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Modern Patriot’s Declaration of Truth
We the people are tired of being told what to think and what we should tolerate, condone
and endorse. We are tired of seeing Christianity bashed, God blasphemed, perversion praised, and prayer and religion expelled
from public and government life. We are fed up with Greenpeace, animal rights and all manner of environmental wackism. We
are disgusted with so called racism, “inequality” of rights and multi-culturalism. We are sick of government programs
funded by over taxation that reward the lazy and immoral and perpetuate misery, ignorance and crime. We have simply had it
with crooked politicians who refuse to accurately represent their constituents, but pander to lobbyists while padding their
pockets. We want the ACLU, NEA, NOW and every other liberal, God-hating, freedom destroying group to back off and realize
they DO NOT speak for the backbone of this country, but represent a liberal fringe minority. We are at the end of our patience
with appointed judges who rewrite the Constitution, then shove their distorted interpretation down the collective American
throat, through the “omnipotent power” of their federal bench. We are going broke paying through the nose to support
a government education program that falls more behind each year, educates few, disciplines none, and frustrates many. It is
God, not government who will fix our problems. May we turn to Him.
-Joseph Harris-
___________________________________________________
“ A Dose of
Reality” www.miniedition.net
January 24, 2007 Mini Edition
by Joseph Harris Number 169
The Wickedness of Nothingness
The English philosopher and politician Edmund Burke
once said, "The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing." This often used quote
from the 18th century is still true today. Look at this spiritual parallel in a parable from Jesus found
in Matthew 25:14-30, as I borrow, then expand upon a few thoughts from Harold Leytham and Danny Cresswell.
A master left different numbers of talents with
three stewards, with expectations for all. The first two multiplied their talents, but the third steward buried
his so he could return it to his master. Upon returning, the master was displeased, because he had expectations
and they were not fulfilled. The point of the parable: it is wicked to do nothing when something can
be done.
The word "wicked" can mean evil, lewd, malicious,
or hurtful. Jesus did not use the word often and used it only three times when referring to individuals.
Why was this servant wicked? Not because he lied. He was actually honest and admitted to burying the talent.
Did he receive it dishonestly? No, it was given to him in good faith. Was he immoral with the talent, like the
prodigal son? No. So why was he wicked? Because he did nothing with the talent. Doing nothing when
something can be done is wicked, according to Jesus.
There is a high cost in nothingness. If anyone
has gifts or talents and they do not use them, there will be a cost, "for it is required in stewards that a man be found faithful."
How could it possibly be costly to do nothing? Consider these examples:
Physically, there is a cost in nothingness. If you sit in a wheelchair
or stay in bed for six months and never get up and use your legs, it will cost. Your legs will become useless and you
will have to learn to walk again. If you place a patch over one eye and stop using the eye, the eye will get weak and
have to be exercised for use again. It will cost to do nothing.
Socially, there is a cost in nothingness. If you ever purpose
in your heart to lose friends, there are two options. First, be mean and hurtful, curse and slander them and tell
them to get lost. That would probably work. Or you could try option number two. Do nothing. Never
visit with them, do not return their calls, ignore them, and eventually they will go away. Simply doing nothing can
cost greatly. Many have been lost to nothingness.
In your family, there is a great cost in nothingness. If you
as a reprobate wanted to corrupt your children so they would turn out rotten, you could teach them to do wrong,
steal, give instruction in lying, etc. or you could do nothing. Just let them go and let depravity run its crooked little
course. Never teach them standards, convictions or restraints. Let them do anything they want to do and let them
watch anything they desire to watch on TV or video and they will move on from Sesame Street to MTV and graduate on to HBO.
Just do nothing and they will corrupt in a natural progression of events.
Agriculturally, there is a cost in nothingness. After planting
a garden, you could transplant Johnson grass, clover, briars and weeds, in order to choke out the vegetables and lose your
crop. Or if you really want to lose your garden, just do nothing. Never fertilize, never irrigate, never
cultivate, and I guarantee you will lose the garden. It will cost to do nothing.
For any church, there is a severe cost in nothingness.
The pastor could run ads and pass out flyers advertising the closing of his church, followed by members passing along
the closing by word of mouth. Or everyone could just do nothing. Don't win souls, don't tithe, don't attend, etc.,
and eventually the church will close. Just do nothing.
If you could donate blood to save a life and you did
nothing, would you be guilty of a death? If you could call 911 and save a life and you did nothing, would you be guilty?
Do you know what you need to do to go to an eternal lake of fire? You could sin like the devil, drink, dope, fornicate,
lie, steal, or you could do nothing. Just never repent and accept Jesus as Savior and you will go to an eternal lake
of fire of punishment as a member of Adam's fallen race.
Is nothingness wicked? Jesus said it was. Are you doing something
or nothing?
Joseph Harris is the Vice President of Southeastern
Baptist College in Laurel, MS. (This article may be reprinted in whole, as long as the name Joseph Harris and
www.miniedition.net also appear)
January 17, 2007 Mini Edition by Joseph Harris
Number 168
If It Ain't Broke, Don't Fix It or Home Education Works
I never cease to be amazed at the logic displayed
by people in power. Bureaucrats design car seat laws to protect the lives of children outside the womb, but fight
tooth and nail for laws to kill them while still in the womb. "Just say No" was an anti drug campaign supported
even by liberals, but these same geniuses kick and scream when you call for sexual abstinence among teens. And
then there's the insane logic of insisting on fixing what is not broken by creating regulations, requirements
and guidelines for those who home educate, even though home educated children leave "Every Child Behind" in
government schools, when it comes to performance. "More money and more rules" seems to always be the government's
philosophy, though more regulations and more money has never guaranteed success. Though they are not
offering money to home educators, they are always offering to implement more rules and regulations. The bottom line
should be, if it ain't broke, don't fix it.
But what if it is broken? Or what if it is smashed
beyond repair? Broken appliances can be repaired, but anything broken beyond repair has to be replaced. Replacement
is exactly what home educators are doing. They are replacing the government education system with a program
that educates efficiently and costs far less per student. Increasingly, state and national politicians and educators
are calling for more regulations for home educators. They need to spend time cleaning up their own backyard and focus
on trying to effectively educate the millions of children entrusted to their care, instead of diverting attention from their
own failing system by focusing on the miniscule number of home educated children who are not being "properly taught" and might
not receive the "quality" education their system offers.
The state superintendent of education of Mississippi
recently stated that he was concerned about the students not attending Mississippi schools who are either being taught by
unqualified parents or are being neglected in their education at home, even though there is no evidence that neglect
is a widespread problem. Does he really believe that if he can just get them inside a building that has a
school sign out front, it will automatically increase their chance of education? Maybe if schools focused
more on an academic education, rather than social engineering, more learning would take place, and the powers that
be would not have to take time to attack and hinder home educators from their serious business of education.
Here is the hard and unpleasant truth that is ignored,
but cannot be denied: HOME EDUCATED CHILDREN AS A WHOLE, OUT PERFORM CHILDREN FROM GOVERNMENT SCHOOLS. PERIOD.
No amount of kicking, crying, screaming, and diverting attention can change this fact. And what about socialization?
I've yet to hear an opponent who does not proudly pull this "unanswerable" argument from their arsenal.
It certainly does not deserve the attention it receives as the "felling blow" to home education. Well
rounded home educated children experience socialization with all age groups during their education, not just with their same
age peers. Studies of adults who were home educated have shown this is hardly the major issue it is touted to be.
As adults, they perform average and above in social skills.
So leave us alone. We, as home educators are
not trying to change or even repair the current government school system. We have chosen to replace it with what we
believe to be a more effective, efficient, and in most instances, Biblical world view education, that produces good, productive,
moral citizens. If this end does not fit the mold of those in power who think they know best, they need to rethink their
goal. I also realize that the 11,000 plus children in Mississippi who are home educated, can affect the flow of money
into the system to the tune of millions of dollars a year, but whose money is it anyway? Where does the state get it?
We all know the answer. The money comes from the people who earn it and the children belong to their parents, not the
state. Leave us alone and we will get on with the job of educating and the state can continue with it's business of
socializing.
Joseph Harris is the Vice President of Southeastern
Baptist College in Laurel, MS. (This article may be reprinted in whole, as long as the name Joseph Harris and
www.miniedition.net also appear)
To receive or discontinue Mini Edition, email joharris@comcast.net with ADD or REMOVE Forward this Edition to a Friend.
Mini Edition by Joseph Harris
Number 166
Creating Your Own Truth
The Roman Procurator, Pilate asked the question, "What is truth?"
The average, sane, level headed common sense person of today should be able to answer this question, as well as give some
qualities of truth. One of my college professors, Dr. Elmer Towns, said, "Truth is that which is consistent with itself
and corresponds to reality." Professor Webster gives these thoughts for a definition of truth: "The real state of things;
the body of real events or facts; CORRECTNESS."
Since God is the first cause of all things, He sets the standard for truth.
All truth ultimately comes from Him. If God says something is right, it is. If He says it is wrong, it is.
But man does not always agree with God. Truth stands on its own, but never apart from God. Truth is that which
is verifiable by facts. Notice also truth is absolute, not relative. The presence of truth demands the existence
of that which is false. If one thing is true, then the opposite of that truth is a lie. One of the
first truths uttered by God to man was absolute, concerning death by disobedience in eating of the forbidden fruit.
Satan tried to counter the truth of God with his "yea hath God said...?" statement, which has been repackaged and used
on man millions of times since Eden.
Truth is absolute, else it cannot be truth. Truth cannot be conditional.
