In the words of RONALD REAGAN

On abortion Reagan said, "If you don't know whether a body is alive or dead, you would never bury it.  Until someone can prove the unborn child is not a life, shouldn't we give it the benefit of the doubt and assume that it is?"  "These children, over tenfold the number of Americans lost in all our nation's wars, will never laugh, never sing, never experience the joy of human love; nor will they strive to heal the sick, or feed the poor, or make peace among nations.  Abortion has denied them the first and most basic of human rights, and we are infinitely poorer for their loss." (pg. 212,213)

On human nature Reagan said of a lawyer and a farmer who had collided with one another in a head-on collision, "They both staggered out of their cars.  The farmer took one look at the lawyer, walked back to his car, took out a package, and brought it back.  There was a bottle inside, and he said, 'Here, you look pretty shaken up.  I think you ought to take a nip of this; it'll steady your nerves.'  So the lawyer did.  Then the farmer said, 'You still look a little bit pale.  How about another?'  And the lawyer took another swallow.  At the farmer's urging, he took another and another and another.  Finally he said he was feeling pretty good, and asked the farmer if he didn't think that he ought to have a little nip too.  The farmer said, 'Not me.  I'm waiting for the state trooper.'" (pg. 210)

After being charged in a letter for lack of compassion Reagan responded, "I'm sure everyone feels sorry for the individual who has fallen by the wayside or who can't keep up in our competitive society, but my own compassion goes beyond that to those millions of unsung men and women who get up every morning, send the kids to school, go to work, try to keep up the payments on their house, pay exorbitant taxes to make possible compassion for the less fortunate, and as a result have to sacrifice many of their own desires and dreams and hopes.  Government owes them something better than always finding a new way to make them share the fruit of their toils with others." (Pg. 69)

(Quotations taken from the book RONALD REAGAN - How an Ordinary Man Became an Extraordinary Leader by Dinesh D'Souza; The Free Press, A division of Simon & Schuster, Inc., New York; 1997)

A LETTER TO DAD by Vance Havner

Dear Dad:
   Among the treasures of bygone years there's a faded old letter you wrote to me when I was a puzzled country boy away at college.  I answered it then, but tonight, across the span of years, I'd like to answer it again.  A lot of water has run under the bridge since, with scratchy pen, you put down those words of counsel to help me on the straight and narrow way.  You have long since gone and I know you need no letter, for you see quite clearly from heaven's grandstand what is ofttimes so foggy to us who still run the race.  A letter from me can give you little information, but one from you could certainly throw light on many a subject!
  
   But just the same, I'd like to thank you better than ever I did when you were here for what you did and what you were.  I am so glad that you believed the authority in the home belonged to you and not to me.  I remember that time when your little boy tried just once to talk out loud to another little boy at church and disturbed the service.  You handled that well:  I never talked out again!  I thank you for reading the Bible at bedtime before the old fireplace and then on bended knee committing us all afresh to our Father in heaven.  My knees grew tired sometimes, but you built a wall around my soul that the devil was never able to tear down.  I know you never kept up with the styles, and that funny fur cap I wore off to boarding school lingers still in my recollections:  but I never knew the difference then and I get a good laugh out of it now, so no harm was done.  You didn't have a lot to sell in your grocery store, but you gave away a lot in helpful words and godly counsel:  you cast your bread upon the waters and some of it is coming back still today.
  
   I remember the times I heard you praying in that little store, reminding God that you had given me to Him and asking Him to remember His Word to you in which He had caused you to hope.  I think you got a little shaky about me a time or two:  it looked as if I were going to miss the track in spite of everything, but God didn't let you down, for He never lets anyone down.  I'm preaching that old-time religion that you always hoped I'd always preach and partly because my father's prayers have followed me.  As I look back over the road I've come and see how near I came to leaving it, I know that something greater than myself had a hand in it all; yes, not something but Some One, for the God of my father had an understanding with you and His eye was on me.
  
