What's going on right now...

Just sitting here and giving thanks for those of you who have been praying for dad and giving words of encouragement. It means alot. Thank you.

Dad is doing a bit better. His blood pressure is higher and he is in good spirits. The toughest part is getting used to him going back and forth between home and the hospital.

Currently, I'm listening to "Redefining Christianity" by Bob DeWaay again. It's really that good. Very easy to listen too. It isn't just cold theology. Also, his interviewer (Brian Flynn) is out of the New Age and can confirm some New Age related philosphies embedded in "Purpose Driven" (Session 9 especially). If you haven't yet listened to the series, I strongly encourage you to do so. They aren't hard to listen to, I promise!

Amazon has informed me that "Above All Earthly Powr's" has been shipped and should be here by this Thursday or Friday. I'm very eager to get it and start reading and reporting!

Thank you all, again, for your love, concern and prayers.

Here I go again...

...ordering a book. Actually, I didn't just order a book. I ordered two copies of the same book (and I don't even know how many pages it has yet!). No, not because I might want to read it twice but because of how good I've heard it is. The other copy will go to a friend of mine who is a deacon at my old church. Maybe it'll help. He's basically fighting a one-man battle against "Purpose Driven" at his church.

The title is "Above All Earthly Powr's" by David F. Wells. You can read about it here. I found out about it here. Look for an article entitled "More nuthin'" by Frank Turk.

My plan is to read a chapter every day or so and post what I get out of it here. No, don't click on "here". I mean here at my blog.

This won't just be for informational purposes, it's a practical measure. Accountability. You see, I've got tons of books that I've bought with book marks in them...maybe 1/3 the way through. I get started on them then something comes up and interrupts me and I stall out. Too bad it's not an audio book. I'm better with those.

You can pay $25 for the hardback (I think that's what it costs) or if you are cheap like me (well, may I say "frugal"?) you can get the paperback version for a little over $10. Hence you can get two for one and spread the joy.

If anyone has read this book, post a comment as a review. Be specific!

Maybe you'll save me some reading.... :)

For the Lord, myself and my readers.

The "Reformed Gadfly" might be a bit barren for a while. Not due to lack of readers (we do get visits!) and certainly not due to despair over the state of the church in America. And not because there is nothing to give God praise for.

Alot is going on right now in our home. A number of things have been happening here that have taken a toll. Three actually.

The worst (and latest) is the state of my father's health. It was two and one half years ago in April of 2004 that he got a hip replacement. Boy were we excited! It was published in the paper as the "first LDMOM (large diameter metal on metal) hip replacement" in our area (or the country? I don't remember).

Anyway, since then it's been one complication after another. And by my figuring he's been in the hospital far more than out. This last time he was out barely over a week.

He's 89. He just turned 89 this past August 17th. He is what is referred to as a "rennaisance man"...there is very little he can't do. At one time, he managed a local cemetary (which included selling cemetery lots door to door...and on pure commission), was a real estate broker (GRI, CRS, CRB) and operated an office for Shelter Insurance. At the same time.

When we moved to this town in 1956, he had a wife and three kids and went to the local bank to borrow money for the first months rent. Now, I'm not into "worldly success" for the sake of it, but it was just this past year or so that he divested his real estate holdings. He had done exceedingly well. And he had done it ethically, all the way. I'm so very proud of him. I have been my whole life, even though he wasn't available (emotionally or otherwise) as we were growing up. He was just too busy.

The hard issue is that he has congestive heart failure (25% function) and his kidneys are failing (30%). He has an aortic stenosis (narrowing of the aorta) which restricts blood flow, a blockage and two bad valves, one is the mitral valve (which causes blood to reflux when it is pushed into his heart). He goes into the hospital gets healthy, then goes home and his lungs begin to fill up. Oh, I forgot to mention he's a type II diabetic (as am I). And on his birthday just passed, he was informed that he has 6 months to a year if he doesn't have surgery. And in his condition, the doctors won't do it. Of course he could improve. We pray that he does.

