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Worth the Read

I follow a "cultural apoligists" Blog called "Center for Christ and Culture" by S. Micheal Craven.  With all the government employees in our church family and the tension with the governments budget battles, I thought you might find Micheal's article interesting and something good from all the mess.

He speaks to one of the issues that proved to be a strong item of contention between the powers that be and in my opinion should have never been something our country's taxpayers should be funding.  Anyway, I'm not going to get political, I promised that this blog wouldn't ever be an outlet for my political views.  But this subject is about an issue that strikes at the very core of our value of the sanctity of life.

Check it out here.

What kind of legacy are you leaving?

I came across a pew poll that was gut wrenching to me.  This poll was on some very basic concepts regarding religion, not simply Christianity but religion in general.  The generality of the poll didn't bother me, what rocked my boat was the group that answered most of the questions right.  Guess who? The group that identified themselves as atheists and agnostics.  What does that tell you?

To me it is a clear sign that secularism is still alive and well and they know more about what they don't believe in than what the religious folks say they do believe.  As for the various religions in the poll I could personally care less.  However what breaks my heart are those who claim be Christian, yet they know very little, if anything as to why they profess to be believers in Christ Jesus verses some world religion.

To me it is clear sign that with each generation (I'm a baby boomer) that rises and begins to fade into history, we aren't influencing the next generation with a passion for "God's truth" and the "disciplines" to seek it out, not to mention process it.  Every professing follower of Christ needs to be looking at their lives from its end backwards.  How are you impacting others with the "truth" God has revealed to you?  How are demonstrating "truth applied?"

Tomorrow's generation is counting on each of us.  I think about my grandson and wonder should the Lord Jesus tarry how much "truth" will be known and live out so to influence the next generation.

What kind of legacy are you leaving?

National Day of Prayer

Today marks the 59th anniversary of the National Day of Prayer.  For many it is an opportunity to take issue with the freedom's we as America have and that is freedom to express our faith.  Yet, for me that is to be expected in a world under the curse of sin and personally my freedom as a child of the True and living God trumps the views of others.

So, calling all of God's children - the body of Christ exercise your freedom in your relationship with our Heavenly Father and go boldly to His throne today.  

•  Pray, intercede for the Body of Christ, the Church for I believe as goes the Church so goes the communities around the Church.
• Pray, intercede for our country.  Pray for those in leadership to honor the Truth and govern in the wisdom of God and not man.
• Pray, intercede for our men and women who are sacrificing so much for the freedom we hold so dear.  Lift up their families as they deal with the challenge of their love one separated from them and many in harms way.  Pray for peace.
• Pray, intercede for you neighbor and one another.  Life isn't just about ourselves we are here to honor God and we can and should by caring for both our neighbor and one another.  Wouldn't find comfort and encouragement knowing someone was holding you up in prayer?
• Lastly pray that the Body of Christ want focus on prayer on such occasions, but we will be a people prayer.

"Pray without Ceasing"
1 Thessalonians 5:17

Christmas Countdown (part 1)

I heard an interesting statistic on the radio today; two thirds of those celebrating Christmas this year do so as a celebration of the birth of Christ Jesus.  Likewise, 70% of those polled also believed in the "virgin birth" of Christ Jesus.  I found this interesting when there is so much emphasis on retailers to label this season with "happy holidays."  Which is fine with me as long as we don't exclude the biblical Christmas as one of those holidays.

 I don't see why we have to make such issues a soap box, rather we should live our faith out loud and influence our society as Jesus did.  Just think if the message of "O Come All Ye Faithful" were lived out amongst the faithful followers of Christ - our communities would be different!  Ya Think!

What do you think?

The Bigger Question

This week America has seen three prominent celebrities die.  The question that seems so natural after hearing the news is, "what happened?"  Age or disease isn't the kind of answers many really want to hear, people want to hear the dirt and ever deviant detail the tabloids can dig up.

However the BIGGER QUESTION is "what happened" after they drew their last breathe?  Shouldn't we be hard pressed that NO ONE, celebrity or not should be prepared for eternity.

"And inasmuch and after this it is appointed for men to die once  and after this come judgment."  Hebrews 9:27 (NASB95)

How are you helping others be prepared?

