Opus 2026-245: Moderate Is Not a Synonym for Reasonable

I picked up a discussion where Douglas Murray was reviewing the problems presented by Islam as it invades the west.  Generally he makes sense but he lost me when he uttered the popular canard saying that most Muslims are peaceful.  That is similar to saying that most Germans were peaceful in 1943 because they were not in the army.  It is like Christians who acknowledge that evil trash that comes from Disney but they still buy Disney products that they consider clean.  In so doing they subsidize the attempts that Disney makes at destroying the culture.

Moderation often means just not wanting to take a stand or make waves.  A moderate Muslim is like a moderate Democrat or a moderate Christian.  Moderate Democrats continue to vote for people who are pushing abortion, sex change operations, drap queens reading to children in libraries and just about any other vulgar activity.  Moderate Christians often endorse the same activities.

We need to stop being moderate.  Courteous, yes.  Polite, usually.  Willing to listen and engage in discussion, always.  That being said we need to be very clear about where we stand.  It is easy to let people think we agree with them by saying nothing.  Say something.  Make it the truth.  Stick to your guns. 

Your grandchildren will thank you.

homo unius libri

Opus 2026-244: Another Case Ignored

I know a fair number of believers who like to ignore the if/then portions of scripture.  It would make sense to assume that the word “forever” means forever.  Generally that would be true but how often have you used a word like that and known that it probably is not literally true.  How many young lovers have promised to love someone “forever”?  Have you seen the acronym “BFF”?  You can always hope but probability not.

We run into this in scripture when people talk about the “forever” promises made by God to David, Solomon and Israel in general.  The thesis is that God will never turn His back on His chosen people.

What do you do with this?

2 Kings 23:27 (KJV) And the LORD said, I will remove Judah also out of my sight, as I have removed Israel, and will cast off this city Jerusalem which I have chosen, and the house of which I said, My name shall be there.

What fascinates me is the people who claim to want to take scripture literally but they only do it when it meets their system.  God is going to do with Judah, the southern kingdom, what He did with Israel, the northern kingdom.  In case you were not paying attention, at this point in scripture they have been relegated to the dust bins of history for a couple of hundred years.  Even today we still wonder about the Lost Tribes.  He is also promising to do away with Jerusalem.

It is necessary for us to allow figures of speech to be figures of speech.  Take for instance this statement,

1 Chronicles 14:17 (KJV) And the fame of David went out into all lands; and the LORD brought the fear of him upon all nations.

I have no confusion myself what this means.  I also know what it does not mean.  I don’t think that the Olmec got the message.  I doubt if China read the memo.  Obviously it is a figure of speech.  Go to the NT.

Luke 2:1 (KJV) And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.

Again, I don’t think that the Bantus of Africa got the word.  We all understand that this means all of the Roman Empire, not what it says.

Think of all the cultural statements we make.  Ancient cultures were no different.  Have you noticed how often the number 40 comes up?  Does it mean a literal 40 or is it a similar statement that I might make at the doctor’s office, “I have been waiting forever.”  If we lived in ancient Israel we might say, “I have been waiting 40 days.”

Always read with your mind turned on. It sometimes also helps to listen to others.

homo unius libri

Opus 2026-243: New Laws: Laugh It Off

Somewhere recently I read an alleged quote of C.K. Chesterton to the effect that you know a fanatic because they have no sense of humor.  I recently had an experience that seemed to point me toward a similar train of thought.

I had an appointment with a specialist to look down my throat to see why I have such chronic hoarseness.  It has been going on for years and it was time to check it out.  Well and good.

I was checked in by a young woman who seemed to know how to punch buttons on the computer in front of her.  She was well rehearsed in the steps to take to get me ready to see the next in line.  She lacked two things.  One, which is the thread I am following, was that she had no sense of humor.  I am used to kibitzing with people.  Most people take it well but there are some who just look at you or take you literally when it is obvious you are joking.  Second, although she had been trained in procedures to check me in and ask me questions, any time I got off the script I got a blank stare.  This was the kind of response of someone who is well trained in following the numbers but ignorant of why.

Okay.  She was basically pleasant even if she was unresponsive.

Enter the Nurse Practitioner.  It quickly became apparent that she was also lacking in the sense of humor department.  Since this was where the rubber met the road and I wanted good information, I backed off and tried to keep my one liners in check.  The rest of the exam went well.

I did not get into any sensitive areas, well at least not much, but it became clear based on appearance and responses that both of the people I dealt with would line up with the woke crowd.  I don’t know if it affects their ability in medicine but it certainly tells me they are not used to considering all the options.

I might suggest at this point that congress mandate a new law.  I think that children should be taught what it means to have a sense of humor.  With some it would be a waste of time but to paraphrase a slogan I have heard, “If we save one it will be worth it.”

homo unius libri

Opus 2026-242: Get out of Your Bubble

One of the Pod-Casts that I will usually consider is Uncommon Knowledge.  Recently Peter Robinson was interviewing a wonk named Michael McFaul.  I had never heard of him.  He has written a lot of books with you can buy but the local libraries have none of his work.

The discussion went many directions regarding foreign policy.  They started with Russia since McFaul had been very involved in negotiations through several presidents.  They then went to China and so forth.  Interesting.  I did not get the feeling I could take everything he said to the bank.  When you serve at high levels of administration for both parties it says a lot about your “flexibility”.

What moved me toward writing him off was his comments about how we need to become more united as a country.  While I like the sentiment I am also aware that the issues that divide us are important and can’t just be glossed over.  I am aware that the far left in this country are not out to get along but to destroy what has made us unique in history.  They want to destroy all of the liberties in the Bill of Rights and increase the power of the Federal government.  They want the elites to make our decisions for us because they are wiser than we are.

There is no middle road on abortion.  There is no middle road on mutilating the bodies of children nor is there a middle road of honest elections.  There are some things that spell compromise as surrender.  McFaul seemed like a genuinely decent human being.  He is intelligent and well educated.  He is also incredibly naive and living in a Ph.D. Bubble.

He needs to get out more.

homo unius libri

Opus 2026-241: Facing the Inevitable

Let me give you one of the most divisive statements ever made:

Genesis 1:1 (KJV) In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.

The first three words begin the division. “In the beginning…”.  You would think this would be obvious but the pagan version of scientists have been denying even this bit of the obvious.  Science has been claiming there was no beginning ever since the Enlightenment became the dominant force in the West.  Their mantra has been that the universe is infinite at both ends.  In the early years when they were basing their theories on philosophy and personal necessity, that is understandable.  But we know more today and the truth is still ignored.

So Christians have always had a bone to pick with the pagans.  When you add the next word it gets even testier.  “In the beginning God…”.  Here is where punctuation might help.  As the secular scientists began to look at the evidence they themselves were collecting it became clear that the universe was not eternal.  So they would translate this, “In the beginning ?”  They didn’t know and had nothing but cool science fiction themes to work with.  Much of the science fiction writing I have read is trying to fill in the blank where the question mark goes.  Imagination is a wonderful thing to base a novel on but is not a foundation for reality and real science.

Christians of course would use different punctuation.  We would switch the question mark for an exclamation point. “In the beginning !”  This is a basic assumption that the early scientists had which allowed them to develop the scientific method and move deeper into discovering how things work from a single cell to a galaxy.  If you can’t make that assumption then you can’t depend on your answers.  Just picture how your day would go if the law of gravity decided to act on a part time basis,

Intellectuals like to cover it up but every field of study begins with assumptions that cannot be proven or are conditional.  Does 1 + 1 equal 2?  Not in computer binary language. Some things are taken on faith.  It would help if they would stop denying that basic reality.

We know where it began and who began it.  The rest we are still working on.  Enjoy the adventure.

homo unius libri

Opus 2026-240: Deja Vu

This morning I had a flashback from my Hawaii days.  The bugs arrived.

