Chick-Fil-A

Hey JCP Corp; Get A Clue – Before You Go Bankrupt!

We all know the story well by now; how since JC Penney hired known lesbian Ellen DeGeneres to be featured in some of their advertising, presented an ad with two women with their children as a “family” in their Mother’s Day flyer, and spotlighted and supported similar deviancy with two male “dads” and their “family” of children in their Father’s Day flyer, the company has virtually plummeted down the fast track to nowhere but bankruptcy. According to the AFA in July of this year, “Since February, the company stock has lost more than half its value, and Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services lowered its credit rating on J.C. Penney Co. further into ‘junk’ status.”  This has also resulted in a reported 350 layoffs at their home office. Contrast that with this…

When Chick-Fil-A’s CEO, Dan Cathy, did nothing more than just respond to a question by saying that “…we are very much supportive of the family — the biblical definition of the family unit,” and thereby simply just publicly admitted that the Bible defines his understanding of marriage as being the God-blessed and defined, very unique and exclusive bond between one man and one woman, well, the militant, radical, homosexual hate-mongers and spin meisters went to work to discredit him and destroy his business in the eyes of the buying public. …Enter former Arkansas governor “Mike Huckabee’s appeal to patronize Chick-fil-A on Aug. 1 as a display of support for traditional Christian values and as a reminder that our Constitution protects religious freedom,” as I received it via e-mail that morning, and that is where the encouragement – and incidentally, this personal account for me – truly begins…

As I indicated in the concluding paragraph of the morning e-mail which I sent out to just over 275 of my e-contacts inviting them to join me in patronizing Chick-Fil-A for lunch that day:

I would never ask anyone to do that which I would not for the cause of Christ in the defense and proclamation of the gospel (Phil. 1:7). At 11:30 today, I am planning to leave work, pick up Karen, and make the 50 minute or so trip one way to Stillwater to eat lunch at Chick-fil-A. I hope the lines are so long that I have to wait an hour in the 110 degree heat to eat, as I will elatedly do so. I [know from Jesus] that if we are not willing to act on our Christian convictions with more than mere words, that our Christianity isn’t worth anything at all – either here or hereafter (See: Mk. 8:38) What about you? If you believe as I do, may I humbly suggest and invite you to Chick-fil-A for lunch or dinner – even Drive-thru?

And what a wondrous sight greeted our welcoming eyes when we arrived at the Stillwater, Oklahoma, Chick-Fil-A! The parking lot between their restaurant and the local Hobby Lobby was jam-packed, wall-to-wall with cars (I haven’t ever seen it half that busy even in the height of the Christmas holiday shopping season)! The drive-through easily encircled the entire building, and the lines inside were backed up outside! Into the 110+ degree heat! And no one seemed to really care! People were smiling and talking, entertaining their little ones, conversing back and forth with total strangers, taking pictures, and enjoying standing up for their convic-tions from God’s word. What a wonderful, courteous, and well-mannered group! (And those who defend the fanatical attacks and hate-filled antics of the militant homosexuals they support, call us unloving?!? Wow!)

As I stood in line, a gentleman immediately behind me had gotten onto his smart phone and found out that at that exact point in time – 12:55 on a working, weekday, Wednesday afternoon, in the 110 degree Oklahoma heat – that particular small town Chick-Fil-A franchise had reportedly put out one thousand and sixty two orders! And there was no end in sight judging by the lines which still extended two, three, and four wide, all the way out the doors and onto the curb; a line of customers onto the end of which others were adding themselves continually! One had to wonder at that moment just what was going to happen when the lunch-time ‘warm-ups’ were behind us and the real test of the evening dinner hour actually hit!

After a paltry and very pleasant 35 minute or so wait, I got our food and retreated to the car where my wife and I sat and ate (the restaurant was overflowing) immensely enjoying the experience as the flood of convicted customers continued to fall in line. And as we left the parking lot, we purposefully journeyed down past the small JC Penney store that also sets in that same little strip mall, and quickly counted the 7-8 lonely cars that sadly sat in the largely empty parking lot out in front of it. But the story doesn’t stop there…

My daughter and son in law and their two children, along with my other daughter who works in Tulsa, all got together and went out to lunch at the Promenade Mall there in Tulsa. They reported that the lines in the food court at the Chick-Fil-A not only extended out into, but then out of the food court, and even to several stores down the mall aisle, two and three people wide, before finally ending. All of this while the workers at several of the other vendors’ kiosks there in the food court literally had not one customer to serve and nothing to do but stand idly by and watch in amazement.

