This morning, I want to share with you from Charles Spurgeon again. I like Charles Spurgeon. He’s no-nonsense. This is a sermon titled ‘Holiness Demanded’ and it was delivered in 1862. It’s quite a lengthy sermon. I pulled out just a bit of it this morning. It is very good reading in it’s entirety. If you have an opportunity to read the whole thing, I would highly recommend it. You can find this sermon at: www.spurgeon.org/sermons/2902.htm . From there you can navigate to other sermons from Spurgeon.
II. Now, then, for the second point very briefly indeed: "Without holiness, no man shall see the Lord;" that is to say, no man can have communion with God in this life, and no man can have enjoyment with God in the life to come, without holiness. "Can two walk together except they be agreed?" If thou goest with Belial, dost thou think that Christ will go with thee? Will Christ be a pot companion for thee? Dost thou expect to take the Lord of love and mercy with thee to the haunts of sin? Professor, dost thou think the just and holy One will stand at thy counter to be co-trader with thee in thy tricks? What thinkest thou, O man! wouldst thou make Christ a sharer of thy guilt? and yet he would be so if he had fellowship with thee in it. Nay, if thou wilt go on in acts of unrighteousness and unholiness, Christ parts company with thee, or, rather, thou never didst have any fellowship with him. Thou hast gone out from us because thou wert not of us; for, if thou hadst been of us, doubtless thou wouldst have continued with us. And as to heaven, dost thou think to go there with thine unholiness? God smote an angel down from heaven for sin, and will he let man in with sin in his right hand? God would sooner extinguish heaven than see sin despoil it. It is enough for him to bear with thine hypocrisies on earth; shall he have them flung in his own face in heaven? What, shall an unholy life utter its licentiousness in the golden streets? Shall there be sin in that higher and better paradise? No, no; God has sworn by his holiness—and he will not, he cannot lie, —that those who are not holy, whom his Spirit has not renewed, who have not been, by the regenerating power of the Holy Spirit, made to love that which is good, and hate that which is evil, shall never stand in the congregation of the righteous. Sinner, it is a settled matter with God that no man shall see him without holiness.
This is preaching you don’t hear much of today. This is a sermon, when printed out, that is about ten pages long. This is just a wee portion.
Why don’t we hear this sort of thing preached from the pulpit, much? Are we that afraid that we might offend? Would we rather not offend than let souls slip into hell? In point III, he starts naming sins and calling out. Most people need to hear it in a simple, blunt, yet loving way. A lot of ways we hear it delivered does not bring conviction, which does not bring a change. We are almost taught (in not so many words) that we CAN hold on to sin in our lives and still be a good Christian. That God will overlook a little sin. That we can be pleasing to and have fellowship with the Lord just as you are. I have even heard people say that “God understands our flesh, so how can He be upset when we sin. He just accepts it.” I don’t think so. It is true that He loves us regardless. There is nothing we can do to change His love for us. But I also believe we can please Him. I also believe we can displease Him. Without giving up our lives to Him, and putting our faith in Him, it is not possible to please Him.
People think it’s too hard. What you don’t understand is that the way God planned it, He does all of the work. We put our faith in God to meet our needs….and He does. Our little faith, His big works. God put forth the effort to save our souls. He pays the price, we just accept it. It is our flesh (that same flesh that God is NOT pleased with) that tries to make it too complicated, when really it’s very simple. We try to justify with knowledge and logic when all we have to do is accept in faith. Faith comes by hearing the Word of God. Get in the Word. Build your faith. Please the Lord.
God Bless!
“…holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:” Heb. 12:14
Thursday, November 11, 2004
Wednesday, November 10, 2004
Music In the Church
Yesterdays post wasn’t really about music in the church; specifically. But this is definitely a gorge in churches that separates. Regan brought up the point that we will never have a unified church because people aren’t willing to submit themselves unto someone else’s doctrine or music. This may have stemmed from Fridays post that kind of went the direction of modern music. (Regan, feel free to jump in if I have mistaken your comment.) That post wasn’t really about music in the church either, but music in general. I am not trying to be divisive in this area. I think that the music that we submit ourselves to has an effect on our thinking, behavior and even our spiritual growth. It has nothing to do with the style or my personal preference. It’s a lot about the content. If you want to call rap music poetry, call it poetry. What you hear on the radio is x-rated poetry; full of sex, violence and drugs. Rock and Roll and Pop aren’t any better. Call them what you will. I can only speak from personal experience. I know what the lyrics say in the music I used to listen to. I’m ashamed I used to listen to it.
Another example: we had a high school intern working with us this summer. He worked at the computer next to mine. He was listening to a CD on his computer. I asked him what he was listening to, in a kind and tactful manner. He told me the name of it, which I can’t remember right now. He started telling me about the type of music he likes to work out to and what he listens to before he wrestles (in competition) and what he likes to listen to when he runs. I asked him about the music he listens to before wrestling. He says it “hypes” him up. It makes him want to punch a wall and hurt someone. It helps him perform better on the mat. I asked him if that wasn’t strange that it makes him want to “punch a wall and hurt someone”. For some reason, it didn’t phase him much. I asked him if that’s the kind of music he would want his kids to listen to. He said that after high school he would probably grow up and grow out of that kind of music. “But not right now.” Maybe it’s just him that this music does this to, but I doubt it. I read a research article a few years back of the effects certain types of music has on behavior and thought patterns and so-forth. That may be part of the reason I feel so strongly about this. And because of the effect it had on my life. Maybe it doesn’t effect everyone the same way. Once again, I doubt it.
