General Rant and Rave

As I See It, a rant is something you complain about, and a rave is something you delight in.  Today’s post will be rants and a raves.

RANT

I’ll start with my rants, just to get them out of the way. 

I’m tired of politics.  Honesty in D.C. seems to be lacking across the board.  I’m a conservative, and I want to rave on conservative politicians who just want to do their jobs.  But when they begin to resort to the political gamesmanship, they suddenly find their teeth missing and are unable to take a bite out of the nonsense that D.C. is known for.  I say, “Fire them all” and start over.”  Tom Clancy, in concluding his novel, “Debt of Honor,” and beginning his next, “Executive Orders,” fictionally did that by flying an airplane into the Capital Building during a joint session of Congress with Presidential presence – killing most of the politicians, Supreme Court, and Cabinet members.  Jack Ryan was suddenly thrust into the Oval Office with the task of rebuilding the government from the ground up.  He did so amidst crisis after crisis upon crisis – and he did it based on the needs of the country, not the needs of the politicians.  I suppose that’s why its fiction.  I’m for getting rid of the government and starting over – but keeping our Constitution.  I’m NOT for doing it by sudden death, however. 

I’m tired of the stubborn way people in America are refusing to consider the facts and how they make “truth” into something relative rather than reliable.  This links to my first rant in that the American people are either following the lead of our politicians or vice versa.  Still, the daily life of the average American is about selfish convenience and pleasure, rather than honest truth and its impact.  Facts, therefore, are rejected and fiction is embraced.  Feelings trump reality – indeed, one’s reality IS one’s feelings these days.  Jesus said, “And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”  (John 8:32 KJV)  That “truth” is identified as Jesus Christ, Himself:  “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”  (John 14:6 KJV)  Rejecting Jesus means rejecting the “truth” that “sets us free” – and we become slaves to unrighteousness.  The Biblical principles that founded and guided our nation have been rejected by our modern society. 

I’m tired of the fear and anger that is covering our land.  I understand and believe that there is coming a time when there will be a show-down, civil war, or other stand-off between those who seek to control others and those who seek simple freedom.  But that doesn’t mean I have to like it.  I wish people would start living in a way that is both accountable and peaceable, kind and caring without putting someone down to lift another.  Isn’t it time for love and not hate?  But that means truth needs to reign over all.  Loving someone does not mean allowing them to do whatever they want – especially if it is harmful to themselves or others.  Hot button issues of our day revolve around just that:  abortion means killing the unborn for the pleasure of the mother; homosexuality harms society in countless social and spiritual ways (as well as those who practice it – and they can change through Jesus who will set them free); and the economic and other issues of the day all pit the liberal view which puts one side down to lift another vs. the conservative view that holds people accountable for their actions rather than simply giving in to the wants regardless of the consequences.  Someone is hurt EVERY time a liberal policy is presented in order to “help” another who is pretty ungrateful for the help they get.

RAVE

I’d like to rave on our Lord, Jesus Christ.  Whether or not you trust Him as your Savior, He still saves those who will allow Him to – regardless of what they’ve done.  His death on the cross is NOT without the power to save those who trust His work there.  His resurrection is NOT rendered powerless or any less a reality just because some prominent, popular people do not believe in it.  Neither is His power to judge the world diminished one iota because He is voted out of authority over us as a nation.  Rather, what this means is that the gospel needs to be preached all the more so that those who WILL believe can hear and trust in Jesus; those who hear and trust in Jesus need to hang on and live the resurrection life all the more because the hand of God is falling upon our nation for the folly of rejecting Jesus; and in the day of judgment which every man, woman and child will face, their decisions regarding Jesus Christ will be God’s measuring stick as to their righteousness and fitness for heaven, each giving personal account for their belief or unbelief.  The truth is not changed because one rejects it.  What love  the Lord shows us in His patience, persistence, and power to save us! 

I’d like to rave on pastors and people who keep the focus on Jesus through the midst of the social, political, and economic upheaval our nation is facing.  Distractions come from every direction, but there are many who keep their eyes on Calvary, who love in a world of hate, and who stand firm in the battle against Christianity.  Dr. Jeffress, pastor of First Baptist Church of Dallas, TX is just one such person.  Likewise, Dr. Albert Mohler, President of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary daily works to dispel the unbiblical worldview and engage a culture of unbelief with accurate logic and thoughtful insight.  There are many others – in the workplaces and schools, homes and hospitals around the country who cannot be named here, but whose work is a work of faith, recorded for all eternity in the annals of Heaven by the unfailing, unsleeping, unchanging God of Creation.

I’d like to rave on many things, but I am simply going on too long for a blog.  Share your raves in a comment below – and give God the glory He deserves!

First Baptist Church of Bakersfield: http://tinyurl.com/weR4him