It's Crazy...

Wow, the past few months have been amazingly crazy. I also feel pretty bad about not updating my blog like i wanted to. Pray for me, I am still working through that stupid procrastinating issue. I keep starting new messages, but not finishing them. I have like 10-12 that are about 1/4 of the way done, but then I get an idea for something else as I study and bam, I jump to the next thing. So please forgive me for not updating like I ought to. Add to that the fact that my daughter has left for the ARMY and the issues I have been dealing with at Church and work and well...there goes the day. It amazes me that men like Charles Haddon Spurgeon wrote and preached messages daily, tended to their families and (at least for him) tended to both church issues and magazine editing. Again, all I can say is pray for me...I will get everything worked out and I will contribute more here and elsewhere. God Bless!!

BLEEDING OUT FOR A DEAF DUMB AND BLIND GOD

And they cried aloud and cut themselves after their custom with swords and lances, until the blood gushed out upon them. And as midday passed, they raved on until the time of the offering of the oblation, but there was no voice. No one answered; no one paid attention. (1 Kings 18:28-29)

How often do people in society cry out for their gods with no return? Just as in the days of old, it happens today, history often repeating itself. The priests of Baal did whatever they could to hear a word, a response, anything to prove that their god was real. They yelled and they hurt themselves all to prove that their deaf, dumb and blind idol was god. Children of the world today do the same thing. The difference between then and now is the god they are claiming. Most of the time nowadays people don’t even realize they are worshipping false gods and idols. Look at Christmas for example. When some folk set out to minister the good news of Christ’s birth for His death and resurrection, others are being trampled to death in Wal-mart just to purchase a toy (for an often ungrateful child no less)! The world doesn’t stop there. When it comes to sex and pleasing the flesh, people will commit adulteries and fornications and then run to the abortion clinic to rip an unborn child out of the uterus. Is there not a heinous spilling of blood there? Or what about the thugs on the street or racists around the block who would fight to kill the innocent so that their egos can be inflated and they can claim their cause as just? The Spirit speaking through the Apostle John said, “For all that [is] in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.” Does any of this seem familiar? The world thrives on sin, always hoping that it will answer them, but in the end, it only leads to death.

The sinner believes in his or her ways so much that it even seems right to them when they are not answered. Prov. 14:12, “There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof [are] the ways of death.” The unsaved can often be so determined to prove their “way” that they will risk eternity for it on a daily basis. All this for a god who can never tell them how much he loves them or how much they disappoint him. Yet, the only true God is the one who answered Elijah on that day. He is the same one who answered Jesus when He was baptized and when He was on the cross. And He is the same one who will answer our needs according to His riches in glory.

As Christians, we can rely on the truth of God’s Word written down in the scriptures. We can be sure that as He has spoken it, He will bring it pass. We have no need to flog ourselves or go wailing about as if He needs us to bleed for each and every little desire we have. Our God is truly the Great God and there is no one else beside Him. The ancient Israelites discovered that time and again and on the day Elijah challenged the priests, those pagans found out as well.

The truth of the matter is that there are no other gods besides the one true and living, Alpha and Omega. There was no answer for the priests of Baal because there was (and is) no god who could ever have spoken to them. Idols are and always will be deaf, dumb and blind. They cannot answer a prayer, they cannot deliver from trouble and they can never show compassion- or wrath. Yet the God of the Hebrews- the God of the Christians- is and will always be in existence. He has given His word and all we need to do is come to it joyfully. The question now is whether you will take Him at His Word or will you cut yourselves to get your god to answer you?

Lecrae's Song to Benefit Haiti

I haven't written in a bit because of everything that has taken place the past month and a half. Base Inspection, studying for my next stripe and trying to maintain a decent family life (although all of it was very hard on them). Now that both the test and the inspection are overwith, I get to start settling down from the 16 hour stretches. I do have some more of the top 10 pulpit moves coming so stand by, there should be a new one out shortly.

In the meantime, a rapper whom I have a great deal of respect for has written a song to benefit the suffering in Haiti. I would encourage you if you have not done something to help our brothers and sisters in Christ, that you take the time. Take the time to donate through your local church or through the RED Cross or some other Christian organization that can help. I am not telling you what to give, that is between you and God. The main thing is that you remember the scriptures that guide us in helping those who need it and right now, Haiti needs help. God bless!