We used to own a condo in Hawaii and had some great vacations there.  One year we stayed six weeks.  I always felt like it took at least a week to get adjusted and after that you could really enjoy.

One of my rituals was beach worship.  I never set an alarm but I would wake up around 4:00 AM, make a pot of coffee, gather my guitar, Bible and lawn chair and head for the beach.  I would then sit there playing hymns I had memorized and eventually doing some reading as the day decided to join me.  It was a glorious time.

I knew it was time to head back to the condo when the flies arrived.  It was about the same time every day.  It was like they had set an alarm.  One minute I was in glory, the next in a cloud.

That happened to me today.  Suddenly the bugs were everywhere.  After a few waves of the hand I realized my morning on the porch was over.  That is okay.  God is everywhere and He was already waiting for when I got to my recliner.

Embrace your environment.

homo unius libri

Opus 2026-239: Intended Consequences

I am listening to Mike Rowe (of Dirty Jobs) interview Will Swaim (?).  The term “unintended consequences” was used in regards to the unions and environmentalists.  I am reasonable sure the term is a smoke screen.  There may be a few people that believe the nonsense but the leadership has an agenda beyond lining their own pockets.  They intend the long term consequences.

Traditional Americans have been brought up to think the best of other people.  The commissars and thugs of the left have been brought up understanding that is the way we were brought up.  They know the rules we play by and giggle with glee when they are able to use our adherence to the rule of law to destroy us.  Picture two men in a duel.  The noble one points his pistol in the air and fires it off, signifying his honor is satisfied.  The scumbag uses the pause to take very careful aim.  One is praised, the other lives.

Get over assuming everyone plays by the rules or interprets them the way they were intended.  Think of the judges who found the right of privacy in the Constitution when it had been missed for 200 years.  Think of the crimnals who practice being insane so that they will be let off from paying for their crime.  Think of the lawyers who talks circles to end up lying.

It is not unintended consequences.  It is the ultimate goal.  

What can we do about it?  The first step is to recognize who they are and how they operate.  The second is to vote and speak up to enforce the laws that are already on the books.  Learn which judges rejoice in an opportunity to press their opinions as they sneer at the law.  We can get things straightened out but we have to start with honest introspection.

homo unius libri

Opus 2026-238: Of Two Minds

I am coming out of a part of my down cycle.  There are days in which I can go for long periods of time content to stare at the wall and daydream.  I tend to think of it as classic nursing home mentality.  I could be content to just veg out and not struggle with anything but getting enough fiber in my diet.

There are other times when ideas seem to be lined up waiting to pop into my head.  The issue is finding enough time to write them down.  That leaves nothing for developing them and making them coherent.  Then I top out and head down again.

I have grown used to it and accept that there is little I can do about the down times.  One reason is that when I am overcome with ennui I don’t care about doing anything about anything.  There is still that little voice down inside poking me in the ego and saying, “Get up and do something. Take that first step.”  I am good at ignoring that little voice.

Which will it be?  One side says writing on Blogger is enough.  The other side says, “No. Explore some other platforms.  Go out in a blaze of glory.  Have posts lined up so that you are dead for a month before anyone knows it is over.” 

If you are getting old I am sure you know the feeling of your teenage attitudes locked in your wheelchair body.  Sometimes it is a drag.  Other times it is a glorious challenge. I wait to see what the rest of the day holds.

homo unius libri

Opus 2026-237: Not So Parallel Thoughts

Nirvana does for the soul what the ocean does for a person who falls overboard, dies and is eaten by the fish.  The body does not cease to exist as atoms but is dissipated through the entire world. In that thinking the soul does the same in the universe.  And of course this step comes after a long series of reincarnations gradually working you up to being worthy.

The Bible teaches a totally different explanation of what happens after death.  The individual never dissipates or disappears.  The person remains intact whether they are destined for heaven or hell.  You will be aware of yourself and God.  I assume there will also be some recognition of others.

The method of sorting is also different.  Eternity is not based on a long series of lives based on personal effort but on the acceptance of the death and resurrection of Jesus.  The two beliefs can be parallel.  That does not mean what you think it does.  Reach back to your high school geometry.  Parallel lines never touch each other.

Don’t ever let anyone tell you that all religion is the same.

homo unius libri

Opus 2026-236: Don’t Help the Chick

I am watching a podcast from Reasons to Believe in which Hugh Ross and Jeff Zweerink are discussing AI coding.  I won’t try to summarize their discussion except to look at one observation they made.  Zweerink was reporting on some research and how it affected the work of different programmers.  It made people at all levels more productive but there was a more significant point.  The lower level programmers were more productive using AI helps but they were stagnant in developing new skill or new code.  The experienced programmers added new areas of progress to their productivity.  The point they drew was that the years of effort in learning to produce code had made it possible for the senior people to grow and advance with the AI.  Use of the shortcuts provided was keeping the low level people on a plateau.

That resonated with me.  There is a principle in life that says when you do things for people that they can do themselves you are not helping them but you are making them weaker.  I saw this in education with the introduction of computers and ready-made science kits.  The technology brought them to completion on a set project but did not develop the skills to move beyond the canned outcome.  Because they did not have to struggle they developed no intellectual muscle. 

Schools have begun allowing students to use calculators instead of learning their multiplication tables or the process of long division.  If all you want are bookkeepers then that may be enough. If you want rocket scientists or people to design bridges they need to develop a deeper understanding of how things work.

Let me repeat an observation I have made multiple times.  When chicken eggs are approaching the moment of hatching, people want to help the baby chicks to break out of the shell.  They are so helpless and we are so sensitive.  The sad truth is that if you do the work for them and they don’t need to struggle, they will not set loose the hormones that will allow them to get strong and thrive.  Your shortcut may shorten their lives.

I am only part way through the podcast but I think one of the conclusions will be that AI can be a useful tool but it can also be a shortcut that inhibits human progress both collectively and individually. 

Be leery of shortcuts.

homo unius libri

Opus 2026-235: Morning Crutches

To be honest, every morning does not start with me leaping out of bed with praises and songs bursting from my lips.  Often, usually, I am in a state of neutrality.  I am somewhere between mildly positive and vaguely negative.  Because I don’t want to drift I try to find habits that will get me moving in the right direction.

Today in my usual routine I was reading Psalm 33.  As I read I was splashed with views of the God I worship.  It was a joyful picture.  After reading the entire chapter and looking over some of the terminology, I found myself thinking about how Yahweh contrasts with other gods of the world.  I will confess I have not studied those gods with any depth but I have been listening to discussions of them all my life.  They have a different set of adjectives.

The adjectives I would use to describe the gods of Greece, Scandanavia, nomads of the steppes, Africa and such start with powerful, that is a given, but from there the choices go downhill.  Can you say narcissistic?  How about capricious?  Childish also fits the bill.  They definitely tend to be immoral by the standards of the Bible.

I would assume there are some deep thinkers in their followers who go beyond that but that summarizes my knowledge.  When I say “deep thinkers” I mean people like Marcus Aurelius who wrote a famous book on Philosophy, Meditations. Being deep does not mean being consistent.  Depending on where you read, he sounds in one place like a traditional Roman with the fickle gods and at another place like a Bhuddist who believes in reincarnation.  Some places he writes like a monotheist and even sound like a Christian.  You can find anything you want, kind of like Alice’s Restaurant.

When I think of Yahweh as He is revealed in the OT and in the person of Jesus I think of a whole different set of words.  Yes, you have power but from there you follow a different branch.  In the OT a key concept if loving kindness and mercy.  The NT has agape, love.  Love is defined with such words as patience and kindness.  These are not momentary weaknesses like the Roman gods but basic parts of His personhood.

