I prefer to be theocratic to being atheistic. I just do not have enough faith to trust in nothing. I like believing in a Supreme Being that holds everything in His hands including little me. I like The One that is good and made everything good and not one that is destructive. I like Him who made me in His image and expects me to behave accordingly. I like it even more when I am allowed to choose and do what pleases Him.

It is no mystery that there are many theocrats and they believe in different deities. In some countries there are as many as there are people. Then these polytheistic theocrats have "head deities." Some of these gods have unreasonable demands. They are also very partial and intolerant. What is a bit incomprehensive is that these deities stand behind their theocrats. It has always puzzled me that God endorsed the acts of Moses, Joshua, David and many other leading people in the Bible that were not exactly behaving humanely. When I studied Islam, I learned that Muhammad believed and obeyed similar orders. Comparing their perceptions of their gods with the one Jesus represented, we find an enormous difference and at times total contradictions. Yahweh and Allah governed by the sword and still do. The God or Father Jesus represented outlawed the sword and offered peace to the world (Mt.26: 52; Lk.2: 14).

The difference the gods of Moses and Muhammad demanded from the one Jesus represented are worlds apart. The origins of Yahvism and Islam demanded the sacrifice of millions of human lives. The Father of Jesus asked but for one. Unfortunately, Christian theocrats also found the sword handy, first for their defense and then for their aggrandizement. Jesus, who was sent to reconcile man with man and with the Creator, ended up creating enmity (Mt.10: 34-42).

Theocrats that resort to the sword will not enter Jesus' kingdom. The admission is for those that save lives and not for those that take it. Flesh and blood cannot cross the finished line. That also is a problem for the atheist. He has to remain in the place of nothing. He has to hope that there is really nothing. In that sense, both atheist and theocrat believe in worlds that do not exist. Of course, Jesus did not think so (Lk.16: 19-31). Will, however, Jesus overlook their misguided foolishness, like he did the thief's that died with him, and let them into paradise (Lk.23: 43)? In that final moment, will we have time or be able to admit our wrong and plead for mercy? I have stood at bedsides when loved ones were no longer able to choose. That is why I like being a Jesus theocrat. He allows me to choose long before I have to make that final choice. And I do reaffirm it every day. The fact that I am is proof that I have not come from nothing; but that I have come from someone that loves me and cared enough to save my soul. In Him I put my trust and not in nothing. I have faced death several times when I had visions of a judge I was too afraid to meet. After I had made my choice, I had a vision of a place where I would very much like to be in eternity.

The "Remnant" was a term used for the Jewish people that were taken to Babylon and seventy years later returned to rebuilt Jerusalem and the nation of Israel. The remnant remained the hope for a Jewish people after Rome dissolved their State. Do we have a similar remnant in the U.S.A. that can bring hope to this nation? Many of us are quick in pointing to Evangelical Christians as a possible remnant. This is doubtful because Evangelicals have not been involved enough in the survival of this nation. They have been too "other-worldly" to be taken elsewhere and then be brought back to rebuild this nation.

There was a time when the message of hope went forth and this nation heard and responded. It was not as a remnant but as a stranger when it turned to God. It became the envy of the world and the Creator blessed it immensely. Even when the people became disobedient and obstinate to His laws, the Almighty kept holding out His hands (Ro.10: 18-21). But like both Israel nations and the one in Jesus' day: "God gave them a spirit of stupor, eyes so they could not see and ears so they could not hear, to this very day," (Ro.11: 8). "Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts and turn, and I (Jesus) would heal them," (Mt.13: 15b). The people did not turn to Jesus and Rome ended the Jewish state. Isaiah's people vanished and the holy seed became a stump in the land (Isa.6: 9-13). What shall be this nation's end or revival?

The Bible does not give us much hope without the Hebrew-Christian God and Jesus. According to Jesus, the message God gave to Moses and the prophets is as valid today as it was when it was given (Lk.16: 29). We cannot separate Jesus from Moses or the prophets as our correct politicians and clergy are doing (Jn.5: 39-47). Jesus also predicted that another would come and offer false hope and it shall be accepted (Jn.5: 43). Without the message of Christ, we have no hope. That is the primary reason why the anti-Christian forces are so adamant against the Bible and specifically against the name of Jesus. It is incomprehensible to them that God will not deal with us but through His Son (Jn.5: 19-23). And it does not matter what we want to believe, it does not alter the claim of Jesus that the way to God is through Him (Jn.14: 6).

