Michael Bresciani
Core Issues - Are we known by the words that we keep?
By Michael Bresciani
The adage, 'we are known by the company we keep' has an obvious meaning even if it pertains only to the external influences of our lives. Actually it is what we internalize that better defines who we really are.
What is stored down in the deepest recesses of our hearts and minds is the true compass by which we navigate our lives through our brief existence in this present world. It is not only the nature of what is locked away in our hearts but it is the abundance of influences and beliefs that make us exactly who we are.
In a materialistic world and specifically in the most materialistic nation in history a shift has taken place in which we have decided to weigh our way of lives and success and failure by our material possessions, our securities, portfolios, ownership of precious metals, high paying jobs and our net worth.
It seems as if we have spent a lot of energy trying to nullify or disprove the saying of the Lord Jesus Christ on the subject, "And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth." (Luke 12: 15)
If our lives do not consist in the abundance of externalities; does it consist in the abundance of what we have internalized? Apparently it does, not only is it what we are, but it is as they say, just about all we want to talk about. To wit: "A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh." (Luke 6: 45)
On any day of the week we hear newsmen and commentators talking about jobs and the economy and now more than ever with an election year approaching. The term "core issues" has emerged in the news cycle and it is accepted that no candidate is worth a look, if they are not focused on creating jobs and improving the economy.
Perhaps it is a bit extreme to say that Americans are looking for a sort of savior to curb the recession, bring back jobs and sing the tune "Happy Days are Here Again." OK, so let's go softly and say that they really only want a financial wizard who has successfully run a business or created a financial empire. Perhaps this explains why that even with all the flip flops and the Massachusetts healthcare disaster we still call Mitt Romney a 'front runner.' This says more about us than it does about Mitt Romney but that after all, is the point of this article.
The issues of abortion, gay marriage, the gay agenda, and defense of marriage, morals and constitutional freedoms have all been given a backseat on the bus. President Obama once declared that the republicans would have to sit in the back of the bus as it pertains to discussions and proceedings on the economy and healthcare. Although he didn't include the issues aforementioned it is now clear that he meant to include them as well.
Of the over 500 articles I have written and are now circulating around the nation less than five do not have a scriptural quote in them. If only by osmosis I have hoped to place enough reminders before the public of the fact that God was once an integral part of our national life; and adherence to his words are what made America exceptional if not the moral Ebenezer to the whole world.
Getting someone to read and perhaps ponder whole passages of scripture is no easy task in the anti-God climate of the day. This week alone, the Department of Veteran Affairs and the director of the Houston National Cemetery have proposed that all prayer in Jesus name and the usage of the term God be stopped at military funerals. The ruling of course is going to be challenged as a violation of first amendment rights. How long before quoting whole passages of the Bible even on the internet will be outlawed?
On the same day 35 thousand gays in New York rejoiced and celebrated their right to marry via Andrew Cuomo and friends, New Orleans had its gay pride parade and celebration. No dissenters, no rulings to silence or curb them and no need to go to court.
Flaunting the debasement of marriage while some have their butts hanging out of leather chaps and kissing each other in celebratory defiance in public is perfectly ok; but God forbid that some solemn, respectful prayer at the grave of a fallen soldier be appendaged with the words, "In Jesus Name, Amen"
The Judeo Christian heritage of this country cannot be erased by denying prayers at graveyards or by separating, compartmentalizing or inappropriately prioritizing national issues and placing morality at the bottom of the list. Isn't there enough perversion already in our world?
Until there is no breath left with which to proclaim it; the call for this country to return to its roots, the faith of our fathers and the words of our Savior must be placed on the top of the list, not the bottom. Any leader that does not see this is not a front runner at anything.
The children of the Devil are appropriately referred to as the "children of pride" in the scriptures because those who flaunt an evil lifestyle wouldn't get far with it if they had no confidence. Contrarily, those who hold God in high regard are by nature humble but rather than that being weakness it is their very strength. They are ashamed of evil not the quoting of scripture or the use of Jesus name.
As far as who should determine what "core issues" are, we need only to observe just who is rewarded for telling the people what is important to a nation. We don't see newsmen, commentators, politicians, pundits, writers or journalists on God's list as it is presented in the very last book of the Bible that describes one of the very last things done on earth before the reign of Christ begins.
