Sapphire Sky

October 26, 2010

Truth to Power

Filed under: encouragement — Travis Biller @ 5:11 pm

Do you yearn to be more like Christ? The bible teaches that one of the goals God has for you is to remake you into the image of His Son. The bible says, “For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son…” (Rom 8:29).

For most of us, being remade into Christ’s image requires drastic transformation. It’s like the show, “Complete Home Makeover.” There are times when the team looks at the condition of the old home and concludes the only way to improve the situation is to tear down the old and start anew.

This is the same view God takes with us. In His Word He tells us, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come” (2 Cor. 5:17).

When God enters our life through Christ, He does not seek to remodel the old home; nor does He add additions on to the old structure. We are not a new and improved version of our old self. In Christ we are entirely new.

One of the key components of the Christian life, then, is that we are to experience radical transformation. This happens when we allow the Lord to speak His Word into our life.

The bible says that, “The word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12).

Through the Word, God seeks to speak His truth into our lives. When we allow that to happen we experience His power within. The result is an inward transformation.

If you were to look back over the course of your Christian life, can you say with honesty that you are becoming more like Christ? Are you more loving and forgiving. Are you more disgusted with sin today than you were this time last year? Do you see yourself desiring more of God and less of the world now? Are you more concerned with the condition of the lost today than you were in the past?

In order for us to experience God’s power in our lives, we must decide that we are going to respond to His Word. The bible was not given so that we could learn a great deal. It was given so that our hearts could be remade into the glorious image of Jesus.

Knowledge is great and needful, but transformation is essential. God seeks to and promises to accomplish this work in our lives (Phil. 1:6); but we must allow the power of His Word to do the work (Phil 2:12-13).

October 25, 2010

God is GREAT!

Filed under: praise — Anthony Biller @ 2:18 pm

He is the creator of everything — seen and unseen.  He holds time and the countless galaxies in the palm of his hand.

He is the author of salvation and the sustainer of our faith.

He has no beginning and no end. 

He made you and me. 

His ways are not our ways, yet He walked amongst us and suffered and died for our sins.

He is permanent.

He hears our prayers.

He invented grace.

He is love.

He is holy.

He is great.

October 23, 2010

Thinking about law school?

Filed under: biz, legal, and professionalism, humor, video — Anthony Biller @ 10:22 pm

On a more serious note, see Justice Scalia’s thoughts re law school here. 

If still interested, look for schools and organizations with mentors who understand the intersection of Christianity and the law, both in practice and in jurisprudence.  See for example here, here and here.

October 22, 2010

Tempest in the taxpayer funded NPR teapot

Filed under: culture, entertainment — Anthony Biller @ 11:23 pm

On a subsequent O’Reilly show, liberal NPR analyst Juan Williams was explaining the importance of not stereotyping everyone within a religion because of the violent acts of some members of the religion.  In the course of his argument, he said that when he’s on a public flight, he worries when he sees people on the flight whose dress makes it clear that they are devote Muslims.

I’ve been on many flights since 9/11, and on numerous occasions since then have experienced the same concerns.  If I watched Mr. O’Reilly’s show and heard the statement, it would’ve registered as a yawner … a statement of the obvious.  As Mr. Krauthammer points out, this admission by Mr. Williams wasn’t too terribly different from Mr. Jackson’s admission years ago that when he hears footsteps approaching him from behind at night, he’s relieved when he sees it’s not a young black man.  In the case of Mr. Williams, there was one big difference with this admission — the consequence.  NPR promptly fired him.

Never a shrinking violet, Mr. Williams explains here why he’s none to happy with NPR’s punishment.  That liberals are intolerant of dissent is nothing new.  That federally funded NPR is a bastion of liberals and Washington DC group-think should only be a surprise to someone who doesn’t listen to NPR.  What is, however, somewhat surprising, is how, accordingly to Mr. Williams, the leadership at NPR militantly opposes anything that even gives the appearance of cooperating with conservatives.  I could care less about any of this if NPR was a private entity, supported by the fruits of its own labors.  However the fact that my tax dollars support these left-wing wind bags makes it chaffing.  In 1994, I hoped that one of the “Republican Revolution” results would be the defunding of NPR.  Mr. William’s timing is perfect.  Hopefully a 2011 Republican Congress will take note and act accordingly.  O’Reilly is making the same point here.

