Very Disturbing

To hear some people put it, we are the only association that fights. At least we are one state association and not three like the Southern Baptist Convention in Texas (this statement is not intended to hurt them either, just factual). Most associations as ours (conventions, fellowships, etc.) fight. They argue and debate on what needs to be done. This is how, many times, things are accomplished. So, while maybe not everything was perfect in Hillsboro, I do see the proverbial light at the end of the tunnel. Things are happening. People are changing. Churches are growing. BUT it is going to take time. While I'm not the most patient person, I do see the need for patience in this area. Do not give up; keep fighting the fight.

However, there is one item of business that really disturbs me. There was a letter sent out to certain pastors talking about certain events and individuals in Hillsboro. While I have no problem with that, I do have a problem with a person sending such a letter and not signing their name! And yes, I probably know this person, but I would advise that you sign your name and not send an anonymous letter. However, for all interested in the letter, I have re-typed it below (All spelling mistakes, errors, etc. were left in the passage below on purpose. I have tried to be as true to the original letter as possible).

The Letter:

"Dear Pastors,

This letter is being sent to 30 Texas pastors. I have been a Landmark Missionary Baptist Pastor for 29 years. During these years, I have watched my son, grandson, two nephews, three men in the churches I have pastored and a brother leave the ABA Fellowship and serve as pastors in the BMA, BBF, SBC and Independent Baptist Churches. Last week in Hillsboro I went into the Ladies Auxiliary Meeting and counted 12 ladies under the age of 40 in attendance. In the pastor's meeting, I counted 23 men under the age of 40 in attendance. I may be wrong a little in my count but you will agree that we are getting older in the MBA of Texas. QUESTION? Where are the young men going? They are leaving because of similar situations that happened at Hillsboro last week. The vast majority was disappointed in the Moderator's Address. It was his opinion and the opinion of what Ray Brooks thinks about the MBA of Texas. The majority was disappointed when a pastor was allowed to call another pastor (not once but three times a liar) and he did nothing. The body was waiting for the Moderator to call the man out of order but never did. Several pastors told me it would be a long time before they return to another meeting. One pastor who had not attended in five years said he thought things may have changed but they haven't and it will be a long time before he returns. There was so much unchristian actions see at this associational meeting that many will not attend again and some pastor will leave the ABA.

I pastor in South Texas and I was stymied by what the South Texas pastor did. I will not mention a man's name but he is a member of Fellowship MBC, talked to be me about Brother Ellision. The man told me that Brother Ellison was taking half of their church to start a new church like Rick Warren's church. Brother Ellison should have told the church first what his plans were before talking to anyone. He said Fellowship MBC was not going to pay Brother Ellison like they said they would. I listen and didn't say anything, because I knew this man was upset with his pastor and his conversion with me would be the end of his complaining. I later learn this same conversation was shared at the Heritage Baptist Institute and with other South Texas pastors. Brother Jesus was asked to oppose Brother Ellison because he was a member of Fellowship MBC. The brother that started all this didn't want to speak at the Associational Meeting because everyone knows he doesn't like Brother Ellison and others may say they are airing their personal dislikes.

We are divided over the Awana program, KJ only, divorce, support missions not churches and many other issues. Our Mexican work is divided. Now from South Texas comes this teaching that we should not plant churches but plant missions that later become churches. We all should study our Bible about early churches and what they did.

With the unchristian attitudes and actions that are being shown by pastors in the ABA many more young men are going to leave the ABA. I will stay at my church until God moves me but I have asked the Lord not to lead me to another ABA church and this is hard. I am a fourth generation of Missionary Baptists.

Until our leaders starting acting like they are saved and become more like Christ in the actions MBA is in trouble. A good example is at Walnut Street MBC in Hillsboro. I held two revivals in that church during Brother Paul's ministry and I was shocked to see they only have 40 in SS. I remember when Fellowship MBC had many more members.

There needs to be some repentance and public apologies to several people. If Christ like actions are not seen in our leaders we are in trouble.

Ashamed to be a part of such an unchristian associations. My son was with me (never again) and he said dad, it's not changed since I left. Our fellowship my disagree but never become so unchristian toward each other.

I can't sign my name because I would be treated with much anger and unchristian acts like I have seen used on other pastors. Help us leaders!!!!!!"


My response:

What?!?

First - proof read your letter. It makes it much easier for the reader to understand what you are trying to say. Second - sign your name! To me it seems awful unchristian to say these things and not sign your name. Third - Bro. Britton gave his opinion in the Moderator's address because that is what a Moderator's address is. It's a time for him to speak to the concerns that he has within a certain organization. (It's not supposed to be a sermon...) Fourth - instead of running from the problems, tackle them "head on." Fifth - if the moderator did not call "point of order" like you think he should have concerning Bro. Ellison, then why didn't you?!?

There are many more responses I would like to post, but calling the MBA of Texas unchristian is a bit much for me. More will come later.

Happy Thanksgiving!

For anyone who needs a good reason to thank God this coming year, then read Psalm 136. There are so many reasons to thank God for what He has done (and for who He is!). May all of you have a great holiday and thank God for His many blessings!

MBA Of Texas State Meeting

Tonight I will attend the TBI Alumni banquet and enjoy the food and fellowship. Starting tomorrow, we will have meetings, a few more meetings, and then some meetings. I pray that this will be a productive year and that many of the challenges we face can be addressed. Please pray for a good meeting, safe travel, and God's blessings upon our work. I will post updates later.

ABA Insurance

For quite some time, I have contemplated the idea of the ABA having voluntary group insurance especially since many preachers and their families have no insurance. Such an action would help many churches, families, individuals, etc. afford decent insurance. In fact, there are similar programs (credit union, etc.) already offered for ABA affiliated preachers, etc. The question is, how do we look into such a program and what are the pros/cons of such an action?

Logos Bible Software

For all you TBI students, alumni, faculty, etc. there is a promotional plan by Logos Bible Software for its Software Libraries. You could save from 25% to 50% because of the academic nature of this offer. If you would like to check it out, email me so I can send you the website to go to. But hurry, because this offer does end on November 12, 2007. (And no, I receive no kickback from this offer!!!)

What A Day!

Well, it's finally here...yes, the day I turn 33. Can you believe I have hit the number that Jesus was...the number that Larry Bird wore for the Celtics...the number that means I'm one year old than 32?!? Well, I'm taking today off (well, except for tonight at church...but besides that...), so don't call me (just playing). Anyway, I promise to get the blogging going again within the next week...that is if I'm still in good enough shape to do so because it's hard to be 33 (my feet hurt this morning...and so it begins).

Faith Promise 2007

Bro. David Smith did an excellent job challenging EBC to move out on faith and watch God work in His work. And the church did! The members of EBC committed to give through faith over $21,500 this next year to the Great Commission work. What a blessing to see God work through His people!

The Ten Commandments

I hope this movie is as good as they say it is.

End Times News

In an AP article, "Israel may OK division of Jerusalem," senior Israelis officials are quoted as saying that they support a political transfer of part of the city of Jerusalem to Palestinian control. Now, this seems to be an interesting turn of developments considering what has been happening for the last several years. Of course, the Palestinians want all of Israel - not just a part of it. While this move may or may not appease the Palestinians (among other groups), it will certainly not be the last newsworthy item we see concerning the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

I say we should pray for Israel and the situation in the Middle East. We may or may not be in the end times, but either way, we should pray for those people that they might come to know Jesus Christ as their Savior.

