Freedom of Speech: Don't Let Your Fears Allow the Government to Censor Your Voice!

     In this age of information technology and fast-paced news there arises new fears and dangers.  Whether it be political or market based new, it fires across the internet at ever faster rates, with very little or no verification necessary.  This leads many to call for stricter controls and verification processes, but this would be a huge mistake and violation of our First Amendment rights as Americans.

     On April 22nd, 2013 the Associated Press had their twitter feed hacked as a criminal sent out the false report that their had been explosions at the White House and that the President had been injured.  This terrible act caused the market to plummet briefly and then within a few minutes it corrected itself.  Many on Wall Street, and in America, began to question the security of our news sources and call for a tighter regulations and security measures, but this is a huge mistake!  We, as Americans, need to fight for our right to let our voices be heard, because the moment we allow one of our freedoms to be gradually taken away the government will slowly take site at others.  Is it some sinister plot to enslave us as Americans?  It may not be that at all, but rather there may be a genuine fear in Washington for the safety of the American people, but you know what they say about 'best intentions'.

     Another recent episode that is a great example of our free press was the coverage of the Saudi 'student' that was mysteriously ushered out of the country after the Boston bombings.  This news was broken by Glen Beck and The Blaze with information that was provided by firsthand sources.  This student was originally listed as 'A Person of Interest' and was put on the terrorist watch list, but the government immediately tried to bury and change this information.  But even with the damage control that has been attempted, Janet Napolitano admitted that the Saudi was indeed on the previously mentioned watch list.  So why did we try and ship him out of the country in the middle of the night?

     America has long been considered a bastion of freedom where people are able to freely express their viewpoints without the fear of government reprisal, but with the constant misinformation out of Washington, sadly we may lose these rights.  Whether it is Benghazi or the Boston bombing, we don't seem to be getting a straight answer out of our government, and it is for this very reason that we must keep pressing for transparency and for our right to voice our opinion.  It hasn't started with this administration, or with this system of government, but rather throughout history.  Whenever power becomes too concentrated at the top there is a natural tendency to do whatever possible to protect that power, as it is natural to fight against that protection of power.  I hope that our fears for safety don't lead us down a path to slavery!  God bless.

By Jeffrey Brandon Lee

Pride...

One of my favorite parables in the Bible (Because I have been both men) is the one where a man is in front of the church boasting to God how great he is and how many good works he has done, and then there is the man in the back pounding his chest claiming that he isn't worthy...Jesus said the one in the back goes home justified...Martin Luther states the fate of the proud man as, "Because people are proud and dream they are wise, righteous, and holy, it is necessary for them to be HUMBLED by the law, so that the BEAST that is their high opinion of their righteousness might be slain; otherwise no one can obtain life."

To Stand In the Presence of God On Judgment Day: What Will You Feel?

     Reading through the book The End by Mark Hitchcock last night I came across a line where he wrote the following, "The great American statesman Daniel Webster was once asked about the greatest thought to ever enter his mind.  He responded, "The most important thought that ever occupied my mind is 'my accountability to God.'" What gripped Webster was the knowledge that one day he would stand before God." and I began to wonder how I would feel standing in the awesome presence of our risen Lord.

     At first, I imagined standing on a huge, empty, white marble floor in front of a majestic throne with angels surrounding and looking down on me in judgment.  I wanted to cower down and disappear as I felt the unworthiness to stand in the presence of All Mighty God.  I could feel the sin of my life covering me in shame, but then the attack from the enemy ended, and I began to see how God saw me, through the finished work of His Son Jesus Christ.  I envisioned myself getting up off the floor and standing up straight as I realized that I was the righteousness of the Lord through Christ Jesus.  I'm sure many of you have had this attack from the enemy, accusing of not being worthy, but never let that thought stay in your mind for long!

     As Martin Luther said, "Let it accuse us, let it slander us, let it persecute us and not spare us; still we must not hold our peace but must speak freely, so that afflicted consciences may be delivered out of the snares of the devil."  Therefor, when he (the devil) comes at you proclaiming the law, and how you have failed to live up to its demands, run to the grace of Christ and let Him shelter you.  And never forget that when you're going through a 'dark night of the soul' to seek out other believers that they may comfort you.  Once again on this subject I would like to quote Luther, "Therefore, it is dangerous for us to be alone (Ecclesiastes 4:10).  There is no danger if we separate ourselves from other people for a day or two to pray; we read that Christ went up the mountain alone and stayed there for the night to pray, and he did the same in the Garden (Matthew 26:39; Luke 22:41).  But when people are forced to lead a solitary life, that is a device of the devil himself.  When we are tempted and are alone, we cannot raise ourselves up even in the least temptation."

     So as we contemplate that glorious day when we stand before our Lord, do not be afraid, if you are in Christ, but stand (or kneel if you choose) in loving admiration and love of your God.  He will be there to reward you for your deeds on earth and to say 'well done good and faithful servant'.  For those of you who are not in Christ, I would urge you to accept Him as Lord of your life and confess your sin and ask Him to come live within you.  Once you have done this, you're now one of the faithful and will stand with us before the Great Throne of God!  God Bless!

By Jeffrey Brandon Lee