Karma Chameleon

If you were alive in the 80's you remember the song Karma Chameleon by Culture Club led by Boy George. Not exactly my favorite group or personality, but I do remember the song. What made me think of it was in looking through some Facebook status updates today and noticing how many people refer to the concept of Karma as being the moral force that evens things out in the universe. In other words, Karma is supposed to be the power that makes sure you get what you deserve.

The reason I mention this is because I see so many people who CLAIM to be Christians also claiming to believe in Karma. The sad thing is that these people have clearly never noticed how ANTI-Christian the concept of Karma really is. If you really believe in the Christian faith, there is no way you can believe in a concept like Karma.

I am not going to try to present a full study to back up my statements on this blog. You're a big boy/girl, look it up and study it for yourself. I'm quite certain you will come to the same conclusions. In short, the concept of Karma discounts two key elements of the Christian faith:

1) Karma replaces the idea of Supreme Being (God) and says that the universe itself balances things out to make sure each person gets what they deserve based on their behavior or morals. There is no concept of heaven or hell, it is about reaping what you sow now and in your next (reincarnated) life. Karma originates from Buddhism.

2) Karma takes the place of grace and forgiveness through the blood of Jesus Christ. If you believe people get what they deserve through Karma, there is no room for a belief that we can be forgiven and saved from our sin through the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus.

The rest of this study is up to you. I just wanted to get you started if you're interested in such a thing. The reason I mention it is because it is appalling how many people who walk around thinking they are Christians also refer to Karma as a part of life here on earth. You can't have it both ways. The two faiths (Buddhism and Christianity) are not just different, they cannot exist together in the same heart. To believe one means the other cannot be true!

I know it is somewhat trendy to use the word Karma to describe a bad person getting what you think they deserve. I think we all have something inside us that feels a little satisfaction when this happens. However, ultimately if we all get what we deserve (Karma), we are all doomed. None of us is perfect and none of us is really all that good. You can have your Karma - good luck with that! I'll cling to the cross of Jesus and accept his grace so that I don't have to suffer what I really deserve.

Just think before you use trendy terms. Words have meaning. When I hear someone talk about Karma I either think they are Buddhist or they are simply too shallow and ignorant in their Christian faith to know any better. Either way, it is sad to see lost people and I want to help any way I can!!!

Under Attack!

I heard something on the radio yesterday that made me angry. It was a rally in Ohio where President Obama was trying to gain support for his health care bill. He told those people that if the bill passes, insurance premiums for employers to provide health care for citizens will be reduced by 3,000%. Yes, he actually said three-THOUSAND percent. He followed that statement up by telling the people that the extra money saved would allow their employers to give them a raise. Of course this statement was followed by cheers and applause.

Now think about this. If I have a health insurance premium of $6,000 per year and it is reduced to zero, what is the percentage of that reduction? Answer: 100%. YOU CANNOT REDUCE THE PRICE OF SOMETHING MORE THAN 100%. Think about it. If you went to Old Navy and they had a sale on $50 jeans for 100% off, the jeans would be FREE. If you reduced the price 200%, Old Navy would then owe you $50.

Back to the heath insurance example. If Obama is right and employer's would see premiums reduced by 3,000% for insuring their employees look at this. If we use the $6,000 figure as an average, the insurance companies would then owe employers $180,000 for each employee each year. Instead of us paying $6,000, we would GET $180,000 if Obama's statement is true.

There are only two possibilities here: 1) Obama is a complete idiot and doesn't know the first thing about math or percentages and how they work OR 2) Obama is intentionally lying to us in order to pass this bill assuming that we are all idiots.

I don't think the man's an idiot. I do think he is INTENTIONALLY lying to us. I believe he thinks we are all too stupid to take care of ourselves. I think he believes he knows what is best for us and that the government is the best way for us to be taken care of. I believe he is dangerous and truly intends to destroy the very foundation of freedom and free-market enterprise that this country was founded upon.

I continue to be amazed at this man's arrogance and disdain for our freedom. If you avoid politics because you aren't interested or don't see how it directly impacts your life...you are as much to blame for the internal destruction of this country as Mr. Obama is. Wake up and see that your way of life is about to be changed forever. Our economy and our freedom will not survive this attack if it isn't stopped.

