3/16/12

Just a flag...


This picture is really nothing out of the ordinary; thousands of thousands can be seen across the country!  However, what it stands for is exceptional; freedom!!!  Without freedom we would be nothing more than slaves; having to bow and cater to every whim of some dictator.  Unreasonable demands upon the citizens of any country is one of the first signs of oppressive government.  Since "unreasonable demands is a "value judgment", I leave it up to the readers judgment as to whether or not we live during an era of oppressive government in the United States.  When I think of these things, I remember this chapter in the book of Daniel...
 
World English Bible: Daniel Chapter 3
[1] Nebuchadnezzar the king made an image of gold, whose height was sixty cubits, and its breadth six cubits: he set it up in the plain of Dura, in the province of Babylon. [2] Then Nebuchadnezzar the king sent to gather together the satraps, the deputies, and the governors, the judges, the treasurers, the counselors, the sheriffs, and all the rulers of the provinces, to come to the dedication of the image which Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up. [3] Then the satraps, the deputies, and the governors, the judges, the treasurers, the counselors, the sheriffs, and all the rulers of the provinces, were gathered together to the dedication of the image that Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up; and they stood before the image that Nebuchadnezzar had set up. [4] Then the herald cried aloud, To you it is commanded, peoples, nations, and languages, [5] that whenever you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipe, and all kinds of music, you fall down and worship the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king has set up; [6] and whoever doesn’t fall down and worship shall the same hour be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace. [7] Therefore at that time, when all the peoples heard the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipe, and all kinds of music, all the peoples, the nations, and the languages, fell down and worshiped the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up. [8] Therefore at that time certain Chaldeans came near, and brought accusation against the Jews. [9] They answered Nebuchadnezzar the king, O king, live for ever. [10] You, O king, have made a decree, that every man that shall hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipe, and all kinds of music, shall fall down and worship the golden image; [11] and whoever doesn’t fall down and worship shall be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace. [12] There are certain Jews whom you have appointed over the affairs of the province of Babylon: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego; these men, O king, have not respected you. They don’t serve your gods, nor worship the golden image which you have set up. [13] Then Nebuchadnezzar in his rage and fury commanded to bring Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. Then they brought these men before the king. [14] Nebuchadnezzar answered them, Is it on purpose, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, that you don’t serve my god, nor worship the golden image which I have set up? [15] Now if you are ready whenever you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipe, and all kinds of music to fall down and worship the image which I have made, well: but if you don’t worship, you shall be cast the same hour into the midst of a burning fiery furnace; and who is that god that shall deliver you out of my hands? [16] Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered the king, Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. [17] If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace; and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king. [18] But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods, nor worship the golden image which you have set up. [19] Then was Nebuchadnezzar full of fury, and the form of his appearance was changed against Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego: therefore he spoke, and commanded that they should heat the furnace seven times more than it was usually heated. [20] He commanded certain mighty men who were in his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, and to cast them into the burning fiery furnace. [21] Then these men were bound in their pants, their tunics, and their mantles, and their other garments, and were cast into the midst of the burning fiery furnace. [22] Therefore because the king’s commandment was urgent, and the furnace exceeding hot, the flame of the fire killed those men who took up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. [23] These three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, fell down bound into the midst of the burning fiery furnace. [24] Then Nebuchadnezzar the king was astonished, and rose up in haste: he spoke and said to his counselors, Didn’t we cast three men bound into the midst of the fire? They answered the king, True, O king. [25] He answered, Look, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they are unharmed; and the aspect of the fourth is like a son of the gods. [26] Then Nebuchadnezzar came near to the mouth of the burning fiery furnace: he spoke and said, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, you servants of the Most High God, come forth, and come here. Then Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego came forth out of the midst of the fire. [27] The satraps, the deputies, and the governors, and the king’s counselors, being gathered together, saw these men, that the fire had no power on their bodies, nor was the hair of their head singed, neither were their pants changed, nor had the smell of fire passed on them. [28] Nebuchadnezzar spoke and said, Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who has sent his angel, and delivered his servants who trusted in him, and have changed the king’s word, and have yielded their bodies, that they might not serve nor worship any god, except their own God. [29] Therefore I make a decree, that every people, nation, and language, which speak anything evil against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, shall be cut in pieces, and their houses shall be made a dunghill; because there is no other god who is able to deliver after this sort. [30] Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the province of Babylon.


