With the first round of the baseball playoffs are completed and with no local NHL or NBA games on I found myself searching for something to watch last night on TV. Usually when there isn’t a game on I will turn to the Law and Order franchise to get my fix of TV viewing, however last night I was drawn to watching the first hour of ESPN’s final table of the World Series of Poker. You can ask yourself the question; why I would watch a non Law and Order or a non sports event show especially one that glorifies gambling and all the inherent evil that gambling brings. The answer comes not from the card playing but rather from the way the eventual winner conducted himself. Jerry Yang the winner of the WSOP is a born again believer and follower of Jesus Christ. I found myself appalled and thrilled that the name of Jesus was being invoked last night not in a derogatory fashion but rather is in an uplifting fashion. I was appalled because here was the name of Jesus being associated with gambling but I was thrilled because the person invoking His name was demonstrating the love of Christ in all of his actions. Even Jerry’s parents, who forbade him from playing cards as a youth, were there and they to, along with his wife were glorifying and praising the name of Jesus not only as Jerry won hand after hand but even as the consoled the families and the other men who Jerry defeated.
I am not so sure I want a generation of young men and women taking up poker in the name of Jesus; I am sure however of the fact that as Jesus has called us to go and make disciples of all nations. And just as He would eat and drink with sinners so must we even if that means playing a game or two of poker.
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
Tuesday, October 9, 2007
Today's Culture
Earlier this week we once again witnessed a disturbing clash of worldviews, the hedonistic, naturalistic worldview where life is de-valued and the Christian worldview where life is precious and valued. A local Detroit radio station’s evening DJ decided that it would be a good idea to offer cash to the person who guessed the day that Brittany Spears would end her life either by a drug overdose or however she would die. This type of activity, if you want to call it an activity is known as a “dead pool”. Local residents and those touched by suicide were outraged at the stunt and the station pulled the web site that it had set up and issued a public apology.
In today’s culture we are constantly being bombarded with this naturalistic, hedonistic worldview whether it is from the abortion industry, the pornography industry or even from the national or local media industry. The live for self pleasure attitude rules the day and unfortunately it has permeated even to the church.
What is the response to this culture of death? Simply it is the promotion of the culture of life. There is no better place to start than in the home and in the church. God instructed His people to share without fail his commandments, decrees, and statutes and the place where that was to begin and continue was in the home. He said to teach them in the morning, at noon, in the evening, to teach them as you were on your way, and when you were coming home. Surround your home with those commandments and not only speak about them live them every day. How do we overcome the culture of death we overcome it at home.
In today’s culture we are constantly being bombarded with this naturalistic, hedonistic worldview whether it is from the abortion industry, the pornography industry or even from the national or local media industry. The live for self pleasure attitude rules the day and unfortunately it has permeated even to the church.
What is the response to this culture of death? Simply it is the promotion of the culture of life. There is no better place to start than in the home and in the church. God instructed His people to share without fail his commandments, decrees, and statutes and the place where that was to begin and continue was in the home. He said to teach them in the morning, at noon, in the evening, to teach them as you were on your way, and when you were coming home. Surround your home with those commandments and not only speak about them live them every day. How do we overcome the culture of death we overcome it at home.
Thursday, September 6, 2007
The Next Generation
James Dobson, Chuck Colson, Jerry Falwell, D. James Kennedy each on of these men have had a huge influence on my life. I became a Christ follower back in 1980 and one of the first books I read following my conversion was Chuck Colson’s Born Again. One of the first people I watched intently on television was Jerry Falwell and I always enjoyed listening to Dr. Kennedy’s Truth’s that Transform and after becoming a father there was no greater voice than Dr. Dobson.
Over the past six months however we have lost two of the greatest voices for living a life founded on a Biblical worldview with the passing of Jerry Falwell and the just recent passing of Dr. Kennedy. And though I rejoice that these men of God have “run the good race, have competed their mission, and the crown that awaited them is theirs” I am concerned. I am concerned for the generation of men and women who have never been challenged as I was challenged by the likes of these men to examine their lives to see if they are “walking the walk”. I am concerned because I am wondering where the voice for the next generation is, who will be the men and women who will pick up the mantle and carry the Cultural Commission and the Great Commission to this next generation.
Over the coming years more of the voices of this generation will be called home and that is why today I want to encourage the next generation to begin to learn about those who have gone before them. I encourage this next generation to put down that PS III or to unplug that MP 3 just for a moment and to pick up and read the likes of C.S. Lewis, Francis Schaefer, James Sire, Augustine be challenged by the work of Nancy Pearcy, Chuck Colson, Ken Boa and G.K. Chesterson and above all renew your mind daily with the greatest compilation of all time The Bible.
If you of this next generation will do this perhaps you will be the one God has called to be the voice of your generation.
Over the past six months however we have lost two of the greatest voices for living a life founded on a Biblical worldview with the passing of Jerry Falwell and the just recent passing of Dr. Kennedy. And though I rejoice that these men of God have “run the good race, have competed their mission, and the crown that awaited them is theirs” I am concerned. I am concerned for the generation of men and women who have never been challenged as I was challenged by the likes of these men to examine their lives to see if they are “walking the walk”. I am concerned because I am wondering where the voice for the next generation is, who will be the men and women who will pick up the mantle and carry the Cultural Commission and the Great Commission to this next generation.
Over the coming years more of the voices of this generation will be called home and that is why today I want to encourage the next generation to begin to learn about those who have gone before them. I encourage this next generation to put down that PS III or to unplug that MP 3 just for a moment and to pick up and read the likes of C.S. Lewis, Francis Schaefer, James Sire, Augustine be challenged by the work of Nancy Pearcy, Chuck Colson, Ken Boa and G.K. Chesterson and above all renew your mind daily with the greatest compilation of all time The Bible.
