I find it sad how often we find Christians in the news lately, doing things that seem to not glorify God, but their flesh. It reminds me of the scripture of Proverbs 10:9 when it says; The man of integrity walks securely, but he who takes crooked paths will be found out. I have to wonder, do these Christians have good accountability partners in their lives, strong mentors who imitate Christ much more then them? We should always be praying for the leaders within God's church. Strength to press into Christ and not this world. I guess everyone is entitled to a bad day, wouldn't you say?
Either way here are your dumb dumb awards....
Story #1
A Christian biker gang hanging out in a bar with no intentions of sharing the gospel with the hells angels
Story #2
71-Year-Old Ohio Preacher Convicted in Road Rage Case
Story #3
I'll bet the congregation in south Alabama was surprised when officer's arrested their evangelist preacher on a murder charge as he delivered a sermon about forgiveness that had congregants saying "amens" from their seats.
Story #4
Joel Osteen's Wife on Trial over alleged air-rage incident because of some split water on her first class seat
Saturday, August 9, 2008
Friday, August 8, 2008
The way of life is down....not up!
We as Christians need to take Christ on His terms, not our own.
The proud sinner wants Christ in his pleasure,
The proud sinner wants Christ in his covetousness,
The proud sinner wants Christ in his immortality,
but the broken sinner is so desperate he will give up anything just to have Christ, just to have forgiveness and eternal life and hope and deliverance.
Grow in grace is growth downward.
As you grow in grace you have a continually lower opinion of yourself.
Self denial becomes a life pattern.***
***Hard to believe (audio series - CD2)
To truly follow Christ we must learn to kill self. As Christ said, he came to serve not be served! Christ did not come to save the righteous, but the sinner!
May you know Him. May our hearts truly know Him. May we not just think of Jesus, but that our lives would live for Jesus!
The proud sinner wants Christ in his pleasure,
The proud sinner wants Christ in his covetousness,
The proud sinner wants Christ in his immortality,
but the broken sinner is so desperate he will give up anything just to have Christ, just to have forgiveness and eternal life and hope and deliverance.
Grow in grace is growth downward.
As you grow in grace you have a continually lower opinion of yourself.
Self denial becomes a life pattern.***
***Hard to believe (audio series - CD2)
To truly follow Christ we must learn to kill self. As Christ said, he came to serve not be served! Christ did not come to save the righteous, but the sinner!
May you know Him. May our hearts truly know Him. May we not just think of Jesus, but that our lives would live for Jesus!
Art Monk HOF Speech
I knew this years HOF was going to be grand. I was bummed that I had forgot to record them, but tonight I find them on www.nfl.com. It's worth the watch! It's a wonderful thing to see strong Christians among the NFL. Glory to God!
Art Monks HOF Speech
Art Monks HOF Speech
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
Saved without holiness?? Can it be?
This is a sort of a part II post to my last blog entry titled "As a Christian can I "Opt" out of that?". I must say this book I've been reading has so much meat, I can see why its been around for 20 years. Ever tried to tackle a 24oz steak in one meal...I'd imagine you would feel like a little blue oompa after you where done. That's kinda like how this book is, not one that you would blow through in one day, you might miss the point.
Today I want to post a portion of chapter 3 which is titled "Holiness is not an option".
The whole purpose of our salvation is that we be "holy and blameless in his sight" (Ephesians 1:4). To continue to live in sin as a Christian is to go contrary to God's very purpose for our salvation. Holiness, then, is not necessary as a condition of salvation - that would be salvation by works - but as a part of salvation that is received by faith in Christ.
Therefore, we may say that no one can trust in Jesus Christ for true salvation unless he trusts in Him for holiness. This does not mean the desire for holiness must be a conscious desire at the time a person comes to Christ, but rather it means that the Holy Spirit who creates within us saving faith also creates within us the desire for holiness.He simply does not create one without the other.
