Citizen Phil

Another New Year or the Beginning of the End?

Have we climbed into a roller-coaster that will hurtle us toward the end of time? Have we crossed the threshold of the beginning of the end? Will the world as we know it cease to exist on December 21, 2012 as many fear?

Please read what I have to say on this page...

01/01/2012 = End of Days?

2012 by Phil Harris

That Man Up There

A story about a New story, that replaced an Old story... love, relationships, and eternity.

Mother and Me

It is warm here, but what here is, I do not know. Here is soft and safe I think. A short while ago, it is hard to say, suddenly I knew that I was here, and that I am me. I can hear, or feel perhaps, a sound. Thump, thump, thump, and it is always there. I think it is telling me that I am not alone. What is this place that holds me close, but as I ask, the answer seems already to be there. I am with mother, and mother is with me, and this is how I came to be.

© by Phil Harris

 

Should Christians Cheer Bin Laden’s Comeuppance?

It is a laudable question; not unlike others that Christians will ask as we strive to live for the Glory of God. Our heart’s desire is to fulfill the command of Jesus; to share the Good News with the rest of the world. He also instructed us, by Word and Example, to live within the world during our time, not apart from it.

For this question, a simple truth is evident. Bin Laden can no longer lead his minions to carry out his twisted evil. Bin Laden’s disciples will no longer yearn for a Bin Laden style “atta-boy” for planning or executing unspeakable evil against people.

Osama Bin Laden was never anything more than a man; one lost to the whispers of the cunning serpent we know to be Satan. Bin Laden’s death does not mark the end of evil. It certainly does not mark the end of terrorism, or the threat of continued attacks on Americans and Jews.

His death is notable, but without grand overtones of historic victory as was the case for the defeat of Nazi Germany or the surrender of the Empire of Japan. We note Bin Laden’s destruction because of his devotion to an evil that has no sense of country, no national cause. The evil of Bin Laden lies deeper, closer to the heart of the master of deception. Bin Laden’s evil is tied to the devil’s hatred of God’s chosen people, and those who have embraced the victory of Jesus Christ over sin.

To live in the world, not apart from it, means that we engage fully as members of the world. Not embracing or excusing sin, but as members of the human community. If we as Christians behave like cloistered hermit crabs, out of fear that we may appear to be ordinary humans, then in essence we have simply put a different face on living apart from the world.

What about standing up to evil in the world? If we appear to set ourselves on the sidelines merely as spectators, pre-approved slogans at the ready, then how can we approach those with whom we hope to share God’s gift of forgiveness and reconciliation? We are changed, but not yet ascended. Until then, no matter how much we strive to mirror the perfection of the earthly life of Jesus, we will continue to be human just like our neighbors.

Jesus did not ignore evil when he encountered it. He did not turn away from the man possessed by the demon legion. On the contrary, Jesus stood up to the evil, confronted it, and he cast the demons out of the man. He could have said, behold, this man is tormented by evil, but when I fulfill my destiny such will be overcome. No, he took a stand and defeated the evil right there on the spot.

Do you suppose the amazed Disciples who witnessed this did not express themselves? More likely, the equivalent of the High-Five back then was likely passed around freely. In fact, whenever Jesus did something astonishing, I am willing to bet that their facial expressions were always something other than stoic.

Abortion has killed tens of millions of unborn children, but for some reason, Christians can barely discuss the issue in churches today. Abortion is pure unadulterated evil and it occurs thousands of times every single day. It is uncomfortable for many to stand on the street during special days, and hold Pro-Life placards.

Christians do not shout against the evil slaughter for fear of being too controversial in the community. It seems to me, that because the mission of Christians is to share the Gospel, anything else should be left to the fringe to deal with. Perhaps those less gifted at sharing the Gospel should be the ones to stand and call evil by name.  

So how does this jive with living in the world? I don’t believe that it squares up well at all. Where there is evil against people, we should all confront it at every opportunity. When we are victorious (when God is victorious) in defeating a standing evil, then we should shout for joy and give all Praise and Glory to Almighty God, and be utterly glad that the evil no longer stands.