What really is an “Extremist”?

Filed under: culture — bigbluelab @ 9:43 am

On a recent episode of “The View”, apparently Bill O’Reilly offended a couple of the host ladies for stating that the 9/11 terrorist acts were done by Muslims. The ladies argued that it wasn’t Muslims, it was “Extremists” that killed the Americans and then stormed off stage.

So what is an Extremist? Webster’s dictionary defines an Extremist as “advocacy of extreme measures or views,” and extreme as “going to great or exaggerated lengths.”

How does one become an extremist in their faith? Is it that they live and obey the teachings, practices and principals of the founders of the religion? If so, then what is the argument presented by these ladies?

The founder of Islam is Mohammed. The founder of Christianity is Jesus Christ. It is my understanding that Mohammed killed or at least gave instructions to kill. Jesus did neither. I have read by some Muslims that Mohammed killed in self defense. Jesus ordered Peter to put away his sword in self defense on the night of His arrest.

Because I believe in the Bible, believe in Jesus as my Savior, believe in Creation and the Creator, believe in Hell, believe in separation from God through sin, believe in the 10 commandments, believe in His resurrection…does this mean I am an extremist? I often wonder for those who have never studied Christianity, if they interpret a Christian Fundamentalist as someone who is living and obeying the laws of the Old Testament only. Wouldn’t that then make me a Sadducee or Pharisee instead?

For an interesting article of the differences between Mohammed and Jesus, see here.

October 15, 2010

Filed under: homeschooling, video, World etc. — Anthony Biller @ 11:56 am

The nanny state marches on … Dominic Johannson

Filed under: homeschooling, World etc. — Anthony Biller @ 9:39 am

It’s been 16 months since Swedish “authorities” state-napped Dominic Johannson as he and his family were preparing to leave Sweden.  Swedish authorities forcibly removed Dominic from his family and placed the child in state-controlled foster care because his parents had been homeschooling the 7-year-old.  Authorities denied visitation rights but have relented to allow brief, supervised visits every five weeks or so. The parents raised an international protest, and Swedish social services have dug in and refuse to reunite the child with the family. 

Apparently, the legal authority Sweden cites to justify its exercising state parental rights over the authority of the actual parents is the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.  This convention is a very bad piece of public policy that should not be implemented in the US.  The state should not be given the authority to ensure that children are raised and educated as “the state” deems appropriate. 

See latest report from WND as well as links to prior reports here.  Kudoas to ADF and HSLDA for continuing the legal fight for Dominic and his family.

October 12, 2010

Walk the Talk

Filed under: encouragement — Travis Biller @ 9:50 am

In Philippians 2:12-13, the bible says, “Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.”

These are really important verses. If I were to distill the meaning into one phrase, it would simply be this: Live the Gospel!

God has so much in store for His children; but in order for them to experience the abundance of blessings that exists, the children of God must live the gospel every day.

The reason so many Christians do not experience the abundance of blessings that Christ seeks to give (see Eph 1:3) is because they are too busy attempting to be blessed by the world. Remember James, the half brother of Jesus, said, “You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God” (James 4:4).

At the bare minimum, it is reasonable to assume that seeking to be blessed by the world does not please the Father! I don’t know about you, but I’d rather not make God my enemy. It seems that all that is needed to accomplish that undesirable feat is to love the world and the things in the world. I’ll pass.

However, Peter tells us that there is “Joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory” for the children of God (1 Peter 1:8). I don’t think God intends for that joy to be deferred. It is available now.

How do you get it? I’m glad you asked. It’s simple. Live the Gospel every day.

