Facebook
Twitter
RSS
![[Masthead]](http://www.t-g.com/images/nameplate.png)
|
|
Unknown Precip Fog/Mist ~ High: 32°F ~ Low: 27°F Friday, Feb. 10, 2012 |
|
Not The Lord's Prayer, But I Like It!Posted Friday, March 13, 2009, at 4:54 PM
This was credited to Rev. Graham but not done by him , but I think he would agree with it as I do.
THIS MAN SURE HAS A GOOD VIEW OF WHAT'S HAPPENING TO OUR COUNTRY! "Heavenly Father, we come before you today to ask Your forgiveness and to seek Your direction and guidance. We know Your Word says 'Woe to those who call evil good,' but that is exactly what we have done. We have lost our spiritual equilibrium and reversed our values. We confess that. We have ridiculed the absolute truth of Your Word and called it Pluralism. We have worshiped other gods and called it multiculturalism. We have endorsed perversion and called it alternative lifestyle. We have exploited the poor and called it the lottery. We have rewarded laziness and called it welfare. We have killed our unborn and called it choice. We have shot abortionists and called it justifiable. We have neglected to discipline our children and called it building self-esteem. We have abused power and called it politics. We have coveted our neighbor's possessions and called it ambition. We have polluted the air with profanity and pornography and called it freedom of expression. We have ridiculed the time-honored values of our forefathers and called it enlightenment. Search us, Oh, God, and know our hearts today; cleanse us from every sin and set us free. Guide and bless these men and women who have been sent to direct us to the center of Your will, to open ask it in the name of Your Son, the living Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen" Commentator Paul Harvey aired this prayer on "The Rest of the Story" on the radio and received a larger response to this program than any other he has ever aired. With the Lord's help, may this prayer sweep over our nation and wholeheartedly become our desire so that we again can be called one nation under God.
Origins: The "Prayer for Our Nation" piece reproduced above has in recent years come to be attributed to venerable evangelist the Rev. Billy Graham, and before that it was circulated as "Paul Harvey's Prayer" (or "Paul Harvey's On Air Prayer"). However, it was neither written nor first presented by either of those men. This prayer burst into the public consciousness back in January of 1996, when the Rev. Joe Wright, senior pastor of the 2,500-member Central Christian Church in Wichita, was invited to deliver the opening prayer at a session of the Kansas House of Representatives. On that occasion he offered the following "Prayer of Repentance" (which was not entirely of his own crafting but rather was a version of a prayer written in 1995 by Bob Russell, who had offered it at the Kentucky Governor's Prayer Breakfast in Frankfort): Heavenly Father, we come before you today to ask your forgiveness and seek your direction and guidance. We know your Word says, "Woe to those who call evil good," but that's exactly what we've done. We have lost our spiritual equilibrium and inverted our values. We confess that we have ridiculed the absolute truth of your Word and called it moral pluralism. We have worshiped other gods and called it multiculturalism. We have endorsed perversion and called it an alternative lifestyle. We have exploited the poor and called it the lottery. We have neglected the needy and called it self-preservation. We have rewarded laziness and called it welfare. We have killed our unborn and called it choice. We have shot abortionists and called it justifiable. We have neglected to discipline our children and called it building esteem. We have abused power and called it political savvy. We have coveted our neighbors' possessions and called it ambition. We have polluted the air with profanity and pornography and called it freedom of expression. We have ridiculed the time-honored values of our forefathers and called it enlightenment. Search us O God and know our hearts today; try us and see if there be some wicked way in us; cleanse us from every sin and set us free. Guide and bless these men and women who have been sent here by the people of Kansas, and who have been ordained by you, to govern this great state. Grant them your wisdom to rule and may their decisions direct us to the center of your will. I ask it in the name of your son, the living savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.
