An Apology

To the many or few that read this blog I owe an apology for being so long. I know that there is no set time limit but I hate it when I follow someone's blog or site and they take an excessive amount of time in updating it.

Ministry has been busy and challenging. When the needful things get crazy the fun things like blogging take a back seat. I do enjoy sharing my odd, challenging, convicting, and sometimes extreme views. This is definitely what keeps us from being boring.

I do have a quote that made me think.

I read this week where a pastor said that the meanest people he had ever met were in the church.

Agreed, he has probably been hurt but what do you think?

What do you think?

New Toy for Kids at Church

WOW!!! Finally the church can buy a toy for the nursery/preschoolers that really has some meaning. It is a Lego set that allows you to "create" Jesus.

What will they think of next? Twister for your Senior Adult ministry?

Maybe this will grow the children's ministry. AMAZING!!

**Though the product is legitimate, my comments are totally sarcastic.**

Sobering

I know this video is making its rounds on the web. It aggravates me when everyone insists on sharing the same video as others on their blog or site but I had to join that group.

As a pastor, this video made me think, really think. Think about what I am sharing at all times. Think about standing before God and answering to Him about what I've preached, or not preached. I hope you enjoy it.

Quote of the Day

"I will stay in jail to the end of my days before I make a butchery of my conscience."
-John Bunyan

Under Pressure

"It may take a crucified church to bring a crucified Christ before the eyes of the world."
- W.E. Orchard

I came across this quote today and it made me really think. The church in America today does not understand nor comprehend what persecution is. I do think that the church would benefit from some persecution. What do you think?

Mothers Who Don't Care

That they may teach the young women to be vigilant, to love their husbands, to love their children. Titus 2.4

Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also praises her. Many daughters have done virtuously, but you excel them all. ...She will be rewarded with the fruit of her own hands; and because of her works and deed she will be praised in public places. Proverbs 31.28-29, 31

I am sure this post will aggravate some but as my mother says, "tough."

I have noticed a growing trend over the past 20 years. I have also noticed the intensity of this trend picking up at a rapid pace over the last 10 years. The trend I am speaking of is of the slackness of many mothers.

Now I know that every generation of every civilization has had their problems with women who had children but did not want to be a mother. I also know there are psycho moms, just like psycho dads, who wish to harm their children. These are not the people that I am talking about.

I am talking about moms who, have children, but act like they don't want their children. You know the type. The ones who love dropping their child off at the "Mother's Morning Out" so they can "catch their breath." Or the moms who live to take their child to ball practice, or some event so that others can "watch" them. The moms who constantly want to "farm" out their child on some family member or friend. The moms who always want another child to come over to entertain their child.

I see this quite a lot. I see this in church nurseries of mothers who don't want to make their children mind so they dump their child off so that they can "hear the message." I saw this while playing and coaching league ball. I remember one year while having VBS a parent dropped their child off and stated how they needed some time to shop and do other stuff. This is a common mentality today.

I have seen this over and over even while playing and coaching league ball.

Some may say that we all need time to "unwind" but this is oftentimes not the case. It appears that what is meant is that mothers need time off from mothering, caring, and nurturing their child.

This is also a case for public school. I have heard many times christian mothers would like to homeschool their child but they don't know if they could "handle spending that much time with their child." So, it appears that school then becomes a babysitter for their child too.

Are children that awful that mothers need a break? Are they that bothersome that we need someone else to help raise them?

The Institute of Indoctrination

Here is an excellent video that is worthy of your viewing. But before you do, please pay attention to the content as this subject is a highly charged issue that demands an opinion.

I am looking forward to some lively discussion.

Funny Picture

Someone sent this to me.

When is a baby a baby?

By noticing my last post it appears that the issue of abortion is still a hot topic even within the community that call themselves Christians. It seems, according to one commenter in the last post, that most of us in America are in the vast minority (compared to the rest of the world) when believing that a child's life begins at conception. According to the commenter, the rest of the world thinks that life begins at birth and not conception.

So, I guesss that woman that others call pregnant is just 9 months fat. Is that a blob of goo in her belly? Why is IT getting bigger by the month? And better than that, why does it move?

I still say and always will say that life begins at conception.

