The Christian Husband & Father

Soros Weighs In: "It Is Necessary to Think the Unthinkable"

2011-09-19T11:02:00.001-05:00

Every few generations throughout our history, we have experienced what Soros refers to as “far-from-equilibrium” situations – or, “unthinkable” situations – when the political, economic and/or social stability of entire nations or societies is threatened.

Prepare yourself, because by all indications the “unthinkable” is exactly what we are facing today.

Let us not ignore the lessons of history, but rather, use them to survive and thrive when the world around us falls apart.

full article here: Soros Weighs In: "It Is Necessary to Think the Unthinkable"

No Doubt About It: "They Are Setting the Stage for Violence In This Country"

2011-08-22T08:52:00.001-05:00

At the Ames Iowa straw poll a member of Minnesota Change asked Dr. Ron Paul his thoughts on HR 645 the National Emergency Centers Establishment Act.

No Doubt About It: "They Are Setting the Stage for Violence In This Country"

You want liberty? This is what it takes…

2011-07-07T08:30:00.001-05:00

Great article!

“There is nothing worse in this world than an enslaved man who naively believes himself free, except, perhaps, trying to explain to that same man his predicament. You can lay truth after truth before his feet. You can qualify your every position with cold hard irrefutable data. You can plead and scream and raise veritable hell, but before he will ever listen, he must first become aware of his own dire circumstances. As long as he views himself as “safe and secure”, as long as he imagines his chains to be wings, he will see no reason to question the validity of the world around him, and he will certainly never invest himself into changing his own deluded destiny.”

You want liberty? This is what it takes…

Quote by George Orwell: "So long as they (the Proles) continued to work and..."

2011-04-27T08:57:00.001-05:00

"So long as they (the Proles) continued to work and breed, their other activities were without importance. Left to themselves, like cattle turned loose upon the plains of Argentina, they had reverted to a style of life that appeared to be natural to them, a sort of ancestral pattern...Heavy physical work, the care of home and children, petty quarrels with neighbors, films, football, beer and above all, gambling filled up the horizon of their minds. To keep them in control was not difficult."
— George Orwell (1984)

Quote by George Orwell: "So long as they (the Proles) continued to work and..."

» As Egypt goes offline US gets internet ‘kill switch’ bill ready Alex Jones' Infowars: There's a war on for your mind!

2011-02-01T07:22:00.000-06:00

"This action is inconsistent with all international human rights norms, and is unprecedented in internet history," said Leslie Harris, president of the Center for Democracy and Technology in the United States.

» As Egypt goes offline US gets internet ‘kill switch’ bill ready Alex Jones' Infowars: There's a war on for your mind!

I am not what I once was

2010-02-12T08:50:00.000-06:00

“I am not what I ought to be — ah, how imperfect and deficient! I am not what I wish to be — I abhor what is evil, and I would cleave to what is good! I am not what I hope to be — soon, soon shall I put off mortality, and with mortality all sin and imperfection. Yet, though I am not what I ought to be, nor what I wish to be, nor what I hope to be, I can truly say, I am not what I once was; a slave to sin and Satan; and I can heartily join with the apostle, and acknowledge, “By the grace of God I am what I am.”

John Newton - As quoted in The Christian Pioneer (1856) edited by Joseph Foulkes Winks, p. 84

Strong and daring men who with wisdom love peace...

2009-12-15T09:37:00.000-06:00

From the foreword of Theodore Roosevelt's Autobiography...

It seems to me that, for the nation as for the individual, what is most important is to insist on the vital need of combining certain sets of qualities, which separately are common enough, and, alas, useless enough. Practical efficiency is common, and lofty idealism not uncommon; it is the combination which is necessary, and the combination is rare. Love of peace is common among weak, short-sighted, timid, and lazy persons; and on the other hand courage is found among many men of evil temper and bad character. Neither quality shall by itself avail. Justice among the nations of mankind, and the uplifting of humanity, can be brought about only by those strong and daring men who with wisdom love peace, but who love righteousness more than peace.

Even a fool...

2009-12-10T12:38:00.000-06:00

Even a fool, when he holds his peace, is counted wise.. Prov 17:28

I guess this is why I have not posted anything for a while.

Uppercase Living with Kelly McKee

2009-09-16T11:08:00.002-05:00

Just a shameless plug for my wife's new blog:

Here it is: Uppercase Living with Kelly McKee

Monmouth Illinois Tax Day Tea Party

2009-04-10T13:03:00.007-05:00

For more information see our main site: http://monmouthilteapartyday.blogspot.com/

The purpose for the Monmouth Tea Party

Our goal with this event is to create a rumbling never before seen in this part of the country by rallying thousands of concerned citizens from Monmouth and the surrounding area to attend our Tea Party event. The local movement was started by some Monmouthians who have a vision and believe that the American people still run the show. Their goal is to rally thousands of area citizens around our cause with the goal that our government not only gets the message from New York, Washington, and Atlanta, but Monmouth as well. We will rally numbers of a magnitude that will require local media coverage at our event.
Let’s show the nation that the West-Central Illinois won’t accept less than our forefathers provided for us in our Constitution.

For more information see our main site: http://monmouthilteapartyday.blogspot.com/

I.O.U.S.A. Movie Trailer

2009-04-08T08:19:00.000-05:00

AwakenGeneration.com | Be Fueled | Fossils: Fact or Fallacy?

2009-02-23T16:33:00.001-06:00

Science journalist Richard Milton, who is not a Christian, sums up the evidence for ape-to-human evolution from the fossil record: “The position today is that all fossil remains which were previously assigned some intermediate status between apes and humans have later been definitely reassigned into the categories of either extinct ape or human, and this reassignment has been accepted by all but the most fanatical devotees of this or that fossil…the missing link is still missing"

AwakenGeneration.com Be Fueled Fossils: Fact or Fallacy?

Trial: 8 Witnesses from 1&2 Peter

2009-02-18T10:45:00.002-06:00

Doing Darwin's Math: Not Enough Time For Evolution

2009-02-04T16:14:00.001-06:00

Doing Darwin's Math: Not Enough Time For Evolution -
February 01, 2009
"On the one hand we're supposed to believe that the Darwinian mechanism converted a proto-insect into a stunning array of radically different life forms ... well within the space of 400 million years. But on the other hand, when we actually do the math we find that a single insignificant conversion of binding sites would reasonably be expected to consume all of that time." Biologic Institute

The Drowning Cry - Leonard Ravenhill

2009-01-30T22:58:00.005-06:00

"Could a mariner sit idle if he heard the drowning cry? Could a doctor sit in comfort and just let his patients die? Could a fireman sit idle, let men burn and give no hand? Can you sit at ease in Zion with the world around you damned?"

- Leonard Ravenhill

Hear... Turn... Then...

2009-01-29T07:06:00.023-06:00

I was reading Jeremiah 36 this morning and this verse has stuck...

"Perhaps the house of Judah will hear all the calamity which I plan to bring on them, in order that every man will turn from his evil way; then I will forgive their iniquity and their sin."

-- Jeremiah 36:3

I added the bolds...

Clarke on Jeremiah 36:3
It may be that the house of Judah will hear - It was yet possible to avert the judgments which had been so often denounced against them. But in order to this they must -
1. Hear what God has spoken.
2. Every man turn from his evil way.
3. If they do so, God graciously promises to forgive their iniquity and their sin.

Have you done the first two?

Added "Share This" buttons

2009-01-29T06:33:00.000-06:00

I have added "Share This" buttons to my blog. Come try it out...

Correct me, O LORD

2008-12-27T18:56:00.000-06:00

Something to meditate on...

(23) I know, O LORD, that a man's way is not in himself, Nor is it in a man who walks to direct his steps. (24) Correct me, O LORD, but with justice; Not with Your anger, or You will bring me to nothing.

Jeremiah 10:23-24 NASB

A Holiday Wish From Your Governor....

2008-12-18T10:33:00.001-06:00

Got this from a friend, had to share...

"...if His followers looked more Redeemed." - Fredrick Nietzsche

2008-11-22T11:13:00.003-06:00

"I might believe in the Redeemer if His followers looked more Redeemed."
-- Fredrick Nietzsche (Who's ideas and works greatly influenced
Hitler...)

We need to walk the walk, a dying world is watching...

Passing on the Blessing...

2008-11-16T21:17:00.000-06:00

Compassion International

2008-11-10T07:56:00.000-06:00

Get this widget!

Compassion – Make a Donation – Sponsor a Child

Spread the Wealth

2008-10-23T16:33:00.001-05:00

When He had made purification of sins...

2008-09-23T08:30:00.005-05:00

Hebrews 1:1-4 NASB God's Final Word in His Son
God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways, (2) in these last days has spoken to us in His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the world. (3) And He is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature, and upholds all things by the word of His power. When He had made purification of sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, (4) having become as much better than the angels, as He has inherited a more excellent name than they.

In my morning devotions I started Hebrews today. WOW. After the first four verses I could not go on.

Lately I have heard from more than one place that the Bible and the Christian life is about "Loving God and loving others". This "motto" is good and true but that is not what makes Christians and/or the Bible different from Hindus, Buddhists, Muslims, JW's, Mormons, Wiccan’s, and a good Gnostic, Deist, Republican, or Democrat. They can, and do, say the same things.

The difference is Christ.
It is what we believe about whom Christ is and what He did for us that makes us Christians. The Bible is first the redemptive history of God and man and secondly a Christian “how to live” manual. When we get those two things changed around we start to see the Christian life as a 10 step program to do… whatever. Jesus becomes your “Guru” or “Life Coach”, not your Redeemer. Worse yet, we will start to think we must do things to make ourselves “worthy” to “get to Heaven” or so that “St. Peter will let us passed the Pearly Gates”. Even worse, we will start to think that being a follower of Christ is all about doing good deeds.

Christianity is not about "Loving God and loving others” or doing good deeds. Christianity is about relying on Christ’s finished work on the cross to make yourself “right” with God. "Loving God and loving others” and doing good deeds is something that all Christians should do out of a thankful heart to God and to bring glory to His name. "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven." (Matthew 5:16)
It may seem like hair-splitting but it is not. It is what birthed the Reformation.

My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus' blood and righteousness
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
But wholly lean on Jesus' name.
On Christ the solid rock I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand.

Shall not the Judge of all the earth deal justly?

2008-09-17T08:03:00.004-05:00

"...Shall not the Judge of all the earth deal justly?"

--Abraham "bargaining" with God for the City of Sodom, Genesis 18:25

Knowing that the "Judge of all the earth", God, will deal justly (do right -KJV) is both a comforting and terrifying thought. Comforting to know that all the injustices in this world will be justly dealt with. That all the wrongs will be made right. That all the evil deeds done will be dealt with. But it is also terrifying because how many times have I dealt unjustly? How many wrongs have I not made right? How many evil deeds have I done?

Thank the LORD that He has made a way to be made right with Him. Through faith in Christ Jesus my injustices, my wrongs, my evil deeds, my sins will be counted against Christ on that great Day of Judgment. In light of this help me to do justly, rightly, and forsake the evil ways of my “old man” in this present age.

The unobjectionable residue

2008-08-05T10:28:00.003-05:00

The Christian Gospel (cont’d.)

353. 'The unobjectionable residue'

The seventeenth-century Jesuits in China, in order not to upset the social sensitivities of the Chinese, excluded the crucifixion and certain other details from the gospel. But, Professor Hugh Trevor-Roper has written (in a letter to "The Times" on 1 December 1959), 'we do not learn that they made many lasting converts by the unobjectionable residue of the story'.

--From "Our Guilty Silence" (London: Hodder and Stoughton, 1967), p. 49.

source:
http://www.langhampartnership.org/john-stott/devotionals/

The Christian Gospel - Not good advice...

2008-08-01T08:03:00.001-05:00

John Stott Daily Thought, 1 August 08

The Christian Gospel (cont’d.)

349. Not good advice
The gospel is not good advice to men, but good news about Christ; not an invitation to us to do anything, but a declaration of what God has done; not a demand, but an offer.

