For Discernment

Revive Us Again

2010-03-31T20:32:00.002-04:00

Happy Easter from Ashley Cleveland in this video.

Setting the Record Straight on Francis of Assisi

2009-05-21T21:05:00.004-04:00

I also think I have heard this term one too many times. You decide after reading this article.

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Dogs Reading Scripture

2009-04-29T21:50:00.005-04:00

The poker-playing dogs, immortalized in the famous paintings by Cassius Coolidge, announced last week that they have repented of their former ways and have replaced their Friday night poker game with a Wednesday night Bible study. Laddie (left), top dog of the study group, hopes that their new painting, “Dogs Reading Scripture,” will make them role models for other dogs caught in the vicious cycle of canine gambling. Says the collie leader, “Our next goal is to stop drinking out of the toilet.”
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HT: The Sacred Sandwich

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"Idols" and Inspiriation

2009-04-23T20:04:00.005-04:00

Here is a nice story about when "idols" turn into "inspiration".

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Matthew Patrick Brown (2009-2009)

2009-04-23T18:54:00.004-04:00

He died last Sunday. Yet he had a tremendous impact on a couple who decided to walk by faith, and show their love in the most difficult of circumstances.

Read the whole story here

Perhaps it will give you (or me) strength when we need it.

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The China Abortion Syndrom

2009-04-16T22:36:00.002-04:00

This is quite a disturbing article about the Chinese totalitarian state and how it is trying to maanipulate gender balance. Intentional or not, this causes skyrocking and disturbing abortion rates. In the wake of these practices it appears all moral conscience ragarding abortions has evaporated from the people in China.

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Six Biblical Guidelines for Loving Each Other Amid Differences

2009-04-16T19:04:00.002-04:00

This is an article you may want to put on your corkboard.

Some excellent counsel from John Piper to the pastoral staff at Bethlehem Baptist Church. Read the whole article here.

1. Let’s avoid gossiping.
2. Let’s identify evidences of grace in each other and speak them to each other and about each other.
3. Let’s speak criticism directly to each other if we feel the need to speak to others about it.
4. Let’s look for, and assume, the best motive in the other’s viewpoint, especially when we disagree.
5. Think often of the magnificent things we hold in common.
6. Let’s be more amazed that we are forgiven than that we are right. And in that way, let’s shape our relationships by the gospel.
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Painted into the Corner?

2009-04-15T21:55:00.002-04:00

Rick Warren has got many scratching their heads. I hope he can finally clarify with a biblical stance. Here is the latest update.

About Your Choice in Entertainment

2009-04-15T21:46:00.002-04:00

Kevin DeYoung encourages us to examine our entertainment habits and make intentional evaluations as to what the implications of our choices mean to our spiritual growth.

Is worldly entertainment a "high place" for you?

Devotions R Us site

2009-04-15T21:36:00.002-04:00

Here is a new site for devotional material, all in one place.

Sunday's Coming

2009-04-14T18:00:00.003-04:00

Another nice video of a Lockridge classic

S.M. Lockridge:

It’s Friday
Jesus is praying
Peter’s a sleeping
Judas is betraying
But Sunday’s comin’

It’s Friday
Pilate’s struggling
The council is conspiring
The crowd is vilifying
They don’t even know
That Sunday’s comin’

It’s Friday
The disciples are running
Like sheep without a shepherd
Mary’s crying
Peter is denying
But they don’t know
That Sunday’s a comin’

It’s Friday
The Romans beat my Jesus
They robe him in scarlet
They crown him with thorns
But they don’t know
That Sunday’s comin’

It’s Friday
See Jesus walking to Calvary
His blood dripping
His body stumbling
And his spirit’s burdened
But you see, it’s only Friday
Sunday’s comin’

It’s Friday
The world’s winning
People are sinning
And evil’s grinning

It’s Friday
The soldiers nail my Savior’s hands
To the cross
They nail my Savior’s feet
To the cross
And then they raise him up
Next to criminals

It’s Friday
But let me tell you something
Sunday’s comin’

It’s Friday
The disciples are questioning
What has happened to their King
And the Pharisees are celebrating
That their scheming
Has been achieved
But they don’t know
It’s only Friday
Sunday’s comin’

It’s Friday
He’s hanging on the cross
Feeling forsaken by his Father
Left alone and dying
Can nobody save him?
Ooooh
It’s Friday
But Sunday’s comin’

It’s Friday
The earth trembles
The sky grows dark
My King yields his spirit

It’s Friday
Hope is lost
Death has won
Sin has conquered
and Satan’s just a laughin’

It’s Friday
Jesus is buried
A soldier stands guard
And a rock is rolled into place

But it’s Friday
It is only Friday
Sunday is a comin’!

My King

2009-04-09T19:55:00.010-04:00

I never get tired of hearing this. I heard this first about 5 years ago as an insert to a sermon, and have treasured it since. Since then I have seen a couple of "video-ized" versions of it - this is a nice one. What is this? It is a version of a wonderful prayer given in 1976 by Dr. S.M. Lockridge (1913-2000), a great preacher of that time. It is classic.

He IS RISEN!!

Here is the full transcript...
"My King" - Dr. S.M. Lockridge

My King was born King.

The Bible says He's a Seven Way King.
He's the King of the Jews -- that's a racial King.
He's the King of Israel -- that's a national King.
He's the King of righteousness.
He's the King of the ages.
He's the King of Heaven.
He's the King of glory.
He's the King of kings
and He is the Lord of lords.

Now that's my King. Well I wonder if you know Him.
Do you know Him?

Don't try to mislead me.
Do you know my King?

