The Bible: David

In 1 Samuel Ch 18 and 19 David finds himself in a bad situation. I will relate this story to you. First, I must ask you a question: have you found yourself in a bad situation through no fault of your own? If you have, take heart. David did too. God saved him. He will save you too.

The story goes as follows:

David volunteered to fight Goliath. Through God's grace and David's faith David killed Goliath. David went on to win many battles and win the King's (King Saul) favor. He became close friends with the King's son Jonathan. The King gave David his daughter in marriage. David looked to have a perfect life.

But something went wrong. The King became jealous of David. The King decided to kill David to save his throne. David's wife warned him in time to escape. Jonathan confirmed to David that the King planned to kill him. David had to run for his life. He lost his wife, his best friend and the good life he had.

King Saul killed many people looking for David. Eventually King Saul was killed in battle (along with Jonathan). David stopped running. The people of Israel made him King. He reigned in Jerusalem for 40 years. His son Solomon became king upon his death. He died in God's grace.

Sometimes we bring bad times upon ourselves. In my case I seem to always bring bad times into my marriage. When I was dating my wife I "stood her up" on a date. Once we got engaged I forgot to call her one night when I was working late. I finally called 4 hours after I was supposed to be off work. (This was the day before cell phones.) After our second child was born my schedule changed at the restaurant. I was working nights and long shifts. I became a work-a-holic. Work before family was not a good decision at a crucial time in our young marriage.

In David's time a man could have multiple wives. In our time a man can only have one wife. A man is discouraged from even having women friends. To my own demise I have not followed that advice. I have had several close women friends. I have been accused, by my wife, of having affairs with my women friends. This has caused great stress in my marriage. Almost led to divorce. But the worst thing is my wife lost trust in me. She feels I don't love her anymore. She might have fallen out of love with me.

My marriage is pretty cold now. What I do in the present or in the future cannot change the bad choices I made in the past. I do the best I can everyday. Some days are better than others. As for my women friends; I am only friends with women at work and church. I feel that is pretty safe.

I have to be like David: Trust in God. God can make any marriage better. We just have to be students of our spouse. Learn what she likes and doesn't like. And don't do things that get you on the bad list. And treat her special. I bought her a flower today.

May your marriage be blessed by God. May it last a lifetime.

Bible Reading during Lent: Issaiah

The Israelites were in a bad time during the prophesy of Issaiah. Most of the kings during the time were evil and did not walk in the path of the Lord. King Hezikiah was an exception. God blessed his rule and extended his reign.

Issaiah wrote many prophesies about other countries too. God is fair. He wants all peoples to follow Him and His commandments. If a country is doing wrong He sends a messenger. Issaiah was one such messenger. His message was usually harsh. It had to be. Without the truth, people would not change.

Americans should take to heart the lessons of Issaiah. America may lose God's blessing if we don't repent of our sin. Abortion. Lack of prayer in school. Drug abuse. Prostitution. Violence. We can no longer afford to continue on our current path.

President Obama has no inclination to reverse his direction. He applauds women who support birth control. Why not support self-control! When Americans choose to live moral lives according to God's design government is not needed!

In 2012 we need to vote to change America's direction and return to our Christian heritage. If we fail to do so America may end up like the Kingdom of Judah: enslaved by a foreign power.

May Americans wake up before it is too late. May we vote for Christian candidates who will restore our nation to its Christian heritage.

God bless us and God bless America.

Lent, Sin and Forgiveness

Jesus died on the Cross for our sins. To obtain forgiveness I must ask for forgiveness and amend my life. I must also ask forgiveness for the people I have hurt.

Lent is 40 days to reflect on my sinfulness, ask for forgiveness and amend my life.

Today I admit that I am not a perfect person. I work too much and that takes time away from my family. I am not considerate of my family's needs; especially their need for my time. I have not done enough to fill up my wife's emotional tank.

Lastly I am working through another stumbling block that keeps me from being the best man I can be. I am hoping that this season of Lent may give me the answers I need to overcome this stumbling block.

May God bless your spiritual journey during Lent. May you be a better person when Easter arrives.

I love Jesus. I am grateful that He died for my sins. And I trust in God's grace to keep me on the path to eternal life in Heaven.

Lent, Prayer and America

Our nation has a Christian heritage that dates back to 1492 when Christopher Columbus (a Roman Catholic) came to America.

Over the last 50 years a lot of effort has been made to change history.

A few people in our society want America to be a secular nation. They claim that Thomas Jefferson really wasn't a Christian. That's why he preached separation of Church and state. They got the Supreme Court to remove prayer from schools and legalize the murder (abortion) of unborn children. Now these few people want homosexual marriage and the termination of religious liberty.

It is time for Christians to take back America. Vote for Christian candidates who are not afraid to stand up to the secular humanists. Get your friends to join you. Most important: Pray.

Only with God's blessing will we be able to take back America.

My friend sent me the following prayer. I hope you like it.

God bless. May your Lenten Season be a spiritual blessing.

Hi Lord, it’s me. We are getting older and things are getting bad here. Gas prices are too high, no jobs, food and heating costs too high. I know some have taken you out of our schools, government and even Christmas, but Lord I'm asking you to come back and re-bless America .We really need you! There are more of us who want you than those who don't! Thank You, Lord, I Love you. If you agree, send it on---if not just delete. Only you & the Lord will know.