About music in the church. If you read the comments made to yesterdays post, I mentioned being non-instrumental. This is not a preference. I don’t have a problem with instruments. We are not non-instrumental where we go now. I personally like the piano and the organ and the tambourine and maybe even the acoustical guitar. If it happened to offend someone, I would say “get rid of them all”. No, I’m not trying to be a jerk or throw a fit. I just think that music is a foolish thing to split over. It should not be the music program that holds a church together. If it is, there is a deeper problem. If the power went out at your church and the amplifiers stopped working, could the band put their instruments down and finish the service? If so, that’s what it’s about. Worshipping God with our hearts. If that’s using a guitar, than use a guitar. I know most of us have voices, though. And I don’t think God cares if I can’t sing on tune. If it comes from my heart, it’s pleasing to the Lord. I have also seen emotions run a service, too. I don’t think we should look to our worship service for the “high” we might get from it. And not just from the band. I have seen the song leader let their emotions run rampant when it just them and an organ. The song service, I feel, should compliment the teaching/preaching service. Not overshadow it.
There is no way around it. Music will always be divisive. And it’s not just because it’s not what Troy wants. Like I said, I love to hear instruments. We love music in our house. But in church. If we don’t allow it in, there is nothing to be divisive about. If the rule is set and not wavered upon, people coming in know the rules and the rules won’t be changed. I’ve been to black churches where the piano or other instruments may have hindered the music portion of the service. It was beautiful. There where no drums or guitars or pianos or organs or keyboards. Nothing but the hearts and souls of the congregation. Worshipping the Lord. I am not about to say how your church needs to conduct your worship service. Obviously most people don’t disagree with the music in their church services or they wouldn’t be there. You do as the Lord leads you.
God Bless!
“…holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:” Heb. 12:14
Another example: we had a high school intern working with us this summer. He worked at the computer next to mine. He was listening to a CD on his computer. I asked him what he was listening to, in a kind and tactful manner. He told me the name of it, which I can’t remember right now. He started telling me about the type of music he likes to work out to and what he listens to before he wrestles (in competition) and what he likes to listen to when he runs. I asked him about the music he listens to before wrestling. He says it “hypes” him up. It makes him want to punch a wall and hurt someone. It helps him perform better on the mat. I asked him if that wasn’t strange that it makes him want to “punch a wall and hurt someone”. For some reason, it didn’t phase him much. I asked him if that’s the kind of music he would want his kids to listen to. He said that after high school he would probably grow up and grow out of that kind of music. “But not right now.” Maybe it’s just him that this music does this to, but I doubt it. I read a research article a few years back of the effects certain types of music has on behavior and thought patterns and so-forth. That may be part of the reason I feel so strongly about this. And because of the effect it had on my life. Maybe it doesn’t effect everyone the same way. Once again, I doubt it.
About music in the church. If you read the comments made to yesterdays post, I mentioned being non-instrumental. This is not a preference. I don’t have a problem with instruments. We are not non-instrumental where we go now. I personally like the piano and the organ and the tambourine and maybe even the acoustical guitar. If it happened to offend someone, I would say “get rid of them all”. No, I’m not trying to be a jerk or throw a fit. I just think that music is a foolish thing to split over. It should not be the music program that holds a church together. If it is, there is a deeper problem. If the power went out at your church and the amplifiers stopped working, could the band put their instruments down and finish the service? If so, that’s what it’s about. Worshipping God with our hearts. If that’s using a guitar, than use a guitar. I know most of us have voices, though. And I don’t think God cares if I can’t sing on tune. If it comes from my heart, it’s pleasing to the Lord. I have also seen emotions run a service, too. I don’t think we should look to our worship service for the “high” we might get from it. And not just from the band. I have seen the song leader let their emotions run rampant when it just them and an organ. The song service, I feel, should compliment the teaching/preaching service. Not overshadow it.
There is no way around it. Music will always be divisive. And it’s not just because it’s not what Troy wants. Like I said, I love to hear instruments. We love music in our house. But in church. If we don’t allow it in, there is nothing to be divisive about. If the rule is set and not wavered upon, people coming in know the rules and the rules won’t be changed. I’ve been to black churches where the piano or other instruments may have hindered the music portion of the service. It was beautiful. There where no drums or guitars or pianos or organs or keyboards. Nothing but the hearts and souls of the congregation. Worshipping the Lord. I am not about to say how your church needs to conduct your worship service. Obviously most people don’t disagree with the music in their church services or they wouldn’t be there. You do as the Lord leads you.
God Bless!
“…holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:” Heb. 12:14
Tuesday, November 09, 2004
New Link(s)
Just wanted to let you know that there is a new blog my wife has been enjoying (Connie's Corner) and asked me to pass it along. It certainly appears to be geared towards women. If you're a woman, check it out. If you're a man with a wife or older daughter, send them. Yes I have read it and yes I approve of it's content.
I have also put up a link to Mozilla Firefox. If you are unhappy with Internet Explorer or any other browser such as AOL or CompuServe, this is the place for you. Even if you are not unhappy with them, check it out. It has a lot of great features. No, I'm not making money from them. I'm just endorsing a product that I think works great! And it's free!!
I have also put up a link to Mozilla Firefox. If you are unhappy with Internet Explorer or any other browser such as AOL or CompuServe, this is the place for you. Even if you are not unhappy with them, check it out. It has a lot of great features. No, I'm not making money from them. I'm just endorsing a product that I think works great! And it's free!!