Surely we can celebrate life and cheer Goodness when good triumphs over evil. That does not change the fact that we are willing and eager to share the Grace of God, the Counsel of the Holy Spirit, and Our Savior Jesus Christ, who has written our names in the Book of Life.

 

Copyright ©2011 by Phil Harris

Ben Nelson (D) Nebraska

Senator Nelson, in all of your years I should think that by now you would have learned that there are some things in life that are simply not eligable for compromise. If only you had noticed the intestinal fortitude of Senator Joe Lieberman.

You see, for Joe Lieberman, there IS an underlying truth that guides his decisions. That underlying truth tells him that it is not okay to compromise on the security of Israel. It is not okay to say that we will agree to Only a Little Threat to Jews in exchange for "whatever."

But it seems that for Ben Nelson, in order to gain some perceived benefit for Nebraska, it is acceptable to agree to Slaughter Just a Few Babies on the dime of all taxpayers.

Senator Lieberman demonstrated that no matter the intense pressure from peers, no matter the personal political cost to career, he has shown his strength of character.

Senator Ben Nelson, it would seem, has shown us the exact opposite.

Obama Vote - Piper Payment Looms

Did you vote for Mr. Obama?

Was there ever a time you paused to think, what might the consequences be if liberals held power in Congress and the Presidency at the same time?

Am I simply a fear-mongering fool, consumed by liberalphobic misconceptions and an irrational fear of change? I almost wish that were true.

God save the children... and the rest of us too!

The Human Animal

What creature exists in a whirlwind of grief and joy, worry and relief, desperate need and humbled gratitude? Each of us lives as a testament to the enormity of that which sets us apart from all other life.

It is that which is beyond momentary fits of fight or flight, hunger and satisfaction. We stand alone in the Universe. Our uniqueness is not in the composition of the body, but that which dwells within.

Copyright ©2009 by Phil Harris

The First Ladies

Please read my column on TownHall...

The First Ladies:  A Life or Death Decision

"I am not certain why Barack Obama has such a callous view of infant death. Perhaps, it is a genetic holdover from the culture of his father’s Kenyan goat-herding legacy. I suppose defective baby goats were routinely cast onto the rocks and left to die. That way, only the best qualified would grow to become members of the goat-herd community. "

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They say change is good...

Perhaps "they" are correct, but then change in and of itself does not pay the bills. If you are looking for a writer, a software developer, or someone who can wear just about any hat you need him to wear, then please visit this website: www.CyberMugs.net/pah/about

Copyright ©2008 by Phil Harris

Dear God... Will you please give to us a child.

God blessed Lee and Rachel and gave to them the child they had longed for, and for good measure God gave to them three more, for a total of four (Quadruplets). Praise God from whom all blessings flow indeed... for sometimes, the blessings seem extra abundant.

The experience of having children is a joyous one, and naturally it is also a time when we are filled with trepidation. I recall wondering what on Earth I had done, and if I was capable of being a father. When the little one came home it was exciting and terrifying all at the same time.

This fine young couple, Lee and Rachel, must have all of the normal emotions that new parents experience. Yet, I cannot imagine the extra dynamic that four babies all at once must bring to the show.

On top of the the daunting reality of having quadruplets, is the added fact that these babies were born at an extremely premature age. They said the babies were only 23 weeks and 5 days along. Thus, all of them have been listed in Critical Condition at the Newborn ICU at the Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha, where they will remain for some time.

We have one of those special circumstances in front of us, when we are blessed to witness a remarkable expression of life and hope, mingled with a good dose of hardship, worry, and challenges. I am going to ask that you consider helping this instantly large family with your financial blessings, and to that end I have set up a means for you to do so. 

Click here to see how you can help.  This is also available from my list of Pages at the top of the second column. See: "A Flood of Babies".

Listen... I am simply an awestruck Uncle, who is watching from the sidelines. In that light, I want to record a special message intended for the little ones to consider... after they have grown a bit, of course.

DO NOT believe a word your mom and dad tell you about Uncle Phil. I am not nearly as odd as they would have you believe.

Now here... Pull My Finger.

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