God's Existence

Do you ever wonder if God truly exists? Even the most secure Christian may have days when he wonders about the existence of God. Wouldn’t it be convenient if you could see God at least once, and have a face-to-face communication with him? Is there anything other than blind faith that can bolster a person’s belief that God does in fact, exist?

First and foremost, faith in the unseen God is of utmost importance. Faith has no equal. Faith is the prerequisite to a walk with God, and is necessary for salvation. With that aside, are there any proofs of God’s existence? Yes, there are many; some of which will be described in this blog. Many men have attempted to prove God’s existence. A few of them are, Blaise Pascal, Thomas Aquinas, Anselm of Canterbury, St. Augustine, Rene Descartes, Avicenna and William Paley.

After examining these proofs, you should obtain the book, Conversations with a Stranger: A Search for God, written by Larry Tate. A good number of proofs about God’s existence are combined into one entertaining and easy-to-read novel about a man’s mission to find out for himself if God truly exists. He eventually finds the evidence he is looking for, but he does not find it where he was expecting to find it. Go to http://www.tatebook.com/ for more information on this enlightening and entertaining book.

Happiness: What is it?

A recent poll found that Denmark has the happiest people in the world, while the United States ranks number sixteen on the list. However, before you pack your bags and move to Denmark, perhaps you should consider a few other statistics.

Denmark has a higher robbery rate than does the United States.

Denmark has a higher assault rate than does the United States.

Denmark has a higher total crime rate than does the United States.

Denmark has a higher suicide rate than does the United States. As a matter of fact, in the age group of 64 to 75, Denmark ranks #1 in the world for suicide.

How can these disturbing statistics be reconciled with Denmark being the happiest nation in the world? Why would the “happiest” people in the world be so prone to commit crime? Why would the “happiest” people in the world want to kill themselves? The answer may not be too difficult to find.

The questions in the study asked about six forms of positive feelings felt by the people in the last day. They were asked questions like: Did you enjoy something you did yesterday? Were you proud of something you did yesterday? Did you learn something yesterday? Were you treated with respect yesterday?

All of the questions referred to recent good feelings. The term, “recent” implies temporary. It appears that their answers referred mostly to health, prosperity, low unemployment and education. Missing from this list, were references to family, purpose and belief in God.

The “happiest” nation in the world has a much lower rate of marriage than does the United States. A lower marriage rate naturally points to fewer family relationships. This situation probably results in less attachment to one’s mate, and less closeness to one’s children.

This poll is obviously flawed. People no longer understand what the term, “happiness” means. They are confusing happiness with another emotion. To learn what happiness really is, and is not, read the book, “Shadow Truth: The Ultimate Deception” by Larry J Tate.

