Mosque at Ground Zero - Abraham Lincoln's Perspective

In Rich Nathan's message today he mentioned that 'The Bible is wrongly interpreted when God is reduced to a particular place or nation or thing'. Rich read part of this quote from Abraham Lincoln's Second Inaugural Address - in regard specifically to 'trying to tie God to our things or causes'.



"Neither party expected for the war the magnitude or the duration which it has already attained. Neither anticipated that the cause of the conflict might cease with or even before the conflict itself should cease. Each looked for an easier triumph, and a result less fundamental and astounding. Both read the same Bible and pray to the same God, and each invokes His aid against the other. It may seem strange that any men should dare to ask a just God's assistance in wringing their bread from the sweat of other men's faces, but let us judge not, that we be not judged. The prayers of both could not be answered. That of neither has been answered fully. The Almighty has His own purposes. "Woe unto the world because of offenses; for it must needs be that offenses come, but woe to that man by whom the offense cometh." If we shall suppose that American slavery is one of those offenses which, in the providence of God, must needs come, but which, having continued through His appointed time, He now wills to remove, and that He gives to both North and South this terrible war as the woe due to those by whom the offense came, shall we discern therein any departure from those divine attributes which the believers in a living God always ascribe to Him? Fondly do we hope, fervently do we pray, that this mighty scourge of war may speedily pass away. Yet, if God wills that it continue until all the wealth piled by the bondsman's two hundred and fifty years of unrequited toil shall be sunk, and until every drop of blood drawn with the lash shall be paid by another drawn with the sword, as was said three thousand years ago, so still it must be said "the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether."



With malice toward none, with charity for all, with firmness in the right as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to finish the work we are in, to bind up the nation's wounds, to care for him who shall have borne the battle and for his widow and his orphan, to do all which may achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace among ourselves and with all nations."



Lincoln had the Civil War in perfect perspective.



What if we apply Lincoln's perspective to the debate regarding the 'Mosque at Ground Zero'?



Let us ever be mindful of Lincoln's words and remember 'with firmness in the right as God gives us to see the right' – that 'right' – and everything that we have – everything – comes from Almighty God.

"American III: Solitary Man" Johnny Cash

I love the song "Solitary Man" by Neil Diamond and recently found out that Johnny Cash did a cover of it. It was not available on iTunes so I had to purchase the CD (got a great deal on Amazon) and I was literally blown away. While his vocals appear at times a little weak betraying his age, Johnny more than did justice to "Solitary Man" and all the other tracks (having artists join the effort like Tom Petty and Sheryl Crow)

I found out that Johnny Cash was a believer in Jesus Christ not too long ago. I always thought so but when I read the liner notes I knew for sure – and they blew me away:

"The Master of Life's been good to me. He gives me good health now and helps me continue doing what I love. He has given me strength to face past illnesses, and victory in the face of defeat. He has given me life and joy where others saw oblivion. He has given new purposes to live for. New services to render and old wounds to heal. Life and love go on. Let the music play"

Johnny Cash

August 16, 2000

"American III: Solitary Man" liner notes

Johnny wanted the world to know that "The Master of life's been good to me". Let's do Johnny proud and more importantly Jesus by sharing this message with the world.

And, oh yeah, some awesome music !


http://www.popmatters.com/music/reviews/c/cashjohnny-american3.shtml

Dear 'X' and Overcoming the Enemy

‘Disciple’ has been one of my favorite Christian rock bands since I heard them live with Kutless a few years ago. Their songs have always resonated with me – both the ‘loud’ and the ‘soft’ – and help draw me to the ultimate source of hope and love – Christ.

I first heard ‘Dear X’ last week and was captured by it immediately. The ‘X’ that is referred to is ‘pain’, ‘shame’, ‘hate’, and ‘anger’. Going through what I went through the past two years I have experienced all of these to one degree or another. But Christ has taken all of these away !

However the enemy of our souls uses all of the tools in his arsenal to dredge up the past and all the ‘stuff’ that goes with it. One of the ‘tools’ that he uses (very effectively at times) is – gasp – other believers. And, unfortunately, I have experienced this.

How do we over come this ? It’s not rocket science but found in James 4:7 ‘Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.’ Thank you ‘Disciple’ for pointing that out so well in your brand new song.

It really is that easy.