David said the Heavens declare the glory of God,
and the firmament showeth His handiwork.
My King is the only one whom there are no means of measure can define His limitless love.
No far seeing telescope can bring into visibility the coastline of His shoreless supplies.
No barriers can hinder Him from pouring out His blessing.

Well, well,
He's enduringly strong.
He's entirely sincere.
He's eternally steadfast.
He's immortally graceful.
He's imperially powerful.
He's impartially merciful.
That's my King.

He's God's Son.
He's the sinner's savior.
He's the centerpiece of civilization.
He stands alone in Himself.
He's august.
He's unique.
He's unparalleled.
He's unprecedented.
He's supreme.
He's pre-eminent.

Well, He's the loftiest idea in literature.
He's the highest personality in philosophy.
He's the supreme problem in higher criticism.
He's the fundamental doctrine of true theology.
He's the cardinal necessity of spiritual religion.
That's my King.

He's the miracle of the age.
He's the superlative of everything good that you choose to call Him.

Well, He's the only one able to supply all of our needs simultaneously.
He supplies strength for the weak.
He's available for the tempted and the tried.
He sympathizes and He saves.
He's strong God and He guides.
He heals the sick.
He cleanses the lepers.
He forgives sinners.
He discharges debtors.
He delivers the captives.
He defends the feeble.
He blesses the young.
He serves the unfortunate.
He regards the aged.
He rewards the diligent and He beautifies the meek.
Do you know Him?

Well, my King is a King of knowledge.
He's the wellspring of wisdom.
He's the doorway of deliverance.
He's the pathway of peace.
He's the roadway of righteousness.
He's the highway of holiness.
He's the gateway of glory.
He's the Master of the mighty.
He's the Captain of the conquerors.
He's the Head of the heroes.
He's the Leader of the legislators.
He's the Overseer of the overcomers.
He's the Governor of governors.
He's the Prince of princes.
He's the King of kings and He's the Lord of lords.

That's my King. Yeah. Yeah.
That's my King. My King, yeah.

His office is manifold.
His promise is sure.
His light is matchless.
His goodness is limitless.
His mercy is everlasting.
His love never changes.
His word is enough.
His grace is sufficient.
His reign is righteous.
His yoke is easy and His burden is light.

Well. I wish I could describe Him to you,
but He's indescribable.
He's indescribable. Yeah!

He's incomprehensible.
He's invincible.
He's irresistible.

I'm trying to tell you,
the heavens of heavens cannot contain Him,
let alone a man explain Him.
You can't get Him out of your mind.
You can't get Him off of your hand.
You can't outlive Him and you can't live without Him.

Well, Pharisees couldn't stand Him,
but they found out they couldn't stop Him.
Pilate couldn't find any fault in Him.
The witnesses couldn't get their testimonies to agree.
Herod couldn't kill Him.
Death couldn't handle Him and the grave couldn't hold Him.

That's my King. Yeah!

He always has been and He always will be.
I'm talking about He had no predecessor
and He'll have no successor.
There was nobody before Him
and there'll be nobody after Him.
You can't impeach Him
and He's not gonna resign.
That's my King! That's my King!

Thine, Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory.
Well, all the power belongs to my King.
We're around here talking about black power and white power and green power,
but it's God's power. Thine is the power.

Yeah.
And the glory.
We try to get prestige and honor and glory for ourselves,
but the glory is all His. Yes.
Thine is the Kingdom
and the power and the glory,
forever and ever
and ever
and ever.

How long is that?
And ever and ever and ever and ever.
And when you get through with all of the forevers,
then, Amen.

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God's Will for The Toothpaste You Pick?

2009-04-03T18:04:00.005-04:00

It's a silly title, but a serious topic. A lot of Christians get messed up without a solid biblical understanding of the will of God. And, as this post points out from Team Pyro, there are some dangerous false teachings out there that should be set straight. Dan Phillips does a good job in that with this blogpost.

I would also recommend James MacDonald's teaching series on God's will.

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Palm Pilot Prophesy

2009-04-02T22:25:00.003-04:00

And This is SO true, in my experience, about the Palm Pilot experience.

Set aside the world, people, and take out the book
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The Fastest Growing Religion is What?

2009-04-02T18:46:00.005-04:00

It's Atheism, and, if you haven't noticed, they are getting more vocal and more visible. Now there are billboards. Soon there will be ads on TV (next to the Methodists and the Mormons) encouraging all to feel "not alone" in our "non-theism."

The article states, "In more recent findings, the 2008 American Religious Identification Survey (ARIS) found that the percentage of Americans claiming no religion jumped from 8.2 percent in 1990 to 14.2 in 2001, and increased to 15 percent in 2008."

It's easy to get angry at or be discouraged by this group, but stand back, Christian, and think of how miserable and lonely they really are. Can you pray that they will have their hearts softened, minds opened, and that the Holy Spirit would do a great work among them? That is my prayer.

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The Snowball Effect

2009-04-02T18:43:00.002-04:00

But David remained in Jerusalem.
One evening David got up from his bed and walked around on the roof of the palace. From the roof he saw a woman bathing. The woman was very beautiful – 2 Samuel 11:1b-2
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Why did you despise the word of the LORD by doing what is evil in his eyes? You struck down Uriah the Hittite with the sword and took his wife to be your own. You killed him with the sword of the Ammonites. – 2 Samuel 12:9
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

How bad does it have to get before God gets your attention in your sin? How long will it take to realize you have to confess and repent, to begin the healing? When will this all end? Those are some of the questions I think about when reading the story of David and Bathsheba. David is such a model of how sin, unchecked, can have a deadly snowball effect. Evil progressed from laziness, to coveting with the eyes, to adultery, to cover-up, lying and deceit, and finally to murder. It’s disturbing to know how sin progressed in such a forceful and wicked way. If only David had a trusted confidant who could have nipped this digression in the bud. “David, why aren’t you with the soldiers? David, stop looking at that woman bathing over there.”

