Gay is No Longer Happy

I am sick to the point that I almost can't "stands no more" on this issue of the acceptance of homosexuality being force fed to the church. All the while the church remains silent for fear of retaliation from the GLBT (gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender) community. Also many in the church are opposed to the church speaking out about homosexuality because they have friends or family that are involved in this "alternative lifestyle."

To add fuel to this out of control fire we have this article of a large metro Atlanta Word-Faith church that is "considering their options in reference to having a gay group (SoulForce) to come in and lead workshops on human sexuality. What in the world is that church thinking?

The church cannot remain silent on this sin or any other sin for that matter. Who cares if people get upset or protest? Our concern should be what God thinks about it. I am equally concerned about the churches that choose to remain silent. Their silence puts them in the same league with those churches embracing it.

News Flash

So I ask a lady where my son works how her family is doing. She tells me that her daughter and her husband are getting a divorce. I hit the {pause} button in my conversation and think about her 19 year old daughter with a child getting a divorce and shake my head. {Play} I then ask her how her son is doing. She says that he is fine and that he is now working for a local construction crew. I ask her how his wife is and she tells me he is not married. {Pause again} I zone off and think to myself how I know she told me one time how he was married. {Play} I mentioned to her that I remember her telling me how he was married. She said that he has two little children but has not been married. Hmm

I suppose that I am still old fashioned (I am in my early 40's) and think that children = marriage. Silly me.

Quote of the Moment

Whatever “call” a man may pretend to have, if he has not been called to holiness, he certainly has not been called to the ministry.
~Charles Spurgeon

Ephesians 6.4

I have noticed for quite some time how parents seem to be having a harder time with their children than they used to. I realize that children since Adam and Eve's little ones have acted up and I know it will not stop. The problem now seems to be one that is different though. Let me explain.

I'm not sure when it started but for some reason parents have stopped being parents. They seem to be more interested in being their child's buddy or friend rather than his/her leader, protector and role model. The parents appear to be more interested in "hanging out" with their children than disciplining, correcting and teaching their children. If you think about it it makes sense though. It is much easier to be a buddy, pal, or friend than a disciplinarian, leader, or role model. The latter is not fun and makes the children mad. They don't want to be corrected, disciplined, or taught. They just want someone to give them what they want, when they want it, and how they want it. I know. I was a child once myself.

The problem with the above scenario is that the little ones that have been intrusted to us do not have the maturity, knowledge or history of mistake-making that we adults have. It is our duty and responsibility to teach them and that may involve hurting their feelings which may in turn prevent a larger hurt from happening down the road. It will make them mad when we disagree and correct them. Our job is not to be their friend, that will come when they are older. Our job is to lovingly correct, discipline, lead, and teach them to make good choices and pray that they will use that knowledge when they are older.

This Could Be a Wild One

I titled this article "This Could Be a Wild One" because this post could be one with many different comments and views. Here goes...

I was recently saddened by this article. I think the content and purpose of what the article is about will come across at first glance as good and productive. But when you really read it the article seems to shed some light on where the church as a whole within the SBC (Southern Baptist Convention) is headed.

I actually think there is a quote in the article from the pastor that really sheds some light on the subject.
"He did describe it as “the most unusual day we have ever had in the life of this church.”"

To me, if I were a member I would pay attention to the changes that start happening in the church. The "Interpretative Movement" and "Dance" that already takes place would be enough for me take great notice anyway.

Another issue that really bothers me is where do these ideas come from.

"Lee said he received the idea for the series after reading “Confessions of a Pastor: Adventures in Dropping the Pose and Getting Real with God” by Craig Groeschel."

Groeschel, who launched Life Church in Edmond, Okla., in 1996, started out doing market research with non-churchgoers in the area and has a church that is gigantic and to me, very emergent friendly. On a side note...I have always paid close attention to the people someone listens to and the books that they read. The people who influence us have a huge impact on our thinking and practice.

I think my big concern with the sermon is:

1. I think Pastor Lee was showboating to get a lot of press and attention

2. Though he says he is not, Lee appears to be apologizing for Christian's view that homosexuality, shacking up, abortion is a sin.

3. "Lee quoted from “Unchristian,” a book recently released by the Barna Research Group, which reported that in a scientific poll 18-28 year-olds perceived the Church as “judgmental, homophobic, and irrelevant.”

Well, if Barna says something we had better jump to fix it. Calling sin sin offends people and gets us labeled as "judgmental, homophobic, and irrelevant."

"“Folks, they are not leaving the Church, they have already left. What are we doing to bring them back?” he asked the crowded sanctuary in each of the three morning services."

As I have said many times before, it is not our job to populate the church with lost people. The church are the called out ones, the saved.

