Month: April 2019

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CLARITY – 4-18-19 Inspirational?

CLARITY

A Biblical Response to Current Events – 4-18-19

Inspirational?

What’s Happening: “Columbine (1999) potential-copycat, 18-year-old Florida woman, Sol Pais was found dead near the Littleton, Colorado high school from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound yesterday. She had bought 3 one-way tickets from Florida to Denver on 3 consecutive days, purchased a pump shotgun, and was believed to be readying herself to copy Dylan Klebold’s heinous Columbine shooting (that left 12 dead) on the 20th anniversary of the tragedy (https://www.yahoo.com/news/sol-pais-woman-infatuated-with-columbine-found-dead-with-selfinflicted-gunshot-wound-181135602.html). ‘Columbine continues to attract people from around the world. We’re not a place to come visit if you’re not a student. We’re not a tourist attraction. And we’re not a place for you to come and gain inspiration,’ said John McDonald, Executive Safety Director for Jefferson County.”

Knee-Jerk Response:  “Surely, she didn’t just fly from Florida for inspiration?!”

Biblical Response:  “The presence of the pump shotgun seems to indicate a more malevolent intent (you don’t buy a pump shotgun for suicide). Still, inspiration may not be that far from her motivation. However, she could have picked another death to commemorate. In fact, Christians the world over commemorate Christ’s death every time they celebrate communion (Lk. 22:19; 1 Cor. 11:24-25). And, yes, it is inspirational…Christians are to remember His sacrifice and even emulate it in the way they live their lives.”

“Christians? We believe there is more inspiration demonstrated in living for Him, but we are prepared to die for Him, if that is required (Phil. 1:23-24). In fact, if we want to celebrate an anniversary of a death…well, that’s tomorrow.”

Here’s a Prayer You Can Pray:  “Heavenly Father, help us to be inspired by the life You lived here through Your Son, AND the death He experienced for us…and similarly lay down our lives for others; in Jesus’ Name, amen.”

Share as you like, just give credit appropriately. For buying any of Alan E. Sargent’s books or to subscribe or to comment on any of his CLARITY blogs, go to the following link: http://subdeo.com.’ He also tweets on Twitter.com every day @alanesargent

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CLARITY – 4-17-19 True Transparency

CLARITY

A Biblical Response to Current Events – 4-17-19

True Transparency

What’s Happening: “The brouhaha over the release of President Trump’s tax returns, demanded by the Democrat-controlled House, will no doubt increase as teams of lawyers will probably sound their increasingly shrill arguments in the courts…the IRS does the bidding of the President, but the Congress says it’s within its legal authority to make them release anyone’s return (https://www.thedailybeast.com/trump-taxes-presidents-lawyer-invokes-black-civil-rights-leaders-to-keep-tax-returns-secret?source=articles&via=rss). ‘We have once again reiterated our objections to the unconstitutional demand for the President’s tax returns,’ Jay Sekulow, one of Trump’s lawyers, said.”

Knee-Jerk Response:  “Anyone’s return…that’s scary!”

Biblical Response:  “Yep…kind of makes circumspection (Phil. 1:10-11) mandatory, huh? And maybe that’s as it should be. After all, the Scripture speaks of a day when what’s secret will be shouted from the housetops (Matt. 10;27). True transparency is really a fact of life. We talk of doing things out of view in ‘the closet,’ when God was in the closet all along (Ps. 139).”

“Christians? We are to live our lives a little differently, welcoming inspection by man and God, confident that what is revealed will not dishonor us or the God we represent (Tit. 2:7-10). Gee, that sounds like more than a little pressure. No pressure…if we have really been transformed.”

Here’s a Prayer You Can Pray:  “Heavenly Father, help us to live lives in full view of a watching world; in Jesus’ Name, amen.”