I rejoice that I live in a society that was at one time based on those values.  Whether the future will continue that way or we will descend into the world of Conan the Barbarian remains to be seen.  Either way I expect that the real, living God will not change and His promises to the faithful remnant will stay in effect.

homo unius libri

Opus 2026-234: A Cave or a Shield

As I look at the antics of congressional leaders who are supposed to be representing us and leading the country and instead see clowns, syncopates, RINOs and inside traders, I often despair.  I feel driven to prayer and calling upon God.  I am not sure that doesn’t make me worse than them.

Too often we look at prayer and trust as last ditch efforts that we implement when we retreat to a place to cower down and hide.  When we finally realize we are on the losing end we turn to God in desperation.  Don’t tell me you have never been there.  We need to make “there” our first position, not our last.

I had a song going through my head.  The segment that kept going through my head was, “You are my hiding place…”.  While I am sure there is a time to expect God to hide us we should be making our theme song more “Onward Christian Soldiers” than “Hiding in Thee.”

Think about the armor of God discussed in Ephesians 6.  If you look at verses 10-13 you get such words as standing, wrestling and against.  There is nothing about putting on the armor to hide in a cave.  Of course there is nothing about charging forward either.  Everything mentioned is defensive except the sword of the Spirit, the word of God.

God does speak of being a hiding place but He also talks about being a shield, a fortress, a rock.  We are called to stand up and face the music.  While we do that we need to rest in the knowledge that we have done our prayer time, that we live in trust and that the end results are really in God’s hands.  It means not living in fear.  God may allow us to go through hard times but keep in mind that His remnant will always be better off than the ones His anger will be directed toward.

homo unius libri

Opus 2026-233: Monday Pulpit: Honor System

Sunday in my regular reading schedule I came across this verse and wrote about it for a future post on my devotional blog,

Proverbs 10:9 (KJV) He that walketh uprightly walketh surely: but he that perverteth his ways shall be known.

My point was that we need to live in such a way that people trust us.  Then I read this as Josiah is getting serious about getting the temple back in shape,

2 Kings 22:7 (KJV) Howbeit there was no reckoning made with them of the money that was delivered into their hand, because they dealt faithfully.

Coincidence?  Sure, why not?  Strange though.

Here in the OT we have an example of what I was thinking about.  Was this originally a preaching point for NT Christians?  I doubt it.  It was an observation that there were people of honor in ancient Israel.  At the same time the Holy Spirit uses things we read to teach us lessons, encourage us, clarify things, in short, whatever we need.

We need to be reminded of what Christian culture should look like.  I can remember when your word was your bond.  I can remember when contracts were sealed with a handshake instead of multiple pages of legalese.  I can remember never locking the house.  That was a culture based on the Bible and having an expectation that people would walk uprightly.

Pray for those days to return.  Live in such a way that your corner of the world embraces that moral standard.

homo unius libri

Opus 2026-232: Franklin and Trump

One topic that comes up in Christian circles is the spiritual status of Donald Trump.  I don’t claim to have the final word on who is saved and who is damned, that goes without saying, and I don’t present it as a cop-out on taking a stand.  I have heard nothing credible that would make me think Trump has put his faith in Christ . One thing I have noticed though is that he is open in his comments.  He does not try to learn the jargon so he can pull the wool over our eyes. 

The first time I saw this was in his first campaign.  He was being interviewed on a Christian talk show and being asked some very direct questions.  He clearly did not understand the lingo but just as clearly he was trying to be honest.

I was glancing through a book on my shelf that I intend to get to some day.  It had one chapter on the spiritual stands of various Founders.  One that I looked at to determine if the book was reliable concerned Benjamin Franklin.  I did not read everything they had but what I did read was adequate to establish the author. The following quote is rather long but I think it is worth reading.

“You desire to know something of my religion.  Here is my creed.  I believe in one God, the Creator of the universe. That He governs it by his Providence.  That he ought to be worshiped.
That the most acceptable service we render him is in doing good to his other children.  That the soul of man is immortal, will be treated with justice in another life respecting its conduct in this. These I take to be fundamental points of all sound religion.  As to Jesus of Nazareth, my opinion of whom you particularly desire, I think the system of morals, and his religion, as he left them to us, is the best the world they ever saw, or as likely to see.  I apprehend it has received various corrupting changes; and I have with most of the present dissenters in England, some doubt as to his divinity, though it is a question I do not dogmatize upon, having never studied it, and think it needless to busy myself with it now, when I soon will have an opportunity to know the truth with less trouble.  I see no harm, however, in it being believed, if that belief has the good consequence, as probably it has, of making his doctrines more respected and observed, especially is it as I do not perceive that the Supreme takes it amiss, by distinguishing the believers of his government of the world with any particular marks of his displeasure.”  Pages 157-8

What struck me was the similarity between Franklin and Trump. For all of their intelligence and exposure to Christians, neither one seemed to understand what the issues were.  Neither was hostile.  Neither tried to claim something they were not. 

I find that encouraging.  Years ago I read I read Franklin’s Autobiography.  I don’t remember any claims to faith in it.  At the same time God used him in the establishment of our country.  May He use Trump in the preserving it.

The attitude of Franklin was very similar to Trump

Morris, Benjamin F.  The Christian Life and Character of the Civil Institutions of the United States.  Powder Springs, Georgia:  American Vision Press, 2007.

homo unius libri

Opus 2026-231: Strong Silent Type

Why don’t we experience regular conversations with God?

By regular I mean two things. First, regular in the sense of frequent and commonplace.  Second, in the sense of conversations that are oral and clear.

I started thinking about the times that God seemed to meet with specific individuals.  The Patriarchs would be an example.  He spoke verbally with Abraham at the beginning.  Later the trinity stopped by his tent for lunch.  God wrestled with Jacob.  He had regular dialogues with Moses.

One example of regular communication would be Jesus.  We have no credible accounts of His childhood so it must have been as normal as you could expect from the Incarnate One.  Remember how he went to Mary and Martha’s house for dinner.  Children would come and climb on Him.  When you think about it there were large parts of Jesus’ life that we have no record of.  So I guess you could say that God did have regular communication.

I am aware that God does communicate.  We have the written word, interpreted by the Holy Spirit.  We have the Holy Spirit Himself who can speak to us.  I am aware of that.

Why does God not make appearances more often?  I would suggest that it is for our benefit.  I can’t claim to have divine insight into the effects of such access but God, who is capable of appearing, refrains.  As in so many questions I have the concept of being created in His image and having free will comes to the fore.  God wants us to serve out of love and personal decisions, not because we have been coerced into it.  That is, at least, my opinion.  God may feel different about it and I wait to learn.

homo unius libri

Opus 2026-230: Fullfillment

One of the key concepts we find in scripture about the mission of Jesus is,

Matthew 5:17 (KJV) Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.

Most of the comments I hear on this have to do with contrasting law to faith but I don’t think that is the point at all.  It certainly isn’t the point Jesus was making.

We see a similar statement in Luke.  Was Jesus saying He had fulfilled this already?  Notice that Matthew is speaking about the early ministry of Jesus and Luke is dealing with the last moment.

Luke 24:44 (KJV) And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me.

I find it interesting that He spoke of fulfilling things that we don’t think of fulfilling.  Prophecy, sure, but how do you fulfill a law?  You can keep a law or obey a law but fulfill?  We see some possible misunderstanding.

I also look to the words of Jesus on the cross when He called out,

(Joh 19:30 KJV)  When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.

Was Jesus saying He had fulfilled this already?

Paul talks about the Law being fulfilled,

Romans 8:4 (KJV) That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

And,

Romans 13:8 (KJV) Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.

Perhaps one of the keys is when it talks about “the law” as opposed to laws.  Are the two expressions the same?  On the surface we see the same word but that does not mean that Jesus and Paul have the same concept in mind.

