There is great joy in children! They are a gift from God and meant to be a tremendous source of blessing. They need to hear from parents how special they are, and they need to hear it in terms they understand and believe.
How to communicate love to your children:
* Establish boundaries for their lives. By setting boundaries you convey your love for them by saying, I love you too much to let you grow up in any way other than the way I know will honor God and bless you. Boundaries are only as strong as you are willing to enforce them.
* Enjoy them. It's fun to have kids. Enjoy the time with them. Fill your home with smiles, laughter, and a little bit of craziness.
* Expose your humanness to them. Let your kids hear you say, I'm sorry. I blew it when you make a mistake. Whether blowing your stack without all the facts, or saying something you later regretted, mistakes are part of parenting. Admitting your human inadequacies face-to-face teaches them by example.
* Explain the reasons behind your decisions. Because I said so ought to be stricken from every parent's vocabulary. It should be your goal to help them reason through your decisions. That doesn't mean they will always accept your judgments, but at least they need to understand the rationale behind those decisions.
* Exchange ideas with them. Your children will know they're something special when you take the time to exchange ideas with them. When you expose them to an intellectual life beyond the routines of a busy household, they will see that you are treating them as valuable people. And many times they grasp more from these exchanges than you suppose.
* Encourage them. Encouragement in regular and massive doses is probably the best thing you can give your kids to help them know you are on their team. Be a cheerleader for your kids, helping them to believe in themselves. Keep searching for opportunities to encourage your kids - they need it so much.
* Help them to believe they can go further than they dream. God invites you to challenge your sons and daughters to look beyond where they are to imagine a broader and richer and greater future.
* Physically express what you feel in your heart. It's a delight to hug a 2-year-old, but how easy it is to get out of that habit as the child enters the teen years. You can never receive too many hugs - no matter what age. When you express your emotion in hugs and tears, without fear of rejection, then your children will enjoy the greatest security they can ever know.
* Examine your marriage regularly. You best communicate love when they see that the commitment Mom and Dad have to each other is so deep that they will never violate that commitment and leave the children to deal with the results.
* Exercise great patience with them. It takes a lot of patience to be a parent. But God uses the hard times of family life to bind families together.
Friday, October 31, 2008
Thursday, October 30, 2008
In God we Trust
Lesson from a penny, a reminder for our US family and friends in time like theses to keep trusting God.
Several years ago, a friend of mine and her husband were invited to spend the weekend at the husband's employer's home. My friend, Arlene, was nervous about the weekend. The boss was very wealthy, with a fine home on the waterway, and cars costing more than her house. The first day and evening went well, and Arlene was delighted to have this rare glimpse into how the very wealthy live. The husband's employer was quite generous as a host, and took them to the finest restaurants. Arlene knew she would never have the opportunity to indulge in this kind of extravagance again, so was enjoying herself immensely.
As the three of them were about to enter an exclusive restaurant that evening, the boss was walking slightly ahead of Arlene and her husband. He stopped suddenly, looking down on the pavement for a long, silent moment. Arlene wondered if she was supposed to pass him. There was nothing on the ground except a single darkened penny that someone had dropped, and a few cigarette butts. Still silent, the man reached down and picked up the penny. He held it up and smiled, then put it in his pocket as if he had found a great treasure.
How absurd!
What need did this man have for a single penny?
Why would he even take the time to stop and pick it up?
Throughout dinner, the entire scene nagged at her. Finally, she could stand it no longer. She causally mentioned that her daughter once had a coin collection, and asked if the penny he had found had been of some value.
A smile crept across the man's face as he reached into his pocket for the penny and held it out for her to see. She had seen many pennies before! What was the point of this?
"Look at it." He said. "Read what it says."
She read the words "United States of America." "No, not that; read further." "One cent?"
"No, keep reading." "In God we Trust?" "Yes!" "And?"
"And if I trust in God, the name of God is holy, even on a coin. Whenever I find a coin I see that inscription. It is written on every single United States coin, but we never seem to notice it! God drops a message right in front of me telling me to trust Him? Who am I to pass it by? When I see a coin, I pray, I stop to see if my trust IS in God at that moment. I pick the coin up as a response to God; that I do trust in Him.. For a short time, at least, I cherish it as if it were gold. I think it is God's way of starting a conversation with me. Lucky for me, God is patient and pennies are plentiful!”
When I was out shopping today, I found a penny on the sidewalk. I stopped and picked it up, and realized that I had been worrying and fretting in my mind about things I can not change.
I read the words, "In God We Trust," and had to laugh. Yes, God, I get the message. It seems that I have been finding an inordinate number of pennies in the last few months, but then, pennies are plentiful!
... And God is patient...
copied
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Today, He is ... We are to ...
God is love.
I John 4:16 And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.
Walk in love.
Eph. 5:2 And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.
God is light.
I John 1:5 This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.
