Many have attacked Mitt Romney on his religious affiliation to the Mormon Church, but this should not be a test for his presidency, though neither you nor I may like his affiliation. If he is true to the constitution and the writings of early Americans, his religion would have no negative bearing on his being president of the United States.
Thomas Jefferson said in his First Inaugural Address in 1801, "Believing with you that religion is a matter which lies solely between man and his God, that he owes account to none other for his faith or his worship, that the legislative powers of government reach actions only, and not opinions, I contemplate with sovereign reverence that act of the whole American people which declared that their legislature should 'make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof,' thus building a wall of separation between church and State. Adhering to this expression of the supreme will of the nation in behalf of the rights of conscience, I shall see with sincere satisfaction the progress of those sentiments which tend to restore to man all his natural rights, convinced he has no natural right in opposition to his social duties."
If political leaders want to make the Mormon religion (or any other religion) a political test, then what about making Catholicism a test? I remember well the days when John F. Kennedy ran for president, and many did not want him to be president because he was a Catholic. How many people running for president are now Roman Catholic? I do not know; but if some are, then why is that not a test now as it was in the days of John Kennedy?
Government should be run as a separate entity from established religion, and religion should be run separately from the government, although religion does have a bearing on the character of every person. I know that we cannot completely separate religion from government and that there is no such thing as a true wall of separation, but let us be honest, if there were a real wall of separation, then the only people who could run for office would be secularists. Atheists could not even run, because theirs is a religion, also.
Pray for our country and our leadership. Let us who are believers be real Christians and real believers. Let us be good citizens in our great country, and may God shed his grace on this country because of our seeking him. Politicians will not save this country--but God can if we truly believe in him and obey him.
Monday, December 17, 2007
Friday, November 30, 2007
Stealing The Tip
Today I was eating breakfast at Cracker Barrel. I was sitting close to a large group of people, and on the end of one of the sides of the table sat a small boy somewhere around nine years old or so.
I had noticed him a few times as he would do little things, but there was nothing especially noticeable about him. He seemed to be a nice boy, and the seven or eight women who were with him seemed to all be nice.
When they were ready to leave, the ladies were taking one-dollar bills out of their pocketbooks to leave tips. The lady who seemed to be the boy's mother took out two dollars and put on the end of the table.
The boy then got up, walked around a little, and then eventually came to the money the lady had put on the table for a tip. He looked at one dollar, then the other. He would fold one dollar in half and leave the other one on the table. He would put both the dollars back down and pick them up again. He handled the money much as a magician would.
Then, as the lady who had left the tip looked around as though something had taken her attention, the boy continued to play with the money. He smoothly folded one bill, placed it under the other bill, then took out the bill and slipped it down toward his pocket. He did not immediately put the money in his pocket, but he just rubbed the dollar up and down his leg close to his pocket. Then he smoothly and slowly slipped his hand and the dollar deep into his pocket. He left his hand inside for a few seconds; then he pulled out his hand without the dollar.
By this time everyone was standing and getting ready to leave. As the boy passed my table, I tapped him on the arm and said, "Are you going to share that dollar with me?" He at first looked shocked; then he smiled and shook his head in the affirmative. I did not realize that his mother had heard what I said, but she did; and she said, "Did he take that dollar again?" This gave me the idea that the boy may have taken tips before.
I told him I did not intend to get him in trouble, that I was just kidding with him. He just smiled as if he did not really mind. When I went out to pay for my meal, I noticed that the women had purchased several items, and one of the items was something in a box for the boy. I suppose he had won out after all. I suppose that is what you get when you steal tips.
I had noticed him a few times as he would do little things, but there was nothing especially noticeable about him. He seemed to be a nice boy, and the seven or eight women who were with him seemed to all be nice.
When they were ready to leave, the ladies were taking one-dollar bills out of their pocketbooks to leave tips. The lady who seemed to be the boy's mother took out two dollars and put on the end of the table.
The boy then got up, walked around a little, and then eventually came to the money the lady had put on the table for a tip. He looked at one dollar, then the other. He would fold one dollar in half and leave the other one on the table. He would put both the dollars back down and pick them up again. He handled the money much as a magician would.
Then, as the lady who had left the tip looked around as though something had taken her attention, the boy continued to play with the money. He smoothly folded one bill, placed it under the other bill, then took out the bill and slipped it down toward his pocket. He did not immediately put the money in his pocket, but he just rubbed the dollar up and down his leg close to his pocket. Then he smoothly and slowly slipped his hand and the dollar deep into his pocket. He left his hand inside for a few seconds; then he pulled out his hand without the dollar.
