Preacher's Ponderings

Why join a church?

2011-11-14T15:13:00.000-06:00

I was recently reading on the 9Marks web site and came the article, "Why join a church". Let me know what you think!

Join For Other People

Join a church for the sake of non-Christians.

Church membership helps make the gospel clear to non-Christians by providing a unified witness of what it means to be a Christian.
Membership provides this unified witness by implementing a statement of faith, encouraging unity in doctrine, and a church covenant, encouraging unity in lifestyle.

In our church the statement of faith includes:

a belief in Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior

and an acceptance of the Bible as the only infallible rule of faith and practice.

Our church covenant includes the following promises:

a promise to read and study the Bible

participate in the work and mission of the church

support the government of the church (decisions made by the Session)

love your brothers and sisters in Christ

strive to overcome temptation and weakness

be a good steward of all that God gives you

Join a church for the sake of weaker Christians.

God is not merely concerned about our own private piety, but also about our care for the other sheep. This is a whole aspect of godliness that privatized Christians ignore. If we don't love God's people, then John says we have reason to question our love for God Himself (1John 4:8).
God wants us to encourage weaker Christians and run the race with them. Don't leave it to other people to care for those outside your circle of friends. This is your responsibility.
Members should see themselves as providers - coming to serve others, not to be served.

Join a church for the sake of the church leaders.

If regular attenders don't eventually make themselves known to the pastor as members of the church, then the pastor and elders cannot take responsibility for them as part of their particular flock. Pastors and elders need to know for which sheep God will hold them accountable so that they can tend to them most responsibly and effectively (Heb 13:17).
If regular attenders don't join churches, then pastors cannot be freed to do what they do. Pastors can only devote themselves to the ministry because they are set free to do so by members who fund their work. Regular attenders benefit from the commitment of other people who have become members and who give and serve and pray regularly.

Some interesting thoughts. I'll post more of this article later. For now - why do you think people should join a church - or why should they not do so?

Grace and Peace

Pastor John

Lifting up leaders

2011-05-27T10:24:00.000-05:00

Sometime during the week of May 20th, three men agreed to lift Peggy and I up in prayer. I want to report that those prayers worked! Peggy pointed it out Friday morning, the 27th. Something changed and a spiritual breakthrough occurred. Our spirits lifted and our vision expanded in ways it hadn't for some time. We realized then just how much under spiritual attack we had been. Satan, the accuser of the brethren, had been going yhrough like a roaring lion in our lives. To Rick, Billie, and Tim as well as a wonderful couple we visit with in Panera's, Thank You!

You may not realize it, but when you lift up the pastors in the church, you are doing a wonderful work! Every year, large numbers of ministers drop out of the ministry. Please pray for us. Pray for our church. Pray for our elders. Pray for our teachers. Pray for our members.

Remember what Jesus said, 'You have not because you ask not.'
Thanks
John

Presbyterians (USA) abandon the Bible

2011-05-11T11:59:00.002-05:00

The Presbyterian Church (USA) will now officially ordain ministers, elders and deacons, persons who are practicing homosexuals. Yesterday marked the day when the 87th, and deciding, vote was cast by the liberal Minneapolis-St. Paul presbytery.

So what does that mean? Some will say that "It's only fair" or "the teachings of Jesus to love our neighbor require this."

But what it really means is that the church, as an official action, has decided that those passages of Scripture that they don't like will be abandoned and scorned.

It is a sad day for the church.

Muslim Burial for Osama?

2011-05-04T08:27:00.000-05:00

I heard an interesting comment on the radio. If Islam is a religion of peace and if Osama Bin Laden really did hijack the Islamic faith, then why did we give him an Islamic burial? Wouldn't it have made more sense to bury him with no ceremony?

RadioActive

2011-03-16T14:37:00.000-05:00

The news continues on Japan and the crippled nuclear power plant. People are in a panic. Not so much fear about an explosion - but the invisible radiation that could contaminate the area and cause disease or even death. Part of the panic comes from the thought that you have so little control. Once you are poisoned by radiation - there's really not a lot you can do about it.

We pray for the people of Japan. What they are going through right now is terrible. We can only imagine what devastation like this could be like.

Please pray for all those suffering the disaster and pray also for all those who are being contaminated by the effects of sin and don't know to panic.
Pastor John

In everything give thanks

2011-03-14T16:51:00.000-05:00

"in everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." - 1 Thessalonian 5:18. Is that really what we are supposed to do? In everything? What about war? What about earthquakes? What about death?

In everything give thanks - why? The answer lies in the rest of the verse - You are putting your trust in God's will. And lest you think that will is hard and unfeeling and uncaring, it is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

God's will is always a function of John 3:16 - for God so loved ... that he gave.
Thanks
John

Al Green - He's coming back.

2011-01-20T11:36:00.000-06:00

Al Green does a wonderful video about the return of Jesus! Rev. Al pastors a church in Memphis.

50 years later

2011-01-20T11:04:00.000-06:00

50 years ago, President John F. Kennedy was sworn into office and offered his inaugural address. It is still a wonderful message.

Vice President Johnson, Mr. Speaker, Mr. Chief Justice, President Eisenhower, Vice President Nixon, President Truman, reverend clergy, fellow citizens:

We observe today not a victory of party, but a celebration of freedom -- symbolizing an end, as well as a beginning -- signifying renewal, as well as change. For I have sworn before you and Almighty God the same solemn oath our forebears prescribed nearly a century and three-quarters ago.
The world is very different now. For man holds in his mortal hands the power to abolish all forms of human poverty and all forms of human life. And yet the same revolutionary beliefs for which our forebears fought are still at issue around the globe -- the belief that the rights of man come not from the generosity of the state, but from the hand of God.
We dare not forget today that we are the heirs of that first revolution. Let the word go forth from this time and place, to friend and foe alike, that the torch has been passed to a new generation of Americans -- born in this century, tempered by war, disciplined by a hard and bitter peace, proud of our ancient heritage, and unwilling to witness or permit the slow undoing of those human rights to which this nation has always been committed, and to which we are committed today at home and around the world.

Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe, to assure the survival and the success of liberty.
This much we pledge -- and more.

To those old allies whose cultural and spiritual origins we share, we pledge the loyalty of faithful friends. United there is little we cannot do in a host of cooperative ventures. Divided there is little we can do -- for we dare not meet a powerful challenge at odds and split asunder.
To those new states whom we welcome to the ranks of the free, we pledge our word that one form of colonial control shall not have passed away merely to be replaced by a far more iron tyranny. We shall not always expect to find them supporting our view. But we shall always hope to find them strongly supporting their own freedom -- and to remember that, in the past, those who foolishly sought power by riding the back of the tiger ended up inside.
To those people in the huts and villages of half the globe struggling to break the bonds of mass misery, we pledge our best efforts to help them help themselves, for whatever period is required -- not because the Communists may be doing it, not because we seek their votes, but because it is right. If a free society cannot help the many who are poor, it cannot save the few who are rich.
To our sister republics south of our border, we offer a special pledge: to convert our good words into good deeds, in a new alliance for progress, to assist free men and free governments in casting off the chains of poverty. But this peaceful revolution of hope cannot become the prey of hostile powers. Let all our neighbors know that we shall join with them to oppose aggression or subversion anywhere in the Americas. And let every other power know that this hemisphere intends to remain the master of its own house.
To that world assembly of sovereign states, the United Nations, our last best hope in an age where the instruments of war have far outpaced the instruments of peace, we renew our pledge of support -- to prevent it from becoming merely a forum for invective, to strengthen its shield of the new and the weak, and to enlarge the area in which its writ may run.

Finally, to those nations who would make themselves our adversary, we offer not a pledge but a request: that both sides begin anew the quest for peace, before the dark powers of destruction unleashed by science engulf all humanity in planned or accidental self-destruction.

We dare not tempt them with weakness. For only when our arms are sufficient beyond doubt can we be certain beyond doubt that they will never be employed.
But neither can two great and powerful groups of nations take comfort from our present course -- both sides overburdened by the cost of modern weapons, both rightly alarmed by the steady spread of the deadly atom, yet both racing to alter that uncertain balance of terror that stays the hand of mankind's final war.

So let us begin anew -- remembering on both sides that civility is not a sign of weakness, and sincerity is always subject to proof. Let us never negotiate out of fear, but let us never fear to negotiate.
Let both sides explore what problems unite us instead of belaboring those problems which divide us.

Let both sides, for the first time, formulate serious and precise proposals for the inspection and control of arms, and bring the absolute power to destroy other nations under the absolute control of all nations.

Let both sides seek to invoke the wonders of science instead of its terrors. Together let us explore the stars, conquer the deserts, eradicate disease, tap the ocean depths, and encourage the arts and commerce.

Let both sides unite to heed, in all corners of the earth, the command of Isaiah -- to "undo the heavy burdens, and [to] let the oppressed go free."¹

And, if a beachhead of cooperation may push back the jungle of suspicion, let both sides join in creating a new endeavor -- not a new balance of power, but a new world of law -- where the strong are just, and the weak secure, and the peace preserved.

All this will not be finished in the first one hundred days. Nor will it be finished in the first one thousand days; nor in the life of this Administration; nor even perhaps in our lifetime on this planet. But let us begin.

In your hands, my fellow citizens, more than mine, will rest the final success or failure of our course. Since this country was founded, each generation of Americans has been summoned to give testimony to its national loyalty. The graves of young Americans who answered the call to service surround the globe.

Now the trumpet summons us again -- not as a call to bear arms, though arms we need -- not as a call to battle, though embattled we are -- but a call to bear the burden of a long twilight struggle, year in and year out, "rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation,"² a struggle against the common enemies of man: tyranny, poverty, disease, and war itself.
Can we forge against these enemies a grand and global alliance, North and South, East and West, that can assure a more fruitful life for all mankind? Will you join in that historic effort?

In the long history of the world, only a few generations have been granted the role of defending freedom in its hour of maximum danger. I do not shrink from this responsibility -- I welcome it. I do not believe that any of us would exchange places with any other people or any other generation. The energy, the faith, the devotion which we bring to this endeavor will light our country and all who serve it. And the glow from that fire can truly light the world.

And so, my fellow Americans, ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country.

My fellow citizens of the world, ask not what America will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man.
Finally, whether you are citizens of America or citizens of the world, ask of us here the same high standards of strength and sacrifice which we ask of you. With a good conscience our only sure reward, with history the final judge of our deeds, let us go forth to lead the land we love, asking His blessing and His help, but knowing that here on earth God's work must truly be our own.
¹ Isaiah 58:6 (King James Version of the Holy Bible)
² Romans 12:12 (King James Version of the Holy Bible)

Races, skinned knees and cancelled parties

2011-01-01T21:14:00.000-06:00

This was an interesting new years eve. I ran a mile - quite successfully - except for the end. When I cross the finish line I succeeded in tripping on the flat sidewalk and seriously scraping up my leg. I have been told that's what you should expect as you get old. :-(

We also had a cancelled party at our church. I went to it anyway expecting no one to be there. Everyone who had said they would come - couldn't. So instead, we had twenty people show up!

Life is strange. Just when you think you have it all under control - ...

What to do with the time given you

2010-12-28T18:40:00.000-06:00

Frodo: "I wish the ring had never come to me. I wish none of this had ever happened."

Gandolf: "So do all who live to see such times - but that is not for them to decide. All you have to decide is what to do with the time that is given you."
(The Fellowship of the Ring)

A great quote. So often we gripe and complain - if only my situation was different. We don't get to decide what comes our way - we get to decide how to respond to it.

Taking people where they are

2010-12-28T10:32:00.000-06:00

This morning at prayer meeting, the 4 of us talked about what made our church special. We have had plenty of visitors recently and some of the comment have been very encouraging. One person commented that this is a church where we take people as they are.

One of our visitors had a lot of problems with "organized religion" but one of our prayer members commented he had too - get in line.

We've got an interesting group.
Sometimes it's hard. It would be easier if everybody came to us already perfect - but then I couldn't be a part.

The Best or The Worst

2010-12-27T11:37:00.000-06:00

Great quote I came across.
If you are a Christian, this world is the worst you will ever xperience.
If you are not a Christian, this world is the best you will ever experience.

Genesis to Revelation

2010-08-17T18:49:00.002-05:00

Revelation 22:21 The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you all. Amen.

Monday I finished reading the Bible. I was 3 days late. 94 days ago, I began the challenge of reading the Bible through in 90 days. In my defense, 15 of those days I was traveling in the Holy Lands.

