I at dinner tonight ran into one of the priests from my Catholic High School, Farther McDonough was in his 40's when I attended High School and is now in his 80's. A staunch democrat and Vietnam Veteran who became a priest when he returned home. H was a Tip O'NEILL and JFK era Democrat, said he didn't know the Democratic Party that exists today, called them Communists and extremists.


He then asked if I thought this, what's going is part of Gods plan or faithless men? I replied utterly faithless an Godless men. Then he asked what will make things better? I said good people in office and good men with values? The big question was do I still have faith in God to see us through this? This made me really think, my best answer is I believe in myself and my brothers at arms, that were strong and resilient;decent and moral, but only because of our faith in God.

I guess we did a good job teaching, have faith, God will give you and the right people the strength and wisdom to make things right.
Toughest old Irish, Selasian Priest I know.
Renewed my spirit despite Biden.

We have some interesting times ahead. Democrat or Republican, Im not a fan of this huge split in our nation

Looking back on history I suspect God expects us to sort all of this out.

Read "The Harbinger". We are following the path of another once blessed nation.

The Bible clearly teaches that God is sovereign over all his creation. Particularly over the evil actions of men, yet without being the author of the evil.

“I form the light and create darkness, I make peace and create calamity; I, the Lord, do all these things” Isaiah 45:7
For some particularly interesting reading, try Deuteronomy chapter 28, and Genesis 50:20
This is - should be - a great comfort to Christians, in times where, for a season, evil seems to triumph. One day, God will make all wrongs right. If one does not believe that, it would make for a most miserable, conflicted existence.

If you trust what's written in the Bible, and I do, then you already know God will take care of things in the end. Seeing evildoers roaming the earth essentially unchecked these days can at times be very disheartening. But then, knowing God's plan will play out, it gives me comfort.

Revelation 20:
12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.

13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.

14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.

15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

Revelation 21:
7 He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.

8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.

Amen!

quote:

He then asked if I thought this, what's going is part of Gods plan or faithless men?

They aren’t always right about everything... but they make you think.

What I believe, have faith in, is above my avatar. Proven to me
Over and over again in this life. If I do my part, and have faith.
Matthew 6:26-34 New King James Version Look at the birds of the air,
for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly
Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?
Luke 12:
27: Consider the lilies how they grow : they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 28 If then God so clothe the grass, which is to day in the field, and to morrow is cast into the oven; how much more will he clothe you, O ye of little faith?

Have faith and keep your weapons clean, they may be needed for our part.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Fla. Jim,

I came across a similar thought today. Here was something along my response:

The key in having the right perspective is balance and putting first things first.

On one hand, Christians are supposed to be the salt and light in the world.

On the other hand, how does anyone think people will allow themselves to take on the mark of the beast just to be part of society economically or else face death if current trends (vaccination drive, lock downs, and masks) aren't happening in order to condition people?

Secondly, while we are suppose to be salt and light, the bible says the end times are inevitable.

Thirdly, America has been a major force in world events. How come it's not mentioned in the end times or a country referenced in Revelations that may be a reference for America? IMO, America isn't mentioned in the end times because it's not going to be a factor at the very least especially when the nations come to attack Israel.

If I had to say good things about politicians it would be Ronald Reagan and Tip O'Neil.

They both really worked for the good of the country and what they believed in.

Neither would recognize the politics of today,

quote:

Thirdly, America has been a major force in world events. How come it's not mentioned in the end times or a country referenced in Revelations that may be a reference for America? IMO, America isn't mentioned in the end times because it's not going to be a factor at the very least especially when the nations come to attack Israel.

I've had this conversation a few times. End times prophesy seems pretty clear that towards the end the nation of Israel will have no friends, no allies and will be completely and utterly on their own. The implications of this sadden me, but He is sovereign and his thoughts and purposes are not ours.

Throughout the course of history God has used godless men to fulfil His purposes, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon comes to mind. As one whose existence transcends space and time, oftentimes He allows seemingly bad things to happen with a larger end state in mind that cannot be seen during the vapor that is the lifespan of a man. Only He has the full picture and as temporal beings locked within space and time we cannot possibly understand His intent. As a man of faith I take comfort in that, especially given the current state of things.

Who’s values? Those of men? The script has us following Gods plan. Not that of men. Gods will

quote:

Originally posted by 12131:
If you trust what's written in the Bible, and I do, then you already know God will take care of things in the end.

I trust what is written too, which is why I refuse to just sit around like a helpless lamb. For example Luke 22:36 is quite clear, despite those who try to "modernize" the meaning....

Luke 22:36 --- "He said to them, 'But now if you have a purse, take it, and also a bag; and if you don’t have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one.'"

Jefferson summed it up pretty well for me...
"I have sworn upon the altar of God eternal hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of man."

I think your question is something that a lot of people in this country are reflecting on. But I am convinced that Individual Repentance is the only answer to our problems. It starts with us that call ourselves redeemed. There are a lot of people that call themselves christian, but the real mark is if one is redeemed.
I'm not talking about some sort of feel bad for what we have done. It is the complete U-turn and seeking the will of Christ- (2 Chronicles 7:14)
We repent and God will heal us. Until that real God directed repentance takes place, what we see around us is only going to continue and progress worse.
Good people are called good, but in God's eyes, none are good (Psalm 53).
These are only a couple of verses that indicate this point. The Scripture shows the condition of man from cover to cover--
Lineman

quote:

Originally posted by radioman:

quote:

Originally posted by 12131:
If you trust what's written in the Bible, and I do, then you already know God will take care of things in the end.

I trust what is written too, which is why I refuse to just sit around like a helpless lamb. For example Luke 22:36 is quite clear, despite those who try to "modernize" the meaning....

Luke 22:36 --- "He said to them, 'But now if you have a purse, take it, and also a bag; and if you don’t have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one.'"

Know that verse quite well. The verses in your post and mine are not mutually exclusive. I never suggested we should sit around like helpless lambs, because we do fight evildoers everyday in every way, even to the death. But they will continue to wield their power and influence on earth until that Judgment Day of God Almighty. And then,

Revelation 21:4-5

4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.

5 And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new....

Despite all the things that are happening now, doesn't God's promise give you great comfort? It sure does me.

God whispers, and you were just called to serve beyond your current role in law enforcement.

You are the "good people in office and good men with values" of which you speak.

I hope you take it to heart, and make a difference in a city and state I loved for so long.

If anything, I choose to believe that something much greater than us can guide us through these difficult times. How we live our lives will determine the futures for each individual. I choose God, always have, it works for me despite the circumstances. It has helped me see the good in people among the influence of certain evils and allows me rest in that, I'm tired and know that God is my salvation my rock.

As a new Christian, I can say that modern Christianity has failed America and the world. Christ commanded all believers to witness and win souls. The modern ‘blab it and grab it’ and ‘God is a giant vending machine with blessings for me no matter what I do’ churches have sat back and done very little to nothing. Most pastors today appeal to those with “itching ears” telling people what they want to hear and not what they need to hear.

“For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;”—2 Timothy 4:3