Tibet, the country that is controlled by China has been demonstrating the past week. The demonstrations are said to be controlled by the Dalai Lama, the spiritual leader of the Buddhists Monks. In response to the demonstration China has kicked out all foreign reporters and have quilled the peaceful demonstrations with violence.

This couldn’t come at a worse possible time. China is hosting the Olympics and in an attempt to explain their actions to the World Community they accuse the Buddhists Monks for trying to sabotage the Olympic games. The death toll in Tibet is anywhere from 16 to 80.

Enter Taiwan. Taiwan is holding their free Presidential elections this Saturday. Tibet has become a spring board for the Democratic Progressive Party. The DPP candidate who is pro independence was trailing in the polls by a margin of 20 percent. That margin has dramatically closed. Now the election is at a toss up. To close to call. The KMT candidate is not pro independence and not pro unification. He has a more gentle side to China, China has spent the past 4 years building relations with the KMT. Reports are that the people of Taiwan do not support unification but support a stronger independent identity from China.

Alongside the elections is a very controversial referendum. Actually two referendums will be held. One asks a yes or no vote- if Taiwan should seek to join the UN as Taiwan. The other asks should the country seek the UN membership under their official name, Republic of China, or any other respectable name. China will not tolerate this.

In this article the quote goes like this, “We will defend our sovereignty with all means. If, in fact, we are forced to stop a secession attempt (in Taiwan) with military means, our navy and air force are not yet effective enough. In that sort of conflict, we must be superior in the water and in the air, at least locally.”

The US is sending two air craft carriers to the region for routine tests.

Why the silence on these issues? I haven’t read or heard one US site reporting anything with depth. Why? Why does Iraq get all the attention when we have a free country that is facing pressure from a Communist country to unify with them? Is Freedom a dead cliche that we like to throw around or is it truly alive in hearts around the globe? Let’s pray and support the cause of freedom where ever it may be.

More Links:

U.S. carriers sent toward Taiwan before election

Beijing’s other problem

Vote plea as Tibet fallout hits Taiwan election race

Dalai Lama suggests Taiwan ‘integrate’ with China

Taiwan ambassador returns to native land

China Tensions Sway Taiwan Election

Update:

Taiwan’s Independence Movement Likely to Wane In this article, “Nevertheless, American officials continue to warn Taiwan not to provoke China. In Beijing on Feb. 26, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said, “this referendum is not going to help anyone, and, in fact, it shouldn’t be held.”

WHAT? This is crazy… we are expecting Taiwan to back down and not stand up and declare what they already are! I’m ashamed of our leaders. It shows they like to talk tough on freedom but not back it up in action.

54 Comments
General

Once again Politics & Religion has knocked a home run, way to go Irvin and Jesse! Politics & Religion radio broadcast has an interview of John Longnecker. John has a book that is on my list to read and I am sure 3G’ers would love to listen to the interview and or read the book. The title of the book is, “Transfer of Wealth” subtitled “The Case for Nationwide Concealed Carry of Handguns”.

Listen here.(You can right click and select save as and save the mp3 to your hard drive.)

Quotes from the Author. “Freedom is personal sovereignty.”

“Armed citizenry is not a liability but an asset.”

“Nothing puts Peace and Security into their proper perspective better than the loss of personal Liberty.”

“I don’t understand . . . We gave them what they wanted.”

“The Second Amendment isn’t about Guns any more than the First Amendment is about Typewriters. It is about abuses of due process. When the Founders had won the War for our Independence, it was abuses of due process they resisted. When they wrote the Second Amendment - and the other amendments which support it - they did not write it for you and me; they wrote it for Government. And in so declaring, throughout the entire Constitution, they wrote that the Citizen is the Supreme Authority of the nation. The Founders did not imagine nor fear weapons of the future - they feared and foresaw in the future abuses of due process, and they knew that personal sovereignty had to be backed by force, and forever if the republic was to survive from one generation to the next.”

Man it makes me want to buy a Springer like JJ’s.

11 Comments
Gun Rights

Today I had a sad experience. Two teens walked into a restaurant we were eating at. We said our greetings and immediately they told me they were moving to Canada. When I asked why, they replied because Canada gets free health care. Then they told me about the movie Sicko, and how the US of A is ranked 36th in the world in quality of health care. I looked into their eyes and could tell they were sold on the leftist rhetoric of Hilary’s health care plan. I asked one question, is that the movie Michael Moore produced? They gave an excited reply, like Michael was the modern day John the baptist, or a prophet sent from the gods of government.

Since I’ve never seen the movie I told them to not just buy into the spin. I made the statement, Canada or Cuba may have “free” health care but it has a heavy cost. I have a simple question, am I so out of touch with reality that our nation is actually considering “socialized medicine” and does Michael Moore carry this much weight(no pun intended)?

