Reasons to REASON

Rather than arguing about keeping Christ in Christmas, today I challenge you to think about what is the difference between the Merry Winter Holiday known as Christmas, and what it means that Jesus the Christ is born.
 
I also talk about how Jesus birth fulfills so many propehcies of Messiah perfectly.
 
If you want to check out the resource I cited, the link to the video is here
https://youtu.be/Z5aQkUPoK1U?feature=shared

Today I have a conversation with Justin Larson.  Justin and I met at our kids' weekly speech therapy session they have had since the beginning of the school year.
We have enjoyed an ongoing conversation about God, Religion, and Politics as I am encouraging you to do, agreeing and disagreeing.
Justin has a degree in Special Education with a specialization in Autism & Behavioral Issues.  He also has a business called Insight Mentoring Services where he works with children and adults with Autism.  If you want to learn more about that email him at larsonjustind@gmail.com
Join us as we discuss our opinions and conclusions about God, and then dive into what is going on in the environment that is causing the increased prevalence of children with Autism and other Behavioral Issues.
Justin and I disagree on our view on the incoming Trump administration, but that did not prevent us from having a thoughtful, productive, constructive conversation over the last several weeks and today.
There is a hole in the boat, so let's figure out what is going on and what are potential solutions in our lives and in government policy and action.
Take a risk, start a conversation and make a friend.  Glad to have become friends with Justin.
Sit back and enjoy the show.  Like, Subscribe, and Share.  Peace.
 

Today I walk us thru the similarities between the Mafia & Politics.  I think you will have some fun and hear something new.
The Mafia in Sicily started as a noble pursuit to protect vulnerable people from being taken advantage of by foreign invaders in a lawless land.  As they gained more power they became corrupted and started doing things for their own benefit.
Similarly the FDA, CDC, etc. started off with great intentions and did good work but as they gained more power they began harming the people they were set up to protect.
Gospel of Matthew documents Jesus saying that you can not love money and God cause you will love one and hate the other.
I argue that is what has gone on, people love money more than doing good.
We give examples of school board operations and go thru an article on legislation proposed in Illinois in blocking funding for libraries that want to not allow pornography in their buildings.  We continue to draw comparisons on how lack of accountability, and money are being used by the mafia and politicians alike to garner power and enact agendas.
There is poison in our food and our libraries, who is protecting us?
Like, share, subscribe.
Peace.
 

Today I have a conversation with a friend that I have gotten to know over the last few years.  I have shared my faith with him and he has shared his healthy skepticism, but we always have a good conversation.  It is an example of the type of conversations I hope more and more people can have.  Be a fly on the wall, have a laugh, and maybe hear something you never heard before.

Let's talk yard signs, Hate has no Home Here, Love is Love, All are Welcome, etc.
 
What do they mean, what is underneath the surface?  How do they prevent us from using Logic and Reason to arrive at Truth.  
Compare the sign that says:
We Believe:
Black Lives Matter
No Human is Illegal
Love is Love
Women's rights are Human Rights
Science is Real
To this sign:
We Believe
Life is Sacred
Biology is Real
Sex is not Love
Our rights come from God not government
Truth is Not Relative
 

Today we discuss atheistic religions and how they are being established in the public schools in violation of the 1st Amendment.  We then compare Marxism to Jesus's teaching. Some highlights:
What is Religion? - How does that compare what God says in the Bible?
How Marxism is a Religion based on worshipping the State.
The State shall not establish religions in our schools per the First Amendment.
Examples of these State Established Religions
Gender Fluidity
Darwinian Evolution
Scientism
Lynsenkoism 
Man Made Climate Change
Jesus did not want a State Established Religion, but like Marx spoke of a Kingdom where everyone had what they wanted and needed.  Unlike Marx, who thought the State had to make people selfless by force to accomplish this Utopia. Jesus invites followers to love one another, as he loved them.  That being of course being willing to lay his life down for all humans' salvation.
That Kingdom would be made with new people who were born again, who chose to be obedient to a King because they loved Him.  Where in the religion of Marx, the State makes you selfless and we know that is not possible.
 
 

Thanksgiving Day Special - We look back at Washington's Proclamation of Thanksgiving and encourage each other to have thoughtful conversation this Thanksgiving Day.
 
In the bible we read of God telling us to "set up stones" These would be stone monuments that people could take later generations to, so they would remember powerful things God did for them because like them, we forget.
As time goes on, we remember less and on the verge of forgetting things like
Peral Harbor
Holocaust
9/11
When these tragedies happen, we could never imagine forgetting them, but we ultimately do as a people.  We set up memorials and monuments to remember.
Holidays - As Memorials in Time.
Veterans Day - Originally Armistice Day which celebrated the peace after WW1
Independence Day - Now known as 4th of July
Lincoln and Washingtons birthdays - Now Presidents Day
Thanksgiving - Turkey Day
We will go through Washingtons Thanksgiving Proclamation and highlight the vision he had to have our country thank God once a year.  How lost have we gotten from that original desire?
See Washington's Proclamation here:https://www.mountvernon.org/education/primary-source-collections/primary-source-collections/article/thanksgiving-proclamation-of-1789
 

Today we will go through George Washington's Farewell Address and apply to our modern times.
We will also introduce the show.
Some overarching ideas:
Religion is to God as Politics is to Governance- God and Governance are good, Religion and Politics are manmade ideologies that get in the way of both.
If you deny yourself the possibility you are wrong, you forfeit your ability to Reason
Idea from the Bible that our President should be required to read the Constitution to the people at their inauguration.  This would be a confirmation that they understood what the contract with the people they are set to protect entails; it will also serve to inform the public of their rights since many have not read it themselves.
Defining Reason - Using Logic to arrive at Truth not Feelings and Emotion.
We then go through Washingtons Farewell and see how he predicted many of the issues we are dealing with today.  I then apply to our current circumstances whether it be:
Needless War
Absurd Debt
Foreign Policy
Covid Response
Protecting our Liberties
Questioning and Limiting Bureaucrats