City to Pay Gays to Offset Tax

Mass. city to pay wedded gay workers to offset tax - Boston.com: "When the city of Cambridge issues paychecks to its public employees, nearly two dozen workers find a federal tax on their income that their colleagues don’t have to pay.

Like many people, these 22 school and city workers chose to put their spouses on their employer-provided health insurance. Because they’re in a homosexual relationship, the value of that health coverage is considered taxable income by the federal government.

But starting this month, Cambridge will become what is believed to be the first municipality in the country to pay its public employees a stipend in an attempt to defray the cost of the federal tax on health benefits for their same-sex spouses."

Not only are we going bankrupt as a society, but we are going morally bankrupt. This reminds one of the passage in Romans that states that not only do they do the same but also approve of those who practice them. Not only are they approving of their activities, but they are subsidizing them as well. We are about to implode. No  money, no morals, no future. Those that still understand that the basis of our society is our moral underpinnings must soon change our society radically. This just does not seem possible other than a divine intervention. 

The Mosque on the Mount - Protector or Problem

The Mosque on the Mount - Desiring God: "For the past 13 centuries a mosque has occupied the temple’s former site. It is not a sign of God’s endorsement on Islam. Rather, it is an unwitting guardian of the new covenant reality. God wants the temple gone, not because Judaism is destroyed, but because in Jesus it is fulfilled."

The Temple Mount no longer is the place where God dwells on Earth. However, it is still a very holy place. Not because of what it is today, but because of what it once was. Many believe that it is the foundation stone, the very place where the Earth was first formed. It was the place where Isaac was tested by God. Jesus was in the temple and God the Father was there. 

We visit many places of interest because of what they once were; the Roman Colosseum, Athens, past battle fields. They all represent meaningful moments in our history. The Temple Mount represents a moment in our history when God the creator chose a special people to be His own and to dwell with them. Let us view the Mount with a special eye to the past and a vision for the future. Another temple will be built there. Some day soon, an event will take place and the Dome will fall only to be replaced by a better structure. No. God will not dwell there this time. We are His temple now. But it will be built and it will be soon. Pray for the Jews that they will see His Son as He is. The Messiah they have waited millennia for who was, is, and is to come. 

Turkey Inches Closer to Caliphate

Recent developments dismissing Turkey's top military brass is another sign that the country is creeping toward further Islamization. Since the former caliphate's demise after World War I, the military has preserved its secular aims. However, the rise of the AK party puts its secular underpinnings in question. They continue to harass Israel, persecute the Orthodox Church, and are on their way to become an Islamic power in the Middle East. With the region on fire, the last thing the West needs is another Turkish horde. Why they were allowed to become a part of NATO is anyone's guess. 

Limitless, Limited, or Completely Dependent

Many have watched a movie called Limitless. The premise is that if one were to use more than the limited 10% of our brains, we could do amazing things. The primary character was able to tap into this other 90% by taking a little clear pill. Shortly thereafter, down he went through the rabbit hole to a whole new world. Just like in the Matrix. The world was the same, but it was his perception of the world and his understanding of it that made all the difference. He would become as a god in relation to everyone else around him.

Take a look at this small movie trailer.

Is this the goal? One day perhaps through some evolutionary process or some sort of technology invented in the not so distant future, we may become something better than what we are today. We could become someone that we always wanted to be; a person that can remember everything; out think any problem; become rich and powerful; liked and admired. What a wonderful world it would be. We would have knowledge. No. Super-knowledge. Our eyes will be opened and we will truly know. We would be like a god! 

Oops. Like a god or is it, like God. If you watch the movie (and it is very entertaining), try to think about the goals and ambitions we should have. The movie says you will be able to seduce the opposite sex, have gazillions of money, and become rich and famous. However, that is not who we are supposed to be. One day, we will all die and have to give an account of who we were and what we did. Even the little clear pill did not make one immortal. Life is short. We are not God and that should not be our goal even if we are just fantasizing. At our death, all we will be able to say is that we were sinners who committed divine treason against God and then trust that our advocate, Jesus Christ, will be standing there for us. He is our only hope, not some silly pill or technology or the evolutionary process. Think longer term than the here and now. Life is fleeting. What is that saying? "Only one life, twill soon be passed. Only what's done for Christ will last". Trust in Him. 

Harrisburg, Pennsylvania turns to God for fiscal relief

Harrisburg, Pennsylvania turns to God for fiscal relief | Reuters: "(Reuters) - Pennsylvania's debt-ridden capital of Harrisburg has tried every form of fiscal belt-tightening, from layoffs to furloughs to filing for bankruptcy. Now, it is turning to God."

Shouldn't turning to God be the first place one goes when having difficulties? The strange thing about this story is that it is strange, but only today. There was a time that those in the public turned to God through public prayer and supplication on a regular basis. It is amazing that such a public and published trend of our not-so-distant past can be almost completely ignored to the point that many do not even believe it existed.  

