Jackie's Thoughts...

Same Master, Different Views, and Different Methods

2010-11-01T06:05:00.002-04:00

Luk 9:49 And John answered and said, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name; and we forbad him, because he followeth not with us.

Luk 9:50 And Jesus said unto him, Forbid him not: for he that is not against us is for us.

Today, I sit amazed, rather dismayed, at the sectionalism in Christianity. Nowhere do you sectionalism more than in the realms of salvation teaching and church worship services. Yesterday marked the anniversary of the reformation and since that day, when Martin Luther nailed a discourse of thought provoking statements the church has splintered over how a person receives salvation, and how a church service should flow, or what it should contain. Surely, the church reads the first letter to the Corinthians and understands that this is unacceptable. Yet, this is the way of man, not the way of God, the way of man.

So I have a few questions, as I look to extend my hand of fellowship to those claiming to be brothers.

No matter how they proclaim one receives salvation, do they promote in their teachings a life devoted to the savior, free of manmade traditions?
Do they then declare a list of what of holy and unholy standards that do not appear in God's word, thus frustrating the believers and stunting the growth they desire?
Do they criticize the methods or songs of worship of other churches?
Do they pursue the lost sheep, willing to go out to the reaches of a community to retrieve one, as Christ taught us to leave the ninety-nine?

You see in these simple questions, I can determine where to fellowship. The place where I can grow and mature as a believer. (I challenge you to determine your questions) First, if they teach a lifestyle of service and repentance (confessing and forsaking sin, not paying money, and magical prayers). While also removing traditions that hinder spiritual growth or acceptance of lost sheep, because in Hebrews we are clearly taught to leave the doctrine of salvation, baptism, and laying on of hands, when we desire to mature as disciples. Anyone frustrated over their salvation cannot move on to maturity, and thus is not being equipped by the teachers, as they were commanded. Next, we are commanded to not sit in the seat of the scornful, or stand in the way of sinners. Sermon after sermon, lesson after lesson, there is an attack on those who teach people to follow Christ as genuine believers, because they use the wrong translation, musical instruments, song writers, hymnal, chorus book, or lean to the side of human responsibility or God's sovereign grace, is not fulfilling the command of Christ, written above. Finally, are they obedient in the commands to go into the community and witness to the world? Are they who go into the highways, and byways compelling them to come?

I honestly believe that when we learn to focus on what God leads us to perform, and we stop trying to fix the other churches around us, the world will desire Christ. Some respond to hellfire brimstone teachings, others do not. Hence the verses, "And of some have compassion, making a difference: and others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh" (Jude 22-23). I hope you see now that each church has a role, and if they teach a true gospel lifestyle, a confident trust in the saving grace of God, that is extended to mankind, made possible by Christ's sacrifice. They teach believers have actions that prove a life of devotion to Christ (a consistent removal of sin, and greater devotion in study to God, and service to others) that is clearly seen in God's word, then we do not have to walk with them, but we should not forbid them, rather pray for God to work mighty through them.

One last thought, do remember as long as former lost men fight against their innate sin nature, and as long as they lead churches, there will never be a perfect church.

Saul, King of Manipulation

2010-03-27T05:52:00.002-04:00

32 And David said to Saul, "Let no man's heart fail because of him. Your servant will go and fight with this Philistine."
33 And Saul said to David, "You are not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him, for you are but a youth, and he has been a man of war from his youth."
34 But David said to Saul, "Your servant used to keep sheep for his father. And when there came a lion, or a bear, and took a lamb from the flock,
35 I went after him and struck him and delivered it out of his mouth. And if he arose against me, I caught him by his beard and struck him and killed him.
36 Your servant has struck down both lions and bears, and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be like one of them, for he has defied the armies of the living God."
37 And David said, "The Lord who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine." And Saul said to David, "Go, and the Lord be with you!"
38 Then Saul clothed David with his armor. He put a helmet of bronze on his head and clothed him with a coat of mail,
39 and David strapped his sword over his armor. And he tried in vain to go, for he had not tested them. Then David said to Saul, "I cannot go with these, for I have not tested them." So David put them off.

1 Sam 17:32-39 (ESV)

When most preachers and teachers cover these verses, the focus is on David: his faith, his courage, and his wisdom. I want to briefly focus on Saul, King of Israel, King of Good Intentions, or is he simply the King of Manipulation? Did he have David's best interest at heart in offering David his battle armor? Did David convince Saul he could defeat Goliath?

Personally, I believe the situation was a win-win situation for King Saul, at least in his mind. Dressing David in his armor could accomplish three things. First, if David died in battle, Saul could deny sending him into battle. Second, if David one in battle and remained in full armor, some might think the king defeated Goliath, surely everyone knew his armor. Finally, if David won and was revealed to be David, he sent a champion out in a greater manner than other kings. He allowed his champion the best armor in the land, his.

In the previous chapter, we learned that David had become Saul's armor bearer. He had full access to the king's armor when he was present for service to the king. When David arrived, despite his brave speech, it is reasonable that he should reenter the service of the king. Therefore, it would be reasonable that should David die in battle to claim he took the armor unknown to the king. You can almost hear the speech, let us remember David, the impetuous youth, who with the best intentions took without permission the king's armor and sword, and died in valiant effort before Israel and Goliath. In this case, Saul would save face for sending a youth of no apparent skill against a seasoned warrior-giant.

Likewise, in the other two scenarios, Saul saves face. In one, he becomes the savior of Israel. In the last, he becomes the savior of Israel. "Thank you, Thank you, when no man stepped forward, I knew that I must take action, when the shepherd boy spoke, I knew I must take action. Normally, a king would not fight in one-on-one combat, but I knew I must take action. Today, the power of the Philistines broke. Tomorrow brings ultimate defeat for the Philistines!" Oh, the mighty speech Saul might have given. On the other hand, Perhaps this speech, "I knew the boy could win, I have spent many a day with this young man, heard his stories, trained him, and as my armor bearer made him strong, courageous, and ready for the challenge!"

However, God received the glory and the newly anointed future king began to grow in influence. Mark the moment of David's rise in the eyes of the people, the peak of his favor with Saul, and the beginning of a period of persecution, that prepared a shepherd for the throne.

A Leadership Analysis from A Tale of Three Kings: A Study in Brokenness by Gene Edwards

2010-03-24T17:48:00.001-04:00

Many people speak of natural leaders being born for the times of their identification, but history shows that leaders are not born as often as created. Even those who are natural born leaders possessing that certain something that causes others to follow are God created. However, not everyone who has ever led an organization, nation, team, or playground qualifies as a good leader. More importantly, for the Christian, not every good leader is a righteous leader capable of leading God's people. A Tale of Three Kings: A Study in Brokenness by Gene Edwards draws on the interaction of King Saul and David, and King David and King Absalom, the son of David who temporarily overthrew his father. This tale intends to ensure that good leaders learn how to become righteous leaders capable of leading the people of God. It is for this reason that each leader is examined against two factors: the greatest secular leadership model in the world, the United States (US) Army's be, know, do, and the manual that holds the answers for all leaders, the Bible. Each king's presentation for examination is in the order of his first or only reign.

King Saul

King Saul is the first king of Israel. Saul, chosen by God to be an instrument of chastisement for Israel's rejection of God's theocratic reign over the nation using judges, is the king of appearance. Samuel prophesied of his reign, in warning to the nation, prior to his selection for coronation. According to scripture, Saul begins his reign in humility, but soon rises in power to accomplish mighty deeds for himself. Saul teaches fledgling leaders what the world says a leader should be, what a leader should know, and what a leader does.

Be

Throughout part one of the narrative drama presented by Gene Edwards, King Saul is what a worldly leader should be. Saul, as known from scripture and as presented, is a powerful leader who on more than once occasion is among the prophets. Saul is a warrior capable of leading an army into battle. He stands taller than anyone does. Saul is the premier leader. Leaders are powerful and display their unbroken power. Saul is authoritative, dealing out rewards and punishments as he determines. Saul is determined to reach the goals he established. Saul is the face of his organization and he does not share his glory with those who serve him. Saul is the epitome of when in charge be in charge. Saul is the leader modeled after the world. He is what a leader of the world receives instruction to become.

Know

The first thing a leader must know is who they are to be, in the eyes of those they lead. Israel stated to Samuel that they wanted a leader just like all the other nations, so God granted them their wish, Saul. Accordingly, Saul looked to other nations and became a great king. From these kingdoms, Saul knew what he should appear to be as king. Saul knew that kings must have the blessings of deity, so he sacrificed and sat among the prophets. Saul knew that potential rising stars in government were a threat to his kingdom. Saul knew that God, due to his overly decisive nature, had determined that another king would arise to take his place. Saul knew that such a threat needs elimination. Saul knew that great kings do not live in the shadows of a servant, even a general of their army. Saul knew that David held God's blessing and that he might be the one prophesied to replace the king. Through knowledge comes action.

Do

Saul was a good leader as the world defines good leaders. His actions accepted as the prerogatives of any king. He held powerful generals who won victories over mighty armies, to include the destruction of Goliath, the Philistine warrior of Gath. Saul had earned the right to take the sons and daughters if Israel as servants. Saul had earned the right to take portions of the fields as tax, and to conscript men into military service. These were the actions of mighty kings. Saul had the right to persecute a general who seemed to be stealing the people away from the king, no matter how loyal the servant remained. Saul was a mighty warrior, so no javelin thrown was to destroy but put the young upstart David in his place. Saul, the mighty warrior king, had the right to be moody and have whomever he wanted, play the harp for him, even a general, like the upstart David. When near the end of his reign it was fitting that Saul, pursue the fleeing traitorous general.

Scriptural Leadership

Saul was a leader of the world but not a godly leader. As Gene Edward begins the story with the possibilities of two destinies, it is easy to see that Saul is the destiny of exterior power. While many of his leadership qualities are admirable qualities of decisiveness, authoritativeness, determination, protectiveness, and knowledge, they remain exterior qualities. This is the point that Edwards determines to make by presenting Saul bearing the exterior power of God and not accepting the power that transform the interior and build the character required to lead the people of God. The interior power denied by Saul is the very power that transformed the shepherd David into the mighty king of Israel.

David

David is the one figure who transcends both parts of the tale. David is the youngest son of Jessie, who tends his father sheep. David is the young one called from the field to appear before the prophet Samuel for anointing as the next king of Israel. David will reveal the interior power of God and the effect it can have on a leader.

Be

David through suffering realizes that as king he is to be a servant to God, and to serve the people of Israel. David understands the humility of the servant from a life of servitude as a shepherd, a musician in the royal courts, and as a military leader under the authority of a crazed king. David demonstrates differing aspects of leadership from Saul. David demonstrates self-control, compassion, loyalty, repentance, and a desire for God. Therefore, David teaches Christian that a leader is to be a controlled person, who is compassionate with their followers, loyal to all, able to admit mistakes, and one who seeks after God.

Know

David learned the aspects of leadership through an intimate relationship with God born through struggles. David learned early as a shepherd the need for communicating with God by forced loneliness on the hillsides of Bethlehem, keep watch over the sheep. David learned the power of God's deliverance through the killing of predators intent on killing the sheep. David learned the compassion to lead people in the tender manners of God, by leading and caring for the sheep of his father. David learned to wait on God to deliver on those hillsides. David the loyalty needed to perform the duties assigned while serving his father. David recorded these lessons in the Psalms. David knew that God was a God worthy of worship and One Who performed righteously among men. David knew he was to emulate God before humanity.

Do

Therefore, David performed the tasks assigned by King Saul wisely. David played for the crazed king when asked, ducked thrown javelins, and remained loyal even while being pursued for execution. David never refused to play, heaved a well-aimed javelin in return, or took the life of the king, even when presented with opportunity. David knew the Lord, David behaved accordingly. David knew God's power to deliver so David prayed for deliverance, and waited on God to deliver. David demonstrates humility, performing according to his knowledge of God. David remained loyal to the king's son, loyal to his men, loyal to the king, but more importantly loyal to the plan of God for his life. David does what godly leaders do; they seek God's will.

Scriptural Leadership

David's portrayal as the suffering servant who God transforms by the roles he plays in life. David, as Edwards reveals, handles these situations because he trusts in God, not because he is weak. David as a warrior, the slayer of Goliath, could have returned a killing javelin to Saul numerous times. David's restraint is born from the learned trust of God. David's compassion, humility, and temperance, as painted by Edwards, are traits that godly leaders possess. David had no need for vengeance because to God alone does vengeance belong. Even in the latter years of his reign, when Absalom revolts against his father, David remains calm and quietly leaves the palace trusting God to restore him or take him home. Spiritual leaders who follow David have a quite strength born from an intimate relationship with God.

Absalom

Absalom, the eldest son of David, the one everyone expects to be king is a good-looking man endued with wisdom. He however utilizes his strengths in rebellion against God's plan for Israel.

Be

Absalom, as presented, demonstrates a few expectations people hold for leaders. Saul taught the reader leaders are to be strong, determined, powerful people. David added to these qualities the aspects of following God, brave, humble, compassionate, and loyal. Absalom demonstrates that leaders need be charismatic and wise in their ability to handle the troubles of the people. Absalom learned well the need for wisdom growing in the home of the king.

Know

Absalom learned early that people respect power, looks, and wisdom. He knew that he was born with two of those aspects. He knew the power he naturally held as the eldest son of the king. He knew the way people looked at him, and how he reminded them of his father, the king. Absalom knew that wisdom came from putting knowledge to practice. Absalom knew that righteousness and fairness belonged to everyone, even the king. Absalom knew of his father's mistake and saw God's forgiveness. Absalom felt he knew that his father mishandled his punishment for avenging the wrong of sister by a half brother. Absalom knew how to get back at his father.

