Saturday, January 31, 2009
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Rejecting Abortion Using Obama’s Argument
"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 On Friday, January 23, Barack Obama rescinded the Mexico City Policy -- and with that action forced American taxpayers to fund the innocent slaughter of children all over the world.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..."
New Testimony - Jason's freedom from Homosexuality/Gluttony
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
...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.
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.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
“Living Fossils”—Evolution’s Innate Circular Reasoning
From Apologetics Press:
"Another earthshaking find within the evolutionary community only spotlights once again the inherent irrationality of the faltering, fallacious theory. During a Southeast Asian expedition, retired Florida State University science professor, David Redfield, captured the first photos of the Laotian rock rat, once believed to have gone extinct more than 11 million years ago. The fossilized remains, collected previously from sites in Pakistan, India, Thailand, China, and Japan, were thought to verify this last known relative of a long-extinct family of rodents known as Diatomyidae (“Retired Professor Captures...,” 2006). Surprise, surprise—another alleged “ancestor” eliminated from the tattered evolutionary tree.
Observe the two contrasting, conflicting, mutually exclusive approaches to the created realm:
1. Evolution: All animals we see today are advanced forms of primitive precursors, and descendants of a single ancestor. As more advanced forms have evolved by means of adaptation, natural selection, survival of the fittest, and genetic mutation, the earlier forms were naturally displaced and disappeared. Fossils, millions of years old, represent life forms that were the evolutionary predecessors of present life forms, but which went extinct long ago.
2. Creation: God created a spectrum of animals during the six-day week of Creation. While reproducing only after their own “kind” (an ambiguous Hebrew term that likely parallels the modern taxonomic classification “family”), these animals were created with the genetic potential for producing a variety of other species, giving rise to the diversity of animal life presently on the planet. Along the way, due mostly to environmental factors, many animals have become extinct. However, other species have escaped detection by humans for centuries, only to be rediscovered in some remote area.
Which of these two viewpoints fits the actual physical facts? Obviously, the latter. Evolutionists repeatedly find themselves in the embarrassing position of discovering that the alleged evolutionary ancestors of current life forms, that supposedly went extinct millions of years ago, are in fact still living. They are forced to cover their tracks by inventing a self-contradictory, nonsensical term to identify these anomalies—in this case, “living fossils.” But that’s like a round square. Philosophers and logicians refer to such duplicitous posturing as irrational and “logical contradiction.” Evolutionists call it “science.”
REFERENCE
“Retired Professor Captures a ‘Living Fossil’ on Video” (2006), Research in Review, June 13, [On-line], URL: http://www.rinr.fsu.edu/rockrat/more.html."
"Another earthshaking find within the evolutionary community only spotlights once again the inherent irrationality of the faltering, fallacious theory. During a Southeast Asian expedition, retired Florida State University science professor, David Redfield, captured the first photos of the Laotian rock rat, once believed to have gone extinct more than 11 million years ago. The fossilized remains, collected previously from sites in Pakistan, India, Thailand, China, and Japan, were thought to verify this last known relative of a long-extinct family of rodents known as Diatomyidae (“Retired Professor Captures...,” 2006). Surprise, surprise—another alleged “ancestor” eliminated from the tattered evolutionary tree.
Observe the two contrasting, conflicting, mutually exclusive approaches to the created realm:
1. Evolution: All animals we see today are advanced forms of primitive precursors, and descendants of a single ancestor. As more advanced forms have evolved by means of adaptation, natural selection, survival of the fittest, and genetic mutation, the earlier forms were naturally displaced and disappeared. Fossils, millions of years old, represent life forms that were the evolutionary predecessors of present life forms, but which went extinct long ago.
2. Creation: God created a spectrum of animals during the six-day week of Creation. While reproducing only after their own “kind” (an ambiguous Hebrew term that likely parallels the modern taxonomic classification “family”), these animals were created with the genetic potential for producing a variety of other species, giving rise to the diversity of animal life presently on the planet. Along the way, due mostly to environmental factors, many animals have become extinct. However, other species have escaped detection by humans for centuries, only to be rediscovered in some remote area.
