I would like to add my two cents concerning the NHL lockout. What does it boil down too? The owners must put limits upon themselves in order to control their stupidity. If you look at those sports that have salary caps all benefit. The players make good incomes, the fans enjoy the sport and owners make money. I believe that hockey is in serious trouble. In Minnesota the fans have come out in force to support the Wild and then this happens. If next season occurs I think boycott one game would be perfect payback. All the fans should choose one game and boycott it. Show the players and owners that fans matter most, not their egos.

I have been catching Jimmy Swaggart on TV lately. Years ago when he was on I could not stand watching him, very judgmental and condemning. These days he is teaching about the Cross of Jesus Christ. I suggest you ignore his ramblings about the end times, which I believe is designed for fund raising.

The Cross of Jesus Christ is “foolishness to those who are perishing but to those who are being saved it is the power of God”. (1 Cor. 1:18) “I have been crucified with Christ, it is no longer I who lives but Christ who lives within me and the life I now live I live by faith in the Son of God who loves and gave Himself for me”. (Galatians 2:20)

To watch a loved one begin the decline toward death is a horrible thing. I understand that because of his relationship with Jesus my Dad will spend eternity with the Father. It doesn’t make the pain watching him go through the process any easier. To look at a man who was independent and could handle any problem now having trouble walking and thinking correctly is painful. Years ago I remember hearing the song My Generation by The Who “I hope I die before I get old.”

Recently Father taught me a new revelation based upon a book I had read several years ago about Ecclesiastes. It taught the God gives us the ability to enjoy the meaningless of life. Life is cyclical in that each day is similar. A person can choose to go through life in one of two ways. The first is the Earl Nightingale way. Achieving goals and making each day count for something. Building a name for yourself so you will be remembered after you die. The other is working each day throughout your life learning to enjoy each day by understanding that Father gives you the ability to enjoy the meaninglessness of life. Always remember the moment you die those meaningless things, i.e. career, financial success, vacations, etc truly have no meaning.

Which of these is better? Neither. The day you die neither will mean anything with Father. The only thing that matters is our relationship with Jesus. What should a believer’s goal be? Understand the Cross – the Body and Blood. The Apostle Paul says that he preached Christ and Him crucified. When a teacher begins to move away from the Cross-then the people fall into sins and struggle. Why? The answer lies in the Cross. When the church moves away from the Cross it will always become works oriented.

I would like to talk about our Belief Systems. Each person has a set of beliefs about which they perceive our world. Some call this our worldview. These beliefs are used to filter all new information coming into our minds. Using this filter we either accept or reject this new information. Information that matches our specific beliefs is allowed in without filtering. These worldviews are created for a person’s survival within the present world system.

When a new idea is presented to a person he/she has a choice to make, either accept that idea or reject. How should believers look at new ideas that are presented to them? Be using the Word of God to verify this new idea or information. To outright reject something is unbiblical. Discernment comes through study and asking Father for the wisdom to verify.

Now what happens when this new idea is truth but the belief system says too reject it? If a person rejects a new idea due to being unteachable then that person misses out on some blessing Father has for him/her. For many years I held to a false belief called Theonomy. Theonomy simply means God’s Law. In simple terms Theonomy is a fancy name for legalism – trying to achieve right standing with Father God by obeying Old Testament Law. For years I would read the Theonomy proponents books, feeding my mind.

One day I joined a Theonomy listserv and discovered the offspring of these teachers I had been reading. These people were full of hate and were incapable of showing mercy for anyone who disagreed with them. The smallest disagreement was heresy. I realized that the goal of our instruction is LOVE!

Always be on guard for falsehood in what any form it may come in. But do not abandon the teaching of the Bible while protecting yourself. Test the spirits using the Word of God.

Gary North Reality Check Issue 420 asked a simple question “Do You Sincerely Want to be Rich?” People read books like Think and Grow Rich, Million Dollar Habits, Master Key to Riches or Rich Dad Poor Dad etc and etc. You hear about goals, positive thinking, possibility thinking, PMA, NLP, sports psychology ad nauseam. The question that should be asked first is, “Who am I in Christ Jesus?” This is the starting place. The next question should be “How does Father describe success?”

Am I saying don’t read these type of books? I would recommend that people would take the time and read at least one of these books every year. The knowledge contained within these books is enormous. But the question that North asks is really this, “What am I willing to sacrifice to become rich?” Jesus talks about counting the costs. This is what each person must do before moving. Realizing that nothing happens until something moves. Action brings an equal an opposite reaction, i.e. action produces results.