There is hope in Christ only. As long as we have breath and are willing to amend our ways by repenting and returning to godliness, we have a chance to be saved. Individuals and nations have done so. The Bible and History are filled with examples. Unfortunately there are more examples where men and nations refused to accept redemption and suffered the consequences. North Africa and the Middle East were once Christian strongholds. Now Europe and America are hanging on a spider's web. Where is the hope going to come from? It was when Jesus was about to be crucified that he told his followers that he had other sheep, other than Jews (Jn.10: 16). Then the Risen Christ sent his followers to other nations to make disciples (Jn.10: 16; Mt.28: 19). The other sheep were the Greeks, whose language would become the vehicle for spreading the Gospel (Jn.12: 20-32). Jesus promised that they would come from East and West and fill his great banquet hall. Strangely absent shall be those that took God and salvation for granted. In fact, when they shall have the audacity to show up, they shall be removed forcefully (Mt.8: 10-12).

Most religious founders and leaders, except Jesus, heard voices, saw visions and had dreams. Abraham believed he saw angels and Moses was convinced that God had carved the Ten Commandments on stone tablets. The prophets believed that they were mouthpieces of God. The judges, kings and public leaders saw themselves as instruments of God's Spirit. Jesus did not fit any of these claims. How did He differ from all the other religious personalities? What did he say about himself? We do have his answer in John 5: 31-40.

"If I testify about myself, my testimony is not valid. There is another who testifies in my favor, and I know that his testimony about me is valid. You have sent to John and he has testified to the truth." "I have testimony weightier than that of John. For the very work the Father has given me to finish, and which I am doing, testifies that the Father has sent me. And the Father who has sent me has himself testified concerning me. You have never heard his voice or seen his form, nor does his world dwell in you, for you do not believe the one he sent. You diligently study the Scriptures because you think that by them you possess eternal life. These are the Scriptures that testify of me, yet you refuse to come to me to have life."

Jesus pointed to four reliable and valid witnesses that did the claiming for him. Jesus mentioned John the Baptist, but there were others that heard the voice from heaven and saw a dove settle on Jesus as a sign that the Father was pointing out his Son to the witnesses. The Risen Jesus alone had more than five hundred witnesses (I Cor.15: 6). There were singles like Mary and Joseph, Simeon and Anna, Peter and Thomas, a number of women and a Roman officer in charge of the crucifixion. God allowed these people to recognize his Son. The heavier proof was the work Jesus had come to do. It was overwhelming. Nicodemus, a teacher and leader put it best: "Rabbi, we know you are a teacher come from God. For no one could perform the miraculous signs you are doing if God were not with him," (Jn.3: 2). And no one has ever matched Jesus.

The third witness was his Father or God the Spirit. From the cradle to the grave Jesus was about his Father's business (Lk.2: 49). He insisted that he functioned under the direction of the Spirit of God (Lk.4: 18; Jn.5: 19; 8: 28-29). It was in the Spirit that the kingdom of God was being offered to man (Mt.12: 28; Lk.11: 20). One could mock Jesus as a man, but to mock the Spirit was against God and unforgivable (Mt.12: 30-32). And it was the Father that was exalting the Son (Jn.8: 54). In simple terms, we may question Jesus as a person but not the work of the Spirit or God. The fourth witness were the Scriptures and they were the handing down of the Spirit of God. The Son was God's spoken word (Jn.1: 1-14). Jesus said, "I do nothing on my own but speak what the Father has taught me," (Jn.8: 28). Therefore, to believe in what Jesus was doing and teaching was the same as believing in God. It was also the plain truth how God was setting man free (Jn.8: 32). In Jesus, God has opened a way for man to return to him (Jn.14: 6). It was God that claimed he had placed the eternal destiny of man in the hands of his Son (Jn.3: 35-36). He did it because he loved this world for it was His special project (Jn.3: 16; 1: 3-5).

We have a tendency to identify and single out people, particularly our leaders. In most instances, we are merely groping and guessing because we do not know what is in their hearts. With regard to politicians, it is even more difficult to determine who they are because of what they said will not be what they do. President Obama is especially skillful in camouflaging his intentions from his actions. It should not surprise us that Christians believe he is one of them and so do Muslims. In politics, Obama is a convenient mixture of many concepts. How then can we arrive at who he is?