The Divided Church
How can we call ourselves “THE Church” when we are so divided? Is it our pride that gets in the way that doesn’t allow us to fellowship with others who might worship a little differently? I have been to a church where the minister would say, from the pulpit, that they were the only denomination (although they don’t claim to be a denomination) going to heaven. I know that is a bold statement that most people or ministers would dare not say. But do we feel that way? The Church of Christ wont lower their standards to associate with someone who doesn‘t believe how they believe. The Baptists are too occupied with themselves. And nobody wants anything to do with the Pentecostals and charismatics. It’s not just one group. And this is not an all-inclusive list. I’m not saying that each of these groups would hold true to this across the board. I have worked in all of these groups, and in this area have seen this to be true for the most part. There are always exceptions.
I don’t believe that it will be one select group going to heaven. I don’t believe it will be one denomination. We are supposed to go out and evangelize the world, but we can’t get along with the church down the street. Can you imagine if our outreach was unified? Could you imagine the effectiveness? If we took our personal opinions and preferences out of the mix and just went out and taught the love and salvation of Jesus? If the churches in the United States were united, can you imagine the impact on the world? I have known ministers that felt so grudgingly towards each other they would not even say “hello” on the street. I believe that Satan has the church in a state of dissention that only God could pull us out of. If Satan can keep us out of union with each other, this greatly reduces our effectiveness. We dislike each other so much. How can we grow spiritually if we have a hatred in our hearts. If we feel we are the only ones right, how can we be teachable? This is not even going into non-unity within a specific denomination or even a specific congregation. We have built such solid walls between denominations that no man could pull them down.
I read a book a while ago about the Chinese underground church. About the unity they had from house-church to house-church. A big problem was the shortage of Bibles. They sent the message out expressing what they needed. People started send Bibles and all was good. They had a Bible and a faith that could not be quenched. They were seeing miracles and healings and God moving so heavily on the Chinese people. These were not Pentecostal or charismatic people. Like I said, they had a Bible and a faith. Than, along with the Bibles, people started sending denominational literature with the Bibles. This caused such a split in the churches, they still have not fully recovered. They were now sending out requests for Bibles and nothing more. They can see what damaging effects a divided body has. Why can’t we see it?
All true Christians have the same goal in mind. Why can’t we put our selfish pride and worship styles on the back burner and get along with people? I don’t foresee a global church. I don’t think all churches will unite any time soon. And like I said, if it does happen, it’s only by the grace of God. What can we do on more of a local level, or even personal level that could help this cause? I need to look at myself and see what walls I have built that need to come down. Just something to think about.
God Bless!
“…holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:” Heb. 12:14
I don’t believe that it will be one select group going to heaven. I don’t believe it will be one denomination. We are supposed to go out and evangelize the world, but we can’t get along with the church down the street. Can you imagine if our outreach was unified? Could you imagine the effectiveness? If we took our personal opinions and preferences out of the mix and just went out and taught the love and salvation of Jesus? If the churches in the United States were united, can you imagine the impact on the world? I have known ministers that felt so grudgingly towards each other they would not even say “hello” on the street. I believe that Satan has the church in a state of dissention that only God could pull us out of. If Satan can keep us out of union with each other, this greatly reduces our effectiveness. We dislike each other so much. How can we grow spiritually if we have a hatred in our hearts. If we feel we are the only ones right, how can we be teachable? This is not even going into non-unity within a specific denomination or even a specific congregation. We have built such solid walls between denominations that no man could pull them down.
I read a book a while ago about the Chinese underground church. About the unity they had from house-church to house-church. A big problem was the shortage of Bibles. They sent the message out expressing what they needed. People started send Bibles and all was good. They had a Bible and a faith that could not be quenched. They were seeing miracles and healings and God moving so heavily on the Chinese people. These were not Pentecostal or charismatic people. Like I said, they had a Bible and a faith. Than, along with the Bibles, people started sending denominational literature with the Bibles. This caused such a split in the churches, they still have not fully recovered. They were now sending out requests for Bibles and nothing more. They can see what damaging effects a divided body has. Why can’t we see it?
All true Christians have the same goal in mind. Why can’t we put our selfish pride and worship styles on the back burner and get along with people? I don’t foresee a global church. I don’t think all churches will unite any time soon. And like I said, if it does happen, it’s only by the grace of God. What can we do on more of a local level, or even personal level that could help this cause? I need to look at myself and see what walls I have built that need to come down. Just something to think about.
God Bless!
“…holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:” Heb. 12:14
Monday, November 08, 2004
Are You NUTS?!?!?!
“Are you NUTS?!?! Your poor wife!” That’s what I heard last week from a lady at work when I told her my wife was expecting again. No we are not Catholic, Mormon or Amish. And yes I do know what causes it. We have five children and like I said, my wife is expecting number six.
Our thought is that if you give your life to God, that is indeed what you do. GIVE your life to God. If you say that God knows what is best for your life, He should know best how many children you have, where you should be working, going to church, etc. You give everything to God. That is a hard one to get a hold of. You feel secure enough with giving Him your salvation, but is that where it stops?
“God gave us a brain to think with, didn‘t He?” Of course He did. But He gave us a faith in Him that He wants us to practice, also. “How many are you going to have?” is another one I hear a lot. Usually my answer is “We'll stop when we get an ugly one” or “when God chooses not to give us anymore” (depending on my mood or who is asking).
