Charles Haddon Spurgeon on Christmas
From a sermon preached by C. H. Spurgeon on Dec. 24, 1871:
We have no superstitious regard for times and seasons. Certainly we do not believe in the present ecclesiastical arrangement called Christmas. First, because we do not believe in the mass at all, but abhor it, whether it be sung in Latin or in English. Secondly, because we find no Scriptural warrant whatever for observing any day as the birthday of the Savior; and consequently, its observance is a superstition, because not of divine authority. 'Superstition' has fixed most positively the day of our Savior's birth, although there is no possibility of discovering when it occurred. ... It was not till the middle of the third century that any part of the Church celebrated the nativity of our Lord; and it was not till very long after the Western Church had set the example, that the Eastern adopted it. ... Probably the fact is that the "holy" days were arranged to fit in with the heathen festivals. We venture to assert, that if there be any day in the year, of which we may be pretty sure that it was not the day on which the Savior was born, it is the 25th of December. ... Regarding not the day, let us, nevertheless, give God thanks for the gift of His dear Son.
C.H. Spurgeon on Roman Catholicism
"Cursed be the man before the Lord, that riseth up and buildeth this city Jericho." Joshua 6:26
"Since he was cursed who rebuilt Jericho, much more the man who labours to restore Popery among us. In our fathers' days the gigantic walls of Popery fell by the power of their faith, the perseverance of their efforts, and the blast of their gospel trumpets; and now there are some who would rebuild that accursed system upon its old foundations. O Lord, be please to thwart their unrighteous endeavours, and pull down every stone which they build. It should be a serious business with us to be thoroughly purged of every error which may have a tendency to foster the spirit of Popery, and when we have made a clean sweep at home we should seek in every way to oppose its all too rapid spread abroad in the church and in the world. This last can be done in secret by fervent prayer, and in public by decided testimony. We must warn with judicious boldness those who are inclined towards the errors of Rome; we must instruct the young in gospel truth, and tell them of the black doings of Popery in the olden times. We must aid in spreading the light more thoroughly through the land, for priests, like owls, hate daylight. Are we doing all we can for Jesus and the gospel? If not, our negligence plays into the hands of priestcraft. What are we doing to spread the Bible, which is the Pope's bane and poison? Are we casting abroad good, sound gospel writings? Luther once said, 'The devil hates goose quills,' and doubtless, he has good reason, for ready writers, by the Holy Spirit's blessing, have done his kingdom much damage. If the thousands who will read this short word this night will do all they can to hinder the rebuilding of his accursed Jericho, the Lord's glory shall speed among the sons of men. Reader, what can you do? What will you do?"
From "Evening By Evening" by Charles Spurgeon
Uhrichsville, Barbour and Company, 1991.
Saturday, November 21, 2009
Obama World Travels a Failure
Please take the time right now to add impeachobama@impeachobamacampaign-news.com to your Contacts List, Buddy List or Safe Senders List so you do not miss a single issue.
Obama, trying to escape the turmoil he has created in the USA with an over aggressive legislative agenda is spending time overseas, but obviously, he is way over his head abroad, too.
Obama sets the record for countries visited during a President’s first year. In ten months time, he has visited twenty countries. Even with all his globetrotting, Obama returns from his multitude of trips with no real accomplishments or agreements. His most recent expedition to Asia was an abject failure for America.
Proudly strutting into office promising a new foreign policy based on cooperation and international brotherhood, Obama pledged to do away with what he called “Bush’s cowboy diplomacy.” Rather, he would sit down with world leaders playing nicey-nice, building a multilateral consensus. His magic words may have persuaded naïve American voters, but thus far he is having no such luck when it comes to foreign heads of state.
Obama is no stranger to failure in foreign relations, unless you believe apologizing for your country’s past, defines success. In previous attempts at diplomacy, Obama failed to negotiate commitments from Europe on troops in Afghanistan, bowed to the King of Saudi Arabia, and botched our once close relationship with the British.
Obama’s Asian trip soured rapidly after he bowed before the Emperor of Japan. Obama has shown a penchant for prostrating himself before foreign leaders, giving visual representation to how he is seeking to submit America to the desires of foreign powers. Obama bent so low, it approached the level of groveling to the diminutive son of the man who ordered the bombing of Pearl Harbor.