Share as you like, just give credit appropriately. For buying any of Alan E. Sargent’s books or to subscribe or to comment on any of his CLARITY blogs, go to the following link: http://subdeo.com.’ He also tweets on Twitter.com every day @alanesargent

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CLARITY – 4-16-19 It’s All Gonna Burn, Anyway

CLARITY

A Biblical Response to Current Events – 4-16-19

It’s All Gonna Burn, Anyway

What’s Happening: “The iconic Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, except for two towers, burned to the ground yesterday in a fire that may have started amidst the extensive renovations that had been happening for some time. The Catholic church, which had taken about one hundred years to build (1160-1260), was burned in a matter of hours. An investigation is sure to follow. To say that the structure, which hosted the coronation of Napoleon and withstood Nazi bullets, was a historic and memorable one may be an understatement… people the world over mourned its loss (https://www.yahoo.com/news/notre-dame-national-architectural-significance-historic-cathedral-203400005–abc-news-topstories.html). ‘Notre Dame Cathedral is the very soul of Paris but so much more — it is a touchstone for all that is the best about the world, and a monument to the highest aspirations of artistic achievement that transcends religion and time. It has survived so much — from the French Revolution to Nazi occupation—to watch its devastation is excruciating,’ the Metropolitan Museum of Art said.”

Knee-Jerk Response:  “It’s just another old building….big deal.”

Biblical Response:  “Spoken like a classless non-appreciator of religion or art. The statement made by the Metropolitan Museum of Art, above, may come close to the significance of the event. Taken in eternal significance, I’m sure it pales, but it does represent the pinnacle of man’s architectural and artistic achievement.”

“Christians? We know it’s all going to burn, anyway (2 Pet. 3:10). Still, it took men and women, people for whom Christ died, 100 years to build this cathedral. There is no single name attached to this structure…artistically or architecturally…so I have to believe it was built (at least by some) to the glory of God (an honorable motivation – 1 Cor. 10:31).”

Here’s a Prayer You Can Pray:  “Heavenly Father, help us to keep things in their proper perspective…transitory; in Jesus’ Name, amen.”

Share as you like, just give credit appropriately. For buying any of Alan E. Sargent’s books or to subscribe or to comment on any of his CLARITY blogs, go to the following link: http://subdeo.com.’ He also tweets on Twitter.com every day @alanesargent

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CLARITY – 4-15-19 In The End, Truth Always Prevails

CLARITY

A Biblical Response to Current Events – 4-15-19

In The End, Truth Always Prevails

What’s Happening: “Yesterday, in a 3:50am raid of his home, Mustafa Sonmez, an economist famous for anti-government rhetoric, was detained and questioned about his recent anti-Erdogan (President of Turkey) tweets. This warning does not mean the columnist and television commentator won’t be charged or arrested for ‘seditious’ activity in the future … Turkey may pay lip service (no pun intended) to freedom of speech, but it is only applied in one direction (https://www.yahoo.com/news/turkey-detains-economist-insulting-president-105226727.html). ‘The police knocked on my door at about 3:50 a.m. They took my deposition at the police headquarters and then put me under custody. They had a file of about 20 of my recent tweets. I told them what I did constituted criticism, not insult,’ Sonmez said. It is interesting to note that an insult in Turkey against the President gets the same punishment as an insult against Mohammed … the punishment can be death.”

Knee-Jerk Response:  “That would make for fewer insults…hmmm…maybe we should try that over here.””

Biblical Response:  “Maybe fewer insults…but more fear. I’m sure Erdogan’s government was trying to instill in Sonmez fear or intimidation.

How can you really have freedom of speech or religion and Christianity really have the influence it was intended? Because our message will prevail (Matt. 16:18). Any message that requires government support to thrive must be weak in the first place. (Hear that abortion providers?)

.

“Christians? We believe in the ultimate superiority of our message. Why after nearly 2000 years has Christianity not swept the world? (Perhaps, you are saying to yourself: This guy can’t add. Well, first, there is a recording error of 4 years…Jesus was really born on 4 B.C. Then there’s the fact that the Holy Spirit was not poured out until Pentecost, 33 A.D. (Luke 24;49). Christianity is still just one of many religions because our message is rarely spoken with ‘signs that follow’ (Mark 16:16-18).”

Here’s a Prayer You Can Pray:  “Heavenly Father, give us the confidence that our message will prevail, the courage to call on Your power, and the patience to wait till You move; in Jesus’ Name, amen.”