It is unnecessary that we spent time and efforts to identify the real Obama. It is within our human nature to self-disclose and our President has greater reasons to do so. What we do casts a far greater shadow than what we believe or even confess (Mt.7: 21-23). We cannot help ourselves taking notice of our self-esteemed accomplishments and the failures of others. Nothing shall identify us more distinctly than the fruit we bear (Mt.7: 16-20). It is that which is dear to us in our hearts that ultimately finds expression in our actions (Mt.12: 33-37). In a leader's life, whether political or religious, his or hers has an enormous impact on a large number of people.

President Obama has taken credit for self-disclosing fruit and blamed his predecessor for initiating our problems. But he is unwilling to admit that he is enlarging these problems with his solutions. From day one as the President, he has distanced himself from Christians and sided with black minorities and went soft on Muslim insurgents. He has gone out of his way to endorse Islam. He uses the race card to push his agenda and then spends millions on himself and family instead of helping his own minority. He belittled this nation, the Bible and the Sermon on the Mount. He continues to leave the impression that the U.S.A. is the culprit and not the victim or a benefactor. This is not exactly the fruit one would expect from an American President.

Those that continue to believe in our President hope that he shall come through with a miracle. Predecessors have turned the tide and were re-elected. Those that did pruned and fertilized their fruit trees. When leaders or caretakers neglect to supply their orchards with nourishments, the trees will stop bearing fruit and even die. Such assistance has not been forthcoming to those employers that employ the largest number of people in this nation. To the contrary, like useless fruit trees, they have been left to cease from producing altogether. Our President and so does his party still has a chance to redeem themselves. They are in a period of grace and might want to follow Jesus' parable on the lonely fig tree in a vineyard. For three years the tree bore no fruit. The owner ordered that it be destroyed. The caretaker begged the owner: "Sir, leave it alone for one more year, and I'll dig around it and fertilize it. If it bears fruit next year, fine! If not, then cut it down," (Lk.13: 6-9).

There is one final hint. Instead of being eager to cut down the tree or the leader, let us first be of some assistance in providing an environment where the tree can bear fruit. Then it is up to the tree to produce the fruit for which it was intended. Jesus also asked the question, "Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles," (Mt.7: 16)?

Legal disparity is gripping our country and tearing it apart. People in power administer the law as they please. Like in the days before our founders wrote the Constitution, the law was subject to kings, bishops and powerful individuals. The idea that we are somewhat unique is a misconception. From the beginning of time, men have tried to bring parity to justice. Hammurabi (1780 BC) claimed that heaven gave him 282 articles to guide his Babylonian empire. Several centuries later, Moses introduced the Hebrew-Levitical law and the Ten Commandments. Two thousand years later Muhammad claimed that Allah revealed Shari'a law to him. There are other Codes but these three have affinities in Abraham, father of many nations (Gen.17: 5). These old laws were harsh on transgressions like adultery, blasphemy, apostasy, homosexuality and thievery. All of these systems lacked mercy, justice and faithfulness (Mt.23: 23). John, the beloved disciple had it right: "For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ," (Jn.1: 17). Jesus added the missing ingredient to the law (Mt.9: 13; 12:7).

The U.S.A. Constitution began with the premise that human depravity was in the way of self-governing. The founders agreed that higher principles had to guide sinful man. They were the Ten Commandments shrouded in grace. The "Law" was king and not the people. The Constitution's main objective was to protect the law from being usurped by powerful individuals and interests. The founders took Jesus literally: "Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words (laws) will never pass away," (Mt.24: 35). The second principle, "All men are created equal" was a problem. Acts 10: 34b convinced the founders not to tamper with God's intentions for He was no respecter of persons. On principle three, Jefferson leaned on the Ten Commandments and declared that "our inalienable rights" came from God. Principle four was liberty or the icing on the document that was to guard, not govern this nation and her people. King Jesus had set the people of this nation free and they pledged that they would let no man be king over them (II Cor.3: 17b; Gal.5: 1a).

The end result was to form a ruling body by dividing powers as a check and balancing system. These powers were not to rule but to guard against the disparity we have today. Instead of protecting all citizens' rights, special interest and minorities are given privileges. We are led to believe that our "Constitutional Republic" has become a Progressive Democracy." That is another misconception. It is no longer a democracy but an oligarchy that is in the process of handing over the reign to another theocracy. The people of this nation have lost confidence in their leaders and are at a point when anything is better than what they have. The last presidential election expressed the mood of despair and aimlessness for the majority of the people. They voted for social redemption, but can it save us? According to history, not just the Bible, it will not. Without adherence to divine laws, neither man nor nation has survived. Ultimately we will agree with the founders of our Constitution that man is incapable of being impartial in his judgments. We must not be surprised when another religious law other than Biblical shall covet the reigns of this nation.