"And the nations were angry, and thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that thou shouldest give reward unto thy servants the prophets, and to the saints, and them that fear thy name, small and great; and shouldest destroy them which destroy the earth." (Rev 11: 18)
© Michael Bresciani
July 2, 2011
The adage, 'we are known by the company we keep' has an obvious meaning even if it pertains only to the external influences of our lives. Actually it is what we internalize that better defines who we really are.
What is stored down in the deepest recesses of our hearts and minds is the true compass by which we navigate our lives through our brief existence in this present world. It is not only the nature of what is locked away in our hearts but it is the abundance of influences and beliefs that make us exactly who we are.
In a materialistic world and specifically in the most materialistic nation in history a shift has taken place in which we have decided to weigh our way of lives and success and failure by our material possessions, our securities, portfolios, ownership of precious metals, high paying jobs and our net worth.
It seems as if we have spent a lot of energy trying to nullify or disprove the saying of the Lord Jesus Christ on the subject, "And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth." (Luke 12: 15)
If our lives do not consist in the abundance of externalities; does it consist in the abundance of what we have internalized? Apparently it does, not only is it what we are, but it is as they say, just about all we want to talk about. To wit: "A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh." (Luke 6: 45)
On any day of the week we hear newsmen and commentators talking about jobs and the economy and now more than ever with an election year approaching. The term "core issues" has emerged in the news cycle and it is accepted that no candidate is worth a look, if they are not focused on creating jobs and improving the economy.
Perhaps it is a bit extreme to say that Americans are looking for a sort of savior to curb the recession, bring back jobs and sing the tune "Happy Days are Here Again." OK, so let's go softly and say that they really only want a financial wizard who has successfully run a business or created a financial empire. Perhaps this explains why that even with all the flip flops and the Massachusetts healthcare disaster we still call Mitt Romney a 'front runner.' This says more about us than it does about Mitt Romney but that after all, is the point of this article.
The issues of abortion, gay marriage, the gay agenda, and defense of marriage, morals and constitutional freedoms have all been given a backseat on the bus. President Obama once declared that the republicans would have to sit in the back of the bus as it pertains to discussions and proceedings on the economy and healthcare. Although he didn't include the issues aforementioned it is now clear that he meant to include them as well.
Of the over 500 articles I have written and are now circulating around the nation less than five do not have a scriptural quote in them. If only by osmosis I have hoped to place enough reminders before the public of the fact that God was once an integral part of our national life; and adherence to his words are what made America exceptional if not the moral Ebenezer to the whole world.
Getting someone to read and perhaps ponder whole passages of scripture is no easy task in the anti-God climate of the day. This week alone, the Department of Veteran Affairs and the director of the Houston National Cemetery have proposed that all prayer in Jesus name and the usage of the term God be stopped at military funerals. The ruling of course is going to be challenged as a violation of first amendment rights. How long before quoting whole passages of the Bible even on the internet will be outlawed?
On the same day 35 thousand gays in New York rejoiced and celebrated their right to marry via Andrew Cuomo and friends, New Orleans had its gay pride parade and celebration. No dissenters, no rulings to silence or curb them and no need to go to court.
Flaunting the debasement of marriage while some have their butts hanging out of leather chaps and kissing each other in celebratory defiance in public is perfectly ok; but God forbid that some solemn, respectful prayer at the grave of a fallen soldier be appendaged with the words, "In Jesus Name, Amen"
The Judeo Christian heritage of this country cannot be erased by denying prayers at graveyards or by separating, compartmentalizing or inappropriately prioritizing national issues and placing morality at the bottom of the list. Isn't there enough perversion already in our world?
Until there is no breath left with which to proclaim it; the call for this country to return to its roots, the faith of our fathers and the words of our Savior must be placed on the top of the list, not the bottom. Any leader that does not see this is not a front runner at anything.
The children of the Devil are appropriately referred to as the "children of pride" in the scriptures because those who flaunt an evil lifestyle wouldn't get far with it if they had no confidence. Contrarily, those who hold God in high regard are by nature humble but rather than that being weakness it is their very strength. They are ashamed of evil not the quoting of scripture or the use of Jesus name.
As far as who should determine what "core issues" are, we need only to observe just who is rewarded for telling the people what is important to a nation. We don't see newsmen, commentators, politicians, pundits, writers or journalists on God's list as it is presented in the very last book of the Bible that describes one of the very last things done on earth before the reign of Christ begins.
"And the nations were angry, and thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that thou shouldest give reward unto thy servants the prophets, and to the saints, and them that fear thy name, small and great; and shouldest destroy them which destroy the earth." (Rev 11: 18)
© Michael Bresciani
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