Not-so-Random Acts of Kindness

Who have you served today? OK, maybe that is a bit unfair...how about in the past week? Hmmm...still can't think of anyone? Who have you served in the past month? Its kind of sad, isn't it? Sure, we might defend ourselves and claim that we help people everyday through our work, or we might talk about something we do for our kids like take them to soccer or make lunch for them. But that isn't what I'm talking about.

Let me ask you a question. Do you care about people? I'm not talking about caring in that you hope people are healthy and have their basic needs provided. I'm talking about really seeing them and noticing them and taking action when we are able to respond. In other words, do you really try to SEE and notice people, or is your life so busy and your selfishness so complete that all you give most people is a quick glance to make sure they are not a direct threat to you?

Read Matthew 9:35-38 and study it carefully. Do you ever try to see people as Jesus sees them? Try this sometime: Go to a mall or some other public gathering place and find a place to sit and watch people. As you do, look at their eyes and the way they walk. Pray that the Holy Spirit will open your eyes to see them, REALLY see them. You will be amazed at the insight the Spirit will give you when you are open to really seeing people.

The next step is much more difficult. Do something about what you see in people. At a restaurant, ask your server if they are doing OK and look them in the eye. Ask them if there is anything you can pray about for them. Take just a couple of minutes and let them see that you really do care. Try the same thing at the grocery store or the post office. Stop by your local police department or fire station and deliver a batch of fresh cookies and ask the people working there if there is anything you can pray about for them. You will be amazed at the response you get!

It is all well and good that you serve people at work and you take care of your family. But when was the last time you stepped outside of your small, self-centered world and REALLY noticed someone and responded by reaching out to them? You should give it a try. If you want to make a difference in this cold and cynical world, shine a little of your own light (that comes from Christ) on it. Don't let another week go by without noticing that there are helpless and harassed people all around you every day.

Getting Into Shape

I know many of you have fought this battle. It is a battle that I now face. I have spent the past few years proclaiming "I AM in shape, round is a shape!" Unfortunately, I find myself weighing in the mid-220's when the chart in my Dr.'s office says I should be more like 170. Yes, that is more than 50 lbs behind me (quite literally!).

I recently heard someone say that I can't expect to get in shape with a quick 2 week starvation diet. I spent years getting into this condition and it is going to take an equal commitment of time to get out of it!

Now, my challenge is this: Create and live by new eating habits...forever with no exceptions! AND start working out to help my body get itself into a healthy condition again. I'm writing this because I want to succeed and I need to hear from some of you who have faced this battle and experienced victory.

Please, let me hear your advice. What worked for you? The photo of a trim and buff Paul Tompkins on my bathroom mirror just isn't doing the trick anymore. Thanks!!!

"I'm not being fed"

If I have heard it once, I've heard it a thousand times from church people. They decide it is time to start looking for a new church or small group and their excuse is, "I'm not being fed." Its like fingernails on a chalkboard. Its like having to listen to a Barney Frank press conference. Its like having to watch UGA beat Georgia Tech AGAIN! It drives me crazy!

I have decided that it is time to take the gloves off and be really direct with anyone who uses this line as an excuse for why they are unhappy with the church or a ministry within the church. Why does this bother me so much? Because those 4 simple words reflect an inherent selfishness and lack of spiritual maturity that plagues MANY (so-called) followers of Christ. To be honest, I believe this reflects a "heart condition" that directly leads to the scripture where Jesus tells us that wide is the road that leads to destruction and narrow is the road that leads to 'life' (paraphrase of Matthew 7:13 & 14).

If this sounds harsh to you let me encourage you to check out Hebrews 5:11 - 6:3. Study this passage and evaluate your own spiritual maturity. If you have been a Christ-follower for any amount of time, there is an expectation that you have moved away from spiritual infancy and gained at least some level of maturity. This comes from consistent Bible STUDY (not just reading a few passages occasionally), a solid prayer life, a commitment to serving others on a regular basis, and listening to the guidance and counsel of the Holy Spirit.