"Yahweh" by U2

You'll love this song and video mix...trust me.

Some Good Thoughts From The Barber

The following is found at www.praisegodbarebones.blogspot.com:

The Pernicious Evil of Mere Preference
…in matters of denominational divisionIt is a serious matter to divide the Body of Christ. In the New Testament we find both the longing of Christ that division might not take place (John 17:20-23), and the accomplished fact of division as the necessary consequence of discipline in the church and the task of contending earnestly for the faith (e.g., 1 John 2:18-19; 1 Corinthians 5:13; Jude...in its entirety; Revelation 2:2, 6, 14-16, 20-25). In every case, the only grounds for division in the New Testament were as a response to the continued, unrepentant sin (either in doctrine or in practice) of fellow members in the church.Every age of Christianity has understood this simple truism: Division is to be avoided and unity is to be prized in the body of Christ. The only appropriate time to cleave the people of God is in response to unrepentant sin.
When Christiantiy divided East and West, the leaders of the two factions mutually excommunicated one another. If they had not considered it a matter of sin, they would not have divided.
When Martin Luther left Roman Catholicism, he did so over what he regarded as profound, unrepentant sin in the theology and practice of the Roman Catholic Church. If he had not considered it a matter of sin, he would not have divided.
When John Smythe and company separated from their congregation of English expatriates, Smythe declared the faith and practice of the Anglican Church, the Ancient Church, and all of his former spiritual kindred to be "Antichristian." If he had not considered it a matter of sin, he would not have divided.As I said, every age of Christianity has understood this simple truism—every age, that is, except for the present age. To divide the Body of Christ over anything other than obstinate, unrepentant sin is itself an act of obstinate, unrepentant sin.We have instituted in some corners among ourselves a consumeristic mutant of Christianity in which the basis of unity is, rather than our collective submission to the indwelling Christ, the common preferences of our little band regarding the things that we consume (music, activities for our children, activities for ourselves, or preferences for cultural trappings). People shop for churches like they shop for restaurants. This is the legacy of Evangelicalism, which derives its idiosyncrasies from the present zeitgeist—it is just so much more polite to sidestep questions of true or false, right or wrong, and find refuge in the concept of personal preference.Enter a recent conversation I had with Paul Littleton at his blog (click here). Paul had his knickers in a knot over Dr. Mark Dever's frank assertion that pedobaptists are engaged in unrepentant sin for baptizing contrary to Christ's institution of the ordinance in the Bible. I entered the thread to assert that Dever was no less consistent than Littleton (or John Piper), who would bar pedobaptists from positions of leadership in the church. Paul retorted that his church's refusal to place a pedobaptist in positions of high leadership within the church was based merely upon their preferences, and not upon any matters so grave to call them sinful:
No, our church would not call a paedobaptizer as pastor, but it isn't because we would say he is an unrepentant sinner. That I know of Faith Baptist would not allow an unrepentant sinner to knowingly speak from the pulpit. We also discourage unrepentant sinners from partaking of the Lord's table (though we don't always know who they are, so that is often left to their own consciences). But again, we would not consider our Presbyterian brother an unrepentant sinner.. . . . . . . . The reason would be that we are a Baptist church and he is a Presbyterian. We believe in believer's baptism by immersion and he does not. We practice congregationalism and I would presume he does not.Littleton's underlying point here is that he considers "Baptist" and "Presbyterian" to denote personal religious preferences—that being one or the other does not amount to a sin.Certainly, I can comprehend coming to the conclusion that Baptists and Presbyterians are divided by mere preference. Christian history is replete with churches split, individuals alienated, and battles waged over things that, in the long run, history has adjuged to be less than substantial. Perhaps, someday, somebody like Paul will convince me that the distinctive beliefs of Baptists are not matters of biblical obedience, but instead are merely points of private interpretation. It's possible.But when I am so convinced, I shall know what I must immediately do—at that moment, if I would be faithful to Christ, I must immediately renounce the separate existence of such a thing as a Baptist church and repent of ever being a member of such a church. Why? Because it is a sin to divide the Body of Christ (or to perpetuate division) over matters of mere preference. Thus my reply to Littleton:
Put me in the same category as John Smythe, Thomas Helwys, Roger Williams, John Clarke, et al. If it would not be a sin for me to merge with the Presbyterians, the Anglicans, the Romans, or whomever else (i.e., if to do so I would not be joining them in their unrepentant sin), then it would be a sin for me not to do so. Anything less fails to take seriously Christ's plea for Christian unity.
…in matters of church leadership.It is also a serious matter to deny to any person the opportunity to exercise what the person believes to be a calling from God. Jesus Himself warned us about hindering people in the pursuit of Christian ministry (Mark 9:38-40). The Bible also provides us with a full set of qualifications by which we admit or bar people into the offices of the church (e.g., 1 Timothy 2:9-3:13; Titus 1:5-9). When we apply these biblical qualifications, we know that we are limiting the offices of the church not according to our personal prejudices but according to God's command. Who are we to restrict the calling of God? If we limit the offices based upon anything other than biblical authority, we limit them based upon illegitimate authority and are guilty of a grievous sin.Enter a recent post by Wade Burleson (click here). Burleson's post spun off from a post by R. L. Vaughn (click here), which in turn found its origin in the comment stream of a post by Emily Hunter-McGowin (click here). Burleson's position appears in his own words in comment #137 at the original post, where he said:
Finally, I have said publicly that I would not personally lead my church to hire a female pastor, would not be a member of a church where the senior pastor was female, and I have no problem personally with the BFM 2000 on this issue. However, I am honest enough to say that my discomfort is personal and cultural—and not Biblical.Someday, somebody like Wade Burleson might convince me that the Bible does not prohibit women from serving as elders/pastors/overseers. Better men than I have reached this conclusion. It's possible.But when I am so convinced, I shall know what I immediately must do—at that moment, if I would be faithful to Christ, I must disavow my former affirmations of The Baptist Faith & Message, must campaign to alter the policies of FBC Farmersville to permit women to serve as pastors, and must give my personal benediction to women called to serve as pastors. Why? Because it is a grave matter to obstruct anyone in the pursuit of what they believe to be God's calling upon their lives. For me to dare to tell anyone, based upon nothing but the authority of my own mere preferences, that that person must not comply with what they believe to be God's calling upon their lives, would be a heinous act of sin. Either I have sound biblical grounds to say that they have misunderstood God's calling—that it would be sinful for them to pursue their plans contrary to the commandment of God—or I had better keep my opinion to myself and prevent my opinion from being legislated into the tenets of my church.But, in both of these matters (denominational division and qualficiations for biblical offices of the church), what if I am not convinced either way? What if I can see both sides of the matter? What if I have not come to any sound conclusion? Then I must preserve liberty on the matter. But liberty doesn't mean "I'll go arrange my church according to my view, and you go over there and arrange your church according to your view." Liberty means staying in the same congregation together and not making my uncertain preferences a test of fellowship. God prevent me from tying the hands of my own closest brethren over matters that I find entirely unimportant beyond the bounds of our local congregation. If I have matters of mere preference in view, my own congregation—my next-of-spiritual-kin—are the very last people upon whom I should impose my commands rather than the commandments of God.To divide or restrict the body of Christ over matters of mere preference (personal, cultural, denominational, or otherwise) is a pernicious evil.