Do

The presentation of Absalom is one of knowledge lifting a person up in pride. It is the picture of one under authority perceiving injustice and rising against that injustice. Absalom did rebel without a plan; it was not the mindless actions of rage. As Edwards reminds, Absalom used his natural gifts of influence as the king's son, his looks, and acquired wisdom from watching his father hold court to win the people from David. Absalom did that which is the right of any upcoming star in leadership; he took from someone who he felt was no longer capable of leading properly. In many ways, he performed one of the first hostile takeovers in history.

Scriptural Leadership

Absalom once again demonstrates traits admired by the world and Christians. He is young, vibrant, charismatic, wise, and influential. However, he represents the exterior power with no interior development. Absalom does not see the mercy his father gave to him by not requiring his life or that he live in a city of refuge. Instead, Absalom embodies the idea that those who want recognition in life must claim that power for themselves, no matter who is hurt. Absalom did sell out his own father. Christian leaders may be charismatic, the need be wise, and they must have influence, but they must allow God to grant their recognition or they will impose their will against God's will.

Personal Reflection

As an educator and leader, the need for dynamic leadership is paramount. One can chose to develop this through exterior skill developments or one can allow God to transform the inner person. As for this educator, both paths have been followed, and the temptation to return javelins as not always been resisted. The amount of suffering required to kill pride can lead to the near insurmountable desire to rebel against God's plan, exercise some aspect of admirable leadership in a worldly manner and grasp early that which one is not ready to possess. For a man of action the waiting on God's timing is the most stressful event on earth. However, through this tale understanding arises that this time of learning humility afford the leader the strength and patience to bear the trials to come.

References

Edwards, G. (1980), A tale of three kings: a study in brokenness, Tyndale House Publishers, Wheaton, Illinois

Life without a plan?

2009-08-23T16:02:00.001-04:00

Luke 14:25-35 And there went great multitudes with him: and he turned, and said unto them, If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple. And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple. For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it? Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him, Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish. Or what king, going to make war against another king, sitteth not down first, and consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand? Or else, while the other is yet a great way off, he sendeth an ambassage, and desireth conditions of peace. So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple. Salt is good: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be seasoned? It is neither fit for the land, nor yet for the dunghill; but men cast it out. He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.

Nothing in this life or the eternal life works itself out. Each needs approaching with a steadfast determination to accomplish something. I am amazed at how many people live all or a portion of their lives without a plan. God has shown me recently that in order to succeed here I must have a plan that leads me to that success. I cannot sit on a pew and say in ten years I want to be where God wants me and expect that to occur. The verses above are clear that God does not want us to start a journey, be on a journey, or finish a journey without having a plan. Jesus was clear in this passage to those who were physically following Him about how determined that must be to be a true follower. He was saying, "You want to follow me as Savior, then you need to think about how hard it will be, what it is going to cost you, and be prepared to complete the journey, or else stay on the porch." Your life needs thought out so that you do not lose. How will you be a success for God? What is your plan for success in…

Money? The Bible says owe no man.

Memorization? Thy Word have I hid in my heart.

Marriage? They two shall be one

Parenting? Train your child

Work? Do all things as unto the Lord

Daniel purposed in his heart not defile himself. He planned and decided on a course of action. What is your plan?

The View From Behind Home Plate

2009-05-17T07:30:00.001-04:00

I have become the half-time enemy and half-time friend of all baseball coaches and players, a villain in blue, an umpire. I am in my second season as an official for the recreation league in my county. I do this for a few reasons: to pay for my mission trip to the Dominican Republic, I love baseball, and because I learn so much about baseball, life, and God.

Over the last few days I have become aware of a trend. I normally can tell who will strikeout, provided the pitcher throws enough strikes, and who will hit the ball into play. I can tell by the look in the kids eyes. Every kid has a mixture of fear and excitement coming to the plate. The step from the on deck circle and begin that walk to the box. As the approach something happens. The hitters loose their excitement and become very somber and determined in the eye. You can tell they are talking to themselves and preparing for the at bat. The others have a look of dread, fearful hope, or apathy. 90% if the time the outcome is determined before the guy steps in. Even if a hitter should strikeout they leave with a certain look that says you got me this time but now I know how to get you. It is something inside that makes the difference. Having been a former player and current coach I know that the something is confidence and experience. There is no shame in striking out and there is no way that if you stay in there and keep swinging at strikes that you are going to strikeout every time. Any pitch that enters the zone can be hit. You get three chances and it only takes one. Confidence.

Now, what does this teach me about God? Well I am according to the Bible indwelt with the Holy Spirit of God. I have an internal resource that created the universe and controls the outcome. I will step up to the plate of life and trials will be hurled straight at me. I will turn towards them and try to send them back but sometimes I will miss. Strike one. Here it comes again. Strike two. Here it comes again. Strike three. Man, I failed, that curve took me by surprise. Ok, here we go again, Lord, I know the curve is coming because that is what took me out last time. Here it comes. Foul ball, strike one. Ok, Lord, I got a piece of it. Please, help me get it next time. Ok whatever come this time I am going to hit this one. Perhaps, I did.

You see, I can turn inside my head and talk with God. He can help me be a person of courage and strength. I need not fear men or what they can deliver my way. Yeah, they may get me this time, but life recycles. God stays with me. So like Daniel, as I step into the box, I determine I will not strikeout, and with God's divine guidance, I will put the situations I face into play. Confidence in God.

Well, Are You?

2009-02-19T06:27:00.001-05:00

13 Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again:
14 But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.

John 4:13-14 (KJV)

1 Then Jacob went on his journey, and came into the land of the people of the east. 2 And he looked, and behold a well in the field, and, lo, there were three flocks of sheep lying by it; for out of that well they watered the flocks: and a great stone was upon the well's mouth. 3 And thither were all the flocks gathered: and they rolled the stone from the well's mouth, and watered the sheep, and put the stone again upon the well's mouth in his place. 4 And Jacob said unto them, My brethren, whence be ye? And they said, Of Haran are we. 5 And he said unto them, Know ye Laban the son of Nahor? And they said, We know him. 6 And he said unto them, Is he well? And they said, He is well: and, behold, Rachel his daughter cometh with the sheep. 7 And he said, Lo, it is yet high day, neither is it time that the cattle should be gathered together: water ye the sheep, and go and feed them. 8 And they said, We cannot, until all the flocks be gathered together, and till they roll the stone from the well's mouth; then we water the sheep.

9 And while he yet spake with them, Rachel came with her father's sheep: for she kept them. 10 And it came to pass, when Jacob saw Rachel the daughter of Laban his mother's brother, and the sheep of Laban his mother's brother, that Jacob went near, and rolled the stone from the well's mouth, and watered the flock of Laban his mother's brother.

Gen 29:1-10 (KJV)

Ok, we have two stories that occur by a well. In the first, listed second we find that a stone is over the well. This was done so that the sun did not dry up the well, or so that pollutants did not get in the well and poison the water, or that the well did not fill with dust and become shallow or nasty. All of these reasons were a good one to wait until evening when all the flocks were gathered. In the second story, listed first, Jesus is speaking to a woman at a well. He compares the physical well to His followers, a.k.a., Christians.

So, why write about these two facts? I want to ask you a question and myself a question. Are we spoiled, shallow, or just dried up by the world? Before I can answer this question I need to determine how effectively I have been at guarding my life against the influences of the world (Satan's philosophical playground). If I have not thought it necessary to guard against this influence then chances are my flowing water is cloudy in the ethics bucket, or speech bucket, or internet bucket, or movie bucket, or TV show bucket. It could be worse it could be a mud pie of these things. Now I do not want to drink these last two analogies and chances are you do not want to drink them either. Therefore, why did I allow this to happen? Because I like to push the envelope of acceptability and walk up against sin with the narrowest of margins that still says to the outside observer, "See I am separated from the world." However, what is the cost for this way of thinking? I could be clearer, deeper, and not so thirsty.

Ok, one example from my struggles. CSI, I really like this show, is not a good show to watch for me and likely not for others. It is entertaining and I know it is about the scientist who catch the bad guys, and that is great. However, with each piece of evidence I get to visualize a murder, rape, beating, shooting, stabbing, poisoning, or freak accident, over and over again. I am placing violence in my well. How can my water supply not be affected? Just a thought from me, what do you think?

Care for little ones

2009-01-27T16:04:00.001-05:00

Matt 18:1-6 (KJV)

At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?
2 And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them,
3 And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.

4 Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

5 And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me.

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.

When we observe a small child do we think of greatness? Do we see a kindergarten age child as a symbol of greatness? Of course, we do not see such a small child as a symbol of greatness. We see presidents, congressmen, millionaires, maybe pastors, and other big church leaders as great in our society. The apostles likewise looked at their society, the measures of a man, and were prompted to ask for quantifiable standards by which they could measure greatness in the coming kingdom. Jesus answer was simple, see this child, view yourself the same.

Children by and large have no rights, and their personal expectations are generally disregarded. How many children even as teens have a say in where they live or go to school. Their personal preferences may increase with age but they are not all fulfilled. This is why they struggle with authority. As the progress in growth they learn to evaluate and analyze their surroundings, make determinations, and select a mentality towards various events, places, and people. Then comes the struggle between authority, who may not have the same view or opinion, and the child. The child does not have the authority to carry out their plan and must capitulate to the adult.

We have evaluated our world, made our plans, and determined how things should be only to be confronted with God's reality. Often this brings conflict because we will not humble ourselves, like a child. So we begin to humble ourselves on a regular basis only to have someone tells us we are not right? I mean we are doing the best we can, or at least think we can? Even if the person is right and is not gentle to us little children we will kick, scream, or pout. Remember at this point we are talking about adults.

So, now for verse 6 and what I really want to address. "These little ones" in the Greek means anyone of lesser dignity. This is the Senior Pastor to Junior Pastor, Pastor to Flock, Sunday School Teacher to Class, School Teacher to Class, Upper Classman to Lower, etc… You get the idea. We are to exercise great care to not offend (entice to sin) someone who looks up to us or at least whose care we have been given. How scary is this warning now? Therefore, we must take great care to encourage and not discourage, find meeker ways to address problems, to demonstrate love and care. I am amazed how we forget that the goodness of God leads us to repentance. You would think that we had to feel the fires of hell first and then we can repent by the way we see problems handled. Instead we are convinced of hell, sin, and our just reward, but shown mercy, love, and God's kindness in our lives. Then we understand and cling in love, not fear (it is not perfect, and is not from God), to our Lord. Why then do we jump down a teen's throat? We as adults cannot handle this internal conflict without bad attitudes. Perhaps we all need to consider our actions before people. I do not know about you but that millstone thing does not sound fun.

FAITH

2009-01-06T15:55:00.001-05:00

Jam 2:18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.

This seems so simple and yet it is one of the hardest things to grasp in the Christian life. My actions declare my faith. So what do I tell people when I am not speaking to them about Christ? Here are just a few thoughts I have on this subject.

I cannot say that I am a man of faith without being a man of action. You will never believe or receive my confession of faith if my life does not demonstrate that faith. You have faith and I have actions. I can say but what do you see? I have faith in the Prince of Peace as I act angry and worried? I have faith God is compassionate and kind as I am hateful, hurtful, and rude? I have faith that God can supply all my needs as I complain about not having enough or tell everyone about my woes? Faith is not a vocal confession but a lifestyle.
My faith comes out whether I want it to be displayed or not. I get into a stressful situation and default into worry and self-reliance. What does that say I believe about God? People of faith rest in God. Sure they may pray and even weep but their initial worry (concern) is God directed not inwardly directed.
Faith is the evidence of things not seen. My actions tell you what I think deep within my heart. If I am a forgiving person, then I know forgiveness and believe that God forgives. If I tithe without thought it is an indicator I believe God can do more for my life on 90% than I can do with 100% of the 100% He gave to me.

I would love to see comments on some of the things you see as demonstrations of your faith. I have confessed some of my faults. You can give some of your positives or just things you think of as you read this.

From Score International

2008-12-16T14:08:00.001-05:00

BIGNESS IS NOT BAD

Some people do not like a BIG church! At what point is a church TOO big? Can you have too many volunteers to work at the church? Did you ever hear your pastor put a cap on the number of people who came out for visitation? Do you think the church ever had too many people bring too many turkeys for the homeless Thanksgiving meal? Did your pastor ever instruct the parking attendants to send people down the street to another church when your church parking lot was full? Did the ushers ever give your offering back when the plates were full? On Thanksgiving Day, did you reach your limit? Does your company turn away business or do they hire "more workers"? Do we really practice discipleship or do we want to restrict the number of followers? Have you ever thought 5,000 worshippers are ENOUGH? Then why do we keep adding more services in our mega churches? Were you ever in a church when….too many people got saved?

Just thinking…..

WE NEED MORE MEN

Five years ago, 20 men went to the Dominican Republic to do missions through baseball. People were saved and participating men were spiritually touched. A year later, 45 men went, followed by 90 men on the third year. Last year, 163 men went on the same outreach. This year was another year of fantastic growth as 256 people traveled to do missions work in the Dominican during our Baseball Outreach.

Would you believe there are some people who feel this ministry has become "too big"? A few have said that we are taking too many people.

I have been asked to answer the question, at what point is "too many"?

Here are a few thoughts:

First of all, Jesus said that "the harvest is great and the workers are few". Then, Jesus commanded believers to pray that MORE (not less) workers would be called to go. Therefore, I am compelled to follow Jesus, obey His word, and pray for MORE, many MORE, workers to go and do the work to gather His harvest.

Secondly, organization is the key! This year we organized our 256 people into five different groups. We placed leaders in each group and sent these groups to five different locations. By doing so, we were able to ACCOMPLISH FIVE TIMES the amount of work that we did five years ago with only 20 men.

Thirdly, we can impact many more Americans by engaging them in being on mission with God. We also see our group pray, cry, fellowship, confess, and receive Christ. We sing, shout, and see God work corporately in our lives. We experience renewal and revival. This must be shared by MORE men. Is it right for anyone to LIMIT what God is obviously doing? Shame on us who think so.