Top Ten Things That Make Someone a Pulpit-Pimp

Every week I am going to write a short article on “The Top Ten Things that Make Someone a Pulpit-Pimp.” They are in no particular order, so feel free to jump back and forth as necessary. What I do think you should keep in mind though is the fact that everything that comes out of any preacher’s mouth, must be weighted against the Word of God. But how are you - the average church-goer - going to know? You will know what is right from studying the scriptures, praying and listening to sound men of the Gospel. Jesus said in John 10John 10:27, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me…” His voice is in the Holy Scriptures. So read the articles, watch the clips and go to the Word of God itself and see if what is being said by the thieves and heretics is truth or not!

Up 1st: Disrespecting the Men Chosen to Write the Holy Scriptures




It is a shame that people would knowingly come against the Word of God and those chosen to bring forth that word. Yet this is what the church needs to understand- it is not done by accident. Paula White and the other fake preachers/teachers purposefully throw little things out there in an attempt to get you to look upon the writers with distrust- much like she does in this video. Beginning at around the 1:30 mark, she starts out by getting the congregation on her side, saying little “you go girl” catch phrases and whatnots.

She then says a couple of nice words concerning the Apostle to make her seem respectful before she berates him. She infers that Paul was boring and didn’t know how to preach to a crowd. Seemingly, it does not take long for her to start elevating herself as she casts him down. She brags about how people don’t die when she is preaching. She also flat-out lies when she says Paul did not know hermeneutics (the study of interpreting the scriptures) or homiletics (the art of preaching)- remember Paul was a Pharisee as a Jew and he also spent 17 years studying the scriptures after his conversion before he ever went out to preach. Yet the biggest atrocity committed by Paula was when she said that the church did not need “more preaching,” but power. This shows the lack of understanding that this woman has. What she forgets are the words written by the very same fellow she exalted herself against. Rom. 10:14-15Romans 10:14-15, “How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent?...” The power is in the preaching because the strength of it comes from the scriptures. No one can ever be converted without the Gospel of Christ that comes from the scriptures. Anybody can go out and be a great motivational speaker. Folk do it all the time and never once mention The Father, Christ or the Holy Spirit. Yet true power- power that comes from above- comes only from the Word of God. It is accessed through His Spirit to give us understanding. Yet Paula would pervert that holy, life changing power to make you believe that the only power worth having is the one that gives “gain,” because in Paula’s eyes, gain is godliness. (1 Tim 6:5)

You see, what pulpit-pimp Paula (and the others) really wants is power over the lives of people. If she has power over their lives (your lives), then she can have power over your finances. All of these wolves want nothing more than what the world wants: money, power and fame (you can throw sex in there as well for most of the others). Paula is no different in that she tears down the Apostle little by little so that she can validate what scriptures she thinks you need to believe in. Scriptures like “…men shall give into your bosom…” or “you are the head and not the tail.” Why? Because they benefit her. Why have you study verses like 1 Timothy 6:6-71 Tim 6:6-7 that talk about godliness and leaving things of this world behind? She wouldn't have you too because she knows the power of the Word and doesn't want to take the chance in losing you to it.

As I close, I want to leave you with this particular scripture, 2 Peter 1:21, “For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake [as they were] moved by the Holy Ghost.” This scripture is specifically set up by God to refute those who would try to subvert His Word by attacking the writers. We know that every last writer was a sinner and deserved hell just as much as we do. However, it was God who called them out and it was God who gave them the words to write- including Paul. God- through His Spirit- instructed these men to write what He dictated and they did it. Do not be hoodwinked by the foolish wisdom of this world. Those that are of the world only desire to fill their appetites with the things of this world. They will even go so far as to verbally rape the church to get it. Lastly, the Word of God is our plumb line. We must compare what every person is speaking from the Bible to it. That is why we all must study to show ourselves approved unto God. You never know when you may be called upon to give an answer for your faith, one that could be used by God to witness the truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ!

