Current Events – Page 4 – Old Paths Journal

Christians Are Not a Doormat

by: Allen Domelle

Easter has come and gone, and Christians all over the world have celebrated the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Every year this is a special time of the year. Though there are festivities for children that have nothing to do with the resurrection, it is still a great time of the year to focus upon Christ.

Yet, while we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ, there are groups of people who are actively trying to drive Christ out of our society. Last week a group of atheists set up a sign in Wisconsin’s capital building that reads, “Nobody died for our ‘sins,’ Jesus Christ is a myth.” Another group of atheist sued to have a steel cross removed from Ground Zero of the World Trade Center wreckage. Over and over again atheists and the ACLU are trying to remove anything that has to do with Christianity.

Let me say that just because we are Christians does not mean that we have to be a doormat for people to walk over. Several of our religious liberties have been taken away because many Christians have been silent as God haters walked all over our religious beliefs.

According to the Pew Research Center, only 1.6% of Americans claim to be atheists and 2.4% claim to be agnostic. According to the same research, 78.4% of Americans claim to be Christian. (Christian used in the world’s point of view.) That means we are allowing 4% of America to remove our Christian beliefs from public view.

Why is this happening? It is happening because Christians have been silent for too long. The atheists, agnostics and ACLU have been vocal against anything that has to do with Christianity, and Christians have allowed them to walk over them like doormats. Let me make this clear, just because you are a Christian does not mean that you have to be a doormat.

Psalm 33:12 says, “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance.” When a nation leaves God and pushes Him out of the public forum, then that nation will bring a curse upon itself. The nation that wants to be blessed is a nation that its citizens will do all that they can to keep God as its Lord.

Christian, yes Romans 13:1 says, “Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers…” but that does not mean that you should stay silent when people try to remove God from society. America is a Christian nation that was founded upon the principles of the Word of God. The founding of our nation was greatly influenced by the Danville Baptists. For Christians to be silent is a slap in the face to the God Who blessed the founding of America.

So what should Christians do?

Pray for those who are in authority to make godly decision. 1 Timothy 2:1-2 says, “I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.” You should regularly pray that the leaders of your country would make decisions based upon the Word of God.
Actively write your senators and representatives to let them know you are praying for them. The more people who let their political representatives know that they are praying for them, the more politicians will take Christian beliefs into consideration when voting.
Be aware of what is going on in your nation and local politics. Sadly, many Christians are aloof when it comes to political matters. Many things are enacted in city council meetings that take away religious freedoms that could be stopped if more Christians were aware and present at these votes.
Christian lay people should run for political office. I know some may not like me saying this, but if Christians held political office, you would not have religious beliefs under attack.
Don’t be silent when groups attack religious freedoms. Christians need to be more vocal about their religious beliefs. Stop being a silent Christian. The God haters are not silent about trying to remove God, and neither should Christians be silent about letting their voice be heard when religious freedoms are under attack.
Be actively involved in the Great Commission. The best way to change a society is to lead them to Christ, get them baptized and then teach them the truths of the Word of God. The more people we reach for Christ, the more we will be able to influence for right.

Christian, stop being a doormat for the God haters. It’s time you take an active role in preserving your religious freedom. Always remember that America is a Christian nation that was founded upon Scriptural truths. Christians have nothing of which to be ashamed, and we should constantly push the Scriptural agenda without apology.

Allen Domelle is the editor of the Old Paths Journal which is more than just a Christian’s publication. It is an excellent place to learn how today’s headlines will forge tomorrow’s laws and statutes. Keep yourself in tune with what is happening around the world, as well as in your own backyard with our daily updates and devotionals.

A Country Void of Leadership

by: Allen Domelle

The past few days the Ukrainian crisis has flooded the headlines of every news agency. The president of Russia, Vladimir Putin, sent his troops and took the city of Crimea and seemingly is threatening to invade Ukraine. Though Putin has insisted that he is not going to invade Ukraine, it is hard to believe a man who seems bent on reuniting the USSR.

While Russian troops are standing on Ukraine soil, President Obama and Secretary of State John Kerry, have tried to use a war of words hoping it will strike fear in the heart of the Russian president and cause him to take a step back. The problem is that the Russian president doesn’t fear what President Obama says because Mr. Obama has yet to back up any forceful words when it comes to foreign policy.

There is a reason the world does not fear President Obama. Why should the world fear a president who never follows through on his threats? You can threaten that you are going to do something, but if you are going to put the threat out there, then you better back it up with action. A threat is only as strong as the action.

Mr. Putin has not forgotten the red line Mr. Obama laid down if the Syrian president used chemical weapons. Mr. Putin remembers very well President Obama promising military response if chemical weapons were used, and he remembers what Obama did once it was discovered chemical weapons were used.

