The Manhattan Declaration

Here is a response from John MacArthur regarding the Manhattan Declaration. Before finding this and reading it, I had already come to the same conclusion...although not as exhaustively. All I can say is "amen!"

Hey Gore!: The Sun Heats the Earth!

"In a sharp rebuke to climate alarmists who believe human-generated carbon dioxide is responsible for causing catastrophic global warming, a Russian scientist has issued what amounts to a news flash announcing, "Sun Heats Earth!"

Habibullo Abdussamatov, the head of space research at St. Petersburg's Pulkovo Astronomical Observatory in Russia, has published a paper in which he tracks sunspot activity going back to the 19th century to argue that total sun irradiance, or TSI, is the primary factor responsible for causing climate variations on Earth, not carbon dioxide."

Wow -- the sun is responsible for heating the Earth? Who'd have thunk it?

Read the rest here.

An Interesting Irony for Atheists

Just got this from Living Waters via email. I love it.:

"An Interesting Irony

Atheists in New York are beginning a comprehensive billboard campaign "designed to raise awareness about people who don't believe in a god." The billboards will say "A million New Yorkers are good without God? Are you?" I called the organizers and left a message for John Rafferty the President of Secular Humanist Society of New York. I said who I was, told him that I loved these signs, and that they were reminding people about God. I told him to keep up the good work and that I hoped we could meet one day and have lunch. They may as well put up billboards that say, 'Don't think about God!' Atheists have been going into Amazon.com and giving my version of On Origin of Species a one star rating to discourage people from getting it, saying things like 'Don't get this book!' Tell any human being not to do something, and he will do the opposite. It's (unregenerate) human nature to do so."

Obama Supports Live Birth Abortions...

He can do what he wants with my "rights" to share my faith and what the Scriptures say about homosexuality and other related topics. I'll choose to obey God and face imprisonment. But it is stuff like this that makes him a real monster.

Did you read this Obama? Repent! You are a lost man before a Holy God! And one day you will be bound, hand and foot, and cast into Hell unless you repent of your sin and put your trust in Jesus Christ as your only hope of salvation!

A Christian Response to the Hate Crimes Prevention Act

Here is Tony Miano's response. It is my response as well.

Barack Obama's Dream for a Secular, Non-Christian Nation

Jan Markell : RED-LETTER CHRISTIANS: NEO-MARXISM IN THE CHURCH?

Never thought I'd be reading something like this, but it would appear that evangelicalism knows no downward limits.

Look in the next to last paragraph for a statement on the NAE promoting a leftist conference on October 21st.

Read it and weep.

Rick Warren's Forked Tongue

Are You a Closet Calvinist?

From his work, "Closet Calvinists":

"In my Arminian days, I affirmed an awful lot of truth about the sovereignty of God. I would have affirmed with no reservation whatsoever that God is God; that He does all His good pleasure; that no one ...can make Him do otherwise; that He is in control and in charge no matter how much noise evildoers try to make; and not only is He in charge, He is working all things out for my good and His glory. As a matter of fact, my confidence in the promise of Romans 8:28 was what motivated my prayer life. That’s Calvinism. If you believe those things, you have affirmed the heart of Calvinism, even if you call yourself an Arminian. Those are the basic truths of Calvinism, and if you already believe those things, you are functioning with Calvinist presuppositions..." -- Phil Johnson

What is Salvation? (In 2 Minutes) - Paul Washer

Rightly Divided: Lane Chaplin

According to His Choice, Not Our Works... (R.C. Sproul)

From the "How Much Mooshier Can You Get?" Department

When I looked up the following (from a local Church's "conference" site), I wasn't really surprised to find that it teaches Wesleyan-Arminianism. . .but the rest really knocked me over. Seems like it's the "Hey, we're whatever you want us to be" church...

Here's the text which can be found here. The last sentence is particularly chameleonic...:

"Theologically, how do you stand in relationship to other church groups?

Without getting involved in detailed definitions, we like to think of ourselves as conservative, rooted in Wesleyan-Arminian theological heritage, a part of the Anabaptist free-church tradition, a part of the Holiness Movement that came to mid-America in the nineteenth and first part of the twentieth centuries, and a participant in the Protestant tradition. We value the insights of those who espouse fundamentalist, liberal, neoorthodox, liberation, and process theologies, but we have some serious questions about some of the methods and conclusions of these schools of thought."

What? No mention of the emergent church? Oh yeah, that's wrapped up in everything else I guess.

No need to comment on the silliness of "valuing insights" from liberals and / or the neoorthodox. But for those who don't know: The "Holiness Movement" teaches that you can reach a point of sinless perfection in this life...which contradicts 1 John in multiple verses. "Process theology" is basically an old liberal teaching which teaches that, to paraphrase, "God is just in a process of 'becoming' just like the rest of us and can't quite handle His job" ("God is either unloving or not able to handle the stuff that is "wrong" in our world"). It's utter heresy and the true Christian has nothing to learn from it, save how to run quickly.

On second thought, maybe there is hope...you think maybe since they'll listen to everyone else they might listen to a Calvinist? Nah.

Yowza! Welcome to "Camp Whatamess"!

I'm glad I'm not going there. It'd definitely be time to change churches!

Dr. Steve J. Lawson Defines the Doctrines of Grace

Always Be Ready [Week 1] (Mark Kielar)

Recovering Reformation Theology Rejecting Synergism and Returning to Monergism

From Bob DeWaay at Critical Issues Commentary:

"A key idea in the contemporary evangelical movement is that revival can be engineered. The Purpose Driven Web site says, “Peter Drucker called him [Warren] ‘the inventor of perpetual revival’ and Forbes magazine has written, ‘If Warren’s church was a business it would be compared with Dell, Google or Starbucks.’”¹ The Purpose Driven movement can cite this business management guru approvingly only because they have a faulty theology of human ability. For example, Rick Warren says, “It is my deep conviction that anybody can be won to Christ if you discover the key to his or her heart. . . . It may take some time to identify it. But the most likely place to start is with the person’s felt needs.”² If this were true one could use modern marketing principles to sell people on their need for Christian religion and convince them to convert in order to find satisfaction of their felt needs. But it is not true..."

The rest is here...

"I Did That! -- Did What?" : Jeff Noblit

Saving Faith: A.W. Pink

Are You a Chocolate Soldier?