Demons Running A Scam

I'm sorry, (well not really- just more annoyed) but I do not think that having a "church growth" expo is biblical. I think it is nothing more than an attempt to get struggling pastors to take their focus off of Christ and to put their monies into someone else's pockets. However, every true minister of God knows that it is God that provides the increase. Furthermore, what does it do to the glory of Christ when it is the pastor's "ideas" that brings the people in? Also, what kind of people will be attracted to the tom-foolery that the pastor has carried out? It won't be the Christian. It won't be the seeker either. It will be folk with itching ears who would rather have a form of godliness and deny the true power of God. Yes, the word says, "he that wins souls is wise...", but what is forgotten is the beginning of the verse,"The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life..." In other words, the fruit that a pastor should bear should be something of significance- something that brings life. And lest we forget, unless you (or I) or any other preacher has been grafted into the true vine, all of our righteousness is as filthy rags (read: bloody tampons)! It is only the life that is Christ that bears fruit and that fruit stems from the Spirit which takes us right to Jesus saying, "No man can come to me, except the Father that has sent me draw him: and I will raise him up on the last day!"

So please see the death that is wrapped up in this ad. And any preacher associated with it is in question because he should know (especially the ones that call themselves bishops, elders, pastors and apostles) the difference between knowing who God is and what the devil would do to kill, steal and destroy.

In conclusion, true pastors of God- run, run from this way of thinking that you can manipulate people to coming to church by having an awesome program. How about this for size, why not just preach the ENTIRE GOSPEL?

Christian Men and Pornography

I was reading a series of articles over @ Tim Challies site dealing with "Sexual Detox." It is a really good read so far (I have only read the first two articles and I believe there are 5 or 6). He makes some very candid remarks, quite a few I had already given thought to. I don't want to spoil it for you, but it did lead me to thinking about the effect porn has played both in my life as well as in the lives of other Christian men (preacher or not). So with that, I placed a poll question on the top of the page concerning pornoghraphy. Please give an honest answer. Don't worry, it doesn't take your name or anything and I am not putting anyone on blast. But I am curious to see how much of an affect porn has had on Christian marriages (unfortunately I understand that it has, I am just curious to see how rampant). When I have enough responses, I will post it. Hopefully more of an understanding can come about so that we can truly glorify Christ in our marriages and hopefully through spiritual maturity prevent our sons, nephews, grandsons (and whomever else we can witness to) that the grace of our Lord is everlasting- but never to be taken advantage of. To God be the glory!

test

For God so loved the world.....John 3:16.

Somalis Are Beheaded for Christ

The following link is to a blog entitled, "Somalis For Jesus." (Please click on the link to see, but be forewarned that it is actual footage of Mansuur Mohammed's beheading by Muslims). It is a gruesome video showing the hatred of the world toward Christ Jesus. And because the Bible says in John 15:18, "If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before [it hated] you." Here is the proof for all of you who think that we need to hold back the Gospel and only utilize "Friendship Evangelism." The dying world needs to hear the Gospel of Jesus Christ, because if it is hid, it is hid from them who do not know.

We must fully engage the world and not allow the blood of those martyred for Christ to go without witness to the glory and majesty of God. If you are a Christian let this be a wake-up call to the frivolity of modern day "church-isms". Run from the stupidity of "Your Best Life Now" and "Money cometh to me!" Run from the sins of the flesh- the lust of the eyes, the lust of the flesh and the pride of life. Cast aside every sin that pulls you from Him. We need to be willing to give our lives for the sake of the Gospel and if you are not willing to do so, then don't piss upon the glory of God by calling yourself a "Christian." Run to the scriptures, for it is that very Gospel that testifies of the truth of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Our brother in Christ the beloved Mansuur Mohammed- died because he knew that it was better to suffer and fulfill the afflictions that were lacking in Christ than to live in the passions of lust and sin for a day. I believe that this dear brother is in the arms of God now, enjoying Him for eternity...

All praises to the Loving Savior, the Most High God, the Son Jesus Christ!

Consider these writings and live a life worthy of our Savior!

The Gospel Coalition

If you as a Christian, need a place to converse with others and maybe even partner up to spread the Gospel, please consider the work going on at the Gospel Coalition. It is a network for like minded people who want to share the Gospel and truly preach the resurrected King of Glory!

DON'T WASTE YOUR LIFE 2009

Here is a great team-up with Dr. Piper and Reach Records. Only what you do for Christ will last. Don't wait until you are helpless and can do nothing. Take your life and live it to the glory of God.