Next, when attending the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, Obama shook hand with Gen. Thein Sein, the Prime Minister appointed by a vicious and brutal military junta in Myanmar. By shaking hands and meeting with this unelected dictator, Obama sends a message to all those fighting for freedom across the world: America is no longer standing with you, but with your oppressors.
In China, Obama was pushed around by those from whom he is borrowing more and more money. Obama failed to gain any commitments from the Chinese regarding their oppression of human rights. His creditors also greatly restricted his ability to speak to the Chinese people. Obama was allowed one highly scripted town hall meeting that was not broadcast on state run television, as he had expected. While he was in China, the Chinese verbally attacked American economic policy. To top it off, the Chinese signaled they would block American led efforts to sanction Iran for its nuclear program.
Other world leaders know weakness when they see it.
To complete the disastrous list of disappointments, Obama failed to make any progress on North Korea. Upon meeting with Russian Prime Minister Medvedev, Obama announced the US would not complete a new nuclear disarmament agreement to replace the START treaty that expires on December 5. Evidently, receiving a Nobel Peace Prize is much easier to do than reaching agreements that merit one.
In the biggest blow to Obama’s agenda, leaders of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum dropped efforts to reach a binding international climate-change agreement. Obama’s misguided efforts to lead a worldwide healing of the planet will, fortunately, have to wait for now.
In response to Obama’s repeated failures in China, Obama Press Secretary Robert Gibbs down-played the trip, saying they "did not think the waters would part and everything would change as a result of his 2 1/2 day trip to China." Now, compare team Obama’s current complaints about high expectations with promises from June 2008. It was Obama himself who loftily proclaimed after securing the Democratic nomination for President, “this was the moment when the rise of the oceans began to slow and our planet began to heal; this was the moment when we ended a war and secured our nation and restored our image as the last, best hope on earth.”
When you are down bowing to another leader, it is very hard position in which to lead the free world. Obama’s way over his head and it shows.
That is another reason why he deserves to be removed from office.
Warm regards,
Obama, trying to escape the turmoil he has created in the USA with an over aggressive legislative agenda is spending time overseas, but obviously, he is way over his head abroad, too.
Obama sets the record for countries visited during a President’s first year. In ten months time, he has visited twenty countries. Even with all his globetrotting, Obama returns from his multitude of trips with no real accomplishments or agreements. His most recent expedition to Asia was an abject failure for America.
Proudly strutting into office promising a new foreign policy based on cooperation and international brotherhood, Obama pledged to do away with what he called “Bush’s cowboy diplomacy.” Rather, he would sit down with world leaders playing nicey-nice, building a multilateral consensus. His magic words may have persuaded naïve American voters, but thus far he is having no such luck when it comes to foreign heads of state.
Obama is no stranger to failure in foreign relations, unless you believe apologizing for your country’s past, defines success. In previous attempts at diplomacy, Obama failed to negotiate commitments from Europe on troops in Afghanistan, bowed to the King of Saudi Arabia, and botched our once close relationship with the British.
Obama’s Asian trip soured rapidly after he bowed before the Emperor of Japan. Obama has shown a penchant for prostrating himself before foreign leaders, giving visual representation to how he is seeking to submit America to the desires of foreign powers. Obama bent so low, it approached the level of groveling to the diminutive son of the man who ordered the bombing of Pearl Harbor.
Next, when attending the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, Obama shook hand with Gen. Thein Sein, the Prime Minister appointed by a vicious and brutal military junta in Myanmar. By shaking hands and meeting with this unelected dictator, Obama sends a message to all those fighting for freedom across the world: America is no longer standing with you, but with your oppressors.
In China, Obama was pushed around by those from whom he is borrowing more and more money. Obama failed to gain any commitments from the Chinese regarding their oppression of human rights. His creditors also greatly restricted his ability to speak to the Chinese people. Obama was allowed one highly scripted town hall meeting that was not broadcast on state run television, as he had expected. While he was in China, the Chinese verbally attacked American economic policy. To top it off, the Chinese signaled they would block American led efforts to sanction Iran for its nuclear program.
Other world leaders know weakness when they see it.