The Dominican Baseball Outreach has become a HUGE ministry. The devil attacks what God ordains. Some critics even suggest it is a money-making effort by SCORE. (For those I suggest, GET AN AUDIT and see the FACTS). The truth is that many men come free! Thanks to spiritual men who give scholarships, we bring a lot of minor league players who cannot afford to pay.

Next year, our goal is to have more than 300 men! We plan to grow, and grow, and grow until we reach every soul. We want to evangelize the entire Dominican Republic and we need your help. Don't listen to anyone BUT Jesus. He said in Luke 10:2 that the "harvest is huge and we do not have enough workers." Then he told us to pray for God to send us MORE workers.

Let's choose to listen and obey Him. Bring MORE!

'til the nets are full,

Ron Bishop
Executive Director

The Law: Living or Dead?

2008-12-16T13:47:00.001-05:00

Gal 2:16 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.

Gal 2:17 But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, is therefore Christ the minister of sin? God forbid.

Gal 2:18 For if I build again the things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor.

Gal 2:19 For I through the law am dead to the law, that I might live unto God.

Gal 2:20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

Gal 2:21 I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.

Am I crucified with Christ, by the law? This is a hard question to answer on a daily basis. Often I find that I am alive and well to the law. I am trying through some merit of my own strength to meet the demands of the law. I even create new laws to help me live within boundaries that stifle my life and the joy that a spirit filled life brings. I then try to impose those on others. Those are good days compared to the ones when I meet someone who has a stricter definition of what is righteous. So whether being imposed upon or imposing, I find a lot of the times my actions are one of rule keeping rather than faith living. I have never been able to obey the law and I know that I cannot be justified by the law so why do I pursue the aspects of the law so fervently? Why do I return to that which has never been able to perfect the conscience of the believer?

The law stated that I must die. I have sinned many times in my life. I will not enumerate those sins here in this writing. Accordingly, in the most God-honoring act of obedience known to man Christ died on the cross, and I enjoy the benefits of that act of obedience. This is why I am able to be dead through the law, and now live to God. However, does Christ live in me? Is my life in the flesh a reflection of faith in the Son of God? I have thought about this often and I am not sure of all the truth these verses hold. I am inclined to think, today at least, that this means I am to live in a demonstration of confidence in Christ, and not in a demonstration of meeting the expected norms of my culture. Let me see if I can expand this thought?

Jesus, did things that the religious culture of His day deemed sin. The priests declared that He was a sinner for healing on the Sabbath. The priests said His followers were sinners for plucking corn on the Sabbath day. In fact, they were consistently finding new definitions of how He was wrong. Through an overzealous attempt to live righteous lives, they failed to be righteous, for the just live by faith. So, I ask myself (and by proxy of writing, you) this question: Am I confident my actions are in line with God and His guidance for my life? I know that they may be against the desires of some friends and loved ones but are my actions in line with Christ? Am I living as Christ would have me live or am I living as man would have me live?

I am not saying take your uniforms off and go to work/school in a wrong manner. I am not advocating disobedience to parents (Christ was subject to His until about the age of 30). Christ only did that which was against the norm when the norm limited His worship of God. Laws of our land, work, and school generally do not limit our worship of God. Work itself can be a form of worship. My purpose here is to ask questions like: Is what I am listening to, watching, reading, and wearing, in line with God's direction for my life? Am I living in the spirit of Christ's command "Forbid him not: for there is no man which shall do a miracle in my name, that can lightly speak evil of me.
For he that is not against us is on our part."?

The challenge: I need to let go of my perceptions and preferences in order that someone else might grow in their walk with Christ.

Does the Lord hear me today?

2008-12-15T16:19:00.001-05:00

Psa 4:1 Hear me when I call, O God of my righteousness: thou hast enlarged me when I was in distress; have mercy upon me, and hear my prayer.

Psa 4:2 O ye sons of men, how long will ye turn my glory into shame? how long will ye love vanity, and seek after leasing? Selah.

Psa 4:3 But know that the LORD hath set apart him that is godly for himself: the LORD will hear when I call unto him.

Psa 4:4 Stand in awe, and sin not: commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still. Selah.

Psa 4:5 Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, and put your trust in the LORD.

Today I want to focus on verse three. I wonder what there is in my life that gives me assurance that God will hear me when I call unto Him. The verse says that the godly are set apart for Him and it implies that those are the ones He hears. I know that the 10 commandments are God's perfect law. So how did I stack up today against that perfect standard? I guess I could ask myself these questions and answer them honestly?

Was God first in my life all day today? Well, I watched a TV show this morning before I read my Bible and then I know I got upset for my own selfish reasons today. I asked for forgiveness each time, but it would have been nice to not have had to ask for forgiveness.
Did I worship someone religious icon today? Religious icon? Yeah, you know my personal forms of worship. My musical preference, dress style, or other general preference while thinking wrong of someone for not preferring that which I prefer. My icons of worship. Perhaps, I should just thank God for music to listen to, clothes to wear, and all the other things I enjoy and not worry about others.
Did I use the Lord's name in vain? As a curse word, no. Did I always call on Him in sincerity and with a depth of truth belonging to His person?
Did I honor my father and mother? They raised me to work hard and do my best in all that I perform. Did I honor them today?
Did I murder someone? You know that person on the road driving real slow that you want to hurt? I know just in my mind, but is it not the heart that defiles?
Did I commit adultery? Did I look with lust on a person of the opposite sex? It is natural, to sinful man. It is not an option for the Christian.
Did I steal? Not even someone's reputation with gossip?
Did I lie? Even a little white one?
Did I covet? Someone else's work schedule, car, bank account, or anything else you can think of?

So now that I have communed with my heart (yikes) and discovered how my day went will I stand in awe and sin no more? Here is the test of righteousness and godliness: make the answers to these questions less negative day by day and be repentant for the positive ones. Praise God for the Holy Spirit who gave us victory in some of these questions and beg for forgiveness for the others.

This is how David knew the Lord would hear him. This is how he knew he was set apart. You inventoried his days and made confession and praise to God a routine of his life. My challenge is to become like David.

Lord and Savior?

2008-12-11T15:59:00.001-05:00

Luk 2:10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

Luk 2:11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

Luk 2:12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

Phi 2:8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

Phi 2:9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:

Phi 2:10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;

Phi 2:11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Have ever noticed that Lord is used far more often in connection with Jesus than Savior? Even here in Philippians the one thing that everyone will do is profess Jesus as the Lord. Notice that not everyone will pronounce Jesus as Savior. This is because Jesus is Lord over everyone and Savior to those who believe.

Jesus is our Lord and the Lord of the world. One day He will sit upon His earthly throne in Jerusalem and every knee will bow before Him. Every mouth will pour forth the words of confession, Jesus is Lord. Everyone will acknowledge that He had every right to command their lives and to demand worship and obedience. Only those who practiced such things will be able to call Him Savior. A good servant is obedient to his master. Ever notice how often the Bible says that a bad servant is sent to the place of fire and a good servant will enter into rest? Ever notice how often the Bible says that if we love God and Jesus we will obey them? Ever notice how obedience is paid to a Lord? Ever notice how often the Bible says the righteous (obedient or striving to be obedient) are the ones who serve God and enter into rest?

This is why I believe a person who truly accepts Jesus as Savior will accept His Lordship. How can we continue any longer in sin after having been delivered? How can we say we are connected to the perfect vine and produce thorns of sin? Did Jesus not say in the Sermon on the Mount that the fig tree produces the fruit and a thorn bush produces thorns and neither can produce the other's product? Does this not mean that no matter how you dress a thorn bush up to look and grow like a fig tree in the end it is still a thorn bush? Surely one only need look close enough to see this. Is this why the Bible also says, "You shall know them by their fruit"?

Will we be perfect? No, but we will not have a lifestyle of disobedient sin. If Jesus is truly Lord we will endure hardships and perceived injustices, losses, financial reversals, and all manner of hardships, and still serve God. We will be like those of Hebrews 10 who joyful accepted the plundering of their lives and did not shrink back like the children of perdition. So I guess the only question that remains to be asked is this: is Jesus your Lord?

Playing with the paper

2008-12-10T18:09:00.002-05:00

1Pe 3:1 Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives;

1Pe 3:2 While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear.

1Pe 3:3 Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel;

1Pe 3:4 But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.

Each year as Christmas nears I think back to my oldest daughter's first and second Christmas. Nearly fourteen years ago this young girl (nearly young woman) was a toddler beginning to experience life. The first year we had to teach her how to open a gift. We guided her through the process, but the second year she had it down. Year three she was on auto-pilot.

The first Christmas, we went all out. We bought every gift we could afford and then a few more for good measure. This was our baby and we wanted her life to be filled with all kinds of wonderful things and trinkets. When Christmas came she was so overwhelmed with all those bows. Bows, and paper, and ribbons, and bows! Here look at this neat toy we bought you. No, give me that bow and take this other neat gift. Year two was only slightly better.

Then year three came and she knew under all the glitz and glamour, there was something more important. So it is with church.

Far too often we are like my daughter as a toddler or one of the wives described in the passage above. We are caught up in the exterior wrappings of our faith and forget the God of our faith. We come to church for all kinds of reasons. We have a great Sunday school class that enjoys close fellowship. We have a passionate preacher. We have the most enjoyable music. We have a beautiful building. We have, we have, and we have. Some do not come to church because they feel the opposite about the above mentioned things. I pray you church has all or most of the positives. I also pray that you realize they are worthless without the presence of God. There is more to these blessings. These blessings are only the bows, and paper, and ribbons, and bows! Is our Heavenly Father trying to get us to give up the bow for the real present? Only you can answer that in your life. Do you have a concern for the hidden man of the heart?

In a few days, we will give gifts once again to a nearly 16-year old. The paper will be removed in short order and the gift will be the important thing. One day, she may even become more like her father, and just want the gift unwrapped because I can hardly wait. I remember feeling that way in church. I cannot wait for the singing to be over and the preaching to begin. I love to sing but to hear from God and His perfect Word is for more a got to have it item.

So I close and ask, are you playing with the paper, or enjoying the gift?

My Shield

2008-12-10T13:20:00.001-05:00

Psa 3:1 Lord, how are they increased that trouble me! many are they that rise up against me.

Psa 3:2 Many there be
which say of my soul, There is no help for him in God. Selah.

Psa 3:3 But thou, O LORD, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head.

Psa 3:4 I cried unto the LORD with my voice, and he heard me out of his holy hill. Selah.

Psa 3:5 I laid me down and slept; I awaked; for the LORD sustained me.

Psa 3:6 I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people, that have set themselves against me round about.

Psa 3:7 Arise, O LORD; save me, O my God: for thou hast smitten all mine enemies upon the cheek bone; thou hast broken the teeth of the ungodly.

Psa 3:8 Salvation belongeth unto the LORD: thy blessing is upon thy people. Selah.

Ever have one of those days that seem to stretch into one of those weeks, months, or years? It is inevitable that hard times will come to us at some point in life. There are two primary reasons for those times. The first is chastisement. The second is persecution from the father of lies. Satan under authority of God is sent to try our lives. If you do not believe this, then read the book of Job. It is this second idea that I wish to address in this writing.

Often it will seem that persons or circumstances are stacked against us. They are pressing in and bringing us trouble. They surround us and their numbers are multiplying. It is at these times that we will feel it is time to surrender or that there is no help. This is the voice of Satan telling you that God is not there for you. Do not listen to the father of lies. Hold fast your faith with a good conscience. In this passage God gives us some real quantifiable aspects upon which to anchor this hope.

Number one, God is your shield. I remember as a young child being so afraid of the baseball that I could hardly stand in the batter's box without trembling so uncontrollably that I could not hit. The pitcher would start his windup and I would start moving my feet back. My father, earthly that is, decided to help me with this problem (I would never endorse this training method). He put me in the box and promised that everything would be alright. I had a helmet on and he could throw the ball anywhere he wanted. He went to the mound, he began his windup, I stood firm, he let the ball go, and he hit me in the helmet and knocked me down. He then stood the six-year old me on my feet and laughed. He said, "See the helmet works and you are alright. I told I could throw it anywhere I wanted. Now since you are ok I want to you to remember this, the protection works, and no you face will throw the ball this hard." From that time I had confidence, because I knew the helmet worked. It was my shield. Now I know I just compared God to a helmet, and He is far better. What I am saying is God is my shield. I step up in life and I face down troubles day in and day out. Many look like wild pitches ready to take my head off, but my Father (heavenly one) is there to protect me and give me strength.

Next, God is my glory. There is a verse that says the glory of an old man is his gray hair, and the glory of the young man is a strong body. When God is our glory we do not have to be strong or wise. We can rest in the Lord.

Next, He lifts up our heads. No need to walk head down in defeat. These things cannot remove our eternal life. They cannot remove our God's love. They cannot remove anything in our lives without God's approval. So hold your head up.

Finally, God hears you. Let Him know how you feel. Let him know what is going on in your life. He knows but He still wants to hear your prayers. It does you good to vent to the only one who can change anything in this universe.

So relax, rest, and know God is behind you. Trials will come and they are never pleasant but God can do mighty works through your life.

Concentrating on the Fundamentals

2008-12-02T06:22:00.001-05:00

Psa 1:1 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.

Psa 1:2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.

Psa 1:3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.

Psa 1:4 The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away.

Psa 1:5 Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.

Psa 1:6 For the LORD knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish.

As you know from the last blog I recently went to the Dominican Republic on a baseball outreach (short-term mission trip). While there we everyday normal guys got to mingle with some not so normal everyday guys. These were professional baseball players and while they turned out to be as normal in their Christian life as any one else they are still professional baseball players. Therefore, as a high school coach I picked their brains for ideas and stories for the boys. One player told of his time with Alex Rodriguez while playing for the Texas Rangers. It was this player's rookie season and he tells us that Alex taught him about visualizing the fundamentals.

