Stand Firm and Do Not Back Down

By:  Dale Weckbacher

Acts 11:19-21

19 Meanwhile, the believers who had fled from Jerusalem during the persecution after Stephen's death traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch of Syria. They preached the Good News, but only to Jews. 20 However, some of the believers who went to Antioch from Cyprus and Cyrene began preaching to Gentiles about the Lord Jesus. 21 The power of the Lord was upon them, and large numbers of these Gentiles believed and turned to the Lord.

NLT

As we approach the New Year, it is time to look forward to what may happen in the next year.  As an eternal optimist, I try to look forward to what good things might happen and what I can do to improve my life in the next year.  As a Christian, this means studying and learning more about God’s Word and most importantly applying it to my life.  However, I am also a realist and must realize that the coming year will include its share of struggles but I also know that my God shall be with me through the struggles and meet any need I have (Philippians 4:19). 

It appears that the Tea Party and its followers are set to have their share of struggles in 2014 but this does not mean the election of 2014 is lost for because of the nature of the tea party, I believe it will only get stronger and prevail on to victory in 2014.  The struggles will come from two sides:

1)      The Obama Administration has promised to use the IRS once again to harass Tea Party organizations just as they did in 2012.  In fact, the administration is attempting to legalize this harassment by tightening regulations on nonprofits.  The purpose of nonprofits, like Tea Party Organizations, is to serve the community.  Many of these organizations accomplish this goal by running soup kitchens but others, like Tea Party Organizations, do it by offering information and resources to people.  (1)  The purpose of the proposed regulations is place restrictions on tax-exempt groups bettering their communities by discussing pressing issues affecting the community by claiming their efforts are political thus disqualifying them from tax-exempt status.  This will make it difficult for Tea Party organizations to accomplish their goal of bettering the community by restoring responsible constitutional government.

2)      The Republican establishment through their lack of support of candidates supporting the Tea Party movement.  For example, the Tea Party does not support any form of amnesty for those in our country illegally until the government first secures the border.  However, the Republican establishment, with the support of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, has recently pledged $50 million to support business-friendly candidates in primaries with the stated goal of winning a Republican Senate majority.  (2)  This same chamber of Commerce also supports amnesty because it guarantees cheap labor for its business members.  (3)  Karl Rove’s American Crossroads is also reportedly trying “to influence the 2014 midterm elections by bullying campaigns and creating groups that, on the surface, do not seem to be affiliated with them.”  (4) 

On the surface it might appear the Tea Party will once again be ineffective like it was during the 2012 Presidential Election due to these attacks but this does not have to be the case.  This is because the Tea Party is more than just a political movement, it is a way of life.  Rush Limbaugh recently stated, “The Tea Party is a way of life and that the Republican establishment and Washington’s political class have as much chance of destroying it as eliminating Christmas from American life.”  (5)  Before declaring the Tea Party dead as a movement I recommend the political class and Republican establishment take a lesson from history.

Both the Roman government and Jewish religious leaders believed they could end Christianity and the Church by persecuting them.  Their persecution went beyond harassment like is being done to the Tea Party and escalated to jailing and executing people for their profession of faith.  However, as we are told in Acts 11:19-21, this persecution only assisted in the spreading of the Gospel.  This is because these early Christians had walked with the Lord, saw Him after his resurrection, or heard from eyewitnesses.  Even today, many Christians are just as committed to their faith and even face death just for believing what they have read in the Bible.  What the Roman government and Jewish religious leaders missed was the fact that Christianity was not just another religious or political movement but a way of life for which people were willing to risk their lives. 

Members of Tea Party groups are passionately dedicated to the preservation of this country just as our founders intended in their writings, the Constitution, and the Declaration of Independence.  These individuals have seen their government change from a small constitution based government whose role was the protection and preservation of individual liberty into a large leviathan that intrudes into every area of their lives.  For example, not only will the full brunt of Obamacare taxes take effect in 2014 (6) we will also see the end of the 60 and 40 watt incandescent light bulb.  (7)

Even if the political and Republican establishment harasses the Tea Party and spends millions in an effort to stop it, it will fail because they cannot stop us from speaking and taking our message everywhere we go.  Even if they succeed in taking away our tax-exempt status, remove us from social media, use the NSA to spy on our emails, tweets, and Facebook posts, we will not be quiet.  We are passionately dedicated to seeing this nation restored to the once great beacon of liberty it was.   I therefore encourage those in the political and Republican establishment to join us in restoring American greatness for failure to do so will result in their being relegated to insignificance as other failed political movements have done in history. 

During the past week, we witnessed the suspension of Phil Robertson from the show Duck Dynasty because of his biblically based anti-gay statements.  Unlike what others have done when faced with a similar situation, Phil Robertson did not back down and in fact when he broke his silence on the issue, he doubled down on his original statement.  (8)  A&E, the network carrying the show Duck Dynasty surrendered and reinstated Phil Robertson after only nine days of an indefinite suspension due to a swell of grassroots support for his firm stance, which would have resulted in a rebellion against the network and its advertisers.  (9) (10)

This incident with Phil Robertson is an example of what occurs when good people, armed with the truth, can accomplish when they stand their ground and do not back down.  If the Tea Party, which is armed with the truth of the Founding documents of this country, which are supported on Godly principles, does not back down even when facing attack from the political and Republican establishment, it will create a ground swell of grass root support propelling conservatism to victory in 2014 and 2016.  My fellow Tea Party patriots and Political Avengers, it is time for us to stand firm and not back down.