--From "The Message of Galatians" (The Bible Speaks Today series: London and Downers Grove: IVP, 1968), p. 70.

source:
http://www.langhampartnership.org/john-stott/devotionals/

Love for the Scriptures - John Stott Daily Thought: May 20th, 2008

2008-05-20T08:33:00.004-05:00

A man who loves his wife will love her letters and her photographs because they speak to him of her. So if we love the Lord Jesus we shall love the Bible because it speaks to us of him. The husband is not so stupid as to prefer his wife's letters to her voice, or her photographs to herself. He simply loves them because of her. So, too, we love the Bible because of Christ. It is his portrait. It is his love-letter.

--From "Fundamentalism and Evangelism" (London: Crusade Booklets, 1956), p. 22.

source link: http://www.langhampartnership.org/john-stott/devotionals/

Hope For The Least Of These

2008-05-05T11:11:00.002-05:00

Happy 10th Birthday Greyson!

2008-04-28T14:19:00.001-05:00

My son is 10 years old today!
Pictures to come, they are still on my camera!

EXPELLED Trailer

2008-04-23T10:11:00.002-05:00

This is a must see movie. For all you locals it is showing now in Moline and Davenport. Check fandango.com for times.

This top trailer explains the movie, this bottom one is just fun!

Couldn’t God Have Used Evolution?

2008-04-17T15:42:00.002-05:00

During the Scopes Trial in 1925, ACLU attorney Clarence Darrow placed William Jennings Bryan (seen as the man representing Christianity) on the stand and questioned him about his faith. In his questioning, Darrow pitted Bryan’s faith in the Bible against his belief in modern scientific thinking. Darrow questioned Bryan about the meaning of the word “day” in Genesis. Bryan’s answer rejected the clear teaching of Scripture, which indicates that the days of Genesis 1 are six actual days of approximately 24 hours. Bryan accepted modern evolutionary thinking instead when he said, “I think it would be just as easy for the kind of God we believe in to make the earth in six days as in six years or in six million years or in 600 million years. I do not think it important whether we believe one or the other.”1 This is not the first time a Christian has rejected the intended meaning of God’s Word, and it certainly will not be the last.

Many Christians today claim that millions of years of earth history fit with the Bible and that God could have used evolutionary processes to create. This idea is not a recent invention. For over 200 years, many theologians have attempted such harmonizations in response to the work of people like Charles Darwin and Scottish geologist Charles Lyell, who helped popularize the idea of millions of years of earth history and slow geological processes.

When we consider the possibility that God used evolutionary processes to create over millions of years, we are faced with serious consequences: the Word of God is no longer authoritative, and the character of our loving God is questioned..

Here is a link to the rest of the article:

AiG: Couldn’t God Have Used Evolution?

Martin Luther King Day - Revisited x2

2008-01-21T09:10:00.000-06:00

Here is a link to my post a couple years ago on MLK Day:
A Call to Conscience: The Landmark Speeches of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Rice Christians

2007-08-30T11:22:00.000-05:00

This reminds me of a Good Friday church service a few years ago. The Pastor's spoke of not rushing past what happened on Good Friday to see Resurrection Sunday. He said to fully appreciate the joy of the Resurrection you must first 'linger at the cross'.

Could this be the problem with Western Christianity? In telling people that "Jesus loves you and has a wonderful plan for your life" or "Just accept Jesus and He will fix all your problems" is this what we are doing?

We are rushing our un-saved friends past the cross and to the resurrection so to not scare them off. We must allow them, sometimes even force them, to 'linger at the cross' so that they can see the cost of their sin and the price that Jesus paid for them to be 'right with God'. Only then will we create Disciples of Christ, not Rice Christians.

August 30

Evangelism: Modern Salesmanship

They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us; but they went out that they might be made manifest, that none of them were of us. --1 John 2:19

In our eagerness to make converts I am afraid we have lately been guilty of using the technique of modern salesmanship, which is of course to present only the desirable qualities in a product and ignore the rest. We go to men and offer them a cozy home on the sunny side of the brae. If they will but accept Christ He will give them peace of mind, solve their problems, prosper their business, protect their families and keep them happy all day long. They believe us and come, and the first cold wind sends them shivering to some counselor to find out what has gone wrong; and that is the last we hear of many of them....

By offering our hearers a sweetness-and-light gospel and promising every taker a place on the sunny side of the brae, we not only cruelly deceive them, we guarantee also a high casualty rate among the converts won on such terms. On certain foreign fields the expression "rice Christians" has been coined to describe those who adopt Christianity for profit. The experienced missionary knows that the convert that must pay a heavy price for his faith in Christ is the one that will persevere to the end. He begins with the wind in his face, and should the storm grow in strength he will not turn back for he has been conditioned to endure it.

By playing down the cost of discipleship we are producing rice Christians by the tens of thousands right here on the North American continent. That Incredible Christian, 116-117.

"Lord, I suspect this is getting much worse even since Tozer's day. In our emphasis on growth and success we may indeed be guilty of producing rice Christians. Deliver us from that error. Amen."

source: http://lmi.gospelcom.net/tozer.php

Eagles Classic "Take it Easy" Church Hymm Found!

2007-07-13T07:10:00.000-05:00

You have to read this blog post The Gospel According To Church Hoppers to sing this Eagles classic hymm.

Well, I’m running down the road
Tryin’ to loosen my load
I’ve got seven churches on My mind,
Four that wanna own me,
Two that wanna stone me,
One says she’s a friend of mine

Take it easy, take it easy
Don’t let the sound of your own wheels Drive you crazy
Lighten up while you still can
Don’t even try to understand
Just find me a preacher I can stand
And take it easy

Well, I’m a standing on a corner
In Winslow, Arizona
And such a fine sight to see
It’s a church, my lord, with a neon billboard
saying slowin’ down and to take a look at me
Come on, baby, don’t say maybe
I gotta know if your sweet love is
Gonna save me

We may lose and we may win though
We will never be here again
So open up, I’m walkin’ in,
So take it easy

Well I’m running down the road trying to loosen
My load, got a world of trouble on my mind
Lookin’ for a church who won’t cramp my
Style, she’s so hard to find

Take it easy, take it easy
Don’t let the sound of your own Wheels make you crazy
Come on baby, don’t say maybe
I gotta know if your sweet love is
Gonna save me, oh oh oh
Oh we got it easy
We oughta take it easy

Defense Attorneys

2007-06-21T08:16:00.000-05:00

This is pretty good, see if your answers are the same as the attorney's.

How He ruthlessly perfects...

2007-05-24T14:36:00.000-05:00

When God wants to drill a man,
and thrill a man,
and skill a man;
When God wants to mold a man,
to play the noblest part,
When He yearns with all His heart
to create so great and bold a man,
…that all the world will be amazed;
WATCH His methods! - WATCH His ways!

How He ruthlessly perfects
whom He Royally Elects!
How He hammers him,
and hurts him,
…and with mighty blows,
converts him
…into trial shapes of clay
which only God understands.

While his tortured heart is crying,
and he lifts beseeching hands,
How he bends but never breaks,
when His good He undertakes.
How He uses whom He chooses,
and with every purpose fuses him,
…by every act induces him,
to try His splender out;
God knows what he’s about.

Welcome Rocky!

2007-03-20T07:58:00.000-05:00

Here is the newest addition to the McKee household. His name is Rocky. He is mostly a lab. He is my wife's belated birthday gift but I think he likes me more.

Why men flock to Islam?

2007-03-05T07:04:00.000-06:00

“Why do men flock to Islam, while avoiding Christianity?”

“Because Islam delivers what fathers and husbands want for their families, strong men gravitate toward it. Therefore, it becomes male heavy,”

“Here is a faith that’s going to hold me to a higher standard. Men are dying for this.”

So the question for Christianity is this: Can our faith “deliver” for men without oppressing women in the process?

We don’t need to put women in burquas to bring men back to church. But we do need to deliver what we promise.

full article: http://churchformen.com/eNewsletter%20archives/01March07.html

So Long MySpace - Oh well, Goodbye, don't cry

2007-02-28T10:07:00.000-06:00

So Long MySpace...

I have officially and regrettably deleted my MySpace site. How come? There are several inter-related reasons. Probably at the top of the list is the sexual content that is "spued" at me every time I am there. I know that it is everywhere on the web but for me MySpace is over the top. The part that bothers me is not people's personal pages that have it. If that was it I could just steer clear of that but it starts on the login page and continues even on my pages that I go to see blog updates and comments and such.

For all you MySpacer's out there don't take this the wrong way.

It's just not for me. I think MySpace is a good place for ministry but I guess I am just not up to the task. It would be hard for me to be a good witness in a strip bar and that's how I feel after I have been on MySpace. I feel like I just left a strip bar. "All things are lawful for me, but not all things are profitable..." (1Cor 6:12). Right now it is just not profitable for me to be on MySpace.

So long MySpace
Don't take this wrong but you are wrong for me farewell
Oh well, Goodbye, don't cry
So Long MySpace

CAN - Team Hoyt

2007-01-25T05:50:00.000-06:00

This has been around for a long time but I just stumble acrossed it on YouTube so I thought I would share it everyone. I don't think it would hurt us to watch it again...

Here is their web site: http://www.teamhoyt.com/

Happy Birthday to My Sweetheart!

2007-01-24T07:16:00.000-06:00

Happy Birthday to my wife.

This past weekend we celebrated my wife's birthday. I would tell you all how old she is now but you know that women like to keep that a secret. (Whatever you do, do not look at the top balloon)

Anyway, happy birthday Honey!

Political Correctness

2007-01-17T07:09:00.000-06:00

You all will have to thank my wife for this one...

Subject: Political Correctness

Following is the winning entry from an annual contest calling for the most appropriate definition of a contemporary term. This year's term:

Political Correctness.

"Political Correctness is a doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical liberal minority, and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a turd by the clean end."

Martin Luther King Day - Revisited

2007-01-15T07:09:00.000-06:00

Here is a link to my post last year on MLK Day:
A Call to Conscience: The Landmark Speeches of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

More Troops in Iraq

2007-01-11T07:42:00.000-06:00

More Troops in Iraq, what's everyone think about that?

Yikes! - Which Star Wars Character Are You?

2007-01-09T07:00:00.000-06:00

Which Star Wars Character Are You?

Anakin Skywalker

You are very ambitious and looking for power. Watch out and listen to your mentors, it may save you from a horrible demise..Remember, you are the chosen one

Click Here to Take This Quiz
Brought to you by YouThink.com quizzes and personality tests.

I can not stop laughing

2007-01-04T13:21:00.000-06:00

All I can say is just watch this.

Long Eternity to Enjoy Ourselves - Tozer

2006-12-27T08:39:00.000-06:00

Trials and Pain: Long Eternity to Enjoy Ourselves

Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.... And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.
--1 John 2:15,17

Any appeal to the public in the name of Christ that rises no higher than an invitation to tranquillity must be recognized as mere humanism with a few words of Jesus thrown in to make it appear Christian....

Christ calls men to carry a cross; we call them to have fun in His name. He calls them to forsake the world; we assure them that if they but accept Jesus the world is their oyster. He calls them to suffer; we call them to enjoy all the bourgeois comforts modern civilization affords. He calls them to self-abnegation and death; we call them to spread themselves like green bay trees or perchance even to become stars in a pitiful fifth-rate religious zodiac. He calls them to holiness; we call them to a cheap and tawdry happiness that would have been rejected with scorn by the least of the Stoic philosophers....

We can afford to suffer now; we'll have a long eternity to enjoy ourselves. And our enjoyment will be valid and pure, for it will come in the right way at the right time.
Born After Midnight, pp. 141-142

"Lord, may I be faithful to call people to that which is important to You, at whatever cost. Thank You that 'we can afford to suffer now; we'll have a long eternity to enjoy ourselves.' Amen."

source: http://lmi.gospelcom.net/tozer.php3

Crummy Church Signs

2006-11-07T12:25:00.000-06:00

Ok everyone, I need some input here.

Check out this site and report back with your favorite sign!
http://www.crummychurchsigns.com

I think this is my favorite!

Feeding Sheep or Amusing Goats?

2006-11-07T07:30:00.000-06:00

I stumbled upon this and thought it worth sharing. It is also worth noting that this was penned over 100 years ago. If Spurgeon had this to say of the church back then I can imagine his opinion of the church today. I am sure he would not think that the situation is any better by far!