He said Alex had a nightly routine where he would take imaginary batting practice and talk to himself as he swung the "bat." He would coach himself through each fundamental movement of a textbook swing. When asked why he did this Alex responded that your brain is like a computer you program and the body does what the computer tells it to do. Alex asked this player if he had ever been out in a mall and ran into someone you know you know but you cannot think of their name, but then a few days latter the name comes to your mind. That is because you have not placed the name into the brain enough for it to come back immediately. Well when I hit my mind does not have to reach deep to know how to hit properly because I keep it near the front by repeating the steps to a perfect swing every night.

As I was thinking about God's word this morning and this passage this story returned to my mind. You see we are consistently putting things in our mind. We take in everything around us: sights, sounds, smells, and touches. We store these for memories both good and bad. You are in a food joint and music is playing. This music is not godly but you are having a good time with friends, the food is good, the service is good, the music may be stored as good because it is background and you did not tell your mind the music is bad but the other stuff is good. Therefore, we must be alert to not allowing the counsel of the ungodly, the way of sinners, or the sounds of the scornful to piggy back into our minds on good thoughts. Every heard a prayer gossip request but forgot to remind yourself that it was more gossip than prayer request? That is the idea here. Often we do not create this block because we do not realize we need to block these parasites.

That brings me to point number two: If we meditate day and night, like "A-Rod's" routine, on God's word we will recognize the song because our conscience will be assaulted. Then we can block that as the counsel or way of the ungodly. God's word will be foremost and not some random wolf thoughts in sheepskin memories.

When we do this we are promised to be blessed by God. If a professional baseball player can use this mental exercise to play a game and be better, should we do any less as Christians dealing with eternal matters?

Visualize God's way today!

The Dominican Republic Report

2008-11-27T09:03:00.001-05:00

Last week I had a special opportunity to travel to the Dominican Republic with Score International on a short term mission trip. The trip was designed around the Dominican's love for baseball. You need not travel far within a community to see either the face of a Dominican player like Albert Pujols on a poster or to see a group of kids playing a pick up game (sometimes using makeshift equipment). The trip also offered opportunities for visiting with local orphans and some site seeing. Conducting ministry can be spiritually draining so the trip also involved morning devotions and evening worship services. Here is my experience.

Pre-Trip: Some wonderful friends who love Christ made this trip possible. Many people contributed financially to this trip and I am not aware of all of them. Therefore, I just want to say thank you and I know God will bless you for your part in the events of last week. Many students and Sunday School members helped gather flip-flops and toothpaste for the orphans. You will have rewards in heaven for your true Christianity.

Tuesday, November 18, 2008:

I left home at 2:30 in the morning for a 6 AM flight to Miami, Florida. While at the gate in Raleigh International I noticed a group of men wearing baseball caps and shirts. As we were about to board I did not get an opportunity to visit with them or to ask where they were headed. I had a good idea so I waited until we landed in Miami.

In Miami I ran into one the men and asked if they were headed to the Dominican. Ed Naylor told me they were in fact headed to the Dominican and introduced me to their group leader, Kenny Dickerson. I recognized Kenny as an umpire we had last year at a game in Rocky Mount, North Carolina. We had spoken about this very trip and it was real neat to meet up with him. I was traveling alone so they asked me to tag along with their group. God is great, especially since I was nervous about meeting people. These guys would keep an eye on me the whole trip. They are a bunch of awesome men who love Christ. What impressed me most about the group was the fact that it included two teenage boys, John and Zac. I pray these young men never lose their love for Christ and people.

Fast forward about four hours and we are in the Dominican arriving at our hotel. When we arrived we discovered to the Tony (a member of the Rocky Mount guys) did not have a room for whatever reason. Since I had been traveling alone, I was supposed to be accompanied by Michael Shelton (Brazil messed up his passport) who did not get to come, Tony became my roommate. He is an awesome man with a very large heart for Christ, his family, and kids. So off we go to get settled in. We had to learn how to work the lights in the room (they kept shutting off after a minute), unpack, and get ready for dinner.

After dinner, we had an awesome worship service, and then were divided into our teams. Before we were placed in our teams we were visited by the Minster of Sports for the Dominican Republic. He thanked us for bringing the news of Jesus Christ to his country and baseball to the kids. When he finished speaking; we were divided up and I was placed in "Group 4-Infield" under the leadership of Aaron Ledesma. Aaron is a former major league player and current coach in the Yankees organization. He is also a man very conscience of God's power in a person's life. This was evident from our conversation in the airport but also in the way he would lead in prayer beginning that night.

Wednesday, November 19, 2008.

Breakfast was served at 6AM and the morning devotion was given at 7AM. By 8AM we were on busses headed to our different locations. My group was off to a neighborhood in Santo Domingo. I soon discovered that each day we would share testimonies to help us get to know one another. Through this I was able to discover many men and coaches who love Jesus, love baseball, and have every day struggles like all people. The reason I say this is because many were team owners, college coaches, and major league players. These are the men who have "arrived" from a human perspective and I guess I was a little star struck. However, these men were so humble and honest about their walks with God and the pressures of being in the "upper levels." They shared how they cope by having their own email circles and team Bible studies.

An hour later, we were arrived to a baseball field that was a glorified sandlot field. On the field waiting for us was the Minister of Sports and about 500 kids, coaches, and parents. We conducted clinics for the outfield, infield, pitchers, catchers, and hitters. They kids were divided into these five groups and rotated every 20-30 minutes. We even had an umpire clinic with us that day for the coaches and would be adult umpires. Following the clinics all these people piled into one set of stands, and the earth in front of the stands, to hear a local missionary preach a gospel message. I did not understand all that he said but I looked into these kids faces and I saw God working. I cannot explain it but I saw God at work. In the end about 200 came forward to receive a decision paper and to make a public profession of Christ. The day could have ended there but it is not over.

We returned in time for lunch and then at 2PM I went to Ninos de Cristos, an orphanage in La Romana. Here we were able to give to these children the shoes collected and the other gifts we brought. We spent two hours playing and spending time with kids ranging from 16-years old to infants. At 18 the girls and boys are forced to leave the orphanage and begin a life. Until recently this has been very hard since most lack a good education. Thanks to the Pujols Family Foundation these children have an education space and better materials to begin their adult life better prepared. When it came time to leave I am not sure who wanted us to stay more, the kids or us.

The evening brought another wonderful service and we left exhausted but pumped for the next day.

Thursday, November 20, 2008

Another round of early morning breakfast and devotions, and then it was off to San Cristobal (2 hours away). It was drizzling so we did not know if we would get to conduct a clinic that day. However, when you drive that far the weather can change. We had a great set of clinics for about 200 kids. Another missionary spoke and we had close to 60 kids come forward to make a public profession for Christ.

Since we traveled so far we missed lunch and the opportunity to go sight seeing that day. I was really hungry that night and made a poor choice on food selection. I did not know it right away.

Friday, November 21, 2008

I lay in bed, when I could, suffering from food poisoning. The sickness subsided long enough to get help after the morning devotion (which I got to hear-while seeing one of the doctors on the trip) and to make the evening service feeling weak and tired. That night we heard the testimony of Tony Fernandez, Dominican Short Stop, who played 18 years in the majors. What a powerful testimony.

Saturday, November 22, 2008

Still not eating but feeling better. We went to our final devotions, and then headed to San Pedro de Marcois for a rally. There were about 8,000 people there. When all was said and done, every little league team received new equipment, all received the message of Christ, and about 1,000 made public professions for Christ.

All that was left to do now was go back to the hotel, grab my bags, and head to the airport.

Sunday, November 23, 2008

2:00 AM –I arrived home.

The Bible’s Introduction: Genesis 1:1-2

2008-06-30T15:07:00.001-04:00

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the spirit of God moved upon the waters.

This simple introduction by God through Moses gives us some deep truths in foreshadowing. This statement is simple in that allows us to see the introduction to the story between God and man. It is meant not to tell us how God came to exist or to explain to us the details of creation but to summarize that which would be filled in throughout chapter 1 and chapter 2 of Genesis.

In the beginning…

This is the start of all things. Prior to this introduction nothing of our material world existed. This is to include the vastness of space that houses our world. All things that we see have an originating point. This is the very reason for the scientist inability to calculate the age of space without using infinite math. They can only go so far back before they get the old "E" on the calculator. They admit that through the use of real math they reach a point of singularity when using the expansion rate of the universe that would determine the universe to be far younger (billions of years younger) than they claim. So as the universe has a point of singularity so does all life on this planet. A human comes from two cells, a plant from one seed, and so forth and so on; one can trace all life to a single moment.

Furthermore, this is the start of all we need to know to make it through our lives. In this one moment of time God set into motion all the laws of the universe that establishes order and reason to our lives. He established the laws of nuclear fusion to allow us to have heat and light. He established the law of gravity so that we might adhere to the planet that allows for life. He established through these the orbital paths of our galaxy, our planet, and our moon to allow life to exist on the celestial rock we call earth.

This begging covers a space of time, about seven days to be exact. It also states that this time period was in one instance as well. In the instant that God brought the material into existence the beginning was established. Then God took a few days and shaped that material into the things we see and take for granted one a regular basis.

In the beginning God….

God was before the beginning. In fact without God there would be no beginning. Therefore since God existed before the beginning and is the cause for the beginning then we must conclude that God exists outside the beginning and outside of time as we know time. This is the primary reason that God calls Himself as the "I AM". It speaks of His eternal state of being present at any moment in time. This is why the original language did not express the elementary statement of faith as "God was in the beginning." This would tie God to time and would compromise the fundamental truth of God's immutability (unchanging nature).

In the beginning God is also the primary statement of faith. The Bible authors never try to explain where God came from or how He came to be the creator of all that we know. They simply state that God is and leave you. It amazes me that we struggle over this concept since almost all stories have this aspect contained within their pages. There seems to always be a character that we have no background details to help us understand them. We are simply to accept that they are and move on to those details that will be revealed latter. Is it any wonder then that Paul, would write nearly 4,500 years latter that those who wish to please God must believe that He is.

….God….

So who is this God that we are to accept at face value? The original language first reveals God as the Elohym. It is a Hebrew word meaning a plural intensive body of rulers that are singular in nature and purpose. If the meaning had stopped at a plural body of rulers then a proper translation would have been gods rather than God. However, since the singular nature is also expressed to lends to us the understanding that these members of the "godhead" (as other writers would express this unique union in latter passages of scripture) are of one kind and cannot be distinguished apart. This is not to say that they do not have unique characteristics and roles but in the purest of essence they are one. The same is seen in all of nature (because that which is created reflects that which created it). There are many humans and each of unique, just like everyone else, but in the end we are human and can by and large receive body parts one from another. This is due to the fact we are of one kind, the human race. Therefore, to this extent the godhead is a separate from humans as humans are separate from dogs. However, there is more to this expression and that is the singular of purpose. Here is where humans fail to be one and this is why we say there is perfect harmony in the godhead.

The loss of understanding by early man after the flood of all the details contained within the wording of Elohym (remember this is a revelation from God to Moses) would account for the numerous gods of mythology. However, it was never meant to be twisted in such a manner but to instruct us toward a understanding of the trinity and thus the acceptance of Jesus of Nazareth as the Christ when the time was appointed for His first advent on earth. Furthermore, it makes us open to the work of the Spirit of God in our lives. Therefore, to the Christian the understanding of the godhead being the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit finds its seeds of understanding in Elohym.

Augustine once wrote:

It is not easy to find a name that will suitably express so great excellence, unless it is better to speak in this way: The Trinity, one God, of whom are all things, through whom are all things, in whom are all things.(1) Thus the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, and each of these by Himself, is God, and at the same time they are all one God; and each of them by Himself is a complete substance, and yet they are all one substance. The Father is not the Son nor the Holy Spirit; the Son is not the Father nor the Holy Spirit; the Holy Spirit is not the Father nor the Son: but the Father is only Father, the Son is only Son, and the Holy Spirit is only Holy Spirit. To all three belong the same eternity, the same unchangeableness, the same majesty, the same power. In the Father is unity, in the Son equality, in the Holy Spirit the harmony of unity and equality; and these three attributes are all one because of the Father, all equal because of the Son, and all harmonious because of the Holy Spirit.

In the beginning God created…

So here comes the simple statement that the all-powerful (omnipotent), all-knowing (omniscience), ever-present (omnipresent) godhead created this world. For this reason when the scripture gives credit to the Father, the statement is true. When the scriptures give Jesus the credit for creation the scriptures are true, and equally true of the Holy Spirit. For all members of the godhead had their part in the act of calling into existence this masterpiece we call the universe.

In the beginning God created the heavens….

Heavens in a plural sense; did you catch that in the verse? I know we understand all that that implies since we have Paul's account of the man being caught up into the third heaven, the abode of God. Did Moses, understand this truth? He must have because the original word for heavens gives a three-level meaning. It speaks of the atmosphere, that beyond the atmosphere where stars exist (space), and the abode of God.

…and the earth.

Well there is not a lot to be said here. We know where we live. But as God tells of the original state of the earth I believe you will find a planet vastly different than the current world in which we live today. I am not speaking about the absence of technology and buildings but of the very atmosphere and overall landscape.

So all this came to me yesterday morning drinking coffee and eating breakfast. I began reading Genesis and I could not get past verse 1. I hope you will begin reading this book that sets the stage for the entire Bible. I also hope God allows you to move through it faster than I am being allowed to move. Now that I have blogged perhaps God will allow me to move to verse two. One parting question before I go? Do you think Moses was told creation or did he have a vision of creation? I would love to hear your responses.

Not so good a friend….

2008-05-13T16:31:00.001-04:00

So the title of the blog page is my thoughts based upon my observations. So here is another thought lesson from observing my dog Blondie.