What a great prayer that Pastor Chris has for his kids, that if they do something wrong while at school, that they would get caught. That got a few chuckles in church, mine included, but later I realized that that is such a loving and right prayer. Expose the wrong acts of my beloved children (and me), Lord, that it may not progress into increased unresolved sin! Destroy the sin snowball at the top of the hill, God.

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. – 1 John 1:9

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How Children Come to Faith in Christ

2009-04-02T17:31:00.003-04:00

This is a subject where real Christians of varying flavors differ greatly in belief and application.
Here is some good material to consider for you Parents, Sunday school teachers, and VBS vols.

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Photo Essay from the Red River

2009-03-29T15:15:00.002-04:00

Here are some great photos displaying the resolve and character of some ND and Minn. people battling for their homes.

Murdered Pastor's Wife Speaks Out

2009-03-28T17:44:00.002-04:00

Only God could do this.

When was the last time you have forgiven someone who has violated your life?

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The Nation's Murder Capital is...?

2009-03-26T18:47:00.002-04:00

This will be a surprise, probably. Worth reading.
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The Purpose of the Church

2009-03-25T22:58:00.001-04:00

"The primary task of the Church is not to educate man, is not to heal him physically or psychologically…. I will go further; it is not even to make him good. These are things that accompany salvation; and when the Church performs her true task she does incidentally educate men and give them knowledge and information…she does make them good and better than they were. But my point is that those are not her primary objectives. Her primary purpose is not any of these; it is rather to put man into the right relationship with God, to reconcile man to God."

( Preaching & Preachers , 30)
–Martyn Lloyd-Jones

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Welcome to Authenti-City

2009-03-23T19:54:00.002-04:00

I will celebrate before the LORD. – 2 Samuel 6:21b
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" 'These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.’”
– Matthew 15:9 (Isaiah 29:13)

Do you (like me) ever find yourself wanting to be “authentic” in worship? And then you realize you are trying too hard to be worshipful, therefore it is not authentic? Then you realize you are being hypocritical, and just shrink back? Ugh, real worship is not present. I am there but God gets nothing, or very little. Then I hope there is a video or drama or something coming soon…sigh.

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Fear of man will prove to be a snare,
but whoever trusts in the LORD is kept safe. – Proverbs 29:25

One the other hand, many of us actually hold back during corporate worship because we are fearful of being judged by our neighbor. It doesn’t happen all the time, but now and then we have that cocoon around us, and we do not give God what we really feel in praise from our heart. We fail to express physically and emotionally our true worship, perhaps out of some cultural or community-based egg shell sensitivity barrier. Or maybe that friend we invited is present and we know s/he is watching. Hmmm?

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Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. – Mark 12:30 (Deuteronomy 6:5)

May God help us to lose all inhibitions, whether negative or positive. God’s capacity to accept the limits of our worship styles far exceeds our ability to express them. Sing, shout, stand, sit, kneel, clap, dance, or be still, in awe…God loves it all and deserves it all. Free yourself for HIM, because he has freed you.

The next time our worship team breaks out in shouts with songs like “I Am Free”, I pray that the Lord will grant you whatever freedom you need to be free, authentic, and to SHOUT BACK! The Lord loves LOUD!

Sing to him a new song; play skillfully, and shout for joy. – Psalm 33:3

Clap your hands, all you nations; shout to God with cries of joy. – Psalm 47:1

My lips will shout for joy when I sing praise to you— I, whom you have redeemed. – Psalm 71:23

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Why Does God Allow Evil?

2009-03-19T19:16:00.004-04:00

Last night in small group we had a brief discussion about why God allows sin/evil. I, for one, was very convinced that I am personally inadequate in knowledge to biblically explain this issue with any degree of authority. Providentially, God had just (within the last week of so) exposed me to biblical teaching on the very subject. Follow this link to download the final session of the 2009 Shepherds' Conference delivered just two weeks ago by John MacArthur who articulates the biblical explanation of the existance of evil in a captivating way. WARNING - this is not a quickie solution, and needs to be thought thoroughly through by all who are in Christ, but it is well worth the theological surgury and recovery pains.

You may need to register here (below) before you go through this process, but believe me it is well worth the effort.

Go to

https://www.shepherdsfellowship.org/MediaVault.aspx

then select "Shepherds' Conference"/"Audio Downloads"/"2009"/"General Sessions" , then pick session 9 and go through the checkout process. It costs nothing except a little bit of your time.

The Cross and Criticism

2009-03-19T18:03:00.003-04:00

"Criticism", whether in the context of giving or receiving it, is loaded with land mines that are just waiting to be stepped upon. Here is an excellent article that I pray would help you as it has helped me put a Godly perspective on this necessary element of life on earth.

Never Let the Gospel Get Smaller

2009-03-18T22:18:00.002-04:00

If you can handle a heart exam, then read this test from John Piper...

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Granger Entertainment

2009-03-18T21:30:00.004-04:00

This entry from A Little Leaven is one reason I started this blog. If watching this doesn't either stir righteous indignation for the Lord in you or make you take one step back in dismay, then I would be surprised.

