Is Tax Exemption Modern-day Baal Worship?
By Dr. Don Boys
Many people have confused the tax issue as it relates to churches. And there is no comparison with personal taxes. That is a different subject altogether. The issue relating to churches and taxes is two-fold: Should churches pay taxes and do churches have a right to demand that all gifts be deductible from a contributor’s income tax? That is the issue before us today.
The Bible nor the Constitution speak to this issue of tax deduction. The fact that we have been permitted to deduct from our taxes what we give to the church is simply a benefit that we have had since the income tax was foisted upon us in 1913. I believe that benefit is coming to an end – and maybe it should!
Should churches be willing to bow to Baal in order to have the privilege of tax deduction by its members? Remember the principle that if you get a benefit from government, you willingly put yourself (or church) under its authority while at the same time losing some autonomy.
The Bob Jones decision (where the Supreme Court twisted the Constitution and reality like a pretzel) will haunt us for decades. If a church stands for anything contrary to “public policy” it will be said to be in violation of the Constitution. What is “public policy”? If you preach against perversion, abortion, welfare, etc. then you are going against “public policy” and may lose your tax exemption.
Should a church have tax exempt status especially when you realize the price that must be paid to keep it? The price? Obedience to Federal regulations. If a church did not have the benefits of tax exemption, there would be no “sword” over it. A pastor could preach about any moral issue and could support any political candidate without fear of losing that tax exempt status since the church would not have it to lose.
Another question: Suppose you knew a candidate for office were another Hitler who would do irreparable harm to our nation and wreak havoc with our churches. Under the law your church cannot help defeat him and help elect his opponent. Why? Because that is part of the “contract” you have with the government. Is it worth it? Is it now past time for churches to declare themselves totally independent of government coercion by surrendering their tax exempt status?
Frankly, I think the issue is moot because I believe the government will “cut the cord” between us in order to collect more personal taxes from each of us. Of course, concerned pastors will ask: Will church members continue to give the same amount if their gifts are not deductible from their tax returns? Wise pastors should start preparing their people NOW for that day.
We have bowed the knee to Baal for too long, and while government has its legitimate place, it is not at church! Maybe it is time to tell public officials to keep their grubby hands off the Church of Jesus Christ and keep them out of church coffers. And as for tax exemption, we will trade it for our freedom. Not a bad deal when you come to think about it, and I hope you will.
Don Boys, Ph.D
Archive for the ‘Poems’ Category
Is Tax Exemption Modern-day Baal Worship?
Monday, July 18th, 2011 by GregFootprints in the Sand (Originally posted June 15, 2008)
Thursday, July 15th, 2010 by GregFootprints in the Sand
One night I dreamed I was walking along the beach with the Lord.
Many scenes from my life flashed across the sky.
In each scene I noticed footprints in the sand.
Sometimes there were two sets of footprints,
other times there were one set of footprints.
This bothered me because I noticed
that during the low periods of my life,
when I was suffering from
anguish, sorrow or defeat,
I could see only one set of footprints.
So I said to the Lord,
“You promised me Lord,
that if I followed you,
you would walk with me always.
But I have noticed that during
the most trying periods of my life
there have only been one
set of footprints in the sand.
Why, when I needed you most,
you have not been there for me?”
The Lord replied,
“The times when you have
seen only one set of footprints in the sand,
is when I carried you.”
Mary Stevenson
Read more: http://blogs.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.viewcustom&friendId=55485155&blogId=406067612&swapped=true#ixzz0tjIDS76l
The Beauty of Love (poem) (Originally posted 3-1-2007)
Sunday, April 11th, 2010 by GregThe Beauty of Love
by Greg Loucks
There is no rhyme
There is no reason
It’s not a feeling
Only Feelings Come After The Action
An Action and Choice
There’s something deep
There’s something great
Something you didn’t entirely chose
It partly chose you
What is it?
What is this?
Is this what we call love?
