If my tears do no good, nor water a greater plan.
If my struggles benefit not me, nor my fellowman.
If my suffering helps no one in life's troubled span.
Wipe my mother's tears, and lay me gently at heavens door.
If love of God and friend hath no earthly pay.
If here faith hath no reward, in this dark day.
If wisdom sought, and hard work hath no sway.
All memory of me bury, and lay me gently at heaven's door.
Wesley Jones
Thursday, September 1, 2011
Sunday, August 28, 2011
Life, It Aint Easy
We wash our face straighten our clothes.
Smile, join the parade, ring the bell.
While we fool others heaven knows.
Life is hard, our sorrow we quell.
There is joy and some happiness.
Times of ease, occasional peace.
They are too few we must confess.
Cares and toils here seldom cease.
But alas Heaven knows.
and even cares.
Wesley Jones
Smile, join the parade, ring the bell.
While we fool others heaven knows.
Life is hard, our sorrow we quell.
There is joy and some happiness.
Times of ease, occasional peace.
They are too few we must confess.
Cares and toils here seldom cease.
But alas Heaven knows.
and even cares.
Wesley Jones
Friday, August 19, 2011
Why Is There So Much Division In Christianity ?
Where there is liberty there is variety. Not all people have the same tastes, background or level of knowledge. Many people view the diversity in Christianity as a flaw or an excuse to dismiss it. There are some divisions that are detrimental. The division between the churches who believe the Bible to be the word of God and those who believe to be just literature is a serious one.. I am a Biblical Christian. The Jesus I worship is the Jesus of the Bible. The rules and standards I govern my life by are the ones found in the scriptures. My first allegiance is to what I believe to be the word of God, The Holy Bible.
Because my knowledge of God and scripture is incomplete and limited I attend church to learn from others. Unlike many Christians I feel free to attend many different kind of churches..( I have found sinners and saints in all of them.). Some of the church services I have been in were awe inspiring. While others bordered on being dreadful and something to be endured. But I can honestly say I am a better person for attending each and every service I went to. Our churches and denominations are imperfect because we are imperfect.. Many (but not all ) of the divisions found in Christianity were fostered by noble attempts to offer something a parent church did not offer. Some enhanced the kingdom of God, some did not.
What I believe would go a long way in uniting Christianity is not a single denomination or any denomination for that matter. But for each individual church within an organization to strive to produce people who thoroughly search and study the scriptures for themselves. And seek God and His will for their lives on their own. Our ignorance of God and His word is what divides us..It also leaves us vulnerable to false teachers and those who would use us for monetary gain. Our collective and individual knowledge of the Bible unites us as a Christian people.Without coercion or loss of liberty. I believe it is the church leadership's job to produce free and educated Christians who are capable of governing themselves. I believe that is something we could all agree on.
Wesley Jones
Because my knowledge of God and scripture is incomplete and limited I attend church to learn from others. Unlike many Christians I feel free to attend many different kind of churches..( I have found sinners and saints in all of them.). Some of the church services I have been in were awe inspiring. While others bordered on being dreadful and something to be endured. But I can honestly say I am a better person for attending each and every service I went to. Our churches and denominations are imperfect because we are imperfect.. Many (but not all ) of the divisions found in Christianity were fostered by noble attempts to offer something a parent church did not offer. Some enhanced the kingdom of God, some did not.
What I believe would go a long way in uniting Christianity is not a single denomination or any denomination for that matter. But for each individual church within an organization to strive to produce people who thoroughly search and study the scriptures for themselves. And seek God and His will for their lives on their own. Our ignorance of God and His word is what divides us..It also leaves us vulnerable to false teachers and those who would use us for monetary gain. Our collective and individual knowledge of the Bible unites us as a Christian people.Without coercion or loss of liberty. I believe it is the church leadership's job to produce free and educated Christians who are capable of governing themselves. I believe that is something we could all agree on.
Wesley Jones
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
Political Freedom : It Is The Proccess Not The Party
Politics have become so rancorous and partisan I believe many Americans have completely lost sight of the genius of the system. There are many who are so politically prejudice, if given the opportunity they would gladly give their party and candidate a total and permanent monopoly of the system..Instead of patiently waiting and working for the next election. Many would favor a one party system or a monarchy, rather than sharing power with someone they disagree. Having a political adversary is not a bad thing for a political candidate, or a political party..Nothing like an enemy to point out the inept, corruption or neglect on part of those in power.