Recently another dog moved in next door to us. She brought with her a family of course but I am focusing this lesson on the behavior of the dogs. She moves in next door and turn what was a minor annoyance to me and a medium annoyance to Angela into a nightmare. Blondie is what we call a digger. Until now she has only dug small holes to burry things like her tennis ball, chew toys, bones, and a flower pot. Now with another digger next door, she and her friend are digging her out of the yard. The other dog is much larger than Blondie so the smaller dog goes under. This has caused Blondie to be chained, locked in the garage, and tonight shocked. Yes shocked, I am purchasing an electric fence and installing it to stop this undesired behavior.

So those are the facts. Here is the observations:

#1—The other dog is not a good friend

#2—Blondie is going with her nature

#3—Trouble is usually created or enhanced with help

#4—People are like dogs

In the Bible there is a story where one of David's sons commits an immoral act against his half-sister Tamar. Amnon had a sinful desire in his heart to be immoral with Tamar but this was enhanced into rape when his "friend" helped him plan the event.

Our moral: Be careful who pick as your friends. If your friend does not enhance you towards good then they are not really a good friend. People like dogs will act upon our darkest natures, so pick friends who counter that nature.

A New Era Begins

2008-04-09T09:30:00.001-04:00

The Lord has blessed Berean Baptist Church with an awesome group of singles. This group is growing and growing. They are growing spiritually and numerically. It is the numerical growth that has brought our new era into existence. What began in the living room of a house has outgrown that house, a bigger house, and now the Singles Center. Last night we held our first Bible study in the chapel located within Berean Baptist Church. May I say with a little bit of bias that it was an amazing night? It was an amazing night!

We still had dinner in the Singles Center and people were able to just freely mingle and eat they wonderful dinner Megan and Adrianne made for them. Then about 10 minutes to 7 everyone began making their way to the chapel. Here are some of things that made it great.

The Music:

We were able to see the slides for our songs no matter where we sat in the study. The singers were not blocking the screens nor did they have to turn around to see the words to the songs. We were able to have more instruments (I must say I liked having a bass guitar). The instruments did not overpower the singers because we got to use microphones for the first time. We got to learn the trials and tribulations of battery checks on those microphones (mid-singing one the leaders failed). We learned where amplified instruments have to be in order to prevent feedback. It was great and everyone just laughed as we all learned together.

The Preaching:

It was awesome having that back screen instead of turning to read quotes. It was awesome being able to see everyone's smiling faces. Then I had one comment from someone out in the chairs, "I really liked you having a mic on during the preaching. Whenever someone talked around me I could still hear you and the message. It was great."

"It was different but really great." That was the common feedback from last night. "Let's outgrow this one as well," was another common quote from last night. The Lord has truly blessed this group of Christians. If you have not seen one of these studies I invite you to come worship God with us.

A Biblical “Easter”

2008-03-27T13:44:00.001-04:00

I cannot imagine what the world would do if a church today stood up and celebrated the resurrection of Christ in correspondence with the Jewish Passover. This would be a novel concept considering that Easter as we know it was established in 325AD and was a conscientious decision to separate Christianity from Judaism. So if we went back to a true biblical Easter this year when would it have occurred in 2008? The answer would by based upon the Jewish Passover of April 3, 2008. Since resurrection occurs three days later the proper celebration time would be Sunday the 6^th of April. OK…so how do we get to this dating for Easter. Let us examine a few facts.

First: Christianity cannot be separated from its parent religion Judaism. While some principles of Judaism have vanished in Christianity it still remains the foundation of our faith. Christianity is based upon Jesus Christ and His fulfillment of Judaism.

Second: The resurrection is tied to the Jewish Passover (14 Nissan) and a particular day. When holidays are tied to a day the date changes (the fourth Thursday of November, is Thanksgiving regardless of the date). However, when a holiday is tied to a date the day changes (December 25^th is Christmas whether it is Saturday or Wednesday). Our Easter is tied to a day while Passover is tied to a date. Easter occurs on the first Sunday following the first full moon, following the spring solstice of March 21^st (a pagan holiday), thus making the date change from year to year.

Third: Calendar differences between the Jewish year and our calendar exist. The Jewish calendar of the Bible was based upon a 360 day year. Our year is based upon 365 days. We must trust our Jewish brothers who have compensated for the difference and thus base what I will call "Resurrection Day" on their adjustments. Admittedly this will cause a shifting of dates in our current dating process, but does not eliminate the truth of the principle being discussed.

So let us look at Christ's resurrection and how this could affect our holiday. As we answer these questions hopefully we will gain understanding:

When was Jesus crucified?

Is there a "Good Friday"?

What is a "High Sabbath"?

How did the normal Sabbath work?

Jesus was crucified prior to the beginning of the Passover. The timing of the Passover being a floating day occurred in the year of the crucifixion on a Thursday. According to Jewish customs the Passover would begin at approximately 6PM Thursday (Sundown) and end as a "High Sabbath" at 6PM Friday (Sundown). However, the normal Sabbath would begin at 6PM Friday and end 6PM Saturday. Also in accordance with the customs of the day, any event occurring in portion on a day was considered "that day". This is true of something at 7AM or something at 4PM. Therefore, Christ could be removed from the cross and buried between 3PM (the 9^th hour) and 6PM, and be considered in the grave Thursday (Day). Thus to fulfill His own prophecy of fulfilling the sign of Jonah (3 days and nights in the whale being equal to His time in the earth) Christ would have been in the grave, in addition to Thursday (Day), Thursday (Night), Friday (Day), Friday (Night), Saturday (Day), and Saturday (Night). This would also account for the women arriving at day break on this first day of the week (Sunday) to anoint the body. Thus, we get the tradition of Sunday as the day, but in truth it should be tied to the date not the day.

So how about the year 2009 in a biblical sense? Passover Wednesday April 8, 2009. Resurrection Day would be Saturday April 11, 2009.

And our traditional dating will be Sunday April 12^th. I guess that is not too far from each other. Anyways, this is something just to ponder and be informed about as we separate Biblical truth from the traditions of men.

Have a great day, and remember in the end the most important thing is that Jesus arose and because of that God forgives sin.

Season Openers

2008-03-07T14:40:00.002-05:00

OK for those who may or may not know I am the Head Coach for the Berean Bulldogs baseball team. On Tuesday, March 4, 2008, we had our opening games against the Trinity Tigers of Greenville, NC, in Greenville. While we split the season openers, by dropping the first game and picking up the second, we learned some valuable lessons. The score for Game 1 was Trinity 19, Berean 9. The second game finished Berean 10, Trinity 9.

Game 1

Pitching:

Game one saw four different pitchers on the mound for Berean. Jimmy Birkholz pitched the first two innings in a back and forth contest that ended with us down by one. Jimmy is a 9^th grader whose normal position is first base. This was his first game on the mound. While he struggled a little with finding the strike zone his mechanics and velocity looked well. I am confident that Jimmy will develop into a fine pitcher.

Up next was Junior Greg Adams. Greg pitched one inning shutting down the first two batters. Greg hit one batter, walked one, and then surrendered some more runs due to fielding errors. I look forward to seeing Greg on the mound more often with a better supporting cast (more about that latter). Greg was pulled after one inning because of a situation with Senior Shawn Andrews.

Shawn Andrews would pitch next, due to losing a contact while running the bases. Shawn is a hard throwing pitcher but struggles a little with his control. He was unable to field without one contact so we hoped he might be able to still pitch without the contact. Shawn's limited vision attributed to many walks and many runs. At this point Coach Michael Germany and I were looking at our rosters wondering who could replace Shawn (we had two pitchers who were not eligible for game 1). We finally decided to try another infielder who has a strong arm but who has only pitched once in the past with a shaky outing.

Shawn Andrews was replaced by Freshman Christian Andrews (his little brother and our normal third baseman). Christian surrendered one more run before a long fly ball was fielded by Sophomore Jared Smith in left field. With a 10 run lead we had one more at a bat as we moved into the top of the fifth inning of the five inning contest.

Christian returned to the mound in the bottom of the fifth inning with a eight run deficit. The game should have ended since the home team had the advantage but due to an oversight by the officials and coaches the game continued. (A normal game is seven innings and the mercy rules do not apply until the fifth inning. However, this was the first of two five inning games for a "Double Header.") Due to the oversight Christian would surrender two more runs bringing the score to 19-9 Trinity.

Fielding:

While both teams committed errors the team that had the most mental errors was the loser tonight. While most hits were fielded cleanly and smoothly the ones that came with two outs and runners in scoring position were not fielded as well. The infielders who made the errors rushed throws or sacrificed proper fielding techniques in an attempt to get out of scoring trouble. We had a couple of balls dropped when being fielded bare handed and pulled the first baseman off the bag more than once. This is not to say that we did not some heads up plays as well. Sophomore Ryan Ikeya made some fantastic decisions while playing second base. He resisted the temptation to make a bad throw and allow a run to score. He also made a fabulous overhead catch while holding his foot on the bag to force an inning out at second. This play was the highlight of game one. Christian Andrews also performed brilliantly at third. He was very alert to the runner and outs situations and was always in proper position to field any ball hit his was. He was called upon to make the hardest throw in baseball. With a ball hit just over the bag and then bouncing into foul territory Christian made a backhanded catch, rotated and threw to first. The runner was called safe by a step. However, as I said before this is the hardest throw in baseball and he got it there. With time and growth He will be a solid anchor on the corner.

Hitting:

Jared Smith and Junior Stephen Johnson proved to patient hitters at the plate collected more than one walk. Seniors Shawn Andrews and Van Dues continued their hitting dominance of Trinity pitchers. Others who bats came alive this year were Ryan Ikeya, Christian Andrews, and Greg Adams, who hit with surprising power over previous seasons (Greg began early lifting weights and conditioning for the season and it looks like it is paying off.)

Base running:

Aggressive. The players ran aggressive as we practiced manufacturing scoring opportunities. With heads up alertness all but one avoided being picked off at the base and all stole at least one base. Senior Shawn Andrews stole home. As the pitcher began his windup he got a good jump and crossed the plate before the catcher caught the ball. Christian pulled out of the batter's box based upon the signals allowing Shawn to pass unhindered.

Game 2:

Pitching-

Game two saw one of our pitchers return to eligibility. Seventh Grader Darryl Bonner pitched all five innings. While he may have struggled some with pitch placement, pitching for the first time from the full distance of a high school field (little league fields are smaller), and not having to hold a runner on base, he performed exceptionally. He displayed a powerful curve ball and mental toughness in pressure situations.

Fielding:

The boys settled down and made better throws. The outfield struggled with some pop ups due to the high winds. One ball hit into right-center blew into right field proper before hitting the ground. Our right fielder over pursued the ball not expecting it to float so much. This was also the first time many of the outfielders played "under the lights" as most of our games finish before dark. Senior Shawn Andrews made some fantastic catches displaying his fielding range at Shortstop.

Hitting:

Greg Adams and all the others continued to show their presence at the plate. Greg hit a ball that traveled about 310 feet before being caught just short of the center field fence. Had it not been for the winds I am confident Greg would have had his first career dinger.

Base Running:

See above minus the stolen plate at home. This was our greatest strength and it made the difference in the game.

Overall Lessons:

When you are on a team things you do to make yourself ineligible affects the whole team. Fast and controlled is better than as fast as you can and uncontrolled. Patience at the plate equals runs on the scoreboard. And most important if you fall you can get it up and be successful next time.

I will keep you posted on as we play. Our next Game is an away game against Faith of Goldsboro on March 17^th. Until then hard practices await as we fix some of weaknesses and strengthen our strengths.

Record: 1-1

Are you “born again”?

2008-03-07T11:20:00.001-05:00

March

03/06/AM

'Ye must be born again.'-John 3:7

Regeneration is a subject which lies at the very basis of salvation, and we should be very diligent to take heed that we really are 'born again,' for there are many who fancy they are, who are not. Be assured that the name of a Christian is not the nature of a Christian; and that being born in a Christian land, and being recognized as professing the Christian religion is of no avail whatever, unless there be something more added to it-the being 'born again,' is a matter so mysterious, that human words cannot describe it. 'The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.' Nevertheless, it is a change which is known and felt: known by works of holiness, and felt by a gracious experience. This great work is supernatural. It is not an operation which a man performs for himself: a new principle is infused, which works in the heart, renews the soul, and affects the entire man. It is not a change of my name, but a renewal of my nature, so that I am not the man I used to be, but a new man in Christ Jesus. To wash and dress a corpse is a far different thing from making it alive: man can do the one, God alone can do the other. If you have then, been 'born again,' your acknowledgment will be, 'O Lord Jesus, the everlasting Father, Thou art my spiritual Parent; unless Thy Spirit had breathed into me the breath of a new, holy, and spiritual life, I had been to this day 'dead in trespasses and sins.' My heavenly life is wholly derived from Thee, to Thee I ascribe it. 'My life is hid with Christ in God.' It is no longer I who live, but Christ who liveth in me.' May the Lord enable us to be well assured on this vital point, for to be unregenerate is to be unsaved, unpardoned, without God, and without hope.

This is a devotion from Spurgeon's Day and Evening devotional. The amazing thing about the truths presented here is that they further reinforce the idea that we cannot determine whether someone is saved. They only person who knows if a person is saved is the Lord Jesus Christ and through the witnessing power of the Holy Spirit He will reveal to our souls the truth of whether we are saved are not. As you see above Spurgeon once again declares the truth of scripture that if a person is a genuine child of God then their life will be one of transformation from the works of sin to a life of holiness. It is for this very reason that we hear often from the pulpit the encouragement to remain in a constant state of repentance for our sins. While there is a moment of repentance towards salvation it is equally true that we cannot be sure when that takes place, the Lord knows. Therefore, we must exercise our faith by living in holiness, demonstrated by consistent striving towards sinless living and confession when we fall. We can never go wrong making 1 John 1:9 the practical verse of our lives and thus be assured that we stand among those who can ascend the Holy Mountain of God. We will be the ones with clean hands and pure hearts because God is faithful to fulfill His promise to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

William Wilberforce

2008-02-27T13:44:00.002-05:00

I was in Barnes and Noble yesterday walking through the Christian section (I use Christian loosely) and a book with a yellow binding leaped out of the shelf and caught my sight. It was on the bottom shelf so I looked a little closer and saw the name of the author, Wilberforce. I thought I wonder if that is William Wilberforce so I pulled the book out and behold it was William. The book is entitled Real Christianity. I have begun reading this book and will in the future blog upon the truths that the book reveals but for now I want to say something about the author.