Imagine the prospect of being burned alive because you would not worship the way the government said was politically correct?  What would you do? They refused and were cast into the fire.  God performed a miracle and they were saved, wow!!!  To me, the most prominent part of the chapter is not the miracle, but the statement of these three before the miracle (verses 16-18).  It showed their faith, a faith that was willing even to die rather than submit to tyranny.  Today, The United States of America has lost its way, has become a nation run by non-believers who are offended by faith and are progressively taking away our rights.  Don't believe it?  Do the terms IRS, EPA and The Supreme Court mean anything to you?  Carol, a good friend and former co-worker sent me this poem today and I wanted to share it with you...


BY A 15 yr. OLD SCHOOL CHILD
who got an A+ for this entry
(TOTALLY AWESOME)!


Since the Pledge of Allegiance
And
The Lord's Prayer
Are not allowed in most
Public schools anymore
Because the word 'God' is m entioned.....
A kid in Arizona wrote the attached
NEW School prayer:

"New Pledge of Allegiance"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Now I sit me down in school
Where praying is against the rule
For this great nation under God
Finds mention of Him very odd.

If scripture now the class recites,
It violates the Bill of Rights.
And anytime my head I bow
Becomes a Federal matter now.
Our hair can be purple, orange or green,
That's no offense; it's a freedom scene..
The law is specific, the law is precise.
Prayers spoken aloud are a serious vice.

For praying in a public hall
Might offend someone with no faith at all..
In silence alone we must meditate,
God's name is prohibited by the state.

We're allowed to cuss and dress like freaks,
And pierce our noses, tongues and cheeks...
They've outlawed guns, but FIRST the Bible.
To quote the Good Book makes me liable.
We can elect a pregnant Senior Queen,
And the 'u nwed daddy,' our Senior King.
It's 'inappropriate' to teach right from wrong,
We're taught that such 'judgments' do not belong..

We can get our condoms and birth controls,
Study witchcraft, vampires and totem poles..
But the Ten Commandments are not allowed,
No word of God must reach this crowd.

It's scary here I must confess,
When chaos reigns the school's a mess.
So, Lord, this silent plea I make:
Should I be shot; My soul please take!
Amen

I thought you should think about these things because freedom is important.  Please, make no mistake; I am not advocating rebellious action against our current government, but with a big election coming up I do encourage you to vote your conscience.  Hopefully, the outcome of the 2012 election will lead to a restoration of all our rights; especially religious!!!