1. Campbell, Greg. Obama Attempting to Make IRS Targeting Tea Party Legal. www.tpnn.com. [Online] Tea Party News Network, December 13, 2013. [Cited: December 27, 2013.] http://www.tpnn.com/2013/12/13/obama-attempting-to-make-targeting-tea-party-legal/.

2. Hall, Wynton. CHAMBER OF COMMERCE TO SPEND $50 MILLION TO CRUSH TEA PARTY. www.breitbart.com. [Online] Breitbart News, December 26, 2013. [Cited: December 27, 2013.] http://www.breitbart.com/Big-Government/2013/12/26/Chamber-of-Commerce-To-Spend-50-Million-To-Crush-Tea-Party.

3. Federation for American Immigration Reform. Senate Immigration Bill Delivers Amnesty and Cheap Labor, but Not Immigration Reform. www.fairus.org. [Online] April 16, 2013. [Cited: December 27, 2013.] http://www.fairus.org/news/senate-immigration-bill-delivers-amnesty-and-cheap-labor-but-not-immigration-reform.

4. Lee, Tony. KARL ROVE'S CROSSROADS RELOADING AGAINST TEA PARTY. www.breitbart.com. [Online] Breitbart News, December 26, 2013. [Cited: December 27, 2013.] http://www.breitbart.com/Big-Government/2013/12/26/Karl-Rove-s-Crossroads-Reloading-Against-Tea-Party.

5. —. RUSH LIMBAUGH: TEA PARTY 'WAY OF LIFE' UNDER ASSAULT. www.breitbart.com. [Online] Breitbart News, December 17, 2013. [Cited: December 27, 2013.] http://www.breitbart.com/Big-Government/2013/12/17/Rush-Limbaugh-Tea-Party-Way-of-Life-Under-Assault-like-Christmas.

6. Earle, S.A. Miller and Geoff. New ObamaCare fees coming in 2014. nypost.com. [Online] The New York Post, December 25, 2013. [Cited: December 27, 2013.] http://nypost.com/2013/12/25/new-obamacare-fees-coming-in-2014/.

7. McCormack, David. The end of the traditional lightbulb: Forty and sixty-watt bulbs set to be banned from January 1. www.dailymail.co.uk. [Online] The Daily Mail, December 15, 2013. [Cited: December 27, 2013.] http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2524152/Traditional-40-60-watt-light-bulbs-set-banned-January-1-manufacturers-forced-produce-energy-efficient-expensive-alternatives.html.

8. Hawkins, John. Phil Robertson Doubles Down: No Apologies. He Meant What He Said. www.rightwingnews.com. [Online] Rightwingnews, December 23, 2013. [Cited: December 28, 2013.] http://www.rightwingnews.com/religion/phil-robertson-doubles-down-no-apologies-he-meant-what-he-said/.

9. Hawkins, Awr. A&E SURRENDERS ON 'DUCK DYNASTY' AFTER PHIL ROBERTSON STANDS HIS GROUND. www.breitbart.com. [Online] Breitbart News, December 27, 2013. [Cited: December 28, 2013.] http://www.breitbart.com/Big-Hollywood/2013/12/27/A-E-Surrenders-Phil-Robertson-Is-Back.

10. Huston, Warner Todd. A&E AVERTED GRASSROOTS REBELLION WITH DUCK DYNASTY SURRENDER. www.breitbart.com. [Online] Breitbart News, December 27, 2013. [Cited: December 28, 2013.] http://www.breitbart.com/Big-Hollywood/2013/12/27/A-E-Averted-Grassroots-Protests-by-Giving-In-to-Phil-Robertson.

The First Christmas

By:  Dale Weckbacher

Merry Christmas everyone and I mean Merry Christmas not any of that happy holidays stuff.  Christmas is the celebration of the birth of Christ and even though the Bible does not encourage us to celebrate the birth of Christ, without the miraculous virgin birth of Jesus, Jesus would have been just another man.  The fact that Jesus was born of a virgin means he had no biological earthly father and is indeed the Son of God. 

Sadly, a recent poll in Britain revealed that many young people from ages 18-24 are confused about the story of the miraculous birth of Christ as told in the Bible.  The poll revealed the following:

1)      Ten percent believe Father Christmas was a Biblical figure mentioned in the Gospel accounts of Jesus.  (1)   I have read all four of the Gospels several times and not only is there no mention of Father Christmas but the word Christmas is not even mentioned. 

2)      Seven percent believe there was a Christmas tree mentioned in the Bible.  (1)  Once again, how could a Christmas tree be mentioned if the word Christmas does not appear. 

3)      One-third of the respondents believed that the Bible specifies December 25 as the day Christ was born.  (1)  There is no specific mention of the day of Christ’s birth in the Bible for the day of Jesus birth is not important.  It is the fact He was born. 

What this poll reveals is the lack of educating youth about the truth of the story of Christmas.  The best account of the true story of the first Christmas occurs in the Gospel of Luke so why not we let God’s Word do the talking.

The Birth of Jesus

At that time the Roman emperor, Augustus, decreed that a census should be taken throughout the Roman Empire. 2(This was the first census taken when Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 All returned to their own towns to register for this census. 4 And because Joseph was a descendant of King David, he had to go to Bethlehem in Judea, David's ancient home. He traveled there from the village of Nazareth in Galilee. 5 He took with him Mary, his fiancé, who was obviously pregnant by this time.