Complacency and Conscience

2009-03-13T19:12:00.002-04:00

In the spring, at the time when kings go off to war, David sent Joab out with the king's men and the whole Israelite army. They destroyed the Ammonites and besieged Rabbah. But David remained in Jerusalem. – 2 Samuel 11:1

Do you keep a wartime mentality? Or do you get lulled to sleep, just like me? Spiritually, I get ritualistic and lose perspective on why I am doing what I am doing. Going to church, reading the Bible, praying…I do it and do it with wrong motivation sometimes. Is that just me? Help me bro.

One evening David got up from his bed and walked around on the roof of the palace. From the roof he saw a woman bathing. The woman was very beautiful, and David sent someone to find out about her. – 2 Samuel 11:2-3

I have become thankful that God gave me a conscience. When I was young, I hated my conscience. But I treasure it now. The spiritual conscience is equivalent to the physical sense of pain. Conscience is a huge warning sign for attention and correction. Hansen’s disease (a.k.a. leprosy) is a disease where people lose the physical sense of pain, and cannot realize the damage done to their physical body, even if it is self inflicted. People hurt themselves without even knowing it. Spiritual leprosy is even more dangerous. Do not let your lack of attention to conscience or your habits let you get complacent.

After Nathan had gone home, the LORD struck the child that Uriah's wife had borne to David, and he became ill. On the seventh day the child died. – 2 Samuel 12:15,18

David was lulled into complacency and suffered the consequences. He did not recognize his spiritual leprosy before deadly sin overcame him. Can we use this scripture to warn us?

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New Calvinism Impacting the World

2009-03-12T18:01:00.003-04:00

It is, according to Time Magazine.

World Evil Update

2009-03-11T22:49:00.006-04:00

Sorry to have to bring this reminder of the reality of Christian suffering in the world.

One man burned alive and his father murdered in Eqypt. By an out of control mob. These crimes are, in reality, against Christ, in addition to the people. Think about it.

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Future of the "Evangelical" Church

2009-03-11T21:39:00.003-04:00

This op-ed gets right to the point. Lots of body blows here, probably well deserved.

I agree with most of it.

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Amazing Grace

2009-03-11T21:11:00.002-04:00

Here is a classic done in a classical manner.

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"The Shack" Author William P. Young Interviewed

2009-03-10T19:36:00.012-04:00

This is a fairly long interview (40 mins or so) of Young by Pastor Kendall Adams from Burlington Baptist Church (Iowa).

Young calls this interviewer one of the most grace-filled and fair interviewers he has had do deal with.

It's a great interview, I think.

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If you want to follow up, here is Pastor Adams' blog entry regarding this issue.

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Wikipedia Scrubs Obama Eligibility

2009-03-10T18:03:00.002-04:00

Wikipedia, the online "free encyclopedia" mega-site written and edited entirely by its users, has been deleting within minutes any mention of eligibility issues surrounding Barack Obama's presidency, with administrators kicking off anyone who writes about the subject, WND has learned.

A perusal through Obama's current Wikipedia entry finds a heavily guarded, mostly glowing biography about the U.S. president. Some of Obama's most controversial past affiliations, including with Rev. Jeremiah Wright and former Weathermen terrorist Bill Ayers, are not once mentioned, even though those associations received much news media attention and served as dominant themes during the presidential elections last year.

Read the Whole article from World Net Daily here.

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Bible Marketing Hits a New Low!

2009-03-10T17:14:00.007-04:00

So, is that the "Show Horses Bible", the "Wild Horses Bible," The "Clydsdale Horse Bible", or the "My Little Pony" Horses Bible?

It is getting tougher and tougher to parody the silliness of the church culture these days with this going on.

Here is the press release from Zondervan.

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Letter to a Grieving Friend

2009-03-09T21:17:00.006-04:00

James MacDonald has been diagnosed with prostate cancer. Until then, he remains a steadfast pastor and inspirer of souls. This is a great contribution from his blog about real life.
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Amish Country Update - Competition for Horses?

2009-03-09T21:02:00.005-04:00

Will technology finally catch on and put the horse in the proverbial pasture?

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I doubt it.

Technology Sabbath

2009-03-09T20:49:00.003-04:00

Sometimes I think I need a fast, not just a Sabbath. Consider this, if you can manage to turn everything off before you're too distracted to think through this real issue.
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Church Safety Questions to Ask

2009-03-09T20:34:00.002-04:00

Depending on the size of your church, you may want to ask some or all of these questions.

Pray for First Baptist Church of Maryville, Ill

2009-03-08T18:16:00.004-04:00

Please pray for this church and the family of slain Pastory Dr. Fred Winters, who was gunned down today in the pulpit

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Interview with Ted Kluck

2009-03-07T19:10:00.003-05:00

I like Ted. He wins. Here is an interesting interview.

I like Kevin too.

Sin and Worship

2009-03-07T18:46:00.002-05:00

When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, "Son, your sins are forgiven." – Mark 2:5

I have to believe that the walking paralytic carried on a robust worship life after Jesus not only healed him physically, but told him that his sins are forgiven. He was given everything he needed for life now and forever.

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37When a woman who had lived a sinful life in that town learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee's house, she brought an alabaster jar of perfume, 38and as she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them.

47Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—for she loved much. But he who has been forgiven little loves little." – Luke7:37-38, 47

This woman’s level of worship was incredible; it was emotional, public, and vastly personal, and a phenomenal example of giving as worship. This short recollection gives compelling example that it’s not the relative level of a person’s sinfulness that measures ones desire to worship God, but the level of recognition of ones own sinfulness and the truth of the recognition of sins as utterly repulsive to a Holy God that will launch a believer’s worship. When someone more fully realizes his own sinfulness in God’s sight and learns how totally pure God is; when that someone increasingly refers to himself as the chief of sinners, then that worshiper will more fully appreciate God’s phenomenal sacrificial act of mercy and love for forgiveness, and climb to new levels of intimate worship of the Savior.

