Merry Christmas - Morning

Merry CHRISTmas, everyone. As we celebrate the birth of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ, may we keep His example of humiliation and love for others in our thoughts.

I was thinking this morning, as I was awaken earlier than I desired, how much I wish I was as excited for the things of God as children are for Christmas. My kid woke up all by themselves today, without Mommy and Daddy needing to go tell them that it was time to get up. Now, if this were a Sunday morning, and it was time to get up for church, it would have taken quite a bit longer to wake them up!

I wish that I was so excited in the morning about being able to spend time in God's word, to commune with Him, to spend my day representing the God of gods to this world, as people get about waking up to presents.

Anyway, Merry Christmas. I hope today is a day of revival in our lives as we adore the Person who was laid in a lowly manger and is coming again quickly!

Just a Christmas thought...

Funny - sort of

I know I haven't blogged in a while, and now I come to you with this, but I couldn't resist:

God Is... Holy

Friday night at Home Bible Study we looked at the topic of temptation and how Jesus dealt with it when He was tempted by the devil. I'll save some of the details of the lesson for another day's post, but the attribute that we see of God when we talk about temptation is that God is holy.

I wish I could get a grasp on the holiness of God. He has absolutely no tolerance for sin. He does not allow the smallest, most seemingly insignificant sin to go overlooked. Uzzah touching the ark of the covenant to keep it from falling, caused him to die. Adam taking a bite out of a piece of fruit caused a world of trouble - just taking a bite! Giving to the church, but claiming that they gave a greater percentage than they did, caused Ananias and Sapphira to be killed. Some children mocking the prophet of God because of his bald head, caused God to bring two bears to kill the children.

Some of those examples, we would see as being so ridiculously insignificant. I mean, really, so some people make a joke about one of God's men - and He has them killed? (Um, maybe I better watch what I say about any preacher - not just the ones I like.) God is pure from absolutely any sin. He is not the author of sin, and He will never allow sin in His presence! So much that He even turned away from His Son when Jesus bore all of my sins on the tree. Thank You, Jesus for that.

I think we could all take a step back, consider those things which God hates, take a look at our lives and find some stuff to clean up. And you know those little things, that you know aren't right, but they're just small... well, they're not small in God's eyes. Those little things caused Jesus to go to the cross as much as the big. I mean really, it was simply a bite of fruit that required it. How "small" is your sin compared to that?

"Be ye holy, for I am holy."

Just a thought...

God Is... Calm

The economy is collapsing. The war in Afghanistan is getting worse. Iran broke away from the international nuclear agency and is working on developing nuclear weapons. Gas prices are so high. If the democrats win, they'll want to grant the same "civil rights" to gay couples as to married men and women... and Winter is coming!

There are many things which could be cause for worry and concern for us. My work-life has been quite out of control the past couple weeks, and it looks like it will stay that way for a couple more weeks if not months. It is Crazy! Pandemonium! Hectic! If I believed in stress, I think I'd be facing it right now.

The good news though, is that we have a God that is calm. God does not get all worked up when He sees the problems that we cause in this world. He is not biting His nails, wondering what will happen next. True, He does know in detail what's coming up, so I guess He has an unfair advantage in that area. But our God is calm - in the sense that He's not worried. (I couldn't think of a better antonym for "worried." Anyone else think of a better?) So, as we focus on God more and more, and recognize His sovereignty and His power, we will see that He is calm and collected. Then we can and should be just as calm, just as careful for nothing, knowing that all things work together for good to them that love God.

Take it easy, Andy...

Just a thought...

God Is...

After being rebuked last week because I had more tags for "Homosexual" than I did for "Holy Spirit" and such, I would like to do a series of posts on God. Now, I may have another thought that interrupts it, but for now... God.

The first in this series I want to share is that God is. He is. The way that He said it was, "I am." I love how the Bible starts off, "In the beginning God..." It doesn't try to defend the existence of God (only a fool would believe that He does not exist), but rather simply states what He did. While we can not see Him, hear Him audibly, or touch Him, we know that He is, because of what He has done.

What do we do with this attribute? It is easy to be distracted by the things going on around that we can observe with our physical senses. Unfortunately, we need to be reminded that there is in fact a God. That He is. He is not just a fairy tale. He is not just something that we tell our kids to scare them into obeying us. He is not just something that we have to fill up our Sundays. God is. He is the great I AM. Let's not forget it.

Just a thought...

Let It Crash

I may not be very liked for this post, but this is my perception of what to do with the whole economic issues going on. Now, I do not claim to be an expert on matters in this area. Financial wisdom is not my strong point. But, why don't we just let the whole thing crash? Why don't we allow us to reap the error of the ways we've been travelling?

"Maybe it would lead us into another depression." As horrible and difficult that would be, I think it would probably help my generation and the next to kind of grow up. It would teach us that we may not have everything handed to us on a platter, but rather we'll have to actually work hard to get by. And this isn't a charge against everyone; I know many work very hard to earn what they have. I like to think that I do too (even though "work" is just plugging away at a keyboard, doesn't quite seem to fit, but that's another issue).

But maybe the best thing for this generation would be for it to have to face extreme economical difficulties. We'd have to limit the amount of food that we eat. We might even need to consider growing some of our own food. We couldn't keep up to date with the latest technology toys that we call tools - we'd really just get the things that we need. It might be good for us...

Anyway, just a thought...

Troubles with a Testimony

I get to teach in Word of Life for the Junior Highers tomorrow night, and the topic is: being prepared with your salvation testimony. We find that the Apostle Paul used his personal testimony a couple of times when presenting an argument, a defense, for his faith. He used it as a witnessing tool.

So, as I'm preparing to teach the kids, let me ask you: Would you be prepared to give a good presentation of your personal testimony to someone that is interested? Well, we probably should be.

But my thought for the day is the trouble that having a prepared testimony could be. The problem comes if there is a false conversion. That is, if there is someone that has never had their life changed, has never been born again, does not have the Holy Spirit indwelling him, and if he is taught how to prepare a testimony, then all that is being done is that he is encouraged and strengthened in his trust in his false conversion.

Look at it this way. When you want to help someone know that their saved, what's the first question you ask them? "Mister, Mister, I want to know if I'm saved or not." "Well, Johnny, you need to be able to go back to a time or place, when you put your faith in Jesus...." Is that the right answer? I don't think so.

Is that not teaching the questioner to trust in an event that happened in their life? "If you can't go back to a time or a place..." teaches the trust to be put in the events of that time and place. The correct answer is, "Well, Johnny, if you believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, thou shalt be saved." The trust needs to be in the event of 2000 years ago, not just a little while ago. Let's be sure that, while it's good to have a prepared testimony, we don't end up teaching people to trust in the wrong thing. The publican that prayed, "God, be merciful to me a sinner," does not look back at that moment in time, but rather looks at the God that is merciful to him, the sinner.

Just a thought...

Happy Birthday Timothy!

Today is my son's 6th birthday. Timothy Andrew Hinds (I love that name!) is my musician. He loves to sing, and he can actually carry a tune pretty good for a little kid. I just wanted to use my post to say,

Happy Birthday Timothy!

Christian fellowship is a great thing. And family is a great thing too. I am blessed to have good friends, and brothers who are Christ-minded servants. Last night, a missionary friend of mine who had been flying standby was going to have the pleasure of sleeping in the Atlanta airport. There were no plans made for him once he got there, and I couldn't get hold of him while he was on the plane. So, I called up my brothers who live in the Atlanta area, and they drove up to the airport (a good 45 minute to an hour drive), not sure if when they got there he would want to just stay there or come back with them or what...

