When the Lamb Becomes a Lion

Last month, my Men’s group looked at how the Israelites were instructed by the Lord to practice the Passover.  The ceremony is steeped with symbolism.  You know it’s always easy to celebrate a successful outcome.  It’s an entirely different situation when one has to trust one’s fate to an act of faith.  

The 4^th of July is typically a pretty big deal in modern-day America – Flags, BBQs, and fireworks are all commonplace.  The original 4^th – back in 1776, was arguably a bigger deal.  While the Declaration was bold, its ultimate outcome was anything but certain.  “Celebration” was certainly not the “word of the day” that frozen winter at Valley Forge.

Conversely, the Lord was so confident in the effectualness of His Passover program that the inaugural instructions to Moses and Aaron, while they were still in slavery in Egypt, included a provision to continue to practice it even after they’d passed into the Promised Land.  In fact, He directed it be performed into perpetuity.  Specifically saying,  

    “Obey these instructions as a lasting ordinance for you and your descendants. When you enter the land that the Lord will give you as he promised, observe this ceremony.  And when your children ask you, ‘What does this ceremony mean to you?’ then tell them, ‘It is the Passover sacrifice to the Lord, who passed over the houses of the Israelites in Egypt and spared our homes when he struck down the Egyptians.’”

The Patriots and Founders wrote the Constitution, not only to enshrine our liberties and enumerate our God given rights, but to also list the limitations placed upon the same government they’d conceived and fought for.  The right that protects all others, “…the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed.”   This argument was made abundantly clear by the Father of our country:

     “Firearms stand next in importance to the constitution itself. They are the American people’s liberty teeth and keystone under independence … from the hour the Pilgrims landed to the present day, events, occurrences and tendencies prove that to ensure peace security and happiness, the rifle and pistol are equally indispensable … the very atmosphere of firearms anywhere restrains evil interference — they deserve a place of honor with all that’s good.”  

With the Passover, the Lord prescribed a home protection process for His followers that prevented the death angel from delivering destruction.  “ Tell the whole community of Israel…each man is to take a lamb for his family, one for each household…The animals you choose must be year-old males without defect…Take care of them until the fourteenth day of the month, when all the members of the community of Israel must slaughter them at twilight.   Then they are to take some of the blood and put it on the sides and tops of the doorframes of the houses where they eat the lambs… it is the Lord’s Passover”

The Lord thwarted the original home-invasion with the blood of an innocent lamb.  “On that same night I will pass through Egypt and strike down every firstborn of both people and animals, and I will bring judgment on all the gods of Egypt. I am the Lord. The blood will be a sign for you on the houses where you are, and when I see the blood, I will pass over you. …When the Lord goes through the land to strike down the Egyptians, he will see the blood on the top and sides of the doorframe and will pass over that doorway, and he will not permit the destroyer to enter your houses and strike you down.”  

The same firearms that purchased freedom from an oppressive king continue to provide home protection today.  However, that was not the fundamental reason our founders wanted our right to bear arms to be uninfringed -- they intended our arms to serve as a check on government tyranny.  President Thomas Jefferson put it this way, “The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government.”  

Thomas Paine, speaking of disarmament, described the likely outcome, “Horrid mischief would ensue were one half the world deprived of the use of them ... the weak will become prey to the strong."  Like it or not, it is often a weapon in the hand of a lamb that enables him to become a lion.

Eventually, in the fullness of time, God instituted a new program – a plan that involved a different Lamb, but this time did not require a yearly renewal -- this was a lifetime plan.  John the Baptist, upon seeing Jesus coming toward him said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!”  Clearly, not everyone accepts the fact that the substitutionary death of the Son of God can protect him or her from the death angel.  Nor that the Blood of the Lamb can wash away sin.  That can only come through faith.

The author of the book of Hebrews looked back on both the Passover and the offering of the Christ.  Regarding animal sacrifice, the writer rightly points out, “those sacrifices are an annual reminder of sins. It is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins…  Day after day, every priest stands and performs his religious duties; again and again he offers the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. But when this priest had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, and since that time he waits for his enemies to be made his footstool.”  Imagine that, the Lamb that was sacrificed is seated at the right hand of God, interceding for his followers and awaiting His final assignment.