I want to know this person
I can’t live without this person
This person fulfills something in me
Like my second half
The half I’ve been looking for my whole life
Only now I feel complete
I can’t help it
I can’t change it
There’s nothing I can do about it
Except choose to love
I long to be with this person
There’s an emptiness inside if I’m not
It’s like I’m not complete
I need this person
This person needs me
We complete each other
We’re supposed to be
Supposed to be together
Supposed to be one
A half cant exist without the other half
It needs to be whole
Why can’t this person escape my thoughts?
Why can’t this person escape my prayers?
I’m patient and I will wait
We will always be kind
I envy nothing
We will not boast
We are not proud
We are not rude
I do not self-seek
Neither does she
We seek together because we are one
We are not easily angered
I do not keep records of wrongs
Neither does she
We forgive and forget
Wow, this really is true love!
The Light of the World Has Come (a poem) (Originally posted 1-6-2007)
Saturday, April 10th, 2010 by GregThe light of the world has come
Who will reveal this light?
Who will illuminate this light?
Who will light the city on a hill?
There are many sick
There are many dying
There are many with no hope
There are many with no purpose
There are many living day to day
Living with no real rhyme or reason
Going through the motions of a darkened world
Doing drugs
Absorbing alcohol
Sleeping around
Addicted to porn
Obsessive and lustful
Living with pain
Living with hurt
Living with sorrow
Living with little money
Living with keeping things hidden
Keeping things in the dark
Living with lies
Living in prison
Or just living in shackles and bondages, period
In their own prisons
Who will be there for them?
Who will bring a light to them?
Who will bring The Light to them?
“I don’t have time”
“I have my own life to worry about”
“I have too many of my own concerns”
“Too many of my own wants and desires and worries”
Isn’t it better to give then to receive?
Jesus said:
“That which you do unto the least of these my brethren, you do unto me”
Be a light
Let them glorify the Light
To glorify the Father!
Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth
Store up for yourselves treasures in Heaven
For great is your reward in Heaven!
Father’s Love Letter (Originally posted 12-18-2006)
Friday, April 9th, 2010 by GregI posted this awhile ago, but I have so many new subscribers. Some of you may have already seen it! It made me cry reading it the first few times!
Father’s Love Letter!
You may not know me, but I know everything about you. Psalm 139:1
I know when you sit down and when you rise up. Psalm 139:2
I am familiar with all your ways. Psalm 139:3
Even the very hairs on your head are numbered. Matthew 10:29-31
For you were made in my image. Genesis 1:27
In me you live and move and have your being. Acts 17:28
For you are my offspring. Acts 17:28
I knew you even before you were conceived. Jeremiah 1:4-5
I chose you when I planned creation. Ephesians 1:11-12
You were not a mistake, for all your days are written in my book. Psalm 139:15-16
I determined the exact time of your birth and where you would live. Acts 17:26
You are fearfully and wonderfully made. Psalm 139:14
I knit you together in your mother’s womb. Psalm 139:13
And brought you forth on the day you were born. Psalm 71:6
I have been misrepresented by those who don’t know me. John 8:41-44
I am not distant and angry, but am the complete expression of love. 1 John 4:16
And it is my desire to lavish my love on you. 1 John 3:1
Simply because you are my child and I am your Father. 1 John 3:1
I offer you more than your earthly father ever could. Matthew 7:11
For I am the perfect father. Matthew 5:48
Every good gift that you receive comes from my hand. James 1:17
For I am your provider and I meet all your needs. Matthew 6:31-33
My plan for your future has always been filled with hope. Jeremiah 29:11
Because I love you with an everlasting love. Jeremiah 31:3
My thoughts toward you are countless as the sand on the seashore. Psalms 139:17-18
And I rejoice over you with singing. Zephaniah 3:17
I will never stop doing good to you. Jeremiah 32:40
For you are my treasured possession. Exodus 19:5