Well, from the sounds of it, he was happy to sleep in a soft bed, not worrying about someone grabbing his stuff or anything - even if it was on a Lightning McQueen pillow! But, anyway, isn't it great to be a part of a bigger Family? To the praise of the glory of His grace, wherein He hath made us accepted in the beloved.

Now, if only they can get him out of Atlanta today...

Just a thought...

God's Longsuffering

You know, I've been meditating on God's longusffering. I seem to need to do that a lot! So, I was searching a well-known blog for whatever may have been said about the subject, and I came across this post. Sorry if you've read it before:

One of my personal favorite attributes of God is His longsuffering. If I were God (...hearing the collective sigh of relief that I am not!...), I would not put up with me and the things that I do.

The Lord is not slack concerning His promise [of His return] but is longsuffering to usward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repenntance.

It is true that God does not desire anybody to go to Hell. He does not have pleasure in the death of the wicked. But some of the lost people in the world despise the riches of God's longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God, His patience and forbearance in pouring out His wrath on man, is meant to lead men to repentance (that is my paraphrase of Romans 2:4). Instead they just add wrath on top of wrath, adding more and more sin to their account.

But you know what, we as Christians are guilty of the same thing too often. We experience God's longsuffering when we do something wrong, and because He does not execute judgment right away, we deceive ourselves and think it's ok to get away with it. God's forbearance of judgment against us when we sin ought to be used for us to praise Him for it, rather than use it as a license to go deeper into sin.

1 Timothy 1:16: "...for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering..."

Just a thought...

Link here: http://hindsey.blogspot.com/2007/09/gods-longsuffering.html

Not "Us" and "Them" - Homosexuality part 7

1 Corinthians 10:12  Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.

This is my last planned post regarding the topic of homosexuality in this series. I do believe that this is an important topic to stand up for. If two lost people want to participate in homosexual acts, that is their problem with God. I would expect them to do such a thing, and since it is a sin, I will be against the practice of it - as I am against the practice of any other sin. But, the problem with this issue is that they insist that we recognize the sinful practice as being acceptable. What will happen some day when we say someone can't be a Sunday School teacher because they are openly gay? How will that law suit turn out in just a couple/few years from now? Let's stand up. But on to my thought for today...

Many times, we conservative Christians make a distinction between us and homosexuals. We make it an "us vs them" kind of thing. And, many times we see homosexuality as a disgusting thing that we despise, not just because it is a sin and God hates it, but we think that it is a despicable act and we gladly oppose it. We take the "high road" because it is not a sin with which we struggle, so therefore we can rail on it at will.

(Here's where I'll lose all my friendly readers.) I don't think you Conservative Christian Men really hate homosexuality as much as you say. I think the idea of disgusting relationships with another guy really grosses you out; that's true. But if there are two beautiful women involved... I think the sin all of a sudden isn't as disgusting to us. The temptation is a little different; the sin is the same.

What am I saying? Take heed lest you fall. One of the other things that struck out at me at the Gay Pride Parade this year was the number of heterosexual couples I saw sitting down and enjoying the parade. Why were they there?! I think I know the reason. Romans 1 talks about how when people start ignoring God, and change His glory into corruption like us men, that they then are turned over unto even more vile things. I believe the principle is that everyone is capable of participating in any sin. If lusts are never restrained, then the desires will grow stronger, and will need more to satisfy. At some point, the affection turns to homosexuality. It just becomes a way to, supposedly, satisfy a desire.

Really, Conservative Christian, let's not think that there is anything better in us than there is in the worst of sinners. God's grace working in us makes us whatever good that we are. Someday, we'll have a righteous hatred for sin like we should - when we are conformed to the image of Jesus Christ. I can't imagine what that will be like!

Just a thought...

Unanswerable Signs - Homosexulity part 6

At the parade this year (and if you are just joining this series, you may want to look back at the past five posts to catch up) there were some signs that the "church people" marching in the parade were holding. Most of them, I'm sure, were directed towards those of us that were protesting the sin of the parade. These signs... I'm telling you... they were unanswerable! They cut to the heart, and I almost felt that I had to turn around and go home! I'll share them with you in the order I saw them:

"Jesus Is Love" "Jesus Loves Me" "Jesus Loves You" "Stand on the side of Love" - There we go. Right away they got me. I mean, Jesus is love. Since He is so loving, He would never tell someone to stop sinning. I mean, "Go and sin no more" wouldn't be in His vocabulary. He loves people so much that even though their sin will send them to Hell (because of His righteousness), He doesn't want to spoil their good time.
"Open and Welcoming" "If we run from one another, we run from Christ"- This church wanted everyone to know that they were welcome to come to their church. They would NEVER teach a message that if one that is called a brother is living in sin you should not fellowship with them (1 Cor 5:11, Rom 16:17, 2 Thes 3:6). I've said this before in comments, but anyone is welcome to come to my church. But if they can sit there and agree with the message - living in sin - then there's a problem with the message being given.
"Our faith is over 2000 years old. Our Thinking is not!" - Oh, I get it. What God called abomination more than 2000 years ago, is clearly not an abomination anymore. What Paul referred to as error, unnatural, vile, etc in Romans 1 was old thinking. If God were around today, He clearly wouldn't say that homosexuality is a sin anymore. Or, maybe I misunderstand. Maybe it is that if we think the Bible is true, that is the old thinking. Now we can know that what God said 2000 years ago is not true any more.
"Never place a period where God has placed a comma." - I knew it! God was just speaking to me the other day. He told me that it was alright for me to murder, as long as the victims were stupid. God clearly has added more to His word, so that the things that He hated, He no longer hates. He now likes sins - well, at least certain sins.
"We have Love, Truth and Pride in our pulpit!" "Pride In Our Pulpit" - (...cough... holding in laughter... ) Yeah! Love! We've got it in our pulpit. We love everyone! Truth! Yeah... I mean, truth for today, the way I want to see it! We've got truth - relatively! Pride! Yeah... uh... pride is good! We're proud! God doesn't hate a proud look any more. Pride doesn't come before destruction any more. God would never resist the proud!
"We're putting JESUS back in CHRIST.ianity" - After reading this sign, I kind of think that if God were around today, He would probably be walking in the parade with these people, glorifying this sin. Obviously this sign is enlightening everyone that Jesus had left so-called Christianity (I'm sure they're referring to fundamentalists and others that reject accepting homosexuality). So, here's to fixing all of those that are simply believing God's word. No, no, get away from that. Let's get back to Christ - ignore His word - get back to Him.
"Would Jesus Discriminate" - Seriously, would Jesus hold something against someone just because of what they're doing? I mean, other than that appointed day in which He will judge the world in righteousness (Acts 17:31).
"God loves you for you" - Yeah, God loves me for me. I mean He sent His Son to die for me because I was a good and righteous person. He loved me because my heart was clean. God loves me for me.
"God loves gay's there is no other way!" - Yeah, God doesn't even love heterosexual people!
"Presbyterian by choice, Gay by the grace of God" - This one really is my favorite. Presbyterians are Calvinist in their theology. Therefore any choice that man would make would be a sinful choice because of their totally depraved nature. Any good choice they make would be by the grace of God. Since this sign says Presbyterian by choice, contrasted with being gay by the grace of God, it must be that being Presbyterian was the sinful natural man choice, but being gay was the righteous choice given by the grace of God. I mean, the alternative is that they don't really know the theology of the denomination to which they claim to belong... but that couldn't be. I'm sure they're studied up on theology.
Anyway, just a couple of utterly absurd thoughts...