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Do you contemplate through prayer and meditation your own sinfulness, and ask God to reveal the ways which you displease Him that may not be evident to you? Do you study God’s true attitude toward sin and His utterly Holy nature in the word? If you do both consistently, you may find yourself worshiping God more fervently.

Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life. Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen. – 1 Timothy 1:15-17 (emphasis mine)

Does Your Youth Pastor Have Self Defense on His Resume?

2009-03-06T22:39:00.003-05:00

Do you have a Dark Knight for a youth pastor? Is this the next thing in youth ministry?

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Sheep Discernment

2009-03-05T18:20:00.002-05:00

Again from the Sacred Sandwich...

If Galatians was Published in Christianity Today

2009-03-05T18:05:00.004-05:00

The Sacred Sandwich imagines what would happen if Paul’s letter was to be written and published today.

If you don't like, or are offended by satire, don't click here.

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What $1 Trillion Looks Like

2009-03-05T17:12:00.004-05:00

Sometimes my kids ask me what I do at work. If I am just not talkative, I say that I make graphs and charts all day.

So I wish I would have thought to make this amazing graphic.

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Get Ready for Gdrive

2009-03-04T17:13:00.002-05:00

Google Drive, or Gdrive as it is better known, has to be the most anticipated Google product so far. When it arrives, Gdrive will likely cause a major paradigm shift in how we use computers and bring Google one step closer to dethroning Windows on your desktop.

The service has the potential to eclipse even Gmail, Google's second best-known product after their google.com search engine. That said, it's no wonder users have been ripe with anticipation for years - yes, that's how long the rumors have persisted. Gdrive is basically online storage where Google servers have enough capacity to hold the entire contents of your hard drive. It will likely also come with enough brains to do cool tricks now with bigger things down the road - like booting your computer from online drive to load the Google operating system.

Read the whole article here.

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The Rebel's Guide to Joy - The Life of Horatio Spafford

2009-03-03T23:02:00.001-05:00

I thought I knew the whole Horatio Spafford story, until I saw this

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Don't Waste Your Life Update

2009-03-03T22:24:00.003-05:00

First EmCee battle of 2009

Update from the cutting edge

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5 Reasons Why Theology Is Important to Study

2009-03-03T21:41:00.005-05:00

I thought of a couple of these, but not all of them. What do you think?

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Free Audio Book

2009-03-03T21:21:00.002-05:00

"Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life" by Donald S. Whitley

This is what I am "reading" this month. Put it on your Ipod and be blessed.

ESV Study Bible Online Free for March

2009-03-03T20:59:00.008-05:00

The ESV is arguably the most "accurate" translation of the the New Testament. This is a great opportunity for those of you looking for in depth study.

Go for it

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Flight 1549 Animation / Audio

2009-03-02T19:55:00.002-05:00

This is amazing

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Futureman has a post

2009-02-26T21:39:00.005-05:00

Future.

Jesus: Man, Messiah, or More

2009-02-26T20:20:00.003-05:00

A new online documentary about the historical Jesus will be available soon.

Part one of eight is available free online right now, right here

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Laurie into Begg on the Beatles

2009-02-25T22:54:00.002-05:00

I am posting this just for me. sorry. I love these guys, and Alistair Begg is one of my favorite old school teachers - the best.

Calfskin What?

2009-02-25T21:57:00.002-05:00

I don't think I have a calfskin anything, but if you are interested in winning a "premium calfskin leather version of the new ESV Study Bible", then go check out the boomerinthepew site and do the work. It does look nice, but the prize is inside. I admit, I'd like it.

Touching High School Basketball Story

2009-02-23T19:24:00.002-05:00

In the world of competitive sports today, this story is quite amazing. Those kids will never forget that game.

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Jesus Being Jesus

2009-02-22T13:28:00.002-05:00

And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, "Son, your sins are forgiven." Now some of the scribes were sitting there, questioning in their hearts, "Why does this man speak like that? He is blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?”
– Mark 2:5-7 (ESV)

Blaspheming God was the worst sin that anyone could commit in the eyes of religious Jews. And the “scribes” were like the PhD’s of the law. The scribes were the experts in the Old Testament. Many of them had the entire Old Testament memorized. And they knew that only God could truly forgive sins. Jesus’ assertion to forgive this paralytic’s sins was tantamount to claiming himself to be God, and the scribes were rattled by this.

There are amazing human intrigues and courage revealed in this story of Mark.
But perhaps the greatest claim of the story, if not the most subtle, is that Jesus marks his own claim to be God. And that is just Jesus being Jesus, never boasting his power but subtly sending the message that He is the true teacher, the ruler, the King of all kings. Jesus never forced his will on anyone, but repeatedly used strong teaching and uncompromising claims to let the members of his audience have the ability to affirm the truth for themselves. May this approach to evangelism also be true of us when we share our stories and our faith.

but Jesus said to them, "I have shown you many great miracles from the Father. For which of these do you stone me?" "We are not stoning you for any of these," replied the Jews, "but for blasphemy, because you, a mere man, claim to be God." –John 10:32-33

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The Obamateur Hour

2009-02-20T21:30:00.003-05:00

Does Obama know what he is doing?

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The banks appear to be socializing.

