Protecting Your Children: Revisited

NOTE: Any parents that read this to your children, please read through this first.

I wouldn't consider myself a news junkie, but on my lunch-break at work most days, I'll point my browser to FoxNews.com to catch up on what's going on in the world. What I realize is that the news is very depressing (I know...DUH!!). Something else I realize is that my post on protecting your children is not too harsh. Possibly not harsh enough. I don't know how many articles in the last couple of months I have read or seen about child endangerment, child porn, child abuse, child abduction, child rape, child neglect...the list could go on. I understand that these things have been going on in the world for a very, very long time; but to this degree? Obviously the most publicized is the Michael Jackson child molestation trial. My wife summed it up for me when she said “What kind of monster lives inside that man that makes him want to disfigure himself like that and do the things he does?” I say he's a pervert. He's perverted sex. He's perverted life (his, his children, other peoples children). He's even perverted his physical appearance. My wife turned the radio on one morning to catch the weather. The radio was set to talk radio. The announcer was talking about this particular trial in great detail; explicit detail. This brings me to a major point. Do we need this kind of detail? This local station is supposed to be a conservative (yet secular) station. I believe they thought they were just “bringing the news”. We are being bombarded with this kind of explicit information. Once again, this may be the media's way of “bringing the news”. Maybe they hope the details will disgust us (which many times they do).

I perused one article about Hollywood filming a new movie. I was appalled, so I didn't finish it. It is a movie about a thirteen year old girl. Typically not a problem to cast a movie about a thirteen year old girl. The catch is, she was supposed to have a lesbian love scene in the movie. Now the dilemma. Who in their right mind is going to allow Hollywood to film a thirteen year old girl in a lesbian love scene? They interviewed several girls who were of age to make a movie like this “..but they all looked too old”. What are they trying to do to this country?!?! With the explicit details we get from the media mixed with films filled with this filth, are they pushing some sort of an agenda? They got the country to accept homosexuality, is pedophilia next? Is the media going to callous us regarding this while the film/entertainment industry portrays it as socially acceptable. You don't think a movie like this depicting what appears to be a thirteen year old engaged in lesbian sex is going to turn some perverted freak on? Making them want to have a young lover like that? In a society that gets what they want; and if they can't get it, they take it? We wonder why people would do harmful things to children. Two words for you: Firing Squad. I feel okay saying that. Jesus said anyone offending children would be better off with a millstone hung around their necks and cast into the sea. I think my method may be a little more humane.

It got me wondering what the consensual sex age was in the different States. It varies from 16 to 18 mostly. Some are 14 if the other partner is under 21. Did you know that many states have a consensual age for men-to-men sex and female-to-female sex? Check for yourself. Where are we headed?

Churches aren't a safe haven like many think, either. Women, please understand that men/boys are visual people. Don't tempt them with the way you dress or with the clothes you wear (or don't wear). I remember when I was thirteen. Focusing on the sermon was hard enough in itself alone. Then throw in scantily clad females and there is no way I could pay attention to the minister. I don't know the last time I was in a church that the women and girls actually dressed like modest ladies (I can think of maybe one or two, and we've visited a lot of churches). How do you expect your children to remain pure when going to school (or church) and the girls are dressed like prostitutes? Seem harsh and over-reactant? We left a church a few years back. We left for several reasons. One reason was because of the dress of some of the ladies. One lady I'll mention. She was probably fifty years old. She was not an overly-attractive women, but she kept her shape pretty well. She wore the shortest skirts I think I have ever seen. She was a Sunday School teacher for young children. When we were talking to one of the elders about why we were leaving the church, dress became a topic. He shook his head like he understood what we were saying. I mentioned “a” Sunday School teacher (not by name mind you). He said “I know who you are talking about. She has been a topic in our household.” He went on to say “Troy, how do you think it makes me feel when my five year old grandchild says 'grandpa, when our teacher bends over in Sunday School, I can see her panties.'”? I asked what the elders were doing about it. “Oh, we can't do anything about it.” I disagreed. If it makes them angry and runs them off, so be it. You don't need people like that working in the church, polluting young (and old) people.

Youth groups can be dangerous. I mentioned that before. Christian summer camp was a breeding ground for hormones (and just plane a breeding ground for some). Hundreds of kids with a few counselors to watch them all. Right. I know what goes on. So do your children.

Alright, I've vented enough. I really try to make this blog encouraging. Sometimes I succeed. I know that most times I sound angry. Usually because I am angry. Angry at what the church has become. Angry at the direction the country is headed. Maybe I'm too emotionally attached to the world. Maybe I need to focus on me and my family. I know I focus on them and their protection. Some of our family think that we are over-protective. Then I read the news and know for a fact that we are NOT over-protective.

God Bless!

“…holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:” Heb. 12:14

Foolishness and Folly

Ecclesiastes 10:1 says

Dead flies cause the ointment of the apothecary to send forth a stinking savour: so doth a little folly him that is in reputation for wisdom and honour.

For quite a while now I've been wanting to post on our speech and actions and how they effect our 'witness'. I just haven't taken the time to put my thoughts together on it. A couple of verses crossed my path recently that really solidified this for me. Part of it is because this might be where I struggle the most as a Christian. Keeping my speech sound. I'm really not a loud or vulgar person by nature. My problem is light-heartedness (a nice way to say foolishness). Anyone that knows me knows that I hate confrontation and conflict, so I turn to humor. I always have. Where do I draw the line? Where does humor cross over to what Paul talks about in Ephesians 5:3-4 (But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.)? I mentioned in a previous post how my 'jesting' caused a co-worker of mine to take notice, and not in a good way.