I came across this prayer and researched it and discovered some interesting things about it. http://www.snopes.com/politics/soapbox/p... It has been credited to Billy Graham and became one of the most popular subjects on the late Paul Harvey's radio show. I for one think all Christians should join in this prayer as a rally point. No apologies for the Word of God here" preach the word and let the chips fall where they may" I saw a news story on the decline of faith in America, and this is called the great Apostasy as in John 6:66. Remember Jesus said"as in the days of Noah." In the days of Noah people were having a good time with no worries all the while Noah was building the boat for he knew what was about to happen. In these times we can look for the coming of the Messiah, but when things get better and peace is world wide and people are going on without a care in the world, then he will make his appearance, just when you don't except him. All the while I am building a boat, the ark of my faith so I can sail on into eternity. Times will get better and just when people are at ease "ALL HELL WILL BREAK LOOSE!" There is a boat being built it is called faith build your part then link it with others to weather the storm on the horizon. As in the days of Nehemiah you can't worry about the entire wall just the part where you are. The following is a update from Perry Stone who has a gift of prophecy and this hits the nail on the head. One Main Point We Forget About Noah and Lot I have occasionally commented to my staff about an observation I have made after 30 years of ministry. Most people recognize me as a "prophecy preacher" because much of my teaching involves prophetic insight. I have observed that when there are few national and international disturbances which include natural disasters, the economy is booming and things are rather quiet in the Middle East, not nearly as many people keep up with the word we are preaching. However, when natural disasters destroy cities, the economy is shaking and the Middle East looks like Armageddon is on the horizon, then the phones ring, emails pour in, and people pack into the churches. I have observed this cycle of interest versus lack of interest over the years. I used to become somewhat frustrated that people seemed to not care about what I was saying until trouble hit. However, I have learned that this is human nature. The Lord allows us to be a voice to the nation when the people of God need direction, warning, preparation or a new word. The more difficult times that come and the more evidence of the "birth pains" that occur the more apt people are to say, "Christ is coming...look at the signs all around us." There is much visible evidence that the coming of Christ is certainly going to occur, and possibly sooner than we think. However there are two important points that are often overlooked when things get bad. The first observation is that the coming of the Lord is compared to the days of Noah before the flood and the days of Lot before the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. In both cases, the economy was not in a tailspin and there were no losses in homes, food shortages or any of the events we call "signs." In fact, Christ said, "But as the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ark" (Matthew 24:37-38).
"Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded; but the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all. Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed." - Luke 17:28-30
Life was not only going on as normal in Noah and Lot's day, but in both instances the economy, along with the housing market (building), agriculture (planting), and family planning (given in marriage) was moving forward. In both instances there was abundance of food, as indicated when Ezekiel revealed the sins of Sodom and listed one of the five sins as "fullness of bread" (Ez. 16:49). With all of the discussion of bailouts and economic downturns, job layoffs and trouble in the lending industry, many American Christians are saying, "This would be the end of America as we know it...surely Christ is coming." I do believe these events are playing out a purpose in bringing America under a more direct control of a global form of economic control. However don't miss the point. According to Christ, when he returns it appears the business world is booming in prosperity. Right now it would be difficult to find a backslider who would scoff when you say, "These are the last days." However, when the economy turns around and prosperity is filling Main Street, these individuals turn to scoffers saying, "Where is the promise of Christ's coming?" (II Peter 3:3). We must remember that the coming of Christ will surprise a world that is caught up in eating, drinking, and making money. This is why we are to watch and not be caught off guard when he returns! When things are going too well, we can either forget the promise of His coming or be uninterested in His return since it could disrupt the good life we are enjoying here and now. America is certainly in a time that many people identify as selective judgment. We cannot break the laws of God's Word and expect blessings to continue. As ministers we must seek God for cleansing and repentance on a consistent basis and ask Him for his favor and grace. After all it's when "Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord" (Gen. 6:8) that God spared him from destruction and gave the old preacher a way of escape! Perry Stone Jr. Comments Showing comments in chronological order [Show most recent comments first] |
A man getting to the roots of his faith.
Hot topics Daddy's Rules For Dating My Daughters!(25 ~ 8:26 PM, Aug 15)
Southern Traditions
The Implosion From Within
The Crumbling!
IN HONOR OF ALL VETERANS!
|
Email link
Read comments (30)
Blog archive
![[Feed icon]](http://www.t-g.com/images/icons/feed-icon-14x14.png){kind=icon}
i loved Paul Harvey i remember listening to him going to school in the morning. He was just too smooth.