Walk in the light.
I John 1:7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.
God is true.
II Cor. 1:18 But as God is true, our word toward you was not yea and nay.
Walk in truth.
3 John 4 I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.
I John 4:16 And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.
Walk in love.
Eph. 5:2 And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.
God is light.
I John 1:5 This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.
Walk in the light.
I John 1:7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.
God is true.
II Cor. 1:18 But as God is true, our word toward you was not yea and nay.
Walk in truth.
3 John 4 I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
RUFUS and the TULIPS
by Herb Evans
Salute Rufus CHOSEN IN the Lord, and his mother and mine . . . -- Rom. 16:13
Total depravity, "Unconditional election to salvation," Limited atonement, Irresistible grace, and Perseverance of the saints (TULIP) are companion doctrines of the Augustinian, Baptist Flower Children (Calvinists and Sovereign grace Baptists). The Unconditional Election doctrine is a misrepresentation of God's sovereign grace.
Of course, God is sovereign but not at the expense of His other attributes, i.e., holy, merciful, just, sinless, good, loving, and etc. Still, the question is not whether God is sovereign, for He does exactly what He wants to do as He well pleases; the question, really, is, "What does God want to do?" Calvinists, using interpolations and stretches, try to prove unwritten salvation and probation intentions and decrees made out in eternity somewhere before the recipients are born.
It is the height of depravity to pretend to know God's unwritten intentions and that flies in the face of His ways and thoughts, which are even higher than those of the Calvinists, who pretend to know them. God's sovereign intentions are written in His book - not eternity, namely, to seek and to save sinners and the lost. Anything contrary to or less or more than that is wrong . . . dead wrong! Saved individuals are always, as Rufus, ELECTED or CHOSEN IN THE LORD; no one is ever elected or chosen "OUT of the Lord."
Unconditional Election versus Conditional Salvation
The election of cities (1 Kings 8:44, 48; 11:36),
places (Deut. 12:21,26; 16:11),
tribes (Deut. 5),
Israel (Deut. 7:6-8; Ps. 135:4; Isa. 45:4),
the Seed of Israel (Deut. 10:15),
Jacob (Isa. 44:1,2; Ps. 105:6; 1 Chron. 16:13),
nations and peoples (Ps. 33:12),
churches (1 Pet. 5:13),
kings and rulers (1 Sam. 10:24; 2 Chron. 6:6),
special ministries (Deut. 21:5; 1 Chron. 15:2),
apostles (Luke 6:13; John 6:70; Acts 1:2; Mark 3:14),
Jesus (Isa 42:1; 1 Pet 2:6),
and Angels (1 Tim. 5:21)
are “UNCONDITIONAL” but are totally within the confines of scripture. The supposed unconditional salvation or damnation of sinners is not within the confines of scripture, unless Augustine, Luther, and/or Calvin wrote certain epistles.
Election in Time versus Eternity
And BECAUSE [conditional] he loved thy fathers, therefore he CHOSE their seed AFTER [in time not eternity] them . . . -- Deut. 4:37
. . . the LORD thy God hath CHOSEN THEE to be a special people unto himself, above all people THAT ARE [in time - not eternity] upon the face of the earth. The LORD did not set his love upon you, nor CHOOSE you, because ye were more in number than any people; for ye were the fewest of all people: But because the LORD loved you, and BECAUSE [conditional] he would keep the oath which he had sworn to your fathers [in time - not eternity] . . . -- Deut. 7:6,7, 8
Only the LORD had a delight in thy fathers to love them, and he CHOSE THEIR SEED AFTER [in time - not eternity] after them, even you above all people, as it is this day. -- Deut. 10:15
. . . the LORD hath CHOSEN THEE to be a peculiar people unto himself, above all the nations THAT ARE [in time - not eternity] upon the earth. -- Deut. 14:2
Thus saith the Lord GOD . . . when I lifted up mine hand unto them, saying, I am the LORD your God; -- Ezek. 20:5
Salute Andronicus and Junia . . . who also were in Christ BEFORE ME[in time - not eternity]. -- Rom. 16:7
And not only this; but WHEN [time] Rebecca also HAD CONCEIVED [in time] by one, even by our father Isaac; (For the children being NOT YET BORN [but conceived], neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to ELECTION [in time] might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth;) It was said unto her, The elder shall serve the younger. -- Rom. 9:10-12
If Paul and Adronicus and Junia were elected to salvation before the foundation of the earth, Paul could not say that Andronicus and Junia were in Christ before him. Election to salvation is in time not in eternity. Hallelujah! Thank you Jesus! Amen! Does I have a witness?
Are You a Believer or a Realizer?