I have spoken (written) more than once in the past about how those starving in the world want something different than what the world has to offer. That's why they're starving. The world has plenty of comedians. We don't need them in the church, too. Yeah, I might make someone laugh, which makes me feel good, but have I challenged anyone spiritually? Have I encouraged someone? I really try to encourage people. I have seen enough depression in my life. If I can lift someone up, I try to do it. But, does it have to be through entertaining them? If I could juggle, I would have tried that, I'm sure. All this does is make them forget about their problem momentarily instead of pointing them to an answer to fix the problem.

I'm not proposing that we walk around sulky all of the time. I've seen Christians like that and that doesn't impress anyone. I've even had people ask me why Christians are always in a somber mood and never joyful. Like I said, the world takes notice. We should be joyful. Why would anyone want to come to the Lord if it meant we had to appear depressed all of the time? Come to the Lord to escape the worlds depression! But that doesn't mean we need to be fools. I've seen “Christian Comedians” before. Yes, they make me laugh. Most fools do. How do they expect to lead anyone to Christ? Can people actually take them seriously? I've seen them on stage making people laugh until they cry one minute, than try to switch gears and share about Jesus. It didn't do anything for me. I was thinking “c'mon, get through this and get back to the funny stuff.” It goes back to wanting to be entertained. I'm sure I've exhausted you with my torrents of entertainment in the church, so I'll save that for another day.

It boils down how people perceive you. No we should not strive to please man, BUT, if people don't respect you, they will not listen to you. How do you expect to share with people who have no respect for you? How do you expect people to respect you if life is just one big joke right after another? You don't need to go through life speaking only scriptures, but your life needs some seriousness in it. If someone has a problem, do they go to the foolish joker or do they go to the level, joyful person? I know where I would go. Maybe I'm making a mountain out of a molehill with this, but it's something I feel I need to examine in myself. I also know what the scriptures say about our speech and actions. Read through Proverbs. How often does it speak about fools, foolishness, and their follies? I also know that a little foolishness makes a man who has a reputation of wisdom and honor to stink. A little foolishness could ruin what you have worked for in a short moment.

God bless!

“…holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:” Heb. 12:14

Protecting Your Children

I had a minister hold up a picture of a very skinny, dirty, feeble man to show each of us in the men’s group that had gathered together one Saturday morning. It was quite possibly a homeless man. My first reaction was “sheesh…that poor guy!” I didn’t know if this was a missions pitch or what. Than he said “Would you trust this man to provide food for your family? Would you trust him to keep your family fed and nourished?” Obviously the answer was NO. His response: “Than how can you expect to spiritually feed your family when you are in this state spiritually?” That really made me stop and think. This was a church that always challenged me. They always encouraged me to dig deeper. The minister was a humble man who sought the Lord. I really took a lot away from this church. This particular instance really motivated me to stay in the Word. To keep in contact with the Lord. Sure I’ve failed at times, but I get up. I’m no better or stronger than the next guy. I know my place. I know my responsibilities and duties.

I had another minister who was anti-home schooling. I do agree that we are all entitled to our opinions in this area. I certainly feel that home schooling is the better and safer way. That’s why we do it. Anyway, the minister said that he would have never pulled his kids out of school if things were going rough (his children are grown up and out of the house). If they were having problems at school or getting in trouble, he would wait till they got home, he would fill them up with God and send them back out into the world. Sounds good, but each of his four children fell away in high school. His daughter had two children out of wed-lock with two different men. His one son (they claim) was possessed by a demon. Three of them ended up back in church. One of the children actually lives a somewhat spiritual life. He was a busy minister, caring for the needs of the community. While neglecting his flock at home. The somewhat spiritual one is following the same path. Her and her husband have three children now and they are always leaving them with someone while they go on mission trips, or go to evangelize. Don’t misunderstand me. Evangelizing and missions are very important, but look at the state of most missionary families. Especially the missionaries who leave there children behind. We have seen a lot of missionaries in our short years. The number of fallen children is amazing to me.

That was just my introduction. Deuteronomy 6 says :

¹ Now these are the commandments, the statutes, and the judgments, which the LORD your God commanded to teach you, that ye might do them in the land whither ye go to possess it: ² That thou mightest fear the LORD thy God, to keep all his statutes and his commandments, which I command thee, thou, and thy son, and thy son's son, all the days of thy life; and that thy days may be prolonged. ³ Hear therefore, O Israel, and observe to do it; that it may be well with thee, and that ye may increase mightily, as the LORD God of thy fathers hath promised thee, in the land that floweth with milk and honey. ⁴ Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD: ⁵ And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. ⁶ And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: ⁷ And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. ⁸ And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes. ⁹ And thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy house, and on thy gates.

Now I believe the Jews maybe took the frontlet part a little overboard. They were doing what the Jews were notorious of doing. Taking God’s heart commandments and making them physical laws. My point is that we are supposed to be training our children in this. In our speech and actions. Twenty-four/seven should be spent in communion with our children and the Lord. Proverbs 22:6 says:

⁶ Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.