Another thing I have realized. Just because a person says they are anti-abortion, it certainly doesn’t mean they are pro-life. Pro-life would mean FOR life. For more life. I know I might be playing on the terminology a bit, but I hear the same comments from Christians and un-saved alike. You say you are a supporter of life, “but we only want one or two!” You wouldn’t believe the criticism I get when people realize we have a medium-sized family. I have heard it from all over.
I am not even going to touch on tubal ligations and vasectomies this morning. I will say, though. If (men) your wife is taking “the pill” or (women) if you are taking “the pill”, please do the research and know what you are taking. I’m not talking the morning after pill. I’m talking ‘birth-control’ pills. Ask your doctor or do your own research. Most pills don’t prevent conception like we are led to believe. It prevents the conceived life from implanting for nourishment and growth. In effect, your body then aborts the conceived life. If you are insistent on controlling your family population, there are natural ways to do it.
I know it’s short and there is really a lot more I’d like to say on this topic, but I need to get going.
God Bless!
“…holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:” Heb. 12:14
Our thought is that if you give your life to God, that is indeed what you do. GIVE your life to God. If you say that God knows what is best for your life, He should know best how many children you have, where you should be working, going to church, etc. You give everything to God. That is a hard one to get a hold of. You feel secure enough with giving Him your salvation, but is that where it stops?
“God gave us a brain to think with, didn‘t He?” Of course He did. But He gave us a faith in Him that He wants us to practice, also. “How many are you going to have?” is another one I hear a lot. Usually my answer is “We'll stop when we get an ugly one” or “when God chooses not to give us anymore” (depending on my mood or who is asking).
Another thing I have realized. Just because a person says they are anti-abortion, it certainly doesn’t mean they are pro-life. Pro-life would mean FOR life. For more life. I know I might be playing on the terminology a bit, but I hear the same comments from Christians and un-saved alike. You say you are a supporter of life, “but we only want one or two!” You wouldn’t believe the criticism I get when people realize we have a medium-sized family. I have heard it from all over.
I am not even going to touch on tubal ligations and vasectomies this morning. I will say, though. If (men) your wife is taking “the pill” or (women) if you are taking “the pill”, please do the research and know what you are taking. I’m not talking the morning after pill. I’m talking ‘birth-control’ pills. Ask your doctor or do your own research. Most pills don’t prevent conception like we are led to believe. It prevents the conceived life from implanting for nourishment and growth. In effect, your body then aborts the conceived life. If you are insistent on controlling your family population, there are natural ways to do it.
I know it’s short and there is really a lot more I’d like to say on this topic, but I need to get going.
God Bless!
“…holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:” Heb. 12:14
Friday, November 05, 2004
Holy Living part 2
Sorry I didn't post this this morning but Blogger wouldn't let me in.
Alright, back into it.
Back to a previous statement. How can we be lights to the dark world when we appear dark? When we look like, act like, talk like and do the same things as the world, where is the light/dark contrast? I truly feel that if we are not different from the world, we will not be effective. And I’m not saying ‘different’ as that we are saved and the world is not. I am saying lifestyle differences. We should be noticeably different. Not necessarily Amish different. I have a problem with today’s music. It’s full of sex, drugs, violence, more sex and sex. I also have a problem with taking today’s music and putting new words to it and calling it ’Christian’. Job 14:4 says "Who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean? Not one." I have a problem with Christians listening to this music…especially the secular music. It’s vulgar and angry. We put that into our bodies and spirits and expect it NOT to change us? Music can become like a drug. I’ve been there. I know. There was a time when I couldn’t wait to get into my car and go somewhere so I could turn up my music loud and listen to what my wife didn’t want me listening to in the house around the little ones. It was like an addiction. Praise God He has removed that stronghold from me. I am still plagued by the music I used to listen to though. If I hear a bit of an old song I used to listen to, all of the lyrics and beats and memories of that song come flooding back over me. I am not proud of that. I think it’s unfortunate. This stuff sticks in you. An example; some of my children play musical instruments. The songs they are working on, they are supposed to listen to several times a day on CD to learn tone, rhythm, speed and so on. One night at about 1:30 a.m. our almost two year old woke up to be fed and cuddled. She didn’t cry or call for ‘mama’ but she was humming one of the children’s musical pieces they were working on. She was humming it perfectly! Please don’t tell me that you listen to it ‘just for the beat’. The words stick in you just like the musical piece stuck with my daughter. If we are supposed to think on the "…true,…honest,…just,…pure,…lovely,…and things of good report;" (Philippians 3:12) today’s music doesn’t fall into those categories. And I started out listening to ‘Christian’ music. It was soon that it didn’t satisfy. It wasn’t long until my standards for ’good’ music was so low that I was listening to anything and everything. Ask my wife, she will tell you.