Mr. Putin remembers Barack Obama’s ridicule of Mitt Romney during the last presidential debate when he said, “A few months ago when you were asked what’s the biggest geopolitical threat facing America, you said Russia…the 1980s are now calling to ask for their foreign policy back because the Cold War’s been over for 20 years.” Why should he fear anything President Obama says when it is obvious that Obama doesn’t consider Russia a valid threat?

Mr. Putin remembers John Kerry’s statement at the Democratic National Convention when he ridiculed Mitt Romney by saying, “He’s even blurted out the preposterous notion that Russia is our ‘number one geopolitical foe.’ Folks: Sarah Palin said she could see Russia from Alaska; Mitt Romney talks like he’s only seen Russia by watching Rocky IV.”

Mr. Putin remembers President Obama promising President Medvedev, “This is my last election. After my election I have more flexibility.” Mr. Obama may be able to spin what he said to the news media, but Putin knows that there has been a void of leadership in the United States for the past five years.

While President Obama thinks that everyone will cower when he says there will be “consequences” if these renegade leaders cross the line, the rest of us roll our eyes and remember the “consequences” line before and the lack of action after the line was crossed. Saying you are going to do something and not backing it up is not leadership.

Leadership is doing what you say you are going to do. Matthew 5:37 says, “But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.” True leaders say what they mean, and they follow up their words with action. Leaders are not strong because they say something, they are strong because they back up what they say with action.

You might remember when Solomon became king of Israel that he told Shimei, “And the king sent and called for Shimei, and said unto him, Build thee an house in Jerusalem, and dwell there, and go not forth thence any whither.” (1 Kings 2:36) Shimei didn’t believe Solomon would truly kill him if he left the borders of his home and challenged him when he left his home to retrieve two servants that ran away. However, Solomon was not void of leadership, but he followed through with his threat and had Shimei killed when he crossed the “red line.”

The problem America faces today is that we are a nation void of leadership. We are a nation who has a man who carries the title of “President of the United States,” but isn’t filling the role for which he was elected.

Alan Colmes, a Fox News contributor, asked what Mitt Romney would do differently than President Obama. Though we don’t know what he would do differently because he is not president, Mr. Colmes is missing the point in that this would have never happened had Mr. Obama exhibited leadership and stood behind his “red line” and “consequences” threats to previous leaders. Mr. Putin would have thought twice before he sent his troops into Crimea if President Obama displayed strong leadership.

Christian, one of the key elements of leadership is following through with what you say you will do. Whether you are a business leader, church leader or parent in the home, if you say you are going to do something, then you better do it. Leadership is never easy, and leaving the position of leadership void only weakens a business, church or home where the leader is absent. Until Mr. Obama becomes a president where his “yea” is “yea” and his “nay” is “nay,” then he will continue to face rogue leaders who don’t believe him and who will put our nation’s security at risk. Leaders who don’t follow up with what they say are leaving their position void.

Whenever you choose leaders, be sure you choose leaders who follow through with what they say. Whether the leader is a pastor or someone you are voting into office, always be sure that they don’t leave their position void. If politicians are not present when it is time to vote, then don’t vote for them because they have left their position void. If a pastor doesn’t follow through with what he preaches from the pulpit, then you would be wise to find a pastor who considers his position important enough to follow through on what he says. Leadership cannot be absent, but they must follow through with what they say or they will hurt those whom they are supposed to protect.

Climate Change, Really?

by: Allen Domelle

U.S. Secretary of State, John Kerry, stepped into the climate change arena again by saying that climate change is perhaps the “most fearsome” destructive weapon. He continued his rhetoric by comparing those who deny climate change to those who insisted the Earth was flat.

This foolish statement comes on the heals of one of the worst winters the United States has had in awhile. While he says this, over 88% of the Great Lakes are frozen. It is so bad in the Great Lakes that the Coast Guard sent an ice cutter ship to keep the shipping channel open. It seems as if Mr. Kerry forgot that every state in the U.S. had snow except for Florida.

My question to Mr. Kerry is this. Is it climate change, global warming or global cooling? Please get it right because you and your scientist keep on changing the terminology. In the 1970’s the liberals were saying that we were experiencing global cooling because of greenhouse emissions. Then because temperatures started warming a bit, they changed their terminology to global warming. Now that temperatures are consistently cooler, they changed their terminology to climate change to save face. So, Mr. Kerry, which one is it. If you are so intelligent, then why can’t your expert scientists get this thing right.