Which of these two viewpoints fits the actual physical facts? Obviously, the latter. Evolutionists repeatedly find themselves in the embarrassing position of discovering that the alleged evolutionary ancestors of current life forms, that supposedly went extinct millions of years ago, are in fact still living. They are forced to cover their tracks by inventing a self-contradictory, nonsensical term to identify these anomalies—in this case, “living fossils.” But that’s like a round square. Philosophers and logicians refer to such duplicitous posturing as irrational and “logical contradiction.” Evolutionists call it “science.”
REFERENCE
“Retired Professor Captures a ‘Living Fossil’ on Video” (2006), Research in Review, June 13, [On-line], URL: http://www.rinr.fsu.edu/rockrat/more.html."
...And So, Let It Begin...
Today marked the inauguration of President Obama. And already the White House website announces the new administration's goals regarding "civil rights". Of course, the page includes a statement of their desire to protect the "civil rights" of those of the homosexual community, among others. And of course this is no surprise.
That said, let me encourage you to continue to be faithful to the Gospel as we live quiet and peaceful lives and live as light amidst a crooked and perverse generation.
And let's be faithful in prayer for those who govern our nation.
Hamas War Report #1
Got a link to this via email from Jerusalem Prayer Team. Watch and be informed. And, if you have the time, go to the YouTube site and leave a comment expressing your support for Israel as they are ridiculed for desiring to protect themselves from Islamic terrorism.
Monday, January 19, 2009
O'Reilly Speechless: Jill Stanek on the O'Reilly Factor
"O'Reilly Factor interview replayed as one of 5 highlights of the year 12-28-00. O'Reilly uncharacteristically speechless listening to RN Jill Stanek describe her experience of holding a live aborted baby at Christ Hospital in Oak Lawn, IL"
Thursday, January 15, 2009
The Gift No One Wants
Paul Washer contrasts the Biblical Gospel with the contemporary "Gospel" so common today. I strongly recommend you give this a listen!
Saturday, January 10, 2009
Friday, January 09, 2009
And Now, The New "World Teacher"
I won't say much for this, except to say that it has to do with "Maitreya" who is alleged to be the new "world teacher". Could this be part of the "strong delusion" that the Lord will send (2 Thessalonians)? Could be. But make sure in Whom you have trusted.
My main point in posting this is to suggest that this presents an open door to evangelism. The web site allows comments, so why not take advantage of it? We sow seeds and trust God with the results.
Here's what I sent:
"The Bible tells us that one day, the world will unite under one government, one religion and one economy. It will last for a few years, then will be destroyed at the Second Coming of Jesus Christ who will judge all things according to His own Righteousness. The one called the Antichrist and all those who follow him will be cast into the lake of fire, where they will spend eternity.
2 Thessalonians tells us that in the latter days, God will send a "powerful delusion" to those who refuse to believe the simple Gospel of Jesus Christ. Is Maitreya part of this? I don't know. I only know one thing...The only "Teacher" I'm interested in is Jesus Christ. The God Who created the heavens and Earth. He's the One who died for my sin and teaches me through His Word, the Bible. It gives us all we need for life and Godliness. Through its pages we can be transformed from death unto life. There is no other Name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.
Warning: Do you think you're a good person? Good enough to enter heaven? God gave us Ten Commandments for a reason! Ever told a lie? What would that make you? A liar...as it would me! Have you ever stolen anything? I don't care how small it is or was or how long ago, if you have stolen anything that makes you a thief before God because He has said "You shall not steal". Ever hated anyone? Jesus said "You've heard it said that you shall not kill, but I say to you that if you hate someone you've committed murder in your heart"! And haven't you ever lusted for someone? That makes you and I guilty of adultery. So, wouldn't that make you a lying, thieving murderous adulterer before a HOLY God? It does me! And God is JUST and must punish sin! That means eternity in Hell! It is appointed for a man to die, then comes the judgment. And there will be no parole, and no lightening of the sentence. God is a JUST and HOLY GOD. But God is also loving. And because He is loving he sent Jesus Christ, born of a virgin, to live the perfect life that satisfies God's Law. But then he gave Himself over to suffer God's infinite, Holy wrath. 2 Corinthians 5:21 says "He Who knew no sin became sin for us that we may become the righteousness of God". He paid a debt for you that He did not owe in order to pay a debt you could never pay. The Just Judge came around to your side of the bench and payed the penalty for you. That is how God Loved you and me. And he did it without distorting or surrendering his justice. In return, He commands all to repent (turn from sin and unbelief) and put their trust in the finished work of Jesus Christ. Turn from your sin and trust in what He did...just like a man would trust in a parachute before jumping from a plane....because one day *YOU* will make the jump into eternity."