I am so grateful God has given us his word. I would encourage anyone to try this challenge. Reading large sections of the Bible is much different than reading just a few verses. In the first week, you read through Genesis and Exodus. The stories fit together. People are referenced in different books - but because you are reading so rapidly, you remember hearing about them the day before.

God has said that His word "will not return to me void but will accomplish that which I please." I trust that verse had the desired effect in my life.

Grace and Peace
Pastor John

Ramadan and the Christian Faith

2010-08-12T08:28:00.000-05:00

Ramadan
Most Christians know very little about this holiday which Muslims observe by fasting from food and drink during the daylight hours. This word comes from an Arabic word that means intense scorching heat and dryness.

Since I was just over in the middle east, I can understand a little bit of the scorching heat and dryness. Cairo Egypt is supposed to feel like 132 degrees this Sunday.

Ramadan also gets is name from the burning feeling one gets during this month when there is no food or drink during the day.

Others say it's because Ramadan scorches the sin out of a persons soul or that just like the sand and stones are receptive to the sun's heat, so the hearts and soul are more receptive to remembering Allah's commands.

As a Christian, I pray for all the Muslim people during this 30 days. I pray that their heats and souls would be more receptive to the word of God. I pray that their eyes would be open to the truth of Jesus Christ.

If you are a Christian, I would encourage you to take this next 30 days and lift up the Muslims around the world. Jesus died not only for me and the ones who are like me - but he loves and died for those who are not like me. Jesus loves those who are trapped in the Muslim faith.

Pastor John

IHOP Church

2010-08-11T16:19:00.000-05:00

IHOP - its seems that that's what our church is turning into. Now we're not going to start serving pancakes and waffles - unless it's at the men's breakfast. We are going to have quite a treat.

IHOP for us doesn't mean breakfast food. It means "International House of Presbyterian."
Last Sunday we had people in our church from China, South Korea, Japan, and Cameroon - and this is pretty typical!

The Bible says that one day, we will all gather around the throne and praise Jesus in every language. I'm looking forward to it - but I'm getting a taste of it right now!

Some things are better than others

2010-07-01T17:16:00.000-05:00

Proverbs 17:1 says "Better a dry crust with peace and quiet than a house full of feasting, with strife."

Amen!
Pastor John

You don't have to humiliate!

2010-06-08T18:26:00.002-05:00

I was just reading in 2 Samuel chapter 10 about an incident during the times of King David. It seems that he sent a delegation to the Ammonites to express sympathy to Hanun concerning the death of his father.

But Hanun listened to some bad advice and treated the men as spies. Nothing much might have happened if he had simply said "Thanks but we're not interested in having you here right now." But instead - he took the men, shaved off half of the beard and cut their clothes off right in the middle of their buttocks and sent them home!

Needless to say - King David was ticked! The final result of this was war and the Ammonites being defeated.

How foolish! And yet - the desire to humiliate our enemies never seems to go away.

The next time we're tempted to embarrass someone or to hold them up to ridicule, we might want to read this account in 2 Samuel 10 once again.

Pastor John

Episcopal Church Joins with Iman to promote Islam

2010-04-12T11:05:00.001-05:00

What do you call it when you buy a property valued at $386,400 for a mere $50,000? A steal? How about when there's another offer on the table for $150,000?

Years ago, Aesop wrote a fable about a dog that fell asleep in a manger. He was woken when the cattle came into to eat some of the hay. Even though the dog couldn't eat the hay - he steadfastly refused to allow the cattle to eat it also.
Aesop's Fables (Barnes & Noble Classics Series)

Sometimes, fables come to life.

Recently, the Episcopal Church in New York, or at least their leadership, decided to be the dog in the manger.

The Church of the Good Shepherd was founded in Binghamton, NY in 1879. When the congregation objected to the actions of the Episcopal Church in devaluing the authority of the Scriptures and abandoning the moral demands of God, the congregation sought to leave the Episcopal Church.

The congregation was kicked out and the building was padlocked on January 11, 2008. The building, which the Episcopal Church fought hard to keep, set empty for over a year.

Meanwhile, the congregation which had been thrown out continued to meet and to grow.

When the Episcopal Church finally decided to sell their property - they had a choice. There were two offers on the table. One offer was for $150,000 - selling to a Christian group. The other was for $50,000 - selling to an Islamic group.

You guessed it. The Episcopal Church decided to, in essence, give the group promoting Islam, a $100,000 donation. In addition, the Muslim group may not ever sell the building to a group promoting Christianity.

The Episcopal Church had no use for this building - but they sure didn't want a church using it.
UNBELIEVABLE!
You can find the original article here.

What do you think?
Pastor John

The Righteousness of Profiting from Other Peoples Misery

2010-04-07T16:25:00.000-05:00

Recently there has been a lot of people writing about the "EVILS" of profit. Much of this has centered around "evil insurance companies" making profits from other peoples misery.

Bear with me a moment. But I believe we have swallowed a giant lie!

Is it wrong to profit from other peoples misery? My short answer is going to be NO.

Let me explain why:

The majority of people begin enterprises for the purpose of making a profit. If there is no profit, the enterprise simply will not exist. What won't happen is that enterprise will exist but be free.
Almost all businesses generate profits from the pain and troubles of other people. Grocery stores profit from the hunger of people. Homebuilders profit from the lack of adequate shelter for others. Bookstores profit from the ignorance of people.
Profiting from the misery of others is no different than profiting for any other reason.

In the book of Genesis, one of the most righteous persons is a man by the name of Joseph. Joseph has been held up as a model in countless sermons. Yet it was Joseph, apparently with God's blessings that engineered a scheme that allowed the King of Egypt to own everything in the land of Egypt.

Many "do-gooders" today would say that Joesph was an evil, corrupt man. He should have given all the food away.

However, these same "do-gooders" never seem to want to take their own medicine. They sit in nice homes, eating excess calories, with heating and plumbing and cars, and do not give all their money to the poor.

Why not?

Is it not that they know in their heart that giving all their money to the person holding up that piece of cardboard, "will work for food", won't really solve the problem?

There is a vast difference between profiting from other people misery and exploiting the poor.

Profiting from the poor could mean that you sell the poor food. Exploiting the poor might mean that you try to cheat the poor - selling them a sub-standard product while telling them its good for them.

What do you think?

Pastor John

My Passover Experience Part 1

2010-03-31T12:03:00.001-05:00

It was interesting and it was long. We began the celebration at approximately 6:30 pm and finished around 1:15 am.

Those are my first two thoughts about attending a Passover celebration.

I may get these items out of order because I didn't take extensive notes.

First, we read about putting the blood on the door posts and the lintel. We didn't actually use real blood. Instead we used red felt representing blood. We put it over the door and on the two sides as well as at the base of the door.

If you've never read the story of Passover, you can find it in the book of Exodus, chapter 12.

The blood was from a lamb and when the Angel of Death saw the blood, he would passover the house. Otherwise, the angel would kill the firstborn.

My understanding is that putting the blood on the door posts is no longer done in traditional passover celebrations.

However as a Christian - I find the experience very meaningful. We are safe - only as long as we are "under the blood" of Messiah Jesus.

More later:
Pastor John

Knowing everything except what's important

2010-03-29T20:11:00.001-05:00

I was watching the pilot of John Doe the other day. I was struck by what he said, "I know everything - except what's important."

He had been standing at the reference desk of a library in Seattle answering question from the crowd. What's the tallest mountain." John Doe answers, "Mauna Kea" and the questioner corrects him saying, "No, it's Mount Everest." John then points out that Mauna Kea begins under the ocean and when counting from the ocean floor, it is 10,000 meters compared to 8848 meters for Mount Everest."

The questions roll on until someone finally asks, "When will I die?" and John has to answer "I don't know."

You see, John knows everything - except the important things like who he is? John has amnesia. John has no idea who he is or where he comes from.

He knows he's smart - but he doesn't know why. He can recite the binary code for MS-DOS operating system but he doesn't know if he likes hotdogs.

John Doe is the archetype of the modern man and woman living in America. They know so much. And what they don't know - they can google.

But - they don't know who they are, why they exist, or where they are going.

In the show, John is searching desperately for answers.

We have the answers in the church. We just have to share them.

Pastor John

I feel dumb

2010-03-28T15:06:00.001-05:00

The continuing saga of trying to learn Korean.

Well, I just finished my Korean lesson. Wow - do I feel dumb. The class is moving on and I feel like I'm standing at the gate. Of course, part of it may be that of the other two students, one is the daughter of the teacher and the other is married to a Korean husband.

Still. I'm trying to figure out the best way to pick some of this up.

Probably I need to memorize the alphabet better. I did work on it this past week but apparently working on it 1 hour isn't going to work.

Goal - spend at least one more hour on alphabet.

Next - I need to memorize the double vowels and double consonants.

I can probably do that as I walk on my breaks at work.

Next - I've got to start doing homework. Waiting until 5 minutes before class is probably not a winning strategy.

I guess this is a lot like everything else in life - if you want to get better at something - you've got to work on it.

Pastor John

Passover

2010-03-27T14:00:00.000-05:00

Tuesday, I'm celebrating Passover.

I'm not Jewish - why would I do something like this?

First, because I've been invited by a friend who is Jewish.

One of the things I find disturbing in the church is the tendency to only hang around folks who are Christians.

Let me be blunt - if you are following Jesus and you are only hanging around church people - you are not following Jesus!

You may believe in Jesus. You may be saved from your sins. You may be a good person. You may go to church faithfully. You may go to heaven. But you are NOT doing the things that Jesus did. You ARE doing what the Pharisees did.

Second, because it is a wonderful testimony to God's saving work.

Too often we end up only thinking of God's salvation as getting past the door and into heaven. But it's so much more than that. God is in the business of redeeming people - taking them out of the slavery of Egypt and taking them to the promise land.

In practical terms - it means God is taking us where we are and changing us to be fit for the kingdom of heaven.

Third, because it promises to be fun.

Growing up, I listened to the music of Larry Norman. One line in his songs asks this question: "Why should the devil have all the good music?"

Our faith should be fun, it should be enjoyable.

The first answer of the Westminster Catechism says that the chief end of man is to enjoy God and glorify him forever.

That means if you are not enjoying God - there is something wrong with your faith.

"I was glad when they said unto me - let us go unto the house of the LORD!"

Pastor John

I'm worried

2010-03-26T08:43:00.000-05:00

I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you. - God speaking to Abraham in Genesis 12:3.

Is it true? Did God rescind this promise later? Did the promise switch over and apply to the church instead of the Jewish people?

I believe that this promise to Abraham is true. I believe that it remains in effect today. And that is what worries me. As I see our country condemn the nation of Israel instead of supporting them, I wonder what will happen to our country.

Many have asked why the United States is not mentioned in the book of Revelation. Could it be because our nation no longer matters at that point?

Psalm 122:6 tells us to pray for the peace of Jerusalem.

Let us make sure we do that - and let us bless the decedents of Abraham so that we might receive the blessing promised in Genesis.

Pastor John

Failure in the church

2010-03-23T09:18:00.001-05:00

I just finished reading an article called "The Catholic Failure."

http://newledger.com/2010/03/the-catholic-failure/

In it, the author, a devoted catholic, criticizes the leadership of the Catholic church in America for not speaking out on the issue of abortion support by members of it's faith.

"A bishop has plenary discretion in the manner in which he brings his wayward sheep back into the fold, but by any measure, to put this politely, the American bishops’ exercise of their discretion has been a total embarrassment. Scandal is the act of teaching, from a position of authority, by word or deed, that what is evil is actually good. "

This author was pointing to the many prominent catholic members of congress who consistently support abortion and the bishops do nothing.

I believe in pastoral care for members who are struggling and even failing in their walk with God. But, what should be the actions of a church when their members stand up and speak in favor of evil?

Just thinking

John

Learning Korean

2010-03-22T21:30:00.001-05:00

Peggy and I just got back from Starbucks. I am now a gold members - that probably means that I drink WAY too much coffee.

We were busy studying our Korean there.

We are part of a Korean study group at our church.

Today I learned how to install Korean on my computer. I even managed to type a little Korean.

Life is very interesting.

Black Friday vs. the Bible

2008-11-28T07:45:00.000-06:00

"For I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content." Philippians 4 - Paul

"Thou shalt not covet" - God, in the 10 commandments.

"Godliness with contentment is great gain." 1 Timothy - Paul

"But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness and all these things will be given to you as well." - Matthew 6 - Jesus

"A man's life does not exist in the abundance of his possessions." - Luke 12 - Jesus

"Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come follow me." - Mark 10 - Jesus

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The Turkey Trot

2008-11-27T09:58:00.001-06:00

Happy Thanksgiving!

