Theology Shock

Filling the Gospel Gaps

2010-09-14T07:44:00.000-07:00

Our Wednesday Night Bible study have been on Unity in the church, I found the section on Encouragement both convicting and helpful. Here is the section on "Gospel Gaps". Enjoy!

In Colossians 2:8. “See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ.” To use this terminology, we are all philosophers. We all, all the time, are creating philosophies of meaning in our lives. What matters? Why do things happen? What’s worth living for? And though we usually know what the right answers are to those questions, we are easily deceived and easily taken captive through philosophies that are human and worldly rather than infused with the gospel.

I am also thinking in context of 1 Cor. 3:18 which says, "Do not deceive yourselves. If any one of you thinks he is wise by the standards of this age, he should become a "fool" so that he may become wise." It is almost impossible to get someone to see that they are self deceived. So often, we foolishly believe that we are immune to the message that this world is blaring at us day after day—through the words of our friends, the incentive plans at our jobs, the behavior of our neighbors, not to mention the prevailing assumptions of media. But the world’s ideas of meaning and purpose so often gain a foothold in the desires of our hearts. Our guiding philosophy should rest on the truth of the gospel—but even as Christians, our lives are often inconsistent with its truth. In their book “How People Change,” Timothy Lane and Paul Tripp call this the “gospel gap.” And they observe that such gaps don’t stay empty. We—and the others in our church—are often operating with a mix of gospel truth and philosophies that, though they sound biblical, have at their core the values of this world. In their book, Lane and Tripp lay out seven of these substitute philosophies. I’m going to walk through them—and as I do, I want you to think of where you might recognize these as being true of your own heart—or that of others you know in this church. Being able to recognize the gospel counterfeits is incredibly important.

1. The first is “Formalism.” I participate in regular meetings and ministries of the church—and so I feel that my life is under control. I may always be in church, but it has little impact on my heart and on how I live my life. And I may become judgmental and impatient with those who do not give it the same commitment as I do.
2. The second is Formalism’s close cousin “Legalism.” I live by rules—rules I create for myself, rules I create for others. I feel OK if I can keep my own rules. And I become arrogant and full of contempt when others can’t meet the standards I set for them. There is no joy in my life because there is no grace to be celebrated.
3. Next is "mysticism"—the incessant pursuit of an emotional experience with God. I live for the moments when I feel close to him. And I often struggle with discouragement when I don’t feel that way. I may also shift churches often, looking for one which will give me what I’m looking for.
4. Activism is the worldly philosophy that might be particularly dangerous in this town. I recognize the missional nature of Christianity and am passionately involved in fixing this broken world. But at the end of the day, my life is more of a defense of what’s right than a joyful pursuit of Christ.
5. Then there is Biblicism—reducing the gospel to a mastery of biblical content and theology. I know my bible inside and out, but I do not let it master me. And so I am intolerant and critical of those with lesser knowledge.
6. Sixth is the Therapeutic gospel. I talk a lot about the “hurting” people in our congregation. And how Christ is the only answer for that hurt—for real help and healing. Yet without realizing it, I have made Christ more therapist than Savior. I view the sin of others against me as a greater problem than my own sin—and I shift my greatest need from my moral failure to my unmet needs. Again, another gospel all together.
7. Finally, what you might call “social-ism.” The deep fellowship and friendships I find at church can become their own idol—the body of Christ replacing Christ himself. And the gospel is reduced to a network of fulfilling Christian relationships.

Seven anti-gospel philosophies to which we as Christians are particularly prone. Incidentally, remember what I said earlier about not just working for happiness and fulfillment? These seven are one reason why that is so dangerous, because they are all roads to fulfillment—at least for a time. I think that because fulfillment in this fallen world is so difficult, we often think that it must be synonymous with the gospel. But it is not. I know many non-Christians who I honestly think are leading wonderfully fulfilling lives. Yet that means that they merely travel the road to destruction with less emotional burden than the rest.

The Freedom of God

2010-07-08T14:50:00.000-07:00

“Our God is in the heavens; he does all that he pleases.” – Psalms 115:3
Happy 4th of July everyone! I thought it fitting to stop and pounder on the freedom of God this month since we celebrate our freedom as a nation this month. When we stop and pounder the freedom of God, we see that He is the only truly free in the universe, because He cannot be hindered from doing His will. He is not constrained nor contained by anything outside of himself; his is completely free to do whatever he wants to do. God is not under any authority or restraint there is no person or force that can ever dictate what he should or will do. And while we can imitate God in his freedom when we exercise our will and make decisions, all those decisions are ultimately subject to God’s will. Proverbs 16:9 makes this biblical concept clear, “The heart of man plans his way, but the LORD establishes his steps.” Even nations leaders are subject to God’s will, Proverbs 21:1 says, “the king’s heart is a stream of water in the hand of the LORD; he turns it wherever he will.” So let’s celebrate not only the freedom we have as US citizens, but let’s pounder the freedom of God. The only one truly free!

God is Love.