"A chocolate Christian dissolves in water and melts at the smell of fire. Living their lives in a glass dish or in a cardboard box, each clad in his soft clothing, a little frilled white paper to preserve his dear little constitution ... God never was a chocolate manufacturer and never will be. God's men are always heroes. In Scripture you can trace their giant foot-tracks down the sands of time." - C. T. Studd

A Defense of Calvinism - C.H. Spurgeon

Clarifying the Docrines of Grace

Today, I think, marked another turning point in my Christian walk. It has, I believe, been coming for some time but today was the day of reckoning.

My wife and I have been meeting on our own on Sunday mornings. We've been doing this since September of last year. During that time, we've been going through 1 John each Sunday morning. Well, most Sunday mornings except for those when we ventured out seeking a home church. So far, no results. We've run into all kinds of things that just indicate that "it wasn't for us".

No, we aren't looking for the "perfect church". We know that such an animal doesn't exist (well, in a way it does...if you say that the "perfect church" is the one that God will use to conform you, in spite of itself, to the image of Christ through its imperfections). But when you get to a point where pastors reject your "conversion story" because it doesn't include a "free will decision" (per a Wesleyan-Arminian pastor) you know it just isn't going to work. And my testimony is one of "Hey, where'd I make a 'decision'? I had no choice!". Rather like Saul to Paul in Acts 9.

Many other disappointments as well. Some theological...and theology does matter because what is taught from a pulpit enters the mind. And what you hear will ultimately effect your behavior because it will effect how you think of God, rightly or wrongly.

So we've been around the block a few times.

Last week, I expounded -- in my own way -- on 1 John 3:1a which commands us to "See how great a love the Father has bestowed on us, that we would be called children of God..."

The only way to understand the wonder in that verse is to understand at least the following 2 things:

1. The character of God.
2. The depravity of man.

If you understand those two things as they are presented in the Scripture, then the 'wonder of it all" becomes patently obvious. If you were to look out your window and see a flying saucer from Venus landing in your front yard, you'd be totally awed. It would be something completely beyond your understanding or grasp. And this is kind of the idea that John was getting at in 1 John 3. The kind of love God the Father showed us in transforming us from lost, vile sinners to children of God. It is a totally "alien" kind of love. Period.

So, with this in mind as well as other things going through my mind of late, you can perhaps understand the pursuit of our study of the Doctrines of Grace.

I have long been, to one degree or another, been convinced of the doctrines of Grace (which some call "Calvinism"). I have been aware, for decades, of the difference between what is referred to as Calvinism and Arminianism. And it has never been an issue of fellowship. I have had many friends of the Arminian persuasion and I've never been tempted to beat any of them over the head with chubs of frozen beef. As a matter of fact, given our country's current drift to socialism, communism, facism or whatever "ism" we are turning into and considering that real Christianity is slowly being criminalized (through proposed "hate crime" legislation), I'd much rather find myself in a jail or prison cell next to an Arminian who shows the fruit of regeneration than a "Calvinist" who claims to be born again regardless of his or her rank lack of fruitfulness.

With the study of the "doctrines of Grace", we will be reminded of the sheer and utter grace of God. Today we spent our time considering the 'prelude' which has to do with the sovereign nature of God. And, you know, He is sovereign.

We in America cannot understand the concept of a "kingdom". We view everything through the lens of a democracy. We know nothing, at least experientially, of a king. See, as someone wiser than me has already said, in a kingdom there are only two parties -- "the king...and the dom".

Well, God is the king...guess who we are? Co-kings? Nope. guess again. And quit thinking "democracy". You don't get a vote.

You may well say something like "I know where you are going and if you are right, it makes God an unjust God!" because God, in His sovereignty, chose who He would redeem, apart from any human decision. And I say to you, "You are looking at it wrongly, for what did God ever owe any man? What are the wages of sin for any man?"

See, no one ever said the same for an outgoing American president who chose to pardon some but not all. It was a sheer act of mercy and grace. But somehow, many won't allow God the same right. He is supposed to be there to serve us. That is not how it is for all things were created by him and for him (Col 1:16). And He works all things according to the counsel of His own will (Eph 1:11). He doesn't counsel with man. He doesn't need his permission. God just does, in his own Sovereignty, as He will.

It's just kind of a "wow" time to go through this.

See, we tend to...over time...kind of leak man's counsel and wisdom into how God works. We have a tendency to, from our own human pride and sinfulness, exalt our own importance. And in doing so, we elevate man and "deGod" God. As fallen creatures, we love our autonomy and in some way, rail against the real Autonomy of God. But that is an expression of our falleness and nothing else.

So, this is where my wife and I find ourselves. The next five weeks or so, I will be doing a study of what the Scriptures say about our depravity, election, the atonement, the irresistible nature of grace and the perseverance of the saints. And she'll be receiving the fruit of my study on Sunday mornings.

Your prayers appreciated as we undertake this wondrous subject.

I Am Not Ashamed of the True Gospel -- Paul Washer

Whither Evangelicalism? : TeamPyro

"Evangelicalism regularly comes under attack from all sides, and let's face it: a lot of the criticism leveled against evangelicals is well deserved. Although I hold firmly to historic evangelical doctrine, I thoroughly despise what the contemporary evangelical movement has become.

That's an important distinction. Evangelical doctrine and the evangelical movement are not the same thing. Nowadays they often look like polar opposites. The movement we usually label "evangelical" abandoned its own doctrinal foundation long ago. The average evangelical today couldn't even tell you what the original doctrinal distinctives of classic evangelicalism were..."

Read the rest here...

Jeff Noblit: The Wonder of it All

Too good to not watch...*way* too good to not watch!

Michael Jackson Interview at Staples Memorial!

Paul Washer -- Worthless Prayer Meetings

Very convicting. Very true. Very necessary:


Full audio version here...

In Your Trials, Never Forget...

Glinda (to Dorothy): "Keep tight inside them. Their magic must be very powerful or she wouldn't want them so badly."

You know, I don't use many things like this to make a point. Generally I like to just go straight to our only authority, which is the Word of God.

But sometimes, I just can't help myself. This, of course, is one of them.

I won't go into the details of what is going on right now. Suffice it to say that this is a time of testing for me. Seems it will never end. You know what I mean...you struggle and struggle to bear in mind that God is still in control. You can't seem to catch a glimpse of God anywhere. It's called bearing up in the valley after you've learned He is there in the mountaintop.

