Socialism vs. True Harmony

 

Socialism is not the key to harmony in a society it is the ruin of it. If it weren't for men like Alexander Graham Bell, Orville and Wilber Wright, Booker T. Washington, Benjamin Franklin, Christopher Columbus, etc. we would have never become a nation of new discovery, a nation of hope, a nation for the people, by the people, of the people. But despite all this John Dewey wanted the Christian religion gone from 'The Collective Society'. The thing that was the very foundation of America from the start. He saw it a threat to the harmony and growth of society. But without Christ there can't ever be true peace, true joy, true love. Only with the Bible as THE guide can anyone ever have a strong society. We're all sinners born into a sin filled world. There's no Utopia to have on this earth, but we can have hope in Christ, joy in His grace, and show love to others because He first loved us. Not a "Peace, Love, and Rock'n'roll" kind of thing, but a law abiding, level headed, care for others around you. That's the true "Harmony of the Collective Society".

What Shall I Do To Be Saved?

"And he brought them out and said, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved? So they said, "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved..."

~ Acts 16:29 ~

"Whatever you may gain, life will be a lost adventure, if you do not gain salvation. The condition of the poorest creature that ever yet obtained, though he had but a mere glimmering of intellect, just enough of understanding to apprehend the nature of repentance; although he lived out his days amidst the squalid poverty and repulsive scenes of a hovel or a workhouse; although he was unknown even among the poor; and although when he died he was buried in the pauper's grave on which no tear was ever shed - the condition of even this poor outcast of society is infinitely to be preferred to that of the most successful merchant, the greatest conqueror, the profoundest philosopher, or the sublimest poet that ever existed, if he lived and died without salvation. 

The lowest place in heaven is infinitely to be preferred to the highest place on earth.

Go on then to urge the question, "What shall I do to be saved?" Let no one turn your attention from this matter. As long as you covet this, your eye and heart and hope are fixed on the sublimest object in the universe; and when officious but ignorant friends would persuade you that you are too anxious, point them to the bottomless pit, and ask them if any one can be too anxious to escape its torments.

Point them to heaven, and ask them if any one can be too anxious to obtain its glories.

Point them to the cross of Christ, and ask them if any one can be too anxious to secure the object for which he died." 

~ John Angell James, Exerpt from 'The Anxious Inquirer After Salvation' ~ 

"But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us."

~ Romans 5:8 ~

The Effects of Listening to 'In Freedom's Cause'

If you have never listened to this amazing rendition of In Freedom's Cause you really should. They have done an amazing job with their productions so far. Here is a video we made for a contest they put together. Please vote for our video at the link below! The voting ends on August 7th, 2015. I hope you all enjoy it. We had fun putting it together. http://www.ifcvideocontest.com/watch.php?vid=bedef6a69

If you want to check out In Freedom's Cause or other audio dramas that Heirloom audio has put together click HERE to check them out. With Lee in Virginia is the newest one and I hear that they will be doing The Dragon and The Raven next.... I know I can't wait to hear them! Let me know what you think of our little video and maybe if you've listened to some of their dramas you could share what you thought of them!

The Effects of Listening to "In Freedom's Cause" by Leanne Bryan

Blessed Are The Meek

Today I read a little devotional which I thought explained Christian meekness so well.

The Meek of the Earth

By Henry H. Morris, Ph.D.

(From Days of Praise June 26th 2011)

"Seek ye the Lord all ye meek of the earth, which have wrought his judgement; seek rightness, seek meekness: it may be ye shall be hid in the day of the Lord's anger." ~ Zephaniah 2:3 ~

   This phrase, "the meek of the earth," occurs three times in the Bible (Psalm 76:9, which promises their salvation; and Isaiah 11:4, which assures them justice). Our text promises deliverance from God's wrath. 

    "Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth" Matthew 5:5, said Jesus, referring to the promise of Psalm 37:11: "But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace."

    There are many other similar promises: "The meek will he guide in judgment: and the meek will he teach his way" Psalm 25:9. "He will beatify the meek with salvation" Psalm 149:4, so we need to put on "the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price" 1 Peter 3:4.