Apply the previous paragraph to movies and television, also. The television is so full of sex it’s humiliating. We make promiscuity to be okay. We have soft porn on in the daytime (not that the evenings or nights would make it alright) with soap operas. I used to watch those, too. The commercials on TV are terrible…you can’t even sell a soft drink or sandwich or vehicle or anything without using sex. "Well, I just watch sports." I’ve heard that before. And you just watch the beer commercials in between. The last sporting event I watched was the Stanley Cup Playoffs a couple of years ago. No more…never again. We had to turn the channel at commercial times because of the smut. Half naked cheerleaders on the football field. The Janet Jackson incident. It tares me up to think that ‘ministers’ or ‘shepherds’ were allowing youth to watch that. You may think that I’m a prude. Do an experiment for me. Shut your TV off and stop listening to trashy music and get rid of the smutty magazines like People for a couple weeks or a couple months. Than turn the TV back on. It will shock you what you watched before without even realizing the pollution. We have grown so calloused to the immoral that it doesn’t bother us any more. I’m not just talking fellow lay people. I’m talking ministers of the gospel, elders, deacons…all addicted to media and entertainment. I used to justify watching inappropriate things on TV saying that "at least my kids are in bed" or that "it’s not that bad at prime time for your kids to watch." What makes it not right for your kids to watch…is it the language or the sex or the violence? What makes it wrong for them to watch and not wrong for you to watch? I was hypocritical in saying those things. If you have ever said those things, you too are a hypocrite. Why do we think we can handle it any better than they can? Because we can filter through the bad? Would you filter out your septic water with a strainer and assume the water is okay to drink? And I’m telling you, the world is slipping things onto TV slowly and quietly. At first your surprised to hear a certain word or to see that much of a body. Than again, and again, and again until it’s no big deal. Than it’s earlier in the evening. Soon the things that were shocking and inappropriate five years ago are making it prime time. I’ve watched that happen over my short 30 year life-span.
Well, this post took a turn that I did not expect. I’m not sorry it did. These things have bothered me for a long time. Like I said, I know about these things. I’ve lived through it. Praise God for His mercy; it‘s in my past! If you deny any of the things you have read, you need to seek God in this matter. I am completely convinced that the trash of the world is good for nobody. If you deny it, that’s what it is…denial. How many alcoholics admit they have a problem. These issues are problems. They are strongholds. Giving these things up will not make you a perfect Christian. I am not a perfect Christian. I find it hard to believe that the Holy Spirit would dwell in a vessel full of the world’s dirt and filth, though. The Bible might have something to say about that. If you’re a Christian, get off of the fence. Get both feet on one side or the other. If you want the world, take it. If you want the Lord, forsake the world.
God Bless!
"…holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:" Heb. 12:14
Alright, back into it.
Back to a previous statement. How can we be lights to the dark world when we appear dark? When we look like, act like, talk like and do the same things as the world, where is the light/dark contrast? I truly feel that if we are not different from the world, we will not be effective. And I’m not saying ‘different’ as that we are saved and the world is not. I am saying lifestyle differences. We should be noticeably different. Not necessarily Amish different. I have a problem with today’s music. It’s full of sex, drugs, violence, more sex and sex. I also have a problem with taking today’s music and putting new words to it and calling it ’Christian’. Job 14:4 says "Who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean? Not one." I have a problem with Christians listening to this music…especially the secular music. It’s vulgar and angry. We put that into our bodies and spirits and expect it NOT to change us? Music can become like a drug. I’ve been there. I know. There was a time when I couldn’t wait to get into my car and go somewhere so I could turn up my music loud and listen to what my wife didn’t want me listening to in the house around the little ones. It was like an addiction. Praise God He has removed that stronghold from me. I am still plagued by the music I used to listen to though. If I hear a bit of an old song I used to listen to, all of the lyrics and beats and memories of that song come flooding back over me. I am not proud of that. I think it’s unfortunate. This stuff sticks in you. An example; some of my children play musical instruments. The songs they are working on, they are supposed to listen to several times a day on CD to learn tone, rhythm, speed and so on. One night at about 1:30 a.m. our almost two year old woke up to be fed and cuddled. She didn’t cry or call for ‘mama’ but she was humming one of the children’s musical pieces they were working on. She was humming it perfectly! Please don’t tell me that you listen to it ‘just for the beat’. The words stick in you just like the musical piece stuck with my daughter. If we are supposed to think on the "…true,…honest,…just,…pure,…lovely,…and things of good report;" (Philippians 3:12) today’s music doesn’t fall into those categories. And I started out listening to ‘Christian’ music. It was soon that it didn’t satisfy. It wasn’t long until my standards for ’good’ music was so low that I was listening to anything and everything. Ask my wife, she will tell you.
Apply the previous paragraph to movies and television, also. The television is so full of sex it’s humiliating. We make promiscuity to be okay. We have soft porn on in the daytime (not that the evenings or nights would make it alright) with soap operas. I used to watch those, too. The commercials on TV are terrible…you can’t even sell a soft drink or sandwich or vehicle or anything without using sex. "Well, I just watch sports." I’ve heard that before. And you just watch the beer commercials in between. The last sporting event I watched was the Stanley Cup Playoffs a couple of years ago. No more…never again. We had to turn the channel at commercial times because of the smut. Half naked cheerleaders on the football field. The Janet Jackson incident. It tares me up to think that ‘ministers’ or ‘shepherds’ were allowing youth to watch that. You may think that I’m a prude. Do an experiment for me. Shut your TV off and stop listening to trashy music and get rid of the smutty magazines like People for a couple weeks or a couple months. Than turn the TV back on. It will shock you what you watched before without even realizing the pollution. We have grown so calloused to the immoral that it doesn’t bother us any more. I’m not just talking fellow lay people. I’m talking ministers of the gospel, elders, deacons…all addicted to media and entertainment. I used to justify watching inappropriate things on TV saying that "at least my kids are in bed" or that "it’s not that bad at prime time for your kids to watch." What makes it not right for your kids to watch…is it the language or the sex or the violence? What makes it wrong for them to watch and not wrong for you to watch? I was hypocritical in saying those things. If you have ever said those things, you too are a hypocrite. Why do we think we can handle it any better than they can? Because we can filter through the bad? Would you filter out your septic water with a strainer and assume the water is okay to drink? And I’m telling you, the world is slipping things onto TV slowly and quietly. At first your surprised to hear a certain word or to see that much of a body. Than again, and again, and again until it’s no big deal. Than it’s earlier in the evening. Soon the things that were shocking and inappropriate five years ago are making it prime time. I’ve watched that happen over my short 30 year life-span.
