The Lens of Truth

The Next Story by Tim Challies

2011-06-02T06:46:00.029-04:00

When considering the history of mankind we can point to a number of inventions which produced revolutionary changes in society. The later half of the 19th century alone was responsible for such wondrous achievements as the combustion engine, what we would today call plastic, the telephone, incandescent light bulb, automobile and radio. It's easy to see how man, in this same period of time, walked further away from God and more fully embraced technology as the true savior of civilization.

And yet just 50 years later would see the dawn of a whole new world which would astound everyone with its achievements and give rise to a whole new era of technological wonders. In the late 1940s something called a transistor was invented which would herald the end of the vacuum tube era that, up until then, was the backbone of the new electronic age of TV and radio. This tiny device would later shrink considerably in size ushering in the first integrated circuits which set the stage for the age of the microprocessor.

Computing power which had required the size and resources of an entire building would eventually fit on a piece of silicon smaller than a thumbnail. Such marvels could then be fit into every device imaginable giving them power and capabilities that were considered science fiction just 50 years earlier. And if you are middle-aged like me, you have witnessed a fundamental change in society over the past 35 years, primarily due to such devices, which has remarkably altered how we as a people conduct our business and leisure activities.

Technology is still seen as the universal savior of man--probably now more than ever. If there's ever a problem, just wait and someone, somewhere will come up with a new technology that promises to solve its ills. It is definitely a (brave?) new world with new rules and roles for everyone who partakes. The change in roles effects nearly everyone and as Christians we would be wise to consider what this means to our lives and testimonies as we live in the new, digital era.

Tim Challies, noted Christian blogger, is no stranger to the digital world and has made an effective living and ministry by using the means of technology to edify the body of Christ. His recent foray into writing started in 2007 with his first book, The Discipline of Spiritual Discernment. Being a Challies reader for some time, when I heard of this book and its topic, I immediately put in my pre-order and anxiously awaited delivery. I was not disappointed by Tim's first authoring and consider it a book whose content is much needed in the Christian realm.

Fast forward to 2011 and Challies has just released, "The Next Story: Life and Faith After the Digital Explosion." When I first heard about this title I was intrigued but unlike before, I did not rush to pre-order it but simply added it to my wish list (of some few hundred books I'd like to buy and read before I die). But that would change soon enough when Zondervan announced the blog tour for Tim's book. When the offer came I felt the Spirit move me (besides, who can turn up a free good book?) and signed up for a copy to review.

As I waited for the book to arrive in the mail (you see, there is still some good use for the old pony express and printed words on real paper), I began wondering just how material there was on such a subject. Was there really enough material to fill up an entire book? I was dubious but after reading Tim's latest I can promise you that this book is filled with piercing questions, thoughtful reflections and discerning insights about how Christians should be working and living in the digital age. Even more so as we should be seeking to live God-honoring lives and not be taken captive by the philosophies of the world which would seek to pull us further away from our Savior.

Tim's basic premise for the book is to ask if technology is serving us or is it the other way around? Are we simply using the new tools of our age or could it be that they are changing us in ways we don't even know about? As Christ made abundantly clear in the Sermon on the Mount, man can not serve two masters. So we must be careful where we place our allegiance with the use of our technology. The use of technology comes with hidden dangers that many of us are blind to. And while the world would tell us that every new device and service is designed for your pleasure and benefit, much of the time what it does is pull us of the path, further from God and weakening our service to Him.

The Next Story is divided into neatly into two parts. The first part (chapters 1-3) is geared toward achieving a better understanding of what technology is from a theological point of view, how God would have us understand its role in our lives and what past experience tells us we can expect concerning this new digital revolution (remembering that the constant in all equations is sinful man). The second part (chapters 4-9) is concerned with the practical aspects of discerning how we make sure that technology serves us in God-honoring ways instead of it becoming our master, changing us for the worse.

Challies begins with the view that the creation of technology is part of our God-given mandate to rule over the earth. In doing so we need to be mindful that the use of such technology should fall into line with everything else we do as Christians--it should bring glory to God. But since we understand that we live in a sinful world, technology is more often than not created by those who care little of glorifying God not to mention the masses who will use it. Just as Dave Ramsey will tell you that money is amoral, Challies informs us that technology is as well. The problems come when we pesky humans put technology to use. Even the best of inventions can be turned into something evil in the wrong hands (think of the wonderful things cellphones do for us but the problems teens are running into these days because of sexting or the deaths caused by texting while driving).

The pace of American life (or anywhere in the world, really) along with the pressure to have the latest and greatest gadgets leads to various other issues we must deal with. Putting aside arguments like really needing to part with your hard-earned money to upgrade your smartphone every year, we are under such delusions of grandeur that we don't stop to take a moment and consider if we really need what the advertisements are pushing. Even worse, we rarely stop to think of the negative impact ownership will have on our lifestyle. Devices which some would consider luxuries suddenly become necessities , so much so that we can't even think about parting with them. Worse yet, we invest so much time and money in some modern gizmos that they become idols that relegate worship of the living God to secondary status. We find more and more satisfaction in these devices than in the One in whose image we were created.

Considered as a whole, the technologies invented in the digital era were created to increase the speed and scope of communications. Notice the type and quantity of information conveyed as the telegraph is replaced by the telephone. Step up to the television medium and things change even more remarkably. Now take all of this in conjunction with an information superhighway spanning the globe and you have a world wide web of information whose content is almost inexhaustible. And even though most would decry the information overload that's upon us, it seems we can't live without it. Psychologists studying the use of technology see an ever increasing dependence on 24/7 communications so much so that it creates an addictive effect in which more and more information is sought to keep the "high" while severe withdrawl is experienced when deprived. More and more of us are unknowingly becoming slaves, fearful to look in the mirror lest we not like what we've become. This alone is justification enough for this book.

Life in today's world is fast paced and furious. In an attempt to foster great communication between people (note the cellphone, e-mail, Facebook, chatting, etc.), the devices designed to help us reach out and connect quickly and easily have fostered relationships which are numerically impressive but spiritually deficient and shallow. In the very act of trying to be more we have become less. We seem more interested (and proud) of the number of friends we have on Facebook instead of making true face-to-face time to know people in a way that fosters intimate fellowship. We've embraced quantity while rejecting quality (which is where the hard work and true rewards are at). This is having a profound effect on churches. One look at the growing ranks of cyberchurches is all the evidence we need to prove that humans are bent to take the path of least resistance. Why get up early on Sunday, shower and eat, get dressed, grab our Bible, drive to church and deal with real people when we can just plop down in front of the flat-panel two minutes before video-streaming starts with donut in hand whilst still in our pajamas? All we need now is a digital-style exegesis of Hebrews 10:25 to put us at ease and quiet our conscience. As Challies states it so well, "Could it be that our desire for control is short-circuiting the process of change and transformation that God wants us to experience through the mess of real-world, flesh-and-blood, face-to-face relationships?"

One of the most convicting chapters to me was the one in which Tim related his experience of getting away for a week's vacation without any digital distractions. As he reflected on this time of quiet and "enlightenment" he came to the conclusion that so many distractions in the modern world have trained us to be shallow thinkers (since we live in a constant state of distraction we never have time to dwell on any one thing) which inevitably leads to shallow thinking. And this can't help but have a profound impact on the church and the edification of its saints. Distractions create an environment which goes against the lifestyle which God would have us partake in which needs periods of quiet reflection, time in prayer and meditation on His word such that we might renew our minds and be ever-changing into the likeness of Christ. This effects not only our relationship with God but in the roles we have as worker, parent, spouse, friend and servant. With that said, the contents of this chapter alone are worthy of serious study, reflection and application.

A subsequent chapter deals with a proper understanding of the difference between data, information, knowledge and wisdom. Suffice it to say that our world is enamored with information which is where most people stop due to overload and multitasking. Few make it to the level of knowledge and only the tiniest percentage make it to the level of wisdom. The following chapter dovetails perfectly by reflecting on our society's fascination with what is relevant according to the majority. No longer is truth an issue. It's what R.C. Sproul has referred to as "statistical morality"; whatever the majority believes makes something true. This is nothing more than a sign of our postmodern times and truly frightening. As Challies points out, if everyone has an equal say in the process, what happens when cop and criminal or parent and child butt heads except to say that authority will become as ancient of a concept as truth.

The final chapter is a stark glimpse into the world of digital information and those who use it to make a living off. Google and many, many other companies like them spend lots of time, effort and money to mine the information used create a digital identify for each of us (which changes the concept of man from something created in the image of God into an abstract, soulless quantity of numbers) so that they can better market what they sell and, even scarier, try to predict what we will do and buy next.

And gone are the days of digital innocence for every scrap of information is stored indefinitely thanks to the availability and low cost of memory devices. While I never had to be put under the digital information microscope that exists today, my children will. When the go to apply for college, get a job, apply for a loan, buy insurance or a myriad of other common transactions, their personal data will be used to scour Internet databases across the world for every scrap of information that can be found on them. Everything they have posted, tweeted, bought, etc. will be brought to bear in providing, or denying, some of their life's most important transactions. As the saying goes, what happens on the Internet stays on the Internet ... forever!

As I mentioned earlier, I had a hard time understanding how an entire book could be written about our lives lived out in the modern, digital age. I could not have been more mistaken. But when all is said and done, I guess I'd have to say that the only people who need to read this book are those who have either a cell phone, video game console, e-mail account or Internet browser. Everyone else can safely ignore this book. Get my point?

This book is filled with invaluable information and it would be wise to read it multiple times to glean every nugget of information and make sure we have the knowledge needed to better understand today's technology, how we are using it (or if it is using us) and if God is being glorified through it. When I finish reading and marking up a book and there is more information highlighted than not, I know I've found something unique and valuable. I think you will too.

In closing I'd like to thank both Zondervan (for providing this book for review) and Tim himself for making this much needed and invaluable resource available! Tim truly is the master of life and faith after the digital explosion. Praise be to God for putting this all together and getting me to read a book I might not have otherwise.

P.S. So, Tim, what's the next book going to be about and when can we expect it?

Buy this book at Monergism or Westminster Bookstore and support a God-honoring business in the process!

MacArthur on Naturalism

2010-05-07T12:29:00.003-04:00

One of those "must read" articles...

Ex Nihilo Nihil Fit
("Out of Nothing, Nothing Comes")

Either there is a God who created the universe and sovereignly rules His creation, or everything was caused by blind chance. The two ideas are mutually exclusive. If God rules, there’s no room for chance. Make chance the cause of the universe, and you have effectively done away with God.

But again, chance is not a force. Chance cannot make anything happen. Chance is nothing. It simply does not exist. And therefore it has no power to do anything. It cannot be the cause of any effect. It is an imaginary hocus–pocus. It is contrary to every law of science, every principle of logic, and every intuition of sheer common sense.

Nonetheless, the absurdity of naturalism goes largely unchallenged today in universities and colleges. Turn on the Discovery Channel or pick up an issue of National Geographic and you are likely to be exposed to the assumption that chance exists as a force—as if mere chance spontaneously generated everything in the universe.

So many immense and intricate wonders could not exist without a Designer. There’s only one possible explanation for it all, and that is the creative power of an all–wise God. He created and sustains the universe, and He gives meaning to it. And without Him, there is ultimately no meaning in anything. Without Him, we are left with only the notion that everything emerged from nothing without a cause and without any reason. Without Him, we are stuck with that absurd formula of the evolutionist: Nothing times nobody equals everything.

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Careful what you ask for

2010-05-06T12:47:00.002-04:00

Those Democrats. They just bring a smile to my face every day. Guess I should consider it a good use of my tax money. Unfortunately I don't...

Documents Reveal AT&T, Verizon, Others, Thought About Dropping Employer-sponsored Benefits

In the days after President Obama signed the bill on March 24, a number of companies announced big write downs due to some fiscal changes it ushered in. The legislation eliminated a company's right to deduct the federal retiree drug-benefit subsidy from their corporate taxes. That reduced projected revenue. As a result, AT&T (T, Fortune 500) and Verizon (VZ, Fortune 500) took well-publicized charges of around $1 billion. The announcements greatly annoyed Representative Henry Waxman, who accused the companies of using the big numbers to exaggerate health care reform's burden on employers. Waxman, chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, demanded that they turn over their confidential memos, and summoned their top executives for hearings. But Waxman didn't simply request documents related to the write down issue. He wanted every document the companies created that discussed what the bill would do to their most uncontrollable expense: healthcare costs. The request yielded 1,100 pages of documents from four major employers: AT&T, Verizon, Caterpillar and Deere (DE, Fortune 500). No sooner did the Democrats on the Energy Committee read them than they abruptly cancelled the hearings.

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The shame of the American flag

2010-05-06T12:41:00.002-04:00

It gets worse every year. People no longer have any idea of what stands behind the American flag and that's thanks to our liberal academia and press. The blood, sweat and tears of many patriots and defenders has been forgotten, replaced with the notion that the US of A is a criminal nation who has much to be ashamed of. This was most recently headlined when our Armed Forces were not allowed to raise Old Glory while providing aid and relief in Haiti. And now comes this story right from the front lines of education. Sad to say it's probably just one of many every day...

Students Kicked Off Campus For Wearing American Flag Tees

On any other day at Live Oak High School in Morgan Hill, Daniel Galli and his four friends would not even be noticed for wearing T-shirts with the American flag. But Cinco de Mayo is not any typical day especially on a campus with a large Mexican American student population. Galli says he and his friends were sitting at a table during brunch break when the vice principal asked two of the boys to remove American flag bandannas that they wearing on their heads and for the others to turn their American flag T-shirts inside out. When they refused, the boys were ordered to go to the principal's office. "They said we could wear it on any other day," Daniel Galli said, "but today is sensitive to Mexican-Americans because it's supposed to be their holiday so we were not allowed to wear it today." The boys said the administrators called their T-shirts "incendiary" that would lead to fights on campus.

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You reap what you sow

2010-05-06T12:40:00.000-04:00

Japan's Children Population At New Record Low

Japan had fewer youngsters celebrating Children's Day for the 29th straight year Wednesday, highlighting concerns that the country may face difficulty finding enough workers and taxpayers to support a rapidly aging population. The number of children under age 15 as of April has fallen to 16.9 million, down 190,000 from a year earlier, according to an annual report published by the Ministry of Internal Affairs to mark the national holiday. The proportion of children in Japan has also kept declining for 36 straight years to about 13 percent of the country's population of 127 million. The elderly population is rapidly swelling. The number of those aged 65 or older has grown to 23 percent of Japan's population from about 5 percent 60 years ago and is still on the rise. Children accounted for more than one-third of the national population in 1950.

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Big Brother's looking out for ya

2010-04-29T13:04:00.001-04:00

Proposal: All New Yorkers Become Organ Donors

Organ donation has become a vital way to save lives around the world, but a vast shortage of donors continues to mean people are losing their lives while on waiting lists. But there is a unique proposal that could change all that. New York State Assemblyman Richard Brodsky nearly lost his daughter, Willie, at 4 years old when she needed a kidney transplant, and again 10 years later when her second kidney failed. "We have 10,000 New Yorkers on the list today waiting for organs. We import half the organs we transplant. It is an unacceptable failed system," Brodsky said.

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The REALLY scary thing is that Obama will likely jump all over this idea to get it added into his health care system!!!

Dumb and Dumberer

2010-04-29T13:03:00.001-04:00

Abortionist Claims "Life Begins When His Mother Wants Him"

In a Portland, Oregon article from the Willamette Week, abortionist Jim Newhall gives his view on human value: "Not everybody is meant to be born. I believe, for a baby, life begins when his mother wants him."

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Today's dose of Eco-education

2010-04-29T12:59:00.002-04:00

Five Myths About Green Energy

Americans are being inundated with claims about renewable and alternative energy. Advocates for these technologies say that if we jettison fossil fuels, we'll breathe easier, stop global warming and revolutionize our economy. Yes, "green" energy has great emotional and political appeal. But before we wrap all our hopes -- and subsidies -- in it, let's take a hard look at some common misconceptions about what "green" means.

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Harrison Ford to Green Critics: 'I’ll Walk Everywhere When They Walk Everywhere,' 'I Only Fly One' of My 7 Planes 'At A Time'

Actor, environmental activist and pilot Harrison Ford, who owns seven airplanes, told his environmental critics that he will "start walking everywhere when they start walking everywhere.” Ford spoke on Capitol Hill on Tuesday about general aviation at an event sponsored by the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association. In reference to his environmental detractors who criticize his ownership of seven airplanes, CNSNews.com asked Ford if his green activism coupled with his flying was a “contradiction.” Ford said, "They’re quite right. I’ll start walking everywhere when they start walking everywhere."

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These Are Evil People

In "Greedy, Evil, and Green," economist Walter Williams offers sensible suggestions regarding the reality of the warming of the earth. The Global Warming Crisis is a religion, he says. Further, some of the people who are forcing their greedy green policies on the rest of us are evil.
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You might also like to see what the late Michael Crichton had to say about the environmental movement being a religion, complete with requirements for "salvation." Note that during his talk with students, one of them asks, "What caused you to be so prejudiced toward this religion?"

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If you give a Muslim a cookie...

2010-04-29T12:58:00.002-04:00

Muslims Want Franklin Graham Removed From Capitol Prayer

Less than a week after Franklin Graham was disinvited from the Pentagon prayer event, the evangelist faces another attempt to remove him from a National Day of Prayer observation. The Council on American-Islamic Relations, a group that is widely accused of having ties to terrorists, has called on congressional sponsors of the National Day of Prayer event on Capitol Hill to rescind Graham's invitation to speak at the May 6 gathering. CAIR denounced Graham as an "anti-Islam preacher" who sends a message of "religious intolerance."

