Posts Tagged ‘God’

Ephesians 6:12 ASV

For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world-rulers of this darkness, against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.

I have a bit to say today to those that would use the name of Jesus to promote their worldly plans. I speak to those that are left and right, democrat or republican. I have this to say to you.

Jesus was neither a democrat or a republican.

Jesus is not interested in legally shutting down businesses or entertainment.

Jesus is not interested in Cash for Clunkers or your health care schemes.

Jesus had one mission, to open our hearts to God and by dying for our sins, saving us all. Period.

Many leaders, politicians, and so called spiritual leaders today try to say that Jesus would support this or that plan, program, or party. This is total bunk, and actually perverting the message of Jesus for worldly power and gains. This, my valuable readers and fellow pirates, is serious.

People that make arguments like this need to seriously look into their relationship with Christ. Others that have no real relationship, but claim to have one, then make these arguments are actually the folks that Jesus himself warned us to be vigilant and on guard against.

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I voted Pic by Enrico Fuente–

I was just browsing the article site, Helium, looking for new marketplace calls for writers. Well, I got sidetracked by one of their debates. Which one? The one titled, “Should One’s Faith Influence a citizen’s Vote?”

Well, first off, let me say the voting at the time I visited was 60% to 40% in favor of voting by faith. That is a bit close for my taste, but still a majority.

It is important to understand that the question does not mean govern by faith, but whether voters should cast votes by faith. I also believe that a leader should govern by his beliefs as well, but that was not the debate offered here.

As a Christian, always let your decisions be led by your faith. Every move you make should be guided by your relationship with God. Yes, we all fall short as we are imperfect sinners, but we should keep striving to make better choices with the word of God as our guide.

Some of the adversarial articles just baffled me. If your belief system is animal rights, do you not vote for animal rights politicians and laws? If athiest, do you not vote for candidates that fit your world view? If you are a card carrying feminist or “Greenie”, do you not vote for feminist or environmentally friendly ideas?

Well, a lot of the writers against voting by faith, all 121 of them, seem to think that voting your beliefs is a bad thing as it may mean using God’s wisdom.

How Crazy is that?

Very crazy. On a secular level, how can you trust someone that will vote against their core beliefs? Would any of the above voter examples vote against their causes and candidates? Not very likely. If they did, would you not question their intentions?

But that is what they expect of Christians.

Here are a few examples from the articles:

When did this country stop being of, by and for the people? Separation of church and state is one of the founding principles of this country. Yet living up to this idea has been one of the most difficult things to accomplish because the waters are continuously muddied by those who use religion to control the minds and behaviors of the masses. Religious faith has devolved to nothing more than blatant mind control because religious leaders have allowed God to be put on the shelf for their own personal gain. Christians have been at the helm of this nation since its beginning. Jesus taught love, peace and forgiveness, yet very little of these attributes are evident in the politics of religion.-Vernelle Nelson

The idea of faith, unfounded, unreliable and superstitious, influencing global geopolitics is such an awful thought it turns my stomach.

Those who decide who to vote for based on notions on faith and/or religion are surely allowing personal reflections on life to stand in the way of important issues; quite often, religious believers demonstrate to the world just how blind and narrow-minded their belief systems can lead them to be.-Harry Lacey

Faith should definitely not be the reasoning behind a vote, no matter on what issue. The reasoning behind this is pretty simple. Not everyone has the same religion, and if everyone began to vote based on their religions, a split would most definitely be created in public life between the different groups.-Danny Mendel

Notice that some are not even arguing the point in question

A lot of the articles are arguing the separation of church and state issue, which does not even exist in the Constitution. The argument of separation of church and state comes from letters by Thomas Jefferson, not governing documents. But that is another issue all together.

The last example above shows the fear, and dare I say, vitriol aimed at those of the Christian faith. This, in my humble opinion, comes from fear. People that believe in nothing, or worse yet, believe everything is relative, and thus there is no concrete right or wrong, are set trembling when faced with people of true belief. I know I was when my faith was at it’s weakest.

You have an obligation, to God

Being a Christian is a hard walk at times. When it is at it’s hardest is when our faith is tested. But that is when we should totally surrender to our Lord for guidance and strength.

As good Christians, our every thought and action should be to celebrate the Lord, and to strengthen our relationship. To walk into a voting booth, which is a very important action, and to not vote in guidance by your Faith is a sin. Plain and simple.

In politics, the silliest thing is when a candidate proclaims faith and love of the Lord, but then goes against Christian principals in their political choices. Turning their back on the Lord and their faith to be re-elected or to gain more power.

Let me tell you this, that power is finite. The power of God is forever.

We, as voters, are a lot more shielded than politicians. We do not have to tell people how we vote. But let me say this, to vote in line with your Christian Principles, but tell others another story to ease your worldly relationships, is being in sin as well. It is a denial of faith.

In Matthew 26: 31-35, Jesus tells Peter that he will deny him three times the evening of his arrest. Then, in Matthew 26: 69-75, this comes to pass. Peter did not want to deny the Lord, but being of the flesh, he had a moment of weakness. We all do this, we can’t help it, we are of the flesh as well. As such, we are imperfect sinners. The goal is to trust in the Lord, and learn to grow in spirit and strength through him. The goal is to get better and stronger everyday.

Take it to heart that we trouble non-believers

Yes, pride is a sin as well, but I can’t imagine that the Lord would deny us just a little bit to be proud that our faith shakes up those without. It scares them that we can find the strength to refuse temptation while they drown in it. I baffles them that they go from feel good fix to fix, but are empty when the fix wears off, while we shun such temporary pleasures and never come off our high of spirit.

Pray to the Lord for strength and guidance when you feel weak. Definately pray before voting, then vote with your belief, not against it. Never deny the Lord. Our reward will be his eternal love and grace.

Hey, that is a pretty big win, is it not?

Argh,

Eban

This story has everything. A boy growing up in Refugee Camps in Hungary, to living as a crime reporter in Cleveland. It was during the time as a crime reporter that this person was immersed into all things dark in this world.

Later, this would lead to some incredibly dark, and successful movies. Movies steeped in violence and sex. Movies such as Basic Instinct, Showgirls, and Jagged Edge.

During this time, this man was caught in the perpetual party scene. Drinking and smoking until he fell with cancer.

At 56, after having 80 percent of his Larynx removed, the urges did not stop and he was thrown closer to bottoming out. Facing the overwhelming urge for a drink or a smoke, the words, “Please God, Help Me,” came from his lips.

Then followed the peace. The Lord reached out and claimed yet another soul, a true conversion. That is a beautiful thing.

At 56, Joe Eszterhas was called back into the Lord’s grace.

This full story is available in his latest book, Crossbearer: A Memoir of Faith, which you can find at the amazon link at the bottom of the page.

Also in the book you will find Joe’s views on the importance of the Eucharist, and how this keeps him in the Catholic Faith even as he has some mistrust of the Church. How his Mega-Church experience left him feeling less than full of Faith. And how he still gets offers to reenter the territory of dark movie scripts, but he stays clear.

Also, how his oncologist used the word “cured” about his throat cancer. That is truly a blessing.

This story also relates one of my strongest beliefs, a belief I based Jesus Pirates on. That belief is that there is nothing that can bring a person to Faith until that person is ready. And when that person is ready, there is nothing that will keep the grace of God from reaching in and taking that soul.

Remember this story the next time you are dealing with someone with darkness in their life. Don’t push them, and by default push them away. Be there for them, no matter what, and when they are ready, share all the grace that you can. Be a channel for God to reach them.

That is a beautiful thing.

Argh,

Eban

Now here is the link to the book