I just finished running the Turkey Trot - the annual 5k (3.1 miles) Thanksgiving race held here in Springfield Mo. There were 5,100 runners/walkers in this race making it the largest 5k in the state.

One of the things I thought of as I ran this race was, "Ouch!". There were a lot of times I thought I wanted to quit, or at least sit down and wait 10 minutes before I ran again.

The author of Hebrews tells us in chapter 12, "let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith."

Let us run with endurance! He doesn't kid around and say that running is always fun. One t-shirt had a saying, "My sport is my son's punishment!"

Don't give up! You may get tired in your Christian race at times. You may get a blister or two. But don't give up - because there is a great reward waiting for those who finish the race.

Pastor John
(by the way - my time was 31 minutes - not great by any means - but I burned up enough calories for another piece of pie!)

I beg your pardon – I never promised you a rose garden

2008-11-26T14:13:00.000-06:00

November 23, 2008

Many people believe that becoming a Christian is a ticket to a stress-free, easy life. If you only become a Christian – everything will be alright. You will have peace, joy, happiness. Your bank account will go up. You will be healed of all sickness. Bad breath will go away. Annoying neighbors will become nice.

Is this what the Bible teaches? Is this the reason you’re in church?

I’m afraid that many times the church has advertised itself in this way. You’ve got problems – we got the solutions. It is true, it’s just not true the way most of the world thinks of being true.

You do have problems – but there not the problems you think they are. They are not the problems of health, happiness, money and weight loss. They are the problems of sin, and judgment, heaven and hell.

Many people come to the church hoping to meet their perceived needs. And when troubles, trials, and temptations come ( and they surely will ) they had back out the door.

Jesus said in Luke 9:62, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.”
In Mark 8:34-37 he said, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 35For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me and for the gospel will save it. 36What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul? 37Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul? 38If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his Father's glory with the holy angels."

I was reading that in a province in India, groups are paying $250 to kill a Christian minister. Thousands are having to flee their homes. Churches are being destroyed. People are being tortured and executed for holding fast to the Christian faith.

If you are thinking about becoming a Christian, you should count the cost. It is not a call to simply attend church and eat fellowship dinners. It is a call to take up the cross. If you are not willing to do that, than you aren’t ready to become a Christian.

Remember one thing though. Each of us will have to stand before the judgment seat of God and give an account. And only those who have put on Christ will be acquitted.

God Bless You – Pastor John

Millions of Christians support surpressing Christian Speech!

2008-11-26T14:11:00.000-06:00

November 16, 2008

At Yuba Community College in Marysville, California, a Christian decided that he should let others know about his faith. Kind of like what Jesus talked about in Matthew 28.

Unfortunately for him – he did not know that the college had set up “speech” rules. It seems that he could only talk to people about issues of life and death on Tuesday or Thursday from Noon to 1 pm – and only if he got a permit two weeks in advance.

Not knowing this – he was warned by both the police and the college – if he persisted in this terrible behavior, he would face discipline, up to and including being expelled from the school.

Christians all over the United States appauded the wise decision of the school. Here are some quotes:
“Telling people about Jesus upsets others. Our God never wants anybody to be upset.”
“Only trained professionals, like the clergy, should be involved in talking about religion.”
“People who talk about Jesus Christ give all us Christians a bad name. If this young man continues this behavior, he should be locked up!”
One clergyman even indicated that “we should apply laws like this right here in Springfield Missouri.”

By now you should either be upset or understand that these quotes aren’t really true. However, by our words and our actions, millions of Christians express their support for this kind of law.
Many folks, even those in the church, seem to think that “nice” people never discuss politics or religion with others – well, sometimes politics are OK.

Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except by me.”
“If anyone is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man shall be ashamed of him when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.”

When we keep silent about the most important thing in our lives – what are we saying about Jesus?

God Bless You – Pastor John

Understanding the Presbyterians – November 9, 2008

2008-11-26T14:09:00.002-06:00

The Cumberland Presbyterian Church is governed using the presbyterian form of government. The term comes from the Greek work “presbuteros”, meaning elders and it used to describe church government by elders. The congregation only votes on two issues: (one) the elders who will serve on the church board – called the session, and (two) the length of time and elder is elected to serve on the session.

The session consists of these elected elders (who are called “rulling” elders) and an ordained minister (called a “teaching elder”) serving as moderator.

Elders also come together by delegation, in larger groups called “presbytery”, “synod” and “general assembly.” Since all authority really belongs to Christ, the only king and head of the Church, no church assembly can have any ultimate authority. Ultimate authority belongs to the Lord alone and this in turn means that the Bible alone is the supreme standard for the church.

Some churches are congregational in government. Churches with this form of government do not recognize any governing authority except what exists in the local church. The great weakness in this form of government is that there is no right of appeal against decisions made in a local church if they are unbiblical. We believe this conflicts with the clear teaching of Acts chapter 15. This portion of the Bible proves that there was the right of appeal in the apostolic church. The general assembly had the authority to settle matters which could not settled in the local church.

There are also hierarchical churches. In this form of church government many congregations are bound together under the authority of an ascending series of officers, such as priests, bishops, archbishops, etc. It will be evident that the authority of the local church, in this form of government, is drastically reduced. Since all decisions come from the top down—in this type of government—there is no right of appeal. For example, to whom would a Roman Catholic appeal against a decision of the Pope?

The Presbyterian form of church government is the only system that safeguards these two important principles: (1) each part of the church is in due subjection, in the Lord, to the whole church; yet (2) no part of the church is given supremacy over any other.
God Bless You – Pastor John

Standing in the gap – November 2, 2008

2008-11-26T14:09:00.001-06:00

I was reading recently from Exekiel and I came across an interesting passage. In chapter 22 starting in verse 30 it reads
30 "I looked for a man among them who would build up the wall and stand before me in the gap on behalf of the land so I would not have to destroy it, but I found none. 31 So I will pour out my wrath on them and consume them with my fiery anger, bringing down on their own heads all they have done, declares the Sovereign LORD."

Wow! According to this verse, God as actively searching for someone to stand before him and pray so he wouldn’t have to destroy the people. If only he could find someone, the circumstances would have changed.

I was reading comments recently on the question – does prayer make any difference?
Does it? – You bet it does. Over and over in the Bible, we are urged, we are pleaded with, we are encouraged to take our plea before God. We are encouraged to do this for our daily needs. But even more importantly as a Christian, we are to plead and interceed for others – for our nation, for our leaders, for the lost, for those hurting, for righteousness – and the list goes on and on.

When God was preparing to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah for their great wickedness (you can read about it in Genesis 18-19) Abraham bargained with God, trying to talk him into not destroying the city. “You won’t destroy them if there’s 50 righteous?” “How about 45? – 40 – 30 – 20. What if there’s only 10?” Abraham pleads with God until God promises that he won’t destroy the cities if there are 10 righteous. Unfortunately for those two cities – there weren’t even 10 righteous.

Standing in the gap, pleading with God, bargaining with the Almighty. These are the things that we should be doing in our prayer life –

And maybe then, we can save cities!

God Bless You – Pastor John

Honor Killing – Oct. 19, 2008

2008-10-17T08:37:00.000-05:00

In the news this past week has been a story about “Honor Killing”. Two young girls were murdered by their father because they had adopted too many western customs, were wearing western clothing, and were dating non-muslim boys. According to the UN, more than 5000 of these murders occur each year in the middle-east and virtually none of them are prosecuted..
The father had previously made threats to his daughters – but people didn’t take it seriously – after all, who would do something like this?

Most people will be quick to condemn this man and his terrible actions. What he did was evil, criminal, and wrong! We wonder how could this happen. We wonder what kind of thinking could be going on to do something like this. And we wonder how this kind of thing can be stopped.

Jesus once told the people, “The devil comes only to steal, kill, and destroy. I have come that they may have life and have it more abundantly.” John 10:10. Earlier, he told the folks that the devil was a murderer from the beginning and that when he lies, he speaks his native language.

Honor killing comes first in the heart and in the mind before it comes in the flesh. It comes when you believe a lie. A part of this lie is that “it’s all about you”, This father murdered his daughters because he believed that they had tarnished his “honor”. Another part of the lie is that the law is for other people – not you. And it comes in the heart when you give in to hate.

Jesus said that he that hates his brother or sister is a murderer also because they have committed murder in their heart.

Could this happen to you? We all want to say NO! – but that’s not what either the Bible or experience tells us. The Bible tells us that we can be deceived and that we can hate. It can happen – even to you. And it doesn’t take long to see in the news examples of “good” people who commit murder – often for the most trivial of reasons.

The moment we start believing that life is all about ourselves, we start going down that path. Every slight, every inconvenience soon becomes a personal matter that we must deal with. Then law and the Gospel is ignored because, after all, it is for other people.

Jesus came to save us, not only from hell but also from the self-centered life that leads to honor killing. And the moment you reject this message, the moment you decide that it’s ok for children and other weak people but that you don’t need it, is the moment you begin walking the path which leads to terrible acts like what we read in the news and the more terrible fate of judgment after death.

God Bless You – Pastor John

Gas Prices – from the obscene to the painful – Oct. 12, 2008

2008-10-17T08:35:00.000-05:00

Isn’t it amazing how great it is to buy gas at $2.69 a gallon? A couple of weeks ago, I was happy to fill my tank at $3.09 a gallon. Now, I’m sitting here wishing I could have waited a couple of weeks. But – when you only have 1/3 of a gallon left – you can’t wait too long.
What’s the price of gas have to do with the Gospel and the Bible? Simply this: how we view a situation depends on what we have just experienced and what we focus on. Two years ago, gas at the current price would have been outrageous. Now, we’re thrilled that it’s dropped over a dollar. One article I read used the phrase I borrowed for this title – but it is still a pretty negative view.
How do you view your circumstances? Are you groaning about how bad you have it or are you looking at the blessings you do have? I was reading recently about a missionary at a leper colony. They were songs to the Lord and letting the people pick the songs. One lady raised her hand, with 4 fingers gone from her disease and wanted to sing, “Count Your Blessings!”
Paul wrote one of his most joyful letters sitting in the cold damp of a jail cell – in chains. In this letter told us to “Rejoice in the Lord always!” He said to think on what ever things are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable and praiseworthy. In his letter to the Corinthians, he told us that we are comforted in our affliction so that we can comfort others who are going through the same thing.
Are you using the experiences that you are going through to help anyone? There are people that ONLY YOU are qualified to minister to because you’ve been there, done that and got the T-shirt.
Are you looking at tough times and painful circumstances as a chance to grow or a chance to groan? Think on the right things and Paul promises that the peace of God will overflow in your hearts. That’s neither obscene or painful – it’s just grace.
God Bless You – Pastor John

A Christian Response to a financial meltdown

2008-10-05T07:22:00.000-05:00

The past few weeks, we’ve seen the world in turmoil. Old established financial firms have bitten the dust or been absorbed by other companies. While we haven’t YET seen people jumping off of buildings to end it all, the retoric has come dangerously close.

How does the Christian look at all of this? What does Jesus say? It’s especially important now to remember the words of Scripture. Jesus told us that if we have our treasure on earth, we will find that those treasure can be taken away by waste and crime. In the Psalms it says that some folks trust in horses or chariots – the military – but that he trusts in God.

What can we do as we watch the markets melt? How can we be any different than the world? How can we find any peace in times of trial?

First, remember that you security does not depend on Wall Street. Jesus told us to lay up “Treasures” in heaven where they are not taken away by waste, fraud, or deceit. In a few years, you will leave all that you’ve accumulated behind, your relatives will probably argue over it, a large chunk of it will be taken by the government, and the rest will be sold in a garage sale or taken to the city dump.

Second, realize that you may have been trapped into the devil’s value system. One bumper sticker says, “He who dies with the most toys, wins.” But the answer to that is: “He who dies with the most toys – still dies.” Paul wrote, I have learned to be satisfied with what I have – food and a place to sleep. Paul also wrote, Do not let the world squeeze you into it’s mold but instead be changed and transformed by having your mind worked on by the Holy Spirit.

Third, realize that God is still in control – no matter what the presidential candidates say or what our elected leaders say or what the markets tell us. God is in control! And if you love God and are saved by Jesus Christ and are seeking to live by His purpose, than you can KNOW that everything works for your good.
God Bless You – Pastor John

99% Honest

2008-08-13T14:17:00.000-05:00

Recently we saw another politician fall into the moral pit of disgrace. We see this far too often by politicians and candidates of all parties. This one, in his mea culpa statement said something I want to focus on.
"being 99% honest is no longer enough."

