Ignorance

"Ignorance is generally confident, because it is ignorant;" - JN Darby.

What a great quote.

With most Christian Blogs likely posting today about the unimaginable virgin birth of Our Lord Jesus Christ I thought I'd take a different approach.

The subject of Almighty God actually coming to Earth and taking on human flesh is amazing. Almighty, limitless God put on the limits of being a human being. The Word says He came to Earth to learn obedience. He came here to be tempted in every way. It wasn't that He was ever disobedient, He wasn't. He always did the will of the Father. But He learned by the experience of it about how we live. This is how He prepared to be our Great Mediator in Heaven. There is nothing that we go through in our lives that His life didn't prepare Him to speak to the Father on our behalf about.

Think of it this way. Look down at a group of worms moving about in the mud. They have a great deal of limitations compared to us as humans. Imagine loving them enough that you would become one of them. To surrender all the abilities you have as a human and become like them. Then imagine the experience of it. You would know what it was like to be human, but now you would also know what it's like to be a worm. Imagine Almighty, limitless God becoming like us. To "live among us". Which is what the title Immanuel means.

Yes Christ came to earth to be the ultimate and final sacrifice for sin. And He was born in the shadow of the Cross. His full purpose was to save us. Hence God the Father chose the name Jesus or "Jehovah Saves" for Him. But the first sacrifice Christ made was to give up the Glory of Heaven to become limited flesh. A babe. Hungry, cold, dependent on parents to protect and provide for Him.

That we don't think of this part of His life here with us in this way really agrees with the rest of John Darby's quote which comes from the Preface to his multi-volume work "Synopsis of the Books of the Bible". Here is the quote in full;

"Ignorance is generally confident, because it is ignorant; and such is the mind of man in dealing with the things of God. The writer must be forgiven for speaking plainly in these days on this point. The pretensions of infidel reason infect even Christians." - JN Darby.

We've Taken Too Much

Thursday evening I had the privilege of meeting Dan. He basically just walked up to my wife and I as we were loading groceries into our truck. So I gave him a tract. :) Dan had severe leg pain, but was very interested in the tract I had just given him. He had been struggling with God and religion for a long time. He was very wary of discussing it with me at first but I knew the Spirit was in control so I just pressed on.

Dan asked me about what church I was with. He said it this way. "What church is this?"

Those four words reveal the state of Christdom (all people who say they are Christian) in North America. Church members go to and fro talking to people about "church" and asking for donations and pressing them about getting up Sunday morning to come to a building full of people doing something completely foreign to this world.

Is it any surprise people are wary? I mean really.

When Dan found out I wasn't representing any church building, I didn't want anything from him, but that I was deeply interested in where he was at then and only then did he relax and decide to work this issue through with me. Right there in the parking lot of a grocery store.

You can't tell me people aren't interested. That they avoid the topic. People are DEEPLY interested in where they are going after they die. Everyone wants to go to Heaven, it's just most of them don't want God to be there when they get to it.

Christians stop asking people for money for your buildings and your programs and your whatever you do. Stop it. It's a shame! We are told to GIVE the Good News of Reconciliation to every person on this planet. There is a biblical way to do it for sure. But we are not to be asking non-believers for money or their time.

People who are blind and headed for Hell do not want to come to "church". They know nothing of God. God Himself says that if a man is not Born Again he can not even SEE the Kingdom of God. Why then ask someone who knows nothing of God to come to a building to worship Him? It won't make sense to the poor person. Make them understand their state before a Holy and Just God. Do so lovingly but firmly. You do not have the right to judge them, but it is your responsibility to ask them the questions which the Holy Spirit will use to reach their conscience. THEN when they understand, for maybe the first time in their life, the exceeding sinfulness of their sin. Then give them the Grace of the Gospel of Christ Jesus risen from death and seated on High. Only then will it make sense to them.

Then you leave it in God's hands. You respond as the Holy Spirit prompts you and NOT in your prideful flesh that will demand you be "right" and the other person "wrong".

Dan was desperate to know the things of God. But he would never have listened to the truth from someone who wanted to take him to their church. Please, please Church, (the global assembly of true Christians) please, reach for souls to save them from the Fire. Once they are saved, they will actually want to fellowship. You won't have to beg them to come to church, they will want to.

Does This Scare You?

I had the chance to read a few posts over at the blog Debunking Christianity this evening. If you call yourself a Christian but you're afraid to mingle with those who vehemently appose Christianity then you've got some growth to do.

These are just people, and no matter what they say or do you ought to know you yourself have said and done just as bad or worse.

So many Christians have this idea that we're better than other people. Well guess what we are not better. And if we actually READ the Bible that we are so quick to tell everyone else to read we'd know this truth.

Blogs like Debunking Christianity are great places to meet people and engage them in real conversations. If you don't know what you're talking about then stay away until you're prepared. And if you know you're not prepared then get prepared.

Globally the world is moving into a "post Christian" era. For those of us who actually read more than a couple of verses in the Bible this is not at all a surprise. And you know what it's GOING to get worse. We are not going to save this world. We are not going to have some mass revival where everyone loves Jesus. That's not the job of the Church. We are here to preach the Good News. Those whom He has chosen will respond.

Now for those who are scared of the kind of objections you'll find from non-believers - please get over yourselves. God truly IS God Almighty, Creator, and Judge. If you really think He might be wrong about something then you need to address your own faith before you preach to anyone else.

But IS faith in the Bible and the God it reveals unreasonable? No it's not. In fact, when looked at through the eyes of science (ALL disciplines) and logic it is the most reasonable thing you'll find in this life. I say this with complete confidence. As a former skeptic myself.

Hopefully some of the people from Debunking Christianity will visit here. They may very well have nasty things to post in the comments. It's ok. Really it is. And none of my normal readers should be offended by their posts. Here's why -

If a blind man was in your living room and bumped into your coffee table, knocked over a drink and it stained your rug would you be upset with him? THAT would be unreasonable. Those who do not have faith are blind. They must battle their pride and fears in their own strength. We often forget what that was like, and we ought to spend more time with these people so we can remember it.

Check the links on the left here to get prepared to speak to people. Remember, most have been taught what to think not how to think. And what they've been taught to think is wrong. In fact it's normally so wrong that a child can see it once shown.

Compromise Is Not Unity

Compromise can be the single most helpful tool when two entities (people, organizations...) can't come to an agreement on something. It's sometimes referred to as "give and take".

I'm going to simplify all the "big issues" into something few of us would actually argue about in order to make my point. Imagine this if you will. We (you the readers and myself) are a group of math professors who seek to keep the study of math honorable. There are two math professors. They come from different schools but they both claim to love math. They both have invested much study to come to their own position about the problem of what does 2+2 equal.

See one says the following, 2+2=4. He has evidence, and logic that I tend to agree with. When I look at his work it has the ring of truth to it.

The other says 2+2=3. He has evidence and logic as well. Some of it even makes sense to most people. Some of it seems a bit confusing but he has put a lot of work into his position AND he is a professor of math.

As time progresses the conversation between the two gets heated. They have not come to an agreement yet and someone cries "Compromise!!!!!!!!!! We must get along if we are to be honorable. What will the world think if they see us fighting among ourselves like this?" Soon many are crying the same thing. A quick poll is held and it reveals that most of us have not studied the issue of 2+2 and even fewer of us think it's immediately important what the real answer is.

It's decided to compromise on the issue, in order to keep the integrity of our organization in tact. It's decided that the issue can not be known and so we ought not discuss it because it causes division. People from all over our organization rejoice. It's said this wisdom will herald an age of unity and help us to build a solid front of one accord to present to the world!

Did we do what was right? Do we now have unity? Or have we simply buried our heads in the sand and decided to have everyone be a little bit wrong instead of everyone being completely right? The Truth is 2+2=4, and it's not hard to know. We simply have to be willing to stop false teachers and seek after that which is true. False teachers no matter how smart and loving they might be must be addressed or there can never be true unity.

In the global body of people who profess faith in Christ Jesus there is little unity. But if we look at Matt 13 this shouldn't be a surprise. Jesus said there would be false converts everywhere and that we wouldn't be able to root them out. There IS a core, a REAL Body of Christ - the Church of the Living God buried in this field that is the world. It is hidden right now but there IS unity in her.