My current understanding is that Jesus fulfilled all of the purposes of the law and prophets when He shed His blood on the cross.  That moment was the focal point of all human history.  It was the purpose that God implied to Abraham when He spoke of blessing all nations.  My view makes it difficult for those who have glorious eschatological charts that need to be endorsed.

Israel was chosen by God.  It’s whole purpose was to supply an earthly setting for the redemption that came through Jesus.  God still loves them.  They are invited to believe in Jesus as the Messiah.  They are not the cutting edge any more.

homo unius libri

Opus 2026-229: Blessing Not Luck

And it was definitely not skill.  I am referring to the recent attempt to take out President Trump. I read an article at American Thinker.

The article was analyzing the release of enhanced video from the scene.  The author describes how the perpetrator went into a room which should have been secured, but wasn’t, to assemble the shotgun he had under his coat.  While in the room a K-9 unit entered the room and then went on with no reaction.  When the shooter came out with the shotgun a group of security types down the hall saw him and “ran” the other way.

My point here is not to analyze what he said about the film or even cast stones at the Secret Service and White House security, although that needs to be done.  My point is to remind us that in pagan terms the only thing that keep the president from harm was “luck”.

I say “in pagan terms” because it is becoming clear that what is keeping President Trump vertical is not luck but the grace of God.  Blessings.  More than coincidence.  It certainly isn’t skill on the part of the Praetorians.  God has His hand on Trump.

This does not mean he is qualified to be your pastor.  It does not mean we should let our guard down.  It does not mean they will never succeed.  It means that we need to continue to call upon God and live righteous lives ourselves.  Trump is not the Messiah nor is he the Antichrist.  He is a tool that God is trying to use but we need to realize the success of Trumps efforts depends more on whether God’s people are living as salt and light than on the wisdom of his advisors.

So keep trusting.  Keep praying.  Live in repentance.  Be the faithful remnant that God will be preserving.

homo unius libri

Opus 2026-228: Uncharted Revelation: The Eyes Have It

I can feel myself bogging down on this project.  

One of the questions that cannot be answer and yet is has to do with all the eyes in chapter 4 and 5.  Someone said they reflected wisdom.  I am not sure what gives a scholar the insight to proclaim that.  If he were a farmer he might make some reference to potatoes.

While we are on eyes, look at the description of the Lamb,

(Rev 5:6 KJV)  And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth.

I assume that this Lamb is Jesus but why seven eyes and horns?  Are the eyes on the end of the horns?  Are they at the base?  Does it matter?

Another important question would be, “How do you justify all the time you spend trying to figure this out?”

homo unius libri

Opus 2026-227: Can Ignorance Be a Blessing?

We live in an age awash in education and resources.  Think of the literacy rates in the developed world.  While there may always be a small minority who are incapable of learning to read, most of those who cannot read at grade level need to put the cap of accountability on their own head.  History is full of people who learned to read in the face of violent opposition.  My mind goes to Frederick Douglass.  It was illegal to teach a slave to read so he had to find ways to do it himself.  In that same period you had uncounted people like Abraham Lincoln who had very little formal education but kept seeking out knowledge.

We live in times when education is available.  Is that a good thing?

Which is worse, a culture where knowledge was freely available but people seemed determined to remain brainwashed or one in which there was little book learning but the practical bent of people allowed them to progress in their lives?  I prefer the former because it allows me to dig deep even in a world of shallow soil but over all I am not sure I am better off.

As usual, I tend to think in spiritual terms.  We have long periods of history in which the great unwashed masses had no access to the Bible.  The entire world was run by powerful elites who themselves could not read and, if they could, usually did not.  My heritage is Europe so look at it.  Consider Charlemagne.  He was illiterate as a young man.  He recognized the importance of learning because he did not want to be forced to rely on priests who served another master.  He learned to read at some level but never did get the hang of writing.  He was the tip of the iceberg. 

How did you come to know God in an illiterate, ignorant age?  What was the basis of salvation if you could not access the basic words of life?  Imagine being forced to rely on what the priest told you and it was possible that he could not read either and was making it up as he went along.  Were any of those people saved?  I would imagine so but on what basis?

Very possibly it was the same basis as today.  It is possible to know all the right doctrines and quote all the right verses and still not be part of the Body of Christ.  You have to ask yourself what the basis of Abraham’s salvation was.  He had no written Bible.  All he had was folklore passed down and a few conversations with a mysterious Supreme Being.  It was enough.

Ultimately God is looking at our hearts.  Do we trust in Him?  Do we follow Him as best we can?  It is possible to wander down this road too far and drift into heresy but the Bible repeatedly talks about faith and trust in God.  It supersedes the law.  It is the basis of doctrine.
Ultimately we are dependent on God’s grace and mercy.  Knowing my limitations, I am good with that.

homo unius libri

Opus 2026-226: How Do You Spell “Useless”?

I am sure there are many ways.  My current nomination is “Encyclopedia”.

In my desire to understand Islam I have begun trying to read through the Hadith.  In one of my introspective moments I wondered what the encyclopedia could tell me.  When I used to try to get my middle school students to do research for term papers I limited their use of encyclopedias but tried to get across they were useful for getting a short overview of a topic.  That was all I hoped for.  I was to be sadly disappointed.

There was no article on the Hadith.  It is possible I could have consulted the index that comes with the set and find a page it was mentioned under another topic but I wanted a quick result not a drawn out adventure.

I have an encyclopedia on my shelf that I picked up free.  It has a well known name.  I guess it was another example of getting what you pay for.

homo unius libri

Opus 2026-225: Wake-Up Call

I am wondering if the latest attempt to murder President Trump will backfire of the hate mongering elites.  In the different bits I read I noticed several things and put them together in my head.

All of the media types in attendance dived under the tables very quickly when they heard shots. It would have done my heart good to see it.  It probably occurred to a few of them that they might be in the way of a random bullet which they would have cheered on if it were heading for the president.  They realized that they are not immune to the wild men of the left.  What is ironic is that if the Marxists take over then these same liberal reports will be some of the first stood against the wall.

Then I heard that the whole room cheered when they realized the president was okay.  I take that with a little grain of salt and know that some cheered because they did not want to be picked out.

Did you notice the similarities between this shooter and the guys that flew the planes into the buildings in NY?  All were well educated.  All were well trained.  They came from good families.  They went in knowing it would not turn out well for them.

I wonder if some of these antics will be enough to get Joe Average to start thinking. I won’t buy any stock in it but I can dream, can’t I.

homo unius libri

Opus 2026-224: Click Bait: Really?

The headline read, “The Great Tribulation: What Matthew 24 really says.”  If I were living in Communist China and all the Bibles had been confiscated or was illiterate, this might be a good question.  In reality it is a bit of a silly question.  If I want to know that Matthew 24 says I don’t need to listen to a podcast that explains it to me.  I can open a Bible, the library has them and most churches would be glad to give you one, and read it for myself.

I am seeing a growing number of these kinds of themes.  One that always cracks me up is someone I have never heard of sharing his favorite Bible translations.  Why would I care what his favorite is?  I would be more curious about his position on the Five Solas or TULIP theory. 

We seem to have lost the ability to think for ourselves.  Let me encourage you to read the book yourself instead of building your thoughts on the conclusions of others.  If you really don’t know enough Hebrew to come to a conclusion, join the club.  Compare translations and explore the context.  You may find that your opinion is as reliable as any “influencer” on the internet.

I have confidence in you.

homo unius libri

Opus 2026-223: Of Two Minds

I am coming out of a part of my down cycle.  There are days in which I can go for long periods of time content to stare at the wall and daydream.  I tend to think of it as classic nursing home mentality.  I could be content to just veg out and not struggle with anything but getting enough fiber in my diet.

There are other times when ideas seem to be lined up waiting to pop into my head.  The issue is finding enough time to write them down.  That leaves nothing for developing them and making them coherent.  Then I top out and head down again.

