Words to Live By

Some Things Are Not Outgrown A South Sea Islander taught an American soldier a lesson during WWII. The friendly host brought a copy of the Bible out of his hut and said: “This is my most prized possession.” With obvious disdain, the GI replied: “We’ve outgrown that sort of thing.” The Islander, whose tribe had formerly practiced cannibalism, calmly observed: “It’s a good thing we haven’t outgrown it here. If we had, you would have been a meal as soon as we saw you.” Uphold the teaching of the Bible and the Ten Commandments in your life and in your world. This is our challenge for the 21st century, as it has been for all who have gone before us. The Bible, preceded by the Ten commandments, together are the words ordered by our Creator for the purpose of guiding how we ought to live. Ted Koppel of ABC’s Nightline fame, in a speech during a commencement address said: “Our society finds truth too strong…to digest undiluted…. In the place of truth, we have discovered facts. For morale absolutes, we have substituted moral ambiguity…. “We now communicate…and say absolutely nothing. We have reconstructed the Tower of Babel and it is a television antenna…. “What Moses brought down from Mount Sinai were not ten suggestions (but)…Commandments. The sheer brilliance of the Ten Commandments is that they codify…acceptable human behavior…for all time.” Of course, Ted Koppel is “right on.” Yet, there is no doubt that countless people give but lip service to the truth. It interferes with their conscience. This next story gives us an excellent example of how easy it is to stray from Gods Law, even if your duty is to the truth of the matter before you: Two lawyers in Chicago fell into a discussion one day about the trend away from law and order here and over the world (in fact, since this story is over 50 years old things have gone terribly worse). One lawyer said that our only hope is to get back to the Ten Commandments. “What have they got to do with it?” his companion countered. “They’re just a set of worn-out customs.” The first lawyer challenged him to look over the Ten Commandments and see which one among them could be thrown out without endangering our homes, schools, business and normal freedom. The other man picked up the challenge and said he would have his answer ready the next time they were together. A few days later, the two met again at their club. “You really got me this time,” said the skeptical one. “Do you know that I’ve been racking my brain for several days to find just one of those Commandments that we could do without and still keep things going? I must admit that I haven’t found it. For the first time in my life I see that they are the foundation of all law and order.” Discover for yourself what the second lawyer learned or relearned. He found indispensible laws like this given to us through Moses, as our words for living: 1. “I am the Lord your God, you shall have no other gods before me.” (Ex 20:3) 2. “You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain.” (Ex 20:7) 3. “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.” (Ex 20:8) 4. “Honor your father and your mother.” (Ex 20:12) 5. “You shall not kill.” (Ex 20:13) 6. “You shall not commit adultery.” (Ex 20:14) 7. “You shall not steal.” (Ex 20:15) 8. “You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.” (Ex 20:16) 9. & 10. “You shall not covet your neighbor’s house…your neighbor’s wife…or anything that belongs to your neighbor.” (Ex 20:17) A word about # 9 & 10: These two Commandments relate to intentions and desires. Jesus said: “What comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and…out of the heart come evil intentions; murder, adultery, fornication, theft, false witness, slander. These…defile a person.” (Matthew 15: 18-20) As you can easily see and understand, the Ten Commandments begin with honor due our Creator and continue with respect for one another and ourselves. Who in a right mind could honestly find fault with them? For all time, each Commandment offers a clear and beautiful expression of God’s love and concern for each of His children. When Jesus walked the earth, He is quoted as answering a question put to Him as to which of the Ten Commandments is the greatest. Jesus’ reply: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength… You shall love your neighbor as yourself. There is no other commandment greater than these.” (Mark 12:30-31)

A final note: It is a known, reasonably understood fact that no man is without sin. Man is what he thinks in his heart. A close review of the Commandments will reveal that breaking just one knocks down all the others. God, being pure Love cannot accept sin. He is turned away by sin. God’s Beloved Son, Jesus, Who was without sin, obediently took all of the world’s sins to the cross with Him. For this reason, we must understand and take action to repent, seek the loving mercy of God, our Creator, for failing His Words to Live By and wholeheartedly strive not to repeatedly offend Him.

