James’ Blog

Liberty Counsel presented this week their list of “naughty” and “nice” retailers that are either pro Christmas or pro “Holiday.” Which if you think about it, “holiday” really means “Holy Day”, so by accident, the retailers are correct. They might as well continue in the direction they are heading and start having their specials on Ramadan or maybe Great October Socialist Revolution  day(Nov. 7th). Too bad retailers do not realize that as they head in the political correct way, they are cutting themselves off by alienating a large group of citizens that still believe in Christ. Maybe they should also realize that as they alienate God, their blessings of the highly worshipped dollar will soon vanish. . but I digress..

Some retailers that made the “Nice” category from Liberty Counsel were:

Bath and Body Works, - Bed, Bath, and Beyond-, Dollar Tree, Hallmark, JC Penney,  Kay Jewelers,  KB Toys, Kohl’s, Linens ‘N Things, Macy’s,  Michaels,  Office Max and Wal-Mart

From the naughty list we have:

Albertsons, Amazon.com, Circuit City, Costco, Comp USA, Disney, Home Depot, K-Mart, Lowe’s, Office Depot, Sears, Staples, Walgreens, Nordstrom

The complete list of “Friend or Foe” from the Liberty Councel can be found here

The American Family Association’s list can be found here:

Best Buy received was the top SCROOGE Award winner for publishing a 2008 “Holiday Gift Guide” that reportedly avoids Christmas and refers to Christmas in an online survey as “this holiday.”

Over the past few years the ‘Friend or Foe Christmas Campaign’ has successfully put the ‘grinches’ on the run.

The Lord recently has been dealing with my heart on the subject of criticism within my heart and in the body of Christ. We may justify our opinions thinking they are healthy to be aired, somehow our comments critical thoughts help. I don’t know if I have ever read in the bible of such a thing as “constructive criticism”. According to the dictionary criticism is:

1. the act of passing judgment as to the merits of anything.
2. the act of passing severe judgment; censure; faultfinding.
3. the act or art of analyzing and evaluating or judging the quality of a literary or artistic work, musical performance, art exhibit, dramatic production, etc.

According to the Word of God there are several problems with faultfinding in the body of Christ. We are very familiar with the passage where Jesus tells us to get the plank out of our own eye, but how about the effects cause by criticism? I believe sometimes we don’t realize the power that is behind our criticism and the power of the spoken word (even behind one’s back). If we are part of kingdom authority shouldn’t we use our authority to bless and not curse? I find criticism is a sickness that needs attention and a healing word through His agape love. Paul explains in 1 Corinthians 11 that many physical ailments are caused by judging or being critical of each other.

1 Corinthians 11:28-32

A man ought to examine himself before he eats of the bread and drinks of the cup. For anyone who eats and drinks without recognizing the body of the Lord eats and drinks judgment on himself. That is why many among you are weak and sick, and a number of you have fallen asleep. But if we judged ourselves, we would not come under judgment. When we are judged by the Lord, we are being disciplined so that we will not be condemned with the world.

I think most of us want to see the body of Christ made whole physically and perfected in love. The days are evil and as it grows darker we will need each other more and more.  

1 Peter 3:8-9

 Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous; not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing.

Psalm 2

The Messiah’s Triumph and Kingdom

 1 Why do the nations rage,
         And the people plot a vain thing?
 2 The kings of the earth set themselves,
         And the rulers take counsel together,
         Against the LORD and against His Anointed, saying,
 3 “Let us break Their bonds in pieces
         And cast away Their cords from us.”
         
 4 He who sits in the heavens shall laugh;
         The Lord shall hold them in derision.
 5 Then He shall speak to them in His wrath,
         And distress them in His deep displeasure:
 6 “Yet I have set My King
         On My holy hill of Zion.”
         
 7 “I will declare the decree:
         The LORD has said to Me,
         ‘You are My Son,
         Today I have begotten You.
 8 Ask of Me, and I will give You
         The nations for Your inheritance,
         And the ends of the earth for Your possession.
 9 You shall break them with a rod of iron;
         You shall dash them to pieces like a potter’s vessel.’”
         
 10 Now therefore, be wise, O kings;
         Be instructed, you judges of the earth.
 11 Serve the LORD with fear,
         And rejoice with trembling.
 12 Kiss the Son, lest He be angry,
         And you perish in the way,
         When His wrath is kindled but a little.
         Blessed are all those who put their trust in Him.

From Santa Barbara Court House

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