Category: Christian

Merry Christmas

On By Robert W. PeckIn Blog, ChristianLeave a comment

The Story Behind The Christmas Story

saint-and-children-300pI expect we’re all aware that Christmas isn’t really about Black Friday sales and going to the mall to see how much stuff you can cram into the trunk of your car to haul home and put under a dead tree in your living room. I trust we all understand that Christmas is really about commemorating the first coming of Christ to earth when he came to be the Savior; the Redeemer; the Atoning Sacrifice; “the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.”

But Jesus came and did all those things long before we started celebrating “Christmas.” So where did Christmas come from? How did it get started and how did it develop into what it is today? And what about this Santa Claus character, what’s up with that?

There is a story behind the celebrating of Christmas, and behind Santa Claus too, and it begins with a fourth century saint – Saint Nicholas. I was recently treated to the telling of that story by one of America’s premier historians, Bill Federer, who was interviewed by my friend and fellow Constitution Party supporter, Cynthia Davis, on her Home Front podcast.

In addition to reading your favorite Bible passages about the Word being made flesh and dwelling among us, and maybe going to a special church service, and, of course, getting together with family on Christmas Day, and eating w-a-a-a-a-y too much, I encourage you to listen to this special message: “Is Santa Claus Real,” and to learn about the origins of the celebration of Christmas. I would hope that reviewing the roots of this holiday might become a habit with us and that it might lead to our emulating Saint Nicholas (Yes, he’s real!) and his acts of Christian charity.

Merry Christmas! May the Blessing of the Lord come upon you and overtake you in the coming year.

The Candidate They Don’t Want You to Know About

On By Robert W. PeckIn Articles, Blog, Christian, Political1 Comment

the-candidate-295pAs the pundits pontificate, the politicians bluster and blather, and the American public eagerly awaits the opening of Presidential debate season, there are only two things missing from American Presidential politics: 1) A news media willing to ask the real questions that address America’s moral condition, the candidate’s guiding principles, and the rule of law under the U.S. Constitution; and, 2) Candidates who comprehend America’s moral condition, possess guiding principles, and understand the rule of law under the U.S. Constitution.

There actually is a Presidential candidate in the race who does comprehend America’s moral condition, has guiding principles, and understands the rule of law under the U.S. Constitution. However, it appears the dominant media does not want the American public to find out about him. While Trump gets by far the most media coverage, Hillary less, and third party candidates receive minimal attention, only Darrell Castle of the Constitution Party has received “zero coverage” by ABC, CBS and NBC. Castle also just happens to be the only candidate in the race who is basing his policies on a Christian worldview, the principles of liberty through limited government and adherence to the U.S. Constitution. You don’t suppose there could be a connection there? Continue reading “The Candidate They Don’t Want You to Know About” →

Set Education Free

On By Robert W. PeckIn Articles, Blog, Christian, Political1 Comment

2016-8-17 Set Education Free

A friend recently shared a photo with me in an email that caught my attention and prompted me to ponder, once again, the matter of education. In the picture, a child is asking her mother:

“Why do I have to go to school?”

To which the mother replies:

“So you can be molded into a state approved homogeneous drone that cannot think outside of the prescribed consensus. You will learn to repeat information instead of how to think for yourself so that you don’t become a threat to the status quo. When you graduate you will get a job and pay your taxes in order to perpetuate the corporate system of indentured servitude.”

Now, I’m not promoting the idea of there being some grand conspiracy here, nor am I indicating disdain for education in general. However, as someone who is inclined to question the accepted norms, I do see a lot of truth behind this satire. The mother’s statement speaks to me of the danger, and indeed, the folly, of a society placing education into the hands of government to have the power to mandate, regulate, and own and operate the infrastructure for the dispensing of this precious commodity.

In a free country, parents would choose the when, where, whether and how of the educating of their own children, not have it mandated by a government that chooses the curriculum and sets the standards. Likewise, in a free country, those individuals, to whom God has given the gift of being educators, would be free to educate with all of their intellect, ability and God-given gifting according to their own conscience, unfettered by an education bureaucracy telling them how to teach. In a truly free country, the education of children would be determined exclusively by parents and those educators whose assistance parents might choose to employ. Continue reading “Set Education Free” →

Why Do People Fight to Justify Sin?

On By Robert W. PeckIn Articles, Blog, Christian1 Comment

FightPeople can usually have a polite discussion about differences of opinion on issues that are of a nonmoral nature (what color to paint the house, should the new highway be two lanes or four), but when the conversation turns to a topic that is of an inherently moral nature (right vs wrong, something that must be labeled as either “moral” or “immoral”), one party usually becomes inflamed and will go on the offensive attempting to justify their chosen conduct. The current attempts to justify, and even normalize, homosexual conduct is a prime example.

Why do people feel the need to justify their conduct? If they really believe that what they’re doing isn’t wrong, then why care what other people think? Well, they do it for the same reason that a child caught with their hand in the cookie jar makes up excuses to justify what they’re doing – a guilty conscience. The heart (inner-man, or spirit-man) knows that what they’re doing is wrong and is condemning them. However, their natural man (flesh, or outer man of body, mind, emotions) likes what they’re doing and is determined to do it anyway. The natural man tries to shout down the voice of the spirit so they don’t have to admit that what they’re doing is wrong, so they can even excuse, or justify, the acts in their own mind, and continue their conduct in a state of self-deception. Continue reading “Why Do People Fight to Justify Sin?” →

Gender Confusion in Public Schools – Where Did We Go Wrong?