And, remember, no matter how deep the valley, He is still there after you've left the mountaintop. No doubt.

I have no idea what you may be going through. We all struggle with various things or situations. We have our seasons of testing. Just remember, that is what it is -- a season of testing. Let's recall some of the words of Peter in 1 Peter 1:

"³ Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

⁴to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you,

⁵who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

⁶In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials,

⁷so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ;

⁸and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory,

⁹obtaining as the outcome of your faith the salvation of your souls."

See that? We who are in trials still rejoice. Why? Because we know we are being "protected by the power of God through faith" and that what seems to be so oppressing is really nothing more than something God has allowed in our lives to purify us and show us as genuinely born again.

That's it!

But we do need to remember that there is one, namely Satan, who (5:8 of 1 Peter) "prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour."

If you are born of God, your faith is precious. Exceedingly so. And if you are really converted, the enemy cannot "de-faith" you because our Lord protects us from being "touched" (Gr: To cling to in order to separate) by the enemy. (1 John 5:18)

Furthermore, Paul reminds us that after we have suffered for a while, we may be able to comfort those who need comfort! (2 Cor. 1)

Simply put, we need each other!

Anyway if you, like me, find yourself going through some things that just seem just too crazy or heavy to bear just remember that it is a test. And if you are genuinely born of God, you can bear it. He promised through His Word!

^"13No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it." (1 Cor. 10:13)

Blessings to you. Endure!

Former PLO terrorist gives testimony to Jesus and the Bible!

Rick Warren: Cone of Shame Award...

From "The Lawman Chronicles", I pass the following on to you....:

"Warren spoke yesterday to the annual Islamic Society of North America convention, in Washington, DC. Sadly, as expected, Warren failed to share the gospel. That, in and of itself, merits Warren's dubious distinction as a "Cone of Shame" recipient.

Reading several media reports regarding Warren's address, it appears that Warren continues to slide down the sinful and unbiblical slope of ecumenism and pluralism, as Warren unashamedly promotes his social gospel agenda.

Warren is quoted as saying, "I am commanded to love and I am commanded to respect everybody."

What Warren fails to realize is that the most loving thing he could have done for the thousands of lost people gathered to hear him speak was to speak the truth in love--to call Muslims to repentance and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

Rick Warren, you don't love people as much as you claim to. If you truly loved Muslims you would lay down your secular popularity for the furtherance of the gospel. You would put their eternal destiny before your social agenda.

Sadly, Rick Warren belongs in the "Cone of Shame" because he continues to prove that false conversion begins in the pulpit, not in the pew."

Amen, Tony!

By the way, a "cone of shame enhancer" can be found here...Seems that "christian" "pastor" Warren doesn't have a problem afilliating with those who act forcefully against those investigating Islamic radicalism...Way to go Rick! At least now, some of your previously blinded followers might just wake up!

A quote from the above source: "Dave Gaubatz, a former Air Force special agent who has traveled the country investigating radical Islamist mosque and attempts at imposing Shariah law in the U.S., was forcibly removed from the conference after paying the $100 attendance fee. "

Hey, Rick? How do you defend this...as a so-called "christian" and as a so-called "pastor"?

The source for Tony's article is here. Thank you, Tony!

Richard Dawkins Has Jumped the Shark!

You just can't make up stuff as good as this... And yes, this is a serious piece...!

James R. White: Calvinists Are Not Christians?

Tony Miano: On The Steps of Lincoln Memorial

Rick Warren Goes Wahhabi

With everything else going on regarding Obama, it's been a while since we've seen a post about "America's Pastor", Rick Warren. But he's still out there, as problematic as ever.

Here's the text from Ingrid at Slice of Laodicea:

'“The Hour will not be established until you fight with the Jews, and the stone behind which a Jew will be hiding will say. ‘O Muslim! There is a Jew hiding behind me, so kill him.”

—Just one of the hate-filled quotes on the website for the Islamic Society of North America. Rick Warren will be speaking to their convention during the 4th of July weekend.

The Canadian Free Press is raising questions about Rick Warren that the Southern Baptist Convention refuses to. What in the world is Warren doing speaking at an Islamic Society of North America gathering? To preach Christ crucified? To rebuke them for their hatred of Israel and promise to destroy it? To speak out against the growing number of “honor killings” in North America? The Southern Baptist Convention leadership has given Rick Warren a free pass for far too long. Now the world has to come along and ask the hard questions.'


...and, as usual, here's a link to the original post...

Cal.Vini.St Blog and Free Bible Study Software!

Serious about good Bible Study software? Check this out. The Cal.Vini.St blog has two copies of BibleWorks 8 and will be giving them away as they celebrate their first anniversary!

The rest is here!

APA revises 'gay gene' theory

From the "no surprise here" department:

"The attempt to prove that homosexuality is determined biologically has been dealt a knockout punch. An American Psychological Association publication includes an admission that there's no homosexual "gene" -- meaning it's not likely that homosexuals are born that way.

For decades, the APA has not considered homosexuality a psychological disorder, while other professionals in the field consider it to be a "gender-identity" problem. But the new statement, which appears in a brochure called "Answers to Your Questions for a Better Understanding of Sexual Orientation & Homosexuality," states the following:..."

The article can be read here...

Of course, there is no "gay gene". Never has been one any more than there is one for lying, lusting, stealing, coveting, failing to put God first, idolatry, killing or any other of the commandments.

Homosexuality is an expression of fallen sinfulness. It is the final judgment on a society that has abandoned God, per Romans 1. And it is a part of a list of those sins which betray the reality that a person is lost.

Ever lied? Stolen? Lusted after someone not married to you? Before God, that would make you a lying, thieving adulterer and that is only three of the ten commandments. Say you only lied once so you're not a liar? It only takes one rape for us as a society to call a person a rapist, no?

See yourself as a man before a judge. A just judge. You've been found guilty of some felony and you know you are headed for prison. What are you going to do? Ask him to forgive you? Based on what? You waxed his car? Would a *just* judge do that? Of course not! He must judge based on the law.

But Jesus, the righteous Judge Who created all things by Himself and for Himself and upholds all things by the Word of His power, came around to your side of the bench and paid the penalty for you, bearing the righteous judgment and wrath of God. "He Who knew no sin became sin for us, that we may become the righteousness of God through Him". (2 Cor. 5:21).