When we send our children off to school for seven or eight hours a day, we are giving up our parental right for that time period. Not only are we giving up our parental right, we are shaking off our parental responsibilities and duties. You are no longer “mommy” for your seven year old. There’s another “mommy” teaching and training your children. And just because they are certified by the state certainly does NOT mean they know what’s best for your children. God gave your children to YOU, not the state or government. Just like the second minister I told you about. His “salt and light” theory is so anti-biblical. Where in the Bible does it say to send out a fool to teach the world the gospel (Proverbs 22:15 says: foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child…). And no, James Dobson does NOT know what’s best for your children. Train your children up in the Lord and establish them on a firm foundation before you send them out. Trust me, that doesn’t happen at seven or eight years old (or usually even 12 or 13). Why send your children to be subjected to the peer-pressure that you gave into? Why send them to fellowship with the dark world (2 Corinthians 6:14)? Do you really expect them to stand fast when being bombarded with profanity and pollution? How do you stand up against eight hours of bombardment of evil? Do you ever give in? Ever? Maybe that one dirty joke you laugh at? That one inappropriate conversation you take part in? 1 Corinthians 15:33 says: ³³ Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners. What makes you think your child is exempt from this? You don’t throw one good apple into a basket of rotten apples and expect that one good one to make good the basket. Usually the opposite happens (1 Corinthians 5:6; Galatians 5:9 a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump).

“You’re being too protective” or “You’ll make them anti-social”. Yes, I have seen a few home school families that have backward children. A very few! Try interacting with some. See how they open up. Just because my children aren’t climbing the clothes racks at the department store doesn’t make him socially retarded. It makes him well behaved. Just because we don’t allow them to run through the parking lot or roam the stores alone; because we don’t send our children to school or youth group parties or to spend the night at peoples homes. Does this make us too protective? Look at the news. The abductions. The molestations. The rapes and murders. The teachers having sex with the students? Youth group children having sex on youth outings? It happens. I have heard first hand from several people that lost their virginity at a youth gathering. Many times on the church bus or right in the youth leaders house. And you will send your children out into this? And I’m being too protective?

“But they’ll be naïve and will not be able to function in society because it will be such a shock.” What the world calls naïve, the Bible calls pure. I would rather my children not understand a dirty joke they might hear. It keeps them pure (Matthew 5:8 Blessed are the pure in heart…). And I do think my children should know what evils are going on in the world. The world should not be teaching them, though. If I teach them at home, I will teach them with a Bible in my hands explaining why it’s an abomination and why it displeases God. If you allow them to learn from the world, they will learn it as exalted. The world tries to exalt their sin. Do you want your children to learn about sex, drugs, adultery and all that goes along with it in an exalted light or a revealing light that shows what evil it truly is?

Men, these children were given as a gift to you. View them as a gift and not an inconvenience. Know your responsibilities, though. When you send your children out into the world for seven or eight hours a day, that leaves you with maybe four or five hours with them. You will have to un-do eight hours of teaching in four hours before bed. Do you think this will confuse your children? “If it’s so wrong, why do they send me here?” Read through Titus 2. This is not just about mothers and wives. It tells what a man should live like also. This is the Biblical principle we try to instill in our children. I leave you with one last verse. Matthew 18:6 says:

⁶ But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.

I believe parents are offending their own children every day by not watching over them. By letting them roam. By not holding them accountable. I believe we are hurting God as well. By not taking care of the gifts he has blessed us with. Saying that “I don’t offend them, but their teachers might and that’s just the way the system is and there’s nothing I can do about it” is nothing more than a cop-out. Bring your children home. Protect and shelter them. Show them that you love them. Be home for them.

I know I went a bit long today. I hope you stuck it out. This is not a post trying to push you into home schooling. This is a post about protecting your children. To me, this is one of the no-brainer ways to do it. Feel free to comment with any questions.

God bless!

“…holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:” Heb. 12:14

"Cheers" Church

Making your way in the world today takes everything you've got.
Taking a break from all your worries, sure would help a lot.

Wouldn't you like to get away?

Sometimes you want to go, where everybody knows your name,
and they're always glad you came.
You wanna be where you can see, our troubles are all the same
You wanna be where everybody knows your name.

You wanna go where people know, people are all the same,
You wanna go where everybody knows your name.

You want to go where people know, people are all the same;
You want to go where everybody knows your name.

Cheers Theme Song Lyrics
Title: Where Everbody Knows Your Name
By: Gary Portnoy and Judy Hart Angelo

This crazy song has been mulling around in my head on and off for a few weeks now. Ever since a lady at work said that she thought this should be the church's theme song. If anyone is young enough not to remember the sit-com "Cheers", bear with me.

She is somewhat discontent with her church. She has had a rough life and I think the church sometimes reminds her of that. Literally. I don't think they want her to forget where she came from. She so much wants to be right with God and stay consistant. I understand what she is looking for with this song. I don't think she gets much love and support from her church family. Recently she has struggled with depression and health problems. She gets hammered on at work all week. She just wants a refuge on the weekends. She tries to stay strong throughout the week; she wants a fill-up on Sunday. We all want to be around real people. People not afraid to admit where we came from. People to encourage us that we are headed in the right direction.

On the other hand, I can see where people would want (and do get) the format of the sit-com for the church. You walk in to see the same, familiar faces. It's a light atmosphere. Instead of people sitting around chugging beer, they all have their triple laté. It's a social club. They want to walk in and everyone in unison yells "NORM!" There's no pressure to conform to anything. You come as you are. You leave as you came. No strings attached. If you want to meet up later and chug the beer, that's fine too. What goes on outside isn't an issue. Which reminds me of a story.