NEXT: socializing HOLLYWOOD. YEAH!!!
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The Shaq

2009-02-20T20:55:00.004-05:00

Courtesy of Marc Heinrich's purgatorio.

A new book is causing controversy among evangelicals. “The Shaq” tells the story of a grieving L.A. Laker’s fan who is visited by a 7ft 300 lbs African American basketball player and an aging zen-master head coach who use the triangle offense to explain the Christian doctrine of the Trinity. I don’t know what the problem is, sounds good to me.

12-year-old steals day with pro-life speech

2009-02-20T20:18:00.004-05:00

Even though a "judge" was offended, she won.

You won't see this on 60 minutes.

Go to the article and watch the You tube video

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Disturbing

2009-02-20T19:34:00.005-05:00

That is what this "church" video is ...

I liked the movie, but this video is ridiculous.

sorry state of affairs for this organization

The Tongue Connected to the Heart

2009-02-18T22:07:00.004-05:00

Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one body. – Ephesians 4:25

I don’t have the official stats on this but will go out on record predicting that sins of thought are most likely the most pervasive and frequent transgression committed by man. However, the most common expressed sin is probably wrongdoings of speech.

Whenever the Bible talks about the tongue, or about what you say, you ought to stop and study it, and you ought to master it. Because James says,

“If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man” - James 2:2

Jesus made the point in the Sermon the Mount that wrong speech is enticed by Satan …

Simply let your 'Yes' be 'Yes,' and your 'No,' 'No'; anything beyond this comes from the evil one. – Matthew 5:37

Some of the more regrettable times in my life have come after I have used spoken words that were wrong, whether it was outright lying, speaking erroneously of others, expressing unrighteous anger, or speaking words that were just plain badly chosen. I’ve asked God (and targets) to forgive me, but usually the damage is done.

How can change be accomplished in this area? First recognize this …

“out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks.” – Matthew 12:34,
and
“the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart, and these make a man 'unclean.' – Matthew 15:18

Again, the source from which the mouth speaks goes back to “the heart”, or the “mind”, biblically. Ask God to take over the patterns of thought in your mind (heart), and the connection to the tongue will, on the authority of God’s word, automatically happen, to the glory of God. Godly thinking leads to Godly speech.

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Breakdown of the Obama Spend Plan

2009-02-18T21:15:00.006-05:00

Here are some useful graphics to help explain how the billions of dollars of your money will be spent by the U.S. government.

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Truth in Toons Act of 2009

2009-02-16T18:13:00.004-05:00

Click on toon to enlarge.

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His Body, Your Home

2009-02-15T18:54:00.003-05:00

Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body - 1 Corinthians 6:19,20

There it is. If you are a Christian then the Spirit of God takes up residence in your body. It is a very sobering and stunning truth, and should lead us to a renewed reflection on the practical ramifications of this truth.

There are a lot of selfish reasons to take care of your body, physically. None of those reasons are really emphasized in the word of God, however. Motivation for staying physically strong is more supernatural than human. Daniel understood this, as he was tested physically in his captivity and relied on God for supernatural results…

8 But Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine, and he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself this way. … 12 "Please test your servants for ten days: Give us nothing but vegetables to eat and water to drink. 13 Then compare our appearance with that of the young men who eat the royal food, and treat your servants in accordance with what you see." 14 So he agreed to this and tested them for ten days. 15 At the end of the ten days they looked healthier and better nourished than any of the young men who ate the royal food. … 19 The king talked with them, and he found none equal to Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah; so they entered the king's service. – Daniel 1:8,12-15,19

The physical body is always connected to the spirit for those who choose to walk with God. As with other aspects of our journey with the Lord, there is, inconsideration of your earthly body, a cooperative and cognitive effort that involves both your will and God’s direction and sovereignty. God treasures a healthy body.

A Real Christian Church, 40 Years After

2009-02-05T19:45:00.004-05:00

How to do church right, as shared by John MacArthur, Jr. Thanks John, and God bless you for your years of service to Christ.

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Rick Warren: The Economy’s Crashing, Buy My Stuff!

2009-01-27T20:07:00.002-05:00

For details on this incredible sale, click here

Artist creates messianic parade for Obama

2009-01-24T13:54:00.011-05:00

Amid the pomp, circumstance and celebration of welcoming a new president, an artist in Iowa created an inaugural parade sure to draw attention, even hundreds of miles from Washington, D.C.: Barack Obama, riding on a donkey, complete with waving palm fronds and "Secret Service" escort.

Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan declared in October that when Obama talks, "the Messiah is absolutely speaking." But artist Matthew J. Clark's parade – marching Obama through the streets of Des Moines in similar fashion to Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem – takes the messianic imagery even farther.

Read the whole article here .

;-)

Challenging You to Change, Biblically

2009-01-24T10:07:00.002-05:00

Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good,
pleasing and perfect will. – Romans 12:1-2

Read these verses at least a few times. According to this short passage, what are the reasons why you should be invested in wanting to change?

Go back to the verses again. What should be the goal of your ongoing transformation?

According to God’s word, what role does God play in your transformation?

The transformation to Christ likeness will never happen on its own, without your will interacting with God’s revelation and leading. Take the courage to write down the answers to the questions above, and it may initiate the renewing of the mind that God prescribes for your transformation to move forward. Do more than believe God’s word. Embrace it. Respond to it. Be transformed by it.

Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it—he will be blessed in what he does. – James 1:23-25

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Bibles/Verses Used in Presidential Innaugurations

2009-01-14T22:32:00.003-05:00

Interesting that Obama is using the same Bible as Lincoln used. This is a nice historical article on the subject by the WSJ

Rick Warren blesses President inviting Gay Bishop to Pray at Innauguration

2009-01-14T20:20:00.006-05:00

Let's face it, public prayer events have pretty much turned into a huge political mess.

