Guest Article

How Dr. Dobson [And YOU] Can Take a Risk for True Greatness

by Dr. Richard A. Jones
(from American Vision)

I knew that a January 15, 2008 Focus on the Family (FOTF) radio program would be challenging as I listened to Dr. James Dobson and Rev. John MacArthur join forces. Their topic was the obvious fact of national moral decay with the culmination of the two-day series being the role played by the public schools in contributing to the decay. The failed schools defy common sense so I listened to see if their stress would be on what parents need to do about what public schools are doing to their children, or whether a sense of perplexed anguish would be the theme. Sadly, it was mainly, “How did they ever get this bad?”

MacArthur and Dobson did their best, but ultimately their joint anxiety had to have confused listening parents more than supplying inspiring guidance. The point FOTF was trying to make began, as it should have, with the diagnosis that ours is a nation beset by sin. MacArthur even went so far as to say that God has already abandoned us. At the end of day two, FOTF set about confirming his conclusion with a school story dramatizing that deteriorating public schools prove how much we really do deserve His abandonment.

I respect and agree with Rev. MacArthur about our society’s moral decline, nevertheless his remarks contained a half-sad, half-amusing inconsistency leading up to the school story I’ll present in a minute. Using Psalm 81:11–16, a great passage, he said we’ve reached a point where only prayers for revival can possibly help the U.S. which made me wonder, which is it to be, abandonment or revival? But even if revival is possible, will God’s response mean an extended season of righteousness and moral sanity, or can we, at best, hope only for a brief reprieve prior to the end-times chaos that MacArthur’s doubtful eschatology predicts? To me, his call for revival sounds more nearly like a dutiful cliché than something truly attainable. After all, he’s already told us that trying to “[reclaim] the culture is a pointless, futile exercise.” I’m convinced, he writes, that “we live in a post-Christian society—a civilization that exists under God’s judgment.” Perhaps he even believes that the sick public schools are proof positive of that judgment. I hope, however, that his pessimistic assessment will be resisted by AV readers. Instead, far-sighted parents must meet the school dilemma head on and put it to rest via the biblical obedience solution you’ll find at the end of this article.

As a climax for the two-day FOTF presentation, a recording was presented obtained during a student assembly at a Boulder, Colorado, high school last April 2007. The purpose in airing it was presumably to give more evidence of abandonment by God. The tape featured a visiting group from the morally sordid “Conference on World Affairs” organization. On tape their several representatives were pushing concepts so repugnant that FOTF asked the home radio audience to remove their little ones before listening. On it, 9th thru 12th graders asked the panel about sex, drugs, and alcohol; questions which were answered with a strong encouragement to “do it.” (“Responsibly,” of course, the COWA added.) Included were plenty of endorsements for homosexual sex as well.

Following the tape, Dr. Dobson’s program-closing response came as a shock given what he already knows about the anti-moral, anti-education, anti-Christian public school agenda of lunacy. His first words were that he “could have wept” at what he’d just heard. “Why do parents permit it?,” he cried. “Who is holding the schools responsible?” What? It’s not as though this kind of school depravity is anything new, having been the norm now for years, countrywide. Even Dobson himself has written lamenting about it. Not only that, he’s clearly suggested that homeschooling is the best education option.

But it’s what Dobson didn’t say that hurts; namely that the real solution to the public school disaster is for Christians to gird up their loins of obedience and simply remove their children from the schools. It’s late, but not too late. One wonders why Dr. Dobson misses this. After all he has Moses (Deut. 6:1–9) and the prophets (Ps. 1; Prov. 1:7, 13:20, 22:6; Is. 54:13; Jer. 10:2) and Luke 6:39–40 as a guide for FOTF parents. These passages explain why God wants the kids removed. Ironically, his FOTF ministry would actually become more blessed, including increased financial blessings, if he would cast fear aside and make a “holy risk” decision to be biblically obedient.

Conversely, Rev. Albert Mohler, president of Southern Seminary and respected national radio talk host has heeded Moses and the prophets. He’s listened, heard and responded and re-responded: “I believe now is the time for responsible Southern Baptists to develop an exit strategy from the public schools. This strategy would affirm the basic and ultimate responsibility of Christian parents to take charge of the education of their own children. The strategy also affirms the responsibility of churches to equip parents, support families, and offer alternatives.” He goes on to say, “I am convinced that Southern Baptists will find their way toward a common understanding of the public school challenge. The only question is when.” These are the words of a good and wise man.