He paid the penalty for me. And he paid it for all who will repent and trust in what He did.

Turn from your sin and trust in the finished work of Jesus Christ, as you would trsut in a parachute! One day, you will have to jump from this "plane" called life!

John MacArthur: The Challenge of Science

Here is some completely awesome teaching by John MacArthur!

Mourning a Death. . .

It's been said to me by a dear old friend that mourning for the death of others is common in ministry. I'm new to this. Oh, I've mourned over the loss of those for whom I've given care as a nurse's aid. I've mourned over the loss of my brother. And if you've been tracking my blog since the early days, you recall my dad died in November of 2006.

But this was different. And, it was unexpected. For it was a mourning over what would appear to be the death of one who yet walks, breathes and talks. And it took me totally by surprise. I wasn't a bit prepared.

It was 1982. September. I had flown from my home in Illinois to L.A. to attend Logos Bible Institute at John MacArthur's church. And I made too few friends. See, I was there as a false convert. I thought I was saved, but wasn't. I was yet unregenerate. But it would appear I wasn't the only one.

Since those days, the Lord let me slip but by His grace and incredible mercy, showed me my sinful state and my need for Christ. There are others who, sadly, have not.

One was another Logos student whom I heard about through Rick Holland. Rick was also a Logos student but is now an elder at Grace Community Church, among other things.

The other is an old friend whom I had come to know well. We had rented opposing bedrooms in home on Foothill Boulevard in, I believe, Lakeview Terrace.

After Logos, I wouldn't see my friend again until 1998. My wife and I were on our honeymoon and had traveled to the Phoenix area for a few reasons. My wife had spent part of her childhood there. Also, we wanted to visit a dear friend who was the dean of Logos turned pastor of Scottsdale Baptist Church. And then there was my old friend from Logos. Yes, we were able to reconnect. And it was great to see my old friend again.

Over the years, I've thought of him often. And it was a couple of months ago that I tried to look him up. His dad had written and self-published a book, a copy of which I still have. There was just enough information there to, in theory, locate his father. But when I tried to contact him, the number was out of service.

Then over a week ago, I get a friend request on Facebook. "Is that really you?". It was my friend. "Good days be comin'" I thought to myself.

Well, you probably already know where I'm going. I've certainly thrown enough hints around. So I'll cut to the quick.

My friend told me in plain language that he is now "secure and content" in his skepticism. And from the discussion I had with him, both on Facebook as well as a conference call from a fellow brother in Christ, he appears to be totally apostate. Of course, I can't determine if he has "crossed the line" and has been abandoned by God but if he ever comes to faith it is going to be an extremely obvious work of God. And I pray this to be the case.

After my conversion, I struggled with doubts. Very strong doubts. But I always, always, always knew it was "doubt leaning toward belief". In other words, "Lord, I believe, help me in my unbelief". My friend has doubt which is decidedly leaning toward unbelief.

He has read all the "experts" and has convinced himself that the Scriptures are not reliable. Yet, having done so, he wanted me and my friend to convince him (against his will?) that the Bible can be trusted.

While he clearly said he is "secure and content" in his skepticism, he also said "I want to believe, I really do!" Well, the two are mutually exclusive. If you are content and secure in your "faith", you don't want to abandon it. Pure, clear thinking rules out reconciling the two statements. Unless, of course, his heart is crying for what he knows to be true while his intellectual pride locks him from reaching out and grabbing what he knows he needs. And pride is the origin of all sin.

My *saved* friend and I did all we could. In the spiritual sense, we even tried "the paddles", hoping to give him a jolt. But he was totally unable to suspend his unbelief for even ten minutes while we tried to get him to listen to his conscience in light of God's Law. We told him "Let's just try surmising that the Scriptures are true...Have you ever told a lie? Lusted?". . ."what would that make you", etc, trying to get him to see that he, as all of us, are guilty of breaking God's law and are thus guilty before God. But, for whatever reason he couldn't (or wouldn't) do it. Conviction? I hope so. Salvation doesn't come without repentance. And without conviction of sin and guilt there is no perceived need for repentance.

He appears to have closed the door on faith, welded it shut, and put every imaginable piece of furniture in front of the door. I have found myself struggling against the conviction that he is merely going around looking for Christians to debate. It is certainly possible but I pray it isn't. He *did* say that he enjoys debating. And normally, I'd take it that such a person is arrogant enough to presume on my time for his own entertainment. Certainly possible but I resist accepting it in this case although, as I said, this would be my normal conclusion.

It was a hard time for me to go through this. And I'm glad my friend was there to help me speak with this guy because it helped me keep some objectivity. I've had tons of debates with unbelievers over the years. But never with a friend who has shown himself to be a false convert.

But I mourn, and have been mourning, over what most certainly awaits this old friend. Many of the feelings that I have experienced while watching someone die physically are close if not identical to watching this person die spiritually. And I never expected it.

To know what awaits him, knowing that he is not guaranteed one more breath. He hangs over the mouth of hell by the thinnest of strands, weighed down by the immensity of his sin. Yet he can't feel it because a corpse feels nothing. And he is a spiritual corpse.

And it was hard to read one of his closing comments to me, calling me "brother". No. He has a different father (John 8:44). But, rightly or wrongly, I just couldn't get myself to address that. It was just too painful.

Beyond hope? Only God knows where that line is crossed by any particular person. So, I mourn yet I pray.

And I ask you to pray as well.

Paul Washer on Wretched TV

Maybe it sounds trite, but it is so true. I'm thankful for Paul Washer's ministry. He tells it like it is. He forces me to view myself Biblically and examine myself in the light of God's Word. Yet at the same time, I often get great comfort from what he has to say because I see many of the marks that he strongly proclaims as part of a genuinely saved person.

I recommend with great cheer the following:

And Now, A Little Common Sense...

John MacArthur: God's Plan for the Gay Agenda

From Grace To You:

"If you've been watching the headlines over the last couple years, you may have noticed the incredible surge of interest in affirming homosexuality. Whether it's at the heart of a religious scandal, political corruption, radical legislation, or the redefinition of marriage, homosexual interests have come to characterize America. That's an indication of the success of the gay agenda. And some Christians, including some national church leaders, have wavered on the issue even recently. But sadly, when people refuse to acknowledge the sinfulness of homosexuality--calling evil good and good evil (Isaiah 5:20)--they do so at the expense of many souls.

