ThePilgrim

A question about flags in churches: Did the early churches in the Roman Empire give this flag a prominent place in their churches?  

What in the world does Putin think he is doing an why is he doing it?

English subtitles

Today is the birthday of the Magna Carta, a 12th century document which sought to place control on the powers of the king.  More than 5 centuries later those men who formed the Constitution of the United States had read and studied the document in arriving at their ideas of what controls to place upon the government to assure freedom for the citizens of the land.  The Magna Carta as well as the Constitution of the United States have both become museum pieces over the ensuing years since the writing of the Constitution.  The government in all it's branches have usurped powers that once belonged to the people and at first slowly, but now quickly, it is becoming the tyranny that the founders sought to avoid.  Nothing of human origination lasts forever in this world it seems.  Men have gotten comfortable with their freedom and relaxed their vigilance and freedom is fast disappearing from our land.  

We all seem to have so many more important things to do other than watching what those in power are doing . . . . after all they have so much more pertinent information than we do.  It is fallacy that just because they have pertinent information that they can be trusted to make the correct decisions.  Good decisions come from one having wisdom and knowledge alone does not guarantee a wise decision. 

Let me ask you a question.  Where does wisdom come from?  Does it not come from God?  Did Solomon attain to his wisdom by study only?

2 Chron 1:10-12
10 Give me now wisdom and knowledge, that I may go out and come in before this people: for who can judge this thy people, that is so great?
11 And God said to Solomon, Because this was in thine heart, and thou hast not asked riches, wealth, or honour, nor the life of thine enemies, neither yet hast asked long life; but hast asked wisdom and knowledge for thyself, that thou mayest judge my people, over whom I have made thee king:
12 Wisdom and knowledge is granted unto thee; and I will give thee riches, and wealth, and honour, such as none of the kings have had that have been before thee, neither shall there any after thee have the like.   KJV

And Ezra where did his wisdom come from?

Ezra 7:25
25 And thou, Ezra, after the wisdom of thy God, that is in thine hand, set magistrates and judges, which may judge all the people that are beyond the river, all such as know the laws of thy God; and teach ye them that know them not.   KJV

So who are the people who have true wisdom?

Ps 37:30-31
30 The mouth of the righteous speaketh wisdom, and his tongue talketh of judgment.
31 The law of his God is in his heart; none of his steps shall slide.  KJV 

So what kind of a man has the right qualities to lead a nation?  "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge"                                                                                                                    And what kind of man is not?  "but fools despise wisdom and instruction."

Prov 1:1-7
1 The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel;
2 To know wisdom and instruction; to perceive the words of understanding;
3 To receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, and judgment, and equity;
4 To give subtilty to the simple, to the young man knowledge and discretion.
5 A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels:
6 To understand a proverb, and the interpretation; the words of the wise, and their dark sayings.
7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.  KJV

Our freedom is fast disappearing because we do not demand righteous leaders.  We continually assume that the system will somehow put the best men forward for us to choose from.  We all know in our heart of hearts that this is not so.  We continue to choose unrighteous men from among the unrighteous choices given to us by the unrighteous.  God gives the righteous wisdom, not the unrighteous.  We know that from God's word.  The unrighteous may have worldly knowledge but they do not have God knowledge, and certainly not true Godly wisdom. Please tell me, how can they lead with righteousness and be just?  They can not, and they do not.

2 Cor 6:11-18
11 O ye Corinthians, our mouth is open unto you, our heart is enlarged.
12 Ye are not straitened in us, but ye are straitened in your own bowels.
13 Now for a recompence in the same, (I speak as unto my children,) be ye also enlarged.
14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?
15 And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?
16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,
18 And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.   KJV

For a righteous man to place a man in a leadership role over you and your nation who is not a righteous man, is that not yoking the righteous to the unrighteous.  Can it eventually end in any other way but disaster for righteous as well as the unrighteous.  

​Can't argue with an Aussie about such things. 

What exactly is a doom monger.  What is it a doom monger does that makes him different from anyone else.  Should we not all, when seeing things happening around us which portend danger to not only ourselves but others others, give a warning.  

A panda walks into a restaurant, sits down, and orders a sandwich. He eats the sandwich, pulls out a gun, and shoots the table.

As the panda stands up to leave, the manager shouts, "Hey! Where are you going? You just shot my table and you didn't pay for your sandwich!"

The panda yells back at the manager, "Hey, man, I'm a PANDA! Look it up!"