19 Comments
General

Strewn like shattered glass lay the debris of play time gone bad. I hear the chatter and the in depth discussion on rebuilding “New York city”. Building the towers. A shriek, someone stole the wrong block and a squabble ensues. Suddenly a voice, their attention is wafted away by its familiar call. Mommy, with suckers! They dash like mad to receive their reward.

Being a parent is a challenge. That’s my understatement of the year. A blessed challenge. They try your patience, scare you silly, and say things that are brilliant.

Like in the restaurant my two year old screams, “I tooted!” All the world pauses and laughs. Being a parent should require special training. Like translation science - understanding grunts. Top notch negotiating skills. First Aide. Peace keeping missions. Family diplomacy and many more fancy titles.

You know people use the word “break up” to convey a relationship has been terminated. I guess some think that a “break up” is climbing the social ladder of relationships until you get the one you want. Not so with the family. I’d rather use the term Break Down. When the family breaks down so does society, so does the church, so does the nation.

When I hold my little ones and look at my wife, I must remember the value. The priceless moments. The worth of a kind word, a gentle kiss, and tender touch. Instead of a harsh word let me speak wisdom and patient correction. Well, this post has turned into something I wasn’t aiming for so let me lighten it up a bit.

Buddy Jewel singing Lacey’s Song

Men, lets get things in order. Lets let the only destruction be of our kids toy room by a two foot tornado (Sydney’s nickname), lets not allow our lust, greed, and anger destroy our families. Jesu Juva.

18 Comments
Family

Fox news reported this story, Mother Delays Cancer Treatments So Baby Can Live. This mother of 4 gave life when death was certain. Driving home from work this thought crossed my mind, “What if I knew what day my life would end?” Would I hold my kids a little closer, and instill in them the values that mean the most to me? Or would I park them in front of a movie and ask them to not bother me anymore? Would I be patient and listen to their attempt at talking to me? Or would I say, “Not now!” and move on? Our lives are incredibly short.

My hear breaks for this family, but I celebrat with them the memory of one Mother who loved her child enough to give him life.

7 Comments
Abortion, Heroes

Another year is in the books. Reflection and hopeful anticipation fills our homes and lives. A sweet kiss to your spouse… good times.

On the horizon is not a brilliant sunset but a red sunrise. As the old saying goes, “Red at night is sailors delight. Red in the morning sailors take warning.” Reflection on this past year holds fond memories and rekindled friendships. It held many triumphs and a few try-slumps. However sweet the victories tasted when I look to the future this years outlook adds a tinge of bitterness to my taste.

The seeds our nation has sown over the years are budding blossoming. In 2005 our President signed the Real ID Act into law. It goes into effect in May of 2008. Prepare to relieve yourself of the burden of freedom. Well, personal privacy at-least.

We are making great progress in Iraq and it appears we are poised to continue this success. This does make the future a little brighter. To get our boys back home, or will we? I’m not talking cut and run. I’m talking victory and peace. But will 2008 be that year? Will the world find peace? OR will it continue to cry for “peace and safety”? Scriptures says they will cry for “peace and safety” and then sudden destruction. Which brings me to the crux of this post.

China. Yes, I am bringing out the well used soap box. This year China is holding the Olympics. China has been in our news - mainly about recalls. Are they trying to poison us? Well, that would be too slow and stupid. How about Taiwan? This year Taiwan is holding a “Referendum”. If you’ve been following this then you already know. If not then let me bring your attention to it. The Referendum is about Taiwan attempting to join the U.N. under the name of Taiwan. They have tried this once but it wasn’t voted on by the people of Taiwan.

China views this as a bonafied declaration of Independence (don’t even get me started on this). There has been so much goings on about this recently, but little has made it to the public eye. It is a flash point on the internation scene. Let’s pray that this doesn’t get out of hand.

Good times are now… this year holds many things that may bring our nation down several notches.

13 Comments
Politics, Word of God

Man’s existence was drab, cold, and bleak. Life came, like a brilliant thought flashing accross a dim mind. It came without further notice. Exploding on the scene. Throngs of angels didn’t build a palace of gold or crown him with jewels. Not many noticed. A few wise men and shepherds but who were they really?

It wasn’t a special place like a palace with the best delivery midwives. No comfort of plush quilts and soft fabric. It was hay, stuble, and swaddling clothes. It seemed only heavens host was celebrating this birth. Earth paid little attention.

After hundreds of years of prophetic silence all the desires of the prophets, the psalms, and the law rejoiced. His trajectory could be traced by the prophets from the cradle to the cross. Daniel foretold the exact timing of the coming of the Messiah. Isaiah foretold his birth and his death. Zachariah foretold of his pierced hands and side - the wounds he received in the house of his friends.

We have eye witness accounts of his majesty, mercy, and mighty resurrection. Our society has begun the decline of rejecting the promise of God and accepting the purulent answers of man. They have denigraded Christ to the form of a fairy tale. Peter said,

(2Pe 1:16) For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty.

