HOGpreacher

I have always admired Billy Graham. At times I have been in awe of the vignettes of his life. I heard Billy speak in Cleveland in the early 90's and spellbound by the simplicity of his message and the response of people

At times I have felt shame for my inadequacies. In part because of the standard set by Rev. Dr. Billy Graham

A freind sent this to me. I thought I would share it with you as it gets to the point with clarity and succinctness.


SHARING SOMETHING HEARTWARMING

Rev. Dr.Billy Graham is now 89 years old with Parkinson's disease. In January 2000, leaders in Charlotte, North Carolina, invited their favorite son, Billy Graham, to a luncheon in his honor. Billy initially hesitated to accept the invitation because he struggles with Parkinson's disease. But the Charlotte leaders said, "We don't expect a major address. Just come and let us honor you." So he agreed.

After wonderful things were said about him, Dr. Graham stepped to the rostrum, looked at the crowd, and said, "I'm reminded today of Albert Einstein, the great physicist who this month has been honored by Time magazine as the Man of the Century.

Labels: 10 Commandments, Billy Graham, God, Preacher, Responsibility, Salvation, Savior

I have been writing and relying thoughts, prayers, mundane propaganda for a year. So, far, I have received zero comments. So the question begs, "why bother writing"?

So, I won't.

Well, its a new year and the Dems are in control of Congress. This doesn't really bother me as I am not Republican. I just remember that the economic deterioration and higher taxes under Democrats control. I am also aware that it was the Dems that got us into and escalated the Vietnam Conflict fiasco. The future for the war against terrorism in Afghanistan, Iraq and possible other locales doesn't look favorable with them back in control. That's not saying the Republicans handled things well either.

However, it will be another Vietnam in Iraq with the Dems in power. They are already calling for a military draft with plans to blame the Republicans for it. . . . just like in the 60's.

With that said; Screw the politicians and support the men and women in military. They are doing the job they chose and was handed them. Do not blame, chastise, ridicule or eviscerate them. As a whole these men and women are about Honor, Duty and Loyalty. I cannot say the same about our National Government.



I always wanted to be in the military. It probably would have been the death of me. During the Vietnam Conflict (politically correct) I was called in the draft, rejected by the army. I then at age 19 tried to enlist in the Navy (like my brother) but was rejected. Twice, while in seminary, again I attempted to enlist in both the Navy and the Air Force and, again, both times rejected for medical reasons. None the less, my heart is with veterans of all wars and primarily with Vietnam Vets.

It is with honor, as a civilian, I salute what the Veterans of Vietnam did at the insistence of our Country and forcing American citizens the lesson of humility, honor, duty and service.

Some of my closest friends are Viet Vets. I attended college with a number of returning vets. In those days when the war was unpopular with the uneducated citizens of America and cowardice of border jumpers I witnessed ignorant verbiage (garbage) being hurled at returning service men. I am not here to defend or disagree with our participation in that horrific war.

I grew up with the evening news and the body counts, the number of sorties, pictures of flag draped coffins and sobbing families. I witnessed the riots on TV for racial injustices taking place, sit-ins protesting the war and insults and demeaning criticism towards vets. I remember Kent State and similar campus tragedies across the country. I remember Veterans of Vietnam taking the brunt of abuses by a nation built on honor being dishonored.

For years after the conflict the Vietnam War was blamed for the problems with society. If a vet perpetrated a crime, Vietnam was to blame. If a vet was homeless, drug or alcohol addicted, Vietnam was to blame. If America was seen as weak, Vietnam was to blame. America failed the Vets of Vietnam. The Vets of Vietnam served, maybe not voluntarily but they served, with honor and duty for America.

It was after years of blame that Vietnam Vets finally got the proper recognition they deserved. People finally came out of the cloud victimising vets to recognizing the reason, the loss, the pain of their sacrifice and embarrassing behavior of the American people toward them. A memorial was erected, Vets were elected to congress, local offices, large corporations and small business America. The War was no longer an embarrassment to the service men but a shame on the American people.

This has resulted in true Americans recognizing the service and sacrifice or our service men and women today. I have seen true Americans stand in the presence of a soldier, shake the hand of a Marine, stand and applaud Navy Seamen and Air Force personnel when entering an auditorium or walking of a plane. Today the respect for military personnel by the American people is a direct response to the shameful disrespect shown to Vietnam Vets upon their return home.

http://www.herosalute.com/states/big_game_ad_WMhi.html

Thank you Veterans of Vietnam. Whether or not you wanted to be there, you did. You did what your country asked of you and they ridiculed you at the time. It was your service and your country's disservice that has made men and women following in your footsteps more appreciated. More appreciated for the difficult work facing unbelievable situations where unthinkable results were/ are taken to preserve life, liberty and justice.

