SAIL ON SAILOR

This song by Mustard Seed Faith came out when I was in college. It was a radical change from most of the Maranatha Folk Rock music. I liked Folk Rock, but this was really different.

THE SPIRIT OF THE AGE

The "Spirit of the Age" is a German intellectual concept from a century ago. It is a term for the prevailing consensus of opinion of the current generation. Each generation tweaks and changes it to fit their beliefs; witness the radical difference in values between the 1950's and 1960's.

Each current generation is largely blind to the Spirit of their own age, while often displaying contempt for that of previous generations.

IF WE ARE BLIND TO IT, HOW CAN WE IDENTIFY THE SPIRIT OF OUR OWN AGE?

1. The Spirit of the Age is never defended or demonstrated by rational argument, it is assumed to be the only right way.

2. Anyone who speaks against the Spirit of the Age is not simply wrong, misguided or mistaken, they are BAD; as in EVIL.

3. Anyone who speaks against the Spirit of the Age must be vigorously defamed and their reputation publicly attacked.

4. It never occurs to the masses who blindly follow the Spirit of the Age that they use a hypocritical double-standard for judging the world.

For a practical demonstration, watch the news and see how anyone who disagrees with the status quo is treated.

WHAT ABOUT ROMNEY'S MORMONISM?

FULL DISCLOSURE: I was raised in the Mormon religion. I became a Christian at the age of seventeen by confessing my sins and trusting in Jesus Christ and his shed blood; salvation by grace through faith alone. If you are concerned that I am somehow "tainted" or a secret subversive bent on overthrowing the true church of Jesus Christ, I suggest you read some of "Don's Favorite Posts" on the right hand column of this page, or just watch one of the video messages below from our Hebrews series.

As an ex-Mormon, I am writing for Evangelical Christians who think they are spiritually bound to ONLY vote for godly leaders. Let me help you out. Israel was technically a Theocracy, ruled by God through spiritual leaders and a king. The United States of America is a Constitutional Republic, led for four years at a time by a statesman elected by the people. We elect a President; not a pastor, priest or king. Nowhere in the constitution is there any promise or requirement concerning the spiritual condition of the elected.

I first voted in the presidential election of 1972. In 1976 I voted for Jimmy Carter SOLELY on the basis that he was a Born Again Christian. I had swallowed the Triumphalist notion that I was only to vote for righteous men--and we DID mean men at that time. I was sorely disappointed that simply being a Christian did not make Carter a great president. Bad news; "there is none righteous, no not one." Not only that, if you are thinking that you can only vote for the man of Gods choosing there is worse news; God called Nebuchadnezzar and Pharaoh his servants to do his will.

In fact, over the years I have come to the conclusion that ALL elections on earth are a choice between the lesser of two evils: BOTH of which are fallen human beings. That being the case, I must decide which one I agree with MORE. As a citizen I do not have the luxury of abstaining from a vote because I deem neither candidate righteous enough to fill in a sudden vacancy in the Trinity.

I KNOW Mormons: They are good people because they are working hard to get a good spot in heaven. They tend to make good citizens and faithful employees. That does not make them "saved." But keep your eye on the ball here, we are not talking about salvation, we are talking about an election in a Constitutional Republic. I KNOW Mormonism is not Christianity. But that has ZERO effect on my vote. I am not voting for pastor of my church. I am voting for a capable administrator to lead my country and represent us to the rest of the world. On basis of the evidence of the last four years, Mitt Romney is by far the lesser of two evils.

But he's MORMON! The whole country will convert and Mormons will rule the world!!! Nice try. Did you know that was one of the major concerns over John F. Kennedy? But he's CATHOLIC! The whole country will convert and we'll be handed over to the authority of the Pope in Rome.  ...Yeah, THAT happened.

Here is my bottom line: I do not want four more years of slaying every goose that lays a golden egg. I do not want four more years of denigrating every tradition that made America great. I do not want four more years of general incompetence. I am casting my vote for Mitt Romney.

For Evangelicals still concerned about a Mormon president -- or any Christian still trying to make sense of the Carter presidency -- recall that Martin Luther said he'd rather be governed by a smart Turk than a dumb Christian.

THE KINOSIS

Here is Sunday's message from Hebrews: Christ Our Eternal High Priest. The Kinosis, or "emptying" of Christ.

BAD HAIR VS. NO HAIR

I'm thinking I need lollypops.

SECOND DAY OF CHEMO-THERAPY

SIT-REP 08-21-12 I have begun my second Chemo-Therapy session.

I haven't posted about my cancer since the first treatment, July 31st. There have been some developments.

FIRST, "Chemo week" begins on Monday with preparation pills. Tuesday is chemo day. Tuesday through Thursday is nausea pills fun time. Thursday through Monday I give myself subcutaneous injections for white blood cell production. So the chemical treatment lasts a whole week, Monday to Monday.

SECOND, Because my heart is unable to withstand the more aggressive schedule I have been changed to a every-three-weeks schedule. Since I'd been originally been told I'd need eight sessions, I expected to finish on Christmas week. However, my oncologist informed me that I'd only need six sessions on this particular medication schedule. That means I only have four more to go. I'll be done by the middle of November, giving us all something to be thankful for this year.

THIRD, My hair is GONE. Funny, I last had chemo three weeks ago, but the effect on my hair did not happen until two weeks afterward. Last Tuesday my hair began to fall like a bad case of dandruff. By Friday I put on a hat to hide the Agent Orange-style deforestation (gruesome picture to follow). 

FOURTH, Following chemo on Tuesday I self-administer subcutaneous shots for five days--Thursday through Monday--to stimulate white blood cell production. This has the effect of putting my bone marrow into high gear. If feels a bit like a bad case of arthritis and was the worst part of chemo week as far as I was concerned. I'm only supposed to take Tylenol which I find useless. However, my oncologist approved Advil which I prefer. Since I'm performing a wedding in San Diego this weekend I'm praying I feel much better this time.

FIFTH, Since chemo is every three weeks, the two weeks between "chemo week" is like a vacation; I resumed many of my normal activities and swim laps for thirty minutes nearly every day. I'm hoping that the exercise--which I was not able to do between surgery and the first chemo--will mitigate pain this time around.

SIXTH, Fight's ON!

BLIND TO MYSELF?

"Why do you look at the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?  Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ and behold, the log is in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye."  Matthew 7:3-5

LOG EYE
By Paul Aldrich

There once was a man came from way out west
Who always told everyone what was best
And if anyone tried to cross his path
He would surely receive the deadly wrath of Log Eye

He thought it was his job to enforce the Law
Tellin' all the people about the evil he saw
Tryin' to turn the bad guys into good
but he never could see that big chunk of wood

Log Eye, Log Eye
You can't stand face to face
With Log Eye

Folks used to hide when he came into town
He never understood why they weren't around
And his heart grew cold as time passed by
It's hard to make friends with a tree in your eye


Well, one day a stranger rode into town
He challenged Log Eye to a real showdown
They met face-to-face in the middle of the street
Log Eye was ready, he'd never been beat

But the stranger handed him a mirror in the shape of a book
That was it for Log eye, he only needed one look
He finally discovered that big chunk of wood
And he threw it in the fire
Now he's lookin' for good
No longer Log Eye

DIVINE SALVATION

Here is Sunday's message from Hebrews: "Our Eternal High Priest" Chapter 2:1-4. How shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation as Christ offers?

CHRIST AND THE ANGELS

Here is Sunday's message from Hebrews 1:4-14: Jesus Christ is superior to the angels because he is God incarnate.