More Marchers - Homosexuality part 5

Well, carrying on the theme from last week, on the topic of the Gay Pride Parade, I wanted to mention one more group of marchers in the parade. This group showed up, I believe, 3 years ago or so. I could be wrong, but that's my recollection. This group of marchers in the parade are the so-called Christian churches. The ones that I noticed were:
Lake Avenue Baptist Church
Community Christian Church in Chili
First Universalist Church of Rochester
Unitarian Universalist Church of Canandaigua
Open Arms Metropolitan Community Church
Third Presbyterian Church
Downtown United Presbyterian Church
St. Luke & St. Simon Cyrene Episcopal Church

Now, I'd like to start this post by suggesting you read last Wednesday's comments. You can read the post too, if you haven't, but I had an anonymous commenter that went back and forth with me about being hard on the homosexuals and showing no grace. We discussed a little, and I want to clarify (as can be read in the comments too) that when the world participates in homosexuality, they are doing what the world is expected to do. However, when someone takes the name of Christ and insinuates that He is just as happy with somebody living in sin, which homosexuality is, as He is with someone trying to avoid sin, then I have a big problem with it.

You are HYPOCRITES which do such things. You say that God loves them, but fail to teach that God loves them through the Cross. The love of God was manifested by the Cross. The Cross is the punishment for our sin, which Jesus took in my place! You hypocrites go out and say, "God loves you. Your sin does not matter to Him. Jesus really died so that you can go ahead and live however you want, spit in His face, and just continue on in sin." Hypocrites! You teach people that they can live in sin, have no repentance towards it, and that God will take them to Heaven when they die. You are leading people straight to Hell when you teach that they can continue to disobey God and He is ok with it. You are making them twice as much the children of Hell as you are!

You look beautiful on the outside, claiming that God's love will triumph in the end, and you ignore the judgment and holiness of God. You teach people to say that they love God, but when God says, "If you love me, keep my commandments," you ignore it. Or, you teach man's commandments, and present them as being God's. You make God's holy word worthless!

You snakes! You children of the devil! You deceivers! You enemies of righteousness! Stop perverting the right ways of the Lord!

Philippians 3:17 Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample. 18 (For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: 19 Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.)

Let me say one more time. When the lost world does its sin, that is what I expect them to do. They don't have the Holy Spirit to guide them. They are limited to their own selves to try to run their lives. Their flesh, like mine, is far too weak to do what is good. But when a pastor of a congregation of people, a congregation that calls itself a Chrisitan church, says that homosexuality is not a sin. When he or she says that God's word does not mean what it says (abomination, unnatural, error, vile), then he or she is the enemy of the cross of Christ. I will not stand with that person. I will not welcome them to teach or preach wherever I am.

Additional reading for this post: Matthew 23, Acts 13:10, Mark 7:13

Just a Thought...

The Marchers - Homosexuality part 4

Continuing in my discussion of my observations from the Gay Pride Parade in Rochester this year, I wanted to write today about the participants. Outside of the expected pro-homosexual advocacy groups, I want to mention three groups.

First of all, let's talk about the businesses...

There were a couple of those "artsy" kinda theater type entities there. You know, the kinds of places that would use Macs. (I'm gonna hear it for that one!) There was a car dealer, Bob Hastings, but I understand that one of our pastors or church members contacted him about that one, and it won't be happening again. And, then there was the least likely group, The Humane Society... I mean, really, are they there to the defend the rights of gay animals? I mean, they don't even have any gay animals (because animals do what is natural). Again, I believe someone contacted them, and we'll see if they're back next year.

Those two or three aside though, and there really were very, very few businesses this year.

...Interesting -

Second, let's talk about the politicians...

I can only assume that since these people are marching in the parade that they are in agreement with the cause of the parade. I really, honestly, know very, very little else about any of these candidates. But their marching in agreement with this pro-homosexual crowd really puts a tarnish on their record. I just thought I would list them for you all. You can see the list of names under the pictures of them, and some other pictures of the same parade they were at.

Family Court Judge Jon Kohout

Monroe County Court Judge Frank P. Geraci

Rick Dollinger, running for NY State Senate

Tom Hasman, running for Monroe County Clerk

Dave Garretson, running for NY State Assemblyman

Monroe County Legislator Dick Beebe

Jon Powers, running for US Congressman

NY Supreme Court Judge Elma A. Bellini

Ok, last category... Oh, you know what... I think I'm going to post that category on Monday... let the blood cool down and all before I do!

Just a straight thought...

The AIDS Float - Homosexuality part 3

One of the floats that was in the Gay (sin) Pride (another sin) Parade (I guess parade's are ok) was "AIDS Rochester presents Happily Ever After with (crossed out Hansel) Heather & Gretel, a Queer Fairy Tale!!!" You can see it in the picture on the right.

Now, I have been to, not many, but a few different parades. In none of those parades,have I seen AIDS Rochester advertise anything. It could be that I just missed it, I'm not sure. I mean, in this parade they happen to be advertising for a "queer fairy tale." (On a side note, I just want to be sure that I am politically correct - calling sodomites "queers" is acceptable?) Why did I not see them in the other parades? Why are they not presenting a Pot at the End of the Rainbow fairy tale during the St. Patty's day parade? Why aren't they out there talking about the flowers during the Lilac Festival's parade?

Why does the AIDS place only advertise during the Gay Pride Parade?

The answer is obvious - The AIDS place advertises among the homosexuals because they are the ones that most need their services. From the little I read on the subject, the consensus is still out that homosexual sex and sharing drug needles are the causes for AIDS. Ok, so, let me get this straight... A horrible disease can be caused be spread by homosexual sex, yet people still think it is just an alternative lifestyle?

Maybe there's more to it, but all I know is that AIDS Rochester recognizes its base of people. Oh, and God calls the recompense of homosexuals' error meet.

Just a thought...

The Parade - Homosexuality part 2

This is my 2nd part in my string of thoughts on homosexuality. Back on July 19 of this year, there was a Gay Pride Parade in downtown Rochester. As usual, our church joined with some other Bible believing churches in the area and made a presence at a couple of the intersections along the parade route. I think it's neat because they advertise two sins in the title of their parade: Gay and Pride. Both are wrong before God. Maybe that's where I ought to begin this post, by demonstrating that homosexuality is wrong.

Leviticus 18:22 Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination.

Ok, let's move on to my next post...

Just kidding. While that verse does in fact plainly demonstrate that God views homosexuality as "abomination," I will go ahead and receive the argument that the same book of the Bible tells us that certain foods are "abomination." Yet, we would feel comfortable eating them today. So, to discuss the whole Old Testament / New Testament law issue, see my other posts, but are we limited to this being an Old Testament principle? I am going to post a larger passage from Romans now. There are groups that claim they are Christian, and try to get away passages in the Bible that speak on the subject of homosexuality (claiming they're all OT would be one way). I think they probably miss this passage because they're not using the right words in their concordance. I'm quite certain they're not getting their beliefs from their daily Bible readings, so I'll assume they're using a concordance to look up key words. Anyway, notice the words used to describe what these people did, after they turned away from God: (And, can I just remind you that God's words are much more important than my words, and that your time would be much more profitably spent if you read the following verses carefully and skim my blog, rather than the converse.)

Romans 1:18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;
Romans 1:19 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.
Romans 1:20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:
Romans 1:21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.
Romans 1:22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,
Romans 1:23 And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.
Romans 1:24 Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves:
Romans 1:25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.
Romans 1:26 For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature:
Romans 1:27 And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet.