When truth becomes relevant because of time, culture or situation, it loses authority and becomes a servant, not a master.
When any act can be wrong for me, but right for you, there can be no order or structure in society. Murder, theft, adultery,
etc. can be justified. How can we know the truth of what is right or wrong for a society? What sets the standard
for that which is considered legal or illegal, and what is the standard for punishment? If emotion or outcome determines
right or wrong, then nothing can be ultimately right or wrong, anarchy is the result and no one has to adhere to any laws
or principles, since no act can be said to be wrong, malicious, immoral, degrading, sinful or illegal.
Every time a law is broken or enforced, it is a statement of
absolute truth. The existence of moral law demands the existence of a lawgiver. Either man has given the law or
it came from another source. If man gave it, then it is not absolute, for it can be changed by man. If the consciousness
of right and wrong came from another source, then what, who or where is that source? If it came from a source higher
than man, then the law transcends man, and man cannot alter it.
In almost all societies world wide, it is usually wrong to steal,
kill, defraud, etc. In other words, every culture has standards of conduct considered to be good or bad.
Where did these standards originate? Even atheistic humanists will usually admit it is
wrong to steal, kill, etc. Where did they get this awareness of right and wrong? What is their standard
of measurement? This universal awareness came from God, who put his law in the heart of all men to give them a general
revelation of the creator who is also the divine law giver.
If there is a law and it is broken, then what? Is there accountability
and punishment? The accountability is to God first, then man. Notice what Joseph said in the book of Genesis when
he refused to commit adultery with the wife of Potipher: "How then can I do this great wickedness and sin against God?"
If there is an absolute law higher than man, there must be a lawgiver higher than man and if man breaks His law, man is accountable
to Him. And now we have the rest of the story. Man denies a higher law, thereby denying a higher power, resulting
in denial of accountability to the divine judge of the universe. Conclusion? Man can now sin freely.
With the denial of a higher moral law, given by the divine law giver,the
stage is set to creat your own truth. Abortion is no longer seen as murder, but birth control or a woman's
choice. Being male or female is no longer an absolute, determined by God at conception and validated at birth, but gender
can now be chosen by the person. And since you are not necessarily male or female, you can now choose which gender you
want to marry, that is, if the other person has determined their gender. If neither has determined their own gender,
then whoever can marry whatever, and become who knows what. ("You may now kiss whatever you determine your groom-bride-thing
to be"). Stealing is no longer wrong. Redistribution of goods is acceptable if one has more than another,
especially if the one lacking was born into poverty, the wrong ethnic background, etc..
People in the media tell us what is truth what we should believe.
Science creates truth and tells us the earth is billions of years old, that it came from nothing with no design, and is slowly
getting better and better. And you should believe it, because it's in a textbook.
Before taking the stand of testimony in court, a witness has to swear
to, "Tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, so help me God" which is revealing. Notice, this oath
is a confession of man's depravity and his dependence upon God for help in telling the truth. And man certainly needs
help in being truthful.
A good perspective on truth is found on the second page of our catalog
for Southeastern Baptist College. Here is printed this old Hebrew prayer: "From the cowardice that shrinks from
new truths; from the laziness that is content with half truths; and from the arrogance that thinks it knows all truth; Oh
God of truth, deliver us."
Mini Edition by Joseph
Harris Number 167
Joseph Harris is the Vice President of Southeastern
Baptist College in Laurel, MS.(This article may be reprinted in whole, as long as the name Joseph Harris and
www.miniedition.net also appear)
October 25, 2006 Mini Edition by Joseph Harris Number
165
WHAT IS A VOTE?
We are approaching another important election in November. Some are discouraged, others
undecided, still others cynical. Unfortunately, many will be swayed by personal charm and charisma and vote for the person,
not principle. Still others with a government dependency mentality will vote for cash and not character. And then there will
be the party loyalists who will blindly vote the party line, regardless.
What is a vote? It seems such a small thing. It only takes a minute to mark the box, punch the card, or pull the
lever. Just what does a vote mean?A vote is an expression of freedom. The very fact that voting takes place is a
reminder that we live in a country of freedom. Afghanistan recently experienced its first presidential election
in history, thanks to the toppling of the Taliban. Be reminded when you enter the booth, that you have freedom to do so without
an armed guard standing over you.Voting is a privilege and right guaranteed by the Constitution of the United states
of America. Check out the Fourteenth Amendment. You are exercising a guaranteed right by participating in the democratic
process of this Republic. We hear a lot of mumbo jumbo today about the “constitutional” right to abortion (it
ain’t in there) and the “constitutional” right for homosexual marriage (can’t find that one in there
either) while being told it is unconstitutional to own a gun (now the right to bear arms is in there, buddy). If we do not
use the constitutional right we have to vote, we will wake up one day and find we are no longer guided by the Constitution
. . . Wait, we’re already there, thanks to liberal judges and courts who are “redefining” the Constitution?A
vote expresses the beliefs of the voter and endorses the candidate. When you vote, you are supporting that which
you believe. If not, then why vote? When voting for a candidate, you the voter, are saying you believe in and support what
the candidate believes in and supports. Whether you vote Republican, Democrat, Libertarian, Constitutional Party, Independent,
etc., you are revealing your innermost core beliefs. If not, then your vote is a lie. People who really have conservative
beliefs, vote conservative, and people who really have liberal beliefs, vote liberal. Period. This is true regardless of party
or profession. If you want to know a person’s real beliefs, check their voting record. If God and Satan were running
for office, I can’t imagine a believer voting for Satan and an unbeliever voting for God. Oil and water do not mix.
Christians should vote. Voting is the single greatest expression of power the little guy in America
has. And be not deceived; every vote counts.
Joseph Harris is the Vice President of Southeastern Baptist
College in Laurel, MS.(This article may be reprinted in whole, as long as the name Joseph Harris and www.miniedition.net also appear)
October 19, 2006 Number 164
My Dear Wormwater......
I realize among conservative Bible believers and most
fundamentalists, Clive Staples Lewis is not a staple in their literary diet. I certainly do not agree with or endorse
everything from his pen, however, "The Screwtape Letters" stand alone as genius. This work is an account of an experienced
demon instructing his novice demon nephew in the ways of sabotage and subterfuge against Christianity. Below
is my version of a Screwtape letter.
My Dear Wormwater,
This is just a note of encouragement for you in your ministry. I have been hearing
good reports of your evangelism for our master. Your massive, intense campaign undertaken over the past 40 years has been
fruitful. It is evident that lives have been changed, families transformed, churches altered, and society affected as a whole.
I notice as you have used phrases such as “reaching this generation” and “discovering felt needs”,
people have been encouraged to “make a decision” for our lord. Cunning is your prestidigitation indeed.
Changes in your converts are manifested in lifestyles, churlish attitudes, dress,
and worship. As a demon in training, you have excelled in converting the church in your outreach program. In bringing the
unconverted to our master’s ways, many churches now look, act, talk, think and dress like the world. Instead of the
church reaching the world, we have successfully reached the church with the world. The majority of churches today feel the
pressure to conform to new and modern standards, with only a few still holding on to “the old paths”, as they
like to say. How thorough is your work. I commend you for focusing on burning the forest, not just cutting down a couple of
trees.
Your “methods change, but the message remains the same” mantra was
a stroke of genius. It has beguiled many unsuspecting churchmen into introducing worldly devices into their ministries and
worship services they might not otherwise have tolerated. Your perfidy is unmatched. Our father below may even take note of
your progress, if your perseverance is relentless.
Man has an insatiable desire to worship. Your mission is to always encourage
worship, but incorporate small changes that steer incrementally away from their “worship in spirit and truth”,
but with the appearance of focusing on the enemy (and always cloaked in stained glass language), yet creating a god for them
to worship who is strikingly similar to their divine, yet unmistakably different.
Patience, my dear Wormwater, patience. One cannot eat a whole elephant in one
meal, but even the largest pachyderm can be ultimately consumed one bite at a time. Resist the temptation to change the enemy
overnight, but continue with small bites.
Your affectionate Uncle and Demon mentor,
Slewtape
Joseph Harris is the Vice President of Southeastern
Baptist College in Laurel, MS.(This article may be reprinted in whole, as long as the name Joseph Harris and www.miniedition.net also appear)
".....Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant
of his devices." II Corinthians 2:11
October 5, 2006 Mini Edition by Joseph Harris Number 163
What's Wrong With the Word Baptist?
Recently, I passed a building with a bunch of cars outside on
a Sunday evening. This building had a steeple and "New Life Center" was on the sign. I have
also seen names like "Community Church", and "Bible Church" on other signs. I understand there are non-denominational
churches, but some of these churches with generic signs claim to be Baptist. What non Baptist churches do is their business,
but since I am a Baptist, then I have an opinion to express about Baptist churches.
Why are some Baptist churches ashamed of their heritage and name? I
once confronted a pastor who claimed their church was a Baptist church, yet Baptist was missing from the sign. His response
was you don't have to have the name Baptist on your sign to be a Baptist church. Technically, the
sign doesn't make the church, but why would you not identify yourself?
As we continued talking, I realized they didn't need the word Baptist on their
sign. They accepted people into their membership who had not been scripturally baptized. In other
words, people who had been sprinkled for baptism was okay with them. They only insisted on immersion if an individual
was going to hold a leadership position in the church. Baptism was not important enough for membership, but necessary
to be a leader. Personally, I think their real reason for lowering the bar was to increase membership by not
offending Pedo-Baptists.
Often times, the motive for omitting the Baptist name is to get more members.