How should you respond to the success of the gay agenda? Should you accept the recent trend toward tolerance? Or should you side with those who exclude homosexuals with hostility and disdain?

In reality, the Bible calls for a balance between what some people think are two opposing reactions--condemnation and compassion. Really, the two together are essential elements of biblical love, and that's something the homosexual sinner desperately needs.

Homosexual advocates have been remarkably effective in selling their warped interpretations of passages in Scripture that address homosexuality. When you ask a homosexual what the Bible says about homosexuality--and many of them know--they have digested an interpretation that is not only warped, but also completely irrational. Pro-homosexual arguments from the Bible are nothing but smokescreens--as you come close, you see right through them.

God's condemnation of homosexuality is abundantly clear--He opposes it in every age.

- In the patriarchs (Genesis 19:1-28)

- In the Law of Moses (Leviticus 18:22; 20:13)

- In the Prophets (Ezekiel 16:46-50)

- In the New Testament (Romans 1:18-27; 1 Corinthians 6:9-10; Jude 7-8)

Why does God condemn homosexuality? Because it overturns God's fundamental design for human relationships--a design that pictures the complementary relationship between a man and a woman (Genesis 2:18-25; Matthew 19:4-6; Ephesians 5:22-33).

Why, then, have homosexual interpretations of Scripture been so successful at persuading so many? Simple: people want to be convinced. Since the Bible is so clear about the issue, sinners have had to defy reason and embrace error to quiet their accusing consciences (Romans 2:14-16). As Jesus said, "Men loved the darkness rather than the Light, [because] their deeds were evil" (John 3:19-20).

As a Christian, you must not compromise what the Bible says about homosexuality--ever. No matter how much you desire to be compassionate to the homosexual, your first sympathies belong to the Lord and to the exaltation of His righteousness. Homosexuals stand in defiant rebellion against the will of their Creator who from the beginning "made them male and female" (Matthew 19:4).

Don't allow yourself to be intimidated by homosexual advocates and their futile reasoning--their arguments are without substance. Homosexuals, and those who advocate that sin, are fundamentally committed to overturning the lordship of Christ in this world. But their rebellion is useless, for the Holy Spirit says, "Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God" (1 Corinthians 6:9-10; cf. Galatians 5:19-21).

So, what is God's response to the homosexual agenda?

Certain and final judgment. To claim anything else is to compromise the truth of God and deceive those who are perishing.

No matter what the sin is, whether homosexuality or anything else, God has provided forgiveness, salvation, and the hope of eternal life to those who repent and embrace the gospel.As you interact with homosexuals and their sympathizers, you must affirm the Bible's condemnation. You are not trying to bring damnation on the head of homosexuals, you are trying to bring conviction so that they can turn from that sin and embrace the only hope of salvation for all of us sinners--and that's through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Homosexuals need salvation. They don't need healing--homosexuality is not a disease. They don't need therapy--homosexuality is not a psychological condition. Homosexuals need forgiveness, because homosexuality is a sin.

I don't know how it happened, but a few decades ago someone branded homosexuals with the worst misnomer--"gay." Gay used to mean happy, but I can assure you, homosexuals are not happy people. They habitually seek happiness by following after destructive pleasures. There is a reason Romans 1:26 calls homosexual desire a "degrading passion." It is a lust that destroys the physical body, ruins relationships, and brings perpetual suffering to the soul--and its ultimate end is death (Romans 7:5). Homosexuals are experiencing the judgment of God (Romans 1:24, 26, 28), and thus they are very, very sad.

First Corinthians 6 is very clear about the eternal consequence for those who practice homosexuality--but there's good news. No matter what the sin is, whether homosexuality or anything else, God has provided forgiveness, salvation, and the hope of eternal life to those who repent and embrace the gospel. Right after identifying homosexuals as those who "will not inherit the kingdom of God," Paul said, "Such were some of you; but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God" (1 Corinthians 6:11).

God's plan for many homosexuals is that they come to salvation. There were former homosexuals in the Corinthian church back in Paul's day, just as there are many former homosexuals today in my church and in faithful churches around the country. With regenerated hearts, they sit in biblical churches throughout the country praising their Savior, along with former fornicators, idolaters, adulterers, thieves, coveters, drunkards, revilers, and swindlers. Remember, such were some of you too.

What should be your response to the homosexual agenda? Make it a biblical response--confront it with the truth of Scripture that condemns homosexuality and promises eternal damnation for all who practice it. What should be your response to the homosexual? Make it a gospel response--confront him with the truth of Scripture that condemns him as a sinner, and point him to the hope of salvation through repentance and faith in Jesus Christ. Stay faithful to the Lord as you respond to homosexuality by honoring His Word, and leave the results to Him."

Original article is here...

Thinking Biblically About Homosexuality: John MacArthur

An Open Letter To President Obama from Tony Miano

Those of you who have seen, and were sickened by, the graphic to the left...please find some company in the following from Tony Miano at "The Lawman Chronicles". And of course be praying that the Lord will open the eyes of a false convert who happens to occupy the White House:

"An Open Letter to President Obama

Dear President Barack Obama,


My name is Tony Miano. I am a citizen of the United States and you are my president.

While we live in the same country, we also live worlds apart. We are very different--you and I. You are a politician and the most powerful man in the world--known to virtually everyone. I am a retired deputy sheriff, turned street evangelist--known to very few.

Yet while we are different, we have several things in common. We are about the same age. We are both married to lovely, supportive women. We are raising daughters (although two of mine are now in college). We're protective of our families. And we both profess to be followers of Jesus Christ.

Here are some of the statements you have made about your faith:

"I am a Christian, and I am a devout Christian. I believe in the redemptive death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. I believe that that faith gives me a path to be cleansed of sin and have eternal life."

"I am a Christian. So, I have a deep faith. So I draw from the Christian faith."

"I've been to the same church-- the same Christian church-- for almost 20 years . . .I was sworn in with my hand on the family Bible."

"It is a precept of my Christian faith that my redemption comes through Christ, but I am also a big believer in the Golden Rule, which I think is an essential pillar not only of my faith but of my values and my ideals and my experience here on Earth."

"My faith teaches me that I can sit in church and pray all I want, but I won't be fulfilling God's will unless I go out and do the Lord's work."

Mr. President, you profess to be a follower of Jesus Christ, yet you have said nothing about this...


You have said nothing publicly about the use of your image to blaspheme God.