I’m praying for a true, permanent revival that may last hundreds or thousands of years before Christ returns. But, I’m also praying for another good man, Dr. Dobson, to halt FOTF silence regarding the only solution to the offense of the public schools that there is—removal of the children. I’m also praying he’ll use the biblical knowledge he knows to be true to move and inspire parents to the position a patient but demanding God requires of them. And, I pray that many of you will join with him in making this commitment your own.

email: dickjones1517 at sbcglobal dot net

T-A-N-S-T-A-A-F-L

The following article was written by Gary DeMar of American Vision Ministries. Orignally published online here.

The first rule of economics is TANSTAAFL: There Ain’t No Such Thing as a Free Lunch.1 While something might appear to be free (e.g., education, healthcare, etc.), there is always a cost to someone. Ignore this law, and all economic hell breaks loose. Of course, politicians believe they can ignore and even break any law because they consider themselves to be gods. They believe they can create economic prosperity ex nihilo, “out of nothing,” simply by legislating it. Most Americans don’t care about these economic realities any more than the politicians who propose them because they are the first-in beneficiaries.

When Social Security was implemented, the maximum amount any one person paid into the system was $60 per year—a total of two percent from employee and employer of a maximum $3000 per year. Today, the percentage is 12.4% on $97,500 per year because TANSTAAFL is coming due. Those who are receiving these benefits are not concerned because someone else is paying for them. Economic realities and ethics be damned. Yes, ethics. For example, families who are sending their children to the “free public schools” are using the money of their neighbors to pay for their children’s education. They assume since they elected people to do this it is morally acceptable. We’ve grown accustomed to this type of logic.

Consider Social Security. The Social Security Administration estimates that those born in 1877 (and retiring in 1942) got an average of 36.5 percent real rate of return on their Social Security contributions, while those born in 1950 (me) will receive on average a 2.2 percent return. Those born in 1975 will get 1.8 percent return. It’s even worse for future workers. The government should have seen this coming when Ida Fuller received her first Social Security check. She paid $22 into the program and received more than $20,000 in retirement benefits.2

In 1935, there were 45 people paying into SS for every one person receiving benefits. Today, that ratio is about three to one.3 Is it any wonder the SS has been described as the “world biggest chain letter”?

“The World’s Biggest Chain Letter—Unless You’re the Government”: Social Security is a pay-as-you-go retirement program. Those paying in now are paying those receiving benefits now. Social Security works like a chain letter. Some people have described SS as a “Ponzi scheme,” named after Charles Ponzi, a con artist who bilked people of a lot of money. How did he do it? He would tell people that he would pay them a huge return on their investment within a few months. Then he would take their money and pay off the previous investors. It worked great for the first ones to (unknowingly) get in on the scheme. Ponzi then used his early “investors” as testimonials to attract new “investors.” After a time, the number of investors ran out, and so did Ponzi with their money. Ponzi had worked the “pyramid scheme”: the people at the top (those who get in early) receive the benefits that are being paid in from those at the bottom (those getting in late). The following appeared in Parade Magazine (March 28, 1976): “Social Security is a wonderful plan. People say it’s going bankrupt. Don’t believe them. It works. I know. My uncle reached 65 and he sent in the appropriate forms. In a week he received a wonderful letter: “Dear Mr. Gold. Welcome to the Social Security System. Attached is a list of ten names. Just send $100 to each name on the list and retype up a new list with your name at the bottom. But remember, don’t break the chain!’”4

If a private insurance company operated this way, the directors would be arrested, tried, and sent to prison for a long time. Democrat fundraiser Norman Hsu was charged with a “massive Ponzi scheme.”5 One of the biggest beneficiaries of his contributions is Hillary Clinton. It’s Clinton who is proposing that every newborn should receive $5000. Other politicians are pushing for some form of “universal heath care.” Who will pay for this? The same people who are paying into Social Security to keep the Ponzi scheme alive—the most productive members of society. You and I know them as “the rich” who are already paying the majority of taxes. Hsu couldn’t keep the scam going because he couldn’t force people to keep contributing. Politicians can by the force of law.

Just because politicians can create economic programs does not mean they will work. Putting people in power so they can take money from your neighbors and give it to someone else does not make it right, whether they are Republicans or Democrats.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 The phrase has been attributed to science fiction writer Robert A. Heinlein in his 1966 novel The Moon Is a Harsh Mistress. Two of Heinlein’s best known science fiction works are A Stranger in a Strange Land (1961) and Starship Troopers (1959). Heinlein’s political philosophy was anti-socialist (“correct morals arise from knowing what man is—not what do-gooders and well-meaning old Aunt Nellies would like him to be.”) and anti-communist (“All the work one cares to add will not turn a mud pie into an apple tart.”).