We have a young president who was educated and groomed by the left of center..I am sure he is painfully aware by now they do not have all the answers. I also believe he would gladly retreat to the center if our current political climate allowed others to meet him there..We now have a right wing and a left wing media, along with the extremes within the parties. They command considerable power and sway with the electorate.The only thing worse to these partisan pundits than someone on the opposite side of the extreme fringe; is one of their own compromising with the enemy in the middle. A special wrath is unleashed on the turncoats of either party who are willing to compromise and attain only 50% of what they want rather than all or nothing.
The far right is determined to shrink all of government with little regard to what is necessary, as well as what is our moral duty in a just society..The far left is hell bent on punishing or ransacking the rich and successful, be they individuals or business, in order to pay for pet projects. Neither side is looking at our country as a whole or our government as the collective hand motivated by the collective the will of the people. In my opinion the only way this can be fixed; is a realistic knowledge on both sides of how things actually work.
First the left needs to realize true socialism is nothing more than a giant Ponzi scheme. Government does not create wealth ! Government collects, spends and distributes wealth . The collapse of the Soviet Union and eastern Europe is testament to this fact. A free market creates a prosperous economy which in turn creates the wealth that government can use for good or evil..It is in the interest of those who want to use government to address social ills, to maintain a healthy and free business climate. One that does not punish others for success.
The right needs to realize government for the people, by the people, and of the people is not necessarily evil, unjust, and most of all, it is not unnecessary. The ability of the poor to educate, feed and shelter their children at an minimal level is due to government. Free travel on roads and bridges is product of government. Our courts and the protection of our liberties are maintained by government. A free market without government involvement would return us to a feudal lord and serf economy..There is nothing evil about us as a collective people using our government to help others help themselves..
I have wrote about a flat universal tax before. One that goes up or down on all citizens alike, according to necessity..It would do away with the playing of one segment of our society against another. If taxes were all the same rate and went up or down equally for everyone anytime they were raised or lowered. We could determine what we wanted to pay for and adjust the universal tax rate accordingly..It would definitely help unite us and move us away from the all or nothing mentality that now rules our politics..
Wesley Jones
We have a young president who was educated and groomed by the left of center..I am sure he is painfully aware by now they do not have all the answers. I also believe he would gladly retreat to the center if our current political climate allowed others to meet him there..We now have a right wing and a left wing media, along with the extremes within the parties. They command considerable power and sway with the electorate.The only thing worse to these partisan pundits than someone on the opposite side of the extreme fringe; is one of their own compromising with the enemy in the middle. A special wrath is unleashed on the turncoats of either party who are willing to compromise and attain only 50% of what they want rather than all or nothing.
The far right is determined to shrink all of government with little regard to what is necessary, as well as what is our moral duty in a just society..The far left is hell bent on punishing or ransacking the rich and successful, be they individuals or business, in order to pay for pet projects. Neither side is looking at our country as a whole or our government as the collective hand motivated by the collective the will of the people. In my opinion the only way this can be fixed; is a realistic knowledge on both sides of how things actually work.
First the left needs to realize true socialism is nothing more than a giant Ponzi scheme. Government does not create wealth ! Government collects, spends and distributes wealth . The collapse of the Soviet Union and eastern Europe is testament to this fact. A free market creates a prosperous economy which in turn creates the wealth that government can use for good or evil..It is in the interest of those who want to use government to address social ills, to maintain a healthy and free business climate. One that does not punish others for success.
The right needs to realize government for the people, by the people, and of the people is not necessarily evil, unjust, and most of all, it is not unnecessary. The ability of the poor to educate, feed and shelter their children at an minimal level is due to government. Free travel on roads and bridges is product of government. Our courts and the protection of our liberties are maintained by government. A free market without government involvement would return us to a feudal lord and serf economy..There is nothing evil about us as a collective people using our government to help others help themselves..