Charlie Leroy Vaughn

My grandfather, known as "Gramps" to us, died this morning from a heart attack. He was a godly man and was blessed with 94 years of life. Jesus saved Gramps when he was young and was truly his Lord and Savior. Gramps probably knew more hymns than anyone I knew. In fact, he was constantly picking a hymn for Jennifer to play that she had never heard of! Of course, he seemed to think that was funny, but I'm not sure about her...haha. Gramps was "old-school" in that he never questioned whether or not the Bible was God's Word..."of course, it's God's Word, that's what it says, isn't it?" He taught me at a very young age to enjoy sorghum syrup, cane syrup, cured hams, and all those other old country foods. And to this day...I still eat that stuff...He also taught me the importance of being faithful to God. And yes, I know Gramps was not perfect, but he took his relationship with the Lord seriously. He loved the Lord, his family, and his church. He also loved his wife, "Maw-Maw." They had been married 70 years and 8 months. Now I worry about her and how she will respond to this sudden change (she is 92). Well, I don't know if any of this makes sense, and I don't really feel like going back over it to proof read it, but I do know that Gramps loved God and his family. And we loved Gramps. I'm so happy to have all the memories I do of him...but I'm sad that he's gone. I'm going to miss him a lot, but I do know that one day I will see him again for Jesus Christ is my Savior too!

Also, check out my uncle's blog (Robert's Vaughn - Seeking The Old Paths) to see more about my grandfather.

[If you would like to know how to have Jesus as your Lord and Savior, check out this web page www.ebenezermbc.com. Click on the salvation tab and read the Scriptures and explanations listed.]

We Shall See Jesus

Ummm...

Well, last night's game was interesting. Miami played hard. The Refs called pretty good. But the A&M play-calling stunk! For example: Let's imagine we have a 293 lb. tailback that no defense in the nation (Nebraska, Oklahoma, Texas, etc.) has been able to stop. Let's also imagine that this tailback got 20 touchdowns last year (2nd in the nation). Let's also imagine that this tailback was the decisive factor in the win versus Fresno St. Let's also imagine this tailback did not get the ball until 38:00 minutes into the game last night. Let's also imagine this tailback only rushed the ball 2 times. Let's also imagine that this was possible the worst called (A&M play-calling that is) game I've seen in a long time...Oh wait! I'm not imagining...it was real! The offense was flat...the defense was flat...the special teams was flat (yours truly was also flat...flat on his back after exhausting himself of "informing" the coaches what to do through his television). Oh well, there was one bright moment. The second string quarterback looks like he may be the next superstar...of course, that is until the play-calling is bad again...

Cremation vs. Burial - Part 3

(more info from the below referenced website)

Is it Wrong for Christians to Choose Cremation?
Some factors which favor cremation:
It can be more economical, because a simple container can be used in place of an expensive casket.
There is no cost associated with the purchase and perpetual care of a grave site, or tombstone.
It allows scattering of the remains in a place of significance to the deceased.
Some people would rather have their body disposed of quickly by heat rather than allow it to decay in a grave.

Some factors which favor burial:
God selected burial at Moses' death (Deuteronomy 34:6).
Most of the reference to burning of a body in the Bible are instances of: punishment for criminal acts, punishment for improper behavior, killings by Pagans, or destruction of idols and evil material.
St. Paul appears to favor burial. In 1 Corinthians 15:35-44, he discusses how God will raise the decomposed body of a believer. The symbolism used is that of planting a seed and having new life rise from the decaying seed.
The Christian church has advocated burial since its inception. They reserved burning for Witches and other heretics. They exterminated hundreds of thousands of them, mainly during the 15th to 18th centuries.
Cremation can be an aid to murderers. Once a body has been cremated, it cannot be exhumed and analyzed for poisons.

Various Christian groups have taken a variety of positions on cremation:
The People's Gospel Hour condemns the practice.
The Roman Catholic Church used to condemn the practice. In fact, the only German Catholics excommunicated during World War II were not prison guards at extermination camps or other mass murderers; they were individuals who favored cremation.
RBC Ministries suggests a cautious approach.
Most Christian groups take a neutral stance.
"Cremation is completely banned by traditional Jews. Orthodox and Conservative practice would allow it only in a time of plague. Otherwise, interment in a Jewish cemetery is mandated." These beliefs are reinforced by recent memories of the millions of Jews who were cremated in the death camps of Nazi Germany. However, some rabbis in the Jewish Reform movement support cremation if it is the wish of the deceased.

Cremation vs. Burial - Part 2

(more info from the referenced website below)

What Does The Bible Say About Burial? (Continued):
The burial of many important Biblical figures is described in the Bible:
Genesis 25:8-10: Abraham
Genesis 23:1-4: Sarah
Genesis 35:19-20: Rachel
Genesis 35:29: Isaac
Genesis 49:33 and 50:1-13: Jacob
Genesis 50:26: Joseph (The Israelites went to great effort to bury his body in the Promised Land; they retained it for over 300 years in Egypt and after the Exodus during 40 years of wanderings before burying it.)
Deuteronomy 34:6: Moses (God selected a burial site at a secret location in Moab for Moses.)
Joshua 24:29-30: Joshua
Joshua 24:33: Eleazar
1 Samuel 25:1: Samuel
1 Kings 2:10: David
Matthew 14:10-12: John the Baptist
Acts 5:5-10: Ananias and Sapphira
Acts 8:2: Stephen

To be not given a proper burial was considered to be a great tragedy and dishonor.
1 Kings 13:22: A prophet disobeyed God by eating a meal in a forbidden location. God laid a curse on him: that his body would not be buried in the tomb of his fathers. Shortly after, the prophet was attacked by a lion and his remains left on a road.
Jeremiah 16:6: God laid a horrible curse on the Israelites: that many would die of diseases, will not be mourned and would be "like refuse lying on the ground" (NIV). Their bodies will be consumed by animals and birds.
Jeremiah 22:19: God laid a similar curse on Jehoiakim because of his pride and disobedience. Jeremiah said that he would be given the burial of a donkey: to be dragged away and thrown outside the city gates.
Crucifixion: Of the countless number of tombs in Palestine from the era of Roman occupation which have been excavated, only one skeleton has been found which bears the marks of a crucifixion. That is because after a Roman execution, the lifeless body would be typically discarded in an open pit where it would be devoured by wild dogs. To be forbidden a traditional burial added greatly to the horror of this method of execution.

Cremation vs. Burial - Part 1

This is a side issue for most people, but I have heard arguments concerning this issue from a "cremation is wrong" side to "burial and cremation...it doesn't matter" side. So I thought I would start digging into the research and see what I could find. Here is some information that is posted on www.religioustolerance.org. (Remember, just because I post a website, does not mean I necessarily recommend it.)