I worked with a guy who had been addicted to pornography. His marriage was falling apart, not because of the porn, but it came out that he had several adulterous affairs...somewhere around a hundred. I was trying to help him piece his marriage and life back together (to no avail). He said that when he was in the midst of all of this dark lifestyle, he was in a pornographic movie store picking out a video. In walked his sons youth minister. They nodded at each other as a recognition that they knew each other and as a representation of an unspoken pact. It appears that these people never speak about who they have seen in these places to another person (not even to the individual). My first response was to ask why he allowed his child to go back under the direction of this youth minister. You don't know what he might be showing or doing to him. Second was what the last statement of the last paragraph made. What goes on outside the church isn't an issue.

I know I got sidetracked. I didn't relay this story to degrade youth ministers. I don't think all youth ministers are porno freaks and I hope I didn't portray that thinking.

Back to the topic. I'm not sure what precisely she's looking for in a church. Maybe she's in the "Cheers" church and she doesn't fit into the clique. Maybe that's the problem. I really don't think she's looking for a "Cheers" church. Maybe she's just discontent in a non-loving, non-benevolent, non-Bible preaching church like a lot of us are. What advice can I give her? Jump churches until you find your ideal church or at least something you can tolerate? Be a Puritan and stick it out hoping you can conform the church from the inside? Unfortunately, alot of people are in this situation and they stop going to church althogether. Some even give up on their faith because of the lack of purity in the church. Granted, their faith may not have been very strong to begin with.

Oh, well. For now I just encourage her when I see her. "Stay strong...Press on...Keep the faith!" I do pray for her when the Lord brings her to my thoughts. I hope she finds what she's looking for. I also hope that she doesn't put too much faith in a material organization. I hope (and I think she does) that she knows that Christ is the only one who will NEVER fail her.

Maybe this song will leave me alone now that I wrote this.

God bless!

“…holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:” Heb. 12:14

Faith and Works

I know it's taking me forever to get through James, but I'm really taking my time and trying to soak in what God is telling me. Today, James chapter 2:14-26.

Verse 14 says “What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? Can faith save him?” Please note, James does not say “...though a man hath faith, and have not works?” This tells me that the man is declaring to have faith. He doesn't necessarily HAVE faith. His declaration of faith will not save him. Once again, “Not everyone that saith unto me, Lord, Lord shall enter into the kingdom of heaven...” (Matthew 7:21)

This verse in James also strongly hints that a true faith must produce works. You don't force works to prove you have faith. Your faith will automatically produce works. Jumping ahead to verse 18 says “Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: show me thy faith without thy works, and I will show you my faith by my works.” James says that you cannot have faith without works. If you claim to have faith and have no works, your faith is dead! Sorry, I'm jumping ahead again. He says that a man may say that he has faith and no works. James says “Prove it!” How can you prove that you have a faith. If you don't put it into practice, how can you prove it? A good speech says nothing compared to seeing. Seeing is believing.

Verse 15: “If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, and one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?” Maybe to make this story a little more dramatic (I'm not adding to the scripture here, I'm putting a different spin on it to parallel another passage) he might have said that this naked brother or sister came to your door at the end of the month before payday. Your cupboards are nearly bare. You or your wife has been very creative in the kitchen for the past week just to keep the family fed. You wonder how many ways there are to prepare potatoes. You are faced with a dilemma. You can pray a “faith-filled” prayer that God will bless them and feed them and clothe them before sending them on their way, or you bring them in and share you last few scraps with them, proving that you have faith that God will provide for you and your family, too. The first suggestion would declare your faith. The second would prove your faith.

This story is like the story of Elijah and the widow at Zarephath in 1 Kings 17:8-15. She had a handful of meal and a little oil to sustain herself and her son. She knew that this was one of their last meals and Elijah was asking for it. She could have said, “God bless, may He feed and keep you!” and send him away. She didn't. She took him in and fed him. She fed them all for “many days” on enough meal and oil for one or two cakes. Her faith with works saved her and her sons life.

Verse 19: “Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.” Hmm. James says that there is more to it than believing. Here's where Troy's interpretation comes in.

My thoughts on faith and believing: Believing is good, but believing will not save you in itself. Faith is something acted upon (hence without works it's dead). You might believe that God still heals people. Or that He will provide that last two thousand dollars your brother needs to pay the tax man before he takes his house. It is easy to say that you will stand with them because “I believe”. What about when it comes to you or your children who are sick? What about when it comes to you and your house on the line? Now you say that God COULD heal or provide if He wants. I'm going to play it safe though and take things into my own hands. We will get them to a specialist or borrow the money for the house. What happened to the belief? Faith would have turned to God first. Faith puts things on the line. Faith lets God work. We take things out of Gods hands so often, we don't rely on Him for much anymore. Elijah was fed by ravens. Do you think he ever wondered if his next meal was going to fly in? Most churches will say that God can still heal, but how many practice calling the elders of the church to pray over and anoint with oil (besides charismatics[James 5:14])? This is not about being anti-doctor or pentecostal. We have a family doctor and we love him. And yes, he has prayed over our family members in his office. This is about the difference between saying we believe God can do something and than letting Him do it.