If only all of us, public and private, would turn to the One source of true refuge in time of distress. Not all of our problems would be cured since it is through suffering that we learn obedience. However, many of the self-inflicted issues that we experience would certainly be reduced or eliminated. Let us turn to Jesus Christ who created all things and in Him all things consist. He is the author and finisher of our faith, our hope, and our very existence. He will not turn away from His bride. Nor will the Father turn away from His children in their time of need. 

No More Shuttle. What's Next? Nothing

San Jose Mercury News: "With the space shuttle's retirement Thursday, no longer will flying people and cargo up to the International Space Station be a government program where costs balloon. NASA is turning to private industry with fixed prices, contracts and profit margins. The space agency will be the customer, not the boss."

Don't know how you feel about the shuttle getting scuttled, but it seems like farming out space travel to private companies just doesn't seem right. What about the pride in seeing USA slapped on the side of the moon shots some 40 years ago? That iconic image is known throughout the world and it was a tool in our (cold) war against the Soviets. Now with the likes of China and Iran entering the space age, seems like the United States is bowing out. Not only can we not go to the moon, but now we can't even put someone in low earth orbit. Where are we going? Looks like nowhere. 

Men Dressed Like Boys

This commercial would be funny if it wasn't so true. While it is not the smartest thing to indulge in bottles of tequila, Michael Imperioli has a point. We've all seen them. Men wearing what they would call "shorts", but are really gauchos or Capri pants. How in the world can you call something "short" when it goes way past your knees! Let's not even get started on the pants they wear well below their rear end. Not sure how they walk. Ridiculous. Grow up. 

Look closely at this picture from the 1930's. Notice anything unusual? This is a picture of a food line. The men in this shot cannot even afford to feed themselves. However one thing is consistent among them all. They are all dressed as men. They have self-respect. They are wearing jackets and even hats. Notice the police officers and how they are dressed. Yes today's cops are uniformed, but take one look at an episode of the television program Cops and you will notice none of them wear a hat anymore. Our attitude of how we dress matches our attitude we have about each other and ourselves. We need to care a little more about how we present ourselves and have some dignity. They did in the food lines and can today too. We've taken "casual Fridays" a little too far. Perhaps it is time to be a little more formal.

Plastic vs. Paper? Not Grocery Bags, Money

NYTimes.com: "WASHINGTON — The number of dollar bills rolling off the great government presses here and in Fort Worth fell to a modern low in the last fiscal year. Production of $5 bills also dropped to the lowest level in 30 years. And for the first time in that period, the Treasury Department did not print any $10 bills."

Isn't it inevitable that paper money will just plain go away? Isn't it a bother to sort through the gnawed up wad  of torn pieces of green paper? It is just so twentieth century. Most of our bills can be paid electronically. Most of the transactions we have are electronic. How many employers are forcing their employees to have direct deposit? The tide is too great to resist. There will come a day, and it looks to be soon, where electronic will be the only system we have. 

The benefits are many, but one that is plain is an increase in revenues to the government. There are many "under the table" or black market transactions that do not get recorded or taxed by the government. Illegal activities are usually done through non-traceable paper money. One of the few steps lacking are person-to-person transactions and that is coming soon too. 

However, this trend will not end well. It will one day culminate in the rise of a dictator that will control the population through these means. Just as we can predict the weather by clouds that accumulate on the horizon, so too we can predict what is coming by looking at the political, economic, and religious horizon. Too many are distracted to pay attention and only think it is part of the new normal, but it is not normal at all. 

Turkey Wants Cyprus Reunification

Turkey urges Cyprus reunification deal before island takes over EU presidency mid-2012 - Yahoo! News: "NICOSIA, Cyprus - Turkey's foreign minister on Saturday called for a deal reunifying ethnically split Cyprus before the island assumes the European Union's presidency in mid-2012."

Turkey wants the reunification of Cyprus? Wonder what form of government they would like? Perhaps a population that is forced to be 99% Muslim would be much to their liking as well.

The island is divided. Half of it is Turk and the other half Greek. This illustrates the centuries long struggle between Byzantium and the Muslims that culminated in the Turks breaking promises and finally decimating the Christian city-state of Constantinople. The world was shocked, but could do nothing. The bulwark against the aggression of Persia first, then Islam, had finally fallen. The Turkish Caliphate was to rule the region for another 500 years until the First World War. Since that time, those in the Middle East have wished for a return of the caliphate. 

So why do we wonder that Turkey is taking sides with the Palestinians? Why do we wonder that Turkey wants a unified Cyprus? Turkey would like to unify the entire Middle East first, then the rest of Europe and Asia next. The world is at war, but the West does not know it. 

United States vs China

Op/Ed:The United States versus China – Glenn Beck: "The greatest threat facing the United States in the twenty first century is the risk of war with China. That issue is rarely discussed in the popular media."

This is an excellent article well worth the few minutes of reading. Readers of PoliticsReligionTruth.com have known for a long time that China is a growing threat; a threat we have continued to neglect by shipping our treasurer for their goods and gadgets. American business goes to our enemy first when it comes to manufacturing goods that have been developed in the States. Just look on the back of an ipod. "Designed in California. Assembled in China". Shameful! Equally troubling is our, the American consumer, obsession with all things China. How much effort does it take to look at the tag on a purchase to see where it was made? Is there an alternative? Sometimes there is not, but sometimes there is. The other product may be a little more expensive, but it will not cost us our country in the long run. 

