortune 500 companies. He knows that for which they are looking.
A Look At Micro$ofts “Table of the future”…
Micro$oft is talking about their vision for the future – a multimedia table. Here’s a humorous look at it. Language alert. If you’re easily offended by “modern” language – best stay away. I got this off of Hot Air.
Reflections on Fathers’ Day
June 15, 1993 That’s a day that lives in my memory. It’s the day my earthly father passed into the presence of his Creator. 14 years later and I still miss him. He was not a perfect man, but he left me a heritage – a desire to know and live by God’s Word. I’ve done my best to imitate what was good in my father and to improve on that which was less desirable. My prayer is that my own sons will learn to do the same – imitate what I’ve done right and do better than I did where I stumbled.
Here’s a couple of items for Father’s day.
The Evangelical Outpost has a good post on “Family Facts – Fathers’ Day Edition” They also posted the following video there, I’m embedding it here as well. Very thought provoking and well done. “Children see. Children do.” What are you projecting for your children to see?
On law and freedom
Now we know that the law is good, provided one uses it legitimately. We know that the law is not meant for a righteous person, but for the lawless and rebellious, for the ungodly and sinful, for the unholy and irreverent, for those who kill their fathers and mothers, for murderers, for the sexually immoral and homosexuals, for kidnappers, liars, perjurers, and for whatever else is contrary to the sound teaching based on the glorious gospel of the blessed God that was entrusted to me. I Timothy 1:8-11 HCSB
Steadily have our rights as US citizens been eroded. On the alter of “security” we have sacrificed huge portions of our Constitution, losing liberty and gaining nothing in terms of security. In today’s political climate, the fourth and fifth amendments are but shadows of their former selves, taunting those of us who remember that at one time the US was the bastion of freedom. But our leaders have forgotten the basic premise that a citizen should be considered innocent until proven guilty – and that the burden of proof is upon the government to prove wrongdoing, not upon the citizen to provide proof of innocence. Somewhere along the way folks forgot the obvious – the law should burden and punish the criminally inclined, NOT the honest citizen.
To attempt to reduce homicide and thievery, laws have been passed which prohibit formerly free men from possessing, carrying and utilizing the means of self protection. Our legislators have forgotten that those who are willing to break the most ancient of laws – that against the spilling of innocent blood – will NOT be hampered by attempts to obligate them to not obtain nor carry the means to spill that blood. Laws which hamper the honest citizen in his daily life, prohibiting him from protecting his life with formerly commonly available means, have no effect on the lawbreaker. By definition the lawbreaker breaks laws. DUH! Why would a law prohibiting the possession or use of a specific type of weapon be more sacred to the lawbreaker than the very law against the taking of innocent life?
What are we as citizens to do? The Apostle Paul wrote to the Galatians and said “For you are called to freedom, brothers; only don’t use this freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but serve one another through love.” (Galatians 5:13) We, as citizens of the United States, were born to be free. We should use that freedom wisely, and we should guard it jealously. Our nation was founded up on Christian principles, upon the desire for freedom as a nation like the freedom that the Christ gives to His followers. That freedom should not be abused nor should laws be written that subject the law abiding to a curtailment of their freedom.
It is time we said “Enough!” It is time we demand punishment for those who do evil and freedom for those who do what is right. Let the government learn once more its place – that of servant to the people. Let those who would use their position of power to harm the law abiding be cast down. It is time for Freedom to ring once more.
Open Letter to George W. Bush
Dear Mr. President,
I’m writing this in response to your attitude and comments toward those of us who oppose the Senate bill which attempts to legalize millions of foreign nationals who are residing within the borders of the United States of America illegally. Millions of United States citizens oppose this legislation. I’m sure that amongst those who oppose it there are some who do so on the basis of race. That is to be expected. But just because we oppose the measure does not make us racist. Don’t forget, amongst those millions who are within our nation illegally there are many who are racist, violent criminally inclined. That does not make all of them racist, violent or inclined to common criminality. And yet there IS one thing that they all have in common. They reside within the United States of America contrary to the laws of our nation. Our laws have been broken by every single one of these illegal aliens. They have over stayed their visas or entered our nation’s borders without benefit of a visa. Either way, they violated our laws.
Now, those of us who oppose the amnesty of these millions of people do so on the basis of their blatant disregard for our laws. We do so because we believe in the rule of law and that people who break the law should not be rewarded for that disregard. Even as I write this there are thousands upon thousands of people waiting in line for visas to enter the United States legally. They are going through the proper procedures, presenting all kinds of paperwork and undergoing background and medical checks – all so that perhaps they will be granted permission to enter our great nation. To legalize several million people who disregarded our laws and entered illegally is a figurative slap in the face to everyone who is attempting to do things the right way.
Another thing the millions of illegal aliens have in common is that they came into our nation at their own risk. A large percentage of them entered our land across our vast southern border. Often they braved the desert and the criminal element that traffics in illegal human transportation – and no one made them do it. They chose to ignore our laws and risk their lives to do so. We are under NO obligation to them. We did not invite them, they came on their own.
It is time for us to put an end to this idiocy. It is time to get serious about sealing our borders against those who disregard our laws. Shall we pack up several million people who are residing illegally in our land and pack them home? Well, why not? Let’s start with those who have violent criminal backgrounds. Let us also punish individuals and companies who knowingly provide refuge, employment and other assistance to illegal aliens of any race, nationality or religious background. Let us tell those who do not respect our laws “Go home. Or we shall send you home.” Let it be known that if they return home and show respect for our nation and our laws by applying legally for entrance to our land that they will be considered for available slots within the immigration quotas our law has established, but that if they obligate our nation to deport them that they will be blacklisted and will NOT be allowed to return under any circumstances.