It is an optical illusion created by light bouncing off hot air. Thirst makes us see an oasis that never exists. For a dying person it is hope that there will be water. Isaiah had the illusion that the wolf and the lamb, the leopard and the goat, the lion and the yearling, the bear and the cow and the cobra and the child would feed and live together. He also believed that such a time could only come when the knowledge of the Lord shall cover the earth as water covers the see (11: 6-9). Are we living in such a time? By the way, the people that lived with that illusion vanished from the earth.

Jeremiah, 150 years later was more realistic. He saw the same animals lurking in the shadows to devour their prey. The prey was once David's kingdom (5: 6). A leopard could not change its spots neither could a human his skin nor could evil become good (13: 23). Daniel saw these animals as kingdoms destroying each other (7). Hosea saw these animals ripping his nation apart (13: 7-8). In Revelation 13, the leopard becomes a world dominion with power to destroy Judaism and Christianity. The mirage is on the verge of becoming an oasis for a thirsty world. Remember Jeremiah. When the leopard has completed feeding on his enemies, on whom shall he feed next? Peaceful co-existence for a leopard is an adequate food supply for the future.

Now, can this optical illusion deceive us? Jesus predicted how it would happen. We would become like sheep. They are harmless and friendly. They do not recognize wolves in sheep clothing. That is how we are being torn apart by ferocious wolves (Mt.7: 15). We are not only sheep; but we are more like lambs among wolves (Lk.10: 3). Some of us (sheep) shall follow wolves that look like sheep (Ac.20: 30). We have lost our hearing aid and no longer can identify the voice of our real shepherd. Someone else has hired shepherds that do not side with us against the wolves that prey on us (Jn.10: 1-18). These false shepherds have angelic appearances, but they are powerless against ravenous wolves (II Tim.3: 5). Paul the Apostle to us gentiles had this description of our mirage that has turned into an oasis for wolves. "For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, masquerading as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. It is not surprising, then, if his servants masquerade as servants of righteousness." (II Cor.11: 13-15).

The Apostle's words are a bit harsh. Yet, they do speak of betrayal and cunning ways to deceive us. Every time our political leaders seek to enact major legislation, our President fuels a controversy that diverts attention from his major objective. Presently, he is using the Mosque controversy as a decoy for some policy that shall further weaken and dismantle this nation. Instead of concentrating on the biggest problems of this nation, our politicians, news people and religious leaders follow a mirage and seek to turn Islam into a lamb and the U.S.A. into a wolf. Just how far into the desert is this nation willing to go before it is swallowed into oblivion? Dear friend, do not expect the God we have rejected to send a new Moses to bring us back from the wilderness. Even Moses' generation did not make it back.

The sin of omission is when we know we ought to do what is right and do not do it (Ja.4: 17). To me, it means what Jesus demanded, "Let your light shine, do not hide it (Mt.5: 14-16)." Instead, we are in the world but not of it (Jn.15: 19). The misunderstanding of our role in the world has been detrimental.

Our people settled in Eastern Europe. For religious reasons, we kept to ourselves and did not participate in politics. We had no voice in public affairs. When World War II began, the government immediately began to regard us as enemies and we were persecuted. The News Media did not report about us because their friends were committing crimes against innocent people. Our people had committed the sin of omission by not establishing a relationship with the state. They believed that the Lord would take them away before our tribulation began. He did shorten some of their days by death. Some of our relatives and friends were among them.

Evangelical Christians in America are guilty of the same sin of omission. Instead of fighting for what is right and for strong voices in government, they have retreated behind the wall of separation of religion from the state. They have abdicated from their responsibility and resigned themselves to a rapture that shall precede the Great Tribulation. Should they have to face that horrible time then God will shorten their days. It is true that the Bible speaks of such hope, but it is not in our ability to force God to adjust His schedule to ours. No other nation on earth was given a better chance to be a light of the world and we have allowed our light to be extinguished. Even in-doors our lights are flickering.

It is scary and true that there are end-signs staring at us. But before we hit the sky, we need to consult Jesus' final message or the Book of Revelation. Amidst all the imagery, we have a very clear view of His Church suffering severely at the hands of the forces of the beast or anti-Christ. One third of humanity shall be wiped off the face of the earth. Palestine is way too small to accommodate the dead. North America is more suitable for such a feat. Instead of people being rescued, they shall long for death to come and it will not. The name of Jesus shall be hated and so shall His followers. No one, not even the News Media, shall defend Christians. Particularly Bible adhering followers shall be labeled as extremists and hostile to the state. Unfortunately, this group of Evangelicals has done an exceptional job in remaining aloof from secular engagements. We have become experts in the art of omission.