On By Robert W. PeckIn Articles, Blog, Christian, Political2 Comments

Lost Confused 295pThe other day I read about a school district in Virginia that has implemented a new “gender identity” policy that could have children who are confused, or deceived, about their sexual identity, using the restrooms and locker rooms of the opposite sex. The parents were understandably upset and strongly protested the school board’s action.

Most Christians will be quick to attribute this, and many other ungodly and anti-God public school policies, to a general spiritual and moral decline in society, and that certainly is part of the equation. However, I believe there is another story that needs to be told.

We as a society – Christians and conservatives included – have been parties to both spiritual and civil lawlessness. Morally lawless policies emanating from our public schools should be no surprise as God has already told us that’s what would happen – “whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap” (Gal 6:7). If we’ve been sowing lawlessness, then we need to expect to reap lawlessness. Continue reading “Gender Confusion in Public Schools – Where Did We Go Wrong?” →

God’s Special Favor for Those Who Honor Him

On By Robert W. PeckIn Blog, Christian, PoliticalLeave a comment

A friend recently pointed out a passage of scripture to me that she found comforting with regard to the fears that some people have about the end times, judgment and the things coming upon the earth. As someone who is engaged in political activism, I found the passage particularly relevant as I so often hear Christians expressing fear of their political adversaries, expectations of judgment on the land and general dread for what appears to be coming upon the nation. Many are so fearful that they are willing to compromise values, principles and sound policies in order to “win” at the polls. I have long contended that I would rather be found honoring God, upholding an uncompromisingly right standard and trusting Him to honor and care for me. I think this passage makes my case particularly well, especially in the Message translation.

“Then those whose lives honored GOD got together and talked it over. GOD saw what they were doing and listened in. A book was opened in God’s presence and minutes were taken of the meeting, with the names of the GOD-fearers written down, all the names of those who honored GOD’s name. GOD-of-the-Angel-Armies said, “They’re mine, all mine. They’ll get special treatment when I go into action. I treat them with the same consideration and kindness that parents give the child who honors them. Once more you’ll see the difference it makes between being a person who does the right thing and one who doesn’t, between serving God and not serving him.” (Malachi 3:16-18 MSG)

This passage is talking about a time when many of God’s covenant people – Israel – were not fully honoring, trusting and obeying Him. Yet God was paying attention and took special note of the remnant among His people who did truly honor Him and did not compromise His right standards.

I implore my fellow believers to remember this the next time you’re confronted with a ballot featuring a godless candidate, a compromised candidate and an overtly God-honoring, Constitution-upholding candidate whom, you’re told, “can’t win,” leaving you convinced you must “vote for the guy who can beat the evil candidate.” Do not be fooled. We are in a time of great deception! Instead, take note of the favor that God shows to those who honor Him, then determine to be numbered among them!

It’s Us Versus Them and the Problem is Us

On By Robert W. PeckIn Articles, Blog, Christian, Political2 Comments

Us vs Them 295In a world with an “us versus them” mentality, it’s always “them” that are the problem… right? We’re never the cause of our own troubles, that would be unthinkable. It’s always the other guy who fouls everything up. We’re innocent. If only the whole world were left to us, it would be a utopian paradise.

The same phenomenon exists in the political arena where the “us versus them” mentality finds that it is always the other political party that is the problem. You name the trouble, the other party caused it. Whether we’re talking Democrat vs Republican, left vs right, liberal vs conservative, one thing is certain, the other side is the root of all evil. If only the country were turned over to our side, to our favored “ism” or political party, we would make it a utopian paradise.

While I can’t speak for those who identify with the liberal-left or Democrat side of this equation, I do spend a lot of time around people who identify as Christian, conservative or who faithfully and unquestioningly vote Republican and who know for certain that they’re not the problem. They couldn’t possibly be responsible for any of America’s ills as they’re on the right side, profess the right “ism” and vote for the candidate with the right initial after his name. If only the Christian side, the conservative side, the “right” side could prevail at the ballot box and fill the halls of power with people who have the right party initial after their name, America would become a utopian paradise… right? Continue reading “It’s Us Versus Them and the Problem is Us” →

Root Out Fear

On By Robert W. PeckIn Blog, Christian, PoliticalLeave a comment

In my Thanksgiving Day message, I alluded to the problem that Christians and political conservatives have with negativism and fear. This is a serious problem and it effects us on all levels, spirit, soul and body.

SPIRIT
Of greatest importance is the fact that fear is a spiritual force. Fear comes against us with pressures calculated to turn our spirit mechanism that God designed for faith, away from trusting in God and expecting in the promises of His word. Fear is actually perverted faith. Fear is faith in evil instead of good; faith in death instead of life; faith in Satan’s threats instead of God’s promises. Fear expects an evil outcome, then starts to speak it, then starts to plan for it. Continue reading “Root Out Fear” →

Being Thankful Every Day

On By Robert W. PeckIn Articles, Blog, Christian, Political2 Comments

Pilgrims

Ah yes, it’s upon us once again, that most organic of American holidays where in the tradition of our ancestors and the spirit of the Pilgrims, we set ourselves apart unto a day of wanton and self-abusive engorgement of massive quantities of everything we can haul home from the grocery store in the back of our SUV, to be followed by self-indulgent entertainment provided by dozens of premium sports channels before retiring early in preparation for a day of unrivaled, frantic, frenzied mass retail consumerism as we compete to feed our greed for more stuff to fill our already overflowing houses with. Ah yes, the Pilgrims would be amazed at what we’ve done with their day of thanksgiving. I’m sure that if the good and Godly Governor Bradford who issued that first thanksgiving proclamation were here today, he would give us all a swift kick in the behind. Continue reading “Being Thankful Every Day” →