Holiness also is necessary for our assurance of salvation - not at the moment of salvation, but over the course of our lives. True faith will always show itself by its fruits. "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation" (2 Corinthians 5:17).
The only safe evidence that we are in Christ is a holy life. John said everyone who has within him the hope of eternal life purifies himself just as Christ is pure (1 John 3:3). Paul said, "Those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God" (Romans 8:14). If we know nothing of holiness, we may flatter ourselves that we are Christians but we do not have the Holy Spirit dwelling within us.
Everyone, then, who professes to be a Christian should ask himself, "Is there evidence of practical holiness in my life? Do I desire and strive after holiness? Do I grieve over my lack of it and earnestly seek the help of God to be holy?
It is not those who profess to know Christ will will enter heaven, but those whose lives are holy. Even those who do "great Christian works" will not enter heaven unless they also do the will of God.** Jesus said,
"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!' (Matthew 7:21-23)
No need for me to add to that, the book itself is very clear for us to understand a little more why holiness is not an option for us Christians!
Hebrews 12:14 says:
Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.
Keep pressing, keep praying, keep looking for holiness in your walk!
**The pursuit of holiness by Jerry Bridges (pg. 33,34,37,38)
Today I want to post a portion of chapter 3 which is titled "Holiness is not an option".
The whole purpose of our salvation is that we be "holy and blameless in his sight" (Ephesians 1:4). To continue to live in sin as a Christian is to go contrary to God's very purpose for our salvation. Holiness, then, is not necessary as a condition of salvation - that would be salvation by works - but as a part of salvation that is received by faith in Christ.
Therefore, we may say that no one can trust in Jesus Christ for true salvation unless he trusts in Him for holiness. This does not mean the desire for holiness must be a conscious desire at the time a person comes to Christ, but rather it means that the Holy Spirit who creates within us saving faith also creates within us the desire for holiness.He simply does not create one without the other.
Holiness also is necessary for our assurance of salvation - not at the moment of salvation, but over the course of our lives. True faith will always show itself by its fruits. "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation" (2 Corinthians 5:17).
The only safe evidence that we are in Christ is a holy life. John said everyone who has within him the hope of eternal life purifies himself just as Christ is pure (1 John 3:3). Paul said, "Those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God" (Romans 8:14). If we know nothing of holiness, we may flatter ourselves that we are Christians but we do not have the Holy Spirit dwelling within us.
Everyone, then, who professes to be a Christian should ask himself, "Is there evidence of practical holiness in my life? Do I desire and strive after holiness? Do I grieve over my lack of it and earnestly seek the help of God to be holy?
It is not those who profess to know Christ will will enter heaven, but those whose lives are holy. Even those who do "great Christian works" will not enter heaven unless they also do the will of God.** Jesus said,
"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!' (Matthew 7:21-23)
No need for me to add to that, the book itself is very clear for us to understand a little more why holiness is not an option for us Christians!
Hebrews 12:14 says:
Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.
Keep pressing, keep praying, keep looking for holiness in your walk!
**The pursuit of holiness by Jerry Bridges (pg. 33,34,37,38)
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
As a Christian can I "Opt" out of that???
What I'm referring to is the holiness that God demands from His children. Are we not suppose to be set apart, different then this world? If our faith has not changed us, can it really save us?
I've started a new book titled "The pursuit of holiness" by Jerry Bridges. It's kind of a follow up from the last book that I read "So, You want to be like Christ?", this book going a little deeper. I'm only in chapter 2, but it's making me think. I wanted to share a part of the book with you. This gave me understanding if I'm able to opt out of this demand called holiness.
(Page 21)
God has called every Christian to a holy life. There are no exceptions to this call. It is not a call only to pastors, missionaries, and a few dedicated Sunday school teachers. Every Christian of every nation, whether rich or poor, learned or unlearned, influential or totally unknown, is called to be holy. The Christian plumber and the Christian banker, the unsung homemaker and the powerful head of state are all alike called to be holy.