6 And while they were there, the time came for her baby to be born. 7 She gave birth to her first child, a son. She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the village inn.

The Shepherds and Angels

8 That night some shepherds were in the fields outside the village, guarding their flocks of sheep. 9 Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord's glory surrounded them. They were terribly frightened, 10 but the angel reassured them. "Don't be afraid!" he said. "I bring you good news of great joy for everyone! 11 The Savior — yes, the Messiah, the Lord — has been born tonight in Bethlehem, the city of David! 12 And this is how you will recognize him: You will find a baby lying in a manger, wrapped snugly in strips of cloth!"

13 Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others — the armies of heaven — praising God: 

14 "Glory to God in the highest heaven,and peace on earth to all whom God favors."

15 When the angels had returned to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, "Come on, let's go to Bethlehem! Let's see this wonderful thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about."

16 They ran to the village and found Mary and Joseph. And there was the baby, lying in the manger. 17 Then the shepherds told everyone what had happened and what the angel had said to them about this child. 18 All who heard the shepherds' story were astonished, 19 but Mary quietly treasured these things in her heart and thought about them often. 20 The shepherds went back to their fields and flocks, glorifying and praising God for what the angels had told them, and because they had seen the child, just as the angel had said (Luke 2:1-20, NLT). 

Merry Christmas everyone and take some time this busy season to remember the true reason for Christmas.  Remember the miraculous virgin birth of our Savior Jesus Christ.  The one that would die and rise again to give us salvation from our sins. 

1. Lee, Tony. Young people in Britain are confused about the story of Christ's birth as told in the Bible. www.breitbart.com. [Online] Breitbart News, December 23, 2013. [Cited: December 23, 2013.] http://www.breitbart.com/Big-Peace/2013/12/23/Poll-Youngsters-in-Britain-Confused-About-Story-of-Christ-s-Birth.

Why I Say Merry Christmas

By:  Dale Weckbacher

Twas the month of December and all throughout the land, the liberal atheists were declaring “happy holidays, happy holidays.”  Meanwhile, Christians were declaring “merry Christmas, merry Christmas” and the war upon Christmas rages on once again.  Interesting how the mention of one simple word, Christmas, can start such controversy.  However, unlike years past, there is an inconsistency on the side of the happy holiday atheistic crowd this year. 

Time has named Pope Francis as its person of the year.  (1)   I find it odd that Time, a well-known liberal publication that typically supports a pro-choice, pro-abortion, and pro-gay marriage agenda would name someone that goes against all of these positions as its person of the year.  However, one recent statement by the Pope could have influenced their decision, the Pope’s anti-capitalism rant.

Time is also anti-capitalist and finds common ground with the Pope on this issue.  However, the Pope might want to rethink his stance on capitalism for if not for capitalism and the prosperity it creates, the Catholic Church would have far less capital to use in its mission of helping the poor.  No other economic system in the world has created more discretionary income for people than capitalism.  This additional discretionary income in the pockets of individuals allows them to make charitable contributions to organizations and churches like the Catholic Church.  (2) 

Even though the Pope is against the liberal positions on social issues like abortion, contraception, and gay marriage, he is okay because he is anti-capitalist and favors government playing the role of transferring wealth from the rich to the poor through confiscatory taxation.  I guess liberals who want us to think they are not about the money, favor leaders like the Pope who support traditional conservative social values just as long as they support confiscating the wealth of the rich.  This might explain the inconsistency between the treatment of the Pope and Phil Robertson of Duck Dynasty fame. 

Phil Robertson who makes no effort to hide his faith and belief on God on the show Duck Dynasty recently conducted an interviewed with GQ magazine.  Based on Mr. Robertson’s Christian values, it is not surprising that he expressed his belief in traditional marriage.  However, since Phil Robertson is also a capitalist who founded a successful company, there is no common ground for liberals to use in support him, so A&E felt justified in suspending him from the show Duck Dynasty.  (3) 

Liberal atheists like the fact that they receive gifts during Christmas so they are not calling for the elimination of the holiday.  Their issue is with the name of Christ being in the name Christmas.  These liberals seem to like the fact that they receive gifts from people with money during the holidays they just cannot accept that the reason for the holiday is to celebrate the birth of Christ, hence the name Christmas. 

Evangelical Christians, of which I am one, are passionate about keeping Christ in Christmas.  For us Jesus is not just a good man or good teacher, he is our savior.  God loved mankind so much that he chose to become a man in the person of Jesus Christ and dwell among us.

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.  (John 1:14, NKJV)

In taking on flesh, Jesus experienced everything we experience as men and women but never sinned.

For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.  (Hebrews 4:15, NKJV). 

Because God through Jesus walked the earth as a man and never sinned, he became the spotless Lamb of God and by his death, took on all our sins, acquitting us of the death penalty for our sins.  However, God, unlike many liberals, respects our freedom of choice and does not force his offer of acquittal of sins on us but requires that we make a decision to accept it. 

Keeping Christ in Christmas is our way of proclaiming our decision to accept the free gift of full acquittal for our sins and also a way of letting others know that full acquittal from sins is available simply for the asking.  Christmas is the day, chosen by Christians to celebrate the day when God became flesh so we can have freedom from our sins.  For me as a Christian, Christmas without Christ is just another day. 