A Bug's Life

I found myself at a pleasant stage of life as I was nearing the age of sixty-one. Long before, at the youthful age of twenty-one, I’d made bold plans to reach the age of a hundred and one. Knowing that a person’s health reflects what they eat, I determined in my mind to eat a diet composed of a healthy combination of bread, vegetables, fruit and meat. Just in case I overlooked anything, I took vitamins and minerals as if they were a life-ring. Consuming every good nutrient I could see, I had a head start in the control of my destiny. Exercise was important I had to admit, so I chose a daily jogging program with which to keep me fit.
For forty long years, I ate all the right foods and I ran like Forrest Gump. By following the laws of nature and having fun I felt assured that I would reach my lofty goal of the age of a hundred and one. Making sure nothing was ignored; I even attended church and worshipped the Lord.
I was reminded of the lowly little bug. Not having much intelligence the bug still follows the laws of God. By obeying the law of nature, he can’t possibly go wrong. By following his God-given instincts he lives a long life and stays strong. In his own way, the bug is worshipping the Lord.
At the age of nearly sixty-one, I was healthy as a horse and strong as an ox. I needed no doctors and never used a pillbox. I was proud of my wisdom and deft determination. To my sickly friends who weren’t very strong, I was quick to tell them where they’d gone wrong. “Observe the laws of nature,” I’d say. “And you can be as healthy as me.”
Then one ordinary and peaceful afternoon, a frightening wake-call interrupted my calm and healthy life. My heart was in trouble and possibly done. Off to emergency I went, wondering where the laws of nature had gone wrong. Bright lights were shining on me and my sickbed, as doctors and nurses hovered over me while scratching their heads. Embarrassingly I found myself undressed, and lots of wires were attached to my heaving chest. Drip lines were hung overhead, sending life-saving liquids coursing through my veins.
“Why did this happen to me,” I asked a nurse. “I’ve done all the right things, eaten the right foods and exercised my heart. And to top it all off, I regularly worship the Lord.”
“I’m so sorry about your predicament,” answered the nurse. “You’ve got a condition that your healthy lifestyle simply cannot overcome. The problem is in your genes. Unfortunately, your heart is subjected to family history.”
Protesting very loudly I asked, “Why did I bother living right since the age of twenty-one? Did I waste my time by exercising my heart? I may as well have spent my time eating potato chips and ice cream.”
“Oh no,” answered the compassionate nurse. “You were doing all the right things. Had you not eaten the right foods and exercised your heart, this condition may have hit you by the age of forty-one.”
Not satisfied with the nurse’s answer, I turned to the Lord and asked, “Why me, Lord? Why did you give me this wake-up call? I’ve done all the right things and followed the laws of God. I’ve eaten the right foods and I’ve kept my body trim. There isn’t a detail I’ve ignored. I’ve even attended church and worshipped you. Lord, I feel like you’ve thrown me a cruel curve ball.”
Did the Lord answer me while I lay in my bed? I don’t know, but the following thoughts came rushing through my head. “I’ve sent you many messages,” the Lord did say. “Through preachers and teachers I’ve shown you the way. The passages in my Word were directed right at you. You are living a bug’s life, from my point of view. Since you gave my messages no heed, I determined that a wake-up call is exactly what you need.”
“What’s missing?” I asked. “What have I ignored? I do what’s right. I even worship the Lord.”
“You’re thinking like a bug,” answered the Lord. “He follows the laws of nature, and in his own way, even he worships the Lord. Think about the messages that have gone right over your head. I gave you an important mission and a goal to work toward.”
“But I’m a Christian,” I protested. “And one of good accord. I regularly go to church and I worship the Lord.”
“You’re living a good life,” answered the Lord. “And there’s no doubt that you’ve been worshipping me. But there’s so much more I want from you. My universal mission, you have completely ignored. My son, church attendance does not a Christian make. Such short-sightedness causes my heart to ache.”
“Lord,” I asked. “What is the mission I must do? What can be more important than worshipping you?”
“Your mission is not inside the church house door. The life of a Christian should be so much more. If you truly want to worship me, outside the church building is where you ought to be. Winning the lost is the place to start. It isn’t likely that you’ll find lost and hungry souls inside the church house door. But my son, there’s even more. There’s plenty for you to do outside the church house door. Visiting the fatherless and widows should be your soul’s intent. They’re in great need of help and encouragement. Feed the hungry, give them a drink. They need your help more than you think. Many are in need outside the church house door. They need warmth and clothing and so much more. Visit the sick and even those in the prison ward. Then you’ll be serving the Lord.”
I lay there in my bed with surprise on my face. “Lord, I’ve ignored many of your teachings, perhaps all. Now I understand why you gave you this wake-up call.”
Just as I finished talking to the Lord, a doctor walked in with his face aglow. “Your heart’s much better now. I’m letting you go.”
Back home, I had a new perspective to dwell upon No longer was I obsessed with reaching the age of a hundred and one. Whether I make it to the age seventy-one or a hundred and two, I’ve got a God-given mission to do.
I will never forget that life-changing day, when a disturbing wake-up call came my way. My wake-up call came with an urgent message I couldn’t ignore. I was living a bug’s life—and not much more.

If Obama was an Exterminator

Suppose that Mrs. Jones were to call Obama the exterminator about a flea infestation. What would he do? First, he’d send his perfectly fine pick-up truck to the car crusher. Then, he’d go out and purchase an energy efficient electric car. Next, he’d set up an interview with Mrs. Jones regarding her alleged flea infestation. After determining that she had a legitimate flea problem, he’d begin developing a fool-proof flea eradication plan.

First, he’d closely scrutinize his circle of PETA friends, looking for the best person to handle the job. Then approximately nine months after the initial call from Mrs. Jones, he’d appoint a radical flea-caring activist as his Flea Czar. This highly paid Czar would be assigned to oversee the flea eradication program at Mrs. Jones house. He’d then make a passionate offer to the population of fleas in Mrs. Jones’ house, asking them to open up a line of diologue with no pre-conditions. If the talks were to break down, Obama would ask the United Nations to send in teams of inspectors to verify that the fleas’ intentions were of a peaceful nature. The fleas’ activities would have to be restricted to feeding only on the household mice and rats, and leaving the family pets alone. In the event that the fleas were to continue attacking the household cats and dogs, Obama would threaten to implement tough new sanctions against the fleas by removing the family pets from the house and insuring that no other cats or dogs would be able come on the property.

Should the above measures fail, Obama would set up a National Flea Health Control program with a mandatory public option. If Mrs. Jones felt that the services of private pest control companies were entirely too expensive, taxes would be levied on all Americans according to their income. After the National Flea Health Control program was fully implemented, Obama would arrange for end-of-life discussions to be held with Mrs. Jones’ defiant flea population. Once the fleas had been convinced that they had already lived a long and fulfilling life, they would be directed to check in at a local government-sponsored assisted suicide clinic.

After setting up his program, Obama would expect to be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his brave innovations in the humane treatment of fleas.

Is your government in the business of attacking Family Values?