Mar. 16 Exodus 26, 27


Mar. 16
Exodus 26, 27

Exo 26:1 "Moreover you shall make the tabernacle with ten curtains; of fine twined linen, and blue, and purple, and scarlet, with cherubim. The work of the skillful workman you shall make them.
Exo 26:2 The length of each curtain shall be twenty-eight cubits, and the breadth of each curtain four cubits: all the curtains shall have one measure.
Exo 26:3 Five curtains shall be coupled together one to another; and the other five curtains shall be coupled one to another.
Exo 26:4 You shall make loops of blue on the edge of the one curtain from the edge in the coupling; and likewise you shall make in the edge of the curtain that is outmost in the second coupling.
Exo 26:5 You shall make fifty loops in the one curtain, and you shall make fifty loops in the edge of the curtain that is in the second coupling. The loops shall be opposite one to another.
Exo 26:6 You shall make fifty clasps of gold, and couple the curtains one to another with the clasps: and the tabernacle shall be a unit.
Exo 26:7 "You shall make curtains of goats' hair for a covering over the tabernacle. You shall make them eleven curtains.
Exo 26:8 The length of each curtain shall be thirty cubits, and the breadth of each curtain four cubits: the eleven curtains shall have one measure.
Exo 26:9 You shall couple five curtains by themselves, and six curtains by themselves, and shall double over the sixth curtain in the forefront of the tent.
Exo 26:10 You shall make fifty loops on the edge of the one curtain that is outmost in the coupling, and fifty loops on the edge of the curtain which is outmost in the second coupling.
Exo 26:11 You shall make fifty clasps of brass, and put the clasps into the loops, and couple the tent together, that it may be one.
Exo 26:12 The overhanging part that remains of the curtains of the tent, the half curtain that remains, shall hang over the back of the tabernacle.
Exo 26:13 The cubit on the one side, and the cubit on the other side, of that which remains in the length of the curtains of the tent, shall hang over the sides of the tabernacle on this side and on that side, to cover it.
Exo 26:14 You shall make a covering for the tent of rams' skins dyed red, and a covering of sea cow hides above.
Exo 26:15 "You shall make the boards for the tabernacle of acacia wood, standing up.
Exo 26:16 Ten cubits shall be the length of a board, and one and a half cubits the breadth of each board.
Exo 26:17 There shall be two tenons in each board, joined to one another: thus you shall make for all the boards of the tabernacle.
Exo 26:18 You shall make the boards for the tabernacle, twenty boards for the south side southward.
Exo 26:19 You shall make forty sockets of silver under the twenty boards; two sockets under one board for its two tenons, and two sockets under another board for its two tenons.
Exo 26:20 For the second side of the tabernacle, on the north side, twenty boards,
Exo 26:21 and their forty sockets of silver; two sockets under one board, and two sockets under another board.
Exo 26:22 For the far part of the tabernacle westward you shall make six boards.
Exo 26:23 You shall make two boards for the corners of the tabernacle in the far part.
Exo 26:24 They shall be double beneath, and in like manner they shall be entire to its top to one ring: thus shall it be for them both; they shall be for the two corners.
Exo 26:25 There shall be eight boards, and their sockets of silver, sixteen sockets; two sockets under one board, and two sockets under another board.
Exo 26:26 "You shall make bars of acacia wood: five for the boards of the one side of the tabernacle,
Exo 26:27 and five bars for the boards of the other side of the tabernacle, and five bars for the boards of the side of the tabernacle, for the far part westward.
Exo 26:28 The middle bar in the midst of the boards shall pass through from end to end.
Exo 26:29 You shall overlay the boards with gold, and make their rings of gold for places for the bars: and you shall overlay the bars with gold.
Exo 26:30 You shall set up the tabernacle according to the way that it was shown to you on the mountain.
Exo 26:31 "You shall make a veil of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen, with cherubim. The work of the skillful workman shall it be made.
Exo 26:32 You shall hang it on four pillars of acacia overlaid with gold; their hooks shall be of gold, on four sockets of silver.
Exo 26:33 You shall hang up the veil under the clasps, and shall bring the ark of the testimony in there within the veil: and the veil shall separate the holy place from the most holy for you.
Exo 26:34 You shall put the mercy seat on the ark of the testimony in the most holy place.
Exo 26:35 You shall set the table outside the veil, and the lampstand over against the table on the side of the tabernacle toward the south: and you shall put the table on the north side.
Exo 26:36 "You shall make a screen for the door of the Tent, of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen, the work of the embroiderer.
Exo 26:37 You shall make for the screen five pillars of acacia, and overlay them with gold: their hooks shall be of gold: and you shall cast five sockets of brass for them.

