daily rambliniscings

Everywhere in America today one hears that America is not a Christian nation. They say that the founding fathers were Deist or Agnostic or Atheist or anything but Christian. While it is true that some of the more prominent ones weren’t Christian in the traditional sense, over 90% of the founding fathers were either openly, avowedly Christian, or seemingly Christian, or had made statements in support of Christianity.

The Constitution of America did not just miraculously arise without any kind of articles of law being published in America before that time. Some of the prior documents that influenced the later Constitution in 1787 were the Mayflower Compact (1620) which showed that the Pilgrims had undertaken their voyage to the new world “for the glory of God, and the advancement of the Christian faith.”

The Constitution of Connecticut was penned in 1639, and a Christian minister – Rev. Thomas Hooker, was the driving force behind that document.

Basically all the colonies, and what later would become states, based their legal codes upon a Christian legal foundation. These all played important roles in the later writing of the Constitution of the United States of America.

The Second Continental Congress, who made the Declaration of Independence in 1776, did a very interesting thing – they formally sought for an American printer for the Holy Bible, and eventually found a willing printer who would print what would become to be known as the “Aitken Bible”.

Aitken’s Bible was completed by early September 1782. Congress passed the following resolution on September 12: “the United States in Congress assembled, highly approve the pious and laudable undertaking of Mr. Aitken, as subservient to the interests of religion … , and being satisfied from the above report, of his care and accuracy in the execution of the work, they recommend this edition of the Bible to the inhabitants of the United States.” This means that with a congressional endorsement, Aitken’s Bible was the first English-language Bible published in North America.

Over half of the signers of the Constitution had gone to seminary to receive Christian religious training. Charles Thomson was the long time Secretary of Congress in the early days, and an accomplished theologian. His translation of the Septuagint, the Greek New Testament in 1808, was the first translation of the New Testament directly from the Greek into English ever written. All previous English New Testaments were translated from the Latin.

The Northwest Ordinance, which was made by the Continental Congress in 1787, determined how the states would be admitted into the Union. The first article assured the freedom of worship, and the third article placed the government in the role of insuring a special place for “religion” in America: “Religion, morality, and knowledge being necessary to good government and the happiness of mankind, schools and the means of education shall forever be encouraged.” Of course in those days, “religion” was synonymous with “Christianity”.

It is interesting too to note that the individual states had to ratify the Constitution in order to make it into binding law. 11 of the 13 states had state recognized churches, so the new federal government was not needed or wanted in taking over the states’ power in the religious realm.

Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Jefferson are usually triumphantly held up by Agnostics and Atheists as proof that the founding fathers were not Christian and did not intend to instill Christian principles into the U.S. Constitution. However, Franklin signed Pennsylvania’s Constitution in 1776 which said: “I do believe in one God, the creator and governor of the universe, the rewarder of the good and the punisher of the wicked. And I do acknowledge the Scriptures of the Old and New Testament to be given by Divine inspiration.”

Thomas Jefferson had an eclectic view, seemingly his own private religion. It can be fairly said that while he rejected all the miracles regarding Jesus, and many of the doctrines to be found in the Bible, he very much loved the teachings of Jesus that he considered “pure”, and even went so far as to try and promulgate those teachings. He wrote in 1821: “…Jesus, when, in short, we shall have unlearned every thing which has been taught since his day, and got back to the pure and simple doctrines he inculcated, we shall then be truly and worthily his disciples: and my opinion is that if nothing had ever been added to what flowed purely from his lips, the whole world would at this day have been Christian.” Some have said his views align somewhat with the Unitarian denomination.

Patrick Henry, in 1776, stated, “It cannot be emphasized too strongly or too often that this great Nation was founded not by religionists, but by Christians; not on religions, but on the Gospel of Jesus Christ. For that reason alone, people of other faiths have been afforded freedom of worship here.”

Ellen White has written that America is the “greatest country on earth”, and makes it clear that it is because America introduced the ideals of the Bible into the country in a way superior to any other country.

May we repent as a nation for our many sins and turning away from our Creator – Jesus Christ, and may we stand up and tell others how great things God has done for us as a nation!

Why I’m not a “pillar” in the church

Reading Ellen White’s letters where she calls on church members to grow and take responsibilities in the church, and listening to the book of Galatians this morning got me to thinking about why am I not a “pillar” in the church. At this age and love for the cause of God, it wouldn’t be unusual for me to be an elder or deacon in the church. So why am I not?