I have concluded that the beginning of success is based on habits. Each day the habits we have developed will determine the amount of future success we achieve. I am today were I am because of the habits I have used over the last 20 years. The habits I continue to develop today will help determine my success for the next 20 years. The type of books a person reads is a habit. The friends you frequent is a habit. How you start your day is a habit. Choose positive and choose a successful future.

Each person should sit down and define success. I have defined it as such, “Learning to allow Jesus Christ to live his life through me so that I can enjoy, in this life, those things that are meaningless in the next”. For many years I have tried to find a career were I could be creative and enjoy that creativity. What I have discovered is that my creativity will shine outside of work as I begin enjoying the life Father God has given me.

Live until you die. Each day is a blessing from Father, so enjoy each day.

Shad Helmstetter in his book “What to Say When You Talk to Yourself” has some interesting things to say about how success or failure is created by our self-talk. He gives a five-step sequence that outlines the process of creating ourselves. It starts with how we program ourselves. What do we feed our minds on a consisted basis? Do we listen to the Apostle Paul and think about things that are true, honorable, right, pure, lovely and good repute or do we choose negative things?

The result of feeding our minds creates our belief system. How we perceive the world is based upon our beliefs. As we are introduced with new ideas, i.e. our Right Standing with Father God in Christ, our beliefs will either accept this new information or reject it. Beliefs are developed and can be very hard to change due to the attitude that is developed because of these beliefs.

Attitude is the third step. Our attitude is influenced by our beliefs. If a person’s beliefs are positive that person will tend to be positive. The same holds true for negative. Our attitude about the world in which we live is based upon our beliefs. Our beliefs are formed by what we feed (program) ourselves mentally and spiritually.

The last two steps are feelings and behavior. About feelings I have this to say. A Christian needs to understand that we need to not allow ourselves to be controlled by our feelings. Feelings can be very deceptive. Behavior is our conduct with the outside world. The grace of Father God plays a key role in this area as in all others.

What are the vanities of life?

I have concluded that life is about enjoying those vanities that so many people hate. For years I thought that success was achieving these mighty goals about wealth. That thinking was from the world system that the Bible condemns.

What is true success? It is learning to allow Jesus to live His life through you so you can enjoy, in this life, those things that are meaningless in the next. Example would be for a person to learn to swim or read a novel. When that person dies it will have no meaning on his position.

A Believer’s position is secure in Christ. The Divine Exchange has taken place. Our Sin Nature for Christ’s Righteousness. As our sin nature was a result of being born in Adam so Christ’s Righteousness is our result of being adopted by the Father. Believer’s died on the Cross-with Jesus. I have been crucified with Christ, it is no longer I who lives but Christ who lives in me. If righteousness could be gained through the Law then Christ died needlessly.

Vanity, Vanity all is Vanity says Solomon. The older I have gotten I have discovered that the words of Solomon ring true. Everyday is the same thing. Life is composed of cycles that keep repeating themselves. This is why addictions are so common in our society. For the first time I have begun to understand Solomon’s words. This cycle of life becomes vanity – meaninglessness without Jesus. This common cycle of birth to death will drive a person insane without Christ. In order to attempt to overcome these cycles mankind develops addictions including legalism – achieving right standing with God through good works.

All Believers have been crucified with Christ (Galatians 2:20), we no longer live but Christ lives in us. His life in us gives each believer the ability to enjoy the vanity or cycles of life. With Christ living His life through each believer a person can learn to enjoy the vanities of life. Enjoy your career without making it your life. Enjoy your new hobbies without making it your life.

Enjoy Jesus Christ because He is your life.

In I originally thought about this blog I wasn’t sure how I would handle this. What would I write about? At first I thought about politics but all roads lead to Acton’s Law “Power corrupts, absolute power corrupts absolutely.” GW only has four more years left on the throne then someone will replace him. Who that will be is anyone’s guess. Right-wingers awoke from their slumber long enough to realize that there is a culture war being fought. I think Mel Gibson’s Passion was the reason for this. It was an open war for the whole world to see. Whether Christians truly understand this conflict is unknown. Looking over the landscape and talking with Christians I think they still don’t get the culture war. Why, because the man on the White Horse (GW) was their only answer.