   I've thought a lot of how you used to meet me when I came home from my preaching trips.  When the train rounded that curve at the depot I could always see you standing beside the little old Ford, in that old blue suit that never was pressed again from the day you bought it.  It never seems right to round that curve and not see you there.  But there are other curves ahead, and when I get home for good I don't know how close to the gate of glory you can stand, but I'm sure you'll be on hand.  I have wondered what you'll look like, but I'm sure I'll know you.  And there'll be plenty of time to catch up on the conversation that was interrupted years ago.
  
   You always liked to sing, though neither of us was unusually gifted that way.  I am sure you're in great trim now, after all these years of practice.  I am anxious to get over there and try out my brand-new voice with you on "Amazing Grace, How Sweet the Sound."  From the looks of things down here, it probably won't be long till Jesus comes.  I'll see you in the morning!

(From the book, THE BEST OF VANCE HAVNER, originally printed in 1969 by Fleming H. Revell Company and reprinted in 1980 by Baker Book House Company; 49-51)

CHRISTIANS FILET CHICK-FIL-A

Us Christians are a peculiar lot sometimes in ways that are not the least bit flattering.  For example, we rightly lament the continual downward slide of the culture wherein we live and even agree to boycott companies and businesses which cater to the cesspool of iniquity that has in many areas engulfed American culture. 

Yet, when the President of Chick fil-A, a major player in the fast-food industry, takes the correct public stand and aligns himself with Biblical guidelines regarding marriage (one man-one woman), many Christians scurry to find fault with those who stood in support of the company.

I realize that not every person standing in line or sitting in an overcrowded drive-thru at Chick-fil-A this past Wednesday on "Appreciation Day" was a born-again, bible-toting, fundamental Baptist.  I think that it is safe to assume that not even the majority of folks who patronized CFA were remotely Christian. 

However, I am nonetheless pleased, if not ecstatic, that the position taken by the president of Chick-fil-A, Mr. Cathy, was met with thunderous enthusiasm and overwhelming support from a normally apathetic general public.  Many Christians, however, were not so pleased and began their criticism of the event with the likes of, "Well, it's nice to support Biblical marriage and free speech, but how many of those people will be in church tonight?" 

My question is, would they have rathered the American public stood in agreement with sodomy and same-sex marriage?  I think not.  Would I love for every one of those individuals who supported CFA to be active members of Bible-believing churches? Of course!  But the fact that they are not does not preclude me from rejoicing in the news that it appears a majority of Americans still support Biblical marriage and the freedom to express a religious point of view.

Folks, I appreciate the fact that so many of us were willing to identify with Chick-fil-A and their president's view of marriage as defined by the Bible.  I appreciate that millions came out in support of one man's right to believe what he wishes and, yes, even state publicly what those beliefs are.  This is still America, is it not?

I am not, however, willing to stand with other Christian cynics who see nothing but the negative in everything they view.  Decry the culture, yes; boycott companies that promote wickedness, yes; and while we're standing against those harboring positions with which we disagree, let us stand with those whose values we esteem.  And that is My View From The Porch for Saturday, August 4, 2012.  God bless.

SWORD CONFERENCE ARRIVAL, 2012

The 2012 National Sword of the Lord Conference begins tonight at 7 p.m. sharp and I have arrived here in Winston-Salem with expectation and anticipation for a tremendous week ahead.  The Monday that begins the conference is a travel day for most, and this writer is no exception though the distance traveled is minor compared to the miles driven by numerous other attendees.

From all over America and many foreign countries they will come to be blessed, encouraged, inspired and, yes, perhaps convicted.  We are here to exalt the name of Jesus, the blood of His Cross, the King James Bible, holy, separated living, confrontational soulwinning, and the old-time way.

Tonight, Sword Editor, Shelton Smith, begins the conference to be followed by Pastor Tim Rabon from Beacon Baptist Church in nearby Raleigh, North Carolina.  Last evening this writer had the privilege of attending the services at Beacon and was blessed, as usual, by the powerful, convicting preaching of Dr. Sam Davison.  We anticipate more of that kind of preaching this week. If you cannot attend please pray that God will move on the hearts of those who are in attendance and stir us to steer this nation back to God.