Yep! I think you would be the sort to like this type of insulting prayer!
I shall not pass up the opportunity to respond to this latest attempt by you, to ridicule our free country and the judging of others actions, as evil or causing the fall or destruction of the country. This prayer is an example of some types of prejudices that afflict the individual as they try to enjoy the freedoms endowed by our country.
"We have ridiculed the absolute truth of your word"-- what truth? what word?
"We have worshiped other gods"--Methodist, Baptist, Catholicism,...etc. in Christianity is the only multiculturalism of a god that I am aware of, an it involves a "triune diety" or composite god.
"We have endorsed perversion"- Who has?- I think only perverts endorse themselves, as a nation we promote individual equality, not perversion. I condone no acts of perversion, however, I can only punish those who harmed others as a result of some perverted act. Consenting adults harm only themselves-not others-. I reject thier lifestyle but not thier individual rights.
"We have exploited the poor"-only real exploiters I know is the government thru taxation and religions thru social rejection. How many truly poor do you find in your church? Few-to-none, I bet. In this country our local employers give jobs, our charities give some types of aid, our taxes pay for welfare, medical, etc... . Where have you been? Lotteries are voluntary and a form of taxation, which in our state helps the educational system, while giving the donators a chance of winning, where other forms of taxation does not. How much have you donated to the college of your choice the past year?
"We have rewarded laziness"-I can't believe anybody really believes this- Welfare is aid for the temporary unemployed and of course those disabled or unemployable for some reason.
"We kill our unborn"-No "WE" don't. Each individual is accountable for their own actions. The nation is not accountable for the actions of individuals and should not "pay" for any bills incurred for the termination of a pregnacy, unless, termination is deemed necessary to save the live of the "child" or "mother". I cannot not judge others in their decisions as individuals.
"We have shot abortionists"-again "WE" have not. Those who do are murders and should be punished, as our laws reflect this view.
"We have neglected to discipline our children" -really? Does this mean only "the rod" is the type of discipline approved? I know of no parent who doesn't use some type of discipline as a training tool. What we punish for and when we punish are just important as how we punish. You keep the rod. I'll decide how and for what reason to discipline those in my care.
"We have abused power and called it politics." Come on now- What a stupid statement! Ok, Ok, I think a casual observer/reader gets the point-prayer should be indivdualistic. I may pray for many reasons, including for others, however, to impose inclusive (WE) judgmental implications of others is irresponsible. This prayer you posted is not a national prayer I would ever endorse. It is insulting to my nation as a whole.
This time I disagree.
It may not be liked, but it is the truth!
A partial truth that could be distorted as dipperdan pointed out.
(If people can wreak havok on God's Word,why would they stop at anyone else's?)
It is true that "cafeteria style" morality and self-serving applications and interpretations have existed for millenia.
It was around when we classified beings different from ourselves as chattel or unworthy of compassion and respect.
It was around when we cultivated disease and damage to the environment to further our personal agendas.
It existed whenever we attempted to squelch knowledge and punish those who sought or distributed truth.
It tainted our world whenever we lied,bullied,corrupted and killed in the name of God or Liberty,Science or any other Good.
Sometimes,the only inkling we have of our awareness of right and wrong is our insistence on covering up our iniquities and trying to disguise evil as good.
(Even if we can't even delude ourselves.)
So,we attack the innocent and call it Justice.
We pillage and call it War.
We even distort our minds and bodies in the name of Health or Beauty.
Cultures ruled by bread and circuses can find themselves given a stone for pastry and Grand Guignol or dark carnivals instead of colorful amusement.
Our land,the plants and animals under our stewardship,our children,our communities,even our ourselves are ignored or exploited according to our whims.
Would we not fare better if we were true to the Lord's desires for us rather than being false to ourselves and one another?
No time,place or people has been immune from this practice and few have had a monopoly on such destruction.
The "royal we" is appropriate because as children of the Father,we have contributed to the world's ills by what we have done,what we have condoned and what we fail to do.
If we're not part of the solution,then we ARE part of the problem.