Homeland Security vs the Church

I read this article from FoxNews and I was truly angered. As a right leaning conservative, with a view that the majority of right leaning conservatives are Christian, I ask, "Could this be a step in the direction of bringing biblical Christianity to a place of persecution in America?" Think about it. The government labels anyone with right-leaning, conservative values as a potential terrorist. So they mean to tell me that if we disagree with abortion, we are considered to have terroristic traits. What kind of mess is that? Here's a kicker for you, if we (an Airman, Soldier, Marine or Seaman) have been to Iraq or Afghanistan, according to Napolitano we are susceptible to being overcome by those would want to harm the very country we fought to protect!Crazy! Really it sucks because the moral ground that I will not be moved from according to Homeland Security automatically infers that I am now to be considered anti-American. Wow. Yet if this is case, there is still more to be concerned about. Just think, after awhile they begin to crackdown on churches who preach against sin, abortion and homosexuality because they beleive it infringes on their “rights” as Americans (never mind the fact that I am entitled to my opinion). They then lock up those who speak against an immoral lifestyle because they are recognized as instigators. The way I see it, right now the seeds are being planted that will allow the persecution of the Christian Church to begin. In fact, in some places it has already begun. Homosexuals invaded a church in Minnesota last year, harrassed the congregants (who were worshipping that morning) by yelling out blasphemies (in front of the children mind you), began performing sexual acts (again in front of the children) and hung a banner that read "BASH BACK!" And as far as I know, no one was arrested even though the police came out. Yet through all this, we must draw closer to Christ-not out of fear of the enemy-but out of love and admiration for HIM, knowing that this world will pass away, but Christ abides forever!

Intermission

I love God and His mercy is bigger than I could ever have imagined. He is God and worthy to be praised. His love is higher than any cloud, deeper than any sea or thought. I thank Him daily for His goodness in my life. He is wonderful. I will praise Him in my life, with my all, through my preaching and through any song...

Even the World Can See Its Sin...

The young man in this video (Piper from the Alternative pop group Flipsyde) makes some very poignant remarks concerning the loss of a child. However, this isn't the type of loss seen when a man loses a child he has held in his arms. It doesn't stem from the losing of a child to a terrible accident or incurable sickness. Simply put, this is the view not heard from often. A young man pays for his girlfriend's abortion and regrets it years later. There is remorse and contrition from an unsaved individual over his own wickedness- a partaker of abortion. Too many pro-abortion supporters disregard and fail to consider how many people are affected by an abortion. Now for many of the "feminist" persuasion, caring about a man's feelings concerning an abortion would be akin to Hitler caring about the feelings of the Jews he was gassing, i.e. it isn't there. I know it's a bit harsh, but truthful nonetheless. Yet the underlying truth is that this young man does hurt from the abortion. He agonizes over the child that "could have been, but won't" because of his own selfishness.

I will always say that abortion is more than a woman's personal choice. There is more than just HER body that is at stake. Nevertheless, I believe things will only get worse on this issue. Yet regardless of what errors sinful man (and woman) try to make "appear" right, I will speak from the Gospel of Christ and continue to show the lies of abortion. WE must continue to advocate on behalf of the children whom abortion would kill-they don't have a voice of their own and it is our responsibility to do so as Christians.

The Gospel Prepares Us to Die!

I was listening to my brothers at StandUpMinistries from their March 22, 2007 broadcast. On it there was a brother in Christ by the name of Shawn Scott (sp?) from North Carolina. Now this brother had come to faith pretty much in the Apostolic Church. Now coming out of South Carolina I am very familiar with the Apostolic Church (There are several organizations under the Apostolic banner) and there were plenty of them on the corners and deep in the back woods. For those that are unsure of what an Apostolic Church is, it is basically a Pentecostal Church- holding to the majority of their teachings and also bringing in Oneness Theology and hyper-holiness (i.e. women in dresses only, no make-up, etc). In addition, they hold to an anti-cessationist view of the gifts. For them, all the gifts that God had given the Church are still in full use- to include a magnified view of speaking in tongues.