To complete the disastrous list of disappointments, Obama failed to make any progress on North Korea. Upon meeting with Russian Prime Minister Medvedev, Obama announced the US would not complete a new nuclear disarmament agreement to replace the START treaty that expires on December 5. Evidently, receiving a Nobel Peace Prize is much easier to do than reaching agreements that merit one.
In the biggest blow to Obama’s agenda, leaders of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum dropped efforts to reach a binding international climate-change agreement. Obama’s misguided efforts to lead a worldwide healing of the planet will, fortunately, have to wait for now.
In response to Obama’s repeated failures in China, Obama Press Secretary Robert Gibbs down-played the trip, saying they "did not think the waters would part and everything would change as a result of his 2 1/2 day trip to China." Now, compare team Obama’s current complaints about high expectations with promises from June 2008. It was Obama himself who loftily proclaimed after securing the Democratic nomination for President, “this was the moment when the rise of the oceans began to slow and our planet began to heal; this was the moment when we ended a war and secured our nation and restored our image as the last, best hope on earth.”
When you are down bowing to another leader, it is very hard position in which to lead the free world. Obama’s way over his head and it shows.
That is another reason why he deserves to be removed from office.
Warm regards,
| Floyd Brown ImpeachObamaCampaign.com is a project of the Policy Issues Institute. Contributions are not deductible for tax purposes. 30011 Ivy Glenn Dr., Suite 223 Laguna Niguel, CA 92677 |
Friday, November 20, 2009
Sabbath is a blessing!
Re: Random Thoughts
Friday, November 20, 2009
Friday, November 20, 2009
It’s been one of those weeks. People who don’t know the Sabbath might look forward to their weekends, but I honestly believe only a few of them can really relate to the relief of coming to the end of a really hectic week. A relief because in just over 24 hours, I will be with God’s people again, worshiping and putting most everyday concerns out of my mind. When you don’t know God, it’s hard to relate to the blessing that is the Sabbath.
Read more...
************
Perhaps you would find Origins of Life by Gerald Schroeder a fascinating read this Sabbath. The Torah-observant Jew and MIT scientist helps to reveal how our Great Creator God had "wisdom" inherent in His Creation from the beginning to know which way to go and what to do, etc.
Shabbat Shalom/Sabbath peace,
David Ben-Ariel
Read more...
************
Perhaps you would find Origins of Life by Gerald Schroeder a fascinating read this Sabbath. The Torah-observant Jew and MIT scientist helps to reveal how our Great Creator God had "wisdom" inherent in His Creation from the beginning to know which way to go and what to do, etc.
Shabbat Shalom/Sabbath peace,
David Ben-Ariel
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Overcome in Christ Daily!
Yahshua was sent to offer His life as the Passover Lamb of God (not the pagan Easter rabbit, an unclean animal) for those who receive Him as such and confess and forsake (even daily as necessary), our sins. As long as in our hearts and minds, and increasingly in our actions, we are turning from sin and partaking of the divine nature, sharing in God's righteousness by the power of the Holy Spirit, the blood of the Lamb has got us covered. However, pardon is not permission. Mercy is not approval. Those who profess to be Christians are to let Christ live again in and through and for them (1 John 2:4-5). Yeshua would never live as a practicing homosexual or engage in pagan abominations.
Ephesians 4:28 Let him who stole steal no longer [confess and forsake such a sin - not justify it and continue doing it!], but rather let him labor [bringing forth fruit worthy of genuine repentance], working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give him who has need [selfless now rather than selfish].
2 Timothy 2:19 Nevertheless the solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: “The Lord knows those who are His,” and, “Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity.”
1 John 3:8
He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil.
How does Yahshua do that? By overcoming the world again and again in the lives of His truly converted Christians who have turned, by the grace of God, from the works of the flesh and now bear the fruits of the Holy Spirit that glorify God and represent His Kingdom of righteousness!
GOOD NEWS: Yahshua is able to break the bonds of sin and set free those who are slaves, saving us from both sin's eternal death penalty and delivering us from the sin. Some deny this POWER and only want the pardon but the Throne of Grace offers both.
1 Corinthians 6:9-11
9 Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, 10 nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And such WERE some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.
JUST WHAT DO YOU MEAN ... CONVERSION?