History of Cremation:
Most archaeologists believe that cremation was invented during the stone age, about 3000 BCE. It was most likely first used in Europe or the Near East. It became the most common method of disposing of bodies by 800 BCE in Greece, and 600 BCE in Rome. However, other societies had other methods: in ancient Israel, sepulchers (tombs or vaults) were used for burial; cremation was shunned. The body was exposed to the air of the tomb and simply decomposed. The early Christian church also rejected cremation, partly because of its association with Pagan societies of Greece and Rome. Christians buried their dead in graves or in catacombs (underground vaults). In ancient Egypt, bodies were embalmed. In ancient China, they were buried. When Christianity became the official religion of the Roman Empire, and the followers of other religions were exiled or exterminated, burial became the only method of disposing of bodies throughout Europe. An Italian, Professor Brunetti, developed the first modern cremation chamber in the 1870's. This triggered a movement towards cremation in Europe and North America, which has continued to the present day. In 1886, the Roman Catholic Church officially banned cremations. Church members as recently as World War II were excommunicated for arranging them. The Eastern Orthodox ecumenical patriarch of Constantinople stated in 1961 that "There is no formal Orthodox rule against cremation, but there is a heavy weight of custom and sentiment in favor of Christian burial."

What Does The Bible Say About Cremation?
The Hebrew Scriptures (Old Testament) has a few references to the disposal by burning in fire. Some verses describe executions by Philistines or Babylonians. Burning of bodies and objects in ancient Israel were mostly reserved for idols, criminals or enemies:
Genesis 38:24: Judah initially ordered his pregnant daughter-in-law to be burned to death because she was guilty of prostitution. This action would have caused the death of the woman and her twin fetuses.
Exodus 32:20: Moses destroyed the golden calf by burning it.
Leviticus 20:14: If a man marries both a woman and her mother, then all three "must be burned in the fire" (NIV). The passage is ambiguous - it is not known whether they would be burned alive, or would be stoned to death first, and their bodies burned.
Leviticus 21:9: If the daughter of a priest becomes a prostitute, then she "must be burned in the fire." (NIV)
Numbers 16:35: God exterminated Korah and 250 Israelite men with fire because they opposed Moses.
Deuteronomy 7:25: God commanded that the idols of Pagan Gods be destroyed with fire.
Joshua 7:15-25: After Joshua and his army exterminated the men, women and innocent children of Jericho, a few soldiers disobeyed God's command and looted the city. As punishment for the theft, and to pay for Israel's disgrace, God ordered the thieves to be burned. They were stoned to death; their bodies were burned and buried in what was called the Valley of Achor.
Judges 15:6: The Philistines burned Samson's wife and father-in-law to death.
1 Samuel 31:11-13: Earlier in the chapter, Saul had been wounded and asked for assisted suicide from his armor-bearer. The latter refused, so Saul committed suicide himself. The Philistines impaled Saul's body and those of his sons and left them on public display. The people of Jabesh Gilead retrieved the bodies, burned them and later buried the remaining bones in Gilead. There have been a number theories raised to account for this unusual treatment to a hero: burning might have a local custom in Gilead. The people of Gilead may have been worried that the Philistines might dig up the bodies and further desecrate them. Burning might have been necessary because their bodies may have partly decomposed. The Hebrew word translated as "burnt" might actually mean "anointed"; thus, the bodies might not have been burned after all.
2 Kings 10:26: Jehu demolished a temple consecrated to the God Baal and burned its sacred stone.
Jeremiah 29:22: This verse contains a curse which refers to the time that the Babylonians burned Zedekiah and Ahab by fire.
Amos 2:1: God proclaimed a death curse on Moab because he had reduced the bones of the king of Edom to lime through burning.

The Christian Scriptures (New Testament) contain few references to burning of bodies or objects:
Acts 19:19: Sorcerers who were converted to Christianity brought their scrolls out to be burned.
Revelation 20:15: The fate of those whose names were not written in the Book of Life is to be thrown into the lake of fire.

Special Missionary Prayer Service

Tonight, EBC had a special service for the missionaries that we support. We reported on the works, explained the needs the works had, and, most importantly, prayed for each missionary. While it may seem boring to some people, the members of EBC left tonight with a compassionate, loving heart for the missionaries that we are privileged to help support.

Theologian Quiz

Click here to take a quiz and see what theologian you are most like!

Okay, this quiz is not original with me (actually, I'm stealing the idea from my uncle's blog - Seeking The Old Paths), but I thought some of you might like to take it. Anyway, have fun!

Here are my results:

You scored as Karl Barth, The daddy of 20th Century theology. You perceive liberal theology to be a disaster and so you insist that the revelation of Christ, not human experience, should be the starting point for all theology. Karl Barth 93% Jonathan Edwards 67% Anselm 67% John Calvin 67% Charles Finney 53% Martin Luther 53% Augustine 33% Paul Tillich 27% Friedrich Schleiermacher 27% Jürgen Moltmann 7%

Now This Is Interesting

While doing some research, I ran across a church that has these articles posted on their homepage:

"What a horrifying reality, to think you will enter God's presence on the day of your death, but then, come to find out on that day, you were actually deceived, and you find yourself in hell. Such is, and will be, the terror of most who call themselves Christians today (Matthew 7:13-14; Luke 13:24; 2 Peter 2:2). They will find themselves weeping and gnashing their teeth (e.g. Matthew 8:12; 22:1-14; 25;14-30; Luke 13:28).
If you are involved with the kind of Christianity that views the "church of Christ", or Billy Graham, or Rick Warren, or Joel Osteen, or James Dobson, or Pat Robertson, or John MacArthur, or Tony Evans, or Greg Laurie, or Charles Stanley, or Chuck Smith, or Fred Price, or J. Vernon McGee, or Charles Blake, or Chuck Swindoll, or Gene Scott, or Harold Camping (Family Radio), or John Piper, or T. D. Jakes, or David Jeremiah, or Charles Spurgeon, or Dave Hunt, or David W. Cloud, or Perry F Rockwood, or Neil Anderson, or Robert Schuller, or Jack Hayford, or Benny Hinn, or Miles McPherson, or Ray Comfort, or Jim Cobrae, or Chuck Colson, or C. S. Lewis, or Pope John Paul, or Hank Hanegraaff, or Paul Chappell, or any of the like (or any of the likes on "Christian" TV or radio) as godly men, you are not saved. Why? Because, you are on the broad way (Matthew 7:13; 2 Peter 2:2; 2 Timothy 4:3). You have not the characteristic of Christ's sheep (John 10:5). And, men such as these are wells without water (2 Peter 2:17)."

"Most churches are led by false teachers (2 Peter 2:1-3). Some of the more well known "heap" (2 Tim. 4:3) of false teachers are James Dobson, John MacArthur, Greg Laurie,, Billy Graham, Pat Robertson, Rick Warren, Dave Hunt, Charles Stanley, Fredrick K. C. Price, Neil Anderson, Chuck Swindoll, Chuck Smith, Miles McPherson, T.D. Jakes, Benny Hinn, Jack Hayford, Martin & Deidre Bobgan, Paul Chappell, Also erroneous are the "Early Church Fathers" (Catholic lies), TBN, Charles Spurgeon (ecumenical), Promise Keepers, "KJV Onlyism", Alcoholics Anonymous, "Christian" Psychology, "Biblical" Counseling, and certain holidays (e.g. Christmas, Easter Halloween, and Valentine's Day)"

[These articles were taken from the website of A True Church at http://www.atruechurch.info/home.html]

I have spent some time reading the different pages on this website and will reserve my comments for now. But I would like for you mature Christians to check this site out and comment here on what you think.

I Can't Take It!!!