We cannot take all the blame. Our founders were just as guilty. They took it for granted that the Teachings of Jesus and the Biblical Laws would always govern this nation. Assumption is also a sin of omission. Omission is a repetition of the farmer that went to sleep after he had sowed his wheat. While he slept, the weeds took control. He cannot pull the weeds for pulling the wheat. Now, a higher power shall do the separating of the wheat from the weeds (Mt.13: 24-30). No further assumption is needed.

Jesus spoke of a broad road that leads to destruction and many are on it (Mt.7: 14). Recently our pastor braved tradition and listed five human efforts that can keep us out of heaven. These were good works, traditions, religion, nationality and heritage. These were troublesome then and still are today. I was puzzled by the inclusion of good works when even a cup of cold water to a thirsty person shall not go un-rewarded (Mt.10: 42). Jesus did expect something from his followers. Here are fourteen reasons that require a bit of doing that is if we want to spent eternity with him.

1. Lip service only (Mt.7: 21-23).
2. Neglect to repent (Lk.18: 9-14).
3. Refuse to forgive (Mt.6: 14-15; 18: 21-35).
4. Neglect the destitute (Lk.16: 19-31; Mt.25: 40).
5. Produce no fruit (Mt.7: 15-20; Jn.15: 2).
6. Excuses ((Lk.14: 15-24).
7. Judging others (Mt.7: 1-6; Jn.12: 47-50).
8. Discriminating against children (Mt.18: 6-9).
9. Do not trust the preacher (Jn.17: 20-26; Ro.10: 14-15).
10. Miss God's purpose (Eph.2: 10).
11. Rely on faith alone (Ja.2: 9; 2: 26).
12. Empty handed on judgment day (Rev.20: 12; Ro.2: 6).
13. Pleading ignorance (Jn.15: 22; Ro.2: 14-16).
14. Die outside the Christ (Rev.14: 13).

Unfortunately, many of these unpleasant reminders are being swept under the carpet of grace. We may fool ourselves but not the Lord. The Apostle of grace also wrote, "Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows." "Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up," (Gal.6: 7; 6: 9). Jesus promised to back Paul with these words, "Well done, good and faithful servant,"(Mt.25: 21-23).

The first Christians tried the collective way. Things went well as long as their savings carried them. Then the wealthy converts sold their properties and sustained the movement for a short time. It all ended in failure and the Good Lord used Herod the king to disperse the group (Ac.4: 32-35). In our time, the Soviet Union began taking from the wealthy and then from everybody until it died on the vine. Others like China has learned to encourage her people to plant new vine so that the supply shall continue. It is a form of semi-capitalism. However, the state still owes and manages most of it.

President Obama uses frequently the appealing slogan "Collective Salvation." For him there is no personal salvation apart from collective salvation. It is almost as if he were another Christ (Mt.24: 5). It is a deception. It has nothing to do with reforming an individual so that he becomes a better citizen, but it is an attempt to equalize wealth. It is the idea that the rich are rich enough to feed all the disadvantaged. Good luck, Mr. President. You and your rich comrades will take your wealth elsewhere and the rest of us shall be stuck with the bill. Ultimately, we shall die on the vine. Is it not what you are hoping will happen to this once Christian land, Mr. President?

I keep having these nightmares that we are being taken over by a rigid religious collective system. Islam is a collective totalitarian system that only accepts and tolerates those that submit to its laws and leaders. The rest of us shall be carriers of water and choppers of wood. This male dominating religion shall require females and some male servants. Unfortunately, we no longer have a Charlemagne or a Prince Eugene to stem the Muslim tide. Of course, we all hope that Obama can modernize Islam so that we can become neighbors and rub shoulders. The Bible does predict a time when the lamb and the wolf shall live side by side (Isa.11: 6). How long do we think a wolf can starve?

Collective salvation is at odds with personal salvation. The latter emphasizes the value of the individual or his soul (Mt.16: 26). In the former, the state or government is everything. The people are duped into believing that they are everything and equal. If they are why then did the Bolsheviks eliminate all the wealthy and even those that had jobs so they could give it to their party members? My father-in-law lost his life over a job. What great job did he have? He tended horses on a collective farm. My step-father-in-law raised more wheat on forty acres than the entire community. He was arrested for sabotage and managed to escape to the West. He had refused to join the collective system. If we fail to save the individual, we shall never save society. This was the message of Jesus to Nicodemus, a leader of the people (Jn.3: 10).