Unfortunately, the enemy continues to deceive men and women just as he did in the Garden of Eden.  The enemy has succeeded in creating the impression that Christians are evil and vile bigots when the truth is that bigotry and vile behavior exists on the other side.  All we have to do is look at the media acceptance of the vile behavior of Miley Cyrus or journalists like Martin Bashir to see the blatant double standard that exists in the media.  It appears that free expression of beliefs is allowed as long as it agrees with the liberal statist agenda. 

So, as someone who has accepted the greatest gift in the world, the gift of salvation and full acquittal for my sins, Merry Christmas. 

1. Howard Chua-Eoan, Elizabeth Dias. Pope Francis, The People's Pope. poy.time.com. [Online] Time, December 11, 2013. [Cited: December 19, 2013.] http://poy.time.com/2013/12/11/person-of-the-year-pope-francis-the-peoples-pope/.

2. Dalmia, Shikha. The Pope's Self-Defeating Anti-Capitalistic Rant. reason.com. [Online] Reason.com, December 3, 2013. [Cited: December 19, 2013.] http://reason.com/archives/2013/12/03/the-popes-self-defeating-anti-capitalist.

3. Hawkins, Awr. A&E 'INDEFINITELY' SUSPENDS DUCK DYNASTY STAR FOR COMMENTS ABOUT HOMOSEXUALITY. www.breitbart.com. [Online] Breitbart News, December 18, 2013. [Cited: December 19, 2013.] http://www.breitbart.com/Big-Hollywood/2013/12/18/A-E-Indefinitely-Suspends-Duck-Dynasty-Star-For-Comments-About-Homosexuality.

The Armor of God: The shield of faith

By:  Dale Weckbacher

Ephesians 6:16-17

16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.

NKJV

Hebrews 11:1

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

NKJV

I am a fan of super hero movies.  I guess it goes back to my collecting comic books as a child.  Captain America’s greatest weapon, besides his extraordinary strength, is his shield.  His shield not only protects him but he can also throw it and after hitting its target, it returns like a boomerang. 

Just as with Captain America, the Roman soldier also carried a shield to protect him in battle.  When not in use, the Roman soldier would strap his shield to his belt.  (1)  From there, the soldier could easily grab his shield if he found himself in battle. 

 (2)  The soldier would typically have two types of shields.  The first shield denoted by the Greek word aspis (as-ois) was a small round shield used primarily in parades and public gatherings.  (1)  This small shield provided little protection for the soldier and the soldier mainly used it for show.  This is most likely not the shield Paul was referring to in Ephesians 6:16.

(3)  Since Ephesians 6:16 occurs in the context of spiritual warfare, Paul was most likely referring to is the thureos (thu-re-os) or the Greek word used for a door.  This is because this shield was wide in width and long in length like a door.  (1)  This shield would have been the one a Roman soldier would have taken into battle. 

(4)  These shield completely covered the soldier providing full body protection.  The soldiers could also link their shields together providing protection for the entire regimen and even protection from fiery arrows shot at the soldiers from the walls of the cities they were attacking. 

Paul equates the shield of the Roman soldier with faith and just as the shield was critical to the Roman soldier, our faith as believers is critical as well.  To effectively use our shield we must.

1)      Hang it on the belt of the truth of God’s Word for “ faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.  (Romans 10:17 NKJV)  The more we study and hear the Word of God, the sturdier our belt of truth becomes.  A strong sturdy belt of truth can support a large shield.  Our shield is also readily available when it hangs on the belt of truth, the truth of God’s Word.

2)      Just having a showing of faith is insufficient just as the aspis provided little protection for the soldier and the soldier mainly used it for show.  A soldier in God’s army must carry the thureos, which provides full body protection against the attacks of the enemy.

3)      We must regularly gather together.  (Hebrews 10:25) This is how we link our shields together in order to provide maximum protection for the Body of Christ.

We live in challenging and uncertain times.  It seems that the things we used to depend upon to support us in this world (i.e. our wealth, knowledge, careers etc.) are crumbling around us.  Many have turned to government for help in these times, only to be lied to and used.  That is why we as believers must be an example to those suffering around us by placing our trust in God and the truth of His Word.  We must put on our belt of truth, breastplate of righteousness, and our gospel shoes. 

However, we must also remember our shield for we have an enemy, the Devil, the prince of darkness that has only one goal, destroying God’s people.  In order to do this the enemy will sling fiery arrows from the walls to try to defeat us.  These fiery arrows come in the form of:

1)      Temptation – In our media constantly bombards us with temptations.  These are like the barrage of arrows coming from the fortified walls of the enemy but our shield (thureos) provides full body protection from these attacks.

2)      Trials – James 1:2-5 says, “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.  4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.”  (NKJV)  Notice the scripture says when not if we encounter trials.  Trials will come and are what God uses to strengthen our shield of faith.

3)      Persecution – Persecution comes in the form of physical persecution, mental persecution, or emotional persecution.  In our world today it appears politically correct to persecute Christians and Jews even though there are laws against it.  This is especially true if one dares mention the name of Jesus.  Fortunately, in the United States and much of the free world this persecution comes in the form of mental and emotional attacks, at least for the time being.  However, in other parts of the world, persecution is physical where believers face death for daring to express their faith.  Regardless of the form of our persecution, our shield of faith is sufficient to protect us when persecution comes.  In fact, the Church thrives most where persecution is the most severe. 