SOWELL NAILS ROBERTS

Betrayal is hard to take, whether in our personal lives or in the political life of the nation. Yet there are people in Washington -- too often, Republicans -- who start living in the Beltway atmosphere, and start forgetting those hundreds of millions of Americans beyond the Beltway who trusted them to do right by them, to use their wisdom instead of their cleverness.

President Bush 41 epitomized these betrayals when he broke his "read my lips, no new taxes" pledge. He paid the price when he quickly went from high approval ratings as president to someone defeated for reelection by a little known governor from Arkansas.

Chief Justice John Roberts need fear no such fate because he has lifetime tenure on the Supreme Court. But conscience can be a more implacable and inescapable punisher -- and should be.

The Chief Justice probably made as good a case as could be made for upholding the constitutionality of ObamaCare by defining one of its key features as a "tax."

The legislation didn't call it a tax and Chief Justice Roberts admitted that this might not be the most "natural" reading of the law. But he fell back on the long-standing principle of judicial interpretation that the courts should not declare a law unconstitutional if it can be reasonably read in a way that would make it constitutional, out of "deference" to the legislative branch of government.

But this question, like so many questions in life, is a matter of degree. How far do you bend over backwards to avoid the obvious, that ObamaCare was an unprecedented extension of federal power over the lives of 300 million Americans today and of generations yet unborn?

These are the people that Chief Justice Roberts betrayed when he declared constitutional something that is nowhere authorized in the Constitution of the United States.

John Roberts is no doubt a brainy man, and that seems to carry a lot of weight among the intelligentsia -- despite glaring lessons from history, showing very brainy men creating everything from absurdities to catastrophes. Few of the great tragedies of history were created by the village idiot, and many by the village genius.

One of the Chief Justice's admirers said that when others are playing checkers, he is playing chess. How much consolation that will be as a footnote to the story of the decline of individual freedom in America, and the wrecking of the best medical care in the world, is another story.
There are many speculations as to why Chief Justice Roberts did what he did, some attributing noble and far-sighted reasons, and others attributing petty and short-sighted reasons, including personal vanity. But all of that is ultimately irrelevant.

What he did was betray his oath to be faithful to the Constitution of the United States.

Who he betrayed were the hundreds of millions of Americans -- past, present and future -- whole generations in the past who have fought and died for a freedom that he has put in jeopardy, in a moment of intellectual inspiration and moral forgetfulness, 300 million Americans today whose lives are to be regimented by Washington bureaucrats, and generations yet unborn who may never know the individual freedoms that their ancestors took for granted.

Some claim that Chief Justice Roberts did what he did to save the Supreme Court as an institution from the wrath -- and retaliation -- of those in Congress who have been railing against Justices who invalidate the laws they have passed. Many in the media and in academia have joined the shrill chorus of those who claim that the Supreme Court does not show proper "deference" to the legislative branch of government.

But what does the Bill of Rights seek to protect the ordinary citizen from? The government! To defer to those who expand government power beyond its constitutional limits is to betray those whose freedom depends on the Bill of Rights.

Similar reasoning was used back in the 1970s to justify the Federal Reserve's inflationary policies. Otherwise, it was said, Congress would destroy the Fed's independence, as it can also change the courts' jurisdiction. But is it better for an institution to undermine its own independence, and freedom along with it, while forfeiting the trust of the people in the process?

IT'S TIME WE LEARNED

Today in a much anticipated decision the Supreme Court of the United States sided with the Obama Administration by upholding the new health care law, known around the country simply as "Obamacare."  The pros and cons have been weighed, arguments have been mounted and a majority of nine justices robed in black have now affirmed, to their satisfaction at least, the consitutionality of Obamacare.

The Supreme Court has now voiced its opinion that it is somehow within the confines of the United States Constitution for the federal government, among other things, to mandate that its citizens purchase health insurance from private insurance companies or face a substantial fine.  One cannot help but wonder where the consenting justices found that in the Constitution.  Perhaps it is hidden away near where one also finds a woman's right to an abortion!

