Pray For Savannah

Please pray for Savannah tomorrow morning around 9-9:45 am. She qualified to represent Full Armor Christian Academy in a speech meet and will compete at the event in Tyler tomorrow. She is nervous, of course, but I hope she will do her best (win or lose!). So please pray for her to remain calm, remember what she has studied/practiced, and to rely upon God for her strength. Also, pray that she can use her talents/gifts to glorify God in all she does. And thanks in advance for the prayers.

A Proud Papa

Apologetix - Tom Saw Ya

Parody of the Rush song "Tom Sawyer" with new lyrics about doubting Thomas and the coming of the Holy Spirit.

I'm Suing My Parents

Yes, that's right. I'm suing my parents for defamation of character, for all the years they went around calling me by my full name when I got in trouble. Yes, they called me Matthew Derek Gholson! They used my middle name, and of course, we all know that middle names are now off limits. I mean we definitely cannot say Hillary Rodham Clinton, John Sydney McCain, or even Barack Hussein Obama, for that might insinuate something. I mean, let's forget the facts, and just make everyone "feel" good. Oh well, maybe I'll settle out of court for a blackberry cobbler.

A False Messiah?

According to several reputable news agencies, people are now calling Barack Hussein Obama the savior and messiah (lower case letters intentionally used). Whether they mean of this nation or not, it is a chilling thought to even have those labels attached to a person. There have been many instances of people fainting at the sight of him (come on now...you've got to be kidding me) and even a great roar of applause as he blew his nose.

However, this "got me to thinking" about how easily people will be deceived by the antichrist. If all it takes is a well-dressed, likable, good motivational speaker to make people abandon their principles and vote against their "party," then how easy will it be for Satan to use his antichrist to fool the lost and unbelieving world. Besides, the world already is looking for anything that looks good and denies Christ, so no wonder many will fall prey to his schemes.

Now while I am not accusing anyone of being an antichrist, Obama's massive following does help us to see how such movements occur.

Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time - I John 2:18.

Petrified Gopher Wood?

Below is the article Bro. David Smith referenced concerning tangible evidence of Noah's Ark on Mt. Ararat.

Noah’s Ark nestled on Mount Ararat Saturday, February 23, 2008-->Web posted at: 1/19/2008 5:50:44Source ::: The Peninsula / BY SATISH KANADY
Dogubayazit (Turkey’s Iran-Armenian Border)

For the first time in the seven decade-long history of the search for the legendary Noah’s Ark, a Turkish-Hong Kong exploration team on Tuesday came out with “material evidence”, to prove that the Ark was nestled on Mount Ararat, Turkey’s highest mountain peak bordering Iran and Armenia.
A panel of experts, comprising Turkish authorities, veteran mountaineers, archaeologists, geologists and members of Hong Kong-based Noah’s Ark Ministries International, also displayed an almost one-metre-long peice of petrified wood before the media and specially invited international experts.
The experts claimed it to be a part of a long structure they had unearthed during their February-August 2007 exploration. “It is for the first time in the history of the Ark search that an exploration team is getting a material evidence and graphic documentation. This makes it not only a the significant breakthrough in the Ark-search, but one that is supported with the most substantial evidence in recent history,” the panel said.
The revelation is expected to open up a fresh chapter in the ongoing debates in the scientific community on the search for Noah’s Ark.
Narrating the genesis of their exploration on Mount Ararat, the mount which has a direct reference in Holy Quran (Mount Judi) and Bible, the panel said the search team had made several foiled attempts before unearthing the evidence at an altitude of 4,500-metres of the estimated 5,165 metre volcanic mountain.
“The structure was discovered in the interiors of an unusual cave. The 11.5m wide and 2.6m high white wooden texture was revealed after removing thick layers of volcanic ash on the cave wall,” panel members said at a press conference.
One of the underlying issues in the search for the Ark is the proper identification of its wood fragments. A petrographic examination carried out by the Applied Geoscience Centre of the Department of Earth Sciences, University of Hong Kong, identified the object as a petrified wooden structure, the panel said.
“Some of the big holes found on the structure indicate the locations where branches used to grow on tree. In places, original holes are partly or completely replaced by individual minerals and crystalline materials that can be found in rock materials,” said Dr Ahmet Ozbek, a panel member, who is also a faculty of Geology Engineering Kahramanmara Suctcu Imam University.
Dismissing the possibilities of the structure being wood that could appear naturally around the discovery site, Professor Oktay Belli, director, Eurasian Archaeology Institute, University of Istanbul, said researches have proved that there was no vegetation on Mount Ararat ever since 2000BC, because of the asperities of Ararat’s climate.
Talking to The Peninsula, Cemalettin Demircioglu, Dogubayazit City Governor, under whose jurisdiction the mount is located, said the civic body will invite more international experts to conduct further scientific studies on Mount Ararat.
“History has more than one times corroborated the legendary evidence that the ark was nestled on Mount Ararat. We will introduce the latest findings to the world and continue the scientific study. All interested scientists and NGOs can join our missions” he said. However, he said, those who are involved in the project must ensure the findings are not used politically, religiously, or for any vested interest.
Located in the Far Eastern Turkey, Ararat is great prize for mountain collectors. Ark sighting has often been reported from this mountain. The observation of Vessel-shaped features in aerial photograph of Ararat had caused a stir in the late 1950’s. However, this is the first time an exploration team is coming out with “material evidence”.