The other day a friend of mine was alternately lamenting that the Church, the body of Christ, had not risen up en masse to stop the onslaught of evil and immorality overrunning our nation and the world – while yearning for the return of Christ to set things right. 

Friends, that day is coming soon, and on that day the Lamb will become a Lion.  The meek shall inherit the earth, and those in opposition, only wrath.  "These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, chosen, and faithful."  Finally, the Lion of the tribe of Judah will assert Himself to set all things right.

 

In the meantime, this Fourth of July, celebrate the Patriots’ courage, celebrate the Passover, and celebrate the right to keep and bear arms, all while longing for the return of the Lion!

A public service announcement from the Colonel of Truth

Maybe you're thinking about voting for Hillary or Bernie  -- free stuff is good right?

Maybe you're an illegal alien hoping for amnesty -- maybe not.

Regardless - I'd ask you to consider watching the first little while of this video -- it gives a great alternate perspective on the alternative:

Unnatural Selection

Back when I was a young teenager (way before the web), I regularly read Popular Science, Popular Mechanics, and Hot Rod magazine.  They had a way of igniting the imagination of a thirteen-year-old about what he might drive upon reaching that arbitrary age of sixteen.  In the meantime, go-karts, mini-bikes, and bicycles would have to satisfy that innate yearning for autonomy and speed.

   

One of the solutions that always seemed attainable to a cash-strapped kid was the kit-car.  They appeared in ads near the back of those same magazines.  Cool pictures of a Shelby Cobra GT, a British MG TD, even exotics like the Lamborghini and Ferrari.  The Dune Buggy was the only model that seemed real – or at least not an imitation of a real model.  

The prices for those cool bodies always seemed relatively reasonable – as low as $399.  Of course, that did not include the underlying chassis, power plant, and busted knuckles required to make the pipe dream a reality.  It would be on you to find your own Volkswagen Beetle to complete the project.

There is something somewhat similar to the kit-car going on in the South China Sea.  There, the Red Chinese are busy building artificial islands on nature’s VW chassis.  By taking natural reefs and dredging sediment from the seafloor, they’re creating artificial islands.  Some are growing by as much as eight acres a day.

The NY Times reports, “China appears to be pushing ahead with its building spree in the disputed waters.  On Tuesday, Chinese state news media announced that construction had begun on two new lighthouses in the Spratly Islands, adding to the growing number of structures that satellite images indicate China is building, including airstrips.”   The Obama administration argues that China can't use artificially constructed islands to expand its sovereignty, mineral and fishing rights or to impede the international right to freedom of navigation.  

Let’s just hope that the invisible-ink pen that Obama’s been using to draw red lines around the globe isn’t water-soluble too.

Now consider what is going on in America today.  The Obama administration, in a letter to every public school district in the country, has decreed that kids must be able to choose what facilities they’ll use based on their self-declared “gender”.  The declaration goes well beyond bathrooms – it includes privacy rights, education records, and sex-segregated athletics.  Although the letter does not carry the weight of law, it does threaten that failure to comply could result in lawsuits or revocation of federal aid.

It should come as no surprise that Obama wants locker and bathroom use decided by one’s self-professed “gender-identity” over what’s on a birth certificate.
   

If we do not permit school-age kids to vote, smoke, or drink, why in the world would we let them choose their “gender”?  What kind of a parent gives in to a kid’s every whim or desire – especially on a matter of that magnitude.  Even worse is an administration that would promote this aberrant behavior as acceptable – while demanding the rest of America accepts it too.  

Thinking that a kit-car is the same as the real thing would be wacky.  Acknowledging the artificial islands as legitimate sovereign territory would be disastrous.  Believing gender is a function of the mind or the result of medical modifications is madness.  

Even so, we should have great sympathy for a kit-car that thinks it’s the real thing – no matter how well the bodywork, it’s just a replica.  If girls are suffering from body image issues now with our sex-obsessed culture, just wait until the “girl” that was a “boy” feels the pressure.  What could possibly go wrong?