My main point in posting this is to suggest that this presents an open door to evangelism. The web site allows comments, so why not take advantage of it? We sow seeds and trust God with the results.
Here's what I sent:
"The Bible tells us that one day, the world will unite under one government, one religion and one economy. It will last for a few years, then will be destroyed at the Second Coming of Jesus Christ who will judge all things according to His own Righteousness. The one called the Antichrist and all those who follow him will be cast into the lake of fire, where they will spend eternity.
2 Thessalonians tells us that in the latter days, God will send a "powerful delusion" to those who refuse to believe the simple Gospel of Jesus Christ. Is Maitreya part of this? I don't know. I only know one thing...The only "Teacher" I'm interested in is Jesus Christ. The God Who created the heavens and Earth. He's the One who died for my sin and teaches me through His Word, the Bible. It gives us all we need for life and Godliness. Through its pages we can be transformed from death unto life. There is no other Name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.
Warning: Do you think you're a good person? Good enough to enter heaven? God gave us Ten Commandments for a reason! Ever told a lie? What would that make you? A liar...as it would me! Have you ever stolen anything? I don't care how small it is or was or how long ago, if you have stolen anything that makes you a thief before God because He has said "You shall not steal". Ever hated anyone? Jesus said "You've heard it said that you shall not kill, but I say to you that if you hate someone you've committed murder in your heart"! And haven't you ever lusted for someone? That makes you and I guilty of adultery. So, wouldn't that make you a lying, thieving murderous adulterer before a HOLY God? It does me! And God is JUST and must punish sin! That means eternity in Hell! It is appointed for a man to die, then comes the judgment. And there will be no parole, and no lightening of the sentence. God is a JUST and HOLY GOD. But God is also loving. And because He is loving he sent Jesus Christ, born of a virgin, to live the perfect life that satisfies God's Law. But then he gave Himself over to suffer God's infinite, Holy wrath. 2 Corinthians 5:21 says "He Who knew no sin became sin for us that we may become the righteousness of God". He paid a debt for you that He did not owe in order to pay a debt you could never pay. The Just Judge came around to your side of the bench and payed the penalty for you. That is how God Loved you and me. And he did it without distorting or surrendering his justice. In return, He commands all to repent (turn from sin and unbelief) and put their trust in the finished work of Jesus Christ. Turn from your sin and trust in what He did...just like a man would trust in a parachute before jumping from a plane....because one day *YOU* will make the jump into eternity."
Tuesday, January 06, 2009
Yes, I'm Still Here...
Just a word to let you all know that I've not moved away, died or anything like that...at least not yet.
There has been much going on in my life and it's taken my attention away from writing here and even at Facebook, where I've been focusing more.
And things are going ok. Looking for work, praying that something turns up. Trying to remain faithful to the Lord in the midst of trying times.
Thanks for your patience and be assured that I'll be posting again as the Lord leads.
Tim
There has been much going on in my life and it's taken my attention away from writing here and even at Facebook, where I've been focusing more.
And things are going ok. Looking for work, praying that something turns up. Trying to remain faithful to the Lord in the midst of trying times.
Thanks for your patience and be assured that I'll be posting again as the Lord leads.
Tim
Saturday, December 20, 2008
Close Doesn't Count...
I like horse shoes. Haven't played it in nearly a decade but I've always enjoyed it when I can play it. Maybe this spring we'll set something up in our back yard. Seems like we even have a now-banned-as-unsafe set of "lawn darts" from the 70's somewhere. I think my mom has them.
We all, in the natural sense, like to play in the margins. We like the give and take. "Kind of" hitting the target but if we don't quite do it, well, that's ok. And I think that's the appeal of lawn darts and horse shoes. It allows us to get in the vicinity of the goal and as long as we get closer than anyone else, hey, that's wonderful...we all go home feeling like we've accomplished something.