After happily waiting in line approximately 45-50 minutes to receive their order, my daughters and son in law then sat down to eat and got caught up in yet another friendly conversation with a complete stranger who explained to them that there was a man in Oklahoma who had no Chick-Fil-A within less than 200 miles of his home. Not wanting to not participate in this show of support for what is good and right and decent as far as God-ordained and defined marriage being between a man and a woman and those who would stand up for what God said despite the cost or consequences, he decided to drive the 200 miles, eat lunch at Chick-Fil-A; wait around several hours; order supper at Chick-Fil-A; and then drive the 200 miles back home.

Bottom line? It is way past time that the moral and overwhelming majority of good, honest, hard-working, bible-believing people in this country finally stood up to the liberal, bibliophobic mainstream media and all of their deviant deceptions. If this experience involving JCP and Chick-Fil-A has taught us anything – anything at all – it ought to be this: That we as “Christians” are nowhere near as outdated, outmaneuvered, or outnumbered of a people as the ungodly perpetually seek to convince us that we are; and that those who practice or advocate the God-defined and abhorrent sin of homosexuality (See: Romans 1:18-32; I Corinthians 6:9-10; also: http://www.clevelandcoc.com/?page_id=170; http://www.clevelandcoc.com/?page_id=173) are NOWHERE NEAR AS MANY AS THEY WOULD LOVE TO CONVINCE US TO BELIEVE THEY ARE! Otherwise, JCP would be easily upheld by all of the homosexuals who would wantonly flood their stores, while Chick-Fil-A would be the one suffering and on the verge of financial collapse instead of vice-versa. Satan is a liar; and all of those who choose to believe him instead of the truth of Jesus are Satan’s children whether they choose to accept and/or admit it or not, according to Jesus Himself in John 8:42-47 (which see).

Jesus said repent or perish (Cf. Lk. 13:3). One cannot fight God and win (Cf. Acts 4:18-29). When will JCP, Home Depot, Starbucks, Amazon, the mainstream media, and the God-denying politicians and others alluded to in I Timothy 3:1-9 (which see) finally learn this? Before, or after it’s too late for them and their failed companies, when they’re both out of business and/or office? Let us all as God’s people determine to obey at all cost or consequence, the Holy-Spirit’s divinely-inspired instruction as delivered by Paul to young Timothy in the verses that follow that (I Timothy 3:10-4:5). God has never lost nor will He now with this (Jn. 12:48-50)! Stay strong and fight on (2 Cor. 10:3-6; Eph. 6:10-20); ‘cause in the end those still behind Jesus win – guaranteed (Rev. 19:11-20:15, 21:8)! To God be the glory; always and in all ways!

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A couple of other e-responses received from other faithful brethren who receive our weekly e-bulletin:

  • I am happy to share with you that the Village Meadows Church of Christ in Sierra Vista AZ Is supporting this event. We do not have a Chick-fil-A locally, so we are travelling to Tucson. We shall pray for our brothers and sisters who participate across America.
  • I just wanted to share with you what I witnessed on my way home this afternoon.  I pray many today have even more successful stories to tell than the one below. I will start by telling you that I have lost a lot of faith in the last 10 years concerning the moral integrity of this country.  However, what I witnessed today has given me a bit of hope. I drive past a Chick-fil-A on my way home.  At 1530 when I drove past the store it was 101 degrees in Kansas City according to the thermometer in my car.  There was a line of cars blocking traffic in the street because of people waiting to go through the drive in.  There was a line out the door and around the corner of the store of people waiting to go inside.  The parking lot was full and people were parking in the Wal-Mart parking lot next door and walking to stand in the line that was growing longer as I sat in traffic watching.  The bad part of the story would be how close I came to hitting the car in front of me from watching the out pour of support for this organization and the values its leadership professes. I pray more organizations join in with the Cathy family in their support of Biblical marriage.

“Be faithful until death and I will give you the crown of life”

~Jesus Christ; as recorded live and resurrected in Revelation 2:10; circa 100 A.D.

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I Believe I am Saved

We’ve all heard it from the lips of our denominational friends, neighbors, and family members: “But I believe I am saved ; in fact, I’m sure I am; I feel it deep inside! So why all the fuss about baptism and the like anyway?”