These churches don't want to be seen as denominational, narrow minded, and exclusive. Fine. They should just stop
claiming to be Baptist out of one side of their mouth while denying it out of the other side. A double minded man
is unstable in all his ways.
Baptist is not only on our church sign once, but twice: Central
Baptist Missionary Baptist Church. We still insist on scriptural baptism, practice closed communion, and emphasize
church authority and pastoral authority. I believe if you are Baptist, you ought to say it. I also believe you
should say what kind of Baptist you are. If you are Missionary Baptist, say it. If you are Southern Baptist or Independent
Baptist, etc., say it. It just cuts down on the confusion of what people expect when they walk in the door. Labels
identify what's inside the can. People are suspicious of unlabeled cans and should be suspicious of unlabeled
churches.
Bottom line: if a church doesn't advertise that it is a Baptist church,
it isn't.
Joseph Harris is the Vice President of Southeastern Baptist
College in Laurel, MS.(This article may be reprinted in whole, as long as the name Joseph Harris and www.miniedition.net also appear)
A rooster that won't crow in his own
yard is not fit for anything but chicken and dumplings. Curtis Hutson
August 31, 2006 Mini Edition by
Joseph Harris Number 162
Where is the Fight?
Pacifism rules! Where is the will to
fight that which is wrong, sinful and ungodly? What has happened to the fight in the average American? The "rollover
and play dead" philosophy abounds, therefore iniquity abounds. The family, church and this nation are under a severe
attack by unseen and seen forces and yet we are told to accommodate, open a dialogue, tolerate and understand and accept the
enemy. When the average Christian or patriotic American does go on the defensive, they are accused of having no love.
Billy Sunday, famous evangelist of yesteryear used to say "I love flowers, but I hate weeds."
Where is the fight against abortion, homosexuality, pornography,
pedophilia, and alcohol? Where is the fight for God to remain in the public square, for public prayers at state sponsored
events, and where is the fight against ungodly humanism manifested in evolutionary teaching and philosophy? What happened
to the fight for Godliness in the church, striving for purity among the membership, establishing standards of dress and conduct
that are decent and God honoring?
Concerning this nation, why have the borders not been sealed
and a wall built to keep out the invaders? Immigration and naturalization laws mean nothing. Why are lawbreakers
allowed to remain in this country and not be deported back to Mexico or their homeland? Liberal politicians, including
our own President Bush are leading the way for the downfall of truth, justice and the American way, at a breakneck speed.
"Americo" is in the making and the powers that be who could do something are not just asleep at the wheel....they are in a
coma. The House and Senate both need purging by "We the People" if it's not already too late. The Jimmy Carter
philosophy of cut and run has prevailed. Where is the will to fight for our vanishing liberties as they are challenged
by the ACLU and other "freedom loving" entities?
Concerning the church, where are the pastors who used to follow
the admonition of Isaiah 58:1 "Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and shew my people their transgression,
and the house of Jacob their sins." Oh, that was in the Old Testament. Today in the church age,
we follow the New Testament, some will say. Does a New Testament pastor have any less responsibility of warning against
the danger of sin as an Old Testament prophet? Use a little common sense and decide. A rattlesnake in the path
is a danger to anyone approaching it and whoever does not warn of imminent danger is guilty of neglect, which is criminal. Adultery,
the sale and use of alcohol among members, homosexuality and other sins can be found alive and well in the average
Baptist church of today. Pastors and parents have chosen the path of least resistance and have sacrificed the future
of the church to Satan on the altar of accommodation and tolerance. Preaching the Gospel includes preaching the Bible
which includes the bitter and the sweet of the two edged sword. Being instant in season and out of season means some
teaching will be in season with the people and sweet to accept. Other teachings will be out of season, but like a bitter
medicine, will produce healing and that which is good. So preacher, preach the word!
Concerning the home, most parents have delegated the instruction
of their children totally to the government schools and their churches. Home education and good Christian schools are
available for readin' writin' and 'rithmatic, taught from a Biblical world view. Primary instruction in Scripture should
come from the home, then be strengthened by the church. Don't give up and give in to the world's philosophy that
will indoctrinate children in anti-God thinking. Where is the fight for the minds and souls of today's children?
My stepfather once made a statement after hearing a young
preacher's sermon: "He's got some preach in him." Preachers need "preach" in them, but all Christians need some fight
in them. It's high time we got a dose of reality and realized the seriousness of the hour and the importance of standing
for right against wrong. After all, things are still either right or wrong.Joseph
Harris is the Vice President of Southeastern Baptist College in Laurel, MS.(This article may be reprinted in whole, as
long as the name Joseph Harris and www.miniedition.net also appear)
August 1, 2006 Mini
Edition by Joseph Harris Number 161
Israel, Terrorists and the Facts
As we watch the daily news
coverage of Hezbollah (which means party of Allah) shooting rockets into the land of Israel and killing civilians,
most reports are almost always one sided. Hezbollah fires 100 rockets to Israel's one air strike and the civilian casualities
of the Israeli air strike are condemned as deplorable, inappropriate and too severe. But what about the 100 rockets
fired by the terrorists? Oh well, that's Hezbollah and we understand their plight. They just want their land back. Problem
is, how can you get back what you never had? There has never been a historical indigenous group of Arab people called Palestinians.
The people with historical roots deep in the land going back three thousand years, are the Jews, not this conglomerate of
diverse nationalities erroneously called Palestinians (see From Time Immemorial by Joan Peters). Historically,
there has never been a sovereign Arab nation called Palestine, but there has been and is now, a sovereign Jewish nation
called Israel.
And the land is called Israel, not Palestine. When the Romans invaded under Titus
in 70 AD (not CE) and finished in 120 AD, THEY renamed the land Palestine (derived from Philistia) to erase every vestige
of Jewish ness from the land. The Arabs, UN, Europe, the mainstream media, liberals, etc. all hate the
Jews. Why? Because they are God’s earthly covenant people. This same group usually hates Christians.
Why? They are God’s Heavenly spiritual people.
It’s amazing that this little
strip of dirt, which holds .01 % of the world’s population, commands so much attention from the world. One third
of the resolutions passed by the Security Council of the UN have had to do with Israel. Amazing how hate makes you focus.
Notice the following facts.
Fact 1- The Jewish people in Israel are in the land of
their ancestors. They have an established historical connection to the land. Hebron is where David
was crowned King 3000 years ago. Solomon ruled over most of the land almost 3000 thousand years ago,
not just the strip we see on the map today West of the Jordan River. In establishing a homeland for the Jews in
1917, and 1923, the Balfour Declaration and the Palestine Mandate of the League of Nations recognized, through common
sense and history, that this was the ancestral land of the Jews.
Fact 2- The Israelis do not wantonly, intentionally attack civilians.
Before the airstrikes in Lebanon, leaflets were distributed warning civilians of the coming attack. Hezbollah cowardly
hides behind civilians. Unfortunately, some civilians are always numbered in casualties of war. How many
leaflets have been distributed in Israeli cities by the terrorists before launching their rockets? Zero. How many
were distributed in New York 24 hours prior to the 9-11 attack? Zero. There is simply no room for argument on
this point. Hezbollah, Hamas and all other terrorist organizations are murdering, hateful barbarians
beyond reasoning. This is why diplomacy and dialogue will not work with them. Defeat is the best defense.
Fact 3- The Israelis have no plans to annihilate the Palestinians
or other Arabs. They would, if at all possible, co-exist with them. "Drive them into the sea" is the
cry of the Muslim fanatics who are dedicated to the destruction of Israel. Modern Arab maps of "Palestine" show the
land as Arab Palestine with the name of Israel missing.
Fact 4- Israel has conceded land numerous times.
How much land have the Palestinians given? Sane people know the answer. They are takers, not givers. Yet,
as Israel continues to give more land, terrorist attacks intensify.
Politicians and diplomats are crying for a cease fire from Israel.
Is this a possibility? Absolutely. Israel will cease firing when fanatics cease their unfounded acts of terrorism.
Even then, there will be no ultimate peace. The reason is because the key element of peace is missing. There is
no peace without the Prince of Peace. When He returns to the Mount of Olives, He will create peace by his presence as
he judges the enemies of Israel and then Israel will have peace with her Messiah when she repents and accepts the King of
Kings and Lord of Lords, JESUS CHRIST.
Joseph Harris is the Vice President of Southeastern Baptist College in Laurel,
MS.(This article may be reprinted in whole, as long as the name Joseph Harris and www.miniedition.net also appear)
"I say then, hath God cast away his people? God forbid." Romans 11:1
July
31, 2006 Mini Edition by Joseph Harris Number 160
The Kinship of Liberalism and Radical Islam
As terrorism continues to escalate in Israel, the chance of it hitting home in America
also increases. Here in the USA, the twin enemy of terrorism is liberalism. The two are strikingly similar.
Several years ago, I wrote the following Mini Edition describing the kinship of the two. Nothing has changed since the
original writing, except that maybe they are more closely related now than since 9-11.
For the last few years, something has been eating at me. Since 9-11, the interest
in Islam has surged, I have noticed something most conservatives have also noticed and watched with chagrin. It has
to do with the attitude of the mainstream media and other liberals toward Islam. Anyone with common sense and a touch of objectivity
can see the obvious bias of the major old established print and broadcast media outlets in this country. They are agenda driven.
They have consistently displayed animosity against Christianity and the God of the Bible, while covering for and promoting
their new darling religion, Islam. I kept asking why, believing the answer was more than it being just another attack against
Christianity. Though I may not have the full story yet, the reason has finally hit me: blood is thicker than water. Liberalism
and Radical Islam are related. Notice the following similar characteristics. (Note: though the emphasis is on radical Islam,
the same comparisons can be made with Islam, to a lesser degree).
