Ole Tommy Jefferson

There seems to be some controversy over the separation of church and state issue... Old Tommy Jefferson seems to be the brunt of most of the misconceptions about it. IT IS NOWHERE IN THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATED OF AMERICA. IT NEVER WAS INTENDED TO BE. In 1802 Tommy wrote a letter to some Baptists who were worried about the government establishing an official state church like there was in England. Tommy explained that it could not be done because the constitution restricted the government from establishing a church of any kind, or in any way restricting the practices of churches in the US, so the Baptists were safe. Tommy held church services in government buildings, at government expense, and used the military band for music in those services. Several of the founding fathers thought that being a Christian should be a prerequisite to holding office.

Now when I say I love my wife - that doesn't mean I love all women in that way, although I do love all women in Christ. This does not mean that I am "interested" in other women. If, however, I was to write this fact to a Baptist church - I AM SURE that in 100 years or so the ACLU would take it to the Supreme Court and convince them that I was a “womanizer” in the same way they used old Tommy's letter to the Baptists. GET IT? Tommy never meant to take God out of the government- just to keep the government out of God's business.

In 1878, the Supreme Court in a case about polygamy used the phrase. The big disaster came in 1948 when the ACLU presented a friend of the court brief giving false info on the separation thing and a liberal judge put it in the record. The case was about the Klu Klux Klan being against the bussing of catholic students at the expense of the city. As you can see, once these sneaky folks get a toehold, its Katey bar the door. The bible warns us against being deceived by ourselves, others and the devil. I think that revisionist history qualifies as deception.

What got me into this was my son's reply to my "Traditional Americans" rant. He googled Thomas Jefferson on Wikipedia and found false information about what Jefferson meant by the separation thing. When I checked it out, I didn't see a direct lie, however, like most liberals* they lead you in a false direction on purpose - hoping you don't realize that they are just being them selves. They can't help it. Most of these people think with their emotions and facts mean little if any thing to them. Just a suggestion - get your information from the horses mouth, not the other end. There are plenty of writings available from the founding fathers. “He cut and pasted pieces of the New Testament together to compose a version that excluded any miracles by Jesus, thereby focusing on "the pure principles which he taught" and which has since been published as the "Jefferson Bible".” (Wikipedia) What Tommy really did was to cut and paste the New Testament to use as a book to teach the "Indians" good moral principals to live by. I sure hope that Tommy's burial vault has plenty of room for spinning.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Jefferson

* All liberals are not bad people, although, due to the way they have lumped all conservatives in the same nasty ways, it serves some of them right. It’s the ultra lefties that are the problem, in the same way as the ultra rightists.

Rick Rahn

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Traditional America

Traditional Americans like my self are at a distinct disadvantage when dealing with today’s crop of politicians. Our basic outlook is that most people, regardless of political affiliation, are decent, honest and trustworthy. That outlook causes us to turn a blind eye to those who would purposely hurt our country, because we can’t believe that anyone would be that rotten. It’s time for us to wake up and smell the coffee. I recently heard the Democratic Party described as a criminal organization posing as a political party. I personally don’t lump all democrats into that group and additionally would say that many republicans could be classified in the same manor. We seem to be overwhelmed these days with rhetoric from both sides that is guiding us in the same direction. The “Political Class” seems to have taken off in a direction diametrically opposed to what the majority of Americans want and believe. You would think that over time, the election process would weed out these scoundrels. I’m not big on conspiracy theories; however, our election process does seem to be controlled by someone or something that will only let certain people run for office. Ever feel like you voted for the lesser of two evils? Wouldn’t it be nice to have a candidate that you would really like to vote for; and you really knew who they were and what they really believed?

What politicians say during the elections used to be known in religious circles as “evangelistically speaking”(a lie to make your story better). Wrong then and wrong now. Politicians these days seem to be more interested in maintaining their power base than serving the people. They forget that we don’t work for them; they work for us.

Our founding fathers never thought that elected office would be a career track, but rather a short-term way of being of service to the country. What ever happened to the cry for term limits? The current crop of those in power such as President Obama and his group of Chicago thugs, Nancy Pelosi and her gang, along with Harry Reed’s bunch seem to finally have their way. They apparently want to remake the country into a third world nation, dependent on our international “friends” for our well being. Here come the Republicans, up the backstretch, with the very same outlook as the Democrats.