By this time everyone was standing and getting ready to leave. As the boy passed my table, I tapped him on the arm and said, "Are you going to share that dollar with me?" He at first looked shocked; then he smiled and shook his head in the affirmative. I did not realize that his mother had heard what I said, but she did; and she said, "Did he take that dollar again?" This gave me the idea that the boy may have taken tips before.
I told him I did not intend to get him in trouble, that I was just kidding with him. He just smiled as if he did not really mind. When I went out to pay for my meal, I noticed that the women had purchased several items, and one of the items was something in a box for the boy. I suppose he had won out after all. I suppose that is what you get when you steal tips.
Thursday, November 15, 2007
Things Not Always As They Seem
I had traveled to Lawrenceburg, Kentucky, from Harrison, Ohio, to visit my wife's family. I had been there only one day, and I was outdoors talking with my brother-in-law, husband to my wife's sister. We had talked for a while when he noticed my license plate, and he told me that my plate had expired. I could not believe what he had just said. I took a look for myself, and, sure enough, the sticker was marked for the year previous to this one.
In excitement, thinking that I may get a ticket, I traveled all the way back to Harrison, Ohio, and immediately drove to the Bureau of Motor Vehicles. I went in and told them what had happened, and they looked up my name on the computer. The lady there said, "Mr. Wolfe, your license plate is not expired. You renewed them in the proper month." Then I told her that the sticker must have come off due to rain or something else, which, she said, was very unlikely. I then paid about $6.00 for a new sticker.
When I put the sticker on the plate and got back into my car, I remembered that, when I got the license renewed, it was raining very hard; so I decided to wait to put the sticker on later--then I forgot. I opened my glove compartment, and right there in front of my eyes was the sticker that I received when I renewed the plates. I had driven all those miles for nothing else but to learn a good lesson--things are not, many times, as they seem.
In excitement, thinking that I may get a ticket, I traveled all the way back to Harrison, Ohio, and immediately drove to the Bureau of Motor Vehicles. I went in and told them what had happened, and they looked up my name on the computer. The lady there said, "Mr. Wolfe, your license plate is not expired. You renewed them in the proper month." Then I told her that the sticker must have come off due to rain or something else, which, she said, was very unlikely. I then paid about $6.00 for a new sticker.
When I put the sticker on the plate and got back into my car, I remembered that, when I got the license renewed, it was raining very hard; so I decided to wait to put the sticker on later--then I forgot. I opened my glove compartment, and right there in front of my eyes was the sticker that I received when I renewed the plates. I had driven all those miles for nothing else but to learn a good lesson--things are not, many times, as they seem.
Wednesday, October 3, 2007
THE BILL OF RIGHTS
Three kinds of bills of rights exist for particular groups of people. An entrenched bill of rights is adopted separately from a country’s constitution and is not necessarily recognized by the country’s government. An unentrenched bill of rights is recognized by the government but may be weakened by subsequent acts passed by the legislature. A statutory unentrenched bill of rights, which is passed by a legislative body separate from the constitution, can be changed by the authority of that same legislative body.
The third kind is a constitutional bill of rights, which we have here in America. These rights cannot be changed except by a popular vote of the people. Not every jurisdiction enforces the protections of the rights stated in their bill of rights, but in America our rights are enforced by law if necessary.
Thomas Jefferson wrote in the Declaration of Independence: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights …” This was changed to unalienable by John Adams at the time of printing the Declaration.
So, these rights are not rights granted by human wisdom or the law of the land, but these are natural rights granted by God himself. Our founding fathers realized this and wrote the rights into our founding documents. These rights became the first ten amendments to our constitution.
These are the rights for which we fight our wars. These are not rights given to us simply by government but by God. Those attempting to take away these rights are bent on our destruction, and wars against them are in self defense. Any deaths in these wars that come in self defense cannot be called murder.
It would be inhumane for a government to grant, by God’s mercy, these rights and then refuse to defend us against those who would take them away. Thank God for the wisdom of our forefathers. God bless America!
The third kind is a constitutional bill of rights, which we have here in America. These rights cannot be changed except by a popular vote of the people. Not every jurisdiction enforces the protections of the rights stated in their bill of rights, but in America our rights are enforced by law if necessary.
Thomas Jefferson wrote in the Declaration of Independence: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights …” This was changed to unalienable by John Adams at the time of printing the Declaration.