Both Are Intolerant. Only the most biased or blind would object to the statement
that Islam is intolerant. Look in the countries where Islam rules. Dissenting religious views are not allowed. In America,
there is an organization called the Council on American Islamic relations, or C.A.I.R. Why is there no Council on Arab-Christian
Relations (C.A.C.R.) in Arab Muslim countries? This type organization is about as likely to materialize as the First
Baptist Church of Mecca. Notice also the intolerance of liberalism. While trying to hide under an invisible cloak of tolerance,
liberals are the most intolerant ideologues to be found. Numerous are the accounts of conservatives on university campuses
who have been shouted down and harassed by the "tolerant" liberals.
Both Are Exclusive. In arrogance, radical Islam purports to be the exclusive
repository of spiritual truth. This philosophy results in a militant attitude that conquers by the sword or bomb. Liberalism,
especially as evidenced in the media, is arrogantly exclusive. Before losing their stronghold on "reporting" the news, liberal
news people have consistently displayed their disdain for all who disagree, flagrantly pushing their agenda. Thankfully, now
some people have stopped being good little drones, have begun to think for themselves, and have armed themselves with information,
forming intelligent opinions.
Both Hate America, Israel and Christianity. Radical Islam hates America and
Israel and all they stand for. Liberty and Christianity have both made America a target to those who would enslave us in a
religious/political system that would produce hate and ignorance as it has in many countries. Liberalism hates America, Israel
and Christianity with a passion. Liberalism would try and destroy that which gives it the freedom to exist. For more info,
read Why The Left Hates America by Daniel J. Flynn, www.primapublishing.com.
Both Play the Race Card. Radical Muslims, supported by C.A.I.R., have opposed
profiling and cried "racism,"
yet, profiling is just good common sense. Though not all Muslims are terrorists, all terrorists have
been Muslims. Muslim victimization has been the cry of the radicals. Liberalism is also an expert at dealing the race card.
When Blacks are arrested, liberals cry foul and blame everything on oppression and racism. The liberals began this mantra,
but it has been taken up by self-appointed Black leaders who care more about enriching themselves than liberating and empowering
their own people.
Both Denigrate Women. Radical Islam is known for its lowly view of women.
Polygamy is allowed, which denigrates the role of the woman as wife. Mutilations occur and women are abused physically and
emotionally in the marital relationship. Liberalism is hypocritical concerning the treatment of women. If liberals were really
concerned about women, they would cry against abortion because of the emotional anguish that naturally follows when any mother
kills her own child. Liberals are strangely silent when women are immorally victimized by high profile liberals such as Ted
Kennedy and Bill Clinton. Even the feminists are silent, proving they don’t really care about the treatment of women. Liberals also promote "free speech" through pornography, which is demeaning
and humiliating to women.
Both Are Preoccupied With Sex. Polygamy is not unknown in radical Islam. There
is also the promise of 70 virgins for one who will die in Jihad. Only the most naive would believe the polygamist would maintain
a platonic relationship with multiple wives. And who believes the 70 virgins in paradise are provided just for decoration.
Though Islam teaches modesty among women, sex is still an emphasis. For the liberal, sex has long been a priority. Liberals
believe in free sexual expression and encourage sexual experimentation among school children. Liberals promote the perversion
and abomination, of homosexuality, showing disdain for morality and traditional family values.
So the pieces of the puzzle finally fit. Blood is definitely thicker than water. Liberals and radical
Muslims are siblings. They have fallen from the same tree of hatred, intolerance, arrogance and bigotry, and the apple never
falls far from the tree.
Joseph Harris is the Vice President of Southeastern Baptist College in Laurel, MS .(This
article may be reprinted in whole, as long as the name Joseph Harris and www.miniedition.net also
appear)
July 20, 2006 Mini Edition by Joseph Harris
Number 159
The Buffer Zone of Safety
In South Mississippi, NASA has a facility called the
test site, where rocket engines are shipped after they are built. These engines are then strapped to huge platforms and tested
before they fire rockets into outer space. Needless to say, these testings can be heard and felt for miles around and
can damage buildings and structures within a certain distance of the testing. An area called the buffer zone surrounds the
test site. The buffer zone is a circle of "dead" space where no one is allowed to live and the only structures found are three
sided sheds. The purpose of the buffer zone is to protect people and property from damage.
Standards in Christianity also serve as a buffer
zone. When standards for righteous living are mentioned today in Christian circles, the one who mentions them is sometimes
called a legalist. What is legalistic about having a standard? A standard is a measure or rule of authority. Almost
everyone would agree there is nothing wrong with living by a standard of authority......unless that standard leads them to
separation. THERE! I've said the dirty "S" word. SEPARATION. Now here is the real problem people have with standards.
Standards cramp their lifestyle of living in the flesh, of the flesh and by the flesh.
Standards protect. Can you imagine someone walking
to the edge of a cliff 200 feet high and standing two feet from the edge. What if that person moved one foot closer? What
if they hung their toes over the edge? I can guarantee if they continue, they will fall over the edge. I can also guarantee if
they stay ten feet from the edge, they will never fall over the cliff. The buffer zone of ten feet will protect them. It's
kind of like the drunk who's trying to quit. He is less likely to slip up and drink if he stays away from the presence of
alcohol, than if he walks past the liquor store every day. One problem with getting too close to sin is being able to see
it's "beauty" and smell it's aroma. When I pass a steak house and smell the meat sizzlin' on the grill, it doesn't take much
for me to desire a T bone. "Can a man take fire in his bosom, and his clothes not be burned?" Proverbs 6:27.
Often times, the reason some people fall into sin
is because they are too close to it. However, we must remember, that resisting temptation is more than a matter of human will.
It is a cooperative effort between God and man. "But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the
flesh, to fulfill the lusts thereof" Romans 13:14. James said that if we resist the devil, he will flee from us, but prior
to that in the same verse, he said to submit to God. The power of God enables us to resist temptation, but we must do our
part and not make provision for the flesh.
I don't intend to sin, therefore I hide God's word
in my heart (Psalm 119:11) and build a buffer between me and sin. I do not plan on being unfaithful to my wife, so I build
a buffer and avoid getting emotionally attached with other women or spending unnecessary time with them, especially alone.
My wife and I provide a buffer zone for our children. We home school our children, monitor what they watch on TV and
video, choose their friends and shelter them from ungodliness. I don't apologize for sheltering my kids. A shelter is a place
of safety and security. Who would not want that for their children? As they grow older, they will be progressively exposed
to the world, equipped under our guidance, at the right time. I have been told repeatedly that we need to prepare
our children for the "real" world. Preparing means exactly that; training them, not throwing them to the wolves and
hoping they survive.
I am not surprised as I see sin taking it's toll and
ravaging families and churches today. There is no buffer zone, therefore it's not hard to sin. It's just a click away,
to use computer terminology.
Joseph Harris is the Vice President of Southeastern
Baptist College in Laurel, MS.(This article may be reprinted in whole, as long as the name Joseph Harris and
www.miniedition.net also appear
July 5, 2006 Mini
Edition by Joseph Harris Number 158
Savorless Salt and Covered Candles
In the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5, 6, and 7,
Jesus spoke of many things. Above all, the main theme of this sermon is that God's people are to be different from the
world in order to make a difference in the world. Just as salt preserves meat from corruption, so Christians
preserve society from moral corruption. Also, Christians "flavor" the world with goodness, love, etc., supplying
things not provided by the world. The scripture speaks of salt losing it’s savor, which is the same as
becoming tasteless and losing it's preserving power. Can salt really lose it’s saltiness? Mounds of
salt south of the dead sea, exposed to the rain and sun, were found to be tasteless, therefore useless. When
salt reaches this state, it is therefore good for nothing, as Jesus plainly stated. It has no use or any contribution to make
to food, for taste or preservation. Tasteless salt is thrown out and walked upon like the dirt on the street (trodden
under foot of men), since it has no value.
A light that is lifted high or set on a hill, radiates
and gives light to all below. What good is that light if it is covered with a bushel? A bushel measure
was a common object found in most houses in Bible times and when turned upside down, could double as a table.
Jesus said that no one lights a candle and then covers it with a bushel basket.
In speaking of salt and light, Jesus did not say that
Christians should be the salt of the earth or ought to be the light of the world. He said we already
are. Are you a preserving power in your group of acquaintances or in your family? Are you providing a flavor
within your own circle of people, that otherwise might not be provided? Do you add to the morality in your
community in a positive way? If your presence effects a better environment, then you are salting your world. I
realize that the first priority of Christians is not to make this world a better place, but to bring people to Christ.
However, people who come to Jesus make better citizens and neighbors. And as we win people to Christ, being salty makes
us more effective and sets a high standard of righteousness, thereby revealing God to the lost.
Years ago, I refused to perform a marriage ceremony
in a church setting for two professing Christians who were currently living together. I gave counsel, advising
them to repent, and show proof of their repentance by living in separate quarters, then, later I would consider
talking with them about a church wedding ceremony. Remember, these were professing Christians and I was
not about to allow the bride to march down the church aisle wearing white, straight from a bed of fornication with
her live-in lover husband to be. Churches and individual believers have an obligation to hold up a standard of
righteousness, which is a picture of the righteousness of God. When righteousness is no longer seen, believers
and non-believers begin to think everything is relative and there are no absolutes of right or wrong. Churches dropped
this ball years ago and relativism then crept into society.
