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.