The manager opens his dictionary and sees the following definition for panda: "A tree-dwelling marsupial of Asian origin, characterized by distinct black and white coloring. Eats shoots and leaves."

drum riff

Ps 17  Hear the right, O Lord, attend unto my cry, give ear unto my prayer, that goeth not out of feigned lips.
2 Let my sentence come forth from thy presence; let thine eyes behold the things that are equal.
3 Thou has proved mine heart; thou hast visited me in the night; thou has tried me, and shalt find nothing; I am purposed that my mouth shall not transgress.
4 Concerning the works of men, by the word of thy lips I have kept me from the paths of the destroyer.
5 Hold up my goings in thy paths, that my footsteps slip not.
6 I have called upon thee, for thou wilt hear me, O God: incline thine ear unto me, and hear my speech.
7 Shew thy marvellous lovingkindness, O thou that savest by thy right hand them which put their trust in thee from those that rise up against them.
8 Keep me as the apple of the eye, hide me under the shadow of thy wings,
9 From the wicked that oppress me, from my deadly enemies, who compass me about.
10 They are inclosed in their own fat: with their mouth they speak proudly.
11 They have now compassed us in our steps: they have set their eyes bowing down to the earth;
12 Like as a lion that is greedy of his prey, and as it were a young lion lurking in secret places.
13 Arise, O Lord, disappoint him, cast him down: deliver my soul from the wicked, which is thy sword:
14 From men which are thy hand, O Lord, from men of the world, which have their portion in this life, and whose belly thou fillest with thy hid treasure: they are full of children, and leave the rest of their substance to their babes.
15 As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness.
KJV

Another interesting and timely interview on USAWatchdog. Com

"Financial and geopolitical analyst Warren Pollock warns, “When I go swimming in the ocean, sometimes I have to duck under a wave.  This wave may be too large to duck under, and I think that is what these large events are.  I think we are seeing large events, the likes of which you and I haven’t seen, and haven’t been seen in generational memory.  80 years would be a generational memory.  We haven’t seen what a world war looks like.  We haven’t seen what a Great Depression looks like.  We haven’t seen a political crisis.  We haven’t seen total lawlessness, and these are all the things that are happening.”"

https://youtu.be/1GCEb20i9Es

America might think about doing something about our problem.  Maybe we would not have to import so many people from all over the world if our people had children once again.  

http://russia-insider.com/en/society/putin-presents-medals-parents-seven-or-more-children/ri7676

Probably less than you thought.   It seems There is nothing money can't buy in today's world from those whom the people trust enough to give their vote.

"Out of the total $1,148,971 given, an average of $17,676.48 was donated to each of the 65 “yea” votes.
The average Republican member received $19,673.28 from corporate TPP supporters.
The average Democrat received $9,689.23 from those same donors.
The amounts given rise dramatically when looking at how much each senator running for re-election received."

http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2015-05-30/how-little-it-cost-bribe-senates-fast-tracking-obamas-tpp-bill

Is this a possibility or is Erdogan just having a pipe dream like so many other tyrants?

http://gatesofvienna.net/2015/06/the-man-who-would-be-caliph/

​You give me way to much credit for being clever.  Such maliciousness as you accuse me of is way beyond my abilities unless you think I am one of Satan's personal emissaries. I am glad you consider me just unchristian and not the Anti-Christ himself.  All in all I think thou dost protest to much.  And as for my etiquette and education or upbringing or anything else you have or may wish to belittle . . . . go for it.  I thank the Lord that he loves me even if no one else does.  That is the reason He has given me a thick skin.  Be it in the world, or in the church, or on the internet, I have found it is not always safe to state ones honest opinions or feelings.  

Some thoughts on the importation of Muslims and Sharia law by Ann Corcoran:

Farmers Fred and Luke were fishing on the side of the road.

They made a sign saying "The End is Near! Turn yourself around now before it's too late!," and showed it to each passing car. 
       
One driver that passed didn't appreciate the sign and shouted, "Leave us alone you religious nuts!" 
       
All of a sudden they heard a big splash. 
       
Fred grinned at Luke. "Do you think we should just put up a sign that says: 'Bridge Out' instead?"

​

I am sure our government will keep trying until maybe it succeeds.

http://www.paulcraigroberts.org/2015/05/26/guest-column-thierry-meyssan-failure-us-coup-macedonia/

​Amen!  Let's just do what our Lord told us to do, get the Word out, and quit arguing about how God does His work.  A question: Did Jesus sit and argue for hours with anyone or did he state the case and let the Father and the Holy Spirit do the work from that point?

Calvin, Arminius, professor Whoever, why do we argue about their notions?  Why don't we just discuss something really important that theologians once argued about: How many angels can sit on the point of a needle or the head of a pin.  Dumb idea, isn't it?  The Christians job is to spread the gospel not to sit around and argue about Calvin, Arminius, professor Whoever's notions or anything that takes away from our time getting the gospel out.  What a waste of time it is to sit and argue about such things as freedom of the will and predestination among'st ourselves when their is real work to be done.  