Are you a beacon of light, as a lighthouse set
on a hill, or a flickering flame that barely lights the way? Light illuminates and reveals God to others. Jesus
said the purpose of letting our light shine was to show our good works and reveal the Father in Heaven (Matt. 5:16).
Are you a lighthouse, a torch, a match, or an ember? Oh God give us lighthouses to rescue the perishing from the
rocks of sin and hell.
Joseph Harris is the Vice President of Southeastern
Baptist College in Laurel, MS.(This article may be reprinted in whole, as long as the name Joseph Harris and
www.miniedition.net also appear)
To receive or discontinue Mini Edition, email joharris@comcast.net with ADD or REMOVE Forward this Edition to a Friend.
"This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine....."
June 22, 2006 Mini Edition
by Joseph Harris Number 157
The Good Ole Days of Common Sense
As I was perusing over some old Mini Editions written
back in 2001, I came across "It Ain't Right", edition number 3. This Mini Edition was a commentary on the decision
of the San Francisco City Council to pay for sex change operations for city employees. I made reference to the theme
song from the old 70's show "All in the family", starring that ever lov'in bigot Archie Bunker. I never cared much for Archeeeee
(as pronounced by Edith) but was intrigued by the song. "Those Were the Days" was written by Lee Adams and Charles
Strouse, composers of many Broadway musical numbers. The song is anything but politically correct, which is why I probably
like it. Archie and Edith never did sing all the verses so here is the entire set of lyrics:
Boy the way Glenn Miller played
Songs that made the Hit Parade
Guys like us, we had it made
Those were
the days
Didn't need no welfare state
Everybody pulled his weight
Gee, our old La Salle ran great
Those were
the days
And you knew where you were then
Girls were girls, and men were men
Mister, we could use a man like
Herbert Hoover again
People seemed to be content
Fifty dollars paid the rent
Freaks were in a circus tent
Those
were the days
Take a little Sunday spin
Go to watch the Dodgers win
Have yourself a dandy day that cost you under
a fin
Hair was short and skirts were long
Kate Smith really sold a song
I just don't know what went wrong
Those
were the days
Let's examine some of the statements in this outdated song.
Girls were girls and men were men, is an absolute
statement. There is nothing relative about gender. Some colleges are offering gender neutral dorms for those
students who are not sure of what they are. Talk about confusion. There are some things that just can't
be questioned and gender is one. There is a reason why "M" or "F" is checked on a birth certificate.
Ever since the Bible as the absolute authority from an absolute God was abandoned, relativism was road left
to be taken.
Freaks used to be in a circus tent. Now they are alive
and well on the street and standing with you in the check out line at Wal-Mart. Call him what you want, but
any boy with earlobes containing holes big enough to pass a golf ball through is a freak. Instead of calling them
freaks, we might refer to them as alternative people.
We didn't need a welfare state because everybody pulled
his weight. Now, the working few support the undeserving many, with the prospect of their numbers growing
faster than you can say "Si".
And what's wrong with short hair on men and long skirts
on women? Oh I know it's outdated, but masculinity and modesty are always in vogue in God's fashion manual. The
often repeated adage, "America is an insane asylum run by the inmates" is still true. Maybe even more than ever.
Joseph Harris is the Vice President of Southeastern
Baptist College in Laurel, MS.(This article may be reprinted in whole, as long as the name Joseph Harris and
www.miniedition.net also appear)
Fasten your seatbelts. Culturally, we ain't seen nuth'in yet.
February 24, 2006
Mini Edition by Joseph Harris Number 153
Are
You PC (Politically Correct)?
Over the past few years, the scourge of political correctness
has caused people to choose their words carefully to "fit in" with an understanding and tolerant society. The real goal
of PC is to redefine established definitions and effect a change in thinking, attitudes and philosophies. Replacing
well established words and phrases with less offensive, "more descriptive " words almost always changes the original understanding.
Consider the following list of words, some are PC, others are "dressed up" to sound better.
Animal trainer...........interspecies communicator
Animals..........non-humans
Bald...............hair challenged (this one gives me a higher self esteem)
Bisexual.........sexually non-preferential
Paper...........processed tree carcass
Bum..........displaced homeowner
Cattle ranch..........cattle concentration camp
False teeth.........alternative dentation
Prostitute....sex care provider
Sex change.........gender reassignment
Communication through speech is powerful. Speech is
communication and occurs when one expresses thoughts of the mind with words from the mouth. Words are important and
do have meaning. The word alcoholic is not harsh sounding and not as offensive as calling someone a drunk.
Unfaithful spouse certainly sounds better than adulterer and promiscuity is more pleasing to the
ear than fornication.
Jails are no longer known as institutions which incarcerate
prisoners. They are adult detention centers where detainees are housed. Why? It
just sounds better. After all, we wouldn't want the detainees to bear an extra burden of guilt by reminding them
of what they really are (criminals) and what they have really done (broken the law). Notice also, the prisoners of
war in the recent war on terror are called detainees. Call me crazy, but I like prisoner of war.
When I hear news reports of some Palestinian militant
who has blown himself up along with innocent civilians and bystanders, I have to remind myself that he is a militant
not a terrorist. It just sounds better. You've got to admit, militant and gunman both sound
better than terrorist or bomber.
How about those high school drop outs? The battle
is on to rename them so they will not be plagued with lower self esteem caused by a lifelong negative label. Though
I haven't heard the new title yet, I think diploma challenged is nice. In the future I will no longer refer to
myself as a professor or teacher, but a classroom facilitator, one who inculcates (teaches) recipients
of knowledge (students).
And Black people are no longer Black people,
but African Americans, yet not a single Black American I know was born in Africa, and neither were their parents, grandparents
or great-grand parents. (Here's a question: if a white person born and reared in South Africa becomes an American citizen,
is that person an African American?) This would also apply to Chinese, Italian, Arab, Korean and other ethnic
groups. The correct classification should be Americans of African descent, Americans
of Chinese descent, Americans of Arab descent, etc., with emphasis on American.
I think we should return to reality in plain speech.
The truth is becoming harder to find, yet it is the truth which will set us free.
Joseph
Harris is the Vice President of Southeastern Baptist College in Laurel, MS.(This article may be reprinted
in whole, as long as the name Joseph Harris and www.miniedition.net also appear)
Joseph Harris is a classroom facilitator at Southeastern Baptist College where he inculcates
recipients of knowledge.
Honor Thy Government
According to an outrageous ruling by the infamous
9th Circuit Court of Appeals, parents no longer have exclusive rights concerning the education of their children. A
group of parents sued a certain school district because of a sex survey given to their first graders (coming soon
to a school near you , so don't be shocked). The court stated that parents not only have no voice in what schools teach,
but they also wrote "parents have no due process or privacy right to override the determinations of public schools
as to the information to which their children will be exposed while enrolled as students." That should make
you feel warm and fuzzy inside, if you are a parent. If you are a good parent, it should burn you up.
On the other hand, look at the flip side. Government
schools are just wanting to lay claim to their deserved parental authority. Take note of how many children
today are supported by the government. Since government pays for their pre-natal care, birth, medical insurance,
food, etc., why wouldn't the government be considered their mother? Government, through it's many and varied give-away
welfare programs, is the parent of millions of children in this country. It is only natural that government, through
it's educational arm would assert it's parental authority.
Mother government began conceiving children back in
the days of FDR and has remained fertile to the present. We are into 70 years of a government dependent mentality.
People think the government is supposed to handle their retirement through Social Security, their retirement benefits through
Medicaid, provide their daily bread through food stamp programs, supply insurance through Medicare, provide housing through
government subsidies, and that's just naming some of the more well known programs.
The parental government has become a mainstream
part of society. After Hurricane Katrina hit, people turned to the government for relief and aid, and in an emergency,
limited government assistance is not a bad thing. However, I saw people shamelessly exploiting the system to "get
back what I've paid in" as justification for their actions. People who had good chainsaws went and bought new
ones, knowing they would be reimbursed by FEMA. People who lost food in freezers and refrigerators stood in
line more than once for EBT cards, (high tech electronic food stamps) to replace this food, yet many of them also received
compensation for this same food from their private insurance company. That's called double dipping and it is wrong.
This type of thinking, at least in part, is connected
to the parental government philosophy. The government does not owe social services to we the people. I also watched
as people loaded and stockpiled food as it was delivered, while others who had food, partook of prepared meals intended for
those who had no food. Two generations have had an umbilical connection for so long, they cannot begin to
live and think independently.
So when I see government schools try to usurp parental
authority, I am not surprised. Government has been playing parent for so long, it is natural for her to lay claim to
that in which she has invested.
Joseph Harris is the Vice President of Southeastern
Baptist College in Laurel, MS.(This article may be reprinted in whole, as long as the name Joseph Harris and
www.miniedition.net also appear)
Government's view of the economy: if it moves, tax it. If it keeps moving,
regulate it. It if stops moving, subsidize it. Ronald Reagan.
Thanks for the Validation of Christianity
There is little doubt that enmity exists between
the church and the world. God is mocked, churches are belittled and individual believers are cast as backward and intolerant.
The ACLU is at the forefront leading the attack under the guise of protecting the civil liberties of Americans(and illegal
aliens, muslim terrorists, etc). In reality, civil liberties in this country are not in danger, but religious liberties
are constantly challenged. Psuedo science has waged war against God through an unproven theory on the origin of
man, stating the existence of God cannot be proven, while demonstrating it's inability to prove the theory of macro-evolution
through empirical evidence. God, the Bible and morality have been kicked out of public schools and the public forum
under the so-called myth of "separation of church and state" which is nothing more than a manifestation of hatred for
God, facilitiated by liberal politicians, educators and eager members of the media.