Yesterday was a very tough day. His BP was down to 60/30. They put him on Debutamine (I believe that is the correct spelling) to stimulate his blood preasure. Last night it was up to 113/60. Praise God. I asked the RN there what to expect if he goes off the medication.
The short of it is that he could be fine after weaning him off it...it's not something that just keeps his bp up. A glimmer of hope.

And as of this morning, he's still doing ok.

The Big Question is dad converted? He professes to be. There are many who believe he is. What confuses things is that he has always been a member of a liberal Methodist church. I grew up in that church. Over recent years it's taken on more of an "evangelical" look. But the main thing is that he hasn't been really "public" about his faith. We're seeing more evidence now, as he asks everyone in the hospital "do you know Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord?".

As I mentioned earlier, many things have been going on. I will mention one other. Just before this last hospital visit, we lost our beloved "Princess", a Pekinese that the Lord lent us for 10 years. She was just short of 14 when she died this past August 20th. Those little buggars really bury themselves under your skin.

The other things I won't go into here, but suffice it to say it involved semi "long-lost" family.

But whatever the Lord allows into our lives, my trust is in the Lord. As the disciples told Jesus, "Where else shall we go? You alone have the words of eternal life". Nothing will touch us that isn't first allowed by the sovereign will of God.

From Habakkuk 3:

"17 Though the fig tree does not bud

and there are no grapes on the vines,
though the olive crop fails
and the fields produce no food,
though there are no sheep in the pen
and no cattle in the stalls,

18 yet I will rejoice in the LORD,
I will be joyful in God my Savior.

19 The Sovereign LORD is my strength;
he makes my feet like the feet of a deer,
he enables me to go on the heights."

The Mystery of Mercy

This morning I woke up in my usual fog. Christian radio in the background that I'm really not paying attention to, my mind racing as it generally does. Then a song came on. I'd heard it countless times before but didn't have ears that could hear. It was Andrew Peterson's "Mystery of Mercy".

The lyrics below are not to Peterson's version but to the Caedmon's Call version. The ending is different and I think better because of the mention of the cross...

I am the woman at the well, I am the harlot
I am the scattered seed that fell along the path
I am the son that ran away
I am the bitter son that stayed

My God, my God why hast thou accepted me
When all my love was vinegar to a thirsty King?

My God, my God why hast thou accepted me
It's a mystery of mercy and the song, the song I sing

I am the angry man who came to stone the lover
I am the woman there ashamed before the crowd
I am the leper that gave thanks
But I am the nine that never came

My God, my God why hast thou accepted me
When all my love was vinegar to a thirsty King?

My God, my God why hast thou accepted me
It's a mystery of mercy and the song, the song I sing

You made the seed that made the tree
That made the cross that saved me
You gave me hope when there was none
You gave me your only Son

God, please have mercy on us...

It's come to a point where that's all I can say.

See, I'm a fixer. What I mean by that is that when I see something wrong, I want to go do something about it and if I can't it drives me nuts.

I'm getting there again. And all I can do is pray for God's mercy and grace.

There is no end to things I could publish on this blog. And I'm sure I could get lots of traffic by publishing all the things that are definitely wrong with today's "Christianity" -- if it is safe to call it that.

Jesus Christ is Lord. His Word is the supreme rule of our lives, both individually and corporately. We are to read His Word and then do it. Obedience is not the same as legalism, regardless of the claims of those who seek to be free of God's revealed will.

I remember a former pastor of mine from 8 years ago. He was going through Revelation. He was reading the blessing out of the first chapter of the book. The problem is, he only read half of it. "Blessed is he who reads this book...". He left out "...and obeys it".

But that is so common today. It's "My will be done" not "Thy Will Be Done". We are falling for the oldest lie in history, the one from the Garden..."we can be like God".

What triggered all this? There are two posts at "Slice" that came up tonight. Here's the second one.

As I said in a post there, what can we do about this? What can I do about this? Scream like an idiot from the rooftops?

I remember the Psalm that reads "When the foundations are being destroyed what can the righteous do?"

But then there's the verse that follows it..."The Lord sits on His heavenly throne..." God is still in charge.