But God doesn't call us to live and play in the margins. He doesn't call us to compare ourselves to others who call themselves Christians, who compare *them*selves to even others who call themselves Christians...and on down the line. He calls us to compare ourselves to Him and His Word.
I think I'm pretty typical of many who would name the name of Christ. Foreign missions work has a certain appeal to me. Seeing the pictures of the poor in other countries. The hungry. You want to help them. You give some money or something for whatever reason. Some to merely salve their guilty conscience because they've been whining about their slow internet connection or that the chicken didn't turn out right this afternoon. Some even because they really care to get the gospel (or what they believe to be the Gospel) to those who need it.
Where I live we have lots of churches. Our town has always been known for being populated by two things -- church buildings and bars. That's changed somewhat as the factories have closed down because we seem to have more eateries per square inch than ever before.
Over the past year I've had the opportunity to visit many of the local churches long enough to get a feel for what they value. One of them I attended as long as 36 years ago while dating my first girlfriend.
At least one of these churches takes what appears to be great pride in sending people on missions trips. Just a month or two. Maybe longer. And when the people come back they tell everything about what they did -- usually it amounts to giving out food and clothing which of course is a valid thing to do. Every great once in a while you'll hear them mention the Gospel.
But what gets me is how people make such a spiritual thing about "going out there somewhere" to some foreign country to "do missions work". Someone comes back from one of these trips and it's made out to be some large accomplishment. And maybe sometimes it is...maybe someone actually begins to think about someone other than themselves or something other then their own needs.
But what I don't understand is the pomp and circumstance that surrounds all this "go to the foreign mission field" stuff while we won't even go to our neighbors who are lost? And why is this? The principle that the Scriptures teach is that if you are shown to be faithful with little you will be given more. Jesus said that in Luke 16.
I can't know the motive of those who do this. Maybe it's genuine concern. Maybe it's a sense of adventure. Perhaps it could also be for the sake of "spiritual appearance". Maybe a mixture of each and a few more things.
But what does this say of us? Does it not say something of "missions as a hobby"? Or maybe even "the Christian life as a hobby"?
You say "How dare you say that!" I can hear people in my town saying that! But my response is "If you are really so all fired concerned about the lost, why can't you even present the gospel to your next door neighbor? You mean you'll spend hundreds or thousands of dollars on a trip to some foreign country but you won't share it with your neighbor when it costs you nothing but a walk to the next yard?"
American Christianity wants to be entertained. It likes to "dabble". And dabbling in missions gives the aura of genuineness. And it's safe because, after all, you have no real investment in what you are doing. Generally you go, stick your toes in the water and then come home. There are no real consequences. "Play time over!"
And I've never seen anyone dabble on a missions trip to China involving the underground church...or to Korea where you can be killed for possessing a page of the scriptures...or the Sudan where Christians pay for their faith by being nailed to crosses.
And no, I've never gone overseas. I'd like to.
But more than that, I'd like to be more the type of Christian who serves Christ in the mission field I live in. Right Here. Where I cannot hide behind anonymity.
How can we say we believe in the great commission when we won't even talk to the lost in our own town about the thing they need most? The thing they need most has nothing to do with "felt needs" but rather being saved from the eternal wrath of a holy God Who cannot look upon sin!
But so many of us would rather salve our consciences by sending clothes overseas (and I am not putting down sending clothing and food to the needy overseas) than help our spiritually dead and naked relatives and friends understand how to be clothed in the righteousness of Jesus Christ that comes through repentance from sin and faith in Christ!
We think of the book of James where he says real faith is shown when you give what you have to someone that is in need. Clothing. Food. Basic necessities. You say "I do that!". Great! That's fine!
But the lost have a need that so many of us are ignoring...the food of the Gospel...which we have, don't we? Or the clothing of the Righteousness of Jesus Christ? Or do we not have that to share?
James would say that if we won't give what we can to those who need it, it is a sign that our faith is dead. And I'd challenge anyone reading this to show me wrong in saying that if the physical is important, how much more the spiritual? For a man can die clothed and go straight to hell and a naked man may die and wake up in heaven!