So for all the hatred, attacks and lawsuits against
God and that which is Christian and moral, I say thanks for the validation. I appreciate the validation given by
this ungodly world to the God of the universe and His followers. Jews and Christians have been attacked more than
anyone in history. The Jews have endured more attempts of genocide throughout their history than any ancient people
on the face of the earth and true Bible believing Christians have been targeted throughout church history(See "Trail of Blood"
by J.M. Carroll and "Foxes Book of Martyrs" by John Fox).
Now look at some modern day feeble attacks against God
and His people:
(1)It was a representation of Jesus and
not Mohammed that was placed in a jar of urine, some years back, as an "art" exhibit. In a more recent display, the
mother of Jesus was associated with elephant dung. I hope the mothers of Mohammed, and Confucious and the mother earth
goddess of the Wiccans weren't offended since they were ignored and not thought worthy of this honor.
(2)Notice, also the commotion caused at the mention
of the name Jesus in public Christian prayers. Apparently there's just something about that name(with
apologies to Bill Gaither). Besides, what other name could a Christian use in prayer, but the name Jesus?
The problem is this: God hating, Christ rejecters have a problem with God. Period. That is the answer, simply
put. Franklin Graham and Bailey Smith are not afraid to use the name Jesus on national television. See Acts 4:12.
(3)Any attempt to take the name of God in vain
is aimed at the God of the Bible, not Allah or any other wannabe deity. Allah(who is actually an ancient
Mesopotamian moon god, hence the crescent moon on the flag of Islam) is not in danger of being blasphemed. We too often
hear "gd" but who has ever heard anyone say "ad"? (Some would say that Allah is God, but make no mistake. The
God referred to in "gd" is the God of the Bible.
(4)And now we come to that special time of the
year when we must stuff everything religious looking(of a Christian nature) into the closet. The baby Jesus in
the manger and every vestige of anything smelling of Christianity must be burned on the altar of sensitivity to
the religions of others and the atheism of a few. As usual, the so-called American Civil Liberties Union, possibly allied
with some Muslims, will lead the charge this season, taking America to new heights of freedom from the shackles
of the medieval Christianity that binds the civil liberties of everyone. I admit there are some pagan connections
with what is now called Christmas, so I don't fully endorse all the trappings that come with this holiday. The
main focus of this season at our home is not Santa. However, extremists who hate God, attack that which
they perceive to be Christian, then Christians get offended, so then the offendees become the offenders. This may
be America, but we are not guaranteed immunity from offense.
Why is such outrage expressed and such intolerance
exhibited toward God and especially Christianity? I think the answer is found in the words of Jesus to his disciples.
"In the world ye shall have tribulation...." So just expect it. Attacks against God and that which is perceived
to be of God are normal. However, we don't have to like or accept it. And the same civil liberties used by
the few to voice their opinion against God, are also afforded to the majority, and we should express our opposition to
their opposition with zeal. If atheism and Islam had a majority, there would be no opportunity for second opinions. The
quilt of freedom which covers this country was sewn on the framework of Christianity, which is the mother religion of this
nation.
Joseph Harris is the Vice President of Southeastern
Baptist College in Laurel, MS.(This article may be reprinted in whole, as long as the name Joseph Harris and
www.miniedition.net also appear)
God, the Bible and Christianity are unquestionably tied to this nation and it's
beginning, providing the moral foundation for our laws. jhh
October 13, 2005 Mini Edition by Joseph Harris Number 149
Morality,the Constitution and the Supreme Court
I hate being in the dark. I like to know some
things for certain, and there are some facts I know for sure. I know I am a male, I know I am married and
I would like to know for sure if John Roberts and Harriet Miers are really conservatives. You see, if they are real
conservatives, I can rest easier about potential decisions they will make that will drastically affect my children and grandchildren.
Conservatives usually have a conscience when it comes to morality.
It seems logical that a conservative President would
appoint conservatives. However, there is just no definite proof. You know a dog is a dog, a cat is a cat and a
fish is a fish, because they fit certain criteria that is difficult to question. A conservative is usually identified
as such because of matching certain standards. And a conservative is almost always known to be a conservative.
It's the liberal who is usually not forthcoming about their philosophy. One issue of difference between conservatives
and liberals is morality.
It remains to be seen whether or not Judge Roberts
is a conservative and originalist on interpreting the Constitution. As for Miers, it is certainly anyone's guess about
her. We are being constantly reminded she is a born again Christian with a good heart. But we are also assured
her moral beliefs have no sway whatsoever on any decisions she may make. I understand that Supreme Court decisions
are supposed to be based on the law, not feelings, desires or hopes. But can anyone completely divorce themselves
from personal moral beliefs? It is as obvious as a rhino in a bathtub that Supreme Court Justices have
been guided by criteria other than the Constitution in the past. Some even admit to international law playing
a role in final decisions. Others have been guided by emotion and contemporary culture, as displayed
in decisions on abortion and homosexuality.
If personal and religious beliefs have no influence
on her decisions, she may as well be an atheist. At least then, as an atheist, it would be acceptable in today's society to
be guided by a Godless worldview. However, if her worldview even remotely includes God and morality,
they must be left outside the courtroom door.
We have heard that character and morals do not affect
job performance(as with Bill and Monica), but I want someone with morals to interpret the Constitution, which, by the way,
is based on morality. Our law, based on the Constitution, is supposed to determine right and wrong, which has to
do with morality. Murder, stealing, etc. are either right or wrong, and they are moral issues. Anyone
not influenced by their morals does not have the courage of their convictions(sometimes known as "guts"). What
good are convictions based on morality, if they are not lived? This would be nothing more than empty philosophy
or at best, theory, and theory is useless without practice. There is a strange theory going around that humans need
to eat daily to stay alive. This theory is proven when not practiced, as evidenced by starvation and death.
Is it possible to separate morality
from law? Liberals demand conservatives do it, while they themselves are influenced by the immorality
of evolutionary humanism, sprinkled with existential relativism and multi-culturalism. Oh, wait, that's right!
Only CHRISTIAN morality is to be set aside.
The Constitution upholds inalienable rights
for all. The right to life is an unalienable right. Murder is wrong from a moral, religious and civil perspective,
therefore, this basic premise of the immorality, sinfulness and illegality of murder should have rendered the opposite
decision in ROE vs WADE. The current ruling in ROE Vs. WADE is inconsistent with the overall premise of the
Constitution based on the meaning of unalienable rights(which means given by God, not man; if man can give them, he can
take them away). But the majority set aside morality, common sense and thousands of years of thinking on murder,
and ruled in favor of the "constitutional" right of a woman to murder her baby. No one ever saw this
"right" in the constitution before this decision, because judges were not in the habit of setting aside morality when
rendering decisions. The law is not amoral or anti-moral. It is a moral instrument resting directly on the ten
commandments.
The only thing liberals want to know about
a Supreme Court nominee is: will he or she continue to uphold the right for women to slaughter their own children.
Everything else is secondary. What I want to know is: will they interpret the law through the lens of Biblical morality? At
this point, I do not know if Roberts and Miers will. We can only pray.
Joseph Harris is the Chairman of Biblical Studies
at Southeastern Baptist College in Laurel, MS.(This article may be reprinted in whole, as long as the name Joseph
Harris and www.miniedition.net also appear)
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"Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth
forth evil fruit" Jesus
We have all experienced it, or will. That sickening
feeling when the snap won't snap, the button won't reach or the belt has to be buckled in a new hole. It may happen
from eating too much, exercising too little, a combination of both or just growing a little older. Some give the reason
of heredity, a solution I have fled to for refuge. Nevertheless, the feeling of tight fitting clothes is physically
uncomfortable and emotionally scarring .
There is another way we also get too big for our britches.
It's when we think we have arrived, we know it all, and get full of ourselves. In other words, being too big for
our britches means we are full of self and pride. I remember stretching my independence as an early teen and
sassing my mother. Her exact words were, "You are getting too big for your britches" followed with a slap on the face
in public. It was amazing how quickly my britches got back down to the right size. She took my belt up a notch.
Sometimes in life we begin to think we are doing great
and mighty things, especially for God. We begin to take credit for His work and His blessings, forgetting that we are
only the conduit through which He flows and gives blessings. When this happens to me, I try to remember that planting
and watering thing Paul spoke of in I Corinthians. One person plants, another waters, but God grows the plant.
When someone tells you what a great sermon
or lesson you gave or what a great musical rendition you just delivered, be on guard or you may begin believe them.
You might actually think you were responsible for doing something great. It is at this point that our
britches begin getting a little snug. An important phrase I find in the book of Acts is "and God added to the
church" speaking of the local church at Jerusalem. The inspired writer gave God the credit for church growth.
I wonder which church growth seminar they attended? Maybe they were just full of the Spirit and spoke the word of God
with boldness, witnessing and winning folks everywhere they went because they just didn't know any better. One thing
is for certain; God was responsible for the growth.
I present over 100 preaching, teaching and illusion programs
a year in churches, at camps and retreats, etc. in several states. There are professions of faith each
year. I have no idea how many, since I do not keep a record. That's God's business and I keep horrible records
anyway. If I kept a tally of how many professions were made each year, I would begin thinking I was a spiritual giant. I
am in touch with myself enough to know my pride doesn't need any encouragement to grow. I have to
beat it down constantly. There is nothing like a good dose of scripture to deflate ego.