If you find yourself studying something that is hard to understand and you can't find unity on it. Please do not give up. God wants unity in the Church. He requires that we be unified in accord with the Truth and that we proclaim it so. The Apostle Paul exhorted Timothy in I & II Timothy to keep doctrine pure and taught. Please lets all do the same. It surely can be painful, but why shouldn't it be? Men through the ages have been willing to die for the truth of this doctrine. Ought we not at least be willing to seek after it???

Acidental Witnessing

Well had a collision in today's fun snow storm and grid lock traffic. The nice thing was very little damage was done to either vehicle and no one was hurt. The best thing was that the other driver got a Gospel tract!!

When he gets home he can say to his wife "Hey Honey, I ran into this evangelist tonight." hehehe

The Nativity Story

Well I have to say I'm impressed. The movie holds it's own with other top Hollywood productions and stays very close to the Biblical record at the same time.

There are a couple of obvious missing points, such as the host of angels sinning when Gabriel told the shepherds where to find Jesus. And, that the wise men decide not to return to Herod of their own accord instead of being told not to by the angel.

Then there are two other things that "bothered" me. Not enough to keep me from recommending the movie though. One is Gabriel is always seen as a bird when he comes or goes. The other is the explanation of the star. They show it as three stars coming together. To my knowledge (or the lack there of) there were no three stars which converged at the time.. however this could be because I've not studied it.

The movie brought me to tears at one point. And it was wonderful to see Mary portrayed as a human instead of some figure of God. She's a normal woman who obeys God and has to deal with the reality of it. It's great to see them become a married couple and see their love and respect grow.

All in all, we're recommending it to everyone and we'll buy the DVD ASAP.

Just Never Questioned Before

It's a quote I hear very often while I'm out on the streets talking with people. At first many people are adamant that Evolution is "true science" and it's only still classed as a Theory instead of a Law because of the enormity of it. Often they don't expect to be asked "real science" questions or to talk about "real science" issues because I'm talking to them about "god". However, once I get through the barrage of insults and rolled eyes they soon become shocked and surprised. A few simple questions and they nearly all say "I've just never questioned it before. They teach us to question everything EXCEPT Evolution!" I've heard this so many times, I can almost hear it before they say it now.

So when I read of a Teacher becoming a Creationist I'm not surprised in the slightest. In-fact I know it's a testament to the person's intelligence because I know they have finally started to think about "how" to think instead of "what" to think.

I am confident that any sane person who gives an HONEST and COMPLETE study of Creation and Evolution will come to believe in Creation. I am also confident more people are content to believe the comfortable lie that means they don't have to change, than the uncomfortable truth that there is a Creator God who not only made the Universe, but has right to order it as He sees fit.

Recently a Teacher came to the realization that Creation is fully supported by, and explains best the evidence we have all around us. Here's a quote, but be sure to read the whole article.

“Parker had no idea that his teaching of evolution would offend the residents of Desoto County. He had never heard evolution challenged in any of his college classes,” writes David Bedell of the Sun-Herald.

The teacher was Gary Parker, a 22-year-old college graduate looking to make a career in science. Before continuing his graduate education, Gary was hired to teach biology at Desoto County High School in Arcadia, Florida. Evolutionary science was the only real science he had been taught. What other scientific viewpoint was there? How could one study science any other way?

Read the rest at the Institute for Creation Research.

Supposed teachers of the Law

I haven't expounded on my study of late, so today I hope to clear up a very important issue for some people. The issue is the teaching of the Law (which for ease of understanding, the Ten Commandments can be seen as the example of the Law) to Christians for application. I'll be looking primarily at 1 Timothy 1:2-11. I encourage all to study the Scriptures and see if what I say here is true. I strongly encourage you to reference the Greek instead of some "modern" translations.

As I besought you to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia. That you might charge some that they teach no other doctrine. Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do.

It's amazing to me how quickly we turn to our own understanding. We want things to be "safe". We want things to be in our control. News flash! The world is neither safe, nor at all in our control. Paul gets to this point next;

Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned: From which some having swerved have turned aside to vain jangling;

We see here Paul tells us that even just "swerving" from the basis for our faith is the same as turning aside from it and going on to "vain jangling". But what is Paul getting at? He makes his point clearly next.

Desiring to be teachers of the Law; understanding neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm.

Paul explains the "vain jangling" to be teaching Mosaic Law without understanding it or even understanding what they use to affirm their supposed teaching. Now these people were "teaching" Christians at Ephesus to "follow" the Law and Paul was writing to Timothy instructing him to deal with them.

But we know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully.

Paul is clear to say that the Law has it's place, it's "Lawful" use. He also explains it's use in Gal 3:23-25 saying "But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed. Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster." Paul explained there that the Law is not for a Christian. The Law is useful only to condemn and thereby bring us to knowledge of our need for Christ.

Paul, leaving nothing to guess, then explains who the Law is actually for. Watch this closely as his teaching will come full circle giving Timothy the authority he needs to confront the supposed teachers of the Law.

Knowing this, that the Law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawlesss and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers, and murderers of mothers, for manslayers, for whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine;

Paul names sinful nature and finishes with "if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine;" What is "sound doctrine"? Paul explains in the next verse;

According to the glorious Gospel of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust.

We need to look at what the "glorious Gospel" is that God entrusted to Paul. The Glorious Gospel entrusted to Paul is found in I Cor 15:1-8. The fact that it is by Grace ALONE and not works is found in Eph 2:8,9. This is the basics of what the Apostle Paul tells the Pastor Timothy is "sound doctrine"

Now getting to the point of this short study, in verse 5-6 Paul tells of these people turning aside from an "unfeigned" faith to teaching the Law without understanding. The Pharisees used the Law to "feign" righteousness. They kept commandments visibly so people would see just how "holy" they were. Now Paul tells Timothy to "charge" these people who would teach Christians to do the same.

The Law is comprised of God's "moral absolutes", and therefore is good. But it's use is to bring the sinner to knowledge and understanding of the need for the Cross. It's been said, and I agree, the Law takes a man to the foot of the Cross but can take him no further. Grace and Faith is what saves him from that dreadful position and his just fate.

So, Brethren (if you ARE a believer), the next time someone says "Thou Shalt Not" to you in order that you might change your behavior encourage that person to "check themselves to see if they be in the faith". Then take their admonishment to heart and do the same for yourself. If you are not submitting to the Spirit it will be "visible" by things in your life which are contrary to God's "moral absolutes". Get yourself straight and get on with it. But don't try to obey Mosaic Law, it's impossible for one thing and worse - if you try to keep even just one part of it you are bound to keep all of it. That's 613 rules you'd have to follow because the Law is indivisible.

First Open Air

Ken and I traveled to Wolfville, Nova Scotia today to Open Air Preach for the first time! Now that we've "cut our teeth" it seems like something we can do any time anywhere!

What a joy it is to think that some 25 people heard the Gospel in context today!

It was video taped, and if I can get over myself I'll up load it to Google Video or YouTube or something. :) It was my first time and it's messy! :)

Fear of the Lord

What have we learned lately? That any and all can fall. Leaders in all walks of life fall from favor with the public daily. Be they doctors, lawyers, politicians or religious men. Almost always it is surrounded by shock and disbelief. We raise men up to being bigger and better than we ourselves are. For some reason we think people who rise to the top ought not be plagued by the same things we are.

Wake up call - they are just people.

As far as lawyers and doctors and the rest go, to me it's not a big deal. But when a so called "religious leader" falls it can be a big mess. Believers and non-believers alike don't know how to respond.

There is only one way for the Church (the global Body of Christ) to respond - that is to take it as a reminder of how we need fear the Lord and check ourselves to see if we are indeed "in the Faith." When we see a professing brother fall we need to pray for him, and others involved, and then we need to pray for wisdom and guidance. Often another man's failure is a wake up call for ourselves.

Forgiveness is a tough thing. Especially when we suppose the person doesn't deserve it. It's so easy to look at someone and think of how terrible his sin is or was. Non-believers at least have an excuse. But Believers are left without excuse. We are to forgive as we have already been forgiven. We were sinners, and still do sin now, so we must admit that we are not worthy of the gift we've been given and that means we ought give the gift of forgiveness to others who are not worthy. To demand a man become worthy first, is to say we have a higher standard than God does. Heaven forbid!!! If a man COULD become worthy then Christ died in vain. Surely that is not so.

Ted Haggard, Brother.