Calvinists, for the most part, have no specific experience of salvation. They do not believe unto salvation but believe that they must be regenerated before they repent, believe, become a son of God, or receive the Holy Spirit or receive Jesus Christ--since such things are said by the scriptures to occur before salvation. Consequently, at some point, they merely “REALIZE” that they are one of the elect, only after they are regenerated and then and only then are they enabled to believe. So, you are left with born again (regenerated) unbelievers, who still must believe.
Therefore, they are Realizers with no real experience of salvation. Ask any Protestant Calvinist or Sovereign Gracer (among Baptists) for their testimony of salvation, and see if we have them correctly evaluated them.
Actually, they are almost as bad off as Arminian Charismatics, lacking real assurance of their salvation, since they cannot tell you how they KNOW they are one of the elect. They must persevere to the end in order to know for sure that they are one of the elect. Ask a Calvinist how he knows that he is one of the elect, and you will certainly get something different from, “Well, I repented and believed and received Christ at such and such a time, and so therefore I KNOW that I am one of the elect.” You may get some replies like, “Well, I must be one of the elect for I am interested in the Bible, etc.” The Bible tells us that ye may KNOW that ye have eternal life, not GUESS or REASON or REALIZE or THINK that you are one
of the elect.
–by Herb Evans
Salute Rufus CHOSEN IN the Lord, and his mother and mine . . . -- Rom. 16:13
Total depravity, "Unconditional election to salvation," Limited atonement, Irresistible grace, and Perseverance of the saints (TULIP) are companion doctrines of the Augustinian, Baptist Flower Children (Calvinists and Sovereign grace Baptists). The Unconditional Election doctrine is a misrepresentation of God's sovereign grace.
Of course, God is sovereign but not at the expense of His other attributes, i.e., holy, merciful, just, sinless, good, loving, and etc. Still, the question is not whether God is sovereign, for He does exactly what He wants to do as He well pleases; the question, really, is, "What does God want to do?" Calvinists, using interpolations and stretches, try to prove unwritten salvation and probation intentions and decrees made out in eternity somewhere before the recipients are born.
It is the height of depravity to pretend to know God's unwritten intentions and that flies in the face of His ways and thoughts, which are even higher than those of the Calvinists, who pretend to know them. God's sovereign intentions are written in His book - not eternity, namely, to seek and to save sinners and the lost. Anything contrary to or less or more than that is wrong . . . dead wrong! Saved individuals are always, as Rufus, ELECTED or CHOSEN IN THE LORD; no one is ever elected or chosen "OUT of the Lord."
Unconditional Election versus Conditional Salvation
The election of cities (1 Kings 8:44, 48; 11:36),
places (Deut. 12:21,26; 16:11),
tribes (Deut. 5),
Israel (Deut. 7:6-8; Ps. 135:4; Isa. 45:4),
the Seed of Israel (Deut. 10:15),
Jacob (Isa. 44:1,2; Ps. 105:6; 1 Chron. 16:13),
nations and peoples (Ps. 33:12),
churches (1 Pet. 5:13),
kings and rulers (1 Sam. 10:24; 2 Chron. 6:6),
special ministries (Deut. 21:5; 1 Chron. 15:2),
apostles (Luke 6:13; John 6:70; Acts 1:2; Mark 3:14),
Jesus (Isa 42:1; 1 Pet 2:6),
and Angels (1 Tim. 5:21)
are “UNCONDITIONAL” but are totally within the confines of scripture. The supposed unconditional salvation or damnation of sinners is not within the confines of scripture, unless Augustine, Luther, and/or Calvin wrote certain epistles.
Election in Time versus Eternity
And BECAUSE [conditional] he loved thy fathers, therefore he CHOSE their seed AFTER [in time not eternity] them . . . -- Deut. 4:37
. . . the LORD thy God hath CHOSEN THEE to be a special people unto himself, above all people THAT ARE [in time - not eternity] upon the face of the earth. The LORD did not set his love upon you, nor CHOOSE you, because ye were more in number than any people; for ye were the fewest of all people: But because the LORD loved you, and BECAUSE [conditional] he would keep the oath which he had sworn to your fathers [in time - not eternity] . . . -- Deut. 7:6,7, 8
Only the LORD had a delight in thy fathers to love them, and he CHOSE THEIR SEED AFTER [in time - not eternity] after them, even you above all people, as it is this day. -- Deut. 10:15
. . . the LORD hath CHOSEN THEE to be a peculiar people unto himself, above all the nations THAT ARE [in time - not eternity] upon the earth. -- Deut. 14:2
Thus saith the Lord GOD . . . when I lifted up mine hand unto them, saying, I am the LORD your God; -- Ezek. 20:5
Salute Andronicus and Junia . . . who also were in Christ BEFORE ME[in time - not eternity]. -- Rom. 16:7
And not only this; but WHEN [time] Rebecca also HAD CONCEIVED [in time] by one, even by our father Isaac; (For the children being NOT YET BORN [but conceived], neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to ELECTION [in time] might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth;) It was said unto her, The elder shall serve the younger. -- Rom. 9:10-12
If Paul and Adronicus and Junia were elected to salvation before the foundation of the earth, Paul could not say that Andronicus and Junia were in Christ before him. Election to salvation is in time not in eternity. Hallelujah! Thank you Jesus! Amen! Does I have a witness?