At this point I don’t know if, after this presidency is over, their will be enough left of the real United States to salvage. The time has come for a second American revolution. Hopefully this can be done through the election process. The first revolution, conducted by the founding fathers, cost a lot in lives and treasure*. Perhaps we can coerce those in power to do the will of the people. Perhaps it’s time for a real third party movement. We can’t win through and armed insurrection as the government controls the weaponry. You can’t win a fight against a bomber or a tank when all you have is a 22 rifle.

Perhaps it’s time to bring God back into things. If the politicians knew they were going to hell for what they are doing, they might change their ways.

If the end of the world, as we know it, is going to happen, as many believe on December 21, 2012, what our government is doing to us now won’t matter very much anyway. End of the world, rapture, or whatever happens, I want to be on the right side. I, personally, am going to stay far away from “hand baskets” while the rest of the country is going to hell in one.

The insidious movement to the left started long ago in the Wilson administration, although some of the roots go back to Teddy Roosevelt. These people with their extreme leftist outlook have worked their way into the educational system to the point that most young people have no idea what this country is supposed to be. One example of this is that many people believe the lie of “separation of church and state”. A lot of people think that it’s in the constitution. Ask most young people if this is a Christian nation and they will answer no, despite the fact that we were set up as a Christian nation, which was confirmed by the Supreme Court.

How do we find out who and what the people and organizations are who are responsible for what has happened to our country? There must be some on-going group directing things, or it couldn’t have been such an effective and organized effort over so long a period of time. As we all know, there are only two forces at work in the world – that of good and evil. Since we also know who is in charge of each of these forces we can see why things have developed the way that they did. Over the years a concentrated effort has been made to take God out of almost every aspect of our lives. So far, little step by little step, God has been removed from our schools, church has been separated from the state and attitudes toward Christian’s and their way of life are ridiculed in the arts and the media. Guess what? This all had to happen before the Lord could return. Have no doubt, He is coming back. Elect Christian’s to political office (like the founding fathers said to do), put God back in the schools (where the founding fathers put Him) and in your everyday life. Maybe then we won’t be ashamed when the time comes to look into the eyes of our redeemer. What’s right is right and what’s wrong is wrong. The choice is for life or death – chose life.

The politicians work for us, not the other way around. The buffoon we have for a vice president once said that he wasn’t elected to do the will of the people, but rather to use his own good judgment. Apparently most of our politicians now harbor this same opinion. How dare they? They treat us like we are sheep being led to the slaughter. They treat our country like security doesn’t matter. They won’t secure our borders. They spend money and take on debt that our grandchildren won’t be able to repay. They live in more luxurious circumstances than the vast majority of our citizens and have a package of perks that awe industry leaders. On top of that we pay them for the rest of their lives. Surely there must be a system of checks and balances in place that assures that these excesses are punished, and the will of the people will prevail. Can anyone give me an example of one campaign promise the President Obama has kept? He ran on hope and change. So far all I can see is change that has destroyed hope.

If you think I’m right, then God bless you. If you think I’m off my rocker, that’s all right too. I’m open to discussion with both sides.

Rick Rahn

*I received the following in an e-mail.

Have you ever wondered what happened to the 56 men who signed the Declaration of Independence?

Five signers were captured by the British as traitors, and tortured before they died.
Twelve had their homes ransacked and burned. Two lost their sons serving in the Revolutionary Army; another had two sons captured.

Nine of the 56 fought and died from wounds or hardships of the Revolutionary War.

They signed and they pledged their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor.

What kind of men were they?

Twenty-four were lawyers and jurists. Eleven were merchants, nine were farmers and large plantation owners; men of means, well educated, but they signed the Declaration of Independence knowing full well that the penalty would be death if they were captured.

Carter Braxton of Virginia, a wealthy planter and trader, saw his Ships swept from the seas by the British Navy.
He sold his home and properties to pay his debts, and died in rags.

Thomas McKeam was so hounded by the British that he was forced to move his family almost constantly. He served in the Congress without pay, and his family was kept in hiding. His possessions were taken from him, and poverty was his reward.

Vandals or soldiers looted the properties of Dillery, Hall, Clymer, Walton, Gwinnett, Heyward, Ruttledge, and Middleton.