Christians, we ought get on our knees and call forth the Glory of Heaven into this man's life. We have ALL sinned and fallen short of the Glory of God. There is not one man or woman better (or worse) than Ted in all of the Church (and surely not the World).

Christians, before we point fingers at this man, I pray we consider if we ourselves indeed stand perfect before Our Lord. Who among us has not sinned against a pure and HOLY GOD? As Isaiah says in Ch 6, even a glimpse of His Glory would ruin us! The most righteous man alive in the world today is fit for eternity in Hell before Almighty God who is our standard and our Judge.

We are to forgive as we ourselves have been forgiven. For while we were yet sinners, enemies of God He, Himself, bore our sin on the Cross and paid for our iniquity. We can forgive this man where he is right now, right this second because God forgave us while we were as dirty or worse than Ted may be.

Ted, if you should happen to read this - My Brother, I ache for your pain. I will cry with you. I will thank God for what He's doing with you. And I will celebrate when you are restored and when we meet in Glory Brother I will hug you and praise God Almighty that you are there to sing His praises with me.

Is this what a "missing link" looks like?

The imagination of so called "Scientists" will likely never cease to amaze me. Read this quote and then look at the picture of the fossil they are basing it on....

"The new species, named Eritreum melakeghebrekristosi, is estimated to have been 1,067 pounds heavy and about 4.2 feet tall at the shoulder. This is far smaller than modern elephants, the researchers note this week in the online edition of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences."

Read more of this "Amazing Story" at LiveScience.com

TCC Cuts Across Halifax

Last night the war was on in Halifax. My faithful brother in Christ, Ken, and I hit the streets with unity and and a single task in mind - To sow the seed of the Gospel into as many hearts as would listen. God was so good! He gave us many challenging encounters. At one point a Muslim who was apparently unfamiliar with the affects of alcohol came up to me looking for a remedy to his drunkenness. Very quickly he began to tell me of the demons he believes live in him, and those that plague him at night. He was speaking of not being able to sleep because of the torment. What's really interesting is the man had no idea at all about my beliefs, he had come to me. God gave him over to us last night, as I spoke he became more sober but never did become completely lucid. After he had heard the full Gospel, Ken prayed for release and to have the demons expelled. I didn't see that the man had put his faith in Christ, but he desperately wanted the prayer. If I had it to do over again, I would pray that prayer immediately and then speak with him about God.

Later outside of a movie theatre we asked viewers what they thought of the movie SAW III. This led to a number of great conversations including one which lasted 1 hour and 29minutes with a couple of Muslim men.

God was very good, He strengthened and encouraged us and by His will the Good News of the Gospel was given unto many hearts. Pray with us today that those seeds are watered and pushed deep into fertile ground.

The Cross Current Goes LIVE On The Web

The Cross Current (TCC) officially opened it's web-doors today. The Radio Show and Podcast are in pre-production and early production stages. You may have a volunteer ask you some questions in the coming weeks. I'll be out on the streets here in Halifax with a small group looking for what people want to know. And the streets of London Ont will have an other small team on the look-out for great questions too.

Maybe you can start thinking about it right now! If you do come up with a "doozie" don't wait for us to find you.

What is holding you back from taking a serious look at the Bible and the claims it makes about God, eternal life, punishment, and Jesus Christ? If you've got a question or concern please visit TCC and send it in. Do you think Christians are crazy, judgmental, stupid, childish, fools, deceived, mislead, just plain wrong? Do you think Science discredits the Word or that since there are some many "religions" in the world that it's prideful to claim Christianity is the right one? Do you have no idea at all what it means to be "spiritual"? Do you believe you were a Christian once but "it" let you down? Do you think "the church" just wants your money and to control you? Is there something I've completely missed in this paragraph?

LET US HAVE IT!!!

It's like this. Christians have been so busy trying to woo people into the "hallowed halls" that we've forgotten about TRUTH. If we don't hold on to TRUTH, how can we expect anyone to take us seriously? So, please send your concerns, and questions. Every question gets answered. And we're not interested in "selling you", we don't want your money and the churches we attend (which are of different denominations) are doing just fine. We're not looking for "new members". You want the truth of it, logically sound, scientifically sound, morally sound, and Biblically sound? ASK! :)

Looking forward to hearing from you!

101 Last Days Prophecies

Wondering if the Bible is flakey and non-specific. Tired of seeing the so called "bible prophecies" on the coveres of rags in the grocerie line-up?

Well what if you could read 101 of the prophecies related to the end of days, with links to what the Bible ACTUALLY says, and links to the news items which relate to them? What if you could judge for yourself?

Why not take a look? 101 Last Days Prophecies.

Martin

This week's fishing went more "normally" :) Last week I was confronted with things I had never thought of before. Thankfully by God's grace people heard the Gospel even though they were at first very resistant. This week, I had a few opportunities to share what salvation really is with a few people who were not so resistant. In fact, after praying for God to bring us someone a man in his mid to late 20's came up on the sidewalk and just stood there about 10 feet away from me. He stood there for a few moments, seemingly for no purpose. So I walked up to him and gave him a tract. God showed Himself to be fully in control and shortly the man heard the Gospel for the first time - though he had been a Catholic his whole life.

Isn't God neat? :)

Kev

RATE Raises The Bar For Research

Check out what AiG has to say.

One essential component of evolution is an extremely long timescale for earth history. Multibillions of years likewise are required by the big bang theory. However, this assumption of unlimited time is strongly challenged by recent creation research. From 1997 to 2005 a team of creation scientists explored the centerpiece of geologic time—radioisotope dating. This technique, developed over the last century, is used to date thousands of rocks, fossils and artifacts. The creation research project was given the acronym RATE, which stands for Radioisotopes and the Age of The Earth. Rock and mineral samples were collected from around the world and then dated by top laboratories. The RATE results conflict with geologic time and instead support a recent creation.

Ray Comfort on the Joyce Meyer Show

Ray's got a great message on the Joyce Meyer Show.

Watch today's show here and tomorrow's show here.

The Cross Current Radio Show & Podcast

Got Questions? Get answers. That's the motto of The Cross Current. This week, my good friend Cory has launched their new Blog.

The Cross Current is an answers driven organization. It collects real questions from real people and answers them. Do you have a question about the Bible? It's accuracy, how it relates to science, how many cows might have been on the Ark.. If you've got a Spiritual question. Send it their way.

When Prayer Is Hard

It's hard to pray for someone you are fearful of.

Be the fear for good reason or from false information or from your own vanity, it's hard to pray for someone whom you are afraid of.

Interestingly, we ought pray for everyone. Even more interestingly, God says He has not given us a spirit of fear, and that we need be fearful of nothing.

Well, tonight I find myself fearful of a group of people who are in turn fearful of me. None of us want to quickly go to prayer for the other in this situation.

As cryptic as the above sounds, I'm guessing tonight that any and all who read this can identify with the statements and apply them to situations in their own lives.

Let us remember, Brothers and Sisters in Christ, we are all of one Body. When one part doesn't function properly the whole doesn't function properly. I hope, that shortly I'll be able to put my pride and hurt feelings aside and pray for these people. Maybe those reading can ask God to soften this broken heart for that purpose.

Sometimes What Looks Good...

is really... Evil.

This is just a silly little picture but you know what? I speak with so many people who think that being a "good person" is what God expects and wants. Of course what they (and often I) don't realize is that our definition of "good" is often God's definition of Evil.

Have you taken the test yet?

Jason

Every now and then I met someone who's experience leaves me in complete awe. Cory, and I met a man named Jason tonight/this-morning who's life story is so tragic and heart wrenching that it's amazing the man has any compassion left.

Demons are real.

Evil is real.

God will give pure and absolute justice.

I thank God that I've been spared what Jason has endured. Would you please pray for him and his family as you read this?

Tag-Team

I've been on "vacation" this week. Cory of Royal View Church is in town. So we've been out on the streets together and talking about doctrine and in general having a great time.

Today was the day we went to see his dad. Many months ago I had brought him a Bible and he said he'd read it. I believe he has read some of it, but it's not been a daily thing for him by a long shot. We had it all planned out, we'd go together and when the time was right Cory would get scares and I'd witness to him. Glory to God, Larry got to hear the full Gospel and understand it. Now it's in God's hands.

If you know Christ, I'd ask you to offer prayers up for Larry tonight. He's facing some serious health issues.