This is actual a pretty harsh look at the methods of the modern day church. I would be inclined to dismiss it as 'not for today' but considering the source and the state of the church and it's witness to the world I think it would be a good idea to listen closely to what a proven fruitful preacher from day passed has to say.

-------

Feeding Sheep or Amusing Goats?

Charles Haddon Spurgeon(1834-1892)

An evil is in the professed camp of the Lord, so gross in its impudence, that the most shortsighted can hardly fail to notice it during the past few years. It has developed at an abnormal rate, even for evil. It has worked like leaven until the whole lump ferments. The devil has seldom done a cleverer thing than hinting to the church that part of their mission is to provide entertainment for the people, with a view to winning them.

From speaking out as the Puritans did, the church has gradually toned down her testimony, then winked at and excused the frivolities of the day. Then she tolerated them in her borders. Now she has adopted them under the plea of reaching the masses.

My first contention is that providing amusement for the people is nowhere spoken of in the Scriptures as a function of the church. If it is a Christian work, why did not Christ speak of it? "Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature" (Mark 16:15). That is clear enough. So it would have been if He had added, "and provide amusement for those who do not relish the gospel." No such words, however, are to be found. It did not seem to occur to him.

Then again, "He gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some evangelists; and some pastors and teachers .., for the work of the ministry" (Eph. 4:11-12). Where do entertainers come in? The Holy Spirit is silent concerning them. Were the prophets persecuted because they amused the people or because they refused? The concert has no martyr roll.

Again, providing amusement is in direct antagonism to the teaching and life of Christ and all his apostles. What was the attitude of the church to the world? Ye are the salt" (Matt. 5:13), not the sugar candy---something the world will spit out not swallow. Short and sharp was the utterance, "Let the dead bury their dead" (Matt. 8:22) He was in awful earnestness.

Had Christ introduced more of the bright and pleasant elements into his mission, he would have been more popular when they went back, because of the searching nature of His teaching. I do not hear him say, "Run after these people Peter and tell them we will have a different style of service tomorrow, something short and attractive with little preaching. We will have a pleasant evening for the people. Tell them they will be sure to enjoy it. Be quick Peter, we must get the people somehow." Jesus pitied sinners, sighed and wept over them, but never sought to amuse them.

In vain will the Epistles be searched to find any trace of this gospel of amusement! Their message is, "Come out, keep out, keep clean out!" Anything approaching fooling is conspicuous by its absence. They had boundless confidence in the gospel and employed no other weapon.

After Peter and John were locked up for preaching, the church had a prayer meeting but they did not pray, "Lord grant unto thy servants that by a wise and discriminating use of innocent recreation we may show these people how happy we are." If they ceased not from preaching Christ, they had not time for arranging entertainments. Scattered by persecution, they went everywhere preaching the gospel. They turned the world upside down (Acts 17:6). That is the only difference! Lord, clear the church of all the rot and rubbish the devil has imposed on her, and bring us back to apostolic methods.

Lastly, the mission of amusement fails to effect the end desired. It works havoc among young converts. Let the careless and scoffers, who thank God because the church met them halfway, speak and testify. Let the heavy laden who found peace through the concert not keep silent! Let the drunkard to whom the dramatic entertainment has been God's link in the chain of the conversion, stand up! There are none to answer. The mission of amusement produces no converts. The need of the hour for today's ministry is believing scholarship joined with earnest spirituality, the one springing from the other as fruit from the root. The need is biblical doctrine, so understood and felt, that it sets men on fire.

source: http://www.biblebb.com/files/spurgeon/amusement.htm

How Much Is Your Sin Going to Cost Me? - Ted Haggard

2006-11-06T11:31:00.000-06:00

I guess since it is my birthday I should have some words of wisdom for everyone. While I do not have any word of wisdom I will pass on some words of wisdom that is a title to a sermon tape that I received a couple months ago. I have been thinking of that sermon and the title ever since the middle of last week.

The title of that message was “How Much Is Your Sin Going to Cost Me?” And if you haven’t guessed it was by Ted Haggard. Now I am definitely not going to start slamming Ted and calling him a hypocrite and all that. Far from it. I think this should be a wake up call to the Christian community to be able to show compassion, understanding, and forgiveness to a person in sin while standing firm against sin. But those are words of wisdom for another day.

Today I think we need to see these words of wisdom from Ted himself. “How much is your sin going to cost me?” Where “me” is all the people that your life has directly and indirectly touched. Just imagine the fallout from this hidden sin in Ted’s life. His family, ministry, the cause of Christ, the political movements he was a part of. People he has never seen or spoken to have been discouraged, disheartened, and “given occasion to blaspheme” the name of Christ.

Let’s now hold the mirror up to ourselves. What is the hidden sin in your life that if it came to light would not only destroy your testimony, but cause the unbelievers around your to say “Ah Ha, I new he/she was a phony” and the believers around you to question or stumble in their faith? Confess it to someone that will hold you accountable, Repent of it, and stop it. Do all that you can do to rid yourself of it because if you do not, God will for you. As a Christian, His plan for you is that you become more like Christ. If He has to expose your sin to everyone around you then that is what he will do. Not to humiliate you but to humble and perfect you. Do not let that happen though. Humble yourself, don’t make God do it.

The Crane Game - ONLINE!

2006-11-02T13:08:00.000-06:00

I stumble across this on my geek site wanderings. You know those 'Crane Games' that you play at the exits of Walmart and other places? Here is one you can play for free over the internet.

Here is a link to watch my best try:
click here!

Give it a try for yourself: http://www.rocktheskillcrane.com/play.php
hint: use big numbers...

Happy Reformation Day

2006-10-31T09:21:00.000-06:00

I did not know till today that not only is today Halloween but it also is Reformation Day.

On this day in 1517, Martin Luther posted a proposal at the doors of a church in Wittenberg, Germany to debate the doctrine and practice of indulgences. This proposal is popularly known as the 95 Theses, which he nailed to the Castle Church doors.

One thing that troubles me is about the Church here is the USA is that we have lost our church history. The quote "those who ignore history, are condemned to repeat it" does not only apply to nations but also to the Church. We must know where we came from so we and future generation can learn from our history. Our faith stands on the shoulders of men and movments in the past and if we forget those we will lose our purpose and direction.

After Joshua brought the Israel across the Jordan into the promise land he told then to set up a memorial of 12 stones to be a sign among them "...so that when your children ask later, saying, 'What do these stones mean to you?' then you shall say to them, 'Because the waters of the Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the LORD; when it crossed the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off ' So these stones shall become a memorial to the sons of Israel forever." (Joshua 4:6-7)

We need these memorials too so that we do not forget the things that God has done for us. Let today be one if thoses days.

Here is a hymn that he is most well know for:

A mighty fortress is our God
A mighty fortress is our God, a bulwark never failing;
Our helper He, amid the flood of mortal ills prevailing:
For still our ancient foe doth seek to work us woe;
His craft and power are great, and, armed with cruel hate,
On earth is not his equal.

Did we in our own strength confide, our striving would be losing;
Were not the right Man on our side, the Man of God’s own choosing:
Dost ask who that may be? Christ Jesus, it is He;
Lord Sabaoth, His Name, from age to age the same,
And He must win the battle.

And though this world, with devils filled, should threaten to undo us,
We will not fear, for God hath willed His truth to triumph through us:
The Prince of Darkness grim, we tremble not for him;
His rage we can endure, for lo, his doom is sure,
One little word shall fell him.

That word above all earthly powers, no thanks to them, abideth;
The Spirit and the gifts are ours through Him Who with us sideth:
Let goods and kindred go, this mortal life also;
The body they may kill: God’s truth abideth still,
His kingdom is forever.

sources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reformation_Day
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martin_Luther
http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/m/i/mightyfo.htm

Whatever keeps me from my Bible is my enemy

2006-10-25T08:33:00.000-05:00

Whatever keeps me from my Bible is my enemy, However harmless it may appear to be.

Whatever engages my attention when I should be meditating on God and things eternal does injury to my soul.

Let the cares of life crowd out the Scriptures from my mind and I have suffered loss where I can least afford it.

Let me accept anything else instead of the Scriptures and I have been cheated and robbed to my eternal confusion.

(Author Unknown)

A Call to Christian Jihad

2006-10-18T08:48:00.000-05:00

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
(Romans 12:1-2)

In these times we live in we are always hearing about calls to Jihad on the US, Israel, the west, and so on. Muslim Clerics calling on ‘the faithful’ to sacrifice their bodies to wage Holy War against the infidel.

Christians too have a call to ‘Holy War’ given 2000 years ago by one of their greatest Apostles. This Apostle (Paul) not only called us to this, he did it himself. He did not call us the kill ourselves in the process of killing people that don’t believe the way we do but to do something infinitely more difficult and impactful. He called us to be a living sacrifice. The quote “Better to live for the truth than die for a lie” comes to mind.

These people are willing to kill themselves and others for the promise of ‘heaven”. We with the promise of Heaven in hand, must, and should, live for the truth. We must live what we say we believe.

Romans 12:1-2 is a call to Christian Jihad. Not to kill ourselves and others for entrance to heaven, but to live and give our lives to build and further the Kingdom of God around us and to save unbelievers from the ‘wrath to come” (1 Thessalonians 1:10)

What Kind of Rocker Are You?

2006-10-10T08:15:00.000-05:00

You Are a Freedom Rocker!

You're stuck in the 70s - for better or worse
Crazy hair, pot soaked clothes, and tons of groupies
Your kind showed the world how to rock
Is that freedom rock?... Well turn it up man!

What Kind of Rocker Are You?

I love that one commercial... "Is that Freedom Rock dude? Well then turn it up!"

p.s. Darrell, I picked cowbell as my favorite instrument just for you!

You a Slacker?

2006-10-10T08:11:00.000-05:00

You Are 28% Slacker

You have a few slacker tendencies, but overall you tend not to slack.
You know how to relax when the time is right, but you aren't lazy!

Are You a Slacker?

The Pastor Did a Good Job...

2006-10-05T09:20:00.000-05:00

Every time I hear someone say, or want to say myself, that the pastor or worship team did a "good job" or something like that it always gives me a queasy feeling inside.

My innards always say to me that they are not there for your critique. If that is the only thing you walked away with that you missed something.
Should not it be more like “WOW, that sermon really spoke to me” or “WOW, I really felt the presents of God during worship”?

Is it just me or does anyone else get that feeling?

MEN’S RULES!

2006-10-04T08:22:00.000-05:00

Most of you have probably seen these before but sometimes it is just good to review.
-----
We always hear "the rules" from the female side. Now here are the rules from the male side.
These are our rules! Please note these are all numbered "1" ON PURPOSE!

1. Learn to work the toilet seat. You're a big girl. If it's up, put it down. We need it up, you need it down. You don't hear us complaining about you leaving it down.

1. Sometimes we are not thinking about you. Live with it.

1. Saturday = Sports. It's like the full moon or the changing of the tides. Let it be.

1. Don't cut your hair ever. Long hair is always more attractive than short hair. One of the big reasons guys fear getting married is that married women always cut their hair.

1. Shopping is NOT a sport. And no, we are never going to think of it that way.

1. Crying is blackmail.

1. Ask for what you want. Let us be clear on this one: Subtle hints do not work! Strong hints Do Not work! Obvious hints do not work! Just say it!

1. We don't remember dates. Mark anniversaries on a calendar. Remind us frequently beforehand.

1. Most guys own three pairs of shoes - tops. What makes you think we'd be any good at choosing which pair, out of thirty, would look good with your dress?

1. "Yes" and "No" are perfectly acceptable answers to almost every question.

1. Come to us with a problem only if you want help solving it. That's what we do. Sympathy is what your girlfriends are for.

1. Check your oil! Please.

1. Anything we said 6 months ago is inadmissible in an argument. In fact, all comments become null and void after 7 days.

1. If you think you're fat, you probably are. Don't ask us. We refuse to answer.

1. If something we said can be interpreted two ways, and one of the ways makes you sad or angry, we meant the other one.

1. You can either ask us to do something or tell us how you want it done. Not both. If you already know best how to do it, just do it yourself.