Which is more important to you? The physical? You say you know Christ? If you don't see the spiritual as much more important, I question your claim and don't even try to tell me I shouldn't.
You say "but you don't understand, you have to make them feel better before you can attract them to Christ" and I say that a person must feel *worse* before coming to Christ. As a matter of fact, you must come to deny yourself (which means a refusal to associate with what you are and have been) before you can be converted! "If anyone would be my disciple, he must deny himself, pick up his cross and follow me" (Matthew 16:24)
That's not a call to a "higher level of Christian living" ala Ryrie and others but a call to salvation. Period.
And what doctor would you have the slightest respect for who worried about setting the broken arm of a child screaming in agony while that child bled to death from a severed jugular? I would hope you'd be horrified by such a doctor. "But I must make him feel better first!". No. The child will perish. And the doctor would be guilty of malpractice.
People, we have to quit "playing missionary". If we are really converted, we are ambassadors for Christ (2 Cor. 5:20). That means that where ever we go, we represent Christ. We never "punch out" if we really know Him.
So you wanna go to a mission field? Great! Why not start with the one that begins at the other side of your front door? Or would James challenge the validity of your profession of faith?
I remember one pastor saying "You're being awfully black and white. That's not how things are!" Oh Really? Let's see. The Bible is our sole authority, is it not? And does it not speak of light and dark, lost and found, condemned and saved? Just and unjust?
So, we're not in a game. We're not here to hobby around with religion. And Jesus warned about that. It's called being "lukewarm". James would say it's dead faith.
The best translation I've heard of Hebrews 11:1 starts with "Faith is the substance..." of unseen things. In other words, faith is something you can *see* because it is something that shows itself. Just like James says, isn't it?
You say you have faith? Great! Show you have a faith to share by sharing it!
If it's an issue of "I want to but don't know how", know that I used to be in the same position. But don't stay there. A great place to learn how to do Biblical Evangelism is www.wayofthemaster.com. Or, ask me! I'll be more than happy to help.
We all, in the natural sense, like to play in the margins. We like the give and take. "Kind of" hitting the target but if we don't quite do it, well, that's ok. And I think that's the appeal of lawn darts and horse shoes. It allows us to get in the vicinity of the goal and as long as we get closer than anyone else, hey, that's wonderful...we all go home feeling like we've accomplished something.
But God doesn't call us to live and play in the margins. He doesn't call us to compare ourselves to others who call themselves Christians, who compare *them*selves to even others who call themselves Christians...and on down the line. He calls us to compare ourselves to Him and His Word.
I think I'm pretty typical of many who would name the name of Christ. Foreign missions work has a certain appeal to me. Seeing the pictures of the poor in other countries. The hungry. You want to help them. You give some money or something for whatever reason. Some to merely salve their guilty conscience because they've been whining about their slow internet connection or that the chicken didn't turn out right this afternoon. Some even because they really care to get the gospel (or what they believe to be the Gospel) to those who need it.
Where I live we have lots of churches. Our town has always been known for being populated by two things -- church buildings and bars. That's changed somewhat as the factories have closed down because we seem to have more eateries per square inch than ever before.
Over the past year I've had the opportunity to visit many of the local churches long enough to get a feel for what they value. One of them I attended as long as 36 years ago while dating my first girlfriend.
At least one of these churches takes what appears to be great pride in sending people on missions trips. Just a month or two. Maybe longer. And when the people come back they tell everything about what they did -- usually it amounts to giving out food and clothing which of course is a valid thing to do. Every great once in a while you'll hear them mention the Gospel.
But what gets me is how people make such a spiritual thing about "going out there somewhere" to some foreign country to "do missions work". Someone comes back from one of these trips and it's made out to be some large accomplishment. And maybe sometimes it is...maybe someone actually begins to think about someone other than themselves or something other then their own needs.
But what I don't understand is the pomp and circumstance that surrounds all this "go to the foreign mission field" stuff while we won't even go to our neighbors who are lost? And why is this? The principle that the Scriptures teach is that if you are shown to be faithful with little you will be given more. Jesus said that in Luke 16.
I can't know the motive of those who do this. Maybe it's genuine concern. Maybe it's a sense of adventure. Perhaps it could also be for the sake of "spiritual appearance". Maybe a mixture of each and a few more things.