Remember Matthew 7:21ff. There will be many on that day who expect to enter Heaven. But they will be cast out as those who acted as if God never gave them His law.

As was said elsewhere on Slice, "Choose this day whom you will serve".

The lines are being drawn. All we can do is choose which side to stand on.

Lord, I ask for your mercy and grace. Help us to have wisdom and discernment in these dark days. Help us just to stand. In a day when we still would really like the approval of those around us, help us to remember that we should prefer your favor. Help us to remain faithful.

I pray this in the name of Jesus Christ my Lord.

An Introduction to Lordship Salvation

In these "purpose driven", "seeker sensitive" days, I commend the following article to you from the Pulpit Magazine.
Here is an excerpt:

"The gospel that Jesus proclaimed was a call to discipleship, a call to follow Him in submissive obedience, not just a plea to make a decision or pray a prayer. Jesus’ message liberated people from the bondage of their sin while it confronted and condemned hypocrisy. It was an offer of eternal life and forgiveness for repentant sinners, but at the same time it was a rebuke to outwardly religious people whose lives were devoid of true righteousness. It put sinners on notice that they must turn from sin and embrace God’s righteousness. Our Lord’s words about eternal life were invariably accompanied by warnings to those who might be tempted to take salvation lightly. He taught that the cost of following Him is high, that the way is narrow and few find it. He said many who call him "Lord" will be forbidden from entering the kingdom of heaven (cf. Matt. 7:13-23).

Present-day evangelicalism, by and large, ignores these warnings. The prevailing view of what constitutes saving faith continues to grow broader and more shallow, while the portrayal of Christ in preaching and witnessing becomes fuzzy. Anyone who claims to be a Christian can find evangelicals willing to accept a profession of faith, whether or not the person’s behavior shows any evidence of commitment to Christ. In this way, faith has become merely an intellectual exercise. Instead of calling men and women to surrender to Christ, modern evangelism asks them only to accept some basic facts about Him."

May we all read and heed.

Deal or No Deal?

As a habit, I don't watch television. But when I visit my parent's house, I know dad will be there watching the tube. Tonight was no different.

Tonight he was watching "Deal or No Deal". The show where a person, by raw chance, can win tons of bucks...or not.

As I watched this, a woman was making her way up to $750,000. Ok, I guess. I certainly wouldn't mind it. Who wouldn't? She was on a streak and at one point, she jumped up and down and yelled "I own this board!". But as I watched it there was one point where the host told her to make a choice....and that this was "The Biggest Decision of Her Life".

No. I don't think so.

See, she was straining to gain things that are temporal. And one Day she will be going out to eternity. And she will find out that she doesn't really own anything...not even "the board".

We all have to make a decision. And I guess the best way to put it is this:

Do you consider yourself to be a good person? Yes? No? By what standard? How about comparing yourself to God's Law?

God gave us His law for one reason: to show us what the standard is to enter heaven.

Have you ever stolen anything (regardless of size)? Yes? What does that make you? Wouldn't you call me a thief if I stole something from you?

Have you ever hated anyone? Jesus said that just hating someone is equal to murder. And someone who murders is a murderer.

Have you evern lied? If you say "no", you are probably lying. Of course, we have all lied. So that makes you and I liars.

Have you ever lusted after someone's spouse? God calls that adultery.

So, we haven't even covered all ten commandments but so far you and I are lying, thieving, murderous adulterers. And 1 Corinthians 6 says that those kinds of people don't go to heaven.

What are you going to do? Ask God to forgive you? On what basis? No judge worthy of any kind of respect can just "forgive" someone. There has to be a penalty paid. And by default you will pay for your sin. For eternity.

But you don't have to take the default. See, payment has been made on your behalf. In this case, the Judge has come around to your side of the bench and paid your fine. Jesus Christ came to this planet and took on humanity and lowered himself to death on the cross. Why? To pay for your sin and mine. Not only that, he rose from the dead on the third day, which shows that the Father accepted his sacrifice. If Jesus hadn't done it, he'd still be dead. But He is alive!

So, Deal or No Deal?