As for the flat Earth statement, only those who don’t believe in the Scriptures would refer to that for the Scriptures clearly state that the Earth is round when it says, “It is he that sitteth upon the circle of the earth, and the inhabitants thereof are as grasshoppers; that stretcheth out the heavens as a curtain, and spreadeth them out as a tent to dwell in:” (Isaiah 40:22)

Furthermore, the flat Earth statement was a myth. Jeffrey Burton Russell, author of Inventing the Flat Earth: Columbus and Modern Historians, says in his book that historian John Draper (1811-1882) and many prestigious followers, such as Andrew Dickson White (1832-1918), the president of Cornell University, started the myth so they could defend Darwinism. So, Mr. Kerry uses a myth to describe a myth. Brilliant!

If those of us who believe that climate change is a myth and tool of liberals are so foolish, then why can’t Mr. Kerry and all his cronies control the temperatures? Why can’t they cause it to rain in California to stop the severe drought that they are experiencing? If they are so powerful and wise, then why can’t they stop the tornadoes that rip through the Midwest every year? If they are so knowledgeable, then why can’t they stop the extreme freeze in the Midwest and Northeast?

You must realize that there is a two-fold reason these people continually push their climate change agenda or whatever they want to call it. The first reason is because they don’t want to believe the Scriptures are true. By embracing climate change, they are saying God’s Word is false and that there is no God. Those of us who believe climate change is a farce believe there is an Almighty God Who is in control of everything. We believe it because the Scriptures teach us there is only one God when it says, “Unto thee it was shewed, that thou mightest know that the Lord he is God; there is none else beside him.” (Deuteronomy 4:35) They also teach that God is in control in Isaiah 45:5-7 when God says, “I am the Lord, and there is none else, there is no God beside me: I girded thee, though thou hast not known me: That they may know from the rising of the sun, and from the west, that there is none beside me. I am the Lord, and there is none else. I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the Lord do all these things.”

If they had to accept that the Scriptures are true and that there is a God, then that would indict their beliefs and laws. That would show they are murderers when they abort babies. That would prove their theory of evolution is wrong. It would prove that there is a Heaven and Hell, and those who don’t accept Christ would go to Hell. It would prove their whole agenda wrong.

Second, they are so filled with pride that they cannot see the foolishness of what they are propagating. To think that humans can literally control the climate is nothing short of pride. It is saying that we are bigger than God, and that we don’t need God. They truly prove Romans 1:22 which says, “Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,” This verse perfectly describes the climate change supporters.

Christian, God is still in control! Don’t let the foolishness of agenda-driven politicians shame you into thinking there must be something about this climate change. The only thing climate change proves is that man needs God, and without Him they will fail.

My Super Bowl XLVIII Predictions

by: Allen Domelle

It’s finally here! Super Bowl XLVIII, the Seattle Seahawks versus the Denver Broncos. If you are a sports fan, this looks like it could be a great matchup. You have one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time, Peyton Manning, taking his offense against the number one defense of the Seattle Seahawks.

Many are anticipating this matchup come Sunday night. I have had many people ask me who I believe will be the Super Bowl champion. I look at the Seattle Seahawks who have been very impressive, but their offense has struggled in the latter part of the year. Had it not been for a prolific running game and the number one defense, they may not be in the championship game.

The Denver Broncos easily have one of the best offenses we have seen in many years. Peyton Manning has thrown the ball like it was a backyard football game. He has passed for over 5,000 yards and has a passer rating of 115.1. Yet, their defense at times seems to be a little suspect.

So, you wonder what are my predictions for the big game? My predictions may not come to what you want, for as I look at this game I see something a little different than most. My predictions are not one of who will win the game, but of what Christians are going to do.

HERE ARE MY PREDICTIONS!

I predict that many churches will cancel their Sunday night service so their men can watch the game.

I predict that services will be shortened and preachers will minimize their sermons so people can get home quickly.

I predict that many Christians will miss church altogether so they can watch the game.

I predict that some Christians will participate in drinking alcohol with their buddies as they watch the game.

I predict that the main conversation on the tongue of many Christian men will be about the football game instead of the works that God did in the services.

I predict that many will come up with a good excuse as to why they must miss church Sunday night, but they will still be capable of watching the entire game.

I know, these are not the predictions for what you were looking, but these predictions will no doubt come to pass. Every year these predictions happen. In fact, I don’t know that these are really predictions as much as they are a composite of what has happened throughout the years.

Though I am personally not against watching the game as long as it doesn’t keep you out of church, the most important thing that will happen on Sunday night will be the preaching of the Word of God. Let me remind you of Hebrews 10:25 that says, “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.” Church is far more important to your future than what will happen on Sunday night in the Super Bowl.