God does not oppose our choice. He gave us a free will and lets us test our ability to manage our life as well as our affairs. He is not some horseman that puts bids in our mouth and makes us obey Him. There are people that have made such claims and still do but their end results contradict their claims. I too had such notions; only, at the end I got what I had set out to do. I had to make my choice and no one else.

I turned to Adam and Eve and the Bible tells us that they made their choice against the very will of God. The Creator did not stop them from making the mistake of all mistakes. He let the first couple separate themselves from Him and learn to explore life on their own. They made themselves unfit to remain in the Garden of Eden (Gen.4). This was also true of Israel as a nation. They asked for a king and their wish was granted. This too was against God's original intentions. Against all the warnings by Samuel, the people demanded a king. In fact, God ordered Samuel to find them a king. It was the people's choice to experience what it would be like living under a monarch and it was not what they had expected (I Sam.8-15).

Let us consult Jesus and what was his advice regarding our choice? His kingdom was not of this world (Jn.18: 36); yet, the Jewish leaders chose Caesar over the One God had sent (Jn.19: 15). They demanded that a violent Barabas be released and a peaceful Jesus be crucified (Jn.18: 40; 19: 17-22). In the parable of "The Ten Minas" Jesus predicted that the Jewish people did not want him to be king over them (Lk.19: 27). The peaceful Christian movement, in the fourth century justified the use of the sword by the Emperor Constantine. After Charlemagne became the Holy Roman Emperor in 800 AD, he converted the Germanic tribes by the sword. Then the Crusaders justified the use of the sword against Muslims. God did not stop any of these human choices.

How does all the above compare with our own political and religious conditions? Like our predecessors, we have made our choice. We have what we asked for and God did not intervene. It turns out that it is not what we had hoped for. Unlike God, human leadership is prone to err and selfish in intentions. With the first human couple, we find that the task of self-management is too enormous; and with Israel, we discovered that the king or president is too costly. Like in the days of Saul, government had become the largest burden of the nation. Government does not produce income. It takes by coercion income from the people that create income. Ultimately, the king or the government becomes the sole proprietor of a nation. Hence, a monarchy is no different from a socialistic system. The cheapest and most effective form of government was the Hebrew Theocracy and Jesus' kingdom was even less costly. It only cost ten percent of the people's income. Caesar's income is not based on what people earn but on what people have. The description of Samuel still applies today (I Sam.8: 10-18). God does not stand in the way of our choice.

A friend stopped attending church because the pastor had preached one type of sermon for twenty years. The topics were different but the content and conclusion were the same. Jesus does not change, why should a pastor? The friend's assessment was not entirely accurate, because a sermon does have a number of objectives. I do not feel comfortable when I agree totally with a sermon. It turns me into a fully-grown vegetable that turns stale and tasteless. People that have disagreed with my thoughts have greatly added to my growth and usefulness. Below are a few things that a sermon does for me.

Foremost, a sermon is not to please me but to feed me. It is like a buffet lunch or dinner. I sample and eat what I like. I do not always pick what is best for me and I do have frequent indigestions. I do not go to eat and go away hungry and I do not eat all the food. In time I learn to choose what is beneficial.

A sermon is like a medicine chest or even a drug store. It is where I go to fill a prescription. I am my own pharmacist and select the medication that best serves my ailing. The best and strongest medicine is harsher and more painful than the pain itself. In order to heal, the wound has to be cleaned and freed of infections. Paul recommended a little wine for the human interior (I Tim.5: 23).

The sermon is also a surgical tool. Many years ago, a growth on my wrist had to be removed. I had some other items removed via a laser. Our moral and spiritual make up has a tendency to adopt and grow undesirable attitudes and manners. Jesus' sermon recommended amputation of our bodily members before we use them inappropriately (Mt.5: 27-30).

To me the sermon is like a hospital or a convalescent center. I did spent one and one-half year in three such places. Due to a severe fire accident, I had to learn to wait for healing, treatments and surgeries. During this time I read many sermons and had several ministers encouraged and discouraged me with their brief talks. All these helped me straighten out my mind and assisted me in repositioning me in the world. I had to rethink and readjust my life in order to be a productive human being.