Hearing about this I wanted to shout and sing. Someone is finally saying the truth. Being 99% honest is not enough. Being 99% faithful is not enough. Being 99% loving is not enough. Being 99% truthful is not enough. I could go on and on.

There are many situations where 99% is great. Whenever I received a 99% on papers I turned in while I was in school, I was happy and proud. Having a 99% effecient car would be great to have. Being right 99% of the time would put almost anyone at the very top of their chosen field.

But, when it comes to our morals, our faith, our eternal destiny - 99% is not enough.

Some time ago, I heard how one person thought they would be saved. God would weigh the good and the bad that you had done in your life and if there was an acceptable amount of good - you'd go to heaven.

That wouldn't be soooo bad if we knew that God graded on a curve. I think I might be ok if He only checked how other people did. God may grade on a curve - but it's a curve that goes like this: 100% to 100% - passing. Anything less - do not pass go, do not collect 200 dollars (from the monopoly game).

Being 99% honest is just not enough!
Only being 100% perfect - from birth no less - will qualify. Praise God that we have a redeemer - one who takes the test for us - Jesus Christ.
Through faith and trust in his saving work - we can enter heaven!

But let's think just a bit more on this 99%. How committed are you to our Savior? And how does that committment show up in your day-by-day life? In your church attendance? In your relationships? In your giving?

I hope and pray that the time never comes when you are faced with bright lights shining in your face as your sins are revealed. But I hope and pray even more that some day you will hear, "Well done good and faithful servant - enter into the joy of the Lord."

Pastor John

Prayer changes people

2008-02-27T10:55:00.000-06:00

How important is prayer? It's interesting that the disciples only asked Jesus to teach them one thing - "teach us to pray!"

One of the most important things we can do is to pray - and pray especially for the lost. Often we don't do this because we have lost focus on just how important salvation is.

First of all, there is the matter of eternity. The Bible clearly states that only those who have saving faith in Jesus Christ will spend eternity in heaven. If you have friends and family who aren't saved - this should drive you to your knees.

Second, there is power to live a victorious life right here and now. The Bible teaches, "Greater is he who is in you, than he who is in the world." The apostle Paul wrote, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Who could not use more power in their day-to-day lives?

Third, there is the present knowledge of forgiveness. We've all done sinful things in our lives. But salvation means forgiveness - wiping the slate clean - not living with guilt!

The list could go on and on. But how can we pray for those who are lost? I came across an article which can help us in our prayers for the lost. This is easy to remember and can be incorporated into your daily prayer for your loved ones.

To remember how to pray for someone who is not a believer, you can use the acrostic HEARTS.

Pray for:
-- Hearts to be receptive. The Bible says God shines on people's hearts to give light to the knowledge of God's glory (2 Corinthians 4:6).

-- Ears to be open. Paul told his Jewish brothers that the saving work of God was sent to the Gentiles -- they also will listen (Acts 28:28). We need to pray that our friends and family will listen to the Gospel.

-- Attitudes to be changed. The mind set on the Spirit is life and peace (Romans 8:6). Your unbelieving friend or family member's attitude toward sin and the Savior must change to receive God's salvation. Pray for it.

-- Repentance to occur. God calls people to repentance so that times of refreshing may come from the Lord (Acts 3:19). Jesus told people to repent and believe in the Good News (Mark 1:15). This step is the surrendering of one's life to Jesus as Savior and Lord.

-- Transformation to begin. Transformation comes by the renewing of the mind so that someone can discern the will of God (Romans 12:2). Your prayer should be for your friend to experience God's transforming power so that he or she can become a committed follower of Christ.

-- Servants to be obedient. God's plan is for His followers to be witnesses all over the world (Acts 1:8). When praying for your friend or family member, pray for Christians to be obedient to Jesus' call. Pray that Christians will share the Gospel and live an authentic Christian life before an unbelieving world.

Lord, teach us to pray!
Pastor John

He was a good man?

2008-02-01T14:00:00.000-06:00

Hundreds of Mormon faithful flocked to view church President Gordon B. Hinckley's body to begin three days of public mourning for their leader, capped by a funeral Saturday.

"He's recognized everywhere for being such a kind person and a good example of optimism."

A good person? Well, he may have been kind, he may have been nice, he may have had good morals. BUT!

Mark 10:17 As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before him. "Good teacher," he asked, "what must I do to inherit eternal life?"
18"Why do you call me good?" Jesus answered. "No one is good—except God alone. 19You know the commandments: 'Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, do not defraud, honor your father and mother.'"
20"Teacher," he declared, "all these I have kept since I was a boy."
21Jesus looked at him and loved him. "One thing you lack," he said. "Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me."

No one is good - except God along. That's what Jesus said. And if you want to have eternal life - the key is following Jesus.

Some may well think I shouldn't speak ill of the dead - but Gordon B. Hinckley did not follow Jesus. He lead an organization which teaches salvation by works, that if you are good enough, you will become God, that the god who rules this planet was appointed god here by a council of gods, and that your skin color is based upon the deeds you committed in heaven before you were born!

Jesus said, I am the way, the truth, and the life - no one comes to the Father but by me.

All roads may lead to God - but only one leads to the Father and that path is through faith in Jesus Christ, the second person of the trinity.

Pastor John

Exorcism gone bad

2008-01-31T14:17:00.000-06:00

In Romania, a "priest" tried to perform an exorcism. The result - his patient died. The person was bound to a cross and denied food and water for many days. Many people will look at this type of news and come to the conclusion that there is no such thing as demon possession. I beg to differ.

It's clear in the scriptures that our world is involved in a great struggle involving unseen forces. While God is ruler over all, their are spiritual forces opposed to his kingdom. In the New Testament, Jesus cast out many demons. He had personal encounters with the devil. He clearly taught that a being, going by various names (Satan, the devil, etc) stands opposed to the rule and reign of God.

Aren't all the accounts of demon possession in the Bible because those people didn't understand about mental illness? The Bible clearly knows the difference between demon possession and mental illness. In Mark 4:24 we read,

"24News about him spread all over Syria, and people brought to him all who were ill with various diseases, those suffering severe pain, the demon-possessed, those having seizures, and the paralyzed, and he healed them."

Not all evil is a result of demon possession or demon activity. We can't get away with just saying, "The devil made me do it." We have our own sin nature to deal with and our own sinful desires. But - we should not discount the supernatural forces at work as well.

Interestingly, most accounts of demon possession occur before the death and resurrection of Jesus and the epistles make no mention of it nor give instructions for exorcism.

Although it doesn't seem to be as common today, Demonic possession still occurs. There are many credible missionary accounts of confrontations with demon possession in pagan cultures. These involve such manifestations as unnatural strength and knowledge of foreign languages not known by the possessed, along with other supernatural knowledge.

With the rise of Paganism and occult idolatry in our culture, demon possession is likely to become more common.

So how should a Christian respond to this knowledge?

First, realize that "greater is he that is in you - than he that is in the world." We need not fear Satan's power for we have a greater power within us - the Holy Spirit.

Second, do not discount the demonic. In our culture today, Satan works best by deception. To be forewarned is to be forearmed.

Third, understand that the occult is not a plaything. Any involvement in occult activities - even the "innocent" ouija board and your daily horoscope are activities that God calls an abomination.

I just finished reading a website that was promoting the ouija board. Even though they that this was a fine activity, there was a constant warning that you might be contacting evil spirits. According to the Bible, any spirits you contact this way are evil!

Finally, if you have been involved in the occult, repent. This is not an unforgiveable sin - but it is a sin and one which will harm your Christian walk.

Pastor John

Choose Life

2008-01-30T08:28:00.000-06:00

Deuteronomy 30:19 This day I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live 20 and that you may love the LORD your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the LORD is your life, and he will give you many years in the land he swore to give to your fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

Choose life - it seems like such a simple choice. And yet - it's such a controversial issue. Since the Supreme court issued it's ruling in 1973, it is estimated that 46 million babies have been aborted in the United States.

On January 24, 2008 a federal court ruled in Missouri that the state could not ban "Choose Life" as a slogan for speciality license plates. The 9th circuit court just ruled the same way in a case involving Arizona.

Why is there such controvery? Why is there an almost pathalogical fear against a license plate slogan?

While many reasons could be cited, I believe the heart of the issue goes back to the Garden of Eden. It was here that the temptation was presented to Adam and Eve. Obey God - OR - follow your own path, making your own rules, living by your own standards. If God happened to be on your side - that was ok. BUT - humans would get to decide the rules.

The ugly issue of abortion is but one of the outgrowths from the fall. It is primarily a rebellion against God - a decision that babies are not really made in the image of God, until a mother wants them, that God is not soverign over creation, that God makes mistakes, that my happiness is the ultimate standard of right and wrong.

Over all of this, God says - I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now - choose life!

Lord, I pray that the day may come when this terrible rebellion against you ceases and life is once more honored.

Pastor John

OOPS!

2007-12-07T09:11:00.000-06:00

I remember growing up and listening to Bill Cosby on a record-player. One of the shows, he talked about going in for surgery and hearing the surgeon say, "Opps."

That's not what you want to hear as you're laying on an operating table!

I just came across a story about a grocery store offering "Boneless Spiral Ham" - delicious for Chanukah. - "Opps!"

Just in case you're not familiar with Chanukah - it's a Jewish holiday - and all pork products are considered unclean in the Jewish faith - that means you don't market ham for a Jewish holiday!

Opps!
Whether it's a mistake on the operating table - or a mistake in marketing, these "opps" moments are something we want to avoid.

But what about "opps" moments in your faith? Do you have any? What do you do about them?

First - if you're the least bit honest with yourself, you realize you aren't the perfect example of how to live a Christian life. We all have times when our Christian faith doesn't live up to the standards of the Bible.

We feel uncomfortable in saying along with the Apostle Paul - "follow me as I follow Christ." We much prefer - "do as I say - not as I do."

Second - when an "opps" moment occurs - learn from the politicians. What! I thought this was a Christian blog - how can you tell someone to learn anything from politicians?

Simple - politicians (at least some) have found that it's not the deed that drives you out of office - it's the coverup.

That means - in Christian terms - when you have an "opps" moment, confess it to God. Don't try to cover up your sins - get them forgiven instead.

Third - understand that while they do happen from time to time - we are called to eliminate the "opps" moments from our Christian life. This means using excuses like, "Well, I'm only human." aren't a goal to pursue but a plague to avoid.

Examine your life - if you've got too many "opps" moments - maybe it's time to repent and use this Christmas season to get acquainted with the God who has the power to turn you into a NEW creature.

Pastor John

What label do you carry?

2007-10-19T15:53:00.000-05:00

What label do you carry?

Recently I got into a controversy over the way I described our church – specifically “conservative/evangelical”. Some have argued that these words carry too much political baggage. Let me explain my reasoning.

There is a lot of talk about labels, why we use them, the problem of people misunderstanding them, non Christians not having a clue about what they mean, etc. However, we live and breathe by labels. They are the means by which was can talk about things without always having to place extended preambles and post scripts describing what we mean. We all label our churches. Are you a Cumberland Presbyterian? Many people don't have a clue as to what that means. Are you are Presbyterian? Many don't understand what that means either. How about a Christian church? Again, this is another misunderstood label. Well, then, a church. Again - another label. It seems we just can’t avoid labels in everyday life.

Next, you don’t use the same label in every situation. I am a dad, when talking about my sons, a son, when talking about my parents, a brother, when talking about my brother, an uncle when talking about my nieces and nephews, a pastor when talking about my church, and a programmer when talking about my 8 to 5 job.

I describe our church as evangelical/conservative in the church section of the newspaper. I do this because people who are looking at this section are either those who already know what denomination they want to attend and are just trying to find out times and location - or - they are looking to visit a church and are trying to figure out in advance what they might expect.

I choose this label shortly after the PCUSA had their General Assembly in 2006 in which they, in essence, allowed moral questions to be put to a local option. I wanted to reach out to those from Presbyterian backgrounds who didn't agreed with the direction the PCUSA church was going (around 100,000 per year).

I have a son who hangs out with many from a non-church background and I am quite sure they spend little or no time on the church listings. If I were advertising our church to this group, I would use different, more instructive terminology.

What about having a medium theology? Well, after having grown up in this denomination, then graduating from seminary (in the United Methodist church), later attending the Episcopal Church, United Methodist Church, Disciples of Christ Church, Southern Baptist Church, and Assembly of God Church – I had never heard of medium theology until I went to PAS (Program of Alternate Studies). If you try and look up medium theology on wikipedia - there is no reference. For some people, saying you have a medium theology would mean you believe your steaks should not be overcooked.