So, these rights are not rights granted by human wisdom or the law of the land, but these are natural rights granted by God himself. Our founding fathers realized this and wrote the rights into our founding documents. These rights became the first ten amendments to our constitution.
These are the rights for which we fight our wars. These are not rights given to us simply by government but by God. Those attempting to take away these rights are bent on our destruction, and wars against them are in self defense. Any deaths in these wars that come in self defense cannot be called murder.
It would be inhumane for a government to grant, by God’s mercy, these rights and then refuse to defend us against those who would take them away. Thank God for the wisdom of our forefathers. God bless America!
Monday, October 1, 2007
Birthday
This is a wonderful birthday card that I received from the Philippines sent to me by Bryce Spears, son of one of our missionaries. This card is very special to me just knowing that a 7-year-old child would take the time to make a card like this and send it to the U. S. just for my birthday.As far as I am concerned, my birthday has no real meaning except that I am older, but to receive a card like this, along with all the other cards that I received, is a very special thing.
Bryce, thank you, and may God bless you as you grow strong in the Lord and as you surrender to his word and his will. Perhaps when you become an adult the Lord will have a very special job for you to do.
Sometimes we forget our missionaries out there on the field, but this little one did not forget me. Let's take the time to give a little personal attention to our missionaries, letting them know that we really appreciate what they are doing and that we love them and pray for them often. This will be a great encouragement to them. I am sure they need much encouragement, since much danger lies in many of the countries into which our missionaries go.
We cannot fulfill the Great Commission without our missionaries. We must go into all the world and preach the Gospel. Without missionaries who surrender to go to these places, our efforts are weak and feeble; but with them we can go into the whole world with the Gospel. May God help us to appreciate them.
Monday, September 17, 2007
A Wonderful Weekend and Sunday
My great weekend began by going to Falmouth, Kentucky, to the Wolfe-Jenkins reunion. We had somewhere around 50 people in attendance, and the food was just wonderful. I don't believe I have ever seen so much food in my life at one event.
When I left the reunion, I traveled from Falmouth, Kentucky, to Loveland, Ohio, where my son, Scott, was getting married. The wedding began at 6:00 PM. It was a lovely wedding; then he and Kathy went to Florida for a little vacation. I returned home about 8:30 PM. I was tired, but I had a busy Sunday yet to go.
I arose about 7:30 on Sunday morning and went to church. I taught my Sunday School class and then led singing at church, because my song director was at Addyston Baptist Church singing with the Blue Grass Boys quartet. I preached my sermon on The Great Commission #2 in the morning worship service.
After the morning service, I took my three grandchildren to eat a sandwich at Windy's, and then we went to Addyston Baptist Church for the 2:00 PM service. The Blue Grass Boys Quartet sang, and Bro. Darrell Sparks preached. We had a wonderful service and returned to First Baptist Church for the evening service at 6:00 PM. The Blue Grass Boys Quartet came over to First Baptist and sang for almost an hour. We had a great time singing. Most of the songs were sung as we sang them in the 1960's with my playing the piano and not singing. I did sing "Beulah Land." Then I brought my message on Hebrews 12:1-17.
After the evening service, a couple from Addyston Baptist Church took Bro. Bob Jones, his wife, Sue, and me to Frisch's for a time of food and fellowship. What a wonderful time together!
Today I am "whipped," but I still went to work and worked in the office all morning and until about 2:30 PM. I ate lunch and then picked up a few items at the store and came home. Now all I am doing is writing this blog and working on a few pictures. I am going to bed tonight EARLY.
Saturday, September 8, 2007
New Series Beginning at First Baptist Church
I am beginning a new series at First Baptist Church on The Great Commission. You will find outlines as they are prepared. They will be posted on our web site at www. firstharrison.net. Click on "Sermons & Articles." One outline is already posted there. They will be in PDF format so that everyone can read them. If you do not have Adobe Acrobat Reader, you may download it free at www.adobe.com.
This series will take several weeks to complete. I am not sure how many outlines I will have, but I believe I will enjoy reading and studying for this series. This is a greatly needed series in our Baptist churches today.
Follow the series, and feel free to print or download the outlines and use them as God leads.
God bless.
This series will take several weeks to complete. I am not sure how many outlines I will have, but I believe I will enjoy reading and studying for this series. This is a greatly needed series in our Baptist churches today.
Follow the series, and feel free to print or download the outlines and use them as God leads.
God bless.
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