Beware Trojan Horses

By:  Dale Weckbacher

Matthew 7:15-16

"Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves.

NKJV

The tax season is finally beginning to wind down, which means I have time to prepare my own taxes reminding me of the old saying, the shoemaker’s children have no shoes.  It also means I can return to regular posts to this blog, something I passionately enjoy. 

Even though I have not been posting to this blog, I have been paying close attention to what is happening in the news.  As we have known for some time, the world is becoming more and more dangerous and our so-called leaders seem to be turning their backs on these dangers.  Instead of confronting the very serious threat of ISIS like Jordan  (1)  and Egypt  (2), our President holds a conclave at the White House and criticizes Christianity while claiming that the ISIS is not Islamic even though the first I in the acronym is Islamic  (3).  I believe the reason for this is the President is in denial about the truth of the brutality of Islam due to growing up in a Muslim country. 

Then we are to somehow believe that granting legal status to those illegally in our country, allowing them to compete for an ever-decreasing number of jobs is going to create a boom to our economy.  Not only will these amnestied individuals be competing for jobs, they will also be able to participate in our nation’s already strained entitlement system and even be able to amend up to three years of tax returns, and receive an estimated $24,000 in tax credits. 

Then there is the Trojan Horse of Net Neutrality.  I equate this with the Trojan horse because supporters believe this will insure fast and affordable internet service for all.  The truth, however, is that this will serve to provide equally slow internet service for all, similar to what they now have in Europe (4).  Net Neutrality regulations are also a foot in the door to government control of internet content, something that could limit or even shut down blogs such as this one.  Just as the gift of the Trojan horse led to destruction, Net Neutrality will lead to government destruction of the Internet and the forum of free speech it provides. 

Have we not learned from Obamacare, which promised cheap and affordable health care?  As we now look back, we are beginning to see that Obamacare too is a Trojan horse that looked good to supporters but now has led to the destruction of the best healthcare system in the world.  I had several individuals come to me this year to have their taxes done only to discover that I as their preparer had to ask them if they, their spouse, and all their dependents had health insurance.  One individual even asked me what that had to do with taxes to which I responded, “I guess someone in Washington thinks it is a good idea.”  We have now discovered the Trojan Horse of Obamacare and the only solution is a complete repeal before the destruction of the healthcare system is complete. 

Over the next three postings to this blog, I will be looking at what I believe are three more Trojan Horses that threaten to undermining our nation.  We will be looking in greater detail at the Trojan horses of Net Neutrality, amnesty, and religious tolerance.  My hope is this study will help us as a nation to avoid future destructive Trojan Horses like Obamacare and return this nation to its constitutional roots. 

John 8:32 tells us that knowing the truth sets us free.  Please feel free to share these postings with others so we can spread the truth and its liberating powers and avoid the destruction of lying Trojan Horses. 

1. Fordham, Alice. Jordan Responds To Pilots Death At The Hands Of ISIS. www.npr.org. [Online] National Public Radio, February 4, 2015. [Cited: February 26, 2015.]http://www.npr.org/2015/02/04/383724509/jordan-responds-to-pilots-death-at-the-hands-of-isis.

2. Yan, Holly. Egypt's President: It's time for an Arab coalition against ISIS. www.cnn.com. [Online] CNN, February 23, 2015. [Cited: February 26, 2015.] http://www.cnn.com/2015/02/23/middleeast/isis-crisis/.

3. Dyer, Geoff. Isis is not about Islam, says Obama. www.ft.com. [Online] Financial Times, February 19, 2015. [Cited: February 26, 2015.] http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/d2977822-b85c-11e4-b6a5-00144feab7de.html#axzz3SsWUiqLL.

4. Bedard, Paul. Obama's regs will make Internet slow as in Europe, warn FCC, FEC commissioners. www.washingtonexaminer.com. [Online] The Washington Examiner, February 23, 2015. [Cited: February 26, 2015.] http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/obamas-regs-will-make-internet-slow-as-in-europe-warn-fcc-fec-commissioners/article/2560567.

The Power of Imitation

By:  Dale Weckbacher

Ephesians 5:1-2

Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. 2 And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.

NKJV

As a child, I used to spend my afternoons playing basketball.  As I would play, I would imagine I was one of my favorite star players and try to imitate their moves.  Even though I never achieved the level of a star player in the NBA, I believe the power of imitation made me a better player.  Ephesians 5:1 encourages us to become imitators of God and even though we will never achieve the level of God in our lives, the power of imitation I believe makes us better people. 

Jesus, God in the flesh, came to earth to give us an example of what it is for us to imitate God.  Jesus imitated God in

1)      His speech – No vile language ever came from the lips of Christ.  However, Jesus also spoke words of encouragement to those he came with which he came into contact.  Perhaps the greatest example of this was when the Pharisees presented the woman caught in adultery to him (John 8:2-11).  Jewish law required that she be stoned so Jesus was in his legal authority to assist in stoning her but instead asked those wanting to stone her to only do it if they were without sin.  Since none of us, with the exception of Jesus Christ, are not without sin, the accusing Pharisees had to leave.  After her accusers were gone, Jesus encouraged the woman by forgiving her and telling her to sin no more. 

2)      His service – In the time of Christ, people either went barefoot or wore sandals.  Since there were no paved roads, their feet would become dirty.  Usually the lowliest servant in the household had the duty of washing the feet of guests in the home.  Jesus, however, took on the role of a lowly servant when the disciples came for the last supper by washing the disciple’s feet himself (John 13:1-17). 