So is the Cumberland Presbyterian Church conservative in it's theology (officially - not what any individual might think)? I believe so. According to the COF, we believe in a literal Adam and Eve who where our first parents, rebelled against God and became inclined towards sin in all aspects of their being. We believe that in sinning, all people become guilty before God and are under His divine wrath and judgment. We believe that repentance is necessary to be saved. We believe that the holy scriptures are The infallible rule of faith and practice. We believe that marriage is defined as between a man and a woman. We believe that Jesus Christ is the second person of the trinity, that he died and rose physically from the dead. And we believe that Jesus is coming back.

Maybe a contrast will help illustrate. The following (edited) material comes from Wikipedia.

Liberal Christianity is sometimes called liberal theology. The word "liberal" in liberal Christianity does not refer to a leftist political agenda or set of beliefs, but rather to the freedom of thought and belief associated with the philosophical and religious paradigms developed during the Age of Enlightenment. The liberal Christian tradition continues today with the work of Marcus Borg, John Dominic Crossan, John Shelby Spong, and Douglas Ottati.

Biblical hermeneutics (theories of interpretations)

The theology of liberal Christianity was prominent in the biblical criticism of the 19th and 20th centuries. The style of scriptural hermeneutics within liberal theology is often characterized as non-propositional. This means that the Bible is not considered an inventory of factual statements but instead documents the human authors' beliefs and feelings about God at the time of its writing—within an historic/cultural context. Thus, liberal Christian theologians do not discover truth propositions but rather create religious models and concepts that reflect the class, gender, social, and political contexts from which they emerge. Liberal Christianity looks upon the Bible as a collection of narratives that explain, epitomize, or symbolize the essence and significance of Christian understanding.

Liberal Christian beliefs

Liberal Christianity, broadly speaking, is a method of biblical hermeneutics, an individualistic method of interpreting the word of God in scripture, not a belief structure. Unlike conservative Christianity, it has no unified set of propositional beliefs. The word liberal in liberal Christianity denotes a characteristic willingness to interpret scripture in an intellectually independent manner—with no preconceived notion of inerrancy of scripture when its passages are literally interpreted.

Conservative Christianity Generally those seen as belonging to conservative Christianity give priority to traditional values and traditional beliefs and practices.
Conservative Christianity and Liberal Christianity have quite different biblical theories of Biblical interpretation.

Points of difference include the authority and importance of the Bible, literal or metaphorical interpretation of scripture, divinity of Jesus Christ and reality of his resurrection from the dead, need for organized missionary work and personal sharing one's beliefs in salvation through Jesus Christ, and the view of women in both marriage and ministry.

General beliefs of Conservative Christianity

Conservatives have a "higher" view of scripture being the authoritative "Word" of God. A belief in the authority of the Bible as God's revelation to humanity. Bible prophecy and Bible inerrancy are often affirmed. This often includes the understanding that the Bible is the final authority in all matters on which it speaks.'
The doctrine of original sin is foundational to some groups in Conservative Christianity.
Conservative Christians see the resurrection of Christ as the most important actual event in the history of the world. They place a central focus on Christ's redeeming work on the cross as the only means for salvation and the forgiveness of sins.'
Conservative Christians generally believe that the Bible, in its original manuscripts, is inerrant when its passages are literally interpreted.
Conservative Christians take at face value biblical teachings such as Jesus’ statement: "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me" (John 14:6).'
Encouragement of evangelism—the act of sharing one's beliefs in salvation through Jesus Christ with others—through both organized missionary work and personal evangelism.'
Many Conservative Christians believe in a literal heaven and hell as biblically described.'
Engagement in Society

Though often stereotyped as uncaring for the needs of society, conservative Christians have frequently led in building hospitals and medical clinics, disaster relief work, having food banks and kitchens, institutions of higher education, primary and secondary schools, adoption agencies, and technological missions that teach agriculture, help drill water well drilling and install water supplies, and many other services, through churches and parachurch agencies.

In the late 18th and early 19th centuries, British conservative Christian William Wilberforce (1759-1833) was the leader of the parliamentary campaign against the slave trade.

So, am I a conservative Christian – is our church a conservative church – based upon the above? The only thing I can say is ABSOLUTELY!

Pastor John

Miss USA and the Apostle Peter

2007-09-03T07:30:00.000-05:00

Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. (1 Peter 3:15)

Two nights ago, I got a phone call about our church. The caller wanted to know about some of our theology and specificially about our theology about women. Now, I'm the pastor. It's expected that I'll get questions like this from time to time. But it was also a reminder that working on your theology is a constant job. It's not ok to just know answers while you're preaching. It's not ok to just know answers when you've had time to write a paper. Peter said, always have an answer.

Now, I know he was talking about being able to explain salvation. But I want to expand that a little further. One of the problems Christians today have is not knowing what they believe and not knowing why they believe it.

Many of you have heard of the answer Miss Teen USA contestant, Caitlin Upton gave to the question, "Why is it that 1/5 of Americans could not locate the United States on a world map?"

“I personally believe that U.S. Americans are unable to do so because, uhmmm, some people out there in our nation don't have maps and uh, I believe that our, I, education like such as, uh, South Africa, and uh, the Iraq, everywhere like such as, and I believe that they should, uhhh, our education over here in the U.S. should help the U.S., uh, should help South Africa, it should help the Iraq and the Asian countries so we will be able to build up our future, for us.”

Wow! I wonder how clear our answers are when we are asked about our faith. I'm afraid that many times our answers come across like Miss Upton's.

Scriptures tells us to study to show ourselves approved to God, a workman who doesn't need to be ashamed. (2 Timothy 2:15 paraphrased).

Let's use the example of Miss Upton to make sure we never need to be ashamed at how seriously we take our Christian faith.

Pastor John

Evil Spirits Today

2007-09-03T07:08:00.000-05:00

Many people sitting in the pews of American churches today have bought into the belief, at least unconsciously, that evil spirits do not exist. They read or hear about the accounts of demon possession in the Bible and they think that it 1) never happened, 2) was a result of faulty medical diagnosis, or 3) only happened back in Bible times or in primitive cultures.

Usually, this belief is thought out. It's just a result of living in a modern culture. Somehow, we've managed to get to the point where we really don't believe that we are in a spiritual battle. Even when we use that term, we usually think about doing battle with our own temptations.

The Bible however is clear. There are spiritual forces at work in this universe. And they are not all good! Jesus recognized this and taught about this. He struggled with Satan in the wilderness at the beginning of His ministry. He told us that that the Devil comes only to steal, kill, and to destroy. He cast out demonic spirits out of various people. He knew that there was and is a great spiritual battle for the souls of men.

In the Miami Herald Tribune, I just read the account of Galindo, a man who was controlled by demons. From his childhood, he's been tormented by the evil spirits and this evil spirit that he named Candelo finally led him to murder.

Was he crazy? Was he "brainsick" as one definition of crazy is given? No! He was possessed! He was living out in dramatic fashion what the Bible say.

Some would think, he just needed to get "religion". Well, he had "religion". He practiced the religion of Santeria, described as a blend of traditional African religions and Roman Catholicism.

You see, not all religions are the same. All but one, enslave you to false beliefs and false practices. Only one leads you into the kingdom of Heaven. All but one, leads to hell, both in this life and in the next.

Jesus Christ said, I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father but by me. Everyone is going to practice some kind of faith. I just pray that you will follow Jesus and find the heavenly Father before the father of lies destroys you.

Evil spirits are at work in the world. But be of good cheer, (Jesus) has overcome the world. John 16:33

Pastor John

When other things take priority

2007-08-01T10:06:00.000-05:00

Yesterday, July 31, 2007, a young man committed murder. He got in an argrument with his Dad and ended up killing his Mom with a 20 pound dumbbell. What could have set this young man off so? What could possibly make someone kill his mother by hitting her in the head with a heavy dumbbell?

The answer? He was watching a baseball game and his father complained he was making too much noise! When his mother tried to intervene in the fight - he ended up killing her.

How sad, how pitiful.

But how predictable. Predictable?

Yes. You see the Bible teacher several very important truths about reality.

One - our heart is deperately wicked! Many people believe that people are basically good. If you give them the things they need, food, clothing, education, etc., they will live and act in a good and moral manner. But the truth, waiting for anyone who reads the newspaper, watches TV, listens to the radio, observes life, or reads history - is that we are corrupt and depraved creatures in need of a savior.

Two - the devil has come to steal, kill, and destroy. There are plenty of people who believe that the Christian faith destroys happiness. Christians are just a bunch of do-gooders who want to make sure others aren't having any fun. But we know that sin and Satan do not bring happiness. Yes, sin may delight for a moment - but soon thereafter, the bitter consequences arrive.

Three - what you put first in your life, what you focus on, determines how you will live your life. It's not possible to focus your time, energy, thought, and wealth on one thing in life without dimishing your devotion to other things in life. We have to make choices. It appears that this young man had focused his life on sports - and everything else became less important.

Too often, those who claim to follow Christ, do not put Him first. Yes, they may come to church, go to Sunday School, and put something in the offering plate - but their life revolves around other things: school, kids, their work, sports, movies, hobbies, etc. Whenever Christ gets in the way of any of these pursuits, He is dropped like so much garbage.

My plea is this - don't wait until the bitter consequence your actions appear to make sure you have focused on the Savior. Put Jesus first and everything else will be in its proper place.

Pastor John

Living on the right side of Easter

2007-04-03T18:34:00.000-05:00

Years ago, I heard a talk by Tony Campolo. He was telling about hearing a Good Friday sermon at the church he attended. The basic message was “It's Friday, but Sunday's coming.”

That message has stuck with me for many years now. In it, the pastor talked about how the world look to the depressed and demoralized disciples. Their master, the one they had great hopes for, Jesus, had just been executed on the cross. There was no hope left.

The pastor talked about how upbeat the devil, his angels and followers where. They had just defeated the Son of God! Ding-dong – Jesus is dead, they must have been shouting.
The world looked like it was upside down. Righteousness had been defeated – evil was victorious.

And then, Sunday came. Sunday came and Jesus broke free of the bonds of death. We sing “Up from the grave He arose – with a mighty triumph over his foes!”

When we look around the world, sometimes we're tempted to live on the Friday side of Easter. Certainly the news headlines do not give us reason for hope. The obituaries keep listing people dying – and not just at ripe old ages. The culture keeps corrupting. The devil seems to be winning. Problem occur in our lives and in the lives of our family. Maybe we should just give up and despair!

But then we look to the cross. The cross appeared to be the greatest disaster in the world. Yet, we know different. We live on the Sunday side of the cross, the side where Jesus has risen. Praise God!

When you're faced with problems, situations seem to be determined to beat you up and knock you down – remember the cross.

“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor ANYTHING else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Paul – to the Romans.)

Pastor John

In the cross of Christ I glory

2007-01-30T17:52:00.000-06:00

I've been reading recently about the efforts to "Save the Wren Cross." It seems that last year the new president of William and Mary College in Virginia decided that the 18 inch cross on the altar in the 275 year old Wren Chapel should be removed and kept in storage. It might offend someone. It might make some feel like "outsider" and others feel like "insiders". Who knows what kind of damage might happen if people should see a cross.

Well, it's probably true. The cross has always been a dividing point in this world. The apostle Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 1:18 "For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God."

What is the message of the cross? It's teaches us several things that we don't necessarily like. It tells us that we have a SIN problem. You and I are sinners who can't make it into heaven on our own.

I personally believe that the doctrine of totally depravity is one of the greatest safegaurds we have in our life. It keeps us from relying on our own goodness and strength when we are battling temptations and tests and keeps us relying on the power of the Holy Spirit. The Bible tells us, "Be careful when you think you're standing - lest you fall!"

The message of the cross tells us that their are consequences to our sin. Sin is not just a minor imperfection, something we can brush aside. Many people think that what we need to do is get rid of guilt. After all, we're only human. But the Bible tells us that we're fallen humans. Our sin has made a barrier between us and God and condemned us to a godless eternity.

The message of the cross tells us that God is not some kind of divine watchmaker. He didn't wind up the world and then go off to do His own thing. God is actively involved in this world. Miracles happen. The Holy Spirit speaks to you. God is intently aware of everything that occurs in your life.

The message of the cross tells us that there is right and wrong - and God gets to decide. Moral relativism may be popular today. "It's only sin if you think it's sin" is a lie from the devil.