The artist canceled the public unveiling of this blasphemous work, due to the public, moral outrage over the work's content.

Mr. President, since your image was used to blaspheme the God in whom you say you believe, why hasn't your voice been the first and the loudest to be heard? As a professing Christian and the present leader of our country, why aren't you the leading Christian voice to say that you do not condone or appreciate the use of your image to blaspheme the Lord Jesus Christ?

If you were to try to make the case that as a "community organizer" you want to bring people together, and to speak publicly about this would alienate non-Christians; or if you were to try to make the case that this is a "freedom of speech" issue and you would not want to be seen as infringing upon the artist's right to free expression; then I would humbly submit to you, Mr. President, that anything and/or anyone you place before or above God, is your god.

Mr. President, any time you refuse to make a stand for God you are making a denial of God. And the Word of God is clear. "So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven, but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven" (Matthew 10:33).

Could making such a public stand for the name and holiness of Jesus Christ prove costly? Could it cost you your popularity among the masses, both here and abroad? Could it cost you support within the halls of government? Could it cost you the White House? Could it cost you your very life? Jesus had an answer for concerns such as these.

"And calling the crowd to Him with His disciples, He said to them, 'If anyone would come after Me, let Him deny Himself and take up His cross and follow Me'" (Mark 8:34).

Mr. President, whatever you are unwilling to sacrifice (even your life) for the sake of Jesus Christ is, in reality, your god. Whatever you love more than Christ; whatever you treasure more than Christ; whatever you will not forfeit for Christ is your god.

While there is only one Lawgiver and Judge and while there is only One who is able to save and destroy (James 4:12), and while I cannot know your heart, because I care about you as a human being I must tell you this. Your seeming indifference to this latest effort to dub you messiah, coupled with many things you have said in the past that run contrary to the Christian faith and the infallible Word of God; I must tell you that I do not believe you are a Christian. While you assert that you believe in Jesus Christ (even the demons believe and shudder--James 2:19), I do not believe you have received Him as Lord and Savior. I believe you are lost and in need of salvation.

Mr. President, I do not make such a statement--one that many professing Christians and non-Christians alike would wrongly deem judgmental--with any ill-will toward you whatsoever. On the contrary, Mr. President. I make such a statement because I care enough about you as a human being to tell you the truth--to run the risk of loving you enough to make you hate me for it.

Mr. President, there is yet another way you and I are very similar. We are both sinners. We have both violated the Law of God. Mr. President, if you have ever lied, stolen, taken God's name in vain, looked at someone other than your wife with lust, or every hated anyone then God sees you as a lying, thieving, blasphemous, adulterous, murderer at heart.

Because God is good--because He is holy, righteous, and just--He must punish your sin against Him. And the punishment God has ascribed for sin is eternity in hell, Mr. President. When you die and stand before Almighty God, He will not see you mounted on a donkey. He will not see you wearing the crown of thorns He allowed His only Son to wear. He will see you naked, clothed only in the filthy garments of your sin. And He will say to you on that great and terrible day, "I never knew you; depart from Me, you worker of lawlessness" (Matthew 7:23b).

Mr. President, I do not want that for you. I wish you a very long and healthy life on this earth. I wish the same for your wife and your children; as well as your children's children. But I want so much more for you than that. I want you to receive the free gift of eternal life that only God can give.

Mr. President, allow me to introduce you to the real Messiah--the King of kings and the Lord of Lords.

Two thousand years ago, God the Father sent His Son Jesus Christ (fully God and fully man) to this earth (John 1:14). He lived the perfect life that you cannot live. He was nailed to a cross, shed His blood, and died taking upon Himself the wrath of God sinners deserve (Mark 15:22-26). Three days later, He rose from the dead defeating sin and death. As a result of Jesus Christ's perfect life, shed blood, death, burial, and resurrection, God grants forgiveness of sins and eternal life to all who believe (John 3:16). But in order for this to happen, Jesus said you must be "born again" (John 3:3). Being born again is a supernatural work that only God can do when He gives you a new heart and dwells in you in the person of the Holy Spirit. This change results in a hunger for righteousness that will cause you to repent, turn from your sins, and put your faith in Jesus as Lord and Savior.

Please, Mr. President, repent and believe the gospel. Turn from your sins and receive Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. Neither you, nor the ecumenical, pluralistic, unjust god you have fashioned in your mind are the true Messiah. There is only One. His name is Jesus Christ--the God of the Scriptures--the Living Word.

Mr. President, whether thousands of people join me by signing this letter, or it bears only one signature (my own), matters not to me. What matters to me, Mr. President, is where you will spend eternity. What matters to me, Mr. President, is whether you will stand with me to exalt and glorify the name that is above every name--the name before which every knee will bow and every tongue will confess--Jesus Christ the Lord.


Respectfully yours,


Tony Miano
A Bondslave of the Lord Jesus Christ

Paul Washer: This Is War!

This is War - Paul Washer from I'll Be Honest on Vimeo.

How I Found Out What Is Most Important...

Paul Washer: Blessed are the Meek

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Paul Washer: Gospel Call

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Search Upload * Video File * Quick Capture Paul Washer Open Air Preaching in Lima (English Subtitles)

Rick Warren: "I Am Not Anti-Gay Marriage"... People Pleaser, or God Pleaser?

Even Hollywood Knows...

Comment from LivingWaters:

"Proof that Hollywood Knows Abortion is Murder

We have created a short video clip that speaks to the issue of abortion from a unique perspective. We want this to spread across the Internet. Please help us by sending it to as many people as you can, and asking them to send it to their contacts. Thank you."

Paul Washer: You Know There Is A Creator

Ignatius

Ignatius from travis hawkins on Vimeo.

John MacArthur: What is the Biggest Threat to Christianity?

White Horse Inn: American Pelagianism

From White Horse Inn, originally broadcast on July 13, 2008:

"Why have the doctrines of grace been so difficult to take root in the American soil? What is it about the way we think and act as a people that makes Pelagianism so common, if not our very "default setting?" On this edition of the White Horse Inn, the hosts will continue their discussion of Pelagianism, with a particular focus on its influence in American religion and practice."

You can hear the mp3 file here...