At the battle of Yorktown , Thomas Nelson, Jr., noted that the British General Cornwallis had taken over the Nelson home for his headquarters. He quietly urged General George Washington to open fire. The home was destroyed, and Nelson died bankrupt.

Francis Lewis had his home and properties destroyed. The enemy jailed his wife, and she died within a few months.

John Hart was driven from his wife's bedside as she was dying. Their 13 children fled for their lives. His fields and his gristmill were laid to waste. For more than a year he lived in forests and caves, returning home to find his wife dead and his children vanished. Some of us take these liberties so much for granted, but we shouldn't.

Remember: freedom is never free!

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Who Is On the Throne In My Life?

These are perilous days and the time is growing short. The world seems to be turned upside down where wrong is right, and right is wrong. More and more, man is leaning to his own understanding where there are no absolutes, no right and wrong, but only what is perceived by the changing nature of mankind to be relevant to his own way of thinking. All too often, we have chosen to cast God’s ways aside and lean unto our own way of thinking. This path can only lead to eternal death. God has sent us a way of escape from eternal condemnation through His Son, Jesus, as revealed to us in His Word by the power of the Holy Spirit.

I know that what I have to say may offend some of you, and may even set myself up to be mocked or ridiculed. Even so, I would rather take that risk in hope that perhaps somehow I may be used in the service of my Lord to draw even one person to come to the saving knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ. I could not bare the shame of saying to my Lord that I stood silent and never tried to tell others of the joy of receiving and knowing His Son, Jesus, as the one and only personal Lord and Savior. With that in mind, I pray that the Lord will prepare your heart and use this message as He alone sees fit. I do not send this as a perfect follower of Christ, but as one who is seeking daily to die to myself that Christ might live in and through me more completely each day.

I was recently led to contemplate upon my own perspective of the importance of man living a life based upon his own ability to reason, or choosing to yield to the higher power of God’s ways and thoughts. In so doing, I had to discern just what level of importance human reason was to be held in my own life. In today’s world it is not politically correct to subjugate man’s ways and thoughts to an inferior position from those of God. In the present atmosphere of political correctness, to even suggest that God’s ways are higher than man’s is looked upon as ignorant and often foolish. On every side, God is being ridiculed, mocked, and crucified all over again and man is placing himself on the throne.

Recently, Miss California was asked a question about marriage. She based her answer upon the Word of God and her belief therefore that marriage was to be between a man and woman. Apparently, this was offensive and perhaps belittling to the thoughts and ways of man. In reflecting upon this, I was seeking to understand why viewing the opinions of humanity, as being inferior to those of God’s, should be offensive at all. I endeavor to base my understanding upon the teaching of our Lord as revealed to us in His Word. Realizing this perspective in itself is not politically correct; I understand that it will be deemed as foolishness in the minds of many who view the Word from the standpoint that it is merely a bunch of myths and nice little stories written by man. Without the understanding and faith that the Word is the inspired word of God as revealed to man by His Holy Spirit, mankind will often choose to relegate God’s Word to an inferior position of importance in their lives. This attitude in itself denies the power of the Holy Spirit to lead and guide man into all truth. In addition, man’s ability to reason is then elevated to be equal to, or superior to God’s thoughts and ways. I believe this is the root of the arrogance and rebellion that must have caused Satan and his followers, demons, to be ejected from their position in Heaven. They began to think of themselves as knowing as much as God; therefore, based upon their own opinion and ability to think and reason, they no longer had a need for God. When mankind begins to elevate the human ability to think and reason as superior to that of God, the door has been opened for the spirit of antichrist to come into our hearts and begin to take root.

In today’s world of political correctness it is offensive, and even viewed as self-righteousness, when a person makes a statement that says, “That is only the opinion of man. Only God knows what truth is really.” God’s ways do not change. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. He and His ways never change, but “Man’s ways are right in His own mind.” What does that mean? It means that man’s ways, without the anchor of God and His Word, are forever changing and relevant only to what is the acceptable way of thinking and believing as perceived by man for the time being. Man’s ways are constantly evolving from one standard to another depending upon the direction from which the wind blows in the present wave of politically correct thought for that time and place.