1. Whenever possible, please say whatever you have to say during commercials.

1. Christopher Columbus did not need directions, and neither do we.

1. ALL men see in only 16 colors, like the Windows default settings. Peach, for example, is a fruit, not a color. We have no idea what mauve is.

1. If it itches, it will be scratched. We do that.

1. We are not mind readers and we never will be. Our lack of mind-reading ability is not proof of how little we care about you.

1. If we ask what is wrong and you say "nothing," we will act like nothing's wrong. We know you are lying, but it is just not worth the hassle.

1. If you ask a question you don't want an answer to - expect an answer you don't want to hear.

1. When we have to go somewhere, absolutely anything you wear is fine. Really!

1. Don't ask us what we're thinking about unless you are prepared to discuss such topics as navel lint, the shotgun formation, fishing, or monster trucks.

1. You have enough clothes.

1. You have too many shoes.

1. NO! No, you really do have too many shoes.

1. It is neither in your best interest or ours to take the quiz together. And, no, it doesn't matter which quiz.

1. I'm in shape. Round is a shape.

Thank you for reading this. Yes, I know I have to sleep on the couch tonight. But did you know we really don't mind that? It's like camping.

"Pandering Prophets"

2006-09-25T09:27:00.000-05:00

Darrell over at the The Dawg Howse found this one but I thought it worth while to post on it too. His post and my reply says it all so I will not comment any further here.

Here is the link: Joel Osteen Is At It Again.

Fire the Plumber!

2006-09-21T08:16:00.000-05:00

Sometimes at work after lunch I take a walk to get some fresh air and some natural light (I work in the basement). Yesterday was one of those days I did. Right as I walked back in the front door of the building my cell phone rang and the ladies that work the front door said “Call your wife you have a leak in the basement!” It was my wife calling on the cell phone to tell me the same.

(note) We have been putting in a bathroom in our basement and a week ago I finally got a working sink installed.

My wife said that there was water on the floor around the sink. One of the guys at work had talked her through shutting off the main water value to the house so the leak was stopped for the moment.

After some questioning of my wife to get a idea of the magnitude of the problem I decided to take off work early and go see what the problem was. To make a long story short I found that the "plumber" had not screwed the hot & cold water hoses on tight enough to the sink faucet.

I think my wife actually caught the “plumber” in action NOT getting the hoses tight enough!

After a few turns with a crescent wrench the problem was solved. I need to have a talk with the "plumber"!

Blessed or Cursed?

2006-09-19T13:24:00.000-05:00

My continued trek through Deuteronomy, chapter 11

Is God’s blessing on your life? Do not say “Yes, I’m a Christian, of course” to soon. God’s chosen people the Israelites had some conditions to God blessing on their life. Just because they had been unconditionally given the Promise Land they did not automatically have God’s blessing (favor) on their lives. Read this:

Deuteronomy 11:8-28
Therefore shall ye keep all the commandments which I command you this day, that ye may be strong, and go in and possess the land, whither ye go to possess it; (9) And that ye may prolong your days in the land, which the LORD sware unto your fathers to give unto them and to their seed, a land that floweth with milk and honey.

(10) For the land, whither thou goest in to possess it, is not as the land of Egypt, from whence ye came out, where thou sowedst thy seed, and wateredst it with thy foot, as a garden of herbs: (11) But the land, whither ye go to possess it, is a land of hills and valleys, and drinketh water of the rain of heaven: (12) A land which the LORD thy God careth for: the eyes of the LORD thy God are always upon it, from the beginning of the year even unto the end of the year.

(13) And it shall come to pass, if ye shall hearken diligently unto my commandments which I command you this day, to love the LORD your God, and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul, (14) That I will give you the rain of your land in his due season, the first rain and the latter rain, that thou mayest gather in thy corn, and thy wine, and thine oil. (15) And I will send grass in thy fields for thy cattle, that thou mayest eat and be full.

(16) Take heed to yourselves, that your heart be not deceived, and ye turn aside, and serve other gods, and worship them; (17) And then the LORD'S wrath be kindled against you, and he shut up the heaven, that there be no rain, and that the land yield not her fruit; and lest ye perish quickly from off the good land which the LORD giveth you.

(18) Therefore shall ye lay up these my words in your heart and in your soul, and bind them for a sign upon your hand, that they may be as frontlets between your eyes. (19) And ye shall teach them your children, speaking of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. (20) And thou shalt write them upon the door posts of thine house, and upon thy gates: (21) That your days may be multiplied, and the days of your children, in the land which the LORD sware unto your fathers to give them, as the days of heaven upon the earth.

(22) For if ye shall diligently keep all these commandments which I command you, to do them, to love the LORD your God, to walk in all his ways, and to cleave unto him; (23) Then will the LORD drive out all these nations from before you, and ye shall possess greater nations and mightier than yourselves. (24) Every place whereon the soles of your feet shall tread shall be yours: from the wilderness and Lebanon, from the river, the river Euphrates, even unto the uttermost sea shall your coast be. (25) There shall no man be able to stand before you: for the LORD your God shall lay the fear of you and the dread of you upon all the land that ye shall tread upon, as he hath said unto you.

(26) Behold, I set before you this day a blessing and a curse; (27) A blessing, if ye obey the commandments of the LORD your God, which I command you this day: (28) And a curse, if ye will not obey the commandments of the LORD your God, but turn aside out of the way which I command you this day, to go after other gods, which ye have not known.

Are you constantly struggling? Nothing ever seems to go “your way”? Every time you get some extra money something breaks? Constants strife in your family or relationships? You do everything right but you constantly fail? A one hour project takes all day?

In this passage I see no middle ground, if you are not blessed then you are cursed. “Behold, I set before you this day a blessing and a curse…” The lack of the blessing is the curse.

So I ask again, is God’s blessing on your life? If you have the signs of the curse let’s look at the cause of the blessing.

“Therefore shall ye keep all the commandments which I command you this day”

“And it shall come to pass, if ye shall hearken diligently unto my commandments which I command you this day, to love the LORD your God, and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul”

“For if ye shall diligently keep all these commandments which I command you, to do them, to love the LORD your God, to walk in all his ways, and to cleave unto him”

God wants your obedience. Do you reward your children for being disobedience? This ain’t rocket science folks! No need to send me a love gift so that I can send you a 7 part CD series on this.

Don’t live your life under a curse. Choose the Blessing of God on your life.

Sunday is the First Day of the Week

2006-09-18T13:28:00.000-05:00

Sunday is the First Day of the Week, not the last!

I read Deuteronomy 10 this morning. Here is part of it.

Deuteronomy 10:12-22
And now, Israel, what doth the LORD thy God require of thee, but to fear the LORD thy God, to walk in all his ways, and to love him, and to serve the LORD thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul, (13) To keep the commandments of the LORD, and his statutes, which I command thee this day for thy good?

(14) Behold, the heaven and the heaven of heavens is the LORD'S thy God, the earth also, with all that therein is. (15) Only the LORD had a delight in thy fathers to love them, and he chose their seed after them, even you above all people, as it is this day.

(16) Circumcise therefore the foreskin of your heart, and be no more
stiffnecked. (17) For the LORD your God is God of gods, and Lord of lords, a great God, a mighty, and a terrible, which regardeth not persons, nor taketh reward: (18) He doth execute the judgment of the fatherless and widow, and loveth the stranger, in giving him food and raiment.

(19) Love ye therefore the stranger: for ye were strangers in the land of
Egypt. (20) Thou shalt fear the LORD thy God; him shalt thou serve, and to him shalt thou cleave, and swear by his name. (21) He is thy praise, and he is thy God, that hath done for thee these great and terrible things, which thine eyes have seen.
(22) Thy fathers went down into Egypt with threescore and ten persons; and now the LORD thy God hath made thee as the stars of heaven for multitude.

What is your idea of God?
What is God like?
Does He care about you?
What does He require of you?
Where is God in your life?
Is He really first?
How does this affect the way you live your life?
How does this affect how you interact with other?

Is Sunday the first day of your week?

Deliverance Comes By Deliverers

2006-09-18T09:00:00.000-05:00

Another Tozer Devotional...
------------------------------------------------------------
Revival: Deliverance Comes By Deliverers

Now therefore, behold, the cry of the children of Israel has come to Me, and I have also seen the oppression with which the Egyptians oppress them. Come now, therefore, and I will send you to Pharaoh that you may bring My people, the children of Israel, out of Egypt.
--Exodus 3:9-10

Yes, if evangelical Christianity is to stay alive it must have men again--the right kind of men. It must repudiate the weaklings who dare not speak out, and it must seek in prayer and much humility the coming again of men of the stuff of which prophets and martyrs are made. God will hear the cries of His people as He heard the cries of Israel in Egypt, and He will send deliverance by sending deliverers.
It is His way.

And when the deliverers come--reformers, revivalists, prophets--they will be men of God and men of courage. They will have God on their side because they are careful to stay on God's side. They will be coworkers with Christ and instruments in the hands of the Holy Spirit. Such men will be baptized with the Spirit indeed and through
their labors He will baptize others and send the long-delayed revival. This World: Playground or Battleground?, 20.

"Lord, send those men to the church soon. Raise up a mighty army even among young people today who will become that kind of men. We need a great movement of the Spirit of God that would bring the much-needed revival. Amen."

---------------------------------------------------------------------

source: http://lmi.gospelcom.net/

A Growing Hunger After God

2006-09-14T16:39:00.000-05:00

September 14
A Growing Hunger After God

As the deer pants for the water brooks, so pants my soul for You, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.
--Psalm 42:1-2a

In this hour of all-but-universal darkness one cheering gleam appears: within the fold of conservative Christianity there are to be found increasing numbers of persons whose religious lives are marked by a growing hunger after God Himself. They are eager for spiritual realities and will not be put off with words, nor will they be content with correct "interpretations" of truth. They are athirst for God, and they will not be satisfied till they have drunk deep at the Fountain of Living Water.

This is the only real harbinger of revival which I have been able to detect anywhere on the religious horizon. It may be the cloud the size of a man's hand for which a few saints here and there have been looking. It can result in a resurrection of life for many souls and a recapture of that radiant wonder which should accompany faith in Christ, that wonder which has all but fled the Church of God in our day. The pursuit of God, 7.

"O Father, may their numbers increase more and more--those who 'are athirst for God, and [who] will not be satisfied till they have drunk deep at the Fountain of Living Water.' Amen."

source: http://lmi.gospelcom.net/

milk for free?

2006-08-29T08:27:00.000-05:00

If this was a problem in Tozer's time it has become an epidemic in modern times and almost considered a 'legalism' by some.

August 29

Evangelism: Salvation Apart from Obedience

For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.
--Ephesians 2:10

Therefore, I must be frank in my feeling that a notable heresy has come into being throughout our evangelical Christian circles--the widely accepted concept that we humans can choose to accept Christ only because we need Him as Savior and we have the right to postpone our obedience to Him as Lord as long as we want to!...

I think the following is a fair statement of what I was taught in my early Christian experience and it certainly needs a lot of modifying and a great many qualifiers to save us from being in error.

"We are saved by accepting Christ as our Savior; we are sanctified by accepting Christ as our Lord; we may do the first without doing the second!"

The truth is that salvation apart from obedience is unknown in the sacred Scriptures. Peter makes it plain that we are "chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit for obedience" (1 Peter 1:2).
I Call It Heresy, 1-2.

"Lord, as I rejoice in the free gift of salvation, by grace through faith, remind me regularly that it is a salvation unto good works, that we're saved to serve. Amen."

source : http://lmi.gospelcom.net/

It reminds me of today's relationships. "Men" tell their girlfriends "I love you, I love you" but they do not want to get married.

Remember the saying "Why buy the cow when I can have the milk for free?"

Are we trying to say this of God Grace? Is this what we are saying when we live in continual disobedience to God's word and claim "No worries, I am saved"?

To me that is a fearful place to be...