Share as you like, just give credit appropriately. For buying any of Alan E. Sargent’s books or to subscribe or to comment on any of his CLARITY blogs, go to the following link: http://subdeo.com.’ He also tweets on Twitter.com every day @alanesargent

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CLARITY – 4-13-19 Pronounced: ‘Booty-Judge’

CLARITY

A Biblical Response to Current Events – 4-13-19

Pronounced: ‘Booty-Judge’

What’s Happening: “Pete Bootigieg, gay mayor of South Bend, Indiana, and scheduled to make his bid for the 2020 Presidential race public tomorrow, has been a former colleague of VP Mike Pence, but is now a vocal critic of Pence’s Christian Conservatism. Although they collaborated on economic issues when Pence was Governor of Indiana, they now are on opposite sides, Bootigieg, if he announces he’s a candidate for the Democrat nomination in 2020, will be the first openly gay person ever to run. His campaign just reported raising $7 million this quarter (https://www.yahoo.com/news/inside-buttigiegs-complicated-relationship-pence-100034991–election.html).  ‘If me being gay was a choice, it was a choice that was made far, far above my pay grade. And that’s the thing I wish the Mike Pences of the world would understand: that if you’ve got a problem with who I am, your problem is not with me. Your quarrel, sir, is with my creator,’ said Bootigieg.”

Knee-Jerk Response:  “See, he can’t help who he is!”

Biblical Response:  “Has he tried? I don’t know… In the first place, I’d capitalize ‘Creator.’ It seems that you would want the favor of Someone you’re accusing of making you gay. Of course, Pete might not think that’s a bad thing. I (and the Scriptures) might disagree – Lev. 18:22, Lev. 13:20, 1 Cor. 6:9, 1 Tim. 1:10, etc. Sometimes, we may feel our making is opposed to popular culture…but the cure is not to change the culture, but to change ourselves….and the only one we have please is God, anyway. It may not be easy, but He’ll supply the right desires and actions that please Him (Phil. 2:13). ”

“Christians? We don’t judge Bootigieg or Pence. Truly THAT is above our pay grade.”

Here’s a Prayer You Can Pray:  “Heavenly Father, help us (and others) to resist the temptation to make life all about fulfilling our sexual desires; in Jesus’ Name, amen.”

Share as you like, just give credit appropriately. For buying any of Alan E. Sargent’s books or to subscribe or to comment on any of his CLARITY blogs, go to the following link: http://subdeo.com.’ He also tweets on Twitter.com every day @alanesargent

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CLARITY – 4-12-19 By Any Other Name

CLARITY

A Biblical Response to Current Events – 4-12-19

By Any Other Name

What’s Happening: “Although a Missouri judge has already ruled against the Temple of Satan, the three-day waiting period Missouri law requires for abortion is on appeal in the 8th Circuit. The church, which has a dozen congregations across the U.S., says it does not believe in a literal satan but believes that he is represented metaphorically by their ‘questioning authority and promoting skepticism.’ The suit is being brought by their member called ‘Judy Doe’  (https://www.yahoo.com/news/satanic-temple-challenges-missouri-abortion-150140250.html).  ‘Our appeal presents a challenge for judges who want to defy the law to promote an agenda because the Eighth Circuit will have to overrule itself to deny our claims. It is laughable for theocrats to obviously impose their religious viewpoint into law only to claim that their actions are not discriminatory by virtue of the fact that everybody is equally burdened by the restrictions they have created.’ said Lucien Greaves, Temple of Satan’s Co-Founder.”

Knee-Jerk Response:  “Doesn’t the First Amendment guarantee their right to exist?”

Biblical Response:  “Yes…and no. Our Founders were really not wanting any CHRISTIAN denomination favored by government, not any faith (which, by the way, they don’t claim to be). You could, perhaps, argue their protests were protected as a form of free speech (also in the First Amendment). However, to corrupt a verse Shakespeare originally penned, a cult ‘by any other name’ smells as foul. Our nation’s Founders are probably rolling over in their graves at how we’ve twisted their original intent to espouse contemporary belief systems.”

“Christians? Taking their word for it (which may be a stretch), doesn’t mean they get to define reality. Things are not so just because the Temple of Satan says they are not so. The deceptions they are peddling are familiar and powerful, just not powerful enough (Matt. 16:19). As the saying goes, ‘satan is mighty, but God is Almighty.’”