Thanks.

Playing Bass

I had the opportunity to play Bass at Church this weekend. We recently added a third service on Saturday evening so it was like I got to play all weekend long! It went very well. I'd like to say I played great, but you know I'm just not that good! :0 Thankfully, people enjoyed it and I believe we ministered as a team the way we are called to.

Glory to God we do all things in His power. The craziness of sound issues, and last minute changes were not enough to put us down. They instead only magnified His presence as they were over-come and people were led into worshipping our Risen Lord.

First Aid

I had the God given opportunity to offer First-Aid to a family involved in a dramatic car accident this morning.

The morning was strange right from the start, as I was going into work 30mins later than I normally do. Somehow with an extra half-hour I JUST got out the door in time to get to work, on time. Of course I didn't end up getting there on time afterall - but that's just fine with me.

A few moments down the road I saw a mini-van and a small car smashed up. I later learned the car had spun the mini-van around 180 degrees and across the road! Though there were many cell-phones being used at the scene and a number of people. The two injured persons were not receiving First-Aid, nor had 911 been called. So I called, gave the info and proceeded to see how everyone was doing.

As directed by Medical on the phone I stabilized a young girl's head and neck and awaited the ambulance. The poor girl had to watch, unable to look away as I was holding her head straight, as they pulled her mother slowly and methodically out of the van. Thankfully no one received very serious injury - although I'm pretty sure the woman will be in physio for sometime getting her back worked out.

This was a completely normal morning for everyone involved, well except for me, but something dramatic and life changing happened in the blink of an eye.

Please, please. PLEASE. If you are are the slightest bit unsure of your standing with God, please take the test found at www.needgod.com. There is nothing more important, and you may not have tomorrow to get it worked out. Let's settle this right now ok? www.needgod.com

How Fast?

AiG has an interesting article up about the length of time and conditions required to make something fossilize.

Check it out!

What If I Sin After I'm Saved?

Christian Chronicles is a strong, well written and edifying publication published monthly on their website.

One of the articles in this month's publication stands out as a single work which I believe Christians everywhere should read. It's on the security of the believer and is entitled "What If I Sin After I'm Saved?"

Here's the intro;

In so many denominations, it is taught that a person is saved by grace through faith, but that he can lose that salvation if he continues to sin. The argument, most notably in Lordship Salvation, as espoused by John MacArthur, is essentially that, if one continues to sin after he is saved, he never was truly saved to begin with. Nothing could be farther from the truth. The preacher or teacher who tells you that he no longer sins tells a very dangerous lie. The teacher or preacher who says that you can be lost again once you have been saved is driven by the very devil himself to steal your hope and make you resentful toward the God whom you have believed, so that you will become unfruitful. That, or he wishes to develop in you a self righteousness that will cause you to become a harsh judge of others, holding everyone else up to the false image that you have of yourself, as he himself does, so that you measure everyone’s salvation by his deeds and not by his beliefs. The fact is, while you will grow to abhor the sin that is in you, that sin will remain in you until death or the rapture, whichever comes first. You cannot root it out any more than Paul himself could (Rom 7:15-25). To suppose that you either can or must is to give the lie to the God who saved you. Even with the indwelling Holy Spirit, the human will frequently brings the believer to the brink, and over the edge of the precipice of righteousness into many and diverse sins. If it was true of Paul, you can bet that it is true of you as well.

What's In It For ME?

So few Christians get out and witness to strangers that when I tell people I do, they are always shocked. I think it's important to witness to our friends, but I know it's important to witness to strangers. God said to preach the Gospel to every creature (every created being), not just those we are familiar with. So I head out to the streets and talk to a few people every week. This doesn't make me a good person, nor do I have to be a good person to do it.

There are many reasons why Christians don't often share their faith with strangers. I could get into them, but I'd end up just spreading guilt. Instead I'd like to touch on why we should be. The old "What's in it for ME?" answer that is so important in business, and really all human enterprise for sad reasons.

Firstly lets get rid of the idea that God needs you in order to free the captives. He doesn't. Secondly, the idea that those who are in the fields need help. We don't. I am not motivated by fear, or some lacking in any way shape or form. God is sufficient.

People travel the world over to see "signs and wonders." Be them men speaking in "tongues", healers, strange occurrences, whatever they might be... people flock to the places where they think God might show Himself in some miraculous way.

Christians seeking to know the Lord will rightly spend their lives studying scripture.

Christians will rightly spend hour after hour praying to God for Him to reveal Himself, to give them faith, to save the lost... and so on.

What if I told you that God really does do miracles that born again Christian can watch God do anywhere there are sinners (might be hard to find some though right?) at any time under any circumstances? What if I assured you that you'd be sure it actually was God doing what you see, that there'd be no question about it?

My fellow believers, God says His Law stops the mouths of the proud. And it does. Learn how to approach someone in sanity, relate to them with respect, humility and love, and ask them the hardest questions any human will ever ask them. If you take a very short amount of time to study how to witness (evangelize) Biblically and then actually do it, you will be amazed at the true faithfulness of God. You can learn to speak to a complete stranger and in the span of a few moments watch God take them from their pride to brokenness and then to freedom for eternity.

No matter what kind of life or sin God has lifted you up out of it doesn't matter. No matter how poorly you speak, it doesn't matter. No matter if you've only been a Christian for an hour, it doesn't matter. God does the work, you just get to be there to watch it. It's not your roll to convince anyone of anything. That's the Spirit's job. If you simply go to someone the way the Bible teaches, then God will be faithful to what He said He does when we obey His instruction. If you try to do it in your own strength and understanding then you'll get the results that a man can produce. If you do it the way God says to then you'll get the results that God can produce.

Please watch Hell's Best Kept Secret. Then please consider getting some training on the topic. I suggest www.wayofthemaster.com, and if you are serious (and you ought be) then the full training package is at http://www.biblicalevangelism.com This is the course I am nearly finished now.

God doesn't need you, but He'd love to help you grow. Trust is gained by trusting. Everyone who walks out on frozen ice feels uncomfortable at first. Then as they learn the ice will support them they gain trust. Eventually, they invite others out on the ice with them.

That's what I'm doing. God really is faithful. He is trustworthy. I'm inviting you to come out on the thin ice with me and play a game of Hockey. All goals save lives, and the Guy shooting the puck is God.

What's in it for you? You will gain a new trust in God. You will see Him working through and in front of you. You'll store up your treasure in Heaven where it can't be lost. You'll grow an incredible love for people. AND, you will grow a stronger love for God.

Which One Are You?

The Godhead

As Paul was writing (exactly as inspired by the Holy Spirit) in Romans 8 about our position in Christ it's interesting to see how the nature of the Godhead is revealed in the language of one small section.

Rom 8:9-14

9But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.

Here the Spirit is called, the Spirit, the Spirit of God and the Spirit of Christ.

10And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.

Here the Spirit is called "life" and we know that Christ Jesus is "the Way, the Truth and the Life"

11But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.

Now it speaks of the Spirit of Him that raised Jesus dwelling in you. We know this to be God the Father.

12Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh.

13For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.

14For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.

Again, the Holy Spirit is called the Spirit of God.

Just as when the Bible is speaking of scientific things without teaching about them, so it is with other topics continually consistent. Paul is not teaching about the Godhead, or the more modern term the Trinity yet even still we can learn about it from this small section of Scripture.

My First Year In Blogging

Anyone who's done any "network marketing" knows the book "Your First Year In Network Marketing" Well it's now been a year since I posted my first post. There's been a lot to learn, and what a roller coaster ride this year has been in my life.. wow. A few highs, and many deep dark lows. It was the beginning of a long valley that led me to start blogging in the first place. And I must say, it's become part of my life. I can't say I'm the most prolific or even the most inspired blogger but I do enjoy it.

The Apple of Your Eye

The Seeing Eye Part 1.

Are You Ready?

How you feel after 58 seconds will tell you.

Big Bang’s Afterglow Fails Intergalactic ‘Shadow’ Test

AiG reports on "News to Note" this week.

University of Alabama at Huntsville scientists are scratching their heads
at a finding that may see the big bang “blown away” in the minds of scientists.
Big bang advocates believe the cosmic explosion is responsible for the cosmic
microwave background (CMB) radiation we observe. However, scientists have long predicted that galaxy clusters in the universe would deflect the CMB radiation, creating “shadows” in the observable radiation. But when the Alabama scientists measured this effect, they did not find any strong “shadows” as expected.