I have wrote about a flat universal tax before. One that goes up or down on all citizens alike, according to necessity..It would do away with the playing of one segment of our society against another. If taxes were all the same rate and went up or down equally for everyone anytime they were raised or lowered. We could determine what we wanted to pay for and adjust the universal tax rate accordingly..It would definitely help unite us and move us away from the all or nothing mentality that now rules our politics..
Wesley Jones
Saturday, August 13, 2011
Keeper Of The Books
Seldom reward for right makes haste.
And penalty for wrongs seem delayed.
Time spent on virtue appears a waste.
The impatient fool is so easily swayed.
God sees nor cares not, live for today.
O ye fool there be a keeper of the books.
Mercy and indifference are not the same.
God is patient, in hope the foolish will see.
Nor does He forget right deeds or names.
Do right, as unprofitable as that might be.
A better day, more just times wait on thee.
Do ye right there be a keeper of the books.
Thy honor and virtue endeavor to keep.
For stolen pleasures always come due.
Elohim forgets not, nor does He sleep.
As this life be o'er, our day be through.
Thy deeds return and belong only to you.
A settler of old scores, this keeper of the books.
Wesley Jones
And penalty for wrongs seem delayed.
Time spent on virtue appears a waste.
The impatient fool is so easily swayed.
God sees nor cares not, live for today.
O ye fool there be a keeper of the books.
Mercy and indifference are not the same.
God is patient, in hope the foolish will see.
Nor does He forget right deeds or names.
Do right, as unprofitable as that might be.
A better day, more just times wait on thee.
Do ye right there be a keeper of the books.
Thy honor and virtue endeavor to keep.
For stolen pleasures always come due.
Elohim forgets not, nor does He sleep.
As this life be o'er, our day be through.
Thy deeds return and belong only to you.
A settler of old scores, this keeper of the books.
Wesley Jones
Friday, August 12, 2011
The Nature Of Liberty : Do All People Want Freedom ?
Unfortunately many people view liberty as a one way street. The government is to make everyone do what we would have them to do. While the government leaves us free to do as we please.There are people on the left and the right that want to use the government to make their fellow citizens fall into line with their moral philosophy. We often swing between the extremes of wanting to be anarchists or hyper-socialists..The left wants moral chaos and a social totalitarianism. The right wants to impose moral order and have laissez faire or social Darwinism in all other aspects..Both the left and right have their anarchists and their government conspiracy theorists.
The average citizen operates somewhere in the center between these extremes. However I am seeing a trend where the extreme left, and the extreme right are becoming different sides of the same coin..To maintain liberty a nation needs a moral center, or moral cornerstone on which to build. Liberty is based upon the personal responsibility and personal integrity of individual citizens. In the past whether one was building left or right of center, the cornerstone was personal integrity. Character was paramount. Things like honesty, mercy , kindness, altruism, self control and self sacrifice were held in high esteem. The main goal of religion and citizenship, was fostering impeccable character.. Individualism was defined by ones ability to provide for and morally govern ones self.
Individualism today means to be sexually bizarre, out of control, defiant towards authority, successful without regard for how the success was attained. Increasingly the religious right and the secular left are leaving the moral center and redefining what our personal and collective goals in life should be. They may have slight variations and methods in the attaining of those goals, but more often than not they are ending up in the same place. Personal wealth, success, perfect health, longest life possible with no set backs, only increasing prosperity have become our new national aspirations.. As our goals as citizens shift to the material from more noble things such as ; duty to our fellowman and striving for a free and just society as well as developing a sterling character and an honorable reputation. We are more and more willing to sacrifice our liberty to obtain the material goals.
Both the right and left now believe who ever lives the longest and dies with the most stuff wins. Both are antagonistic towards authority, just in different ways. However they are willing to sacrifice personal liberty to avoid making personal responsibility and personal liberty the cornerstone of their politics and religion... Rather than striving to produce citizens with character, integrity, and the ability to make their own decisions. Our focus is to use government as an equalizer and moral nanny..We want to live forever so we give government the power to say what we can eat and drink.We want to be prosperous so our politics are motivated by the money. We can not discern what is moral so we let the government decide for us.