"uncleanness," "lusts of their own hearts," "dishonour their own bodies," "vile affections," "against nature," "burned in their lust," "unseemly," "error"

Those are the words that God uses to describe homosexuality in the New Testament. We can throw in the following verses just to further enforce the point:

1 Corinthians 6:9 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,

1 Timothy 1:10 For whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine;

Then there's Sodom. This city was destroyed by God's judgment, bringing fire and brimstone to the people there. Now, Sodom had plenty of sins (Ezekiel 16:49-59 -- and for those of you that want to use verse 49 to say that Sodom's sins were only the things found in that verse, just keep reading, and you'll see that verse 50 is adding more things to the list, and includes that they did "abomination."). But when the angels from God came to take Lot out of the city, the men of that city wanted to have sexual relations with them. They were so taken by their homosexuality that when Lot offered his two daughter, they didn't even want to take them! That story can be read in Genesis 19. Jude 1:7 goes on to use Lot as an example of of the judgment that God will bring on all workers of iniquity. The Bible uses the word "sodomite" to describe a homosexual, and they're constantly being told to drive them out. The sodomites were not to be allowed in the land.

I would just like to add to this topic that transvestism (if there is such a word) is also considered abomination before God: Deuteronomy 22:5.

See, the Bible is pretty STRAIGHT on the matter. If you could forgive my puns here, we are told in Matthew 7 that "straight is the gate" that leads to life. It's really not an issue whether or not the Bible is for against homosexuality (because it is clearly against it). The issue that people have is whether or not they are going to believe the Bible, and therefore God, or if they are going to make their own religion, create their own image of God, just to suit their lusts.

Homosexuality is a sin. God says so, and frankly He is Who decides what is sin or not. Let's not forget that lying and heterosexual lust is just as much of a sin! That sounds like it will be another post though!

Hey, let's just submit our wills to God in every thing. Let's stop pretending that what we want to do so much, is acceptable in God's eyes, and instead surrender to the Almighty God Who loved us enough to send His Son to die in our places on the cross.

Just a thought...

Homosexuality - part 1

Ok, I said a while back, after I had gone to evangelize at the Gay Pride Parade this year in Rochester, that I would be writing down some thoughts on that parade, and on the issue of homosexuality in general.

Well, yesterday, I got a Christian News brief in my email, and one of the articles was about a CCM musician that publicly announced that he's living a homosexual lifestyle. I knew I recognized the name of the artist, but I wasn't sure who it was. I looked up some of his songs and was surprised that they were some of the songs that I'm familiar with that have been sung many times in our church and the churches I've been around to. Anyway, that news article reminded me to get busy on writing my thoughts on the subject.

So, my first thought, will be based on that news article, and carry on from there. I hope you don't get too sick of the subject, and I will try to be original enough on the subject that you don't lose interest. Maybe even I'll throw in some stupid humor so you can at least laught at me in the process!

Anyway, my thought/question for the day is this: What do we do with the songs from this songwriter? I mean, someone comes out and says they're living in something that the Bible speaks negatively about (that will be tomorrow's post, I imagine), what do we do with the the music that they already created? The same could be asked about music that a musician brought about, what appears to be good, godly, Christian music, and then they go and leave their husband or wife? Do we throw out the music with the reputation that the artist has thrown away?

What do you think?

(Let's see how many readers I really have anymore!)

As always, anonymous comments are more than welcome.

"I'm Just a Bible-Believer!"

1 Corinthians 1:12 Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ.

How many times have you heard good preachers say things like, "Yeah, some people say they are X and others say they are X. But, bless God, I'm just a Bible believer!" (You can plug in your choice of doctrinal differences for the X's.) The idea is this, both parties have problems with them, so I'm simply going to follow what the Bible says.

Now, this is the right stance to take - let's get that out of the way. However, when you look at 1 Corinthians 1:12, the contentious people at the church of Corinth were following different personalities, if you will, and saying that "I'm a Pauline, I'm an Apollite, I'm a Cephan, I'm a Chrisitan..." (I had fun making up those names!) Notice that one of the contentious group of people which Paul is chargin here was saying, "I am of Christ."

That group of people, the "I am of Christ" group, is just as guilty as those that are saying to be of Paul. The fact of the matter is that we all should follow Christ and not just say that we are. Don't be mad when people are willing to accept "labels" to simply help establish their beliefs - that's not the problem. Now, when you follow your group-label to a contentious point, well, now you really have stopped following Christ's example.

Anyway, just a divisive thought...

The Love of God

Imagine a young man. Let's say he is 22 years old. He lives in the poorest region of India, or maybe Cambodia. He's got a horrible disease that causes him extreme pain, all of the time. He is too poor to receive any medical attention, and he is in such a remote location that there would be little chance to get any even if he could afford it. To make matters so much worse, this man has never been exposed to the name of Jesus Christ.

How well would this man respond to someone coming to him saying, "Hey, man, I just wanted you to know... God loves you"? I wonder what kind of reaction he would give. Whatever it was, I imagine disbelief would accompany it. This illustration demonstrates a principle that I think not many will receive.

The love of God cannot be experienced apart from the cross of Christ.

You will have no way of convincing that poor, sick man that is in extreme pain, that God loves him - unless you first explain the cross of Christ. And frankly, the cross of Christ will not make any sense to him either, until you explain the unholiness of man. And even then, the unholiness of man will mean little until you explain the holiness and righteousness of God.

So, where do you begin to show the love of God to that man laying in agony? By talking about the holiness of God! Doesn't make sense at first, but without that, the message gets lost somewhere.

Just a thought...

Fellowship of the Unashamed

The following is a well-known quotation, a resolution, that states the motives that every Christian should have. I came across it again today, and wanted to share it with all my readers (both of you, that is). The only thing I suggest before simply praising this piece -- is that you don't say it from the flesh. Looking on line, I found some audio clips of preachers saying this resolution - with the drums going in the background, with the preacher emphasizing all that "He" will do (found with all the uses of "I" in it). Remember, when reading this, that only by the grace of God are you what you are. That being said, this really is great!


I am part of the "Fellowship of the Unashamed."
The die has been cast. I have stepped over the line.
The decision has been made. I am a disciple of Jesus Christ.
I won't look back, let up, slow down,back away, or be still.
My past is redeemed, my present makes sense, and my future is secure.
I am finished and done with low living, sight walking,
small planning, smooth knees, colorless dreams, chintzy giving, and dwarfed goals.

I no longer need pre-eminence, prosperity, position, promotions, plaudits, or popularity.
I now live bypresence, lean by faith, love by patience, lift by prayer, and labor by power.
My pace is set, my gait is fast, my goal is Heaven,
my road is narrow, my way is rough, my companions few,
my Guide reliable, my mission clear.

I cannot be bought,compromised, deterred, lured away, turned back, diluted, or delayed.
I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice, hesitate in the presence of adversity,
negotiate at the table of the enemy, ponder at the pool of popularity,
or meanderin the maze of mediocrity.
I am a disciple of Jesus Christ.
I must go until Heaven returns, give until I drop,
preach until all know, and work until He comes.
And when He comes to getHis own,
He will have no problem recognizing me.
My colors will be clear.

Thankful for Dirty Work

1 Thessalonians 5:18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

I was talking with a friend recently, and we were talking about how people aren't always thankful about certain things. This verse popped into my mind. Specifically, we were discussing being thankful for people that provide you with an opportunity to do some "dirty work."

Should nursery workers be thankful for the little snot-nosed brats with dirty diapers that get to change on Sunday mornings? I mean, anybody that is close to being a Christian is thankful for the nursery workers, but are the nursery workers thankful for the kids - without the kids, they lose an opportunity to minister for the Lord's sake!

That's just one example, but when you've got some task to do - for ministry purposes - and you just really don't want to do it... are you thankful for it? Or, do you gripe and complain? The key is to remember for Whom you are really doing it.

Anyway... just a thought...

Life After Institute

sniff... sniff...

So, all of my friends (ok, maybe not all of them) were at the Bible Institute last night, taking New Testament Survey. And, I was at home. They all got to sit with one of our pastors teaching through the New Testament, asking questions, learning from the experienced teacher... and I couldn't go. You know, I didn't miss Institute over the summer, but I think that's because no one else was at class either. But, now that it has started again, I felt a bit left out.

