AMERICA'S HOPE

 Is there hope for America? Will we survive the challenges we face? Are these just trials to test us, or are they the harbingers for the end of the greatest nation in modern times?

No need to enumerate the problems that exist today. Some have been around for decades, even centuries. Others are new, just appearing in the past year or so. Most of us are completely aware of them. 

Is Washington the solution? Is the UN the solution? Is it up to each state to find its own solution? Is it up to each individual to find their solution? Or is it too late for any solution? 

A look at history can be helpful. The USA has been in trouble before and found its way through. Sometimes it was a change in the President. Other times it was an international event that turned our focus to helping other countries. But always it was the determination of our citizens to improve our situation. 

And the ultimate assistance we received was from God. Christians prayed, and God heard and answered. This intercession was done without news reports or a Congressional hearing or any publicity at all. It was done in Churches and homes and small groups of Believers who asked for God’s help. He helped us then and He will help us again – if we turn to Him. 

This is seen in the most complete historical book, the Bible. The verses that best reflect this are found in II Chronicles 7:13-14: When I shut up heaven and there is no rain, or command the locusts to devour the land, or send pestilence among My people, if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land. 

To answer the questions above, I believe God is testing us to see if we will humble ourselves and realize that our only hope is in God.

COPYRIGHT 2022 BY CARL E GUSTAFSON

BIRDS CHIRPING

 It’s called the “dawn chorus” – the birds chirping and singing even before the sun rises. If you’re not awake already, they may arouse you from a sound sleep. Of course the rooster is the most famous of these early birds, but city birds can be almost as noisy. The normal chirp is about 65 decibels, but many birds can chirp over 100 decibels. That’s loud!

The purpose of the chatter, mostly by males, is to either warn other males to stay away or to invite females to not stay away. And a louder chirp may indicate how strong the bird is as it competes for territory. This makes sense, since birds can’t arm wrestle.

Birds have been around since creation week. On day five God created them along with fish and other sea creatures. Genesis 1:21-23 (NKJV) “So God created great sea creatures and every living thing that moves, with which the waters abounded, according to their kind, and every winged bird according to its kind. And God saw that it was good. And God blessed them, saying, "Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the waters in the seas, and let birds multiply on the earth." So the evening and the morning were the fifth day.”

The birds have indeed multiplied. Plus there are over fifty verses in the Bible that mention birds in general as well as thirty species of birds. My three favorite verses are these.

Isaiah 40:31 (NKJV) “But those who wait on the LORD Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint.”

Obviously we can’t fly like the eagles, but we can have strength from God and be emotionally and spiritually uplifted.

Matthew 10:29-31 (NKJV) “Are not two sparrows sold for a copper coin? And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father's will. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.”

 Even as we lose hair as some of us have, God still keeps count, because we are very valuable to Him.

 Matthew 6:26 (NKJV) “Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?”

 Jesus told us not to worry about food or clothing or shelter. Just as he cares for the birds, he will care for us. Even in times of pandemics and inflation.

HAVE A VERY NICE EASTER!

 

HOT TALK, COLD SCIENCE Global Warming's Unfinished Debate

 Astrophysicist S. Fred Singer wrote this book in 1997, and “The Revised and Expanded Third Edition” was released in February, 2021. It explains “What every American must know about decades of questionable scientific data used to potentially restrict our freedoms.” 

Before we look at the details of this volume, let’s review the first book I read about Global Warming / Climate Change. It was published in 1994 and written by Michael F. Coffman: SAVIORS OF THE EARTH? Here’s a description of it: 

“Vice President Al Gore and other environmental leaders push for radical changes in Americans' actions and ways of thinking. These changes, however, are not based on scientific findings but rather on pseudoscience-a manipulation of scientific data in a quest for legal power, political popularity, and Eastern mysticism.” 

One point I clearly remember from it is that there are those who worship the Earth (Gaia) as a living thing that needs our help to survive. But they won’t worship the Creator of the Earth. 

There are many similar volumes available for the serious reader, and most share the primary points of HOT TALK, COLD SCIENCE, which are as follows: 

1.    There is no climate crisis arising from human activities.

2.    The Antarctica ice mass has increased, not decreased, since 1979.

3.    There is zero evidence linking CO2 to climate change.

4.    Global cooling would be a much bigger problem than global warming.

5.    The fake “consensus” of scientists has been used to further a political agenda.

6.    The debunked “Hockey Stick” scandal shows the dishonesty of some scientists.

7.    Ditto for the “Climategate” scandal.

8.    Severe storms and droughts are not increasing in frequency or intensity.

9.    Historical CO2 increases are a result of, not a cause of, increased heat. 

Here’s an excerpt from the Barnes & Noble overview of the book: 

“Singer's masterful analysis decisively shows that the pessimistic, and often alarming, global-warming scenarios depicted in the media have no scientific basis. In fact, he finds that many aspects of increased levels of CO2, as well as any modest warming, such as longer growing seasons for food and a reduced need to use fossil fuels for heating, would have a highly positive impact on the human race.” 

