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February 2008
Your mouth and actions will always tell what’s in your heart!
Anybody tuned into last night’s 60 minutes: “What would you do” new series which was filmed down the highway at the Czech bakery in West? It seems that customers of the bakery were treated to an exchange between two actors-one dressed as a Muslim woman, the other as a sales clerk. The clerk made Muslim racial remarks toward the woman as others customers stood by and watched. The segment showed people who gave the clerk a thumb up for his behavior while others left their purchase on the counter and refused to buy anything because of the clerk’s remarks. The sad part is that over half of the customers stood by and said absolutely nothing!
Why are these shows so successful at exposing our true thoughts and actions? I believe it’s because this type of situation allows us to show our true colors. It’s in these situations, that the depth of our heart is exposed for all to see. Jesus taught that “out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks”. He then goes on to challenge those who would say: “That’s not really who I am”. He asked the question: “how can we who are evil, speak good things?” In other words, trash in- trash out! In the book of Luke, he continues to address the illness of our hearts when he taught: “A good man out of the treasure of this heart brings forth that which is good”. He then said the same about an evil treasure in an evil man’s heart. We must stop lying to ourselves, because what’s down deep in our hearts will always be brought to light and exposed by our words and actions!
So what do you think? Is Central Texas suffering from the heart illness of “Islamophobia”? Were these folks “tricked” into saying and acting as they did, or were the deep things of their heart really exposed?
What’s the deal with these Church hoppers?
Well what do you know- the Pew Institute recently found out what local Pastors figured out a long time ago-there is no such thing as church loyalty anymore. “Church hoppers” and “Spiritual Lone Rangers” are terms used by local clergy to describe Christians who move from church to church without any spiritual covering. The Pew’s 35,000 person poll labeled: “The U.S. Religious Landscape Survey,” found that 28% of American adults have left the faith of their childhood for another one. And if you include those who move from one Protestant denomination to another, that figure would jump up to 44%!
On the surface this may seem like a loyalty issue, but one must look deeper to find out the real reason for all this church movement. Various reasons such as marriage, disappointment and hurtful experiences with the local churches, and people looking for the perfect church, lead people to church hop. Others simply don’t desire to experience true faith community because they don’t like the accountability to grow in knowledge and understanding of the requirements of being a follower of Christ. They wish to stay attendee’s instead of moving on to contributors.
My personal belief is that many today are just fed up with “Religion” because they now realize that Religion is just an empty experience that never leads to the abundant life promised us by scripture. True lifestyle change can only occur when one experiences a true personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Jesus himself condemned the religious community by calling them clean on the outside while being filthy on the inside. God created us with an innate craving to know our creator. The problem with Religion is that it will never fill the craving to “know God” because it only allows us to know “about God”.
So, any bloggers out there church hopping right now? What excuses have you heard for people moving from denomination to denomination? Has anyone out there given up on church membership? Why?
Should Christian faith influence decision in the voting booth?
It is a well know fact that evangelical Christians mobilized for President George W. Bush in the 2000 and 2004 presidential elections. Democrats learned the importance of faith based voters and responded this year by hiring “Religious consultants” and are reaching out to evangelicals.
But 2008 is presenting a more complex picture of traditional Christians. Many Christians are presenting a new list of priorities. Abortion and a gay marriage amendment are being replaced by poverty, the environment, and HIV/AIDS. And while abortion and family values are still important, they seem to be giving way to issues such as a lack of adequate health care and immigration polices that pretend that immigrants are non-people.
I firmly believe that as believers, our decisions on who we cast our vote should be influenced by biblical teachings. As one considers the above list of issues, one can quickly see that the bible has much to say on each issue thus making them important when casting one’s vote. The question for each Christian should not be which political party am I going to vote for, but which candidate has the brightest and best approach for dealing with these Christian issues.
So, will you allow a flimsy news report based on nothing else but speculation; change your vote for John McCain? Will you not vote for Obama because of the color of his skin, or Hillary because she’s a woman? What issues or ideas will influence your vote in 2008? Can any of these candidates really embody the teachings of Christ thereby making them the “TRUE” Christian candidate?
Tips for having a great marriage!
I want to thank a fellow blogger with whom I had a chance to meet yesterday in the flesh! I won’t name him, but it was way too cool to meet someone who you think you know just because you’ve been communicating with them through this blog. Just want him to know that it was an honor to meet and chat with him yesterday in person!