I have grown used to it and accept that there is little I can do about the down times.  One reason is that when I am overcome with ennui I don’t care about doing anything about anything.  There is still that little voice down inside poking me in the ego and saying, “Get up and do something. Take that first step.”  I am good at ignoring that little voice.

Which will it be?  One side says writing on Blogger is enough.  The other side says, “No. Explore some other platforms.  Go out in a blaze of glory.  Have posts lined up so that you are dead for a month before anyone knows it is over.” 

If you are getting old I am sure you know the feeling of your teenage attitudes locked in your wheelchair body.  Sometimes it is a drag.  Other times it is a glorious challenge.  I wait to see what the rest of the day holds.

homo unius libri

Opus 2026-222: Dark Thoughts: A Pagan Morning

I have often quoted the words of Paul about how even those who do not know the God of the Bible through His revealed word know Him from His creation.

Romans 1:18-20 (KJV) 18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; 19 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. 20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:

While it is true I find it usually a blithe declaration that I seldom embrace literally.

This morning, on the porch, I got a great taste of God’s glory.  I found that I had not looked at the written word yet because the horizon had such promise.  At the moment it has an appearance I have not seen before.  Picture a scene showing a volcano erupting and hot, glowing lava flowing down the mountain side.  Now turn it over.  That is the sky this morning.  It is a sea of red and gray with highlights of glowing orange and it is all flowing to pass over my head.

Truly I can see the glory of God in the creation.  I feel like a pagan waking up to an awareness that those Jews in Israel may know something I don’t.

homo unius libri

Opus 2026-221: Reciprocity

I continue to meditate on the attributes of God.  I am not sure I am making any progress.  At times it is like trying to climb the sheer face of a mountain.  You know there is a peak.  You can get different clues about it but you just can’t get very far off the ground.  Part of that is because He is God, with all that involves, and you are not.

At the same time I wonder how much reciprocity there is in the statement that we were created in His image.  We look at Him and strive to grow in His image.  How much of understanding ourselves can help us understand the Almighty.

Personhood is an example.  I flinch when I say that God has three persons, not because of the
mystery of the trinity but because it seems so insulting to limit Him by what we would consider a mark of humanity.  But again, we were created in His image so maybe the concept that we are individual, self aware, free willed beings comes to us because we are like Him.

Curiosity would not be one of those but creativity might.  Remember what curiosity did to the kitty cat.  Animals have curiosity.  Creativity not so much.  I was watching a video that said some animals make tools.  Okay.  They learn to push a stick down a crack to force a bug out.  They have been doing that trick as long as there have been bugs hiding in the ground.  When will they turn the stick into a spear?  When will they glue to sticks together at one end to make tweezers?

I can communicate with God.  I cannot communicate with a worm.  That should tell me something about myself, God and worms.

The quest to know and understand God continues.  It will be eternal and that’s a good thing.  It does not mean eternal frustration but eternal discovery.

homo unius libri

Opus 2026-220: Odds

What are the odds in winning the lottery?  One in a million?  One in ten million?  Why do people buy lottery tickets?  Because they believe that someone is going to win, it might just be them. We know of winners.  In spite of what you believe, though, it is not necessary for someone to win, but we know it happens.

Compare that to the odds involved in the development of a simple cell.  Stephen Meyer gave the odds and 10 to the ?. The ? is a number bigger than the total number of atoms in the universe.  Add to that there is no fine print on the back of the ticket that says someone must win and all prizes will be awarded.

When we are dealing with odds like this we are dealing with concepts that are beyond us.  Our minds can only go so far.  There comes a point where we have to make assumptions and build our lives on those.  I assume that the universe, the earth, advanced life and the human mind could not have happened by accident.

The evidence is there.  If enough piles up then there may come a day when scientists are forced to consider all the options not just the ones that are politically correct.

homo unius libri

Opus 2026-219: Click Bait: Learning to Count

You would think I would learn but it isn’t happening.  I keep falling into the trap of people lying about things that are minor.  I got sucked in again.

The caption claimed the delicious results of only one cup oatmeal and one egg.  I am looking for simple recipes that I can make with little fuss.  I have experimented with journeycake, oat flour and water, which came out edible but nothing worth lying about.  I tried it with honey and cinnamon and it was a little better but I have not gone back to it.  I never tried it with egg so I was a victim waiting for a trap.

When someone says “only” I assume that means only.  Adding salt and pepper does not violate the contract.  Those are season-to-taste items.  I began to have doubts when they added cinnamon.  Then came baking powder.  Then honey.  It also required a blender which technically is not an ingredient so I let it go.  I can’t remember is there were more.

What came out, surprise, were pancakes.  They poured like pancakes, cooked like pancake and looked like pancakes.  I do not hate pancakes but they are far down my list of choices when I go out for breakfast.  If I come to your house and you are serving pancakes I will eat them with gusto and compliment you on your culinary skills.  I would be sincere, but I still would never choose them on my own.

Since I still want to develop some simple meal preps I will continue to seek ideas but I think I can put the “only two ingredient” mantras in with the posts that claim to be the most hilarious or shocking.  When Trump talks that way I can tune it out and still get some information.  When it comes to You Tube, life is too short.

homo unius libri

Opus 2026-218: Old Time Remedies

There are times when we look back to our childhood or read about bygone eras and we see things that people used to do differently. The difference was more than a lack of technology. It was often the hands-on power of craftsmanship.

I was recently reading something about cheese. The author was reflecting on the situation in England before one of the wars. He said that every neighborhood and sometimes every farm had a unique cheese that they made. The variety depended on many factors and may have even varied in different seasons. The point was that there was a lot more flavor and enjoyment when you compared it to our one-taste-fits-all cheeses of today.

Sometimes the old ways had the better way. I don’t want to go back to hauling water from the well in a bucket or heating the house with the fireplace but I know that pork chops don’t taste as good as they did before they became the “other white meat.”

This came to mind because my son and I were discussing the call of Abraham in Genesis 12. It is amazing the study tools you can bring to a restaurant if you have a hot spot on your phone. We were focusing on the Hebrew words. They seemed to be translated the same, were pronounced the same but looked different in the Hebrew script. We didn’t have enough knowledge to make a judgment.

Today as I was looking over it again I noticed what we call “King James English.” There were a lot of yee’s and “eth” endings. I remember looking into this once and whatever source I was reading said that this was already archaic in the time of King James. The translators did it to get across the nuances of the Greek and Hebrew. In modern English we have the pronoun “you” and we can’t know if it is singular or plural. Not so in the KJV. Thee is singular and Ye is plural. That knowledge adds to our understanding of the Bible. It would be good if we brought it back because it would make things more clear. The same applies to the “eth” endings. I already wrote about the LSB using the Hebrew name of God, Yahweh. This would be like that.

So don’t throw away your KJV. I f you are serious about Bible study it can help you get to the bottom of some questions. I don’t care what the package says, “New and improved” often isn’t.

homo unius libri

Opus 2026-217: Another Donald

I miss the influence of another Donald, Donald Wildmon of the American Family Association. He influenced my life and the course of the nation even though most have never heard of him or met him.

Wildmon’s organization put out a monthly magazine which was for the most part just another pro-family publication but for a good while he featured a column on boycotts. He recognized that we all cannot boycott everyone. There are too many businesses that have taken the profits and moved to the dark side. Honestly, you cannot avoid them because you need to stay alive. In our part of Texas you cannot buy groceries if you don’t frequent companies that support far left, degenerate wokeness.

Wildmon’s theory was that we needed to agree to pick out one and focus our financial efforts on that one. If we worked together we could bring any corporate giant to its knees. For instance, what is the moral difference between shopping at Walmart or Target? None. They both provide what numerous department stores used to give us. Wildmon would suggest picking one and sticking to our guns. He would make recommendations in his magazine. He would give us updates on how it was going. It was the only part of his magazine I read every month.

