Were God's people too patriotic in Jeremiah?

"When tyranny comes... it will be wrapped in the flag and carrying a cross."

"Then spake the priest and the prophets unto the princes and to all the people, saying, This man is worthy to die; for the hath prophesied against this city, as ye have heard with your ears."

Next to this verse Jeremiah 26:11 I have written in my Bible, "A backslidden nation church is Very Patriotic."

Now, I'm all for being patriotic if that simply means loving and seeking the good of our country.  But often the farther away from God a nation becomes, the more the priests (religious leaders), prophets (preachers), and princes (political leaders) as in Jeremiah 26 get upset if you say anything against their political agenda. But later on in this passage we see the princes and people defending Jeremiah, so here the religious leaders seem even more patriotic than the others.

I have finally come to the point where I am liking more and more Paul's philosophy in 1 Corinthians 2:2 when it comes to politics. "For I determined not to know anything among you save Jesus Christ and Him crucified."

Note: These are simply personal thoughts that came while reading this passage and thoughts that I may have to adjust with time.  So please feel free to disagree with me, and I'll have no hard feelings.  Thanks, Phillip

Happenings in our home...

One morning Mary was on Mommy's bed and wanted a drink of water. But she had food in her mouth so I wouldn't let her.  And this is what she did...

Mary is so dramatic  :-)

Since Daddy has no private office, he usually uses earplugs while he is trying to study, which is most of the time.  This morning our family was around the breakfast table, and Daddy who was going to have family devotions said, "I want everybody to lend me an ear."  Then Sarah asked him, "What would you do if you had five ears?" Daddy answered, "I'd put an earplug in every one of them."
We (including Daddy) thought it was pretty clever. =)
-Post by Kimberly

Solomon: Loving Fast Horses & Beautiful Women, Just Like Daddy

David had a perfect heart, but played around the limits of what God forbad.  His son Solomon lost his integrity following his daddy.  How? God prohibited Israel’s kings from multiplying horses and wives. 

            He shall not

[1] multiply horses to himself, nor

[2] cause the people to return to Egypt… Neither shall he

[3] multiply wives to himself… neither shall he

[4] greatly multiply to himself silver and gold.  (Deuteronomy 17:16-17)

David in the spoils of war killed many of the horses, but reserved horses for a hundred chariots.  (2 Samuel 8:4)
When David perceived that God had established him as king he already had multiple wives. (2 Samuel 3:3)  But he took even “more concubines and wives.” (2 Samuel 5:13) 

David had these blind spots or ignorance.   But ignorance is not bliss.  David could have said, “It’s just a little thing; it won’t matter.”  
 Solomon imitated his Godly father's sins of ignorance.  But Solomon sinned much more.  For he not only had 1,400 chariots and even more horses [sin 1], but he also had a fine business giving horse rides for the people to go down to Egypt [sin 2].  Solomon went far beyond David’s sin not only in the quantity of horses, but in that he caused the people to return to Egypt and multiplied the silver [sin 4] so that it was as stones in abundance. (1 Kings 10:26-29)

 And like his daddy, Solomon had an unusual love for women.  And his 1,000 wives, queens, and concubines [sin3] turned his heart from God.  So David’s heart was perfect (v. 4), with some small sins of ignorance.  But ignorance is not bliss, for our children following our mistakes could lose their souls over it.  Or at least they could lose God's blessing in their lives.       -Phillip

Ministry trip to Medellin and Cartegena, Colombia

Blessed, successful, and fun describe my trip to the churches in Medellin and Cartegena.   In summary:

Santa Fe, Antioquia, Colombia.  Our Medellin church is also in Antioquia.  (creative commons, laloking97, flicker.com)

1. The leaders with their families are growing spiritually in both churches.
2. We witnessed to and prayed with various people.
3. I saw people seeking after holiness.
4. Several broke down in tears at the preaching of Bible truths; they have genuine spiritual hunger.
5. A good number worked hard, studied, and finished their homework in the classes we offered.  (If you want to study the two topics we studied, read Wesley's 37th sermon and 1 Peter 1:16, "Be ye holy.")
6. We encountered a problem due to ignorance of Biblical teachings, but God beautifully orchestrated an opportunity to teach what God wants and resolve the problem.  Several told me that in their heart they had not felt comfortable and now felt happy and relieved to have clear Biblical directions on this.
7. We gave the churches and their leaders a pile of helpful Christian books.
8. We had great heart to heart talks in the homes of the church leaders.  I listened to them and showed them love and support. 
9. I see them faithful in spite of a lot of hardships.

So thanks for praying; don't let up.  God is answering.  Hopefully next time, I'll be able to take a camera and have more pictures for you.              - Phillip