Are You a Believer or a Realizer?
Calvinists, for the most part, have no specific experience of salvation. They do not believe unto salvation but believe that they must be regenerated before they repent, believe, become a son of God, or receive the Holy Spirit or receive Jesus Christ--since such things are said by the scriptures to occur before salvation. Consequently, at some point, they merely “REALIZE” that they are one of the elect, only after they are regenerated and then and only then are they enabled to believe. So, you are left with born again (regenerated) unbelievers, who still must believe.
Therefore, they are Realizers with no real experience of salvation. Ask any Protestant Calvinist or Sovereign Gracer (among Baptists) for their testimony of salvation, and see if we have them correctly evaluated them.
Actually, they are almost as bad off as Arminian Charismatics, lacking real assurance of their salvation, since they cannot tell you how they KNOW they are one of the elect. They must persevere to the end in order to know for sure that they are one of the elect. Ask a Calvinist how he knows that he is one of the elect, and you will certainly get something different from, “Well, I repented and believed and received Christ at such and such a time, and so therefore I KNOW that I am one of the elect.” You may get some replies like, “Well, I must be one of the elect for I am interested in the Bible, etc.” The Bible tells us that ye may KNOW that ye have eternal life, not GUESS or REASON or REALIZE or THINK that you are one
of the elect.
–by Herb Evans
Monday, October 27, 2008
Redistribution of Wealth - Ohio Style
Today on my way to lunch I passed a homeless guy with a sign that read "Vote Obama, I need the money." I laughed.
Once in the restaurant my server had on a "Obama 08" tie, again I laughed as he had given away his political preference–just imagine the coincidence.
When the bill came I decided not to tip the server and explained to him that I was exploring the Obama redistribution of wealth concept. He stood there in disbelief while I told him that I was going to redistribute his tip to someone who I deemed more in need–the homeless guy outside.
The server angrily stormed from my sight. I went outside, gave the homeless guy $10 and told him to thank the server inside as I've decided he could use the money more.
The homeless guy was grateful.
At the end of my rather unscientific redistribution experiment I realized the homeless guy was grateful for the money he did not earn, but the waiter was pretty angry that I gave away the money he did earn even though the actual recipient deserved money more.
I guess redistribution of wealth is an easier thing to swallow in concept than in practical application.
Email from Bro. Richard Mick
www.lighthouse-baptistchurch.com
Once in the restaurant my server had on a "Obama 08" tie, again I laughed as he had given away his political preference–just imagine the coincidence.
When the bill came I decided not to tip the server and explained to him that I was exploring the Obama redistribution of wealth concept. He stood there in disbelief while I told him that I was going to redistribute his tip to someone who I deemed more in need–the homeless guy outside.
The server angrily stormed from my sight. I went outside, gave the homeless guy $10 and told him to thank the server inside as I've decided he could use the money more.
The homeless guy was grateful.
At the end of my rather unscientific redistribution experiment I realized the homeless guy was grateful for the money he did not earn, but the waiter was pretty angry that I gave away the money he did earn even though the actual recipient deserved money more.
I guess redistribution of wealth is an easier thing to swallow in concept than in practical application.
Email from Bro. Richard Mick
www.lighthouse-baptistchurch.com
DEATH ON A CAMPUS – DEATH OF A NATION
This campus shooting adds greater dynamic to the elections. Now, what a time to legislate to get rid of our guns! Which candidates plan to outlaw guns and what can happen if they are successful?
Picture a family without any home defense. And who crosses our southern border? Not just our Spanish neighbors! Recall the warnings of the terrorists coming with huge stock loads of AK 47s. So if they have weapons suitable for a bloodbath and we have no protection, then what? That's when they become as the campus shooters and we become the students. They become the Germans while we become the Jews. And these people are fueled with the same level of hatred, mirroring the same racial bias, having a similar economic envy, and carrying even a greater religious bigotry that has been kicking into high gear.
So to keep our guns somebody is going to die in our neighborhoods. To lose our guns, somebody is going to die in our neighborhoods. But to lose our guns can get bigger than a shooting in the neighborhood as it can be a factor to lead to the death of a nation. However, folks may suggest, "You don't know that that is going to happen!" No, you're right. And you don't know that it won't.
Don't you wonder at the breathtaking ignorance of Muslim security in the USA airports? "Oh, but somebody screened them." So do they read their minds? We are so naïve and the problem is growing because many have never learned anything from 911. Fast-forward time to this nation fearing racial profiling even over than the potential of our own extinction and we could be finding Muslims as the bulk of our police force in America. How safe is that?