The Lord has made it clear. No matter how you have lived your life, repent (turn from) your sin and put your trust in the finished work of Jesus Christ on your behalf.

Is Moody really "The Name You Can Trust"?

From Moody Publisher's website

' "Moody Publishers is far and above one of the most trustworthy publishers in the industry. In the 1960’s, Moody Publishers adopted the slogan, "The Name You Can Trust" because of strong and positive customer feedback about our integrity. "There is a bedrock of trust of Moody Publishers in the industry" says Jerry B. Jenkins co-author of the Left Behind Series. "Book dealers have felt they can refer customers to those books [without concern over content]."

The motto stuck. It has continued to define who Moody Publishers is in the marketplace. We promise that every product and contact with our company will reveal that we remain "The Name You Can Trust." '

I don't know about Moody Publishers (which is beyond the scope of this post), but I'm getting a strong feeling this can't be said of Moody Broadcast Network. Today's "Midday Connection" was psychobabble. Check out this link and you may have to look in the archives for the program for 9/21/06. It's an interview with Steven Scott, who's webisite can be found here.

As I sat there and listened to the broadcast, I kept wanting to hear something that reminded me of my dependence on God and His Holy Spirit. But that wasn't to happen. It was all about "vision casting".

For years, Moody Radio has been a blessing to me. Have they been perfect? Of course not. But it seems that in recent years there is more and more of this type of stuff going on.

I'm not sure if it's gotten worse or maybe I'm just seeing it more plainly, but it seems to me that MBN is just getting increasingly man-centered.

You can "Cast Your Visions" all you want but "unless the Lord builds the house, those who labor, labor in vain."

What's the Big Idea?

Here we go again.

By now you probably know that Big Idea has gone bankrupt and that NBC will be airing "Veggie Tales".

And by now you probably know, or at least suspect, that the network will be removing most all references to scripture from the series.

So What?

Well, Phil Vischer seems to be a bit surprised that NBC will be "more restrictive" regarding content than they had previously indicated. Still Phil has said he will continue to work with NBC on the cartoon.

Why?

Well, here we go again.

Because, according to Vischer, "someone may see the cartoon and like it, then buy a video with all the scripture in it".

So what, Phil?

Don't get me wrong. I have a bunch of the videos. They are cute. They do make a point. But let's get real. Vischer's statement seems to indicate that he's hoping some kid will see the new Saturday morning version, like it, and then see one of the classics at Walmart and end up seeing it... What kind of 'evangelism' is this?

First of all, even the classic videos make no overt mention of the gospel. Oh, yes they mention scripture and biblical principles, but is there anything there that any Mormon or Jehovah's Witness couldn't agree with? If you are a Christian they look fine. Ditto for everyone else. It's kind of like "purpose driven". The statements are generic enough to make most everyone happy.

"God made you special and He loves you very much" may be true, but it's not evangelism.

In part, this reminds me of the "let's attract them to church so maybe they'll hear the message" foolishness. When you're out there trying to get them to come into your building to "hear the message" why not just give them the message? No need to engage in this "Let me bank the cue ball three times then it'll hit the four ball, which will hit the twelve, which will get the two ball in".

For crying out loud...talk about human machinations!

Here's my recommendation. Come out with a new bunch of characters. Let NBC corrupt Bob and Larry. It'll just make the differences with the classics in Walmart that much more vivid. But make a new set of characters and actually dare to mention the Lord Jesus Christ. Mention sin. Mention how God wants to redeem us, then conform us to the image of His Son.

Make something new...and better! Something that will actually proclaim the Gospel, just as the Lord commanded us to do.

Oversimplifying the Music Issue

Don't get me wrong. I love the hymns. I play trumpet and won't play much of anything but hymns which is part of the reason I was driven from my old church.

But I think the issue doesn't have to be one of either "Hymns" or "CCM".

Here's an example of something that really ministers to me. Hopefully to you as well. You can download a number of files there. In my opinion, they are very well done. If someone really loves the Word, I can't see how they wouldn't be ministered to by this.

Just scanning around the net, I found this as well.