If you of this next generation will do this perhaps you will be the one God has called to be the voice of your generation.
Thursday, August 16, 2007
Two for one discussion
There are a couple of issues that I have recently read about that I would like us to really get into. The first issue is a local issue (Michigan). According to Focus on the Family’s Citizen’s link a pro-life group in Flint is suing the governor of this fine state because she is collecting petitions on her web site in support of embryonic stem cell research, but she refuses, on this publicly funded site, to give space to those opposed to embryonic stem cell research. In essence she is a giving a government benefit, a government voice favoring those who agree with her on this policy.
As a private citizen, on her own website, the governor can endorse whatever she wishes, but on a publicly funded website she must give equal access to all voices on an issue. Let’s hope the Federal Court sees the need for such equal access.
The next issue that needs to be discussed involves a statement made by Bishop Tiny Muskens of the Netherlands. He contends that Catholic Churches in the Netherlands should begin calling God by the name Allah in order to help ease tensions between Muslins and Catholics. "Someone like me has prayed to Allah yang maha kuasa (Almighty God) for eight years in Indonesia and other priests for 20 or 30 years," Muskens said. "In the heart of the Eucharist, God is called Allah over there, so why can't we start doing that together?" I don’t know about you but I have a real problem with a Christian, Catholic or otherwise, advising the flock he shepherds to act in a politically correct fashion just so as not to offend. I realize that the Lord God is above such “discussion and bickering” as Bishop Muskens says but the one who is “I AM” desires that all men would be come into a relationship with Him and the Muslim god Allah is not the “name given by which all must be saved” but only in the name of Jesus are men saved.
As a private citizen, on her own website, the governor can endorse whatever she wishes, but on a publicly funded website she must give equal access to all voices on an issue. Let’s hope the Federal Court sees the need for such equal access.
The next issue that needs to be discussed involves a statement made by Bishop Tiny Muskens of the Netherlands. He contends that Catholic Churches in the Netherlands should begin calling God by the name Allah in order to help ease tensions between Muslins and Catholics. "Someone like me has prayed to Allah yang maha kuasa (Almighty God) for eight years in Indonesia and other priests for 20 or 30 years," Muskens said. "In the heart of the Eucharist, God is called Allah over there, so why can't we start doing that together?" I don’t know about you but I have a real problem with a Christian, Catholic or otherwise, advising the flock he shepherds to act in a politically correct fashion just so as not to offend. I realize that the Lord God is above such “discussion and bickering” as Bishop Muskens says but the one who is “I AM” desires that all men would be come into a relationship with Him and the Muslim god Allah is not the “name given by which all must be saved” but only in the name of Jesus are men saved.
Tuesday, August 14, 2007
Lutherans Say Gay is OK
During a weeklong assembly that ended Saturday, August 11, 2007 the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) again loosened its standards on homosexuality. While they voted down a measure that would have ended the church's celibacy requirement for homosexual clergy, they voted in favor of refraining from disciplining homosexual clergy who are in committed relationships.
These types of rulings always confuse me because I can never see the logic. By keeping the celibacy requirement they are acknowledging that homosexual sex is a sin. At the same time, by refraining from discipline they are effectivley endorsing the sin.
If I were in a 'committed' adulterous affair, I would not expect my church to say, as long as I am cheating on my wife with only one woman, they will not do anything about it. I expect my church to uphold Biblical truths and call me on the carpet for my sinful actions. If I repent of my sin, I can be restored within the body. If I continue to sin, I expect my church to remove me from any leadership position.
You would not ignore cancer in your body. You would take action to remove it before it spreads and destroys your body. The same implications are true with allowing sin to stay within the church body, specifically the leadership.
That being said, every one of us who walks through a church door is a sinner and fall short of the glory of God. Homosexuality is no worse of a short falling that stealing a pack of gum.
For those who have accepted Jesus as Lord and Savior, we are forgiven sinners. As forgiven sinners we still struggle to stay away from our sinful nature, but as forgiven sinners we acknowledge our sin and turn from it.
The action of the ELCA strikes me as a compromise between those who believe the Bible and those who do not. You can never compromise the Bible. For those Lutherans who are concerned about a split, do not be. Separating yourself from satanic influences is the best thing you could do.
These types of rulings always confuse me because I can never see the logic. By keeping the celibacy requirement they are acknowledging that homosexual sex is a sin. At the same time, by refraining from discipline they are effectivley endorsing the sin.
If I were in a 'committed' adulterous affair, I would not expect my church to say, as long as I am cheating on my wife with only one woman, they will not do anything about it. I expect my church to uphold Biblical truths and call me on the carpet for my sinful actions. If I repent of my sin, I can be restored within the body. If I continue to sin, I expect my church to remove me from any leadership position.
You would not ignore cancer in your body. You would take action to remove it before it spreads and destroys your body. The same implications are true with allowing sin to stay within the church body, specifically the leadership.
That being said, every one of us who walks through a church door is a sinner and fall short of the glory of God. Homosexuality is no worse of a short falling that stealing a pack of gum.
For those who have accepted Jesus as Lord and Savior, we are forgiven sinners. As forgiven sinners we still struggle to stay away from our sinful nature, but as forgiven sinners we acknowledge our sin and turn from it.
The action of the ELCA strikes me as a compromise between those who believe the Bible and those who do not. You can never compromise the Bible. For those Lutherans who are concerned about a split, do not be. Separating yourself from satanic influences is the best thing you could do.
Thursday, July 12, 2007
I am a Defect
I just found out I am in trouble. Pope Benedict XVI approved a document saying non-Catholic Christian communities are either defective or not true churches, and the Roman Catholic Church provides the only true path to salvation. I am pretty sure that in John 14:6 Jesus said "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” And in Acts 2:21 Peter tells us “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” I see nothing about the Catholic Church, the Pope or any priest being part of my salvation.