Wait a minute... they had to go to class last night. Then tonight, they have to go again... for FOUR hours. Sunday and Wednesday they'll have a class that gives them homework to do. And me? ...I stayed home. We had some friends over for dinner. We worked on some ministry stuff together. I got to be with my wife and kids. It was pretty nice actually.

Now, tonight, I might drop by and listen to Missionary Mike Ireland teach on Systematic Theology, but I wouldn't have to do the homework!

I guess I don't miss Institute all that much...

Just a thought...

As the Oracles of God

1 Peter 4:11 If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

I think I'm happy that the point of today's post never came up in Homiletics class - or at least that I missed it if it did.

If any man speak... and by looking at the verse before, we see that this is a "speaking" as a gift from God. That is, there are certain people that are gifted in the area of preaching. But here's the kicker: Preacher, if you are taking on the ministry of preaching (speaking), then you are accepting that God gave you the gift to do it, and that when you speak - and this is the good part - you are to speak as the oracles of God!

Now, maybe that doesn't mean much to you, but the "oracles of God," are the messages/places/communications where God met with the people. The Scriptures are the most common example of God's oracles that we have. But preachers are to speak as if they were God communicating directly with the hearers. And the warning goes out, that God does NOT like to be misrepresented. I remember in Job 40 when God had enough of people saying, "God says this," or "God does this." He comes down in a whirlwind. (Don't' miss that - a whirlwind! not a still small voice here - we have a twister coming down.) The first thing He says, "Who is this that darkeneth counsel by words without knowledge Gird up now thy loins like a man for I will demand of thee, and answer thou me..." He doesn't sound happy - and He starts His glorious answer to Job and his friends, by saying, "Why are you talking about what you do not know?!"

So, Preacher, you are to preach as if the message you are saying are exact words that God would have you say to the hearers. And, if that doesn't make you spend serious time in prayer about your message... maybe it should!

Just a thought...

Home Bible Study

Tonight starts another year of Home Bible Study at our house. In the past, we've struggled with the number of kids in our average size house. So, to fix that this year, we've added a few more of them! Yay!

I love Home Bible Study, and I just wanted to post some of the things I like about it. I don't know that there will be any real exhortation here, but simply some ramblings. I like Home Bible Study because:

• It is the tool that God used to really bring me back to Him. When my wife and I were newly married, and weren't living the way that we ought to have been, a couple (Ryan & Becky Donovan) invited us out to a Home Bible Study at Bob and Sue Patterson's house. Rick Grape was the leader of the Bible Study, and he kept on pushing me, challenging me, and not letting up. It is exactly what I needed. I wasn't getting that in "big church," but in the Home Bible Study setting of discipleship, that close-knit accountability is here.
• It is a great opportunity for accountability. Now, Rick challenged me apart from the 7:00-9:00 official study time. However, during the study itself, we give everyone the opportunity to share what they have gotten out of their daily Bible devotions. You see, I think this is probably the most important part of Bible Study. People will remember very little of a lesson that was taught during a Home Bible Study, but if every week they are expected to have read their Bibles and have spent time with God, that is a habit that can be established and last for ever. And... that's more important than any facts or lessons that a teacher could give on a Friday night.
• It keeps me focused. When every week I have to be ready to minister to a bunch of families coming over to my house, it helps keep me from wandering off and concerning myself with too many other, non-important things. I get to work on preparing a lesson, organizing and presenting it.
• I get to hear others' understandings of the Bible. Some passages in the Bible are harder to get a grasp on than others, and during our study, people are encouraged to speak up, ask questions, and give input. With this input, we can guide the study in a new direction if needed, and we can hear what others are seeing from the same passages. Now, for clarification, the Scriptures have one meaning, and if two people look at the Scripture and suggest that they say different things, only one of them can be right. Scripture can be applied in different ways in people's lives, but it only has one doctrinal meaning - let's get that relative garbage out of here.
• We get to really teach the kids the Bible. We have gone with a Divide and Conquer methodology with the kids. In principle, anyone over 10 or so can sit in with the parents - they're old enough to follow along and get it. Kids 5-10 are set around a long dining room table that we have (yup, we put the leaves in for Bible Study!). Last year we had, I think 11 kids, if everyone showed up in this age group, this year it looks to be closer to 15! I think we need another leaf! But, with this age, we really have the opportunity to teach some real topics, push deeper than a kids' Sunday School will do, and have these kids learn some of the meatier parts of the Bible - yet presenting them, illustrating them, with things the kids can understand better. Anyway, that's our focus with them. The younger kids, well, they basically are baby-sat. Hmm... anyone have any ideas how we could make that time more profitable for them?
• Snack Time! Now, when we were with the Farrells for Bible Study, I remember Jill making some of the best meals I have ever had. Everyone got excited when it was their turn to bring "snacks." Well, we've cut back on that a bit, but we still have some good stuff! But, actually, this "snack time" after 9:00 is often the best time of fellowship and conversations of the whole night. The "structure" for the study is gone, and people are free to talk about whatever's concerning them. Hopefully, this year, we'll handle this lack of structure time better with the kids.

Anyway, just some thoughts on Home Bible Study...

It Is His Angel

Acts 12:15 And they said unto her, Thou art mad. But she constantly affirmed that it was even so. Then said they, It is his angel.

I love the story in Acts 12. Peter is in prison, and he was getting ready for his execution. Herod had just killed James the brother of John, and it says that he was ready to "bring him forth" to be executed. He even had Peter sleep between two soldiers, with two chains, and then some more on the outside of the door. Herod wasn't messing around - tomorrow was Peter's day of death.

My thought today is this: I'm really glad that the principle of, "IF we ask in faith in the name of Jesus, THEN He will answer" is not true in the inverse, "IF we do not ask in faith, THEN He will not answer." Because, it says in verse 5 of that chapter that "prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him." And even when Peter is finally released miraculously by the angel (if you're not familiar with the story, read it!), he goes to the house where people are in the middle of a prayer meeting. These people were praying fervantly for Peter!

But, what happens when their prayer was answered? Well, Rhoda hears Peter's knock on the door and goes and tells everyone else. Out of her excitement, she failed to even open the door for him. So, these prayer warriors, who did not cease to pray for Peter, when God gave them the answer to their prayers, what did they say to her? "Thou art mad." And when she insisted that he was there? "It is his angel." These people were more ready to believe that Peter's angel (whatever that may mean... another day's post) was standing at the door, than that God had freed Peter from prison as an answer to their prayers.

The moral of the story? We really should pray in faith, expecting God to answer, when we're asking things for God's sake. But, when we really don't think that God is going to answer the prayer - we ought to keep praying anyway. These people prayed without ceasing, yet deep down inside, they did not think that God was going to answer. They were expecting to have Peter's funeral tomorrow night, but they kept praying.

Pray without ceasing.

Just a thought...

"for me" and "for to me"

Oh, I'm sorry, did I miss a day blogging? Forgive me...

Anyway... I will try to be more faithful with my blogging. You know, I had this notion in my mind that if I didn't come up with something monumental every post, then I would be looked at as being plain or just simple. My pride makes me do stupid stuff. But this blog is important to me as it makes me take time in the middle of the day to bring me back to my real purpose in life, whether I'm eating or drinking, to do all to the glory of God.

So, today's post, comes from Philippians 1:21, "For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain." What a thing that Paul could say! What a punch packed into that little verse. My thought is this: Often, we think of that verse and here it preached as this, "My life is all about Christ. FOR ME, I live for Christ." And that is a great philosophy to have for your life, to say, "Hey, if I'm gonna live, I'm gonna live for Christ."