It can work. We don’t hear about it any more but I am convinced that we started the decline of K-Mart when we boycotted them. They used to be everywhere. I used to buy certain items there. When they came on the list I changed my habits. I think the issue was starting to sell soft core pornography. When they stopped selling it and were removed from the list my habits had changed and I rarely went back. I often see large buildings that were once K-Marts.

One of our problems is we are those cats that refuse to be herded. For the benefit of our grandchildren we need to learn to listen. If anyone knows some place where a voice with any following is doing this, let me know.

The shotgun approach does not work.

homo unius libri

Opus 2026-216: Bible medicine

I think the Covid panic did a lot of damage to the trust people have in the medical profession. In our coffee breaks we hear regular antidotal stories about doctors who sold out to make a buck or protect their reputation. Enough are true to make you wonder. I have been blessed with generally good health and I am grateful. Mostly it is due to the grace of God but I think there is also a bit of trust in the provisions God has made to keep us healthy.

The greatest thing we have going for us in that category is the built-in immune system that each of us is born with. During the years I was compelled to teach biology I was amazed at all the things I learned about how the body fights disease. That is part of the reason I think that my philosophy of “Walk it Off” is rock solid. At my advanced age I know about the constant irritation of aches and pains. Generally my body will take care of them.

Of course there are things we can do to aid that. Strangely enough there is evidence that they are all based in the Bible. Can you spell, “Wash your hands?” How about “Get plenty of rest?” I started making a list. I will probably think of other items as soon as I publish this but here are few.

Hygiene and sanitation from the law. Here you have the concept of washing. Some utensils are to be destroyed if contaminated, others can be washed. The priest was your local clinic. He was trained to recognize the difference between leprosy and a rash. We also have the idea of isolation.

Wine was recommended for your stomach sake while drunkenness was condemned. Dietary restrictions to avoided contaminated and parasite laden foods. Moderation was a goal.

The problem in stress and burnout was addressed with the Sabbath. Even slaves and animals were supposed to have the day off.

Chastity is something that gets a lot of ridicule today but we would be a healthier nation if we showed more restraint. Sexually transmitted diseases are one of the problems. You also have the elimination of pregnancy without the protection of the family.

All in all God has given us a lot of clear direction in how to live a healthy life.

homo unius libri

Opus 2026-215: The Chicken or the Egg

Psalm 4:3 (KJV) But know that the LORD hath set apart him that is godly for himself: the LORD will hear when I call unto him.

Be careful that you don’t spend too much time contemplating this verse. It makes a statement that you have heard denied on a regular basis in standard preaching and teaching.

We often hear about how helpless we are to desire to follow God. We are told that total depravity means we can never even consider doing what is right. We are helpless pawns in the hands of fate and fate is out to get us. There is some truth in that teaching but the truth is in the foundation of our ability not in the desire of our heart. We cannot save ourselves. We cannot earn our salvation.

Now that we have declared the doctrine, let us read the verse again. Notice that the person set apart is already “godly”. It does not say or imply that God made him godly in order to select him. We have a say in whether God looks on us with favor or wrath. We can chose to pursue evil of righteousness.

It may not be part of your doctrine but that is what it says.

homo unius libri

Opus 2026-214: Well Raised Children

I went to a birthday party for my granddaughter. She turned eight years old. A hoard of children were going to be there and we would be in a park with a splash pad. What could go wrong? My imagination had many suggestions. None were fulfilled.

I would guess that we had about 15 children present. The ages range from about four to 13. What was really amazing was that there were absolutely no problems. We had no fights and no injuries. At no time did it seem to occur to the children that they could fill a bucket with water and dump it on an adult. They politely asked when they wanted to sample the goodies that were available.

Such children do exist. The one factor I did not mention is that they were all home schooled. I suggest that had something to do with it.

homo unius libri

Opus 2026-213: In Which I Am Put in My Place

It isn’t really Click Bait but it comes close. You may have your kids bring in the mail and instruct them to throw out the junk. I am the kid in our house. If you ever look through it you will find a packet of coupons on a regular basis. They come in different formats. Some are in a big envelope. Others come wrapped in clear plastic. The contents are a form of analog click bait. Every once in awhile I am bored enough to leaf through them. I am rarely disappointed, none of it interests me.

That does not mean I cannot be taken for granted or insulted. As I went through the pile I noticed one with a bunch of names on it announcing something called I-Heart Country Festival. On it were listed eleven names. I did not even get a glimmer of recognition for any of them. I assume they are some level of country music artists. It was good to know that I could get tickets from ticketmaster so they must be legit.

I am aware that I am not cutting edge in current culture. As a rule, that does not bother me. I have a saying that I made up for use with the eighth graders I used to teach, “Being the deepest puddle on the sidewalk is nothing to brag about.” At the same time I used to at least recognize the names of the rich and famous.

Do I need to expand my world? Nah. My corner is just fine.

homo unius libri

Opus 2026-212: Monday Pulpit: Defining Hope

On Sunday the word “hope” stood out in one of the scriptures referenced. A quick look this morning could not identify the text but the point made is worth repeating.

When Christians talk about hope we run into the wall of common English. To most people hope is what you express when you buy a lottery ticket. It is the feeling you get when the “low fuel” light comes on. It is a wish, a fervent desire. We all know what it is to have dreams.

Christian hope is better expressed with the word “expectation” or “assurance”. That is an important distinction. I think of a recent conflict in our church. We did not know how it would work out. We know what we wished to see but our focus was on the assurance we had of God’s will being done. In the past year we have had two ladies struggling with cancer. One died. One has recovered. Both were sources of joy to those around them because they had the hope within them.

Look at our political world. We are so focused on Iran that we forget the aggressive nature of their Muslim beliefs. We forget the spread of Islam into the west and the simultaneous pressure of Marxism. We often wonder if there are any political voices that are in tune with what God wants to see. In the midst of that we have hope.

Historically there have been many times of disaster and chaos. We may be headed into another one of those. It is already there for much of the world. In the midst of that we need to never let go of the hope that is in us. God has worked through rebellious leaders and decadent societies before and He will do so again. Our job is to be salt and light and to be faithful.

One verse that keeps resonating in my mind is,

1 Peter 3:15 (NASB95) but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence;

Let us live in hope, not of political progress or military victory, but in the assurance that we know the God of the universe.

homo unius libri

Opus 2026-211: Thanks Thoughts: Lamb not Mutton

I continue to keep having the question of “Why me?” pop up in my thinking and thanksgiving. Why am I so blessed. I try to avoid the question and just rejoice.

I have also learned to be thankful for whatever level of blessing God chooses to give me. Think of it as the difference between lamb and mutton. Since I rarely eat lamb I can’t speak from experience, but I understand the difference is dramatic. Lamb can be tender and delicious. Mutton can keep you alive and that is about it. Mutton is old, stringy and tough. It will supply you with the nutrients to stay healthy but it is not a joy to eat.

I feel like God supplies me with lamb much more than mutton. What I need to keep in mind is that I should be thankful for either one. God knows my needs. He knows the nutritional value of different foods and the emotional value of different experiences. I rejoice in His level of providing.

homo unius libri

Opus 2026-210: No Justice in the World

All eyes are currently focused on Iran. The cry of “Death to Israel” is heard echoing from the Muslim world. I find this a bit ironic based on a recent Bible study.

We were in Jeremiah at one of the places where it talks about the return from captivity. I was looking to see who authorized their return and it came up as Cyrus.

Ezra 1:1-2 (KJV) 1 Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah might be fulfilled, the LORD stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and put it also in writing, saying, 2 Thus saith Cyrus king of Persia, The LORD God of heaven hath given me all the kingdoms of the earth; and he hath charged me to build him an house at Jerusalem, which is in Judah.