If we don't provide the rod of guidance and protection,we can't protest when others seize the same rod and use it only to wield blows or intimidate.
We need to stop apologizing for the good and acting as if it's less palatable than the useless and harmful.
We need to insist on including reason and caring into all aspects of life.
Concepts like "Discipline","Responsibility","Pleasure","Success","Charity""Passion" and "Curiosity" should not be our "Seven Dirty Words."
We need to shove hope,common sense,integrity and courage into our voids rather than curse their emptiness.
Any problems we have are not unique to one time,place or nation.
Nor are they insurmountable.
We tend to avoid all application of virtue because it seems too hard or too impractical.
Evil or hypocrisy appeal not just because we are greedy or lazy but because striving for anything better seems beyond our capabilities.
But,we are not limited to what we can achieve on our own.
We can tap the resources of one another and our Maker.
In this way,it is just as easy and possible to create and sustain a positive reality as it is to support a weak and cumbersome lie.
We need to face the truth about our lives but we can't afford to stop with critique.
When we see the structure of our existence begin to crumble,must we choose between slapping on paint to conceal the damage or demolition?
Perhaps,we could honor the Architect and see how we can make repairs and restoration and even listen to how the Designer can make it better than it was before.
Time and time again you people get on this blog and disagree with everything he types, and you keep coming back! Why do you keep coming back if you don't want to hear what he has to say? I think some get obsessed with wanting to have the last word, or trying to be right. I have always liked Billy Graham and I know he is a good Christian man. When he says "we" I believe he is referring to Christians just sitting back watching all of these things take place instead of getting out there and fighting for what's right. We all have to do our part. Just chill out and get off if you don't like what is being said. That's just a stumbling block for others.
Have you ever thought for one second to stop and think "What if I'm wrong?"
Posted by in the garden on Sat, Mar 14, 2009, at 8:23 PM
Perhaps you should try asking yourself this question, because you seem to be certain that everything your say is the absolute truth. As Christians we are only doing the exact same thing you are doing. Exercising our right to voice our opinion and fight for the morals we believe in. The very same thing you are doing. The views you hold are your morality whether you are cognizant of that fact or not.
Whether you agree with the Word of God or not, you are still coming back to read it, I have not or will not apologize for the Word!
Then again, the people heard Noah, they did not listen and well you know the rest of the story.
R.I.P. Paul Harvey.
Stay tuned for a story on Abraham that you probably haven' noticed either.
You know God divided the races for a reason!
Amazing how the Good Word gets a few people rawled up. I guess it is like a two edged sword. Nothing cuts like the basic bare truth.
Amen! Bro. Marvin!
To encourage genetic and cultural diversity?
(That would rather fit in with the incident in Babel.)
It would make sense if God instituted His upheavals as much for positive reasons of His own than in response to yet another example of our imperfection.
Think about the latter part of Noah's story.
Until 1859 and the popularization of the theory of evolution,one might hear of the "English race" or the "French race."
The book of Acts describes humans as "one blood" but folks could still be divided into distinct peoples.
The idea of "race" (as is commonly understood today) came from a time when someone of a different sub-group might not even be recognized as human.
While the stories of Noah's sons indicate that they were changed,our inferences have determined how each race ranked,how Noah's daughters-in-law might have been affected and what Shem,Ham and Japeth's parents looked like.
According to the Bible,the three men altered remained brothers.
They and their families still belonged to the clan of Noah and his wife.
We can choose to make "different" a synonym for "dangerous" or "inferior" but,according to the Word,we come from one family and were created in the likeness of one Creator.
We are further joined by our sharing a spiritual kinship.
As our foibles led to our being separated from Eden then one another,God's perfect love unites us and makes our differences as much a cause for celebration as the unique characteristics of any other portion of Creation.
Star Trek might have featured the concept of "Infinite Diversity in Infinite Combination" but God expressed Himself within the infinite and the diverse long before that.
As long as you are "in Christ" you are of the same as I .
I think that quantumcat makes a very good point here Michael, because he sees not only the problems that exist that you and fellow Christian zealots rally around, but also the problems that exist in us all. Pointing fingers at everyone else is easy to do, but if you really want to find someone to blame, look no further than your nearest mirror.