The argument that other churches do not have ‘apostolic succession’, making them inferior, also has me scratching my head. Paul went to the gentiles to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ. None of those believers would have had any ‘apostolic succession’ since Paul was not one of the twelve. In fact, Jews for Jesus would have a better claim of ‘apostolic succession’ than the Catholic Church, since the apostles mainly taught Jews.
The Pope did get one thing right when the report stated "Christ 'established here on earth' only one church". That Church was called the Way in Acts. That Church consists of anyone who believes that Jesus was God in the flesh, he lived a sinless life, was crucified for everyone’s sin and rose from the dead overcoming death, that Jesus is the ONLY way to salvation, that salvation is a gift from God and cannot be earned, and that the Bible is the inerrant Word of God.
If you believe what was just stated, I do not care what denomination you are. Anything other than that is manmade and that is when the problems begin. Diverting from scripture is when Satan gets a foothold.
I was glad to see the Pope does not see me as a total loser. In referencing non-Catholic Churches the document stated "In fact the Spirit of Christ has not refrained from using them as instruments of salvation, whose value derives from that fullness of grace and of truth which has been entrusted to the Catholic Church." Looks like I dodge a bullet and can go back to reading the Bible instead of going to the confessional.
The argument that other churches do not have ‘apostolic succession’, making them inferior, also has me scratching my head. Paul went to the gentiles to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ. None of those believers would have had any ‘apostolic succession’ since Paul was not one of the twelve. In fact, Jews for Jesus would have a better claim of ‘apostolic succession’ than the Catholic Church, since the apostles mainly taught Jews.
The Pope did get one thing right when the report stated "Christ 'established here on earth' only one church". That Church was called the Way in Acts. That Church consists of anyone who believes that Jesus was God in the flesh, he lived a sinless life, was crucified for everyone’s sin and rose from the dead overcoming death, that Jesus is the ONLY way to salvation, that salvation is a gift from God and cannot be earned, and that the Bible is the inerrant Word of God.
If you believe what was just stated, I do not care what denomination you are. Anything other than that is manmade and that is when the problems begin. Diverting from scripture is when Satan gets a foothold.
I was glad to see the Pope does not see me as a total loser. In referencing non-Catholic Churches the document stated "In fact the Spirit of Christ has not refrained from using them as instruments of salvation, whose value derives from that fullness of grace and of truth which has been entrusted to the Catholic Church." Looks like I dodge a bullet and can go back to reading the Bible instead of going to the confessional.
Thursday, June 28, 2007
Celebrity Cience – Part II Global Warming v. Global Norming
John 8:44
You belong to your father, the devil, ... When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.
Show me the Money
Global warming is all the rage these days. Celebrities want to save the world by sending everyone (but themselves) back to the Stone Age. Scientists want government money to study the phenomenon and then suggest solutions that will require even more government money be sent to them for implementation. Poor countries love it because they can get the UN to redistribute money from the wealthy countries (US, UK) to their dictator’s bank account (and everyone will wonder why nothing was accomplished with all those billions of dollars). Liberal politicians love it because they have an excuse to redistribute money from the wealthy (middle class) to scientists and dictators and keep their environmental voters happy. The real story can be found by following the money and the lies that propagate the ‘crises’.
If you do not think it is about the money, consider that on May 22, 2007 Oxfam, a so called aid agency, stated that coping with the ravages of global warming will cost $50 billion a year. Their solution is for the United States to pay 44% of that cost. That is $22 BILLION each and every year that will come from your pocket and mine. Their rational is that developing countries cannot and should not be expected to foot the bill for the impact of rich countries' emissions, completely ignoring the fact that developing countries are the worst polluters.
Nothing New
American media has predicted global disasters for over 100 years. Each one was going to kill billions. In 1895 there was an imminent ice age, in the 1920’s a half degree increase in temperature led to global warming hysteria that lasted until the 1950’s, in the 1970’s it was another ice age and then in the 1980’s it was back to global warming.
Reality
There is no debate that the Earth has warmed slightly. The debate is whether it is manmade or part of a regular climate cycle. Going through the information that is available is a daunting task. For those of you who may be on the verge of believing that global warming is manmade and an inevitable catastrophe, lets run through just a few of items being tossed around regarding global warming. You can then do your own investigation to further educate yourself.
Global Warming Scare Tactic
Global Warming is Manmade.
Global Norming Reality
There is no scientific proof that global warming is manmade. There are a lot of people that want you to believe there is proof, but this is just people taking a warming trend and blaming it on mankind.
However, there is proof that global warming is directly linked to the Sun’s solar output. The World Climate Report states “When the sun is more energetic and putting out more energy, the Earth tends to warm up, and when the sun cools down, so does the Earth”.
We are currently in the midst of an active Sun cycle. Mars and Neptune are currently experiencing global warming in tandem with the Earth. Better ban Suburbans and Expeditions from those planets before we have a Universal catastrophe.
Global Warming Scare Tactic
The Earth is warming.
Global Norming Reality
The global temperature has risen an astounding 1/2°C since the 1950’s. My body temperature fluctuates more than that each day.
Global Warming Scare Tactic
Snow and Ice and Glaciers, Oh My.
Global Norming Reality
Changes to the snow cap of Kilimanjaro and glaciers in Greenland and Antarctica are the most common examples of Global Warming.
Kilimanjaro
Kilimanjaro's snow cap has been shrinking for around 100 years. Most of the disappearance happened pre-1953. The snow cap is disappearing due to reduced snowfall cause by a weather shift. Climatologists acknowledge the icecap has come and gone before.
Greenland
Do you think the inhabitants of Greenland were being facetious when they named it Greenland? Greenland was a Viking agriculture society from 1100 to 1500AD. It was abandoned during the mini ice age in the 1600’s. If the glaciers melt, Greenland is just getting back to normal.