If you have not seen the movie Amazing Grace I would encourage you to view this film. It is a powerful testament to a man who followed God into a realm that he himself did not seek to travel. William was greatly influenced by his pastor John Newton, the composer of Amazing Grace, and sought to follow in his steps desiring to possibly enter the ministry of the Gospel. However, God did not allow this path to be William's path but rather pushed him into the realm of politics. Here God would use William to stir the religious conscience of the rulers of England to abolish slavery.

Today, we often here that men should desire to be spiritual leaders. Sadly though, this thought is turned to missionary, pastor, and evangelist. William's life declares a politician can be a spiritual leader. Any man of any secular occupation can be a spiritual leader provided his heart is towards his Savior, Jesus Christ, in a demonstration of authentic faith. It is now evident to me that we must encourage young men and women to pursue God in the path of God's choosing. We must not feel that we are failures when the youth of today become the soldiers, carpenters, nurses, politicians, gas station attendants, or whatever else one might find to do that can be considered a holy occupation (not a drug dealer, purveyor of sexual sins, or the like). We must consider ourselves a failure when we produce "Christian workers" who do not display a heart for God or His people. We must consider ourselves a failure when we produce anyone who does not pursue God with a fervent passion and the mission He has given them to perform.

Thank you God, for the example of William Wilberforce, a politician for you.

Illegitimate Christianity

2008-02-07T10:11:00.001-05:00

Act 8:13-24 Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done. Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John: Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost: (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.) Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost. And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money, Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost. But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money. Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God. Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee. For I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity. Then answered Simon, and said, Pray ye to the LORD for me, that none of these things which ye have spoken come upon me.

The Samaritans had formed an illegitimate religion born out of the influence of their half-breed ancestry and the stubborn prejudices of the Jews. The region had proclaimed its own holy mountain and temple sites in response to the shunning of the pure blood Jews. The region had adapted into this worship system the sensual and humanistic aspects the Assyrians. In fact they had taken the true aspects of Judaism and used them as a covering to hide the paganism structure of their religion. This is why the woman at the well could speak in the religious ballpark with Jesus and still be so worldly minded as to not hear His message of "spirit and truth." Move forward a few years and come to the scene of the above text.

The Samaritans would have accepted this welcomed break from a religion with so many Jewish overtones. They would have taken Christianity as it was being presented and twisted it around the sensual and ungodly worship system they had already developed. This would have been the first denominational split in church history. Therefore, God in His sovereign judgment with held the Spirit from them. Rather He sent Peter and John to them. These icons of Christianity and recognition to Christ would be the ones to maintain unity. These men, unlike Phillip, had no ties to Grecian Judaism but would have been seen as pure Jews in the minds of the Samaritans. So when they pray and lay hands on the Samaritans and God pours His Spirit upon them there can be no question about truth and unity. The Samaritans are to be one with the Jews and Christianity is to be based upon the revelations of God through the Apostles and the Jewish writers of Scripture before them. Christianity is to be unified against the intrusion of paganism and sensual worldly ideas. Christianity is not a new outer shell for a perverse ideology but a transforming truth that radically demolishes any religious pretenses that go against scripture.

Simon Magnus would be an individual example of those who still insist upon using Christianity as a cover for their sinful lives instead of the cure for the death sentence of sin that resided within their flesh. Today there are far too many people who are trusting like Simon in an intellectual knowledge of Christ and an experience of rite instead of having full trust in Christ and placing themselves in a position to receive the Spirit of Christ. They try to use the truth of Scripture for life enhancements and self advancement with no desire to worship God in "spirit and truth." Like Simon, they will perish with their money, religion, and self love never repenting of sin. Peter was clear to Simon, and thus to all readers, stop using Christianity as a means to your ends and repent of this sin that belittles the value of Christ and His work upon the cross. Repent in true holiness fleeing your sin, ideas, and religious activities, and cry out for God's mercy. This radical approach allows for the power of God to enter within and begin a radical transformation of life that is evident to all around. Do people really see a difference? Simon noticed He was different from real Christians.

I guess what I am saying is, give up "Samaritan Religions" and "Simon Magnus Desires" and bring glory to God by worshipping in "spirit and truth."

Christmas and the world

2007-12-29T08:46:00.001-05:00

First let me say that I hope everyone who reads this and those who don't all have had a wonderful Christmas. I know for some of you in the retail world it has meant that your Christmas preparations began around the close of business on October 31. I know for those of you who are in the musical regions of our society it likely begun even earlier like near the end of July or August. I know that I for one have missed Thanksgiving in the stores. So why I did I title this blog Christmas and the world? That is a good question I am trying to answer in my head. Oh, I know why now. I miss the simple Christmas of long ago. Let me explain by asking you to go to your Wal-Mart and walk through the grocery section and while there do not forget to rummage through the aisle reserved for Valentines. That's right the Christmas holidays are over and we must now all begin planning on ensuring that we purchase something magnificent and sweet to show that special someone we love them. (Sounds like a commercial—well kinda like a commercial). It is sad that we are driven from one major shopping event to another in our debt laden society that could never show love prior to the creation of Wal-Mart and credit cards. I mean what where those Pilgrim's and Indians so thankful for anyway none of them took a massive haul of gifts. Why where those angels rejoicing (let us pretend that this was the time of Christ's birth)? How could Mary and Joseph be happy? Did he stop off and get her a tempurpedic foam cover for the dirt and straw floor she gave birth on? No, all these were happy to be alive and to see others alive and well. The pilgrim's had survived and learned how to survive thanks to their friend's the Indians, the angels were elated to announce to shepherds the birth of their God and our Saving God, and Mary and Joseph were happy she made it to a place she could be protected while giving birth to the greatest gift man has ever received. Notice there was no decorations to be overdone, no performances to stress over, no debt to be accumulated in order to show love, there were only people. I miss simple Christmas and I have for some time. To long I have been a grump over this perversion we call Christmas but no more will I let the world dictate my Christmas season. I am going to return to my childhood each year and live a truth I believed was a lie for many years.

I remember before my parents divorced how wonderful Christmas was and what it should be like. Perhaps I was too young and naïve to know better but that is where I want to return each year. We took the time to set out the goofy little paper turkey I made at school and all the other fall styled items in celebration of Thanksgiving. The dinner was simple and my aunts, uncles, cousins, and grandmother came each year, we ate turkey, listened to stories of our parent's misadventures, and no one spoke of the lack of money, stress of work, or anything other than family memories (sometimes they would lead to an argument) and who would win the games. Then the next day Christmas began. It was a simple tree and would be completed by the time dad got home from work. Then on Christmas Eve, the family would come together again and celebrate. Everyone would open their two or three gifts and enjoy each other. I always looked forward to this time because it meant a new pair of jeans (that I most likely needed due to growth or abusive wear) and new boots from my grandparents in California, and one really something special from mom and dad. I remember how pleased mom and dad acted over the simplest trinkets that we kids could afford from washing cars or mowing lawns (once we got old enough to buy gifts). Those were the best not because we got really cool or expensive gifts it was great because for a couple of days a year we were just happy to be a family together.

This year maybe you did not get what you really wanted or you felt ripped off by someone. Stop and remember how excited you were as a kid not because of gifts but because someone was coming over that you loved and wanted to see. Stop and remember Christmas is not about gifts it is about the greatest love man has ever known—the sacrifice of Christ. He came to teach us, guide us, and to save us for the Father's glory. True love is to love as He loved, giving all of yourself to someone else. We love because He first loved us and gave Himself for us.

Let me close by saying to all those who read this blog and to all those who do not. I pray that you experience God in a new and refreshing way this coming year and that it is one filled with joy.

A Statement of Faith

2007-11-26T22:05:00.001-05:00

Time and again the Bible says, "the just shall live by faith." So I awoke early Sunday morning to fill the buses for my church. I forgot that the buses would not run on Thanksgiving weekend but it is ok. The time was not wasted. The Lord spoke to me as I served Him. God impressed upon my mind this question: "Is your statement of faith more of an intellectual document or a play by play of your life?" So I ask you have you documented in writing just what you believe? If you have formed such a document, how well are you living by that document? Let me see if I can focus in a little more.

I believe that God is all-powerful. Therefore, I should be able to live in such a way that, by all evidence, I display confidence in God to provide for my daily life. I think this is why the Bible says be anxious for nothing. Do not worry is not a suggestion but a display of faith. Do I really believe God is all powerful when I feel the need to worry over so many things? I mean if He is the sovereign king of the universe then why do I worry about tomorrow or the actions of men who are in His hands. The apostles did not fear men because they truly believed God is all-powerful. I read Acts 4-8 last night and I could not get over how much resistance they faced and still kept declaring that bad men must come to term with a good God by repenting of their atrocities towards God and His holy Son, Jesus Christ. How could they do this knowing that they might be stoned for these declarations? Easy, they believed that God is all-powerful and could receive glory through their lives as he ordained them to take place.

I believe that God is all-knowing and then go around defeated or sinning as if God does not see what is taking place. When I act defeated and beat down then I am saying by my actions that I cannot hold my head up because there is no one to turn to in my time of need. But wait; is not God all-knowing? Does God not already know that I have faced adversity and is it not the Almighty who knows how best to use His power to receive glory through the adversity He has allowed to enter my life? How about this one, I try and hide my sins, even the ones in my head. Hello all-knowing God, maybe I should do as He says and confess those sins so I can be cleansed.

I believe God is present everywhere at all times. Does anyone even want me to expand on this one? I am afraid that if most of us got a grip on this fact it would not give us comfort but scare us because when it comes down to it are we holy people? It should give us comfort knowing that no matter what God is always there and able to give us instant wisdom to avoid sin and bring Him glory.

I believe that the Bible is inspired by God is profitable for all areas of life and then I line item veto the parts I do not like. Now do not act shocked by that statement. Chances are that if we were all honest we could discover the same in our lives. I mean how often do we cast every care and burden on the Lord? How about the one where we take of the down trodden of life because we might be entertaining angels unaware? I mean here is the all-powerful, all-knowing God giving me the ability to buy a gift card to McDonald's and then allowing a person to stand on a street corner at a red-light that I must stop at for awhile. I mean if I do what is right and meet the physical need of the person then can I trust that God will use that gift for His glory? I can if I believe the Bible and I am willing to do this to the least of these.

You see these are only a few of the things I say I believe and then find hard to live. I will know the power of God manifested through me when I stop living by humanistic mental assent and begin to live by holy faith. So I know where I need to grow in faith. I pray that very soon my life will be my statement of faith and anyone will be able to see it without reading the written document. How is your statement of faith?

To covenant or not to covenant, that is the question?

2007-11-26T12:40:00.001-05:00

Recently Pastor Sean sent an email basically asking everyone to think on this question. As a member of the pastoral team I have had a little heads up in being able to think about this subject. I came to Berean almost six years ago and in the last few months I have learned that Berean has a covenant already in place. I knew it was there, I have read the constitution, but I did not really think about it as something that needed to be enforced. I find this strange since I have seen so much emphasis be placed upon the constitution. Here is a section of the constitution that is largely ignored. I mostly ignored it because I already practice it in my personal life; this is probably true of most of us. Therefore, when Pastor approached the subject of enforcing it I thought "no problem." I even went as far in my thoughts to say awesome this should put more of us on the same page and accomplish unity on a whole new level. However, this has not been the case, much to the sadness of Christ who prayed that we would be one.

So here are my thoughts on the covenant of Berean Baptist Church and covenants I have lived by in my life.

I have no problem making a pledge to live my life by a standard described in a document. As a member of the US Army I did this everyday for many years. I obeyed Ronald Reagan, George Bush, Bill Clinton, and George W. Bush as my commander-in-chiefs. I obeyed the officers appointed over me. I gave up some of my personal constitutional rights to defend others ability to live their life in full freedom of those same rights I gave up. I did this because I loved my country, I denied the GI Bill. I do not understand the big deal then about saying to my fellow Berean's I am with you all the way. I will do my best in Christ's power to live my life beside you in a way that is helpful to you and honors God. I am even willing to sacrifice some of my personal preferences in order to show you I love you.

I believe that a covenant is great. I have entered into a verbal covenant with Angela. That verbal covenant is our wedding vows. Whether I perform a wedding or attend a wedding I am reminded of my vows to Angela. If we are attending a wedding we hold hands and as the bride and groom exchange vows we touch each other's rings as a reminder of our covenant. Thus our rings are a reminder that we live in a covenant relationship with God and each other. So what is wrong with pulling out a document and reminding each other this is what we have promised to do unto one another?

Should a covenant be flexible? Sure. Think about the wedding vows again. I promised to love Angela till death do us part but those vows did not define the method of conveying that love. Sometimes I wash the dishes to convey that love. Sometimes I do the laundry to convey that love. Sometimes I take her on a date to convey my love. Sometimes I buy her flowers to convey that love. Sometimes I skip watching the hockey game on TV to show her that love. So what is wrong with saying we will leave some decisions of life up to God and our fellow Berean?

Should a covenant possess hard stances? Sure. Think about the wedding vow to keep myself to Angela and only her till death do we part. This means mentally, emotionally, and physically as I am made in the image of God. This means all of my being is reserved for her alone. No other woman is to have my mind, my heart, my attention, my anything as long as Angela lives. So what is wrong with saying to my fellow Berean's I promise you I will not or I will... whatever?