Well, this post took a turn that I did not expect. I’m not sorry it did. These things have bothered me for a long time. Like I said, I know about these things. I’ve lived through it. Praise God for His mercy; it‘s in my past! If you deny any of the things you have read, you need to seek God in this matter. I am completely convinced that the trash of the world is good for nobody. If you deny it, that’s what it is…denial. How many alcoholics admit they have a problem. These issues are problems. They are strongholds. Giving these things up will not make you a perfect Christian. I am not a perfect Christian. I find it hard to believe that the Holy Spirit would dwell in a vessel full of the world’s dirt and filth, though. The Bible might have something to say about that. If you’re a Christian, get off of the fence. Get both feet on one side or the other. If you want the world, take it. If you want the Lord, forsake the world.
God Bless!
"…holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:" Heb. 12:14
Thursday, November 04, 2004
Holy Living part 1
This is it. This is my first (of possibly many) posts focused on Holy Living. I don’t want to put it into one post for two reasons. 1st is the length. I have a lot to say and most people don’t finish reading long posts. And 2nd is the time. I post in the morning before I go to work. I shouldn’t be late to work.
If you haven’t read any of my posts in the past, I would encourage you to read “What Have You Given Up Lately?” because it goes along with what I might say today. Lets face it, to live a Holy Life, God is going to ask you to give some things up. But where do you start? I think a great starting point would be to read 1 Timothy. He (Paul) gives qualifications of a Bishop (overseer, elder…) as well as a Deacon. I had a similar conversation on someone else’s blog a while back. Why not strive or aim for the High goals? Why aren’t we encouraged in our churches to desire the office of eldership? Are ministers afraid to let people read or study the Bible for themselves? Do they fear a hostile takeover? Do they fear that someone might realize their spiritual life doesn’t measure up to the patterns in the scripture? The early Catholic church fastened the Bible to the pulpit so no one could take it out of the church. They wouldn’t allow the Bible to be translated into the ‘common’ language. Today is different, though. They don’t discourage Bible reading (although it’s not often encouraged). Ministers don’t fear the people reading their Bibles too much because they know better. That hasn’t been a problem for a long time. Not since the invent of the TV, video games, radio, computer, internet (plug your struggle in here). What is the fear? Why aren’t we encouraged to live a Holy Life? To read and study on our own?
1 Timothy 3
2 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach; 3 Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous; 4 One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; 5 (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?) 6 Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil. 7 Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.
Even though I may never become an elder or deacon, I view this passage as a call to holiness. Aren’t these characteristics all desirable? Wife, wouldn’t you like your husband to measure up to this? And this is certainly not the only passage in scripture that leads to a Holy Life. Titus 2 encourages us to have sound speech and sober minds so people can’t give an evil report of you. 2 Timothy says we need to be gentle to all men, apt to teach, patient, instructing in meekness. These are just a few examples. Holy Living isn’t just to benefit you. Like the Titus passage says, so people can’t give an evil report of you. This is how we are a light to those around us. I personally find it hard for us to be an example to the world when we are so much like the world. God has called us to a higher standard of living than the world. That is why we can’t look down upon those not saved. We can’t expect them to live according to the Biblical teachings when they don’t own or have never read a Bible. We have. We know the scriptures. Why aren’t we living according to them?
Back to a previous statement. How can we be lights to the dark world when we appear dark? When we look, act like, talk like and do the same things as the world, where is the light/dark contrast?
I don't like leaving this un-finished but I will pick up tomorrow where I left off today. Think on these things, have a great day and…
God Bless!
“…holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:” Heb. 12:14
If you haven’t read any of my posts in the past, I would encourage you to read “What Have You Given Up Lately?” because it goes along with what I might say today. Lets face it, to live a Holy Life, God is going to ask you to give some things up. But where do you start? I think a great starting point would be to read 1 Timothy. He (Paul) gives qualifications of a Bishop (overseer, elder…) as well as a Deacon. I had a similar conversation on someone else’s blog a while back. Why not strive or aim for the High goals? Why aren’t we encouraged in our churches to desire the office of eldership? Are ministers afraid to let people read or study the Bible for themselves? Do they fear a hostile takeover? Do they fear that someone might realize their spiritual life doesn’t measure up to the patterns in the scripture? The early Catholic church fastened the Bible to the pulpit so no one could take it out of the church. They wouldn’t allow the Bible to be translated into the ‘common’ language. Today is different, though. They don’t discourage Bible reading (although it’s not often encouraged). Ministers don’t fear the people reading their Bibles too much because they know better. That hasn’t been a problem for a long time. Not since the invent of the TV, video games, radio, computer, internet (plug your struggle in here). What is the fear? Why aren’t we encouraged to live a Holy Life? To read and study on our own?
1 Timothy 3
2 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach; 3 Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous; 4 One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; 5 (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?) 6 Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil. 7 Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.