 Our shield will protect us from these attacks and when we link our shields with those of other believers, we can withstand any attack the enemy will throw at us.  However, be sure to use the thureos and not just a showing of faith provided by the aspis. 

1. RGC Ministries. The Whole Armor of God: The shield of faith. www.rgcministries.com. [Online] [Cited: December 17, 2013.] http://romanmilitary.net/tools/armor/.

2. Christian Costumes.com. www.christiancostumes.com. [Online] [Cited: December 17, 2013.] http://www.christiancostumes.com/catalog/15086.jpg.

3. thumbs.dreamtime.com. [Online] [Cited: December 17, 2013.] http://thumbs.dreamstime.com/x/roman-soldier-holding-shield-8080230.jpg.

4. civil defence.co.uk. www.civil-defence.co.uk. [Online] [Cited: December 17, 2013.] http://www.civil-defence.co.uk/Roman-army-04.jpg.

Republican Establishment is Suffering From Political Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome:

By:  Dale Weckbacher

2 Tim 1:7

7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.

NKJV

Many of our soldiers returning from war suffer from a condition known as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).  Unfortunately, many do not receive treatment for this condition.  It is understandable that young men and women returning from the brutality of war would suffer this condition.  I also believe that the government that sent them into combat has a responsibility to provide treatment for this serious condition just as employers in the private sector have a responsibility to provide treatment for their employees injured on the job.  Unfortunately, this is not always the case.

This week we discovered that GOP members in the U.S House of Representatives, especially those in the GOP leadership, show symptoms of what I call Political Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PPTSD).  This disorder is not due to exposure to the brutality of being in a war zone but the brutality of being in a political war. 

Ever since the recent partial shutdown of the Federal Government Republicans, especially those in the Republican Establishment live in fear of being blamed for another shutdown.  This fear is unfounded since it was the Democrats, and not the Republicans, that caused the shutdown.  (1)  However since the shutdown, many in the GOP are fearful about how another shutdown would make them look instead of being concerned about controlling government spending and balancing the budget.  They are suffering from PPTSD and are thus making bad decisions. 

This is the only logical explanations for why a group of representatives, representatives that ran for office promising to control federal spending and balancing the budget, would do a 180 degree turn and agree to a budget deal that insures trillion dollar budget deficits and increasing debt for many years to come.  These representatives are suffering from a serious mental condition and need immediate treatment before they inflict any more damage on our country.  If they do not do the honorable thing and get treatment, the voters will have to turn them out of office in order to save the country and insure these sick people can get the help they need. 

Of course, this Republican establishment is the same establishment that fears running a true conservative for the White House, fearing another devastating defeat like the one Goldwater suffered in 1964.  (2) (3)  Republican leaders believe Goldwater was defeated because he was too conservative and believe that a true conservative could never win the White House.  Of course, this belief totally ignores the two landslide victories of Ronald Reagan in 1980 and 1984 who won running as a true conservative.  (4) (5) 

This fear of losing elections due to running on conservative principles is causing GOP leaders to make bad decisions (i.e. the current budget deal passed in the House of Representatives this week) which according to Mike Flynn of Breitbart News does the following: 

1. The Deal Increases Federal Spending.  Discretionary spending, the only spending controlled by the Congressional budget process, would rise next year to $1.012 trillion.  Spending in 2013 was $986 billion and, under current law, was scheduled to drop to $967 billion next year.  In other words, spending will be $45 billion higher than under existing law. 

2. The Deal Increases Federal Revenue.  While the additional revenue is raised through "user fees" rather than taxes, it is generally a distinction without a difference.  One of the major sources of new revenue is an additional surtax on airline tickets, ostensibly to cover TSA airport screening.  In the last 5 years, though, TSA's budget increased 18%, while the number of passengers it screened by 11%.  A user fee is directly related to the cost of providing a government service.  Fees beyond that level are a tax. 

The deal also reportedly raises revenue by auctioning off broadcast spectrum and hiking other fees.  Details of these will emerge in the coming days, but it is important to remember that any additional revenue raised under this deal is to finance additional spending, not deficit reduction. 

3. Spending Cuts Fuel More Spending.  The deal reportedly cuts spending throughout the budget.  One of the more concrete proposals revealed so far is requiring federal employees and members of the military to contribute more to their federal pensions.  These items are obviously sound fiscal policy, but they should be employed to reduce the deficit, not fuel additional spending.  The government has a few obvious places where it can trim spending.  Devoting those cuts to increased spending leaves much tougher choices in the future. 

4. The Promised Deficit Reduction Will Never Happen.  The summary document on the Ryan/Murray deal promises that the agreement will reduce the deficit by $28 billion over the next ten years.  Never mind that this amount is a rounding error when the government will spend around $40 trillion in this time-period, it is also a fiction.  The budget document says these savings will be achieved by "requiring the President to sequester the same percentage of mandatory budgetary resources in 2022 and 2023 as will be sequestered in 2021 under current law.”  In other words, the sum total of all the deficit savings in the Ryan budget deal will come about if a future President extends part of the sequester cuts two years past they are set to expire.  Does anyone think a President a decade from now will feel bound by the words of Ryan and Murray?  (6)

This is why in the coming election in 2014 it is important to vote conservative and not just Republican.  We need fearless leaders not suffering from PPTSD that have sound minds and will make wise decisions based upon our Constitution and what is right for the country and not a fear of losing an election.  Winning teams never approach a game with a strategy of not losing but approach the game with a strategy to win.  This is what is lacking in the current GOP and what is the GOP needs to return to its winning ways. 