2010-01-21T13:42:00.000-08:00

“…God is love.”
-1 John 4:8
As Valentines’ day quickly approaches, love is in the air. How are we to think about love? As 1 John 4:8 makes it very clear, love is not just one of his attributes it is his very nature. Many people like this attribute of God the best, and speak of it often. The tragedy is that many of those who speak of God’s love have no clue what they are talking about. I have often heard it taught that God loves in a special way, and there was a word invented to talk about this type of love: agape love. This is not the case agape is the transliteration of the Greek work for love. Agape simply means love. It is not from the word itself that we can gather any special information, but from the context of the Word of God. I would like to draw out three very important aspects of this attribute of God.
First, God’s love is uninfluenced. By this I mean that there is nothing in the objects of his love to call it into exercise, nothing in the creature to attract or prompt it. We love on another because of different reasons, we are attracted to one another physically, a person we love is like us, etc… In each case there is something that prompts us to love someone else. We see in Deut. 7:7-8, one sees that God chose to love Israel in spite of who they are, the fewest in number.
Second, God’s love is sovereign. That is since God himself is sovereign (meaning under obligations to none, a law unto himself, acting always according to his own pleasure.) God is God and He does as He pleases. Since God is sovereign and since he is love, it follows that his love is sovereign. So God loves whom he pleases. We see this in passages like Romans 9:13 where is says “Jacob have I love, but Esau Have I hated”. There is no more reason to love Jacob over Esau. Both were born at the same time to the same parents and it was written before either had done anything good or bad.
And finally, God’s love is holy. The fact that “God is light” (1 John 1:5) is mentioned before “God is love” (1 John 4:8) in 1 John. God’s love is not regulated by impulse, passion, or sentiment, but by principle. His holiness overshadows all his attributes. God does not wink at sin, even in his own people (Heb. 12:6). If God did wink at sin, Christ died for no reason. God has gone to great lengths to manifest or show his love for us.
Let’s not forget that God’s love is also eternal (Jeremiah 31:3), infinite (Eph. 2:4), immutable (James 1:17), and gracious (John 3:16 & 34). I recommend The Difficult Doctrine of the Love of God by D.A. Carson for further study on this matter. God bless you all and have a Happy Valentine’s Day.

Romaina

2009-07-28T10:30:00.001-07:00

May people have asked me how the mission trip was. I always say an eye opening experience. We stayed in Cluj, Romania. It is a large city, and as modern as any of our cities. We would get up every morning and drive out to the ROMA villages. You can see a picture of one of the homes above. Many of the houses where four room shacks, often times lacking doors. They told us in the winter time they put up a piece of plywood to keep the cold out. Being in these villages and in this country has shown me a few things. First of all, as Americans we to often mistake material possessions for wealth. There were many of the children who had never seen nor heard of a gameboy or a PSP, but were happy and wealthy in family and friends. Second, we to often mistake self-centeredness for self-fulfillment. We try to excuse our self-centerendness with excuses like "That's just who I am." God is not interested in who you are, he knows who you are. The bible says the heart of men is desperately wicked and who can know it. God knows that you are self-centered. It is time that we stop thinking in terms of what will comfort us and make us feel better, and start striving to be a son or daughter of Jesus Christ. And finally, I think we mistake an invitation to church for an invitation to a relationship with Jesus Christ. This point really builds off the first two. We need church members who don't just invite people to church, but who invite lost people into their homes. We live in a culture of experts. Many times our church family says, If we can just get time into the door to hear the professional, that is the ticket. But that is not the answer. We must all do evangelism!

Don’t Waste Your Family Tragedy!

2009-07-20T09:05:00.000-07:00

1. You will waste your family tragedy if you don’t understand God’s Grace is enough.
The Apostle Paul was given a thorn in the flesh. This thorn kept him humble all the days of his life. In many ways a family tragedy is a very humbling experience, the feeling of shock and disorientation. Then the grief sets in, it feels much like a thorn in the heart. Paul said this,
“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” –I Corinthians 12:9-10
2. You will waste your family tragedy if you don’t love your family through action.
It is one thing to say, “If you need anything, let me know.” But it is quite another to go to the home see the family needs their trash taken out and take it out. When you go to the home of the grieving, they need basic things still: trash taken out, food, paper products, etc… You have an opportunity to love your family by providing the most basic needs of the individual. Another way you can love your family is to listen to them. Listening is an active thing. You have to stay focused and watch when and how you say something. People are often overtired and emotions are running high, so many times it is better to listen than to speak.
3. You will waste your family tragedy if you don’t pray for and with your family.
The power of prayer must not be neglected at such a time. Pray for your family and prayer with your family. Pray with the family with as a whole and pray with individual members. It is one thing to say, “I am praying for you.” It is another to stop and pray with them. I am convinced that too often we say “I’m praying for you” and never give it a second thought. Doesn’t talk about it do it! Pray without ceasing.
4. You will waste your family tragedy if you don’t witness to your family.
Once I was asked if I liked doing funerals or weddings better. When I said I would much rather do a funeral, the person who asked me was shocked. The reason that I said that is because at a funeral, people are faced with their own mortality. They are ready to hear the Word of God. So take the opportunity to walk them down the Romans Road or give them a "Gospel Track” from our Church. Give them your love, concern, prayers, and service. Remember someone is always watching! God is going to bless your effort, His Word will not return void.