I think Paul is saying even more than that in the verse though. He doesn't say, "For me to live is Christ," but rather "For TO me... to live is Christ." Paul says, that in his mind, living is all about Jesus Christ. It is not only his life that has a purpose of living for Christ (that's good and all), but he says that for everyone, their purpose for living is Christ. For to Paul, living is all about Christ. To live is Christ. That was Paul's view about life. It was more than just his life, it is life for everyone - but of course, not everyone is obedient.

For you to live, it ought to be about Christ. Regardless though of how you are actually living, to live is Christ. At least that's what Paul thought, and I suppose I agree with him!

Just a thought...

Acknowledge Him

I've noticed one thing recently, and that is, it's hard to have a Lunch-Time Thought when you aren't getting lunch times!

That's my sorry excuse for not having written. Actually, I have a post I am preparing, but it is taking me longer to put together than I anticipated, but it's coming soon. - has to do with a parade on Saturday...

Anyway, today's thought is quick and simple: Acknowledge Him.

Proverbs says to "acknowledge him" in all of our ways. That seems to me to be the first step. Let's recognize God's presence in every part of our lives, and then give Him credit. I say that is a first step, because if we could get that down, it would be a lot easier to get so much else right in our lives. It's tough for me to acknowledge God and then go on and do something He hates. We fall into sin when we stop acknowledging God.

So, in all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

Just a thought...

Happy Dependence Day

I heard of a church in California that has a "Dependence Day" celebration tomorrow, July 4. I thought that was just a fantastic thing to do, to bring to mind our total dependence on God, rather than just remembering the day that we dissolved the political bands that tied us to England.

I was thinking of other holidays that we could use as bookmarks throughout the year to bring to mind some things. Maybe you have some more ideas too?

October 31: Rather than celebrating death, violence, wizardry and witchcraft, let's remember October 31 as the day in which a man posted (would have been on his blog if he had one) a bunch of different ways in which the practices he was tied to were unbiblical. That would be a good day for each of us to have a reformation in our lives, our homes, and our church. We can step back and look at everything and see if it's in line with God's word - or if we need to reform.

Labor Day: That'd be a good chance to evaluate the things for which we are laboring. 1 Cor 15:58 tells us that our labor in the Lord is not in vain. It doesn't give us hope for our labor in the world, so let's make sure that all our labor is ultimately being done for the Lord. That's a good day to make sure our greatest efforts (yea, all our efforts) are being done for God.

I'm not saying we don't celebrate those days for the accepted meaning of them (other than Halloween, that one I am saying that we shouldn't celebrate), but rather take time those days to celebrate and bring to mind greater things.

Now, if only I could think of something to remember on Christmas and Resurrection Sunday...

Just a thought...

Me & Peter

I was listening to preaching on a Christian radio station this lunch-time while running errands, and the preacher talked about Jesus' washing of the disciples feet. It made me think about how I would probably have acted like Peter in the situation.

You know the story, after a while, Jesus gets up and begins to wash His disciples feet in an act of humble service. When He reaches Peter's feet, Peter tells Him not to was his feet. Jesus, doing this act to demonstrate how that if even the Lord will humble Himself to serve others, so ought we.

Well, Peter (like me!) wanted nothing to do with this. Now, I don't really know his intentions, but if I were in the situation, this is what I'd be thinking.

First of all, he really didn't want to wash anyone else's feet. That would have required work. It would have made him get up and then even humble himself to his peers. What would they think of him? Would they stop seeing him as the important apostle that he was - one of the "elite 3"?

Second, he (or, at least what I would be doing) was willing to let his feet stay dirty so he could just keep eating dinner. That would be due to my laziness. "Yeah, my feet are dirty... oh well." Now, Jesus explains that there's a spiritual significance to it all too. How many times might we notice that parts of us are dirty with the things of the world, yet we're too lazy to do anything about it! Forget helping others with it, we won't even get ourselves clean.

Third, when Jesus, the Lord, came to wash his feet, he wanted nothing to do with it at first. I don't get it - why is it humbling for us to be served? Is it just because we don't want to show that we are dependent on others? Is it because we want people to think that we don't need anything, or that we're so good, that others can't even do anything to benefit it us? Peter didn't want his feet to be cleaned by Jesus. He could have done it himself if he wanted them clean, but he certainly didn't need someone else to do it for him --

It reminds me of a poem by Michael P. Johnson:

The prince of pride who’s of the night
Was once to Me a great delight
But pride took hold with sin’s desire
Now he awaits eternal fire

Ok, while I do like that poem, I hope you all recognize the joke of 3 points and a poem...

Just a thought...

A Little Help, Please

Matthew 11:12 And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force.

I'm having a hard time getting a strong grasp on this verse - could anyone help me out?

The context:
Matthew 11:9-15 But what went ye out for to see? A prophet? yea, I say unto you, and more than a prophet. 10 For this is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee. 11 Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. 12 And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force. 13 For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John. 14 And if ye will receive it, this is Elias, which was for to come. 15 He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.

Good or Bad?

http://www.cnn.com/2008/US/06/26/scotus.guns/index.html

Many of you may have heard that the Supreme Court ruled this week that the 2nd Amendment of the Constitution is Constitutional.

Ok, now read that sentence again before you go on.

I'm sure there was more to this than I am saying, but the basic problem I have with what happened in this case is that 4 of our 9 Supreme Court Justices thought that the 2nd Amendment should not be accepted as has always been accepted, but rather to limit it.

Well, this is non-Spiritual post two in a row today, and I'm not even going to go into a gun debate, but I'm just not sure if we should be happy that the Supreme Court upheld the 2nd Amendment, or if we should be sad that 4 of them did not!

Anyway, just a political thought...

Oh be careful...

Ok, this post really has nothing to do with me trying to get acrossa spiritual point or anything. Just that you shoul be careful what you're doing because you never know who's watching!

Google Maps has just released a "Street View." You go to www.google.com and click on maps. Type in your favorite address, and when it comes up, look for the little thumbnail for Street View. It's neat.

Click here to see the new church... hopefully

That's all for today!

Procastination

This came in my "Daily Christian Quotes" email, and I wanted to share it with everyone -

"No unwelcome tasks become any the less unwelcome by putting them off till tomorrow. It is only when they are behind us and done, that we begin to find that there is a sweetness to be tasted afterwards, and that the remembrance of unwelcome duties unhesitatingly done is welcome and pleasant. Accomplished, they are full of blessing, and there is a smile on their faces as they leave us. Undone, they stand threatening and disturbing our tranquillity, and hindering our communion with God.


"If there be lying before you any bit of work from which you shrink, go straight up to it, and do it at once. The only way to get rid of it is to do it."


Just a thought from Alexander MacLaren...

Experientialism

Psalm 138:2 I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name.

I was in conversation a couple weeks ago about Replacement Theology. That is the idea that the Church has replaced Israel in God's ultimate plans, as opposed to a Dispensational Theology which says that God dealt with Israel, but has temporarily put them off to deal with the Church, and will return to Israel later (after the Rapture).

Well, the conversation had to do with the Reformers, and how they were big on the Replacement Theology. But, to give them some credit, they lived in a time when Israel was not a nation, and had not been a nation for a millennium and a half! It is so easy for us to see how Israel will be involved in future events, because we see them as a nation. For the Reformers, that was an unreasonable idea since Israel no longer existed - in their minds. They had to take Scriptures to mean something a little different than the plain meaning of it, in order to match their experience.

However, I wonder how much of that we are guilty of as well? How many times do we read something in the Bible and say, "Well, that can't mean that, because all of my experience, observation and reason say that it can't be that. It must mean something else..." Instead of just taking Scripture at what it says, we change it to match our experience. That puts experience above revelation... that's a no-no!