Bible prophecy points through the centuries to the last days. Before there ever was a great nation in the North, God spoke through His prophets to reveal the Russian Bear moving against Israel. Draw a line north of Jerusalem and we discover exactly, the Russian Bear. Consider what could be the last remaining factor to feed that final rushing arrogance and mounting confidence of the Russian Bear to sweep against the nation of Israel. What if they just had one great enemy standing between them and Israel and that world power was already gone. Have you heard their cry: Picture a world without an America! Enemies are rattling their sabers:
http://afp.google.com/article/
http://www.robertamsterdam.
Beware as you vote and be diligent as you pray. We can never seem to figure out how good we have it in America. All we want is "change." I guess I could understand the spreading interest in socialism or spreading the wealth, I mean I could if I could only see:
Osama Bin Laden joining the Catholic church.
Women choosing homes with poisonous spiders.
Delta Airlines exchanging their fleet for private planes.
Holland turning from tulips to weeds.
The Triple Crown running mules over Thoroughbreds.
Heavyweight wrestlers learning never to brag.
The Amish furnishing our astronauts.
The Red Hat Society running drugs.
Coyotes chasing the wolves.
Evolutionists really discovering a missing link.
The Hell's Angels riding bicycles.
Beverly Hills deciding to be the hillbillies.
or NBA guys hoping to retire on skid row.
Nonsense! None of it will ever happen as people know better. Then what is this rejection of everything that made America the greatest nation on earth? Does that make any more sense? If we don't wake up, we'll have our face in the dirt.
Tired of futility? Has it worked for you to THINK PEACE? Then this is the message for you. Just before the unspeakable pain of His death of the cross, Jesus Christ still had peace in His heart. And He offers that peace to you and me. Again and again He told His followers, "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid" (John 14:27). So friend, take all your fears and give them to Jesus. Receive His peace! For toubled hearts to only trust in Him is to move into His care forever. And then one day, He will take you Home!
Article from Charlie Carle
Sunday, October 26, 2008
PROFANITY:
Today's Air Pollution
A Brief History of *&$%@!
1. Emperor Caligula of ancient Rome responded to his critics by extending his crooked arm in an obscene gesture. That same gesture is still sued today nearly 20 centuries later, particularly in Europe.
2. Scholars have discovered carved in Egyptian hieroglyphics.
3. Chaucer, medieval poet-author of The Canterbury Tales, peppered his language with obscenities, but not everyone followed suit immediately. Jonathan Swift, whose biting satire was often criticized, chose milder language, once objecting to the use of the word mob because it was too vulgar.
4. In the Victorian era of the 19th century, leg was considered sexually explicit. the terms lib and lower extremity were substituted.
5. In the 1930s free-speech cases were won on behalf of James Joyce and other authors whose language reached a new level of profanity.
6. After World War II public swearing increased dramatically as soldiers brought home their barracks vocabulary.
7. President Truman's freedom in swearing was once a significant campaign issue, and President Kennedy was once criticized for repeating favorite profane phrase of his father.
8. The Vietnam era brought profanity to an all-time high as antiwar activists used graphic sexual language to emphasize their anger and to draw attention to their message.
9. Scholars say that swearwords have not changed much over the years. People today are using the same cursed Benjamin Franklin used in his day.
10. In the 1980s and the 1990s, even some Christian ministers use profanity, usually with the rationalization that it helps make a point.
WHEN YOU'VE HAD ENOUGH PROFANITY.
LIGHT HUMOR: Very carefully and tactfully used, light humor can be employed to criticize the offender. This is most effective with friends and depends on good taste and timing.
THE SILENT TREATMENT: Since conversations depend on give-and-take, a sudden refusal to respond will be noticeable. In response to offensive language, total failure to answer, or an awkward pause before answering, will signal that something is wrong. In a quiet, controlled social setting, silence is often the best choice and can be accompanied by a meaningful look.
NONVERBAL RESPONSE: Folded arms, scowl, looking away, or turning away to speak to someone else are common body language signals to report that offense has been taken at the use of profanity. Visibly wincing at obscenities indicates hurt and displeasure.
ASSERTIVENESS: A very simple, tactful statement is sometimes used to point out what might have become an unconscious habit of swearing. Keep your words polite, calm, and to the point, something like, "Excuse me. I wish you wouldn't use that kind of language. It offends me." When done correctly, such statements are unarguable and unanswerable. A polite Christian witness can also be used, something like, "Since I gave my life to Jesus Christ, that kind of language offends me."
CHECK THE DICTIONARY
What do you think the following terms mean?
1. Swearing
2. Obscenities
3. Expletives
4. Sexually explicit language
5. Vulgarities
6. Cursing
7. Slang
8. Blaspheming
9. Taking God's name in vain
10. Ethic slurs
HOW ABOUT YOU!