Church Of God Grill

2006-08-25T09:29:00.000-05:00

I heard a reference to this on the radio today:

When I lived in Atlanta, several years ago, I noticed in the Yellow Pages, in the listing of restaurants, an entry for a place called Church of God Grill. The peculiar name aroused my curiosity and I dialed the number. A man answered with a cheery, "Hello! Church of God Grill!" I asked how his restaurant had been given such an unusual name, and he told me: "Well, we had a little mission down here, and we started selling chicken dinners after church on Sunday to help pay the bills. Well, people liked the chicken, and we did such a good business, that eventually we cut back on the church service. After a while we just closed down the church altogether and kept on serving the chicken dinners. We kept the name we started with, and that's Church of God Grill." This incident is not unlike many churches, denominations, and individuals who over time, have drifted away from their original purpose. -- Charles Paul Conn
[Borrowed from Swindoll's "Dropping Your Guard," p. 53 -Holwick]

Have you drifted away from God's purpose? Are we in the church just teaching, preaching, and doing the things that are 'popular'? Are we thinking that if we get a good turnout that we are doing God's will?

If souls are not saved and lifes are not changed we are just serving chicken dinners.

Obituary - Someone Else

2006-08-10T08:24:00.000-05:00

The speaker at my "Cross Trainers" group read this this week. I thought I would post it for everyone.

Our church was saddened to learn this week of the death of one of our most valued members, Someone Else. Someone's passing creates a vacancy that will be difficult to fill. Else has been with us for many years and for every one of those years, Someone did far more than a normal person's share of the work.

Whenever there was a job to do, a class to teach, or a meeting to attend, one name was on everyone's list, "Let Someone Else do it." Whenever leadership was mentioned, this wonderful person was looked to for inspiration as well as results; "Someone Else can work with that group." It was common knowledge that Someone Else was among the most liberal givers in our church. Whenever there was a financial need, everyone just assumed Someone Else would make up the difference.

Someone Else was a wonderful person; sometimes appearing superhuman. Were the truth known, everybody expected too much of Someone Else. Now Someone Else is gone! We wonder what we are going to do.

Someone Else left a wonderful example to follow, but who is going to follow it? Who is going to do the things Someone Else did? When you are asked to help this year, remember - we can't depend on Someone Else anymore.

~ Author Unknown

What Could Really Be That Important !?!?

2006-08-04T10:37:00.000-05:00

What could really be that important that it can not wait?

Lately I have been looking at things we have and things we do and wondering if they are really that important from an eternal perspective. Unless this person pictured is sharing Christ with a person about to commit suicide or something then it can probably wait.

Some Thoughts:
How much of the chaos of life do we create our self?
Do we just go, go, go all the time because we are afraid that if we stop we might have to really deal will something?
Is busy-ness our ‘drug’ to keep from dealing with issues?
Do we think if we juggle many issues we can avoid really have to deal with any of them?
If one starts to hit to close to home we can just switch gears and ‘work’ on a different problem..

Dumber than Jonah…
At least when Jonah was running from God he had a destination! Are we, by our busy-ness, running (to nowhere) from God? It’s time for all us to slow down and let God speak to us before a ‘great fish’ swallows us up.

MAN IT'S HOT!

2006-08-01T10:10:00.000-05:00

Temperature could hit 100 degrees today

I hope you all are staying cool!

Church of Rote

2006-07-20T07:48:00.000-05:00

I was reading my daily Tozer devotional email today. It is included below. I got to the line "They want people to help them celebrate the rote and finally join in the rot" and was not sure what 'Rote" meant so I looked it up:

Rote (American Heritage Dictionary):

1. A memorizing process using routine or repetition, often without full attention or comprehension: learn by rote.
2. Mechanical routine.

Is that not the condition of the church? We do so much in the church out of obligation and routine without an understanding of why we do it or the significance or purpose of the thing that we are doing. After a few generations of doing the routine without understanding, it just becomes another religious duty that we faithfully do because "that's the way it has always been done". Then, without understanding of it's significance or purpose, we loose heart and become tired and weary of it.

How many of you can recite the Lord Prayer without even hearing the words? How many of you have a good answer for your kids when they ask "why do we go to church?" or "Why do we sing at church?" or any of those other questions that our young children have not been trained not to ask yet...

It's like when you are training for a new job and you ask the person why you do something and they say "I'm not sure, that's the way we have always done it". Even if it is the "correct way" of doing it, if you do not know why, then you are missing something. So then, as Tozer so eloquently put it, we ask the newcomers to "celebrate the rote and finally join in the rot".

No wonder so many have become "inoculated" to the church.

July 20

The Church: The Dry Rot of Nonexpectation

"...but we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word."...Then the word of God spread, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were obedient to the faith.
--Acts 6:4,7

The church is afflicted by dry rot. This is best explained when the psychology of nonexpectation takes over and spiritual rigidity sets in, which is an inability to visualize anything better, a lack of desire for improvement.

There are many who respond by arguing, "I know lots of evangelical churches that would like to grow, and they do their best to get the crowds in. They want to grow and have contests to make their Sunday school larger." That is true, but they are trying to get people to come and share their rut. They want people to help them celebrate the rote and finally join in the rot. Because the Holy Spirit is not
given a chance to work in our services, nobody is repenting, nobody is seeking God, nobody is spending a day in quiet waiting on God with open Bible seeking to mend his or her ways. Nobody is doing it-- we just want more people. But more people for what? More people to come and repeat our dead services without feeling, without meaning, without wonder, without surprise? More people to join us in the bondage to the rote? For the most part, spiritual rigidity that cannot bend is too weak to know just how weak it is. Rut, Rot or Revival: The Condition of the Church, 8,9.

"Lord, not more people, but more of You. Let me wait upon You, keep me faithful, send Your Holy Spirit. If You then send growth as well, I'll thank You and see it as an added blessing. Amen."

It's time to quit playing church, Church!

Men Are Just Happier People

2006-07-11T12:04:00.000-05:00

Men Are Just Happier People?

What do you expect from such simple creatures?

Your last name stays put. The garage is all yours. Wedding plans take care of themselves. Chocolate is just another snack. You can be President. You can never be pregnant. You can wear a white T-shirt to a water park. You can wear NO shirt to a water park. Car mechanics tell you the truth. The world is your urinal. You never have to drive to another gas station restroom because this one is just too icky. You don't have to stop and think of which way to turn a nut on a bolt.

Same work, more pay. Wrinkles add character. Wedding dress $5000. Tux rental-$100. People never stare at your chest when you're talking to them. The occasional well-rendered belch is practically expected. New shoes don't cut, blister, or mangle your feet. One mood all the time.

Phone conversations are over in 30 seconds flat. You know stuff about tanks. A five-day vacation requires only one suitcase. You can open all your own jars. You get extra credit for the slightest act of thoughtfulness. If someone forgets to invite you, he or she can still be your friend.

Your underwear is $8.95 for a three-pack. Three pairs of shoes are more than enough. You almost never have strap problems in public. You are unable to see wrinkles in your clothes. Everything on your face stays its original color. The same hairstyle lasts for years, maybe decades. You only have to shave your face and neck.

You can play with toys all your life. Your belly usually hides your big hips. One wallet and one pair of shoes -- one color for all seasons. You can wear shorts no matter how your legs look. You can "do" your nails with a pocket knife. You have freedom of choice concerning growing a mustache.

You can do Christmas shopping for 25 relatives on December 24 in 25 minutes.

No wonder men are happier.

LORD REND THE HEAVENS

2006-06-29T10:11:00.000-05:00

I found this in my internet wanderings. Very applicable to today...

LORD REND THE HEAVENS
TEXT: “O, that You would rend the heavens! That You would come down!”
(Isaiah 64:1)

THOUGHT: When Isaiah the prophet prayed these words God’s ancient people were in bad shape. In the previous chapter (63:15), they had asked the Lord to “look down from heaven”; but now their cry is “Come down!” (v.1). They had reached the point of desperation.

If we read the signs of the times aright, we are also in a mess. Dr. Carl Henry wonders if God will bring judgment upon America in this decade (Romans 1:24). He writes, “Our massacre of a million fetuses a year; our deliberate flight from the monogamous family; our normalizing of fornication and other sexual perversions, our programming of self-indulgence above social and familial concerns—all represent a quantum leap in moral deterioration…”

1. We Need A Divine Intervention
“Oh, that You would rend the heavens!…(and) come down” (v.1). This intervention is described as fire melting the mountains, boiling the waters, and burning the brushwood; quite plainly, an extra-ordinary display of divine power—a supernatural Mt. St. Helen’s! When that volcano erupted, the world took notice. We must have a volcanic “spiritual happening” in the church of Jesus Christ, if modern man is to be impacted.

2. We Need A Divine Revelation
“O, that You would…come down…To make your name known” (vv. 1,2). To quote Carl Henry again, “The dull technological edge of American Christianity desperately needs sharpening.” We have lost the sense of God’s presence, we have lost the sign of God’s power, and we have lost the scope of God’s purpose. We need a divine revelation as the Holy Spirit makes the Book come alive with Pentecostal authority and relevance.

3. We Need A Divine Visitation
“Oh, that You would…come down…That the nations (would) tremble at Your presence!” (vv. 1-2).
When God visited His people in Egypt, Pharoah and his subjects had to acknowledge the divine presence. When God visited His people on the day of Pentecost, unbelievers cried out, “What shall we do?” (Acts 2:37). What would be our response if God were to visit us in our time? Can it be said of us, “Thy people shall be willing in the day of God’s power” (Psalm 110:3, KJV)?

THRUST:
Descend upon us gracious Lord,
With your reviving power,
And search us, cleanse us by Your Word –
To match this present hour.
S.F.O.

By Stephen Olford
Source: http://www.olford.org/CC_Content_Page/1,,PTID314886CHID671694CIID,00.html

APPLICATION FOR PERMISSION TO DATE MY DAUGHTER

2006-06-28T13:58:00.000-05:00

This is pretty good. Since my daughter is only six I should not need this for a while...


APPLICATION FOR PERMISSION TO DATE MY DAUGHTER

NOTE: THIS APPLICATION WILL BE REJECTED UNLESS ACCOMPANIED
BY A COMPLETE FINANCIAL STATEMENT, WORK HISTORY, LINEAGE,
AND CURRENT MEDICAL REPORT FROM YOUR DOCTOR.

1. NAME_________________________________DATE OF BIRTH___/___/___
2. HEIGHT __________________WEIGHT ___________IQ______GPA_______
3. SOCIAL SECURITY# ______________ DRIVERS LIC#_______________
4. BOY SCOUT RANK___________________________
5. HOME ADDRESS ______________ CITY/STATE ____________ZIP_______
6. DO YOU HAVE ONE MALE AND ONE FEMALE PARENT? ______________
IF NO, PLEASE EXPLAIN___________________________________
7. NUMBER OF YEARS PARENTS MARRIED? _________
8. DO YOU OWN A VAN? ________________MOTORCYCLE?____________
TRUCK WITH OVERSIZED TIRES? ___________WATERBED? ____________
DO YOU HAVE AN EARRING? ____NOSE RING? ____
BELLY BUTTON RING__
9. WHAT DOES DON'T TOUCH MY DAUGHTER MEAN TO YOU?
__________________________________________
10. WHAT DOES LATE MEAN TO YOU? _____________________________
11. WHAT DOES ABSTINENCE MEAN TO YOU?________________________
12. CHURCH YOU ATTEND? ________________________
13. WHEN WOULD BE THE BEST TIME TO INTERVIEW YOUR
FATHER?_______ MOTHER?___________ PRIEST/PASTOR? __________
14. ANSWER BY FILLING IN THE BLANK. PLEASE ANSWER FREELY, ALL
ANSWERS ARE CONFIDENTIAL (THAT MEANS I WON'T TELL ANYONE)
A. IF I WERE SHOT, THE LAST PLACE ON MY BODY I WOULD WANT
WOUNDED IS THE ________________
B. A WOMAN'S PLACE IS IN THE ______________
C. THE ONE THING I HOPE THIS APPLICATION DOESN'T ASK IS
____________________________________________________

15. WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE IF YOU GROW UP?________________
I CERTIFY THAT ALL OF THE INFORMATION SUPPLIED ABOVE IS TRUE
AND CORRECT TO THE BEST OF MY KNOWLEDGE UNDER PENALTY OF
DEATH, DISMEMBERMENT, TORTURE, CRUCIFIXION, ELECTROCUTION,
CHINESE WATER TORTURE, RED HOT POKERS, AND HILLARY CLINTON
KISS TORTURE.
_________________________________
SIGNATURE (THAT MEANS YOU SIGN YOUR NAME)
THANK YOU FOR YOUR INTEREST. PLEASE ALLOW FOUR TO SIX
YEARS FOR PROCESSING. YOU WILL BE NOTIFIED IN WRITING IF
YOU ARE APPROVED. PLEASE DO NOT CALL OR WRITE (AS IT WILL
CAUSE YOU INJURY)

Happy Anniversary Kelly!

