Interrace Haven

Answering A Comment (Political)

Someone made a comment in my last blog entry and I'd like to respond to it.

Someone wrote:

This is off topic but why exactly are you Pro Bush? Bush lied...

I am one of many christians that are voting for John Kerry becuase Bush isn't the answer. Most Christians are tools and follow what the Christian Jones' tell them too. It's so sad that so many good people dedicated to Christ and his teachings support one of the most foul, crooked men in recent political history. I suppose he's OK becuase he "plugs" God right?

I think before I explain why I am for President Bush over Senator Kerry, I must say that I don't think "most Christians are tools" unless they are tools of God and His Son Jesus Christ, and I don't mean in their political leanings. First and foremost, I think everyone who calls themself a Christian should be very careful (myself included) in making blanket statements about people and in making judgment of others. After all, who am I and well, who are you?

I am for President Bush for several reasons:

1. I am not convinced that Senator Kerry could do a better job of running the country based on his Senate record, his lack of interest in intelligence briefings considering the U.S. is in a war on terrorism and the lack of specifics for how Senator Kerry would run the country better.



2. Under President Bush's watch, there has not been another terrorist attack on U.S. soil because of the changes in security made by the Bush Administration in cooperation with the Congress. I am not convinced that President Bush has lied about anything, even weapons of mass destruction, considering how much time was given to move them to other terrorist-supporting regimes and nations.



3. President Bush has taken important stands for issues that should resonate with Christians:
   
   
   • President Bush supports the sanctity of life.
   
   
   • President Bush supports the concept of family, including marriage between one man and one woman; and
   
   
   • President Bush gives glory to God, enduring persecution from secular and religious critics alike.

In contrast:

1. Senator Kerry does not support the sanctity of life, unwaveringly supports all abortions and the right of teenagers to have abortions without informing or obtaining the consent of their parents.



2. Senatory Kerry is not clear where he stands on marriage and family issues, except when it comes to abortion; and



3. Senator Kerry does not openly give praise to God and believes politicians should keep their beliefs to themselves.

Now, before someone has other ideas, let me clearly state that I do not support the idea of discrimination against ANY people or groups. That is one of the reason IR Haven exists, because my wife and I have encountered racial discrimination. We have seen and experienced hate and we know what it's like to have someone judge you based on appearance and ideology.

While there are some issues I do not agree with President Bush about (most notably his soft approach to illegal immigration across the borders), that is not sufficient to convince me that he is the wrong man for the office of President. Thus far, nothing has changed my mind. I am a reasonable, intelligent person and I listen to facts and opinions alike...but in the end, I will have to vote with my conscience.

Thank you for asking.

Best Wishes,
Allen

Just A Book? (Spiritual Post)

I was visiting an online forum today and I something I read caught my attention, because I wondered if other people felt this way also. The person wrote "The bible is just a book, and God is much more than any book." This troubled me, because while I agree that God is much more than any book, I can't agree that the Bible is just a book.

It is true that Bible's hard (or soft) covers and the paper that makes up the pages are inanimate objects but I believe that the words contained on those pages are the living Word of God. The reason I believe this is because it is still changing lives over 2000 years after it was completed.

Okay, so some of you may be thinking "Wait, Allen, there are other so-called 'holy books' that are still changing lives and guiding people centuries after they were completed. What's the difference between them and the Bible?" And I would have to respond, "That's a good question." Here's my answer, based on my personal experience and the Bible itself...

Hebrews 4:12 (King James Version)

For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

The Bible is the only "book" that can show a person their life, personally and intimately, as it is and how a person's life could be with Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit in it. More than that, it can show a person how to live once they accept Jesus into their heart. Only with the Holy Spirit and being truly born again in the spirit can a person have a new life. The Bible is the only book that can show a person how to die to their present, sinful ways and have a clean start with the abilility to resist sin and temptation, through the power and guidance of the Holy Spirit.

Does that make a person perfect? No, but we are to strive for the perfecting of the spirit, with the help of the Lord, towards the ultimate prize and reward (making it to Heaven) for serving Him as He has shown us how to do -- in the Bible.


Hebrews 6: 1 - 20 (King James Version)

1 Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God,

2 Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.