Moreover, nothing will change your life more than the preaching of the Word of God. 1 Corinthians 1:21 says, “For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.” Friend, at the end of the game you will either be temporarily satisfied because your team won, or you will be disappointed because your team lost. But, you will never be disappointed when you allow the Holy Spirit of God to use the preaching of the Word of God to change your life. That change that will happen could last a lifetime.

Furthermore, for those who think that one night of alcohol won’t hurt, let me remind you of what the Scriptures teach. Proverbs 20:1 says, “Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.” Let us also not forget what Proverbs 23:29-30 says, “Who hath woe? who hath sorrow? who hath contentions? who hath babbling? who hath wounds without cause? who hath redness of eyes? They that tarry long at the wine; they that go to seek mixed wine.” That one night of drinking could lead to a lifetime of heartache. Alcohol is still a sin. You can say that you’re only going to have one drink, but one drink is just as wrong as a whole case of beer.

Friend, the best place for you to be on Sunday night is church. Psalm 122:1 says, “I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the Lord.” There will be more good that happens on Sunday night in church than anything that will happen on the football field. I implore you to be in church on Sunday night. Don’t miss church for one game. God’s blessings on your life do hinge on what you do Sunday night. Remember Matthew 6:33 says, “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” If you miss church for the football game, you are quenching the blessings of God upon your life.

The football game will come and go, but the blessings of church will last for an eternity. What if Sunday night is the night you or your family member hear a sermon that will change your lives forever? Wouldn’t you hate it if you were not there to see it or hear it? We don’t know what will happen in Sunday night’s service, but one thing we do know is that God is watching and will reward you for doing right by being in church. DON’T MISS CHURCH!

Growth Paths or Old Paths

by: Allen Domelle

Since when have the old paths become out-of-date? Since when have the old paths been disdained by those who supposedly are supposed to be trumpeting them? In recent years we have seen the old paths of fundamentalism fall under attack by the emerging church growth gurus. For some reason they think that you must leave the old paths if you are going to build a growing church.

In recent days a leading educator of a leading Bible college said, “When we choose a path for growth, progress and accomplishment, we must often abandon old and comfortable paths. Let’s choose growth paths.”

This certainly sounds spiritual and carries the idea that the old paths hinder you from growth, progress and accomplishment; however, as spiritual as it may sound, it is one of the most unspiritual statements I have read in a long time coming from someone who should know better. It is not only unspiritual, but unscriptural when you read Jeremiah 6:16, “Thus saith the Lord, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein.”

The independent, fundamental Baptist movement has been infiltrated by people who want to spirituality judge success and God’s blessings by numbers. They often look at the size of a church to determine its pastor’s success. With disdain they criticize preachers who stand for the old paths as out of touch and as those who cannot build a church.

We may be out of touch, but we are as out of touch as Noah who for one hundred and twenty years only had eight converts. We are as out of touch as a John the Baptist who was “The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.” (Mark 1:3) No, John the Baptist didn’t build a growing church, but Jesus said of him, “Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist:” (Matthew 11:11)

We may be out of touch, but we are probably as out of touch as Ezekiel who was warned when he went into the ministry that Israel would not listen to his messages. God told him in Ezekiel 2:3-5, “And he said unto me, Son of man, I send thee to the children of Israel, to a rebellious nation that hath rebelled against me: they and their fathers have transgressed against me, even unto this very day. For they are impudent children and stiffhearted. I do send thee unto them; and thou shalt say unto them, Thus saith the Lord God. And they, whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear, (for they are a rebellious house,) yet shall know that there hath been a prophet among them.”

Yes, we may be out of touch with these emerging church gurus who are for growth, progress and accomplishment, but we are probably as out of touch as Jesus when He said, “Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone. Ye blind guides, which strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel. Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess. Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first that which is within the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be clean also. Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men’s bones, and of all uncleanness. Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity. Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! because ye build the tombs of the prophets, and garnish the sepulchres of the righteous, And say, If we had been in the days of our fathers, we would not have been partakers with them in the blood of the prophets.” (Matthew 23:23-30)

Let’s look at the Saviour and see if “growth, progress and accomplishment” were his focus of the ministry when He says, “For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.” (Matthew 10:35) I wonder if Christ is for “growth, progress, and accomplishment” when He says, “Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach.” (Hebrews 13:13) It looks to me that Jesus was more interested in the truth being heard than he was on a church focusing on “growth, progress and accomplishment.”