When man does not base his faith on the Word of God, he becomes double minded, and a house divided cannot stand. If I do not stand upon His Word, I fall for anything and everything. I know that deception is a mighty tool of the devil and he is out to seek to deceive and destroy us in any way he can. This is evident in man as he seeks for truth in every possible direction except The Truth, The Way, and The Life of Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit warns us against the spirit of anti-Christ, which is already prevalent even in this country of America that has been so blessed because we were founded upon Judeo-Christian beliefs. However, it is no longer politically correct to take a stand upon His Word. God is NOT tolerant or subject to the change of man’s ideas or ways. He said, “Thou shalt have no other Gods before me. Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart.” He does not tolerate us having idols in our lives.

God is not a tyrant. He does not force anyone to believe in Him. We are given the choice to believe in Him and willingly serve Him as Lord and Savior, or reject Him and His gift of salvation. We determine our on eternal destination by the choices we make. When we place our own ability to reason, that is our opinions, to a higher position than His ways, then we have replaced “God our Father” with “god, ourselves” on the throne in our hearts. It is not sufficient to simply acknowledge the reality of Christ for even Satan and His demons do that. They know who He is and they tremble and flee at the name of Jesus. Yes, they “believe”, but they do not obey.

It is amazing to me, as I read the Bible, how clearly God sees us for what we are, and knows every thought within us. Because we choose not to endeavor to hide and keep His word in our hearts, and persevere to be doers of the Word, and not just hearers, He has said, (Rev. 3:15-22) “I know thy works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish that you were cold or hot. So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I am going to spew (to put it more vividly - vomit) you out of my mouth. Because you say, ‘I’m rich; I have become wealthy, and need nothing,’ and you don’t know that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind, and naked, I advise you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire so that you may be rich, and white clothes so that you may be dressed and your shameful nakedness not be exposed, and ointment to spread on your eyes so that you may see. As many as I love, I rebuke and discipline. So be committed and repent. Listen! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and have dinner with him, and he with Me. The victor: I will give him the right to sit with Me on My throne, just as I also won the victory and sat down with My Father on His throne. Anyone who has an ear should listen to what the Spirit says to the churches (Believers, the Body of Christ on Earth).”

If we are rich in earthly goods, but poor in the spirit, we are destitute and the most pitiful of beings. If we are to enter into the Kingdom of God we must be doers of the Word, and not just hearers. Listen to the warning as given by Jesus:

Matthew 7: 21-24. “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? And in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. Therefore, whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock.”

The question then to each of us is, “Am I going to choose to think politically correct thoughts and place myself on the throne within my heart?” Or “Am I going to seek the Kingdom of God and place Him on the throne of my heart, and trust in Him to lead me and guide me into all truth that I might endure to the end of my time on Earth, and receive the cloak of righteousness provided by the blood of Jesus, and thereby enter into eternity with God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit?

True faith is based on the Holy Scriptures that are inspired by the Holy Spirit and given to us to lead and guide us into true knowledge. How can we profess to be followers of the Lord if we do not study the scriptures and allow Him to speak to us through His Word? Are we not told in His Word to study His Word that we may be a workman that need not be ashamed? If we are of the opinion that His Word is merely man’s writings, and not the truth given to man by the Holy Spirit, then we are surely lost for the Word says that “faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the Word of God.”

If we base our faith on anything but the Word of God, we have deceived ourselves and there is no truth within us. (Proverbs 3:1-7) “My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments: For length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee. Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the tables of thine heart. So shall thou find favour and good understanding in the sight of God and man. Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thy own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Be not wise in thine own eyes; fear the Lord, and depart from evil.” If we do not base our faith on the Word of God and the solid rock of the gospel of Jesus Christ, we build our house on sinking sand. The Word of God is true; all else is foolishness. If we stand not for the Lord and His Word, we will fall for anything and the spirit of the anti- Christ is within us. I for one do not wish to take the chance of doubting the Word of the Lord, or refusing the gift of salvation through faith in His Son Jesus.

Thy word oh Lord is Truth. He has given us His Word that we may not be led as sheep to be slaughtered, but that we might be saved through grace. If we do not seek to learn from His word, we are lost and ignorant, without wisdom or true knowledge. His Word reveals The Truth, The Way, and The Life in which we are to walk.

Jesus says, in John 17:17:

"Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth."

Jesus is telling us that the Word of God is Truth. The pagans teach that there is no absolute truth, but that we each "create our own reality". But the Bible teaches that there is an absolute standard of Truth: God's Word.

Paul, the Apostle, wrote in 2 Timothy 3:16-17:

"All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good
works."