“For me, I cannot stand in front of God and tell Him that I did nothing to reverse that perception. It’s important to know that the 18-28 year-olds are not against Christ; in fact, they tell pollsters that they have fond feelings for Him and believe in God. But the bottom line is that the Church is still perceived as judgmental, homophobic, and irrelevant” rather than for our love for them. "

Fond feelings and and $1.50 will buy you a cup of coffee at the Waffle House. Fond feelings have NEVER granted forgiveness to anyone from the Holy Throne of God.

I am not saying that I am opposed to all of the sermon. I think it has some points but mainly is full of trite comments.

What do you think?

Quote of the Moment

"Temptation usually comes in through a door that has deliberately been left open."
--Arnold Glasow

LUNACY AND SADNESS

It makes me mad and sad to see this every year. But the Catholic Church continues its idolatry and ritualism that breeds this ignorance.

Maybe this article will enlighten some to the mystical union the RCC promotes. Just go to Israel during the week leading up to Easter and walk the supposed route that Jesus took and pray and you will be moved. You will be closer to God than you've ever been.

What happened to loving God, living holy, and pointing others to Him? I guess I'm old fashioned.

Ron Paul

I have had problems with Ron Paul for some time. For the sake of some of our internet friends, I will share some of these concerns.

1. If he is going to run he needs to run as a Libertarian and not a closet Republican. If some were willing to vote for him in the Republican primaries then why not accept who the nominee is once it has been determined. He disagrees with over half the Republican platform and still wants to use that platform to move up to the White House? Keep in mind that he ran as a Libertarian in 1998. What changed?

2. He wants to end all income tax http://www.house.gov/paul/congrec/congrec2003/cr013003c.htm What is going to replace it to bring in money to support national defense, local and federal government, and our civil servants?

3. Mr. Paul’s views on homosexuality do not line up with orthodox Christianity.http://www.americablog.com/2007/08/ron-paul-on-homosexuality-sin-and-dont.html It appears that he supports the "Don’t ask don’t tell policy."

4.Why would Mr. Paul want to revise the repeal of the 17th amendment which would stop voters from choosing U.S. senators and allow members of the state legislature to choose them? Talk about keeping big government.

5. Mr. Paul wants to go back to using gold and silver as legal tender and abolishing the federal reserve. This would rock the U.S. economy.

6. He wants to eliminate the IRS but is in favor of Social Security. He still has not stated where tax revenue would come from.

7. He supports removing all troops from all foreign locations. He does not believe we should “police” other countries. Should we not stand up for other countries against wicked ones? Israel did. Should we defend Israel?

8. Someone sent this to me recently http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MEVMRESs6Qw

9. There seems to be a plethora of racists/anti-Semitic remarks that follow Mr. Paul.

I think Mr. Paul strikes many as an extremist and an isolationist. He has plenty of hot air toward the current administration but has no real solutions.

Lastly, I don't remember hearing Mr. Paul condemn this adminstration or our military for its aggressive posture right after 9/11. And for him to insinuate that there is/was a cover-up with the 9/11 attack is treasonous

WHO CARES?

After reading this story I had to shake my head and say "who cares what you think?"

You are probably wondering why I feel this why. It's simple. The Roman Catholic Church's history makes this story and Ratzinger's "plea" a total joke.

"Pope Benedict XVI denounced the 5-year-old Iraqi war and issued one of his strongest appeals for peace in the country Sunday"

Isn't this precious? Since we are in the "Holy Week" the "head" of the RCC decides to get all peaceful on us.

A few words come to mind when I think about this...Inquisition, The Index, and the Jesuits. Need I say more?

In the 1200's Pope "Innocent" issued a papal bull called Ad Exstirpanda which authorized the use of torture by inquisitors against non-Catholics that the RCC deemed dangerous which included anyone who questioned the RCC.

These torturous acts were only supposed to happen once. So, if the RCC wanted to torture again, they just said that it was a continuation of the first.

The church was not permitted to kill (like burning at the stake) so they forced the state to do so with a threat of excommunication if they refused.

The "Index" of prohibited books (Index Librorum Prohibitorum) was a list of books that the RCC deemed dangerous.

Where are the watchers of the watchdoggies to talk about this one? I say chasing their tails.

So, who cares what the head of the RCC has to say? He and his church lost all credibility when they prostituted the gospel for power and money about 1200-1400 years ago.

Quote of the Moment

"A baptism of holiness, a demonstration of godly living is the crying need of our day."
--Duncan Campbell

What is Man's Greated Need?

What is man's greatest need? When I say man I mean all of humanity. What is it that he needs most? Some say it is hope. Others say it is love, food or purpose. What do you think?

A Total Waste of Time

After reading this story about "The Relevant Church" it is no wonder why the church has no integrity or respect in the community.

Is this what church is all about? I would encourage Christians that may happen to belong to this church to stop going, to look for another church, and to go to the pastor, elders or leaders of this church and share your concern about this foolishness.