Now as brother Shawn was speaking, he referred to a conversation he and bro. Tim Butler (the founder of Stand Up and a man with a crazy testimony himself) had. The conversation brought up a thought within Mr. Scott and out came "the Gospel prepares us to die..." Now as soon as he said that, I caught onto that with the quickness. I understood it to be as absolutely true a statement as Shawn did. You see what lead up to this was the discussion of the harlotry of the church and how many were using it for financial gain. In fact, a lot of the discussions taken up on "Stand Up" deal with exposing that particular area because so many are in bondage to it. Really, look at TBN or Daystar and see how much of their programmings deal with "giving or sowing a seed." In so many church assemblies today the focus is on money and that should never be the case. Yes, money answers all things, but we are not to be slaves to it.

Many in the church are burdened down by the desire to "get wealth." God never promised Christians that once they came to Christ they would be debt free and all their financial woes would be gone. No, what He promised us was pain and persecution. Pain from picking up our crosses and following Him. But follow Him where? To the place where we are to be crucified on the very crosses that we carried. As for the persecution, "they that will live godly will suffer it" (2 Tim 3:12). Yet that is not the message preached by a growing number of churches out there. Most of what you hear is "God wants to bless you," "God wants you to be victorious," "hi-5 your neighbor and tell the devil to shut up," and my faviorite (snikt...) "yell out money cometh to me!" These mantras are oft quoted as if they were scripture when in fact, they are nothing more than excitable rants that play on the poor and greedy for gain. Sadly, those that imbibe on the vomit that Satan spits out through these false prophets believe that to prosper financially means that they are blessed in Christ. Yet they fail to understand that the Gospel does not prepare us to live the lives of the rich and famous.

No, what the Gospel does is the Gospel prepares us to die... in Christ, so that in the last day we may be raised with HIM according to the glory of the LORD (1 Thess 4:16). We are encouraged to put aside every weight and sin to run the race. We are encouraged to "lay up four ourselves treasures in heaven where moth and rust cannot destroy..." Matt 6:20. We are told to focus on those things that are above and not on things that are beneath. Now consider this, "...Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself." [1 Tim 6:5] Paul knew what would come after the disciples' departure, and we were being warned. It doesn't matter how rich one becomes, if earthly riches are the ends to the means, then that is the reward and that individual will have no part in HIM. There are plenty evil men out there preaching that the gain of the Gospel is measured out in financial success. What hog-wash! They have perverted the glory of the LORD and made it into a lustful tool that keeps them in an enviable lap of luxury. Earthly monetary gain is not the goal of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and that is not the preparation that it provides for.

The Gospel prepares us to die- because we will die in Christ! We must die to our fleshly desires, our greedy wants, to our unholy ways. Romans 8:13 says,"For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live." We struggle in our natural bodies trying to live in the Spirit. The two are opposed to each other like high is to low. Two wills cannot work together, only one will come out on top. If we walk in Christ and stop the evil works of the flesh, we die in Christ, but are also raised with HIM in HIS glory. If we walk in the desires of the flesh then we will still die- just outside of Christ. We will die outside of HIS mercy, outside of HIS grace, outside of HIS love. Yet, we don't die away from HIS judgment.

Yes, the Gospel prepares us to die, for the glory of GOD. Either we die in Christ receiving HIS mercy and grace or we die outside of Christ receiving HIS judgment and wrath. GOD is glorified both ways. HE is glorified in the pronouncement of HIS mercy toward those who believe and He is glorified in the carrying out of HIS justice towards those who are wicked. God will and must be glorified.

I pray that more will come away from these wicked so-called "apostles of faith" who rob men both spiritually and financially. I pray that GOD is glorified through HIS children coming to know HIM in a more meaningful way than a "daddy gimme this..." mentality. Because in the end, the Gospel does prepare us to die- so that we can truly live in and with HIM for HIS glory!

Evolution vs Romans Chp.1

Those who would encourage the belief of evolution do so in order to undermine the premise of creation through Christ Jesus. Let's jump right into scripture.

Romans 1:18-23 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 reptiles.

Putting the scientific data that presents the cons of evolution (and there are plenty) to the side, I want to soley focus on the spiritual aspect of this particular belief. We begin with Romans 1:18:

For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all
ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth.