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Religious Bluster from Ron Ardis (CGF)
Religious Bluster from Ron Ardis (CGF)
It's disgusting how so many of the Sabbath-keeping Church of God groups have to try to prove to their sheeple they're the "one true Church of God" and have a flood of "new truth" to sweep them all away. They all abuse the same Scriptures to build themselves up on their wrong foundation and go off on tangents, driven by their vain imaginations (like 2 Peter 3:18), whether it's Ron Ardis' error about the Day of the LORD (YHVH), Flurry's folly, Ron Weinland's stupor, David Pack's blasphemy (he blathers he'll teach the Two Witnesses and the Scripture shows they're in the spirit of Elijah who stands before the LORD (YHVH) of all the Earth and are anointed by Him - not by any man!), ad nauseum.
(read more ...)
It's disgusting how so many of the Sabbath-keeping Church of God groups have to try to prove to their sheeple they're the "one true Church of God" and have a flood of "new truth" to sweep them all away. They all abuse the same Scriptures to build themselves up on their wrong foundation and go off on tangents, driven by their vain imaginations (like 2 Peter 3:18), whether it's Ron Ardis' error about the Day of the LORD (YHVH), Flurry's folly, Ron Weinland's stupor, David Pack's blasphemy (he blathers he'll teach the Two Witnesses and the Scripture shows they're in the spirit of Elijah who stands before the LORD (YHVH) of all the Earth and are anointed by Him - not by any man!), ad nauseum.
(read more ...)
David Pack and the Restored Church of God
I'm aware of David Pack, Pastor General of the Restored Church of God. I also remember clearly how he didn't even know me when he was with the Global Church of God (that I visited once) but said most people who change their names are off-the-wall (something to that effect) and felt I should take my former name of David Hoover back and should seriously consider it as he contacted his superiors (they must have told him to back off as he never brought it up again).
After I thought and prayed about it - rejecting David Ben-Ariel for David Hoover as David Pack sternly suggested - I rejected the notion and questioned how anybody inspired by the Holy Spirit would make such a demand, as I honestly consider David Ben-Ariel my God-given Name, as I've written.
I also remember clearly how David Pack said to me, when I was being honest about my past, troublesome times when I was backslidden in some areas, that he thought I was never converted! Unlike Jesus who offers constructive criticism, who encourages you with the good and calls upon you to change for the better and overcome the bad, all David Pack did was tear down and seek to destroy! That was not the Holy Spirit of God working through him. The Holy Spirit of God inspires us: Don't give up! and overcome in Christ daily!
Before this experience, David Pack had come at my request and visited with me and several other friends who had gathered to hear what he had to say in Toledo, Ohio. We were invited to the one service of his we attended in Ohio. He brought a box of materials the Worldwide Church of God no longer printed to make a statement. We all felt Gerald Flurry had already made that statement and was the first to do so, even though we hadn't yet attended with the Philadelphia Church of God in Akron, Ohio.
When four of us visited with the Global Church of God, my friend Carl gave him a copy of his booklet against abortion and I gave him one of my booklets (either God and the Gays - the first of its kind in the Church of God, or "Religion in America - the REAL Danger" now incorporated into Beyond Babylon: Europe's Rise and Fall) he acted very interested, but later told me he never met a more proud person than Carl! Carl didn't appear proud at all and was merely happy to do whatever he could to help expose and end the evil of abortion.
When David Pack said something to the effect that the Global Church of God was not for me, I asked him why he invited me then and he then acknowledged he only invited me along with the others because he felt they were good candidates for membership. In other words, he was being deceitful. Since then I've heard horrible stories about his pack of lies and hope it's not true but suspect that it is, due to my own eye-opening experience with him.
I trust there are true Church of God members among the Restored Church of God flock, as with the other groups of scattered brethren, and I hope God spares them from such wolves and that they maintain, first and foremost, a personal relationship with the Shepherd of our souls, and not trust in any man for salvation.
I've seen some of the attractive literature the Restored Church of God offers, but it's more important how we treat one another than merely offer glossy material. I hope David Pack has repented of his sins that God may restore him and help him heal those whom he's sickened and be reconciled with both God and man.
David Ben-Ariel is a Christian-Zionist writer and author of Beyond Babylon: Europe's Rise and Fall. With a focus on the Middle East and Jerusalem, his analytical articles help others improve their understanding of that troubled region. Check out the Beyond Babylon blog. |
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