James next talks about Abraham. His faith was made perfect by his works. He believed God. He even put his belief to work. Through this, his son was saved. Because of this, he was called the Friend of God. That would be a nice title to hold.

To sum it all up, he compares faith alone to a dead body (James 2:26). A body without a spirit (see Genesis 2:7 where God formed Adams lifeless or dead body from dust and breathed the breath of life or spirit into him and he became a living soul). Faith (or declaration of) without works is worthless like a dead body. If you can only claim to have faith but have no works or acts to back it up, it is a dead faith. James said it all when he said that he will prove his faith by his works. This is not to be mistaken with the “saved by works” people who just go around doing good works but have no faith. I have said in the past that I know perfectly good heathen people who do good works. They are heathens with morals. No salvation. There are as many of these people in the church as there are out of the church. Don't be confused. A healthy, true faith WILL produce works. Works will not have to be forced. Works is merely a by-product of faith. The two are inseparable. Check your faith today...are there works attached? If not, re-consider where your faith is.

God bless!

“…holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:” Heb. 12:14

Hearers and Doers

I started reading through James yesterday. I know that it's only five chapters long and I should have finished it, but two things happened to prevent it. One, my wife got up at about 5:15 or 5:30. When that happens, all my “quiet” time goes out the window. I love her like you wouldn't believe, but when we are up together she talks, asks questions and wants to read to me what she has been reading. I try to explain to her that that's why I get up at 4:30, for some private QUIET time. She explained to me that she couldn't sleep and might as well be up with me. It all worked out. We had fun talking and sharing.

The second thing that prevented me from finishing was that I got stuck on chapter one. Starting at verse 22, James says that we need to be hearers of the word. This word that is able to save you (vs. 21). We need to hear it and receive it. And not only receive (believe, accept) but we need to do what the word says. Be hearers and doers of the word. A lot of people are hearing, but are they listening? I sometimes say that to my children. “Are you listening? I know you can hear me, but are you listening?” It's because I have something important to say to them. It may be something to keep them out of trouble or danger.

This reminds me of King Saul in 1 Samuel chapter 15. God told the prophet Samuel to tell Saul to wipe out the Amalekites; completely. Spare nobody or nothing. Saul heard this. The problem was, he only listened to a portion of it. He obviously heard what Samuel said or else he wouldn't have went to the city of Amalek. He destroyed the people of Amalek, but he spared the King (Agag) and brought him back with him. He also allowed his men to bring back the choicest sheep, oxen, fatlings and lambs. When Saul met Samuel he said “We did what God had said!” Then I think one of the funniest verses of the Bible is what Samuel said in response. Vs. 14 says “And Samuel said, What meaneth this bleating of the sheep in mine ears, and the lowing of the oxen which I hear?” In other words, you certainly did NOT do what the Lord had commanded. He said to destroy everything! Saul says, “We brought back the best of everything to sacrifice to God. You know how much God likes sacrifice!” [Vs. 22&23] “And Samuel said, Hath the Lord a great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams. For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the Lord, he hath also rejected thee from being king.” Saul lost his kingship because he was a hearer and not a doer.

In verses 23&24, James says that a hearer only is like a man that looks into a mirror and turns away. Right after he turns away, he forgets what kind of man he is. Like a man sitting in church hearing a good message. Once again, “Are you listening to me or just hearing me?” He hears a message that might even stir his heart. When he leaves the church, he does not act on what he heard. He was a hearer but no doer. He lives the week out like a devil. When he left the church, because he did not do what he heard, he forgot what he heard. He forgot that he was even a Christian at times. He “...forgetteth what manner of man he was.” When we hear and don't do, we lose what we heard. Someone that has learned Calculus that doesn't use it every day will certainly lose it. I took Calculus in college eight years ago, but I have never used it once in my job. Could I explain to you how sine waves and logarithms work? Not a chance. We need to apply what we hear.

God gives us things he expects us to act on; give away (or share); or use them. He may give us a message to share. If we don't share it, it's worthless. God gave Lot a message. He acted on it and it saved his life. God blesses us with finances. He expects us to bless others in return. God gives us faith. If we don't act on this faith, it's worthless. James, a little later, talks about faith without works...he says it's DEAD. Read the parable of the talents in Matthew 25:14-30. How does God feel about those that don't use what He gives to them (vs. 30)?

These are just a few things that God held me up in James for yesterday. I've never been one to teach or preach verse by verse, but I think I could with James. It is one of my favorite books. I have probably read it more than any other book of the Bible. If I can get my thoughts together and organized on this passage, I'll probably preach it this weekend. Anyways, have a great day today!

God Bless!

“…holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:” Heb. 12:14

Sinners In The Hands Of An Angry God

I read the sermon “Sinners In The Hands Of An Angry God” this weekend. It was written by Jonathan Edwards in 1741. Talk about putting the fear of God into someone. The condensed version:

Text: “...Their foot shall slide in due time...” Deut. 32:35

God is talking about the Israelites who have turned away. In the preceding and following texts, you come to the conclusion that God is pretty unhappy with them. The text for the message suggests that their doom is eminent. It will happen in due time (God's time). Mr. Edwards is describing the scene he sees (almost like recording the scene of an accident).