2006-06-23T08:06:00.000-05:00

My wonderful wife's (and mine) anniversary is today. She has been stuck with me for 5 years now and I have had the priviledge of having her for the same.

I am looking forward to the next 5 (and more) years with her!

We made it back!

2006-06-22T10:42:00.001-05:00

Sorry for being AWOL. We lived through the Disney trip. The end on the world did not come and hurricane Alberto did not get us.

We had a great time!

Here is a link to some more pictures...

http://flickr.com/photos/seansco/sets/72157594173973953/show/

The Rapture—Coming 06.06.06

2006-06-05T15:08:00.000-05:00

See you all in Heaven tomorrow...

Check this link: http://www.leftbehind.com/

I only post this for two reasons.

The first reason is that I am very upset. Our family is (was?) leaving for FLA to go to Disney on Wed of this week (6/7/06). After all that money spent on hotels and plane tickets I find out that the rapture is happening the day before we leave...
... story of my life...

Second reason is this: There are actually people believing that this IS happening on the 6th. A friend my father-in-law was trying to buy a generator from him because they believe the end of the world is happening on 06/06/06. The real bad thing is I think they heard this in church.

BTW... Here is a good link on the Rapture: Our Blessed Hope

Well anyway... if I don't see you all in Heaven tomorrow and will post some pictures of our vacation when I get back sometime late next week.

"Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come." Matt 24:42

Happy Belated Memorial Day

2006-06-01T08:12:00.000-05:00

Happy belated Memorial Day. Here are some pictures from our long weekend from the Lake of the Osarks.

We did a lot of boating, swiming, and fishing. My son caught the only fish. Down below is a picture.

Don't tell Kelly I posted this picture of her on the intertube!

Here is a picture of me and the kids before we lost Maddie...

Illinois...

2006-05-16T08:41:00.000-05:00

For all us Illinoisans...

Jeff Foxworthy on Illinois:

If you consider it a sport to gather your food by drilling through 18 inches of ice and sitting there all day hoping that the food will swim by, you might live in Illinois.

If your local Dairy Queen is closed from November through March, you might live in Illinois.

If someone in a store offers you assistance & they don't work there, you might live in Illinois.

If your dad's suntan stops at a line curving around the middle of his forehead, you might live in Illinois.

If you have ever worn shorts and a parka at the same time, you might live in Illinois.

If your town has an equal number of bars and churches, you might live in Illinois.

If you have had a lengthy telephone conversation with someone who dialed a wrong number, you might live in Illinois.

YOU KNOW YOU ARE A TRUE Illinoisan WHEN:
1. Vacation means going north or south on I55 for the weekend.
2. You measure distance in hours.
3. You know several people who have hit a deer more than once.
4. You often switch from heat to AC in the same day and back again.
5. You can drive 65 mph through 2 feet of snow during a raging blizzard, without flinching.
6. You see people wearing camouflage at social events (including weddings).
7. You install security lights on your house and garage and leave both unlocked.
8. You carry jumper cables in your car and know how to use them.
9. You design your kids Halloween costume to fit over a snowsuit.
10. Driving is better in the winter because the potholes are filled with snow.
11. You know all 5 seasons: almost winter, winter, still winter, road construction, & It's Hot.
12. Your idea of creative landscaping is a statue of a deer next to your blue spruce.
13. Down south means Missouri to you.
14. A brat is something you eat.
15. Your neighbor throws a party to celebrate his new pole shed.
16. You go out to a tailgate party every Friday.
17. You have more miles on your snow blower than your car.
18. You find 0 degrees a "little chilly".
19. You actually understand these jokes, and you forward them to all your Illinois friends. (What's not to understand???)

The DaVinci Code

2006-05-09T07:42:00.000-05:00

Holy Grail? The Last Supper? The DaVinci Code? Gospel of Judas? Canonicity of Scripture? Gnosticism? Mary Magdalen? Dan Brown?

What is this stuff and why should I care?

On May 19th, Sony Pictures is going to release the long awaited movie The DaVinci Code. It is based on the best selling book of the same name by Dan Brown. This Ron Howard film will be staring Tom Hanks and you bet that this film will be a block buster.

Here is a summary of Brown’s novel;

“The central event of the novel is the murder of a Louvre curator, found in the pose of Leonardo’s celebrated “Vitruvian man”—a figure inscribed in both a circle and a square—which sets in motion an ingenious plot involving numerological symbolism, verbal puzzles and an alternative version of Christianity, wrapped around the legend of the Holy Grail. Brown posits that Leonardo is at the center of a secret society that has maintained a secret from biblical times, namely that Mary Magdalene, far from being a prostitute, was the rightful wife of Jesus; Mary and Jesus had a child and heirs; and finally, the heirs, whose existence threatened church dogma, were protected by a clandestine priory that counted Leonardo among its members. The novel also contends that the Holy Grail, contrary to most ideas that it was the chalice Jesus used as He introduced the ordinance of communion, was actually the pregnant Mary Magdalene, the lost vessel of Jesus’ blood. Thus, the figure sitting on Jesus’ right in Leonardo’s “Last Supper,” generally taken to be the effeminate apostle John, was actually Mary Magdalene. Since there is no object on the table that could be a grail or chalice, Brown contends that Mary symbolizes the actual grail, which is a metaphor for the sacred feminine and a form of goddess worship suppressed by Christianity.”

Too preposterous to even warrant a response, right? Wrong! People have been talking about this book, and with the movie coming out it is going to be a topic of conversations everywhere.

If our attitude towards this book is that it is ‘to preposterous to even warrant a response’ then we are going to become what the usual dogmatic, narrow-minded Christian stereotype portrays. So what do we do? Buy and read the book? Go see the movie? Wouldn’t that be supporting the whole thing?

Let me say this: I have seen 2 people in my office (of only 60 employees) with this book already. People are going to be talking and if I can not talk intelligently about this book, or if I refuse to participate in the conversations about this book, then I will be missing opportunities to show the obvious lies and inaccuracies of the book and the coming movie. I will miss opportunities to share the truth and reliability of the Bible, about Jesus, and salvation.

We need to look at this as a great opportunity to share Jesus in a nation where that freedom is slowly being taken away. For more detailed responses to questions raised in the book I suggest this book: The DaVinci Deception by Edwin Lutzer.

Great Preachers -- Tozer again

2006-05-05T08:48:00.000-05:00

This is todays devotional from Tozer. I would not have posted this here but this, I believe, is related to what Darrell posted a couple days ago: Give it a look see...

--

May 5

Preaching: Great Preachers

For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to
the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called. But God has
chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and
God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the
things which are mighty.
--1 Corinthians 1:26-27

I'm against the idea of putting the "big preachers" on tape and
playing them back to the congregations that feel they are being
starved by listening to "little preachers."

Fallacy, brethren--a thousand times, fallacy!

If we could have the Apostle Paul on tape recordings and let him
stand here and preach, he could do no more for you than the Holy
Ghost can do, with The Book and the human conscience....

Oh, brethren, I would not detract from God's great men, but I can
safely say that that's not what the church needs.

The church needs to listen to the inner voice and do something
about it! The Tozer Pulpit, Volume 1, 108-109.

"Lord, we're inundated today with 'big preachers.' And while we
appreciate their gifts and ministries, I pray today for all of
my brothers who are 'little preachers.' Help them not to be
discouraged by their seeming smallness but to be faithful
servants of Yours, declaring with great passion the message of
the Book, in the power of the Holy Spirit. That's what the
church needs! Amen."
--

National Day of Prayer

2006-05-03T08:20:00.000-05:00

The Nation Day of Prayer is tomorrow, Thursday, May 4th.

Please take part both corporately with fellow believers, and privately in your prayer closet.
Let us not just talk about it, not just think about it, not just tell others about it, not just ask others to do it, but let us ourselves JUST DO IT!

For more information on this event check out the web site.

http://www.ndptf.org/

Happy Birthday Greyson!

2006-05-02T08:01:00.000-05:00

My son's birthday was this weekend.

Happy birthday Son!

I saw it happen on his face...

2006-04-26T10:42:00.000-05:00

I saw it happen on his face...

I saw it happen. I was sitting beside the guy and I saw on his face when it happened...

It was ‘eureka’ moment for him...

On Thursday nights we have been going over to a friend’s bible study. Last Thursday there was a new family there that they had invited. As we walked through Mark chapter 2 it became apparent that the night was not about Mark chapter 2. It was about this man that the Lord had brought here so that someone could explain to him the Gospel.

I saw it happen on his face, the moment he realized the full implications (if anyone really could) of Romans 5:8 “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”

It was truly a glorious moment. I wished I could hear the angels rejoicing in Heaven at that moment.

That is what all this life is about. That is why we are still here on this earth. To reach into the gates of Hell and pull out sinners destined for eternal damnation. All else is just hay, wood, and stubble…

Good job to my friend for being bold and inviting a perfect stranger to his Bible study.

Thank you Lord for loving us even when we didn’t want anything to do with You.

For everyone else, there's Mastercard...

2006-04-25T14:05:00.000-05:00

For everyone else, there's Mastercard...
Read that slogan again. It says a lot. A whole lot. Those five words strip away a lot of fluff. They speak to the heart of a debt-reliant culture. How reliant? Wrap your brain around these figures:

http://www.mdmproofing.com/iym/brokethink.shtml

This is a real good article. It is kind of off the regular topic here but then again not really. The lust of the eyes and the pride of life are certainly a contributor to this. Anyway this is a good website if you are looking at getting a handle on the finances...

Serious about really getting your finances in shape? Ready to begin relying on a financial plan, rather than blind luck or a momentary whim? Are you dedicated to dumping all debt?If so, then put your mental body armor on, because you're about to be an outcast.

http://www.mdmproofing.com/iym/brokethink.shtml

BECAUSE I AM A CHRISTIAN...

2006-04-21T13:28:00.000-05:00

Someting I found...

I am the salt of the earth (Mat_5:13)
I am the light of the world (Mat_5:14)
I am a child of God (Joh_1:12)
I am Christ's friend (Joh_15:15)
I am chosen by Christ (Joh_15:16)
I am God's gift to Christ (Joh_17:24)
I am made right in God's sight by faith (Rom_5:1)
I am at peace with God (Rom_5:1)
I am in the place of highest privilege (Rom_5:2)
I am confidently and joyfully looking forward to becoming all God has in mind for me (Rom_5:2)
I am rejoicing in troubles, for through them God is building me up and making me strong (Rom_5:3-5)
I am reconciled to God (Rom_5:10)
I am a receiver of God's grace that far supersedes my worst sin (Rom_5:20)
I am dead to sin and alive to God (Rom_6:11)
I am a recipient of eternal life through Jesus Christ (Rom_6:23)
I am free of condemnation (Rom_8:1)
I am free from the vicious cycle of sin and death (Rom_8:2)
I am a son of God; God is spiritually my Father (Rom_8:14-15; Gal_3:26; Gal_4:6)
I share in Christ's inheritance (Rom_8:17)
I am protected. Who can ever be against me? (Rom_8:31)
I am inseparable from God's love (Rom_8:35)
I am more than a conqueror through Christ (Rom_8:37)
I am God's dwelling place. His Spirit and life dwells in me (1Co_3:16;1Co_6:19)
I am united to the Lord (1Co_6:17)
I am a member of Christ's Body - the church (1Co_12:27; Eph_5:30)
I am adequate for anything because my adequacy comes from God (2Co_3:5)
I am a saint (Eph_1:1)
I am blessed with every spiritual blessing (Eph_1:3)
I am forgiven of all my sins (Eph_1:7)
I am God's workmanship - His handiwork (Eph_2:10)
I am a fellow citizen with the rest of God's family (Eph_2:19)
I am righteous and holy (Eph_4:24)
I am a citizen of heaven (Eph_2:6)
I am strong in the Lord to fight off all of Satan's attacks (Eph_6:10-17)
I am able to do all things through Christ who strengthens me (Phi_4:13)
I am filled with God's power that works mightily in me (Col_1:29)
I am complete in Christ, filled with God, possessor of everything (Col_2:10)
I am chosen by God, holy and dearly loved (Col_3:12;1Th_1:4)
I am a son/daughter of light and not of darkness (1Th_5:5)
I am adequate, complete, equipped for every good work (2Ti_3:17)
I am able to come boldly before the throne of grace to find mercy and grace (Heb_4:16)
I am a child of God and I will resemble Christ when He returns (1Jo_3:1-2)
I am loved (Rev_1:5 ; Rom_5:8)
I am victorious (Rev_21:7)

Lord of the Rings Character Test

2006-04-17T09:03:00.000-05:00

Ok, TNT had the first two
Lord of the Rings movies on Sunday after noon and evenings. So I have found this. Take the test, who are you? Post your results!