Because just like a computer which will only produce output based solely and exclusively on what has been programmed into it, so we too as human beings tend to do. Terrorists who are convicted enough to kill innocent victims are still wrong, despite the obvious strength of their convictions; just as those who routinely kill unborn babies “because of the [biblical] ignorance that is in them due to the hardness of their hearts” (Ephesians 4:18) are still wrong, despite their contrarian convictions and delusions (Prov. 6:16-19). And those “religious folk” today whose convictions fly in the face of God’s Word are still wrong, despite the strength of their convictions to the contrary; it’s always been that way (See the following for example: Isa. 30:8-14, 66:2-5; Jer. 5:30-31; Hos. 4:1-6; Matt. 7:21-23, 15:1-14; Lk. 6:46-49; Jn. 14:15, 16:1-3).

Saul of Tarsus, an extremely devout – and one of, if not the most well-educated religious man of the first century, was so convicted that Christianity was a pagan and ungodly religion that he became a literal Christian-killer, later stating: “Indeed, I myself thought I must do many things contrary to the Name of Jesus of Nazareth. This I also did in Jerusalem, and many of the saints I shut up in prison… and when they were put to death, I cast my vote against them. And I punished them often… and compelled them to blaspheme; and being exceedingly enraged against them, I persecuted them even to foreign cities…” (Acts 26:9-11). He was so “zealous toward God” that he persecuted Christians “…to the death, binding and delivering into prisons both men and women…” (Acts 22:3-4; see also Acts 7:57-8:3). But his zealousness and convictions – although strong enough to mercilessly and maniacally kill for – were completely contrary to God’s will! Why? Because they were not based on an absolute knowledge of, and obedience to, God’s total and undeniable, infallible truth (Romans 10:1-3; Acts 22:1-16)! What we “think” or “feel” simply will not save us on Judgment day, if it is not absolutely, accurately, and obediently in accordance with God’s holy Word – which Jesus said is exactly and exclusively what we will all be judged by on the last day (Jn. 12:48).

What we need to lovingly ask our sincere but biblically ignorant and errant religious friends and relatives is this: “If you’re truly saved as you believe you are, then why not come and study God’s word with us and simply confirm it for sure? What have you got to lose? You can help me out if nothing else, by helping me see the biblical truth about salvation. And if through the thorough study of God’s Word, you should conclude that you’re somehow not saved, it will surely show you what is lacking so you can correct it. Either way you win!  What’ve you got to lose? Nothing by coming to study; everything by not. Please contact us today and let’s study only what God really has to say.”

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I Must Be Mentally Ill! : Spanking

I realize that the title of this article may sound offensive, and please let me state in the onset that I have absolutely no intentions of speaking in a belittling way or making light of that which is serious. Rather, I am addressing a recent study published within the journal Pediatrics and upheld by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). Several weeks ago, researchers examined data from more than 34,000 adults and found that spanking children as a form of discipline increased the risk of developing mental health issues as adults. In addition, their studies declared the association between corporal punishment and mood disorders, including depression and anxiety, along with personality disorders and alcohol and drug abuse. As a matter of fact, they estimated in this article that childhood physical punishment (slapping, shoving, grabbing and hitting) attributes to as much as seven percent (7%) of adult mental illness [as I am sure you may predict, I will address this in a moment]. The study went on to state that spanking as a form of discipline increases the risk of, among other things, major depression by forty-one percent (41%), alcohol and drug abuse by fifty-nine percent (59%) and mania (?) by ninety-three percent (93%). While the analysis tried to exclude individuals who reported severe maltreatment, such as physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, physical neglect, emotional neglect and such like, the author of the study (Tracie Afifi, PhD, of the University of Manitoba in Winnipeg, Canada) explained, “We are not talking about just a tap on the bum. We were looking at people who used physical punishment as a regular means to discipline their children.” She concluded, “It definitely points to the direction that physical punishment should not be used on children of any age,” which complies with the conclusion of researchers and the stance of the AAP: “It is important for pediatricians and other healthcare providers who work with children and parents to be aware of the link between physical punishment and mental disorders.”

As I alluded, this is nothing new, and it only supports past efforts of those who supposedly are experts, for past studies have linked spanking toddlers to increased aggression in older children. Such may go back decades to the infamous counsel of Dr. Benjamin Spock. Nevertheless, if persistent studies continue to proclaim that spanking as a form of discipline leads to mental illness, then the only conclusion from which I may draw is that I must be mentally ill! I state that proudly as not only one who received necessary spankings from my godly parents, but also in that I administered such when necessary to my three children.