These people are already condemned to hell. They are actually hanging over the very pit of hell, perhaps by a tiny thread. Great tongues of fire are licking all around their feet. Satan and his devils are waiting, ready to fall upon them when they plunge. They appear to be blind to this predicament. The reason they do not fall is because they are being suspended or held; held in the hands of God. Their condemnation is sure. The timing is held by God.

They have chosen this destiny for themselves. They have mocked God. They feel that they have evaded death thus far in their own power. It has been something they have done to dodge the sting of death. They think that because they have avoided death and damnation to date, they are free and in the clear. They don't realize that it is only in God's timing. By His mercy they hang.

They feel they can escape hell by their own schemes. They hear that only a few are saved from hell, but they are certain they will be in that number. They have a plan plotted out. This plot is certainly more creative than those that have plotted and schemed before them. Those that schemed, but failed in saving themselves. Certainly their plans are better thought out. God is under no obligation to hold onto this people.

God is not happy about dropping these people into hell, but God will not be mocked. His anger is kindled against these people. “His wrath is like great waters that are dammed for the present; they increase more and more, and rise higher and higher, till an outlet is given; and the longer the stream is topped, the more rapid and mighty is it's course, when once it is let loose. It is true, that judgment against your evil works has not been executed hitherto; the flood of God's vengeance have been withheld; but your guilt in the mean time is constantly increasing, and you are every day treasuring up more wrath; the waters are constantly rising, and waxing more and more mighty; and there is nothing but the mere pleasure of God that holds the waters back, that are unwilling to be stopped, and press hard to go forward. If God should only withdraw his hand from the flood-gate, it would immediately fly open, and the fiery floods of the fierceness and wrath of God, would rush forth with inconceivable fury, and would come upon you with omnipotent power; and if your strength were ten thousand times greater than it is, yea, ten thousand times greater than the strength of the stoutest, sturdiest devil in hell, it would be nothing to withstand or endure it.”

Today, you live in a day of mercy. God has given you an opportunity to stay in the shelter of His hand forever. Christ is knocking...calling....crying for your salvation. But He is a gentleman. He will not force you to do anything. If you deny Him once again, you will wish you had never heard this message. Your stay in hell for eternity will be plagued with this message of urgent warning. There will be no better time than now.

“Therefore, let every one that is out of Christ, now awake and fly from the wrath to come. The wrath of Almighty God is now undoubtedly hanging over a great part of this congregation: Let every one fly out of Sodom: 'Haste and escape for your lives, look not behind you, escape to the mountain, lest you be consumed.'”

*Italicized words are quoted form his sermon.

Pretty intense. For me to preach a sermon like that, I would want to make for sure that this message came from the Lord. Once again, this has been greatly paraphrased. The real sermon printed out was 9 ½ pages long.

At first, I didn't really know how to take this writing. It seemed harsh. I've never been one to try to convince someone of anything using fear. The Bible does say that “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom...” (Psalm 111:10 and Proverbs 9:10). This, like I said, would put the fear of the Lord into a person. But then I thought, how many people truly realize the state of their soul? This is actually a very merciful sermon. It wakes you up to a very real picture. Certainly a picture you don't get from many pulpits. It definitely lays out the fact that everyone has to make a choice: live your life like the devil and spend eternity in hell, or give your life to Christ and spend eternity with Him. It also reminded me of one of my favorite verses. Matthew 21:44 says “And whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken: but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind Him to powder.” Allowing the Lord to break you is not a bad thing. It is a sign of weakness; realizing that we can do nothing without Christ. That is how we can sacrifice to God today. In Psalm 51:17 it says “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.”

If you are out of Christ today, make it right today. Don't wait. God's love endures forever, but His mercy runs out in His time.

God Bless!

“…holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:” Heb. 12:14

Church Growth

In my post yesterday, I mis-quoted a fellow blogger. To be honest, I couldn't remember what blog I had taken my information from, so I couldn't check it (I know, bad journalism). Regan commented on my post yesterday and claimed the information (thanks Regan). I went back to double check the info and found it to be inaccurate. The conservative Church of Christ/Christian Church was the second fastest growing church in the United States from 1990-2000. Second only to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. The C of C is not the focus of this post. The Mormon church is.

It first struck me that this cult is lulling so many people into it's numbers. Then I remembered that two years ago we were living in another part of the country (Indiana). We had two young Mormon men come to our door. Nice looking, clean cut, well dressed Mormon men. I've always had a hard time turning anyone away from my door. Especially a group that wanted to talk about religion. I think the Bible says not to fellowship with people like this, but I let them in. I have a hard time turning vacuum sweeper sales-people away. At any rate, they came in. They told us where they were from and tried to start in with their outlined speech. That didn't get very far. I interrupted them with “can I ask you guys a question?” Their faces lit up. “Sure”, they said in unison. I didn't unload on them. We asked a few questions, then I think my wife said “You guys are Mormons!” They agreed. I asked why the church changed it's name. They said it was the reputation they were gaining from some of the fundamentalists in Utah, so they tried to disassociate the “true” church from the fundamentalists. I believe this is one reason they have experienced such growth. I know in this area, Mormons have a terrible reputation. Mainly because of the whole polygamy thing. I really don't think they would ever have experienced such a growth in numbers at that time if people really knew they were Mormons. I remember a lot of commercials on TV through the '90's for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Possibly another factor in their boom. One more thing is their door-to-door ministry. How many hurting people go out and seek a minister to talk to? I know very few people that bold. If you are hurting and someone comes to your door and expresses that they care, they've got you sold. These young men interacted great with our kids. They built Lego's with them and talked with them. They even offered to help “with anything we needed help with.” Doing dishes, vacuuming the floor. Whatever we needed! Boy, we could have had fun with them, but we didn't. We finished up talking with them. They never did finish with their outlined speech, but we found out a lot of information from them (mostly personal). They did tell us about Joseph Smith and his ministry and prophesies. They left us some literature. Some very nicely illustrated books (which could have very easily hooked the children had we let it). Then they asked us to pray about what we heard. If it was true, God would give us this burning sensation in our hearts. Seriously, that's what they said. I asked them if I could close our meeting in prayer. They agreed. I prayed that God would reveal His truth to both parties. He did to me in a dream that night (I'll talk about that in a bit). We ended up inviting them back for a meal a few weeks later. They were pretty excited about this.