Fruitful Saturday Witnessing

Glory to God, today I was given 9 people to speak the full Gospel to. Over the 3 or so hours we spent on the streets it seemed like nearly everyone we spoke to was prepared to hear God's message of salvation. What a wonderful Saturday afternoon.

Glory!

Do you consider yourself a good person?

Christian Ubuntu & Hydrogen

A few posts down you'll see some links to free creative arts software. Great audio multi-track recording and editing stuff, graphics and photo software. However, I left out my favorite drum program.

Hydrogen - this software sounds great and is easy to use. Why purchase a drum program when something this good is free?

What's more, I just noticed that Ubuntu now has a "Christian Edition" of it's Linux OS. Ubuntu is a new user friendly Linux distribution. I've used it and like it. I also like Xandros a lot. I'm not sure if the guys producing Ubuntu saw an opportunity to corner a segment of the market or not but who cares if they did? A free, solid, secure, fast and stable OS that's labeled Christian too? Gotta get me that jobby right now! :)

I picked up an external HDD today. This will be used for recording, as my laptop's 5400rpm model just won't do it. I think I'll be making two partitions on it though. One for audio the other for Ubuntu CE.

The Origins Of Man Exhibit in Kenya

iol (?) details the heat around the opening of a new museum exhibit focusing on the Theory of Evolution. Of course the exhibit portrays the theory as fact, most do. This has Christians in Africa upset.

Now I'm not happy to see even more tax payer money going towards lies and deception however there is a benefit to museum exhibits being set up. It's a great way to force Evolutionary Theorists to write down what they state is fact so we can then punch holes in the so called science and evidence they use.

Much like Ike and Patton said of the 'Battle of the Bulge' Christians should look at this as an opportunity to win a decisive battle. When the enemy sets up his church, we can pray over it and use real science to expose the lies there in.

On the topic of exposing the lies of Evolutionary Theory, Answers in Genesis has a new website layout that looks pretty snazzy to me. :)

Finally Recording Some Tracks Again

Since my last post was about Tracts and tracks why not carry on with the words eh?

By checking my profile you'll see I'm a songwriter. I've written a number of songs over the last year but this has not been my primary focus. Over the last few days I finally installed some recording software and put down my first track in ages. I'm working on a pretty (if I do say so myself) little song called "How To Love". It's written about dealing with sin and addiction. For the first time ever I've written a song which is a prayer anyone can pray.

I decided to record using all free software. So I come to the reason for my post. Amateurs seeking to produce art often find themselves "having" to "steal" software to create that art. Whether it's Photoshop, 3DMax, or SONAR it seems you "need" these programs (or their competitors) in order to create art on your computer. The justification always comes down to two things. Their is no intention to make a profit with the art, and or the pricing of these are prohibitive.

Well, recently I've been seeing what can be done with free software. Not flaky software that hardly works and installs a bunch of spyware on my system but top notch quality programs. Here are some which I've been using and am very happy with. We can thank the Linux "scene" for all but Kristal in this list. These all work with Windows.

Office Suite - OpenOffice.org
Photo Editing - The GIMP
3D Modeling - Blender
Multi-Track Recording/Editing - Kristal Audio Engine
Audio VST Effects - Kjaerhus Audio Classic Series
Multi-Track Audio Recording/Editing -Audacity (I have not used Audacity yet, just installing it now but it is held in high regard. So I list it here.)

So there you have it. Some practical ways to be able to create top quality art without having to deal with your conscience nagging at you.

Tracts instead of making tracks this week

This week saw sorrow turn to victory, and yet things still conspired to keep our group for heading out on the streets to witness. So my wife and I dropped of a couple of tracts down town.

A week ago tonight I was deeply sad and wondering how that could change any time soon. Thankfully God knew exactly where I was, and how long I needed to be there.

This week I'm back to walking in victory. Others can scoff or stare all they like. It's His life in me now. That's how I can go on. That's how I can live with joy.

I'll be back playing with the worship band again soon. This is a very nice change. Though it won't be the focus of my service, it's just great to be able to do it again. I've got a few new songs I'd love my church to hear.

Differences Between Bible Translations

As I posted before, I'm sticking with the King James Version now as I can't find a better more faithful English bible.

Here is a website with intensive studies on verses which have been changed in the new translations. I'm not a KJV onlyist, yet. Though I'm beginning to feel as though I should be.

http://www.scionofzion.com/kjv_1611_yahoo.htm

Here's a page which describes the reasons for the changes in the new translations.

http://www.av1611.org/kjv/fight.html

I believe the KJV is the best English version we have. That's about as far as I can go in the debate at this time, but I'm still studying.

Divine Titles

First published in 1896, Divine Titles is a work by CH Mackintosh (CHM) which seeks to show the Authority and Inspiration of Holy Scripture. He accomplishes this in his text, and more. He also offers explanation of God's deliverance of Jehoshaphat. Here's a quote from the work which I found inspiring, comforting and encouraging.

We shall give the reader only one more illustration of our subject from the Old Testament. It occurs in the interesting history of Jehoshaphat (2 Chron. 18:31). "And it came to pass, when the captains of the chariots saw Jehoshaphat, that they said, It is the king of Israel. Therefore they compassed about him to fight: but Jehoshaphat cried out, and the Lord (Jehovah) helped him; and God (Elohim) moved them to depart from him."

This is deeply affecting. Jehoshaphat had put himself into an utterly false position. He had linked himself with the most ungodly of Israel's kings. He had even gone so far as to say to the wicked Ahab, "I am as though art, and my people as they people; and we will be with thee in the war." No marvel, therefore, if the Syrian captains mistook him for Ahab. It was only taking him at his word. But when brought down to the very lowest point--into the very shadow of death-- "he cried out"; and that cry went up to the gracious and ever-attentive ear of Jehovah, who had said, "Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver thee." Precious grace!

But mark the lovely accuracy in the application of the divine titles--for this is our thesis. "He cried out, and Jehovah helped him;" and--what then? A mere human author would doubtless have put it thus: "Jehovah helped him, and moved them." But no; Jehovah had, as such, nothing to do with the uncircumcised Syrians. His eye was upon his dear, though erring, servant; His heart was toward him, and His everlasting arms around him. There was no link between Jehovah and the Syrians; but Elohim, whom they knew not, moved them away.

God & Natural Law

I haven't posted anything in a week, mostly because I had no right to. The last 7 days have been a struggle for me. Glory to God, His grace is enough.

Answers In Genesis has an article on God & Natural Law posted today. Here's their intro;

The atheist cannot account for the laws of logic, even though he or she must accept that they exist in order to do any rational thinking. But according to the Bible, God is logical.

Bones Are Human, Not Hobbit

Go figure...

Anything else I added to this would simply be mean of me. I can't speak for the quality or content of the article, but it is amusing how every time something "proves evolution" it eventually comes up false.

Yummy Virii

CNN Reports that south of the boarder our friends in the US FDA have decided it's ok to spray food with virii (plural of virus, though not used often. It sounds better with 'yummy' in the title.) which tend to kill bacteria. My limited understanding of natural selection seems to indicate it would be a bad idea to introduce more parasites into my digestive system.

Here's a suggestion. Wash your hands, cook your food, and keep your cooking area and tools clean. For more on this I suggest reading Leviticus.

Scientific Facts & Concepts In The Bible

In Science's great days, back when it was about discovering things instead of making political statements the Bible was a catalyst for study. A scientist would read it in the Word, and then go looking for it in the world.

Let's take a look at a few facts and concepts that were revealed hundreds, and often thousands of years before they were "discovered" by "modern man".

To understand the following it's important to note, in many cases, God isn't making "statements of science" in His Word He is telling us information we need to know. The things He says about other things always line up with scientific fact. So when He's talking about a specific time, He mentions it's both day (time for work) and night (time for sleep) and the such.

1. Everything is made of things that we can't see - Heb 11:3 We now know things are made of atoms, and atoms of Electrons, Neutrons, and Positrons. And those are made of still smaller things.. none of which "appear" to our eyes. This is the weakest of the examples in this blog post. I place it here first because it weeds out those who are interested in truth and those who are looking for a reason no to see truth. That's right folks, how you respond to this tells me which group you are in.