Church growth is not our area, but God’s. Matthew 16:18 says, “And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” Notice, Jesus says that He would build his own church. In fact, it was the church that focused on “growth, progress and accomplishment” that was one of the most fleshly churches in the Scriptures. Jesus reminded this church, “So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.” (1 Corinthians 3:7) Notice again, God is the one responsible for increase. We are not against growth, but we are focused on walking the old paths and leaving growth up to God.

Friend, our job is to go reach the lost. Our job is to “Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled.” (Luke 14:23) God is in charge of filling His house, but our job is to go into the “highways and hedges and compel them to come.”

These emerging church apologists who clothe themselves as independent Baptists need to stop criticizing us for filling our busses and bringing in children of all race. I know, they wouldn’t want their church to be filled with little black children because it is below them. Go ahead and wear your Ku Klux Klan hood and criticize those of us who bring in children of all race, but I didn’t know that a soul had a color. God is as much for the little black child to ride our busses as he is for the white child to come. They are all welcome at the foot of the cross.

Go ahead and hide behind your PhD’s and look down on those men who pastor small churches around the country, but I would rather stand with the men who preach the old-time religion with rough edges than with the emerging church crowd who won’t be clear on where they stand. You see, Bible colleges are filled with students who come from small churches that have not abandoned the old paths. Mr. Intellectual, why don’t you stop getting your students from the churches that walk the old paths? It is the small churches who seem to be producing more preachers. It is the small churches from where most missionaries come. Go ahead and push me into a corner, and I will take the pastors from the small church any day over empire building “independent Baptists.” It is these small town pastors who are truly making the greatest influence in our nation.

Friend, you better mark the crowd that encourages you to forsake what God commanded for us to ask. God commanded “Thus saith the Lord, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein.” (Jeremiah 6:16) He didn’t command to ask for the growth paths, but for the old paths. You see, I have found that those who throw the stones at those in the old paths probably are not in the old paths themselves. Before there was anyone promoting the growth paths, God was trumpeting the old paths. I believe I will stand with God.

By the way, the old paths truly don’t keep God from building growing churches. J. Frank Norris strongly stood for the old paths, and God built two thriving churches through him. Jack Hyles was a warrior for the old paths, and God built the largest Sunday school in the world through him. God is building larger churches who practice the old paths in Longview, Texas, Santa Clara, California, Wildomar, California, Lexington, Kentucky, Louisville, Kentucky, Dundalk, Maryland, Bowie, Maryland, Rio Rancho, Gaylord, Michigan, New Mexico, Anchorage, Alaska, Greenwood, Indiana and many other places to name a few. In fact, there are thousands of independent Baptist churches today that are strongly standing for the old paths, and it’s amazing the old paths didn’t hinder God from changing lives through them.

Let me encourage you to not be ashamed of the old paths. Those who are for growing paths may think that the old paths need to be abandoned, but it is the old paths that changes lives. It is the old paths of soul winning that warns the sinner that there is a Hell. It is the old paths of running busses that helps those who would never make it to church on their own to have a way so they can come. It is the old paths that gives the poor in society hope that there is a way out of their situation. It is the old paths of standards and separation that raises a holy generation. The old paths are the paths that give the greatest hope to every person no matter what their financial situation may be or their skin color. The old paths are the paths that Jesus Christ walked. It was the old paths that got Jesus crucified. As long as God is for the old paths, I say we stand strongly for them, even if they don’t build large churches.

Let me remind you of Jude 1:3, “Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.” Instead of contending for the growth paths, lets contend for the old paths.

Rose Bowl Losing Its Petals

by: Allen Domelle

The Los Angeles Times reported on December 29th, that the Rose Bowl parade is allowing two sodomites to get married on a Rose Bowl float. It’s saddening to see the Rose Bowl Parade losing its petals by supporting this wicked lifestyle.

According to the Times, The Aids Healthcare Foundation’s float was going to allow two sodomite men to take their “marriage” vows on the float during the parade. According to the Times, foundation spokesman Ged Kenslea said the organization supports legally sanctioning same-sex marriage because it encourages more stable relationships among gay men as well as behavior that will prevent the spread of HIV.

The Rose Bowl has for years been a parade that many Americans watched on New Year’s Day. It’s saddening to see they are crumbling to the pressure of the political left to allow this to taint their once revered parade.

With this decision they have forced people to make a decision whether or not to watch the parade. Let me simply say that to watch the parade is to support their sodomite agenda. To sit and say that you don’t support this lifestyle, but to watch the parade and give them ratings for future advertising is sending a message that there is no price to pay for supporting this illicit lifestyle.

The Scriptures make it very clear what we should do in Psalm 101:3 when it says, “I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; it shall not cleave to me.” The Scriptures make it very clear that we are not to watch wickedness, and sodomy is wicked. Whether or not they actually show it on television is not the issue, for you can be assured that it will be mentioned by the commentators.