Lastly, when I noticed this last part of the original article along with the name of the church, it all makes sense now.

"Wirth is a former Baptist. He founded his non-denominational ministry three years ago. And he markets his church by tackling unusual or controversial topics."

Why not try something new like preaching the gospel?

UPDATE
I want to make myself clear. I understand that sex needs to be addressed. I understand that it will come from the pulpit. This does not condone churches that use the pulpit to issue worldly challenges. This is another ploy of the Emergent Church to avoid preaching the gospel. I suppose the phrase "Sex Sells" can be used within the church also.

Your Opinion Please

An owner of a blog that I frequently visit recently emailed me and asked about something that I think really needs to be addressed. Here is what she said (with her permission.) My comments will be under the asterisks.

Is it biblical for "ministries" to sell tapes/CDs of messages that they could probably give freely over the Internet? I understand that for a long time, messages could only be mass-produced through hard copies. Now, however, we have a way to upload things so that they can get to more people with little to no cost. Of course, there is always a need for hard copies for people who do not have Internet access frequently, but is it unreasonable to ask that the gospel and other messages that are helpful for Christian living be given freely?

I think of how Jesus told the disciples, "freely you have received, freely give" (Matthew 10:8). Is this just for the gospel or is it also for message of the whole counsel of God? I know that some people will have the argument that there are costs to reproduce messages and there are costs for packaging, etc. But are we not to live by faith? If we cannot get something to someone because of cost, then should we not ask the Lord for the means to do so? Do we believe that the Lord is able to tell His people to give where there is need and when there is need? Can we (or should we) get into the mindset that if it cannot be given freely (if God has not provided the means to give freely) then it should not be given?

***************************************************
I think the issue is a bigger one than you have brought up. I think the issue centers on the ministry instead of the message. Let's face it; ministries do not pay the power bill with our purchasing of their messages. The bills are paid with donations and support from other sources. I think most of the time the messages that are for sale only cover the cost if we purchased hard copies. I do think that a small charge to cover server costs would suffice if we were to download the material.

People want to have a small kingdom here so they work, work, and work to have a miniature heaven here. We work to have a larger ministry instead of our ministries reaching more people. I am not opposed to ministries prospering and growing but a lot of this is business and not ministry.

Also, if these are messages from God should they be copyrighted?

I am not opposed to ministries charging for things. But ministries that charge for sermons or tell you its free when in reality they have a "suggested donation" is not right.

What do you think?

COMMITMENT...WHAT IS THAT?

What is commitment? The generations that are alive today, I believe, are one generation away from seeing the age of commitment die.

Let me explain. I was born in the 60's. The only commitment that I have really seen is in my grandparents generation. My parent's generation, who were born in the 40's, have periodically forgotten what commitment really is. I know there are always exceptions, but, as a whole, the death of commitment is upon us. I am not a doomsday prophet just a realist.

Longetivity in a job is foreign; in a marriage, it is rare; in the church, it is unheard of. This lack of commitment is destroying the family which destroys the church. This then branches out and destroys the workplace.

We look for reasons to leave our jobs, spouse and church. In the church, we don't care about scriptural truth anymore. When this happens, false beliefs run rampant and destroys our homes and churches.

Where is this leading us?

Neither Can Save Us

Make not mistake about it, I am very conservative. But, every Christian has to acknowledge that neither Democrat nor Republican can save this country of ours.

Many years ago we had Christians who really loved the Lord and lost people while not loving the Lord they respected those who did.
Now, we have many claiming to be Christian who show no love for the Lord or His ways. The rank and file lost person cares nothing for the Lord (nothing new) and also hates those that do love the Lord.

Sin is excused, loved and embraced by the church and the lost sit back and feel confirmed in their rejection of the savior.

The political system is not going to save this country from impending doom. It has to start with the church. The church has to quit committing spiritual adultery and join itself back to her real love, the Lord Jesus Christ.

Holiness and virtue need to be descriptions of His body, the church. I'm afraid adultery and compromise are its descriptions now. Is it any wonder why the Lord feels so far away now? He has not left us we have walked away from Him. We have no discernment, no power, no convictions, and no integrity. How do I know? I am one of the church.

Republican or democrat is not what we need. We need a hunger for righteousness.

SCHOOLING OUR CHILDREN- PART 2

I want to continue my rant on schooling our children but first; a side rant.

Recently, I came across a lady in our community who took her child out of public school because he has been in trouble lately and was recently suspended from elementary school. She is not a Christian and feels the best thing is for her to do is to homeschool him. BIG MISTAKE. I have never seen these types of situations have a happy ending. What happens when he acts up at home and she gets totally exasperated? He will start begging to go back to public school and promises her he will be a picture of perfection if she gives in.