What is perplexing to many of us is the fact that conservative Chief Justice John Roberts, appointed by "conservative" former president George W. Bush, joined forces with the majority in this ridiculous decision.  At any rate, the Court has spoken and the law remains in effect barring a repeal from a new Congress under the direction of a new president.

As for now, as the title of this post reads, it's time we learned.  It's time Americans learned that the out-of-control federal government to which "we the people" have acquiesced cares no longer for the desires of "we the people."  It was President Obama and liberals in Congress - and apparently a majority of Supreme Court justices - who wanted Obamacare, not the American people.

It is time conservative Americans realized that a plethora of politicians who claim the mantle of conservatism have betrayed us time and time again.  They smell of conservativism, they speak of conservatism, and they promise conservatism only to compromise their conservative values (if ever they had any) upon election to office in order to gain favorable status among liberals in Congress and at the NEW YORK TIMES.

It is also time that Christian people came to terms with the truth that while it is admirable to fight the good fight of faith against the encroachments of liberalism and big government, the only thing that truly matters in life is to win as many people to Christ as possible.  "This world is not our home" - including these United  States - "we're just a 'passin through; our treasures are laid up somewhere beyond the blue" as the song says.

So, do not be discouraged and do not cease from the battle.  Continue to stand against error, both in the spiritual and secular realm.  But remember, God is still keeping the books and our day, Christian friend, is yet in the future.  And that is my View From the Porch for Thursday, June 28, 2012.

WHO NEEDS SCOLDING?

The President of the United States recently scolded the American people by stating that many illegal aliens (though he did not refer to them as such) living in the US had "come forward at great risks to themselves" in hopes that we, the citizens of this great land, would "live up to our values" by "doing the right thing."  I'm guessing that what the president meant by living "up to our values" and "doing the right thing" is that we should overlook the illegality of those crossing the border and welcome them here with open arms.

I don't know about the reader but I have a problem being scolded by the president for believing that illegal means just that - illegal.  I have a problem with the arrest of US citizens who violate the law, yet we look the other way when the "undocumented" do so.  I have a problem when our jails are full of fellow-citizens who've broken the law (and rightfully so), but we allow our cities to be filled with law-breakers from another country. 

I have a problem being scolded by a president over what our "values" should be when his entire administration has been about devaluing the laws and Constitution of the United States.  Granting amnesty to the children of those who disregard and disrespect our laws by coming here illegally is just such a case in point.

It is a crying shame that the president and, yes, his challenger Mitt Romney, feel that the only way to get re-elected (or elected) is to bow to the wishes and demands of those who are here in violation of our immigration laws.  It is a sad day in America, but we have long since abandoned the lofty ideal that the United States government is "by the people, and for the people."  That idea, upon which this republic was founded, has long since been laid to rest without so much as a whimper from the lawful citizenry.

Mr. President, one of the "values" that you spoke of as far as this writer is concerned is that of obeying the law.  It would be extremely nice if you and those likeminded in Congress would value the law by attempting to enforce it.  We don't deport illegal aliens; we encourage them by allowing them to demonstrate in our streets and by not requiring them to learn English.  So, I am a bit confused as to what "risks" they have faced by coming clean.

No, it is not the American people that need scolding.  In fact, we are tired of being told to go sit in the corner while our country is being snatched away from us at ever turn.  It is the blind, egotistical, self-serving leaders of this country that need scolding for allowing such a great republic to slip into the shackles of a third-world nation.  And that, my friends, is my View From the Porch for Tuesday, June 19, 2012.

POINTS TO PONDER

The following quotes are taken from a recent message by Dr. David Gibbs, Jr.  If you are like me, you always have pen and paper in hand when listening to Brother Gibbs. If only I could write faster I'd have more of his quotes!  Here are just a few.

"The greatest theft in the universe is when we want to take the glory that rightfully belongs to Christ and direct it to ourselves."

"When you crave respect you will start siphoning off God's glory."

"God never invited you to do great things; He invited you to do impossible things."

"You serve the God of the impossible."