Antarctica
There is evidence documented by the British Antarctic Survey which shows that the ice shelfs retreated 9,500 years ago and did not reform for 1,500 years. "Thus, the present loss of ice shelves cannot be assumed to be a consequence of Man-made climate change, unless and until a cause can be identified". British Antarctic Survey
Just My Opinion
As Christians we are to be stewards of Earth. I do not want to breathe dirty air or drink polluted water any more than the next person. But it seems to me that you would have to be an ego maniac to think that you could impact, positively or negatively, something as finely tuned as God’s creation. You also need to be self centered to assume that just because you are alive today makes today “normal’.
Global warming is about the money, not saving the planet. At the risk of offending the GEICO Cavemen, unless you can show me that cavemen were driving around in SUV’s 10,000 years ago causing global warming, I will stick with global warming being a part of a natural rise and fall of Earth’s temperatures. Now keep your hands off my wallet.
You belong to your father, the devil, ... When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.
Show me the Money
Global warming is all the rage these days. Celebrities want to save the world by sending everyone (but themselves) back to the Stone Age. Scientists want government money to study the phenomenon and then suggest solutions that will require even more government money be sent to them for implementation. Poor countries love it because they can get the UN to redistribute money from the wealthy countries (US, UK) to their dictator’s bank account (and everyone will wonder why nothing was accomplished with all those billions of dollars). Liberal politicians love it because they have an excuse to redistribute money from the wealthy (middle class) to scientists and dictators and keep their environmental voters happy. The real story can be found by following the money and the lies that propagate the ‘crises’.
If you do not think it is about the money, consider that on May 22, 2007 Oxfam, a so called aid agency, stated that coping with the ravages of global warming will cost $50 billion a year. Their solution is for the United States to pay 44% of that cost. That is $22 BILLION each and every year that will come from your pocket and mine. Their rational is that developing countries cannot and should not be expected to foot the bill for the impact of rich countries' emissions, completely ignoring the fact that developing countries are the worst polluters.
Nothing New
American media has predicted global disasters for over 100 years. Each one was going to kill billions. In 1895 there was an imminent ice age, in the 1920’s a half degree increase in temperature led to global warming hysteria that lasted until the 1950’s, in the 1970’s it was another ice age and then in the 1980’s it was back to global warming.
Reality
There is no debate that the Earth has warmed slightly. The debate is whether it is manmade or part of a regular climate cycle. Going through the information that is available is a daunting task. For those of you who may be on the verge of believing that global warming is manmade and an inevitable catastrophe, lets run through just a few of items being tossed around regarding global warming. You can then do your own investigation to further educate yourself.
Global Warming Scare Tactic
Global Warming is Manmade.
Global Norming Reality
There is no scientific proof that global warming is manmade. There are a lot of people that want you to believe there is proof, but this is just people taking a warming trend and blaming it on mankind.
However, there is proof that global warming is directly linked to the Sun’s solar output. The World Climate Report states “When the sun is more energetic and putting out more energy, the Earth tends to warm up, and when the sun cools down, so does the Earth”.
We are currently in the midst of an active Sun cycle. Mars and Neptune are currently experiencing global warming in tandem with the Earth. Better ban Suburbans and Expeditions from those planets before we have a Universal catastrophe.
Global Warming Scare Tactic
The Earth is warming.
Global Norming Reality
The global temperature has risen an astounding 1/2°C since the 1950’s. My body temperature fluctuates more than that each day.
Global Warming Scare Tactic
Snow and Ice and Glaciers, Oh My.
Global Norming Reality
Changes to the snow cap of Kilimanjaro and glaciers in Greenland and Antarctica are the most common examples of Global Warming.
Kilimanjaro
Kilimanjaro's snow cap has been shrinking for around 100 years. Most of the disappearance happened pre-1953. The snow cap is disappearing due to reduced snowfall cause by a weather shift. Climatologists acknowledge the icecap has come and gone before.
Greenland
Do you think the inhabitants of Greenland were being facetious when they named it Greenland? Greenland was a Viking agriculture society from 1100 to 1500AD. It was abandoned during the mini ice age in the 1600’s. If the glaciers melt, Greenland is just getting back to normal.
Antarctica
There is evidence documented by the British Antarctic Survey which shows that the ice shelfs retreated 9,500 years ago and did not reform for 1,500 years. "Thus, the present loss of ice shelves cannot be assumed to be a consequence of Man-made climate change, unless and until a cause can be identified". British Antarctic Survey
Just My Opinion
As Christians we are to be stewards of Earth. I do not want to breathe dirty air or drink polluted water any more than the next person. But it seems to me that you would have to be an ego maniac to think that you could impact, positively or negatively, something as finely tuned as God’s creation. You also need to be self centered to assume that just because you are alive today makes today “normal’.
Global warming is about the money, not saving the planet. At the risk of offending the GEICO Cavemen, unless you can show me that cavemen were driving around in SUV’s 10,000 years ago causing global warming, I will stick with global warming being a part of a natural rise and fall of Earth’s temperatures. Now keep your hands off my wallet.
Tuesday, June 19, 2007
Episcopal Priest and Islam
An Episcopal priest converted to Islam in 2006. She attends mosque on Friday’s, yet continues to preach at her Episcopal church on Sunday’s. She considers herself to be 100% Muslim and 100% Christian. I would dare to say she is 100% neither.
The most basic problem is the divinity of Jesus, his dying on the cross for our sins and his resurrection to overcome death. Islam accepts none of this and views Jesus as merely a prophet. Without the Christian understanding of Jesus, there is no Christian. All you end up with is another manmade religion.
What bothers me the most about this is not one misguided person and the damage she is doing on Sunday mornings. What bothers me is the Episcopal Church and its actions.