The 2010 Omnibus Appropriations bill passed by Congress and signed by the President may have some disturbing effects on the future of family values. With little fanfare, provisions within this law have the potential to devalue life, weaken our society and undermine our families.

Among the provisions of the law are the following:

Abstinence-based education programs were defunded and replaced with condom-based sex education programs.

A needle exchange program was funded which will allow drug addicts to exchange their used needles for new needles. Out-of-control political correctness is now causing our law makers to down-play the illegality of drug usage, and instead enabling the harmful activity by suggesting that they are in the business of preventing the spread of infections.

So-called Family Planning funding has been increased from $10 million to over $300 million, with the largest recipient being Planned Parenthood.

Through the back door, this new law is supporting China’s mandatory one-child policy.

Public funding for abortions in Washington D.C. was enabled.

A legalized medical marijuana provision was inserted into the law.

Step-by-step, our government is attacking our basic family values. For an in-depth view of the attack on family values, Read Shadow Truth: The Ultimate Deception by Larry J. Tate. Go to http://www.tatebook.com/ and also go to http://www.shadowtruthbook.com/

Source: http://www.heritage.org/Research/Family/wm2739.cfm

Is Spanking Harmful?

More and more modern parents are abandoning physical punishment of their children, and embracing the more politically-correct timeout, along with other non-physical methods of discipline.

A corporal punishment study was done by Marjorie Gunnoe, professor of psychology at Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Her findings, announced early in 2010, stated that claims for not spanking children simply fail to hold up.

She found that children who were physically disciplined actually performed better than those who weren’t disciplined. This included school grades, optimism, outlook on life, willingness to perform volunteer work, and the ambition to attend college. In addition to that, they weren’t any more likely to get involved in fights or become depressed. She also found that children who were never spanked tended to have behavioral problems.

A study done by the University of Akron found that children raised where there is a legal ban on parental corporal punishment more likely to be involved in crime. This study focused on Sweden which implemented a complete ban on physical discipline about 30 years ago. The study found that teen violence tended to increase among children who grew up under the spanking ban.

Other countries, such as Germany, Italy and New Zealand have also adopted bans on spanking. In New Zealand, the use of force to correct children actually entails criminal penalties. In that country, a parent isn’t even permitted to take a child’s hand and force him to go where the child refuses to go.

There are plenty of feel-good organizations that are promoting anti-spanking policies. In the United States, the National Association of Social Workers states that all physical punishment has harmful effects and should be stopped. The American Academy of Pediatrics states that spanking is less effective than the timeout. In 2007, the California government actually attempted to pass legislation to impose a ban on spanking children. Thankfully, that legislation did not become law.

To learn more about non-physical child discipline and other politically-correct tendencies of our modern society, read Shadow Truth: The Ultimate Deception by Larry J. Tate. Go to http://www.tatebook.com/ or http://www.shadowtruthbook.com/.

Obama's Political Correctness at Work

In a move that is being hailed by gays, lesbians and transgendered persons, President Obama made his first appointment of a transgender person to a federal post. Amanda Simpson, formerly known as Mitch, was appointed to be the new Senior Technical Advisor to the Department of Commerce in the first week of January, 2010.

Until this point, Obama walked a fine line when dealing with members of the gay and transgender community. He was widely supported by gay voters in 2008, but soon came under harsh criticism from many of those same proponents for not acting fast or hard enough to expand their rights.

Equality among mankind dictates that discrimination must be done away with. Consequently, we as a nation were right to end discrimination against blacks and women. We were right to guarantee the same rights to housing, jobs and opportunities to every person regardless of their race or gender.

Now, the term "discrimination" is morphing into a new definition. Now, the choice a person makes regarding the gender they want to be is somehow entering the field of "discrimination." Appointing a black person to a high position is a right, thanks to our anti-discrimination laws. However, this latest appointment falls under the "New Political Correctness" frame of mind.

LGBT rights groups are overjoyed at the "progress" being made by this appointment. Amanda claims that he/she is highly qualified for this position, and that qualification should be the only factor to consider for such an appointment. However, he/she is concerned that his/her appointment will be labeled as a token that was hired because of his/her sexual identity rather than on his/her merits. He/she has expressed worries that his/her appointment was merely to fill a quota or to appease the LGBT groups.

One of the first statements of this new appointee is that he/she is excited about the opportunity to see hundreds of other transgenders being promoted as a result of his/her latest appointment.

In looking at many of the President's choices, it is clear that the new political correctness dictated this most recent appointment. The President's choices reflect his promotion of transgenerism. This new definition of discrimination is deconstructing one of the most fundamental concepts known to mankind. This appontment, and other similar appointments are effectively asking the rest of society to radically reorder the ways in which our culture views "gender."

To see where this sort of re-definition of discrimination is taking us, read "Shadow Truth: The Ultimate Deception" by Larry J. Tate. For further information, go to http://www.tatebook.com/ or go to http://shadowtruthbook.com/.