Historically the Holy Bible has been the catalyst for producing citizens worthy of liberty. It united under common values the free people of the western world. It went beyond parochial political and religious interests. Whether one was externally religious or not, it produced character and responsibility from within the individual.The Holy Bible turned our focus from the material and temporal, to developing inner strength and moral dignity. A government of the people and by the people will only promote liberty as long as the people themselves want liberty. Persons of integrity want more than ease and prosperity..They need liberty. We all do if we are to attain to greater things than material wealth.
As the Bible, and it's focus on personal moral responsibility continues to fall out of favor among political and religious leaders. I wonder how long we will remain free..Those who do not live according to Biblical precept are living in freedom because there are those who through Biblical knowledge are able to govern themselves. As that number dwindles I am afraid our liberties will as well. I will end this post with 2 quotes from George Washington 1) " It is impossible to rightly govern a nation without God and the Bible." 2) "Let us with caution indulge the supposition that morality can be maintained without religion. Reason and experience both forbid us to expect that national morality can prevail in exclusion of religious principle."
Wesley Jones
The average citizen operates somewhere in the center between these extremes. However I am seeing a trend where the extreme left, and the extreme right are becoming different sides of the same coin..To maintain liberty a nation needs a moral center, or moral cornerstone on which to build. Liberty is based upon the personal responsibility and personal integrity of individual citizens. In the past whether one was building left or right of center, the cornerstone was personal integrity. Character was paramount. Things like honesty, mercy , kindness, altruism, self control and self sacrifice were held in high esteem. The main goal of religion and citizenship, was fostering impeccable character.. Individualism was defined by ones ability to provide for and morally govern ones self.
Individualism today means to be sexually bizarre, out of control, defiant towards authority, successful without regard for how the success was attained. Increasingly the religious right and the secular left are leaving the moral center and redefining what our personal and collective goals in life should be. They may have slight variations and methods in the attaining of those goals, but more often than not they are ending up in the same place. Personal wealth, success, perfect health, longest life possible with no set backs, only increasing prosperity have become our new national aspirations.. As our goals as citizens shift to the material from more noble things such as ; duty to our fellowman and striving for a free and just society as well as developing a sterling character and an honorable reputation. We are more and more willing to sacrifice our liberty to obtain the material goals.
Both the right and left now believe who ever lives the longest and dies with the most stuff wins. Both are antagonistic towards authority, just in different ways. However they are willing to sacrifice personal liberty to avoid making personal responsibility and personal liberty the cornerstone of their politics and religion... Rather than striving to produce citizens with character, integrity, and the ability to make their own decisions. Our focus is to use government as an equalizer and moral nanny..We want to live forever so we give government the power to say what we can eat and drink.We want to be prosperous so our politics are motivated by the money. We can not discern what is moral so we let the government decide for us.
Historically the Holy Bible has been the catalyst for producing citizens worthy of liberty. It united under common values the free people of the western world. It went beyond parochial political and religious interests. Whether one was externally religious or not, it produced character and responsibility from within the individual.The Holy Bible turned our focus from the material and temporal, to developing inner strength and moral dignity. A government of the people and by the people will only promote liberty as long as the people themselves want liberty. Persons of integrity want more than ease and prosperity..They need liberty. We all do if we are to attain to greater things than material wealth.
As the Bible, and it's focus on personal moral responsibility continues to fall out of favor among political and religious leaders. I wonder how long we will remain free..Those who do not live according to Biblical precept are living in freedom because there are those who through Biblical knowledge are able to govern themselves. As that number dwindles I am afraid our liberties will as well. I will end this post with 2 quotes from George Washington 1) " It is impossible to rightly govern a nation without God and the Bible." 2) "Let us with caution indulge the supposition that morality can be maintained without religion. Reason and experience both forbid us to expect that national morality can prevail in exclusion of religious principle."
Wesley Jones
Thursday, August 11, 2011
Dark Matter And Dark Energy, The Expansion Of The Universe.
It is generally believed that the universe is expanding, and at an ever increasing rate. It also speculated that dark energy is the force behind that expansion. It has been calculated that 70% of the universe is made up of dark energy, 25% is made up of dark matter and the remaining 5% is made up of normal matter that we can see, know and measure. So 95% of our universe is made up of a form of energy and matter we can not quantify and only speculate about. It is not known if dark energy is fixed ( cosmological constant) or varies ( quintessence). One thing that is agreed upon, dark matter and dark energy exist. We can measure their effect on astrophysical gravity.. What I would like to do is offer an explanation for this phenomenon using the the Biblical account of creation.