I do look in the mirror and see bad, and I do try to be better every day, I am far from perfect, but I know I am saved and bought with the blood.
ok a really good book to read that aught to be given to any new Christian along with a bible when they make a profession of faith is:
When bad Christians happen to Good people.
Christians can unfortunantly can be some of the most narrow minded, biggoted , and obnoxious people i have met.
Before i became a Christian i would literally shake these "ministers of gloom and doom" like dogs, when they came up to me telling me i was going to hell cause i worked at a bar.
At the same time, I had a second job at a place where this older lady told me a differant Jesus, one who loves the sinner and gets right in among them.
SHE showed me Christ, and planted a seed of What if? in me that a year later, i did recieve the Lord.
The crux of the matter is this: with out the Love of God we are just flapping our mouths.
It needs to be real not obnoxious.
If someone is hungry, give them a sandwich, if someone is thirsty, a bottled water, if they are needing something.. give of yourself and the love God has placed in you with the Holy Spirit.
It is not rocket science.
He said, If you do to the least of these: you'vee done unto me.
I have sent a card to Jennelle the old lady every year for 23 years, since i accepted the Lord. I thank her every year for showing me Jesus. NOT PREACHING at me.
i am a life changed by Love.
Ah, the precious blood
of the perfect Lamb,
the cleansing it does
to this sinner I am.
Parkerbros, do you really think you are fooling anyone with your ramblings on here. From what I hear of some of the stunts you have pulled on people, you do need forgiveness. Soon you will have pleny of time to reflect on your past deeds. May will be here right after April. Tick tock tick tock. The smell of freedom will be sweet when you are released.
Did we not notice the word in the prayer? it was not "you or I but we"
We as a whole have failed miserably.
Don't pass judgment on Marvin yet Chef, he is innocent till proved guilty.
Yes that is the way our justice system works Mr Bell. But trying to run over someone with a car is pretty convincing to me.
Was you there, did you see it?, I did not so I do not know.
What ever happens either way does not concern me for in the heat of the moment anything is possible.
I know what is in Marvin's heart and that is all I need to know.
Thanks for your concern Chef. You're a real trooper.
It never fails to amaze me how someone like you can read a one sided story in a .50 newspaper and think they know what happened but have trouble putting faith in the tried and true gospel.
Chef, all I would have to do is show up at the warrant office in the morning with your name and address and $29.00 and you would see how it feels to be falsely accussed of something like I am. Of coarse I would be responsible for the false arrest once you were proven innocent but luckily you do not have to worry about that. Just something for you to think about when you get over feeling bad about yourself and trying to conjure up bad in someone else.
But keep in mind I do not know your name like I did not know the names of the people who assaulted me that night.
So I guess you could get away with a crime like they did by knowing my name before I could be sure of theirs. It is all about who gets their first with the name, address and money. Nothing else counts in Bedford County. That is the way the system works unfortunately.
Oh my my poor Parkerbros. I do know some people who were there that fatefull night, so long ago. So did you not get there first with the name and money? Sounds like you came in last, which from what I hear, is how you came in on the race track as well. Unlike you, I do not toot my own horn, I simply listen. In my line of work, it is better to hear than to be heard. Yes you will get your day in court, but I do not think your money can save you from this incident. If you do not like our justice system, I suggest you try out China, North Korea, or Saudi Arabia.
This prayer is not really about the judgment of those who are not Christians, but more about our failure as Christians to stand up for what we call the truth of God's Word. As Christians, we have all too often sat passively (silently) in the pew while many of these issues have come to pass. And, for these acts of passiveness, we need God's forgiveness, and we need His courage to stand for the truth as we see it in His word. This is exactly what many of you do, you stand for the perceived truth of your words, from whatever source you have found it.
Just as people have the right to advocate for many of these issues to be brought into society, and most of them had to be brought into society through legislation, we have the right to advocate the repeal, or prevention of these issues from staying in society, or being brought into society. If you refuse us that right, then you are being just as hypocritical as you accuse the Christian of being.