I do not go to listen to a sermon to receive pleasure or satisfaction but to find something that helps me direct my life in such a way that I can keep on correcting and mending my ways. I am a pilgrim in this life and I have traveled some distance. The sermon has been a very necessary companion for my journey. I specially recommend the sermon that hurts the ego. I fear the sermon that comforts the soul constantly without healing the ego. Even as a Christian, my feet require washing (Jn.13: 7-8). That precisely is what a sermon does for me.

Recently, I had the misfortune of spotting my garments with paint. People do wear spotted clothes but I am not comfortable. It reminded me of the branding of Cain after he had killed his brother Abel (Gen.4: 1-16). It set him apart from his family, his country and even his God. Sin in our life is like paint. It puts a brand on us that cannot be removed. And like Cain, we have to find an environment where we are feared but tolerated. In time, the entire environment would become like Cain or Canaanites. This was precisely what the world was like in Noah's day and again in Paul's time (Ge.6: 5-7; Ro.1: 28-32).

What is our world like? According to Jesus' prediction, we shall live in a world identical to the days of Noah and Lot (Lk.17: 26-29). In some areas, it shall be worse. Jesus' followers shall live among wolves (Mt.10: 11-20). Already, in this freedom-loving country, Christians are being arrested for not wearing the brand of Cain. Moral and virtuous followers of Jesus have become a minority in this right to life nation. By deception, the followers of Cain have succeeded in turning this nation into a haven for Canaanites (Mk.13: 5-6). These were the peoples that lost their lands to the Hebrews during the time of Joshua and they were the cursed descendants of Noah (Gen.9: 24). These Canaanites turned the Hebrews into Canaanites in Jesus' day and they are turning Christians into Canaanites today in the western world, particularly in America. Canaanites have nothing to do with the Hebrew-Christian God and in particular with Jesus. They had formed their own deities and laws.

All of this is no longer a secret. What most of us do not realize is that this is only the beginning of our woes (Rev.9). A time is upon us that we shall seek death and not find it. The heavenly vision to John hid the identity of this leader with the word "beast" and this being will force his system on everyone (Christian or non-Christian) by a painful branding on the forehead or the brainwashing of the mind. This being's intention to dominate this nation shall soon become apparent. It is actually so willed by heaven that this occurs (Rev.17: 17). Our Canaanite system has taken us too far from God and His Laws that it has to be cleansed and purged before it becomes fit again for God to interact with us.

Let us take a lesson from the Babylonian Hebrew captives under Nebuchadnezzar (Jer.27: 6). He was a servant of God to bring the Jews back to God and so shall the beast bring us back to the true God and Jesus the Christ (Rev.14). It is unfortunate that the innocent shall suffer with the guilty.

Two years I had spent preparing for an entrance examine in Theology and be told that my answers were more conducive to Biblical exegesis. Fortunately I was willing to take the examining board's advice and my studies became more productive. I was after all not to represent the great theologians but Jesus the Christ. More to the point, I had to be stopped from pursuing a field of interest that was not beneficial for me.

The reason I am recalling this incident is that I have met young people that were disappointed because they could for numerous reasons not enroll in a school that offered their choice subjects. This disappointment should not deter us from looking into other areas that may prove more satisfactory than the one's we like. We do not always know what is best for us until we have a chance to apply what we have learned. Also there may not be a need for what we have learned. When I entered Seminary, there was a shortage of teachers; but by the time I received my credentials, there was a surplus. Fortunately I continued as a pastor and taught part-time. We had two sons with college degrees, but could not get work. They had to be retrained. I recall when President Kennedy called for more engineers and in a very short time many were driving taxis.

Again, our political leaders stress the need for a college education. The question is, "Can a college guarantee a job?" I am Mr. Simpelton. I have learned one hard lesson in my dealing with people. It is this: "My job, whether I like it or not, must put bread on the table." Many of the studies I have taken and taught were subject and teacher orientated but not bread providers. My father had only one half year of education and he taught me how to create bread in more than one area of skills. When circumstances disrupted by physical ability to earn my bread, I explored the mental realm to create income in fields that were not overcrowded. The mass production of workers with skills for no jobs should be unthinkable.

Take it from an eighty year old that has survived competitions and failures. He has never had the pleasure of "knowing what is best;" but he has in trying succeeded in areas that proved to be better than just best. It is easy to become a statistic when we give up, when we cannot have what we want. It is also risky to hope for another opportunity while better chances pass us.