Letting Go

2009-04-01T19:41:00.000-07:00

In 1 Kings 19:16-19, we see where Elisha is left by his teacher and friend Elijah. Elisha is letting go of one that he loved so dearly! Letting go is part of everyone's life. We let go of cars, homes, and even friends. We live in a throw away culture where letting go is a change to buy newer, better, shinier things. But this blog isn't about letting go of stuff. It is about letting go of people. It is about letting go of people through death and distance. Only two things in this world will stand the test of time: The Word of God and people. Over the past four years I have become close to friends, whom I dearly love. And the LORD has seen fit to take them home. One in particular was especially precious to me.

As C.S. Lewis rightly points out in his book A Grief Observed, nothing ever repeats itself twice. I know that my friend is better off and with the LORD. It just hurts. But with pain comes growth. I don't know how to expain it, but the death of Poncho changed me. I wanted him to hold my son so much. In a two week time span I held Poncho in my arms for the last time, and I held my son Asher in my hands for the first time. He had told me how much he was looking foward to watching after him. That he would be in the hospital waiting room, the day my wife went into labor. My son will never know Poncho on this side of glory. He will never know how he always took care of so many people. How he took care of our family when he was still in the womb. He will never know what he looked like singing in the choir at First Southern. He will never know how he lead the way in service to other brothers and sisters.

Then it hit me, I have to show him. I can't be Poncho, not by a long shot. But I can show him how to serve other people. I can show him how to make sure things are taken care of properly. I can show him how to love people like Poncho did. I suppose death highlights for all of us the things that truly are important. And it is not a career, not a nice car, not a fancy house: it is love. Love for Christ and love for family. Love for the gospel and love for people. Love for your wife and love for your parents. How do you measure the value of a man or woman's life? You can measure it in love. So I will try to love. Love in a way that I have never before. I resolve to tell people at every opportunity how much the LORD loves them and how much I love them. Why are we so afraid to tell people how much we really care about them? Can you really tell someone you love or appreciate them too much? I have never heard a wife say about her husband, "You know, that husband of mine just says he loves me too much and shows it in too many different ways." I do hear, "I don't hear you say it enough or you say it but you don't back it up." I resolve to love my Savior, my wife, my family, and my church family with more than words, but with service and action. May God be glorified in my loss as he molds me and makes me what he needs me to be: like Christ!

We have a way of talking about letting go of our friends, as believers we call it "trusting in God".

"When peace like a river, attendeth my way,When sorrows like sea billows roll;Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say,It is well, it is well, with my soul."- AMEN

Baby Asher "The First Days"

2009-03-05T11:42:00.000-08:00

Here is a link to all the Baby Asher pictures!

Holidays2008

2008-12-29T08:09:00.000-08:00

IT'S A BOY!

2008-10-08T10:05:00.001-07:00

It's a PROUD BOY! Becki and I are having a little boy.

You are looking at the latest ultra sound which was done yesterday.

His heart beat is good and strong!

And he shall be called "Travis Asher Tyler".

He is due on Feb. 17, 2009.

Thank you all who voted! We look forward to his arrival. We will be having a church wide baby shower on October 26, 2008 at 1:00 PM. It will be in the church fellowship hall.

Becki's tummy sickness is not as bad now. We are working on the nursery. I have now officially lost my home office, but I will gladly give it up for my boy!

She still doesn't feel the baby move yet, but it should be soon now!

Hello World!

2008-09-09T11:49:00.000-07:00

"For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother's womb."
-Pslams 139:13

"Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations."
-Jeremiah 1:5

You are looking at the first pictures of our baby! If you click on the play button, you can hear the baby's heart beat! He or She is due on February 17, 2009. Becki and I went to the doctor today and they took an ultrasound to get a better idea of when the baby is due! We are so excited! From top to bottom you will see: a profile shot, a hand, and a foot. They seem to think Beckis is about 16 weeks along!

We do not know the sex of the baby yet. Vote on what you think here on my blog! You can find the survey at the top right of the blog. The survey ends October 6, 2008 @ 9:00 AM. Please pray for the baby to be healthy. I pray that this child will be a bold proclaimer of the Gospel of our precious LORD and Savior Jesus Christ.

Lord, I praise you for the healthy growth and development this far. May you continue to grow this child for your kingdom and glory! AMEN!

Reflections On Our Pastor

2008-08-05T13:07:00.000-07:00

I would like to start this off by thanking Sam and his wife for their effort and contributions to our church family over the past year and a half. Sam has done a great job of providing a mission statement, pushing for me to become full time, which I am very grateful for, and leading the charge in cleaning up the rolls. Erin has been a huge help in both the college and music ministry of the church, not to mention her happy face has and will bring joy to many.

I pray that Sam is allowed to leave the church well because this is what he desires. A very wise pastor once told me that the true mark of a good pastor is not how he begins his ministry at a Church, but how he leaves a church. He feels that he has been "called" to be the campus pastor of Sarasota Baptist Church in Lakewood Ranch, Florida. While our hearts are heavy that he will be going on to minister in another location, we are reminded that God has not forgotten us. We do not put our hope in any man except the God-Man, Jesus Christ. So we look to the future, with anticipation of what God will do. We will celebrate with our Pastor one last time. And we will praise God for who he is all the time. We praise him for how he never changes, and how he never fails.

Let's Unite in Prayer, In Love, and in the Precious Gospel Message.

"Behold, how good and pleasant it is
when brothers dwell in unity!" (Psalm 133:1)

Check me Out!