But what does this say of us? Does it not say something of "missions as a hobby"? Or maybe even "the Christian life as a hobby"?
You say "How dare you say that!" I can hear people in my town saying that! But my response is "If you are really so all fired concerned about the lost, why can't you even present the gospel to your next door neighbor? You mean you'll spend hundreds or thousands of dollars on a trip to some foreign country but you won't share it with your neighbor when it costs you nothing but a walk to the next yard?"
American Christianity wants to be entertained. It likes to "dabble". And dabbling in missions gives the aura of genuineness. And it's safe because, after all, you have no real investment in what you are doing. Generally you go, stick your toes in the water and then come home. There are no real consequences. "Play time over!"
And I've never seen anyone dabble on a missions trip to China involving the underground church...or to Korea where you can be killed for possessing a page of the scriptures...or the Sudan where Christians pay for their faith by being nailed to crosses.
And no, I've never gone overseas. I'd like to.
But more than that, I'd like to be more the type of Christian who serves Christ in the mission field I live in. Right Here. Where I cannot hide behind anonymity.
How can we say we believe in the great commission when we won't even talk to the lost in our own town about the thing they need most? The thing they need most has nothing to do with "felt needs" but rather being saved from the eternal wrath of a holy God Who cannot look upon sin!
But so many of us would rather salve our consciences by sending clothes overseas (and I am not putting down sending clothing and food to the needy overseas) than help our spiritually dead and naked relatives and friends understand how to be clothed in the righteousness of Jesus Christ that comes through repentance from sin and faith in Christ!
We think of the book of James where he says real faith is shown when you give what you have to someone that is in need. Clothing. Food. Basic necessities. You say "I do that!". Great! That's fine!
But the lost have a need that so many of us are ignoring...the food of the Gospel...which we have, don't we? Or the clothing of the Righteousness of Jesus Christ? Or do we not have that to share?
James would say that if we won't give what we can to those who need it, it is a sign that our faith is dead. And I'd challenge anyone reading this to show me wrong in saying that if the physical is important, how much more the spiritual? For a man can die clothed and go straight to hell and a naked man may die and wake up in heaven!
Which is more important to you? The physical? You say you know Christ? If you don't see the spiritual as much more important, I question your claim and don't even try to tell me I shouldn't.
You say "but you don't understand, you have to make them feel better before you can attract them to Christ" and I say that a person must feel *worse* before coming to Christ. As a matter of fact, you must come to deny yourself (which means a refusal to associate with what you are and have been) before you can be converted! "If anyone would be my disciple, he must deny himself, pick up his cross and follow me" (Matthew 16:24)
That's not a call to a "higher level of Christian living" ala Ryrie and others but a call to salvation. Period.
And what doctor would you have the slightest respect for who worried about setting the broken arm of a child screaming in agony while that child bled to death from a severed jugular? I would hope you'd be horrified by such a doctor. "But I must make him feel better first!". No. The child will perish. And the doctor would be guilty of malpractice.
People, we have to quit "playing missionary". If we are really converted, we are ambassadors for Christ (2 Cor. 5:20). That means that where ever we go, we represent Christ. We never "punch out" if we really know Him.
So you wanna go to a mission field? Great! Why not start with the one that begins at the other side of your front door? Or would James challenge the validity of your profession of faith?
I remember one pastor saying "You're being awfully black and white. That's not how things are!" Oh Really? Let's see. The Bible is our sole authority, is it not? And does it not speak of light and dark, lost and found, condemned and saved? Just and unjust?
So, we're not in a game. We're not here to hobby around with religion. And Jesus warned about that. It's called being "lukewarm". James would say it's dead faith.
The best translation I've heard of Hebrews 11:1 starts with "Faith is the substance..." of unseen things. In other words, faith is something you can *see* because it is something that shows itself. Just like James says, isn't it?
You say you have faith? Great! Show you have a faith to share by sharing it!
If it's an issue of "I want to but don't know how", know that I used to be in the same position. But don't stay there. A great place to learn how to do Biblical Evangelism is www.wayofthemaster.com. Or, ask me! I'll be more than happy to help.
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