1. Pollak, Joel B. MEDIA SILENT AS DEMOCRATS TAKE COUNTRY 'HOSTAGE' TO DEMAND MORE SPENDING. www.breitbart.com. [Online] Breitbart News, October 14, 2013. [Cited: December 13, 2013.] http://www.breitbart.com/Big-Journalism/2013/10/14/The-Disgusting-Hypocrisy-of-the-Democrat-Media-Complex.

2. Limbaugh, Rush. GOP Establishment Haunted by Goldwater. www.rushlimbaugh.com. [Online] EIB Network, January 6, 2012. [Cited: December 13, 2013.] http://www.rushlimbaugh.com/daily/2012/01/06/gop_establishment_haunted_by_goldwater.

3. The Economist. The right Republican. www.economist.com. [Online] The Economist, December 31, 2011. [Cited: December 13, 2013.] http://www.economist.com/node/21542180.

4. US Election Atlas. 1980 Presidential General Election Results. uselectionaglas.org. [Online] [Cited: December 13, 2013.] http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS/national.php?year=1980.

5. —. 1984 Presidential General Election Results. uselectionatlas.org. [Online] [Cited: December 13, 2013.] http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS/national.php?year=1984.

6. Flynn, Mike. 4 THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT RYAN-MURRAY BUDGET DEAL. www.breitbart.com. [Online] Breitbart News, December 10, 2013. [Cited: December 13, 2013.] http://www.breitbart.com/Big-Government/2013/12/10/4-Things-to-Know-About-Ryan-Budget-Deal.

The Armor of God: Feet Shod With the Preparation of the Gospel of Peace.

By:  Dale Weckbacher

Ephesians 6:13

Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

NKJV

Ephesians 6:15

Having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace

NKJV

I remember growing up and going shoe shopping with my mother.  I had very narrow feet as a child, in fact, I was narrow all over, something that has changed with my age.  I remember her telling me to always buy shoes that fit right and provided support otherwise, my feet would hurt and I would not be able to work or play as I wanted to. 

As I grew up and started playing basketball and baseball, I realized that if my shoes did not fit properly I would get blisters and have sore feet.  Blisters and sore feet would make it difficult, if not impossible, to perform at my best.  In order to serve in the army God, it is important for us to take care of our feet. 

This is a picture of what a typical Roman soldier’s shoe would have looked like.  When Paul was in jail writing the letter to the Church in Ephesus, he would have observed the soldiers shoes.  As we can see, the shoe is relatively simple and appears to provide little protection for the soldier.  However, we see that the sole of the shoe has spikes or cleats made of brass.  The purpose of these brass cleats was to provide the soldier traction when marching great distances over rough terrain.  (1)

Just as my well-fitting footwear made it possible for me to perform at my best when playing sports, the Roman soldier’s footwear would have kept the soldier’s feet from becoming sore and blistered during long marches.  The cleats would also provide traction for the soldier when engaged in hand-to-hand combat keeping him from falling and easily overcome by the enemy. 

Ephesians 6:15 tells us to shod our feet with the preparation of the Gospel of Peace.  Just like the seeming simple boot that the Roman soldier would shod his feet with, our feet are shod with the simple message of the Gospel that we can have complete salvation from sin by simply believing in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ (Romans 10:9).  We do not have to travel to any special place or say any special prayer or chant.  We simply have to believe. 

However, just because the gospel is simple does not mean it is not powerful.  It is this simplicity of the Gospel that provides us traction when we are engaged in spiritual battle.  This simple message of grace gives us confidence in battle that we are the children of God and that God is on our side in battle. 

However, unlike the Roman soldiers feet that marched into war, our feet are shod with the gospel and our purpose is to bring peace.  

Rom 10:15

And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written:

"How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace,

Who bring glad tidings of good things!"

NKJV

Our feet do not march into war bringing destruction but our purpose is to bring peace wherever we go.  We are to be peacemakers and for this reason we shall be called the sons of God (Matthew 5:9). 

As we scan world events, we see a total absence of peace in our world.  There are wars all over the world, Afghanistan and Iraq.  We now have to take off our shoes and be searched at the airport because of the threat of another terrorist attack.  We are even searched when going to a sporting event or concert.  Our political world is also full of division and it seems there is no possibility of peaceful discourse to come up with solutions to our nations, and the world’s problems. 

This is why as soldiers in the spiritual battle for the heart of our nation and world, we must shod our feet with the gospel of peace.  In a world lacking peace, we have an opportunity to march in, standing on the truth of the simple gospel of peace that offers salvation to anyone willing to believe in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.  However, just because our purpose is to bring peace, our gospel shoes also provide traction, enabling us to stand in battle and the protection of the thick sole of the shoe also gives us support and protection during long marches.  These long marches are the struggles of life that could tire or wear us out but because our feet are protected by the gospel, we can endure these seeming long marches. 

So, after putting on your belt of truth and breastplate of righteousness, do not forget your gospel shoes of peace. 

1. History of Sandals. Roman Sandals: Military footwear. historyofsandals.blogspot.com. [Online] May 30, 2011. [Cited: November 10, 2013.] http://historyofsandals.blogspot.com/2011/05/roman-sandals-military-footwear.html.