It seems to be an unending battle with the sodomites pushing their wicked lifestyle upon the American people. As much as sodomy is in the news, you would think that there is a large portion of Americans who are practicing sodomites. However, according to a February 2013 Gallup poll, only 3.5% of Americans identify themselves as gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender. Why hasn’t the news media covered this statistic? The reason is because they have an agenda to make it seem that this is an acceptable lifestyle. It is the news media’s way of sticking their finger in God’s eye.

Friend, we are encouraged in 2 Thessalonians 3:13, “But ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing.” You may think your voice is not heard, but as we learned from the A&E debacle, our voice can make a difference. Don’t be weary with standing for right. Continue standing and let your voice be heard.

I encourage every reader to do two things. First, contact the Tournament of Roses headquarters and voice your displeasure. Second, don’t watch the parade unless they agree to cancel this farce of a “marriage.”

Free/Controlled Speech

by: Allen Domelle

Phil Robertson, the patriarch of the Duck Dynasty show, was suspended indefinitely for anti-gay remarks he made in an interview with GQ magazine. A&E, the network that hosts the show, issued a statement to USA Today, “We are extremely disappointed to have read Phil Robertson’s comments in GQ, which are based on his own personal beliefs and are not reflected in the series Duck Dynasty.” “His personal views in no way reflect those of A&E Networks, who have always been strong supporters and champions of the LGBT community. The network has placed Phil under hiatus from filming indefinitely.”

In the interview with GQ magazine, Robertson simply explained his beliefs on sodomy. When reading his comments, he simply pointed out how unseemly sodomy is. He claims to be a Christian, and points out that his beliefs come from the Bible.

Though I am personally not endorsing the star or his program, it is troubling how someone can simply state their personal beliefs that go against the controlled media, and he loses his job.

Make no mistake, this has nothing to do with infringing on the free speech of sodomites. Though the news media and liberals alike want to say this goes against what the American people want, this is a farce. They don’t want free speech, they want controlled speech!

President Obama on Wednesday revealed that he would send a group of sodomite athletes as representatives for the United States in the upcoming Winter Olympics in Russia, which many believe is a jab at Russia’s recent anti-gay laws. Where are the calls from the news media for the President to retract his endorsement of this lifestyle?

On Wednesday’s edition of ESPN’s Around the Horn, Bill Plaschke, a columnist for the Los Angeles Times, applauded the President’s decision to send a sodomite delegation to represent the United States in the Winter Olympics. Where are the calls for his job?

This is more than a free speech issue, it is a Gospel issue. If we lose free speech in America, then we will lose the right to freely preach and spread the Gospel. The controlled speech crowd will not stop with silencing anti-sodomy speech, but they will try to silence any person from saying anything against sinful lifestyles. They will not stop until it is illegal to preach that Jesus Christ is the only way to Heaven. Make no mistake, their agenda is to silence the Scriptures.

If Christians silently sit by while our freedoms are eroded by the controlled speech crowd, there will be a day when preachers will not be able to preach what the Scriptures teach. This issue is not about free speech, but it is about controlling what we say. Leviticus 18:22 makes it very clear what God thinks about sodomy when it says, “Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination.” If the controlled speech crowd have their way, preachers will no longer be able to preach against sodomy without the threat of going to prison.

Friend, when a society makes sodomy an accepted lifestyle, then that society is showing its depravity. It’s amazing that we are the only society since Sodom and Gomorrah to freely accept the sodomite lifestyle. There are those who say we are an enlightened society, but I contend we are a darkened society.

Animals have more common sense than our society. You don’t see male animals chasing other male animals. As the Book of Romans says, it is “unseemly.” For “educated” people to push this lifestyle and indefinitely suspend a man for saying the truth only reveals their true agenda is controlled speech.

John 8:32 says, “And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” Free speech is at the core of freedom. When truth is silenced, freedom will be squelched. I encourage every reader to not only make your beliefs known that you are against this controlled speech agenda, but I also encourage you to let your opinion be known to the A&E network.

Though I am not endorsing the program, I am endorsing free speech. If we lose the freedoms to say what we believe, then the controlled speech crowd will continue to silence anything that will hinder their abominable lifestyles.

Lowering the Standard of Excellence

by: Allen Domelle

On Friday, December 6, ABC News Chief White House Correspondent, Jonathan Karl asked Jay Carney, the President’s Press Secretary, if they considered healthcare.gov a “Mission Accomplished.”

Karl asked, “In terms of the goals you set for this moment, in terms of the website being functional for the vast majority of users, is it Mission Accomplished?”