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This is what Uncle Sam calls healthcare

2010-04-28T06:38:00.002-04:00

Senate Panel Previews Electronic Health Technology

The Senate Committee on Aging last week offered a preview of the government’s future role in health care, showing how Americans will interact with doctors and other health care providers. The demonstration offers a glimpse at an overlooked effect of health care reform. The effort, loosely called e-Health or e-Care, combines health-care technology with 21st-century Internet connectivity. It will allow doctors to interact with their patients through innovations such as video chats, telephone health checkups, and home-health monitoring devices that relay data over wireless Internet connections. "The development of the broadband network and health information technologies has the potential to truly transform health care and simultaneously enable better outcomes and lowering costs," said Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine).

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Parents without a spine

2010-04-28T06:33:00.002-04:00

Even though our children are dying, there are still some who find it easier to give up and give in rather than protect and fight for them.

Let Teens Drink? Parents Wrestle With The Question

With matters of health, safety, morality and legality to consider, what goes through parents' minds when they determine what stance to take with their children on alcohol? Debbie Taylor says she told her son, Casey, that she didn't want him to drink while underage, but if he ever did, he was not to drive. She wishes her message had been different. Casey Taylor, of Casper, Wyoming, was 18 when he died of alcohol poisoning in July 2002.

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Somone still has a backbone!

2010-04-28T06:28:00.002-04:00

Talk about dumb and dumber. This began when a "diversity group", presided over by a Muslim, at a Christian-founded college (which has the word "Trinity" in its name!!!) were outraged that their diplomas would have "In the Year of our Lord" on them.

University Will Retain 'In The Year Of Our Lord' On Diplomas

Trustees at Trinity University in Texas have voted to keep the words "In the Year of our Lord" on its diplomas. A campus diversity group had asked the school to drop the phrase to reflect an "inclusive campus spirit." Walter R. Huntley, vice chairman of the Trinity board of trustees, said the board thought the language was appropriate. "The board's decision reflects its desire to continue a Trinity tradition," he said, "and the words 'in the year of our Lord' are appropriate for the diploma, given Trinity's history and heritage." The school was founded in 1869 by the Presbyterian church.

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America's Decline

2010-04-28T06:25:00.001-04:00

Another reason for the decline of morality in America as well as its standing in the world. Each passing generation sees more turning away from God and turning toward idolatry of self.

Survey: 72% Of Millennials 'More Spiritual Than Religious'

Most young adults today don't pray, don't worship and don't read the Bible, a major survey by a Christian research firm shows. If the trends continue, "the Millennial generation will see churches closing as quickly as GM dealerships," says Thom Rainer, president of LifeWay Christian Resources. In the group's survey of 1,200 18- to 29-year-olds, 72% say they're "really more spiritual than religious." Among the 65% who call themselves Christian, "many are either mushy Christians or Christians in name only," Rainer says. "Most are just indifferent. The more precisely you try to measure their Christianity, the fewer you find committed to the faith."

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Anti-Abortion Legislation Keeps Coming!

2010-04-28T06:23:00.002-04:00

Praise God!

Oklahoma House Overrides Veto Of Law Mandating Ultrasounds Before Abortions

The Oklahoma House voted overwhelmingly Monday to override vetoes of two restrictive abortion measures Gov. Brad Henry has called unconstitutional intrusions into citizens' private lives and decisions. The Senate was expected to follow suit Tuesday, after which the bills would become law. One of the measures requires women to undergo an ultrasound and listen to a detailed description of the fetus before getting an abortion. The other prohibits pregnant women from seeking damages if physicians withhold information or provide inaccurate information about their pregnancy. Supporters said the second measure was aimed at preventing women from discriminating against fetuses with disabilities.

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Obama's Muslim Love-a-thon continues

2010-04-28T06:21:00.001-04:00

Obama Hosts Muslim-focused Entrepreneurship Summit

Delivering on a promise he made nearly a year ago, President Obama will host a two-day entrepreneurship summit beginning Monday designed to improve relations with the Muslim world. "It represents an opportunity to highlight and support business and social entrepreneurship in Muslim-majority countries, including their minority populations, and Muslim communities around the world," a statement from the summit's website said.

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Turning a blind eye

2010-04-22T13:09:00.003-04:00

Funny I didn't see a thing about this in the US press (I wonder why?). I had to run across it in a UK release and even then I wondered if this was some form of delayed April Fool's joke. I'm going to guess that half of these crowds were composed of media personnel so they didn't want a lot of cameras around ;-)

High Times For American Marijuana Smokers As Police Allow Thousands Of '4/20' Pot Protesters To Light Up Across The Country

Marijuana smokers across the America lit up in public parks, outside statehouses and in the posh confines of a Hummer parked outside a pot gardening superstore to observe the movement's annual 'high holiday' yesterday. Those who weren't within whiffing distance of a college campus or a reggae concert may not have realised that Tuesday was '4/20', the celebration-cum-mass civil disobedience derived from '420' - insider shorthand for cannabis consumption. Advocates from New Hampshire to California trumpeted marijuana's rising commercial and political acceptance while producing collective clouds of pungent smoke - often under the watchful eyes of law enforcement officers who for the most part let the parties proceed.

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Pity party time

2010-04-22T13:03:00.002-04:00

Great analysis from the folks over at the Famil Research Council.

Hospital Visit Horrors? Here's The Rest Of The Story

In a series of interviews the next day, I emphasized that the Family Research Council does not have any objection to such visitation in principle, as long as it is premised on the patient’s personal choice rather than on a redefinition of family or marriage. However, I also pointed out that the main reason this is even a topic of discussion is because it is used as a political talking point by the advocates of same-sex “marriage,” who see it as a golden opportunity to tug at people’s heartstrings and generate emotional sympathy for their cause. I further asserted my belief that the frequency with which homosexuals are barred from visiting their partners in the hospital is grossly exaggerated.

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America bereft of compassion

2010-04-22T12:56:00.004-04:00

This is what happens when a culture abandons God and then the children are left to their own devices by parents, teachers and government. Just a bit more rage and someone would have killed another and ruined their life. Then parents and guidance counselors would have been weeping and moaning, asking how this could possible have happened to such nice kids. On top of it all, the one doing the shooting probably thinks the text apology will set everything right and will be outraged when the police show up at her door to haul her away to press charges.

Shot Girl Gets Text Message Apology

What's lovely about the new methods of communication so beloved by today's youth is that they haven't caused people to lose their sense of propriety, their sense that there's a way to do things. Yes, kids might prefer to text rather than talk these days, but that doesn't mean their texts don't convey true, heartfelt sensitivity toward that fellow human.
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In any case, the twin sister of one of the the combatants--or should that be combatantes?--was shot. Did I mention she was 15? Perhaps not. But it seems her injuries were not life-threatening, as she was only punctured in the ankle and the shin. But why is this a tale of modern technology's tentacles of politeness? Well, because, shortly after the shooting, the twin sister who was still whole reportedly handed the police her shot sister's cell phone. And on that cell phone was a message of apology, freshly sent, from a person unknown. It was a message of apology for the shooting.

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Not this time!

2010-04-22T12:51:00.003-04:00

Some bad news followed by the good!

Lawsuit Follows Removal Of Bus Ads

Two individuals who monitor the activities of Muslim groups in the U.S. are suing Miami-Dade County Transit for removing ads they had placed on buses because of a complaint from a radical Islamic group that is linked to terrorism.

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'Leaving Islam' Ads Return To Miami Buses

Bus ads offering support to Muslims wanting to leave Islam that were censored just days ago by the Miami-Dade Transit agency because of complaints from Muslims are being returned to the streets, this time in even greater numbers.

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Abortion opt-out

2010-04-22T12:48:00.001-04:00

Kudos to some state representatives who still have a backbone!

States Opt Out Of Paying For Abortion In Health Care

Concern over federal funding of abortion in the health care reform law has prompted several states to move toward "opting out." Tennessee is the first state to get a bill to its governor that prohibits taxpayers from funding abortion. Lawmakers in Georgia, Oklahoma, Virginia and Louisiana are all considering similar measures. Mary Harned, staff counsel with Americans United for Life, said AUL has model legislation ready for states to use, and many are taking advantage.

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WT gets mean

2010-04-22T12:45:00.001-04:00

"President Obama is determined to promote the alleged climate crisis as a lever for pushing through his big-government agenda. The O Force doesn't believe in wasting a crisis, even if it's a mirage."

Obama's Climate Of Fear
Read the WT article

Reason #1,825,169 to homeschool

2010-04-14T13:13:00.001-04:00

N.J. Elementary School Cancels 'Cross-Dressing' Fashion Show After Complaints

The Day's Bad News

2010-04-14T12:52:00.001-04:00

5 Reasons We're Not As Safe With Obama In The White House

Aborting The "Wrong" Baby?

Chinese Fisherman Discovers Gruesome Sight

Gay Couples Sue Calif. Pension Fund Over Insurance

Christian Music Star Jennifer Knapp Says She Is A Lesbian

The Evolution Of Porn And Erotica

Primark Withdraws Padded Bikini Tops For Seven Year-old Girls [UK]

The Day's Good News

2010-04-14T12:48:00.002-04:00

Prop. 8 Repeal Fails To Qualify For November Ballot

Nebraska Governor Signs Landmark Abortion Bills

Suit Against Pro-Marriage Counselor Is Dropped

Arizona Clears Strict Immigration Bill

N.J. Elementary School Cancels 'Cross-Dressing' Fashion Show After Complaints

Tiger Woods Gets Ripped By Jim Nantz

Connected Kingdom Podcast, Episode 1

Missed It By THAT Much

2010-04-14T12:16:00.003-04:00

I love reading Chuck Colson's daily commentary on his Breakpoint web site. So many times he challenges me in just the right way. He is an amazing man whom God saved and that is readily apparent if you look at any of the millions of things he has done to advance God's kingdom here on earth. If you've never read any of his books or biography, I'd strongly advise it. The only place I'd part company with Chuch is on his overt ecumenism. But that's a drop in the sea compared to the rest of his life.

It was with great relish that I read his commentary today but as happens occasionally, I think he came up just a bit short of the goal line. Bummer when that happens! His commentary was about a NYT article talking about what maximizes happiness in our lives. And he was right that the author gave examples of things that make us happy but he never defines what happiness is. Perhaps that's because our nearly entire hedonistic society is built around maximizing "happiness" so that everyone knows that"happiness" is whatever makes you feel good (which ties in nicely with our postmodern cultural mentality).

Chuck went on to state that our founding fathers understood what happiness really is and that's why they wrote it into our Declaration of Independence. And while Chuck did a good job of explaining that happiness comes from living a "virtuous" life (and even mentioned the words "truth" and "righteousness"), I was sad that he never tied all of this up into God and His word.

We have scientific truth but that's not where we get happiness. Truth comes from the very Creator and He's given us that in His word, the Bible. That's where truth (with a capital "T") comes from. So we need to understand that the truth is that God created us to glorify Him. Anything short of that is a sell-out, a facsimile, an earthly pleasure which will have limited appeal. If you take God out of the equation you get the American society as a whole; life degenerates into a life wasted on the pursuit of self-pleasure.

To glorify Him means that you first have to be saved through repentance and faith in Jesus Christ's atoning death on the cross, His death, burial and resurrection. Once done we become an adopted child of God, we then use His word, His Spirit and the graces He has provided for us (Bible reading, prayer, worship, fellowship, etc.) to grow to be like Christ, to renew our minds and learn to love Him with all of our heart, soul, strength and mind.

As John Piper said, "He is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him." To be truly happy and want for nothing except Him (to be "content" as the Apostle Paul put it) is to live a life which is pleasing to Him and offer ourselves up as a daily sacrifice. That is happiness. That is a precursor to what believers will be doing for the rest of eternity.

Happiness and Virtue by Chuck Colson

The Nanny State Never Rests

2010-04-13T12:56:00.001-04:00

Incentives Not To Work

"The second way government assistance programs contribute to long-term unemployment is by providing an incentive, and the means, not to work. Each unemployed person has a 'reservation wage'—the minimum wage he or she insists on getting before accepting a job. Unemployment insurance and other social assistance programs increase [the] reservation wage, causing an unemployed person to remain unemployed longer." Any guess who wrote that? Milton Friedman, perhaps. Simon Legree? Sorry. Full credit goes to Lawrence H. Summers, the current White House economic adviser, who wrote those sensible words in his chapter on "Unemployment" in the Concise Encyclopedia of Economics, first published in 1999. Mr. Summers should give a tutorial to the U.S. Senate, which is debating whether to extend unemployment benefits for the fourth time since the recession began in early 2008. The bill pushed by Democrats would extend jobless payments to 99 weeks, or nearly two full years, at a cost of between $7 billion and $10 billion. As Mr. Summers suggests, rarely has there been a clearer case of false policy compassion.

Article link

Colleges Could Care Less About Education

2010-04-13T12:55:00.000-04:00

The College Tuition Squeeze

Praise needs to go out to the Wall Street Journal for its highly informative article, “Why Top Colleges Squeeze You Dry,” in its April 9th edition. The author, Andrew Manshel, was a top-ranking college official in charge of finance and administration “at a prominent college in the early 2000s.” Manshel notes that “[t]op private institutions charge what they do because a substantial number of people will pay it.” Prestige schools have convinced parents that they hold the key to success for their children.

Article link

Technology To The Rescue Again

2010-04-13T12:53:00.002-04:00

Ain't mankind's "savior" just grand?

Facebook To Blame For Divorce Boom

The dangers of social networking sites for the young are well documented, but increasing numbers of middle-aged users are also having their private lives thrown into turmoil by online activity.

Article link

You Can Never Have Too Much Porn!

2010-04-13T12:52:00.000-04:00

Pornographic Magazine For The Blind Is Launched

A pornographic magazine for the blind has been launched -- complete with saucy text and raised pictures of naked men and women. The book called "Tactile Minds" is the brainchild of Canadian Lisa Murphy and is designed to be “enjoyed” by the blind and visually impaired. It’s on sale for just over $200.
...
Murphy said she made the book after realizing that the "blind have been left out in a culture saturated with sexual images. There are no books of tactile pictures of nudes for adults,” she said. "We're breaking new ground.”

Article link

The Press Just LOVES These Findings

2010-04-13T12:49:00.003-04:00

Listen to the "experts" speak:

Corporal Punishment For 3-Year-Olds May Be Linked To Aggressive Behavior When Kids Get Older

Spanking Your Kid Could Hatch A Bully

Another Reason Not To Spank: Raising A Bully

Mothers Who Spank More Likely to Have Aggressive Tots, Study Finds

Study: Spanking Kids Leads to More Aggressive Behavior

And on and on it goes (the press coverage of the foolishness of the world, that is)...

Environmental Whackos Going Global

2010-04-13T12:47:00.001-04:00

Environmentalists’ New UN Proposal -- Put 'Ecocide' And 'Deniers' On Par With 'Genocide' and 'Crimes Against Humanity'

Britain's left-of-center daily - "The Guardian" - has reported that former international environmental lawyer Polly Higgins has launched a new campaign urging the United Nations and the International Criminal Court to deem environmental damage on par with genocide and crimes against humanity in international courts. "Supporters of a new ecocide law also believe it could be used to prosecute ‘climate deniers' who distort science and facts to discourage voters and politicians from taking action to tackle global warming and climate change," Juliette Jowit, "Guardian's" environmental editor wrote April 9.

Article link

Reasons #1,651,947 & 8 to homeschool

2010-04-13T12:44:00.002-04:00

Nashville School Holds Graphic Sex Class

Gay Day Of Silence A Waste Of Tax Dollars, Critics Say

Evolutionary Heresy

2010-04-05T15:01:00.001-04:00

John MacArthur has been running a series on articles on the fallacy that is evolution on the Grace To You blog. This latest is a must-read for the theological underpinnings of this defective worldview and it's really quite simple. It's summed up quite nicely by the Apostle Paul in Romans 1: we are full of pride and don't want anyone to tell us what to do. Even our own Creator:

Dethroning the Judge
The Face of the Battle
Evolution: Today's Battleground
Evolution: Getting Rid of God

Chuck Colson's commentary for today reflects just how stupid evolution is and where it ultimately leads (taken to its extreme its goal is to remove all moral shackles and slaughter millions which dictators in Germany, Russian, China and many others have done gladly):

More Than Monkeys

Truly we are an Obamanation

2010-03-30T05:41:00.001-04:00

Everyone is good at heart

2010-03-25T19:58:00.002-04:00

NOT!

New Reality
The Bentness of Human Nature

In 1961, psychologist Stanley Milgram devised a now-infamous series of experiments. The goal was to understand why seemingly ordinary men carried out the demonic orders of the Third Reich. In Milgram’s experiments, a volunteer was told to administer electric shocks to another “volunteer” when he answered a question incorrectly. The victim was an actor—there was no electricity. But with each failure, a more powerful the shock was ordered. When volunteers hesitated, an authority figure prodded them, starting with “please continue” and escalating to “you have no other choice, you must go on.” These words were enough for two-thirds of the volunteers to administer what they believed was a fatal shock. When Milgram published the results, the response was outrage, both over the implications of the experiment and Milgram’s methods. Given the notoriety of the Milgram experiments, you’d expect that, if they were repeated today, the results would be different. Well, you would be wrong.

"None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God. All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one." [Rom 3:10b-12 ESV]

Read entire article

The Story of Zac Smith

2010-03-25T12:25:00.004-04:00

What an incredible journey and packed into 4 and a half minutes. Now I have nothing to complain about and everything to praise God for (as usual).

The Story of Zac Smith on Vimeo.

Can't wait for the TV special!