Sound Doctrine; Sound Words (Phil Johnson)

John Macarthur and Mr Madonna

From "The Bottom Line":

"I heard a very funny story recently about John Macarthur that has a real Hollywood buzz about it. Macarthur was recently interviewed on Larry King and upon arriving at his office the next day he was interrupted by a phone call. The caller said "my name is Guy Ritchie and I need to speak to you". Macarthur being so culturally savvy responded "Guy who?".

Guy Ritchie: Guy Ritchie, I'm Madonna's husband!

John Macarthur: Madonna who?

Guy Ritchie: I need to speak with you. Can you come out to my place?

John Macarthur: Sure thing..."

The rest can be read here...

Young Israel's Reaction to Pat Oliphant Cartoon

From Young Israel:


"YOUNG ISRAEL MOVEMENT CONDEMNS ANTI-SEMITIC CARTOON

The National Council of Young Israel (NCYI) today strongly condemned an anti-Semitic cartoon that appeared in newspapers throughout the United States. The syndicated cartoon, which was drawn by political cartoonist Pat Oliphant, portrays an image of a headless sword-bearing, goose-stepping person who is pushing a Jewish Star with fangs. The headless figure is chasing a woman holding a child with the word "Gaza" emblazoned on her cloak.

"This highly offensive anti-Semitic and anti-Israel cartoon crosses all boundaries of basic human decency," said NCYI President Shlomo Z. Mostofsky. "By conjuring up Nazi imagery and portraying Israel as a ruthless aggressor who relishes terrorizing innocent civilians, this cartoon perpetuates the dissemination of dangerous propaganda that incites further hatred."

"Mr. Oliphant has deliberately skewed the facts, revised history, and turned a blind eye to the fact that Israel has repeatedly been forced to protect its citizenry from acts of terrorism and martyrdom that have tragically claimed the lives of innocent men, women, and children," added Mostofsky. "Mr. Oliphant's twisted sense of artistic expression is quite repugnant and leaves a lot to be desired."

The National Council of Young Israel called on Mr. Oliphant and Universal Press Syndicate, the entity that distributes Mr. Oliphant's cartoons, to issue public apologies for the distasteful nature of the cartoon. In addition, the National Council of Young Israel urged the media outlets that carry Oliphant's cartoons to remove this particular cartoon from their web sites."

Shocker: 'Global warming' simply no longer happening!

Here's the link!

Jesus Died! : Paul Washer

A Bit of Humor

You know, it's been ages since I've posted anything humorous here. So, it's time. I found this at Facebook...

Medals for Jesus

Just got my new copy of "Voice of the Martyrs" yesterday. And while I don't normally scan and post articles from it, I felt it appropriate. I'll let it apply to your life as the Lord leads.

I've been out of work for the better part of five months. I might have a peer-level interview at a local hospital in a week or so but even if that happens, there is of course no guarantee of a job. Meantime, I've got one "employer" who "isn't able" to give me hours. And, you know, you start to feel sorry for yourself.

Then you get a reminder of just how well we really have it here.

I'd recommend you give this article a read. And let it be much food for thought.

The Second Coming (Compilation)

John MacArthur: Has America Been Abandoned?

A Purpose Driven Scolding...!

Rejecting Abortion Using Obama’s Argument

From Christian Worldview Network:

"It's unfortunate, but America now has the most pro-abortion president in the nation's history. He has pledged to protect abortion rights and has wasted no time in advancing its cause. On Friday, January 23, Barack Obama rescinded the Mexico City Policy -- and with that action forced American taxpayers to fund the innocent slaughter of children all over the world. But that's not all; in his campaign he promised to do more. He wants to pursue and sign into law the Freedom of Choice Act -- legislation that would essentially remove all state-level restrictions on abortion. And he wants to lift the ban on state-supported embryonic stem-cell research. Interestingly, when presidential candidate Obama gave his famous "Call to Renewal" speech, he said: "Democracy demands that the religiously motivated translate their concerns into universal, rather than religion-specific, values. It requires that their proposals be subject to argument, and amenable to reason. I may be opposed to abortion for religious reasons, but if I seek to pass a law banning the practice, I cannot simply point to the teachings of my church or evoke God's will. I have to explain why abortion violates some principle that is accessible to people of all faiths, including those with no faith at all." Incidentally, this same principle is reiterated under "Faith" on the White House website.

Although all morality is essentially based in religion and certainly not devoid of reason, suppose God or religion were left out of the picture. Suppose a completely secular approach to abortion was made only "amenable to reason" -- an approach that seeks to show that abortion "violates some principle that is accessible to people of all faiths, including those with no faith at all," just as the president insists. Would the argument against abortion be sufficiently strong? The answer to that question is an unequivocal, "yes!"

In his book Pro-Life Answers to Pro-Choice Arguments, Randy Alcorn notes a number of completely secular arguments for why abortion should be prohibited by law..."

Read the rest of this article here...

New Testimony - Jason's freedom from Homosexuality/Gluttony

From "I'll Be Honest", a website dedicated to the Glory of God and the Gospel of Jesus Christ:

Freed from Homosexuality from I'll Be Honest on Vimeo.

An Inadequate Gospel - John MacArthur & Todd Friel (Wretched)

...Of Course, I Could Be Wrong...

It was 10 years ago this coming fall when my wife and I moved back to my home town. We had been living about an hour from here. We relocated after she got a job here. I commuted the hour to work on a daily basis. I worked at a large university and provided computer support in numerous campus buildings and labs.

The town we left was very small. Its only "claim to fame" is the university. And make no mistake about it, as a new believer, it was a very intimidating place to be even back then in 1999. All the BGLFA "safe zones" and all that. A very "dark" place to work.

Of course, for a while, she commuted here. And we looked for a home here. And prayed that the Lord would provide. Meanwhile, we put our home up for sale. It didn't take long to sell. But we hadn't found anything yet. But I kept praying.

And I didn't just pray for *any* home. I prayed for *the* home. The kind that would be amenable for home church meetings...specifically a basement that could be put to such use. From what I saw going on between society and Christianity, I was thinking "home churches are coming!"

See, when you work on a university campus, you get a glimpse of what the next decade may bring...for the kids who attend college today will be gaining control of the agenda in the next ten years. It didn't take much mental arithmetic to understand what was happening. And it sure didn't look "Christian friendly".

So I prayed. I prayed that the Lord would not only provide a home for us here but also one that would be suitable for home church meetings. The thought being, of course, that the open practice of Christianity appeared (even at that time on that campus) to be in peril.