2. The universe is expanding. Nine times in scripture God says He "stretches out" the heavens like a curtain. Example Ps 104:2

3. Long before scientists thought the Earth sat on the back of an animal God's Word proclaimed it floated in space. Job 26:7

4. The Earth is a sphere. Scientists "discovered" this 2400 years after God revealed it. Isaiah 40:22 Also, Luke 17:34-36 speaks of an event which happens in an instant but at night and during the day - at the same time. This can only be so if the Earth is round and one part is at night and the other day.

5. The Earth rotates on its axis. Scientists used to believe the Sun moved around the Earth to cause Night and Day. 4,000 years ago God's Word proclaimed this "Have You commanded the morning since your days and caused the day-spring (dawn) to know his place? ... It (the Earth) is turned as clay to the seal." Job 38:12-14 This is God describing how the Earth is rotated on it's axis instead of the Sun moving around it.

6. The Sun travels through space. Speaking of the Sun Ps 19:5-6 says it travels through space in a "circuit." Until recently it was thought the Sun was stationary. It is now known to travel through space in an orbit of sorts at a speed which is currently estimated to be 600,000 miles per hour.

7. First Law of Thermal Dynamics. No matter or energy can be created or destroyed. God's Word proclaims that Creation is "finished" There is no more creation happening today. Gen 2:1 It's the this Law which made the theory of energy and matter "spouts" or "wells" in space impossible.

8. Second Law of Thermal Dynamics. In all physical processes every ordered system over time tends to become more disordered. In three places the Word says the world is wearing out. Isaiah 51:6 Ps 102:25-26, Heb 1:11.

9. Light can be "sent" and manifest it's self in speech. In 1500 BC, long before Radio, fiber-optics, and flashlights Job 38:35 proclaimed light could be sent and speak. In 1864 James Clark was the first to suggest light and electricity are two forms of the same thing.

10. Stars sing. Stars emit radio waves that are received on Earth as high pitches. Job 38:7

11. Hydrological Cycle. Water flows from rivers into the sea, and evaporates and goes up to the clouds, and then comes down in rain... Ecc 1:7 "All the rivers run into the sea; yet the sea is not full; unto the place from whence the rivers come, thither they return again." Ecc 11:3 it rains when the clouds are full. Amos 9:6 water evaporates from the seas to be rained down from clouds. Job 28:26 God made rules (a decree) for the rain - which weather men can sometimes figure out today. The Hydrological Cycle was not "discovered" until the 17th century, 2,000 years after the Bible declared it.

12. Global Air Currents. In Ecc 1:6 the wisest man who ever lived, Solomon, describes the winds of the Earth, how they travel in a circuit. 2,000 years later men discovered these and used them to travel about the seas.

13. Oceanic Currents. 2,800 years before Matthew Maury in the 1850's was inspired to go looking for them the Bible said their were currents in the seas. Ps 8:8

14. Mountains on the Ocean Floor. Of his time in the ocean Jonah said "I went down to the bottoms of the mountains." Jonah 2:6 It's only since we've been able to dive (by technology) to the depths of the ocean floor have we known there are mountains down there.

15. Women have ova. Until a few centuries ago it was "common knowledge" that women were "glorified incubators" for a man's sperm to bring forth a child. However, just as we now understand and know, God's word declares in Gen 3:15 that women have a "seed" of their own.

16. Life is in the blood. Until 120 years ago people who were sick were bled. Many died from blood loss. 3,000 years ago God said "for the life of the flesh is in the blood" Lev 17:11

17 Blood clotting reaches it's peak on the 8th day of life and then reduces. Scientists now understand that the coagulating factor, Prothrombin is at it's highest on the 8th day after birth. The Bible consistently instructed that a Jewish male child was to be circumcised on the 8th day.

18. Micro-Organisms Exist. In 1845 30% of women died after child birth. Dr. Ignaz Semmelweis was appalled by this death rate and decided to do something about it. He discovered that doctors were not washing their hands after examining patients who had died, and then going on to aid women in giving birth. When doctors started washing their hands the death rate dropped to 2%. Lev 15:13 tells us to wash with running water after an encounter with disease. Running water, not the wash bowels that doctors used to use that held "standing" water which just collected disease.

During the "Black Death" of the 14th century patients who were sick, and those who had died were kept in the same rooms. This was blamed on "bad air" and "evil spirits" but really it was caused by micro-organisms. Lev 13 explains how to deal with the sick and the dead.

So there are a few of the things the Bible talks about which reveals how God understands science. And so He should, He made the universe. His goal in the above is not to make a scientific statement, but to reveal important information to us.

Hope you enjoyed the reading.

When a lost man knows more than we do.

There's a letter from an "Atheist" to Ray Comfort of Way of the Master. It's amazing how someone who doesn't know God understands the importance of Evangelism, and yet so many "Christians" don't seem to care.

Think about it. Imagine the horrors Hell must have in store if the bible is true. You're just going to allow that to happen and not care about saving anyone but yourself? If you're right then you're an uncaring, unemotional and purely selfish (expletive) that has no right to talk about subjects such as love and caring.

That's My King

If you’re not already familiar with S M Lockridge’s My King - then you should be! He simply speaks for seven minutes about Jesus Christ, but it’s impossible not to listen without responding in heartfelt praise.

Fearful Times, Words and Leaders

So the leader of Lebannon says he's "proud" of Hizbollah's stand against Israel. Iran's leader (won't even try to spell his name) has called the cease-fire a victory over Israel, and for Islam.

How can the US work with Lebanon in light of these things? Wasn't Lebanon in fear of Hizbollah and un-able to control it? Wasn't that the story?

The really sad thing is this, people are moving back into Southern Lebanon. I expect soon this farce of a cease-fire will end and more people will get hurt and killed. What a shame the world doesn't learn.

So What's He Up To?

Wow you know there are times in your life when everything just seems completely out of control. Even times when the future just looks black. Not even as nice as bleak, simply black. Those of us who know God, and more those who don't ask 'What's He up to?'

Well so far in my dark valley which will be a year old in a few days now, it seems He's sought to humble me. A humbleness beyond what I thought I could endure. He's seemed to call me closer to Him, which considering how far I was walking from Him seems to only make sense. He's seemed to break me so I could be taught. I've learned so much in the last year. In fact I've been working on a document for new believers and I'm shocked by the sheer amount of new information I've learned in the last 12 months. He's sought to demonstrate my faith to others in the face of the seemingly impossible.

Where will He go from here? Wow I don't know. I believe I know what my "calling" is now. I believe I'm called to teach believers and evangelise the world. It's no small thing, and I surely could not do the first bit of it with pride.

If you're suffering now I do truly hope you will go to Him in prayer and hope and knowledge that what He starts He will complete. His purpose will be carried out. And, He works all things for the good of those who love Him.

Blessed be those who are suffering.

This n That

Going out witnessing this afternoon. Normally we've been going out Friday nights and I've become comfortable with this. Today we hit the streets in daylight! Which has been intimidating to me in the past. Whatever, I'm sure saving someone is a tad more important than my feeling comfortable.

Did a bit of an update to the Blog page here. I added titles to the links over there, and got rid of a couple I never seem to use. Also changed the "Hell's Best Kept Secrete" to the video version on Google Video. This had such a big impact on my life I just want to share it with everyone.

I spent a large amount of time working on a short and wholly inadequate position piece this week. It's topic was the fact of there being two Gospels according to Jesus. That for the Kingdom Jews and that for Christians. As I see how it's received I intend to adapt it for posting here.

This week was an emotional roller coaster. It's so easy to get wrapped up in yourself isn't it?

Sometimes it hurts

Sometimes it hurts when you can't defend yourself. When someone thinks they have a valid reason to be upset with you. When you sympathize with them greatly. It doesn't matter that they are wrong. It doesn't matter that they don't know half of what they are talking about. They know all they think they need to make up their mind.

It hurts for two reasons. Firstly, because they hate you and you can't change their mind. Secondly because you know they don't need to feel the way they do, but you can't help them with it.

*update: I was just reading II Timothy and came across II Tim 4:16 "At my first answer no man stood with me, but all men forsook me: I pray God that it may not be laid to their charge;" I pray this now for the woman who spoke with me a short while ago.

Contradictions in the Bible?

Say it isn't so! Wait.. don't say that.. err maybe we should say that it seems like there are contradictions in the Word. But if God is the God He says He is then how can He be wrong or make mistakes. Maybe He was mistaken about not being able to make mistakes?