2008-06-25T07:34:00.000-07:00

http://www.myheritage.com/collage

MyHeritage: Family tree - Genealogy - Celebrity

Puppies!

2008-06-03T10:01:00.001-07:00

Our dog Reese gave birth to five beautiful puppies on May 7, 2008. Their father is an Irish Sitter/Lab mix and their mom is a boxer mix. There is a white one, Snowball, A tanish one, Carmel, the runt, Oreo, a brown/black colored, bear, and another one that looks like bear. All the ones with black are males and the lighter color ones are girls, so we have two girls and three boys. These puppies will not last long! I have already had several emails on them.

Foster Care

2008-05-18T07:07:00.000-07:00

I found this video moving. This should help people understand why we are passionate about these children.

Will you help? Do you care? Has Christ not called you to help these children?

Happy Mother's Day Mom!

2008-05-08T23:25:00.000-07:00

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Happy Mother's Day Mom. I love you!

Devotion to our God or our Political Party?

2008-05-08T20:24:00.001-07:00

On Tuesday I did my civil duty and voted. I have to say that this year I am not excited about anyone running on either side. I have thought this for several years, but this election confirms what I have thought. The picture above points out the fact that the two party system is not so much a two party system. The fact of the matter is that we don't have a two party system. We have a one party system that is manipulated by the media, special interest groups, and academics.

I think that the media has created a great divide in America. The truth of the matter is there are only two world views in this world. I fear that many of the people of God's kingdom are letting the D or R on their voter card influence their thinking rather than the word of God. It is time that we stop letting a political party decide views for us, and start opening the word of God. How about our first allegiance be to the truth of scripture instead of CNN or fox news. How about talking about issues that really keep the people up at night?

Here are my concerns, which no current candidate running seems to be concerned with: the family as the foundation of society, the growing issues with the foster care system, sanctity of life (all life born and on death row), intelligent design being taught in the public schools, the climbing rate of teen pregnancy, and most important the word of God. How about a plan that focuses on how to rebuild the family instead of tearing it down with redefinitions.

I think that we are getting ready to head into dark days under the leadership of any of the candidates. I just pray that the term passes quickly and the next election has better choices.

A Breach of Faith

2008-04-01T08:34:00.000-07:00

This past week, spring break 2008, our church went to New Orleans on a mission trip with Operation Noah Rebuild. This was the second trip we have taken to New Orleans. New Orleans is an interesting city. I must say that there is much more hope in the city now, than there was back in August of last year; however, there is still much rebuilding to be done. We worked on Ms. Green's house, who painted all her buildings green. We built her a handicap ramp. She was so thrilled. She lived in the lower 9th Ward, where now there is much work to be done.

On the trip we did some witnessing in the french quarter, the task was to witness and give a Bible away on Saturday Night. We had one night of evangelism training to prepare for Saturday. I was able to give to two bibles away, but one in our group found a book titled "A Breach of Faith". She asked what the title means and the store owner said, "We put our faith in the levees and they broke."

Isn't that telling, and isn't that a great bridge to start giving the gospel. Everyone has faith in something, the question is "What do you have faith in?" What is it that comforts you? What is it that you think is most true and right? What is it that effects how your live your life?

When the levees broke back in 2005, the people had a breach of faith. What they had most believed in had proven to be flawed and broken. Like politics, sports, education, a spouse, animals, cars, or whatever you put your faith in.

The only way your faith will hold is if it rests in Jesus Christ! Let Christ be glorified in me!

What happens to believers who commit suicide?

2008-02-11T08:02:00.000-08:00

The pictures above show two examples of two men killling themselves in the Old Testement. The bottom picture is King Saul who fell on his sword after losing a battle to the Philistiaes, and his sword bearer followed his example.(1 Sam. 31:4-5; 1 Chron. 10:4-5). We also see in the top picture Saul unable to tolerate the ridicule and the reality of his failure, in one final act of strength Samson pulled the pillars down on himself and thousands of his captors. (judges 16:25-30)

Charles Stanely says in his book the Glorious Journey that "A closer examinatino of the alarming nubmer of suicides today revels five motivating factors: 1. A cause that a person is committed to ; 2. a pact between two or more people; 3. feelings of meaninglessness; 4. circumstances that overwhelm an individual; and 5. an extended illness involving intractable or unrelenting pain." I think that while the method people choose to end their life may very, their motives are similar. Everyone must have thoughts in their heart before there is action.

So what happens to Beleivers who commit suicide?

The area I currently serve in I have found two answers to this question: one a true beleiver would not commit suicide so they would go to hell; Or suicide is an unforgiveable sin, therefore they would go to hell.

I think in order to answer the question of weather a believer goes to heaven or not can be found in two other quetions: One is one sin greater than another sin? And two, if you die committing any sin, does it effect your eternal distination? Frist of all let's look at what God's word says in the Gospel of John:

27My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. 28I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand. 29My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all[a]; no one can snatch them out of my Father's hand. 30I and the Father are one." -John 10:25-30

So you see from this verse that once you have been placed in God's strong hand, you cannot be removed by anyone. That means NOBODY, including yourself, can remove you from God's secure hand. In order to remove yourself from the hand of God you would need to be stronger than God's hand. The same hand that held this world and molded it a potter molds clay. So the answer to the question about dying in a sin, it makes no difference if you were lusting or killing yourself. It doesn't effect your eternal destination.