My hat goes off to those theologians that held to a literal, national Israel being dealt with in Scripture, even though there was no "possibility" of a national Israel!

Just a thought...

Quietness is Temperance

Ephesians 4:22 That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;

I'm a bit slow sometimes, so this thought may be common knowledge for most of you, but as I was thinking of training my children, I realized that teaching them to be quiet is a way of teaching them temperance. I'm not sure if any of you have ever experienced this, but did you know that if you put a bunch of kids in the room and just let them do whatever they wanted, that it would get very loud in there! By teaching them to restrain from just getting as loud as they want to be, you are at the same time teaching them temperance and self-control. On the other hand, allowing them to get as loud as they want and showing no restraint - you teach that it is OK to indulge.

I am finding more and more ways that lust plays a part in my life. lust is not limited to the common description, sexual perversions, etc., but it can be found in yelling or screaming. When we give in to what our flesh wants to do, the flesh that is contrary to the Spirit, we are indulging the same as if we indulged in other lusts.

Just a thought...

Quick Thought...

How would a Calvinist reconcile Paul's actions described in yesterday's post with their theology?

Paul did not witness publicly to certain people, because he knew that in open they would not receive it. However, Calvinist theology says that when God decides it will happen, the Holy Spirit will make that person born again, regenerate him, and he will receive the word and be saved. If Paul believed that, then why would it matter to him whether he witnessed publicly or privately. Either the Spirit was going to regenerate the recipient or not, right?

It seems that Paul was hoping to work the natural circumstances to better prepare this recipient for the gospel.

Anonymous comments are always welcome...

Just a thought...

Witnessing in Vain

Galatians 2:2 And I went up by revelation, and communicated unto them that gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but privately to them which were of reputation, lest by any means I should run, or had run, in vain.

Some would argue that when a person is ready to be saved it does not need to be a private affair, but rather they will be ready to jump out and let the whole world know. Paul demonstrates, though, that there are times that presenting the gospel to someone ought to be done in private, and not in public - not for the sake of sparing the witness's reputation, but rather to be more profitable in the opportunity.

People's pride can play a big part when being witnessed to in public. I've seen that at times when out on the street. People have to act all cool when they're around their friends. Paul brought the gospel to some of them privately, so that his time would not have been spent in vain.

Could it be that we can waste our time when witnessing to the wrong people at the wrong time? By no means am I going to give me or you an excuse for our slothfulness in witnessing, but Paul sought for a better opportunity to witness to these people, and didn't waste his time by doing it at the wrong time.

Just a thought...

Moses' Focus

Romans 16:19 For your obedience is come abroad unto all men. I am glad therefore on your behalf: but yet I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil.

At Men's Prayer Meeting last night, Pastor Brado preached a message about seeing the glory of God, and the things that had to happen in Moses' life for him to see God's glory in Exodus 33-34. I really cannot imagine what Moses experienced when "the LORD descended in the cloud and stood with him there." But, as Brado was preaching, he made suggestion to this thought, and it was one of those things that I wish he had carried further.

As I was hearing him preach, and afterwards looking back at Exodus 32, here's what I found. When Moses was meeting with God on the mount - thunder, clouds, lightning, the whole works - God told Moses about the golden calf thing going on at the bottom of the hill. Moses great prayer of intercession, found in verses 11-13 caused the Lord to "repent" of the evil which He was going to do to the people. The thing is that Moses was meeting with God, and his prayer of intercession seemed to be entirely God-centered. He basically said, "God, spare this people so that You look good and are glorified more among the heathen." And God spared them.

However, as Moses started getting away from God, coming down the mountain, in a picture he started walking away from God and towards the people. His eyes started focusing more on the sins of the people than on the time spent in the presence of God. The end result is that his anger waxed hot, and he broke the tablets that God had written for them. Now, I'm not saying it was wrong to be angry over the sin, but I think he took it to the point of having lost control.

Too often we get caught up with all the sins and things that other people are doing, and we can spend too much time and effort trying to understand the evil, and it distracts us from doing the good. God wants us to be wise concerning that which is good, and simple concerning evil.

Now, the real thought of the day: Can you really begin to imagine what it was like in Exodus 34 when God stood there with Moses? I mean, I usually use the "zoomed-out" image in my head of this little guy standing in the midst of a big cliff with God somehow around him. But, imagine yourself in the clift of the rock, and all you can see is God's hand as He covers you as His glory passes by, and the you see His "back parts" as He goes on. I don't think at that time Moses paid too much attention to what the people were doing at the bottom of the mount!

Anyway, just a thought...

All Your Needs

Another thought that came while reading The Exemplary Husband had to do with what our needs are versus our wants. How would you define what your needs are? Really, think about that for a second - what are your needs?

Stuart Scott (that would be the author of the book) defines what are needs are, basically as this: Needs are things without which God's work cannot get accomplished. I like it.

So, what are some things that we think are needs:

Running water? I remember hearing the story of a missionary family that went to stay at a church, and the "missions quarters" where they were put up did not have running water - and it was a hot day... Running water sure would have been nice...

Two cars? I had to get a ride to work Monday because our van is in the shop. It really would have been nice to have a second car...

One car? Do we forget how new the idea of an automobile is...

Credit Cards? Television? Telephone? Microwave? Shoes? My trip to Zambia a few years back aswers those ones for me...

"Needs" are the things without which God's word cannot be accomplished. Think about what you consider to be a "need," and then think about these:

What did John the Baptist NEED while in prison? Did God fail to supply John the Baptist's needs? I mean, he was beheaded. John Baptist probably thought that he needed some way to escape, or that he needed a good lawyer...

What did the Apostle Paul NEED during his involuntary fasts? God did not provide him food for days at a time. If you had asked Paul, I bet he would have said that he needed some food. Don't we all consider daily food to be a need for us... Did God fail to supply Paul's need?

Philippians 4:19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

If God will provide the needs of His faithful, and yet at times His people have gone without some of the most basic things of life, then I think we have to look back at Scott's idea of a need.

Needs are those things without which God's work cannot be accomplished.

Just a thought...

I'm Great at it

As I was reading in the book, The Exemplary Husband, the author was speaking of how husbands first need to recognize who God is, and who they are, before they will end up being the exemplary husband. In speaking of who man is, the author writes that the man needs to recognize that he is a "great sinner."

When I read that phrase in that context, it really stuck out to me - a great sinner - yeah, that's me. Unfortunately, I am really good at it. Paul wrote that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom Paul claimed to be chief. I think often we compare how we are with others, and maybe we recognize that we are just as bad and even worse than so many people, and we admit, Yes, I'm a worse sinner than so and so. But, to be willing to admit that I am a "great sinner," well, that's a bit more humbling - yet true.

Just before John Newton died, he said, "My memory is nearly gone, but I remember two things, that I am a great sinner, and that Christ is a great Saviour." And we praise Him for it!

Just a thought...

Fess Up

Imagine two fighter jets about to go into a dogfight. They are the only two friendly planes, the rest are enemies. Now, imagine if one of the jets had defective guns on the right side, and for whatever reason the pilot could not see to his right, and all of the instrumentation was failing on the same side. Is this a problem? Of course it is. The second plane would have to be sure to cover that side of his ally when the enemy approaches. But with the two of them working together, it's still possible for them to win the battle.

Now, what if the pilot of the first jet never told the second that he had plane trouble? What then are the chance of them winning the battle? The second pilot would not know to help out on the weak side, and the first jet would be in serious trouble.

Ephesians 4:25 Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another.

You know, in the spiritual warfare that we fight, we have allies in the battle. The gates of hell will not prevail against the church - the assemblyl of believers - not necessarily a believer by himself. Working together, the body of Christ will prevail even against the very gates of hell. However, I think we probably could find some examples of pilots in that warfare that are severely handicapped in one way or another, and they are not willing to be honest about it and let others know.