How do you repatriate 12 or 20 million people? One at a time, starting with no more “catch and release”, especially of those who are chronic law breakers. And also by providing incentives for them to return home and do things right for a possible return to our land. This process could take years, even decades, but it is necessary.
This is not an issue of race. It is an issue of respect for our nation and our laws. There are millions of people who have flaunted our laws and entered our land without our consent. They come from many nations, races and religious backgrounds. They come from every inhabited continent. It’s not about race. It’s about respect for our law.
Mr. President, do not look down on those of us who have supported you. Do not shrug us off as though WE were the ones who broke the law. Many of us have stood beside you through thick and thin. Many of us have fought at your side to uphold your policies. But in this matter, sir, you are wrong. In this matter you have shamed those of us who love our land and who have supported you politically. In this matter, sir, you should repent. Uphold our national constitution and our laws. Uphold those of us who believe in the rule of law. Urge the United States Congress to set aside this asinine piece of legislation that rewards people who have broken our laws.
Sincerely,
Paul W. Moreland
US Citizen and registered voter
It’s good to hear
It’s good to hear someone advocating common sense regarding the further importation of people who wish to destroy us. The absolute refusal on the part of current politicians to recognize “who the enemy is” is frustrating, to say the least. When grandma’s get felt up by “Security” in the airport, while obvious Muslims parade past, scott free, something needs to change. Why are those in charge pretending that they don’t know who has declared war on our nation? I don’t know.
Robert Spencer of Jihad Watch has some common sense suggestions. Oh that the folks “in charge” would pay attention to such common sense suggestions. Unfortunately, those “in charge” are more likely to use such suggestions against any group other than the one that has declared war on us.
The First Annual Open Borders Oscar Awards
Michelle Malkin hosts “The First Annual Open Borders Oscar Awards“. A HOOT! I still don’t understand folks who claim that there are major differences between the two major political parties in the US, to the point of urging folks to vote blindly “for the right party”. There are too many Republicans who support the “shamnesty” bill, too many who support abortion, too many who support sodomy for me to say “The Republicans are God’s gift to America!” like some folks seem to claim. Vote the issues, not the party. As we were saying, “The First Annual Open Borders Oscar Awards” is a real hoot. Michelle’s typical humor shines light on the idiocy in Washington.
The First Annual Open Borders Oscars
Posted Jun 11, 2007
Hot Air’s Michelle Malkin takes the stage to hand out the Open Borders Oscars awards.
More on illegal immigration
Kim DuToit, a transplanted South African, has an interesting blog, to say the least. He recently posted an article on the illegal immigration problem. Kim immigrated to the US of A legally, and knows first hand how difficult it can be to do so. Here’s some quotes from the article:
This is not an exercise to examine the cost/benefit ratio.
Yes, of course there are costs and benefits. Of course there will be consequences to the costs of goods if the labor pool suddenly becomes more expensive. Of course there will be savings if medical and education benefits are drastically curtailed among the twelve million or so people who are currently using those benefits without contributing towards their costs.
None of that is important: it’s a red-herring issue.
What is more important, far more important, is the soul of this nation and of our society, and it is this soul which is being undermined.
What do I mean by that?
It’s quite simple. In the past, we have always had this compact with immigrants: you are welcome to come here, but you must assimilate into our society. In order for our nation to continue to be this “shining city on the hill”, and a beacon of hope for the rest of the world, it is not only important for us to maintain those societal values, but to strengthen them.
So when we see people breaking the law (entering the country without our permission), relying on the State to provide taxpayer-funded State benefits (medical care, education) without contributing to the cost, refusing to speak our language, and taking our currency out of the country to support the economy of another country—what on Earth is surprising about the backlash against illegal immigration?
When we concentrate only on money, we leave ourselves open to the accountants and financial nitpickers. It’s not the money. It’s our culture and our values that are at stake.
If those huddled masses from Central and South America (and indeed from the Middle East and elsewhere) want to come and live here, to share in the bounty which we produce, that is fine. We are a nation of immigrants, and we are all the stronger for it.
But they may only immigrate here on our terms, not theirs. We are the host nation, and we have created over two centuries a nation which has caused the downtrodden, the fearful and the persecuted to see us as their last hope, the hope of the entire free world.
I find Kim’s use of the phrases “our terms” and “our culture” and “our values” interesting. As a legal immigrant himself he came to our nation to assimilate, to become part of the “American Dream”. He knows whereof he speaks on this matter.
Funny, I got spoken down to for voicing these very ideas – albeit not as eloquently – and was told that my opinion matters not because I’m an “ex pat”. Well then, here’s the opinion of someone who lives up there right now – and who makes the same case as I have. Hopefully there’s more folks out there thinking such thoughts and holding their elected officials feet to the fire, figuratively speaking that is.
William Jefferson – antigun gunowner
How ironic. How can the media NOT be reporting on this hypocrisy? Yet another elitist who would deny the people the very rights he exercises himself.
Newsbusters reports that Rep. William Jefferson (D-Louisiana) was ordered by a U.S. district judge to surrender his firearms Friday. Yet, media outlets that reported this ignored the delicious irony inherent in the Congressman’s anti-gun positions throughout his career.