Thought I would break with tradition today by following up on yesterday’s blog entry on marriage and divorce. Often times we talk about the problem of divorce when perhaps we should be sharing secrets of marriages that have weathered the storms of life, and wound up as great marriages. So, I thought I would share a few of my secrets in hopes that my fellow bloggers would feel the freedom to share some of theirs.
Give God his place in your marriage- Couples who build a relationship with Christ at the center of their marriage, enjoy an enormous advantage over those who do not.
Remember your vows daily- when things aren’t going well in the relationship, spouses would do well to remember they vowed to love each other in the good times and in the bad times as well!
Express your love each day- My wife taught me early: “Don’t just tell me you love me, SHOW ME you love me!” Actions are harder to express, but way better in showing your love to your spouse!
Appreciate one another- An attitude of ungratefulness will always manifest itself in selfish and disrespectful behavior toward each other.
Treat each other as the most important person in your world-no relationship is more important to maintain and cherish than the person you have decided to spend the rest of your life with!
These are my secrets to a wonderful marriage of 33 years! Anybody out there have any secrets they want to share? Any “don’t do” secrets from anyone who’s gone through a divorce?
Is it ok at times for a Christian to break the law?
Saturday’s front page in the Waco Tribune Herald read: “Chaplain arrested for needle exchange”. 73 year old lay chaplain Bill Day of San Antonio, Texas, could spend up to a year in jail for breaking a law he considers immoral. Even though Texas considers it illegal, Day hands out clean needles to drug addicts in order to help curb the spread of the HIV virus.
So what’s a Christian to do when the law of the land seems to conflict with the moral laws of the bible? The Prophet Daniel, when told he could no longer pray to his God during the day, continued to pray in spite of the written law. Peter and John who were arrested for preaching the gospel, when told to go and not preach about Christ again, said: “Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God’s sight to obey you rather than God”. Even Jesus taught that we should render unto Caesar the things that belongs to Caesar and to God the things that belong to God.
In my mind, the city of San Antonio should be thanking Chaplain Day for his labor of love instead of trying to prosecute him. What motivates a little old lady to stand out in the elements every week to stand for life in front of an abortion mortuary? I believe the same thing that motivates Chaplain Day- the desire to be faithful and committed to God and his biblical principles. Most laws on the books have their origination in biblical principles. But when laws on the books go against God’s stated laws, Christians should stand up for their convictions in spite of what legislatures may have passed as law understanding that there may be a cost.
So, in your mind should Chaplain Day spend a year in jail for doing good deeds? Is there anytime in your mind when you would go against stated law in order to stand for your moral convictions? Let’s chat fellow bloggers!!!
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Why Are There As Many Divorces In The Church As There Are Among Non-Believers?
Saturday’s religion page headlines in the Trib read: “Survey shows Catholicism impacts view on marriage”. The article stated that 55% of Catholics said their opinions on marriage have been at least “SOMEWHAT” informed in church teachings. However, 76 % of those polled also said divorce is acceptable even though the Catholic church doesn’t recognize civil marriage after a divorce.
Jesus taught in the book of Mark that the only reason Moses allowed for divorce was because of the “hardness of our hearts”. Jesus was reminding the people that there are very few reasons [adultery and if a non-believing spouse wanted to leave] why God would allow divorce. When couples marry, they make sacred vows to love one another: “in good times and in bad times”. But many of today’s Christians believe as the world does- that if there are “irreconcilable differences” [Just a big term to mean any reason], It relieves us of honoring our commitment to stay together. Now while I am not advocating staying in an unhealthy or abusive relationship, I do believe that many times Christians deny the power of Christ and his word to help rebuild troubled marriages and just quit before their marriage is healed. I’m so glad that after 10 years of a troubled marriage, my wife and I decided to apply biblical principles in our marriage which has resulted in us recently celebrating 33 beautiful years of wedlock!
The truth is that survey after survey have shown that divorce rates are the same for Christians as for non-believers. Why is this? Does the bible not say anything about how a couple is suppose to honor one another? Does it not speak on the subject of divorce, and if so, why do these teachings not have an impact on the statistics? Anyone want to share their thoughts on the topic or how God healed your marriage?
