Obama the Messiah?

Not much Farrakhan says surprises me. It doesn't necessarily impugn Obama. But—like any cult—it is worth watching out for developments.

Which is Easier?

"Which is easier? To tell this man that his sins are forgiven, or to tell him to pick up his mat and walk?"—Matthew 9:1-8

Jesus was making a point. It is obviously easier to say, "You are forgiven," than it is to command a paraplegic to get up and walk. But to demonstrate his authority to do the first, he proved it by accomplishing the second. He commanded a paraplegic man to get up. And he did. He was healed by the command of Jesus. Only God can do something like that. And only God can forgive sins. Jesus was making clear what type of authority he really had. It was the same authority that God has.

But there is something interesting here. A principle, if you will. It is easier to fake who you are, than it is to prove who you. In fact, most people would rather do the easier thing for risk of being exposed as a fraud. What I mean is, it is easier for me to say that I will stick by you no matter what, than it is to actually do so when my reputation is on the line. It is easier to say that I am an honest person, than it is to remain so when it may cost me more than lying.

• I can appear like a very loving person. I can be patient, helpful, and accommodating. But am I consistently like that with those who are nasty to me, or even with my spouse?


• I may appear as a politically astute person. But am I really going along to get along? Simply following the party lines and sound bites of my immediate culture?


• I may appear as a rebel, or as a maverick. But am I that way when no one is looking?


• I can come across as gregarious and out-going. But if it requires genuine intimacy, do I retreat or do I rise to the occasion?


• I may appear patient. But how long have I prayed for that non-Christian friend or relative?


• I may be bold on Sunday. But I also keep my faith "private" on Monday.

This article is not designed to make you feel guilty about not living up to what you desire to be like. It's about being honest, and becoming real. If you care about God's Word, and you believe the Bible is God's Word, how is that demonstrated in 3D (real life)? This should challenge us, not make us feel guilty—unless you are guilty of something. Instead, lets use these tests to get a more accurate picture of ourselves, and what we want to become. Then we can begin to pray with intention and to go on to maturity.

Why I Don't Like the Government Bail-Out Plan

Economics 101.

Don't issue loans to people who can't afford to pay them back. Eventually, you will run out of he ability to issue loans at all.

The problem was that since 1992 the mortgage industry under government mandate, and to pump up numbers of the less-advantaged, artificially accepted people with bad credit or no credit using various lending schemes. This has produced a number of badly backed mortgage loans, that are not going to produce any income.

If you want to help people who can't afford a home. Teach them how to SAVE. Teach them a skill, in order to produce wealth. Support programs that build homes for underprivileged or handicapped people (rather than preserving animal habitats). Support more qualified organizations, like the church or humanitarian organizations, to do what they do best: helping people who can't help themselves. And support families along with medical and community organizations in order to help the mentally incapable. (They shouldn't be given loans anyway without a proper co-signer.)

The government should support these efforts, not run them. The government is only good at punishing evil, and protecting and encouraging the right behavior in society. It is good that the government says that housing-discrimination is wrong. And it is good for the government to enforce laws that protect credit-worthy individuals from being either priced out of the market or being denied loans for reasons other than credit-worthiness.

However, the government is lousy at enforcing wealth and prosperity.