Prayer For Missionaries

So often, those serving on the "front lines" of the Lord's work are overlooked and underappreciated. These missionaries who have sacrificed so much should be remembered in our daily prayers and thanked for helping us fulfill the Great Commission. This is especially true when difficult times arise. Thus, I ask that you take a minute and pray for these missionaries, and their families, who have faced some recent difficulties. (Also, if there is a missionary you would like to list, add them in the comments section.)

Bro. Charles Bobo - He is having to leave the field of Papau, New Guinea due to internal strife.
Bro. David Helmnick - He is in Kosovo (Kosova) which has declared its independence.
Bro. Joel Cobbs - He has been forced to leave the nation of Kenya and is working in surrounding countries.
Bro. Asheervadam Sankya - He constantly faces persecution from terrorists in India.
Bro. David Smith - He just started pastoring a church while also working with the XSTREAM Global Missions ministry.
Bro. Leland Acker - He is in need of monthly support for the work in Texas.

Praise God for the faithful men, and their families, who have been obedient to His calling!

That's My King!

Starting Sunday, I will preach through the final week of Christ's ministry before His crucifixion and burial. I will use Matthew 26 and 27 as my primary texts but will also reference the other Gospels. Please pray that God will use these sermons to touch our hearts and to plant the good news of Jesus Christ in those without hope.

Cletus Take The Reel

Thanks to Jason Clark for sending me this link. It is a parody of Carrie Underwood's "Jesus Take The Wheel."

Bookmark This!

Check out www.globalincidentmap.com for all the updates on worldwide terrorism and other suspicious activities.

(This is the same map about which I sent an email several weeks ago.)

Top Ten Pickup Lines Used By Adam

10. You know you're the only one for me!
9. Do you come here often?
8. Trust me, this was meant to be!
7. Look around, baby. All the other guys around here are animals!
6. I already feel like you're a part of me!
5. Honey, you were made for me!
4. Why don't you come over to my place and we can name some animals?
3. You're the girl of my dreams! (Gen. 2:21)
2. I like a girl who doesn't mind being ribbed!
1. You're the apple of my eye!

(Taken from Mike's Funnies)

Interesting Thoughts

The following is an adaptation of the article written by Dr. Raymond McAlister, president of Emmaus Baptist College, Brandon, Florida. The article is based on the book, The Coming Destruction of Baptist People by James R. Beller.

Baptist Heritage in Danger
The following is an adaptation of the article written by Dr. Raymond McAlister, president of Emmaus Baptist College, Brandon, Florida. The article is based on the book, The Coming Destruction of Baptist People by James R. Beller.

Mr. Beller’s thesis in the book is that our Baptist heritage is systematically eroded and soon Baptist people will have no idea that Baptists are not Protestants. His idea of Baptist heritage is threefold, “ancient ancestry, revival heritage and American principles.” Even now few people have any idea of the part Baptists played in the establishment of religious liberty in America.
Presbyterians know the names of John Calvin, John Knox and Jonathan Edwards. Methodists know the names of John and Charles Wesley, Sam Jones and Gypsy Smith. Fundamentalists know the names of Dwight Moody and Billy Sunday.
Why then do Baptists not know their ties to the Donatists, the Waldensians, the Paulicians, John Clarke, Obadiah Holmes, Shubal Stearns, John Leland, Isaac Backus and a host of others?
Beller makes the statement, “Until 1899 every Baptist historian in the world acknowledged the Baptists as ancient people tracing their principles back to Christ and His disciples.” Then he lists the Baptist historians who do:
Thomas Crosby (1740), Isaac Backus (1770), David Benedict (1813), G. H. Orchard (1830), William Cathcart (1887), Thomas Armitage (1880), J. M. Carroll (1901), and John T. Christian (1922).