Truly it was “unto us” that a child was born and “unto us” a son was given. There was a day a baby was born in the city of David, a Savior, Christ the Lord.

To repeat Mary, (Luk 1:46) “And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord…“

To quote the old man Simeon, “(Luk 2:28-32) Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said, Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word: For mine eyes have seen thy salvation, Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people; A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.

Friends, despite your persuasion and the current thoughts about Christ. Despite your feelings about religion and faith. Jesus was born and Jesus died for our punishment. True, December 25th was not the actual birth day, but that isn’t what is important. The important thing to consider was his birth and the purpose of that birth.

I pray all of you have a happy and safe celebration of Jesus our Messiah.

3 Comments
History

My 4 year old wakes each morning with that glow in her eyes. She has this boundless optimism that good things are coming her way. Her eyes are blue as a clear Autumn sky, but they tend to light up when something good does happen. Like when I stay home from work, that is a shock to her and she loves it. Looking into those eyes I’m caught in a bind by a sick thought of why. Why are people killing babies before they have the chance to see them bloom and grow and light up the world?

Yes, this is taking aim at a hot topic, a sacred cow of liberal understanding, but it is burning in me. Why are we living in such a cruel and cold world. A world that kills innocence and assasinates purity. A frame work of hell that crushes the needy under the mill stone of the greedy. That rips the fabric of society in half and performs some twisted patch work to bring two sides together on the grounds of human frailty and not moral authority. I don’t understand. I can’t grasp it.

Let’s juxtapose shall we? Save Innocent life or murder it?

I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live: (Deu 30:19)

100 Comments
Abortion, Word of God

The subject of prophecy usually involves lots of wild ideas and symbolism. Symbolism can almost mean anything. We can point to Icons of American culture and say it symbolizes this, or that. However, symbols do mean things. There is a true meaning to be gotten from symbols. For instance Christ. Christ is symbolically mentioned as the Rock that Moses struck in the Old Testament. We call it ‘types and shadows’. As intriguing as the prophetic word is, can it be valid- is it valid?

Dan 12:9 And he said, Go thy way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end.

Prophecy is time locked. It is meant for certain times and certain places. That doesn’t mean that people can’t look at the fulfillment and understand it and preach it for years afterward. As God told Daniel, you can’t understand it Daniel it is for a certain people for a certain time.

Prophecy is God’s inspiration on man to write about what is to come. God can, become part of prophecy but that doesn’t mean he will stop it. The death of Christ was foretold because it was in God’s plan. The death of millions is foretold but that doesn’t mean that God is going to do it. Disasters are foretold as the common theme of nature but that doesn’t mean God did it. Prophecy is given so we can know of the trouble or the salvation from trouble before it comes. Like Joseph, old testament patriarch, understood the Pharaohs dream and saved all of Egypt and his family. Scripture says a wise man foresees the trouble and makes provisions for it.

Prophecy is the third dimension, in my opinion. The word of God is in 3D. Past, present, and future.

If anyone is interested then you can watch lessons on the end time here endtime.com. Once you are at the video page look for The Seven Trumpets.

16 Comments
Religion, Word of God

There is an element to man that can’t be defined by natural verbage. An element that isn’t a construct of carnal fibers but of spiritual substance. We are spiritual beings wrapped in a fleshy vesture. As our body hungers for meat, so our soul hungers for communion with God. There is a place that you can find that will fill the void, that will satisfy the hunger.

Last night a young man told. “Some people think that religion is a man made effort for significance. To find meaning to life through a higher power.” I understand why people say that and why they may think that but I feel they are ingnoring the obvious. The hunger. When we hunger we eat. Hunger alerts our body to the need for nutrients. The mere existence of hunger means that there is something to be hungered for. Something outside of our reach or immediate grasp.

Hunger is powerful, it will cause a person to consume the deplorable. Few limits are placed on this basic need. My children often turn their noses up to certain types of food, I’ve also seen them eat without hesitation whatever is placed in front of them.

Man is needing communion with God. Man needs God. Not just any god. Yet we’ve all witnessed people who serve satan without restraint. I’ve personally witnessed many sincere people take hold of a lie and live it to the fullest. I’ve asked the Lord Jesus how people can be satisfied with such things? Their satisfaction is limited to their hunger. Like a child that fills themselves with “junk food” many people fill themselves with “junk science”, “junk philosophies”, and “junk religion”. It only satisfies for the moment but when the “junk” looses the juice- they crash.

The Bible is written for seekers only. For the hungry and thirsty. For the ones who are ready to take hold of rock solid truth, no matter how bitter it tastes at the moment. You see, I’ve seen people come to the table and are demanding God give them a gourmet meal to satisfy their “tastes” but God will only satisfy true spiritual hunger.

Are you hungry?

89 Comments
Word of God