My family was always on the “fringe” of the church. Since my mom was involved with Robert Brinsmead and the Awakening (until it went into error) our family was basically ostracised from the church. The only church function my parents ever did, was once or twice my father was called on to pray up on the platform. That’s it. Of course I was never called on to do anything either.

After college I moved to Atlanta, and was given some responsibility in the church there. I remember being scared to death when I gave my report after Sabbath School once, and that’s the last time I did anything on the platform there. After moving to Japan there was nothing given me to do, and I’m not one to seek for it either. In 1999 I became English school director at the church-run school, so organized worship programs once a month on Friday nights in the school lounge. Never was there a call to do anything else in the church tho. When they kicked out my homeless friends, I quit going there, and bounced around to several different churches, and also started spending some Sabbaths at home.

In 2005 I went travelling around many countries spreading the 1858 Great Controversy book, and many churches were happy to have me give studies or even sermons in their churches.

After coming back to Japan in 2011, I finally was welcomed at the Kobe church, and told them I could give a mission report which I did once, which was the end of my church-related functions there too, except for twice I year when I lead my English school students in a song and Bible recitation at VBS and Christmas time. I go to church there only 7 or 8 times a year, and started going to another little church last year around once a month or so. Most Sabbaths I spend at home, reading Ellen White’s Letters and Manuscripts, watching Bible vidoes, etc.

I know it would be best if I would use my God-given skills to uplift God’s remnant church in more of a direct manner. I also know that I’m not cut out to be a leader. I believe I’m a good teacher, but not a leader of men. We are also told not to go where we know error will be taught, which is why I’m not too interested in going to church anywhere.

What Would Jesus Do? Really, would he go sit week after week listening to error? Would he go and sit silently in the pews, then go quietly back home? This type of church-goer is what is seen as the “ideal” in most of our SDA churches around the world – oh, and don’t forget the tithes and offerings!! Come to think of it, Jesus was on the “fringe” too. He was given opportunity to speak in church, and he used the opportunity to speak truth. It made them so mad that they tried to push him over a cliff for it. I wonder if they ever invited him back to speak??? He spent most of his time travelling around here and there, never staying long in one place. hmmm.

In my heart, I want to see the church that God set up, this Seventh-day Adventist church, become stronger and stronger, being a shining light of truth in this world wrapped in the darkness of error. But it seems like we’ve become rich and increased with goods, in need of nothing except our “organization”, so I will always be a fringe member. If we aren’t careful and heed the testimony of the True Witness, Jesus will spue us out of his mouth. His Holy Spirit will work where it is unhindered, and he will bypass the organization if necessary in order to finish the work of preparing a people to stand in that great day.

Even so, may we all be at our post of duty wherever it is, leading others to eternal life in Jesus Christ. Amen.

Scientists have allowed their belief in Evolution to so twist their minds, that the craziest, contradictory stuff can be spouted by them with apparently no concern for common sense or the English language.

Case in point: today I saw an article on the “Science Alert” website (not a spoof website) with this ridiculous quote:

The black hole was so bright I at first mistook it for the star S0-2, because I had never seen Sgr A* that bright. Over the next few frames, though, it was clear the source was variable and had to be the black hole. I knew almost right away there was probably something interesting going on with the black hole.

Our Galaxy’s Supermassive Black Hole Has Emitted a Mysteriously Bright Flare

But this is what passes for science these days….
Bright black holes

“While seated in this beautiful, retired park, free from all confusion and bustle, a sweet peace came over my spirits. I seemed to be taken away from myself, and the bright home of the saints was presented vividly before me. In imagination I gathered with the saints around the wide – spreading tree of life. Friends and dear home relatives who had been separated from us by death were gathered there. The redeemed, white – robed multitude, who had washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb, were there. No flashing guard stood around the tree of life, barring our approach. With happy, joyous songs of praise, the voices were blended in perfect harmony as we plucked of the fruit from the tree of life.

