Crap!

How much of what is wrong in the world and in the nation really needs to be reported and recounted? Surely there is a need for warning about things that are dangerous and destructive. But there seems to be no end to it! There seems to be a necessity to point to the evils that are and will be coming, but is there a limit to what needs to be said?

Ultimately, the Gospel is what we need to hear. Warning of the bad things that are happening and of what is to come ultimately needs to serve the purpose of showing the foolishness of imagining that fixing these things is within our power, so that instead of trying to make things right ourselves, we lift up our heads and see that our redemption draws nigh.

We need mostly to hear God’s promises. We need to hear that He is in control of all things. Many times Christians say this as a cop out, as a sort of trite saying. But He is in control and He is working to bring us unto salvation.

And this is why “God is in control” must never be used as a cliche. For we are dependent upon certain things and we must not allow those to be diminished in our lives. The truth must never be compromised. The Gospel must never be mingled with alternatives. The means of grace must not be reduced to mere symbolic acts on our part, but must be guarded and kept for the powerfully efficacious restoratives that God declares them to be.

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Flu Season Warning

Many years ago, when I was attending the seminary and living in the dorm, I received my first and only flu vaccination. The seminary nurse was offering it to us at a much reduced cost.

That year I had the worst case of the flu that I have ever experienced. When I later spoke with the seminary doctor (who volunteered his time weekly) he said, “That is why I never recommend the flu shots. In my experience at least 65% of those who receive it suffer the flu from it.”

I learned my lesson.

An article by Dr. Brownstein gives the same informaiton: Flu Season Mild So Far -- Expert Urges: Don’t Get the Shot.

Please see the article. One of his comments there is: “I do not recommend people get the flu shot,” he says. “It has never been conclusively shown to protect people from the flu and has not been shown to prevent it in the elderly.”

Alternatively, he advises that you:

• Frequently wash your hands.
• Eat a healthy diet.
• Drink enough water.
• Make sure you get adequate vitamin D.
• Supplement with vitamin C

These are explained in more detail at Flu Season Mild So Far -- Expert Urges: Don’t Get the Shot.


Additionally, we need to be sure to have sufficient rest/sleep. Our body and immune system become weakened when we are sleep deprived.

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Warning! Warning!

Warning! Warning!

How often the message is one of warning!

Is it even possible to preach good news apart from bad news?

In this current age, the time from the fall into sin, the good news is that the bad news has been dealt with according to God’s grace. But this good news always follows the bad news. The bad news is all around. The evidence is everywhere.

Yet it seems that we sinful humans turn a blind eye and a deaf ear until we experience the impact of the news in our own lives. Then we want to hear the good news and we cry out for the good news.

But the good news is that the bad news has been dealt with and conquered. The good news is that everything in the world is bad, but that God has provided a house of refuge. Before anyone can come to the house of refuge, that person must first be converted to the belief that the house of refuge is truly necessary. That person must be warned that refuge can be found only in this house.

Sadly, most people refuse to hear this warning. They do not want to hear that all other places and all other houses are really places of destruction. And so the preachers of warning become weary.

     Then I said, I will not make mention of him, nor speak any more in his name. But his word was in mine heart as a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I was weary with forbearing, and I could not stay. (Jeremiah 20:9)

Ezekiel was told that as a priest of the Lord,

     When I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; and thou givest him not warning, nor speakest to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life; the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand.
     Yet if thou warn the wicked, and he turn not from his wickedness, nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul. (Ezekiel 3:18-19)

Thus the warning must be told. Life and salvation depend upon it. The warning precedes the good news.

Postcard Virus Warning

Today I received an E-mail from a dear friend wherein a warning is posted regarding a virus that is being spread cloaked in the form of E-mail Postcards from family and friends. The warning has some important errors, however, and this information should be corrected.

While Snopes lists this as a real virus, they also correct the misinformation. Below is a quote from the end of the Snopes article.

Although the Postcard virus is real, it isn't a "BIG VIRUS COMING" (it's already been around in multiple forms for a long time now), it will not "burn the whole hard disc" of your computer, CNN didn't classify it as the "worst virus" ever, and it doesn't arrive in messages bearing a subject line of 'Invitation.'

To read the full article, which is a very good idea: Snopes Postcard Virus Article. The article was updated on May 14, 2008.