A Clear Battle Front

It is not unusual to hear about someone fighting to make a point or even countries "saber rattling."  But there is another battle that is gaining in intensity - the battle for marriage being ALL God intended it to be.  Marriage was meant to not only compliment male and female, but is also a "signpost" or living illustration of the relationship between Christ Jesus and His Bride - the Church.  It is no wonder Satan has set his sites on marriage - God's way!

From my point of view, for too long the church has been way too passive in this battle.  It is a time to rally our resources and ENGAGE to attack head on.

How do you see the church being "proactive" in this battle?  Or do you see it as a private matter?

Town Hall Meeting of Hope

If you missed last nights nationwide telecast, "Town Hall of Hope" with Dave Ramsey you really missed a good word.  First of all I want to say thanks to Micheal B. for ALL of his tech support.  Too, I want to thank our Unity family that came out last night.  Last but not least, I want to thank the Lord for giving us an opportunity to minister to our community, and there was quite a few outside of the Unity family that attended last night.

Dave didn't bring us any NEW revelation, but did help clarify what is behind the FEAR frenzy we are constantly bombarded by the media.  He emphasized a few things that I would like to repeat:

• We must take personal responsibility for our actions, yes even the STUPID financial actions.   The Scripture is clear with the principle of we will and should reap what we sow.  Not to mention the vast references to responsible stewardship.
• Likewise, with all the dos and don'ts the KEY "DO" is to put your faith and hope in He who is faithful - the God of Hope, and to quote Dave from last night, "the nailed scared hands of Jesus Christ."  Come depression or recession - Father God has promised to take care of us AS we DO life His Way (Matthew 6:33).

Let's show the unbelieving world that despite the "doom and gloom" going around - we have hope and believe we will be OK, because we are children of the living God.

A Sad Reminder

I make it a point not to blog about political, social or other stories carried by the press.  However, the shooting of Pastor Fred Winters has me making an exception.

First of all let us not be so surprised.  In many ways the church that resides in America has grown complacent to the dangers around us.  I am grateful for the freedom we have in America. A freedom to worship and live out our faith, but a freedom that works both ways.  Others have just as much freedom to live out their beliefs, as long as they don't kill those who don't see things their way.  This culture of freedom we live in affords the church the opportunity to carry out our mission, even with a often obvious resistance.  However, this resistance isn't new or uncommon for the church.  What this tragic event has sadly reminded us of the history of Christ Jesus' followers is filled with many such tragedies.

Secondly our response is again a common response found through out church history and God's Word;  let us "bear one another's burdens..." as we travel towards home.   So Church, let us pray for Fred's family, the two others injured, the First Baptist Church of Maryville Illinois family and the shooter.  Pray that through this horde attack the love, compassion and forgiveness of our Savior Jesus Christ will be witnessed by ALL through the response of His followers.

Let the body of Christ follow Christ as well as the witness of His followers at First Baptist of Maryville.  This was there response posted on their webpage.   "Please pray for Dr. Winter's family, our two brave members who were injured when they stopped the assailant, for the assailant himself and his family, and for our church members as they deal with this tragic loss. ... To those who believe in the power of prayer, we covet your prayers right now."

As Always a Time for Prayer

God's Word gives us much instruction on why, what, when and whom we should be praying for.  For many the course of the election has caused concern and for some even fear.  But we must remember, the Kingdom of God is all good.   It is stable and solvent, ours is to be faithful and trust our sovereign heavenly  Father.

Let us be faithful to God's word to us as recorded in 1 Timothy 2:1-4 and pray, especially pray for President Bush in the final two months of his administration and for President elect Obama that he will heed God's Word and the wisdom it has for all.  Pray his heart would reflect God's love for all peoples, both those born and the unborn.

Pray for God's people who are concerned over the outcome of the elections, both nationally and locally.  Remember family Romans 13:1 and rest in God's loving sovereignty.

They say...

No matter where you turn it seems the buzz is the crisis with the economy.  I will admit it does look rather bleak and if I listened to what is coming out of the mouths of many I would be anxious about the economic situation.

But, there is someone else we must listen to.  I do qualify the "we" are those like myself who have put their faith in Jesus Christ.  We must not wavier in our trust and remember His council to His followers in the past and today, "Be anxious for nothing..."   In these challenging times remember, the Kingdom of Heaven is solvent and stable.  As a citizen of that Kingdom listen and follow our Lord's economics:  focus on others, there is a profit to be had and don't forget His "clause of guarantee" (Philippians 4:19; Luke 12:30-31).

It isn't what they say, it is what Jesus Christ says!