But my favorite message of the cross is that God stepped into this world to redeem it, to pay the penality for my sins and to open the doors of heaven, that if I have faith in Jesus Christ, I can spend eternity in His presence. The message of the cross tells me that one day, every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord!

The world is always going to hate the cross. But we know who's going to ultimately win.
1 Corinthians 1:21 ff says,
For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe. 22Jews demand miraculous signs and Greeks look for wisdom, 23but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, 24but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25For the foolishness of God is wiser than man's wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man's strength.

In the cross of Christ I glory!
Pastor John

Some Trust in Horses

2006-11-08T17:04:00.000-06:00

Well, it's all over now except for the tears and champaign. Election day has come and gone and some people are crying while others are toasting each other and on the top of the world.

As a Christian minister, I certainly had very strong opinions about a number of issues and candidates. Last night was not a good night for me. However, as I reflect on this beautiful new day God has given us, (it's sunny and supposed to be in the mid-seventies today), as I think about the history of people of faith, and I consider God's sovereignty, my heart is not downcast.

Back on September 11, 2001, the church I was attending choose (providentially I believe) to sing with these lyrics:

Some trust in chariots
We trust in the name of the Lord our God
Some trust in horses
We trust in the name of the Lord our God.

Why is it that we so often want to place our faith in kings, governments and weapons? God is in charge! In the Old Testament, people of faith were warned over and over again not to trust in kings, not to trust in alliances, not to trust in their own strength.

We may believe that we've come a long way since those "old" days. Yet, trusting in our own strength, in our own power, in our own abilities is a continual tempation.

Whether we like the results or not, we can take comfort in knowing that it is God's hand which rules our world - the same God who died on the cross for our sins and was resurrected on Easter morning.

Praise the Lord, we CAN trust in the name of the Lord our God!

Pastor John

World Champions after 24 years

2006-10-28T17:51:00.000-05:00

For Missouri baseball fans, Friday, October 27th, 2006 was a very good night. After waiting for 24 years, the Saint Louis Cardinals won the World Series.

I was thinking about this today. How many years of disappointment was there? How many times did the Cardinals "almost" make it. But year after year, they just couldn't quite finish the deal.

Did the Cardinals give up? Did they say, "It's never going to happen. We're never going to win. We should just quit." No! They continued going to practice. They continued looking for better strategies and better players. They continued going out on the field and doing their best.

I believe we can take some lessons from the sports professionals. Don't give up. Keep looking for better strategies. Keep going out on the practice field. Don't give up on the game.

God has called you to be on his team. To become a follower of the Lord Jesus Christ. If you have joined his team - don't give up. Remember that most of the prophets waited a lot longer than 24 years to see the results of their faith.

But the follower of Christ, who keeps going, is promised victory over the world as well. You too can be a world champion.

Pastor John

In the cross of Christ I glory

2006-10-27T18:03:00.000-05:00

I just read in the news that a college long associated with the Anglican Church, William and Mary, moved to remove the cross from their chapel. They wanted to make it more open to people of other faiths.

The administrator sent out an email to the staff explaining, "In order to make the Wren Chapel less of a faith-specific space, and to make it more welcoming to students, faculty, staff and visitors of all faiths, the cross has been removed from the altar area."

Many people around the world would agree. The cross needs to be removed. "For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God." 1 Cor. 1:18.

"We preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, 24but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. For the foolishness of God is wiser than man's wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man's strength." 1 Cor 1:24-25.

Why does the world want the cross removed? Why is this such an issue around the country? There are two reasons.

First, many people don't understand the power of the cross. By the cross, that is Jesus dying on the cross for our sins, we have access to heaven. We can be saved! But if you don't understand your need for forgiveness and that we have this wonderful free gift from God, the cross looks like a bunch of foolishness.

The second reason the world wants the cross removed is that it's offensive. The cross tells us that we can't be saved by our own goodness or our own effort. We can never be good enough.

But if you understand the message of the cross, you understand that why Christians love the cross. As Paul says, to those who are being saved - it is the power and the wisdom of God.

I pray that we will never be so concerned about other opinions that we ignore the God's opinion. For the foolishness of God is wiser than the wisdom of man and the weakness of God is greater then the strength of man.

God bless you
Pastor John

2006-08-31T18:23:00.000-05:00

Do you have enough faith?

Without faith it is impossible to please God. That's what the book of Hebrews tells us. But is all faith the same? Is God always pleased if we have faith? I believe the answer to that is NO. Sometimes you hear people extolling the vitues of faith - if you just have enough faith - everything will be OK. It reminds me of the friends of Job. In the Old Testament, Job, a righteous man suffered a series of great catastrophes. His friends came to comfort him and then proceeded to tell him that God always rewards the righteous and punishes the sinful. Therefore, Job must have committed somee great sin. (With friends like these ...)

Today, there are groups around promising great things to Christians. If you just have enough faith, you will be blessed in your finances, blessed in your health, blessed in your relationships. You will be like the legendary Midas. Everything you touch will turn to gold.

I came across an article today in WorldNetDaily that touches on this issue.

Evangelist drowns trying to walk on water
Pastor reportedly told congregation he could repeat miracle of Jesus

An evangelist who tried replicating Jesus' miracle of walking on water has reportedly drowned off the western coast of Africa. Pastor Franck Kabele, 35, told his congregation he could repeat the biblical miracle, and he attempted it from a beach in Gabon's capital of Libreville.

"He told churchgoers he'd had a revelation that if he had enough faith, he could walk on water like Jesus," an eyewitness told the Glasgow Daily Record.

"He took his congregation to the beach saying he would walk across the Komo estuary, which takes 20 minutes by boat. He walked into the water, which soon passed over his head and he never came back."

If you have enough faith - can you do it? "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." That's what the apostle Paul wrote. So, why aren't Christians flying up in the sky, turning water into wine, raising the dead, healing everyone in the hospital, and feeding cities with 5 loaves and 2 fish?

Is it just because we don't have faith or is it something more?

The Bible does not teach faith in faith. It doesn't teach that you can do everything if you just have enough faith. It does raise the importance of faith but it centers that faith upon the Lord Jesus Christ and His plans for your life. He doesn't promise his followers that they will experience the American dream if they just have enough faith. He called his disciples to hardship. He said we should take up our cross and follow him.

And so we follow. Not the American dream, but the dream that one day, every knee shall bow, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord of all. And we pray - Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is done in heaven.

God Bless you

Pastor John

Interest Only Loans

2006-05-30T10:55:00.000-05:00

In the last few years, many people have refinanced their homes using something called interest only loans. This is when you pay nothing on the amount you owe, you just pay interest. If you do this for thirty years, you'll still owe the same amount as when you started.

People do this hoping that their income will go up and they can later pay on the amount they borrowed, or that the value of their home will increase enough so they can sell the house and make a profit. They also hope that the interest rates do not go up because that will raise their payments.

I read an article recently about the wave of finacial problems many interest only borrowers may face in the future. If the market goes down, if the raise doesn't arrive, if the interest rates go up - there's all kinds of potential for disaster.

It got me started thinking about our faith. There are many people in our society and even in our church which are opting for interest only religion. That is, you just dabble around the edges - you never really invest in your faith.

While this kind of religion may seem to provide for you while times are good - it's a dangerous faith. As long as you live, as long as the economics of life don't slam you, as long as your family is all right - you may get along. This religion will provide the frosting on the cake - respectability, meaning, fellowship, purpose. But what happens when the bottom drops out? What happens when the bill comes due? Then you find that house you've been living in, your house of faith doesn't really belong to you.

Jesus warned once about building a house on a sandy foundation instead of a rock. Jesus is the rock of our faith - let's make sure we're anchore in him.

Pastor John

Wasted Effort

2006-05-26T11:22:00.000-05:00

This morning I stood out by a tree that had a branch cut off. As I stood there I noticed how the tree was still sending water and sap to the cutoff branch. The tree was doing it's best to nourish something that was no longer there. Wasted effort!

It's not only trees who behave illogically. We human beings have a tremendous habit of focusing our efforts on that which can't be changed, or trying to regrow something that's died. We struggle against the inevitable. We pour out our strength on fruitless activities.

Ephesians 5:16 tells us to be "making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil."

We can't be doing that if we use our time, energy, talents, and money on old dead branches.

Jesus said in John 15:1-2 "I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful."

Are you trying to resusitate a branch that Jesus has pruned?

Grace & Peace
Rev. John

Rising Waters

2006-05-15T17:40:00.000-05:00

Last week the rains came and came and came. It seemed like they would never end. And even as I write this, the clouds look full of water - just waiting to dump it down on us again.

By the middle of last week, the ground water had risen so much that we had a problem in our church. Our neighbor to the west (the gas station) leaked gas into the ground and we are downhill from them. Whenever the water rises far enough, we get the gentle aroma of gasoline coming in through our ductwork.

Fortunately, through the use of pumps and blowers and fans and open doors, our sanctuary was suitable for worship by Sunday morning.

As long as the water is low, you'd never know there was a problem. The problem sits below the surface - waiting until the conditions are right. And then you have it - a big stink!

How often does this describe our lives? On the surface, we have a lush lawn growing and flowers are growing. But underneath, there lies a problem. Maybe it's anger, or lust, or gambling, or despair. Whatever it is, we are usually successful in hiding it. And then one day the rains fall, and the waters rise, and our stinking problem is out in the open for everyone to see.

In Matthew 15:19 Jesus said, "For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander."

There's only one solution for a situation like this. It's not to plant more grass seed and fertilizer in our lives. We need to turn these issues over to Jesus and let Him clean us from the inside out. He's the only one who can fix our hidden problems and He's waiting on us to call on Him.

God bless you
Pastor John

How big is this family?

2006-04-03T19:19:00.000-05:00

I debated a lot about what to post this month on the preacher's ponderings. There are so many things to consider, a lot of times I end up writing nothing. Maybe the key to that is be more like my wife and write often!

Last month I heard something pretty disturbing. During an ordination service, the preacher in charge began talking about being surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses. (I only wish I had written it down immediately or tape recorded it.)

As he continued congratulating and encouraging this newly ordained young man, he assured him that he was not alone and would never be alone, he was now part of the great family of faith.

The speaker than began explaining that this faith was not just those in our church but included many others. He listed several groups and denominations as being part of this great family. And then he said it included Jews and Muslims!

Ok, as a Christian, we may debate and argue about the salvation of the Jews. I know many sincere, Bible believing Christians who stuggle and debate this issue. But, what about other religions. Is Jesus Christ the only way to salvation? The speaker indicated that Muslims were part of the family of faith as well. He stopped there but I suppose he could have continued with Pagans, Wicans, Hindus, Mormons, Jehovah's Witnesses, and New Agers.

I am not saying that you have to be a Christian to be a nice person or a good neighbor. But the Bible is clear - Jesus said, "No one comes to the Father except through me."

I was reading recently how a Presbyterian church in Austin, Texas had just received into membership a man who was an avowed atheist. Is he also included in the family of faith?

The Christian faith is offensive to many people because it believes Jesus was telling the truth when he said he was the only way to heaven. He even indicated that the WAY was narrow and that many would miss it.

As we approach Easter, it's important to strive to enter in the narrow way, the way of faith in Christ and not just trust that the family is infinately expandable.

Pastor John

Despising Small Things

2006-03-06T11:19:00.000-06:00

10 "Who despises the day of small things? Men will rejoice when they see the plumb line in the hand of Zerubbabel. (4:10)

These are the words form the book of Zechariah, undoubtedly one of your favorite books in the Bible. You didn’t know it existed? No, I’m not playing one of my jokes on you. Zechariah is one of the minor prophets and is the next to the last book in the Old Testament.

This is one of my favorite Bible verses. It’s written about the new Temple being built after the people returned from exile. Many people throughout the land were disappointed. The temple wasn’t going to be as grand and glorious and Soloman’s Temple. They had started on the temple and faced opposition. They got discouraged and wanted to give up.

And then the word came from the prophet. “Don’t despise the day of small things.” “Don’t give up and think that just because you have little strength or little ability you should give up.” “Men will rejoice when they see the plumb line in the hand of Zerubbabel.”

Getting out the plumb line would mean that work had resumed. It would mean that rebuilding the Temple was going forward.

With a small church, maybe I’m especially fond of verses like this. It’s easy to look at churches with attendance in the thousands and budgets in the millions and think, “What can we do? We’re just a little church.” But God has different ideas than we do. He looks not at our inabilities but at His abilities. He has given us many great and precious promises. “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” “Not by might, nor by power but by my Spirit says the Lord Almighty.”