Disciple Dear X (you Don't Own Me) lyrics

'Dear pain, oh, it's been a long time
Remember when you were holding me tight
I would stay awake with you all night
Dear shame, I was safe in your arms
You were there when it all fell apart
I would get so lost in your beautiful lies
I let you go
But you're still chasing

Go ahead
You're never gonna take me
You can bend
But you're never gonna break me
I was yours
I'm not yours anymore
Oh, you don't own me

Dear hate, I know you're not far
You would wait at the door of my heart
I was amazed at the passion in your cries
Dear anger, you made me so high
You were faithful to show up on time
Such a flame that was burning in your eyes
I let you go
But you're still chasing

Go ahead
You're never gonna take me
You can bend
But you're never gonna break me
I was yours
But I'm not yours anymore
Oh, you don't own me

Go ahead
Put a target on my forehead
You can fire
But you've got no bullet
I was yours
But I'm not yours anymore
Oh, you don't own me

You tempted me to look back
But everything that we had together was a lie

Go ahead
You're never gonna take me
You can bend
But you're never gonna break me
I was yours
But I'm not yours anymore
Oh, you don't own me

Go ahead
Put a target on my forehead
You can fire
But you've got no bullet
I was yours
But I'm not yours anymore
Oh, you don't own me

Go ahead
Put a target on my forehead
You can fire
But you've got no bullet
I was yours
But I'm not yours anymore
Oh, you don't own me'

Sidney Crosby - 2010 NHL Awards

The more I listen to interviews with him, the more he becomes one of my favorite all time athletes to have ever played on any Pittsburgh sports team. Class, posie, diginity, humility are a few words that describe him. Blessed to have you Sid !
Watch Sid take home the Hart & Messier award tonight at 7:30 PM on Versus.

Pittsburgh Penguins “On The Brink” – A Commentary

Everyone has their own take on why the Canadiens have forced a game seven with the Pittsburgh Penguins – all the talking heads on ESPN, those on that poor excuse for a network called Versus, the local writers and radio & TV announcers (Post-Gazette, Trib Review FSNP, Penguins Radio Network) and people like me – an everyday ordinary fan. My knowledge of the game is excellent - I have been following the Penguins since 1972 and have probably been to over 700 NHL games in my life - including alll but two of the 2009 playoffs games, So I ask you to indulge yourself in the following.

Fluery vs Halak. The general consensus that I get is that everyone thinks Halak is better and the Fluery is streaky this series. No I will tell you what the difference is. Defense. Pure and simple. They can make a goalie look super human and that’s what the Habs have been doing. No question, Fluery may have had a bad game but I’ll lay the blame squarely on the shoulders of the Penguins defense. They rose to the occasion in Game 5 in Pittsburgh – where were they last night ? All I will say is this – for three of the Habs goals in game 6 Eaton & Gologoski were on the ice. Defense needs to step up and start blocking shots and delivering punishing hits. Jay McKee needs to come in. Oh and one more thing – if we get the whistle in game 5 Fluery pitches a second shout out in the same series.

Corsby & Malkin. Much ink has been spilled on why they have been so ineffective this series. It’s pure and simple. The Habs have literally been all over both of them – especially Sid with numerous high sticks, trips, cross checks and interference calls going by the wayside. His complaints have fallen on deaf ears and that leads me to my next point. Oh it was great to see Sid score last night as well ! And don't forget both of them have played very well defesively.

Inconsistent officiating. Oh how the announcers don’t want to broach this subject. But face it – if the game was called consistently from game one forward, the Habs would be lining up their tee times right now. For example in game 5 (which I attended) early on the refs were super slow in blowing the whistle. If the puck is out of sight, the refs is to blow his whistle – that’s not my take that’s in the NHL rulebook. Because of that, it allowed them to score a late goal in game 5. Last night extremely quick whistles – if not we get another goal. So many missed calls – high sticks, cross checks, trips, interference (yes I’m saying this for both sides) but I’m really incensed at how the Habs have done everything in the book to stop Crosby & Malkin – most of them were ‘non calls’ from the refs. And the call with a little over 2 minutes left in game 5 on Dupis – he barely touches the Habs player and gets called. Again one word – consistency.

Suban – Everyone is raving at what a great talent he is going to be. Face it folks. He is being schooled on how to be a cheap shot artist and get away with it. Look what he did to Jordan Staal amd almost did to Matt Cooke. I watched him in particular the past two games and he looks for chances to give some of those shots when the refs are turned the other way. Play hockey right Suban and you will go a lot farther.