The dream: The whole time they were at our place, I felt kind of guilty for letting them in. It is my duty to protect my family. I didn't want seeds of false doctrine planted in my family. That's why we did most of the talking. Anyway, I told you about the prayer and the burning in the chest we were supposed to experience. Well, obviously we didn't experience that. We continued to pray for them, though; as a family and I know I did personally. I fell asleep that night and I had a dream I believe to be from God. Somehow, skunks had gotten into the house. They began to spray everything. They sprayed our legs. They sprayed the couch and the rest of the furniture. They sprayed everything. If anyone knows anything about skunk spray, it's very difficult if not impossible to get the stink out. You have to understand, I hardly ever remember my dreams. Maybe twice a year I will remember a dream that I had. I remembered this one very vividly. The next morning it kept running through my head. Then it hit me. The Mormon men were dressed in black pants, white shirts and black ties (one had a black jacket). The same colors of a skunk! I believe that God was telling me that the same way the skunks were soiling our furniture, these men, if given the time, could soil our faith (I believe the reason we are not to associate ourselves with those with a different gospel).

After some rescheduling (due to us having a baby) we let them back in. This time I was more prepared. We had a friend who loaned us a book from a man who was very high up in the Mormon church (I believe he was a deacon). They have an Amway type of pyramid in their church. Everyone answers to a higher up, all the way to the top. This man came to his senses and left. He wrote a very disturbing book about the religion. Very disturbing! This time, we ate our supper and started right into it. We didn't give them a chance this time. We started asking deeper questions about the religion. We caught them in lies. I asked a question that anyone in the church should have known the obvious answer to, and they both gave a different answer. One “Yes” and one “No” at the same time. They were kind of taken off guard. We didn't do this to mock or ridicule. We were quoting scripture to try to get them to see the error in their thinking. The only problem is that they think our scriptures are incomplete. They have several other books that they teach from. We knew we were getting no-where, so we said it was time for them to leave. The one actually asked if they could come back and finish the outline that they had barely started. I said that as long as they were bringing a different gospel, they were not welcome (Galatians 1:8,9). I said that if they had spiritual questions that we could help with, they were welcome to come back. They knew that we would do the talking. They declined. We cntinued to pray for them for a while. I wonder where they are now. One was from Utah and one was from California.

I can see how an unsuspecting person can fall into their trap. Like I said, if they show up at the right door at the right time, it's almost a given. Why don't normal churches use this strategy? I guess maybe some do, but not in this area. We've only had one group come to our door since living in Antwerp. That was the Jehovah's Witnesses. In Warsaw, Indiana we had two. The Mormon's and a wacky Baptist group. The people visiting from the Baptist group were fine. The minister was wacky. That was the first time I had to restrain myself from walking out of a church service. Now, I wish I had.

One other thing about the Church of Christ. I wonder if the number recorded was including the International Church of Christ. They are very big into evangelism of this style. And nothing like the Churches of Christ I know in this area. Another pyramid-style church. I had some concerns there, also.

Anyway, thanks for enduring my rambling today. Don't know if this will help anyone spiritually, but now it's off my chest!

God Bless!

“…holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:” Heb. 12:14

Brick Walls, Picket Fences, I'm Right and You're Not

Once again, the Lord is shaking up my thinking. I have so much rattling around in my head. He has challenged me quite a bit, even just this weekend. I will try to get it put into words here through this week. Who knows if that will happen.

First, a friend sent an article for me to read. It was written by a Baptist minister name David Miller. It is about how we handle other doctrines and theologies. Quite interesting and much needed here. He laid it out plain and simple. He says (much paraphrased) that there are four levels in which to deal with other peoples doctrines. First was the brick wall doctrines. These are the doctrines that we must contend for. The ones that make up our core. The doctrines that Jesus was born, lived a sinless life, died a death on a cross to redeem us of our sins, was buried and rose again (obviously not a complete list). These are what we have to believe. These are what all Christians have to believe. There is no room for modification. No taking away from. These are the doctrines that we build a brick wall around. These are what we hold firm to. If two people can't agree on these doctrines, a division must take place. To quote Mr. Miller....“Salvation by grace through faith alone -- the exclusivity of salvation through Christ -- is essential doctrine. The fact of Christ's return to judge the world is necessary. Around these doctrines we must erect a brick wall -- tall and thick. Those who deny these truths are not brothers in Christ. They are wolves among the sheep. We do not fellowship with them, we contend with them. “

Next is the picket fence doctrine. These are things you can discuss with those who don't believe or worship the way you do, but obviously have the same core. After you discuss them, you are free to turn away from the picket fence and go back to your home. These are built within the brick walls. Baptists and Pentecostals have many of the same core doctrinal beliefs, but they have different views on worship (among other things). They can have conversations on their foundational beliefs and lovingly try to convince each other on the lesser beliefs. After that, they shake hands and go back to their respective worship services. Picket fences separate (not divide as brick walls do) and make pleasant boundaries.