Here we see that the Lord's wrath is against those who suppress the truth. What truth would the scripture be referring too? Why the Gospel of Salvation, the revealed righteousness of God Himself. Most evolutionists are Atheistic in their belief, knowing full and well that if they gave in to the remote plausibility of the fact that God created the universe as stated in Genesis, there would be no way that they could believe both evolution and creationism. So, the Lord is against the truth suppressors (of any kind).

Rom 1:19 For what can be known about God is plain to them,
because God has shown it to them.

Here we see that man can plainly see what God has done on the earth, yet they ignore it. Kirk Cameron and Ray Comfort have an awesome way of pointing out this little truth nugget. When speaking to evolutionists, they begin by asking who made the building they're currently standing in front of. Most folk tend to respond with mason, construction worker or builder. They then ask who would be responsible for making a painting. Well of course the answer is a painter. They continue with similar questions, but for right now, you get the idea. Everything that gets created has a creator. Everything that was ever made has a maker. The universe is the same way. There is a maker and a creator- His NAME is YAHWEH. He created everything that we see, the sun, the clouds, the star, the trees, the land, the ocean. He spoke it into existence and it was. Everything that we now see is proof that God made it, because no matter how you dice it, everything has to be created someway.

Rom 1:20 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.

This verse goes hand-in-hand with vs 19 and 18. Being able to see that something exists means that it has to come from someone and somewhere. And if it were not for evolution, a lot more people would be believing that some type of "force" or "god" was behind the creation of the unvierse as it is. Nevertheless, there is no excuse for not believing there is a GOD because the proof is in the pudding so to speak.




Rom 1:21-22 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. 22 Claiming to be wise, they became fools,

Because everyone knows that someone had to create the universe, those who refuse HIM automatically hate and despise HIM. They don't want to honor HIM so badly that they try to think HIM out of their hearts and minds, shutting out the very light that would illuminate them.They then turn and boast in what they have created with their mind, foolishly believing a lie rather than the truth- the whole time thinking they are the "intelligent ones."

Rom 1:23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images
resembling mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles.

Hummmm???? Let's see, they exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man...

Ladies and gents step right up and meet Nebraska Man. Yessirrreeee!! In 1917 a tooth was discovered and some years later sent to other scientists. His body was an artist's rendering from information given from paleontologists who thought that it might perhaps be an ape or even ape-man (gasp!!!!). Eventually it was found out to be a pig's tooth. (No missing link here).

Next on our non-scientific display is (drum-roll please) Lucy!!! The ape (oops I meant chimp- oops again- long lost ancestor) was found in Ethiopia back in 1973. She... it, was heralded as the missing link between man and ape. However, even one the top Paleantoligists in the states (along with others) have concluded that Lucy (and others like her) were so different that they are not close enough to even resemble a humaoid (not to mention that her head is 60% plaster of paris from an "artisitic" rendering along with half her hip and a few dozens and dozens of missing bones). Kind of makes you wonder that with all of this "artistic" rendering going on, where's the real scientific research. Oh my bad, it is null and void because they would rather believe what they hope in (i.e. their mental capacity to find something on their own) than believe in the God who gave them life.






Quite honestly, this goes all the way back to Adam and Eve. Because they thought they could be like GOD,

"they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen."

Rom 1:25

So many men and women would rather deny the evidence of GOD before them. They would rather believe a lie with all of their heart just so that they can serve their own creation, their own desires- all so that they can be "god" in their own eyes. Unfortunately, the LORD will avenge Himself and He will pour out His wrath against the ungodly. And one of the saddest things about it is that they will continue to curse Him and will pray that the rocks would grind them.





So what do we do people? You know the answer, "Preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ." Be instant- in season, out of season. Don't preach the seeker sensitive model, the health and wellness gospel, or the name it and claim gospel. Preach the truth- Jesus Christ crucified as the atonement for YOUR and MY SINS! Don't waiver from the Word which is able to save your souls! Don't allow fear or shortcuts to rob God of His glory. Preach the Gospel- the whole Bible from beginning to end!!!








May God's grace be upon you,









your brother and fellow slave in Christ!!

Paul Washer

Somtimes we need a challenge. Sometimes we need a swift kick in the rump. Consider the words of this sinful man preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I dare you, no, I challenge you to sit and listen to him speak. Feel free to take out your Bible and compare his words to God's Word. One of two things I believe will happen: 1. it will cause you to think and glorify the Lord, 2. turn it off. The truth will make us free...but it will hurt first. But no fret, joy will come.