Anyone aware of anything else out there? Personally, I am so tired of the shallow lyrics in CCM. But up till recently, all we've had is Moody Radio Network, which is (sadly) getting more and more contemporary.

Let me know what you think!

The Sacred Sandwich on Purpose Driven

Here is a link at "Sacred Sandwich". It is especially good at comparing passages from "The Message", etc., with more accurate translations.

More Good Sermon Links!

Thanks to Dan from Tennessee, a "Reformed Gadfly" reader for this link to "Granted Ministries". Looks like lots of good sermons there by Washer, Piper and others.

Links like this are appreciated, especially in a day like ours when good preaching is so hard to find!

Maybe this would be a good time to see how many good sources we can find and share? SermonAudio is probably hard to beat. I know oneplace.com is out there but you have to be careful.

Any links, add them in a comment here and I can compile a list and post it.

Thanks again, Dan!

Paul Washer on Missions -- A Wake-Up Call

Here's the link to SermonAudio, where Paul Washer is interviewed by "Way of the Master" radio.

Dear Readers, this is real Christianity described; not some cheap, watered down, seeker sensitive, purpose-driven substitute.

Warren Evangelism 101

Here's a good example of how Rick Warren (you know, the one who compares his "Purpose Driven" church model to a McDonalds franchise?) can please the unsaved and most evangelicals at the same time. Yes, this is how he can have it both ways!

This link to the Irish Calvinist reveals what you may find on your next cup of coffee from Starbucks. What's the rub? Well, what God is he talking about? What if you were a Mormon? What if you were a Jehovah's Witness? What if you were Muslim?

Rick's target audience isn't anyone in particular but everyone in general -- which allows anyone who believes in any god (Gaia?) to walk away with their own "purpose driven warm McFuzzy".

But then you have to keep the "customer" satisfied, don't you Rick?

Hell: The Taboo Topic of Today's Church

Christian Worldview Network has a broadcast by David Wheaton that I think bears hearing. You may need to register to listen to it but it is very quick and simple.

In our "Purpose Driven" day, it is encouraging -- and convicting.

Comforting to the Comfortless

2 Corinthians 1 has been going through my mind for the past few days. So, I figured that I might as well get it off my chest. And perhaps the Lord will use this entry to strengthen someone who is a bit "overwhelmed" or "perplexed" by the state of things in the professing Church, and beyond that, the world.

The passage I'm referring to is 2 Corinthians 1:3-11:

"3Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort,

4who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.

5For just as the sufferings of Christ are ours in abundance, so also our comfort is abundant through Christ.

6But if we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; or if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which is effective in the patient enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer;

7and our hope for you is firmly grounded, knowing that as you are sharers of our sufferings, so also you are sharers of our comfort.

8For we do not want you to be unaware, brethren, of our affliction which came to us in Asia, that we were burdened excessively, beyond our strength, so that we despaired even of life;

9indeed, we had the sentence of death within ourselves so that we would not trust in ourselves, but in God who raises the dead;

10who delivered us from so great a peril of death, and will deliver us, He on whom we have set our hope. And He will yet deliver us,

11you also joining in helping us through your prayers, so that thanks may be given by many persons on our behalf for the favor bestowed on us through the prayers of many."

The Lord allows us to be afflicted because it is His desire that we learn to turn to Him for comfort. Then, in turn, we can minister comfort to one another.

I remember 8 years ago working at a large secular university an hour from here. It is known as a "party college". In fact, even the entire county is known for a wiccan presense. I was a recent convert and felt very outnumbered. And to top it off, I was fighting doubt about my own conversion. It was intense, to say the least.

Then I ran into a student who was coming out of Mormonism. Asking lots of questions. I don't know if he was a covert or not. But as I talked things over with him, the more I noticed that I was repeating things to him that had been said to myself by others. And this verse came to mind.

And maybe this is what is happening now.

Our world is horribly perverse. It doesn't take much to see that. All manner of social issues involving lifestyles, life and death, and on and on. Then, as you see on this blog as well as others, there are issues in the professing Body of Christ.