Net presence. The Habs have been doing a great job of this – a little too good in my opinion. I’ve watched several times when their players are behind Halak and touch the puck in the paint or “accidently” dislodge the net. Give me a break.

Game 7 – If we come out and play like we did in game 5 we win. Period. In spite of the inconsistent refs, In spite of Suban and his cheap shots. Folks we had at least four shots hit metal last night. We get two of those in and…well you know the rest !

In closing I have one thing to say from one of the greatest every to lace up skate to all who are proud to call themselves Pittsburgh Penguins players, fans, and coaches:

“See you at center ice”

Psalm 35

As part of my devotions, I read Psalm 35 today and it spoke to me in a number of areas - especially my unemployemnt situation - and how satan has been working overtime to reek havoc in my life.

"1 O Lord, oppose those who oppose me.
Fight those who fight against me.
2 Put on your armor, and take up your shield.
Prepare for battle, and come to my aid.
3 Lift up your spear and javelin
against those who pursue me.
Let me hear you say,
“I will give you victory!”
4 Bring shame and disgrace on those trying to kill me;
turn them back and humiliate those who want to harm me.
5 Blow them away like chaff in the wind—
a wind sent by the angel of the Lord.
6 Make their path dark and slippery,
with the angel of the Lord pursuing them.
7 I did them no wrong, but they laid a trap for me.
I did them no wrong, but they dug a pit to catch me.
8 So let sudden ruin come upon them!
Let them be caught in the trap they set for me!
Let them be destroyed in the pit they dug for me.
9 Then I will rejoice in the Lord.
I will be glad because he rescues me.
10 With every bone in my body I will praise him:
“Lord, who can compare with you?
Who else rescues the helpless from the strong?
Who else protects the helpless and poor from those who rob them?”

11 Malicious witnesses testify against me.
They accuse me of crimes I know nothing about.
12 They repay me evil for good.
I am sick with despair.
13 Yet when they were ill, I grieved for them.
I denied myself by fasting for them,
but my prayers returned unanswered.
14 I was sad, as though they were my friends or family,
as if I were grieving for my own mother.
15 But they are glad now that I am in trouble;
they gleefully join together against me.
I am attacked by people I don’t even know;
they slander me constantly.
16 They mock me and call me names;
they snarl at me.

17 How long, O Lord, will you look on and do nothing?
Rescue me from their fierce attacks.
Protect my life from these lions!
18 Then I will thank you in front of the great assembly.
I will praise you before all the people.
19 Don’t let my treacherous enemies rejoice over my defeat.
Don’t let those who hate me without cause gloat over my sorrow.
20 They don’t talk of peace;
they plot against innocent people who mind their own business.
21 They shout, “Aha! Aha!
With our own eyes we saw him do it!”

22 O Lord, you know all about this.
Do not stay silent.
Do not abandon me now, O Lord.
23 Wake up! Rise to my defense!
Take up my case, my God and my Lord.
24 Declare me not guilty, O Lord my God, for you give justice.
Don’t let my enemies laugh about me in my troubles.
25 Don’t let them say, “Look, we got what we wanted!
Now we will eat him alive!”

26 May those who rejoice at my troubles
be humiliated and disgraced.
May those who triumph over me
be covered with shame and dishonor.
27 But give great joy to those who came to my defense.
Let them continually say, “Great is the Lord,
who delights in blessing his servant with peace!”
28 Then I will proclaim your justice,
and I will praise you all day long."


But I know Jesus will rescue me from this and bless me to overflowing - how can I be silent ?

"17 How long, O Lord, will you look on and do nothing?
Rescue me from their fierce attacks.
Protect my life from these lions!
18 Then I will thank you in front of the great assembly.
I will praise you before all the people."

Thank you for the Cross Jesus !!!!

Suffering For God

Do you feel that you have "suffered" for doing what is right ? Do you feel that or have been told by others that you are “unforgiveable” ? I’ve got some great news !

1 Peter 3:17-19 (New International Version)

17It is better, if it is God's will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. 18For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit, 19through whom[a] also he went and preached to the spirits in prison"

So keep doing “what is right”……

1 Peter 3:13-15 (New International Version)

13Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? 14But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. "Do not fear what they fear[a]; do not be frightened."[b] 15But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,”

It’s really very simple…….and available to all

Romans 10:9 (New International Version)

9That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

I hope you are “Sweetly Broken” for Jesus Christ...