It is extremely sad that such highlights a larger problem today—more and more “experts” are taking positions that are opposite of that which divine wisdom instructs. Rather than becoming godlier as a nation, we are becoming more godless, and these reports only further influence those that lead to a greater digression from God. One of the major problems we face is a lack of respect for authority, and such begins in the home!

No matter what studies in journals as Pediatrics declare, the word of God still emphatically teaches, “He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes” (Prov. 13:24). Inspired wisdom still proclaims, “Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him” (Prov. 22:15). Divine truth still resounds, “Withhold not correction from the child: for if thou beatest him with the rod, he shall not die. Thou shalt beat him with the rod, and shalt deliver his soul from hell” (Prov. 23:13-14). Divine counsel still teaches, “The rod and reproof give wisdom: but a child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame” (Prov. 29:15). Therefore, are you going to listen to those who profess themselves to be wise, or are you going to listen to God?

Naturally, our hearts pour forth in righteous anger to those who truly mistreat their children and in sympathy to those who are recipients of such. I am thankful that the researchers at least attempted to delineate between literal child abuse and spanking, but the conclusion they drew does not align with what God has already declared for the home. Thus, if they continue to propagate such declarations, then I must proudly declare, “I am mentally ill!”

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How Would You Spend It?

We have probably all done it… wondered what we would do with all that money if the
good folks from Publisher’s Clearing House showed up at our front door with television
cameras, balloons, and one of those oversized cardboard checks. Yesterday I heard
that they were going to give away $5000 a week forever. You get $5000 per week till
you die and then you get to pass the award on to someone else.

So how would you spend it? Pay off all your debt, make home repairs and additions,
buy a new car, take a vacation, save for retirement, pay for college, and/or give to
charities.

Spiritually we have won the biggest jackpot mankind will ever know. 2 Peter 1:3 says,
“His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through
the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, by which have been given to
us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers
of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.” We all know that, “God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that
whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). And
Paul wrote that, “God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a
sound mind” (2 Timothy 1:7).

Do we ever stop and think about how we are spending this gift? We are eternal beings
and will live forever beyond this temporal life. Because of sin all mankind was headed
to the Devil’s abode when this life is over. But God in his infinite wisdom, mercy, and
love has offered a place of eternal rest in His own home.

Jesus asked, “What profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own
soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?” (Matthew 16:26). How are we
spending our salvation?

Consider these questions: What are we doing with the salvation Jesus has offered us
(Matthew 11:28-30; 1 Timothy 6:12)? What are we doing with the gospel message
entrusted to our care (2 Corinthians 4:7)?

Jesus said that judgment would be based upon how we spend what God has blessed
us with (Matthew 25). When we pass over to the other side of life what will we hear Him say? “Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels” (verse 41) or “Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord” (verse 23).

Spend wisely for your inheritance (1 Peter 1:4) is in heaven and so is your retirement!

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What Do You Know About Mormonism?

You may have an occasion to discuss the Mormon religion with some of your friends or with two young men who are canvassing the street where you live and looking for someone to teach. What do you know about this religion?

There never was a religious group called the Mormons prior to the nineteenth century. It was Joseph Smith who claimed to have found golden plates which had been buried by a man name Mormon. There is no evidence such a man ever lived, except in the book Joseph Smith published. The “fable” that is the basis of Mormonism is that on two occasions men left the Bible lands and sailed to America. The first group left from the tower of Babel where God confused the languages and according to one of the books, Ether, in the book of Mormon, came to America to the Promised Land. A second group came to America about the time of the Babylonian captivity of the Jews. This second group became much larger, and centuries later, Jesus came to America during the forty days he was on the earth after His resurrection and before His ascension. He established the church, complete with apostles. These events were all recorded, with one of the last records being made by Mormon, whose son buried the “other Bible” given in America in Palmyra, New York. In 1830, Joseph Smith got these writings and translated them, and they became the book of Mormon.

Joseph Smith created a following, and this was the beginning of Mormonism. The movement was persecuted, and Smith led his followers as they fled from New York to Kirkland, Ohio in 1831, with some of the group moving to Independence, Missouri. In 1837, Joseph and many others were driven from Ohio and went to Missouri. Two years later, because of persecution, Smith moved to Nauvoo, Illinois, where he was killed in 1844. Within two years, the new leader, Brigham Young, led the exodus of most of the Mormons to Utah.

Mormonism has a very evangelistic spirit and has spread into many nations. It is important to know the historical background of this movement before examining its teaching. It is remarkable how strange the religious beliefs are and how so many of them contradict what the Bible plainly says.

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