I can tell you, it's a battle. And if you feel overwhelmed, don't think you are alone. If there is one thing I know from experience, the more you let others know the battles you face, the more you find that others are facing the same battles...only most people look "ok" because they are hiding the struggle. In other words, wearing an "I'm ok" mask. That is unfortunate because by doing that they choose to bear their burden alone and most likely under the illusion that they are the only ones in that battle. Galatians 6:2 says "Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ." And here in 2 Corinthians 1 we see one way to do that. Through comfort.

I'm here to tell you that you are not alone in your struggle. "There is no temptation overtaken you but such as is common to man..." (2 Cor. 10:13, my paraphrase). In other words, you *ain't* alone!

So, remember that. Also, do what I do. Use that time as an opportunity to trust God. I wake up in the morning with a tremendous amount of stuff going on in my head. I'm very analytical and my mind tends to buzz along at warp 5. So what do I do? I stop and just focus on the Lord and tell Him that I trust Him. Even as the adversary tells me the rapture is coming and I'll be missing my wife and yadda, yadda, yadda, that's what I do.

For a very long time people would ask what my life verse was. And for a very long time, I didn't think I had one. But you know what? I've found that I do have one. Proverbs 3:5,6. "Trust in the Lord with all your heart. Lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight." Again, this may not be exact, but it'll do. Look it up and read it.

The Christian life is not what the enemy tries to tell us it is -- a walk in the park and "if you don't have it easy, you're not really a Christian". That is a lie. Jesus said that no servant is above his master and the Lord Jesus Christ sure didn't have it easy.

Don't trust your feelings, as real as they seem and as convincing as they are. Remember the facts, then act on them. The Lord is faithful and will honor your faithfulness, no matter how small.

And as I've heard it said, the highest worship is obedience to Him even when it's not prompted by a feeling.

So, I hope this will be an encouragement to someone. I've been a believer for just a bit over 8 years now. I've had to relearn alot as I used to make a false profession of faith years ago. But through it all...all the deprogramming from the old days, etc., I have learned just a little bit more to trust God when the adversary whispers "you've lost".

PDL, PDC? The Gay Agenda? Abortion? As serious as all those things are they are just waves.

Like Peter, we need to learn to keep our eyes on the Lord Jesus Christ.

Blessings to you all.

Tim

Fifteen Evil Consequences of Plexiglas Preaching

Pulpit Magazine has a great article by John MacArthur on the ramifications of superficial preaching. Here's an excerpt:

"Armed with a “big business” mentality, many in the seeker-sensitive movement have replaced Bible-based sermons with anecdote-filled talks. After all, that’s the stuff that sells. In light of this growing evangelical trend, John MacArthur examines what happens when preachers put the seeker before the Savior and abandon God’s Word for ear-tickling entertainment."

"The Secret's in the Sauce..."

Quick!

What does a famous fast food chain and Rick Warren's "Purpose Driven" franchise have in common?

• Well, Rick Warren has a "secret sauce" that's deadly to the life of the Church (well, ok, it's not that secret but it's certainly subliminal).
• It certainly could be called a "convenience religion" that is more concerned with "serving" than "saving".
• Warren learned his stuff from the founder of a "drive in" church, the liberal psychologist/"pastor" Robert Schuller.

So what's this all about?

It's about "Redefining Christianity" by Bob DeWaay. Bob discusses Rick Warren's "Purpose Driven" agenda, theology and methodology and helps us understand how it is laced with New Age concepts and other bad theology. It is a 15 part discussion of Bob's book of the same title. I highly recommend it as part of a nutritional spiritual diet!

On the menu of the many other documented things you'll learn:

• How Rick's "private" theology differs from his public theology and how you too can "have it both ways".
• How Rick Warren uses whatever aberrant modern translation to serve his "purpose".
• How Rick publically dodges clear opportunities to proclaim Jesus Christ as The Way, The Truth and The Life to the exclusion of any other 'pathway to God'.
  
• Why anyone from most any religion can come away from "The Purpose Driven Life" with the conviction that it fits his or her religion quite nicely, thank you!
  
  
  bon appétit!