The gospel is not meant to be believed on only. It is meant to be lived. When we live the gospel, we enter into a spiritual state that brings, peace, joy, hope, love … in fact, it brings all those wonderful things the bible calls the “Fruit of the Spirit” (Gal 5:22-23).

Is the Fruit of the Spirit evident in your life? If not, ask the Lord to help you go from believing the gospel to living it!

October 10, 2010

Jesus Loves You

Filed under: encouragement — Travis Biller @ 4:35 pm

Jesus loves you. He came into this broken and fallen world so that He might save you from its destruction. He became one of us. He walked in our shoes. He experienced our pain, our trials, and our temptations. He even experienced our death. He went ahead of us. He made sure the path to the Father was clear and free of any obstacles. He removed all our sin. He destroyed the power of death. He made the path clear and without burdens.

He promised that He would prepare a new home for you. It is a place of beauty, love, peace, and everlasting joy. He promised that when it’s your time to travel that road, He would come to get you Himself. He prepared the road, and He does not want you to walk it alone.

In fact, He does not want you to be alone…ever. So, while He is away preparing your eternal home, He sent the Holy Spirit of God to live with you AND to dwell within you. He promised you peace. He promised you joy. He said that even though the world will deliver difficulties, we need not fear. He has provided our victory. Not only did He provide victory, He even promised that all of the riches and blessings of God are now ours!

He found you when you were poor, and He has made you rich. He found you when you were lost, and He has taken you by the hand and led the way. He found you when you were a sinner and has forgiven you. He found you lonely, and He has become your friend. He found you an outcast, and has accepted you. He found you sad, and has given you joy. He found you despairing, and has given you hope. He found you in darkness, and has given you light. He found you an orphan, and has made you a part of the family of God.

As a member of this family, He has bestowed His name upon you…the family name. With this name comes the honor of righteousness. With this name comes the glory of heaven. With this name comes eternal life. With this name comes the privilege of calling One Father.

The name He has marked you with, the name that He has bestowed upon you, is the name Jesus. Because of that name, when the Father looks at you, He knows you are His precious child. Because of that name, when the Father sees you, He sees a righteous son or daughter. Because of that name, when the Farther sees you, He seeks to lavish you with eternal love and joy. Because of that name you are loved, saved, and forever accepted. Because of that name.

October 8, 2010

Plan B: sharia and global caliphate

Filed under: World etc. — Anthony Biller @ 6:18 pm

Islamist Watch reports details about the criminal prosecution of Christians who proselytize Muslims.  What makes this newsworthy is that the prosecution trend reported is in the United States.  See here.   Ruth R. Wisse writes at the Wall Street Journal (full access via Google) of uber-educated Harvard students responding violently to criticism (by Mr. Martin Peretz) of Muslims:

After the event adjourned, the afternoon turned ugly as police had to protect Mr. Peretz while he walked across campus surrounded by a mob of screaming students.  On Sept. 4, blogging at the New Republic’s web site, he lamented that Muslims don’t respond more vigorously to acts of terrorism against their own people:”Muslim life is cheap, most notably to Muslims. And among those Muslims led by the Imam Rauf [of the proposed Cordoba House mosque] there is hardly one who has raised a fuss about the routine and random bloodshed that defines their brotherhood. So, yes, I wonder whether I need honor these people and pretend that they are worthy of the privileges of the First Amendment which I have in my gut the sense that they will abuse.”

Apparently, there were no student protests or violent reactions over the serial use by Muslims of suicide bombers against Muslim civilians in Iraq and in Afghanistan.  No report today of protests at Harvard in response to the Muslim bombing of civilians at the Shirkat mosque in the Takhar province of Afghanistan.  So long as no one criticizes Muslims for such conduct, no protests at Harvard are expected.  Not to be outdone, a class of nearby Yale students interviewed Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, to better understand him and his goals, shortly after Ahmadinejad explained to the UN the possibility that the US staged 9/11.  Fifty years ago, our intellectual elites cozied up to Communist dictators and murderers.  (Of course, many Academics as well as most Hollywood still fawn over the same in Cuba.) The more things change, the more they stay the same.