Jesus compared our settling of our accounts with God to a king that settled his with his servants (Mt.18: 21-35). The head of the servants owed the king a very huge sum of money. There was no way he could repay his obligations. He pleaded before the king and the monarch out of mercy cancelled all his debts. It was an act of grace that set this servant free. Next, this recipient of grace goes to one of his fellow servants that owed him a few dollars and demanded that he be repaid immediately. This servant also pleaded on his knees but received no mercy or forgiveness. Instead, he was imprisoned and the report about this merciless servant reached the king. The monarch rescinded his act of grace and committed this man to the mercy of the jailor. Jesus concluded," This is how my heavenly Father will treat each one of you unless you forgive your brother from your heart."

The people Jesus was addressing at the time were very religious Jews that believed they could trade off their rituals and traditions for favors with God. Some of the deeds included fasting, giving the tenth, praying, washing before meals, worshiping by reciting the Psalms and the Prophets, excluding everyone that did no comply with their rules and demanded an eye for an eye or a tooth for a tooth by stoning. They were a people that had received grace on a silver platter, but failed to live by it. They never expected to be held accountable for their mismanagement and misapplication of grace. The end result, even here on earth was that God commissioned His messengers to seek out a people that were not His people (Mt.28: 16-20; Hos.2: 23).

Christians, have we fallen into a similar abyss? Are we using grace as a trade off for our unwillingness to separate from sin? Are we assuming that we are covered by grace no matter how we live, what we do and how we treat each other? We can if we do not regard our acts of worship as merits sufficient for grace and as pleasing God and ourselves. We did not receive grace to wallow in it but to live it out in public life. It is setting us free at the highest level or the divine, in order that we extend grace to others with the same forgiveness and mercy. God conditioned grace so that it does not come back empty. If we do no use it on ourselves and with others, grace will leave us empty.

God did not give us grace in Jesus Christ to trade for our sins. Grace is not a tool in our hands to make God please us but it is God's tool to make us do what is right for all of us (Eph.2: 10). The idea that God expects nothing from us is untenable (Mt.5: 16).

I happened to be present when a Canadian and a Russian shared their perceptions about God. They concluded that the English "God" was the same as the Russian "Bog." However, when they talked about what their gods do, they did not resemble the Creator or the one Jesus proclaimed. Rather, they were individualized and nationalized. In competition like sports or wars, these two gods were asked to beat up on each other.

This encounter led me back to the age of nine when Hitler took us off Stalin's hands and began to teach us about Wooden and Thoren, the victorious German gods that had defeated the Romans. At that time Hitler's gods were taking over Europe and did beat up on all the other gods. In the end, the other gods eliminated Hitler's deities. Then there began the strife between the "American God" and the "Russian Bog." Presently, the western and oriental gods are awakening by the threat of the Muslim God. Even the one Quran like the Bible has many interpreters with differing perceptions what the real God is like. Based on the events that are taking place today, none of the perceptions bring us closer to what the Creator or the Father of Jesus is like.

We are upset when we were told that our gods are dead or they are the creation of our minds. The truth is how could "One" that created the universe and is far greater than a billion telescopes can see, fit into a small human mind or his scientific measurements. We can compare in a small way our grasp of God with a thousand blind men that would by touching one spot on an elephant and then give us a description of what they were touching. It is that one spot that appears to be enough when things favor us. When things go against us we become disillusioned about God and even think we are guilty of some indiscretion? In reality, our perceptions of the Creator are childish and irrational.

I believed with those that think the Bible has disclosures and revelations of God. When I set out to find the people that saw God face to face, they left no description. The image that Moses brought back from the mountain could not even conjecture a name. The God he represented was angry over Israel for disobeying His laws and merciless with all Israel's enemies. God was perceived as a Hebrew deity. Jesus opened God up to the world, but did not tell us more than that He was a loving heavenly Father. The writer to the Hebrews gave us the best analysis. In his opinion, God spoke, not disclosed, His purpose through many agents with Christ being the final one (Heb.1: 1-2). All of them together do not give us any inkling of God and His immensity. In the opinions of the Psalmist and the Prophet, it is foolish to deny or to define God (Ps.14: 1; 92: 5-6: Isa.55: 8-9).

Jesus being the final word of God to us has simplified matters by allowing us to personalize and nationalize God provided we live by His laws. Acts like injustice and wars are the devil's ways. The Creator God made everything good and He loves His image in spite of what man has done and is doing to himself with the help of Satan (Lk.13: 16).