A quote from the article is “Redding's embrace of Islam has been affirmed by her bishop, Rt. Rev. Vincent Warner, who thinks the interfaith possibilities are exciting”. Exciting!! Are you nuts? Pull your head out of the sand buddy. The two religions are not compatible.
The other part from the article that amazed me was as follows:
“She was ordained an Episcopal priest in 1984 but has always challenged her church, calling Christianity the "world religion of privilege."
She has never believed in the Christian doctrine of original sin, and for years she struggled with the nature of Jesus' divinity, the Times said, concluding Jesus is the son of God insofar as all humans are the children of God, and that Jesus is divine, just as all humans are divine — because God dwells in all humans. “
Why did the Episcopal Church ever ordain her? Being a priest/pastor/preacher is not a job that any yahoo who can pass a few theology classes should be doing. Leading people to the truth can only be done by people who believe the truth.
So we have an Episcopal Church where whatever faith works for you is good with them, Jesus is just a nice guy and gay is OK. Can they be sued for damaging Christianity?
The link for the full article is:
http://www.wnd.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=56244
The most basic problem is the divinity of Jesus, his dying on the cross for our sins and his resurrection to overcome death. Islam accepts none of this and views Jesus as merely a prophet. Without the Christian understanding of Jesus, there is no Christian. All you end up with is another manmade religion.
What bothers me the most about this is not one misguided person and the damage she is doing on Sunday mornings. What bothers me is the Episcopal Church and its actions.
A quote from the article is “Redding's embrace of Islam has been affirmed by her bishop, Rt. Rev. Vincent Warner, who thinks the interfaith possibilities are exciting”. Exciting!! Are you nuts? Pull your head out of the sand buddy. The two religions are not compatible.
The other part from the article that amazed me was as follows:
“She was ordained an Episcopal priest in 1984 but has always challenged her church, calling Christianity the "world religion of privilege."
She has never believed in the Christian doctrine of original sin, and for years she struggled with the nature of Jesus' divinity, the Times said, concluding Jesus is the son of God insofar as all humans are the children of God, and that Jesus is divine, just as all humans are divine — because God dwells in all humans. “
Why did the Episcopal Church ever ordain her? Being a priest/pastor/preacher is not a job that any yahoo who can pass a few theology classes should be doing. Leading people to the truth can only be done by people who believe the truth.
So we have an Episcopal Church where whatever faith works for you is good with them, Jesus is just a nice guy and gay is OK. Can they be sued for damaging Christianity?
The link for the full article is:
http://www.wnd.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=56244
Sunday, June 10, 2007
They will know we are Christians by our...?
In John 13:35 Jesus said, "By this all men will know you are my disciples, if you love one another." Unfortunately today Christians are known more for what we are against than what we are for. The media and the political left like to portray us as wackos and extremists on par with the radical Islam factions we fight overseas; and often with good reason. From the Crusades to televangelists to fundamentalists who seem to want to make Jesus look bad, we haven't put the best face on Christianity. Certainly not the love Jesus would have us portray. I bring all this up because the Southern Baptist Convention is having their national convention in San Antonio this week. Yes the same group that made a laughing stock of themselves and Christians by telling people to boycott Disney. I pray that this week they seek God and make wise decisions that will affect Christianity in a positive way. Please guys, break out of your norm and do something loving this week rather than condemning the world and making the rest of us look foolish.
Blessings
Blessings
Thursday, May 31, 2007
Who needs them
Every morning I retrieve from the front of the house my Detroit Free Press, I only get it for the crossword puzzle, yesterday as usual I went out and got the paper. But a wonderful thing happened when I opened the paper to read it, inside was a section on scholars athletes in Michigan. I know how is that wonderful, let me explain. For any number of years we have had naturalistic philosophers tell us that the traditonal family is passe, out dated, no longer needed to raise children. After all didn't Ms. Hillary tells us that "it takes a village to raise children". Anyway back to the newspaper, without even knowing it the Detroit Free Press gave its tacit approval for the traditonal family, the family where there are both a father and a mother. There were approxiamtely 300 young men and women from around the state of Michigan who had been nominated by there schools to be the scholar athletes. Nothing big there, it is the practice of many states to honor the young people who displayed a quality of leadership both in the classroom and on the athletic field. Yet as I read the article that something surprising jumped off the page at me. Of the 300 or soo young people depicted only hndful came from an apparent non-traditional family. The majority came from what conservatives call a traditional family one where there is a father and mother. That speaks loudly, because even in the schools that would be considered inner city a majority of those special scholar atheletes had both parents listed.
What does all of this mean, maybe nothing but maybe it says that children thrive better, achieve more in a tradition family setting where there is a mom and dad than they do in so called progessive or non-traditional families where there may be a single parent or two parents of the same sex.
What does all of this mean, maybe nothing but maybe it says that children thrive better, achieve more in a tradition family setting where there is a mom and dad than they do in so called progessive or non-traditional families where there may be a single parent or two parents of the same sex.
Monday, May 21, 2007
Iraq is Arab for Vietnam
‘Iraq is Arab for Vietnam’ is a bumper sticker I saw recently. I thought about it and realized the bumper sticker was right. The similarities between Iraq and Vietnam are striking.
Vietnam
It was part of the fight against the global spread of tyrannical Communism.
Iraq
It is part of the fight against the global spread of tyrannical Islamic fascists (sometimes referred to as terrorism).
Vietnam
US was effectively going it alone and winning the war
Iraq
US is effectively going it alone and winning the war
Vietnam
US Congress and the news media kept telling everyone we were losing and is was not worth the loss of life
Iraq
US Congress and the news media keeps telling everyone we are losing and is was not worth the loss of life
Vietnam
US Congress and the news media kept telling everyone it was a family feud (civil war) and we should just get out.
Iraq
US Congress and the news media keeps telling everyone it is a religious feud (civil war) and we should just get out.