2 Gary North, Government By Emergency (Ft. Worth, TX: American Bureau of Economic Research, 1983), 8.

3 James M. Pethokoukis, “Boomer Burden,” U.S. News & World Report (January 17, 2005), 46.

4 Quoted in North, Government by Emergency, 4–5.

5 “Fundraiser Hsu charged with pyramid scheme” (September 20, 2007)

Support Abortion?

If so, you really need to spend some time browsing this website...



(contains graphic images)

Save the Babies and Natives!

Wanna see more people saved? According to some, here's what we need to do:


# 1. We need to bring home all the missionaries and stop preaching the Gospel!

According to many modern Evangelicals, God would never condemn a person who has never had the chance to hear the Gospel. For these well meaning Evangelicals, sin isn't the issue. No, for them it's whether or not a person has a chance to hear the Gospel -and then reject it- that sends the person to Hell.

If this theology is true, we have to conclude that it's actually by the preaching of the Gospel that people are being condemned! We must also conclude that all the tribes in Asia -with no Gospel witness- actually have a better chance of seeing Heaven than people in the U.S.A. with the Gospel being preached on almost every corner!


# 2. Support abortion!

That's right! A gentleman in my old denomination (the Church of God of Prophecy) once told me that he would not oppose abortion because he believed all aborted children go straight to Heaven! He actually said that it would be better for them to be aborted, than to be born into this world and perhaps have a chance to grow up and reject the Gospel!

Therefore Christian, if you want to see more people saved: support Planned Parenthood! Go out and hold "pro-choice" signs instead of witnessing and handing out gospel tracts. Write your representatives in government and tell them to protect Roe vs. Wade!

Reality Check:

Does anything sound strange about these proposals?

Yeah... I agree. They're absurd!

The question of what happens to aborted infants and those dying in infancy is a hard question that is often very sensitive and hurtful for those who've lost a child.

My personal belief is that the infants are redeemed -by God's Grace alone. Many Reformed theologians have also affirmed the same. However, it must be noted that if they are saved, it's not because they have no sin -for they are guilty of Original Sin imputed from Adam- but because God is Sovereign.

God is providentially in control of the situation. Because I do not believe Salvation hinges solely upon human choice and freewill, I fully believe that God is able to regenerate these infants and bring them to saving faith even in the womb in such cases. (Even in spite of my views here, I believe we need to oppose abortion because it is an abominable evil!)

For the "innocent native" in Asia, I believe the situation is much more dire. The native would be not innocent at all. In actuality, he's guilty not only of Original Sin, but also of committing actual sin. Because these people have a conscience and God's law is written upon their heart, the fact they have never heard about Christ is no excuse. I believe these people will be lost unless they repent and believe in Christ.

In conclusion, no matter what happens in these cases, I believe whatever God does: He is right!

Hypocrisy in Florida!

In the state of Florida, if you are deprived of the opportunity to murder your unborn (handicapped) child, you can now win millions in court!!

Read all about it!

Just don't kill a dog in Florida:

FLORIDA STATUTES
TITLE XLVI. CRIMES CHAPTER 828.
ANIMALS: CRUELTY; SALES; ANIMAL ENTERPRISE PROTECTION

828.12. Cruelty to animals

(1) A person who unnecessarily overloads, overdrives, torments, deprives of necessary sustenance or shelter, or unnecessarily mutilates, or kills any animal, or causes the same to be done, or carries in or upon any vehicle, or otherwise, any animal in a cruel or inhumane manner, is guilty of a misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or by a fine of not more than $5,000, or both.

(2) A person who intentionally commits an act to any animal which results in the cruel death, or excessive or repeated infliction of unnecessary pain or suffering, or causes the same to be done, is guilty of a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or by a fine of not more than $10,000, or both.

States' Rights? I Don't Think So!

As an Southerner who's ancestors fought valiantly against Lincoln's "Grand Army of the Republic", I still believe in "States' Rights." Though it may sound like treason to say it, I believe that if any one of the 50 States in the Union decided that they no longer wanted to be a part of the United States, they ought have the right to seceed peacefully and go their seperate way. The South was brutally conquered and subjected to years of terrible military occupation (Reconstruction) because of their decision to do just that.

Though I support States' Rights, my support of these rights is not absolute. I do not believe in Statism. There are some things that no State has the right to stick it's nose in, and one of those things is how a parent wants their children educated about homosexuality!

In Maryland, the State Education Board has determined that a parent's right to control the upbringing of a child is, "...not absolute. It must bend to the State's duty to educate its citizens."