Even though I may never become an elder or deacon, I view this passage as a call to holiness. Aren’t these characteristics all desirable? Wife, wouldn’t you like your husband to measure up to this? And this is certainly not the only passage in scripture that leads to a Holy Life. Titus 2 encourages us to have sound speech and sober minds so people can’t give an evil report of you. 2 Timothy says we need to be gentle to all men, apt to teach, patient, instructing in meekness. These are just a few examples. Holy Living isn’t just to benefit you. Like the Titus passage says, so people can’t give an evil report of you. This is how we are a light to those around us. I personally find it hard for us to be an example to the world when we are so much like the world. God has called us to a higher standard of living than the world. That is why we can’t look down upon those not saved. We can’t expect them to live according to the Biblical teachings when they don’t own or have never read a Bible. We have. We know the scriptures. Why aren’t we living according to them?
Back to a previous statement. How can we be lights to the dark world when we appear dark? When we look, act like, talk like and do the same things as the world, where is the light/dark contrast?
I don't like leaving this un-finished but I will pick up tomorrow where I left off today. Think on these things, have a great day and…
God Bless!
“…holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:” Heb. 12:14
Wednesday, November 03, 2004
Still Waiting
Well, now we wait. We wait to see how big of a stink we make over this.
When we went to bed last night at about 11:00 EST President Bush had a pretty sizable lead. We were really waiting to see who took Ohio and Florida. Two key swing states. We were multi-tabbing on the web (thanks to Mozilla) between Fox News, CNN, MSN and possibly some others. Most of them were pretty consistent. Like I said, we went to bed.
My wife got up at 1:30 this morning to use the bathroom and get the baby. She said "why don't you go downstairs and check things out." I was sleeping very good and mumbled something about it being alright and tried to go back to sleep. After that, I started having nightmares. It was Sen. Kerry's booming voice saying "Kerry wins Ohio...Kerry wins Florida...Kerry wins Pennsylvania." Needless to say, I wasn't sleeping well after that. I got up at 2:30 and came downstairs. I checked four different websites. The previously mentioned and one other that I can't remember (it was early). Two of them said that President Bush was at 269 electoral votes (needing 270 to win). The other two could not agree on where Bush was and all four of them had Kerry at all different electoral votes!?!? Two of them said Ohio was Bush's and the other two said it was too close to tell just yet. I checked the break-down by states and Fox News reported that Bush gathered over 100,000 more votes in Ohio than did Kerry. What's in question? After all is said and done it wouldn’t surprise me to see a disgruntled Al Gor..I mean John Kerry down in Florida somewhere wearing flannel and sporting a bushy beard. That’s my election prediction.
Tomorrow, hopefully back to normal. Spiritual, life changing issues. Until then.
God Bless!
“…holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:” Heb. 12:14
When we went to bed last night at about 11:00 EST President Bush had a pretty sizable lead. We were really waiting to see who took Ohio and Florida. Two key swing states. We were multi-tabbing on the web (thanks to Mozilla) between Fox News, CNN, MSN and possibly some others. Most of them were pretty consistent. Like I said, we went to bed.
My wife got up at 1:30 this morning to use the bathroom and get the baby. She said "why don't you go downstairs and check things out." I was sleeping very good and mumbled something about it being alright and tried to go back to sleep. After that, I started having nightmares. It was Sen. Kerry's booming voice saying "Kerry wins Ohio...Kerry wins Florida...Kerry wins Pennsylvania." Needless to say, I wasn't sleeping well after that. I got up at 2:30 and came downstairs. I checked four different websites. The previously mentioned and one other that I can't remember (it was early). Two of them said that President Bush was at 269 electoral votes (needing 270 to win). The other two could not agree on where Bush was and all four of them had Kerry at all different electoral votes!?!? Two of them said Ohio was Bush's and the other two said it was too close to tell just yet. I checked the break-down by states and Fox News reported that Bush gathered over 100,000 more votes in Ohio than did Kerry. What's in question? After all is said and done it wouldn’t surprise me to see a disgruntled Al Gor..I mean John Kerry down in Florida somewhere wearing flannel and sporting a bushy beard. That’s my election prediction.
Tomorrow, hopefully back to normal. Spiritual, life changing issues. Until then.
God Bless!
“…holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:” Heb. 12:14
Tuesday, November 02, 2004
Election Day; God's Longsuffering or God's Judgment
Happy Election Tuesday from the Swing-State!
Today we decide the fate of our great nation. Do we hand over the reins of our leadership and security to a new man and the United Nations or do we ride this storm out like a cowboy? We could argue, debate, fight and disagree but does it matter? I mean after all, the Weekly Reader Poll has already been taken. Isn't that good enough?
We buckeyes don't measure the scale...we own the scale. After hearing that Ohio usually decides the election I felt pretty confident. You drive through our town and many other small towns in our area and all the signs point to Bush/Cheney. Than I spent some time out by Cleveland last week and their signs are telling a different story. It could go either way. How should we feel if our candidate doesn't get in? Is it all doom if John Kerry gets into office? Is it all better if George Bush stays in office? You see what my title is today. I believe that God is in complete control of who gets elected President. Obviously we have free-will to vote for whoever we want, but I believe God puts in office who he wants (or who we need) in office. Let me explain. If elections were in November of 2001 when America was still in her "God Bless America" fad, I have no doubts that George Bush would have been re-elected in a heart beat. Why not put a 'religious' man in charge of a 'religious' nation? Well, that phase is past. I no longer see "God Bless America" on Gas Station signs or Liquor Store signs or Bar signs or even Church signs. Most church signs are the cutesy little creative sayings like "Sign Broken: Message Inside". Do people actually fall for that? Anyways, back to the subject. Our religious feelings didn't last long. We don't want to be a Christian society. We like to be un-decided. Don't label me as Christian because it takes away too many of my liberties. We are on a moral decline. What's to say we don't vote in John Kerry and things fall apart? Maybe this is God's way of drawing us back to Him.