If I keep the third commandment- not taking God's name in vain- can I use other forms of slang or expletives?
In certain situations I could use the above kinds of languages?
Why? or Why not?
As a Christian I should never use the above language?
How about slang words like "darn", "gosh" or "golly" are they acceptable?
WHAT DOES GOD SAY ABOUT PROFANITY?
Psalms 10:7
Psalms 19:14
Psalms 37:30
Proverbs 4:24
Matthew 12:34-37
Matthew 15:18-20
Romans 3:13,14
Ephesians 4:29-31
A Brief History of *&$%@!
1. Emperor Caligula of ancient Rome responded to his critics by extending his crooked arm in an obscene gesture. That same gesture is still sued today nearly 20 centuries later, particularly in Europe.
2. Scholars have discovered carved in Egyptian hieroglyphics.
3. Chaucer, medieval poet-author of The Canterbury Tales, peppered his language with obscenities, but not everyone followed suit immediately. Jonathan Swift, whose biting satire was often criticized, chose milder language, once objecting to the use of the word mob because it was too vulgar.
4. In the Victorian era of the 19th century, leg was considered sexually explicit. the terms lib and lower extremity were substituted.
5. In the 1930s free-speech cases were won on behalf of James Joyce and other authors whose language reached a new level of profanity.
6. After World War II public swearing increased dramatically as soldiers brought home their barracks vocabulary.
7. President Truman's freedom in swearing was once a significant campaign issue, and President Kennedy was once criticized for repeating favorite profane phrase of his father.
8. The Vietnam era brought profanity to an all-time high as antiwar activists used graphic sexual language to emphasize their anger and to draw attention to their message.
9. Scholars say that swearwords have not changed much over the years. People today are using the same cursed Benjamin Franklin used in his day.
10. In the 1980s and the 1990s, even some Christian ministers use profanity, usually with the rationalization that it helps make a point.
WHEN YOU'VE HAD ENOUGH PROFANITY.
LIGHT HUMOR: Very carefully and tactfully used, light humor can be employed to criticize the offender. This is most effective with friends and depends on good taste and timing.
THE SILENT TREATMENT: Since conversations depend on give-and-take, a sudden refusal to respond will be noticeable. In response to offensive language, total failure to answer, or an awkward pause before answering, will signal that something is wrong. In a quiet, controlled social setting, silence is often the best choice and can be accompanied by a meaningful look.
NONVERBAL RESPONSE: Folded arms, scowl, looking away, or turning away to speak to someone else are common body language signals to report that offense has been taken at the use of profanity. Visibly wincing at obscenities indicates hurt and displeasure.
ASSERTIVENESS: A very simple, tactful statement is sometimes used to point out what might have become an unconscious habit of swearing. Keep your words polite, calm, and to the point, something like, "Excuse me. I wish you wouldn't use that kind of language. It offends me." When done correctly, such statements are unarguable and unanswerable. A polite Christian witness can also be used, something like, "Since I gave my life to Jesus Christ, that kind of language offends me."
CHECK THE DICTIONARY
What do you think the following terms mean?
1. Swearing
2. Obscenities
3. Expletives
4. Sexually explicit language
5. Vulgarities
6. Cursing
7. Slang
8. Blaspheming
9. Taking God's name in vain
10. Ethic slurs
HOW ABOUT YOU!
If I keep the third commandment- not taking God's name in vain- can I use other forms of slang or expletives?
In certain situations I could use the above kinds of languages?
Why? or Why not?
As a Christian I should never use the above language?
How about slang words like "darn", "gosh" or "golly" are they acceptable?
WHAT DOES GOD SAY ABOUT PROFANITY?
Psalms 10:7
Psalms 19:14
Psalms 37:30
Proverbs 4:24
Matthew 12:34-37
Matthew 15:18-20
Romans 3:13,14
Ephesians 4:29-31
Six Questions About Prayer
SIX THOUGHT PROVOKING QUESTIONS ABOUT OUR PRAYER LIVES Luke 18:1
1. Is prayer changing me?
2. Is prayer making any difference in my life?
3. Is my prayer life bringing me closer to the Lord?
4. Am I moving toward giving control of my life to God?
5. Do I constantly try to tune into God's presence?
6. Are any my prayers helping me develop a more loving relationship with others?
If you answered 'no' to any of these questions, then one more question comes to mind:
WHY NOT?
1. Is prayer changing me?
2. Is prayer making any difference in my life?
3. Is my prayer life bringing me closer to the Lord?
4. Am I moving toward giving control of my life to God?
5. Do I constantly try to tune into God's presence?
6. Are any my prayers helping me develop a more loving relationship with others?
If you answered 'no' to any of these questions, then one more question comes to mind:
WHY NOT?
Saturday, October 25, 2008
IS HALLOWEEN HARMLESS?