Moses’ rod was used to deliver the Israelites from Egypt. David conquered Goliath with a small sling shot. Jesus fed 5000 with just a few loaves and fishes. Samson slew 1000 Philistines with the jawbone of an ass.

What can we do? We’ve started new Sunday School classes to reach people we’ve been missing. We’re starting a new women’s group to make new opportunites for women who can’t attend Saturday mornings. Our coffee fellowship has had anywhere from 3 people attend upto 19 one day. We’re supporting outreach through Crosslines food ministry. We’ve added a Sunday night service. There are new people getting involved, making friends, growing in the faith, discovering the Lord.

Will we ever have 1000 or 10,000 in worship? Who knows! But I do know that our God is able to do exceedingly abundantly more than all that we can think or imagine! There’s a world out there that God loves and we have the opportunity to partner with Him. Praise the Lord.

Pastor John

The Perfect Wife

2006-02-02T18:59:00.000-06:00

A couple of nights ago, Peggy found a doll on the parking lot outside my car. She picked it up we took it home. It's a little blonde doll called the Perfect Wife.

This doll has several different sayings. These are supposedly the words every husband wants to hear.

"Are you sure you want me to wash this shirt - you've only worn it a couple of days?"
"It's ok honey, I forgot our anniversary too."
"Don't worry, I'll take out the trash - I could use the exercise!"
"You don't need to stop and ask directions - maybe you'll find a shortcut!"
"A reversible drill - I'ts just what I wanted!"
"You don't need a glass - just drink right from the carton!"

I've taken it to work to share with my friends and get their opinions about it. Needless to say, the men find it much more humorous than the women.

As I thought about this, it occured to me that the primary message of this doll is that "You don't need to change or improve. Repentance and growth are unnecessary. Stay the way you are."

It's true that most of us do not want to hear our spouse list all of our faults and failings. We aren't real thrilled when someone comes with a clipboard and a list to diagnose what's wrong with our thoughts, attitudes and actions.

But the message - don't change, don't grow, don't improve, don't repent is not the message of Jesus Christ. "I'm OK - You're OK" is the message Satan speaks. The message of Christianity is that we're sinners in need of a savior.

And as Christians we are called to grow more like Christ and be changed into His likeness. Jesus saves us where ever we are - but he doesn't save us to let us stay there!

2 Peter 3:18 says, "But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ."

It's great to be loved unconditionally. But real love will never be satisfied with letting us spend our life digging in the dirt when there are stars to reach.

Pastor John

Every Idle Word

2005-12-29T20:06:00.000-06:00

Opps! I didn't mean to say that!

Recently, I've been thinking about how we use our tongue. NO, I'm not talking about sticking it out at people or using it to lick frozen light post. But how do we use it in our speech. Do you use your tongue to bless people or to curse people? Do you use your tongue to tell people how bad everything is, or how good everything is.

Matthew 12 says:
For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks. 35The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him. 36But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken. 37For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.

This passage tells us that if you want to look at a person's heart, then listen to what they say. Listen to what they say when they're tired. Listen to what they say when they're irritated. Listen to what they say when they hit their thumb. Listen to what they say when their mad at their spouse. Listen to what they say when they've had wrong done to them.

Every careless word will have to be accounted for on the day of judgment.

Today I was reading about an incident of road rage. One driver was upset because a car wasn't going fast enough in the passing lane. Finally the opportunity came when he could pass - on the right hand side. He spent his time mouthing words through the windows at the inconsiderate driver. Then he cut his car back over to the left hand lane - to teach them a lesson. What a lesson! He clipped the car causing it to move into the oncoming traffic. When it was all over, he was responsible for causing the death of two teenage girls in the backseat.

What was he saying as he passed the car? Was it words of blessing or cursing? Every idle word!

Jesus believed our speech was important. I don't think he was talking so much about "bad words". I think it was more like "bad sentences". Things like, "You'll never amount to anything!" or "You never do anything right!" or "I wish you'd go away and die!" Sentences like these slash and hurt. They murder the hearer. They crush the spirit.

I wonder what would be the result if this next year, we purposed in our hearts to guard every idle word - to only speak the truth in love. One pastor I admire tried being extra nice one day in all his conversation. He only spoke words up joy and goodness. He thought he was being overboard but a funny thing happened. His staff, his secretary, the custodians at the church and others he met that day - all had a much better attitude. When he got home, he continued in this manner and then his young son made the statement, "I like this daddy!!!!"

Will anyone hear our speech and make similar comments about us this next year? I can only hope and pray!

God bless
Pastor John

HOSPITALITY

2005-11-27T15:19:00.000-06:00

HOSPITALITY

What do you think of when you think of strong committed Christians?  A lot of people will list items like a knowledge of the Bible, knowing the doctrines of the faith, faithful in attending worship, someone who witnesses to their faith, or someone who tithes.  We all have various lists we use to evaluate how good a Christian someone is.

At work we’ve been discussing the qualifications of leadership in the church.  A lot of time we discuss what disqualifies someone from being a leader.  But the one quality that I believe needs to be lifted up more is hospitality.  This afternoon, we again were able to partake of Christian fellowship through the hospitality of one of our committed members.

So why hospitality?  First because this is a quality the Bible lifts up as vital.  Let’s see what the Bible says:

Romans 12:13 says
13Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality.

1 Timothy 5:9-10 says:
9No widow may be put on the list of widows unless she is over sixty, has been faithful to her husband, 10and is well known for her good deeds, such as bringing up children, showing hospitality, washing the feet of the saints, helping those in trouble and devoting herself to all kinds of good deeds.

1 Peter 4:9 says
9Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling.

3 John 1:8 says
8We ought therefore to show hospitality to such men so that we may work together for the truth.

1 Timothy 3:2 says  2Now the overseer must be above reproach, the husband of but one wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach,

Titus 1:8 says 8Rather he must be hospitable, one who loves what is good, who is self-controlled, upright, holy and disciplined.

The Bible places hospitality on a higher level than most churches.
A second reason hospitality is so important is because it ministers to Christ.

In Matthew 25:35 we have the teaching about the sheep and the goats.  In verse 35 it says:  35For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in,

I was a stranger and you took me in.
Jesus said,  "Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head."

When we show kindness and hospitality to others, we are ministering to the Lord Jesus Christ as well.

A third reason is because folks are hungry for fellowship.  We live a  world today which is lonely and looking for friends.

The most important thing you can possibly do to increase the impact of your Christian faith may not be in many of the traditional areas.  It may be simply to show acts of kindness and hospitality to those around you.

As you go through this Advent season, think about ways you can show hospitality to people around you.

God bless you
Pastor John

Did Judas have a choice?

2005-11-08T15:01:00.000-06:00

Did Judas have a choice?

In my Sunday School Class, we have been studying through the book of Mark. We have come now to the passage where Judas leaves the Passover table to go betray Jesus to the priest.

Jesus’ comment on this, “It would be better if he had never been born”.

How did Judas ever arrive at this terrible situation? How is it that this person who had spent three years in the presence of Jesus became the betrayer? Was it meant to be? Could it have been different?

To Review:
First, Jesus picked him to be his disciple and to be an Apostle. Did Jesus do this just to have the betrayer close at hand?
Second, Judas saw all the miracle that Jesus did and apparently never doubted their reality.
Third, Judas heard all of Jesus’ teaching.
Fourth, Judas apparently believed that Jesus wasn’t setting up a physical empire before the other disciples – that is, he understood Jesus on this issue when the others didn’t.
Fifth, he started stealing out of the money bag.
Sixth, Jesus washed his feet along with all the other disciples.
Seventh, Jesus gave Judas the seat of honor at the last supper.

So, what’s the answer? To be quite honest, I don’t really know. All I know is that up until the very end, Jesus appealed to Judas, Jesus loved Judas, and Jesus honored Judas. Jesus felt sorrow over what Judas was doing and gave him every opportunity to change his destiny.

As I read about Judas and think about how he arrived at the point of betraying the Lord of life, I switch my focus from wondering if Judas had a choice to wondering, “Could I betray Christ even as he did?”

Judas, it seems, went from a devoted disciple to a betraying brother. The Gospels all shout the answer, “Yes! He had a choice but he choose wrong”. Let’s pray that we don’t ever go down the path of Judas.

God bless
Pastor John

Intelligent Design?

2005-09-26T14:03:00.000-05:00

In Pennsylvania, they are having a court battle over the issue of intelligent design. Intelligent design says that maybe atheistic blind and stupid evolution is not true. Maybe, just maybe, the universe is better explained by saying something intelligent designed what we have in this world. Some people want to at least have this possiblity brought up in science class.

The reason I described evolution the way I did, is because that's exactly what evolutions mean when they use the term. Evolution is atheistic. That is, as an article of faith, evolution says that God could not have had anything to do with the universe. Evolution teaches that matter is all that exists. There is no God, there is no supernatural, and religion is all just wishful thinking.

Evolution is blind. That is, it cannot see what it is doing or where it is going. Evolution is without purpose. Sometimes, evolutionists may talk about the grand purpose of the universe. When this happens, this is not their real belief structure. Reality - true Biblical reality - has momentarily overcome them. Evolution means never having to say you're sorry - because morality is a myth.

Evolution is stupid.The basic tenant of evolution that it all happens by chance. There is no reason behind anything. We exist as human beings for the same reason a person might win the lottery. There is no thought, no design, no reason. We simply happened. When you get a good grade on a test by randomly choosing answers, no matter how high a score you receive, you have not demonstrated any intelligence.

Psalm 14:1 says, "The fool has said in his heart 'There is no God'". And appearently, this same person has decided that they want no challenges to a belief that is atheistic, blind and stupid. It's just too hard to defend when an alternative is available.

Pastor John

No Strings Attached

2005-09-19T15:55:00.000-05:00

No strings attached! It’s free! Nothing to purchase and no obligation!

Occasionally you’ll hear words like these – but have you ever found them to be completely true?

Everything comes with a price. Everything comes with certain strings. We preach the good news of a free salvation – you can do nothing to earn it. But, there are strings attached. You do have to receive this gift. You do have to respond to God.
God Bless,

I’ve read on several websites recently about the importance of giving aid and comfort to others with “no strings attached”. Often these sites indicate that this is the only “Christian” way to respond to people. Give to others without condition or stipulation.

I believe in giving to others. I believe in helping those in need. However, I believe that giving with strings attached often is the best way to give. If I give with the condition that a person change their self-destructive behavior, that’s good! If I give with the condition that the person heading to hell to listen to the gospel and have the opportunity to get saved, that’s good!

I attended a Sunday School Class that was repairing a home for a mission project. Nobody knew that they were doing this work because they were Christians because they were afraid it might offend someone.

Jesus said “let your light shine so that others might see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” But how can we let others see our work if we hide it under the bushel of “no strings attached.”

Let’s give, but let’s give in such a way that it advances the cause of the Gospel and glorifies the Father who is in heaven.
God Bless
Pastor John

Does God still direct the affairs of nations?

2005-08-29T15:10:00.000-05:00

Proverbs 14:34 states, "Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people".

What's this mean in todays affairs of state? Does God bless some countries and not others? Does he withdraw his blessings from countries when they turn to sin?

A few years ago, people got upset because Jerry Falwell and Pat Robertson said the attacks of 9/11 might have had something to do with the level of righteous, or lack of righteousness in our nation. Is that a possibility?

This is not to excuse the terrorists by any means. The book of Romans tells us that God institutes government to be a terror to evil doers.
(13:3) For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and he will commend you. (NIV)

I believe that God has granted the sword to the state to bring punishment upon those who commit public evil and so I support our governments attempt to find those who support the destruction of innocent life. I believe we are doing the right thing in confronting evil and bringing freedom to oppressed peoples.

Are we as a nation affecting the level of blessing by our descent into sin? I believe the Bible teaches this.

Most people do not have a problem with the thought that nations are blessed by God for obeying his word. However, just as the message of Jesus Christ is not only about heaven but also about hell, so also the Bible teaches that God curses nations for disobedience.

We have become so conditioned to a humanistic worldview that these ideas can sound shocking! How dare you bring God into the picture. Don't you know that a nations fate is based upon it's trade balance, the interest rates the Federal Reserve sets, the marginal tax rate and the state of the military? Oh really? The Bible clearly teaches that God is sovereign in the affairs of men - including the nations.

Read the Old Testament and watch God sovereignly pick and choose kings. Watch him bring up the country of Babylon to punish Judah. Watch him punish the nation of Egypt for oppressing Israel.