Vietnam
US Congress and the news media focused on a few bad apples in the military and call them all rapist and murders.
Iraq
US Congress and the news media focus on a few bad apples in the military and call them all rapist and murders.
Vietnam
Congress thought they could run the war from Washington and ignored input from those on the ground.
Iraq
Congress thinks they can run the war from Washington and ignors input from those on the ground.
Vietnam
Spineless yellow belly Democrats in Congress thought they could score political points by being anti-war and pulling our troops out.
Iraq
Spineless yellow belly Democrats in Congress think they can score political points by being anti-war and pulling our troops out.
Vietnam
Just when it looked like America would finish off the tyrannical Communist, the spineless yellow belly Democrats in Congress forced pulling our troops out by cutting the war funding.
Iraq
Just when it looks like America can finish off the tyrannical Islamic fascists, the spineless yellow belly Democrats in Congress want to force pulling our troops out by cutting the war funding.
Vietnam
After the troops were pulled out Communism was emboldened and spread, the US was embarrassed and weakened and Democrats blamed the military and Republicans.
Iraq
If troops are pulled out tyrannical Islamic fascism will be emboldened and spread, the US will be embarrassed and weakened and Democrats will blame Bush.
So yes, ‘Iraq is Arab for Vietnam’.
(and you thought that was a liberal bumper sticker, didn’t you)
Vietnam
It was part of the fight against the global spread of tyrannical Communism.
Iraq
It is part of the fight against the global spread of tyrannical Islamic fascists (sometimes referred to as terrorism).
Vietnam
US was effectively going it alone and winning the war
Iraq
US is effectively going it alone and winning the war
Vietnam
US Congress and the news media kept telling everyone we were losing and is was not worth the loss of life
Iraq
US Congress and the news media keeps telling everyone we are losing and is was not worth the loss of life
Vietnam
US Congress and the news media kept telling everyone it was a family feud (civil war) and we should just get out.
Iraq
US Congress and the news media keeps telling everyone it is a religious feud (civil war) and we should just get out.
Vietnam
US Congress and the news media focused on a few bad apples in the military and call them all rapist and murders.
Iraq
US Congress and the news media focus on a few bad apples in the military and call them all rapist and murders.
Vietnam
Congress thought they could run the war from Washington and ignored input from those on the ground.
Iraq
Congress thinks they can run the war from Washington and ignors input from those on the ground.
Vietnam
Spineless yellow belly Democrats in Congress thought they could score political points by being anti-war and pulling our troops out.
Iraq
Spineless yellow belly Democrats in Congress think they can score political points by being anti-war and pulling our troops out.
Vietnam
Just when it looked like America would finish off the tyrannical Communist, the spineless yellow belly Democrats in Congress forced pulling our troops out by cutting the war funding.
Iraq
Just when it looks like America can finish off the tyrannical Islamic fascists, the spineless yellow belly Democrats in Congress want to force pulling our troops out by cutting the war funding.
Vietnam
After the troops were pulled out Communism was emboldened and spread, the US was embarrassed and weakened and Democrats blamed the military and Republicans.
Iraq
If troops are pulled out tyrannical Islamic fascism will be emboldened and spread, the US will be embarrassed and weakened and Democrats will blame Bush.
So yes, ‘Iraq is Arab for Vietnam’.
(and you thought that was a liberal bumper sticker, didn’t you)
Tuesday, May 15, 2007
The Reverend Jerry Falwell
I just read the news about the death of the Reverend Jerry Falwell; I am deeply saddened at the loss of this man of God. Reverend Falwell was responsible for my desire to see the Christian worldview lived out in the political arena and it was because of Jerry Falwell that I took a great deal of interest. Back in the late seventies and early eighties Reverend Falwell created an organization that called for the return to the Judea Christian principles this country was founded upon. That organization The Moral Majority swept Ronald Reagan into office and propelled the conservative movement in America to the forefront. It also put Jerry Falwell in the crosshairs of those people who didn’t want to see the return of those values and principles upon which this nation was founded. The mainstream media did its best to discredit the conservative movement and Jerry Falwell in particular. The American people for the most part appreciated in some small way what Reverend Falwell accomplished.
Unfortunately today the culture in America is far worse off than it was before the advent of the Moral Majority. All the institutions that the Reverend Falwell fought so valiantly against, the abortion industry, the pornography industry each are thriving today; they thrive despite the efforts of Jerry Falwell. The conservative movement in America will miss the strong voice brought by Jerry Falwell and today let me offer my prayers and my thoughts to the Falwell family and to the congregation of the Thomas Road Baptist Church. Also let me offer my prayers for the administration and students of Liberty University. Today we mourn the passing of a great man of God and tomorrow we continue the fight to bring to bear a Christian worldview in this fallen world in which we live.
Unfortunately today the culture in America is far worse off than it was before the advent of the Moral Majority. All the institutions that the Reverend Falwell fought so valiantly against, the abortion industry, the pornography industry each are thriving today; they thrive despite the efforts of Jerry Falwell. The conservative movement in America will miss the strong voice brought by Jerry Falwell and today let me offer my prayers and my thoughts to the Falwell family and to the congregation of the Thomas Road Baptist Church. Also let me offer my prayers for the administration and students of Liberty University. Today we mourn the passing of a great man of God and tomorrow we continue the fight to bring to bear a Christian worldview in this fallen world in which we live.
Thursday, May 10, 2007
Everything Fox????
There was an interesting article in today’s World Net Daily (May 9, 2007) involving Rick Warren, the senior pastor at Saddleback Church in California and Rupert Murdoch, the chairman of News Corp (owner of Fox). According to the article Rupert Murdoch is a member of Saddleback church. I will say that this information caught me by surprise when you consider the totality of what is produced by the News Corp family, i.e. The Simpson, the Family Guy and a number of other products that push the boundaries of decency. I was however unaware that News Corp had purchased BSkyB and that it was in the process of building a lucrative pornography network under the BSkyB umbrella.