"The Church has three great missions:  1) Exalting Christ and His Word, 2) Attacking the Devil and take his turf and capture the people he has in bondage, 3) Defending and proclaiming the truth."

"We're not going to change America until we change us."

"Don't ever underestimate a mother's prayers."

BIBLE COLLEGE BICKERING

Is it a sin to start a Bible College?  Was Dr. Bob Jones, Sr., wrong when he began Bob Jones University many decades ago?  Were Dr's. Ron Comfort, Clarence Sexton, Paul Chappell and a hosts of other good men misleading God's people when they announced that the Lord had led them to start Bible Colleges for the expressed purpose of training men and women for full-time Christian service?

Some would say so.  In fact, a FACEBOOK friend of mine rants against Bible Colleges pretty regularly.  Recently he raised the issue again, arguing that Bible Colleges had no authority to charge financially for teaching the Bible.  No less than 52 comments have been contributed to his status as of this writing, many of which are of a lengthy nature.

Folks, I will be the first to admit - as you have perhaps noticed from my brief writings - that I am no theologian or self-proclaimed Bible scholar.  I did attend Bible College for a year and learned some valuable insights, particularly in the area of Baptist History.  But, I have to say that straw men arguments like the one raised in my friend's FACEBOOK post makes me want to regurgitate, to put it nicely.

If one feels that starting (or attending) Bible Colleges is wrong my advice would then be to not start or attend one.  But to label as unbiblical or unscriptural those who attend colleges or those good men who have began institutions to train full-time Christian workers is shameful!  Is this the new low to which many in the Fundamental Baptist movement, as some have labeled it, have sunk?  Are arguments of this nature of utmost importance?  It would seem to be in some independent, Baptist circles.

God help us to get beyond such petty issues and concentrate on what is really important and that is getting souls to Jesus.  And that, my friends, is my View From the Porch for Thursday, June 14, 2012. God bless.

LET'S BE CONSISTENT

Recently the editor (who shall remain nameless) of a well-known Christian periodical (which shall also remain nameless) printed in his newspaper a short article by a well-respected evangelist that lamented the downward trend toward the use of charismatic style music in many modern-day Fundamental, Baptist churches.  At the conclusion of the article the unnamed editor wrote that he agreed "wholeheartedly and enthusiastically" with the author who penned the piece.

However, writing from the perspective of a long-time subscriber, I have not observed one word of rebuke within the above-referenced periodical regarding the increasing tendency of a large independent, Baptist church and Bible College in Southern, California, to adopt lyrics written by charismatics as well as the continuing adaptation of CCM (Contemporary Christian Music) for use in their services.  In fact, the only word of warning specific to the above ministries in California (to my knowledge) has come from the pen of David Cloud (www.wayoflife.org) whom, as a result of his timely warning, has been much maligned within some Fundamental circles.

I do not want to appear cynical or critical, but it is high time that we in Fundamental, Independent Baptist churches call a spade a spade regardless of what influential ministry may be condoning error.  It is one thing to speak out about the compromises of those leaders at Liberty University and Tennessee Temple University (as well we should), but where is our concern for the errors being received and propagated by those whom we would consider in our "camp"?

It would seem that if schools advertises in our paper, and if we get invited to speak at certain conferences, and if another ministry promotes our ministry (scratch my back, I'll scratch yours) then those schools, pastors and ministries are "off-limits" when it comes to rebuking compromise.  However, if a school or ministry does not line up within our "camp" we then make it our necessary duty to mark them as compromisers and ministries whom others should avoid.

And to this simple blogger that reeks of a double standard.  And that is my View From the Porch for Wednesday, June 6, 2012.  Thanks for reading.





 

I REMAIN INSANE

Speaking to a large gathering of teachers in 1973 Dr. C.M. Pierce of Harvard University said, "Every child in America entering school at the age of five is insane, because he comes to school with certain allegiances toward our elected officials, toward his parents, toward a belief in a supernatural being, toward the sovereignty of this nation as a separate entity..." 

