Hillary Clinton Tells Us The End Justifies The Means...But a Lie is Still a Lie

"What does it matter?" This was the statement given by Secretary Hillary Clinton to an investigative committee of Congress and the American people. "Why does it matter that your government lied to you about Benghazi?" It is impossible, apart from what some may call a conspiracy theory, to understand why the press is not all over Mrs. Clinton's statement this morning. Regardless of what one may believe about Benghazi itself, Mrs. Clinton's statement should terrify the American public. The Obama administration told the American public the attack on our ambassador in Libya was the action of a spontaneous protest against an anti-muslim movie. The truth is, the attack was an organized terrorist attack. 

Mrs Clinton, just so you know, lying is wrong; it is wrong to cover up, mislead or share an untruth. It is even more wrong if one's lie is used to perpetuate another, previously told lie; lies beget lies. The Benghazi lie seems to have been told in order to cover the president's talking points concerning the United States' war on terror; talking points used to score political points during a tight election season. Mr Obama had, for some time, told the American public "Al Qaeda was on the run." "America was winning the war on terror." "The terrorist network was in shambles and just a shell of its former self." Of course, we now know all such statements are false. All one must do is turn on the news and hear a report on Algeria, Libya or Syria to understand the Al Qaeda terrorist network is alive and strong. Benghazi should have been a major talking point in the election of 2012. The attack should have raised questions concerning our progress in the war on terror. However, the government used all its power to cover up, mislead and lie so the story would not be "news" until after President Obama won reelection.

Our political leaders set precedents for the popular culture. Bill Clinton's cover up of his affair with Monica Lewinsky proved such; oral sex once was once considered "sexual relations." Now, we are told a lie doesn't matter once it has served its purposes. "What's done is done." In affect we are told the ends justify the means. We cannot sit by and let such perversion go unchallenged.

The question the church and nation must now address is whether we will hold our public officials accountable for what they say is true. God help us if we buy into Mrs Clinton's "ends justify the means" morality.

James

Today Is The 40th Anniversary of Roe v. Wade

Today marks the 40th anniversary of Roe v. Wade. The United States has been a killing field of the unborn for four full decades. How terrifying to occupy the womb in the United States this morning. The tragedy and holocaust continue day after day while the government and over half the country give an approving nod. God help us.

Mother Theresa once said, "It is a poverty to decide that a child must die so that you may live as you wish." She hit the proverbial nail on the head. Abortion is a selfish decision made by those who would discard a baby in order to have a more comfortable lifestyle. A child, even one still in the womb, is created by God and should be respected, protected, honored and loved. No people or nation can expect the blessing of God when it treats an unplanned pregnancy as a "punishment." How can a nation with so much prosperity be so cruel to the most vulnerable among us?

Pray for our leadership today. Pray for our president, congress and judiciary. Pray for an end to the holocaust of abortion. 

James

I Love Ice Cream, The Texas Rangers...And You!

I have always enjoyed baseball but in the last few years I have really come to "love" baseball. In particular, I "love" my Texas Rangers. I say "love" because I feel an intense enjoyment and "like" for the way they play the game. I also have a great fondness for them because "The Ballpark in Arlington" is only a short distance from where I live. My love for the Rangers is defined by my enjoyment of the game and the convenience of our relationship. Unfortunately, many significant relationships in life are often built on a foundation similar to the one upon which my love of the Rangers is built.

Many times "love" is poorly expressed by the English language. We say we "love" baseball, hot dogs, apple pie and chevrolet but the same word "love" is used when we speak of the relationship we have with our wife, children, mother and father. Other languages have multiple words for differing types of love one feels depending upon circumstance. Greek has three words for love indicating erotic passion, brotherly love and unconditional, sacrificial love. Perhaps our life and relationships would be easier if English had more than one word for love as well. I do love ice cream but it is not the same love I have for my wife or God! It would be nice to know if the love being expressed for us is on par with ice cream or of a much deeper variety!

The Apostle Paul defined love, at least in part, when he wrote 1 Corinthians 13. This chapter of the Bible, often called the "Love Chapter" demonstrates for us what deep, abiding, unconditional love, looks like. This is the type of love we should have for God and people; a love which far surpasses one's fondness for a baseball team or bowl of ice cream. This type of love is expressed by the giving of our life to the object of our affection. This is a love which seeks the good of others and lives sacrificially for them. This is the love we have for our God when we give our life to Him; when we die to self and live in and for Him. This is the love which provides a foundation for all healthy relationships in life.