Pastor Sean is right we need to revive the idea of living by what we promise in our lives and in our church. If our current covenant is too rigid then let wise men and women rise up and declare the wisdom of God that they possess and give input into a covenant that honors God by allowing the body here to grow in the grace and knowledge of Christ. If it is what it should be, then let us begin to live and be accountable to it. If we believe that we can live without making those promises to one another then so be it. I do however, doubt that the last course of action would benefit or honor God's work here in this church. I mean without my marriage vows being what they are I could easily twist the lives of men like David in the Bible to justify having more than one wife and who could hold me accountable otherwise? The current state of Christianity is adrift and we need to declare what we will live by, document that, and be accountable to it.

To all my fellow Berean's and pastors, I am with you and I pledge to contribute to forming a covenant that we can live with and by, and then allowing you to hold me accountable to that promise for as long as I am a member of Berean.

Reformatting A Hard Drive

2007-11-08T13:46:00.001-05:00

I have been doing a lot of computer work lately. I just finsihed in fact reformatting a hard drive. The computer had received a virus that would not go away. So there was no choice but to erase the old drive and reinstall everything. So the first thing I did is I made sure that everything was in order for the reformat. I separated the good stuff from the bad. Then I erased to old partition that held the corrupted files. Next I loaded a pure and clean version. Then I installed the lastest safety updates. Finally, I reloaded the good files and deleted any icons that pointed to the old corrupt files that had been erased so that there would be no record of them.

This reminds me of my history. I was born and for a time existed in a state of innocence. Then I began to allow corrupt files in my life. Before long I could not perform any function properly. Jesus came along and presented Himself as my repair man. When the Bible says the old things pass away and all things become new this is what it is talking about. Jesus erased the old partition of my sinful llife and replaced it with a pure and clean version. He then begins to upload critical updates like bible_understanding 1.0, and prayer_desire 2.1, and holy_living_anti-sin_protection_extreme_version (aka His Holy Spirit), daily_degfragmentation_utility (grace), and many other useful and helpful updates that did not exist prior to His repair work. Then He begins to test all these programs and change settings to until they are running at top notch performance (sanctification). However, the best thing is according to Acts 3:19 He erased my sin so that there is no record of the old corruption in the database of Heaven. Now as long as I allow Him to be the only operator of my computer (life) I will always run corruption free and at optimum speed.

Has Jesus reformatted your Hard Drive?

Good Times?

2007-11-07T05:45:00.000-05:00

I was on myspace this morning and saw a bulletin that read "Please, bail me out my fine is $***." I thought to myself I am sure that this is another list of wrong things but let me see anyways. Sure enough it was a list of sins, most of which were immoral and some illegal. So I went down the list and began to total my fine. Then the Holy Spirit spoke to me. He said, "Remember what you preached last night about repentance? Remember how you said true repentance means that you turn so much from your sins that even the remembrance of them makes you ill? You do not look too ill as you are about to broadcast and brag about how sinful you have been." So I responded, "I will not repost the bulletin." He responds to this, "No I want you to repost it, without the list and the true cost." So here is what I posted.

Please, bail me out my fine is HELL

The survey says this is fun to do. Remember the sins from which you repented and see the cost associated. Now add them together and post as the above mentioned title with the amount at the end. Well I broke one of these moral laws and therefore, the cost is HELL. Once again I find myself with a decision to remember sin and laugh, and broadcast my former self for all to read, or declare that I am dead with Christ, yet I live, but only by the power of Christ living within me. I decided to declare Christ and not repost a list of sins we all should avoid today and try to forget if committed yesterday. It might have been fun for you but it cost Jesus every drop of His blood. Remember the outcry over The Passion Of The Christ by Mel Gibson? That was mild violence when compared to the actually history books recordings of scourging and crucifixions.

There is no such thing as free salvation?

2007-11-06T04:57:00.000-05:00

Sunday morning I was greeting people in the parking lot. I offered Carl Ternullo a bulletin as he got out of the vehicle. He asked how much it cost and I cleverly replied that it was free like salvation. However, I awoke with this morning with my mind troubled and the realization that salvation is not free. We preachers often preach free salvation to all who will come, repent, and recognize the complete truth about the sacrifice of Christ. Indeed it is true that Christ offered the living water freely to all who thirsted. So why did I wake up with the compelling idea salvation is not free? The truth is we do not pay for our salvation but it is still not free.

Think about the approach of Christmas. My children will open freely gifts provided to them without cost to them. However, my wife (who does the budget far better than I ever could) will be crunching dollars and cents between now and then to ensure those gifts are purchased. They are not free as far as we are concerned. I pray I am teaching my children to appreciate that which they are given because they understand it cost their mother and me something to provide them. If they appreciate this then they will take care of the gifts and treat them as precious because of their regard for us their parents.

So now I finally come to the point of the title. Salvation cannot be free if we use phrases like "the sacrifice of Christ" or "redeemed" or even "born-again." Have you ever seen a lady right after giving birth? Angela was exhausted, in pain, and shivering when it was over and it took sometime for her to recover. The physical toil of the muscles left her very sore and the loss of blood left her weak and cold. Being born once cost our mothers physical health for nearly two months of recovery time. Salvation is not free. What did it cost?

It cost Jesus his lofty place in heaven as He was God manifested in flesh and come to His own but His own rejected Him. It cost Him a life of comfort and ease. Prior to His open ministry there was probably some dads who wanted Jesus to marry their daughters. After all He would make the perfect son-in-law. But this was not His path as He set His face towards Jerusalem and got about His Father's business. He became a man of sorrow and despised of people. Salvation cost Christ before the first blow was delivered. Then that fateful day when He bled in the garden while praying, was beaten with the hands of priests, drug all over Jerusalem from one trial to another, beaten with the whip and rod, and then nailed to a cross where every drop of blood drained from His body and His heart ruptured. Yes, it pleased God to bruise Him and by His stripes we are healed at no cost to us, but salvation was not free.

I pray we learn to appreciate the cost of our salvation and treat this gift from God through Jesus as precious. Do not do this because it is the greatest gift ever, do it because you really do have and hold a regard for Christ. A regard so great that great is too weak a word to really describe what you feel deep within you. May it be so great that only the Holy Spirit can pray your true love as you thank Jesus for paying for your free salvation.

Love and Glory

2007-10-30T11:56:00.000-04:00

Following the resurrection of Jesus Christ he appeared to His disciples on several different occasions. During one of these appearances Jesus carried on a very pointed conversation with the ever talkative Peter. As we ease drop on the final texts of their conversation there is a great lesson that the church must learn today if Christianity is to survive.

John 21:17 He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.
John 21:18 Verily, verily, I say unto thee, When thou wast young, thou girdest thyself, and walkedst whither thou wouldest: but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and carry thee whither thou wouldest not.
John 21:19 This spake he, signifying by what death he should glorify God. And when he had spoken this, he saith unto him, Follow me.
John 21:20 Then Peter, turning about, seeth the disciple whom Jesus loved following; which also leaned on his breast at supper, and said, Lord, which is he that betrayeth thee?
John 21:21 Peter seeing him saith to Jesus, Lord, and what shall this man do?
John 21:22 Jesus saith unto him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? follow thou me.

Did you see the lessons? First Christ asks Peter, “Do you love me?” Peter is upset because this is the third time has been asked this very question. Peter replies with the emotional response, “You know I do because you know everything.” Then just as quickly Jesus responds, “Prove it by your actions.”

Jesus declares to Peter that his, like ours, love for Christ will be proven by our response to humanity. We must lose ourselves so greatly in the desire to see people come to mature relationships with Jesus that we ourselves our willing to die to make this possible. We must become so powered by the Holy Spirit that we fear no one or anything in this pursuit. Unfortunately this is not the case of Christianity today. Today I am afraid that we fear men more than God. How else can we hear messages on the radio that carry a message of God’s forgiveness without first expounding upon the severity of sin? God’s word is clear in the book of Romans and Galatians that the purpose of the law was to make sure no one could stand before God without excuse for their action and that this law would act as a guide to bring us to the knowledge of sin and seek a savior. Yet today the vast majority of Christianity is a “lawless” society. Do not get me wrong, I am not promoting legalism. I detest the faintest scent of legalism to the point that I like Martin Luther could formulate papers denouncing the traditions of men in favor of the truth of God’s word. So what am I saying? I am saying that there are black and white issues that must be addressed in this society and we need not fear declaring these.

When we fear loss of membership over truth, when we fear loss of tithe over truth, when we fear loss of income over truth, when we fear loss of possessions over truth, when we fear loss of positions over truth, then we can rest assured that God’s love is not perfected in us. 1John 4:18 says, “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.” This is to say that we do not have a love that would drive us to the cross for someone else. We cannot stand with Paul and wish ourselves accursed nor can we even say that we are dead to self so that Christ might live in us. Oh, that I might die soon for Jackie has lived far too long. You see when I die I will have no problem feeding you. If I am dead, broken, and poor like a slave then there is nothing anyone can do to me to make me less than I already am “the chief among sinners.” The ability to minister to others and demonstrate Christ’s love comes through the victories Christ pours out through the glaring holes of my faulty character. I then, unlike Peter in our passage, will stop looking to see what God is doing with others but will consider myself blessed for what He is doing to glorify Himself through me.

In the end the world does not need anyone of us to redefine the gospel, dress it in slick programs, or write more books. It wants to see Christians who truly love God, who are consecrated to Him and not traditions, who do not concern themselves with another’s servants, but declare bodily how Christ has changed them and now lives in them. This power will come through close conversation with Christ, prayer and Bible study, and will cause us to once again be a moving force of Christianity that makes hell tremble. If you read this and care to join me let us set a time for a solemn fast and prayer that the Holy Ghost and the preaching of God’s word in Fayetteville might have full course and we might be used to bring glory to the name of the Father, the Son, and The Holy Ghost. May God be glorified as we move forward starting yesterday!

The Cost of Sacrifice

2007-08-01T10:50:00.000-04:00

Exo 12:5 Your lamb shall be without blemish, a male of the first year: ye shall take it out from the sheep, or from the goats:
Exo 12:6 And ye shall keep it up until the fourteenth day of the same month: and the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel shall kill it in the evening.
Exo 12:7 And they shall take of the blood, and strike it on the two side posts and on the upper door post of the houses, wherein they shall eat it.

Exo 12:46 In one house shall it be eaten; thou shalt not carry forth ought of the flesh abroad out of the house; neither shall ye break a bone thereof.

Deu 16:2 Thou shalt therefore sacrifice the passover unto the LORD thy God, of the flock and the herd, in the place which the LORD shall choose to place his name there.
Deu 16:5 Thou mayest not sacrifice the passover within any of thy gates, which the LORD thy God giveth thee:
Deu 16:6 But at the place which the LORD thy God shall choose to place his name in, there thou shalt sacrifice the passover at even, at the going down of the sun, at the season that thou camest forth out of Egypt.
Deu 16:7 And thou shalt roast and eat it in the place which the LORD thy God shall choose: and thou shalt turn in the morning, and go unto thy tents.

2Ch 35:1 Moreover Josiah kept a passover unto the LORD in Jerusalem: and they killed the passover on the fourteenth day of the first month.

The Passover was designed to point to Christ. This time of year brought a remembrance of delivery and the promise of the coming Messiah. I have recently been thinking about this religious rite of Jewish history and what it teaches, not about Christ, but about the Father and the sacrifice He made in sending Christ to die upon the cross.

Imagine the life of the typical Israeli man during the Old Testament and how his life was tied to his religion and its sacrificial rites. He would understand the need of providing a perfect lamb for the Passover so that the sacrifice would be accepted and thus prove that he, and his family, was accepted by God. He undoubtedly prayed for such an animal to born within his flocks. He was trusting God to provide what he could not render, a perfect lamb. He would examine his lambs and see if one was proper and right for the task of dying for him and his families' sins. When he found this lamb he might need to care for it for nearly a year making sure that on the 14th of Nissan the lamb would be accepted. Over this time he would keep it close and guarded, caring for it as his most prized possession. As an animal lover I can see him falling in love with this animal. The lamb coming to him and staying very near him would cause the man’s love to deepen. He would have joy in seeing the lamb in its perfect state but still some sorrow as the day appointed approached. There would come a time when he would travel to Jerusalem and there turn the lamb over to the priests. They would subject the lamb to four days of testing to ensure that the lamb was without spot or blemish, that it had been protected so that not one bone was broken, and then if accepted its blood would be shed and its body burned so that the man and his family might live. They would then make the lamb’s sacrifice a very personal part of their life and a part of them through eating the lamb. I can hardly imagine turning over one of my cats or my dog in such a way. The pain would be excruciating. I would not be able to watch their death but would have to leave the scene.

Now, remember how the lamb represented Christ, the only begotten Son of the Father. Imagine your child as the lamb. Do we really understand the cost to God and the cost of sacrifice when we have no great visual reminder of how greatly sin affects our lives? Have you seen The Passion of the Christ recently? We weep over the pain our sin caused Christ to go through but do we ever stop to think of the pain God felt? He turned over his perfect Son to be examined and killed by the people so that they might live. Hear again the words of Christ: “this is my blood shed for you” and “this is my body given for you”, and understand the cost of sacrifice that God made. Now turn to Him and thank Him with insurmountable gratitude and thanksgiving. Let not this sacrifice be in vain but make Jesus your life as the lamb become in a very real sense the life of the family.

Helping the Pastor

2007-07-27T13:06:00.000-04:00

Heb 13:17 Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.

The word obey in this verse carries the idea of trust being persuaded by an authority, and to make friends with that authority. Hence when we are told obey them we are in essence being asked to trust them explicitly and to rely on their judgment in matters of the soul.

The phrase rule over is the idea of leadership. The idea is not of a boss and employee relationships especially when coupled with the idea of obey. It is in reality an expression of two very close friends traveling together to a place one of them has already been or across a terrain that one of them is more skilled to transverse. Hence, one of them will take the lead.