Unless we believe that God has fallen asleep at the switch, or has become a different kind of God (which the book of James tells us never happens), then God is still directing the affairs of men today.

God has not revealed to me which sin he tolerates and which sin he condemns. I'm not going to say any particular disaster occured because of one sin or another. I believe that God judges all sin. However, I believe it's clear that we have, as a society lost much of our respect of God's law. We have clearly excluded him from our national intitutions. And you can read any list of sins you want, and you will find plenty of it going on.

As one famous author titled his book, "How should we then live?". This is the question each of us have to ask as we petition God in the Lord's prayer, "Thy kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven."

It's an Infallible thing!

2005-07-05T11:15:00.000-05:00

What does a church do once is stops believing the Bible as the inspired Word of God? The answer to that question is “Anything they want to do!” One of our members pointed out the following news story for July 4, 2005.

The president of the United Church of Christ said his denomination "acted courageously to declare freedom" when it passed a resolution endorsing same-sex marriage on Independence Day. The resolution calls on member churches of the liberal denomination's 1.3 million members to consider wedding policies "that do not discriminate against couples based on gender." It also asks churches to consider supporting legislation granting equal marriage rights to gay and lesbian couples and to work against laws banning gay marriage.

Our church (as an institution and as a body of individual believers) has staked it’s soul on the Bible, God’s infallible rule for faith and practice. What’s this mean for us?
First – The Bible is God’s gift to us. The Bible is not a book made by mere man even though men were the instruments used in writing.

Second – The Bible is infallible. That is, it does not teach anything false. If the Bible teaches it, you can believe it.

Third – it is a rule. Most people do not like rules. They want to do whatever they please. But the Bible is clear – it really is God’s way or the highway! Christianity is not just following a bunch of rules, it’s more of a relationship. However, God has clearly stated rules which reveal whether a relationship exists.

1 Corinthians 6:9-11 states,
9Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders 10nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. 11And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.

Do not believe that you can take your favorite sin with you into heaven.

Fourth – it’s for faith and for practice. God’s Holy Word is where we find our faith. We do not find it through mystical experiences, thoughtful reasoning, or visiting with our friends over a couple of beers. We find it in God’s word. “Faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the word of God” – Romans.
God’s word is also our source for our practices. James tells us, “Be ye doers of the Word and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves”.

Let’s praise God for his infallible word given to us and make it our infallible rule for faith and practice.

God Bless
Pastor John

Causing Jesus to Sigh

2005-06-12T14:43:00.000-05:00

This morning in Sunday School class, we were discussing Mark chapter 8. In this chapter Jesus, after feeding the 4000 travels across the lake and runs in to some Pharisees. There they ask for a sign to demonstrate he truly is a prophet. Jesus flat out refuses to do such a thing. In verse 11 it says, “He sighed deeply and said, 'Why does this generation ask for a miraculous sign? I tell you the truth, no sign will be given to it.'”

I wonder just how often we cause Jesus to sigh deeply. Jesus performed miracle after miracle and yet the religious teachers seemed completely unable to see anything other than a trouble maker.

People often wonder about God. You can find them discussing what God is like in the newspapers, at work, and at coffeeshops. Thoughts about God are like noses, we all have them and they all smell. It's not wrong to ponder God. The problem is we try to form opinions without using the scriptures as a guide.
I wonder if Jesus hung around me and listened to my opinions, would he sigh deeply also? I hope not.

Study to show yourselves approved unto God!
God Bless you
Pastor John

Life and death before Presbytery

2005-04-02T07:36:00.000-06:00

I write this right before I have to go to presbytery. Please excuse me if it is not very clear. I haven't had much coffee.

"No man has power over the wind to contain it; so no one has power over the day of his death." Ecclesiastes 8:8. I was reading last night this book and I came across this verse. No one has power over the day of his death.

In the midst of all the news about life and death right now, this is a verse I find comfort in. We as a people struggle with issues of life and death. We fight about the beginning of life. When does life begin? I believe it begins at conception. In the Netherlands right now they are euthanizing babies.

We have just witnessed on the news a saga of the end of life. Terri, the woman in Florida was put to death through denial of food and water. Was she alive? Some say yes, some say no. A Harvard professor in charge of ethics is teaching it is ok to put the old and useless to death! I wonder how he will feel about it when he is old and useless.

"No one has power over the day of his death." I find comfort with this verse. Ultimately, God is control. Ultimately God will choose the day of my death.

I guess I am not in as much control as I think.
God bless
Pastor John

NO DUH!

2005-03-09T18:03:00.000-06:00

My wife spent part of the day reading business books.
One book she was looking at had a whole lot of obvious information in it.
"Create Your Own Future" by Brian Tracy

(not exact quotes)
If you want to succeed, do the things successful people do.

Make time to do the things which are most likely to result in success.

There is a direct relationship between the number of different things you attempt and the likelihood of eventual success.

We look at statements like this and want to say, "NO - DUH!" But the facts are, we often do exactly the opposite.

We spend our time, energy, and effort in many self-defeating activities. This is true in both the spiritual realm and the physical realm.

What is it that you want out of life? -
What is it you desire out of eternity? -

So often I find myself wanting one goal and spend my time moving toward another goal.

Maybe we should be more like the apostle Paul who said,
"Forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus."

Pastor John

Love one another to tell the truth. Eternity depends on it!

Stink on your hands

2005-02-25T19:16:00.000-06:00

A preacher was out coon hunting with a friend of his. Coming back to the truck they found themselves stuck. There were high embankments on both sides and a skunk blocking the way in front of them. The little skunk had his head stuck in a large "Miracle Whip" jar and he couldn't get it off.

The conversation between the two went like this:

"Knock it off with a stick."
"Not a chance!"
"Then shoot it off with a pistol."
"No way!"

Finally they set down on a stump to wait it out. Eventually the little skunk fell in the creek and was carried away.

When the preacher got home, God spoke to him.
"You could have saved that poor little skunk if you wanted to. But you didn't want to get the stink on your hands." Then God taught him this lesson:

There are millions of people lost and going to hell and we don't do anything about it because we are afraid to get the stink on our hands.

I listened a tape recently with this story. This preacher had been a boy growing up in a poor dysfuntional family. And no one ever came and invited them to church or told them about Jesus because they didn't want to get the stink on their hands.

I am so glad God got his hands dirty and smelly and rescued me. I cried when I listened to that tape. God forgive me for letting people die without the Gospel.

Pastor John

Love one another to tell the truth. Eternity depends on it!

New Years Resolutions

2005-01-03T15:20:00.000-06:00

New Years Resolutions
I always dread New Years resolutions. Maybe its a committment thing. I'm always tempted to fudge a bit. You know how it is - I'll kinda try to do this, maybe I'll try and do that.

That way, when I don't succeed at the end of the year, I can make excuses and say, "I really wasn't trying - it wasn't a real goal."

Last night I read something about the 1953 class of Yale. A survey was taken and only 3% of the students had written down goals. In 1973, that group was re-interviewed. The 3% who had written down goals had a greater net worth than the other 97% of the students combined.

This is not about increasing our net worth - but about growing in the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ. I'm afraid it just won't happen if we do not make a committment.

This is also not about legalism. What I'm planning on doing is not a method to make me right with God - that is through faith in Jesus Christ. What God is calling for you to do may or may not be anything like my list. Neither am I trying to brag.

I Peter 5:3 says the pastor is to be an example and you can't do that if you hide everything.

So, you're asking - what are you going to commit to?
Gulp! Here goes:
1 - Read the Bible through again.
2 - Fast once a month. (12 times during the year)
3 - Memorize at least one scripture verse a week. (52 verses)
4 - Have at least 4 class parties this year.

This list does not have everything on it and it may grow throughout the year. If you want to share what your resolutions are this year I would be interested. If you want to keep them a secret - that's ok too.

Enough for now
God bless
Pastor John

Love one another to tell the truth. Eternity depends on it!

Reformation

2004-10-28T22:32:00.000-05:00

One of the hardest things to do is to change. I am someone who perfers ruts. Ruts are comfortable. Ruts are predictable. Ruts do not require new thinking. But - ruts also keep us from seeing where God is leading.

I enjoy reading history. The lives of the old saints who changed the church are fascinating. I don't really think I'd enjoy being around them though. They weren't always the nicest people. Sometimes they had opinions on things which make me shudder. By todays standards they were bigots, pig-headed, mean tempered folks who simply were not reasonable!

But when God called, they got out of their ruts and followed!

Without unreasonable people, people who won't go with the flow, people who insist they are right even when the entire world says their wrong....

nothing changes - the ruts win.

I thank God for the reformers in the past and I hope and pray that when God calls, I'll leave my rut and follow Him.

Preacher John

Love one another enough to tell the truth. Eternity depends upon it!

Rather Disturbing

2004-09-17T15:42:00.000-05:00

For the past week or so, the news has been swirling around about some memos. CBS appearently used these as a basis for a story sharply critical of the President. I do not want to get into a political discussion about the contents of the memos. What I want to focus on is how CBS got fooled and what that means for Christians.
For those who have followed the career of Dan Rather, it is clear that he is not fond of the Bush family and has not been so for a long time. That is his right. However, it points up the first thing we can learn from this: Beware of your bias! Whether it's the sermon last Sunday, a devotion you are reading, friends you are talking to, or the Bible you are studying, be careful you do not read your bias into the material.

A second situation we see in this story is that several document examiners working for CBS warned Rather about problems with these memos. Which brings us to the second warning: Pay attention when you receive contrary advice! This is not always fun but it is almost always fruitful. Paul wrote in Corinthians that God will give us a way of escape when we are tempted. Look carefully, are you ignoring God's way of escape by plunging ahead?

Finally, after it became clear to everyone else these memos had problems, Rather circled the wagons, buried his head and started repeating the story that there was no problem with the memos. Which brings us to the third point, when you find yourself going in the wrong direction, stop! We all have the tendency to insist we are right and do it even more loudly when we are caught. God wants to forgive and restore us, but until we quit fighting God will not intervene.

I just hope and pray I can take my own advice!
Preacher John

Love one another enough to tell the truth. Eternity depends upon it!

Majoring on the Minors

2004-08-11T14:15:00.000-05:00

When the troups of Mahomet II surrounded Constantinople in 1493 and it had to be decided if the Balkans would be under Christian or Mohammedan dominion for centuries, a local church council in the besieged city disussed the following problems: What color had the eyes of the Virgin Mary? What gender do the angels have? If a fly falls in sanctified water, is the fly sanctified or is the water defiled? {Richard Wurmbrand - quoted in The American Prophecies by Michael D Evan}

We live in Constantinople today! Around us, there are groups which would tear down the family, tear down morality, tear down our freedoms and tear down our faith.

There are one Billion Muslims in this world with 10% of them, 100 million, who would like to see America destroyed. Almost daily you will find the ACLU sueing someone for daring to express their faith. The American Bar Association is on the verge of declaring the Boy Scouts of America such a dangerous organization that no judge may dare be associated with it in any form!

Daily, there are thousands of people going into a Christless eternity. The number of unchurched in America has doubled since 1993! The population has not doubled during that time. As someone who firmly believes in the Bible, that means a lot of people spending a lot of time in hell. And that is a tragedy!

What are we in the church doing today? Where is our sense of urgency? Where are our tears before the Lord? I do not write this to condemn anyone who might read this, rather to express my anguish and concern over the church and over my own lack of fervency.

What does this mean for me? How do these thoughts inform my life habits? Do I spend my "free time" any different? Do I pray more, read the Bible more, witness more? God forgive and help me.

Well, time to go eat lunch.
Preacher John

Love one another enough to tell the truth. Eternity depends upon it!

Civil Rights and Moral Wrongs

2004-08-02T14:28:00.000-05:00

The guy was wearing a t-shirt. "It can't be a civil right if it's a moral wrong." In our society today, we are very concerned about the rights of individuals. But where do rights come from? If rights come from un-planned, un-thoughtful evolutionary processes than nothing can be forbidden. Might makes right! If you can get away with it then more power to you! If rights comes from the creator, God almighty, they will not be contrary to the revealed will of the creator.

Am I in favor of denying people jobs, homes, food, hospitality, pets, hobbies, children, or marriage? Just like you, it all depends.

No one is in favor of giving every person equal rights. My children have rights in my home that other people do not. I have rights to my car that others do not have. When I buy a sandwich, I have exclusive rights to that food.

Rights come from the creator. Rights come with responsibilities. And rights can not come from wrongs.

Love one another enough to tell the truth. Eternity depends upon it!