When questioned about divorce by the Pharisees Jesus reminded them about Moses’ teaching in Genesis:  “But at the beginning of creation God made them male and female.”  Jesus had a stern warning for those that want to let kids decide if they’re “male” or “female” -- “Things that cause people to stumble are bound to come, but woe to anyone through whom they come.   It would be better for them to be thrown into the sea with a millstone tied around their neck than to cause one of these little ones to stumble.”

In some perverted way, this is reminiscent of the Obama administration’s foolish “cash for clunkers” program.  The last thing the government should be doing is ensuring the destruction of VWs in order to promote the creation of mere imitations. 

So what is the Obama administration’s response to the contention that when it comes to China and bathrooms they cannot have it both ways? 

 “Yes we can!” 

The Gipper

Take a few minutes to watch/listen to this video - if it doesn't fire you up you've got a problem:

 

US Security & INTELLIGENCE

This was sent to me from a friend who works for the USAF.

 

 US Security & INTELLIGENCE . . .The single most prominent characteristic of contemporary America is that common sense has been abandoned to political correctness and "feelings". 
 
  As President George W. Bush's top speech writer, Marc Thiessen was provided unique access to the CIA program used in interrogating top Al Qaeda terrorists, including the mastermind of the 9/11 attack, Khalid Sheikh Mohammad (KSM).
 
  Now, his riveting new book, "Courting Disaster", How the CIA Kept America Safe (Regnery), has been published.  Here is an excerpt from "Courting Disaster":
 
  "Just before dawn on March 1, 2003, two dozen heavily armed Pakistani tactical assault forces move in and surround a safe house in Rawalpindi .  A few hours earlier they had received a text message from an informant inside the house.  It read: "I am with KSM."
 
 Bursting in, they find  the disheveled mastermind of the 9/11 attacks, Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, in his bedroom.   He is taken into custody. In the safe house, they find a treasure trove of computers, documents, cell phones and other  valuable "pocket litter."
 
  Once in custody, KSM is defiant.   He refuses to answer questions,informing his captors that he will tell them everything when he gets to America and sees his  lawyer.   But KSM is not taken to America to see a lawyer Instead he is taken to a secret CIA "black site" in an undisclosed location.
 
  Upon arrival, KSM finds himself in the complete control of Americans. He does not know where he is, how long he will be there, or what his fate will be.
 
Despite his circumstances, KSM still refuses to talk.   He spews contempt at his interrogators, telling them Americans are weak, lack resilience, and are unable to do what is necessary  to prevent the terrorists from succeeding in their goals. He has trained to resist interrogation.   When he is asked for information about  future attacks, he tells his questioners scornfully: "Soon, you will know."
 
  It becomes clear he will not reveal the information using traditional interrogation techniques.  So he undergoes a series of "enhanced interrogation techniques" approved for use only on the most high-value detainees.  The techniques include waterboarding.  He begins telling his CIA de-briefers about active al Qaeda plots to launch attacks against the United States and other Western targets. He holds classes for CIA officials, using a chalkboard to draw a  picture of al Qaeda's operating structure, financing, communications, and logistics.   He identifies al Qaeda travel routes and safe havens,  and helps intelligence officers make sense of documents and computer records seized in terrorist raids.   He identifies voices in intercepted telephone calls, and helps officials understand the meaning of coded terrorist communications. He provides information that helps our intelligence community capture other high-ranking  terrorists .
 
  KSM's questioning, and that of other captured terrorists, produces more than 6,000 intelligence reports, which are shared across the intelligence community, as well as with our allies across the world.  In one of these reports, KSM describes in detail the revisions he made to his failed 1994-1995 plan known as the "Bojinka plot" to blow up a dozen airplanes carrying some 4,000 passengers over the Pacific Ocean .  Years later, an observant CIA officer notices the activities of a cell being followed by British authorities appear to match KSM's description of his plans for a Bojinka-style attack. In an operation that involves unprecedented intelligence cooperation between our countries, British officials proceed to unravel the plot.
 