Just when things are going well and God's blessings
are evident, beware lest you steal His thunder. He is the potter, we are the clay. I have never seen a bowl make
itself on the potter's wheel. The Master's hands are required for the shaping and He produces the finished product.
"For we are his workmanship created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should
walk in them" Ephesians 2:10
Joseph Harris is the Chairman of Biblical Studies
at Southeastern Baptist College in Laurel, MS.(This article may be reprinted in whole, as long as the name Joseph
Harris and www.miniedition.net also appear)
"I (Paul) have planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase"
I Corinthians 3:6
The
God of Christmas
It's that time of year: carols, bells, shopping, tinsel, nativities, attacks on nativities, Santa, etc. In other
words, Christmas time. I often feel like the Lone Ranger this time year because of mixed feelings. I KNOW the
incarnation of Christ in flesh is important, for if God had not become man, we would have no Savior. I also know that
much of what is connected with Christmas has nothing to do with His incarnation, such as Santa, elves, gifts, and the list
goes on ad nauseum. Plus, no objective student of church history can deny the unscriptural origin of Christmas
trees, Winter solstice feast of Saturnalia on December 25, and other pagan connections that were "Christianized" for us by
the Catholic institution, then evolved into our modern day somewhat Christian holiday.
Christmas has pagan, secular, and Christian elements. When the ACLU, People United for the Separation of Church and
State, and other arrogant, anti God institutions try to ban the Christian displays of Christmas from "sacred" government
property, it makes my blood boil. Their interpretation of the First Amendment is biased and agenda driven. On
the other hand, some Christians decry the commercialization of Christmas, with "Let's put Christ back in Christmas" as their
mantra. That is equivilent to saying the Palestinians should get their land back. How can they get back
what they never had and how can you put Christ back where he has not been? You see, I'm not convinced Christ has
ever been the center of Christmas. To be sure, He is mentioned, even included.......but so is Santa. The question
is, who has more visibility at Christmas, Jesus or Santa. You can answer this question by counting the amount of times
people ask kids what Santa is bringing them, as opposed to the total number of times they ask kids about the birth of Jesus.
I know I am a spoil sport but hear me out. I am about to reveal the real God of Christmas, and it is not Santa.
The real focus and purpose and reason for the season is found downtown. MAMMON is the driving force. Buying
and selling is done more than anything else during this season. Buying and selling is the focus. Don't get
me wrong. We give gifts at our house and include some of what we have inherited for Christmas in our American culture.
But our focus is Jesus, not Santa. Our focus is also giving to others, not just buying and selling, though some buying
is done in order to give. The challenge is to keep the proper perspective and make sure mammon does not receive the
adoration and undue attention it usually receives this time of year.
Joseph Harris is the Vice President of Southeastern
Baptist College in Laurel, MS. (This article may be reprinted in whole, as long as the name Joseph Harris and
www.miniedition.net also appear)
February
14, 2007 Mini Edition by Joseph
Harris Number 170
And the Answer is...........God
There are three great questions in life that have
been asked by philosophers, preachers, humanists, scientists, farmers, and well, basically, people from all walks in life
have asked these questions. From where did I come? Where am I going? What is my purpose? Though phrased
differently by some, those are the main questions asked when searching for truth and the meaning of life. At the risk
of sounding simplistic and unscholarly (which is not difficult for me to do) I say the answer to all three questions is God.
Let me explain by asking the questions again.
From where did man come? What is the
origin of man? There are really only two options for this one.They are:
God- God is creator of everything. As Paul states in Acts 17, when
preaching to the intellectuals on Mars Hill, God is the author of plant life, animal life, human life and eternal life.
God created the dirt, then made man from the dirt. We are sustained and nourished from the dirt. Both plants and
animals get nourishment from the dirt and man eats plants and animals. Everything we eat is nothing more than chemically
changed dirt.
Goo- Or maybe we came from nothing that exploded, then formed at the right
temperature, on the right planet, in the right substance, at the right time. Maybe life came from the random chance
of proteins and acids that formed into a goo, which then produced a cell which then evolved into a cluster of cells, and then
grew, eventually, into Grampa. Than again, maybe not.
What is the purpose of man? Again, there
are only two options for answers and they are:
Glorify God- To live for God is to put Him first in all decisions and actions.
He is to be the center of your thinking and philosophy of life. He is to be acknowledged and worshipped daily, bowing
to His will in all matters, events, and circumstances.
Glorify Self- You either live for yourself or someone else. You tend
to the needs of others or yourself. In serving others, we serve God. In serving self, we glorify self and not
God. Self must be dethroned and God enthroned.
Where is man going? And again, there
are two basic answers which are:
Glory- The eternal presence of God is the ultimate destination of the believer.
After death and judgment, then the eternal presence of God will be enjoyed by all believers on a new earth in a new Heaven.
There is no other destiny, except:
Grave- By grave, I mean more than a burial plot. I am speaking of death,
hell and the grave, or the second death. All the lost in hell will eventually be delivered to the great white throne
judgment, then be cast into the lake of fire, which is the second death. They will then be FOREVER separated from God,
yet retain a state of consciousness. The knowledge and experience of eternal separation from God is the greatest punishment
of the lost.
When GOD is the answer to life's three greatest questions,
then hope abounds. To use a cliche, NO GOD, NO HOPE; KNOW GOD, KNOW HOPE.
Joseph Harris is the Vice President of Southeastern
Baptist College in Laurel, MS. (This article may be reprinted in whole, as long as the name Joseph Harris and
www.miniedition.net also appear)
January 27, 2006 Mini Edition by Joseph
Harris Number 152
Sense and Sensitivity
Sensitivity is a buzz word for the 21st century.
We should be sensitive to the needs and plight of others. We should be compassionate when others are hurting and
should be sensitive when there is potential for offense. I say this in all sincerity with no trace of sarcasm.
Christianity has proven itself to be the most sensitive and caring religion in existence. There is an abundance of hospitals
bearing denominational Christian names. Christianity expresses itself fully in ministering to the spiritual and physical
needs of others. Jesus was moved with compassion for the mulititudes that followed him and miraculously fed them on
more than one occasion. He also alleviated physical suffering by healing many. He wept with his friends Mary and
Martha, when their brother Lazarus had died, then he restored life to him.
Having said all of the above, now comes the
hard truth. Sense should be used with sensitivity. Extremism seems to dominate in this area. People are
super sensitive about race, gender, religion and politics. No one, especially a Christian, should seek to be offensive.
I have noticed those who rant about being sensitive to the minority, care little about the feelings of the majority.
True sensitivity is consistent and considers all, acknowledging also that not everyone will always be happy or satisfied.
100 % placation of all is impossible.
Sensitization. There is an attempt to sensitize
people who are perceived as being "hateful" and intolerant. These "haters" are sometimes required by an
employer to attend sensitivity seminars intended to educate in the areas of sexual orientation and gender discrimination.
There are attempts to sensitize the population to the importance
of the vanishing spotted owl, endangered Alaskan caribou, diminishing rain forests, freshwater turtles,
etc.
We are encouraged to understand the "peaceful" religion
of Islam, study the Koran and not practice profiling among young Arab males, thereby being sensitive and not offensive.
Christians are supposed to give up time honored traditions
of Christmas displays and greetings, proving sensitivity to those who may not be Christian.
Desensitization. There is also a desensitizing program
alive and well. Through incremental exposure in the news and entertainment industry, we are desensitized to the abnormality
of homosexuality and told we must accept as normal what less than 5% of the total population practices. Hollywood's
recent gem of perversion, Brokeback Mountain, is a fine example. This film contains queer cowboys. What's next?
A love story about truckers? The latest piece of propaganda in the news is a story of how straight couples across America
are turning out in droves to see this "love" story.
We are desensitized to the horror of murder through
abortion when we are shown how poor downtrodden women will be saddled with unwanted children and die in horrible back alley
deaths if murder once again becomes illegal. Abortion is called a right, a choice and even birth control. Genocide
is also population control, but it is the instrument of dictators, tyrants and despots and is wrong.
We are slowly being desensitized and re-educated in
gender and gender roles in society. There are fundamental differences between males and females, yet gender confusion
is not uncommon today. We are told there are some "gender neutral" individuals who aren't sure of their
sex and/or sexual orientation and are in a quandry trying to decide "what" they are. It's really a simple matter. Boys
and men are males and girls and women are females. Men are to be decisive and masculine, protecting and
providing for their families while providing spiritual leadership in the home and church. Women give and nurture life,
pursuing Motherhood as their highest calling while providing stability as the heart of the family, being a keeper at
home and supporting the husband in his leadership.
Sensitivity is important and Christians should be
senstive, but sensitivity should be guided by good old, plain, down to earth common sense. Common sense will also guard
against being desensitized.
Joseph Harris
is the Vice President of Southeastern Baptist College in Laurel, MS.(This article may be reprinted in whole,
as long as the name Joseph Harris and www.miniedition.net also appear)
The proverbial frog in the pot of water is now boiling.
August 2, 2005 Mini Edition by Joseph Harris Number 147
Things You Cannot Say In America, Thanks To Political Correctness
(A follow-up to "News Headlines You Never See")
Have you ever known anyone with a martyr's complex?
I mean, someone who enjoyed persecution and actually felt worthless in life unless they were being maligned. These
hapless individuals even manufacture persecution during slow seasons. Now if you happen to be one of these individuals,
or would like to be persecuted, boiled in oil, flayed alived and then beheaded, this article is for you.