It's getting to be too much. I watched A&M beat Fresno St. in 3 OT yesterday and almost lost my voice! Now, I'm watching my Fantasy Football team go down the drain (literally!). I don't know how much more of the season I can take!!!

Grandparents

Today at the school where my children attend, they are celebrating Grandparents Day. Savannah and Levi are so excited about their Nana & Papa and Maw-Maw & Paw-Paw coming to eat lunch with them. In fact, I'm excited about it too. I am so thankful that my children have grandparents, especially grandparents that care for them. [Savannah and Levi still have 6 of their 8 great-grandparents living...and up until this past December, the number was 7!] In fact, I can see now, more than ever, the wonderful role grandparents (and the rest of the extended family) play in a child's life. I was fortunate to have aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents, etc. who cared for me and loved me. It gave me a sense of what a true family is. Of course, I'm so thankful for my parents (who are now the grandparents!) who reared me.

Now I know this post is "mushy," etc., but if God blessed you with a wonderful family, take a moment and thank Him! Thank Him for the parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, step-dads, step-moms, etc. that love(d) you. Thank God for the children He has given you. Thank God even if your family is not what it should have been...in other words, thank Him for the opportunity He has given you to do the right thing. And of course, thank God for your spouse or significant other, for you never know when "death may part you."

Oh, by the way, my grandmother's cooking is better than your grandmother's cooking!

Are Christian Holidays Pagan In Origin?

I was immersed in a conversation along these lines the other day, and I thought it might be interesting to see what others thought. Below is an article I found at www.comereason.org, so forgive me for not being creative, but I thought there were some good thoughts in this article.

The "Pagan Roots" Of Holidays:
Easter is specifically a Christian holiday celebrating the resurrection of Jesus from the dead (see my article "The Resurrection as History" at http://www.comereason.org/newsletters/mar01.htm ). While there are many different types of springtime rituals and celebrations (much of this stemming from the importance of agriculture in the survival), the fact that they occur somewhere around Easter is purely coincidental.
The time of Christ's resurrection is clearly shown in the New Testament to be the Sunday following the Jewish Passover. Jesus was arrested after having celebrated the Passover with His disciples. He was crucified and rose three days later. The fact that in subsequent centuries symbols of some other spring rites such as bunnies and eggs have made their way into the Easter celebration in no way makes the holiday pagan. Many of those symbols are expressions of new life - which certainly fits in with the theme of Easter.
As for some of the other holidays, such as Christmas, Christians didn't allow the pagans to keep their celebrations, but rather provided an alternative to the more popular secular festivals. During the Christmas season, for example, many Christians were uncomfortable with the worship of a pagan god, Mithra (for more on Mithra and Christianity, see Did Christianity Steal From Mithraism?). So the church decided to counter the pagan festival with one of their own, one that celebrates the birth of the true savior. Since no one knows on just which day Jesus was actually born, December 25 worked as well as any other. We see many churches do similar things today in their Harvest festivals; they choose October 31 to create an alternative celebration to Halloween.
Hank Hanegraaff correctly summed up this issue when he wrote, "The real question that must be addressed is, 'What was the church's intent in choosing December 25 for the celebration of Christmas in the first place?' The answer may surprise you! The early church chose this date to point to the triumph that Christ's birth represented over the pagan traditions of the Roman Empire. In other words, the church was not endorsing a pagan ceremony but establishing a rival celebration. Today the world has all but forgotten the pagan gods of Rome. But at least a billion people on planet Earth celebrate the Christ of Christmas."(1)

The Biblical Understanding of Festivals:
Ultimately, though it is important to understand what God's word says about how we should approach holidays. Paul shows in Romans 14 that things we would normally consider pagan are not in and of themselves evil. It is really the conscience and motivation of the person that has the real significance. Paul writes "One person regards one day above another, another regards every day alike. Each person must be fully convinced in his own mind." (Rom 14:5)
Since most people are not trying to celebrate pagan gods in their celebration of holidays such as Christmas or Easter, but the Lord Jesus, the holidays are not corrupted. Other holidays such as Valentine's day are really cultural celebrations that use established and well-understood symbols like cupid to convey an abstract concept like love. It is only when the holiday celebrates ideas that are counter to the Christian message that they become dangerous.

Author:
Lenny

References:
1 - Hanegraaff, Hank "Is Christmas Christian?" The Christian Research Newsletter, Volume 6: Number 5, (c)1993 Christian Research Institute http://www.iclnet.org/pub/resources/text/cri/cri-nwsl/crn0056a.txt

[The full article can be found at http://www.comereason.org/soc_culture/soc030.asp]

Labor Day...Holiday?!?

Well, I hope everyone has a great holiday weekend by enjoying a holiday that celebrates working by not working! (I know...I don't get it either...). Be safe, have fun, and praise God for a time of relaxation!

Symbolism Or Mere Coincidence?

In Genesis 50:1-14, we see where the embalmed body of Jacob was taken from Egypt to Hebron for burial. Probably due to the hostility of Philistine and Amorite tribes, the direct route ("Way To The Land Of The Philistines" or "Way Of The Sea") was avoided. The funeral procession passed around the southern end of the Dead Sea, through the land of Moab, and crossed the Jordan at Abel-mizraim opposite Jericho. Now, is this a forerunner of what the nation of Israel would do in a few centuries (entering into the Promised Land, etc.) or is it a coincidence? Maybe...maybe not.

"You're In Good Hands With Jesus"

Yes, I know I'm ripping Allstate off (but parodies are legal!), but the above statement is true! That is why I've entitled my Sunday morning sermon "You're In Good Hands With Jesus" (taken from Hebrews 10). I hope and pray that this coming Sunday will be a time to not necessarily "disciple" us but to glorify God. I'm afraid sometimes I tend to preach to much on the discipleship part (which is definitely needed!), and neglect the pure glorification of God. So, pray for me and Ebenezer as we try to praise God through His Word this coming weekend.

Praise The Lord!

One of our missionaries in India (name withheld for his safety...if you want to know who I'm talking about, email me at mattg@ebenezermbc.com) went through a tough day and a half this weekend. As many of you know, there were two bombs that exploded in India and approximately 23 more that did not detonate. In fact, one of these bombs greatly affected this brother (once again, email me and I'll explain), however, God was watching over him. While, I think it is wise to keep much of his personal information off the "net," I do ask that you pray for this missionary. Pray that God might continue to bless his work and use him in a mighty way. And yes, praise God for the protection given to this brother.

What A Milestone!

This little blog has now reached an important milestone - 100 posts! Now that may not seem much to you, but for a guy that only posts 3-4 times a week, it is awesome! So go ahead, browse through the other posts, and I'll "see" you next week.

The Passing Of A Saint

Bro. Albert Garner passed away earlier today. The funeral will be Saturday, 10 am at Roanoke Baptist Church in Plant City, Florida. Please remember his family in your prayers, and praise God for the promotion of this godly man.

Missing Person

Many of you already know this, but please remember my uncle and aunt, Robert & Kim Vaughn, in your prayers. Kim's mother went missing about 2 months ago, and they have not found her yet. So, please check out the links and article that was posted on Robert's blog (I have included it below too for your convenience). And keep praying for this family!