I'll be using the examples I'm studying in the Biblical Evangelism course. The information presented here is consistant with all such contradictions.

Who did Jesus apear to first? Was it Mary Magdalene as it says in Mark or was it Peter as it says I Corinthians? The first person was Mary. The first man was Peter. In I Cor Paul was making a legal defense of the Resurrection and listed the testamony of men.

Here's the actual order of who He appeared to;

1. Mary Magdalene John 20:10–18
2. Mary and women Matthew 28:1–10
3. Peter 1 Corinthians 15:5
4. Two disciples Luke 24:13–35
5. Ten apostles Luke 24:36–49; John 20:19–23
6. Eleven apostles John 20:24–31
7. Seven apostles John 21
8. All apostles Matthew 28:16–20;Mark 16:14–18
9. 500 brethren 1 Corinthians 15:6
10. James 1 Corinthians 15:7
11. All apostles Acts 1:4–8
12. Paul Acts 9:1–9; 1 Corinthians 15:8

Ok next one.

What was written on the sign on the Cross?

Matt 27:37 says “This is Jesus the King of the Jews”
Mark 15:26 says “The King of the Jews”
Luke 23:38 says “This is the King of the Jews”
John 19:19 says “Jesus of Nazareth the King of the Jews”

So which is it? Here's what it said on the sign, "This is Jesus of Nazereth the King of the Jews"

The Bible is full of things to trap the proud as shown in Luke 10:21 and I Cor 1:27 giving them fodder enough to build their own gallows.

The account of the capture of Zedekiah is also of interest. Three times it is said that God would judge him and he would be brought to Babylon. Yet is also said in Ezekiel 12:13 that he would not see Babylon. Sounds like God made a mistake right? How can you be brought some place but never see it. If you're blind. The king of Babylon blinded him before he brought him to the city as recorded in Jer 39:6-7.

There are no real contradictions in the Word, but there are many things that the proud man can point to if he finds them to say there are. Hopefully you will study with faith as you read the Word of God and look for answers, not problems. This is not to say a Christian should gloss over any supposed problem. If there is something which leaves you wondering about the accuracy of the Word it's our duty to investigate it. We are always to have an answer for the hope that's in us. Made up, or wrong answers don't cut it.

Moon's Bulge Finally Explained

or not...

Isn't it interesting when the "people's" source of science news doesn't operate in a scientific way?

The head line reads "Moon's Strange Bulge Finally Explained"

Let's define Explained.

Here's the language in the first paragraph.

"The Moon's peculiar shape can be explained if the satellite moved in an eccentric oval-shaped orbit 100 million years after its violent formation, when the satellite hadn't yet solidified, the researchers say."

So what they are saying is this - We've explained it! We know why the bulge is there. It's there IF this THEORY we are working with is true.

Do you see the error in the language and thinking here? You can not define truth (explained) using something that isn't truth.

OK lets go on. At the bottom of the article I clicked on the Top 10 Cool Moon Facts.

Definition of fact.

Here's the first one.

"The Moon was created when a rock the size of Mars slammed into Earth, shortly after the solar system began forming about 4.5 billion years ago, according to the leading theory. "

So the first cool fact is how it was theoretically formed 4.5 billion years ago....

Are you seeing a patern here?

Forgive me if I can't take this sort of "science" seriously, and less so the "scientists" who make such foolish conclusions.

Smack Dab In The Middle

Smack Dab is a band I played with for a short time.. but this post likely doesn't have any thing to do with it.

The very middle of the Bible has some interesting characteristics.

Psalm 118 is the middle chapter of the Bible.
Psalm 117 is the shortest chapter in all the Bible.
Psalm 119 is the longest chapter in allt he Bible.
There are 594 chapters in the Bible before Psalm 118
There are 594 chapter in the Bible after Psalm 118
If you add up the chapters before and after Psalm 118 you get 1188.
Psalm 118:8 is the verse at the exact center of the Bible.
It reads "It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man."

Mutant Chickens!

I remember my Dad asking a the question after a McDonald's commercial, "Where's the nuggets and fingers on a chicken?" This was always able to get a at least a slight giggle out of me. Yet neither of us ever thought to ask where the teeth were. Chickens simply don't have teeth, right? RIGHT? Well, at least one of them had something very like teeth.

Right away, Evolutionists say it's proof for Evolutionary Theory, Creationists point to the fossil record and say "This is nothing new, and is completely consistent with the created Kinds that the Bible declares."

So many people claim that Creationists are flaky or will simply twist info into meaning what they want it to mean. While this is true of some people, on either side of the debate, it's not true of those whom I choose to side with. Here's proof.

Chickens With Teeth and a snippet.

All are agreed that these mutant chickens developed their teeth because
they carry the genetic information for ‘tooth-making’ originally present in
their ancestors, but which later became ‘switched off’.

Evolutionists interpret these observations as consistent with their belief that reptiles evolved into birds. Creationists interpret it as consistent with their
belief that the ancestral created kind from which the chicken is descended
contained the information to generate teeth. To support this, we point to
similar types of teeth in extinct birds.

This discovery has enabled a fascinating glimpse of the greater genetic potential of the original Genesis kinds.

Of Abortion and Miscarriage

A close, but currently secular, friend of mine sent me a link and a quote from it today. Here's the questions he asked after reading it.

"A miscarriage is a loss of life, it' s a death. For a
woman, she just doesn't feel it in her heart but her body too since she was
carrying the baby." So, why when a baby dies in the womb from unknown
causes or perhaps a health problem is it called a death, a loss of life. BUT,
when its an abortion it isn't. Have you ever known a woman who had a
miscarriage and said "Oh, well, it wasn't really a baby anyway"? I
haven't.

Read the article for yourself at the Calgary Sun. Here's a snipet.

O’Donoghue, who was 18 weeks pregnant, suffered a miscarriage in April.
Since she wasn’t bleeding and considered a low priority the Calgary Health
Region sent her home and told her to come back in a week to 10 days.

“It was horrible, disrespectful, very cruel and psychologically damaging. A
baby is dead. I found it very upsetting I was considered a low priority because
I wasn’t bleeding,” O’Donoghue says.

If you're someone who still thinks abortion is reasonable and OK, that it is morally fine please visit Show The Truth.

What's your baby worth?

Who What Where When and Why

Remember when people asked questions?

If you're not sure what kind of questions you should be asking those who claim Evolution to be true, and that the universe is billions of years old - here's a short list of good ones to start with.

Evidence for a young world. <- not that 6 - 10 thousand years is young.... Some more great booklets.

What A Candel Can Tell Us About History...

This is quoted from a website. I'll link to it at the bottom, but for now I'd like to keep the site secret.

The Parable of the Candle
by Garth Wiebe

Chris and Lucy entered a building looking for Manuel. In a room they
found a note and a lighted candle. Chris looked at the note and read it
aloud:
‘Hi! It’s 2:30, and I’m leaving to run some errands. I’ll be back in a
couple of hours. BTW, the electricity is out, so I lit a candle for you. —
Manuel.’
Then Lucy said, ‘I know how we can find out how long it’s been since
he left! Look, the candle has been burning since he lit it and has a significant
amount of wax that’s melted and dripped down. If we figure out what the rate is
which the wax is melting and measure the amount of wax that has thus far
dripped, we can work backwards to find out how long it has been since he
left.’
Chris said, ‘Why waste your time? The note says he left at 2:30.’ Lucy
said, ‘Don’t believe everything you read.’ Chris replied, ‘Look, I’ve known
Manuel for a long time, and this is his handwriting. Don’t be
ridiculous.’
Lucy replied, ‘Ah yes, but what does he mean by “2:30”? A note
like that is subject to interpretation. Suppose he was talking about another
time zone or something.’ And so a short philosophical argument ensued about the
note. However, Lucy prevailed and insisted on performing the measurement and
calculations.
A few minutes later, Lucy announced: ‘Well, I’ve got bad news
for us. Based on the amount of wax that has melted and the rate at which the wax
is melting, I can confidently tell you that it has been at least one whole day
since this guy left. He was probably talking about 2:30 yesterday. And since he
said that he’d be back “in a couple of hours”, we can assume that something
happened to him and he’s not coming back at all. So much for your
“note”.’
Just then, Manuel walked in. Lucy said, ‘Are you this guy “Manuel”?
What took you so long?’ Manuel replied, ‘What are you talking about? I left you
guys a note saying I’d be back in a couple of hours. It hasn’t even been that
long.’ Lucy said, ‘Never mind the note. I measured the amount of wax that has
dripped off your candle, and the rate which the wax was melting. I know you’ve
been gone since yesterday.’
Manuel replied, ‘First of all, that candle isn’t
burning anywhere near as brightly as when I first lit it. Second of all, I
didn’t light a new candle, but a used one. And thirdly, I used another candle to
light this candle and in the process the wax from that candle spilled all over
this one.’
Lucy said, ‘So you set up that candle to deceive us, to make it
look like you left the room over a day ago, when in fact it’s been less than a
couple of hours.’ Manuel replied, ‘Look, I left you a note telling you when I
left. I never intended for you to conduct some silly experiment measuring wax
dripping off of a candle to figure out when I left. I put the candle there so
you guys would have some light.’