In response to the first qeustion of are some sins worse than anyother. The idea that some sins are greater than others is a Roman Catholic teaching. Roman Catholics teach that there are two categories fo sins "venial" and "mortal". The venial sin can be forgiven, but often after punishement sin thsi life or in Purgatory. The mortal sins cannot be forgiven by God, an example of this would be suicide. The serious hole in this theology is that it is up to us to pay the price for our sins. While we do suffer because of sin, we cannot make the payment that is needed to wipe away any sins. So in reality all sins are "mortal", we need a subsitute for us and as 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 states we are only saved by Christ. Christ paid for our sins, so that we could become accetable before God. We see this same theme in Romans 1:8. Where there is no comdemnation in Christ. That means all sins have been forgiven for a believer.

So to answer the question original posed from the title of this blog. YES, true beleivers go to heaven no matter how they may die.

Confessions of a Rook Player

2008-01-05T18:09:00.000-08:00

Well as you may or may not know, I love the card game rook. It is a game my family has played every holiday I can remember. As a matter of fact I own a set of 100th Anniversary Playing Cards. The problem however is that I am having a hard time finding people who at least know how to play the game. Or at least know how to play the versions of Rook that I know. And after that it is even harder to find someone who loves the game as much as I do (there are few things on God's creation that I will sit for hours on a hard chair).

I love to play the game, I really do with anyone. But I love to play the game the most with those who have played many times over. They know how to count the cards, when to take the risk, and when to fold. The reason that it is more fun with competitive players is because for the most part they are more predictable on their play style. That's right, you know that they will always lead in trumps if they take the kitty. And they should, because that is how you play to win.

But when you play with an new player. They are unpredictable, sometimes slow, and make big mistakes. This can often times cause the more experienced players to loss interest in the game, and not want to play. So what happens, well we have a hard time finding a group to play. And especially finding some to play who are around my age.

That is right, we have not done a good job on helping this next generation to learn this way awesome, fun game! It is because of our own selfishness. We would rather only play like once in a while with the people we want to play with, than teach new players.

I mean let's face it, you are not born an awesome rook player. You have to be taught. You may be wondering why I am going on about rook. It is because I want to use it to point out how the Southern Baptist Convention is similar.

The problem with seasoned rook players is that they failed to assimilate new players. Many seasoned rook players do now want to go our of their way to help new players learn. As rook players, we have words that only we understand: "kitty", "shoot the moon", or that famous question "Do you have the rook?"

As Southern Baptist, we have our own language. We understand each other when we make Dave Ramsey references or jokes about dancing in church. But the unchurched don't understand. The unchurched, unsaved, and recently saved need to be taught and loved. They need to be assimilated. They will not become so on their own. We must become proactive and intently in our relationships with others.

Just like I have to be intently in picking new rook players (knowing they are unpredictable, will make mistakes, and will not understand with out careful explanation), seasoned Christians must be intensely and/or proactive in their relationships in and our of church.

2008

2008-01-02T12:10:00.000-08:00

As I think of the many blessings that the LORD brought to me in 2007, I look forward with anticipation to 2008. I have to say that being out of school has not really hit me yet. I will understand this more as my friends go on back to papers, reading, and finals.

I am also amused at all the health ads at the end and beginning of each year. Everyone wants to be healthy, but it is not an issue of doing the right things, it is really an issue of the heart. The problem with many "diets" or "exercise" programs is that they are really all ploys to get people to spend money. Spend money on pills, food, and gym memberships that we need like we need another mortgage payment.

The truth is that many are and will profit on people's fear. I mean people want to "look good" mostly for other people. There has been a standard of beauty set by the entertainment industry, family, and friends. And we think that if we do not meet this standard we will be rejected by everyone. It is a deep seated fear of rejection by people that drives us to do many silly things.

The truth is we should take care of our bodies, but not with the intention of "looking good". We should take care of our bodies as the Word of God directs in order to better serve others. NOW THAT IS A REAL MOTIVATOR. The reason we should be in shape is to serve others because this is what will Glorify God the most.

So as we pick our diets this year, join our gyms, and buy our silly pills. Ask yourself, why? Why do I want to "be in shape". Why do I think I need this. If your answer is for the Glory of God and to Honor God as a living sacrifice GREAT! But if you are going on a diet for any other reason, you are on a mission to glorify yourself. And if that is the case, you are trading one sin for another!

Merry Christmas!

2007-12-19T16:15:00.000-08:00

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Graduation Photos

2007-12-08T14:27:00.000-08:00

So What's Next?

2007-12-03T11:35:00.000-08:00

"So What's Next?" That is the question I as asked on Friday. I was picking up my graduation appeal, and the guy helping me was just making small talk. He had probably already asked a hundred people the same question. I can't believe that it has been four and a half years since I started at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.

I am not one of those prosperity Gospel guys, but I will have to say that God has really taken care of me. When I first arrived at Southern, I prayed for three things: a job, Godly friends, and a Godly wife. I have received all three. I have received all three above and beyond what I imagined. I first prayed this prayer in a dorm room in sampy hall, not much bigger than our master bed room. Now I will be going full time at FSBC and have a nice brick home.