3)      His love – John 15:13 tells us that the greatest demonstration of love is when someone lays down his or her life for a friend.  Jesus demonstrated this level of love when he, who knew no sin (2 Corinthians 5:21), laid down his life for all of us at the cross.  The many men and women that have served in the military, laying down their lives for the citizens of their countries, are examples of men and women who have decided to imitate this level of love and we all owe them and their families our gratitude.

4)      His willingness to sacrifice his self-interests to help others – As the Son of God, Jesus could have remained in heaven with his Father, but instead chose to leave the comfort of glory to come and live with sinful men and women in a sinful and evil world (John 1:14).  Jesus knew that the only hope of salvation for sinful men and women was for him to die for their sins as the perfect, sinless, Lamb of God.  Jesus willingness to sacrifice his own self-interests in the interest of those he came to serve is something all men and women elected to serve others should imitate, but few do. 

As the 2016 election approaches, we will see many throw their hats into the ring and announce their candidacy for President of the United States.  As these men and women begin campaigning for office, I encourage everyone to support candidates that imitate the qualities Jesus demonstrated when he walked on the earth. 

We must have leaders that speak words of encouragement to those they serve instead of putting them down and apologizing to other world leaders for the greatness of the United States.  We need a President willing to serve those that elected him or her and not spend most of their time on the golf course.  We need a President that loves this country and its citizens and most importantly, we need a President willing to put his or her own self-interests on hold while serving as President. 

There is great power in imitation and I believe our nation is best served by a President that demonstrates the power of imitating God by following the example of Jesus Christ. 

Putting Away Childish Things

By:  Dale Weckbacher

1 Corinthians 13:11

11 When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things.

NKJV

In God’s perspective, everyone choosing to accept Jesus Christ as their personal savior is a child of God (John 1:12).  We can therefore conclude that in the sight of God we are always going to be His children.  However, this does not mean we are to acting as children and doing childish things for as 1 Corinthians 13:11 tells us, we are to mature and put away childish things. 

Unfortunately, in our world we observe much childish behavior among grownups that should have matured.  In fact, much of this childish behavior is in full display in sports, media, and politics.  For example,

1)      The last play of the Super Bowl results in a fight (1)  – After what I believe was the greatest Super Bowl I can remember, a fight broke out.  Granted, it was the Super Bowl and the players were engaged in an epic battle, but this is no different from the battles we all face in our daily lives, except for the fact that the players are doing their front of millions of people.  We would expect the behavior of these highly paid professionals to be more mature in light of the fact that among the millions of viewers are impressionable children.  I encourage the players that instigated this fight to consider whether this is the example they want to portray to these impressionable youths. 

2)      Hollywood jealous of the success of American Sniper (2)  – In a year filled with Hollywood bombs, the movie American Sniper was a surprising success.  Surprising to Hollywood, but not surprising to those of us in tune with the American public.  Rather than being mature and realizing that the content and subject matter of movies matter to the public, Michael Moore and others in the Hollywood elite have chosen to lash out at Chris Kyle, a man who fearlessly risked, and sacrificed his life to others.  Once again, we see an example of immature behavior among public figures providing a bad example for impressionable youths to follow.

3)      Democrat members of Congress threaten to boycott Netanyahu speech before a joint session of Congress (3)  – Each election cycle voters go to the polls to select those that will represent them in Congress.  There is always an expectation, at least among those choosing to inform themselves about the issues of the day, that these leaders will conduct themselves in a mature matter.  This maturity includes respecting a leader from another country, invited by the Speaker of the House to speak before Congress even if they do not agree with his policies.  Failure of some Congresspersons to attend the Netanyahu speech before congress only shows the world how immature some of the leaders in Congress can be. 

When in individual is engaged in professional sports, entertainment, or a political leader, they are under the microscope and their actions are viewed by millions across the world.  1 Corinthians 13:11 calls on all of us to mature and act in a mature manner.  However, those in the public eye, viewed by millions, have an even bigger responsibility to conduct themselves in a mature manner. 

I believe it is high time for all of us to put away childish things and behaviors.  We face major challenges in our world and childish behavior only distracts us from finding solutions to these problems.  It is time for all of us, especially those in the public eye, to grow up. 

1. Sports Illustrated. Fight breaks out between Patriots, Seahawks at end of Super Bowl XLIX. www.si.com. [Online] Sports Illustrated, February 1, 2015. [Cited: February 7, 2015.] http://www.si.com/nfl/2015/02/01/super-bowl-2015-fight-video-patriots-seahawks?xid=si_nfl.

2. PTI, Los Angeles. Michael Moore lashes out at American Sniper, says snipers are cowards. www.hindustantimes.com. [Online] hindustantimes, January 19, 2015. [Cited: February 7, 2015.] www.hindustantimes.com/hollywood/michael-moore-lashes-out-at-american-sniper-says-snipers-are-cowards/article1-1308354.aspx.

3. Benson, Guy. Crack Up: Some Democrats Threaten Boycott of Netanyahu Speech. m.townhall.com. [Online] Townhall.com, February 4, 2015. [Cited: February 7, 2015.] m.townhall.com/tipsheet/guybenson/2015/02/04/fracture-some-dems-weigh-boycott-of-netanyahu-speech-n1952719.