I am proud today to say that the only area in which I have recovered from my "insanity" is in my allegiance to elected officials. I'd rather be an insane God-fearing, parents-honoring, America-loving patriot than an Harvard-educated idiot masquerading as an intellectual! 

Insanely Yours,
David

T.G.I.F.

Who among us has not heard someone say "TGIF" meaning, of course, Thank God It's Friday!?  I have used the expression many times myself, but there is another "TGIF" or two that I'd like to bring to the readers attention that is of far greater significance than the one mentioned above.  The first one we consider is "Thank God I'm Free!"

The great Apostle Paul writes in Romans 8:2, "For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death."  The words of Jesus Himself are recorded in John 8:36 where the Saviour proclaimed, "If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed."  So, I am here today to say, TGIF - Thank God I'm Free!

I am reminded of the words of a song we sometimes sing in our churches.  Here are the words to the chorus:

    "Thank God I am free, free, free
   From this world of sin
   Washed in the blood of Jesus, and then born again
   Hallelujah I'm saved, saved, saved
   By His wonderful grace
   I'm so glad that I found out He would bring me out
   And show me the way."

Not only am I free in Christ, but TGIF - Thank God I'm Forgiven!  Ephesians 4:32 states, "And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you."  Again in Ephesians chapter 1, verse 7 we read, "In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace."

In my memory I can just now hear an evangelist friend singing the song "Forever Forgiven":

   "Forever forgiven, it reaches even me,
    My sins are forgiven, casts into the deepest sea;
    Forever forgiven, salvation full and free,
    Forever forgiven, new life abundantly."

Yes, it's Friday, the end of the work week for many.  And for those included in that vast number, TGIF - Thank God it's Friday - has undoubtedly been in their minds if not on their lips.  But, for the child of God, TGIF takes on a new and grander meaning when we, from the heart, thank God for our freedom and forgiveness found only in His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ.

Yes, TGIF - Thank God I'm Free and Thank God I'm forgiven!  Is the reader able to repeat that with conviction of heart?  I trust you may.  And that is my View From The Porch for Friday, the first day of June, 2012.  God bless.

WE REMEMBER!

Memorial Day, 2012.  We remember - today - and always.  We remember the fallen; we remember the cause for which they fell; we remember the flag under which they fought.

From the shores of Tripoli to the sands of Iwo Jima, from the bloody beaches of Europe to the frozen Chosin in Korea, from the steamy jungles of Vietnam to the desert sands of Iraq and dens of Afghanistan - we remember.  Yes, we remember the American fighting men and women who fought, who bled, yea, who died in defense of freedom so that we, today, may wave the flag from sea to shining sea.

To our war dead - you are not forgotten and your sacrifice not dimished. We rise today - and every day - to salute and honor your service and your memory.  It is because of you that we may celebrate a Happy Memorial Day. 

I COULDN'T AGREE MORE!