How marvelous is the Lord our God, what is man that he is mindful of him. Or who am I that you are mindful of me O God!

I can remember a long conversation I had with my Dad on the boat house just weeks before I left for Southern. We talked about how all things seem to work out. I remember being dropped off in this strange town, not knowing a single soul. Now, we are expecting to see as many as 75 at my graduation party. It is amazing how things work out!

Praise God for the blessings that he has given my family and me. And thank you family for support Becki and I in this effort.

So what is next, serving the LORD full time in Southern Indiana as an Associate Pastor of Students.

Are you a Christ-follower?

2007-10-24T10:57:00.001-07:00

October is here!

2007-10-01T15:19:00.000-07:00

I love many months on the calender but I do love the month of October. Let me give you a few reasons why: Tennessee Football, Carmel apple ciders from Starbucks, cool crisp mornings, Trunk or Treat, Halloween, and fall decorations these are a few of my favorite things!

Part of what I love most about October is the change of the season. October is part of the harvest season. It is a time where we put of the the shorts and pull out the jackets and hoodies. The month makes us all think of harvest. The harvest that has been worked for so hard during the hot and dry summer/spring. The Bible has lots to say about the harvest. Including the fact that as long as the earth endures we will have the seasons and the harvest.

"As long as the earth endures, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, and day and night will not cease."

-Genesis 8:22

There are times that it seems we are just planting and watering, then watering and waiting. But friends, we should be encourage! As long as the lord allows, we will have harvest. Though we toil, day and night. Though we wait to see. We will see people come to Christ, we will see his kingdom expanded, we will see his word fulfilled!

I think that Satan must hate October, because it serves as a reminder of the fact that he will soon reap what he has sown.

If only you had been here Lord!

2007-09-21T11:29:00.000-07:00

"If only you had been here Lord!" the words that Martha spoke to our Lord when her brother died. You can find this quote in the Bible in the gospel of John chapter 11 verse 21.

I have to say that as a minister, I have stood at many gravesides and heard others make a similar statement. This week I found myself asking this very same question, when I found out that a young girl named Kim passed away. She was 13 when the Lord took her home. She and her family have been very faithful to their church, my home church. She passed from cancer. There was not much the doctors could do to help her. She gave her life to Christ before the Lord said enough and took her home. I didn't get to make the funeral and burial. Even if I had been with the family, what can you say? Who knows what losing a child or sister is like unless this has happened to you.

But still the question is in my head, "Where were you Lord?" You could have saved her. You could have healed her. I don't understand why you didn't, you loved her.

When I reflect on this passage in John Chapter 11, I see several things that comfort me. I see our Lord and Savior allowing one of his loved ones to suffer, died, and brought back to life.

We see that Jesus was asked to come by the two sisters; therefore, he knew that Lazarus was sick and dying. He knew for two reasons: he was sent for by them and well because he is the God-Man. He did not give up any attributes when he became a man, he only added onto himself the blood. He not only knew the severity of the illness, he knew that he would lead to death.

Having this knowledge, what he did amazes me. He did not come quickly to heal his friend, but waits until he is dead. He not only waits until he is dead, but he waits 4 days after his death. He could have been there, and healed him! He could have saved everyone the grief. He could have kept them from getting the grave ready!

Also having this knowledge, he meets those who are morning and weeps with them. Why would he do such a thing? Jesus knew that he was going to raise Lazarus from the shortly. But he wept. It goes to show you that the LORD hates death, he always has. He knows what it feels like to lose one of his children to death, because he has been there. He weeps I think to show how much he cares, and to comfort those who are morning. It shows that there may be weeping at night, but joy comes in the morning!

He did come to Lazarus and his family. He did heal him. He did what he does best, restore what was once lost to sin and death. But the kicker is that he didn't come the way that Martha and Mary had requested. He didn't heal Lazarus before he died. I think the point is that Jesus will always come for his children, just perhaps not the way we pray that he will.

I don't know why Jesus waited to raise Lazarus, and I don't know why he didn't heal Kim either! But I do know that he has his reasons. I do know that he has control. And I do know that he is Holy, Righteous, and Good.

The Bible does not say this, so I am only speculating, but I think that Jesus wept this week. I think that he wept for Kim's family and the pain they felt; but I also think that he wept out of joy. The joy in knowing that one day, he will be able to do what he does does best, restore. He will be able to restore Kim to her parents, her brother, and her church family!

Suspenders In Heaven.

2007-09-16T19:39:00.000-07:00

Suspenders every Sunday was the dress of my late Sunday school teacher Russel. Russel spent 50 years serving in the youth department as a Sunday School teacher. At 2:30 PM this past Saturday, The LORD took Russel home. I don't know if there are suspenders in heaven, but I sure hope so. I hope that he is wearing the best set that the kingdom of God has ever seen. The Bible does not exactly say but I think that there is great rejoing in heaven when a believer comes home. I think that the bells of heaven ring out when a child of God enters into Glory.

A few things about Russel that few people know is that every Christmas he would give all the youth $ in an envelope. He would always say "you all teach me more than I teach you" and "teaching the youth keeps me young".

Russel was also a WWII veteran. He could never talk about what he experienced overseas so many years ago with crying. He served his country with bravery and loyalty. I will always be thankful to him for his willingness to serve.