I desire to establish you with all my heart and all my soul. Jeremiah 32:41
And I want to show you great and marvelous things. Jeremiah 33:3
If you seek me with all your heart, you will find me. Deuteronomy 4:29
Delight in me and I will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:4
For it is I who gave you those desires. Philippians 2:13
I am able to do more for you than you could possibly imagine. Ephesians 3:20
For I am your greatest encourager. 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17
I am also the Father who comforts you in all your troubles. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4
When you are brokenhearted, I am close to you. Psalm 34:18
As a shepherd carries a lamb, I have carried you close to my heart. Isaiah 40:11
One day I will wipe away every tear from your eyes. Revelation 21:3-4
And I’ll take away all the pain you have suffered on this earth. Revelation 21:3-4
I am your Father, and I love you even as I love my son, Jesus. John 17:23
For in Jesus, my love for you is revealed. John 17:26
He is the exact representation of my being. Hebrews 1:3
He came to demonstrate that I am for you, not against you. Romans 8:31
And to tell you that I am not counting your sins. 2 Corinthians 5:18-19
Jesus died so that you and I could be reconciled. 2 Corinthians 5:18-19
His death was the ultimate expression of my love for you. 1 John 4:10
I gave up everything I loved that I might gain your love. Romans 8:31-32
If you receive the gift of my son Jesus, you receive me. 1 John 2:23
And nothing will ever separate you from my love again. Romans 8:38-39
Come home and I’ll throw the biggest party heaven has ever seen. Luke 15:7
I have always been Father, and will always be Father. Ephesians 3:14-15
My question is…Will you be my child? John 1:12-13
I am waiting for you. Luke 15:11-32
Love, Your Dad.
Source: http://www.fathersloveletter.com/flltextenglish.html
I Walk I Stumble (A Poem) (Originally posted 12-8-2006)
Friday, April 9th, 2010 by GregI walk
I stumble
I disobeyed my maker!
I hide
I’m naked
I’m ashamed
This feeling of guilt is strong
It is not fleeting
It is sustaining and long
How can my maker forgive me?
For I am ashamed!
I was cast out of paradise
The garden was nice and luxurious!
Now I must live the hard way
I did this to all my descendants
And my wife must go with me
She is not to blame
But, I blamed her
Will she forgive me?
She didn’t know what God told me specifically
I am the man I’m responsible
I am a man who needs God
Who now lost God and His covering
I’m naked
I’m ashamed
How long must this curse on me, a mere mortal man persist?
It will only grow worse
Over time my ancestors will grow more evil!
What is the hope?
What have I done?
Oh God!
What have I done?
You had the best interest in mind for humanity!
I feel bad now I brought it on my descendants
My guilt and shame is unbearable!
Did you take away that hope I once had?
Oh let me know God!
Please let me know!
How can I go on?
I miss you God!
I miss the closeness we shared!
We walked together!
We fellowshipped together!
We had good times!
Reality (A Poem) (Originally posted 11-10-2006)
Friday, April 9th, 2010 by GregWe think we’re born in a reality
A reality of darkness
A reality of self-content
A reality of ourselves
A reality of going with the flow
A reality of living life the best we know how
A reality that life has no real purpose
A reality to just go to work
A reality to send our kids off to school
A reality to get up in the morning
A reality to go to bed in the evening
A reality to eat
A reality to take a shower
But, what more is there? What is life really about?
We think we have the meaning and idea of it all
We think we’re good people
We think we have it all together and figured out
But, oneday we find we were in a fake reality all along
Everything was fake
We were fake
Our lives were fake
When reality hits you
You don’t want to turn back
Atleast we think
That would be foolish
Why would we go off sinning again?
Why would we go off living life the way we want again?
Why would we want to be dead again?
Why would we want to be blind again?
Why would we want to be in bondage again?
Sometimes we choose this
But, why?
What does not being in a reality have to offer?
When being in a reality is so much better?