Eight weeks
"Today my mother-in-law has been missing eight weeks. I want to thank everyone for your thoughts, prayers, well-wishes, moral support -- whatever God has blessed you to do. Thank you.Kelly Jolkowski of Project Jason (and mother of missing person Jason Jolkowski) has written a nice article titled Aging Persons with Alzheimer’s and Dementia Increase Missing Person Statistics. It is to be published in the September issue of the trucking magazine Through the Gears. Kelly interweaves the stories of Byron Freeman and Shirley Hunt with a world of information about Alzheimer's, missing persons, search and rescue, etc. You might want to look for it if you're in a truck stop. You can find it among free truckers' publications. It will also appear on the Project Jason website on September 1st (d.v.)."

A New Record!

Who would have thought that we would ever see the Rangers set any kind of baseball record (well, except for maybe bad ones)? But to score 30 points, a feat which has not been done in baseball in over 100 years, is incredible! Congratulations Rangers! You're doing just enough to keep me hanging on...

[Here is an article from www.texasrangers.com for all you baseball fans]

BALTIMORE -- Through baseball's storied past, things seem to happen every so often that are borderline unexplainable, that only numbers can put into perspective, and that leave even the most well-spoken players speechless.
"We were just out there shaking our heads," center field Marlon Byrd said. "No one has seen that before and you won't see it again."
Texas scored 30 runs in a 30-3 drubbing of the Orioles on Wednesday, the most ever by an American League team and second to only to the Chicago Colts' 36-run performance in 1897.
Both Texas and Baltimore set new franchise records for runs scored and runs allowed, respectively, and the Rangers also set a new all-time mark with 29 hits in the game.
"It was great to be a part of," said third baseman Travis Metcalf, who was called up from Triple-A Oklahoma before the game. "It was amazing in capital letters."
The ridiculous numbers posted by the Texas lineup are almost unbelievable. Metcalf and Byrd both hit grand slams to mark just the second time in franchise history the team has hit two in the same game, and the Rangers finished with six home runs. Every Rangers' starter had at least one hit and scored at least one run, and eight of the nine ended up with at least one RBI.
Both the eighth and ninth hitters in the order, infielder Ramon Vazquez and catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia, notched two homers and seven RBIs. The last time two players had seven RBIs in the same game was when the New York Yankees faced the Kansas City A's in 1962, according to the Elias Sports Bureau. The two batters? Yankee greats Elston Howard and Mickey Mantle.
"It was unbelievable," Saltalamacchia said. "That was ridiculous. I've never been in a game like that in my life. It was one of those things. We were just seeing the ball and hitting the ball. You can't help but laugh. It's nothing they did. It's not like they made a lot of errors. It was just ridiculous. Everybody is going to remember it."
For the Orioles, the numbers game wasn't as fun. Reliever Brian Burres couldn't even finish one inning, as he surrendered eight runs on eight hits and saw his ERA jump from 4.45 to 5.24. Paul Shuey was beckoned to finish the game, and Texas continued its pounding. He threw two innings and gave up nine runs to watch his ERA skyrocket from 6.75 to 9.49.
"You have to have a real short memory and you let it go," Baltimore manager Dave Trembley said after the rout.
For Baltimore fans, however, the loss isn't as easily forgettable. Dave Murray, 72, has been a season ticket holder for more than 20 years, and said he goes to about 65 Orioles games every season. He keeps meticulous scorecards for each one, but said he's hanging onto his sheet commemorating Wednesday's game.
"It's unbelievable," Murray said from his perch 18 rows behind home plate. "I come every night, and just about every night I see something different. But this was crazy."
To add to the rarity of the occurrence, after a 30-minute hiatus in their respective clubhouses, the teams had to return to the field, as the 30-3 contest was the first game of a doubleheader.
The Rangers' previous record for runs scored in both games of a twin bill was 21, which, of course, they didn't need to worry about by the time the second game rolled around.
"It was awesome," Rangers manager Ron Washington said. "The whole offense just came to life. I've never seen anything like it. I was hoping we would open up offensively, but I wasn't expecting anything like that."
To make sure the magnitude of Wednesday's record-breaking explosion hits home, peruse these staggering statistics:
• The Orioles' National Football League counterpart, the Ravens, haven't given up 30 points in a game since 2005.
• Baltimore ace Erik Bedard has allowed only 31 runs in his last 17 starts dating back to May 25.
• Texas scored more runs Wednesday than it had in its previous nine contests combined.
• Baltimore set a new franchise record for margin of defeat by ending in a 27-run deficit. The previous mark was a 19-run defeat in 1996, also at the hands of the Rangers.
• Even with a huge margin of victory, Wes Littleton earned his first save of the season by throwing three innings in relief.
• Texas starter Kason Gabbard, who pitched his fifth game with the Rangers after being traded from Boston before the trade deadline, saw his run support jump from 3.66 to 7.85 with his new team.
• The Rangers entered the game with the third-worst team batting average in the American League, but saw it jump five points to .258.
• The NFL's Houston Texans have scored at least 30 points only three times in the team's five-year existence.
• Texas had 57 at-bats, tying the AL record for a nine-inning game set by Milwaukee in 1992.
• The Rangers are the first team with four players (Metcalf, Byrd, Saltalamacchia and Vazquez) to register four RBIs since the Phillies in 1979.
• This is the sixth time that a team has scored 9 or more runs in two different innings
• Metcalf's four RBIs were more than he had in 35 games this season
• Texas' 30 RBIs set the Major League record for a single game since 1920, when that statistic was first recorded.

Geremy Bass is an associate reporter for MLB.com.

Something Beautiful by the Newsboys

Turn up your speakers and enjoy!

Is It Lawful?

I have recently researched a plethora of subjects and realized that while there are many straightforward teachings in the Bible, there are just as many areas that are either misunderstood by us or limited in information. (Just look at the previous posts!) So, now we come to the issue at hand - tithing. Tithing is taught by many to be an Old Testament decree that falls under the Law, and, therefore, it is no longer to be taught. Such teachings now emphasize the giving of offerings. There is of course the other side that teaches tithing is not just an Old Testament decree that falls under the Law but a directive that stands alone (before and after the Law). They of course also teach offerings but such offerings are in addition to tithes. Now, there are probably variations of these two (and maybe some totally different teachings), but for sake of space, I will not try to worry about that. While I teach that tithing was demonstrated before the Law and not necessarily bound to the Law, it would be nice to receive some input from all of you (and you know who you are!!!) so that "iron might sharpen iron." So what about...is tithing lawful?!?

The Lord's Supper

Tonight, the members of Ebenezer Baptist Church observed the Lord's Supper, and it was very moving. We started our service at 6 pm with the lights dimmed and did not have the regular sermon before the Lord's Supper. Instead, I read a passage out of Luke concerning the observance of the Passover, etc. Then we went through the verses concerning the Lord's Supper as we observed this beautiful, picturesque ordinance. After having observed the Lord's Supper, we sang one verse of Amazing Grace and exited the building in total silence. When leaving, you could really feel the Spirit of God working on the people even though His Word had not been preached (yet, it had been in picture form).

Thank you God for a wonderful service and a great opportunity to remember the sacrifice that Christ freely made in our place.

Check This Post Out

Get Rid Of Church Members

Truth Or Dead?