Our system of government has become corrupt. The Republicans have overtaken the Democrats for corruption. The Republicans refuse to take a stand against the corruption of the Courts. According the Constitution the power lies with the Legislative branch that has control over the Supreme Court and by creation all the Federal Courts. The powers given to the Supreme Court are very limited therefore Congress must do their job.

I am also sick of listening to the talking heads on TV who say that the current deficits don’t matter. Growing debt is never good for anyone or government. Alas the government only reflects the values of the people. If government is corrupt then the people who live within are also corrupt.

In today’s world there exists a multitude of sources of information. The Internet has opened new sources for research and enjoyment. This is true in two areas I would like to discuss, News and Biblical teaching. We are watching a changing of the guards within both the Media and Church. Prior to 1990 there existed an oligarchy within both the media/church. This forced believers into limiting choices. In the Media access to information outside the local newspapers and TV network broadcasts did not exist. In the same way access to good Bible teaching outside the local church was rare. Religious programming on TV and radio was usually limited due to costs and off the wall Bible teaching.

Has this proliferation of information been a blessing or a curse for individuals? Just because we have more choices does not automatically increase the quality of those choices. I look at the media choices that exist and sigh. Most of the New Media is an openly biased media. What have been created within the religious world are greater personality cult followings and so much incorrect teaching that has weakened the church. Just because someone is on television does not make him/her correct.

I do not recommend any television or radio personality. I find that the teaching is superficial. The meat is in books. Start by buying copies of Watchman Nee’s “Sit, Walk, Stand” and “The Normal Christian Life”. Make it a resolution to only the best Christian books and not to waste your life with drivel. Search for books whose pages are wide and deep.

I would like to add a few observations to Clockwise Thinking. As I was thinking about this concept the whole idea of Possibility Thinking came to mind. We consider all options. We think of the possibilities available to us. Dream Big Dreams. We look at the outcomes and work backwards. We analyze the process (experimentation) to verify if we are going in the correct direction or if we need to make changes or start over.

We develop our sense of wonder and discovery. We learn curiosity again like children. We dream big dreams. Think Big and Believe Father God has only good of each of us. If any lacks wisdom, let him ask Father God, who gives to all generously (James 1:5). Ask and you shall receive. You do not have because you do not ask (James 4:2).

James talks about bridling your tongue (James 1:26). Death and life are in the power of the tongue (Proverbs 18:21). The Lord gives us two things we are to constantly due, pray and give thanks for each answered prayer. According to John Rice (Prayer: Asking and Receiving) prayer is asking and the answer to prayer is receiving.

I wasted many years of my life reading theology. Theology takes the simple teaching of the Bible and perverts it. It creates a false religion where doctrine reigns supreme over life. Jesus says that He came to give us Life, Abundant Life. Religion destroys the souls of men. I abandoned false religion though I find its ugly head returning at times.

My goal is the Grace Life in Jesus. Allowing Him to Live His Life though me.

This past weekend we lost a truly great entertainer, Johnny Carson. He will be missed. In looking over current group I cast my vote for no one. Since Johnny left the air I can count on one hand how many times I have watched late night. He joins the ranks of Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra and Sammy Davis Jr.

I have been reading Hugh Hewitt’s book “Blog”. I think the subtitle stated its goal well, “Understanding the Information Reformation That’s Changing Your World”. The first half looks at the influence blogs have become while the last half focuses on suggestions. I find his argument interesting. What is the power of weblogs? I think the only power these online sources possess is the power to influence the mainstream media. If Fox, talk radio or big media ignores the story being raised then that story will die. I am not saying that blogs have no power but let us keep it in perspective. The power lies in the ability to influence the old media. I find two web sites exist that I try to read each day.

www.LewRockwell.com
www.TechCentralStation.com

The future of the new media is still being discovered. In a world that co-exists within an Information Revolution the New Media will play a larger role. The problem is that New is depended upon the Old.

As I promised I would look at political books that are worth reading. I think in today’s climate I would recommend Pat Buchanan’s “A Republic, not an Empire”. How did our Founding Fathers look at world involvement? Did they envision numerous foreign entanglements causing the death of hundreds of thousands of American lives? This is an excellent introduction to what our nations foreign policy should be.

Today I would like to recommend a few great books for the person who wished to grow. These are the books that begin the definition of true success. Worldly success is empty. If you are driven to success each of these books will help you better understand Jesus.

