Response to Isis

It's been about a month since the terrorist group Isis televised the beheading of reporter James Foley. Several beheadings later with at least two televised, we are finally targeting Isis oil refineries from which the terrorist group gets their income. Isis started out to be a regional issue for surrounding areas like Syria and Iraq but soon they became an issue for the U.S. However, as we get farther and farther into this ordeal, we are finding that the rest of the world is getting in on the hunt for Isis. France especially is taking some heat. Recently Isis stated that "If you can kill a disbelieving American or European - especially the spiteful and filthy French... then do so" (The Local). France responded to these threats by stating that they were "not afraid" and that "France is prepared to respond to their threats."
As stated before, it is now clear that the world not just the U.S. is being targeted by Isis and accordingly, Isis is not only being targeted by the U.S. but also by the rest of the world. Even Vladmir Putin has been looking to join the coalition against Isis. If this is true, then that means that the tension the U.S. has had with Russia will go on the backburner if not go away all together. The people of America also need to unite, to put aside their differences and stand up for what they believe. We need to put aside our little squabbles as a nation and focus on the big picture. If Isis takes control then there will be no more freedom for anyone. So before more people start wanting more rights for issues like gay marriage, worry about what will take away your freedoms and rights if given the chance.
As a nation and as a country, we need to unite and put down this common enemy, and in the process of doing so we may happen upon of a time of peace unprecedented in decades where countries live without fear of nuclear war, where people have a sense of security, and where the patriotism of all is unquestionable.

response to ivcf derecognization

Recently, InterVarsity Christian fellowship (IVCF) a student led, inter-denominational Christian ministry have been derecognized by 23 California state university schools. IVCF has been been derecognized due to the fact that they require their leaders to have Christian beliefs. Just to be clear this does not only apply to Christian groups but also to other groups that require their leaders to follow their beliefs. Therefore this is not a sole attack on Christianity but for pretty much any much organized religion that requires its followers to follow a certain set of rules or commandments. We as Christians are called to spread God's truth by witnessing to others, with this information known there are two different cases that would get IVCF "derecognized". The first case is that the members of IVCF were doing such a good job of spreading God's word that certain people couldn't stand to here the sins that they were living in. The second case is what I fear may have happened, that instead of trying to reel people to God like we're supposed to ("And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” Matthew 4:19) the members of IVCF came out guns a blazing and not only drove people away from God, but created opposition in the process. As I have stated before in my previous blog, I do not believe it is our right to judge other people I believe that is God's job, because in reality, all people are fallen, how much better are we than them? To justify my last statement we as Christians are called to help people identify their sins and help them work through them. But even when you witness the right way and are deemed a bigot for "judging" someone, that really just shows that the people know they are sinning and that they don't want any help with their struggles with sin. There is also another issue with this "derecognization" of these organizations, this "derecognization" has been going on for a number of years it is not a new thing. Another thing is that there isn't a signed document stating that these colleges have to allow groups like IVCF onto their campus so it is only a privilege that groups like IVCF are allowed on the campus. Even though it seems that Christians have been dealt a heavy blow, we have to remember that we cannot equate this incident to suffering when there are Christians in countries like Iraq that are on the run just trying to stay alive. But in these times we have to remember on thing, even in the darkest of 
times, God's light shines through.

America's welfare system

Although the history of America's welfare system can be traced back to the 19th century, it really caught on in the 1930's during the great depression. America's welfare system at its roots, is a temporary means for people to get back on their feet which is perfectly fine. The problem arises when people begin to realize that they don't need to work to get food anymore. My family owns a farm in Northern California with a handful of hard working employees, I was listening to one of them tell a story about their experience with welfare. He said that he was in the store one time trying to buy normal everyday food like eggs and milk etc. when he went to check out the person in front of him had his cart filled with cakes and soda and all kinds of other junk, the man flashed his food stamps and walked out of the store without paying a dime. But the thing is, that the people on food stamps or means-tested welfare aren't the problem, the problem is the politicians that endorse the Welfare system. Nancy Pelosi has claimed that " welfare benefits are a stimulus to the economy" (Investors.com). As we stand the U.S. is about 17 trillion dollars in debt, what would happen to that number if everyone stopped working and then lived off of some sort of Government, means tested welfare? The Democrats believe that "if every family were on food stamps, the economy would return to its glory days." (Investor.com) But where is the American dream? Before America was a nation, when we called great Britain home there was no chance of you changing your future. If you were born in a lower class family, you were lower class the rest of your life no questions asked, there was nothing you could do to change your future, the same went for the middle and upper classes. But when America was founded, that was shattered, now the poor could rise up and be the richest people in the world. However, this principle that America was founded upon is slowly going away, now the solution for those who don't want to work is welfare. The Bible even talks about those that don't work, in 2 Thessalonians 3:10 it says: "For even when we were with you, we would give you this command: If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat". As it stands about 35% of Americans are on some sort of means-tested welfare and that number keeps on climbing every day. If this trend continues what can we expect to see? Do i dare say communism?