3 And this will we do, if God permit.

4 For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost,

5 And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come,

6 If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.

7 For the earth which drinketh in the rain that cometh oft upon it, and bringeth forth herbs meet for them by whom it is dressed, receiveth blessing from God:

8 But that which beareth thorns and briers is rejected, and is nigh unto cursing; whose end is to be burned.

9 But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation, though we thus speak.

10 For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.

11 And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end:

12 That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

13 For when God made promise to Abraham, because he could swear by no greater, he sware by himself,

14 Saying, Surely blessing I will bless thee, and multiplying I will multiply thee.

15 And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise.

16 For men verily swear by the greater: and an oath for confirmation is to them an end of all strife.

17 Wherein God, willing more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath:

18 That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us:

19 Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil;

20 Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.

The Bible is more than just a book. It is the Word of God and it is ALIVE -- its truths the same yesterday, today and forevermore. You have no idea how glad I am about that...


Best Wishes,
Allen

Just A Quick Update And A Link (Mentioned In The Audio Blog)



The ISAA Rapport

Best Wishes,
Allen

Some More Updates

Weatherpixie appears to no longer exist on the web, so I took that link/graphic off.

I also added some new "IR Blogger" links (thank you, James Landrith, for your comprehensive and exhaustive list of IR links!) that I felt were family-focused and/or interesting. If you know of more IR blogs, please e-mail me!

Lastly, I added a current picture of Rachael Lampa to Tuesday's post, so you could see what she looks like.

More blogging soon!

Best Wishes,
Allen

An IR/Spiritual Post

I am saddened yet resolute today. I had been eagerly anticipating the new Rachael Lampa (who is mixed race: Irish and Philippino) Contemporary Christian album "Rachael Lampa," which was released today. I was shocked, however, to hear the first single "When I Fall." In Christian circles, "falling" refers to falling from grace through sinning against the Lord. Many people believe it is possible to willfully sin against God and yet still make it to heaven by just confessing the sin(s) and asking forgiveness.

Rachael Lampa - promotional picture for her 2004 Rachael Lampa album

Under the Old Testament, this was true because a sin sacrifice could be offered by the High Priest of the Jews for other Jews (because salvation was only granted to the Jews in Old Testament times). But God made a new covenant through His Son, Jesus Christ, in the New Testament and made a way for all who believe on Jesus' name, sacrifice and resurrection from the dead to be saved. With that covenant came a new understanding, which Jesus made clear when He said "Sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee." (John 5:14)


Hebrews 10: 26-31 (King James Version)

26 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,

27 But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.

28 He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses:

29 Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?

30 For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people.

31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

I am sad to see Rachael fall and to essentially glory in it by making "When I Fall" the first big single off her album...but I am more resolute than ever to stand for this Holy God that I serve. Am I anything special? Of myself, no, I am not anything. But "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." (Phillipians 4:13)

Best Wishes,
Allen

I don't normally do this but since this issue affects every American, please click on the graphic below to learn more about what the nonprofit I run, the International Size Acceptance Association (ISAA), is doing in response to yesterday's announcement by the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services, Tommy Thompson.
 


 

Thanks!  You may help save lives by participating in this effort.
 
Best Wishes,
Allen

(Loren) Root wishes she could turn back time. "I would've researched. I would've talked to people," she said. "You can find these support groups, you can go on the Internet." "People need to know that there's a really bad side to this procedure," she said. "Death."

A Costly Choice: Weight-Loss Surgery Wrecks Woman's Health This is the surgery that medical professionals want to happen more often -- and it's a surgery that is destroying people's lives! If you click on the story link above, this woman, Loren Root, had WLS and is slowly starving to death. There is a fund set up for this poor woman, so please help any way you can. You can also help by clicking HERE and sending a message to the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services -- people don't need this surgery, they need to be educated in self-esteem, fitness and healthy food choices. As you can see, WLS is rarely the "quick-fix" it is claimed to be. This woman's case is extreme but not terribly uncommon. It is one of the many side effects that affect more than 40% of WLS patients. Not all deaths are immediate. Please help save lives because OBESITY IS NOT A DISEASE!