2010-03-25T12:20:00.003-04:00

And James Cameron's documentary on the Discovery Channel. And the book deals. And the movie tie-in. That is, until it's found to be nothing special (then you'll hardly hear a peep about it as the scientists slink back to their labs when the press finds something better to foam at the mouth over) but sadly after the damage from the propaganda has already been done:

Fossil DNA Analysis May Have Revealed New Human Species

A 40,000-year-old child's pinky bone found in a Siberian cave probably belonged to a previously unknown human species living near modern humans of the era, a gene study reports today. In the Nature journal study, the pinky bone discovered in the Denisova cave archaeological site in southern Siberia yielded mitochondrial DNA — maternal genes inherited outside of the ones found in cell's chromosomes — unrelated to either humans or their extinct Neanderthal cousins.

Read entire article

Hidden agenda in plain sight

2010-03-25T12:14:00.003-04:00

California Asks IRS To Change Tax Code To Accommodate Same-Sex Couples

If the Internal Revenue Service caves to a request from the California Legislature, it could change the tax code for the entire nation. California has issued a joint resolution asking the IRS to defer to state law on how to treat the property belonging to registered domestic partners and same-sex couples. AJR 29 does not have the strength of law, but conveys the Legislature’s opinion. Everett Rice, legislative coordinator with the California Family Council, said such a move by the IRS would set a dangerous precedent. "It’s the stealth way," he said, "of getting around all the states that have said, 'We support marriage between a man and a woman,' and 'Do not redefine it."

Read entire article

Adoption Agencies May Be Forced To Violate Religious Principles

Rep. Pete Stark, D-Calif., has introduced legislation that would force adoption agencies to consider placing children in same-sex households, even if it violates that group's moral and religious values. The bill (H.R. 4806) forces federally funded agencies to ignore sexual orientation, gender identity or marital status when placing children even though studies show kids do best in homes with a married mother and father.

Read entire article

Same-sex 'Divorce' Case Dismissed

The Oklahoma Court of Civil Appeals has said "no" to a lesbian divorce. Legal Counsel Tim Tracey of Alliance Defense Fund (ADF) explains that what was at stake in the case was the validity of Oklahoma's marriage law. "If you look at this situation, it's almost absurd," he comments. "What you have here is a fraudulent attempt to try to undermine the marriage amendment of Oklahoma that was passed by 76 percent of the voters. So you have here a same-sex couple that alleged that they were married in Canada, but yet they could never even produce a marriage certificate." The two still sought a divorce by going through the "back door and trying to get an Oklahoma court to recognize it." "[The court] saw this for what it was," Tracy notes. "It was a fraudulent attempt by a same-sex couple to undermine the voice of the people in Oklahoma, and they dismissed it outright. So we think this is the end of the road for that."

Read entire article

Public schools are dangerous!

2010-03-25T12:11:00.002-04:00

Case in point:

Education Department Buying 12-gauge Shotguns

Civil libertarians are viewing with alarm a decision by the government to purchase dozens of shotguns for representatives of the U.S. Department of Education offices in Washington and Philadelphia, even though the government attests that the 12-gauge weapons are simply to replace other guns. "Viewed in conjunction with the destruction of the Bill of Rights through Patriot Act type legislation, we can see a pattern developing of an emerging Homeland Security state and a total surveillance society," said attorney and former Marine Corps officer Darrell Castle. He was the Constitution Party's 2008 vice president nominee, and told WND the fact the guns are being purchased by and delivered to the U.S. Department of Education is worrisome because of the agency's confirmation it has its own armed security force.

Read entire article

No more wondering

2010-03-25T12:07:00.003-04:00

You don't have to wait too long to find an article in the press to help explain why the culture of death is increasingly on the rise in the US given the continued demand for abortion as a "right" and the popularization of assisted suicides (from doctors who have taken the Hippocratic oath!) throughout our country. Just read on and be disgusted:

'Family Guy' Stages 'Terri Schiavo: The Musical' For Laughs

Seth MacFarlane marked the five-year-anniversary of Terri Schiavo's court-ordered death by staging a preschool musical about it in his crass FOX cartoon, "Family Guy." MacFarlane denied Schiavo human dignity in the March 21 episode by referring to her in lyrics sung by cartoon preschoolers as "the most expensive plant you'll ever see" and a "vegetable," and noted "her mashed potato brains."

Read entire article

Reason #1,492,583 to homeschool

2010-03-24T20:03:00.003-04:00

Mother Furious After In-school Clinic Sets Up Teen's Abortion

The mother of a Ballard High School student is fuming after the health center on campus helped facilitate her daughter's abortion during school hours.
...
Jill says her daughter, a pro-life advocate, was given a pass, put in a taxi and sent off to have an abortion during school hours all without her family knowing. "We had no idea this was being facilitated on campus," said Jill. "They just told her that if she concealed it from her family, that it would be free of charge and no financial responsibility."

Read full article

Only Christ saves

2010-03-24T12:30:00.003-04:00

You'd think that after a few thousand years of being around that mankind would smarten up a bit. We invent every kind of "ism" known to man to try and explain our existence and soothe are conscience (humanism, existentialism, nihilism, etc.). And, of course, we always try to fallback on science and technology to save us in the end (unfortunately evolution is not science and no amount of advanced, do-everything toasters can give us better lives). For being at the pinnacle of the "evolutionary process," we are undoubtedly the dumbest creatures around because we never seem to learn.

Video: Robot Baby may Spark Baby Boom

Can Robot Baby Boost Births?

NC State Students Develop "Over The Limit" iPhone App

Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, "Rulers of the people and elders, if we are being examined today concerning a good deed done to a crippled man, by what means this man has been healed, let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead--by him this man is standing before you well. This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone. And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved." [Acts 4:8-12 ESV]

Nothing like...

2010-03-24T12:27:00.002-04:00

...adapting your religious cult to suit the times:

Christian Science Church Seeks Truce On Medicine

Since the founding of their church 131 years ago, Christian Scientists have been taught to avoid doctors at all cost. It is a conviction rooted so deeply in church dogma that dozens of members have gone to jail rather than surrender an ailing person to what they see as the quackery of medical science. But faced with dwindling membership and blows to their church’s reputation caused by its intransigence concerning medical treatment, even for children with grave illnesses, Christian Science leaders have recently found a new tolerance for medical care.

Read entire article

Does this seem like Animal Farm to you?

2010-03-24T12:17:00.005-04:00

It sure does to me:

Health Bill May Exempt Top Hill Staffers

The health care reform bill signed into law by President Barack Obama Tuesday requires members of Congress and their office staffs to buy insurance through the state-run exchanges it creates – but it may exempt staffers who work for congressional committees or for party leaders in the House and Senate. Staffers and members on both sides of the aisle call it an “inequity” and an “outrage” – a loophole that exempts the staffers most involved in writing and passing the bill from one of its key requirements.

Read entire article

With that in mind, see what this does for your sunny disposition:

Ten Inconvenient Truths About Obamacare

President Obama is promising a massive campaign to sell the health care plan just approved by Congress -- starting with his signature on the Senate version of the legislation on Tuesday. The sales pitch begins even as the Senate considers a raft of modifications to the plan already approved by the House. But as the president makes his pitch, critics will be looking to knock down many of the central claims he and other Democratic leaders have made. Here are 10 inconvenient truths that could dog the president...

Read entire article

Some good news this week

2010-03-24T06:59:00.002-04:00

Gone for now. But trust me, evil has a way of always popping up somewhere else...

The liberal grass-roots group ACORN will formally disband on April 1 due to falling revenues, as its state chapters reorganize, the group said on Monday.
...
ACORN's board on Sunday formally closed the remaining affiliates to secure their remaining assets and pay off debts, the source said. "ACORN has faced a series of well-orchestrated, relentless, well-funded right wing attacks," the group said in a statement announcing the moves.

Reuters article

New Book Alert

2010-03-24T06:09:00.003-04:00

Dig Deeper
by Nigel Beynon and Andrew Sach

Book description: Dig Deeper offers sixteen "tools" readers can use to get to the bottom of any Bible passage and discover its intended meaning. Examples show how each tool helps readers discover something exciting and relevant in a passage, and the "Dig deeper" exercises offer the opportunity to practice using the tools. The book's brevity and easy-to-read format make it ideal for Christians who want to get the most out of their Bible.

Endorsed by Mark Dever and R. Kent Hughes.

Resources: Tim Challies Review, Crossway Books, Westminster Bookstore

Welcome to the USSA!

2010-03-23T08:35:00.003-04:00

United States of Socialized America

How can people live this way? Answer: not very well

2010-03-18T20:47:00.006-04:00

After reading the following article, I really wanted to find a brick wall and slam my head into. Any sort of unconscious state would be better than having my brain explode given the amount of superfluous garbage contained therein not to mention all the electrons sacrificed in vain to inflict it upon us.

God, Yes; Organized Religion, No

I believe in God, but I believe less and less in organized religion. Christianity is a disappointment, not because of God and not because of Jesus, but because of people.
...
Christians, too many of them, are Christian in name only. Christians have been taught by organized religion, and organized religion and its dogma and doctrine are as far away from the ideal and idea of God that I hold onto as the east is from west.
...
We have an anthropomorphic way of relating to God, and an anthropomorphic way of understanding God, myself included. So, when God does not do our bidding, which is often, we are at a loss. We wrestle with theodicy; we come up wanting.
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I teach God as I can; how a person receives it (or not) is not up to me. My prayer is that whatever I teach deepens their belief in God, so that when the earth drops from under their feet, as the earth is wont to do from time to time, they will have something more than their fear, anger or confusion to latch onto. I pray that whatever I teach about this mysterious God will sustain them, and that they will not fall into despair. That's all I can do, and frankly, sometimes it feels like it is not even close to being enough.
...
I accept the stories in the Bible as stories, but with inherent lessons that are valuable. I accept that I will not ever understand God. I believe in this God. I believe in Jesus, and I believe that both God and Jesus would hate how organized religion devalues them.

Where to begin? It's like shooting fish in a barrel it's so easy. I guess one could say this is just an attempt at passing off humanism and universalism as a religion unto itself. When you fall back on quoting Niebuhr (who happens to be Obama's favorite theologian - yikes) and Tillich, you know you've fallen off the edge and there's little chance of pulling you back to sanity. Maybe we should just leave it at that because the more I think about the poor author who wrote this, the more pity I feel for her.

WARNING: By clicking on the link below, you agree to hold me and the entire human race free and clear of any repercussions that might ensue should you read the following article (in part or whole). You have been warned! However, if you can keep your head from exploding, it is good for a laugh (not that I think that's what the author had in mind when writing - but hey, we live in a postmodern world).

Article link: click here

The Epitomy of Stupidity

2010-03-18T20:39:00.003-04:00

Want to know why schools are closing left and right? Want to know why the rest of them are barely able to graduate a decent amount of kids who can barely read at age 18? You'll know why after reading the following article in which the brilliant minds of our day, the ones who control the public education system and what gets taught as "fact," conjure up fairy tales like the one below, publish them in great academic tomes, pat each other on the back and pass them off as "science."

Prehistoric Dads Helped With Child Care
Hands-on fathers may have helped jumpstart the modern human population

The males among our earliest human ancestors may have helped jumpstart the modern human population explosion by helping females with child rearing. This paternal investment resembled the kind of hands-on parenting many dads still display, Northwestern University researcher Lee T. Gettler suggests in a new anthropological model of human evolution. As there are in the modern era, there were some deadbeat dads who didn't lend a hand with child care in the distant past.
...
The study was published in the February issue of the journal American Anthropologist. Dads in early human species would have aided in carrying children, as well as in their bathing, feeding, playing and teaching them the lessons of prehistoric life, says Gettler. They traded these services with the females for access to mating, allowing for monogamy and the modern family structure to develop.
...
Evolutionary biologist and biological anthropologist John Tooby of University of California at Santa Barbara agrees that fatherly care played a decisive role in human evolution. Yet Tooby, who is unaffiliated with Gettler's study, sees paternal investment impacting human dominance as a species not only because humans were able to reproduce more frequently, but because the additional care allowed us to develop better brains.

MSNBC article: click here

Time warp ... we're back in 1984

2010-03-18T20:30:00.003-04:00

And these are the same people that a lot of Americans want to hand their health care over to? Amazing...

Census Threat: $5,000 Fines
U.S. congressman slams 'Big Brother' questions

The U.S. Census website for the American Community Survey warns that under Title 13 of the U.S. Code, Section 221, anyone who refuses to answer the 11-page 48-question survey, or who answers the questions with false information, will be subject to a possible $5,000 fine.
...
In an e-mail to WND, [Rep. Ted Poe, R-Texas] repeated his charge that the American Community Survey amounts to an Obama administration attempt to create a "government dossier on American citizens."
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"The government can take this detailed information about each person who answers the American Community Survey and use that information for its own purposes," he said. "This is Big Brother at its worst. To me, it's an invasion of privacy by the federal government all in the name of taking care of us."

Article link: click here

You know things are bad...

2010-03-18T20:28:00.003-04:00

...when liberal CNN refers to Pelosi's latest scheme as "beyond sleazy":

On Tuesday's Situation Room, CNN's Jack Cafferty returned to targeting Nancy Pelosi, this time for endorsing the controversial "Slaughter Solution" to passing ObamaCare through the House of Representatives without a vote. Cafferty labeled the proposal "beyond sleazy," and later flatly remarked, "This reeks!" The commentator even gave some rare kudos to House Republicans.

Article link: click here

Utter foolishness

2010-03-18T17:24:00.003-04:00

So all that's needed for "world peace" is to have people of different religions shoot video about their faiths? Then we sit around the fire holding hands whilst having a "conversation", right?

Tony Blair Faith Foundation Seeks To Bridge Religious Divide

The Tony Blair Faith Foundation has launched a new global film competition to raise the level of understanding between people of different religions. The foundation is inviting young people aged 25 and under from around the world to make a short film demonstrating how their faith inspires them. The films are to be judged by Tony Blair and high profile figures from around the world, including Queen Rania of Jordan, actress Natalie Portman, and preacher and broadcaster Amr Khaled. The three winning films will be premiered at BAFTA in July. The foundation is offering a free portable video camera for the 50 best pitches to enable as many young people as possible to participate. "By gaining insights into the lives of young people across the world this competition has the potential to build bridges across cultural and religious divides," said Blair.

Article link: click here

Obama funds (homosexual) education

2010-03-18T17:12:00.004-04:00

While he won't lift a finger to continue funding the D.C. school voucher program (you know, the place where the public school system is attrocious by any metric - and that's being kind), Obama is more than willing to increase the funding by tens of millions to his homesexual propaganda czar:

President Obama Wants To Give More Taxpayer Money To Controversial Education Czar

President Obama's proposed budget would allocate $410 million for programs overseen by his new "safe school czar," gay activist Kevin Jennings. That's an increase of $45 million. Family advocates are concerned, because Jennings used the so-called "school climate" phrase as a tool to promote homosexuality in schools as the founder of the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network. Candi Cushman, education analyst with Focus on the Family Action, said parents should be concerned with how Jennings might spend the money. "He's been quoted saying he wants to spend as much as $70 million on so-called 'school climate' projects," she said. U.S. Rep. Steve King, R-Iowa, said the president is not to listening to the outcry over the safe school czar.

Article link: click here

Obama finally tells the truth!

2010-03-18T17:07:00.003-04:00

In a recent FOX News interview regarding the struggle over the health reform bill, President Obama finally gave the American public what they deserve: the truth...

"Somebody who votes for this bill, they're going to be judged at the polls," Obama says.

USA Today article: Obama Says He Will Be Vindicated By History

We're just friends

2010-03-16T12:54:00.002-04:00

There's nothing quite like allowing students of the opposite sex to room together in the college dorms. Ah, to understand the thought processes of liberal academia. And to think this began simply to appease the less than 2% majority of the US population:

College officials say the movement began mainly as a way to accommodate gay, bisexual and transgender students who may feel more comfortable living with a member of the opposite sex.

Want to see where this is headed:

Parents cannot veto such a decision at Harvey Mudd, but Gerbick asks students to discuss it with their families ahead of time. He also asks applicants whether they are romantically involved; all of this year's participants said no. But if they were, the school could not forbid them from rooming together. "If we are going into a post-gender world, then the regulation of private behavior is just not practical," he said.

A post-gender world? Silly me, I forgot that people are not born male and female. We've reached such a point of evolutionary development and mental enlightenment that all are born gender neutral. I guess we've reached the pinnacle of asexual reproduction (I must have missed that signpost somewhere along the way). It is any wonder marriages don't last (or for that matter most people aren't even interested in marriage anymore) and almost 40% of children these days are born out of wedlock?

Mixed-gender Dorm Rooms Are Gaining Acceptance

In the 1970s, many U.S. colleges moved from having only single-sex dormitories to providing coed residence halls, with male and female students typically housed on alternating floors or wings. Then came coed hallways and bathrooms, further shocking traditionalists. Now, some colleges allow undergraduates of opposite sexes to share a room. Pitzer, which began its program in the fall of 2008, is among about 50 U.S. schools with the housing choice, according to Jeffrey Chang, who co-founded the National Student Genderblind Campaign in 2006 to encourage gender-mixed rooms. Participating schools include UC Riverside, UC Berkeley, Stanford, Cornell, Dartmouth, Sarah Lawrence, Haverford, Wesleyan and the University of Michigan. College officials say the movement began mainly as a way to accommodate gay, bisexual and transgender students who may feel more comfortable living with a member of the opposite sex. Most schools say they discourage couples from participating, citing emotional and logistical problems of breakups. Officials say most heterosexuals in the programs are platonic friends.
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Many schools restrict the option to upperclassmen, to certain floors or to residence halls with gay themes.
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The pair seem to have a warm brotherly-sisterly friendship and, while they try to be respectful, they say they are not inhibited about being in underwear or even nude while changing clothes in the room.
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But at colleges, he said, "I think those old-fashioned ways of thinking are kind of dissipating. . . . Over the years, this division between men and women, which was so big, is slowly closing."