Up and Running

I am back now. I have a computer and internet access. I also have a new job (teaching new Air Force trainees how to blow up the bad guys). Hopefully I will be writing soon, as being in a new city brings different thoughts and challenges. Be blessed people and thank you for your prayers, also if you are looking to buy a house in AZ let me know!

On Matters of Race....

A few weeks ago I was invited to write for Arizona Christian Worldview Institute's blog. I sent something in and it was recently posted. So please take skip on over there and check out what I wrote concerning Obama, Wright and some other thoughts. Also check out the other contributors to ACWI. They are a sincere group of believers who place Christ above all else! And don't forget to pray for the presidential candidates and that the will of the LORD be done, regardless of who wins.

Godspeed,
Chermone

Curse God and Die

“7So Satan went out from the presence of the LORD and struck Job with loathsome sores from the sole of his foot to the crown of his head.8And he took a piece of broken pottery with which to scrape himself while he sat in the ashes. Then his wife said to him, “Do you still hold fast your integrity? Curse God and die.”10But he said to her, “You speak as one of the foolish women would speak. Shall we receive good from God, and shall we not receive evil?” [fn1] In all this Job did not sin with his lips.” Job 2:7-10

One the hardest times in the life of a human being is the death of someone close. Whether it is the loss of a best friend or cousin, brother or sister, father or mother, or child as in the case of Job, it is a heart wrenching ordeal. Daily I see the ravages of a death and the sorrow that follows it in the news. Recently I read a report by CNN that spoke of a young man about 17 years of age walking home in the early evening as he was instructed by his father. Just down the street from his house he was approached by gang members and then for no apparent reason- fatally shot. Upon hearing the gun blasts the father immediately phoned his son to warn him to stay away from the house for the time being. When the son did not answer the father knew something was not right and immediately set out to find him. What pain and agony the father felt as he distinctly recalled the promise that he made to his son "I guaranteed 'Jas.' That's why it hurts so much -- because I told him, 'I promise you, if you sacrifice these years, I'll sacrifice with you.'" Oh the heartbreak for someone to endure. What an excruciating ordeal for this father and mother to lose their son. It cuts up the innermost part of us all as the loss of a loved one can be most destructive to the soul. Yet in all this, there is hope.

For the wife of Job, her loss was exponential. Not one of her 10 children survived that dreadful day. She mourned seven sons and three daughters who held her heart as children always do. And shortly after she loses the blessings that God had given to her, her husband is stricken with boils. It is at this point that she begins staring at the possibility of maybe even losing her husband. Perhaps caught up in the frustration of losing the last person that she had, at her verge of collapse she blurts out of her misery, “Curse God and die!”

Job however, neither gratifies her request nor does he scold her for it. He simply discerns her reaction and tells her how she is behaving. He follows it up with an all-embracing view of the sovereignty of the Lord- “Shall we receive good from God, and shall we not receive evil?” He neither denies God’s mercy to man nor does he strip God of it. Job knew that God was in control of all things and that all of his life was in the Lord’s hands. Job’s response is a response of contentment in the Lord- though undoubtedly filled with pain. Nevertheless, the Lord shows us that, “in all this, Job did not sin with his lips.”

Oh what glory that God received when we read of Job’s loss and later gain. The Westminster Confession declares that the “Chief end of man is to glorify God.” Job did not sin with his lips, but what about his wife? She often gets caught up in the story, coming in and out at opportune times. We rarely consider that what became her trial initially had little to do with her and more to do with Job. It was Job who was to be accosted by Satan, not his wife (maybe because the Lord knew she would curse him). Maybe, just maybe, the Lord wanted to provide a resounding instruction for her as well. I would lean to that mode of thought because in the end, the Bible says that Job had seven more sons and three more daughters (the prettiest in the land). It never says that he divorced his wife, that she died and he remarried, or that he had any other wives or concubines. She had benefited fully being hand in hand with Job. The wife of Job who bore him his first seven sons and three daughters in the end bore him seven more sons and three more daughters. The woman who lost almost all that she had gained more. No the latter ten do not take away the burden of sorrow for the loss of the first ten, but she was blessed- again. The Lord could have simply taken her life when she spoke as the ungodly did. But he refrained. Though she suffered and did not handle the pain as well as Job did, God had compassion for her. Who knows what conversations they could have had that the Lord in His wisdom decided not to share with us. Whatever the case, I do believe that she did learn more of God- just as Job did.

