I am a Christian. I am not a Republican or a Democrat, or a conservative or a liberal. I am a sinner saved by grace called to make my God look great through humble servitude. The word, Christian, has been desecrated by "Christians" who have redefined its meaning as political, or as a moral position, or as a lifestyle. (no smoking, drinking, 'sinning') Wrong definitions are defiling to the name of Christ. I am sorry if this offends some of you who think the 'issues' you put forward as what it means to be a Christian are what defines you.

My prayers should start with, “LORD, Here am I”. (see Moses at the burning bush) “Here I am” opens the door for more communication. It is saying, “I am listening, tell me more.”

If you think the blessing of prayer are in the answers and results you have a wrong theology. It shows that you are looking for shortcuts/ a different and new way to get God’s gifts, help, answers. But the blessing is in the relationship with God, not in the answers to our requests.

1. Live to glorify God.  (that He might be seen in every moment and in every area of my life).  1 Corinthians 10:31, Ecclesiastes 9:7-10

2. Build Community (especially Spiritual Community). "Till we all come in the (comm... unity) unity of the faith."  Ephesians 4:13,     Ecclesiastes 4:8-12  Galatians 5:14

3. Know Jesus, Not just know about Jesus.  Philippians 3:8, ! John 1:1-3

4. Live to be like Jesus, by being in His presence and seeing Him .  Seeing Him is transformative.  1 John 3:2,   Psalm 17:15,                      2nd Corinthians 3:18,  Romans 8:28,29

Bork, Ethics, Politics, and Faith.

Christians can be so reactive rather than proactive. And in the process, they completely miss the truth. God is neither Capitalist or Socialist. Righteousness exalts a nation, not an economic system. In either system those who control the capital will either do well or terrible. Why is it that as we grow more and more socialistic more and more people are enslaved in lower income brackets and the gap between the haves and the have nots is growing out of control? It is because of sin in the heart of those with the capital.

Proverbs 11:1 introduces a section of Proverbs that contrast righteousness and wickedness.  It says that they are a "just weight" in a "balance".  The perfect balance is Jesus own faith as a man by which he pleased his Father (Hebrews 11:6) by which he balances all the wickedness of the world.  1 Corinthians 15:22 tells us "for as in Adam all die,even so in Christ shall all be made alive."  That is a perfect balance.

To illustrate how Proverbs contrasts and balances wickedness and righteousness let's look at Proverbs 12:1.

In Isaiah 55:1 and 2 God invites us to go shopping. We have no currency or credit of our own with which to buy. Jesus Christ is the currency, a voucher with our name on it, an open unlimited line of credit. Our problem without Jesus Christ is more than just a lack of currency. We have been shopping in the wrong market and buying the wrong products. God's market is full of that which is good or as the verse 2 puts it, "let your soul delight itself in fatness."

GRACE defines the gospel. Truth is the framework that defines grace.

John 1:16, 17 “And of his fullness have all we received, and grace for grace. For the law was given by Moses, But grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.”

God calls us to be gracious, loving, giving.  We are to give security to those we know and meet. Our iniquity (brokenness) makes this impossible.  Our iniquities cripple us. Psalm 38:4 "For mine iniquities are gone over mine head: as an heavy burden they are too heavy for me." Psalm 40:12 "For innumerable evils have compassed me about: mine iniquities have taken hold upon me, so that I am not able to look up; they are more than the hairs of mine head: therefore my heart faileth me."

Hatred and Love

Proverbs 10: 11- 13

“The mouth of a righteous man is a well of life: but violence covereth the mouth of the wicked. (12) Hatred stirreth up strifes: but love covereth all sins.” (13) In the lips of him that hath understanding wisdom is found: but a rod is for the back of him that is void of understanding.”

The center of this passage is “love covereth all sins.”

What does “all” mean? It means all. It means even the most offensive sins.