We to often hear that what a person does for a living has no bearing on church membership, or even in being a believer in Christ, that the secular is the secular and the church is the church and neither should interfere or cross into the other. This article, this situation if it is true is the perfect example of how this church/secular dichotomy is what is destroying the Judea/Christian western culture. I say that because if it is true, if Rupert Murdoch is a believer and follower of Christ as the article indicates then how can he reflect the work and person of Jesus Christ and still peddle and profit from the kind of anti-Christian, anti-life, anti-family, pro-degradation filth that not only pornography represents but also that some of the News Corp programming represents.
I am not questioning the faith of Rupert Murdoch, nor am I questioning, like the article indicates, the senior pastor’s Biblical responsibility to call sin as it exists in its various forms. What troubles me is how we, as a culture, can so easily dismiss sin in our own lives simply because it is what we do for a living. We have so easily compartmentalized our lives that we can rationalize a sinful lifestyle and yet call ourselves and truly be a follower of Christ simply because the secular world should never invade the religious world and visa versa.
I would ask Rupert Murdoch to examine his life and see if he is following not only the Great Commission of making disciples but also the Cultural Commission to redeem a world caught in the stain of the fall. This is why having a living out a Biblical/Christian worldview is so important. This is why the wall between the secular and the religious needs to be obliterated, this is why it so important that followers of Christ do all that they can to see the fulfillment of the Great Commission but also the Cultural Commission.
We to often hear that what a person does for a living has no bearing on church membership, or even in being a believer in Christ, that the secular is the secular and the church is the church and neither should interfere or cross into the other. This article, this situation if it is true is the perfect example of how this church/secular dichotomy is what is destroying the Judea/Christian western culture. I say that because if it is true, if Rupert Murdoch is a believer and follower of Christ as the article indicates then how can he reflect the work and person of Jesus Christ and still peddle and profit from the kind of anti-Christian, anti-life, anti-family, pro-degradation filth that not only pornography represents but also that some of the News Corp programming represents.
I am not questioning the faith of Rupert Murdoch, nor am I questioning, like the article indicates, the senior pastor’s Biblical responsibility to call sin as it exists in its various forms. What troubles me is how we, as a culture, can so easily dismiss sin in our own lives simply because it is what we do for a living. We have so easily compartmentalized our lives that we can rationalize a sinful lifestyle and yet call ourselves and truly be a follower of Christ simply because the secular world should never invade the religious world and visa versa.
I would ask Rupert Murdoch to examine his life and see if he is following not only the Great Commission of making disciples but also the Cultural Commission to redeem a world caught in the stain of the fall. This is why having a living out a Biblical/Christian worldview is so important. This is why the wall between the secular and the religious needs to be obliterated, this is why it so important that followers of Christ do all that they can to see the fulfillment of the Great Commission but also the Cultural Commission.
Saturday, May 5, 2007
Let the rhetoric begin
The leafs on the trees haven't even blossomed yet; summer, fall and winter are still before us and in South Carolina this past week the great debate has begun. (Or at least it has in the mind of the media) Both parties held the first of what is sure to be a mind numbing number of televised (go c-span) debates between the various and sundry candidates running for the office of president of the United States. And already the national (yea right) media has annoited the front runners from each party with the oil of buffoonery. With over 500 days until the election the rhetoric of personal attack has been ratched up. Unfortunately for the Dems they still seem to be running against President Bush, and the Reps seem to be running from themselves. Persnally I can wait awhile before I decide which candidate I may support, but here are just a couple thoughts. The democrats are doing there best to make sure family values have a place in the party unfortunately I am not quite sure if the family values they are expressing are the same values that most Amricans hold to. And as far as the front runners of the Republicans is concerned I am not sure which one is trying harder to distance themselves from the base faster McCain or Rudy. I am sure that neither would be very electable then again I am not so sure that any candidate from either party is very electable, which just makes for more fun and games in the weeks and months to come. My best advise enjoy the summer, enjoy the fall, enjoy the winter, because by next spring the rhetoric may be so thick it will blot out the sun.
Tuesday, May 1, 2007
Orwellian Prophecy
As a school boy (that was a long time ago) I was required to read George Orwell’s book “1984”. I can honestly say I do not remember anything from that book other than I read it many years prior to 1984. I say this because I was challenged to take a fresh look at this Orwell classic recently. As you may or may not be aware this week the House Judiciary Committee passed a bill that would protect a particular segment of the population from so called “hate crimes”. The segment of the population that this bill will protect isn’t in danger because of race, ethnicity, or cultural make up. It isn’t even being protected because of its inability to protect itself like those laws that protect the weakest among us, no this bill will protect a group of people because of a behavior.
In the book “1984” Orwell warned that even our thoughts can get us into trouble and subject to criminal prosecution by Big Brother. We are about to witness this prophecy take place. In his commentary today at Breakpoint Chuck Colson even warned that attempts to modify this terrible bill, to modify it chilling effects went unheeded. Unless we raise our voices against this type of special interest legislation we could soon find ourselves subject to Orwellian like Thought Police.
In the book “1984” Orwell warned that even our thoughts can get us into trouble and subject to criminal prosecution by Big Brother. We are about to witness this prophecy take place. In his commentary today at Breakpoint Chuck Colson even warned that attempts to modify this terrible bill, to modify it chilling effects went unheeded. Unless we raise our voices against this type of special interest legislation we could soon find ourselves subject to Orwellian like Thought Police.
Celebrity Cience - Part I
Proverbs 12:15-17
15 The way of a fool seems right to him,
but a wise man listens to advice.
16 A fool shows his annoyance at once,
but a prudent man overlooks an insult.