This determination was made so that Maryland could push ahead with a controversial sex-education program that teaches a favorable view of homosexuality and will not allow for views to be taught that oppose the sinful lifestyle.

Just another one of many reasons to consider educating children at home with curriculum that teaches a solid Biblical worldview!

To see the Washington Post article on this: click here.

For the American Family News Network article: click here.


Historical Trivia:

Before the Civil War, Maryland was a "slave state." Lincoln feared it would seceed and leave Washington D.C. in Confederate Territory. Therefore he declared martial law and had the mayor of Baltimore and Maryland State Legislators imprisioned! For more myth-busting info: click here!

Who's the REAL Hate Group??

A few weekends ago, I was doing some searching on the net. Somehow I came across the website of the Southern Poverty Law Center. The SPLC was founded by Morris Dees and Joe Levin, in order to work for "civil rights" during the 70's. In addition to tracking hate groups, these days the SPLC is into promoting "tolerance" -and apparently, destroying anything that's good and moral in the world also....

As I was looking around their website, I saw something that disturbed me: on their "hate map" and on a page listing hate groups active in 2006, they have a ministry known as American Vision listed as a "general hate group"!!

When I saw AV listed, I really got concerned! I mean really, American Vision (AV), a hate group? What are these people smoking!!?? I've read books by AV's president, Gary DeMar; I've read AV's monthly magazine from cover to cover for 6 months; I read their daily emails; and I even have a 12 part DVD series featuring Gary DeMar speaking on eschatology, but I have NEVER seen one sentence that would lead me to think that the folks at American Vision hate anybody!

I suspect what draws AV fire from the SPLC is their firm stance against abortion, homosexuality and the godless worldview embraced by Liberals in America. AV is no hate group. All I can see from coming from them indicates to me that they are a Christian ministry dedicated to the truth of Scripture, therefore, I suspect that's why the SPLC fears their ideas so much.

You see, though the SPLC may do some good by tracking real hate groups such as the KKK and Neo-Nazis, I think time will show that the SPLC is going to increasingly focus it's attention upon Christian groups -and individual Christians- who take a firm stand upon the teaching of Scripture, morality, or a propose politically incorrect view of American History.

If you ask me, it appears as if the the SPLC has appointed itself to be America's thought police. So, watch out, if you or your organization doesn't subscribe to their popular liberal, Socialist agenda, you are fair game for a spot on their "hate map" and an "intelligence report" being sent to law enforcement with your organization's name on it.

The SPLC's libel of American Vision has been addressed in an article by Gary DeMar. In that article he writes:

"American Vision must be doing something right. We have been targeted by a number of anti-Christian groups because of our stance on homosexuality. We find ourselves in the company of Focus on the Family, American Family Association, Alliance Defense Fund, Coral Ridge Ministries, Concerned Women for America, Family Research Council, Family Research Institute, and other pro-family groups. The Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC), run by its co-founder Morris Dees, has listed us as a “hate group” under the “other” category on their website. In fact, if you add up all the people in America who support any of the above ministries, the number would be in the millions."

American Vision is not the only benevolent group being labeled/libeled a "hate group." The SPLC even seems to be be setting it's sights the Sons of Confederate Veterans -an organization to which I personally belong-which is no hate group, but rather an honorable organization dedicated to "the defense of the Confederate soldier's good name, the guardianship of his history, the emulation of his virtues, the perpetuation of those principles which he loved."

Granted, I cannot personally vouch that all 30,000+ members of the SCV are free from racist attitudes (nor could I vouch for that with all the members of the Southern Baptist Convention, the NAACP, or the Boy Scouts!) but I do know that as an organization, the commitments of the SCV have nothing to do with hate or race, but everything to do with heritage and preservation of history (for the record, the SCV has "non-white" members!).

Pastors, don't dismiss the SPLC threat too quickly... I can almost assure you that the SPLC is lobbying Congress to ensure your sermons about homosexuality will soon be labeled "hate speech." If that happens, you can spend time behind bars for simply teaching what the Bible says about homosexuality or other sins that are in vogue these days. You see, the SPLC doesn't want to lynch people. No, no, there's not enough money to be gained from that! The SPLC only wants to raise lots of money, file civil lawsuits, and eventually have everyone put in jail who violates the "tolerant" worldview that they want everyone to be subjected to...

The bottom line is this: The SPLC is fueled by an anti-Christian Liberal agenda and will stop at nothing to silence anyone who believes the Bible too much, waives a Confederate Flag too high, or believes that a family consists of one husband, one wife, and "2.3 children." I believe in time to come -unless the Lord grants a great revival and turns the tide of things in the U.S.- Christians in our nation may increasingly find themselves the targets of harassment from secular thought police such as the SPLC.