The reality is
Apart from Christ we can do nothing
The reality is
Our righteousness is as filthy rags
The reality is
Life has no real purpose or meaning without Christ
The reality is
When we were yet sinners Christ died for us
The reality is
He knew us before we knew Him
The reality is
He was waiting for us all along
The reality is
That gentle tug on our heart was Him beckoning us to come to home
The reality is
He loves us and sent his Son to die for us
The reality is
He died on the cross at Calvary
The reality is
By His stripes we are healed
The reality is
Who the Son sets free is free indeed
The reality is
He came He saw, He conquered sin death and Hell
The reality is
We have no real meaning or purpose until we find Him
The reality is
He found us first He knew us all along
The reality is
His will purpose and plan is so much greater then we can imagine
The reality is
He sees our future
The reality is
He has a hope and a plan for us
The reality is
His word speaks wonders to our heart
The reality is
His word showing us knew things on His heart every time we pick it up
The reality and truth is
Overtime are all of these realities and truths known
And it like whoa! Now that is reality!
Patience (A Poem) (Originally posted on 10-5-2006)
Friday, April 9th, 2010 by GregPatience is not something that is easily learned
Patience is not something that is eagerly wanted
But, patience is something that has to be learned
For some of life’s matters and problems
Sometimes we must be patient and wait on God
When He tells us to
But, God knows it ain’t fun
And sometimes we have to show patience to annoying people
or hurtful people
For God has also been patient towards us
Diligence is acquired after learning and practicing patience
The bible says God is a rewarder of thse who diligently seek Him
For love is patient
I know if I’m waiting on God for something
That He has promised
It’s annoying right now
But, once it’s received or accomplished
It will be well worth the wait!
And all glory will go to God because He did it
And not me
and my faith and trust will have been increased!
Have I Chosen (Originally posted on 9-21-2006)
Friday, April 9th, 2010 by GregHave I chosen God?
Or has God chosen me?
Have I chosen to be a saint?
Have I chosen to be called out of the miry clay?
Have I chosen to be set free?
Have I chosen to be a light of the world?
To reveal the light of the world?
Have I chosen to see truth?
Have I chosen to be a peacemaker?
Have I chosen to be a missionary?
Have I chosen to be a disciple?
Have I chosen to be purehearted?
Have I chosen to be a prophet?
Have I chosen to be an enemy of the devil?
Have I chosen to be lied about?
Have I chosen to be betrayed?
Have I chosen to be gossiped about?
Have I chosen to have people twist my words?
Have I chosen to see people for who they really are?
Have I chosen to be attacked?
Have I chosen to be spit upon?
Have I chosen to have people feel no guilt?
Have I chosen to have people feel no remorse?
Have I chosen to see people have hardened hearts?
Have I chosen to see people have pride?
Have I chosen to see the devil for who he really is?
Have I chosen to see religious hypocrisy?
Have I chosen to see a form of godliness?
Have I chosen to see the truth of generational curses and demons?
Have I chosen to see the truth of healing?
Have I chosen to see the truth of spiritual warfare?
Have I chosen to be set free?
Have I chosen to be no longer bound up?
Have I chosen this life?
Have I chosen you?
No God has chosen
For I have only chosen to love and forgive and pray!
Live & Learn (A Poem)
Friday, April 9th, 2010 by Gregyou only live once
you only die once
live for christ
make your life count for something
alot of things are meaningless
alot of things are pointless
god knows what he’s doing
god will never leave
god will never forsake you
you are truly his
for keep your eyes fixed upon jesus
some people don’t appreciate you
some people never see the truth
but find the people in your life who do
people out there do appreciate you
your true friends come from god
they don’t run
they don’t talk bad about you
they don’t bring you down
they don’t betray you
they don’t believe lies about you
anyone that comes from god
will appreciate you and build you up
and will not betray you
or talk bad about you
and will speak only things that are of love and truth
many people betrayed jesus and trashed him
so many people will do the same to you
if you truly walk with him
you will also get some of the same persecution
but stay strong, stay true
stand firm
for he will never leave nor forsake you!
and he’s the only one who is truly worth it!
for nothing you can take to heaven
except yourself
and others who you showed
the same love
the same compassion towards
and the same mercy
the same grace
the same light of jesus to