LA Times article link: click here

If you give a mouse a cookie...

2010-03-16T12:48:00.004-04:00

I think we need to change that expression to "if you give a donkey a cookie..."

Pelosi: 'Once We Kick Through This Door,' More Reform Will Follow

If you have any doubt that the Democratic leadership of the House views passing the current health care reform bill as the beginning, not the end, of the process of creating a national government health care system, just note what Speaker Nancy Pelosi told a group of bloggers on Monday. "My biggest fight has been between those who wanted to do something incremental and those who wanted to do something comprehensive," Pelosi said, according to an account by Washington Post reform advocate Ezra Klein. "We won that fight, and once we kick through this door, there'll be more legislation to follow."

Article link: click here

Girl Scouts, run for your lives!

2010-03-16T12:39:00.003-04:00

The UN has been working for years to undermine parental rights and attempting to coerce countries into adopting their "sexual education and freedoms" propaganda. If you're involved in Girl Scouts, I think it's safe to say it's time to abandon ship.

Girl Scouts Team Up With Planned Parenthood

Please be aware that the following paragraphs contain graphic and profane advice about sexual activity. But I print it to remind you of just how wicked is the organization who came up with this stuff, Planned Parenthood. For the brochure (entitled, “Healthy, Happy and Hot" and directed at youth who have HIV) not only encourages sexual perversions but quite dangerous perversions at that. And, one other thing, this brochure was distributed with the enabling assistance of the United Nations...and the Girl Scouts of America!
...
The Girl Scouts, along with the YMCA have been co-moderating a young women’s caucus that included an “Intergenerational Conversation” side event on “universal access” and “reproductive health.” One recent Girl Scout project “aims at securing the right of women, men and adolescents aged between ten and twenty-five, to better reproductive and sexual health.”?? Also at CSW last week, the heads of various powerful UN agencies including the UN Population Fund, UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), UN Children's Fund and the World Health Organization released a “UN Joint Statement” under the name of the "UN Adolescent Girls Task Force," which calls for their agencies to promote and support programs "that empower -- adolescent girls, particularly those aged 10 to 14 years."

Article links: here, and here.

History in the making

2010-03-16T06:35:00.005-04:00

Pay attention people or history might just pass you by. This should be ranked right up there with the rise to power by Hitler, Stalin, Mussolini and all the others who were just doing what was best for their people...

Slaughter House Rules

We're not sure American schools teach civics any more, but once upon a time they taught that under the U.S. Constitution a bill had to pass both the House and Senate to become law. Until this week, that is, when Speaker Nancy Pelosi is moving to merely "deem" that the House has passed the Senate health-care bill and then send it to President Obama to sign anyway. Under the "reconciliation" process that began yesterday afternoon, the House is supposed to approve the Senate's Christmas Eve bill and then use "sidecar" amendments to fix the things it doesn't like. Those amendments would then go to the Senate under rules that would let Democrats pass them while avoiding the ordinary 60-vote threshold for passing major legislation. This alone is an abuse of traditional Senate process. But Mrs. Pelosi & Co. fear they lack the votes in the House to pass an identical Senate bill, even with the promise of these reconciliation fixes.
...
So at the Speaker's command, New York Democrat Louise Slaughter, who chairs the House Rules Committee, may insert what's known as a "self-executing rule," also known as a "hereby rule." Under this amazing procedural ruse, the House would then vote only once on the reconciliation corrections, but not on the underlying Senate bill. If those reconciliation corrections pass, the self-executing rule would say that the Senate bill is presumptively approved by the House—even without a formal up-or-down vote on the actual words of the Senate bill.

WSJ article link: click here

WP article link: House May Try To Pass Senate Health-care Bill Without Voting On It

I'm sure George Washington and company would be proud. The United States of America: a government of the Democrats, by the Democrats, for the Democrats (sorry Abe).

When will people open their eyes?

2010-03-12T06:10:00.003-05:00

Next up we have two articles trying to drag the ugly truth of pornography out into the light. Unfortunately we have US and UK societies which are so depraved that they will turn a blind eye to evil all in the name of "freedom" and "equality":

In this first article, we get some warm fuzzies about people wrangling over various studies trying to prove what right and wrong is:

The Cost Of Growing Up On Porn

In this second article, no one has to debate what is right and wrong. There can be no debate when word comes from our young women about what the evils of pornography are doing to destroy our future families and therefore society as a whole. I've included some article excerpts so that you can get a glimpse of how bad things are:

Teenage Boys Watching Hours Of Internet Pornography Every Week Are Treating Their Girlfriends Like Sex Objects [UK]

The English verb to chaperone comes from the French noun 'chaperon' - protector - and it is first recorded in Jane Austen's novel Sense And Sensibility, published in 1811. Then, the reputation of a young woman was considered so precious that she was protected at all times if in male company by the presence of another woman: a chaperone. In Jane Austen's world, a young woman and a young man were rarely, if ever, left alone together. Two hundred years later, with sexual and feminist revolutions behind us, we're in a world where there are few, if any, boundaries in place to 'protect' a woman's honour. Women are free to behave as they wish, sleep with whomever they wish, and the vast amounts of sexual content on TV and in films attests to that. In fact, many women would argue that the very idea of being 'chaperoned' is restrictive and demeaning. And yet among today's teenage girls, the chaperone has made a surprising and - as we shall come to see - disturbing comeback.
...
When I spoke to many teenage girls in researching the subject, they told me these demands are both 'disturbing and upsetting', and they are certain they're being fuelled by what their boyfriends are watching online: hard-core, explicit porn. This deeply worrying trend is finally starting to be noticed by those in authority.
...
Psychologist Dr Linda Papadopoulos has just published a government report into the sexualisation of children, and is certain that exposure to porn is having an adverse affect on the lives of today's teenagers. 'My research has left me extremely concerned,' she says.
...
'Boys just want us to do all the stuff they see the porn stars do,' one 16-year-old girl told me. 'It's as if we have to pretend we are in a movie. 'They want us to dress like porn stars in sexy underwear, have bodies that look like porn stars, and sound and behave like them too when we are alone. That's why we like to have our friends around us now.'
...
Another 16-year- old said, rather surprisingly, that while many young girls might moan about their parents being too strict, she actually resented her parents' 'forward-thinking' liberal attitude. 'I wish my parents would say I'm not allowed to be home alone with a boy. I wish they'd say boys aren't allowed in my bedroom. They make this big deal about "trusting us", but that's not helping me. They have no idea what goes on, and I'm too embarrassed to tell them.'
...
'We don't, of course, want a world where we are not equal, like it was in Jane Austen's day. But in some ways we've gone back to inequality anyway because we are not being treated equally when it comes to what boys want from us when we are alone with them.
...
One of the girls in the group I spoke to told me she found an nine-year- old boy she was babysitting watching explicit porn on the family computer when she went to read him his bedtime story.
...
The first group I met were sixth-form boys at a boarding school. Some admitted they did find it a useful way to learn about sex; others told me they sought out the most hardcore material to send to each other 'for a laugh'. When I asked if they felt they were being desensitised by watching so much explicit material, they clearly thought I was a prude. In London, I met another group of boys who told me that they, too, routinely watched porn and that it was a good way of learning about sex and girls. 'It tells us how to act and what they want,' one told me.
...
John Carr agrees. He has for years been campaigning to put in place better measures to protect children from this deluge of pornography, and now, as the generation which has grown up exposed to such a deluge of porn reaches sexual maturity, he fears the consequences. 'It should be very much harder for kids to get at,' he says. 'Having filters already activated at point of sale on all computers is an obvious solution for worried parents. It would be a start.'

Article link: click here (WARNING: graphic photo at top of article)

Ah, yes, the wisdom of the world. What we need are parents who put filters on our computers. That will do the trick! We don't need to instruct our children because our educational systems are doing it for us (ah, NOT). There's no need to preach at people. We must let them forge their own paths and find their own truths. Gag me...

Even as bad as things are getting, most people are totally oblivious. Our society, our educational system, our total lack of self-discipline and, most importantly, our refusal to worship the true God of Christianity is destroying lives. And while our societies are crumbling around us, the people drink in the depravity and ask for more. Anyone who cares to say different is a prude and kill-joy. Parents are so busy in their own sinful lives that they could care less about what their children are doing or being subjected to. Sodom and Gomorrah are now fun places to visit for the entire family.

"You have heard that it was said, 'You shall not commit adultery.' But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body be thrown into hell. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body go into hell."

[Jesus Christ, Sermon on the Mount, Matthew 5:27-30 ESV]

"Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, ... nor adulterers, ... will inherit the kingdom of God."

[Paul, 1Co 6:9-10 ESV]

"This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone. And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved."

[Peter, Acts 4:11-12]

Headlines Aplenty

2010-03-12T05:48:00.002-05:00

I've fallen a little behind so here's the latest round-up of what's been going on...

First up we have President Obama's "faith council" which among them as a whole probably know about 1% of the Bible (and likely don't understand most of that) since they are more concerned with their vacuous social agenda than standing up for the Gospel and God's Word:

President's Faith-Based Group Fails To Mention Abortion

And, of course, there's always good news coming from Uncle Sam:

Oversight Panel Blasts $17.2 Billion Bailout Of GMAC

(I was going to bring up something about hindsight being 20-20 and all but then I remembered there were plenty who said this was a stupid idea but in typical Obama fashion it's all shoot first and ask questions later)

Program To Pay Homeowners To Sell At A Loss

Gov't Workers Feel No Economic Pain

Half Of Kansas City Public Schools To Close

Artificial Stupidity

Before reading this next article, repeat over and over in your head that evolutionists don't have an agenda (they obviously don't have a brain, either, for thinking that our Constitution is quite explicit in banning the teaching of creationism in schools):

Students Who Understand Earth's Geological Age Are More Likely To Accept Human Evolution

In this next story I'm really surprised that health officials are so upset about the continued increase and nationwide high levels of STDs. Obviously the solution is that we're not educating our children enough about "safe sex" or providing too few condoms to our children:

CDC: U.S. Herpes Rates Remain High

Let's not forget about the ongoing "culture of death" within our enlightened society (as if 52 million dead babies is not enough):

Texas Planned Parenthood Holds Gala To Raise Money For Abortion 'Super Center'

Islam continues to make great inroads in our country (and of course it should being the "religion of peace" and all)...

Financial Jihad: How Radical Islam -- Through Wall Street -- Threatens America's Families And Freedom

Radical Imam To Open VA Legislature

Today we have multiple articles to go in the "people are good at heart" folder:

Moviegoer Tells Woman to Stop Talking On Cell Phone, Gets Stabbed In The Neck

Police: Couple Nurtured Virtual Child While Real Baby Starved

Tiger Woods's College Girlfriend: He Deserves Another Chance

New Book

2010-03-12T05:24:00.004-05:00

David Kupelian, author of "The Marketing of Evil" has recently released a new book, "How Evil Works: Understanding and Overcoming the Destructive Forces That Are Transforming America":

Considering how good his last book was (it is quite the eye-opener about how our nation has been corrupted by liberal influences who know how to play the system and appeal to human nature) this one will also be on my must-read list.

Latest Headlines

2010-03-05T12:30:00.002-05:00

More "wisdom" from the world:

Maine Schools Asked To Consider New 'Transgender' Guidelines

'Extra Small' Condoms For 12-Year-Old Boys Go On Sale

Wisdom From Your Local Zoo

I wonder how many read this and bought into its pack of lies:

The Nation: On Religion And Reconciliation

The author of the above probably should have read some stats like these but then I guess it's asking too much to actually use the brain God gave her:

42% Support Health Care Plan, 52% Oppose

How the world hates the name of Christ and those who actually obey His commands:

Postal Worker Threatens Christian With Arrest

This looks pretty interesting:

Seek Social Justice

After reading this depressing piece it's no wonder the Brits are so anti-intellectual:

JK Rowling Tops Books List

Here's today's article covering the "religion of peace":

Divorced Before Puberty

Can anyone spot the disparity between these two article (one written last year and the other this week):

Scientists Unveil Missing Link In Evolution

Report: 'Ida' Fossil Looks Like Lemur, Not Human Ancestor

The "eighth wonder of the world"? Pah-leeze. How sad that the "smart" ones are so desperate to prove their science fiction that they'll grasp onto anything to keep afloat only to end up playing the part of the fool.

For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things. [Romans 1:18-23, ESV]

Abortion for minors

2010-03-04T06:31:00.002-05:00

Welcome to the United States of Planned Parenthood:

Local High School To House Clinic Promoting Family Planning For Youth 12-19

Socialism at work

2010-03-04T06:27:00.003-05:00

Want a glimpse at what happens when government oversteps its bounds and forces health-care on society? Read on...

New Charge On Dinner Tab Is In Bad Taste

Just a small taste of what happens when you "spread the wealth" around.

Couldn't believe my eyes

2010-03-04T06:20:00.001-05:00

Pro-Bible Ad Campaign Runs On Fox, MSNBC

A national media campaign to promote the authority of the Bible began running commercials on Fox News, FoxNews.com and MSNBC.com on Monday. The “I Am Not Ashamed” campaign, organized by apologetics ministry Answers in Genesis, will run commercials from March 1 to April 25 featuring individuals from different backgrounds, nationalities, ages and cultures saying they are not ashamed of the Gospel. Organizers hope to convey the message that despite physical differences, people around the world hold in common a respect and appreciation for the relevance of God’s word in today’s world. A print ad campaign will also run in USA Today during that period. The print ad will quote specific Bible verses that address hot-button issues today. Issues that will be addressed include abortion, marriage and religion in the public square.

Earlier this year, the BGEA and Christianity.com launched an “I am a Christian” campaign that calls on believers to declare their faith in Jesus Christ “in a time when God’s truth is being attacked on all sides.” Social media tools such as Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and blogs are also being used to attract participation in the “I am not Ashamed” campaign, and to a lesser extent, in the “I am a Christian” campaign.

Christian Post article: link

More good news

2010-03-02T11:58:00.002-05:00

These two go together like just like a fine wine and potato chips...

CNN Poll: Majority Says Government A Threat To Citizens' Rights

American Reliance On Government At All-time High

Should we wonder why most in the world view the U.S. as a nation of idiots? It is well deserved as we dig our own graves. As more evidence:

Policy Review: Women In Combat

Study: Teen Use Of Marijuana, Alcohol On The Rise

When It's OK to Walk Away From Your Home

And this one is proof we're "going to hell in a hand basket":

Texas College Campus Divided Over Bible For Porn Campaign

Here IS some good news...

Teacher Wins Major Victory For God In School

There are repurcussions for bad deeds done in darkness:

Gatorade Ends Endorsement Contract With Tiger Woods

No More McGwire Highway?

And another one for the "people are good at heart" file:

Clueless Woman Calls Tech Show When Her Stolen Wi-Fi Disappears

A banner day for the US of A

2010-03-02T11:54:00.002-05:00

Another victory for collapsing the foundations of our once great nation thanks to our postmodern, touchy-feely, all smiles and no substance President. This quote from the article just about says it all...

"On Friday, however, White House officials met with 60 members of atheist advocacy group the Secular Coalition for America, to discuss problems that they believe are fueled by religion. The coalition's press release notes that this is the first time an administration has met with a non-theist community."

Atheists Meet With White House Officials

You should be so proud of what you've acheived in just over a year in office, Mr. President.

How can you tell when Pelosi is lying?

2010-03-02T11:51:00.003-05:00

When you see her lips moving...

Is Nancy Pelosi a rabid right wing extremist, Hitler-loving, racist, radical voiced, birther-believing, unruly puppet behaving un-American Tea Partier?

More hypocrisy from the left when their liberal agendas back them into a corner where they'll make a pact with the devil to get out.

All Kinds of Issues

2010-02-25T07:03:00.002-05:00

America's two biggest hypocrites (Obama and Biden):

Obama & Dems In 2005: 51 Vote 'Nuclear Option' Is 'Arrogant' Power Grab Against The Founder’s Intent

Jihadist Attorneys At Justice

The liberal "think tank" at work with its enlightened viewpoint looking down its nose at the rest of us idiots who dare to disagree with them:

How The Left Thinks -- Or Not
[Page down for article]

Let's Call It As It Is: People Are Being Just Plain Selfish

Congressman Derided For Laughing At Suggestion To Recite The Pledge Of Allegiance

Cornelia Dean Doesn't Trust You -- But Then Again, She Doesn't Trust Herself, Either

This one makes me just sick:

Ashland Clinic Will Offer Medication-induced Abortions

Funny you don't hear a peep about this in the press when two Christians are gunned down. You deny bathroom use to a transgender and every major paper in the country denounces it as a hate crime but kill two Christians in cold blood while sharing the gospel and it's just another day in America:

Faith Leaders Urge Feds To Investigate Murder Of Street Preachers

Here's a couple of stories for those who continue to insist that people are basically good at heart:

A Man Jumps To His Death And People -- Laugh?

The Truth Hurts Rape Liar

Here's an amazing piece from one of Obama's spiritual advisors who knows nothing about the Gospel and insists that all we need to do is to follow a few rules to be "good" people. I'm pretty sure Mr. Wallis' middle name is Pharisee:

The Power Of Choice: Does Your Life Reflect Your Moral Compass?

As the gay agenda continues to ram its ideology on the American public, God's church is increasingly being brought into the crosshairs:

Believe Out Loud Calls For Christians To Voice Support For Gays, Lesbians

The Day's Scary Headlines

2010-02-17T06:49:00.001-05:00

Obama Will Now Aggressively Use Executive Power

President Obama Plans To Increase Controversial "Safe Schools Czar’s" Budget

Obama Appoints Muslim Envoy

Doctors Back 'Right To Die'

Maine Considers Banning Biology-based Restrooms

For The Love Of Pets

St. Paul, In Historical Context

A New Kind Of Christianity

The Day's Top Headlines

2010-02-12T12:23:00.002-05:00

Obama continues to push his radical agenda on Americans:

Obama's Big Plans For OLC Nominee

Obama Administration Forming A New Federal Agency To Monitor 'Climate Change'

And this article seems to hit the nail on the head...