Just remember 4fabfeline's comments.
We accomplish more by a single act of reason and compassion than we do with eons worth of discord or cohersion or violence.
Yes,we need to have our say rather than stay silent and let things get worse instead of better.
But,we are more convincing when we use our courage to promote the good as well as condemn that which is damaging.
Are enlightenment,welfare,ambition,freedom of expression,instilling self-esteem,etc. bad things?
Or are they being tainted through association with destructive things just as religion,science,the legal system,business,love of country (and countless other positive things) have been used in connection with false and unrelated agenda?
When slick rhetoric and disinformation can make good seem evil and evil good,how do we know what to embrace and whose leadership to follow?
Perhaps,we might pay less attention to what's being said and more to what's being done.
If someone speaks of justice,tolerance,protection of our resources and our most defenseless beings,if they talk of peace,liberty and an affirmative life,how are they applying those concepts?
Are they advocating change or making changes?
Are they staging revolutions-or just being revolting?
Are the people who profess love,wisdom,morality and personal responsibility walking what they're talking?
Are they content to complain about the vices of others without showing by example the superiority of a virtuous life?
Even the sheep will follow the right voice when they figure out who nurtures them and who cares only about propelling them in the desired direction.
Feed the flock and use the rod and staff for guidance (rather than prodding and beating) and it will seek the shepherd and the way home.
The pet lamb will have a tough time distinguishing the guardians the Master has appointed from the stalkers if all it experiences is a lot of growling and snapping at its heels.
A protector who lives within the flock and has some respect for the judgement of those in his care will have fewer strays to worry about than one whose sheep are ready to face the predators just to escape toward something that feels like freedom.
Let's gain credibility by what we add to people's lives before we start imposing restrictions and taking things away.
Even the sheep will follow the right voice when they figure out who nurtures them and who cares only about propelling them in the desired direction.
Posted by quantumcat on Mon, Mar 16, 2009, at 5:36 AM
Quantumcat,
Your writing brings up fond memories of one of my favorite reads. In particular it is the entire 10th chapter of the gospel of John that contains one of the beautiful parables of Christ telling His sheep will know His voice. The following verses of John 10 say it beautifully:
27My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:
28And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.
29My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand.
30I and my Father are one.
Perhaps some of the cowardly masked stone throwers on here could learn a valuable lesson and gain understanding if they read the verse that followed the above and see how their distant kin treated the Sheperd and His sheep.
31Then the Jews took up stones again to stone him.
I love when certain people claim we shouldn't try and legislate morality but yet we allow murder, pedophilia, rape, burglary, and other crimes to be legislated every day. These same individuals would claim justice when these acts would be done against them but then claim others shouldn't be when they offend others.
I am not agreeing with Michael . . . just pointing out the stupidity of some of the arguments being made against his post. But hey, I shouldn't expect any less from some of you on here. :-) Midnight Rider makes a very valid point!
I don't think jaxspike mentioned homosexuality. Our laws are mostly about legislating morality.
By Frank Turek
It never fails. Whenever some conservative takes a stand on a moral issue, some liberal somewhere will indignantly claim, "You can't legislate morality!" How many times have you heard that worn-out phrase? Incredibly, it's not even true. As the Apostle Paul declared in 2Cor. 10:5, Christians must "demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God." It's time we demolish the pretension, "You can't legislate morality."
Morality is about right and wrong, and that's what laws put into legal form. Can you think of one law which doesn't declare one behavior right and its opposite wrong? The truth is all laws legislate morality (even speed limits imply a moral right to life). And everyone in politics -- conservatives, libertarians and liberals -- is trying to legislate morality. The only question is: "Whose morality should be legislated?"
In the garden . . . how can you gauge my intelligence when you cant even read what I wrote and get what I said right? I never said anything about homsexuality in my comment and have commented many times on these blogs before that I have no problem with homosexuality nor does it bother me for them to have rights. Anyone on here will validate what I am saying.
I guess you just prove yet again how ignorant you really are in the garden! But hey, we all knew that already but you are always slow to realize such things. :-)
Who tinkled in the gardens tarts again?
jaxspike, was it you by chance?