You in this instance is not a singular you. The you of this verse is a you of plurality meaning not just one person but all who might fall under that person. Here is the indication that it is a family matter.

Submit yourself is the idea of yielding. I watched a movie once where the police were tracking a fugitive with dogs. One officer was ahead of the dogs and began slipping on the muddy terrain. The dog handler asked him to move back so that he did not spoil the scent. The dog handler wanted the dogs to be able to smell clearly the path they should take. Likewise, when we yield to the leadership of those best equipped and gifted we do not “spoil the scent” that leads to God’s glory.

Why are we to do this? We are to do all that has been mentioned because they watch for our souls. In the original language of scripture this means they spent countless nights in a state of sleeplessness in earnest concern and prayer for your entire life and its eternal state of reward. As a pastor I know this to be true and many nights when sleep does come it comes in intermittent spurts and never really sinks to the deep level of rest.

The reason for this sleeplessness is because they understand that they must give an account for how they tried to persuade you, influence you, guide you, to the truth of how they could best glorify God. Sometimes this means begging God for the special revelation of dormant gifts or the wisdom of how to tweak of gift without discouraging you.

The more yielded you are to this way of leadership the easier it will be for your leaders. Remember our dog handler? I wonder how frustrated he would be if that officer never yielded to those best equipped to track the fugitive. How frustrated would you be if you were the dog handler? That frustration is exactly what is meant with the phrase grievous. It is to sigh in exasperation over a situation. I wonder how many people realize that when only a handful of people heed the sermon of the pastor and the majority do not that they are frustrating and spoiling the scent of their entire church to get to God’s glory.

So, the next time you see a pastor tired, run down, care worn, and doing their best to be upbeat and their for everyone do not criticize them. Instead pray and ask God if you are the one who is in a state of spoiling the scent. If you are not, then would you pray for those who are to realize this important point? If you are…then God says could you move aside and let my guys do their job?

Gossip

2007-07-25T14:36:00.000-04:00

Lev 19:16 Thou shalt not go up and down as a talebearer among thy people: neither shalt thou stand against the blood of thy neighbour; I am the LORD.

Pro 11:13 A talebearer revealeth secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter.

Pro 18:8 The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.

Pro 20:19 He that goeth about as a talebearer revealeth secrets: therefore meddle not with him that flattereth with his lips.

Pro 26:20 Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth.

Today most people have lost the real concept of what gossip is in the biblical sense. We have adopted the idea that gossip is a shadow of the truth or an outright lie, but this not the case at all. God’s word reveals to us what gossip is and how it affects the lives of people. His word also tells us how to deal with a gossip.

A gossip according to Proverbs 11:13 is a person who reveals secrets. This person is not trustworthy. Notice the contrasting junction within the verse and how it then indicates that talebearer/gossip is the opposite of the person who is classified as a faithful spirit. Therefore, any divulgence of a secret to anyone and any discussion of that secret with anyone, other than the personal source, is considered gossip by God. When I say personal source I am indicating not the person who told you but whom the secret concerns. It would not do well for me to discuss a secret that John Doe told me about Jane Smith with John Doe. The reason this not well is because I had no business in the original matter. Even if I had part in the original matter I can only confide my personal involvement with whom I choose and discuss the matter in full length with anyone except those who are either involved, witnesses, or authorities. Otherwise I become a talebearer myself.

We have some other strong characteristics of this person the gossip revealed to us by God. This person is usually a seemingly sincere and well meaning person who for the life of them cannot keep out of others lives. With flattering speech and with intentions that appear helpful that gain your trust and you confide in them. This is how the extract information from various sources and become a hub of information rather than a safe that stores information. This person will also generally go up and down looking for someone to either extract information from or someone to share information with despite God’s commands in Leviticus 19:16. This person cannot live their lives without the need know things about other people or what is going on around them, though it does not involve them.

Now, when the person whose confidence has been broken a fire is ignited and they are deeply wounded by one who they thought they could trust. Therefore, God gives us the best advice on how to handle this person. He tells us to have nothing to do with them. Here is the time when God says avoid a person, not be rude to them, but to not invest your time with them.

With this in mind be careful who you confide your secrets. Do not confide them with someone who has shared others secrets with you for they will go looking for someone they can share your secret. The only way to stop this destructive behavior in our churches is to stop the gossips from having information. Where there is no wood there is no fire. So let each of us take care to cease being the wood that fuels their fires and stand strong in obedience to God. If we all do this then maybe they will repent and let God change their nature.

David and Christ

2007-07-24T13:33:00.000-04:00

1Sa 16:1 And the LORD said unto Samuel, How long wilt thou mourn for Saul, seeing I have rejected him from reigning over Israel? fill thine horn with oil, and go, I will send thee to Jesse the Bethlehemite: for I have provided me a king among his sons…..

1Sa 16:6 And it came to pass, when they were come, that he looked on Eliab, and said, Surely the LORD's anointed is before him.
1Sa 16:7 But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart……

1Sa 16:11 And Samuel said unto Jesse, Are here all thy children? And he said, There remaineth yet the youngest, and, behold, he keepeth the sheep. And Samuel said unto Jesse, Send and fetch him: for we will not sit down till he come hither.
1Sa 16:12 And he sent, and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, and withal of a beautiful countenance, and goodly to look to. And the LORD said, Arise, anoint him: for this is he.

I was reading today from a book that Jordan Jackson kindly bought me. I hardly ever read the introduction areas of a book. Instead I normally choose to dive right into the chapters. I am generally impatient with the “background information.” However, I felt compelled to read the introductory stuff in this book. The author was making a case for the background of why Christ came to Earth and His mission on earth. He stated in the political realm the people were looking for the Messiah to come and deliver them from the dominion of Rome. Therefore, they did not understand how one could announce the Kingdom was at hand and then not take the throne but live a life of servitude and suffering. They were unaware of the Messiah’s government being established in two separate phases. This made me think of David and his early years.

David was anointed as the King of Israel at a young age. He was not what the people would have chosen for their king. Indeed they had already chosen their leader, Saul. David was not who Samuel thought the Lord would chose for he was dismayed after all of David’s older brothers had passed before him and the king had not been revealed by God. Even David’s father thought so little of David that he left him in the field caring for the sheep. How could one who came from such humble backgrounds be the chosen one who would lead Israel into a time of greatness? Thing now of Christ’s humble beginnings in an impoverished home, in a city of no significance, and to a mother and adopted father (a carpenter) who held little majesty. Yet these lives show that God elevates the humble and puts down the proud. Never let anyone judge you as insignificant based upon any of your background information.

After being anoint king, David killed Goliath, became a leading general in Saul’s Army, became hated by Saul because he behaved himself wisely, and eventually an outcast of Jewish society. Likewise Christ operating under the power of the Holy Spirit became the slayer of sickness, disease, and death all under the watchful eye of the Jewish leaders. He behaved himself wisely and displayed their wisdom to be foolishness and was therefore, cast from the mainstream of society. Eventually Christ, unlike David, would be put to death, by His own submission, on a cross.

After David’s time as an outcast he became king to a small minority of Israel. His authority and kingship was accepted by two of the ten tribes. Likewise, even now Christ is accepted as king by only a minority of people. However, like the time of David’s acceptance by all of Israel, there will come a time when every knee shall bow to Christ in acceptance and recognition of His exalted position. Then like with Israel and David, the best will come into view.
I just wanted to share some thoughts on similarities between David and Christ. I pray that you find yourself as a minority in the Kingdom. I pray that because of your obedience to the King you are being rewarded as a faithful servant. I also pray that your service is such that when Christ arrives in full power and glory you will be counted, like those who served David in the rough years, a mighty man of valor.

How Do I Know I Am Saved?

2007-07-18T16:41:00.000-04:00

I was saved at an early age. I was 7 when I began my journey with Christ. I recall that morning in October, 1979, well. Gary Misner asked me to take the “Nestea Plunge” to demonstrate to kids in children’s church what faith is and how we must absolutely trust Christ. No works, no religious experience, nothing of our imagination, we must trust salvation as Christ offers salvation in Him and Him alone. We must trust that He will take our sins from us and help us to begin a life walking away from sin instead of embracing and pursuing sin. For this 7 year old that was the day I heard Christ saying I want to be your savior and I said I want you to be my savior.

However, still having a sin nature I fell into some serious sin growing up. I became so desensitized to God’s voice that I almost ceased to hear His voice. Overtime through His leading I landed in Germany. This time of my life brought many questions, including the question of salvation. Was I saved? During this time of struggle my pastor taught us some of the indicators of salvation. It was through these indicators that I gained assurance of my salvation at the age of 7. Perhaps some of you are dealing with questions of doubt. I hope one of these indicators will help you resolve the issue. There is no number to number 5 in this list. Anyone may be present or absent, to the unlearned heart, mind, and eye, and not one is a definitive yes or no determination of salvation. In the end we know that our heart will judge us wrongly but there is one greater than our heart who is the true and only qualified judge.

The first indicator I will list is the fact that a developing Christian will begin to practice obedience.
1Jo 5:1 Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him. 1Jo 5:2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments. 1Jo 5:3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous. 1Jo 5:4 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. 1Jo 5:5 Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?

So now the question is your life characterized by active obedience to God? Even in the years of shadowy doubt there was always this draw and desire to choose the path that did not lead down sin. At times this was easier and times harder depending upon the stronghold of sin that was being battled. If I was more given to certain sin then often I lost that battle. If I was not so inclined toward a sin then victory was achieved (for the most part). However, this is the comfort of assurance, there was a battle. You need to worry when there is no battle or remorseful guilt that follows.

The second indicator I will list is that the developing Christian begins to love fellow Christians.
1Jo 3:14 We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death.
For me this was not an easy task. I had to be taught how to love others. Love does not come natural to everyone. Some of us have reasons, of our mind, why we do not love people. Fear of being hurt and rejected was my reason. However, as time passed and as I prayed I began to tolerate people, and then to like people, then love people in a self-centered manner, and now finally I am beginning to love even those who may not love, like, or tolerate me. This is an indicator that is also a developed indicator. However, I trust that the true believer will find themselves in the most infant stage wanting and desiring to trust people even if they are not ready to make that outward movement.

Another indicator of salvation is that a person begins to hear and follow Christ’s voice. Jesus said, “My sheep hear my voice.” This is to say that as we approach former sinful lusts something kicks in and says, “Wrong.” This is the reason for the previously discussed battle. Perhaps you like Samuel did not realize that this was the voice of Christ through the Holy Spirit guiding you. Learn to still yourself and become sensitive to hearing that voice and then learn to trust and follow that voice to a joyous life.

One last indicator of many that could be named and analyzed is the ability to overcome the world’s philosophies.
1Jo 5:4 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.

Here it is simply stated that a true believer will become victorious over the world’s ideas. This is best seen in the internal struggle between the flesh and the spirit. We begin to hear truths from God’s Word and wonder if it is true. Before Christ it could be dismissed and ignored but now for some reason you cannot get it out of your head. This internal struggle is an indication of the Holy Spirit’s presence. Couple this with the idea that at times these truths pop back into your head proving that Satan has lost his power to snatch away that which is planted.

Finally, understand that a new creature (2 Corinthians 5:17) in Christ you will develop as your mind is renewed and your actions are transformed. Also take peace in knowing that those who have repented and trusted Christ and are not achieving as much as someone else need not worry. Ephesians states that He who began this good work within you (saved you) is also the one who completes that work.

So are you saved? I am by God’s grace and faith in Christ.

Who Are You Restricting In Worship?

2007-07-10T15:23:00.000-04:00

Mar 9:34 But they held their peace: for by the way they had disputed among themselves, who should be the greatest.
Mar 9:35 And he sat down, and called the twelve, and saith unto them, If any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant of all.
Mar 9:36 And he took a child, and set him in the midst of them: and when he had taken him in his arms, he said unto them,
Mar 9:37 Whosoever shall receive one of such children in my name, receiveth me: and whosoever shall receive me, receiveth not me, but him that sent me.
Mar 9:38 And John answered him, saying, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name, and he followeth not us: and we forbad him, because he followeth not us.
Mar 9:39 But Jesus said, Forbid him not: for there is no man which shall do a miracle in my name, that can lightly speak evil of me.
Mar 9:40 For he that is not against us is on our part.
Mar 9:41 For whosoever shall give you a cup of water to drink in my name, because ye belong to Christ, verily I say unto you, he shall not lose his reward.
Mar 9:42 And whosoever shall offend one of these little ones that believe in me, it is better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he were cast into the sea.

There is a great concern for Christians in these verses. The idea of this verse is that where you serve and with whom you serve is not as important as whom you serve. There are two things we must realize in connection with this idea.

The first thing is that our idea of service is not the best way of service for all people. Here we have the diverse group of apostles being corrected for believing that their way of service was the only way to serve Christ. Christ was very specific in stressing that we are not to judge, restrict, or hinder another servants service to him because they are performing that service in a way that does not align with our ideas. When we reject these people we are not receiving one of these little ones in His name and we are in essence rejecting Christ. All who profess Christ are a part of His body and we cannot reject a portion of His body without rejecting Him. Do we serve only a portion of Christ? To do this is to join the Pharisees in prescribing worship based upon tradition and not Holy Spirit guidance.

The second thing is that our idea of service is not more important than the spiritual growth of the other person. The idea of offending one of these little ones is to say that anyone who comes behind you is one of these little ones. We are to be very careful about harming their growth or desire for growth. We do not allow sin when it is sin but is not sin to perform a service to Christ in a way that we would not perform the very same service. You see Christ did not dwell outwardly as the apostles when they were concerned that they do not walk with us. Christ said leave them alone because they do walk with us in spirit and truth. After all did He not say this is how the true believers would worship Him?

Therefore, let us take care to worship and serve Christ as God leads. Let us take equal care to not hinder those who are different. After all Jesus chose twelve diverse men to get this point across and He is still forming the body as He chooses despite the wishes of the 21st Century Pharisees.