Exo 27:1 "You shall make the altar of acacia wood, five cubits long, and five cubits broad; the altar shall be foursquare: and its height shall be three cubits.
Exo 27:2 You shall make its horns on its four corners; its horns shall be of one piece with it; and you shall overlay it with brass.
Exo 27:3 You shall make its pots to take away its ashes, its shovels, its basins, its flesh hooks, and its fire pans: all its vessels you shall make of brass.
Exo 27:4 You shall make a grating for it of network of brass: and on the net you shall make four bronze rings in its four corners.
Exo 27:5 You shall put it under the ledge around the altar beneath, that the net may reach halfway up the altar.
Exo 27:6 You shall make poles for the altar, poles of acacia wood, and overlay them with brass.
Exo 27:7 Its poles shall be put into the rings, and the poles shall be on the two sides of the altar, when carrying it.
Exo 27:8 You shall make it with hollow planks. They shall make it as it has been shown you on the mountain.
Exo 27:9 "You shall make the court of the tabernacle: for the south side southward there shall be hangings for the court of fine twined linen one hundred cubits long for one side:
Exo 27:10 and its pillars shall be twenty, and their sockets twenty, of brass; the hooks of the pillars and their fillets shall be of silver.
Exo 27:11 Likewise for the north side in length there shall be hangings one hundred cubits long, and its pillars twenty, and their sockets twenty, of brass; the hooks of the pillars, and their fillets, of silver.
Exo 27:12 For the breadth of the court on the west side shall be hangings of fifty cubits; their pillars ten, and their sockets ten.
Exo 27:13 The breadth of the court on the east side eastward shall be fifty cubits.
Exo 27:14 The hangings for the one side of the gate shall be fifteen cubits; their pillars three, and their sockets three.
Exo 27:15 For the other side shall be hangings of fifteen cubits; their pillars three, and their sockets three.
Exo 27:16 For the gate of the court shall be a screen of twenty cubits, of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen, the work of the embroiderer; their pillars four, and their sockets four.
Exo 27:17 All the pillars of the court around shall be filleted with silver; their hooks of silver, and their sockets of brass.
Exo 27:18 The length of the court shall be one hundred cubits, and the breadth fifty every where, and the height five cubits, of fine twined linen, and their sockets of brass.
Exo 27:19 All the instruments of the tabernacle in all its service, and all its pins, and all the pins of the court, shall be of brass.
Exo 27:20 "You shall command the children of Israel, that they bring to you pure olive oil beaten for the light, to cause a lamp to burn continually.
Exo 27:21 In the Tent of Meeting, outside the veil which is before the testimony, Aaron and his sons shall keep it in order from evening to morning before Yahweh: it shall be a statute forever throughout their generations on the behalf of the children of Israel.

"THE BOOK OF ECCLESIASTES" Chapter Five by Mark Copeland

 "THE BOOK OF ECCLESIASTES"

                              Chapter Five      

OBJECTIVES IN STUDYING THIS CHAPTER

1) To reflect upon the Preacher's observations gleaned from his search
   for the purpose of life

2) To notice the proper way to approach God in worship, and the danger
   of foolish vows

3) To appreciate the limitations of riches, and how the ability to
   enjoy them is a gift from God

SUMMARY

Having observed much folly during his search for the purpose of life,
the Preacher in this chapter offers counsel on such things as
worshipping God, making promises, seeing injustice in high places, and
properly using riches.

He urges caution when one goes to the house of God.  It is better to
draw near to hear than to offer the sacrifices of fools.  Therefore be
careful what you say (cf. Jm 1:26).  When you do make a vow or promise,
don't delay to pay it.  It is better not to vow, than to vow and not
keep it.  Do not let your mouth get you into trouble, thinking you can
simply excuse your way out of promises you have made.  The righteous
anger of God is to be feared (1-7).

Returning to a theme discussed earlier (cf. 3:16-17; 4:1-3), he says
not to marvel when you see the oppression of the poor, or the
perversion of justice and righteousness.  Remember that every one
answers to someone higher.  Even the king is dependent upon those who
serve him, implying that he too will be held accountable (8-9).

Another theme recurrent throughout the Preacher's observations is the
proper use of riches.  Here he discusses the vanity of loving riches,
and the evil of hoarding riches to one's hurt.  Riches in of themselves
do not satisfy, they can be the source of much anxiety, and can easily
perish through misfortune (10-17).

It is fitting to enjoy the good in one's labor, but the ability to
enjoy is a gift from God.  God will keep one who is so blessed busy
with the joy of his heart (18-20).