The legitimacy of the Ivy League sympathies and of the criminal prosecution of those who seek to convert Muslims in this country depends at least in part on whether Islam poses a threat.  Were the agents of 9/11 and the numerous attacks against the US the acts of fringe radicals or are they representative of a large percentage of Muslims?  A recent and well-considered analysis by the Center for Security Policy concludes that Shariah, a fundamental component of Islam, poses a serious threat to the security and well-being of the United States.

Today, the United States faces what is, if anything, an even more insidious ideological threat: the totalitarian socio-political doctrine that Islam calls shariah. Translated as “the path,” shariah is a comprehensive legal and political framework. Though it certainly has spiritual elements, it would be a mistake to think of shariah as a “religious” code in the Western sense because it seeks to regulate all manner of behavior in the secular sphere – economic, social, military, legal and political.

 Shariah is the crucial fault line of Islam’s internecine struggle. On one side of the divide are Muslim reformers and authentic moderates – figures like Abdurrahman Wahid, the late president of Indonesia and leader of the world’s largest libertarian Muslim organization, Nahdlatul Ulama – whose members embrace the Enlightenment’s veneration of reason and, in particular, its separation of the spiritual and secular realms. On this side of the divide, shariah is a reference point for a Muslim’s personal conduct, not a corpus to be imposed on the life of a pluralistic society.

 By contrast, the other side of the divide is dominated by Muslim supremacists, often called Islamists. Like erstwhile proponents of Communism and Nazism, these supremacists – some terrorists, others employing stealthier means – seek to impose a totalitarian regime: a global totalitarian system cloaked as an Islamic state and called a caliphate. On that side of the divide, which is the focus of the present study, shariah is an immutable, compulsory system that Muslims are obliged to install and the world required to adopt, the failure to do so being deemed a damnable offence against Allah. For these ideologues, shariah is not a private matter. Adherents see the West as an obstacle to be overcome, not a culture and civilization to be embraced, or at least tolerated. It is impossible, they maintain, for alternative legal systems and forms of governments peacefully to coexist with the end-state they seek.

Full report here.

October 7, 2010

When juries rule against a student studying his Bible at recess….

Filed under: culture — Anthony Biller @ 5:24 pm

It’s one thing for school administrators and legal elites to serially discriminate against Christianity in the public sphere.  It reaches an entirely new and much more dangerous level when our peers, as reflected in our courtroom juries, follow the lead in discriminating against the free exercise of Christianity. 

In Knoxville, Kentucky, a jury recently held that a public school could prohibit its 5th grade students from studying and discussing their Bibles during recess. The federal judge overseeing the case upheld the jury’s decision.  A ten-year-old student and some of his friends had been studying and discussing their Bibles during recess.  A student complained and the principle prohibited any further Bible studies at recess. 

Prejudice against Christianity from a federal judge in the form of allowing such content based discrimination isn’t surprising.  A jury from the American heartland upholding such blatant discrimination is a cause for concern.  Full story here.

How America views God

Filed under: culture — bigbluelab @ 9:45 am

In today’s USA Today, there is a large article on a survey done by Baylor University. The premise of the survey was to get an understanding of how Americans view God to be.

9 out of 10 Americans believe that there is a god. But of those, how do they view god? The survey categorized 4 categories describing god based on the views of how people view god:
- Authoritative (28%)
- Benevolent (22%)
- Critical (21%)
- Distant (24%)
* The remaining 5% they categorized as Atheist / Agnostic

Personally, I would have liked to have seen additional questions in the survey to identify if their god is the Biblical God. Perhaps questions like:
- Do you actively read the Bible?
- Can you site scriptures for each response provided?

I would imagine that the majority of those 9 of 10 people replied to the survey questions about who / what is god with statements that began with “I think that god…” or “I believe that god is…”. It’s one thing to say that there is a god. But it’s a completely different question if they can identify that god with the God of the Bible. In other words, how many people base their views of what the Bible says about God versus those who have made up their own image of a god.

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