If that isn’t clear enough for you

Daniel 6:28 (KJV) So this Daniel prospered in the reign of Darius, and in the reign of Cyrus the Persian.

If it were not so serious I would laugh at the attempts of Iran to destroy the Jews. Iran is Persia. They are the ones responsible for the survival of Israel. Now they want to destroy it. Of course you could follow the line of thought that it is Arabs in control of Persian Iran that are the problem.

Don’t mess with what God is trying to do.

homo unius libri

Opus 2026-209: On the Street: Slow Food

As I was grocery shopping I noticed a sign in the soda aisle sign saying “No longer snap eligible”. I consider that progress. I have no problem with churches and synagogues having food pantries. If you want to leave a box of groceries on your neighbor’s porch I would applaud you. What I feel is destructive are government programs that hand out largess to anyone who can fill out a form. It creates dependency because the government has no real standards except the votes politicians want to buy.

There is a meme I enjoy. It is based on the signs that you see in the natural parks that tell you not to feed the bears because it creates a dependency. The same thing is true of people. If you do it for them when they can do it themselves you are beginning a cycle that will destroy them. It isn’t about the money it is about destroying initiative and the need for hard work. It removes pride from the mix and makes people into parasites.

It might not be possible to wean people all at once. Limiting what you can get without working is a good beginning, thus soda is not subsidized. I would suggest making only basic covered and no possibility of getting money out of the system. Peanut butter and crackers any one? If the menu gets too boring then there would be more encouragement to get a job.

If you need a better authority, try this,

(2Th 3:10 KJV)  For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat.

homo unius libri

Opus 2026-208: Uncharted Revelation: I Need a GPS

This past week, I found myself reading all the way to the end of the book of Revelation again. I can’t say that it brought me any great insights or generated any warm fuzzies about the book. I’m just as confused as the first time I read it.

At the same time for some reason this morning during my worship time I wanted a clear view of who God was, and I was directed by the Holy Spirit to read the first chapter of Malachi. I think he wanted me to read the whole thing, but I didn’t have the patience. The first chapter was enough to give me a very clear difference of how God is portrayed. Notice I did not say that God was different but that He was portrayed differently.

One of the things I’ve noticed in Revelation is that God sits on the throne, is described in mysterious and strange ways, and at least in the first couple chapters all you hear coming from God Himself is thunder and trumpets. Other people do the talking. Since it is a vision, the talking is full of strange concepts. The world of Revelation 4 is full of strange beast with lots of eyes. Of course there are the parts where these beasts praising God, which can be inspirational, but the rest just kind of makes me want to shake my head.

Malachi, on the other hand is very clear. God speaks in good Hebrew. I of course, read the translation, but what He is saying is very clear. He communicates truth to Malachi. There are no strange beasts or strange concepts, except, of course, the concepts that the people didn’t want to understand.

Revelation conveys the glory, majesty and power of God. It gives that general sense of awe. At least at this point, I’m not getting any specific instruction in how to be better at following Jesus.

But I guess that isn’t the point of the book of Revelation. It is apocalyptic literature. I’ve had that concept explained to me. What I continue to wonder though is what is the point of apocalyptic literature?

homo unius libri

Opus 2026-207: The Home Statement

What does your home say about you?

The question came to me after visiting the home of some people in the church. It was a beautiful house in hill country. It was immaculate. Everything was in its place. I was not envious. I have quite a nice house. My porch is not as big but has more of a vista. We had a pleasant time and departed home. Later it came to me that I didn’t see much in the way of books.

What does that say about priorities and how people spend their time. It is possible the books were there and I did not notice because I wasn’t looking. In our house you can’t miss them. We had bookshelves built in that cover an entire wall in our living room. Our home speaks of the love of reading and a welcome for grandchildren. Several shelves are just children’s books. The floor is set up for a Lego convention. There is little doubt what the emphasis is.

If you go to my room you again see book shelves and book ends. I have a recliner that sees a lot of business. Within easy reach are several Bible translations and a Strong’s Concordance for each along with other references. Again, you can tell what my priorities and interest are.

homo unius libri

Opus 2026-206: Scale of Music

Our church just bought new hymnals. That is not the empty gesture that it would be in some churches. We use our hymnals. In fact our pastor will not approve anything that is not in the hymnal. The emphasis on the traditional hymns of the church was one of the reasons I decided to make this my church.

It was time for new hymnals. There has been a lot of excellent creative work done in the area of music in the last 50 years. Currently it seems to be more an exercise in ego rather than worship but there are still gems in the weeds. If you go back to the early days of Maranatha music you have a lot of worthy music. The new hymnal that was chosen includes a lot of the great work done in the 1980’s and forward. It is refreshing to be able to access them. At the same time the choice made came from a Baptist publishing house so it lacks a lot of the songs I was nurtured on like “He Abides” and “Called unto Holiness”. You can’t have everything. I am glad to get half a loaf.

Years ago I took a class that involved how to lead singing in a church setting. We learned about the downbeat and the difference between 3/4 and 4/4 time. It was one of the most valuable classes I ever took. Too bad “worship leaders” today didn’t take a course like that. If they had they might understand their role as helping people to participate in worship rather than admire the runs of the lead guitarist.

One of the other things that was taught was categories of church music. At the time we had three types of songs available. First were hymns. Those were songs that emphasized the attributes and actions of God. You may have noticed songs that will have a verse for each person of the trinity. A classic example is “Holy, Holy, Holy.” Hymns use His, Him, He.

A second category was called “gospel songs”. This was different to the modern term which seems to have been narrowed down to black gospel. Gospel songs emphasized the personal elements. Think of “In the Garden” or “What a Friend We Have in Jesus.” There are a lot of “I’s”, me, mine.

The third category would have been choruses. Later generations would call this praise music. They tended to be peppy and short. Theology was shallow and enthusiasm was expected.

Today I would add a category of “Contemporary”. To me these would be songs generally boring and repetitive with a total dependence on the accompaniment to give you something to remember. When I have been forced to attend a contemporary service I have a hard time knowing when we move from one song to the next. An added quality of these songs is that you have to sing them standing up. I think this is to keep you from falling asleep, but I concede that may just be my prejudice speaking. Also it is more important to sway with the beat than sing the words.

I will not live long enough to find out if any of the contemporary genre will survive for future generations. I don’t know what I will do if the celestial choir insists on using them.

homo unius libri

Opus 2026-205: Form a Circle

We are once again going through the ritual of the right where we form a circle, face the center and hear, “Ready, Aim, Fire”.

We are still eating our own. We accuse the left of doing that. We are just as guilty. I am not talking about forcing people out of congress because of their disgusting behavior. That is something we need more of. I am not talking about releasing the Epstein files. If there are Republicans on the list and they actually did something besides be at the same party or in the same town, then they need to be examined and meet justice. I am talking about taking every little wobble or variation and demanding that they leave the movement.

It is not a choice between perfection and perfidy. We need to understand that. There will never be a utopia and Jesus was the only perfect person to walk the earth. It always amazes me the people who say they would never vote for Trump because of mean tweets and he was running against someone who had nothing to recommend them. In Texas I am hearing the same thing about Ken Paxton. He is not perfect but his opponent should be embarrassed to be in the same election with him. We need to grow up. We will never have a choice between totally good and totally bad. It will always be a decision between better and unacceptable.

It is time to embrace the future and vote like responsible citizens electing someone to represent us and not elevating them to sainthood.

homo unius libri

Opus 2026-204: Click Bait: Are There Still Bantus?

I found a new source of Click Bait. It is a site called BantuCityDiaries. The poster gives the impression that he is from Nigeria. He speaks with a British accent which would fit that scenario. Beyond that I have picked up little about his basic philosophy of life until the last bit I watched.