As with other posts about climate change, I conclude with Genesis 8:22 

"While the earth remains, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, winter and summer, and day and night shall not cease." 

COPYRIGHT 2021 BY CARL E GUSTAFSON

49 COMMANDS OF JESUS [Discipleshiptools.org]

 The greatest commands are to love God with all our heart and to love others as our self. 

1. Repent-Matthew 4:17                                           2. Follow Me-Matthew 4:19

3. Rejoice-Matthew 5:12                                           4. Let Your Light Shine-Matthew 5:16

5. Honor God's Law-Matthew 5:17-18                      6. Be Reconciled-Matthew 5:24-25

7. Do Not Commit Adultery-Matthew 5:29-30           8. Keep Your Word-Matthew 5:37

9. Go the Second Mile-Matthew 5:38-42                  10. Love Your Enemies-Matthew 5:44

11. Be Perfect-Matthew 5:48                                    12. Practice Disciplines Secretly-Matthew 6:1-18

13. Lay Up Treasures-Matthew 6:19-21                   14. Seek God's Kingdom-Matthew 6:33

15. Judge Not-Matthew 7:1                                      16. Do Not Cast Pearls-Matthew 7:6

17. Ask, Seek, and Knock-Matthew 7:7-8                 18. Do Unto Others-Matthew 7:12

19. Choose the Narrow Way-Matthew 7:13-14          20. Beware of False Prophets-Matthew 7:15

21. Pray For Laborers-Matthew 9:38                         22. Be Wise as Serpents-Matthew 10:16

23. Fear Not-Matthew 10:26                                      24. Hear God's Voice-Matthew 11:15

25. Take My Yoke-Matthew 11:29                              26. Honor Your Parents-Matthew 15:4

27. Beware of Leaven-Matthew 16:6                         28. Deny Yourself-Luke 9:23

29. Despise Not Little Ones-Matthew 18:10              30. Go To Offenders-Matthew 18:15

31. Beware of Covetousness-Luke 12:15                  32. Forgive Offenders-Matthew 18:21-22

33. Honor Marriage-Matthew 19:6                              34. Be a Servant-Matthew 20:26-28

35. Be a House of Prayer-Matthew 21:13                  36. Ask in Faith-Matthew 21:21-22

37. Bring in the Poor-Luke 14:12-14                           38. Render to Caesar-Matthew 22:19-21

39. Love the Lord-Matthew 22:37-38                          40. Love Your Neighbor-Matthew 22:39

41. Await My Return-Matthew 24:42-44                      42. Take, Eat, and Drink-Matthew 26:26-27

43. Be Born Again-John 3:7                                        44. Keep My Commandments-John 14:15

45. Watch and Pray-Matthew 26:41                            46. Feed My Sheep-John 21:15-16

47. Baptize My Disciples-Matthew 28:19                    48. Receive God's Power-Luke 24:49

49. Make Disciples-Matthew 28:20  

1 John 5:3 (NKJV) For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome.

THE APOSTLES' CREED +

 I believe in God the Father almighty, Creator of heaven and earth

who created man in His own image.

He gave us His Word, the Holy Bible, which is true from beginning to end.

******************** 

I believe in Jesus Christ our Lord, God’s only Son,

who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, and born of the Virgin Mary.

Jesus, after his earthly ministry, suffered under Pontius Pilate,

and was crucified.

He died as a substitute for our sins and was buried.

On the third day He rose again from the dead.

He ascended into heaven,

and is seated at the right hand of God the Father

and is always interceding for us.

He will return soon to judge sinners and reward His followers.

******************** 

I believe in the infilling Holy Spirit and His power in my life,

and His conviction and drawing of unbelievers to Christ.

******************* 

I am grateful for the forgiveness of my sins.

I am glad to be part of Christ’s eternal Church.

I am enjoying communion with saints here on earth.

I am waiting for my resurrection into my eternal home in Heaven.

Amen

FORGIVENESS - FOUR BLESSINGS

 The first blessing is when someone offends or injures you, they come to you and apologize and ask for forgiveness and you forgive them. Your relationship is healed and you are able to forget the offense. The flip side when you offend and injure someone, you go to them and ask for forgiveness and they forgive you. You both receive the blessing. This may happen more than once with the same two people, but every time forgiveness is offered and accepted, the blessing is received by both parties.

 This is explained by Jesus in Matthew 18:21-22 (NKJV) Then Peter came to Him and said, "Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him, up to seven times?" Jesus said to him, "I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.”