The President's Reality Problem: Campaign mode doesn't work for governing

Wnat to know one way your tax money is being used to keep you safe?

Feds Admit They Wronged Pro-lifers

In more and more press articles, you see more and more people rising up to protect their rights as they see liberals masquerading their agenda in very subtle ways:

Your Voice Makes A Difference In New Hampshire!

The same type of shenanigans are going on elsewhere:

'Sleight of hand' Measure Favors Homosexuals

Wyoming Public Schools Resist Promotion Of Homosexuality

Here's an article that's about a week old but definitely worth a read:

Many Successful Gay Marriages Share An Open Secret

And this is just plain sad, but not unexpected in our country where universalism has largely become the norm in our "tolerant" society:

Some Presbyterians See Salvation By Other Faiths

Here was today's unexpected read:

Can You Buy Your Way To Better Spiritual Health?

It's been a while...

2010-02-10T12:45:00.002-05:00

When I read this story today:

Obama Doesn’t 'Begrudge' Bonuses For Blankfein, Dimon

I couldn't help but think of this story back in December:

Obama: 'Fat-cat' Bankers Owe Help To U.S. Taxpayers

And I couldn't help but think of Psalms:

Everyone utters lies to his neighbor; with flattering lips and a double heart they speak. [Ps 12:2]

Mr. President, I'd suggest you get yourself saved by repenting of your sins and putting your faith in Jesus Christ who died for your sins, then take God up on His offer below. You, and our country, will be the better for it. Until then, I'll be praying for you.

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all
without reproach, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith,
with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that
is driven and tossed by the wind. For that person must not suppose that
he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man,
unstable in all his ways. [James 1:5-8]

Consider the following two articles as examples of something you won't find very often in the press:

Why Are Liberals So Condescending?

Killing Abstinence

And while we're on the topic of abstinence, let's look at how the ungodly like to think and force their views on the world:

Planned Parenthood Pushes Intensive Sex Education For Kids As Young As 10

Dr. Mohler has a great commentary on the above article:

Mandatory Sex Education For Ten-Year-Olds? Yours?

which ties right into this article:

HPV Infects Majority Of Young Adults

And let's not forget our article of the day covering the "religion of peace":

Turkish Girl, 16, Buried Alive For Talking To Boys

When "Faith" Is Useless

2009-04-24T12:21:00.001-04:00

10 Most Important Obama Faith Moments

From expanding the White House's faith-based office to opening his rallies with prayer, Barack Obama has embraced faith in a more visible way than any other president in recent memory. At the same time, Obama's actions on a variety of fronts, from abortion policy to accepting a speaking invitation at Notre Dame—a prestigious Roman Catholic university—have outraged religious conservatives. The confluence of these two phenomena have made for an explosion of "faith moments" in the first 100 days of Obama's presidency. Here are the 10 most important.

1. Rick Warren's Inauguration Day Invocation
2. Granting First TV Interview to Arabic Language Network
3. Reversing Mexico City Policy on Family Planning Providers Abroad
4. Opening Rallies With Prayer
5. Launching White House Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships
6. Convening a Faith Advisory Council
7. Joe Biden's Receiving Ashes on Ash Wednesday
8. Lifting Restrictions on Federally-Funded Embryonic Stem Cell Research
9. Announcing Plans to Give Notre Dame's Commencement Address
10. Speaking to Muslim World From Turkey

US News & World Report article

Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you? - unless indeed you fail to meet the test!
[2Co 13:5]

SSM, FDA , Suicide and Abortion Shame

2009-04-23T12:27:00.005-04:00

Connecticut has fallen and Maine is closing in quickly.

"A spokesman for Gov. M. Jodi Rell said she will sign the bill, which passed 28-7 in the Senate and 100-44 in the House of Representatives, into law. It redefines marriage in Connecticut as the legal union of two people. State law previously defined marriage as the union of a man and a woman."

Marriage In Connecticut Is Now The Legal Union Of Two People

"Sen. Dennis Damon's proposal -- backed by more than 60 legislative co-sponsors -- would repeal a state law that limits marriage to a man and a woman and replace it with one that authorizes marriage between any two people. Also up for a discussion was a separate bill to allow civil unions — which offer many of the same rights as marriage — sponsored by Rep. Les Fossel, R-Alna."

Maine's Marriage Debate Turns Deeply Religious

And the FDA has now made it official. 17 year-old girls can't purchase alcohol or cigarettes, they can't vote yet they have the "right" to abort the results an "unintended pregnancy".

FDA To Make Morning-after Pill Available To 17-year-olds

And we're just getting warmed up regarding our culture of death:

Suicide Group's Manual Urges Celebrations

Secretary Clinton: Obama Administration Wants To Overturn Other Countries Pro-life Laws

Confronting Clinton On Abortion

Americans need to hang their heads in shame. Better yet, they need to repent and put their faith in Christ while He remains longsuffering and makes grace available.

"And now, O sons, listen to me: blessed are those who keep my ways. Hear instruction and be wise, and do not neglect it. Blessed is the one who listens to me, watching daily at my gates, waiting beside my doors. For whoever finds me finds life and obtains favor from the Lord, but he who fails to find me injures himself; all who hate me love death." [Pro 8:32-36 ESV]

Hyposcrisy Is as Hypocrisy Does

2009-04-22T12:17:00.002-04:00

Man, one little answer to a question during the Miss USA pageant sure does ruffle some feathers! But it sure is clear evidence of how intolerant the gay agenda is. All Miss California did was to give an opinion and for this the homosexual community is ready to hang her. And this from the group that espouses how tolerant the rest of the world needs to be toward them? It seems the gay agenda will tolerate anything ... as long as it agrees with them. Sounds awfully judgemental to me.

Mr. Martin's commentary on the issue over at CNN (surprise, surprise!) sums it up nicely:

It seems that Hilton, who is gay, was none too pleased that Prejean chose to actually give her personal opinion on the issue, and ripped her on his blog after the show, using crude obscenities as he continued to attack her at every turn on his media blitz.
...
But her remark isn't outside the mainstream. A CNN/Opinion Research Corp. poll shows that 55 percent of Americans are against same-sex marriage, and Proposition 8 did pass in her state 52-48 percent. What's interesting about this is that many of the same folks who are slamming her for her remark voted for President Obama and Vice President Joe Biden, who both have the same belief: that marriage should be between a man and a woman. Even Secretary of State Hillary Clinton made it clear that she has the same view, and it was her husband, President Bill Clinton, who signed the In Defense of Marriage Act, the federal law that forbids states from having to recognize gay marriage in other states. In other words, four of the biggest liberals in the country have the same belief as Prejean, but a beauty pageant winner is being torn to shreds. Hello, hypocrisy!

Commentary: Miss California, thanks for being honest

Latest News Headlines

2009-04-15T15:59:00.002-04:00

These are the headlines that stuck out at me gathered over the last 4 days:

How Gays Won A Marriage Victory
For 7 years, activists eyed a seemingly unlikely target: Iowa

Demographic Winter Heralds Same-sex Marriage Spring
The New England region is a sitting duck for the further de-construction of marriage

Ever So Quietly, 'Hate Crimes' Legislation Re-introduced

Faith Groups Increasingly Lose Gay Rights Fights
'It really is all about religious liberty for us,' says leader of Methodist group

Gay Marriage And The Future Of Religious Liberty

Focus On The Family Unveils True Tolerance Web Site
Initiative equips parents to counter homosexual activism in schools

Q&A: Can We Be Married, But Independent?

Secret To Marital Bliss? Don't Have Kids
Couples' satisfaction declines after birth of first child, eight-year study finds

Planned Parenthood Profits Keep On Rolling In

Planned Parenthood Matters
The organization has a dark history and a disturbing present

'22 Weeks'
The Inescapable Truth about Abortion

Vermont Considers Legalizing Teen 'Sexting'

Britain's Worst Hour

Recent Headlines of Interest

2009-04-01T08:02:00.004-04:00

How stupid do you have to be to praise Margaret Sanger? Or perhaps it's just due to total lack of a brain? Perhaps that's the meaning behind the name 'Clinton':

Abortion: A Foreign Concept

And this is just as idiotic (and sad):

Abortion Pride Movement?

Other items worthy of notice:

Vatican Official Says Catholics Who Voted For Obama Cooperated With Evil

Video: Is 'Sexting' A Teen's Right?

Hawaiian Leaders 'Lei' It On The Line For Marriage

Christians In Hawaii Credited For Gay Civil Unions Defeat

Who Will Raise Kids: Mom, Dad Or State?
Parental rights: 67 in Congress pushing to amend Constitution

Pass The Offering Plate, Take A Condom
United Church of Christ Promotes Contraceptive Distribution in the Sanctuary

Your view of Holy Scripture makes all the difference:

Survey Shows How Liberals and Conservatives Differ On Matters Of Faith

Provide them with comprehensive sexual education and contraceptives but don't you dare let there be any other physical contact:

Connecticut School Bans Physical Contact
East Shore M.S. Outlaws "High-Fives," "Hugging" And Horseplay Of Any Kind; Violators May Face Expulsion

Pray, pray, pray:

Walter Hoye Update

Great reading from Mohler and Challies:

The Eclipse Of Christian Memory

To Be Full of God

The Downward Spiral Continues

2009-03-19T13:02:00.005-04:00

I am certain that Obama will go down as one of the most incompetent men to hold the office of the President of the United States:

Obama Scraps 'Global War On Terror' For 'Overseas Contingency Operation'

Presidential Nonsense

Does He Think We’re That Stupid?

Kroft To Obama: Are You Punch-drunk?

The Europe Syndrome

Terence Corcoran: Is This The End Of America?
U.S. law-making is riddled with slapdash, incompetence and gamesmanship

And here are some things to think about (and hopefully make you aware, uncomfortable and willing to make a difference for the glory of God):

Judge Orders FDA To Let 17-Year-Olds Obtain Plan B

Arizona Attorney General To Investigate Sexual Abuse Cover Up At Planned Parenthood Clinics

Video: Statutory Rape Concealed
Activist Lila Rose's new project exposes Phoenix Planned Parenthood

Teens' Abortion Technique: Drink Poisonous Mixture
Ending unwanted pregnancy as easy as swallowing veterinary medicine

Unwed Birth Rate Reaches All-time High In U.S.
Report: Record number of babies born in 2007; 40 percent to single moms

ABC News On A Gay Christian Matchmaking Service

Christian Hotel Owners Sued By Gay Couple Over Marriage Stance

Elon Poll: NC Split On Gay Marriage

Elevating Homosexuality To New Heights

Gay Marriage Recognized ... In Webster Dictionary

Consensus Or Censorship?
Despite disagreement within the scientific community, many politicians want us to believe all of science is on board with man-made global warming

UK Population Must Fall To 30m, Says Porritt

New Al Gore Book Coming This Fall

The Real Population Threat

Pet-ernity Leave
Treating Pets as Humans

Pass The Offering Plate, Take A Condom
United Church of Christ Promotes Contraceptive Distribution in the Sanctuary

U.N. Treaty Limiting Parents' Rights Pushed

Luxembourg Legalizes Euthanasia

Christian School Confiscating Cell Phones To Stop Cheating

To finish things off I'll leave you with a video worth watching:

Soli Deo Gloria,
Rich

The World Just Doesn't Get It

2009-03-18T13:12:00.005-04:00

Without the Truth, you are most certainly lost. You can't appeal to the innate goodness of man (because it doesn't exist), you can't rely on your own understanding (try Proverbs 14:12 or 16:25) and you certainly can't legislate your way out of it (because that won't effect changes to the heart).

D.C. Struggles To Contain HIV Epidemic
Officials worry prevalence rate is up to 50 percent higher than reported

Single, Pregnant And Panicked
Why so many smart women botch their birth control

A Gay-Marriage Solution: End Marriage?

Mom Helping Son With Down Syndrome Lose Virginity

Celebrity Narcissism: A Bad Reflection For Kids

If you really want to see what the problem is, then be prepared to take a long hard look in the mirror:

Our Reflection
Confessed swindler Bernard Madoff mirrors the flaw in each of us, revealing what theologians used to call “sin”

This is a message that resonates with the "true" Christian (because it agrees with the true state of man as given in Scripture) but will raise the hackles of almost everyone in the world these days (and I think this is where Romans 1:18-32 & John 7:7 comes into play).

Servant of God

2009-03-18T12:48:00.004-04:00

The following is the first of 6 clips on YouTube that was recently shown on the BBC as an hour long program. It chronicles a snapshot in the life of Deborah, a 13 year-old who comes from a large homeschooling family who leads a life that's, I'm sure, pleasing to God and a true-blue witness for Christ in this dark world of ours. If you like this one (and I don't possibly see how you couldn't), be sure to see the rest of the story in the other 5 clips!

I love her attitude toward life and that she owes it all to God. She sees her life as a service to God. She has a full understanding that our life is but a vapor. As she describes it, her life is just a "wee dash" between when she's born and when she dies. That's the day we all need to be prepared for. Are you ready?

Today's Hero

2009-02-19T12:38:00.003-05:00

I'm just blown away by this young lady. Watch the video, read her story below and then read about what's happening in North Dakota on this very issue.

Soli Deo Gloria,
Rich

12-year-old steals day with pro-life speech

ND House Passes Abortion Ban

WAY COOL UPDATE:

12-Year-Old's Pro-Life Presentation Saves A Life

Be Ever Vigilant

2009-02-15T07:04:00.001-05:00

I recently ran across a news article on MSNBC which was basically an advertisement for a new "Christian" study/teaching website:

The Foundation for Christian Studies (FCS), a non-profit organization dedicated to the study and awareness of Christian theology, values, and service, today launched its global website at www.studychristianity.org. The FCS website includes a comprehensive doctrinal study program, downloadable theological essays, interactive discussion forums, and online stores for Christian books, music, and art.

I'm always interested in a new site which might help me learn more about my Lord and Savior. And I was even more surprised that such a prominent ad for Christianity was found on a secular news site. So I visited to see what was there as well as which denomination they were affiliated with (which is always of utmost importance so that time is not wasted on resources and material which does not line up doctrinally with sound Biblical teaching).

As soon as I arrived at their web site, I was attracted to the "Christian Defined" link. What I read there was quite an eye opener and immediately set off alarm bells. To make a long story short, what this page basically said was that doctrine was not important. No one deserves to sit in judgement of another. If someone calls them self a "Christian" and is attempting to live by the golden rule, then that's all that matters. What immediately popped into my mind was United Church of Christ or perhaps even today's quickly sinking Episcopalian church.

Having been thoroughly turned off, I then ventured to their "Scriptures" page and immediately found my answer: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Bingo! I had my answer. Here we obviously have a new PR push by the Mormons to refute some of the backlash they've been getting lately from various Catholic and Protestant circles. While they may call themselves "Christian", they most certainly are not. They are a cult, plain and simple.

And I find it quite ironic that in their definition of a Christian, they stress how important it is not to judge others who call themselves Christians. Here we have a church which was founded by a very strange man (Joseph Smith) who started a new church to make it clear that all current churches were heretical and that true salvation could only be found through his church (sounds pretty judgemental to me!). Here is a man who simply copied over the King James version of the Bible and changed various passages to agree with his errant theology. And he also added The Book of Mormon which is considered superior and more correct than the Bible. Their basic belief ("As god once was, man is. As God is, man may become.") appeals to sinful human beings and should be an immediate warning to true, discerning Christians who call Jesus Christ their Lord and Savior (Act 4:12, Jhn 14:6).

If you don't know much about Mormonism or other cults, spend some time studying so that you may be better equipped to witness in this world and better able to give a reason for your faith (1Pe 3:15). I would highly recommend spending some time on CARM and perhaps even take some of their online classes for theology and apologetics.

Soli Deo Gloria,
Rich

Abortion, Porn & Family - What's Important to You?

2009-02-09T11:18:00.004-05:00

After generating today's headlines for my news site, there are a few that stood out to me as worth mentioning.

If anyone thinks this is an isolated case, I feel sorry for you. And how someone can read this and continue to insist that abortion is within a woman's right is simply beyond my comprehension. Satan continues to blind eyes and masquerade as an angel of light and the weak flesh is only too willing to agree.

Doctor Loses License In Live Birth Abortion Case

Our culture is incredibly sexually drive and everyone seems to agree that it's not a good thing. And not only are very few doing anything about it, some seem to think that we need even more debauchery. And, of course, where better to serve it up then at college:

College Wrong To Host Week Of 'Sexploration'

Nothing like a little help from "Pure Romance" and the "University of Cincinnati Wellness Center", huh? God help us.

And to round things off, let's look at the wonderful things the U.N. is doing these days:

United Nations Population Fund Leader Says Family Breakdown Is A Triumph For Human Rights

And this not an isolated case of a radical agenda in motion:

United Nations' Threat: No More Parental Rights

Combating Religious Intolerance With A U.N. Resolution?

Critics Say U.N. 'Culture Of Peace' Meeting Hides Culture Of Oppression

UN Says Eat Less Meat To Curb Global Warming

Is The U.N. Advocating Homosexuality And Pedophilia?

U .N. Terminology Legitimizes Prostitution

UN Report Calls Palestinian Terrorism Result Of Occupation

United Nations Rolls Out Liberal Agenda For 2008

So if the U.N. comes knocking around your door (or country), tell them to take a hike!