Eomer

If I were a character in The Lord of the Rings, I would be Eomer, Man of Rohan, heir to the throne, nephew of Theoden and brother of Eowyn.

In the movie, I am played by Karl Urban.

Who would you be?
Zovakware Lord of the Rings Test with Perseus Web Survey Software

Men Who Do Not Pray

2006-04-10T08:02:00.000-05:00

Another Tozer devotional...
http://lmi.gospelcom.net/tozer.php3?date=04-09-06
Prayer: Men Who Do Not Pray

Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business. --Acts 6:3

Let us watch that we do not slide imperceptibly to a state where the women do the praying and the men run the churches. Men who do not pray have no right to direct church affairs. We believe in the leadership of men within the spiritual community of the saints, but that leadership should be won by spiritual worth.

Leadership requires vision, and whence will vision come except from hours spent in the presence of God in humble and fervent prayer? All things else being equal, a praying woman will know the will of God for the church far better than a prayerless man.

We do not here advocate the turning of the churches over to the women, but we do advocate a recognition of proper spiritual qualifications for leadership among the men if they are to continue to decide the direction the churches shall take. The accident of being a man is not enough. Spiritual manhood alone qualifies. We Travel an Appointed Way, 16.

"Lord, don't ever let me have leadership that I don't deserve. Don't ever let me become careless in prayer. Don't ever let me rely on the women to pray while I lead. Amen."

Theory without practice is sterile

2006-04-07T12:27:00.000-05:00

"Practice without Theory is blind, Theory without practice is sterile"
-- Karl Marx

I think the quote describes most of the Christians today. There are mainly 2 types.

Practice without Theory:
There are the Christian's that are always doing for God. They follow all the rules that someone has set. It might be their church, their favorite Christian author or TBN TV program host. They have crosses, pictures of Jesus, and angel figurines everywhere. They usually sound good when they talk. Things they do are usually good but they really have no idea why they do the things they do. They know that Jesus is the one to follow but if someone asked them how they know Jesus is the one the best they can come up with is that "Jesus changed my life" or "the bible says so".
I have heard this described a "Foke Theology". They follow their beliefs but their beliefs have no firm base. The eliefs could be correct or not. The thing is that they can not tell you why they do or believe it. "That's just the why I was taught" or "that is the way my parents taught me."

I use to work for a company that sold medical software. I was in charge of converting the old system's data to our new system. In the process of learning how the old system worked so that I could better convert the data to our new system, I would sit down with the people and have them show me how they did things on the old system. I was always asking people why they did things the way they did. Most of the time the answer was 'this is how the person before me did it'. They knew the right thing to do but somewhere along the way the 'reason' was lost. This has happened in the life of many Christian’s.

Theory without practice:
Then there are the ones that know all there is to know about God, Jesus, and the Bible. They quote scripture, have all the answers in Bible study, if you have a problem they can quote 10 scriptures that explains what you need to do. They tell you how they can not get through one day without God but their life, attitude, and actions speak the opposite. They usually are the complainers, the ones who do not tithe, their spouse can not stand them and their children are rebellious and without Christ. They get road rage when driving to church and are rude to the waitress at lunch after church.
They are usually the ones that the non-believer won't come to your church because they know them and say something like 'if that is what it is to be a Christian I don't want any part of it.'

So what is the point to all this rambling?

Church, we got to get with it. We got to not only know what it is to be a Christian, but why those thing make Christianity different than other religions and spiritualities. We need to know the Bible and the doctrines that make Christianity what it is. We need to know them well enough to have confidence in them during our trials and be able to explain them to others when they have trials.

At the same time we got to walk the walk. The world, our children, families, and co-workers see Christianity and Jesus through us. When they picture a Christian in their mind they see us. Their idea of God comes from us. I think sometimes we are doing more harm for the cause of Christ than good.

Jesus Walked on Ice, Study Says

2006-04-06T07:55:00.000-05:00

I am really speechless on this one. It amazes me what people will say and believe to explain away the miracles in the Bible.

Here is the latest...

A frozen patch floating on the surface of the small lake would have been difficult to distinguish from the unfrozen water surrounding it. The unfrozen water was comprised of the plumes resulting from salty springs situated along the lake's western shore in Tabgha -- an area where many archeological findings related to Jesus have been documented.

Here is a link to the article: Jesus Walked on Ice, Study Says

In the interest of objectivity, I have my own far-fetch idea of how Jesus actually walked on water. I think the picture on this post explains it.

So who do you think is right, them or me?

Here is the account of the incident in Matthew: Matthew 14:17-34

Humm, I think the guys that were there had it figured out:

Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God. - Matthew 14:33

Resistance is Futile...

2006-04-05T19:30:00.000-05:00

Yah know, I have never been a Apple/Mac fan but there are things that are just plain wrong.

First they put Intel chips in them, now this...
Apple unveils software to permit Windows use

Seems kind of sacreligious...

The only good thing about all this is that all those hard core Apple people are finally silenced!

George Washington - Praying Warror

2006-04-05T08:18:00.000-05:00

Just one more about George...

If someone painted a picture of your prayer life what would it look like?

I am afraid mine would not even look as if I was praying. I think we have taken the verse 'pray without ceasing' as a license to not 'stop and pray'. We fire a few requests and maybe even a praise or two off in the shower or drive to work like we forward off a half read funny email.

We need to stop and travail before God in our prayers. If the subject of our prayers are not things we agonize over then we need to either get serious about them or find something worth praying about.

from below: “We never thought a man could be a soldier & a Christian”

Would someone be convinced that you are a true Christian by the fervency of your prayers? Something to think about.

Below is a excerpt from the diary of Rev. Nathaniel Randolph Snowden that inspired this panting.

The Prayer at Valley Forge

"I was riding with Mr. Potts near to the Valley Forge where the army lay during the war of ye Revolution, when Mr. Potts said, 'Do you see that woods & that plain? There laid the army of Washington. It was a most distressing time of ye war, and all were for giving up the Ship but that great and good man. In that woods (pointing to a close in view) I heard a plaintive sound as of a man at prayer. I tied my horse to a sapling & went quietly into the woods. To my astonishment I saw the great George Washington on his knees alone, with his sword on one side and his cocked hat on the other. He was at Prayer to the God of the Armies, beseeching to interpose with his Divine aid, as it was ye Crisis & the cause of the country, of humanity & of the world. Such a prayer I never heard from the lips of man. I left him alone praying. I went home & told my wife. We never thought a man could be a soldier & a Christian, but if there is one in the world, it is Washington. We thought it was the cause of God & America could prevail."
- Source: Eyewitness testimony of Isaac Potts, a Valley Forge resident who shared the following story with the Rev. Nathaniel Randolph Snowden (1770-1851), who then recorded it in his "Diary and Remembrances."

George Washington's Inaugural Address of 1789

2006-04-04T08:08:00.000-05:00

You all will have to thank my son for this post. We are working on a school project about George Washington.

These early Statesman humble me and make me fear for our nation. They were unashamed of their faith and aware that they were servants of the people and of God.

On April 30, 1789, George Washington delivered his famous Inaugural Address to both Houses of Congress. He had just taken the oath of office on the balcony of Federal Hall in New York City, with his hand upon a Bible opened to Deuteronomy, Chapter 28:

And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe and to do all his commandments which I command thee this day, that the LORD thy God will set thee on high above all nations of the earth: And all these blessings shall come on thee, and overtake thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God.
(Deuteronomy 28:1-2 KJV)

Here is a exerp from his inaugural address:
"Such being the impressions under which I have, in obedience to the public summons, repaired to the present station, it would be peculiarly improper to omit, in this first official act, my fervent supplications to that Almighty Being who rules over the universe, who presides in the councils of nations and whose providential aides can supply every human defect; that His benediction may consecrate to the liberties and happiness of the people of the United States a government instituted by themselves for these essential purposes; and may enable every instrument employed in its administration to execute with success, the functions allotted to his charge. In tendering this homage to the Great Author of every public and private good, I assure myself that it expresses your sentiments not less than my own; nor those of my fellow citizens at large, less than either. No people can be bound to acknowledge and adore the Invisible Hand which conducts the affairs of men more than the people of the United States. Every step by which they have advanced to the character of an independent nation seems to have been distinguished by some token of providential agency. And in the important revolution just accomplished, in the system of their United government, the tranquil deliberations and voluntary consent of so many distinct communities, from which the event has resulted, can not be compared with the means by which most governments have been established, without some return of pious gratitude, along with an humble anticipation of the future blessings which the past seem to presage ... We ought to be no less persuaded that the propitious smiles of Heaven can never be expected on a nation that disregards the eternal rules of order and right which Heaven itself has ordained; and since the preservation of the sacred fire of liberty and the destiny of the republican model of government are justly considered as deeply, perhaps finally, staked on the experiment...

May God raise up some more God fearing Statesman. Not politicians, but statesman.

Full inaugural address: http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/american_originals/inaugtxt.html

The Reproach of Egypt

2006-04-01T11:10:00.000-06:00

The Reproach of Egypt

(1) So it was, when all the kings of the Amorites who were on the west side of the Jordan, and all the kings of the Canaanites who were by the sea, heard that the LORD had dried up the waters of the Jordan from before the children of Israel until we had crossed over, that their heart melted; and there was no spirit in them any longer because of the children of Israel. {Joshua 5:1 NKJV}

So many of us in the Christian church have come out of Egypt, decided to quit wondering in the wilderness, we have let Jesus lead us across the Jordan, and here we are. We are on the edge of the Promise Land but something is just not right.

(2) At that time the LORD said to Joshua, "Make flint knives for yourself, and circumcise the sons of Israel again the second time."
(3) So Joshua made flint knives for himself, and circumcised the sons of Israel at the hill of the foreskins. {Joshua 5:2-3 NKJV}

What is the problem? We have not let ourselves be consecrated by Jesus. There is that thing (or things) that we have brought with us from Egypt. "The Reproach of Egypt" is still with us. We all know what it is for us. That thing that we will not let go of from the world. Now before we can be used in battle for the promise land we let the Lord remove this 'reproach' from us.

(8) So it was, when they had finished circumcising all the people, that they stayed in their places in the camp till they were healed.
(9) Then the LORD said to Joshua, "This day I have rolled away the reproach of Egypt from you." Therefore the name of the place is called Gilgal to this day. {Joshua 5:8-9 NKJV}

So what will happen when you let the Lord remove 'The Reproach of Egypt' from you? First it will hurt. Second, it will take some time to heal the hurt. But then, guess what will happen?

(13) And it came to pass, when Joshua was by Jericho, that he lifted his eyes and looked, and behold, a Man stood opposite him with His sword drawn in His hand. And Joshua went to Him and said to Him, "Are You for us or for our adversaries?"
(14) So He said, "No, but as Commander of the army of the LORD I have now come." And Joshua fell on his face to the earth and worshiped, and said to Him, "What does my Lord say to His servant?"
(15) Then the Commander of the Lord's army said to Joshua, "Take your sandal off your foot, for the place where you stand is holy." And Joshua did so. {Joshua 5:13-15 NKJV}

The Commander of the army of the LORD will show up Himself and fight the battles for you. Jericho’s wall will fall down at your shout!

Humble Service

2006-03-30T07:48:00.000-06:00

Here is another great Tozer devotional from "Insight for Leaders".