So much is in our control, but our choices get fewer and fewer the longer we wait. Do not supply our enemies. Yes, we need to pray for our enemies, but they must be treated as such or they will defeat us not only economically, but militarily. 

Muslim Temple Mount Digs

Report on Muslim Temple Mount Digs to Be Declassified? - Defense/Middle East - Israel News - Israel National News: "Muslim authorities on the Temple Mount have taken advantage of the relative confusion and demoralization in Israel in the years since the launch of the 2000 'Oslo War' to conduct illicit excavations at Judaism's holiest site, bring in generators and carry out other provocations."

This short article is excellent in how it highlights the complete lack of oversight of the Temple Mount by Israeli authorities. It is mystifying to think that they have given carte blanche access to the Mount and whatever is underneath it to its Muslim caretakers.   How much damage must be done before the Israeli government comes to its senses and stops the madness? Take it. It is yours.

Justice for Caylee Anthony

Why do the evil prosper? It is a question we ask over and over. Where is the answer as we look across the landscape of our world today? The wicked continue to perform their evil acts and go unpunished. Liars and cheats prevail and get rich while the poor and the honest seem to reap what the others sow. Where is the justice? 

Be assured that there is justice in the world. The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob lives and He is a just God. Those who do not believe in a god may believe they can "get away with murder", but God is the great accountant from above. His debits and His credits will indeed equal. Those who appear to prosper from their wicked and unpunished deeds will reap what they sow. 

There is justice, but not from man. We can create no Utopian society here and now. Heaven is just that. It is made by God who believes that the acts of man must be punished in order for there to be true justice. But it is not just the murderers and rapists who will be punished. All of us sin continually. There is none righteous, not even one. We have all gone astray; every one to his own way. We all deserve God's punishment for our cosmic treason and our wicked ways. The only escape is to have faith in the One who did not sin; the One who died, so that we may live. His name is Jesus. Trust in Him and you will not get justice. You will get mercy. Thank God.

casey

Casey Anthony, Why Didn't You Kill Your Baby Two Years Earlier?

So here we are in the midst of yet another drawn out trial about some crazy person doing harm to another for no apparent reason. This one centers around yet another woman in her early twenties who appears to have wanted to stay young and single; playing, dancing, and living it up just like she used to before she got herself pregnant. Problem is, she did get herself pregnant. Many young woman then find that their night lives are dramatically changed. They can no longer dance the night away, hang out with friends, and go shopping. Yes. It is time to grow up and be an adult. The transformation is difficult for some. For others, it is easier and more natural. 

It was very difficult in Casey Anthony's case. She could not resist the urge to go out and be the center of attention, to be young and carefree. But now there were cares in her life and they would infringe on who she wanted to be. Her solution? Get rid of her baby girl.

If only she had planned ahead. If only she had a little forethought. Like many girls in their early twenties, she should have known what having a little girl would do to her social life. Millions of young girls have been and continue to be in her situation. They need to get out and live it up while they are still young. No. Adulthood and adult responsibilities are not for them and there is nothing that will stand in their way. They are free and they intend to stay that way. If only Casey knew just a little earlier what many of those other young girls know. If only she knew it two years before she could have killed her little girl and would have had the support of many of us today. You see two years before, Casey could do the same unthinkable thing to her little girl. Today she is being tried as a monstrous killer, but just two years earlier she could have killed her little girl not with duct tape and chloroform, but in the sterile confines of an abortion clinic. Same result. Same death. Same mother.

Flotilla Fiasco

ABC: "Greece on Friday banned ships heading to the Gaza Strip from leaving Greek ports, and a vessel carrying several dozen Americans which left port without permission was asked to return." Jerusalem Post: "While Cyprus had already banned ships headed for Gaza from leaving their ports, the Greeks had not taken this measure until Friday. "

However, you will not see Turkey doing the same.

Watch for the successors of the last Muslim Caliphate, the Ottoman Turks, to take aggressive and persistent action in the affairs of the Jewish people. Why would they do this? It is in their history. Since wiping out virtually all remnants of Christianity with the overthrow of Constantinople, one should not be surprised that their descendants would have equally nefarious intentions for the Jews today.

The players from history are lining up. The Greeks, rightful successors to Constantinople, are doing the right and noble thing denying boats from leaving its shore. The Turks of course play their part. The Jews are there too as they always have been, the targets of others' hatred and fear. And finally the Christians. They will play their part as well. Or will they? There is no longer a Christian city such as the one decimated by the Turks in 1453. There is Rome and the West, but what will they do? The leader of the free and the home of the brave, United States President Barak Obama, only gives ultimatims to Israel to give up more land and give up more security. Where will the West be when Israel must again defend its borders? 

We are in a war against Islam. Muslims know it. Jews know it. Too bad Christians and the West do not know it. Take back Constantinople!