To most Americans, questioning the truthfulness of another person's religious view is showing intolerance. While intolerance in the past dealt with bigotry or prejudice, the postmodern usage of the word has come to mean simply disagreeing with anyone else's beliefs. In other words, according to postmodernists, to question another's view is to invade and pillage a different cultural context - or a different "reality" - than our own. Strangely, though, postmodernists grant one exception to this universal prohibition against intolerance. They teach that it is okay to question and even denounce the religious views pejoratively labeled "fundamentalism." They argue that those they label fundamentalists are unacceptable because they subscribe to universal truth claims. {Excerpts taken from The Death Of Truth by Dennis McCallum.}

While I will not get into a debate concerning the "logic" (if that is what you want to call what postmodernists do...) that is used to defend such teachings, we, as believers, need to be aware that such thinking has permeated our society. In fact, many churches have fallen prey to such teachings. For example, many "Christians" think that it does not matter what you believe concerning salvation, just so long as you are sincere or a good person. Well, that is incorrect. After all, you can be "sincerely" wrong! The Bible does not allow for such ideas in the area of salvation. Jesus taught that salvation is through faith (repentance and belief/trust in Jesus Christ), and there is no other way. There are many other examples, but for the sake of time, I will not dare try to list them all. And while there are areas we have freedom to debate and strive to understand, there are certain universal truths that we cannot change, no matter how hard we try.

So, I say it's time we stop backpedaling and start fighting for the truth. We need to fight for the truth in our families, communities, and churches. We need to fight for the faith against such pompous teachings as that of postmodernism. We must fight the good fight and be found faithful. Yet, how do we fight the fight without being hypocritical and condemning? We love others as God loves them, sacrifice for others as Christ sacrificed for all, and be faithful to God's calling in our life.

Marriage, Divorce, And The Reconciliation / Discipline Dynamic

The following is an excerpt from The Christian Counselors Manual by Jay Adams (pgs. 60-62):

"...Let us consider the growing problem of divorce among Christians. This is a problem with which every Christian pastor increasingly will find himself confronted...however, the addition of one further factor...will enable the counselors to bring every case to a successful conclusion. This factor is the reconciliation / discipline dynamic.
The argument begins in I Corinthians 7...Paul has first reiterates Christ's word concerning two believers, namely that there is no reason short of adultery for dissolving their marriage (I Corinthians 7:10-11). But then he takes up another question about which the Lord did not speak directly while on earth (vs. 12). By the Spirit's inspiration the Lord's Word on that new matter is now about to be written by the apostle himself. That Word deals with the additional question of the marriage of a believer to an unbeliever. The believer is to continue the marriage if the unbeliever so desires. However, because his partner has now become a Christian, the unbeliever may no longer wish to continue living with him. In such cases the believer is to let him (or her) go (vs. 15). Whenever this happens, Paul says, the believer is no longer "in bondage" (vs. 15). Murray argues successfully that this means that the Christian is free of his marriage bonds, may obtain a divorce and remarry. [Footnote: The right of remarriage is inherent in the biblical concept of divorce (cf. Deuteronomy 24:1-2).]
The problem remains, however, as to what must be done when two professing Christians fail to keep their marriage together and reconciliation does not take place. Let us say that a husband who is a professing Christian refuses to be reconciled to his wife. Perhaps he has even left her. Reconciliation has been attempted by the wife. Perhaps he has even left her. Reconciliation has been attempted by the wife. If she continues to insist upon reconciliation (according to Matthew 18), but fails in her attempts at private confrontation, she must take one or two others from the church and confront her husband. Suppose she does and that he also refuses to hear them. In that case she is required to submit the problem officially to the church, which ultimately may be forced, by his adamant refusal to be reconciled, to excommunicate him for contumacy. Excommunication, Christ says, changes his status to that of a heathen and a publican, i.e., someone outside of the church (Matthew 18:17). Now he must be treated "as a heathen and a publican." That means, for instance, that after reasonable attempts to reconcile him to the church and to his wife, he may be taken to court (I Corinthians 6:1-8 forbids brethren to go to law against one another) to sue for a divorce (only, of course, if the excommunicated one deserts his partner).
By following the reconciliation dynamic, hopefully there will be reconciliation in most cases. Whenever the principles of biblical reconciliation are followed faithfully, discipline rarely reaches the highest level of excommunication. Most marriages not only can be saved, but by proper help may be changed radically for good. But in those few cases where reconciliation is refused, the believer who seeks it is not left in a state of limbo. He has a course of action to pursue, and if it leads to excommunication and desertion he is no longer obligated to remain married indefinitely. This is true only if the believer's marriage partner during the whole process of discipline has failed to demonstrate evidence of repentance and faith, if that partner has been excommunicated, and if he (or she) wishes to dissolve the marriage. Continued rejection of the help and authority of Christ and His church finally leads to excommunication.
An excommunicated party who continues to be unrepentant must be looked upon and treated as a heathen and publican. He shows no signs of a work of grace. When he has been put outside of the church and still evidences no signs of salvation, the believing partner may deal with him as an unbeliever. This means that if he leaves the believer under those circumstances, the latter is no longer under "bondage." The word in I Corinthians 7:21 ff. governing the relationship of a believer to an unbelieving marriage partner then comes into effect. By plugging in the reconciliation / discipline dynamic to the marriage-divorce-remarriage problem, the solution to ninety-nine percent of these cases that heretofore may have seemed unsolvable immediately may be seen. Most parties hopefully will come to reconciliation, but those who will not repent and be reconciled should be disciplined. Either way, matters are not left at loose ends."

Just A Question

Since I have several people that read this blog that are knowledgeable in the Scriptures, I would like to ask a question and see what you think. So here we go...

There is much debate concerning who the author of the book of Hebrews is. At this time, I hold to the traditional view (well, according to whom you ask) that Paul is the author of Hebrews. Who do you think is the author of Hebrews and why? I would really like to see if someone differs on this, or if you agree, why you believe Paul to be the author.

Happy Birthday Savannah!

Savannah is 8 today. She is so excited about her Luau party. The kids are going to swim (hopefully...there are rain clouds out there), eat "luau" food, play games, and of course have cake and open presents.

I'm so proud of Savannah. She is a child of God (almost a 1 year old there!), she is smart, pretty, funny, and of course, a daddy's girl. So, why is it that I'm somewhat sad? Probably because 8 years has gone by way too fast. I hope and pray that the next several years will be "slower," and I hope I'll be a better dad.

Anyway...

Happy Birthday Savannah!

Salvation is...

Salvation is by grace through faith based upon the redemptive work of our Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus took upon Himself the sins of all mankind in His death on the cross, and His resurrection from the dead provides the hope to all who believe. All who receive the Lord Jesus Christ through faith are born again of the Holy Spirit and thereby become the children of God.

Here We Go Again...

Well, I have spent quite a bit of time studying the Calvinism-Arminianism debate and would like to report back to you.

The more I study Calvinism the more unbiblical it becomes to me. Calvinism and Scripture do not "line up." Calvinism is one man's (okay, two men...Augustine & Calvin) distorted view and misapplication of Scripture. However, don't think that I believe the Arminianists are 100% correct either. There are some problems they have concerning being biblical. So, here's my thoughts on the "TULIP."

Total Depravity - It's half-right according to the Bible.
Unconditional Election - Totally wrong according to the Bible.
Limited Atonement - Totally wrong according to the Bible.
Irresistable Grace - Totally wrong according to the Bible.
Perseverance Of The Saints - It's half-right according to the Bible.