Reason One—Baptists
The first reason Beller gives for the demise of Baptist heritage is some Baptists, beginning with one William H. Whitsitt. Whitsitt was a professor and eventually president of the Southern Baptist Seminary in Louisville, KY. In 1896 he wrote an article about the Baptists for Johnson’s Encyclopedia in which he said that Baptists did not begin to baptize by immersion until 1641, when a portion of the “Anabaptists” began immersing.
This “Theory of 1641” set off a firestorm of opposition and Whitsitt was proven wrong many times over and was dismissed from Southern Baptist Seminary in 1898. However historians A. H. Newman, W. W. Barnes, and Henry Vedder followed Whitsitt into the next generation.
And in the Twentieth Century Baptist historians Robert Baker, Leon McBeth, Walter Shurden, Robert G. Torbet, and others all marched lockstep with a man who was proven wrong in his own generation.

Reason Two—Fundamentalism
The second reason Beller gives for the demise of Baptist heritage has been “Fundamentalism.” It was an accidental blow but it happened. He points out that as Baptists, being both Fundamental and Baptist, we have been drawn into Fundamental heritage to the forsaking of Baptist heritage. For example, you have heard of the great revivals of Finney, Moody, Sam Jones and Billy Sunday. But, I doubt if you have heard of the great Baptist evangelists: Shubal Stearns, Daniel Marshall, Samuel Harriss, John Waller, John Taylor and Jeremiah Taylor.
You probably did not know about Shubal Stearns, a converted New England Congregationalist who migrated to North Carolina. He began preaching to a congregation of seventeen in central west North Carolina when revival broke out. He soon had seventeen preachers whom he trained and sent into Virginia and South Carolina. Within one generation 1,000 churches were started and within two generations 5,000 churches were started. Many Baptist churches today are direct descendents from Stearns’ revival.
Baptist people today have seldom heard of people like: John Clarke, Obadiah Holmes, Isaac Backkus, Samuel Stennett, Shubal Stearns, Daniel Marshall, Samuel Harriss, John Gano, John Leland, Adonirum Judson, Jeremiah Vardeman or Hudson Taylor.
Many Baptist preachers have attended Fundamentalist schools, like Moody and Bob Jones. These schools are not Baptist and graduates come away with the “Baptists are Protestants” philosophy. Fundamental heritage has overtaken our Baptist heritage.

Reason Three—Christian Schooling
The third reason Beller gives for the demise of Baptist heritage has been our Christian School system. Christian schools have been training our children for several generations but few to none have taught or teach the part that Baptists played in the establishment of religious liberty in America.
Our religious liberty certainly did not come from theologians like Martin Luther or John Calvin. These men did not believe or teach personal or religious liberty.
Beller reviewed all the major Christian curriculums for Christian schools and home schooling, Bob Jones, Alpha-Omega, A Beka, Landmark, ACE, Bill Gothard and Christian Liberty Home School, and did not find one that gave a true accounting of Baptist heritage.
I realize this article has turned into a book review but this is a book every Baptist should read, especially every Baptist preacher. What Beller says is true and we are in fact in danger of losing our Baptist Heritage.
The book is a 120-page paperback and is an easy read with a big impact. You may order it online at http://21tnt.com/pfp/. The cost is $12 plus shipping.

Have It Your Way

Forget the old way of planting churches. According to some information, the new way is to franchise your existing church so that there will be brand recognition, quality, etc. Check out this blog to read more information on this new trend.

Out Of Ur - McChurch: I'm Loving It

Right or Wrong or Indifferent?

Many people say that Mike Huckabee should not be running for President since he is called of God to preach the Gospel (for sake of this argument, let's all assume he has been called as a minister). What do you say? Is this a matter of right or wrong? Is it being approached in the wrong manner? Does it really make a difference? Does he have his "nose" where it does not belong? Let me know!

A Brave New World

The article below can be found at Yahoo! News. Just thinking of the implication(s) of this news is scary enough. Where will it all end?