"If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you." (John 15:18-19 KJV)

(I originally posted this article on my Confederate Chaplain blog. I checked the hit counter a day or two later and I found that my blog had been visited by an SPLC computer in Montgomery, AL.!! I'm sure this article got their attention, so don't be surprised if you see Rhett's Rants and The Conferate Chaplain listed on an SPLC "Intelligence Report" in the near future! The way I see it, if the SPLC has enough time on it's hands to be tracking somebody like me, then I reckon there's not much real hate left in the world afterall!)

The Reprobate Celebrate

I'll be the first to admit that I had some serious theological disagreements with Jerry Falwell, especially when it came to the Doctrines of Grace. However, when I heard that he had passed away, I did not celebrate...

Yet, from what I gather, some groups are having "anti-memorials" to celebrate the death of Jerry Falwell and to continue to talk trash about him. This behavior further shows how reprobate these people truly are. I believe Dr. Falwell hated no one. He was simply taking a stand, a bold stand, for what the Bible says about homosexuality.

In Ezekiel 33:11, the Bible tells us that God has "no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live." So while God himself does not take pleasure in the death of the wicked, we now see the wicked taking pleasure in the death of a man of God!!

America: Take note about who the "haters" really are!

May God have mercy on their souls...

T-shirts I would Wear!!

Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (ATF) shirt.

Redefeat Communism in 2008

Celebrate Diversity

Old School Conservative

Clinton Larval Stage

Less Flower Power, More Fire Power

Communism killed 100 million people and all I got was this lousy t-shirt

Shirt for the Fide-O Blog (and this one too!)

Defeat Hillary

I Confess: I'm a "Cultist" too!

"A cultist is one who has a strong belief in the Bible and the Second Coming of Christ; who frequently attends Bible studies; who has a high level of financial giving to a Christian cause; who homes schools for their children; who has accumulated survival foods and has a strong belief in the Second Amendment; and who distrusts big government. Any of these may qualify a person as a cultist but certainly more than one of these would cause us to look at this person as a threat and his family as being a risk that qualifies for government interference."

- Janet Reno, [Clinton era] Attorney General of the United States. June 26, 1999.

(Printed in the SLRC "Update" Vol 10, Number 2, March 2007)

Ok, I'll admit it. I'm Prejudice...

...Against HYPOCRITES that is!!!

That's why I'm sick and tired of the "Reverend" Jesse Jackson and the "Reverend" Al Sharpton!!!

The fact these guys even use the title "Reverend" is a sham. I have never seen either of these men on TV speaking about people's need of salvation through the shed blood of Jesus Christ. Both have made racist statements themselves, but do not seem to think there's anything wrong with it when they do it...

I am of the opinion that it the race problems in our nation can only be solved when people's hearts have been changed by the Holy Spirit through salvation which is in Jesus Christ. To my knowledge, neither Jackson nor Sharpton preach such a message. Actually, it looks to me like they would rather continue to cause racial division instead of work to bring true reconciliation through the Gospel.

You know, it might even be that they really aren't interested in true racial harmony; because if we were to ever achive that dream, these two fellows might actually have to go get a real job!

Yes, Don Imus made a racist remark. Yes, it was wrong. Even if it was in the name of humor, I won't try to defend him. He apologized and now his employers have fired him. Imus has enough money and enough connections that I'm sure he'll survive this ordeal and probably come back stronger than ever once it passes -probably on Satellite radio.

If the two "Reverends" really want to scold somebody guilty of making denigrating remarks about black women, they ought to set their sights on Rap and Hip-Hop artists... But, as history has shown, they will ignore things like that.

No doubt, Sharpton and Jackson will rejoice that Don Imus has been brought down, then they'll wait in the shadows until another famous Caucasian lets a racist slur slip from his/her mouth. All the while they will overlook the same behavior from themselves and other African-Americans.

Please see my Rant on the topic of racism.

Reality Check: Proverty in America

"By any conceivable standard, the poor in America enjoy a standard of living that people in previous ages (and indeed elsewhere in the world today) could scarcely have imagined. Some 41% of our poor own their own homes, with another 75% owning automobiles and VCR sand two-thirds having air conditioning and microwave ovens. Virtually all own telephones, refrigerators, and television sets, all of which were once considered luxuries. The average poor person in America has more living space and is more likely to own a car and a dishwasher than the average European. What passes for poor in America today would have passed for fantastically wealthy in any other place or age."

-Excerpt from The Politically Incorrect Guide to American History by Thomas E. Woods Ph.D