Of Free Will and Anarchy

Judges 17:6
In those days there was no king in Israel, but every man did that which was right in his own eyes.

I will do.

I will go.

I am free.

It is my life and I will do what I want with it.

Libertarian free will and its philosophical offspring libertarianism will by necessity lead to anarchy.

According to Funk and Wagnall's Dictionary

lib-er-tar-i-an, n. 1. a person who advocates liberty, esp. with regard to thought or conduct.... advocating liberty or conforming to principles of liberty.

We, especially as Americans, love our liberties, our pursuit of happiness, and the American Dream with little or no hindrance to what I want and when I want it.  We have been taught to varying degrees that we are free and have the ability to freely choose whatever we want.
Read more »

Word Wednesday:Honesty

2 Corinthians 8:21Providing for honest things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men.

Honest:

1 a : free from fraud or deception : legitimate, truthful <an honest plea> b : genuine, real  c : humble, plain <good honest food>
2 a : reputable, respectable <honest decent people> b chiefly British : good, worthy
3  creditable, praiseworthy

" You PROMISE? " are two words I often hear from three young and impressionable little men.  Can I be taken at my word?  Is what I say good enough?  As a Christian and a Father my word had better be good enough.  What we say matters and the impression our words leave on those within our family and without can last a lifetime.

Do we deceive others  and ourselves with our hypocrisy?  Integrity, honor, honesty, and character are all facets of who and what we are as Christians. 

1. Are we honest with our spouse?
2. Are we honest with our children?
3. Are we honest in business?
4. Are we honest with ourselves?

These are some questions that we must ask ourselves as we travel this road of life.  My boys know that if Daddy promises something it is all but assured.  We are not perfect and circumstances do change, but do others say of us, " He is as good as his word?  " When those outside the family of God see us they should ( if they are honest ) be able to give a good report of our lives.  God hates lying tongues and those who practice such will have their part in the Lake of Fire so I believe honesty is an imperative in our lives.

As I write this I am convicted and broken before the Lord.  I have not always been honest in all my dealings and often I have " went along to get along. "  We are required to be honest with both the Lord and with men and that includes ourselves and our families.  We are to dwell on things that are honest and pure and by doing so we are fulfilling the will of God.

Philippians 4:8Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

Father, I thank you that you are True and Faithful.  Forgive me not always being honest, genuine, and reputable.  Lord, when others look upon me I desire that they see you living through me and I pray that my life will be honoring to you.  Amen

Freedom Apart From God

The leading opponent, Democratic Sen. Ruben Diaz, was given only a few minutes to state his case during the Senate debate.

"God, not Albany, settled the issue of marriage a long time ago," said Diaz, a Bronx minister. "I'm sorry you are trying to take away my right to speak," he said. "Why are you ashamed of what I have to say?"

After days of contentious negotiations and last-minute reversals by two Republican senators...

Read more »

The United State of Man

Give Me Liberty Or Give Me Death

Patrick Henry, 1775

We in America have a long history of autonomy, rugged individualism, pragmatism, and the pull yourself up by your bootstraps mentality that many ( not all ) relate to.  We want to be our own person, do our own thing, and go our own way without the government, our elders, or any authority directing our actions or limiting our " freedom ", but are we truly free?

Read more »

Midnight Introspection

I am sitting here on this Friday night wondering to myself why?  The questions come one after another just as the dawn follows the night day after day and night after night.

Why am I so blessed?  I have done nothing to deserve the goodness of our benevolent Creator and never will as His manifold mercies envelop me daily.  The three boys who bring both joy and frustration ( one just woke up and crawled into my lap ) are a testament to the goodness of God.

My wife who so patiently endures my idiosyncrasies is my helpmate and my support while walking down this narrow path toward that Heavenly City.

Why has God called a wretch like me to share in this glorious salvation?
Read more »

Lights, Camera, Action!

My playground was the theatre. I'd sit and watch my mother pretend for a living. As a young girl, that's pretty seductive.

Gwyneth Paltrow

As I was reading this week I came across an article detailing The Top Ten Historical Impostors and I began to thinking: Who am I and is what I portray to the world who I really am?  Am I doing what is quoted above and pretending for a living and  by doing such am I seducing and being seduced at the same time?

 

Hypocrisy : a feigning to be what one is not or to believe what one does not; especially : the false assumption of an appearance of virtue or religion.

Pretending on stage is referred to as art and theater, but offstage it is hypocrisy and here is what Scripture has to say about it:

Read more »