So where does that leave us today? Well firstly, we must remember that God is sovereign over all creation. He is omniscience and omnipotent and that He is God all by Himself. Whatever trials come our way will always be unexpected for us, but not for God. He establishes every hardship that we go through. Still, we must learn and have the fortitude of Job, “though He slays me, yet will I trust Him!” We do not know how our trials and tribulations will come, but we know that they will come. Like the father who lost his son, he rested and reassured himself in the resurrection of Christ. He knows that his son was a believer and his joy is upheld by the power of Christ. When we suffer loss, we must remember the glorious truth of Christ- “…I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live,26and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die.” John 11:25-26

Pains will come and go. So will life. Though we suffer, either by personal loss, sickness or by persecution, we will reap if we do not faint or give up hope. We must remember that God is a righteous and just King. That He is the sovereign Lord over the entire universe. And we must remember- “Yet in all these things, we are more than conquerors through Christ Jesus.” And, “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, 39 nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Rom 8:35-39

Either Way I Vote, Someone Dies

As we approach the final stretch in this voting season many things come to mind. All of the candidates claim "Christ." Some do so more than others, but they all claim they are Christians. From the Democrat side Clinton and Obama are the ones in the forefront. For the Republicans, McCain and Huckabee. No big news there. My concern is what "Christ" they claim. For me, it is a matter of conscience on whom I vote for. The book of James 1:27 says this: "Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, [and] to keep himself unspotted from the world." It is no secret that I utterly abhor abortion. I always ask the question to its supporters, "You don't have a problem with 'you' being born or staying alive now do you!" To which most respond that "life begins when it's outside of the womb." However, even scientists have come up with a list of seven items that identify something as having "life." And guess what? A fertilized egg meets all of the scientific prerequisites! So where do the "Christian" candidates stand in regards to this? Both Clinton and Obama are highly pro-abortion, McCain has flip-flopped and Huckabee is very pro-life. Oh what to do?

Another big issue is still the war in Iraq. I served in Iraq a few years ago. It definitely had its moments. One of the craziest things for me was to see empty caskets stacked 20 ft high waiting for bodies to fill them. Some pictures never leave your mind. I truly feel awful for the Marines, Army, Navy and AF cats who go over there time and again for 1-2 years at a time. I share with them the pain of hearing your children cry because you are not home and the worry in their voices when they watch the news. But I know that there is a 'just' reason that we stay over there and fight. I volunteered to come in the AF and I volunteered to go to Iraq. Same with a lot of those guys and gals there right now. But we choose knowing what we were in for. We choose knowing that it really could cost us our lives. We choose to do what we do because we believe it is the right thing to do. Do we wish things were better over there by now? SHhh yeah! Would we rather be home? You know it. But we also know that there are things far beyond us like the safety of our families and the defense of this country we have all come to know and love (despite its inherent evils). John McCain knows first hand about fighting in a war that we probably shouldn't be in. And honestly, I think all the candidates would probably want to bring the troops home. But right now doesn't seem to be the best time. Clinton and Obama would probably bring everyone back home within a year of being elected President. McCain and Huckabee would probably wait some years to see how things work out.

I guess my biggest problem with all this is the fact that Clinton and Obama will fight to bring "voting" Americans home to spare their lives, but won't fight for the life of an unborn child. And again, they call themselves Christians. It seems so easy to fight for someone who may seem angry about something and get on their side, but who sides for fatherless? Who sides for the victim? Where else do they look to protect those who need help? Honestly, all the candidates have failed in that area. But as for me, I have to side with the conscience of my faith. Not one of these candidates is going to make all of America better. However, maybe one can speak for the lives of those who don't have a voice. Our airmen and soldiers know what they're in for. Let them voice their opinion just as much as they fight for it. But let us not forget the fatherless who need us to speak up for them.

As the title goes, this election campaign will not be easy. Someone will die as a result of how we vote. The big question is who will we give the fighting chance to- The unborn child or the Soldier?