Here is a link showing support of American troops.
http://www.americasupportsyou.mil/AmericaSupportsYou/press_mat.html
Thank you to the men and women who served in Vietnam. Thank you to the men and women who serve the U.S. of A. around the world today.

~Webb~

Some fundamentalist Christian leaders are complaining about "mainline media" about their portrayal of "Christians" in TV/ Movies. But you know, as sad as I am to admit this, the media is not necessarily wrong in their portrayal of Christians. Christians should not be doing certain things that go against the teachings of Christ and morality but I have news for you.
They do!


Rev. Jerry Falwell posted, in part the following to his email group.

~~ NBC Sermonizes Against Chastity

Last night (Thursday) on NBC’s “ER,” the character of Hope Bobeck, who is defined as a Christian, abruptly decides that she should enter a sexual relationship with an atheist character.

“Chastity has always been overrated,” she states as she tells Dr. Archie Morris that they should meet for dinner and drinks and then “see what happens.” The doctor did determine not to join her for this tryst, but who knows what will happen in future episodes. The point here is that the portrayal is of a Christian young lady who suddenly determines that the Bible’s plan for sexuality is wrong.

Earlier this year, when NBC announced that “ER” would incorporate a Christian character into the series, many Christians held out hope that maybe just once we would see an honest depiction of someone who chooses to walk with Christ.

Instead, we get an often bungling character whose Christian faith is easily challenged and defeated.This is typical of the so-called mainstream media. ~~


Everyday, from lay people to top Christian leaders violate God's Word, fail tn their morality and damage their integrity. Case in point . . . me. I failed to follow the way of Jesus and found myself divorced. It was not God's fault, not my ex-wife's fault but mine entirely. If the "mainline media" wrote my biography they would find a very sinful man. However, I doubt they would portray the forgiveness I received from Christ. Even for the most grievous of offenses. Spitting in the eye of God.

The way TV/Movies most often portray Christians is sad, but not unrealistic. While 86% of the nation claim to be Christian less than half say they follow the 10 commandments, have remained monogamous in relationships, nearly all have lied, coveted, hated/loathed another, etc., etc.

While I would agree with Rev. Falwell that the media could do a more responsible job of depicting people of Christian faith, such as Fr Mulcahy of MASH sitcom, I cannot fault them for presenting them as we present ourselves in society.

Christians are involved in all the sins mentioned in the Bible. Is it right? NO. But it does happen. Can they be forgiven? YES, with genuine repentance.

Great Christian people from St. Paul (Romans 7) to Amy Grant to Jim Bakker to Ted Haggard to, yes, Jerry Falwell and the rest of us fail God and fall short of God's desires and commands. We are saints who sin and are ultimately forgiven in the name of Jesus Christ. We are Christians and when we sin we do not lose our salvation. We lose our voice.

The mainline media has this covered pretty accurately. Other than the totality of God forgiving sinners and justly portraying the evil of society, they don't stray from what they have witnessed.
It would be my hope they present the complete picture. It is my hope.
Will they?

Probably not.




~Webb~

2007 HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

What will it hold for you, personally? Are you one who lives only a day at a time without much thought to tomorrow? The Bible says, "Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." Matt 6:34 (NIV)

Yet if we fail to plan for "tomorrow", our future, we may not live as comfortably as possible. Sometimes we lose our "tomorrows" because of foolish decisions or it is/was taken from us. None the less what is the "tomorrow" for which we are preparing.

Sure, I would like to retire comfortably and not worry about bills, medical expenses, housing, etc. But for some and possibly many it may not be part of their tomorrow.

Don't think I am not preparing or that my future is bleak. It is not. But I work with clients and patients where tomorrow is painful, fearful, bleak and hopeless. AND there is no cure or healing for them. But there is a remedy.

God has a plan for each and every one of us. His instructions provide the wisdom of how to "prepare".

"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?'For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." Matt 6:25-33 (NIV)

This is not an indication we can "do nothing" and God will provide everything. It does state that with a plan based on God's design we have a "tomorrow" that is economically and Spiritually sound. The year 2007 is unknown. No one knows the future, what tomorrow will bring, who will live or die, what wars will start or end, what oppression the government will extend or hope religion will provide. What is known is that under Heaven there is a reason and time for every purpose. God promised life, grace and hope. God planned for us well. It is up to meet God's challenge and plan for ourselves relying on God's insight and Word to guide us.Knowing what God says about how we are to conduct our lives, thoughts, attitude, behaviors and beliefs will ultimately prepare us for a secure "tomorrow".
~Webb~