Britain allows creation of human-animal embryos
Thu Jan 17, 3:30 PM ET

Britain's fertility regulator said Thursday it would allow scientists to create human-animal hybrid embryos for research.
The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) approved applications from two universities to create "cytoplasmic" embryos, which merge human cells with eggs from animals such as cattle or rabbits.
Scientists argue the research could pave the way for therapies for diseases such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's, although opponents condemned the HFEA's decision Thursday as a "disastrous setback for human dignity".
"An HFEA licence committee has considered two applications, from King's College London and Newcastle University, to carry out research using human-animal cytoplasmic hybrid embryos," the authority said in a statement.
"The HFEA licence committee determined that the two applications satisfied all the requirements of the law and has now offered one-year research licences to the two applicants, subject to a series of detailed conditions in each case."
Researchers want to produce hybrids that are 99.9 percent human and 0.1 percent animal.
Doctor Lyle Armstrong, from the Newcastle University team, hailed the decision and hoped to make rapid progress.
"Finding better ways to make human embryonic stem cells is the long term objective of our work and understanding reprogramming is central to this," said Armstrong, who helped to create the world's first cloned human embryo in 2005.
"Cow eggs seem to be every bit as good at doing this job as human eggs so it makes sense to use them since they are much more readily available."
The research involves transferring nuclei containing DNA from human cells to animal eggs that have had nearly all their genetic information removed.
The resulting embryos are therefore mostly human, with a small animal component.
Stem cells, which can grow into different kinds of tissue, are then formed.
Once their own nuclear DNA is removed and replaced with DNA from a human cell, they become effectively human. The only "animal" element left is the tiny amount of DNA housed in the mitochondria, rod-like power plants outside the cell nucleus that generate energy.
The embryos could give researchers a large supply of stem cells to work with.
Scientists have had to rely on human eggs left over from fertility treatment, which are in short supply and often poor quality.
An HFEA consultation out in November found people were "at ease" with the proposals, once the possible implications had been explained.
Professor Robin Lovell-Badge, head of stem cell biology at the Medical Research Council's national institute for medical research, said: "The HFEA's decision is excellent as it adds to the arsenal of techniques UK scientists can use to provide understanding and eventually develop therapies for a wide range of devastating genetic diseases.
"It is logical to use animal eggs to refine techniques, provide knowledge of reprogramming and early development, and understanding of disease mechanisms."
However, John Smeaton, national director of the Society for the Protection of Unborn Children (SPUC), said the decision was a "disastrous setback for human dignity", creating sub-human "slaves" used as raw materials.
"Of those embryos with a smaller proportion of human material, greater uncertainty arises... as to whether such an embryo is a human being with due rights," he said.
The use and destruction of embryos in research is a highly sensitive subject in the United States, for political and religious reasons.
US President George W. Bush has twice vetoed a bill seeking to allow federal funds for stem cell research as it would involve human embryo destruction.

Facing The Giants

The New England Patriots faced a face-full of Giants last night as they were finally defeated which ended their "perfect" season. As I have said for two weeks, the Giants did win. The last regular season game showed the Giants that they could measure up to the Patriots and instilled confidence which I believe was needed last night. Also, I will give this to the Patriots - they were not just playing against the Giants, they were playing against history as well. It has been 35 years since there has been a perfect NFL team ('72 Dolphins - and they didn't have to cheat to accomplish that feat!). All year the Patriots have had to deal with the media, other teams, and now Congress. Of course, that really doesn't bother me because I'm glad the Giants won! (Don't get me wrong, I would have much rather seen the Cowboys in the Super Bowl...) Alas, the word my uncle introduced me to - undecheated - must now go back into the log of unused words...at least until another team keeps winning despite all their cheating.

Fe Fi Fo Fum,
I smelled the blood of an Englishman

An Interesting Week

This has been quite an interesting week in the religious realm. First the Mormon church leader passes away, then Jimmy Carter calls for reconciliation amongst Baptists.

The Mormon church leader, who was 97, passed away Sunday. There have been thousands of people attending the viewing, and various thoughts concerning the leadership he provided. While I know nothing about this man personally, it is a shame that if he truly practiced what he believed (or vice versa), then he is not in a paradise as he expected but a place of eternal torment. This is not a personal judgement, but an observation of what Mormons teach and how anti-Biblical it is. However, I think it would be good that we pray for this family during this time of loss so that they might come to truly know Christ as their Savior.

Jimmy Carter thinks that Baptists (especially conservative Baptists) need to reconcile and just get along. According to him, it doesn't really matter what we think concerning issues such as homosexuality, women preachers, etc., for we can still all get along. Yet, how can this be true? Doesn't Amos teach us that unless two are in agreement, they can not walk the same path? How are we as conservative Baptists able to teach that the Bible is God's inspired Word and then say it doesn't matter what we think or do concerning certain issues that the Bible prohibits? Isn't that hypocrisy? I say it is. Besides, it seems that the meeting that Carter arranged was nothing but a Democrat barn-burner. Oh well, what do I know anyway.