Soli Deo Gloria,
Rich

Just As They Predicted

2009-01-23T08:56:00.003-05:00

A long time ago in a galaxy quite near, leaders in today's true Church warned the world that pushing for the acceptance of homosexual "marriage" would be the first step down the slippery slope. They warned that once this clearly anti-biblical lifestyle was accepted as normative, it would open the gate for the rest of human debauchery and wickedness. And they were right.

Canada Man Charged With Polygamy To Use Gay Marriage Defense

Once marriage becomes about "love" rather than the standard established by God's Word, mankind can define "marriage" to be anything he wants. Just as homosexual relationships were once kept in the closet and no one would dare to talk about it in public, it now makes the news on a daily basis and is considered enlightening and tolerant.

It won't take long, if things continue, for polygamy and polyamory to be the norm. And then pedophilia will be acceptable as the the age of consent gets set lower and lower (look up the recent pedophilia political party established in the Netherlands which is working to lower the age of consent BELOW 14). And it will sink to the lowest when bestiality is celebrated as a beautiful expression of love between man and animal (did you see the movie featured at the Sundance Film Festival about 2 years ago about a man and his horse? I kid you not).

And as long as we as true Christians who believe in the inerrant and infallible Word of God keep our mouths shut, it will continue to spiral downward. As long as we care more about our leisure time and finances than God's glory, we can only point our fingers at ourselves. If we continue to keep our heads buried in the sand we shouldn't be shocked nor dismayed at what we find when we pull our heads out now and then to take a look around.

Want to read more about liberal judges making up law as they go:

Illinois Moment Of Silence In Schools Ruled Unconstitutional

Want to work against the pro-abortion mentality of the new President:

Fight FOCA

'Brokeback Mountain' was just the beginning:

Carrey, McGregor Lock Lips For Gay Film - ‘I Love You Phillip Morris’

Jim Carrey "Comes Out" At Sundance

Want to learn how pornography is healthy for your teens and how you can help them grow in their budding sexuality (be sure to catch the final lines of advice for parents):

How Teens Really Feel About Pornography

Or perhaps we need to take a more biblical approach:

Dr. Dobson: 'Bundy Was Right' About Dangers Of Pornography

And this seems to fit right into this discussion:

Avert Thine Eyes! 'Hounddog' DVD On The Way

Imagine if this headline had been published just 50 years ago:

What Is Virginity Worth Today?

Would Uncle Sam really take your children away and put them in the highly respected foster care system while you sit in jail:

Mom Arrested, Jailed For Disciplining Kids On Plane

And, finally, check out these upcoming films based on true stories:

Abortion Film '22 Weeks' Disturbs, Exposes

The Terri Schiavo Story

Want to keep on all of today's headlines that impact true Christian life? Visit my Christian News Headlines website and sign up for our e-mail list today!

Where Does This Come From?

2009-01-09T07:16:00.002-05:00

First off, Michael Newdow is an idiot. Well, the Bible would call him a fool (Psa 14:1, 53:1 ) but I'm going to go a step further and call him an idiot. He's perfectly within his American rights to voice his opinion (like I'm doing here) but to put as much time and effort and money as he has into trying to eradicate God from the American landscape is just sad. Just look at his track record to date; how many times has he engaged in litigation and compare it to the number of court rulings he's won? (And we won't even go into the whole definition of what an "atheist" really is and how no sane person can honestly say there is no God).

And now he's hard at work to try and prevent prayer at the upcoming presidential inauguration [news article]. He doesn't want Rick Warren to open his mouth. He doesn't want Lincoln's Bible to be there. He doesn't want Obama's hand to be on it while he takes his oath. And he most certainly doesn't want Obama to utter those four nasty words "so help me God" to seal that very oath to the United States of America and her people.

I can't help but wonder what place in hell this man will hold for someone who hates God so much. Just as there are degrees of reward in heaven, so there are degrees of punishment in hell. And I can't help but think about the kind of wrath Mr. Newdow is storing up for himself by basically blaspheming God 24/7. Mr. Newdow REALLY needs our prayers because it terrifies me to the core for where he is going and what awaits him when he arrives.

But I digress. The reason for this post is to get people thinking on the same subject that I wrestle with on a regular basis. Anyone who follows the state of "true" Christianity in the U.S. knows that our nation bears very little resemblance to the country our founding fathers created. For most of these men, the Word of God was the highest form of authority and governed very much, if not a most, of what they thought and did. It drove the creation of our government with a built in set of checks and balances (because they understood the treachery of men's hearts), it created an educational system for children to teach them biblical literacy (read up on the New England Primer if you haven't) and so on, and so on.

Take a look at our society today and 99% of the public is biblically illiterate and spiritually lost. Read the news on any given day and you can't help but notice the level of debauchery we have sunk to whether you are talking about homosexuality, divorce, abuse, killing (especially what are children are doing to each other at school), abortion, euthanasia, and on and on it goes.

Then along comes a response to Mr. Newdow's latest attempt at futility. I read this morning about how an amicus brief was filed in the Newdow case, spearheaded by the Texas Attorney General. A line has been drawn in the sand to defend the constitutionality of prayer by our public servants. Praise God! And what gets me is how not just one, or ten or twenty state attorney generals signed this document, BUT ALL 50 (as well as the one representing the Virgin Islands)! What's up with that? How is it that a nation that is so far removed from God and, for the most part, could care less about Him (unless planes fly into skyscrapers or the Dow Jones plummets over a waterfall) can respond like it did today? I'd like to hear YOUR thoughts.

Granted, almost no one is standing up for the name of Jesus, but there's got to be something at work here for defending our rights to "inject religion" into the public landscape. I'm so very pleased to see how people like Mr. Newdow are in the vast minority and people still believe that God has a place in life, not just for when you're surrounded by the four walls of church and home.

I believe God is still at work among the American people. But I wonder how long His common grace will endure amidst the suffering and slow slide into secularity that we see going on every day. How longsuffering will He be? What are we Christians doing to proclaim the name of Christ through our words and deeds so that our Father in heaven may be glorified? What remnant exists that may be holding back the hand of God from earthly judgement and utter moral chaos?

Soli Deo Gloria,
Rich

Attorney General Abbott Defends Constitutionality Of Prayer During Presidential Inauguration

Amicus Brief [PDF]

A "Resolution" Worth Keeping

2009-01-06T06:55:00.004-05:00

Anyone who really knows me (and that number could be counted on one hand with a few fingers left over) knows that I don't make "resolutions" when the beginning of a new year rolls around. And if you do, well, then you're a heathen ;-) (Mt 5:37). But if you are looking for a good use of your time in 2009, I suggest reading the following, printing it out and making it a point to pray accordingly. I can only imagine the power that God would bring among His people should churches make a concerted effort to lift up their pastor in such a way.

And I guess it's a good time to throw in "The Resolutions" by Jonathan Edwards.

Soli Deo Gloria,
Rich

Praying For Your Pastor
by Ligon Duncan

The Resolutions
by Jonathan Edwards

Reading in 2008

2008-12-29T12:44:00.014-05:00

I made it a goal to do more reading in 2008 and I believe that I was, for the most part, successful. I managed to read 24 Christian books and 2 works of fiction (based on popular movies that came out this year - which is about the only way you can get me to read fiction).

I compiled a list of all that I read and rated them based on a 5-star system. What will follow is this list of books and some commentary by yours truly. I hope you'll find something interesting enough to buy and make it a part of your 2009!

Keep in mind I'm not a professional reviewer and therefor don't get free copies of things to review. I have to spend my own money which means I deliberately choose those books which I feel are worthy to be read and also fill holes in my Christian walk and education. So, in short, most of these books will be rated on the higher end; there won't be any 1 or 2 star entries here.

Fiction Books

"Fireproof" by Eric Wilson
Almost better than the movie. I read the book before the movie (because I just couldn't stand it) and, for me, it was a page turner. I think I finished it in three nights of reading just before passing out for the night. There's a bit of stuff that didn't make it into the movie which makes it even more enjoyable. And, of course, it's a great present to friends because it does approach marriage from the proper viewpoint (and that would be God's) and, just like the movie, presents a clear Gospel presentation; something everyone in America needs to hear

"The Dark Knight"by Dennis O'Neil
I love analyzing the characters and themes in certain movies. That's why I was so attracted to Batman Begins which tried to reset this famous comic book and film character. So when this movie was to come out, I just had to read the book that went along with it to help me in my analysis. Like most fiction these days, it isn't terribly involved making it an easy read (so that, I'm sure, it can appeal to the broadest possible audience from 8 year-old boys up to grown men like me)

3-star Books

"A Journey Worth Taking: Find Your Purpose In This World" by Charles D. Drew
This one was recommend by Tim Challies, I believe, back in 2007 and is one of the few books, I think, he said that he felt strongly enough about to read twice. I would probably benefit from reading this one again. I personally found the first half of the book to be a bit tedious and drawn out. But I am glad that I stuck it out as the second half is some good reading. The basis of the book is helping God's people to find purpose in their life using sound theology in the process. For this reason, the author takes us through creation, the fall, redemption and consummation as it relates to how we are to make sense of this world, our life and how to best live for God's glory. Be warned, the very first page may "turn you off" as it did me when reading the acknowledgements. It is in the very first few sentences of the book that you'll find how the author thanks his parents for teaching him how to love creation and all that is in it, including himself. I'm sorry, sir, but no one needs to teach you how to do that. Perhaps the author just didn't know how to express himself but it's certainly a good way to get people like me to simply close the cover and put this one back on the shelf.

"Culture Shift" by Dr. Albert Mohler
Dr Mohler is one of my modern-day heroes. I follow his blog on an almost daily basis and love his writing. Straight theology applied directly to the pertinent issues of our life and culture. I listen to his daily radio program on a fairly regular basis. So why only 3 stars? Because this work represent largely what has already been on his blog and radio program. So it's kind of old news to me. But if you aren't familiar with Mohler, stop sinning and introduce yourself ASAP ;-) For those wanting clear biblical answers to today's problems, read this small book of short commentaries and you will be edified and better prepared to defend your faith

"Fireproof Your Life" by Michael Catt
Based around the concept of the movie, you can't control your life but you can be prepared for those events in life that everyone has to struggle through. In other words, be prepared. This is a good, solid book with a lot of useful info but it is the type of thing that's been done before by any number of authors. I have read this and can recommend for new believers who haven't seen it all before.

"Still Growing" by Kirk Cameron
Cameron is my bud! Being a self-professed rabid Way of the Master fanatic, I just had to read this book. It is a biography of his entire life. It does make for a good read but having not really known about Cameron's TV career, I wasn't too terribly interested in his early years of fame. It was interesting to note that God's hand did appear to be on him, protecting him and keeping him from the many evils that our society tempts young people with who have that kind of money and fame. Where it really turned interesting for me is when he begins to confront the issue of God and finally gets saved. It details how he hooked up with Ray Comfort and the early years of the Way of the Master ministry. Read this book and be amazed at what God can do when He firmly gets a hold of someone

"The Cross He Bore" by Frederick S. Leahy
This is a small devotional-type book that covers the passion week. It's a bit more on the harder to read scale as it does make you think about many things that probably never entered your noggin before. There are a few areas where the author stated things which seemed weird or just plain confusing. But, otherwise, it is another glimpse into the final days of what our Lord and Savior had to go through in redeeming His people. And that's always worth reading about.

"How Should I Live In This World?" by R.C. Sproul
Previously released back in the 80's as "Ethics and The Christian", this 100+ page booklet covers the basics for ethics as they relate to materialism, capital punishment, war, abortion, etc. A good introduction and as usual, just good old-fashioned Sproul at his teaching forte

4-star Books

"The Deliberate Church" by Mark Dever/Paul Alexander
With recommendations by Mohler, Duncan, Mahaney, Ryken Hughes, Carson, and Rainer how could you go wrong? How should you "do" church" Read this book and find out how to have a vibrant church which does not compromise, takes the Bible at face value, lives in a community of love and proclaims the gospel of Jesus Christ in all that it does.

"The Reason For God" by Tim Keller
One of the year's best sellers and rightly so. Another book written in defense of the faith and in answer to the renewed assault by the new atheists (Hitchens, Harris, etc.)

"How To Care For Your Pastor: A Guide for Small Churches" by Kent Philpott
I wrote a blog review of this earlier this year

"The Faith" by Chuck Colson
This is Colson's latest book and, in a way, it's a response much like Keller's work. Colson boils down the Christian life to the bare essentials of what is necessary to have a true faith in the God of the Bible. And it also serves as a beginning apologetic for why the Christian faith matters in today's world for without it, we are doomed as a nation to live any other way

"Holmann QuickSource Guide To Christian Apologetics"
A product of Broadman-Holmann, the publishing arm of SBC, this is a very good introduction to apologetics and can supply the average Christian with a lot of basic answers to questions and thought provoking questions for when witnessing

"Crazy Love" by Francis Chan
An easy reading book directed at the lukewarm church in America. Chan is a great pastor and his love of and passion for Christ is evident throughout. Read it and be motivated to live passionately for Him.

"Do Hard Things" by Alex & Brett Harris
An easy read and a bit simplistic, the two Harris boys give a powerful message for people of ALL ages to get off their backsides and live large for Christ. It's a scathing indictment against our culture which treats teenagers as a form of privileged class of whom nothing more is expected buy sleeping and spending (their parent's) money. A must-read for all teens and youth workers.

"The Blue Book On Evangelism" by Ray Comfort
This is kind of a FAQ in book form for all of those who feel compelled to witness to strangers but are afraid of the technique, how to answer tough subject matter, etc. This is one of those books that needs to be reread each year to brush up and fire up for the year ahead

"Knowing Scripture" by R.C. Sproul
This goes along with MacArthur's book on the Bible mentioned here. Sproul gives a great introduction on how to personally study the Bible as well as providing insights to proper interpretation and application of God's word to our lives and then finished up with a nice listing of practical tools for Bible study

"Born Again" by Chuck Colson
The autobiography of Chuch Colson, one of my modern-day heroes. A powerful read and celebration of how Christ can change people's lives ... and powerfully!

"Prepare For Rain" by Michael Catt
With an endorsement by Warren Wiersbe, what else needs to be said? This is the story of Pastor Catt, senior pastor of Sherwood Baptist Church, which made the movies Flywheel, Facing the Giants and Fireproof. He talks about his early struggles, coming to Sherwood and how they grew as a church which crafted a vision for spreading the Gospel throughout the world.

5-star Books

"The Book On Leadership" by John MacArthur
A great read and something that should be read by every ministry leader, lay or professional, in today's church. It's just wonderful to sit back and let MacArthur take you on a journey through the life of the Apostle Paul and the cultures of his day as he made his way through the world, pouring his life out for Christ

"Spiritual Disciplines For The Christian Life" by Donald S. Whitney
This is the one book I feel that EVERY Christian should read. You will come away feeling ashamed for how little you live for your God. If every Christian, or even 25% of "true" Christians in the US would read and APPLY the wisdom in this book, we could revolutionize our faith in this country and see God glorified through the gospel of our Lord.

"Unleashing God's Word In Your Life" by John MacArthur
Another must-read for every Christian. MacArthur does an excellent job of providing the basics for understanding the Bible followed by chapters on how to read, study and apply God's word. Another book that could drastically alter the Christian landscape in the US

"The Marketing of Evil" by David Kupelian
This one caught me by surprise and it was one of those books that you just can't put down. This is another must-read on how Satan has done a great job of winning the culture wars and, at the same time, put Christians on the sidelines as ignorant bystanders who have let him take over. Buy it. Read it. See the world anew and adjust your walk accordingly

"The Criminalization Of Christianity" by Janet Folger
This book is in a similar vein to the one above. Folger talks at length about how Christianity has been marginalized in the US in the fight over abortion, gay marriage, euthanasia, stem-cell research, pornography, evolution, etc. She explains how everything is tolerated in our culture except Christ not to mention how "faith" has been relegated to something you do at home or in the church but don't you dare bring it into society. Reading through this book it will amaze you at the amount of persecution that is going on in the US that you are not aware of. Read this book and have your eyes opened. And it only adds to her credit that she hammers home the issue of absolute truth and even gives a clear gospel presentation!

Reading Through 2009

I've already started on my next book, "Christless Christianity" by Horton. With a few chapters already read, it's definitely looking like it may earn a 5-star rating. Other books I plan on reading in 2009:

"Postmodern Times" by Veith
"What Is A Healthy Church?" by Dever
"What Is A Healthy Church Member?" by Anyabwile
"Christian Apologetics" by Van Til
"Trusting God" by Bridges
"Where Do We Stand?" by Blamires
"Character Counts" by Guinness
"For The Glory Of God" by Stark
"The Courage To Be Protestant" by Wells
"The Most Important 18 Words You Will Ever Know" by Packer
"Things That Cannot Be Shaken" by Oliphint/Mays
"The Battle Belongs To The Lord" by Oliphint
"Spurgeon: A New Biography" by Dallimore
"Respectable Sins" by Bridges
"Growing Your Faith" by Bridges

Does anyone have any 5-star titles that they read this past year? Are you making plans for what you'll read in 2009? Remember the old adage: if you fail to make a plan then you've made a plan to fail!

With that in mind, here are a few articles that are sure to help inspire you and give you a plan to do more reading of your own (and hopefully for the glory of God!):

10 Tips to Read More and Read Better by Tim Challies

Some Thoughts on the Reading of Books by Al Mohler

The Twilight of the Books? by Al Mohler

Happy New Year and Soli Deo Gloria!

What Would Your Child Say?

2008-12-19T12:28:00.002-05:00

I should have posted this earlier (I posted it on my headlines web site on the 17th) and was reminded of how powerful it was when I saw it posted on another Christian blog:

Mutilated Christian Girl, 10, Forgives Attackers

What a powerful testimony for Jesus Christ! These poor, persecuted people know so much more about Christ and what it means to be poor in spirit and persecuted for righteousness' sake then most Americans ever will (including myself).