Can People Be Set Free From Homosexuality?
Churches for ages, have struggled with discussing the issue of Homosexuality in a rational way. I thought we would continue our discussion on this topic today. It seems that when most churches talk about the subject of homosexuality, they tend to talk about rather it is right or wrong to live a gay lifestyle. Very few times do we Christians have a deep discussion on what it takes for a person to give up a lifestyle that seems so right to them regardless of what Scripture says?
For me, homosexual desires in a gay person are the same as lust or pornography desires in a heterosexual. According to scripture, they are all outward manifestations of our fallen state as human beings. Temptation is the same for both gays and heterosexuals in that the sin is not the tempting urges, but the fulfillment of those urges. It’s not the temptation of homosexuality or any other sexual sin for that matter, but rather how we respond to the temptation that leads us to sin. Healing for the homosexual or heterosexual person comes when the controlling power of the sexual sin is broken. Only then, can a person be truly healed and delivered.
Can a person be set free from their sexual sin, I say absolutely! I’m a living testimony of a person who has been delivered from all kinds of past sexual sins and I’ve witnessed deliverance in many more lives in my years of ministry.
But what about you fellow bloggers? Are you brave enough to answer the question? Anyone want to share about a past sexual sin you overcame in your life either by yourself or with the aid of God?
Should New Mormon Leader Affirm More Than 2000 Gay, Lesbian And Transgender Members?
According to an Associated Press article, it seems that New Leader Thomas S. Monson of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints will have to tackle the hot topic of Homosexuality soon because a group of Gay Mormons have requested a meeting with the new leader to address their concerns. Mormon Church teachings consider Homosexuality a sin and hold up traditional marriage as an institution ordained of God. In the Past, some gays were rejected by their families and excommunicated by the church, but most recently, church leaders have “softened” their position attempting to draw a distinction between homosexual feelings, and acting on those feelings.
1 Corinthians 6:9-10 (Amplified Bible) States: “Do you not know that the unrighteous and the wrongdoers will not inherit or have any share in the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived (misled): neither the impure and immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor those who participate in homosexuality, Nor cheats (swindlers and thieves), nor greedy graspers, nor drunkards, nor foulmouthed revilers and slanderers, nor extortioners and robbers will inherit or have any share in the kingdom of God.”
I’ve always taught people what the above scripture reinforces- Homosexuality is no greater of a sin than being an alcoholic, a drug addict, or being a pedophile. But Paul makes it clear-don’t be misled, it is a sin in God’s eyes. We have many who struggle with the stronghold of homosexuality in our church-some who have been set free by the power of the Gospel while others continue to struggle with this stronghold. But what they feel from most of our folks including the leadership is God’s unconditional love flowing to them. It is possible for gays to feel welcome in mainstream churches without having to compromise the teachings of Jesus Christ.
What are your thoughts fellow bloggers? Should the Mormon Church change their teaching to accommodate gays in the church? Can a church embrace those struggling with homosexuality and not compromise their statement of faith at the same time?
Why Are People Drawn To Local Churches During Times of Devastation?
In an Associated Press Story in Sunday’s local paper, the headlines read: “Churches, faith play vital role for rural Tennessee County devastated by tornado.” It seems like survivors of the devastation are finding help for their body and soul at local worship centers. In times of tragedy, local churches quickly become the meeting places, social centers, and shelters for residents regardless of if they are members of those local churches or not.
Matthew 5:14 states: “You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden.” It seems to me that in times of tragedy, people are looking for a little light in the mist of such dark times. When Tragedy strikes, it always seems to remind folks of their immortality and when things seem out of our control, they seek a God who’s in control. Christians and local faith communities quickly become that “light of the world” that not even tragedy can hide.
So, what do you think causes people to migrate toward faith communities in times of tragedy? Why is it when volunteers are needed after the devastation, Christians and churches are some of the first organizations to open disaster centers providing shelter, food, clothing and a warm hug? What is it about faith communities that changes during a time of crisis that makes them more appealing to people who are hurting?
Is It Government’s Responsibility To Help The Poor?