Next is the back yard doctrine. These are things that people within your congregation or even within your home don't agree on, but are certainly not enough to divide on. Not even really enough to keep people out of your yard over. He mentions topics such as; who wrote the book of Hebrews, the pre-trib/post-trib, pre-mil/post-mil discussions. He states that these are important issues, but they are issues you can sit on your back deck and discuss.

A summery so far would be: “If a doctrine affects salvation, erect a brick wall. If it affects the fellowship or functioning of the church, erect a friendly picket fence. But if the doctrine affects neither, then sit in the backyard talking about it, but never let it become a point of division.”

Lastly is the closet doctrine. Some things should just be kept to ourselves. He brings up in the early church, people eating meat sacrificed to an idol. Paul said to let our conscience lead us in these thing. Also, how we deal with (or when) the Sabbath. “I should follow the Lordship of Christ and permit other Christians to do the same.“ To me it's been: if God called me to this, than it must be right for everyone else. I understand that I need to shake this thinking, but it's been hard.

I know there are a lot who throw up the brick wall for everything. This is actually how I was brought up. That might be why I have such a hard time with it. I read on another blog the other day that the Church of Christ/Christian Church was one of the or the fastest growing churches in the country (I hope I got that right – please correct me if I didn't). Maybe it's because they have thrown up a brick wall for everything. The churches continue to split because of trivial differences, thus the boom.

Then there are those who only put up picket fences where brick walls should be. They accept everything they hear. These people are tossed back and forth. I've heard it said that if I can talk you into something, someone else can and will talk you out of it.

Like I said, this has been a struggle with me. I have always felt that God's way for me must be the best way for everyone. Sounds arrogant, I know. I know this sounds so first-grade-ish. This should be elementary teaching, but obviously if this guy has to write an article about it, I must be the only one with this problem. God is working on me though. I will still hold to my convictions. You hold to yours.

God Bless!

“…holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:” Heb. 12:14

Why We Worship

We received a letter from a man in prison the other day. We've been corresponding with him for a few years now. My wife knew him when she was younger. Anyways, he got mixed up in society and ended up in prison for the decisions he made. He was introduced to the Lord in prison and he jumped on board. He wrote something in his last letter that made me stop and think.

First, some background. We like to order him books now and then to encourage him. I ordered a book that I had been reading. It was Experiencing the Presence of God by Charles Finney. Anybody that has read much Finney knows that while reading Finney, a few things may happen. One, you might get irate in thinking that humans should have to live at that level of holiness that he describes. Two, it might make you wonder about your own commitment to the Lord. Three, it will deeply convict you. His was a reaction mixed with two and three.

This is what he wrote (though not verbatim because I can't locate his original letter). He had to reexamine his life. He said that he came to the Lord, seeking His forgiveness, because he was afraid of going to hell. He noted that this belief would have led him straight to hell. He said that he had no remorse for insulting God and His sovereignty through the sins he committed. That is why we should be sorrowful for our sins. Because we insult God. Not because we are bound for hell.

That made me wonder how much of our spiritual actions are for the right reason. Although I think some should have a good healthy fear of hell, is this why we should come to Christ?

Let me quote from another book that I have been reading that kind of shook my thinking.

“The Holy Scripture teaches that there is ONE God who has revealed Himself in three different Persons – the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. God, who is a spirit, became a son for the purpose of dying to redeem fallen man. When this occurred, God also remained in heaven becoming a Father as He had “begotten” (imparted life) a son.

The most important single issue regarding Jesus is - Who is He – not what He did! Even though what He accomplished in His finished work of redeeming fallen man through His blood atonement for man's sin and sins was of major and majestic significance, it is secondary when compared to His person. What we are saying is, that the Church has proclaimed that men should give their hearts and lives to Christ – that we should faithfully fallow adore and worship Him – because He gave His life for our sins. Wrong! We should do all of these – first and foremost because of WHO HE IS, God Almighty – the Creator! Because He is God we should worship Him and Him only should we serve, not because He did something for us. He is worthy of worship for Himself! For His own personal worth He deserves man's total being and allegiance. Then, secondarily, out of gratitude for His voluntarily humbling Himself on our behalf – we should give Him all our loyalty, all our love and obedience.”

This really struck a chord with me. Never had I heard of such a thing. While it is important to love and appreciate what Christ did for us, our first priority is to love and worship Him because He is God. We were created for the glory of God (Isa. 43:7 and many more vs.). What is the primary commandment? Love the Lord God! We were created to worship and love Him. To put it into human perspective. It feels good to be appreciated for something that we did. It feels great to be appreciated because of who we are. If my wife just told me she loved me after I did something good (take the trash out, buy her flowers, check the oil in her van) it would not be nearly as convincing than if she told me out of the blue.

Don't let this take away from your appreciation for what Christ did for you. Just let it be a reminder of why we worship. Why we come to the Lord. Appreciate what He did...love Him for who He is!

God Bless!

“…holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:” Heb. 12:14