*NOTE: Since posting this it's come to my attention that oneplace.com doesn't have the complete series available. Bob DeWaay has informed me that his ministry is rebroadcasting them and that they are available on his ministry website. Go there and look for "Radio" down the left of the page under "Redefining Christianity".

The Way It Should Be Preached

It's been a while since this made the rounds, and I thought it was time for it to make the rounds again.

As Paul Washer says in this sermon, I don't care if you are happy, comfortable or if life is turning out the way you want it to. I don't care if your checkbook balances. This is the most important message you could hear. EVER. You say you are a Christian? I challenge you to listen to this entire message carefully.

Now Is The Time...

...for hope and evangelism!

Even as things seem so hopeless, the Lord is still in charge. Although we may "...look up to the mountains..." we know "...where our help comes from." It comes from the Maker of Heaven and earth. (Psalm 121:1-2).

Although darkness may surround us, the battle is still the Lord's!

Let us renew our commitment to evangelism. Even if we are "shy" there is something we can do. Consider trying the following:

1. Visit this link and "take the test". This site has perhaps the clearest Gospel presentation I have seen.

2. Get yourself a stack of "Post-it Notes" and write "www.needgod.com" (the above web site) on each one. Nothing else is needed.

3. Wherever you go, take those post-its with you. If you go to the library, stick one on a computer monitor. Stick one on a door as you pass by. Stick on on the restroom mirror.

Does this work? Yes! People pick them up, read them and take them. You may never see the results in this lifetime but God will honor the effort. And it's not expensive. Just some paper and some graphite from a pencil! What's a soul worth?

Even if you have to do "chicken evangelism" (as I have done at times) -- do it!

And may the Lord bless you!

Friends Don't Let Friends Go PDL

If you haven't yet read the e-book linked at this site, I highly recommend it.

The Wall Street Journal on Purpose Driven

Thanks to Slice of Laodicea for this link.

For those who won't believe Bob DeWaay, or any other of the myriad Christian authors who have written on the Purpose Driven Movement, maybe this article will help....

California's Forced Conversions, Baal Worship and Accepting the Mark of the Terminator.

If you haven't yet heard, California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has signed into law pro-homosexual legislation that is a serious threat to Christian organizations, schools and ministries.

The threat could possibly include the denial of firefighter and police protection for churches and other organizations and ministries that stand for Biblical sexual values.

You can read about it here. You can listen to the Crosstalk broadcast (and read more on this subject) by clicking here.

Yes, these are dark days. But praise God that the battle is His and that in Him we have the victory.

My Utmost for His Highest, September 1st

Destined To Be Holy

. . it is written, ’Be holy, for I am holy’ —1 Peter 1:16

We must continually remind ourselves of the purpose of life. We are not destined to happiness, nor to health, but to holiness. Today we have far too many desires and interests, and our lives are being consumed and wasted by them. Many of them may be right, noble, and good, and may later be fulfilled, but in the meantime God must cause their importance to us to decrease. The only thing that truly matters is whether a person will accept the God who will make him holy. At all costs, a person must have the right relationship with God.

Do I believe I need to be holy? Do I believe that God can come into me and make me holy? If through your preaching you convince me that I am unholy, I then resent your preaching. The preaching of the gospel awakens an intense resentment because it is designed to reveal my unholiness, but it also awakens an intense yearning and desire within me. God has only one intended destiny for mankind— holiness. His only goal is to produce saints. God is not some eternal blessing-machine for people to use, and He did not come to save us out of pity— He came to save us because He created us to be holy. Atonement through the Cross of Christ means that God can put me back into perfect oneness with Himself through the death of Jesus Christ, without a trace of anything coming between us any longer.

Never tolerate, because of sympathy for yourself or for others, any practice that is not in keeping with a holy God. Holiness means absolute purity of your walk before God, the words coming from your mouth, and every thought in your mind— placing every detail of your life under the scrutiny of God Himself. Holiness is not simply what God gives me, but what God has given me that is being exhibited in my life.

-- Oswald Chambers