OUTLINE

I. THE WORSHIP OF GOD (5:1-3)

   A. WALK CAREFULLY (1)
      1. When you go to house of God, draw near to hear
      2. Do not give the sacrifice of fools, for they do evil

   B. TALK CAUTIOUSLY (2-3)
      1. Do not be rash with your mouth
      2. Do not be hasty with your heart may utter before God
      3. Let your words be few
      4. Dreams (misleading?) come through much activity
      5. A fool is known by his many words

II. THE TAKING OF VOWS (5:4-7)

   A. FULFILL YOUR VOWS (4-5)
      1. When you make a vow, do not delay to pay it
      2. God has no pleasure in fools, pay what you have vowed
      3. It is better not to vow, than to vow and not pay

   B. WATCH YOUR MOUTH (6-7)
      1. Do not let your mouth lead you to sin
      2. Don't think you can excuse your rash statements and avoid 
         God's anger
      3. The multitude of dreams and many words are vanity; fear God!

III. THE INJUSTICE OF MEN (5:8-9)

   A. DON'T MARVEL AT OPPRESSION (8a)
      1. When you see the oppression of the poor
      2. When you see violent perversion of justice and righteousness

   B. EVERYONE IS ACCOUNTABLE (8b-9)
      1. High officials must answer to even higher officials
      2. As the profit of the land is for all, even the king is served 
         by the field

IV. THE VANITY OF RICHES (5:10-17)

   A. THEY DO NOT SATISFY (10-12)
      1. He who loves silver and riches will not be satisfied with 
         increase
      2. As goods increase, so does one's appetite; there is little 
         profit (satisfaction) other than to see them
      3. While the sleep of a laboring man is sweet, the abundance of 
         the rich troubles his sleep

   B. THEY ARE PERISHABLE (13-17)
      1. A severe evil seen is riches kept (hoarded) to the hurt of the
         owner 
      2. Such riches can perish through misfortune, leaving the 
         owner...
         a. With nothing for one's descendants
         b. To go as naked as he came into this world
         c. Eating in darkness, with much sorrow, sickness, and anger

V. THE PROPER USE OF RICHES (5:18-20)

   A. ENJOY THEM AS A GIFT FROM GOD (18)
      1. It is good to eat, drink, and enjoy the good of one's labor
      2. This is one's heritage from God

   B. THE ABILITY TO ENJOY IS A GIFT FROM GOD (19-20)
      1. Riches, and the ability to enjoy them, are a gift from God
      2. One whom God has so blessed will not reflect unduly on his 
         life, because God keeps him preoccupied with joy and gladness

REVIEW QUESTIONS FOR THE CHAPTER

1) What are the main points of this chapter?
   - The worship of God (1-3)
   - The taking of vows (4-7)
   - The injustice of men (8-9)
   - The vanity of riches (10-17)
   - The proper use of riches (18-20)

2) How should one conduct themselves when they seek to worship God? (1)
   - Walk prudently
   - Draw near to hear, not offer the sacrifice of fools

3) What two principles concerning vows are given by the Preacher? (4,5)
   - When you make a vow, do not delay to pay it
   - It is better not to vow, than to vow and not pay

4) Why should we not marvel when we see oppression, and perversion of
   justice and righteousness? (8)
   - For those in positions of authority have authorities watching over
     them

5) Why is it vanity to love riches? (10)
   - Those who love riches will never be satisfied

6) What is a frequent consequence of having an abundance of wealth?
   (12)
   - Troubled sleep caused by worrying about wealth

7) What is described as "a severe evil under the sun"? (13-17)
   - Riches kept (hoarded) to one's own hurt
   - Riches lost through misfortune, leaving one in sorrow, sickness, 
     and anger

8) What does the Preacher see as good and fitting for one to do? (18)
   - To eat, drink, and enjoy the good of one's labor under the sun

9) What is described as "the gift of God"? (19)
   - To be given riches and wealth, to be able to eat of it, and 
     rejoice in one's labor

10) Why will a person blessed by God not dwell unduly on the days of
    his life? (20)
   - Because God will keep him busy with the joy of his heart