In the Kingdom of Political Correctness, some things
are just no-no. Truth, honesty and facts are nowhere to be found in this land of make-believe. Expediency, self
promotion and personal enrichment are usually the motivations for being PC. Purveyors of PC lie, dodge and twist
the truth, re-phrasing sentences and re-defining well established definitions in order to change thinking on issues. Residents
in this fairy tale kingdom can be found in government, universities and colleges, pulpits, schools, and any place
of influence. They eat at the foundation of absolute truth, especially as found in Scripture and shoot their venom
at all who oppose and expose their insidious ways. They have succeeded in silencing many who might otherwise speak
the truth in boldness, having beaten them down to believe that "fairness" and "compassion" are paramount and must
reign as the standard used to judge what is spoken or printed.
To ensure you end up thrown into the torture
dungeon of the Kingdom of Political Correctness, you might begin by spouting off at the mouth with some phrases that have
to do with gender roles and sexual identity. These subjects will ensure your place on the stretching rack. To
get you started, here are some things you cannot say in America:
"Men and women are different"
"Homosexuality is a sin"
"Islam is not a religion of peace, but produces terrorists"
"Jesus" (spoken while leading in a public prayer)
"Mothers should stay at home and make motherhood their career"
"The Republican party is betraying conservatives"
"Illegal Aliens" (instead of Mexican immigrants)
"The Catholic church is not the true Christian church"
"Palestinian gunmen are nothing more than murdering terrorists"
"George Bush is betraying conservative Christians"
"Home educated students excell above traditional students"
"Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton are racists"
"The Constitution is not a living document"
So there you have it. Things to say, just
for starters, that are sure to bring reproach in today's multi-cultural, pluralistic, God-hating, Christ-denying society.
See you in the dungeon.
Joseph Harris is the Chairman of Biblical Studies
at Southeastern Baptist College in Laurel, MS.(This article may be reprinted in whole, as long as the name Joseph
Harris and www.miniedition.net also appear)
"Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light,
and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!" Isaiah 5:20
July 21, 2005 Mini Edition by Joseph Harris Number 146
News Headlines You Never See
There is a prevailing thought circulating
about media bias. Some think news outlets are unfair and biased in their reporting. Just in case this is true,
I have come up with some news headlines I would like to see. Some of these reflect the media just reporting
the truth as it is, and other headlines are reflective of what ought to be. Muse over the following headlines, then
email me your own headlines at joharris@comcast.net so I may do some musing myself.
Senate Approves Federal Judge Appointee With Pro-Life Record
President Bush Closes Borders, Revokes Amnesty Policy
ACLU Sues School On Behalf Of Members Of Bible Club
Teddy Kennedy Attacked By Media
Israeli Suicide Bomber Kills 10 Palestinians In Supermarket Explosion
Muslim Religious Leaders Excommunicate Islamic Terrorists
Teddy Kennedy Fails Driving Test; Passes Swimming Exam
United Nations Denounces Palestinian Terrorism Against Israel
Supreme Court Hands Down Majority Decision Not Based On International
Law
Test Scores In Public Schools Through The Roof
Planned Parenthood Sponsors Abstinence Rally, Highlighting Sessions That
Condemn Abortion
New Study By The American Psychological Association Proves Homosexuality
Is A Chosen, Deviant, Self Destructive Lifestyle
Poll Shows The Majority Of Americans Believe The United States Not Responsible
For The 911 Attack
Commission Of University History Professors Publishes Book Documenting
The Judeo-Christian Foundation Of America
Airport Security Screeners Use Profiling To Detect Terrorists
Teddy Kennedy Becomes A Born Again Believer And Apologizes For 40 Years
Of Liberal Activism
And finally, the headline I would love to see:
America Becomes A Nation That Exalts Righteousness.
Joseph Harris is the Chairman of
Biblical Studies at Southeastern Baptist College in Laurel, MS.(This article may be reprinted in whole, as long
as the name Joseph Harris and www.miniedition.net also appear)
Forget the grain of salt. Take the news with a
saltshaker.
March 1, 2005 Mini Edition By JosephHarris Number
141
A Question of Responsibility
According to a news report from Orlando Florida,
a new craze has hit teenagers: garage jumping. Thrill seekers are jumping from one parking garage roof to another,
with some roofs as high as six stories or 80 feet. As expected with such lunacy, some have fallen and been injured.
The family of one boy who fell and fractured his
shoulder, is filing a lawsuit against the city and parking garage for not having a fence to keep jumpers from jumping.
The city has since erected some length of fence, but a jumper can still get around the fence and jump. The suing
family stated that the garage should "take responsibility" before another jumper jumps. Huhhh? How about this
for a solution: put up a sign that says "Don't Jump, Idiot", but then that would be too common sense of an approach.
Plus, it may offend idiots.
If anyone is crazy enough to take such a risk,
they will go find an unfenced building somewhere else and jump anyway. Where does responsibility begin? It
begins with the individual.
Where does the placing of blame stop? Should
we place fences on streets and highways to keep people from walking in front of moving vehicles? If not,
can local or state governments be sued for not restricting walkers who may get struck by automobiles?
Remember the individual who sued McDonalds over the hot coffee? After
placing a hot cup of coffee between the legs while driving, this person received burns from splashed coffee. McDonalds
then began placing on each cup warning signs of "Hot Coffee" (which is tantamount to "Cold Ice") when they should have spent
a few cents more and also printed "Don't Place Between Legs or Knees While Driving" on each cup.
The shirking of responsibility is nothing
new. In the book of Genesis, Adam and Eve both did their share of placing blame. Eve told God the serpent gave
her the fruit to eat, so it was his fault. Adam placed a double blame with one stroke and told God the problem was the
woman He(God) gave to Adam. When Aaron, the brother of Moses was asked where he got the golden calf,
his answer, "Well we put our gold in this fire, and out came this calf", like the calf made itself. And last but not
least, King Ahab called Elijah the one who "troubleth Israel", yet Israel's real problem was Ahab and his wicked wife Jezebel.
When people refuse to take responsibility
for their actions, then everyone else is fair game to blame. Couples divorce with a no fault divorce. If it was
not the fault of either involved, then how did it happen. A young person robs a store, but it's not his fault. His
defense attorney later claims society has failed the youth. The list could go on and on. There are sometimes external circumstances
that contribute to, or predispose individuals to make certain decisions, but ultimately, each individual has to
be held accountable for his or her own actions. Accountability, followed by acknowlegment and confession, reduces
problems and paves the way for making right decisions in the future.
Joseph Harris is
the Chairman of Biblical Studies at Southeastern Baptist College in Laurel, MS.(This article may be reprinted in whole,
as long as the name Joseph Harris and www.miniedition.net also appear)
Acceptance of personal sin is neccessary for salvation.
The Obvious Media Bias
Does anyone in their right mind doubt the obvious media
bias toward liberalism? Anyone, liberal or conservative, who is fairly objective, can see the truth with closed
eyes. For those with their heads in the sand, this previous Presidential election should have been an
eye opener.
(1)First, look at the Dan Rather fiasco. Rather
was caught red handed. Period. He reported and initially defended a lie. His liberal agenda helped
him to convince himself the National Guard story about President Bush was true. So much for "reporting" the news.
(2)Next, look at the pre-election
polls and their prediction of a Kerry win. The "polls" showed the race as razor thin or with Kerry having an edge.
Of course, they were dead wrong. Is anyone going to question why? Does the media care? The news
people care only as long as it promotes their agenda, or man. As I said the entire previous week, it was nothing
more than propaganda hype.
(3)Then, the scandalous exit polls
were introduced, with the obvious purpose of influencing voters. These "polls" showed Kerry winning with a wide margin. Obviously,
those polled after leaving the booths, lied about who they voted for......or maybe, just maybe, those polled were target
groups in certain geographical areas. And the answer is....the majority of those polled were
women from metropolitan areas, which means it was a manipulated poll. Case closed. Whether those in
the news media were responsible for or involved in these polls is not the issue. They were all too
eager to accept the skewed results and happily report them.
(4)There is also the matter of the
media jumping on the munitions looting story in Iraq, which by the way, was all a bunch of houey (pronounced whooeey).
No matter. It helped to cast doubt on the President's leadership and try to achieve their goal: stop
Bush at any cost, even the cost of the truth.
(5)Notice also the pass given to the
darling Kerry on his senate and Vietnam record. This obvious traitor to America was always handled with kid gloves on
these issues. The ones treated as traitors were the many honorable Vets who dared to question the golden boy and his
patriotic Purple Hearts.
(6)Did anyone also notice how reluctant
the networks were to call a victory for President Bush? At the beginning of the night, when it didn't matter, they were
calling states right and left for George Bush. But when the number of electoral votes got within range of the magic
"270", suddenly the declarations stopped. Answer: obvious media bias.
If they were not so biased, they might begin to understand
the people of this country. If they would stop shoving their Godless agenda down America's throat, and begin to listen
to the average person, they would realize THEY are out of step with reality. The message sent on homosexual marriage
was loud and clear. Notice all the marriage amendments that were passed in the 11 states on election night.
He that hath an ear to hear, let him hear. The average person in this country does not want perversion
exalted, condoned and endorsed. Wake up ABC, NBC, CBS and CNN (and all others including print media). Come back
to reality. The political conservative revolution has just begun.
Joseph Harris
is the Chairman of Biblical Studies at Southeastern Baptist College in Laurel, MS.(This article
may be reprinted in whole, as long as the name Joseph Harris and www.miniedition.net also appear)
And lest we forget, though a conservative revolution is refreshing, only
a return to God will effect the real change that is needed in this country. II Chronicles 7:14
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