If our universe is made up of in large part a form of energy and matter we can not see. The space we used to consider as containing nothing is actually a fluid fabric. This coincides with Einstein's gravitational theory. Normal matter in sufficient mass creates ( for lack of a better word) a vortex which attracts or draws in other matter. In other words space that does not contain normal matter is like a sea of unseen dark matter and dark energy. Instead being 2 parts hydrogen and 1 part oxygen, space is 7 parts dark energy and 3 parts dark matter..
Genesis 1, verses 1 and 2 , "In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters".....God created the matter that makes up the heavens ( cosmos ) and earth. He ordered it and spoke light into existence ( light is the product of energy.)...."And God said let there be light and there was light. And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the darkness"..... When God divided the light from darkness to produce a difference between night and day, may have very well been when He stretched and ordered the heavens (cosmos )...
Isaiah 42 : 5 "Thus saith God, the Lord, he who created the heavens and STRETCHED them out"...Jeremiah 51:15 " He hath made the earth by His power; he hath established the world by his wisdom and hath STRETCHED out the heavens by his understanding."....If God stretched out the cosmos after their creation it would explain the apparent expansion of the universe observed in astrophysics. As well as explaining dark energy's role in that expansion ( Dark energy would keep the universe from collapsing on itself again) while ( Dark matter would provide enough mass or gravity to keep it from flying apart)
Another possible explanation for the age of the universe is also available under the Biblical stretched cosmos scenario...If all light at one time was created at a closer proximity to earth. Then supernaturally stretched in all directions. There would be a constant source of light readily and immediately viewable from the furthest reaches of our universe..Our universe would only appear to be currently expanding, and would only appear to be 14 billion years old. When in fact it is only a few thousand years old. And we are only now viewing that expansion, which may be or may not be still happening..
One thing I am certain of is that the Biblical account of creation does not violate any known and proven laws of physics.. Those laws themselves are indeed a product of Biblical creation..There are theories that seek to exclude a creator but they are more scientifically problematic than the Biblical account itself..
Wesley Jones
If our universe is made up of in large part a form of energy and matter we can not see. The space we used to consider as containing nothing is actually a fluid fabric. This coincides with Einstein's gravitational theory. Normal matter in sufficient mass creates ( for lack of a better word) a vortex which attracts or draws in other matter. In other words space that does not contain normal matter is like a sea of unseen dark matter and dark energy. Instead being 2 parts hydrogen and 1 part oxygen, space is 7 parts dark energy and 3 parts dark matter..
Genesis 1, verses 1 and 2 , "In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters".....God created the matter that makes up the heavens ( cosmos ) and earth. He ordered it and spoke light into existence ( light is the product of energy.)...."And God said let there be light and there was light. And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the darkness"..... When God divided the light from darkness to produce a difference between night and day, may have very well been when He stretched and ordered the heavens (cosmos )...
Isaiah 42 : 5 "Thus saith God, the Lord, he who created the heavens and STRETCHED them out"...Jeremiah 51:15 " He hath made the earth by His power; he hath established the world by his wisdom and hath STRETCHED out the heavens by his understanding."....If God stretched out the cosmos after their creation it would explain the apparent expansion of the universe observed in astrophysics. As well as explaining dark energy's role in that expansion ( Dark energy would keep the universe from collapsing on itself again) while ( Dark matter would provide enough mass or gravity to keep it from flying apart)
Another possible explanation for the age of the universe is also available under the Biblical stretched cosmos scenario...If all light at one time was created at a closer proximity to earth. Then supernaturally stretched in all directions. There would be a constant source of light readily and immediately viewable from the furthest reaches of our universe..Our universe would only appear to be currently expanding, and would only appear to be 14 billion years old. When in fact it is only a few thousand years old. And we are only now viewing that expansion, which may be or may not be still happening..
One thing I am certain of is that the Biblical account of creation does not violate any known and proven laws of physics.. Those laws themselves are indeed a product of Biblical creation..There are theories that seek to exclude a creator but they are more scientifically problematic than the Biblical account itself..
Wesley Jones
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