He spends him time explaining why Africa is so far behind the world and why he doesn’t think things will get better. One of the points he has made repeatedly is how happy black Africans seem to be even when they have nothing to be happy about. He said something I just had to write down because it was so catchy.

“Celebrating like they have invented the cure for foolishness.”

The last video gave me a better feel for where he is coming from and a reason to doubt how reliable he is. At the end of the video he made it clear that he is an agnostic at best and probably an atheist. He spent a bit of time mocking God. He lumped the Bible together with the Koran. He obviously had a bone to pick.

He portrayed black African churches as being full of opulent hypocrites. He showed pictures of them arriving at church in Bentleys and such. He talked about how rich the pastors were and so forth. I would accept the statements he made about the churches he filmed but I know enough about the various missionary efforts to know that is not the case everywhere. It would be like doing an expose on American Mega churches that have gone woke and are just social clubs for the affluent and successful. I have the feeling his dislike of Christianity clouded his vision.

When I find that someone is unreliable in one area I tend to think that bleeds over into whatever else they are saying. I will continue to consider his click bait but will be more selective in the future.

homo unius libri

Opus 2026-203: Monday Pulpit: A Worship Hack

I try to listen. I really do, but my mind keeps asking questions. Like for instance, here is the text for Sunday’s sermon,

Matthew 5:17-19 (KJV) 17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. 18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. 19 Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach [them], the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

It became obvious very quickly that his topic was “Hell”.

Now comes my question, “How do you get a sermon on hell from this text?” The closest you can come is being “least in the kingdom of heaven” but that was not the route. What am I to do?

I apply a worship hack.

I start writing down all the scriptures that are referred to. Sometimes it is hard to keep up but I do my best. If he lingers long enough I try to hear what he is saying or at least consider the scripture offered. The long term pay off is that I have a list of scriptures to consider during my worship time that week. That often delivers gold.

I am not a good listener. I tend to be too critical. The way I am dealing with that is trying to focus on what I cannot criticize. It usually lasts all week.

homo unius libri

Opus 2026-202: Repeated Reminders

I appreciate my retirement the most when I have morning appointments that give me deadlines. I have grown accustomed to getting up when I feel like it and knowing I have all the time in the world to do what I need to do. Of course it helped that I was getting up at 5:00 AM without an alarm.

Now with the change in the amount of daylight I find myself going to bed later which means I get up later. Recent doctor’s appointments and breakfasts with my son have reminded me that the rest of the world does not run on my schedule. I had forgotten that there was heavy traffic in the morning.

I am enjoying being retired. When I have reminders of the working class I am even more happy with the way things are. So if you are still working, blessings. Make lots of money so you can pay lots of taxes and keep Medicare going.

I will try to leave something for you.

homo unius libri

Opus 2026-201: Making Use of Leftovers

I just finished reading the passages relating the exploits of Jehu in the Northern Kingdom of Israel. What I had missed in earlier reading was the things he did to advance the northern kingdom. I had only had the evil in my mind.

2 Kings 10:26-32 (KJV) 26 And they brought forth the images out of the house of Baal, and burned them. 27 And they brake down the image of Baal, and brake down the house of Baal, and made it a draught house unto this day. 28 Thus Jehu destroyed Baal out of Israel.

But that was not good enough and we should take that lesson to heart. Here is what God had to say,

29 Howbeit from the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who made Israel to sin, Jehu departed not from after them, to wit, the golden calves that were in Bethel, and that were in Dan. 30 And the LORD said unto Jehu, Because thou hast done well in executing that which is right in mine eyes, and hast done unto the house of Ahab according to all that was in mine heart, thy children of the fourth generation shall sit on the throne of Israel.

God was willing to work with Jehu but the man did not want to make a full commitment.

31 But Jehu took no heed to walk in the law of the LORD God of Israel with all his heart: for he departed not from the sins of Jeroboam, which made Israel to sin. 32 In those days the LORD began to cut Israel short: and Hazael smote them in all the coasts of Israel;

God is not willing to settle for leftovers. Picture having the president of the United States over for dinner and you serve him reheated tuna casserole. Pick your president. Make it someone you want to impress. It is a strong possibility he will get the impression you were not doing your best. Being polite he might not say anything. Don’t count on the same from God because He can see your heart.

God will not be content with second place. He doesn’t want your spare time. He knows half-hearted when He sees it. Take a lesson from Jehu and if you are trying to get by, reconsider. Eternity is a long time.

homo unius libri

Opus 2026-200: Dynamic Language

English is a sponge. It soaks up words from other languages. Even those of us who are not native speakers can enjoy New Englanders trying to pronounce simple words like tortilla or taco. You don’t need to be highly educated to pick up the additions.

I would like to see more Bible translations making use of the original languages. A new translation, the Legacy Standard Bible (LSB), has started down that path. They have taken the Hebrew name for God, YHWH, and translated it Yahweh instead of “LORD” which was the previous standard.

There are other words that get confusing when we try to translate them. One that I run into is the English word “perfect”. It is used in the KJV and NASB New Testaments. At the same time I run into people who want to deny that such a concept should be considered. The problem is that they take the modern idea of perfect as being without flaw. That is not what the Greek is trying to convey. The Greek word,“telios” means to achieve the goal set for you. The best illustration I can come up with is to talk about a perfect baby. It wets, cries and throws up on you. It is still perfect if it is mine.

Or I would like to see agape instead of love. The concept of love has been so polluted by our modern culture that it is almost meaningless. Go with the Greek and make people think about what it means.

I am sure there are many other examples. Of course if you are a King James Only person you are quite content with words that now mean the opposite of what they meant in 1611. For you I say, “God bless you and help you know truth.”

homo unius libri

Opus 2026-199: What Is Real?

I am mystified by the phrase, “Real food.” My wife likes to use it when she is passing judgment on something I am eating. It is almost like she thinks I am picking up a plastic decorative apple and munching away.

Real food? If I am eating it, believe me, it is real. You may not like my choice. I have yet to find a steak that meets my idea of well done. It is almost impossible to put too much salt on spinach. I can eat Cheerios without any sugar. If necessary I can even eat sugar without any Cheerios.

I think that real food is some mysterious preparation that has no preservatives or additives. It is a very flexible standard though. When I am asked to pick up a couple of packages of Double Stuffed Oreos I realize that I am not in on the formula for what makes something real. My guess is the formula will constantly be changed to suit the needs of the speaker.

homo unius libri

Opus 2026-198: Sovereignty and Free Will

One of the debates in Christian circles involves the concept of free will in men as opposed to the sovereignty of God. Since both seem to be taught in scripture it is not a conflict as much as a seeking for understanding of the infinite.

God is sovereign. Christians believe this. What we differ on is what that means and how it plays out in our daily lives.

Even the most hardcore Calvinist will use terminology about how we accept Jesus. Some have what should be heretical views of making a choice and others look at it as bowing to the inevitable.

Psalm 4:3 (KJV) But know that the LORD hath set apart him that is godly for himself: the LORD will hear when I call unto him.

I might suggest one possible approach. God’s foreknowledge is based on His ability to look down through history and know what will happen. That in itself is beyond our understanding but for the purpose of discussion assume that He knows what decisions you will make without forcing it on you.

Based on that foreknowledge He predestines some to eternal life and some to damnation. He chooses based on your goals in life. We might make mistakes. God doesn’t. Since God is outside time He can make these calls. It might look like it negates free will but that is an illusion of our limitations.

If you meet me at a restaurant you will be safe in saying I will not order liver and onions. You can call it foreknowledge but for me it is a declaration that as long as I am morally responsible for my choices, liver will never pass my lips. It is bad enough when it has to occupy the same room with me.

The choice is up to me but it really isn’t a choice.

homo unius libri