Here’s a Prayer You Can Pray:  “Heavenly Father, help us to see through deception to Your truth; in Jesus’ Name, amen.”

Share as you like, just give credit appropriately. For buying any of Alan E. Sargent’s books or to subscribe or to comment on any of his CLARITY blogs, go to the following link: http://subdeo.com.’ He also tweets on Twitter.com every day @alanesargent

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CLARITY – 4-11-19 Leak Being Fixed

CLARITY

A Biblical Response to Current Events – 4-11-19

Leak Being Fixed

What’s Happening: “Whether he’s considered a hero or a villain, Australian native and Wikileaks Founder, Julian Assange was arrested  today by British Police as they were given access by the Embassy when his asylum was removed by the government of Ecuador. Hated by many for his untimely release of secrets and classified documents, and loved by others for his  ‘whistle-blowing’ efforts, Assange will probably extradited to the U.S. on a variety of charges (https://www.yahoo.com/gma/wikileaks-founder-julian-assange-arrested-ecuadorean-embassy-094515800–abc-news-topstories.html0. ‘Julian Assange, 47, has today, Thursday 11 April, been arrested by officers from the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) at the Embassy of Ecuador, Hans Crescent, SW1 on a warrant issued by Westminster Magistrates’ Court on 29 June 2012, for failing to surrender to the court. He has been taken into custody at a central London police station where he will remain, before being presented before Westminster Magistrates’ Court as soon as is possible,’ Metropolitan Police stated.”

Knee-Jerk Response:  “Playing God can be a risky proposition.”

Biblical Response:  “Couldn’t have said it better myself. The Scripture says knowledge of ‘the truth will set you free’ (John 8:32). It makes no assertion that the revealer of truth has any such guarantee. It seems that only God is qualified to determine when secrets are revealed. Determining the when and what is reserved for Him and Him alone (at least that is what Mr. Assange will hopefully learn).”

“Christians? We’re all for truth being revealed…but we’re also for God being the sole arbiter of the timing of that revelation (Is. 46:10); only He can see the end from the beginning.”

Here’s a Prayer You Can Pray:  “Heavenly Father, teach us not to play God, but to let You reveal what should be revealed when; in Jesus’ Name, amen.”

Share as you like, just give credit appropriately. For buying any of Alan E. Sargent’s books or to subscribe or to comment on any of his CLARITY blogs, go to the following link: http://subdeo.com.’ He also tweets on Twitter.com every day @alanesargent


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CLARITY -4-10-19 Guilt by Association

CLARITY

A Biblical Response to Current Events – 4-10-19

Guilt by Association

What’s Happening: “When Secretary of State Mike Pompeo officially designated Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IGRC) a terrorist group, it was unprecedented…but long expected. Iran immediately saw the move as Trump supporting Israel’s Netanyahu (who was running for reelection  yesterday). Iran has long been in material support of Hamas and Hezbollah and is suspected of being behind the 1996 Khobar Towers attack and the attempt on the life of the Saudi Ambassador in 2011 in Washington, D.C. Add to that the ongoing detention of U.S. citizens (https://www.yahoo.com/news/trump-takes-unprecedented-action-against-iran-165738982.html). ‘The Iranian regime’s use of terror as a tool of statecraft makes it fundamentally different from any other government. This historic step will deprive the world’s leading state sponsor of terror the financial means to spread misery and death around the world,’ said Pompeo.”

Knee-Jerk Response:  “Yeah, but to designate a whole country’s military!”

Biblical Response:  “Whether it’s guilt by association or they’ve been caught red-handed (no pun intended), they get what they’ve earned. You can’t do the things they’ve done with impunity forever. I hear no military leaders from the IGRC denouncing terrorism….oh, that’s right, they’d probably get shot!”

“Christians? We are told not to be friends with corruption (1 Cor. 15:33; Prov. 22:24). Their desire is to infect because misery loves company. We are recommended, rather to associate with men of good character (Prov. 13:20).”

Here’s a Prayer You Can Pray:  “Heavenly Father, teach us to influence others for good, not evil; in Jesus’ Name, amen.”