Grace Walk by Steve McVey (www.gracewalk.org)
Grace Rules by Steve McVey

Steve McVey may be the most important living writer in Christendom. If you are Law driven (i.e. Purpose Driven Life) his books will show the true nature of Christ within.

The Rest of the Gospel by Dan Stone

An excellent introduction to the Life we have in Christ.

The goal of a believer should be to grow in your knowledge of Christ. In Christ and Christ in. Spend the time and look up references about who we are in Christ. Ignore the works gospel. Oh, foolish church who has cast a spell upon you. We are to live our daily life the same way we are saved, by Grace through faith. Anything else is anathema to our Creator and Father.

Choose the path of revelation of our Lord Jesus. Each day make it a point to grow in your knowledge of Christ. Quit trying to achieve in your own strength. When I am weak then He is strong. Remember our walk with Jesus is a Grace Walk, a walk with the gentle Jesus; living His life through us.

Next what political books due I recommend? Yes, this site covers a broad range of topics.

As an Introvert I have read and heard all the extrovert ideas on "success." When I think about these ideas so many were designed for the extrovert personality. I have read articles by well meaning people who try to conform everyone into the same personality type. It doesn't work.

Introverts are of different caliber then an extrovert. The overall principles of success are universal but the way these principles have been developed have excluded a large portion of the population. My goal is to think about what success is and write about. Write about the principles that make success possible. My focus will be on the only sure book of success, The Holy Bible. No other book can truly cover true success principles.

The only exception has been the teaching of Jesus and the whole Bible. The principles taught are truly universal. I would like to begin by recording these principles, as I learn them, on this blog.

The universal truth is said by Jesus in John 10:10 “The thief comes to steal, kill and destroy, but I have come that you might have life, and have it abundantly.”

The thief consists of the area within our lives, the world system, our flesh and the devil. This is the small voice within your mind that wars against the things of God. St. Paul describes this battle in Romans 7. Why do I do that which I hate and cannot do that which I want to do?

Jesus is the way, the truth and the life. He is our Life. “Christ in you, the hope of glory” Colossians 1:27 or “I have been crucified with Christ, and it is no longer I who lives but Christ who lives in my” Galatians 2:20.

Today I would like to discuss Clockwise thinking. This type of thinking is Grace based. It focuses on Jesus Christ living his life through a believer. Where as Counterclockwise thinking is Law based. Grace is living free in Christ. Jesus = Mr. Grace. The Father's love for each of His children. As the Word says "Christ in you, the hope of glory."

The process of Clockwise thinking involves Imagination (dreaming about the future and the endless possibilities). Imagination is a gift from Father God. Progress both individually and corporately are gifts from Father God.

After your imagination has been freed from the chains of false religion (Law) the possibilities become endless. When you develop an idea the next process is Action (testing). Action allows a person to test his/her idea.

The third step in this process is Reality. After taking Action upon an idea or model the outcome produces Reality (success or failure or something in between).

The final step is the Knowledge gained from the experience. This knowledge allows a person to determine the next step. Can he/she use it and further develop it or did it fail and back to the drawing board (Imagination).

This process should be continuous. Even the modification process will involve the Imagination follwed by Action producing a new Reality and finally increased Knowledge.

False religion kills. Since the Tower of Babel man has developed false religions to show his hatred for his Creator. These false religions or philosophies do not meet the above testing process.

Today I attended a seminar featuring Dennis Stauffer www.insightfusion.com. His topic was about two types of thinking, Clockwise and Counterclockwise. Today I want to discuss the Counterclockwise thinking. I am adapting his teaching into my own. Everything said here is my responsibility.

Counterclockwise thinking is a process. It is based upon false beliefs or assumptions we possess. I am refering to false religious beliefs many people possess. These false beliefs shape how we view the world around us. All new ideas (worldview) is filter through these false beliefs. The only ideas that are accepted are those that fit within our paradigm. No new knowledge is gained. This view is used to keep ourselves within our comfort zones (worldview).

The types of false religious beliefs that exist are so numerous there is not enough room to cover them all. The clear cut are world religions - Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, etc. Within Christianity are the religious practices that have developed called tradition (i.e. Catholic, Orthodox or Protestant).

In Protestant circles one area is called Legalism, refering to trying to use Law to gain right standing and acceptance with Father God. New ideas are not accepted over tradition, resistant to change (keep thing settled and predictable) and finally, anyone who disagrees is a heretic.