Carney tried to ignore the question by saying that there were vast improvements to the website and that they have passed “an important milestone in that effort.”

Karl continued to press Carney for a solid answer by asking, “Very clearly, in terms of the goal that you set for this moment in time, is it Mission Accomplished?”

Carney finally replied by saying, “That phrase is not one that I would employ. We were able to make the necessary improvements to the website so that the vast majority of Americans who use the website can have an experience in which the website functions effectively. It does not mean, as I said in November and October, it does not mean that there will be no problems with the website going forward. That does not even occur on the most highly functional private sector website. What it does mean is that we have made significant progress. We have made the improvements to the system that we hoped we could, and then more work continues.”

What is sad about this statement is that 1 in 10 Americans who signed up for Obamacare will not have insurance come January 1, 2014. I question, is that “significant progress?” Has America become a nation of mediocrity instead of excellence. To accept a website function “effectively” and not completely functional is mediocrity. Satisfied with “significant progress” is not excellence. Has this President lowered the standard of excellence that America has always strived to achieve? What a tragedy that this President has lowered the standard of excellence all to keep his chief legislative achievement with his namesake in tact.

No nation should ever accept mediocrity. Every person who holds office should be held to the level of excellence. Anything less than excellence should be unacceptable. We don’t elect public officials so that we can have a mediocre nation.

Ecclesiastes 9:10 says, “Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest.” God expects us to do our best in everything. Like my mother used to tell me, you may not have much money, but you can always do the best with what you have.

Americans should not accept anything less than excellence from our public officials. We should never lower the standard of excellence to mediocrity. To settle for mediocrity should cause every American to call their representatives and demand better.

Furthermore, as a Christian you should never settle for mediocrity. God expects you to do the best with what you have. As a parent, you should never accept mediocrity from your children. As an employee, you should always strive for excellence on the job. As a Christian, you should strive for excellence in all that you do for Christ. Anything less than our best is unacceptable. Don’t ever be guilty of lowering the standard of excellence to mediocrity. Always keep the standard of excellence the goal for what you strive. If you don’t meet it, then raise your efforts to achieve excellence.

Removing the Pillars

by: Allen Domelle

At 9:20 AM Pacific standard time, Paul Anthony Ciancia entered the LAX airport and began shooting TSA agents and private citizens on a suicidal rampage. This mindless senseless mentality of a person like this makes me wonder of what has become of our society. There are no words to describe how terrible and tragic this event is.

It seems that this young man targeted TSA agents. Though many people do not like the TSA, let me remind you that these agents still have families. My heart goes out to the family of Gerardo I. Hernandez, the agent who was shot in the face and killed. We may not like the TSA agency, but the people working for this agency are not bad people. These agents are people like you and me who go to work every day to pay the bills and feed their families. Every week I go to an airport and see TSA agents with whom I’ve become very friendly, and my thoughts went to them and what they must be thinking as the events at the LAX airport unfolded.

We ask ourselves, what is becoming of America when tragic shootings like yesterday’s at the LAX airport are becoming a common thing in our society? Are the guns truly the problem? Should we focus more on gun control? Do we need to start psychoanalyzing every person who has suicidal thoughts? You can be assured that the finger-pointing and the politicizing of the event will start this weekend.

I believe that the reason these things will become more of a common theme in America is because we have removed the pillars of truth. According to 1 Timothy 3:15, the church is the pillar of truth. This verse says, “But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.” Society looks to the church to determine what is right and wrong. When the Bible, which is the source of truth, is pushed out of society, why should we not expect people to go on suicidal rampages as we have seen in recent history? When Hollywood portrays the church and the Bible as out of date and out of touch, then where is the pillar of truth? When news analysts portray those who base their positions and decisions on the Bible as out of touch, then you can’t be surprised that people would not have a horizon of truth. When the Bible, the source of truth and civility, becomes evil in the eyes of a society, then you can’t be shocked when tragic events happen.

Instead of judges ruling that it is unconstitutional to allow God in our public arenas, we need to have a revival of God being pushed back into our public schools, government, and public places. Instead of taking the 10 Commandments out of federal court houses, we ought to place the 10 Commandments in every public place so people are daily reminded of truth. Instead of teaching sex education to our elementary students, we ought to be teaching them the 10 Commandments and the Word of God so they understand there is a source of truth where they can learn what is right and wrong. Instead of trying to push an enlightened age that excepts everything, we need to get back to the day where gray areas are pushed out and the right and wrong of the Bible is trumpeted from every authority.