Share as you like, just give credit appropriately. For buying any of Alan E. Sargent’s books or to subscribe or to comment on any of his CLARITY blogs, go to the following link: http://subdeo.com.’ He also tweets on Twitter.com every day @alanesargent

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CLARITY – 4-9-19 Un-bribeable

CLARITY

A Biblical Response to Current Events – 4-9-19

Un-bribeable

What’s Happening: “Felicity Huffman, star of ‘Desperate Housewives’, and 13 others in the bribery-for-admission-to-college scandal, have pled guilty. She’s among the 33 parents and coaches, etc., that were charged last month in the largest ever admission-to-college scandal that exposed a scam involving over $25 million. Coaches, College and University Administrators, and Admission Counselors were all implicated – everybody but the kids the bribes were for (https://www.yahoo.com/news/felicity-huffman-others-plead-guilty-u-college-admissions-190250520.html).  ‘My daughter knew absolutely nothing about my actions, and in my misguided and profoundly wrong way, I have betrayed her,’ Huffman said.”

Knee-Jerk Response:  “The real crime are all those kids who made legitimate tries to get in but were rejected.”

Biblical Response:  “Right you are…but apparently getting into those ‘prestigious schools’ is not all it’s cracked up to be, anyway. Getting your Master’s Degree from a prestigious school may not be as important as the ‘soft skills’ like getting along with others and handling failure…skills that only experience seems to teach…not learned in any school…masters or undergraduate (https://www.cnbc.com/2017/09/01/what-employers-want-from-mba-graduates-and-what-they-dont.html). Maybe that’s why corporations are lining up to get the notoriety of sponsoring MBA programs, but are reluctant to hire any of their graduates. They’d rather hire the very integrity some parents, et al, lack.”

“Christians? Oh. we believe in integrity…maybe that comes from serving an ‘un-bribeable’ God (Acts 8:20). Everybody wants to have sway with those who make decisions, but bribery and fraud are not the way to get it (2 Chron. 19:7). Really, what do you have to offer He does not already possess?”

Here’s a Prayer You Can Pray:  “Heavenly Father, save us from lack of integrity…and help us demonstrate Your level of honesty in our own lives; in Jesus’ Name, amen.”

Share as you like, just give credit appropriately. For buying any of Alan E. Sargent’s books or to subscribe or to comment on any of his CLARITY blogs, go to the following link: http://subdeo.com.’ He also tweets on Twitter.com every day @alanesargent

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CLARITY – 4-8-19 No Identity Crisis

CLARITY

A Biblical Response to Current Events – 4-8-19

No Identity Crisis

What’s Happening: “When Brian Rini, 23, claimed he was 8-year-missing/presumed-kidnap-victim Timmothy Pitzen, I’m sure he never figured the ruse would send him to prison, but that’s what he faces. After DNA results and a latent confession, Brian has been charged with making false statements. Then 6-year-old Pitzen’s mom committed suicide in a motel room and left a note saying he would never be found (https://www.yahoo.com/news/timmothy-pitzen-ex-convict-charged-144904614.html).’Law enforcement confronted him with the DNA results, and at that point the person immediately stated that he was not Timmothy Pitzen, and of course law enforcement knew by virtue of the DNA analysis that he was in fact Brian Rini,’ reported US attorney Benjamin Glassman.”

Knee-Jerk Response:  “With all the identity theft going around, I hope they throw the book at him.”

Biblical Response:  “They probably will….and I can sure understand your sentiment. Was he trying to garner sympathy and notoriety? Whatever his motive, it certainly backfired on him. In this day of DNA, identity is more discoverable than ever. Additionally, if I were a new parent, I’d consider having a GPS chip inserted at birth (maybe turned off to all but certain law enforcement).”

“Christians? Thankfully, God has no identity crisis where we are concerned, He knows each and every one of us….by name! ( John 10:3) He even knows the number of hairs on our head (Matt. 10:30).

Here’s a Prayer You Can Pray:  “Heavenly Father, help us to realize You know us…sometimes not good news, but always without doubt; in Jesus’ Name, amen.”

Share as you like, just give credit appropriately. For buying any of Alan E. Sargent’s books or to subscribe or to comment on any of his CLARITY blogs, go to the following link: http://subdeo.com.’ He also tweets on Twitter.com every day @alanesargent