Don't stop praying for the nation, and don't let the politics of prayer disuade you from praying.

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Tim Tebow Makes John 3:16 Most Searched Item

2009-01-14T19:57:00.004-05:00

Surprizingly, face paint on a football player has become 2009's first popular evangelical tool. Who woulda thunk it.

This article has the details

I hope he's a Packer some day !

Where Real Change Starts

2009-01-14T19:30:00.003-05:00

For the eyes of the LORD range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him. – 2 Chronicles 16:9 (NIV)

I know what God wants to change in you first. He wants to change this same thing in me. There are fruit changes and there are root changes. This is a root change. It is your heart. It is my heart. God focuses on the heart.

the righteous God tries the hearts and minds - Psalm 7:9 (NASB)

When the Bible speaks of the heart it usually does not speak purely of emotions, as we sometimes use the word heart. The term “heart” in scripture tends more to point to one’s mind, one’s thought patterns and cognitive control. As a man thinks in his heart, so is he, and biblically, a man (woman) “thinks” with his heart.

"I the LORD search the heart and examine the mind, to reward a man according to his conduct, according to what his deeds deserve." – Jeremiah 17:10 (NIV)

The question is not so much “how is your spiritual life?” as much as it is “how is your thought life?” Do you ask God to purify your thoughts, to cleanse your thinking? Do you ask God to help prevent the garbage that today’s TV, movie, and internet media wants to relentlessly feed you through entrance into your (and your children’s) eyes and ears and thoughts? Do you pray to God to give you biblical discernment? Do you ask God to set His thoughts as primary in your thinking patterns, and not a secondary concern?

I am he who searches hearts and minds, and I will repay each of you according to your deeds. – Revelation 2:23

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Where The Power to Change Comes From

2009-01-14T19:28:00.002-05:00

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you – Acts 1:8

Happy New Year. Our planet’s new rotation around the sun has started. This time of year is commonly a time many of us use to reflect on our past living patterns. And if we are honest with ourselves, we who do examine ourselves know that change is called for in sundry aspects of our individual lives. We each (arguably) know (again, if we are honest with ourselves) what those changes should be, whether they are evident to others or not. And since we are motivated out of devotion to God to be better Christians, we say to ourselves and sometimes to the world that we are “GOING to DO IT”! We are REALLY going to change!

We may be pumped up, but all of our right intentions will fail unless we employ the only source of power for real change that God has provided, that is His Holy Spirit. It is Christ in you that will fuel the blessings of authentic change.

I will not venture to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me in leading the Gentiles to obey God by what I have said and done— by the power of signs and miracles, through the power of the Spirit. – Romans 15:18-19

God has given no provision for his people to live out life in human will power and human strength alone. It is by the power of God’s Spirit that enables all the blessings of God for change in us, and blessings for us, to occur. God’s glorious riches are discovered through Christ living in you, the hope of glory (Col 1:27). This is biblically called sanctification, or being more Christ like, and that is the end game of our walk with Christ. Christlikeness is accomplished only through the power of the Holy Spirit filling the believer.

Got the Holy Spirit? Got power! If you are filled with the Holy Spirit, then you are filled with the power to truly change to be more like Christ.

our gospel came to you not simply with words, but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and with deep conviction. – 1 Thessalonians 1:5

I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being – Ephesians 3:16

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit – Romans 15:13

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Looking Out for Number Two

2009-01-14T19:27:00.001-05:00

make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. – Philippians 2:3-4

The theme of the book of Philippians is joy in the believer. Philippians chapter 2 focuses on the joy of selflessness. The upside down kingdom strikes again. The world tells us to make sure we take care of ourselves first, but the word of God here informs us that true joy comes from denying self, humbling self, in deference to others.

But putting others first is unnatural for us, who suffer from the inheritance of a sin nature. So how can we possibly do this? If not on our own then what, (or who) is our example? As usual, Jesus is the answer.

Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death— even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name – Philippians 2:5-9

If Jesus’ example is too much too fast, Paul provides another example, in Timothy, to provide a model for what brings true joy from God…

I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, that I also may be cheered when I receive news about you. I have no one else like him, who takes a genuine interest in your welfare. – Philippians 2:19-20

What you do to change your perspective and focus on investing your life more in the souls of others and less on the exaltation of self will not only be obedient to God’s word, it will bring you increased true joy in your heart.
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He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble. – Luke 1:52

For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted." – Luke14:11

Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up. – James 4:10

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Behold the Lamb of God

2008-12-26T11:08:00.002-05:00

Andrew Peterson is my friend.

Following The Light

2008-12-26T11:03:00.001-05:00

When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." – John 8:12

At Christmas time I love to look at Christmas displays of various sorts. I especially enjoy, I admit, light displays, whether simple or extravagant, around homes and businesses in the community. The sight of abundant light illuminations on bitter cold nights on my way home from a long day at work just warms my heart. I do like to look at lights.

And Jesus is the light of the world, so I look at him. But here is the sharper truth; Jesus is not a light to just look at. Jesus says he is The Light to be followed. There is a huge difference between looking at, and following, a light. We are called to follow Him, not just gaze at him.

It seems that most of the world allows for looking at Jesus; the friction comes when those who trust in Him insist on following in the light and in the steps that He directs. These steps command that we love one another; that we speak the truth in love; and, that we go to the ends of the world to proclaim His name, unapologetically. This would be following Him, not just looking at him.