Luke 1

39 Now Mary arose in those days and went into the hill country with haste, to a city of Judah, 40 and entered the house of Zacharias and greeted Elizabeth. 41 And it happened, when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, that the babe leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. 42 Then she spoke out with a loud voice and said, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! 43 But why is this granted to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44 For indeed, as soon as the voice of your greeting sounded in my ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy. 45 Blessed is she who believed, for there will be a fulfillment of those things which were told her from the Lord.”

Confused

By looking at the results from Tuesday's election I want to pose a question that has dogged me for a long time.

It is obvious that Christians can disagree with many things within the church. I believe there are folks that believe in tongues, infant baptism, and other various issues that I don't agree with but are saved. I am not the final arbiter, God is. But there are issues that are not up for debate. Those issue include, but are not limited to, faith alone, Christ alone, in scripture alone. Most Christians would probably agree.

I also agree that outside the church, as it relates to politics, the same maxim still applies.

We, as Christians, can disagree over the issue of taxes, war, spending, healthcare and other issues. From a scriptural point of view I cannot see where Christians can politically support a candidate who supports abortion, homosexual rights/marriage, and the disdain toward Israel.

How can a Christian support someone who does support things that are contrary to scripture?

I welcome your response. Please try to stay on topic.

The Chicken Dinner Church

Let me explain.

I have not found a person yet who, liking chicken, does not have preferences about chicken. Some like white meat and others prefer dark. Some like the Crispy and others like the Original. And then there are the grilled people and the fried people. To us in the South it is usually an easy choice since chicken seems to be guest of honor at most venues.

With the previously mentioned choices in thought; think about church.

We go to church with the idea that we can treat it like a chicken dinner. "I'll take a couple contemporary songs and only 1 hymn please." "I'll take a sermon that makes me laugh and makes me feel good. No mention of sin please." "I'll take something fun for my kids to do on the side please." "I would like a tear-jerking sermon that stirs my emotions but leave off the judgment stuff." "Can I have an extra helping of activities for my family?"

And so if your church cannot please your palate (life) with your desires you find another chicken dinner to go to that does cater to your "preferences."

I think this highlights my point exactly.

Fake

Recently we had someone speak in our church who was sharing about a certain ministry. 

**As a pastor, I know when we speak or preach our tone or inflection may change. And sometimes even our mannerisms might change somewhat. ** Back to the post...

The man who shared is a pastor himself and was running very late. He was so late that I was rifling through texts in my mind that I could share in his apparent absence. The service started and we were almost done with the songs and offering and in he walked. (I must say at this moment there did not appear to be any humilty, remorse, or embarrassment as he sat down rather smugly.)

I then started rifling (for the 2nd time) of how to introduce this man, if it was indeed our speaker. I then thought that it could be a visitor. What would happen if I introduced him and this person says "I am just visiting"? I knew that I had to decide quickly because the time had come to make an introduction. I started to introduce him and the man says "That's not me................Just Kidding!"

Where some thought it was funny (and showed their approval by their laughter), I grimmaced from embarrassment and his lack of respect. I knew, if not for any other reason, he did that to get the attention off his extreme tardiness. It worked.

The reason for this post is focused on the word fake. As I sat and listened to our speaker share and manipulate the crowd, I grew weary. I watched as he "worked" the crowd and stroked their emotions. All the while, I seethed. I seethed for two reasons:

1. That he would arrogantly come to our church extremely late, make a wise crack to divert attention away from his tardiness, and manipulate our flock; and

2. That many in our church would so naively be swooned or be impressed by his manipulation. 

After the service, he wanted to spend some time talking with me. And I appreciate our conversation. However, the word fake comes to mind because the man/pastor that I spoke with after the service was not the same man who spoke during the service. Why is that? 

Are we as speakers/pastors/preachers a lot different in the pulpit than we are out of the pulpit? If so, could that not be considered as fake?

My goal has always been that I would not act one way in the pulpit while acting another outside the pulpit. Is this unrealistic?

How Do You Discipline Your Children?

Proverbs 19.18- Discipline your son, for in that there is hope; do not be a willing party to his death.

I hear so much about how we should not spank our children these days. Many seem to be doing the "time out" thing as an alternative. Is it working? Or is it just making things worse? What about restriction? What is your choice of discipline when the offense demands some sort of action?

What I have noticed is the ones who oppose spanking were most likely from a generation that were spanked themselves. Odd!