Now, I know some of you will not understand exactly where I stand (especially when I say it's half-right). But, just so, I believe it is important for you to know that I cannot condone the Calvinistic view of salvation especially when it contradicts Scripture. Having said that, I do not condone the Arminian view of salvation because it also does not answer questions or it contradicts Scripture as well. So, why follow two men...who are after all men? Let's go by what the Bible says and not what some man has taught as systematic theology.

Welcome To "1984" In This "Brave New World"

What a crazy world in which we live, for we now are faced with crimes that are truly hateful. Before this "enlightened" period of human civilization, there were no hate crimes. You see, before now, when someone killed someone else, it was not in hate...it was just murder. Before now, when someone flushed someone else's book down the toilet, it was not in hate...you just didn't like the book. Before now, when someone beat someone else up, it was not in hate...you just didn't like the person. But fortunately now, we have people who are "enlightened" enough to realize that flushing the Quran (or Koran) is a hate "crime." And what a crime it is! I mean, stopping someone's toilet up is despicable. What if that person has irritable bowel syndrome and needs to use the restroom? What are they to do then? I'm so "glad" that we now have "laws" that protect people against "hate." In fact, those same laws protect me and my blog...don't they! So, if you don't like what I type, then obviously, you are "hating" on me and that's a crime! In fact, I'm going to call the police...so, don't go anywhere...they'll be here shortly to arrest you - you hate monger! Oh, and by the way, welcome to this "new brave world."

America's Next Top Pastor

Creation vs. Evolution

In today's world, it seems that Christianity will compromise with almost anything in order to just "fit in." This is even true concerning the debate of creation versus evolution. There are "so-called" Christians who "believe" the Bible, yet they do not accept the Genesis account of creation. They either believe evolution or theistic evolution, though neither can be accepted, according to biblical teachings! How can a "Christian" say that they believe in God and His Word and then not accept what it plainly states in the first parts of Genesis. God made this world, universe, man, etc. in six days and rested on the seventh day. The earth is young (approximately 6,000 years old). Science and the Bible back this up. So, stop worrying about what others think and stick with what the Bible says. Besides...I don't want to be a monkey's uncle!!!

Pass The Dr. Pepper...I Need The Caffeine!

I'm exhausted, and I'm not sure why. I think maybe it's because I got up much earlier than normal this morning and have worked extra hard today to get a lot of things accomplished. I'm not complaining...I just need a quick nap. Oh well, it's lunch time, so I'm sure the food sitting in my stomach will not help wake me up one bit (of course, if I was healthy like Sheff and eating at Panera Bread all the time, then I wouldn't have this problem!). Anyway, here's to tonight's sleep!

Get Out Of My Way!

Tonight I am teaching at the Guy's Night Out at The Journey (a teen camp we attend). I hope to keep the lesson light-hearted, but the subject is serious. I, along with some other men, are hoping to encourage these young guys to be courteous to their dates, respectful of their parents, and overall gentlemen. However, I know many of them will "roll their eyes" with this advice from some "old guys."

I'm afraid that this is not just a problem with young men but with our society as a whole. We are no longer worried about the Golden Rule. Instead of doing unto others what we would want them to do unto us, we are now doing unto others before they can do unto us. Why?!? Well, as the Bible accurately teaches, this is how it will be in the last days (personally, I think we are in the last days...but who knows?). The Bible teaches us that "men will be lovers of themselves." How true this is today!

Having said all of this, let's be careful to treat others how Christ would treat them. Let's treat them the way we would want to be treated. Through such actions, I pray they might see God's love for them.

God Is Good!

I love to hear the testimony of a child of God who has seen God work in their life. It encourages others and reassures them of God's provision and care for them. So, I would like for all of you to post a comment sharing one time that God truly blessed you (it can be sad, funny, hopeful, etc.). And no, I don't mean a blessing as the world takes it, I mean a blessing as the Bible defines it. So share your stories, and let's glorify God!

7/07/07

If you believe in luck, then today is your lucky day! More people are getting married today than on any other day in a long time. The Live Earth concerts are lamenting the "fact" that we are destroying our world (more or less, Live Earth is useless except for one or two bands - the rest were horrible). People are taking chances because today is their lucky day. But we must realize that luck has nothing to do with anything. It is not good luck when you get that new job. It is not good luck when you are not severely injured in a car wreck. It is not bad luck when you hear that you have some disease. Luck, per se, does not exist. God has His hand in your life and while He allows you certain freedoms, He orchestrates and uses things to help you grow in the Lord (assuming you have accepted Jesus Christ as your Savior). So thank God and not your good luck next time something good happens. After all, He is a loving God that loves to bless His children.

Quit Straddling The Fence!

We should want all people to be saved and to be a part of the family of God. We probably even hope that our encounters with unbelievers and heresy-believers are peaceful and pleasant, and when they hear the truth of the Gospel from us they will believe. However, such a hope is not very realistic.

In the first place, people do not often ask you to share the Gospel with them, for the good news of the Gospel of Jesus Christ is an offer of forgiveness. Such an offer presupposes that a person is guilty of something that they need forgiveness for. In this case, it is an offer which presupposes that all people are sinners against God and deserve His wrath.

When people are confronted with the claims of the Gospel, they may respond by saying that it is not true, or they say it is an interesting hypothesis which might be true. It is at this point that the child of God may be most tempted to compromise the claims of Christ and not offer a ready defense. One may do this by trying to prove that Christianity is true. People must "reason" in order to believe. However, if we are not careful, we may promote the false idea that the lost person is a neutral observer who has the "right" to evaluate and judge the claims of Christ and any decision he/she comes to is both understandable and acceptable. As sinners, they are anything but neutral regarding the truth of God's Word. They are lost! Despite the popularity of books such as Evidence That Demands A Verdict, it is not Jesus who stands awaiting the judgement of any man, it is man who must be cleared.

The fact is that all people everywhere already know of the existence of God. Furthermore, they understand the overall meaning of that testimony. Consider Romans 1:18-21: For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath showed it unto them. 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: 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.
"hold" = katecho = hold down, retain.
"manifest" = phanerro = to render apparent, to make clear

There is no excuse for not believing because of the evidence which God has implanted within man. Still, people rebel against God. They do this by not only disbelieving the Bible, but by denying God's general revelation (in nature and history) and coming up with rationalizations to justify themselves. Such rationalizations we know as false prophecies and false religions.

Therefore, according to God's Word, can anyone who has reached a place of spiritual accountability in his life truly be classified as legitimately ignorant? No! When we argue as if an unbeliever is legitimately ignorant as to whether Christianity is true or by treating him as a "neutral" seeker of truth, we are denying the real situation. We are implicitly agreeing that reality (of God being God and man being a sinner) is not a personal revelation of God, but an impersonal environment or emotion, which is not true. Even the fact that some seemingly sincere people deny the truth makes sense because the Bible explains that people practice self-deception in spiritual matters (James 1:22).

What lost sinners need is not new evidence but a desire to stop suppressing the evidence they have already. They are working against God. We must be working for God and not "beat around the bush." We must be bold and unrelenting in our sharing of the Gospel of Jesus Christ with the world. This is one issue where we can not sit on the fence!

(Thanks to Bro. Mike Rice for putting together most of this material.)