Well, like I said, our home there sold. But we didn't have anything here yet. Mind you, my parents were real estate brokers. At that time they operated their own office. And mom, even though she professed Christ even then, was rather jittery for us. I asked her why. She said "Your home has sold and we don't even see anything here that would be suitable for you two! There's hardly anything in books right now. It's a seller's market!" And, back then, it was!

I asked her if she really believed God would provide (not meaning to be snotty but I figured it to be a good question). And after she said "yes", I asked her where her faith was!

It was three days later (to my shock) that my wife said she got a call from mom. There was a house she wanted us to look at. It wasn't a "regular listing". It was a home that was owned by some acquaintances who wanted to sell the house directly without going through an agency. Knowing my parents, they chose to ask them to help and my parents did it out of their home.

So, my wife drove up and took a look. She loved it! She wanted me to get up here and look at it right away, which I did. Indeed, it was the perfect home. And, the price was more than reasonable. It was a "custom deal" seemingly made for us! And of course we were the only ones who even knew about it.

We made an offer. No stress, no mess. And it went perfectly. Not only that, the former owners gave us the keys before the deal was even closed, so we could start working on things. But it gets even better than that; One day we came up for a visit (even before we got the keys) and I decided I wanted to show the property to some friends that day. I just happened to show up at their home just before they got home from a trip. I saw them on the way home, turned around. Yes, they came over and took a look but it seems that while I expected to only be able to show the outside of the home it would appear that the Lord had other plans...for when we got here, the front door was (freakishly) standing slightly open. As if to say "It's ok, come in! Welcome Home!". We did. Mind you, the deal hadn't even closed yet!

On another date, our former pastor and his family stopped by. They had their kids with them. Remember my prayer about a home with a basement for church meetings? The youngest son had been downstairs and then ran up to the attic. What did he say to his parents? "Did you see that basement? We could have church down there!"

From the mouths of babes...

There was really no reason for that kid to say that; our church was meeting in a Jr. High School near here and was building a traditional building. They weren't looking for what I was praying for and what he saw... But it was a jaw dropping time for me when my wife informed me of what she heard that young boy say. I could tell it had given her a goose bump or two as well.

So many stories about how in the early days we'd need something and open a drawer and "voila", there is what we need, left by the former owners. The first time this happened, I told Jackie "Just look in the drawer to the right of the sink". I hadn't looked in there. I just said that...in part as a joke because that's what we did at our old home. But what we needed was there. Many times, right there. But other times, in other places in the house. This just doesn't happen. At least not to "normal" people.

No way.

It was such a profound time. But it kept happening.

But then I found work closer to home. Away from the campus. And of course you forget. The memories soften. For so long now, we've been in our little "incubator".

One thing I've noticed over the years however, and that is a kind of "it's time to let go of things". Even while I was out of work or underemployed in recent years it's kind of been like "God will provide, don't strive, just focus on today".

The trials we have gone through trying to find a decent church. Zero results. Want to follow Rick Warren or Willow Creek? You're in luck. Want easy belief? Sure! But do you want to hear exegesis? Forget it. Want a fellowship where people are serious about Fellowship, breaking of bread, doctrine and prayer? Never mind. Churchianity 4, Real Christianity 0.

So, we began meeting at home this past September.

And today. The inauguration. And the White House website stating their position on "Civil Rights". Such a stress on new legislated "respect" for BGLT and all the rights to be given them under the new administration. Hate crime laws. They have ramifications, you know.

Then it came back to me. The prayer. And the memories of my time at the university. And how eerie to sense it maybe coming to pass. Christianity slowly (or not so slowly) becoming illegal in the U.S.

And while I would certainly hope to be wrong, I can't help but wonder.

It wouldn't take much. The passing of hate crime laws. Advocates of aberrant lifestyles "visiting" traditional churches, lying in wait for the pastor to mention Romans 1, 1 Corinthians 6:9, etc. just to report them to make sure they are "punished" for their "intolerance" and "hate".

Think I'm off base? It's happened in Canada. And after it starts here, the slippery slope gets worse.

Should this begin, we could see pastors who preach the truth be fined or go to jail. And the real church could be forced underground. The traditional churches? Ah! Seeker sensitive! So, no need to mention sin such as homosexuality. No harm done. Business as usual. And the Lord puts their lamp out. No thanks. Won't go there.

We'll work our jobs quietly and reach out to those around us with the Gospel as we can. Leading quiet and peaceful lives as Paul told Timothy in 1 Timothy 2. We'll meet in our homes in very intimate fellowships. And we will depend on one another like no one in the "country club churches" ever dreamed. See, being a Christian may keep you from being able to work. After all, part of the new hate crimes laws may have to do as well with employees having to sign on to "tolerate" homosexuality in the workplace...or face termination. I could smell this coming at the university ten years ago. Now, it wouldn't surprise me a bit.

Kind of makes for new challenges! Thankfully, our mortgage is down to four digits as of this past month...and there still are no such hate crime laws on the books. And while I think it's not "if" but "when" and "sooner" rather than "later", I prefer to remember that we have relative safety as believers *today*.

My understanding is that there is a trend of growth in those who have home churches. Don't remember where I read it or heard it but I do remember it. It's mainly (currently) to do with our reasons for doing home church -- the sad state of established churches. More like clubs than churches. No teaching, really. "Old McDonald" preaching. "Old McDonald has a topic, e i e i o", then "one verse here, one verse there, here a verse, there a verse, everywhere a verse verse". All out of context to prove the pretext.

Of course, I could be wrong. And I do pray I am. But like I said, that old prayer and the answer we got has made a rather eerie return to my mind in recent days.

But in any case, let's be faithful to the calling that we have been called to. Let's ask ourselves just how tightly we've been hanging on to the toys of this life. What's important to us now? What will be important to us 200 years from now? A Thousand? And how will the answers to those questions change us today?

I love playing my brasswinds. As recent as 5 years ago, I was playing them at a church we attended. Then the pastor left and the worship team took over. Window rattling iWorship. 7-11 lyrics. Older members standing outside the church out of disgust for what had transpired. Being told by others "If you don't like the music now, just leave!" Ok, thank you.

And there the horns sit. Nice to look at, but maybe it's time to let them go? It all seems so starkly frivolous now.

Let's pray for the Church in America. Let's pray that we will have a surge of true repentance. Let's pray that I'm wrong.

I'd like nothing better. Believe me.