Our Home

"For here we have no continuing city, but we seek the one to come." -Hebrews 13.14

This verse has been richocheting in my mind for over a week now. Think about it. All our energy, money, thoughts, dreams, and desires are focused on a place where our borrowed bed resides. It shouldn't.

THE NARROW GATE

A blog that I respect that will lay it on the line is I'm Speaking Truth
In this post he poses a great question...“Is Eckhart Tolle A Christian?”

Mr. Tolle is one of the latest buffoons that is on Oprah's crazy train. He is a New Age teacher that is widely popular and has a large following.

But the question of "Is Eckhart Tolle a Christian?" intrigues me. I suppose the answer could be as simple as:
If Oprah is a Christian then Eckhart Tolle is a Christian.

I think the real issue is what is your definition of a Christian? If it is being good and religious then I suppose both of the above mentioned are Christians.
But if the definition is a person who admits they are sinful and in desperate need of Christ and Him alone then I suppose they are not.

The real question is What is a Christian? If we just give opinion as to what feels good then maybe everyone is a Christian. If we just stick to the Bible as the SOLE authority (sorry to all of my anti-sola scriptura readers) then I think we might find that fewer than we think are probably saved.

Turning Your Heart Toward God- Thigpen and Kline

I have never read a book that I liked so much all the while gritting my teeth but it has now happened. Let me explain.

It is a non-fiction work written in a study guide format. One of the authors is editor of the bi-monthly "The Catholic Answer" which presents problems in the theological field.

The book touts itself as "a 12-week exploration of the spiritual disciplines." Let me say that it definitely delivers from that perspective. It covers topics like simplicity, forgiveness, reticence, obedience and several others that are often overlooked. These topics A few times it sort-of comes across as New-Age(y) but I don't think that is the intention.

What you will notice is the constant mention of Desert Fathers, Desert Wisdom, or Desert Elders. The "Desert" jargon was a term given to Ascetics and Monks who lived in the 4th and 5th century who were heavily influenced by the Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox churches.

My problem is there seems to be more of a reverence for the "Desert Wisom" than for the Word of God. There are many scriptures throughout the book but it seems to be in the shadows of the Desert Wisdom.

It reads very easy and the disciplines themselves are good to focus on. I would recommend this book for a discerning mature Christian who can differentiate between "thus says the Lord" and what Agatho said.

Between Two Worlds- Mike Timmis

This book is basically an autobiography of a man who struggled with his Catholic upbringing not “enjoying” the Christian life. His struggles led him to a very empty life and to become a workaholic.

At the prompting of a friend who recognized the deficiency in his faith the author agreed to attend a men’s Bible study held in his hometown of Detroit. He said "I will go once just to get my friend off my back." He went and based on the openness of the men there he committed his life to Christ wanting what these men had.

His life changed dramatically from this time on and he went on to become a committed evangelical leader of many para-church organizations including Prison Fellowship International.

He refused to leave the Catholic church believing rather that he should stay and seek to change the church by his witness. Based on his testimony, he feels he has made significant inroads to that end.

Overall an interesting book to read, easy to read, particularly his time spent witnessing to several world leaders.

This made me think of Martin Luther in a very small way in reference to his desire to see the church reformed.

Free To Be Bound- Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove

This is a non fiction work written in a report form largely describing the author’s experiences growing up in the deep south and the racism that he saw in the churches and his desire and goal for reconciliation between the white and black church.

I do not believe this book represents a thorough analysis of the subject matter since it is written from his viewpoint only with no room for any contradictory or differing opinions.

It is quite clear that the author believes very much in his subject matter but again leaves little or no room for any differing thoughts on the matter. He is into the Black Jesus theology (even though he is white and attends a predominantly black church) that I understand is prevalent in many black churches today. He clearly believes that the black church and their worship style and teaching/preaching is something that the white church should adopt. He accuses the white church of not fully engaging the power of Jesus in its ministry meaning that it recognizes His power only as power to save us from sin but not to deal with all the problems of life.

Overall, the book is easy to read but is slanted to one thought process only and assumes that the black church is superior in every way to the white church. He is committed to this viewpoint and has made it a huge part of his life living in a slum area and worshiping at a black church in Durham NC.

e-Nuts

Look at this link and tell me what you think.
What does this say to the world? What does he really hope to gain from this besides money? To me, it's just another sad state of "Carnival Christianity."