Thanks for visiting. -- Bob 2 Tim 4:2

January 22nd Anniversary of Shame

Roe v. Wade ought to be called: Roe v. Wade, a Day of Tears

Tens of thousands of abortion opponents rallied Thursday, Jan 22, 2009, on the National Mall to mark the 36th anniversary of Roe v. Wade amid concerns they could face political setbacks under the new president. Not all people could participate that would have liked to take a stand. With families to raise, jobs to pursue and lives to live, not all Christians can be engaged in the many important issues facing our country. But we can always at least serve the truth by not lying to ourselves and to each other about this anniversary of shame. On this day 36 years ago, the law was enacted that turned our nation into a cemetery, which turned the wombs of mothers into the tombs of babies. By legalizing permissive abortion and drastically limiting voters’ ability to restrict it in any way, Roe set the foundations for an abortion industry that has actually wounded countless women and, thus far, has resulted in the killing of more than 40 million unborn children! In the midst of an economic mess, funding abortions overseas with taxpayer money will return. Not named in the following news article provided by my Catholic League, I believe, is the abortion mill organization Planned Parenthood, an entity with the CEO as the Devil himself. Thanks for visiting. – Bob 2 Tim. 4: 2 I quote the news article: OBAMA TO FUND ABORTION News reports are that President Barack Obama will overturn restrictions on funding abortions overseas today. The Mexico City Policy, which denied federal funding of private organizations that perform and promote abortions, will be rescinded by executive order. Catholic League president Bill Donohue addressed this decision today: “Here we have a black president taking money from the taxpayers in a time of economic crisis and giving it to organizations—many of which are anti-Catholic—so they can spend it on killing non-white babies in Third World nations. And Obama is known as a progressive. “Obama has said repeatedly that he is not pro-abortion, and some Catholics salivating for a job in his administration believe him. Yet he’s in office for only a few days and one of the first things he decides to do is fund abortion. That would be on a par with someone who said he was in favor of gun control and then provided funds to the NRA. Indeed, no one spends money to support that which he really abhors. In short, it’s time for the pro-abortion crowd to simply say that whatever reservations they may have about abortion (and some have none at all), they are outweighed by their overall support for it. “Just last Monday, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops made public a letter it sent to Obama asking him to retain the Mexico City Policy. Obama has made his decision, and we hope every Catholic who is truly pro-life gets it.” Unquote

P.S. As author of this Blog, let me add that I hope every Christian who is truly pro-life gets it. Bob

Ten Ways to Protect Yourself from Scams and Rip-Offs

According to a survey conducted in 2008 by the Consumer Federation of America, the National Association of Consumer Agency Administrators (NACAA), and the North American Consumer Protection Investigators, the top complaints that state and local consumer protection agencies receive concern everyday transactions: car sales and repairs, home improvement work, credit and loans, debt collection, retail sales, utility service, Internet sales, door-to-door and telemarketing sales, and apartment rentals. In these tough economic times, it’s more important than ever to protect yourself from scams and rip-offs and get the most for your money. 1. Check the track record. When you’re considering making a purchase from an unfamiliar company, check its complaint records. Consult your state or local consumer agency, the Better Business Bureau, and online complaint forums. 2. Do more than kick the tires. Before you buy a used car, take it to a mechanic you trust to be thoroughly checked out. There are also services that can give you information on the history of the vehicle. Spending a little money upfront to check the car out can save you lots of money later. 3. Hire licensed professionals. If you’re hiring professionals such as home improvement contractors, ask your state or local consumer protection agency whether they must be licensed or registered and how you can check to confirm that they are. 4. Pay the safest way. Pay with a credit card when you buy goods or services that will be delivered later so that you’ll be able to exercise your right to dispute the charges if you don’t get what you were promised. 5. Don’t pay in full upfront. Pay only a small deposit, if requested, for home improvement or other services, never the full amount upfront. 6. Recognize the danger signs of fraud. Watch out for any request to wire money; scare tactics or pressure to act immediately; promises that you can borrow, win or make money easily as long as you pay a fee in advance; or any situation in which someone wants to give you a check or money order and asks you to send money somewhere in return. 7. Get all promises in writing. Verbal agreements are hard to prove. Carefully read contracts or finance agreements and make sure you understand them before you sign. 8. Beware of bogus debt collectors that try to trick consumers into paying debts they don’t owe. Ask your state or local consumer protection agency how you can confirm whether the collection agency meets licensing or registration requirements in your state and what to do if you don’t think the debit is valid. 9. Watch out for foreclosure rescue and loan modification scams. If your home is in danger of foreclosure and you can’t work out a solution with the lender, contact your state or local housing finance agency, or call the HOPE NOW hotline, 1-888-995-4673. There is no fee for their assistance. 10. Get financial advice from legitimate sources. If you’re having trouble paying your bills, consult your local nonprofit consumer credit counseling service. Check your local phone book or call the National Foundation for Credit Counseling, 1-800-388-2227. If you have a complaint, your state or local consumer agency can provide advice and information about your legal rights and may be able to help you if your efforts to resolve the problem with the company don’t succeed. Now you may know all of these things but I'll bet there are some people you know that are not as aware as you, so for a good start in this brand new year, why not share this and other needful,helpful information with them. Thanks for visiting. - Bob In the world but not of it