SWORD LEADER SPEAKING AT HYLES WORSHIPPING CHURCH (Friday Church News Notes, May 25, 2012, www.wayoflife.org, fbns@wayoflife.org, 866-295-4143) - This week I was sad to learn that Shelton Smith (editor of The Sword of the Lord) is scheduled to speak at the “Old-time Religion Real and Revisited Conference” at Berean Baptist Church, Fleming Island, Florida, in September. There is a full-page ad for this meeting in The Sword. The other speakers are Tom Neal, Greg Neal, John Hamblin, Joe Arthur, Norris Belcher, Terry Sellars, Lawrence Mendez, and Mark Campbell (all “doctors,” of course). Every preacher attending the conference “receives a copy of Dr. Hyles’ ordination certificate.” Whoop-ti-do! This church is a man-centered cult pastored by the idolator Tom Neal. Of all of the Jack Hyles worshipers, Neal is perhaps the king. He published a paper (Independent Baptist Contender) devoted to “perpetuating and protecting the principles and philosophies of Dr. Jack Hyles.” In a letter he wrote to explain his absence from the 2001 Pastor’s School at First Baptist Church of Hammond--after Hyles’ death in February of that year--Neal said: “It has been said of me, and I consider it a great compliment, that Tom Neal is all about Jack Hyles. My agenda was to please him. ... every success I have, I owe to Pastor’s School and Dr. Hyles. ... It is my desire that Jesus and Bro. Hyles be proud of me” (March 29, 2001, reproduced at http://jackhammer.wordpress.com/2007/10/19/kneeling-tom-neal/). The November-December 2002 issue of Neal’s IBC mentioned Hyles at least 95 times by name and featured an article entitled “The Mind of Dr. Jack Hyles.” Whereas true Christians and Biblicists seek the mind of Christ, cultists seek the mind of their human leader. In 2001, Tom Neal’s son, Greg, was caught having secretly video recorded church women changing clothes. One of the video cassettes inadvertently turned up in a box of tapes that was given to a deacon, and it even showed Greg setting up the recording session, but it turned out that by the time the video cassette came to light the case was too old to prosecute. James Colaw, Assistant State Attorney, told MSNBC: “While the evidence of his crimes of voyeurism in 2001 is overwhelming, unfortunately, the Statute of Limitations has expired. Consequently, there is no way to legally pursue a prosecution for these acts.” Following in the footsteps of his hero, Tom Neal protested his son’s innocence in spite of the evidence. See “Berean Baptist Pastor Tom Neal Insists ‘Peeping Tom’ Son Innocent,” Apprising Ministries, Aug. 18, 2011, apprising.org.) For evidence that Jack Hyles was a cult leader see The Two Jacks, which is available as a free eBook from the Way of Life web site - www.wayoflife.org. I am completely fed up with the Independent Fundamental Baptists who engage in mutual backscratching and refuse to speak out plainly against heresy in their own camps. I refuse to have any ministry association whatsoever with any preacher who doesn’t stand against the “Two Jacks” and that entire crowd and all of its wretched compromise and error. “Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us” (2 Thessalonians 3:6).

PETER'S MATH PROBLEM

One might be surprised at the number of people who believe the words "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you" are written in the Bible.  Though treating one's neighbor as one's self is a goal worthy of much endeavor, the very words of the aforementioned quote cannot be found in Scripture though a similar rendering is presented.

In Matthew 7:12 the Lord Jesus Himself declared, "Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets."  Of course, Jesus, knowing all too well our human condition and disposition, surely did not include forgiveness when He spoke of "all things" - or did He?

You'll remember the story in the eighteenth chapter of Matthew where Peter asked, "Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times?"(vs. 21).  Those who are familiar with the story can instantly quote Jesus' answer in the following verse:  "...I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven."

Well, it would appear that Jesus was big on forgiveness even if His disciple, Peter, was not.  Peter had a math problem.  He could not come up with an answer for 70x7!  How like Peter we are today; conversely, how unlike the Savior many in Christian circles appear to be.  There is nothing wrong in any church or family that a long word with far-reaching effects couldn't cure - forgiveness.

I have written this before and I shall state it here again in writing:  I am weary of a Christianity that rejoices in sins forgiven, but refuses to forgive the mistakes of others.  In fact, this writer would go so far as to say that a Christianity of that variety is nowhere found in the Bible, though it often rears its self-absorbed head in Fundamental, Baptist churches and even in the finest of Christian families.

Would not the world be a better place, indeed, if we followed the words written above and forgave others as quickly as we expect God to forgive us? Why, of course it would!  There is not a person living today or ever did live that was wronged or mistreated like mankind (including us all) have treated Jesus Christ. Yet, while dying for guilty, Hell-deserving sinners on the Cross He cried, "Father, forgive them!"  

One who finds it problematic to forgive others is often blind to their own faults and failures.  One who has truly been forgiven by God through the merits of Jesus Christ should never refuse to forgive others and that goes first and foremost for this blogger.

In closing, we read in Ephesians 4:32, "And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you."  That's it; no discussion or debate necessary!  Now let's see how good we can become at forgiving others.  And that, my friends, is my View From the Porch for Thursday, May 24, 2012.  God bless.