March 30

Humble Service

You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.
No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier.
--2 Timothy 2:3-4

Save me from the error of judging a church by its size, its popularity or the amount of its yearly offering. Help me to remember that I am a prophet--not a promoter, not a religious manager, but a prophet. Let me never become a slave to crowds. Heal my soul of carnal ambitions and deliver me from the itch for publicity. Save me from bondage to things. Let me not waste my days puttering around the house. Lay Thy terror upon me, O God, and drive me to the place of prayer where I may wrestle with principalities and powers and the rulers of the darkness of this world. Deliver me from overeating and late sleeping. Teach me self-discipline that I may be a good soldier of Jesus Christ....

And now, O Lord of heaven and earth, I consecrate my remaining days to Thee; let them be many or few, as Thou wilt. Let me stand before the great or minister to the poor and lowly; that choice is not mine, and I would not influence it if I could. I am Thy servant to do Thy will, and that will is sweeter to me than position or riches or fame and I choose it above all things on earth or in heaven.
God Tells the Man Who Cares, 105-106.

"Lord, this prayer of Tozer's seems so contrary to the spirit of today's church growth emphasis, celebrity pastors, and TV personalities. Enable me by your Holy Spirit to make this prayer genuinely mine. Amen."

source: http://lmi.gospelcom.net/tozer.php3?date=03-30-06

Rhyme of the Modern Parishioner - Revisited

2006-03-29T09:19:00.000-06:00

I have been listening to the mix of Dr. Michael Brown reading his 'Rhyme of the Modern Parishioner'. If you have not listen to it yet you must. You just must. Here are the links again.

Rhyme of the Modern Day Parishioner
This is a poem that Dr. Michael Brown read aloud at the end of a sermon during the Brownsville revival.

Listen Now RA -- download MP3

Anyway, I have been looking for the text to the rhyme. After I finally learned how to spell 'Parishioner' it was no problem. (side note. Kids, study your spelling word in school!)

So anyway, here it is. Listen to the mp3 or streaming audio if you have not. Read the words, but most of all, get this in your spirit!

It happened in the vestibule
At ten one Sunday morn;
A haggard-looking church-goer
Sat plaintive and forlorn.

Then suddenly he rose and found
A hungry-looking Christian;
He took his hand, took him aside,
And asked him a straight question:

“You’ve read the Word; you know the Book;
The promises are clear.
But have you seen the living God?
Have you found Him here?

Have you experienced holy fire
The Spirit in His power,
A mighty wave, a rushing wind,
A flame that does devour?

Is there something more you’re seeking,
So high, so wide, so deep?
Do you find yourself frustrated?
Is church putting you to sleep?

Then listen well, your heart is ripe;
My tale I will tell.
This story is your story too,
And it’s your tale as well.

For thirty years I’ve been in church,
It seemed like a good show.
But now I’ve got to meet with God --
Do you know where to go?

I’m trapped in mundane worship times,
The praises have grown cold;
The preaching’s dry and dusty,
The teaching stale like mold!

Each service feels like a rerun,
The songs all sound the same;
The prophecies are so hollow --
Not worthy of the name!

Words, more words -- they’re everywhere,
But oh there is a stink!
Words, more words -- they’re everywhere,
But none to make us think!

We lack the heavenly Presence,
It’s clear we’re in a rut;
I’m desperate for revival --
It burns within my gut!

I’m love-sick for my Jesus,
So hungry for my Lord;
Just longing for my Savior;
God knows that I’m so bored!

Is there someone who can help me,
Who’s touched the real thing?
A man who’s heard from heaven --
With a word from God to bring?

Are there prophets burning with fire,
Servants who are ablaze?
Anointed and overflowing,
Appointed for these days?

Do they carry the Spirit’s burden,
And breathe the Lord God’s breath?
Are they set apart and holy,
Obedient to death?

I hear the words of the Master,
‘Come follow Me,’ He said.
If some Christians go their own way;
I’ll go with Him instead!

Oh please, don’t do as I have done,
And waste so many years.
Don’t wait and wait for endless months;
Move on! Outgrow your fears!

Forget the twelve step programs;
A seminar won’t do.
You need a touch from heaven,
To fill you through and through.

There must be change in your life --
A work of God that’s real.
Don’t fool yourself with worn clichés --
Don’t let the devil steal!

Don’t miss out on God’s presence
Or let these hours pass;
Don’t stop your soul from hungering;
Get out of the morass!

Dear friend, you are not crazy;
Dear saint, you are not mad;
There really is a problem,
It’s true, you have been had!

There’s more! There’s more! Believe it!
There is that place in God.
There are holy visitations,
New paths that must be trod.

Will you get up like old Pilgrim,
And seek that better way?
Will you go forth on that journey
No matter what men say?

Will you go out now and meet Him,
And leave the crowd behind,
Forsaking dead traditions,
If Jesus you will find?

It’s not in another meeting,
A nicely packaged hour;
Another harmless service,
Devoid of heaven’s power.

It’s not in another teaching,
Three points to fill your head.
The Word is always vibrant;
But this stuff is so dead!

We need God to send His Spirit,
To fully take control,
To transform every member,
To come and make them whole!

Enough with man’s religion;
Enough with earthly plans;
Enough with our new programs;
Produced by fleshly hands.”

Just then in strode the pastor
His calling to fulfill;
Just doing his weekly duty --
Then he became frozen still.

For astir was that parishioner
He grasped the preacher’s clothes,
And grasped the preacher’s soul as well --
And in that grasp he froze.

“Oh pastor, enter the prayer room
And shut yourself inside.
Be emptied of competition,
And crucify your pride!

Pray for holy visitations,
Caught up alone with Him,
Consumed with heavenly vision --
That’s where you must begin!

You won’t find Him in a textbook,
Buried on page twenty-two.
He is the living God who acts --
He wants to move in you!

It’s not only the ‘apostles’
He’ll bless and send and use;
He will saturate your own soul,
If you will not refuse.

So arise, get up, pursue Him,
Jesus your true best Friend!
He is worthy of devotion,
He’s faithful to the end!

Why should you starve on crusty bread,
And crawl along the ground?
Your Savior is your source of life,
Seek Him, let joy abound!

Renew your life, refresh your heart,
Press in, take hold, pray through.
Put first things first, make God your goal;
What else have you to do?

Your Bible schooling stole your zeal,
Church life has drained you dry;
You used to have such childlike faith,
Now budgets have your eye!

You used to be so passionate,
So innocent and free
Now you’ve become professional;
You’ll preach for a good fee!

Oh, set your sights on higher goals
And not on dollar bills.
Live in the light of Judgment Day;
Ambition always kills!

Let Jesus be your daily Guide,
Put Him where He belongs;
And soon His presence will arrive;
His praise will fill your songs!

Simplicity will be your style,
Devotion your new goal;
Communion will become your aim,
God’s life will flood your soul!

Oh, take your eyes off numbers,
Church growth can be a trap!
Go out and make disciples.
Go out and bridge the gap!

Pour your life out for broken lives --
Let God your heart break too.
Take up the cross, deny yourself;
Just live His will to do!

Wake up, be brave, be honest;
Today -- oh hear His voice!
Be ruthless with your schedule;
Seek GOD. Make that your choice.

You won’t find Him in your planner,
No committee has the key.
You’ll find Him when your soul cries out,
‘There must be more for me!’

‘There must be more than building funds,
And sessions past midnight,
And endless talks with leadership,
Disputing who is right.

Somehow I know I’ve been misled;
The model doesn’t work.
I’m not called as an executive,
Nor should I be a clerk.

I’m called to be a man of God,
A man who’s Spirit led,
A healer of the sick and lame
Someday to raise the dead!’

And with that cry new life will rise,
Your heart will be revived;
Heaven’s light will flood your soul --
You will not be denied!”

The parishioner then turned his gaze
Away from flesh and blood:
He looked to Him who sends the showers,
To Him who sends the flood.

“Today, O Lord, do hear our voice,
And pour Your Spirit out.
Saturate the thirsty ground.
End this spiritual drought!

Revive us with Your Presence,
Renew us from above;
Touch the flock called by Your name;
Come fill us with Your love!

Do greater works in our day,
Than that which You have done.
Bring the fullness of Your rains,
And glorify Your Son!”

That old church-goer spoke no more.
Another voice was heard.
Yet not the voice of flesh and blood:
It was our Father’s word.

And if you listen closely,
Beyond this little rhyme,
You’ll hear Him speaking clearly:
“My children, it is time.”

source: http://www.icnministries.org/revival/poem.htm

We Languish for Men

2006-03-22T08:25:00.000-06:00

Here is todays Tozer devotionals from Literature Ministries International.

March 22

Pastoral Ministry: We Languish for Men

Then Paul answered, "What do you mean by weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus."
--Acts 21:13

The Church at this moment needs men, the right kind of men,
bold men....

We languish for men who feel themselves expendable in the warfare of the soul, who cannot be frightened by threats of death because they have already died to the allurements of this world. Such men will be free from the compulsions that control weaker men. They will not be forced to do things by the squeeze of circumstances; their only compulsion will come from within--or from above.

This kind of freedom is necessary if we are to have prophets in our pulpits again instead of mascots. These free men will serve God and mankind from motives too high to be understood by the rank and file of religious retainers who today shuttle in and out of the sanctuary. They will make no decisions out of fear, take no course out of a desire to please, accept no service for financial considerations, perform no religious act out of mere custom; nor will they allow themselves to be influenced by the love of publicity or the desire for reputation. Of God and Men, 11-13.

"Lord, what would it take for me to be that kind of man? Do in me whatever work You need to do today, that I might die to the allurements of the world and serve You with high motives. Amen."

"To service Christ, by life or by death." This, once again, must be the battle cry of todays Christian man.

Rhyme of the Modern Day Parishioner

2006-03-21T09:42:00.000-06:00

Rhyme of the Modern Day Parishioner
This is a poem that Dr. Michael Brown read aloud at the end of a sermon during the Brownsville revival.

Listen Now RA -- download MP3

source: http://www.fireonthealtar.com/compilations/index.html

Men Wanted...

2006-03-20T12:30:00.000-06:00

MEN WANTED:
FOR HAZARDOUS JOURNEY. SMALL WAGES, BITTER COLD, LONG MONTHS OF COMPLETE DARKNESS, CONSTANT DANGER, SAFE RETURN DOUBTFUL. HONOUR AND RECOGNITION IN CASE OF SUCCESS.

SIR ERNEST SHACKLETON

In 1913, Sir Ernest Shackleton, looking for 27 men to man the first ever attempt of a cross-continental journey of Antarctica, placed this ad in the London newspapers. Surprisingly, thousands of men responded to this call to adventure, hardship, and danger.

WHY? This question is best answered by a quote from John Eldredge:

A Battle to fight. An Adventure to live. A Beauty to rescue. This is what a man longs for. This is what makes him come alive. Look at the films men love. For that matter, look at the dreams of little boys, the games they play. There is something fierce, passionate, and wild in the heart of every man. That is how he bears the image of God. And the reason that most men "live lives of quiet
desperation" (Thoreau) is because men have been told that the reason God put them on earth is to be a good boy. To be nice.

God designed men to be dangerous. Simply look at the dreams and desires written in the heart of every boy: To be a hero, to be a warrior, to live a life of adventure and risk. Sadly, most men abandon those dreams and desires— aided by a Christianity that feels like nothing more than pressure to be a nice guy. It is no wonder that
many men avoid church, and those who go are often passive and bored to death.

It is time for men to wield the sword of courage and engage in the cause of Christ! These are important days - maybe the last days. There is an incredible opportunity that may be unique to our generation! We are all being called to take our rightful places in the larger story and to be sold out to the will of our King.

God, the angels in heaven, a cloud of witnesses, and all of eternity are waiting for your answer! So "what say you?"

PRAY!

2006-03-17T07:52:00.000-06:00

I was going to wish everyone a Happy St. Patrick's Day today, and later today I will post some history over at on my bible study web site: http://www.time4biblestudy.com.

But I want everyone to pray.

There are to many good things happening and in the works. It feels like the Devil is about to mount his 'counter-attack'.

Time to put the armor on and pull out the 'big guns' Christian solders!