I also most thankful that he was willing to serve the local church and his LORD through 5o years of service. Thank you Russel and thank you LORD for using him in my life. You will be missed

What I learned in Seminary!

2007-09-07T14:14:00.001-07:00

Today, I just received an email from SBTS informing that I need to have my graduation picture taken. After a five and a half years at Southern Seminary I have learned a few things.

One thing that I have found is that seminary professors are like mountain climbers. You always want to go with the experienced ones, because the young bucks have something to prove. Let's not forget that they just finished or are finishing their PHD and man they want someone to pay for what they have been through!

Second, don't kid yourself, seminary is not a vacation. If you are called to seminary, don't got to a seminary church, go to a church that really needs you. Just because you are in school you do not have an excuse to not serve in a local church.

And finally, Satan seeks division. Let's not kid ourselves into thinking when we banter theology around with church members and other students. We have a lost world to reach. We can all agree that the gospel is urgent and commanded. So share the faith.

Reflections on New Orleans

2007-08-16T10:27:00.000-07:00

This past Saturday I returned home from a mission trip to New Orleans. I have to say that I was not prepared for the vast destruction that is still in the city. It was very difficult to lead the first day. When I told my wife about it that night she told me that one of the Operation Noah Rebuild leaders had said "If a picture is worth a 1,000 words, being in New Orleans is worth a 1,000 pictures." So many people had just given up and abandoned their homes. We were working in the lower ninth ward, and it was a ghost town. Some said to me that is a dangerous place, but there is no one there to fear! It was eerie.

I also saw all the homes that were marked with the body count. They think that most of the people died in their attic. Can you image, climbing in the attic to get away from the water; hearing it enter slowly. The heat, darkness, and stench of the water mixed with sewer, and that is the last thing that you know on God's Green earth. The darkness, heat, and hopelessness all around as you slip into eternity. If that is a Christless eternity then you will only know this hopelessness forever! It breaks my heart. We should weep for the city, we should pray for the city, and we should help to rebuild the city.

This city was home to many families for many years it is not like they woke up one morning and decided to live below sea level! IT WAS HOME! If someone asked you to leave your home, your roots, would it be easy for you I wounder. Let us stop criticizing the people of New Orleans and start helping them!

Married and Child-Free?

2007-07-26T06:45:00.000-07:00

Today, I was watching Good Morning America, which featured a story about happy and successful couples who are choosing to remain child free. The reasons in my opinion seem to be mostly financial. But we must ask does the Bible speak about this issue?

The Bible is what we must always return to in order to make decisions about life and what we are to do. The word of God is clear about two things: one marriage was instituted for humans to leave and cleave to their spouse and to "go forth and multiply". The Bible is also clear that children are a gift from God.

Therefor it is my opinion that it is not an option for Christians to consider. We have an obligation to our creator to have children. Children are part of the deal when you get married. If you cannot have children, that is a different story. There are thousands of children waiting to be adopted right now. It wouls still be a gift even if they don't posses your DNA.

Check out the who story at http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/AmericanFamily/story?id=3413039

"I don't mean to make people upset"

2007-07-12T13:13:00.000-07:00

"I don't want to make people upset, I just want to be happy."

These were the words that a former man, now women used on the Tyra show today. He said that he always knew he was suppose to be a women. But he was born a man. The audience applauded his courage for being on national television. As I watch this, I thought to myself, "How dead we are in our sins." Do we really think that we know better than God what sex to make our bodies? This is an abomination to the Lord! And there will be a price to pay. When Tyra asked this person for advice, they said,

"Just don't let anyone tell you that the thing that makes you happy is wrong."

How far from the truth this really is, I mean let's just think of an example. You know what made Hitler happy? Killing off the Jewish people. So I guess we were wrong in stopping him from doing so right? No way. It seems that right and wrong a only apply when it is convenient to the individual. I mean it is all about me right? WRONG, dead wrong.

There is a price to pay for breaking God's law. It is just like breaking the law of gravity. You will be eventually broken. May God give these people mercy and light, may he save their bodies and souls from this gross sin.

Creation Museum

2007-06-12T13:32:00.000-07:00

The evolutionist have had their museum for to long, now it is our turn! That's right, there is now a creation Museum opened just across the river from Cincinnati, OH. They have spent about 29 million dollars to open this fine museum. You can find the website below:

http://www.creationmuseum.org/

I will be planning a visit for our church family soon. This will make you think about the evidence, because all scientist use science. The difference is that some come with a worldview the want to impose on the evidence. Is the earth really millions of years old? Did men live with Dinosaurs?

A culture that has lost its mind!

2007-06-11T11:32:00.000-07:00

I have always heard about how great the 1950's were. Like they were some kind of golden era in American culture. But if you want to know what I think, people have always been just as rotten as they are today. But in the 1950's people didn't talk about the sins like we do today. The main difference between now and then is that we publicly broadcast our debased minds on TV and XM Radio.

For example, earlier today while i was eating lunch I caught a little bit of the Tyra Banks show. I have seen this show before, and didn't love it. But when you only have like two channels what are you going to do? The topic today was "Dating out of your comfort zone". I thought well this is interesting, i guess the nice girl will want a guy who is a little rough. OH NO! This was about a girl who had wanted to date other girls since high school, but was afraid to do so... until now! That's right, She dated a woman on national television, even kissed her. After the date, the girl claimed that she was not sure. This type of behavior is exactly the type that Paul speaks of when he talks about a nation that has been abandoned by God.