Now, the continuation...

"We want our Christian children to go to public school to be a witness." STOP, STOP, STOP!! This is a farce. Who is going to be a Christ-like example to your children at school? Remember the math.

Lastly, who has more influence on our children? Our children are at public schools for 7-10 hours a day. We see them maybe an hour before school and a few hours after school. Do the math.

Have you visited a child in public school lately? In our county the doors are locked like a fortress. The homosexual friendly or politically correct speakers/teachers (in some cases) are on the inside and the parents/visitors have to ask permission on a speaker to gain entrance into the building. I know why they say they have the locks; to keep out the bad guys. Then I hear of schools not allowing a parent to come and see/pick up their child because the other parent calls and tells the faculty that they have just had an argument with their spouse and they are concerned for the health of the child. Who is the government school to become the domestic police???

I could keep going but I have two observations and two questions.

Observation #1...

I think most Christians are scared to pray about homeschooling because they are afraid of what God might say because they already have an idea as to how He feels about it.

Observation #2...

I think that public schools have become the 20th and 21st century babysitter for our kids. "We need someone to watch my kids till 6pm Monday-Friday so I can have some time for myself." This is wicked and selfish.

Question #1...

How long do you think it will take you to "un-teach" or reverse the damage done to your child from the anti-God teaching?

Question #2...

Why is it that when a woman teaches in a public school she is applauded for doing a good service but if that same woman homeschools her own children in her home she is ridiculed?

A CHALLENGE

My wife came across and sent me this link to which I was very thankful for. I think to have a new found awareness of the Puritans and their love for God is a good thing. I urge you to go to this site and accept the challenge that has been put forth.

SCHOOLING OUR CHILDREN

I have never let my schooling interfere with my education. --Mark Twain

What is right? For me, I would never consider having the government indoctrinate teach my children.
No, I am not one of these who think that there is a conspiracy behind everything the government does. I just don't think it is right for them (using my tax dollars) to teach my children that their ancestors used to walk on all fours or that homosexuality is fine.

For me and my family homeschooling is the only choice. We homeschool not only because of the obvious reasons but out of strong conviction that this is what is right. By doing this we can monitor what our children are taught in their formative years. Those "formative" years are going to be what molds their minds and values. How do I justify a pagan (not in all cases) teaching my children the above mentioned garbage? How do I justify a teacher/principal sending a note home to me telling me that my child is hyper?
Or should I be upset that school nurses are sending home notes telling parents to have their child test for ADD or ADHD? Should I be concerned that an explosive amount of parents have their children on Ritalin at the advice/request of these governmental institutions called schools?
I thought little ones are supposed to have energy.

On a side note...what is Ritalin doing to our children? Here is an interesting article about the favored dope for children.
The military still will not give a clear answer to whether they will or will not accept people into the military who have a history of taking Ritalin.
"But my child needs it. He could not cope with school if it were not for his medicine." What a total rubbish!! What did our parents and grandparents do about it when they were young? Discipline and love.

What about Christian or private schools? Christian schools (and many private schools) have become reform schools or holding tanks for those that the public school cannot handle and have expelled.

Who better to handle, teach, and love our children but us. It is not right to DUMP our children out so that someone else can do what we are supposed to do. It is not right to be mad when the teachers have a work day and the kids are out because you don't have a babysitter so you have to stay home with them.

Lastly, who has more influence on our children? Our children are at public schools for 7-10 hours a day. We see them maybe an hour before school and a few hours after school. Do the math.

"School is the advertising agency which makes you believe that you need the society as it is." -Ivan Illich in Deschooling Society

I will continue this topic in a few days.

To Santa or Not To Santa

In our home we do not acknowledge Santa. On a practical level I have a hard time giving credit to a fat guy in a red suit who really does not exists. I also have a hard time lying, yes lying, to our children about a fictional character on a yearly basis.

I know some of you think that I am hindering the children's joy of Christmas, killing their precious little imaginations and overall just taking the fun out of the holidays. I disagree. I think that Santa, just like the "Easter Bunny," really takes the focus off of the original intent (Christ's birth or Christ's resurrection) and shifts it to something that is not real. I did not say that Santa is really Satan spelled differently or that the Bunny is wicked. I just think that we need to shoot straight with our children in a day where diversions are the order of the day.

What do you think? Do you home acknowledge these characters in your home and if so, why?

YET ANOTHER "OUCH"ER

"I grant freely that it costs little to be a mere outward Christian. A man has only got to attend a place of worship twice on sunday, and to be tolerably moral during the week, and he has gone as far as thousands around him ever go in religion. All this is cheap and easy work: it entails no self-denial or self-sacrifice. If this is saving Christianity, and will take us to heaven when we die, we must alter the description of the way of life, and write, “Wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to heaven!"
-J. C. Ryle