- by Jerold Aust
Every year at Halloween, well-meaning parents dress their children in
grotesque and ghoulish costumes. Is Halloween really harmless? Who and
what is behind this bizarre holiday?
It all looks like so much fun and seems so harmless: jack-o'-lanterns,
grotesque grinning masks, long black witch attire with pointed black
hats, costumes painted like skeletons, outfits that represent demons
and goblins, and children going door to door, soliciting treats from
compliant neighbors.
But when Halloween comes around, do you find yourself yearning for the
hours to pass until the whole trick-or-treat farce is over? If you
don't, you should!
HALLOWEEN'S N0T-SO-FUN SIDE
Since when is it acceptable for little children to threaten to commit
vandalism?
What happens if the homeowner doesn't come to the door or doesn't have
the treats the kids might expect?
Is it permissible for children to then soap his windows, toilet paper his trees, chalk mark his sidewalk or turn over plants as they leave?
When is it okay for children to commit vandalism while on another person's property?
Isn't it about time for all well-meaning citizens to just say NO to Halloween?
The clergy, in general, hasn't stood against it. Some churches even
have Halloween parties. Some citizens do speak up against it, as the
letters to the editor in your newspaper occasionally show.
Is Halloween simply good, clean fun, or is it something else entirely?
You need to know!
God is giving a wake-up call to professing Christians. As it was with
those the prophet Elijah addressed in his day, so it is with us: "'How
long will you falter between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow
Him; but if Baal, follow him.' But the people answered him not a word"
(1 Kings 18:21). What will it take for Christians to accept and stand
for God's truth rather than harmful traditions that originated in
paganism?
WHERE DID HALLOWEEN ORIGINATE?
Just where did Halloween come from, and why is it so widely
celebrated? The Encyclopedia of Religion explains: "Halloween is the
name for the eve of Samhain, a celebration marking the beginning of
winter as well as the first day of the New Year within the ancient
Celtic culture of the
the eve of the feast and the day itself (31 October and 1 November).
"On this occasion, it was believed that a gathering of supernatural
forces occurred as during no other period of the year. The eve and day
of Samhain were characterized as a time when the barriers between the
human and supernatural worlds were broken. Otherworldly entities, such
as the souls of the dead, were able to visit earthly inhabitants, and
humans could take the opportunity to penetrate the domains of the gods
and supernatural creatures."
"Fiery tributes and sacrifices of animals, crops, and possibly human
beings were made to appease supernatural powers who controlled the
fertility of the land... Samhain acknowledged the entire spectrum of
nonhuman forces that roamed the earth during the period" (1987, pp.
176-177, "Halloween").
On this holiday "huge bonfires were set on hilltops to frighten away
evil spirits... The souls of the dead were supposed to revisit their
homes on this day, and the autumnal festival acquired sinister
significance, with ghosts, witches, hobgoblins, black cats, fairies,
and demons of all kinds said to be roaming about. It was the time to
placate the supernatural powers controlling the processes of nature"
(The Encyclopaedia Britannica, 15th edition, Micropaedia, Vol. 4, p.
862, "Halloween").
It was - bluntly put - a day devoted to appeasing demonic spirits and
the dark side of the spirit world—something no Christian should
have any part in (Ephesians 5:11).
HOW DID THIS DARK COLLECTION CONTINUE INTO MODERN TIMES?
Sadly, Halloween came down to us from the Roman Catholic Church, which
had assigned a day of each year to each of their 'saints'. When it
reached the point that they had more than 365, they then combined them
together on Nov. 1 and called it "All Saints Day" or "All Hallows
Day", and subsequently, the night before being called "All Hallows
Eve" or "Hallow Even" (holy evening)... which is now the name
Hallowe'en or Halloween.
WHY DID THEY CHOOSE THIS PARTICULAR DAY?
Again The Encyclopedia of Religion explains: "Samhain remained a
popular festival among the Celtic people throughout the
Christianization of Great Britain . The British church attempted to
divert this interest in pagan customs by adding a Christian
celebration to the calendar on the same date as Samhain. The Christian
festival, the Feast of All Saints, commemorates the known and unknown
saints of the Christian religion just as Samhain had acknowledged and
paid tribute to the Celtic deities" (p. 177).
Thus a pagan celebration was relabeled as Christian.
THE BIBLE VERSUS HALLOWEEN
You cannot find any support for Halloween in your Bible, because God
is adamantly opposed to it and the pagan, occult practices it revels
in. God warns His people to have nothing to do with these (Leviticus
19:31; Deuteronomy 18:10-12). They blind us from the truth of God.
GOD DOES NOT TAKE HALLOWEEN LIGHTLY.
As He says, "Learn not the way of the heathen" (Jeremiah 10:2, King
James Version). And, "Take heed to yourself that you are not ensnared
to follow them, after they are destroyed from before you, and that you
do not inquire after their gods, saying, 'How did these nations serve
their gods? I also will do likewise'" (Deuteronomy 12:30).