"28Furthermore, since they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, he gave them over to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done."
-Romans 1:28

Let's be honest, as Conservative Christians we have lost the culture war. This culture has been lost to total depravity. I do not see this getting any better in the near future. On the other had I do not think that the world is in any worse shape than it was before the flood. At that point in history, there was only one righteous family left. I think that it is because of America culture turning its back on the Holy, Righteous God, that we have been left to our own devices. The American culture has betray itself! After teaching secular humanism in the public schools and colleges we wounder why things like the VTech shooting happen. Look for more of these shootings to happen as we continue to go down the spiral that is found in the first two chapters of Romans. How long O Lord will you put up with America? HOW LONG, will you delay your judgement?

The Real King of the Road & BMV

2007-05-31T08:47:00.000-07:00

Here is my ride! She is sweet. I think that this is like an off white color, a cream maybe. I went to the BMV of Indiana yesterday, but they sure don't make it easy on new residents. You see I have to have the following to get a Driver's licence transfer:

Original Birth Certificate

Original Social Security Card

Old Driver's licence

A sample of blood

The promise of my first born

DNA analysis

Proof of residence

Previous Doctor's visit

Family medical history

Place of Employment

Pet medical history

etc....

All in all i would say they are not helpful, but my new ride is!

Breathe

2007-05-30T13:13:00.000-07:00

I was asked in the last week if animals go to heaven. This is an interesting question. They said, "I don't read about them not going to heaven!" Another said, "It just wouldn't be heaven to me without my pets!" This all goes back to the question of what makes humans different from animals? I think the answer is in how we were created.

"7 Then the LORD God formed the man out of the dust from the ground (G) and breathed the breath of life into his nostrils, (H) and the man became a living being. (I)" Gen 2:7

You see the animals were not made the same as we were. We see two differences, one were were made in his image. That is not even the angels are made in the image of God. And two we see that he breathed into us. These two references are not made to the animals. I do think that there will be animals in heaven. I don't think that there is anything about a cat or dog that lives on past death. I think the only thing that lives on is our memories of them. So to answer the question, I don't think they to heaven, but I don't think they go to hell either. I think that they just stop existing. Don't take this to hard, because you see our only care when we get to heaven is that we will Glorify God. When we make this the desire of our heart we will be overjoyed to praise him for saving us from sin, saving us form ourselves. Praise be to God for his creation and for his salvation he gives freely to us!

King of the Road

2007-05-29T08:16:00.000-07:00

Welcome back 1977! That's Right I now have my 1977 Ford LTD. It just glides on the interstate. While this is not the picture of my car. Mine is is excellent shape interior wise. The car has a Cleveland 400, 6.6L, V8. You might be thinking to yourself, self how can you afford to drive that car. Well last night I got about 17 miles to the gallon. That is not bad. About like a standard truck.

As I was driving the car home last night, I thought about the fact that the original owner had passed away. He must have been so proud of this car. I also had a chance to go through a library of church member who had recently passed away. The family had already had their share. I got some great Billy Graham books. As I reflected on the fact that I now had a car from a man I never knew, and a library from a man I barely knew. This made me wounder, what will become of my library, truck, house, etc... The things that we often times take some much time to look after, and collect, spending time, money, and energy will eventually end up in the hands of someone else. If not a family member, a complete stranger. So why do we spend so much time washing cars, cleaning houses, mowing lawns, etc... It is all going to go to another one day anyway!

Do You Want to Be Healed?

2007-05-23T08:13:00.000-07:00

This past Sunday I spoke to our youth about John Chapter 5. In this section we see that Jesus comes into a room full of crippled people. He picks one one from the crowd and asks a question to him that I find very strange. He says in verse 6 "Do you want to be healed?". What person in their right mind would not want to be healed? But the man said yes. Now another thing that I find puzzling is the fact that at the time of the healing, the man did not know who Jesus was; because, when asked who had healed him the Bible says that he

"13Now the man who had been healed did not know who it was, for Jesus had withdrawn, as there was a crowd in the place."

I know that God healed this one many among many for his glory. He healed a man that was not even a believer at the time. I guess there are several implications that could be drawn from this text but one that stands out for me is the fact that some claim this ability to heal in the name of Jesus, others in the name of science, and others in the name of a false God. But at the end of the day, the true healer is only Jesus. Giving life in a way that no one else can. The point is that he doesn't just make a claim, he backs it up!

I think back to all the times that people have promised me this or that, then they don't deliver. One thing that we know for sure is that Christ will always deliver! Because he is the great Deliverer. So let's not be upset when we are let down by men, for it is our nature. But let us praise God for never failing.

God gave it to me!

2007-05-22T11:30:00.000-07:00

Today I received in the mail a prayer handkerchief. WHAT A JOKE! I mean honestly who believes this junk! If I were a non-believer I would just laugh and think that Christians were missing a large amount of brain cells. This is yet another example of people trying to use the death of Christ for a financial gain. IT MAKES ME ANGRY! I hope that the person who sent this is convicted of his sin and repents soon.