I use to argue about such things myself, until I realized it is just divisive and in no way brings brothers together.    We do not have a lot of time to waste on such things so lets quit arguing and get back to doing our Lord's business.  One of Johns posts that suggested reading the book of Proverbs through once a month, I think might be a good practice for all Christians.  Wisdom is a wonderful thing.  True wisdom does not puff our heads up making it difficult to see what is important.

"The best of men cannot suspend their fate:
The good die early, and the bad die late."
     --Daniel Defoe (1660-1731)

Another great and honest man has been taken.

https://youtu.be/RFT6_KVd_ro

Why was he murdered and by whom?  I think the following article contains the answer:

http://slavyangrad.org/2015/05/06/aleksey-mozgovoy-in-this-war-there-will-be-no-victory/

Banks and large corporations now,  you and me later.

http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/0/6ad3f99a-fe16-11e4-8efb-00144feabdc0.html#axzz3acTlIxc3

Is Washington coming to it's senses?  I pray it is, but I doubt it.

http://www.paulcraigroberts.org/2015/05/15/washington-coming-senses-paul-craig-roberts/

True our money is pretty worthless.  The thing is though that if they outlaw the use of cash, then all your supposed money is in the banks computers and as a consequence you can not draw it out and take it home.  So it seems to me that if that is to be the case, you really only have the ability to spend and not to save.  The bank will charge you for keeping what you think is your supposed money and you cannot withdraw it.  No cash . . . . nothing to withdraw.  You might transfer it to another bank but that will really not change that you really can't get your own supposed money . . . . you can only spend it.  If the government wants to tax your supposed money they will merely take it out of your account.  No cash . . . . no money.

The article doesn't say the mark is imminent.  It just says they are going to take our money.

By hook or by crook, they are going to get our money.  The mark get ever closer.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/personalfinance/comment/11602399/Ban-cash-end-boom-and-bust.html

Very complicated and long but interesting if you are interested in the machinations of world powers.

http://orientalreview.org/2015/05/15/us-russia-round-three-macedonia/

An unemployed man is desperate to support his family. His wife watches TV all day and his three teenage kids have dropped out of high school to hang around with the local toughs. He applies for a janitor's job at a large firm and easily passes an aptitude test. 
       
      The human resources manager tells him, "You will be hired at minimum wage of $5.15 an hour. Let me have your e-mail address so that we can get you in the loop. Our system will automatically e-mail you all the forms and advise you when to start and where to report on your first day." 
       
      Taken back, the man protests that he is poor and has neither a computer nor an e-mail address. To this the manager replies, "You must understand that to a company like ours that means that you virtually do not exist. Without an e-mail address you can hardly expect to be employed by a high-tech firm. Good day." 
       
      Stunned, the man leaves. Not knowing where to turn and having $10 in his wallet, he walks past a farmers' market and sees a stand selling 25lb crates of beautiful red tomatoes. He buys a crate, carries it to a busy corner and displays the tomatoes. 
       
      In less than 2 hours he sells all the tomatoes and makes 100% profit. Repeating the process several times more that day, he ends up with almost $100 and arrives home that night with several bags of groceries for his family. 
       
      During the night he decides to repeat the tomato business the next day. By the end of the week he is getting up early every day and working into the night. He multiplies his profits quickly. Early in the second week he acquires a cart to transport several boxes of tomatoes at a time, but before a month is up he sells the cart to buy a broken-down pickup truck. 
       
      At the end of a year he owns three old trucks. His two sons have left their neighborhood gangs to help him with the tomato business, his wife is buying the tomatoes, and his daughter is taking night courses at the community college so she can keep books for him. 
       
      By the end of the second year he has a dozen very nice used trucks and employs fifteen previously unemployed people, all selling tomatoes. He continues to work hard. 
       
      Time passes and at the end of the fifth year he owns a fleet of nice trucks and a warehouse which his wife supervises, plus two tomato farms that the boys manage. The tomato company's payroll has put hundreds of homeless and jobless people to work. His daughter reports that the business grossed a million dollars. 
       
      Planning for the future, he decides to buy some life insurance. Consulting with an insurance adviser, he picks an insurance plan to fit his new circumstances. Then the adviser asks him for his e-mail address in order to send the final documents electronically. 
       
      When the man replies that he doesn't have time to mess with a computer and has no e-mail address, the insurance man is stunned, What, you don't have e-mail? No computer? No Internet? Just think where you would be today if you'd had all of that five years ago!" 
       
      "Ha!" snorts the man. "If I'd had e-mail five years ago I would be sweeping floors at Microsoft and making $5.15 an hour."