17 A truthful witness gives honest testimony,
but a false witness tells lies.
Celebrity Cience
On the March 29, 2007 airing of The View the topic came up regarding Sept. 11, 2001 and the conspiracy theories surrounding that day. During the conversation / debate / rant whatever you want to call it, Rosie O’Donnell, said, “I do believe that it’s the first time in history that fire has ever melted steel. I do believe that it defies physics that World Trade Center tower 7—building 7, which collapsed in on itself—it is impossible for a building to fall the way it fell without explosives being involved. World Trade Center 7. World Trader 1 and 2 got hit by planes—7, miraculously, the first time in history, steel was melted by fire. It is physically impossible.”
Real Worl Science
On April 29, 2007 a gasoline tanker crashed on the interchange which connects westbound I-80 to southbound I-880, near Oakland, CA and the Bay Bridge. The tanker was carrying 8,600 gallons of gasoline and burst into flames.
According to the ChiP, the fire ‘melted’ a second interchange from eastbound I-80 to eastbound I-580 located above the first interchange, causing a 250-yard section of the roadway to collapse onto the roadway below. In the picture below the freeway can be seen draped on the highway beneath, exposing ‘melted’ twisted metal.
15 The way of a fool seems right to him,
but a wise man listens to advice.
16 A fool shows his annoyance at once,
but a prudent man overlooks an insult.
17 A truthful witness gives honest testimony,
but a false witness tells lies.
Celebrity Cience
On the March 29, 2007 airing of The View the topic came up regarding Sept. 11, 2001 and the conspiracy theories surrounding that day. During the conversation / debate / rant whatever you want to call it, Rosie O’Donnell, said, “I do believe that it’s the first time in history that fire has ever melted steel. I do believe that it defies physics that World Trade Center tower 7—building 7, which collapsed in on itself—it is impossible for a building to fall the way it fell without explosives being involved. World Trade Center 7. World Trader 1 and 2 got hit by planes—7, miraculously, the first time in history, steel was melted by fire. It is physically impossible.”
Real Worl Science
On April 29, 2007 a gasoline tanker crashed on the interchange which connects westbound I-80 to southbound I-880, near Oakland, CA and the Bay Bridge. The tanker was carrying 8,600 gallons of gasoline and burst into flames.
According to the ChiP, the fire ‘melted’ a second interchange from eastbound I-80 to eastbound I-580 located above the first interchange, causing a 250-yard section of the roadway to collapse onto the roadway below. In the picture below the freeway can be seen draped on the highway beneath, exposing ‘melted’ twisted metal.
A section of highway that collapsed after a tanker carrying gasoline overturned and exploded is shown Sunday, April 29, 2007, in Oakland, Calif. (AP Photo/The Oakland Tribune, Noah Berger)
Already scientists are studying linkages between the freeway collapse and how the World Trade Center collapsed, since the structural failures appear similar.
Now I know that the steel in this bridge did not ‘melt’. Steel becomes molten at temperatures in excess of 2,700 degrees Fahrenheit. But I also know that steel becomes pliable at temperatures as low as 400 degrees Fahrenheit. With the right temperature and force being applied steel can be shaped into just about any form you want.
I Beams used in buildings and bridges are not pour into a mold and created. The steel is heated and run through various rollers to shape the beam. Some of us who were fortunate enough (and therefore old enough) to have grown up in the Detroit area when auto plant tours were still allowed. Many of us remember taking field trips to the Ford Rouge plant. You got to watch as glowing orange steel ingots were run through rollers and presses and shaped into the steel necessary for good old Detroit Muscle. As an elementary school student I knew the steel was not melted, just very hot and flexible.
If the the various World Trade Center buildings had been brought down with explosives the steel would be broken and torn. Hard steel breaks. On the other hand, if fires caused the steel to heat up and weaken, thereby causing the collapse, the beams would be bent. Well guess what was in the wreckage, bent steel.
An excellent place to look through the World Trade Center events is PBS’ America Rebuilds at http://www.pbs.org/americarebuilds/index.html Select Artifacts and go through the pictures. When you get to numbers 9 and 10 you will see the two pictures below with descriptions.
If you still are thinking conspiracy, check the following links. Some of this is pretty technical, but a lot is fairly easy to understand, even for a fifth grader.
http://www.popularmechanics.com/blogs/911myths/4213805.html
http://wtc.nist.gov/progress_report_june04/appendixl.pdf
Just My Opinion
I wonder if the View’s resident physics expert is smarter than a fifth grader. Her factually challenged blathering makes her sound more like the resident psychic. or is that psychotic?
Sunday, April 29, 2007
Today's church
The church's purpose, it mission is not to bring people to Christ, her mission; her purpose is to equip the saints to bring people to Christ. The reason there is so many milk fed Christians in churches today is because the church is failing in her purpose to equip the saints. Today's church tries to hard to make herself relevant to the culture that she has lost her ability to be relevant to the culture. Paul admonished Timothy in the purpose of the church, he instructed him and he instructed in other letters exactly what should take place when the church came together.
I believe that until the church makes herself more assertive in equipping the body of Christ we will continue to have milk fed Christians. Until the church teaches believers how to distinguish the Truth from the false, how to think critically about the culture and what each individual absorbs from the culture, she will continue to lose her relevance in the culture. I come back again to how we answer the questions of creation, fall, redemption, until we can critically evaluate every aspect of life through that lens of the answers to those questions, we as a church will continue to struggle.
I believe that until the church makes herself more assertive in equipping the body of Christ we will continue to have milk fed Christians. Until the church teaches believers how to distinguish the Truth from the false, how to think critically about the culture and what each individual absorbs from the culture, she will continue to lose her relevance in the culture. I come back again to how we answer the questions of creation, fall, redemption, until we can critically evaluate every aspect of life through that lens of the answers to those questions, we as a church will continue to struggle.
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