Hopefully, you caught that the Note is the Bible, Manuel is Jesus, Lucy is a so-called scientist, and Chris is a Christian.

Not all scientists are as flaky as Lucy is depicted in the above. However, many do go into a study trying to prove their previously held opinions instead of looking for truth.

Visit AiG for more information.

Quick thought about Baptism

Col 2:12 makes the point that we share in the resurrection of Christ if we are in Him. Yesterday as I read, I realized it also makes a thought about Baptism. If you read more of the section of scripture, lets say Col 2:6-23 you see there is a point about maturity and freedom in our walk in Christ.

Col 2:12 says we are "Buried with Him in baptism..." Paul often talks about maturity as dying to yourself, dying to your old nature, your fleshy wants.

The point of all this is, lately I've been wondering when a person should be baptized. I believe it should be shortly after salvation. But when exactly and how do you make the decision? When I read Col 2:12 I seemed to get the answer. When you are ready to die to your old way of living you declare it by being "buried with Christ" which is what baptism is an image of. The going down into the water is being buried, the coming out is being resurrected.

Harvest House

This week we were out witnessing earlier in the evening, starting at 6pm. Harvest House rolled into town in a van and did an open air show. It was cool to see a bunch of teens sharing their faith & life stories. Not only that, but they sang (very well) and did dramas. There were many people watching and listening.

As I was watching this small troop of young men and women I couldn't help but think "If our church had this many people who were willing to share their faith publicly we could really make an impact on this city."

It was a bit strange to be working along side another ministry, in that we didn't really know how we could work without taking away from what Harvest House was doing. Thankfully, it didn't take long for us to pick up the groove and start talking with people. Carl, a passionate man from my church came out with us last night. In fact, he was willing to go back down town with me after most everyone else had gone home. The Lord led us to talk with many people last night, including a man who was very broken. Had we not gone back out we wouldn't have had the chance to speak with him. God uses a willing vessel. I encourage you to be willing to do His work.

I Love The Gospel

It's a funny thing, salvation has been mine for a long time now. Someone told me recently, it was a very secular teaching but it had some "observable" merit. He said, the last thing you think off before you go to sleep is often what is very important to you.

Last night I was speaking with my wife as we were about to drift off to sleep. I had completely forgotten about this other person's statement (until I just started to write this post actually) and we were just sharing about God. I suddenly had an overwhelming love in my heart. I blurted out, though quietly, "I love the Gospel". Then I realized it was the first time in my life that I had said that and meant it as much as I think God would have me mean it.

Each of us is a sinner, individually responsible for our every action, inaction, thought, word, deed and opinion before a holy and just God. We will individually give account for our individual lives. None of us can pass this "test" and by our own merits would be fully guilty before God and sentenced to eternal punishment in Hell. Hell because it's the only place where God isn't, and sin separates us from God. There's a payment for sin, that's death. One sin many years ago, or consistent sin right now, the payment is the same.

Because God so loved the World, and did not us to perish in Hell. He paid the sin debt that we owe. Christ lived a sinless life, neither inherited nor self sin was in His life. He freely gave His life, in place of ours. So that the debt would be paid for us, if we simply believe in Him. If we put our faith in Him, honestly, the debt is paid.
He is just in that the payment was made in full. He is loving in that He paid what we could never afford to pay. He is faithful in that He accepts that payment, as in full eternally.

New Bike For My Wife

She's been held back by an older bike long enough. So now she's the owner of a 2007 Norco Scorcher. The picture is black, but hers is a light blue.

She's so sweet and humble, it's really nice to be able to do something unexpected and nice for her every now and then.

Sanctification: What Is It?

I've always thought booklets were made on topics that were not important enough to write whole books on. I have always been wrong about this.

If you are a follower of Christ, honestly saved, then you need to understand the freedom you have in Him.

C.H. Mackintosh on Sanctification.

These that have turned the world upside down

Acts 17:1-9 amazes me. These few people had such a powerful effect on the world they were accused before the courts of having "turned the world upside down".

I've been asking God if this is really still possible in today's world. I live in a city of about 480,000 people. As I've posted before, I've been out with a small group of believers witnessing on the streets for the past few Fridays. On any given outing we witness to about 600 people.

Tonight a woman turned down a tract and said "No Thanks. Everyone is getting these things...."

"Everyone"

Now we have hardly reached "everyone", in fact we've reached a small percentage of the city face to face, and the tracts have likely changed hands a couple of times. Since the group has been going out (including time previous to my joining them) it seems we have reached about 6000 people. If 10% of the tracts get passed on to someone else, then we've reached 6600 people. A much smaller portion has actually had the Gospel spoken to them face to face. We only engage in conversation with people who want to talk.

Now this woman, who was just waiting for her ride to show up, had the impression that "everyone" was getting them. I'm sure she didn't mean "everyone" in the literal sense. Yet she did mean it in the topical sense.

Clearly, today even, a small group of people can turn the world up side down if they are working in the power of Christ.

Oops They Did It Again

OK so that was bad....

Check it out.

Security

This topic comes up in deeper conversations about Christianity. Some Christians live in fear of loosing their salvation from day to day, some are fearless. There's no way we can earn salvation, we can not even please God without faith. The Word tells us that we are saved by the Grace of God through faith alone. While I do believe that those with faith will do "good works" I do not believe that "good works" impress God at all. Our best works are but tattered rags to Him. So, if nothing good we do even after we are saved changes the way God sees us, what makes us thing anything bad we do will change how He sees us? Actually the answer is, He doesn't see US as we are filthy, He sees the Son, Christ Jesus. We are seen as clean because He is clean. If God the Father looks on us and sees His Son how then can we change what God sees? Do we have dominion over Christ?

Here are some much better explanations.

http://withchrist.org/security.htm

http://withchrist.org/ironside.htm

If someone has told you that Hebrews 6 tells us that a believer can loose his salvation, check out the following for the truth.

http://withchrist.org/MJS/apostasy.htm

Slow Light

Last week MSNBC reported The speed of light may have been different in the past. I had noted then that this wasn't exactly a new idea. Actually, even secular scientists have proven that the speed of light can be slowed down, to a stand still even by using Sodium. You can Google Sodium+speed+light to see for yourself or you can click this Google Search that I was so kind to make for you. :)

This becomes interesting to Creationists, because while measuring the distance to distant stars is far from a "science" at this point they do, by all accounts, seem to be very far away. There is often a good question asked of how can the Universe only be 6,000 years old if there are stars so far away and we can see the light from them. There are a bunch of interesting and scientifically sound reasons for how this could be, but none are yet verifiable that I know of.

Christian Chronicles

Christian Chronicles the theological journal, has been posted for July. This month they are touching on the Book of Romans.

Of all the books of the Bible, none rises to the heights of Paul’s letter to the
church at Rome. The first eight chapters present a theological foundation
for all that is indeed the Word of God, explaining how a just God can remain
just, while forgiving sin, even as He also executes Divine judgment upon every
sin, from the slightest to the most egregious. No expositor can do this
epistle justice in either a small publication such as ours or in a multi-volume
commentary. The first eight chapters of Romans constitute an indictment,
evidence, conviction, the death penalty, and its execution; yet, culminating in
eternal life. No human author either could have or would have conjured up
such a faith as ours. And if he had, he could never have explained so very
much in so little space as Paul did in everything he wrote, but especially in
his letter to the faithful saints at Rome.