Defining Equality

By:  Dale Weckbacher

Today is December 7, which means there are only 18 days left until Christmas.  However, in the United States it is also a day when we remember the many that lost their lives in the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941.  President Roosevelt called it a day of infamy as he was formally asking Congress to declare war on Japan for this attack.  As a resident of Arizona, it is an especially memorable day since many of the deaths that day occurred on the USS Arizona which remains at the bottom of the harbor in Hawaii.  Let us all take a moment today to remember those who died in the attack and the many that died in Europe and the Pacific in World War II.

 We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal,

 that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights,

that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.

U.S. Declaration of Independence

In these opening words of the Declaration of Independence, our nation’s founders established the foundational belief that all men are created equal.  By their use of the word created, they were stating their belief in a creator that created everyone with equal opportunity and that the creator created them with the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.  Unfortunately, progressives have changed this simple definition of equality and rights over the last 100 years to mean equality of outcomes with rights granted by a large centralized government. 

This week, President Obama delivered a speech in which he said,

 We know that people’s frustrations run deeper than these most recent political battles. Their frustration is rooted in their own daily battles, to make ends meet, to pay for college, buy a home, save for retirement. It’s rooted in the nagging sense that no matter how hard they work, the deck is stacked against them. And it’s rooted in the fear that their kids won’t be better off than they were.

They may not follow the constant back-and-forth in Washington or all the policy details, but they experience, in a very personal way, the relentless decades long trend that I want to spend some time talking about today, and that is a dangerous and growing inequality and lack of upward mobility that has jeopardized middle-class America’s basic bargain that if you work hard, you have a chance to get ahead. I believe this is the defining challenge of our time: making sure our economy works for every working American. That’s why I ran for president. It was the center of last year’s campaign. It drives everything I do in this office.  (1)

For those of us working hard and not seeming to get ahead the Presidents words may seem good at first.  However, Obama went on to say, “we need to set aside the belief that government cannot do anything about reducing inequality.”  (2)  Obama’s definition of equality is not equality of opportunity but rather equality of outcomes, administered by a large centralized federal government. 

This is not a new belief of President Obama’s but the same belief he inadvertently let out in his comments to Joe the plumber during the 2008 election.  You might remember that then Senator Obama was campaigning for President in Ohio when Joe Wurzelbacher, a plumber, approached him.  Joe told Obama that he was planning to buy his bosses plumbing business, putting him above the $250,000 annual income level.  Joe the plumber, as he came to be known, was concerned that Obama’s economic policies would increase his taxes.  Obama told Joe the plumber that, “I think when you spread the wealth around, it’s good for everybody."  (3)  Obama’s recent comments are just a restatement of what he told Joe the Plumber back in 2008. 

What has become clear since the rollout of Obamacare is that this law is not about health care at all but just the latest liberal, statist, progressive wealth redistribution scheme.  The individual mandate which fines, or taxes as the Supreme Court ruled, (4) mandates that healthy individuals be required to purchase health insurance providing coverage they will most likely not use in order to fund insurance for individuals with preexisting conditions, the elderly, and those too poor to afford health care. 

Now with the implementation of the individual mandate, these young people are discovering that their affordable catastrophic plans are being cancelled, forcing them to go to healthcare.gov and purchase coverage or be fined, or taxed on their tax return this year.  Besides the fact that the website regularly crashes, these individuals also suffered sticker shock once they discovered what their premiums would be for insurance to replace what they lost.  (5)  Many of these individuals will probably opt to pay the fine, tax sorry I keep getting that wrong, but will be in for some additional sticker shock when the fines, tax, is increased in subsequent years.  This is no different from the progressive income tax, which now transfers wealth from those that actually pay taxes to low income people through refundable tax credits like the EITC (Earned Income Tax Credit), and the Additional Child Tax Credit. 

These liberal progressive wealth redistribution schemes do not serve to achieve equality of outcomes because people find a way to protect their assets.  For example, wealthy people are able to avoid income taxes by taking advantage of legal tax deductions and the youth that are needed to fund Obamacare discover that it is better to pay a fine, or additional tax, on the tax return then pay for expensive, unnecessary health insurance. 

This does not mean I am against helping the poor when they need a hand up but that I do not believe it is the government’s responsibility to do it but, as Jesus taught in Matthew 25:31-46, it is the responsibility of every one of us.  The Bible also teaches that God loves a cheerful giver and not one who gives through the compulsion of some wealth transference scheme of government (2 Corinthians 9:7).  Of course, in order for some to be able to give and assist the poor, there must be some in society that possess an abundance from which to give, aka the wealthy.

Our founders’ definition of equality meaning equal opportunity is what has made this country great for it insured people had the freedom to pursue their dreams with the government playing the role of protector of the people’s God given rights.  Unfortunately, the current liberal progressive definition of equality as equality of outcomes, requiring the redistribution of wealth only stifles the pursuit of individual dreams thus stifling productivity and creativity.  We therefore must return to the original intent of the founding of this country as a place where every individual starts with an equal opportunity to pursue the American Dream leaving the outcome to whatever that individual does with his or her opportunity. 

1. Real Clear Politics. Obama: "Growing Inequality" In America "Drives Everything I Do In This Office". www.realclearpolitics.com. [Online] Real Clear Politics, December 4, 2013. [Cited: December 6, 2013.] http://www.realclearpolitics.com/video/2013/12/04/obama_defining_challenge_of_our_time_is_the_growing_inequality_in_america.html.