Make sure you are not attempting to build relationships with God or the people in your life on the same kind of love you have for ice cream! Sometimes our "love" is conditional and based upon what we get rather than what we have the opportunity to give. If you find this to be true of some relationship in your life you can always confess your sin and seek God for a better kind of love and life! 

James

Hurting Children Should Not Be a Prop For a Political Crusade

Let me begin this morning by saying this is not an issue of political affiliation. Democrat or Republican I would feel the same about this issue. 

This morning, President Obama used children as a prop in his campaign for comprehensive gun control. Exploiting the fears of seven year olds in one's argument for gun legislation is a new low for the office of the presidency. Is there no shame in the White House of the United States in 2013?

We are called to pray for our leaders and it is obvious our current president needs prayer as no other president ever has. We seemingly have a man bereft of a moral compass occupying the Oval Office. Regardless of what you think about gun laws there can be no excuse for the use of children and their attempts to understand the evils of Sandy Hook in one's campaign to change long held beliefs about gun ownership. Where is the public outcry from BOTH parties at the heinous use of innocence this morning?

It is time for the people of the United States to wake up and demand more from its leadership, Democrat and Republican alike. Christians in particular should make their voice heard in the public square and do so without compromise or apology for their cherished beliefs. Hurting, confused and brokenhearted children should be comforted, protected and nurtured not used as political props for a political crusade. If our nation refuses to demand more from its leadership we lack the moral fortitude with which to lead ourselves. Democracy in the United States will live or die on the morality of her people.

James

What it Really Means to "LiveStrong"

This seemed an appropriate video to share in light of my earlier post concerning Lance Armstrong. "Team Hoyt" is a picture of those who truly "Live Strong!"

James

Is Lance Armstrong Sorry He Cheated?

News accounts tell us Lance Armstrong will soon confess he doped his way to seven "Tour De France" championships. Armstrong has (for years) denied these charges both in and out of the courthouse. He has chosen Oprah Winfrey as his confessor and vehicle through whom he will seek forgiveness from the public and athletic officials. You see, Armstrong has been banned from competition for life and wants to run marathons, triathlons  and perhaps even ride another bike race someday. Armstrong has also built an empire called "Live Strong" which he seeks to protect through his moment of contrition aired on Oprah's OWN network. Naturally, this begs several questions such as "Why now" and "Is his contrition genuine?"

Confession is, as they say, good for the soul. When made in relation to God, confession brings forgiveness, salvation and a new way of life. However, Scripture is clear, only confession born from genuine contrition leads to salvation and second chances. The Apostle Paul said genuine confession is the product of Godly sorrow and results in genuine repentance. Repentance of course being a complete life change; a brand new direction for ourselves. Godly sorrow is the kind of sorrow produced in us when we realize we have hurt the heart of God and are sorry for doing so. On the other hand, Paul indicates there is a kind of sorrow called "worldly sorrow" which is simply grief over having been caught doing something wrong. This kind of sorrow does not lead to forgiveness, salvation or a new way of life. So, is Armstrong's contrition genuine or is he simply sorry for getting caught?

Most often it seems our "stars" and "athletes" are simply sorry they got caught or sorry the world doesn't approve of some activity they enjoy doing. Their worldly sorrow may lead to absolution from an adoring public but it does not lead to any real and lasting change in their life. If the country forgives Armstrong and he is allowed to compete again is there any reason to think he won't cheat again to gain a competitive advantage over his competitors? If his contrition is the result of Godly sorrow the answer would be yes but I suspect his contrition is motivated by worldly sorrow and desire to compete again. After all, it took a lifetime ban from competition to bring him to confess any wrongdoing. I hope I am wrong and even feel a twinge of guilt for assuming his confession tainted. Love does "believe all things" and we are called to love Lance Armstrong. My motivation for the question is simply to benefit both he and those who might learn from his failure. If you want real change in your life it requires more than a clean slate from your friends, family or an adoring public. Real change and a second chance in life are only produced by genuine confession of sin before God and the Godly sorrow which motivates it. Real change happens when we receive a new heart from Christ.

Lance Armstrong lied to the public for a very long time. He cheated to gain a competitive advantage against those who were racing without the aid of drugs. He has lived a very selfish, self-centered life. "Let he who is without sin cast the first stone." We should forgive and give Lance a second chance. Let us just pray Godly sorrow and genuine repentance will lead him to take full advantage of the grace extended him both from above and below.

James

Baby's Smile Saves His Life

This story broke my heart but gave me incredible joy to read. I pray God's blessing on this couple and hope their story encourages someone to make a right choice today.

James

Mother Refuses To Abort Child After Seeing Him Smile