When God set up kings in Israel, I can't help but believe that He had intentions of bringing His people back to Him. Especially with the wicked kings. Look at the attacks that went on. Than people would repent and call out to God and God would pull them out. Is He looking for us to repent? This may be God's Judgment. I'm not saying that I agree with the 9/11 attacks or anything of that sort. But I do believe God knew they were coming. Why He let them happen is beyond me. The book of Job proves that the devil has to have God's permission before afflicting a person (or I believe a people). I believe the pressure will increase until we make a turn back to God.
On the flip side, I do not believe that George Bush will make all of the problems go away. I know that he is not a perfect man, leader or Christian. I do believe that he seeks the Lord, though. To me, that is a big factor. Who knows, he may be the man standing in the gap.
Regardless of who gets voted in, remember the words of Ecclesiastes 10:20 "Curse not the king, no not in thy thought; and curse not the rich in thy bedchamber: for a bird of the air shall carry the voice, and that which hath wings shall tell the matter." Yes, it is true that this was probably written by Solomon, a king and a rich man. But none-the-less. I think that we have to trust God in His doings. It will be hard not to complain if my candidate doesn't get elected; but God is in control.
P.S. I put another link off to the left, there. A great ministry helping in child-rearing, home schooling and all around sound Biblical teaching. They have a lot of resources available. Definitely one of our favorite ministries. If the link doesn't work for some reason, it's nogreaterjoy.org. Visit them today, and tell them Troy sent you...they'll have no idea what you're talking about.
God Bless!
“…holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:” Heb. 12:14
Today we decide the fate of our great nation. Do we hand over the reins of our leadership and security to a new man and the United Nations or do we ride this storm out like a cowboy? We could argue, debate, fight and disagree but does it matter? I mean after all, the Weekly Reader Poll has already been taken. Isn't that good enough?
We buckeyes don't measure the scale...we own the scale. After hearing that Ohio usually decides the election I felt pretty confident. You drive through our town and many other small towns in our area and all the signs point to Bush/Cheney. Than I spent some time out by Cleveland last week and their signs are telling a different story. It could go either way. How should we feel if our candidate doesn't get in? Is it all doom if John Kerry gets into office? Is it all better if George Bush stays in office? You see what my title is today. I believe that God is in complete control of who gets elected President. Obviously we have free-will to vote for whoever we want, but I believe God puts in office who he wants (or who we need) in office. Let me explain. If elections were in November of 2001 when America was still in her "God Bless America" fad, I have no doubts that George Bush would have been re-elected in a heart beat. Why not put a 'religious' man in charge of a 'religious' nation? Well, that phase is past. I no longer see "God Bless America" on Gas Station signs or Liquor Store signs or Bar signs or even Church signs. Most church signs are the cutesy little creative sayings like "Sign Broken: Message Inside". Do people actually fall for that? Anyways, back to the subject. Our religious feelings didn't last long. We don't want to be a Christian society. We like to be un-decided. Don't label me as Christian because it takes away too many of my liberties. We are on a moral decline. What's to say we don't vote in John Kerry and things fall apart? Maybe this is God's way of drawing us back to Him.
When God set up kings in Israel, I can't help but believe that He had intentions of bringing His people back to Him. Especially with the wicked kings. Look at the attacks that went on. Than people would repent and call out to God and God would pull them out. Is He looking for us to repent? This may be God's Judgment. I'm not saying that I agree with the 9/11 attacks or anything of that sort. But I do believe God knew they were coming. Why He let them happen is beyond me. The book of Job proves that the devil has to have God's permission before afflicting a person (or I believe a people). I believe the pressure will increase until we make a turn back to God.
On the flip side, I do not believe that George Bush will make all of the problems go away. I know that he is not a perfect man, leader or Christian. I do believe that he seeks the Lord, though. To me, that is a big factor. Who knows, he may be the man standing in the gap.
Regardless of who gets voted in, remember the words of Ecclesiastes 10:20 "Curse not the king, no not in thy thought; and curse not the rich in thy bedchamber: for a bird of the air shall carry the voice, and that which hath wings shall tell the matter." Yes, it is true that this was probably written by Solomon, a king and a rich man. But none-the-less. I think that we have to trust God in His doings. It will be hard not to complain if my candidate doesn't get elected; but God is in control.
P.S. I put another link off to the left, there. A great ministry helping in child-rearing, home schooling and all around sound Biblical teaching. They have a lot of resources available. Definitely one of our favorite ministries. If the link doesn't work for some reason, it's nogreaterjoy.org. Visit them today, and tell them Troy sent you...they'll have no idea what you're talking about.
God Bless!
“…holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:” Heb. 12:14
Monday, November 01, 2004
Love Not the World
1 John 2
15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. 17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.
Pretty much says it all right there. Besides, I don't have much time.
P.S. Don't forget to get out and vote tomorrow. And don't forget to pray about the election. It has the potential to get ugly. This could also create serious division in this country. We are dealing with some extremes in this election. Pray, pray, pray; and vote for the RIGHT person!
God Bless!
“…holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:” Heb. 12:14
15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. 17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.
Pretty much says it all right there. Besides, I don't have much time.
P.S. Don't forget to get out and vote tomorrow. And don't forget to pray about the election. It has the potential to get ugly. This could also create serious division in this country. We are dealing with some extremes in this election. Pray, pray, pray; and vote for the RIGHT person!
God Bless!
“…holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:” Heb. 12:14
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