When I went to boarding school in the Eighth grade I brought my rifle. I kept it under my bed in the dorm and brought it out to shoot targets and tin cans with a teacher and other students. I still have that sweet little Winchester today. Never once did I think, “I could go out and kill a few people.” Even today 70 million of us who own guns have not shot somebody.

The America we grew up in thought people were valuable because they were made in the image of God. We had a sense of love and justice as well as accountability before God.

Some believe that by outlawing guns, knives or dangerous objects like baseball bats and rope we can prevent people from committing atrocious acts. We would certainly want to outlaw cars to prevent hit and runs and outlaw gasoline and matches because they are used in arson. The real solution to brutal acts is far more difficult than simple measures like removing hands to insure no one is strangled.

Getting to heart issues is so much more challenging than externals. Restoring innocence, respect for others and reverence toward God requires more intentionality than outlawing tire irons and steak knives. The simple, yet challenging solution is to train our children in the ethic of Jesus, and remind ourselves as well, that life is ever-so-valuable, a sacred gift given by a holy Creator, before Whom we must all give an account.

Steven C Johnson

https://landingstripenterprises.com/

George Washington’s farewell address (September 17, 1796) must be recalled.

“Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports.

In vain would that man claim the tribute of Patriotism, who should labor to subvert these great Pillars of human happiness, these firmest props of the duties of Men and Citizens.

And let us with caution indulge the supposition, that morality can be maintained without religion.

Whatever may be conceded to the influence of refined education on minds of peculiar structure, reason and experience both forbid us to expect that national morality can prevail in exclusion of religious principle.”

America’s founders frequently conveyed the theme that our nation could only be great if it would be good, and that America could only be good in as much as its citizens had morality conceived from a reverence of Heaven’s King.

On August 28, 1811 John Adams, our second president wrote,

“Religion and virtue are the only foundations, not only of republicanism and of all free government, but of social felicity under all governments and in all the combinations of human society.

In other words, any government system can only be successful as long as its citizens are virtuous. A selfish and corrupt population may not be successfully governed no matter how artful and fail-safe that government seems to be.”

In a letter to Thomas Jefferson December 25, 1813 Adams wrote,

“Have you ever found in history, one single example of a Nation thoroughly corrupted that was afterwards restored to virtue?

The quality of your life and mine morally and spiritually will determine the success or failure of the “The Great American Experiment.” Let’s remember the wisdom of our founders and watch our spiritual and moral P’s and Q’s.

Steven C Johnson

https://landingstripenterprises.com/

Recently we came on “Self” magazine. You have to be careful opening it or the images may bite you. I told Pam, “I wonder if there is an ‘Others Magazine”, and if there were, would anyone buy one?'”

“Self” will teach you how you can get skinny and sexy, how to dress and style your hair with fashion, how to prepare delicious meals, and of course, give pointers on relationships. The thing that concerns me is the seductive notion, “Draw a circle around your feet and find the center of the universe.”

I read a few of the articles and they were good. Sometime we need to be retold, “Exercise, sleep well, and eat right.” Some people don’t take care of themselves and need to be reminded. In some religious circles self-denial is taught so severely that to take a bath or brush your teeth is suspect.

If you are malnourished, afflicted with an illness or simply run down, by all means take care of yourself. But take serious warning; self-worship is a terrible dead end. Jesus gave us a caution and promise, “For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it. What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit his very self?” (Luke 9:24-26 NIV)

It seems counter intuitive but denying self and living to please our heavenly Father is the best way to take care of self. If you wish to better honor God you better optimize your health. If you seek to serve others you had best seek superior vigor.

To me the underlying question is, “Who will be the object of my worship?” Two people may pursue the optimization of their minds and bodies but do so with different motives, one to please the self -god, the other to please the living God.

I did find “Self” useful for paint papering around the bathroom window today and the note on the health qualities of olive oil was good as well. God bless the writers of “Self” and those that read their articles. May we all find the right “Center.”

Steven C Johnson

https://landingstripenterprises.com/

Recently I completed an audio recording of the Gospel of Luke in the New English Translation. Now you can have a FREE LUKE APP for your phone! Drink in the wisdom and power of Jesus with your FREE LUKE APP! Share it with your friends who are not acquainted with “The Son of Man”! Many have a truncated knowledge of Him; “Jesus who? Isn’t he the guy that died on a cross?” Let your friends know the most impressive historical Character ever. Give them a Biblical primer on the essence of Jesus Christ!

Listen to this most profound, but often unknown story, now!

FREE LUKE AUDIO APP HERE – https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.appbuilder.u160136p564091&hl=en

Freely Given,

Steven C Johnson

PS Tell us what you think of Luke

https://landingstripenterprises.com/

FIGS AND GRAPES

LISTEN TO THIS BLOG HERE!

Our figs and grapes are ripening together. Delicious!!! They are signs and symbols of blessing. Solomon’s reign was Israel’s golden age. From North to South everyone was living in peace and prosperity.

“During Solomon’s lifetime Judah and Israel, from Dan to Beersheba, lived in safety, each man under his own vine and fig tree” (1 Kings 4:25).

The sweetness of the fig and grape are used to illustrate romance in Song of Songs 2:13 – “The fig tree forms its early fruit; the blossoming vines spread their fragrance. Arise, come, my darling; my beautiful one, come with me.”

When the days were dark, Micah prophesied a future of happiness and security by saying, “Every man will sit under his own vine, and under his own fig tree, and no one will make them afraid, for the LORD Almighty has spoken” (Micah 4:4).

God is so much bigger than fruit trees! In one of the most powerful demonstrations of faith in Scripture, Habakkuk professes to worship the LORD, even with total crop failure. “Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior” (Habakkuk 3:17-18).

Zechariah’s blessing for the Messianic Future hails the ultimate golden age: “‘In that day each of you will invite his neighbor to sit under his vine and fig tree,’ declares the LORD Almighty” (Zechariah 3:10).

The Lord Jesus used the fig tree as a sign that the kingdom was near. You might be interested to know that the fig does not produce any visible flower. It goes straight into fruit production. Don’t look for “normal” as the Kingdom emerges.

You may or may not have vines and fig trees in your yard, but may this be your season of Messianic security and peace as you bear fruit by the Holy Spirit, fruit that remains!

https://landingstripenterprises.com/