Today’s blog entry is a follow-up to Ted Nugent’s {better known to us as the Texas Wildman} recent article. In this past Sunday’s article, he told us he was “INCENSED” at the Bush/Pelosi $150 billion dollar economic stimulus package and proceeded to tell us we should be too! Using his normal witty and sometimes funny articulation, he stated: “Sending us a check for a couple hundred bucks is a pandering joke-an economic slap in the face!” He also accused the government of: “Giving you some of your money back in hopes that you would spend it on Bling-Bling, big screen televisions, and other indulgent garbage!”
Nugent’s comments should make us ponder what kind of government we want from a biblical worldview? What do we do with Jesus words: “When you’ve done it to the least of these, you’ve done it to me.” Doesn’t that almost sound like Jesus is telling us to make sure that the poor and widows are to be taken care of? But then you look at the New Testament church in the book of Acts, and you see where the people who had, sold what they had to make sure everyone’s needs were met. They didn’t need the government to supply the people’s needs, the church met them all!
Ahh- but that is where our view of Government comes in. In my humble view, I believe that God never intended for our Government to take care of the ills of our society. I believe he intended us, his church to meet those needs. The problem is that somewhere, somebody thought the government could do a better job with our money that we could! If Christians weren’t taxed so much by local, state, and national governmental bodies, we would have more to donate to local churches and Non- profits who historically have been able to get more bang for each buck donated compared to government run programs.
So tell me, what do you believe the bible says about the type of government we should have? Should we be supporting government run programs, or keeping more of our money so we can be the hands and feet of Jesus in helping the poor?
Is God Trying To Hide Himself From Man’s Suffering And Pain?
Since today was a slow news day, I am going to bite on the question asked by fellow blogger “FRED” when he suggested we talk about the “COSMIC” question of: ‘Why does God keep himself so well hidden on this earth?” Fred stated God was described by one Prophet as a “small still voice” and that it seemed at times as though God did not answer prayers because there is still so much suffering and pain on this earth. Understanding that some will never understand this “COSMIC” question, and seeing as the bible gives numerous reasons for pain and suffering, let me put in my two cents worth of thoughts on Fred’s Question.
When we look at church history, especially in the lives of many Christian saints throughout time, one key theme runs through it all-suffering! Oswald Chambers wrote, “You cannot help suffering; it is a true and needful training for the soul that dares to be true to God”. I believe that suffering is an essential aspect of our Christian growth, whether it is mental, physical, financial, or spiritual. But modern day Christians considers suffering something negative, because it does not line up with happiness, peace, and joy.
Remember, God is working even when we do not feel it! The main theme of suffering is not how we answer the whys, but how we live our lives so to still give God the glory! We need to take to heart that when life is at its darkest, God is there. He understands, and loves and carries us though it. We need to accept the fact that God is in control, even if we do not understand. For me, I don’t need to hear him speak in a loud audible voice; he speaks loudly through his word, people, and circumstances and yes, even in my pain and suffering!
Anybody out there in blogger land want to throw in their two cents on the topic of the day? Anybody want to testify how God was alive and active in the mist of your pain and suffering?
Did Devil Make Teen kill Parents and Brothers?
U.S. News and World Report ran an article yesterday written by Casey Jones
{Associated Press Writer} reporting that a 15 year old boy in Cockeysville, MD. shot his parents and two younger brothers as they slept, then hung out with friends for more than 12 hours before returning home and calling 911 to report that his father was dead. Police said that the teen had not been getting along with his dad recently, waited until all the family members had gone to sleep, and then entered the house, took his fathers hand gun and shot each of them.
There are numerous incidents reported in the bible just like the one above. Consider the story of Cain and Abel. Cain brutally killed Abel just because God accepted Abel’s sacrifice over Cain’s. Then there’s the story of King David mourning the death of his son even though Absalom was bent on killing his Father and the rest of the family just like the teen in the story.
I believe that outside of a bona fide personal, intimate relationship with Jesus Christ, everyone is capable on doing horrendous things. The Psalmist David wrote in chapter 51 that we are all shaped with the ability to do all types of iniquity and even went so far as to say that we were born from our mother’s womb with the ability to be sinful. Ephesians 2:3 teaches that these types of things happen after we fulfill the desires of our flesh and mind.
So why do you think people do evil things toward other human beings? Do we attribute the wrong of this teen to upbringing, poor life as a child, or does it really start with the state of our spirit man? Was he motivated by anger and selfishness, are did the Devil really have a part in the killing spree?