Question: Why did it take the acceptence of gay's within the clergy to move conservatives to leave liberal denominations? Why didn't the acceptance of heretics not drive you out?

Clockwise thinking to follow....

In listening to conservative talk show hosts on Fox and reading the "opinion" of conservative writers I have concluded one thing. The Conservative movement has died. It has been replaced by Personality worship. George Bush has destroyed conservatism. The problem is that like whipped dogs the conservatives sold their souls to the Big Government Republicans, all in the name of War! Ignore the lies of the White House. Only Defend that Republican deciever. Why because he talks about Jesus. Woodrow Wilson was a Christian also and he began the decline into the death of hundreds of thousands of Amercian lives.

1913 was a horrible year for our once great nation. Empires die suddenly but the results may take years to be reveiled. In 1913 three things happend that begin the death of this country. The Federal Reserve was created. This unconstitutional money creator was the reason for the Great Depression and the inflation we have enjoyed this past century.

The second thing was the direct election of U.S. Senators by the people. Prior to 1913 each state's legislators would pick our senate. This enabled States to help control the Federal branch. Since this has been done the Federal government has been out of control.

The final thing that happened in 1913 was the Income Tax amendment. This gave the government power only dreamed of under the pharoah or emperors of times past. The greatest tryanny of ancient times was Egypt pales in comparison of this country today.

What made this all possible was the decline of the Protestant church in this country. More on this later.

CBS has issued the report about Memogate. Is Dan Rather biased against Republicans? The evidence shows he is. As an experienced journalist he should have know better then accept allegiations against a sitting president. I find this is another example of the collapse of Old Media with the Blog leading the way. Like Armstrong Williams serious error in judgement for accepting money I heard that some bloggers accepted money for Howard Dean's campaign this past election cycle. I think the best blog is pure opinion that states it position openly.

I started reading Hugh Hewitt's new book "Blog" today. Other than his Republican bias he clearly show the influence of blogs. I remain skeptical about how far and powerful the blogs can become. The influence of blogs will be depend on the mainstream media continued use of the blogs for stories. If Fox doesn't pick up these stories than I think blogs will always remain on the outer edges of news informing a few but with no influence. I find that something will usually come along that changes everything. The famous Paradigm shift that Thomas Kuhn so clearly defines.

Much as happened since my last entry, this past summer. My company was sold and I am currently unemployed. I have become a fan of Fox News Watch. I have concluded that perception is all that matters. Media bias is how a person perceives the coverage.

After watching that show for these many months here is what I conclude. Jim Pinkerton is the most intelligent holding a firm position on free speech and the media. Niel Gabler is correct in that the news media is lazy. The question that I would like answered is: How does the big business of media control the news. Can you trust Time magazine to give unbiased opinion on covering stories or reviews that cover Time/Warner?

Jesus is Lord!!!

Recently the Bravo channel has been running a series called The TV Revolution. The series shows the power of television like nothing I have seen. Without TV gay marriage would not be an issue in this country. Like satan himself TV uses deceptive practices to slow change the thinking of Americans.

What I have found to be so interesting is conservatives attitude about the culture war. All around us the culture is adopting leftist attitudes about homosexuality, abortion, sex, etc and the right has no clue about what to do. G.W. mouths the right words but nothing is done. Conservatives are dumbfounded when liberals battle over every judge appointment. Read Pat Buchanan's book The Death of the West to see why this is happening. Also, look back to a time when Christ meant something in our land. Study Jonathon Edwards and other Puritans. Find out what true love was.

I am presently reading a book called The Godward Gaze by Steve McVey. His goal is to get believers to fall in love with our God, as He loves us.

I have discovered that the way to God is Jesus Christ. It is all based upon the work of Jesus Christ. Nothing I can do can put me into right standing with God. I am righteous because of Jesus. If I try to work to achieve right standing with God then I have failed. Grace is God's answer for man's fallen nature. Out of the two (fallen and divine) one new man = a new creation in Christ Jesus.

All Christians are equal heirs in Christ Jesus. What is our guarantee of our inheritance, the promised Holy Spirit. He leads believers into want our inheritance in Christ is. Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, by becoming a curse for us. What are we redeemed from to = spiritual death to life (abundant life), sickness to health, poverty to prosperity.

We as believers must claim the inheritance we possess.