 

LEAVING HUSKS FOR HOGS

Perhaps you have met people who are never wrong. They never make a mistake nor do they ever feel the need to apologize for an offense.
And if perchance one were to question them regarding a perceived error in judgment, alas, an argument of monumental proportions would ensue.

As the above caption reads, one need not attend every argument one is invited to. And might I add that one need not always answer unjust criticism regardless from which direction it is hurled. If there is one thing I have learned in life - though it certainly took me long enough to do so - is that one cannot, will not, win an argument with a fool.

The Bible commands that we cast not our pearls before swine. Now, that seems like a cruel way to label folks, but swine is, in fact, the Word of Scripture. If the facts will not sway people toward the truth, no amount of pleading and personality on my part will accomplish the task. Turn your back on the swine and leave them to argue with themselves over which husk to devour. And that is my View From the Porch for this Tuesday, May 22, 2012. God bless.

BARE SEASON

I once heard an evangelist refer to the hot days of summer as "bare season." No, his comment had nothing to do with hunting bear, but had everything to do with people, particularly women, baring undo amounts of flesh to a male population all too willing to take it all in. Just this past Saturday evening I was sitting in a local parking lot and watched a vehicle drive up and park to the right of my location. Out of the vehicle jumped two young females who appeared no older than 18 years of age. As for their dress, let's just say that the short-shorts these young women were wearing were way north of what one would label modest. The giggly girls appeared undaunted by their immodesty and seemed eager to bare as much as was legally allowable to any and everyone willing to watch. When women dress for "bare season" in an immodest fashion they advertise that what lies just beneath their scant clothing has a price tag - and it's very cheap. And for this Monday, May 21, 2012, that is my View From the Porch.

Meet Me There!

Today, as I was sitting in my vehicle awaiting an haircut appointment, I switched on the radio and listened to the hymn "Meet Me There" being sung on the Bible Broadcasting Network. The words of the chorus are as follows: "Meet me there, meet me there; Where the tree of life is blooming, meet me there; Where the storms of life are 'oer on that happy, golden shore; Where the faithful part no more, meet me there." What a blessing that was to me! It had been a good while since this blogger had heard that particular song and I trust others who were listening were just as blessed. Will you "meet me there" in Heaven someday? It is only by repenting of your sin and trusting Jesus Christ as Saviour that anyone will step inside the pearly gates. Accept Christ today, be born anew from above, and you'll be prepared to meet me there. And, today, that is my View From the Porch. God bless.

Failure in the Black Community

Today I had the opportunity to witness to a black gentleman who is in his early fifties. When asked if he was certain that Heaven was his Home when he died he responded with, "Yes, sir!" Upon receiving such an adamant answer I continued my inquiry by asking the gentleman how he, in fact, knew for sure he was headed for Heaven. Without hesitation he replied, "Because I treat people good!" Perhaps the greatest failure of black leaders (so-called preachers) within the black community is their focus on temporal issues. Black "clergymen" have preached civil rights when they should have been preaching Christ. They have waxed eloquent on equality yet remained gravely silent about eternity. They have been enamored with solidarity among themselves at the expense of preaching salvation. These leaders have failed their community by failing to clearly and powerfully preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and call men to repentance and faith in Him. They have preached a social gospel which merely meets the temporary needs of mankind and by doing so have failed to present plainly the way of salvation found only through Jesus Christ (John 14:6). A sad day of reckoning awaits these charlatans parading as God's ministers.

Today is Mother's Day, 2012. I have been humming the chorus to an old evangelistic hymn written by Charles M. Fillmore titled "Tell Mother I'll be There." If there are readers whose Christian Mothers have now passed on to Heaven, would it be possible for any in that number to sing the following words from the hymn with comfort and assurance? "Tell Mother I'll be there, in answer to her prayer; This message, blessed Savior, to her bear; Tell Mother I'll be there, heav'n's joys with her to share, Yes, tell my darling Mother I'll be there." If you have been saved, born-again by the Holy Spirit of God, then you, dear reader, may sing these words with the assurance that you will see your darling Mother again in Glory. To God be the glory for that glad fact on this Mother's Day! And that's my View From the Porch.