    That meekness is not weakness is made clear from the first use of the word in the Bible. " Now the man Moses was very meek, above all the men which were upon the face of the earth" Numbers 12:3. Moses was strong and courageous, but also deeply humble and self-sacrificing; a man of prayer and trust in the Word of God, willing to defend it at all costs. The Lord Jesus defined meekness in terms of His own human character: "Learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart" Matthew 11:29. 

    A meek spirit enables a Christian to maintain composure in the face of opposition, to accept adversity without complaint; promotion without arrogance; demotion without resentment. It produce a peace which no trouble can disturb and which no prosperity can puff up. Therefore, as our text commands: "Seek meekness!"

Why I started this blog...

Some of you might wonder, "why did she name her blog 'The Opportunity"? Well, it all started with this poem and others like it.
Opportunity
By Edward R. Still
This I beheld, or dreamed it in a dream:-
There spread a cloud of dust along a plain;
And underneath the cloud, or in it, raged
A furious battle, and men yelled, and swords
Shocked upon swords and shields,
A prince’s banner wavered, then staggered backward hemmed by foes.
A craven hung along the battle’s edge,
And thought, “Had I a sword of keener steel –
That blue blade that the king’s son bears– but this
Blunt thing!”– he snapped and flung it from his hand.
And lowering crept away and left the field.
Then came the king’s son, wounded, sore bestead,
And weaponless, and saw the broken sword,
Hilt-buried in the dry and trodden sand,
And ran and snatched it, and with battle-shout
Lifted afresh he hewed his enemy down,
And saved a great cause that heroic day.

After I had read this I thought about how much we have changed from the way in which the Reformers and Puritans lived. How we have strayed so far from having that straight line drawn between right and wrong, godly and sinful. We, as Christians, should stand up for our faith, not run when the battle gets hard or looks like we will loose! What kind of example are we to the world if we just shrug our shoulders and say "we'll just live and let live"? Did Christ do that when He spoke to the Pharisees? No, very much the opposite. "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which indeed appear beautiful outwardly, but inside are full of dead men's bones and all uncleanness." Matthew 23:27

So what then should we do as His ambassadors? 

For myself I enjoy writing and talking about issues and at times a bit too much. So I chose to have a blog where I can share what God has put on my hear. I hope this blog is an encouragement and exhorts you in your God given roles. Please feel free to leave a note or thought. Is there something that you disagree with or something that you would like to hear my opinion on? I'd love to hear from you!

I hope you all enjoy my Opportunity. 

The Lessons of Leadership

By William Wilberforce

˜ Providence prepares the path of every great leader.

˜ A leader’s religious faith is inseparable from his worldly accomplishments.

˜ Since true leadership entails integrity, what a leader says and does must be one.

˜ A wise leader will acknowledge his faults and welcome the criticism of his friends.

˜ If a leader would improve the world he must first improve himself.

˜ No one respects ignorance; a leader must read in order to gain wisdom and knowledge.

˜ A leader expands his influence by being kind and winsome.

˜ Since a man’s friends shape his thought and life, a leader must choose friends wisely.

˜ A leader must have the gravitational force that draws men together for teamwork.

˜ A leader who truly loves God will also love his fellow man.

˜ Private benevolence says more about a leader’s character than public charity.

˜ A large capacity for work is the earmark of a world-class leader.

˜ A day of rest is the springboard for a week of labor.

˜ A Christian leader will never forget that his colleagues have an eternal destiny.

˜ A leader who has embraced the gospel will support its spread worldwide.

˜ A leader will do his duty even if it means standing alone.

˜ Principled leadership means being governed by principles that transcend the personal or political.

˜ A life well lived is the best answer to criticism undeserved.

˜ The adventures of leadership are no shield from the adversities of life.

˜ Before he can govern others, a leader must first govern himself.

˜ A leader must choose a virtuous and compatible wife.

˜ A good leader should equally be a good father and husband.

˜ Mere visionaries are many; men of vision are rare.

˜ Principled and visionary leadership makes a leader a reformer.

˜ A wise leader advocates his cause in a judicious and prudent manner; he is neither radical nor reactionary.

˜ To be heard with success, a leader must be heard with pleasure.

˜ Frame is truly deserved when it is used to advance morality and religion.

˜ The noblest leader may succumb to pride if he does not cultivate humility.

˜ The benefits of leadership bring the moral obligation to benefit others.

˜ Perseverance wins the prize.

Oh, that the men of today would follow these wise words.