"The man of God": that's you and me if we are trusting in the real Jesus in terms of the real Gospel. We can trust that God's Word is Truth and that it is our standard for how to come to God on his terms and walk with him.

Peter, the Apostle, wrote in 2 Peter 1:20-21,

"Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost."

Peter teaches that we are not to just make up our own private interpretation and make the scriptures say what ever we want to suit our own purposes. We are not to go to the Bible with a predetermined agenda to find scriptures that "prove" our views. Rather we are to go to the Bible trusting that the Lord will speak through his Word to us. Let the Word speak for itself.

Luke says in Acts 17:10-11,

"And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews. These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so."
Luke commends the Bereans because they were not going to just blindly trust the "private interpretation" of a guru! They searched the scriptures THEMSELVES to see if what Paul said was true! Paul an Apostle! And the Bible commended them for it.

Jesus says that we are not to go to men to be our "teacher" or "master", because the Lord Jesus himself is our teacher, through the Holy Spirit. He does encourage us to be a part of the body of Christ, to come together to worship the Lord and not forsake being with and a part of other believers, and in so doing help and uplift one another.

Jesus says in John 16:13:

"Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come."

Jesus was talking to followers of Jesus, to you and me. The Holy Spirit will lead us into all truth.
It is crucial that we realize that God holds each of us personally accountable for how we respond to his Word as individuals. We can't blame any misunderstanding on a clergyman or hierarchy or a religious system. God expects us to examine his Word and trust and obey him... like the Bereans in Acts 17.

God assures each and every one of us that He does not wish for any of us to perish, but rather that all would be saved through faith in Jesus Christ, His Son. Remember the thief on the Cross next to Jesus, realizing and believing in the Lord Jesus asked to be remembered, and Jesus told him that He would that day be present with Him in paradise. This is my prayer for each of us, and if the Lord has touched your heart, I ask that you personalize this prayer to ask Him to come into your heart today.

Lord, I praise you and thank you. You have given me the promise of eternal life through faith in you, the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. I thank you for giving me your Word, inspired by the Holy Spirit. Oh Lord, cause me to hunger and thirst after you and to live by every precious word that proceeds from the mouth of God. Let this be my heart’s desire- to know you, love you, and serve you all the days of my life. Give me ears to hear, eyes to see, and a heart of flesh (not a hardened heart as that of Pharaoh in the days of Moses) to receive you as Lord and Savior on the throne of my heart. “Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my concerns. See if there is any offensive way in me; lead me in the everlasting way. (Psalm 139: 23, 24). Forgive my sins oh Lord, and let thy will be done in my life. Oh Lord, I know that none of us is guaranteed a tomorrow. I pray that you would teach me to live by your Word that I might glorify you in thought, word, and deed. Let me eat of the Bread of Life that I might begin my eternal life here and now. Grant me wisdom and discernment. Let me not be deceived by myself, others, or Satan who seeks to devour and destroy whom he may. The Lord is able to keep me, and perfects me day by day. Oh Lord, I humble myself before your throne of grace and seek Your face. Come Lord Jesus and rule in my heart this day and forever. I confess before others that you are Lord of all, you are my God and I am your child. Praise your Holy name. In Jesus name I pray. Amen

One day, we must all stand before the Lord. What will your answer be when he asks,
“What have you done with my Son? Did you believe, and did you obey? Did you truly receive the gift of salvation that I sent to you? How did you respond to my Word and the Holy Spirit that I sent to lead you and guide you into all truth?” What will your answer be?


** I have included the song below, which says it all to my heart. Perhaps it will speak to your heart also.

More Precious Than Silver

Words and Music by Lynn Deshazo
© 1982 Integrity's Hosanna! Music

Lord, You are more precious than silver.
Lord, You are more costly than gold.
Lord, You are more beautiful than diamonds,
And nothing I desire compares to You.
Lord, Your Love is higher than mountains.
Lord, Your Love is deeper than seas.
Lord, Your Love encompasses the nations,
And yet, You live right here inside of me!
Who can weigh the value of knowing You?
Who can judge the worth of who You are?
Who can count the blessings of loving You?
Who can say just how great You are?
Lord, You are more precious than silver.
Lord, You are more costly than gold.
Lord, You are more beautiful than diamonds,
And nothing I desire compares to You.
**And nothing I desire compares to You.

Virginia (Ginnybug) Rahn

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