Christians are to bear one another's burdens (fulfilling the law of Christ). However, if a burden is hidden, the brother becomes weak. If I lie to you, then I am not helping out the body of Christ, but hurting it. I may keep up my good reputation, but it would not be for the mutual benefit of everyone.

Just a thought...

Hard to Catch Up

Last week my family and I took a vacation down to Atlanta, GA to visit my brothers and our parents before they headed back to Guatemala. It was fantastic trip and time of fellowship. However, the sad part about it was that I had to come back!

Have you ever been away from your work for a week, and when you return there is twice as much stuff as normal waiting for you, and you spend most of your time trying to catch up and never get anywhere? It seems to me that life would be easier if we just worked through the vacation so that it isn't overwhelming when we come back? It seems impossible for me right now to catch up!

Well, as I was thinking of a thought (huh?!), I thought about those times in our lives where we, regretfully, take a spiritual vacation. You know what I'm talking about, those times when we Christians act as though we were the owner of our lives. I find that it is a lot harder to catch up to where I was spiritually before going on "vacation." It seems to me that the Christian life would just be easier if we were to stay faithful, rather than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season, and then having to catch up again... and again... and again...

Just a thought...

What's He Doing?

Philippians 2:13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.

Let me ask you a question. (It's my blog, I can do that.) Do you ever shy away from the question, "What is God doing in your life?" That is, if someone were to come up to you right now and ask you that, would you get uncomfortable all of a sudden? Ideally, we should have a list of things on the tip of our tongues ready to answer that question. If you're like me though, too often, I would have to stop and think about it for a few minutes before I could make up something spiritual.

What is God doing in your life?

(here is where you pause and answer that question to yourself)

I mean, it is God working in you to do His good pleasure, if you're a Christian, right? So, what's He working on? Nothing? Maybe you think that God is not doing anything with you today, or this week. Maybe He's just letting you take a break... C'mon, let's be serious. The God that notices when the sparrow falls in the field, don't you think He has something for you, today?!

It's safe to say that if you shy away from the question, it's not that God isn't doing anything in you, but rather, you're not giving Him the due attention to see what it is. Or, God forbid, maybe you're ignoring Him altogether and pretending like your life is your own.

This thought came from Rick Grape's charge at Men's Prayer Meeting last night when he read from Psalm 28:5 which say, "Because they regard not the works of the LORD, nor the operation of his hands, he shall destroy them, and not build them up." It was a very insightful message last night - one that I needed very much.

So... hopefully at least by reading this post, you'll consider the answer to the question:

What is God doing in your life?

Just a thought....

Comfort from His judgments

I was looking through my favorites, and I came across this particular link - Lunch-Time Thoughts it was called. Then I remembered... I have a blog! Sorry for the lag in posting, although I'm sure most of you hadn't noticed anyway. Well, let's just pick up anywhere.

Psalm 119:52 I remembered thy judgments of old, O LORD; and have comforted myself.

In this verse David makes the statements that by remembering the Lord's "judgments of old" that he comforted himself. In this Psalm, the word of God is referred to by a variety of terms, including "judgments." So, we could say that David is saying that by thinking on God's word, it brought comfort to him (Romans 15:4 - through patience and comfort of the Scripture).

However, if we take "judgments" as the more direct meaning of the word, we find that David comforted himself when he thought of how God dealt with people, and the decisions that He made towards them. When he thought of God's judging Sodom and Gomorrah too wicked to spare - it brought comfort. When he thought of God's flooding the world in the days of Noah, it brought comfort. When he thought of God kicking Adam and Eve out of the garden, it brought comfort. The only reason David could be, and we could be comforted by such things is when we recognize God's hatred for sin as a good thing - oh, and when we are in the right too!

At the same time, God judged people to be worthy recipients of His grace. What? you say. Worth of God's grace - impossible! Actually, no, all of us are worthy of His grace and mercy. Those that are whole have no need for a Physician. We are worthy in that we are so miserably helpless! So, God's judgment of Noah to receive grace. God choosing to bless Abraham, not because of anything he did, but simply because he believed God. These things also bring comfort.

So, let's be comforted knowing that the Judge of all the earth will do right.

Just a thought...

How Marvelous

I don't have any real deep thoughts today. The theme that has been on my mind of late is from a hymn: My Savior's Love. That was the hymn that I picked for my graduation. The first verse is on my mind:

I stand amazed in the presence of Jesus the Nazarene.
And wonder how He could love me,
a sinner condemned, unclean.
How Marvelous, How Wonderful
And my song shall ever be -
How Marvelous, How Wonderful
Is my Savior's love for me.

I truly am amazed that my Jesus would love me, knowing who I am. I am eternally indebted to Him for what He did for me, His enemy at the time.

Thank you, Mr. Charles Gabriel for penning the words to that hymn.

Happy Birthday, Esther

Ok, so it's a day late, but still... Our youngest turned 1 year old yesterday, our Queen Esther... Isn't she adorable?!

Extremes

Why is it that we are a people of extremes? I refer specifically to doctrinal questions right now. We have a hard time walking the balanced line wherein truth usually lies, and instead, we jump far away from the opposition, and we end up going too far.

For example: Justification by faith vs. works... Living in a predominantly Roman Catholic area, we have to deal with some of the errors in that religious system. Roman Catholic dogma states that salvation is by God's grace, which the individual receives through the sacraments. However, taking Communion (a sacrament) is a work. If salvation is of works, then it is no more grace, Romans 11.

So, here's what our extreme tendencies make us do, we jump so far away from that that we almost take away everything from "faith," and teach that all you have to do is to say a prayer, or even worse, just raise your hand. Works are almost discouraged as a whole, just because we want to be sure to be separated from the other side.

The fact is that we need to recognize that works are important, that they are a necessary result of salvation (result, not cause). We need to be balanced, and take the whole truth of God regardless of who else abuses different parts.

Now, what do we do with those that are too extremely balanced...

Just a Thought...

Wednesday

Well, it has been a full week since graduation. Tonight, I am going to go to church after dropping the kids off at AWANA, and then I get to sit in the service and hear some preaching. I don’t have to be anywhere or do anything other than just be there. This feels all new to me, and I get to enjoy it with Sarah too!

Ok, I think it’s time to pickup something to read and study. Anybody read any good books lately that they’d like to share about? I think I will keep reading my Biblical Greek book, but I doubt any of you will care about that.

I’ve graduated… it’s starting to sink in…

No thought today, just rambling.

Pascal vs. Paul

The French philosopher, Blaise Pascal, is known for his famous "wager." He proposed that since the existence of God cannot be determined through reason, that a person should "wager" that God does exist because if he is wrong, he has nothing to lose, and if he's right, he has everything to gain.

However, when we compare that to what the Apostle Paul says in 1 Corinthians 15:19, "If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable."

I don't know about you, but having a "miserable life" would be something lost. That is, back to Pascal's wager, if there is no God, then Paul says I can expect to live the most miserable life of all men because I follow Christ. And if there's no God, then after this miserable life, there is... well... nothing?

Pascal's wager seems to have two flaws, in my ignorant opinion. First of all, it is still using "reason" to arrive at God. His wager is "reasonable," yet God demands that we come to Him by faith. "Without faith it is impossible to please Him" (Hebrews 11:6). Second, Pascal's wager dismisses the denial of self that the Christian life calls for. Dying is not a comfortable thing, but following Paul's example, all Christians should "die daily."

No, if God were not to exist, then we have everything to lose. However, God does exist; Jesus Christ did rise from the dead; our faith is not vain! I believe philosophy fails yet again to God's word.

Just a thought...