So, you're child gets attacked and scarred for their religion. What would they say about their attackers?

Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it. [Pr 22:6 ESV]

But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you [Mt 5:44 ESV]

Want To Be Disgusted?

2008-12-03T18:21:00.010-05:00

Then read on:

Just In Time For Holidays, Indiana Planned Parenthood Offers Gift Vouchers
Planned Parenthood offers gift vouchers

UPDATE: Use this link to write Indiana House Majority Leader Russ Stillwell and put an end to this morbid business practice: Family Research Council Action Alert.

I can only wonder how long God's hand of protection can be upon our nation given such brutality and wholesale infanticide. I can only find peace in knowing there will be a day of reckoning when God sets all thing aright.

If you want to read more about depravity and the "innate goodness of man," read the next two stories.

Police: Security inadequate at Wal-Mart where worker died
Video: 'Groupthink' Store Trampling?

And while this is nothing compared to the above, I point it out simply because stupid is as stupid does...

Some Parents Rethink Toy-buying

An American Thanksgiving

2008-11-26T09:15:00.009-05:00

Every year as the holidays approach, I am struck by God's goodness and am reminded of how much I am thankful for all year (and I am also struck how much I take for granted and therefor am ungrateful for). I'm talking in general about Thanksgiving but I am especially grateful for what the upcoming Christmas will celebrate, the birth of our our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. [Is 9:6 ESV]).

And then I have to go and read something like this: The true focus of Thanksgiving. Just amazing isn't it? What lengths man will go to to deny the one, true God. Given the above quote by the author regarding this proclamation for a day of Thanksgiving in 1777, I decided to look it up myself in our recently purchased copy of The Christian Life and Character of the Civil Institutions of the U.S. (which I would recommend for any family interested in our true Christian heritage). I found the reference with a bit more detail that I thought you might be interested in reading:

Saturday, November 1, 1777

The committee appointed to prepare a recommendation to the several States to set apart a day of public thanksgiving, brought in a report, which was taken into consideration and agreed to, as follows—Forasmuch as it is the indispensable duty of all men to adore the superintending providence of Almighty God, to acknowledge with gratitude their obligations to him for benefits received, and to implore such further blessings as they stand in need of; and it having pleased him in his abundant mercy not only to continue to us the innumerable bounties of his common providence, but also to smile upon us in the prosecution of a just and necessary war for the defence and establishment of our inalienable rights and liberties, particularly in that he hath been pleased in so great a measure to prosper the means used for the support of our troops and to crown our arms with most signal success: it is, therefore, recommended to the legislative or executive powers of these United States to set apart Thursday, the 18th day of December, for solemn thanksgiving and praise; that with one heart and one voice the good people may express the grateful feelings of their hearts and consecrate themselves to the service of their Divine Benefactor, and that together with their sincere acknowledgments of kind offerings they may join the penitent confession of their manifold sins, whereby they had forfeited every favor, and their humble and earnest supplication that it may please God, through the merits of Jesus Christ, mercifully to forgive and blot them out of remembrance; that it may please him graciously to afford his blessing on the Governments of these States respectively, and prosper the public councils of the whole; to inspire our commanders both by land and sea, and all under them, with that wisdom and fortitude which may render them fit instruments, under the providence of Almighty God, to secure for these United States the greatest of all blessings independence and peace; that it may please him to prosper the trade and manufactures of the people and the labor of the husbandman, that our land may yield its increase; to take schools and seminaries of education, so necessary for cultivating the principles of true liberty, virtue, and piety, under his nurturing hand, and to prosper the means of religion for the promotion and enlargement of that kingdom which consisteth in righteousness, peace, and joy in the holy Ghost. And it is further recommended that servile labors and such, recreations as, though at other times innocent, may be unbecoming the purpose of this appointment, be omitted on so solemn an occasion.

Friday, November 7, 1777

Ordered, That a duplicate of the recommendation to the several States to set apart a day of thanksgiving, signed by the President, be sent to the several States and to General Washington
and General Gates.

The proceedings of Congress were sent to all the States by Henry Laurens, President in Congress, with an official request that each Governor would be pleased to take the necessary measures for carrying the resolve into effect in the State over which he presided. Washington, when the above proclamation reached him, was on his march to Valley Forge, and halted his whole army during the day, and the chaplains held religious services with their several corps and brigades, upon which the commander-in-chief exhorted all officers and soldiers to “attend with reverence the solemnities of the day.”

I wonder if, after reading the above, most Americans would be humbled at all? I wonder how such a proclamation from our nation's founders would be received by the public today? By the ACLU? By the Freedom from Religion Foundation? By Americans United for Separation of Church and State?

A proclamation which makes it very clear whom we should be worshipping and giving thanks to. And what about that mention of Jesus Christ! Surely our founding fathers were not fit to govern our new nation as they clearly had no respect for the "separation of church and state." Clearly they were laying a foundation which would crumble as quickly as it was laid.

How far we have fallen. God's patience and longsuffering are miracles in and of themselves. Why He has not obliterated mankind, let alone our depraved nation which was founded upon a foundation in Jesus Christ and the Bible as its highest authority, is unfathomable.

"if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land" [2Ch 7:14 ESV]

My brothers and sisters in Christ, it is time to pray. It is time to live like true disciples of Christ (and, with all due respect, that means more than just lip service, we need to walk the talk) and not like those of the world. We need God. We have always needed Him but unfortunately we do not live like it. How much farther do we need to fall before His church decides radical action is needed? Hopefully we will not wait too long.

Soli Deo Gloria! And Happy Thanksgiving (as our founding fathers intended it!)

Time For Change (And I Ain't Talkin' Obama)

2008-11-20T12:27:00.005-05:00

Today's story out of WORLD magazine has an article by Cal Thomas titled, "The other deficit" which challenged me. I think it confirms what I have come to know not only about life today in the United States of America but with the Christian roots of our nation. The more and more Lydia and I dig into American history (that which has real truth in it and has not been significantly revised by the liberal educational establishment), the more we realize what has been hidden from us.

Here are some quotes from Cal's article:

"For the third straight year, the Intercollegiate Studies Institute (ISI) has found that a large number of Americans cannot pass a basic 33-question civic literacy test on their country's history and institutions."

"The random sample of 2,508 American adults, ranging from those without high school diplomas, to people with advanced degrees, revealed a minimal difference in civic literacy between the uneducated and the highly educated."

"Ignorance of America's history and heritage is a setup for politicians and others who want to manipulate us into a way of thinking that allows them to make decisions that are unconstitutional and unwise. More than repeating phrases and figures, knowledge of the past prepares us for a future based on unchanging principles. That's why knowledge matters and ignorance endangers our government and threatens our way of life even more than terrorism."

"ISI calls on everyone involved in education, including parents, to re-evaluate curricula and standards of accountability and to emphasize to students the fundamentals about our country. It notes Thomas Jefferson's admonition: "If a nation expects to be ignorant and free ... it expects what never was and never will be.""

Do people really understand how far we've fallen? Do you? Probably not; because we have little true history to see where we've came from and why our Founding Fathers created the civil government and educational system in the ways that they did.

I recently scanned through a DVD from WallBuilders which is most excellent (in what I did happen to see) for those who want to understand how our Founding Fathers used the Bible to form the foundation of our government and educational institutions. I hope to have a full review of it sometime in the near future (which will likely consist of nothing more than "Go buy this DVD immediately and watch it ten times within the next month" or something like that).

I've recently started reading a book by Cornelius Plantinga (Engaging God's World: A Christian Vision of Faith, Learning, and Living) in which he starts the book by detailing the original mission statements of our nation's original colleges, including Harvard, Yale, etc. which desired above all else to bring glory to God by providing a biblically-based higher education that taught their students how to live ALL of life using the Bible as a gauge for everything. It's making me quite sick when I compare the founding intent to what they are teaching today. Anyways, I'm only through the introduction and first chapter and I've already highlighted more text than not!

Interesting side note: I just spell-checked the preceding paragraph and "biblically" was marked as being incorrect. I just went to the Merriam-Webster site and they seem to know what this word is. But blogger/Google does not? Should I be suspicious? Nah...

What follows are the links for Cal's article, the ISI report, the civics quiz and DVD info:

The Other Deficit

Our Fading Heritage

Civics quiz

The Influence of the Bible on America

UPDATE: I totally forgot about this FOX News video I posted in yesterday's headlines. Fits in perfectly:

God expelled?

What Are They So Afraid Of?

2008-11-18T06:43:00.006-05:00

The latest battleground is down in Texas where scientists, teachers and boards of education are wrestling over the issue of evolution, intelligent design and creationism. Today's post is about a recent article in the Dallas Morning News which is the latest salvo from the scientific community.

Not only are they petrified of Intelligent Design (ID) and Creationism, they don't want children to be provided with any information which might suggest that there are weaknesses in their grand "theory" of evolution (which Charles Darwin himself suggested how his theory could be debunked which has largely come true but the elitist professionals refuse to acknowledge it).

95% Of Professors Back Teaching Only Evolution In Texas Schools

We know what they're afraid of:

Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. [Php 2:9-11 ESV]

And we know why they have no defense in hiding behind their "science" of evolution:

For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles. [Romans 1:19-23 ESV]

Atheism Outreach Crosses the Pond

2008-11-14T08:50:00.011-05:00

What started out as a whim over in the UK:

All aboard the atheist bus campaign

An Unbelievable Challenge -- A Look At Atheist Public Relations

Atheist Posters Are ‘Great Adverts For Christianity’, Says Think Tank

has now made its way onto U.S. soil:

God, Humbug: Humanist Holiday Ads Say Just Be Good

Billboard: "Don't Believe In God? - You Are Not Alone."

What are your thoughts? Would you honestly be able to speak intelligently about how to reasonably argue for the existence of God? Why His existence is crucial for a proper understanding of life? What about crafting the argument to lift up the God of the Bible over the gods of Islam, Mormonism, Hinduism or ...? What about it being an excellent opportunity to transition this spiritual conversation into the area of evangelism to show what man's true problem is and why Jesus Christ is the only answer?

UPDATE: Another article from the Wall Street Journal:

Atheists Reach Out -- Just Don't Call It Proselytizing

Merry Tossmas!

2008-11-14T08:38:00.002-05:00

Focus on the Family has just rolled out the 2008 video for the Tossmas campaign. Enjoy!

Merry Tossmas 2008

Focus on the Family Action’s 2008 Christmas-Friendly Shopping Guide

Tolerance Is as Tolerance Does

2008-11-14T08:33:00.004-05:00

Here's a set of recent press articles detailing the reaction to the passage of Proposition 8 in the state of California (which is trying to preserve the definition of marriage as being only between a man and a woman - you know - like God intended).

And it would seem that those asking for tolerance of their "lifestyle" aren't exactly being too tolerant themselves. What do you think?

So Much for Tolerance
The Aftermath of Prop 8

'Mormon Scum': Gay Marriage Backers Focus Anger On Church

Mormon Church In Orangevale Vandalized In Wake Of Prop. 8 Vote

White Powder Sent To Mormon Temples In Utah, LA

Video: Bill O'Reilly Talking Points

Cross-Bearing Elderly Woman Attacked by Gay Marriage Supporters, May Press Charges

UPDATE: Here's some recent commentary from the Christian blogging world:

Undermining Democracy

Retaliation against the other side

What Is Your Vote Worth?

2008-10-28T13:09:00.005-04:00

It's coming down to crunch-time! Some of my friends have already voted and I plan to soon. How about you? Do you know why this election is so important? No, it will not challenge the sovereignty or alter His plans. But He has raised up this government and used the lives of millions to shape our country and give us the privilege to vote. Please don't waste your opportunity.

That's why my post today is to help bring the main issues into focus before you vote. The first article comes out of Massachusetts and it details the changes in that state that have already come to pass due to homosexual influence. And same-sex "marriage" isn't even legal there yet!
PLEASE! Take some time to read this first article to feel what this issue will do if it's allowed to spread like a cancer across our country:

What Same-sex "Marriage" Has Done To Massachusetts
It's far worse than most people realize
http://www.massresistance.org/docs/marriage/effects_of_ssm.html

This next article is by Randy Alcorn on the abortion issue and how it effects his vote:

Commentary: I'm Not Voting For A Man, I'm Voting For Generations Of Children And Their Right To Live
by Randy Alcorn, guest columnist
http://www.citizenlink.org/CLtopstories/A000008537.cfm

And here's a video that's being promoted by Focus on the Family for some, odd reason ;-):

Online Video Calls On Christians To Get To The Polls
http://www.citizenlink.org/CLNews/A000008532.cfm

Pray for our country. Pray without ceasing. Pray that God's will would be done and that no matter what the outcome, we will live each and every day to glorify Him and learn to enjoy Him forever.

Deeper!

2008-10-21T06:24:00.053-04:00

Lydia and I visited a LARGE church near Atlanta this past weekend. It was the First Baptist Church of Woodstock. It's large enough to be called a mega-church but luckily it's lead by a godly man, Pastor Johnny Hunt (who now happens to be the president of the SBC), who keeps his eye on Christ, and preaches the Word and the TRUE Gospel! We were here about two years ago for the Transformed conference and coming back to a familiar venue was almost refreshing in itself.

Take a look at this ginormous building:

This 3-story building is huge and it's just one piece in the overall campus. The area set aside for just the children's playground equipment is larger than most church properties! There are many other buildings which house dozens of classrooms, many conference rooms and chapels, and even gym and other recreational/sport areas.

Gotta love these signs adorning all of the entrance door side panels:

And then you step inside and it practically takes your breath away due to its size. But this is what I love to see the most:

Here are some more inside pics of the rotunda surrounding the main auditorium:

Then stepping inside you are greeted by two floors of chairs that can seat approximately 7000 people and a not so small stage:

Why were we there? For the Deeper Conference, of course!

Anyone who knows me understands the impact that Ray Comfort and The Way of the Master (WOTM) have made upon my Christian walk. Words are simply not enough to express how they have helped me to grow over the years and this conference was the pinnacle of glorifying God and preaching the Gospel! The purpose of this conference was simply to take Christians deeper into their walk; to preach, teach, edify, inspire and encourage.

The speakers at this conference included Ray Comfort (founder of Living Waters, The Way of the Master TV and radio programs, and author of over 60 books and dozens of Gospel tracts), Kirk Cameron (co-founder and lead in the TV program not to mention his awesome work in Fireproof), Todd Friel (host of The Way of the Master Radio [WOTMR] program and "Wretched" TV program), Emeal Zwayne (Ray's son-in-law, pastor and executive vice-president of Living Waters), Paul Washer (missionary, church planter & the closest equivalent to a modern-day Apostle Paul that I know of), Pastor Johnny Hunt, Marshall Foster (president and founder of Mayflower Institute), and Ken Ham (president and founder of Answers in Genesis).

And our worship time Friday night and Saturday morning was led by Scott Krippayne (who my wife forced me to buy three of his albums they were selling there - luckily she doesn't know that he has 8 others or I'll need to hide the credit card).

We arrived for Friday's session around noon at it actually began at 1pm. We did not leave until 10:30pm! And it was awesome! When you have such godly men who are glorifying God with their words, preaching Scripture rightly and lifting up the Gospel, you can't help but be energized, encouraged and challenged. And the time just FLIES by! Saturday we got there just before the doors opened at 8am. The first speaker started at 9 and we left to go home a few minutes before 5:30pm.

Here's what we saw and heard on Friday:

Ray Comfort opened the conference with "Gethsemane - The Missing Link to the Cross." As expected, Ray preached on evangelism. And while many see him as abnormal for continually praying for lost souls, handing out gospel tracts and open-air preaching, Ray says this should be the norm for true Christians. We should have the same compassion for the lost as God did for us. But our pride gets in the way. We are more worried about the reaction of men than disobeying God. And for that, we'll have sinners in Hell who will wonder why the Christian never shared with them the words of eternal life instead of being left to an eternal death. The Great Commission by our Lord and Savior is to go and make disciples. And we can not have someone to disciple until we get them people saved first.

And during the course of his talk, he talked about an experience he had as a pastor when he rushed to a hospital to stop a woman from having an abortion. The child was born and years later, whenever he looks at that beautiful child, Rays makes the emphatic statement that he will never vote for a man who would condone the killing of babies in the womb! Praise God!

Here's a picture of me and Ray just before he went on stage (he still gets a bit nervous and I enjoy leading him through some calming Bible verses):

Emeal Zwayne's talk was "Mind Matters." This was some very convicting preaching as it pointed out our lack of love for God and how, as Christians, we have given up our calling to have an influence on our culture (which very much tied into what Ray just preached). Emeal told how his family has a vision statement which hangs in their living room and reminds them of their daily duty to serve Christ in all that they do. Lydia and I will be doing the same!

Pastor Johnny Hunt is quite the character! Thanks to Way of the Master Radio I've heard plenty of Hunt's sermon snippets. This man knows how to bring the Word! His talk was on the sufficiency of the Bible. Talk about a message many of today's churches need to hear!

Paul Washer talked on the "Essential Truths of the Cross" and "The True Gospel Call." These were our favorites. Pastor Paul is about the most humble, quite and godly man you will probably ever meet. But give him a chance to preach Christ and Him crucified and watch out! Give him a microphone to talk about a godless American culture and you'll see sparks fly! What an incredible blessing it is to hear him preach, and sit under his teaching and even conviction! There's plenty of him to see on GodTube.com. I would strongly suggest talking in all you can of Mr. Washer and what he has to say. And if you get a chance to see/hear his testimony, tell me you can do it without shedding a tear and I'll tell you that you have no heart!