2. —. Obama: Set Aside Belief That Government Can't Fix Inequality. www.realclearpolitics.com. [Online] Real Clear Politics, December 4, 2013. [Cited: December 6, 2013.] http://www.realclearpolitics.com/video/2013/12/04/obama_set_aside_belief_that_government_cant_fix_inequality.html.

3. Jones, Susan. ‘Spread the Wealth Around’ Comment Comes Back to Haunt Obama - See more at: http://cnsnews.com/news/article/spread-wealth-around-comment-comes-back-haunt-obama#sthash.ZqZ2lqo1.dpuf. cnsnews.com. [Online] CNS News, October 15, 2008. [Cited: December 6, 2013.] http://cnsnews.com/news/article/spread-wealth-around-comment-comes-back-haunt-obama.

4. The Editors. Chief Justice Roberts’s Folly . www.nationalreview.com. [Online] The National Review, June 28, 2012. [Cited: December 6, 2013.] http://www.nationalreview.com/articles/304311/chief-justice-roberts-s-folly-editors.

5. Coca, Onan. Obamacare Fans Get Sticker Shock. eaglerising.com. [Online] Eagle Rising, October 9, 2013. [Cited: October 29, 2013.] http://eaglerising.com/2162/obamacare-fans-get-sticker-shock/.

Armor of God: The Breastplate of Righteousness

By:  Dale Weckbacher

Ephesians 6:12

2 For we are not fighting against people made of flesh and blood, but against the evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against those mighty powers of darkness who rule this world, and against wicked spirits in the heavenly realms.

NLT

Previously we learned that the battle we find ourselves in as a nation today is more than just a political battle, it is a spiritual battle for the heart of the nation and the hearts and minds of its citizens.  As such, we cannot expect to win this battle with conventional weapons like elections or even our founding documents but need to use special weapons.

2 Cor 10:3-4

 4 We use God's mighty weapons, not mere worldly weapons, to knock down the Devil's strongholds.

NLT

In this posting, we will look at the second piece of the armor of God, the breastplate of Righteousness.

 

Referring back to our picture of the Roman soldier Paul was most likely looking at when writing his letter to the Ephesians we see that the purpose of the breastplate was to protect the soldier’s vital organs.  The Roman soldier’s breastplate was typically made of bronze, backed with leather.  (1)  Since the breastplate was made of bronze, it would be heavy.  To take some of the weight off the soldier’s shoulders, the belt supported the breastplate.  (2)  In other words, without the belt, the breastplate would have placed incredible weight upon the soldier’s shoulders, making it difficult for him to hold up his shield or use his sword.  This shows us that every implement of the armor works in unison with the other implements. 

Paul calls the breastplate worn by believers in the spiritual battle with our enemy the breastplate of righteousness.  God is a just God and we cannot enter into his presence with any unrighteousness in our hearts.  In addition, none of us has sufficient righteousness within our own hearts that would qualify us to stand before God (Job 26:4, Isaiah 64:6, Romans 3:23).  Therefore, any effort on our part to try to enter into this spiritual battle believing we possess righteousness sufficient to protect our heart would be foolish and dangerous and expose our heart to a mortal would. 

The righteousness Paul is speaking of is not our own righteousness but the righteousness of God that we receive when we invite Jesus into our hearts (Philippians 3:9).  When Jesus comes into our hearts, our heart is covered and protected by the righteousness of Christ who knew no sin and yet willingly died for us so we could be made righteous (2 Corinthians 5:21). 

This breastplate of righteousness does more than just cover and protect our hearts, it actually changes our heart enabling us to stand when attacked.  The breastplate of righteousness does not just protect us on the outside but changes us on the inside so we can be strong in battle. 

To prevail in the spiritual battle we currently face, we must spend time in prayer in the presence of God.  This means we must put on the breastplate of the righteousness of Christ for our own righteousness is insufficient.  This spending time in prayer also allows the Lord to begin performing heart surgery on our hearts to make it more like the heart of God.  In this way we are protecting our most vital organ, our heart as we enter into spiritual battle. 

However, just as the belt supported the Roman soldier’s breastplate, the belt of truth must support our breastplate of righteousness.  Otherwise, we will become weary in battle even though our intentions are good (Galatians 6:9).  It is easy for a believer learning they have the protection of the breastplate of righteousness to charge out into battle believing the breastplate will keep them save.  However, if the belt of truth does not support the breastplate, a believer can become weary from the weight of the breastplate and become discouraged.  This is why it is important for us to be students of the Word and the truth it contains.  Otherwise we will lack the truth of God's word supporting our breastplate and we will become weary in battle. 

We are in a continual spiritual battle that dates back to when Satan deceived Adam and Eve in the Garden.  There is nobody on earth, except Jesus Christ, that had enough righteousness or right standing to stand before God but thankfully, through the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ, we can put on the breastplate of righteousness, not our righteousness but the righteousness of Christ.  This breastplate when supported by the truth of God’s Word will both transform and protect our hearts from a mortal wound by Satan.  So, do not forget to put on the breastplate of righteousness after putting on the belt of truth. 

1. Missler, Chuck. The Breastplate of Righteousness. www.khouse.org. [Online] Kiononia House. [Cited: December 3, 2013.] http://www.khouse.org/articles/1996/269.

2. Dondubois. The Belt of Truth. www.dondubois.info. [Online] [Cited: November 19, 2013.] http://www.dondubois.info/armor/the_belt_of_truth.html.