This call to a holy life is based on the fact that God Himself is holy. Because God is holy, He requires that we be holy. Many Christians have what we might call a "cultural holiness." They adapt to the character and behavior pattern of Christians around them. As the Christian culture around them is more or less holy, so these Christians are more or less holy. But God has not called us to be like those around us. He has called us to be like Himself. Holiness is nothing less than conformity to the character of God.*
*The pursuit of holiness by Jerry Bridges (pg 21)
So, may today be a new day as we Christians pursue holiness. The holiness that God demands of us. As I posted awhile ago, are you seeing a different pattern of living as you become more like Christ? Reflection of change, do you see it?
But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: "Be holy, because I am holy." 1 Peter 1:15-16
Keep pressing, keep praying, keep pursuing holiness!!
I've started a new book titled "The pursuit of holiness" by Jerry Bridges. It's kind of a follow up from the last book that I read "So, You want to be like Christ?", this book going a little deeper. I'm only in chapter 2, but it's making me think. I wanted to share a part of the book with you. This gave me understanding if I'm able to opt out of this demand called holiness.
(Page 21)
God has called every Christian to a holy life. There are no exceptions to this call. It is not a call only to pastors, missionaries, and a few dedicated Sunday school teachers. Every Christian of every nation, whether rich or poor, learned or unlearned, influential or totally unknown, is called to be holy. The Christian plumber and the Christian banker, the unsung homemaker and the powerful head of state are all alike called to be holy.
This call to a holy life is based on the fact that God Himself is holy. Because God is holy, He requires that we be holy. Many Christians have what we might call a "cultural holiness." They adapt to the character and behavior pattern of Christians around them. As the Christian culture around them is more or less holy, so these Christians are more or less holy. But God has not called us to be like those around us. He has called us to be like Himself. Holiness is nothing less than conformity to the character of God.*
*The pursuit of holiness by Jerry Bridges (pg 21)
So, may today be a new day as we Christians pursue holiness. The holiness that God demands of us. As I posted awhile ago, are you seeing a different pattern of living as you become more like Christ? Reflection of change, do you see it?
But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: "Be holy, because I am holy." 1 Peter 1:15-16
Keep pressing, keep praying, keep pursuing holiness!!
Monday, August 4, 2008
Pictures from Leavenworth
Being a family having FUN!
Funny face contest
Hanging in the Loft
Hanging in cabin
Rashelle & Seann
Peyton hanging out
View of river
Cooking dinner
Rashelle & Peyton
View of Leavenworth
Hanging at a Park
Sunday, August 3, 2008
Family Revival 101 - UPDATE
I would start by saying these last 4 days have been some of the best family time that I have had all year! It was really good to get away from normal life and just spend time with the wife and child. I never knew my child could say so many words together at once. I really enjoyed spending some quite time with just Rashelle & I. I also enjoyed serving her this weekend, cooking her dinner, and just plain loving her. She really works hard running the house and child throughout her normal week, so for her it really was a nice break.
As I had posted before the scripture that was on my mind was Isaiah 40:31. This scripture was popping up everywhere, my facebook Bible verse of the day for Saturday, it was also the scripture that the church we visited this weekend opened up worship with! It was very crazy! I was constantly reminded that we as a family need to wait upon the Lord for our strength!
While away, we as a family had really focused on the passage in Matthew 6:25-34.
Matthew 6:25-34
Do Not Worry
25"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? 26Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life[a]?
28"And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' 32For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
So this will be the scripture that we as a family will focus on for sometime. It fits us well for the season that we are in right now. God wants us to be dependant on Him for all, not just when we can't seem to figure it out on our own. Why worry! As God's word says we are more important than the birds in the sky! While we are living this life we might as well enjoy the process!
I'm thankful for the time away. I have a stronger love for 1) the Lord 2) God's Word 3) my family! May this be the start of a crazy adventure in life for my family. God's in control. God's grace is sufficient for the problems we will face each day and with His help we will pull through. Keep pressing, keep praying, keep growing as a family!
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