Here's a pic of brother Paul bringin' it:

Kirk Cameron gave one of the longer talks (as well as handling the two teen breakout sessions to teach them practical evangelism skills) on basic apologetics. While it's important to stick to the conscience and Gospel when witnessing, we need to be ready to give a defense of what we believe for those who are truly seeking answers (contrasted against those who have no interest in what we have to say and are just looking to fight and lead us down rabbit trails). A little bit of preparation and memorization will do wonders to help give credibility to your witness and convince people that you know what you're talking about.

The past "Growing Pain" himself:

We finished off the night with great time of worship thanks to Scott Krippayne on the piano!

Saturday's sessions gave us even more great things...

After the welcome message, we got off to a rousing start with a time of worship thanks to Scott Krippayne who led us through some of his songs as well as some very old hymns! Paul Washer was also there to read selected Bible passages.

Todd Friel gave two talks on the supernatural aspect of the Bible. One talk was about Biblical Covenants and the other was about the "scarlet thread" which is woven throughout the Bible. It linked Christ in the Old Testament shadows of His coming to His life and fulfillment of prophecy in the New Testament. Wow!

After his talk, I met up with Todd and gave him some feedback so that he could be even better in his afternoon session:

And after his talk, Todd lead us in a time of communion through the Lord's Supper. What a time to reflect on our walks with Christ, ask for forgiveness and cleansing, and to do so with a body of fellow believers over 2200 strong while going through parts of the Athanasian Creed!

Marshall Foster gave two talks on how God has and is working through history to transform our world, spread the Gospel, and chart the rise and fall of nations. It was amazing to sit back and listen to this knowledgeable man go back through time and, by recounting historical events (most of which have been lost to modern-day history books), show how God has worked people, places and things for His glory, and how we are to be a part of what He is doing now in our nation. While no man can predict future events, it is clear that America is waning and China is rising in both Christianity and world dominance.

Ken Ham gave two great talks that gave us lots to think about. His first session talked about the need for a literal interpretation of Genesis 1-11 and how it forms the foundation for all the rest of what we believe. He showed how departing from Biblical knowledge leaves us with man's folly and why it explains so much that is wrong with our church and culture. His second session was on how the Christian and non-Christian (specifically the scientific community) have access to the same facts but we choose to interpret them VERY differently which leads us to VERY different conclusions. Using a Biblical point of view, the Bible and science can be easily reconciled but the same can't be said for approaching the Bible from man's perspective and limited knowledge.

Lydia and I will be working to arrange a "field trip" for our church to visit the Creation Museum in Kentucky. This is one of those "must sees" for every Christian family!

And finally, Todd, Ray and Kirk worked together in the closing session to plead with everyone in the audience to make something happen after leaving this conference. While such happenings are great for encouraging and inspiring people, they will have ultimately failed if people don't take what they have learned and applied it to their walks in service to Him. Todd begged us to go home and for each of us to start our own ministry. We need to find out what our skills and spiritual gifts are, go to God in pray and ask for wisdom, read our Bibles and seek out counsel from godly and wise people close to us. As the apostle James stated so well, we need to be doers of the Word and not just hearers. Amen!

Most of the talks were recorded on video and we decided to buy this DVD set which was given to us only minutes after the last session concluded. Talk about efficient!

First thing on Monday's Way of the Master Radio program, Todd stated that he was already missing everyone. He made the comment that this type of worship and fellowship was just a small taste of what Heaven will be like. Amen to that!

Thank you, thank you, thank you to everyone at Living Waters, WOTM, etc. and FBCW both in the spotlight and behind the scenes for helping to make this go so well and showering us with so many blessings! Great is your reward in heaven!

So listen up followers of Christ! Deeper is already planning to come back to Woodstock in September 2009. Block off your calendar now and Lydia and I will be sure to let you know when to sign up. You'll be glad you did and likely never be same! Soli Deo Gloria!!!

Fireproof Followup

2008-09-29T06:35:00.015-04:00

Well, the time finally came Friday night; the night I'd been waiting for since last November when I learned that Alex and Stephen Kendrick, the men behind Flywheel and Facing the Giants, were working on a new movie for Sherwood Pictures (the media outreach ministry of Sherwood Baptist Church in Albany, GA where Alex and Stephen are associate pastors). The movie was Fireproof and I was NOT disappointed!

Considering that the budget for Flywheel was $20k and Facing the Giants was $100k, Fireproof upped the ante once again to $500k. And it showed. This film looked and sounded great. It was an all volunteer crew. Even Kirk Cameron, who is worth millions, worked for free because he so believed in this project and wanted to see God and His institution of marriage lifted up. And for the Truth to be told.

The movie was mostly one of anguish in which the two key characters are trying to live their lives and find contentment outside the will of God. But there were also many funny moments just like in the previous Kendrick movies. The key theme is one of marriage and what it takes to make it work successfully and all for the glory of God. As fallen sinful creatures, we all need help in this department since we are incapable of doing it on our own, regardless of what our flesh and society may tell us. And this is the journey that Kirk Cameron's character Caleb Holt must go through. His marriage would have no doubt burned into ashes quickly had it not been for Caleb's parents who got saved a few years back.

They have been praying for their son's marriage but now it's time for them to step into the battle to render aid before it's too late. And what an influence parents have in the lives of their children! It is paramount when they are growing up but it does not stop after they move out on their own. That's exactly what we see; a father who knows the Lord and will do whatever it takes in time, effort and heartfelt talks to get his son to see the Truth.

While I had many favorite scenes in the movie, my favorite favorite ;-) had to be when Caleb was sitting in the campground and his father asks him how Catherine has been reacting to his attempts at reconciliation. As Caleb tells his father how she despises him, hurts him and rejects him effectively spitting in his face, his father has slowly circled around to lean against the cross. He then asks his son if that reminds him of anything. And that's when Caleb comes smack up against his rebellion towards God. He denies that he has been rejecting the God who gave him life but his father disagrees. Dad presses home the point that God loves him and has given him all that he has. But Caleb can't give true love to his wife because he doesn't have it to give. That's where my heart broke because it reminded me and the life I lived before He graciously reached out and saved me from the brink of an eternity without Him.

There's plenty more I could talk about. One issue I had with the film was this above scene and its presentation of the Gospel. The father did lead Caleb though the law and showed him how he stood guilty before God, how it would condemn him to Hell and that no good works would come even close to bribing the Judge to think differently. Caleb needed Christ as we all do. Where the writers dropped the ball, I feel, is that they did not explicitly talk about repentance. The Bible is VERY clear in that REPENTANCE and FAITH are needed for Biblical salvation. Now, in a later scene, Caleb does admit that he has asked God for forgiveness and maybe that will be enough for some to "connect the dots" but I would have preferred that it happened back in the campground scene.

Speaking of connecting the dots, have a read over these two commentaries from the people over at Breakpoint (the web site presence of Chuch Colson's ministries):

Making Marriage 'Fireproof' (the paragraph of interest comes near the end)
’Fireproof’ Storytelling

I REALLY can't understand Mark Earley's comment, "And, in my opinion, the movie’s step-by-step presentation of the Gospel was a little over the top." I was flabbergasted when I read a week ago and still am in a state of confusion trying to explain that one. Even worse was that second commentary by Zoe Sandvig which makes about as much sense. Apparently it's impossible to make a good film if you are completely clear about the Gospel. Guess we should just leave that to the Bible and not bother to express it any other way. Pah-leeze.

On another topic, for those interested in the music from the movie, it is available on iTunes and includes songs from Third Day, Casting Crowns, John Waller and more. There are also several books that might pique your interest:

Fireproof (the novel based on the screenplay; I've read it and it contains more info)
The Love Dare (in its 4th printing & ranked 28th on Amazon)
Fireproof Your Marriage Study (DVD)
Fireproof Your Life (I'm looking forward to reading this next)
Preparing For Rain (I'm just about done with this and it's very good)
Still Growing (Kirk Cameron biography, I've read this and it's good as well)

Either you or someone you know will likely find the Fireproof My Marriage web site helpful.

And here's some of the latest press articles:

'Fireproof' Opens, Offering Hope For Troubled Marriages
'Fireproof' Makes Hollywood Premiere
REVIEW: If You See One Movie This Year....
Director Recounts Making Of 'Fireproof'

In closing, if you haven't seen this movie, go see it! If you have, be sure to tell everyone you know about it to try and convince them to see a wholesome movie that might unbeknownst to them may very well help their marriage or give them the Truth of the Gospel.

I was happy to see the box office numbers for the opening weekend. Fireproof took in $6.5M. Compare that to the opening weekend for Facing the Giants which took in $1.3M and topped off at $10.1M after 15 weeks. Looks like we can expect to see more from Sherwood and the Kendrick brothers. Praise God!

To everyone who has seen this movie, I'd like to hear about what you thought about it so comment away!

Waging War

2008-09-11T06:55:00.004-04:00

My personal morning devotions are currently taking me through the New Testament and today's chapter of study was 2 Corinthians 10. Bearing in mind the title and purpose of this blog, verses 3 through 5 leapt off the page at me:

For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ [2Co 10:3-5 ESV]

I believe most "Christians" (even those who are truly saved through repentance and faith in Christ) are totally unaware of what's going on around them in the spiritual realm. A war is going on that few of us seem to be aware of. Unfortunately I think we are so caught up in this world (run by you-know-who) and our five senses that it simply fails to register most of the time. And I speak from a long line of experience, trust me!

Jews in the NT were well accustomed to warfare. From the time they set foot in the Promised Land until the time of Christ, they were intimately familiar with the things of war. The nation of Israel started off by having to fight the pagan armies that surrounded them and later, they had to put up with being the captives of the Assyrians, Babylonians, Medes, Persians, Greeks and in NT times, the Romans. And while, on the surface, they were battles in the physical realm it was simply a facade for what's been going on between Good and evil since the Fall.

Although those of us in the US know little of real war, we as Christians can not afford to be so naive.There's something much larger than ourselves at stake! Two sides are battling for control even though the final outcome is certain. And it's simply not an option to sit on the sidelines or say that you're neutral (not even the Swiss)! If you're not actively maturing in Christ and growing yourself in Holiness with His help, you are unwittingly playing into the hands of His opponent.

The sad realization is that even though some of us are on God's side, we appear as though we are on Satan's. Most of us live such small lives and dream of such paltry things. Those in the church and those who lead it have lost the vision. We have been sucked up by the culture and grown fat, lazy and dumb. We don't know how to defend our faith. We are too timid to give a reason for the hope that is within us. We spend so little time in the Bible that true wisdom eludes us. And because of this we are ill-equipped to "destroy arguments ... raised against the knowledge of God"

We are told to "take every thought captive to obey Christ" yet how are we to do this when we do not have the knowledge of God's truth to do so? We are bit dim bulbs in the darkness when we should be shining as bright beacons, much like the bright lighthouse that warns sailors lost in storms at sea. We are told to renew our minds and that's done by immersing ourselves in the Scriptures so that we can understand what God's will is for our lives; to make ourselves more holy by conforming our thoughts, words and deeds to the will of Christ.

But instead we are immersing ourselves in the things of the world. Is it any wonder why we and the church are so ineffective in today's world? Consider the time you are in the Word, praying over it, meditating on it. How much of each day? Then consider how much time we spend immersed in the things of the world. It sickens me the more I think about how I spend my time.

Whose side are you on? What will you tell your King when you stand before Him and give an account of your life? Will you stand proudly, knowing you did your best thanks to the grace of God? Or will you stand there in regret knowing for all eternity that you lived most days according to your own will and pleasures rather than in the service of the One who bought you with the ultimate price? Is that how much we love Him?

So the time has come to obey our Lord and Savior. Spend time in Scripture. Read it, meditate on it, pray for guidance in using it and then live it out wherever the Lord takes you. Leave an impact on this world that will be felt throughout all time! As John Piper is fond of pointing out, only what's done for Christ will last. Fellow brothers and sisters, we are on the winning side. We need to go out there and live like it! We need to shine as bright lights to point this dark world toward God so that in and through it all He may have the glory. Soli Deo Gloria!

How To Care For Your Pastor

2008-08-12T16:40:00.017-04:00

Last night I finished reading one of my latest acquisitions, "How To Care For Your Pastor: A Guide For Small Churches" by Kent Philpott. Kent has been a pastor for over 40 years and has seen a lot of things in his time. He has seen the ups and the downs of pastoring small churches and has much great advice for congregations who care about their pastor and his mental, physical and spiritual health.

The book is pretty small (5x8" footprint) and its 120 pages are broken up into 16 chapters. It was published in 2008 by Evangelical Press (who I am not familiar with). I was quite pleased to see that Kent used the English Standard Version (ESV) when quoting Scripture.

While the book does start off a little slow, it picks up the pace as you read on. I read the book in 4 sittings but read the last 10 chapters in one sitting! While the earlier chapters are pretty much the cut and dried stuff most of us have already read (the pastor is a sinful human being like the rest of us and not some kind of superhero, etc.), the last half of the book is just great at relating the triumphs and struggles of being a pastor. Kent tells many stories about the failings of both he and his congregation and how all of God's people must be willing to learn and forgive. He provides many details of his own life while not going into particulars that might make some uncomfortable.

Chapter one starts off by pulling no punches in proclaiming that the pastor's job is to teach and to preach. And it's the congregation's job to help him get this done. For pastor's who teach Biblical truth, these actions can have repercussions to those who would rather believe their own theology over that of God's Word. Preaching the truth that Christ is the only way of salvation and that the duty of His disciples requires discipline and sacrifice is bound to win you some enemies. And Kent is eager to talk about not only having Satan as an enemy but also those who work with him to oppose the truth. Persecution is a definite possibility for both the pastor and those who support him.

Chapter two is pretty straight forward in trying to convey to the masses that the pastor is just a man and not some kind of perfected saint who is constantly surrounded by angels and an invisible, impenetrable spiritual force field. Chapter three is a good follow-on in that it explains that pastors are a work in progress like the rest of us. He explains how pastors grow emotionally, psychologically, spiritually and theologically. Chapter four follows by explaining how new believers mistake the pastor for a super-Christian and when reality sets in, it can come as quite a shock that they are not the perfect representation of mankind!

Chapter five begins to forge into new ground as Kent relates how pastors, according to God's Word are to receive double honor (1Ti 5:17) and are due respect and support. But after reading the last few chapters, some may be hard pressed to do so but since God is our source of truth, this must be done without thinking and it is not something that must be earned.

Chapter six talks about how pastors of small churches are busy people (since they must usually hold down several positions within the church) but if he is supported by the congregation, he will always have time for those who truly need him. Chapter seven goes along with this theme in stating that the pastor is not the only minister in the church. A mature congregation will understand their need to bear the burdens of church work, using their time, energy and spiritual gifts to make it run as it should. Chapter eight discusses the many roles the pastor must fulfill and this extends beyond the church doors out into the community which is an area few people in the church fully understand for the time and effort it takes.

Chapter nine relates the struggles the pastor will face battling the world, the devil and, unfortunately, even wolves within the congregation itself. Pastors need our prayers, our comforting and our support. Chapter ten reminds us not to forget the pastor's family and all they must endure with having to share their husband and father with the church all while standing in the spotlight themselves. But Kent makes it very clear that God comes first, the pastor's family is second and the church gets third place.

Chapter eleven talks about a difficult subject; seasons of life which leave us "spiritually bankrupt." And pastors are no exception. Many pastors can hide this well but those who are close to him should be able to detect subtle signs and provide help accordingly. What is needed most often is simply understanding, caring, discussion and patience.

Chapters twelve and thirteen delve into the areas of leadership and failure. As Kent puts it, "Failing is not the problem; failing to lead is the problem." The body must give the pastor freedom to lead and, as we have all experienced, failure is sometimes a result but it is not a reason to give up and give in. He also talks about failure in ministry, becoming "burned-out" and
even failure so total that, gulp, the pastor resigns from the ministry.

Chapter fourteen addresses monetary needs of the pastor and his family. While they do not need to live in the lap of luxury, the don't need to live like paupers either. Too many times Kent has seen those who feel the pastor should have to scrape by on bread crusts and, many times, get a second job, a secular one, just to keep his family housed and fed. But the Bible makes it clear that the body is to pay the pastor wages and we are therefor the ones to blame when financial burdens put an undue strain on the pastor and, as a result, his ministry.

Chapter fifteen is unusual in that it addresses the issue of anger. As established in the first few chapters, pastors are people too. They will lose it sometimes and if they do, we are responsible for loving him, forgiving him and reconciling him back into the ministry (obviously depending on how far off the handle he flew! ;-)

Chapter sixteen is a wonderful closing to this book and a counter point to the previous chapter in that he explains the joy of doing his job. He explains why he finds his work so much fun and if it wasn't, he wouldn't have made it through the trials. In a roundabout way, what I think he's trying to say is if the pastor ain't happy, ain't no one happy!

Overall I have to say that I enjoyed this book and the brief glimpse it gave into the life of a man who has filled the role of pastor for many years. Even if it is only a 30,000 foot view, it is a start and more of us in the body would do well to read something like this every now and then to make sure that he who shepherds us is looked after as well.

Kent also wrote a book back in 2000 titled "For Pastors ... Of Small Churches" which is what prompted him to write this book. He has also written a few other titles, a few of which I will want to look into further: "Are You Really Born Again?: Understanding True and False Conversion", "Why I Am A Christian" and "Are You Being Duped?".

I will leave you now by closing with two tidbits contained in the Afterward:

It is not my desire to have churches develop plans to facilitate ministry to pastors, but rather to help individuals within churches understand the nature of the pastoral ministry and then, in whatever means suitable and appropriate, put the caring into practice on an individual basis.

My view has been that a book like this was needed because it is not always evident to many in the congregation that they are to love and care for pastors. I did not want this point to trump or overshadow the mutuality of loving and caring in the Body of Christ.