For a time I lost all thought of time, of place, or occasion – of everything earthly. Heaven was the subject of my contemplation – heaven, the much longed – for heaven. I seemed to be there, where all was peace, where no stormy conflicts of earth could ever come. Heaven, a kingdom of righteousness where all the holy and pure and blest are congregated – ten thousand times ten thousand and thousands of thousands – living and walking in happy, pure intimacy, praising God and the Lamb who sitteth on the throne! Their voices were in perfect harmony. They never do each other wrong. Princes of heaven, the potentates of this mighty realm, are rivals only in good, seeking the happiness and joy of each other. The greatest there is least in self – esteem, and the least is greatest in his gratitude and wealth of love.”
EGWhite Letters #30 1882

From Breitbart web site:”A survey produced by the Harris Poll in partnership with Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) finds young Americans’ comfort with LGBTQ individuals has plunged from 63 percent in 2016 to 45 percent in 2018.

According to the Accelerating Acceptance report, Americans aged 18-34 who say they are comfortable interacting with LGBTQ people dropped from 63 percent in 2016 to 53 percent in 2017, and then to 45 percent in 2018…

Among the survey’s findings are that the acceptance of LGBTQ individuals among young women dropped from 65 percent in 2016 to 64 percent in 2017, and then plunged to 52 percent in 2018. Among males, 62 percent were accepting in 2016, plunging to 40 percent in 2017, and then further down to 35 percent in 2018….

John Gerzema, CEO of the Harris Poll, called the survey results “alarming” and “toxic,”reported USA Today.

“We count on the narrative that young people are more progressive and tolerant,” he said. “These numbers are very alarming and signal a looming social crisis in discrimination.”

My takes on this are basically 4:
1. Despite the media & culture onslaught to make abominations “cool”, many young people are rebelling against it. Young people tend to be rebellious, so this is a little bit expected, but I think that many youngsters are seeing the lgbtq crowd as bullies, and don’t like it.

2. Women are more accepting of abominations than men. This is most troubling, as mothers usually have more influence on their children’s characters than fathers do.

3. The head of the polling organization himself is showing his extreme bias. Ideally, polling should be bias-free, but in reality, they are showing that they use polling to try and influence people to think how they want them to.

4. Nearly 75% of Americans claim to believe in Jesus Christ, yet a large percentage of Americans support abominations, showing that the churches of the land, including many in our own SDA Church are not following what God has told us in his Holy Bible. We need to teach the words of God to the younger generation, and live them in our own lives.

May we Christians educate the young to reject all abominations.

I’m old enough to remember all the hysteria regarding the changing climate coming from California because of their drought (and self-important loud mouths) in 2010-2012 or so. Wonder where all those deluded mouths went?

This web site shows that since records started in 2000, more of America than ever – over 90% – is now drought-free:
https://rogerpielkejr.com/2019/05/16/a-new-us-areal-no-drought-record

Once people believe Evolution, which has never been observed while it’s happening, they are more prone to believe other so-called scientific foolishness.

Also, us Christians should be more careful about pointing to every news event as signs of the end of the world, because it makes us look foolish when things get better.

Progressive judges and lawyers are quickly establishing mob rule in America.
Here is a story of a Canadian publisher whose business and years of his life were ruined by a Liberal judge and his Liberal supporters.
Conrad Black presidential pardon

His publications were pro Conservative values, which raised the ire of the Progressives, so when a cleric in his American office sent some money to the Canadian office without the proper authority, it became a huge crime that got him sent to federal prison. His case was even heard by the Supreme Court, which unanimously vacated the four remaining counts against him, but then the original judge (Richard Posner) sent him to jail on some other charge anyway.

So his 2 billion dollar company went down the tubes, in federal prison for 3 years, but finally out today thanks to President Trump who said that “he was reversing an unjust verdict”.

Praise God for President Trump. No wonder the Left hates him so much, as he has set back their plans for mob control over the entire country by a few years at least.

Here’s a story about a mother in Nebraska who, as a surrogate mother, mothered her own granddaughter: https://www.dailywire.com/news/45508/61-year-old-woman-gives-birth-own-granddaughter-amanda-prestigiacomo

She is 61 years old. Her son is homosexual. She got the sperm from her son, and the eggs from her son’s “husband’s” sister.

What does this have to do with “Unconditional Love”? Here is what the incestual new grandmother has to say about it: ““I just never hesitated. I was just so excited to be able to be part of this adventure with them. … It was just unconditional love,” she said.”

Flee Unconditional Love and all other abominations dreamed up by Satan!