"Life without God is like an unsharpened pencil - it has no point.

Religious Liberty Two

In 2012 the debate over religious freedom will get heated. President Obama will lead the charge to trump our 1st amendment rights. He will also do all he can to further the radical humanist agenda including abortion, homosexuality and the further decline of morals and decency in America. Christians must stand up and counter the President's intentions.

I'm a member of the Knights of Columbus, a fraternal organization of Catholic men. The knights are active in many parishes in the United States, Mexico, the Philippines and Poland. The organization is divided into councils. I'm the leader of our local council. I oversee all council activities including fundraising and charitable work. The knights are always busy with parish and community activities.

As knights we work hard to set a good example for other Catholics. We work in unity with our priests and bishops to promote religious freedom. The following is a good example.

The commercial may be viewed online at: www.youtube.com/knightsofcolumbus and highlights the following presidential quotes:

• Thomas Jefferson (Notes on the State of Virginia, 1785, abbreviated from Jefferson Memorial): "Can the liberties of a nation be secure when we have removed a conviction that these liberties are of the gift of God?"
• Franklin D. Roosevelt (State of the Union, Jan. 6, 1941): "This nation has placed its destiny in the hands ... of its millions of free men and women; and its faith in freedom under the guidance of God."
• George Washington (Farewell Address, Sept. 19, 1796): "Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports."
• Ronald Reagan ("Evil Empire" Speech, March 8, 1983): "Freedom prospers when religion is vibrant and the rule of law under God is acknowledged."
• Abraham Lincoln (Gettysburg Address, Nov. 19, 1863): "This nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom."
• John F. Kennedy (Inaugural Address, Jan. 20, 1961): "The rights of man come not from the generosity of the state, but from the hand of God."

We pray that good Christian men and woman will stand up, like the Knights of Columbus, and work to preserve our religious liberty.

In Christ

Religious Liberty

As I was meditating today it occurred to me that America is heading down the same path as the Kingdoms of Judah and Israel did in the time of Isaiah. Isaiah's job was to get the Iraelites to return to their true faith and stop their sinfulness.

America has the same problem. Good Christian citizens have forgotten their faith and have turned to materialism, humanism and environmentalism. President Obama is the current leader of this group. There is no right or wrong. Relativism is the key word. Each individual decides for themselves. Mother Earth is the new diety. If President Obama continues as President America will have four more years of leadership heading America down the wrong path.

When Obama sid he was for change, he wasn't kidding. He is working hard to remove Christianity from America. He only cares about serving those Americans who have thrown out their Christian beliefs. He fooled enough voters 4 years ago. Will he do it again?

It's time for true Christians to unite and take our government back. That is government at all levels. We need men and women of Christian faith to step up and run for office. Rick Santorum or Ron Paul are good choices for President. Rob McKenna is a good choice for Governor of Washington. Jaime Herrera should be re-elected to Congress.

Once we have good Christian men and women in government they can replace the judges who lack Christian values and make court decisions that are anti-Christian and violate our 1st Amendment rights. They will also ensure no law is passed that is anti-Christian in nature. Obama care would not have had a chance. Gay marriage would not even be considered. Environmentalists would be used to oversee the proper use of our natural resources and not prevent the use thereof.

Some people would think I am in favor of imposing my beliefs on everyone else: they would be coorect. I am not ashamed to be Catholic. I am not ashamed of my beliefs. I believe in prayer in schools. I believe in the 10 Commandments and the Bible. Why should my beliefs be left at home? They shouldn't! I have the freedom to speak my beliefs and bring my faith to the public square.

I respect other people's beliefs. I just believe my beliefs are correct and in the best interests of America. I believe in the dignity of life. I believe in caring for each other. I believe in preserving our Christian heritage.

President Obama wants change. He approves of abortion (the murder of babies). He thinks homosexuality is okay. He sides with radical environmentalists that kill American jobs. He doesn't stop foreign companies from getting American contracts. He is against religious liberty.

That's not the change Christians want or need. Christians need to vote out the corrupt politicians. Christians need to turn away from materialism and return to charity. Christians need to respect others' beliefs but stand up for their own beliefs.

2012 will be a tough year if Christians lose at the ballot box. Our religious freedom is at stake. Our Christian heritage is at stake. Our ability to profess our Christian faith openly is at stake.

I pray that Christians awake and start working to prevent a terrible injustice in November. If not only God can come to our rescue.

Take an active role in the political process this year. Vote for Christian candidates.

God bless you and God Bless America!

Lent 2012

In one week the season of Lent will begin. For me this year I am going to focus on reading my Bible. In my busy life I have forgotten to schedule time for this important endevour. I plan to read Isaiah, Matthew, Mark, Luke, John and Acts. Shouldn't be too hard. I have 40 days.

My plan is to place my Bibles everywhere: in my backpack; my desk at work; dining room table; bed stand. If I see my Bible enough I will make time to read it.

And if God blesses me during Lent I will keep reading my Bible after Lent is over.

I wish you a blessed Lenten season. May God bless you with a deeper devotion to His Son Jesus.

In Christ