So, this Christmas and in the future, will we be just looking, or really following The Light?

I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness. – John 12:46

Born to Die

2008-12-20T15:01:00.002-05:00

But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, now crowned with glory and honor because he suffered death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone. – Hebrews 2:9

As we stop to celebrate the historical birth of Jesus, let’s take our celebration a step further to consider the reason why he came. Why did He come? To present God? To teach truth? To fulfill law? To offer His kingdom? To teach those who did not understand about God? To reveal love? To bring peace? To heal the sick? Yes to all of those. Yet as important as those aspects are, they are not the MAIN reason Jesus came to earth. The primary reason that Jesus came was to suffer and die, for you and for me, to pay the price of our sin, and that we may have real everlasting fellowship with God. Those tiny baby hands that we see in the manger, that were fashioned by the Holy Spirit in Mary's womb, were made in order that one day nails might be driven through them.

Who are you, precious little babe nestled in the hay?
God I am, come to earth this day.
Why did you come, sweet little babe nestled in the hay?
To die, I came, the price of sin to pay.
Who's sin, tender little babe nestled in the hay?
Yours it was that brought me down today.
-Author Unknown

For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit – 1 Peter 3:18

Madeline is Home

2008-12-11T23:34:00.005-05:00

Jean and I are so happy to have our oldest daughter, Madeline, home for a month for the holidays. She just finished her first semester of college.

Weekly Devotional for 12-13-08 - Spiritual Temperature

2008-12-11T21:45:00.004-05:00

Spiritual Temperature
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"To the angel of the church in Laodicea write: These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God's creation. I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth.”
– Revelation 3:v14-16

The church of Laodicea was the most distasteful church of all, in the eyes of our Lord. His greatest condemnation was reserved for the lukewarm and casual.

G.A. Studdart Kennedy (1883 -1929) was a British writer who penned many beautiful poems about Jesus Christ. In one, he writes…

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"When Jesus came to Golgotha they hanged Him on a tree,
They drove great nails through hands and feet and made a Calvary.

They crowned Him with a crown of thorns; red were His wounds and deep,
For those were crude and cruel days and human flesh was cheap.

When Jesus came to Birmingham, they simply passed Him by,
They never hurt a hair of Him they only let Him die.

For men have grown more tender they wouldn't give Him pain,
They only just passed down the street and leave Him in the rain.

Still Jesus cried, “Forgive them for they know not what they do”
And still it rained the winter rain that drenched Him through and through.

The crowds went home and left the streets with out a soul to see
And Jesus crouched against a wall and cried for Calvary.”

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Kennedy was saying that Jesus would rather have the hatred than suffer from the indifference.

This Christmas season, consider your fervency for following the Lord. It is so easy to be distracted with the pressures and priorities that others and we all tend to put on ourselves. Focus, really focus, your full attention directly on the Savior, on His remarkable incarnation, and on His gift to all those who receive Him. If you sense a lukewarm spirit in yourself, this will fire you up.

Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. – Luke 2:11

Who is Jesus?

2008-12-06T23:25:00.006-05:00

During Christmas, I believe that there are many people who reflect, either consciously or not, on who exactly Jesus is. Christians need to be prepared to answer without pressure, without panic, but in truth and love. This teaching from Alistair Begg has helped me temendously, and I hope that you can be helped by it as well.

Weather Pattern That My Wife Likes

2008-12-06T23:07:00.003-05:00

My wife Jean loves to be "snowed in". We live in north central Indiana, and lake effect snow is what my wife craves.

And, I hope this pic helps put you in the Christmas mood.

Weekly Devotional for 12-6-08

2008-12-06T22:54:00.005-05:00

Old School “Passing It Forward”
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Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. – James 1:27

Sometimes I wonder if what the modern church is attempting to be is in line with what the early church was attempting to be.

The following commentary is helpful; it was written by a philosopher of an earlier time, about early Christians…

"They are remarkable people. They walk in humility and kindness and falsehood is not found among them and they love one another. They despise not the widow and they grieve not the orphan. He that hath distributed liberally to him that hath not. If they see a stranger they bring him under their roof and they rejoice over him as if he were their brother. For they call themselves brethren not after the flesh, but after the Spirit and in God. But when one of their poor passes away from the world and any of them seem him, then he provides for his burial according to his ability. And if they hear that any of their number is imprisoned or oppressed for the name of their Messiah, all of them provide for his needs. And if it's possible that he may be delivered, they deliver him. And if there is among them a man that is poor and needy and they have not an abundance of necessity, they will fast two or three days that they may supply the needy with his necessary food.”
-- Aristides, A.D. 125

Father in Heaven, I want to share your love for the poor and the needy and the oppressed. I thank you that you've given me a pattern in Jesus who was rich but became poor. Help me to be faithful. May it be so that Your spirit convicts each believer’s heart in a specific way to give generously and without reservation. In Christ's name I pray, Amen.

"The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.' – Matthew 25:40

Bible 101

2008-12-06T20:58:00.005-05:00

This file is what I have used in some Sunday school classes to teach a "Bible 101" class. It is a Powerpoint guide on how to get motivated and how to study the scriptures. Use it at your church if you feel it would be helpful.

Jessica Gets the First Post

2008-11-26T21:32:00.005-05:00

Jessica is my baby. She is now 13 years old, plays sweeper on defense on her soccer teams, and I love to watch her play soccer. She has often scored goals playing her defensive position. Jess won her soccer game on Sunday, November 23, 7-2. Jessica rocks in soccer, and I'm braggin' a bit, but this IS my first post, after all. The pic is Jess about 11 years ago. She's even prettier now.