  On the night of Aug. 9, 2006 they launch a series of raids in a northeast London suburb that lead to the arrest of two dozen al Qaeda terrorist suspects.   They find a USB thumb-drive in the pocket of one of the men with security details for Heathrow airport, and information on seven Trans-Atlantic flights that were scheduled to take off within hours of each other:
 
 * United Airlines Flight 931 to San Francisco departing at 2:15 PM
* Air Canada Flight 849 to Toronto departing at 3:00 PM
* Air Canada Flight 865 to Montreal departing at 3:15 PM
* United Airlines Flight 959 to Chicago departing at 3:40 PM
* United Airlines Flight 925  to Washington departing at 4:20 PM
* American Airlines Flight 131 to New York departing at 4:35 PM
* American Airlines Flight 91 to Chicago departing at 4:50 PM
 
 They seize bomb-making equipment and  hydrogen peroxide to make liquid explosives.  And they find the  chilling martyrdom videos the suicide bombers had prepared.
 
  Today, if you asked an average person on the street what they know about the 2006 airlines plot, most would not be able to tell you much. Few Americans are aware of the fact  al Qaeda had planned to mark the fifth anniversary of  9/11 with an attack of similar scope and magnitude.   And still fewer realize the terrorists' true intentions in this plot were uncovered thanks to critical information obtained through the interrogation of the man who conceived it: Khalid Sheikh Mohammed.  
 
 This is only one of the many attacks stopped with the help of the CIA interrogation program established by the Bush Administration in the wake of the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.
 
  In addition to helping break up these specific  terrorist cells and plots, CIA questioning provided our intelligence community with an unparalleled body of information about al Qaeda.                    
 
  Until the program was temporarily suspended in 2006, intelligence officials say, well over half of the information our government had about al Qaeda-how it operates, how it moves money, how it communicates, how it recruits operatives, how it picks targets, how it plans and carries out attacks-came from the interrogation of terrorists in CIA custody.
 
  Former CIA Director George Tenet has declared:   "I know this program  has saved lives. I know we've disrupted plots. I know this program alone is worth more than what the FBI, the Central Intelligence Agency, and the National Security Agency put together have been able to tell us."
 
  Former CIA Director Mike Hayden has said: "The facts of the case are that the use of these techniques against these terrorists made us safer. It really did work." Even Barack Obama's Director of National Intelligence, Dennis Blair, has acknowledged: 

"High-value information came from interrogations in which those methods were used and provided a deeper understanding of the al Qaeda organization that was attacking this country."  Leon Panetta, Obama's CIA Director, has said: "Important information was gathered from these detainees. It provided information that was acted upon."
 
 John Brennan, Obama's Homeland Security Advisor, when asked in an interview if enhanced-interrogation techniques were necessary to keep America safe, replied :  "Would the U. S. be handicapped if the CIA was not, in fact, able to carry out these types of detention and debriefing activities, I would say yes."
 
 On Jan. 22, 2009, President Obama issued Executive Order 13491, closing the CIA program and directing that, henceforth, all interrogations by U. S. personnel must follow the techniques contained in the Army Field Manual.
 
  The morning of the announcement, Mike Hayden was still in his post as CIA Director, He called White House Counsel Greg Craig and told him bluntly:  "You didn't ask, but this is the CIA officially non-concurring".  The president went ahead anyway, overruling the objections of the agency.
 
  A few months later, on April 16, 2009, President Obama ordered the release of four Justice Department memos that described in detail the techniques used to interrogate KSM and other high-value terrorists. This time, not just Hayden (who was now retired) but five CIA directors -including Obama's own director, Leon Panetta objected. George Tenet called to urge against the memos' release.  

 So did Porter Goss.  So did John Deutch. Hayden says:  "You had CIA directors in a continuous unbroken stream to 1995 calling saying, 'Don't do this.'"  In addition to objections from the men who led the agency for a collective 14 years, the President also heard objections from the agency's covert field operatives.  A few weeks earlier, Panetta had arranged for the eight top officials of the Clandestine Service to meet with the President.  It was highly unusual for these clandestine officers to visit the Oval Office, and they used the opportunity to warn the President that releasing the memos would put agency operatives at risk. The President reportedly listened  respectfully, and then ignored their advice.  

With these actions, Barack Obama arguably did more damage to America 's national security in his first 100 days of office than any President in American history.
 
  But how many people know this?.... only the few that read this from beginning to end.


Again, this was sent to me from a friend who works for the USAF.