The Scriptures say, “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance.” (Psalm 33:12) As long as we push God out of our society, then our society better brace itself for more of these types of tragedies. The problem is not a gun control problem or a psychoanalysis problem, the problem is that God has been pushed out. The problem is that the Bible teaches that there are evil people, and our society ignores the what the Bible teaches for pseudo psychologists who want to blame wrong on others. When the day comes that we make God our focal point in society, then we will have a day when people will understand there is right and wrong, and there are consequences for every action. When we get to the point that we teach there is a real Heaven and a real Hell, then you will have people second-guessing whether death is truly desirable.

Let’s certainly pray for the families of those who lost their loved ones in the mindless event, but let’s also stop pushing God out of the public arena and place Him in every part or our lives.

The Unaffordable Health Care Act

by: Allen Domelle

I sat in my room on October 20 watching President Obama address the problems that the government website for the Affordable Health Care Act was having. As I listened, I was embarrassed to watch the President of the United States acting more like a salesperson trying to convince people that this is a good product instead of acting presidential. Giving out a 1-800 phone number for people to call if the website was not working and hearing him tell of two incidents where the Health Care Act helped lower someone’s insurance rate was nothing short of a salesperson selling his product.

There is no doubt that the Affordable Health Care Act is the pride and joy of this president, but to defend what has been going on since October 1 when the government website opened is shameful. The opening of the website has been nothing short of disastrous. He talked of the government as if it was a business. If the government were a business, then it would have gone under a long time ago.

What troubles me about this Affordable Health Care Act is how unaffordable it has become. According to usaspending.gov, the government spent a whopping $634,320,919 to build the healthcare exchange website that has been disastrous. Yes, you are seeing the number right, over $634 million to build a website. This caused me to immediately do some research to see the affordability of the healthcare website and its programs. Being that I have my own website, I thought this was an astronomical amount of money to spend on building a website. If you were to take 50 website developers and pay them $100 dollars an hour for 8 hours a day, and they worked for 365 days, you would spend $14,600,000 to build a state of the art website. The government could have hired 63 web developers for 40 years and paid them a salary of $250,000 a year for the $634 millions spent. Yet, the government spent $634 million to build a website that does not work.

I called some website developer friends to ask them if they could build the website for less than $634 million dollars, and in each case they said it would be far less to build a site than this. So, I did some research and found that the Four Seasons Hotel recently spent $18 million dollars to build a brand new website, and it works. Amazing!

In an attempt to defend the errors in the website, the president said that they’ve had several million people visit the site and fill out applications for health insurance. He even defended it by saying that Apple had a glitch in their recent release of their IOS 7 platform.

Again, I did some more research to see how many downloads Apple had to accommodate compared to the government website, and I found a large disparity. According to several sources, there are over 600 million IOS devices in the world, and to date over 438 million have downloaded the IOS 7 platform that is of far greater in download size than the information the government website collects. Again, Apple’s downloads had no glitch. Their site did not crash.

The President said in his speech that in spite of the problems with the government website, that there was “massive interest in the product.” According to healthcare.gov, there have been about 500,000 applications taken for healthcare. Of course, they have not disclosed how many of these applications have been approved. Yes, they have to approve these applications in spite of what the President has been saying. When you compare the 500,000 applications to the almost 314 million people in the United States, that means less than 1% of Americans have even applied. I would not call this “massive interest.”

Let’s look at this even further. According to healthcare.gov, they had 19 million unique visitors visit the website. That sounds like a lot, but when you understand what a unique visitor is, you will understand that 19 million people have not visited the site. I could visit the site in the room where I am writing this article, then go down the street and find a hotspot in a coffee shop to visit the site, and both visits would be a unique visit. As we know, people have been trying to get on this site multiple times which should tell us that there are far less than 19 million people truly looking into the site. When you compare the governments’ traffic to Apple, you would realize that the government only had 4% of the traffic compared to what Apple had, and the Apple website did not crash.

Friend, someone is going to have to pay for this. I am not talking about people in the government losing their jobs, I am talking about the $634 million bill that it took to build the site that could have easily been built for $500 million dollars less. This is gross negligence by the president and his staff at the least.

Luke 14:28-29 says, “For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it? Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him,” This debacle of the government website has again given the United States a black eye in the world community. If this had happened in any other realm of business other than government, everyone involved would have lost their jobs.

It is time Christians wake up and stop giving this gross waste of the people’s money a pass. Instead of criticizing Senator Ted Cruz for standing up for the American people in his 30 hour filibuster, you should be thanking God that there is someone who has the courage to stand against government waste. Yes, it is a Christian matter when it comes to spending money, even for a government. It is time to take notice, see who is pushing this mess, and make them pay in the next elections. If the healthcare website is a debacle, then what does that say about the Health Care Act itself?