My point here is that once you reach a certain level of maturity YOU ARE NOT SUPPOSED TO BE FED just through listening to a sermon or a Sunday school lecture. Once you reach a certain level of maturity it is time for you to get your butt out of the chair you're sitting in and start teaching and serving others. Your feeding time is your personal Bible study and prayer time that should take place every day. If you have been a Christian for more than a few months and you're still expecting a 20 minute sermon to provide all the spiritual feeding you need - you are FAILING and you are on the WIDE ROAD that leads to destruction.

If you are not being fed in your spiritual life, it is your fault and nobody else's. If you are not being fed in your church then it should be a clear sign that it is time for you to get out of your comfortable seat and start serving and teaching others.

Let me be really blunt here. If you have been attending a church for years and years, but you are not serving anywhere or teaching anyone, you should be really concerned about your salvation. Like it or not the Bible tells us over and over again that our service and action in the church is a direct reflection of our true faith. I see people in our church every week who have been sitting in the same place for 20, 30, or 40+ years, but have never done a single act of service or shared their faith with one single person. I feel sorry for them. They don't even know they are in trouble. That is why I feel convicted to start helping them see the truth.

So the next time you say "I'm not being fed", remember my simple reply: "Maybe it is time for you to start feeding someone else". That is what spiritual maturity is all about. That is what we are called and commanded to do!

No More "Benefit of the Doubt"

I am one that usually tries to assume the best in people until they overwhelmingly prove they don't deserve it. I have taken this approach with President Obama for the past year, but I have seen enough!

When he was elected I saw many fundamental problems and concerns with his views of government and leadership of this country. However, my attitude was a mix of "how much damage can he really do in 4 years" and "He isn't EVIL, just wrong and misguided". Unfortunately, after 1+ years of his presidency, I have seen enough evidence to let go of these attitudes of mine. President Obama no longer has "the benefit of the doubt" in my mind.

I am convinced this man HATES our Free-Market economy, he truly believes the government is the answer to everything, he believes that we are here to serve him and support his agenda, he doesn't care that the vast majority of people disagree with his fundamental agenda because he truly believes he is smarter, more informed, and morally righteous than the rest of us. President Obama is too dangerous to ignore and too arrogant and ideological to leave unchecked in his power.

I now believe that Obama IS evil AND dangerous. I believe the American people need to neutralize his power by making sure the other party (with whom I'm not thrilled with either) takes over power in congress this November. The Republicans have many problems, but they can at least neutralize Obama's power until the next presidential election.

This government has forgotten one very important fact. They are there to serve "WE THE PEOPLE". We the people are not here to serve and bow down to the government! The government does NOT have the right to take our wealth and redistribute it as they see fit. This country was built on and made great through PRIVATE industry, PRIVATE charity, and PERSONAL freedom. Government did NOT make this country great. WE THE PEOPLE made this country great.

It is not too late to recapture the spirit and freedom that made this country the greatest ever seen on this planet. Instead of giving up, it is time to get mad and passionate about personal freedom and economic freedom. Let Obama's election and assault on our freedom and economy serve as a wake-up call to those who are willing to work hard and want the government to get out of the way. The night is truly darkest just before the dawn. Now that it is clear where Obama and the Socialist Democratic Party are trying to take us and what they are trying to do to our freedom and economy - lets FINALLY wake up and reform this government back into what it was originally designed to be.

President Obama - my benefit of the doubt for you is OVER. The cold war of the 80's was fought against a foreign power. The new cold war of this era is between the people and an increasingly oppressive government. We will not bow down, we will not surrender, and we will not allow you to have your way. You better get ready to see just how great and powerful the people of this country still are when they are awakened. Thank YOU for that!!!

Read My Mind

I'm going to use this blog to vent from time to time. I don't know if anyone will ever read it or even care, but it will be a good look at some of the things that occasionally run through my little head. Much of what I think and say will offend and challenge. Of course, in our world where getting offended is easy and in style, you might want to stop reading right now if you can't handle some honest truth. I don't care if you're offended and there is no law against offending you. With that said, I don't intentionally seek to hurt anyone, ever! I just respond to things I see and hear based on what I believe and know to be true.

Hopefully some of what gets written from my mind is entertaining, informative, and challenges you to rethink some things. No subject is exempt: politics, religion, relationships, education, employment, economics, etc. Enjoy and feel free to comment. Just remember that this is simply my outlet for speaking my mind and I don't really care if you agree or not. Happy reading!