 The next blessings depend on whether you are the offender or the offended. You have been offended or injured and the guilty person does not ask for forgiveness, but you forgive them anyway. You still receive the blessing.

 Jesus commands this in Mark 11:25 (NKJV) "And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses.”

 Stephen, when he was martyred, gave us this example in Acts 7:59-60 (NKJV) And they stoned Stephen as he was calling on God and saying, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit." Then he knelt down and cried out with a loud voice, "Lord, do not charge them with this sin." And when he had said this, he fell asleep.

 The most difficult blessing is if you offend or injure someone and ask for forgiveness but they will not forgive you. Or perhaps there is no way to reach them to ask for forgiveness. You feel very guilty about what you did but don’t receive the blessing of their forgiveness. But you still receive the blessing of confessing. My prayer has often been, “Lord, please help them to forgive me and forget the offense I committed against them.”

 The ultimate blessing is receiving God’s forgiveness. And not only does God forgive us, but He cleanses us and gives us peace, and best of all eternal life.

 Psalm 32:1 (NKJV) Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.

 1 John 1:9 (NKJV) If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

 Romans 5:1 (NKJV) Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.

 1 John 5:13 (NKJV) These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life.

 COPYRIGHT 2021 BY CARL E GUSTAFSON

BEATING HEART

 

HUMANS FROM SPONGES?

 The Bible says, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” This creating must therefore include everything in the heavens and the earth. The ultimate creature that God made is the human being.

 Contrary to this, the evolutionist says that over billions of years the human being was derived from ever complicating living things beginning with a single cell. So let’s look at this derivation of life from complex back to the simple.

 Man came from Homo, Paranthropus, Australopithicus, and Ardipithicus groups. These in turn presumably came from the apes and monkeys. From whence came the apes and monkeys gets a little confusing. The general term for their supposed ancestors is Proto-Primates which were similar to squirrels and lemurs.

 The previous group was possibly smaller rodents, who came from the anagalids in China. They are extinct, but a Gliriform tooth was found that may have been from one of them. Paleontologists can surmise a lot of information from a single tooth or a bone fragment.

 Or the previous group could have been the Mimotonids. Jaw and teeth samples of this were found in Mongolia. This is getting more confusing, but somehow all the animals came from the first ones, the comb jelly and the sponge. How these huge changes occurred over the millennia is a mystery that nobody can answer, mainly because it is logically impossible.

 Of course the animals must have come from plants or bacteria or amoeba or who knows what. And animals need oxygen and many other elements simply to survive. So where did the elements come from? Did they all evolve from Hydrogen? It’s not likely!

 In short, God created all of the elements in the beginning, along with everything else. And He made all of the animals after their kind – the equivalent of the family in modern terminology. He made the rodents and apes and sponges as separate entities, and created man after His own image and “breathed in man the breath of life, and man became a living soul.”

 COPYRIGHT 2021 BY CARL E GUSTAFSON

THANK GOD FOR CABLE NEWS!

 Cable news adds another dimension to the traditional ABC, NBC, and CBS networks. Plus it’s on for twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. Obviously nobody can watch it all, but it gives us very good choices from which to get the news, as well as plenty of opinions about the news.

 According to Deadline.com the following are statistics for 2021 for the three top cable networks. According to their website, “Deadline.com is always the first to break up-to-the-minute entertainment, Hollywood and media news, with an unfiltered, no-holds-barred analysis of events.”

 “In primetime, FOX NEWS topped with an average of 2.13 million viewers, compared to 1.31 million for MSNBC and 798,000 for CNN.” FOX had as many viewers as MSNBC and CNN combined.

 In post news analysis: ”Tucker Carlson Tonight was the top show in cable news, averaging 2.81 million total viewers, followed by Hannity with 2.59 million, The Five with 2.53 million, The Rachel Maddow Show with 2.27 million and The Ingraham Angle with 2.09 million.” And GUTFELD had 1.47 million viewers.

 There are some who think FOX is too conservative in both news and weather reporting, especially regarding the man-made climate change hoax, about which this writer has previously blogged. But their huge viewership indicates that a large number of people are in agreement with their perspective.

 It’s true that “junk climatological theories” are dangerous. But all current information about the climate is theoretical. We know today’s climate, but next year’s is an educated guess. Will global temperatures rise to unlivable levels? Nobody knows. This is worth repeating. Nobody knows. It’s all speculation.

 The same is true regarding the 2020 presidential election, where some say there was zero evidence of widespread voter fraud. Actually there is zero evidence that there was zero evidence of voter fraud.  The word “widespread” is added to minimize the actual fraud that occurred.

 This is what is so great about our freedom of the press and freedom of speech. Each of us can express our views and opinions and then choose what to believe about what others have written and said.

                             COPYRIGHT 2021 BY CARL E GUSTAFSON