God will not always remain tirelessly patient with those who insist on
celebrating harmful and superstitious customs such as Halloween. " The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?" II Peter 3:9-12
SATAN IS THE AUTHOR OF HALLOWEEN
The author of sin and death, Satan the devil, is also the
behind-the-scenes author of pagan customs like Halloween. Jesus said
that Satan is a liar and the father of all lies (John 8:44). God is
the God of the living, not the dead (Matthew 22:31-32). He is the God
of not only true Christians alive today but, because of the certainty
of the coming resurrection of the dead (1 Corinthians 15), of those
who will yet live when raised from death. So certain is this
resurrection that to God it is looked on as an accomplished fact (see
Romans 4:17).
Conversely, Satan is the "lord of the dead." Hebrews 2 speaks of
Jesus Christ that "only by dying could he break the power of the
Devil, who had the power of death".
Satan is the lord of the dead in that he leads people by his lies and
influence into the way of death and, as the next verse shows, puts
them in bondage to the fear of death.
He has foisted Halloween on ignorant people and even well-meaning
Christians in a subtle and deceitful way, perpetuating it through the
Catholic Church with a "Christian" mask that hides its demonic
origins. Can people make Halloween harmless?
When it comes to Halloween or any other holiday for that matter, you
should ask yourself, "Did God make man in His image, or did God intend
man to remake God in man's image?" Should man divert from the God of
the Bible? Now that's a sobering thought.
The religious excuse for perpetuating Halloween might be that - as
we've seen - church leaders long ago called it a "holy evening" for
all the Catholic saints who had no day assigned to them. But face it:
People who celebrate this evening today couldn't care less about such
religious notions. All they think about is instant gratification, to
follow the pack with everyone else and to have some fun.
The Encyclopedia of Religion goes on to say: "Modern Halloween
activities have centered on mischief making and masquerading in
costumes, often resembling otherworldly characters. Folk customs, now
treated as games [such as bobbing for apples], have continued from the
various divination practices of the ancient celebrants of this
occasion. Supernatural figures [such as the ghost, the witch, the
vampire, the devil] play a key role in supplying an aura of the
mysterious to the evening, whether or not they originally had an
association with the festival.
THE DEVIL DOESN'T NEED ANY MORE PRESS.
"Children are particularly susceptible to the imagery of Halloween, as
can be seen in their fascination with the demonic likeness of a carved
and illuminated pumpkin, known as the jack-o'-lantern. In recent
times, children have taken up the practice of dressing in Halloween
costumes and visiting homes in search of edible and monetary treats,
lightly threatening to play a trick on the owner if a treat is not
produced" (p. 177).
Halloween is one of many human traditions that cloud biblical
teachings and keep people in the dark from God's truth that can set us
free (John 8:32). It is not a harmless holiday for you or for your
children. God warns us to avoid it and to follow His ways, because He
hates for us to dabble in the spirit world of Satan and his demons!
Instead, as God tells us in Isaiah 66:2, "On this one will I look: on
him who is poor and of a contrite spirit, and who trembles at My word."
from an email by Leroy P.
Pastor Charged With Felony For Spanking Son
This should be of great concern with Christian parents across the US of A and Canada.
Bro. Jeff
Saturday, October 25, 2008
WorldNetDaily
Pastor charged with felony for spanking son
Teacher calls social services on father after he paddles child for lying
Posted: October 25, 2008
1:00 am Eastern
WorldNetDaily
Bro. Jeff
Saturday, October 25, 2008
WorldNetDaily
Pastor charged with felony for spanking son
Teacher calls social services on father after he paddles child for lying
Posted: October 25, 2008
1:00 am Eastern
WorldNetDaily
A Wisconsin pastor has been charged with felony physical abuse of a child after he spanked his 12-year-old son for lying and a teacher notified social services.
Barry W. Barnett Jr., 43, of Poynette, Wis., is free on a $10,000 bond, but he could face up to three years in prison and fines for disciplining his son, the local Portage Daily Register reported.
At the pastor's hearing, Barnett's son said his father was right to spank him .
"He gave me a chance to tell him the truth, and I just kept lying to him," the boy said.
The boy said his father gave him two "swats" that "hurt a little" on his rear end in June. He told authorities both he and his dad cried while he was disciplined.
The 12-year-old said he was warned he might receive a spanking if he continued to act up and that he understands what he did was wrong.
"You should not lie to your parents and you should not go to places (where you are not allowed)," he said.
One of his siblings mentioned the spanking to a teacher, who called social services, according to the report.
A June 7 report from the Divine Savior Healthcare emergency department indicated that the boy had slight bruising on his buttocks, but it said there was no swelling and he was not experiencing pain. The medical paperwork said the boy told physicians he didn't think he was abused and he loves his father.
The documents show the boy's doctor does not believe he was abused, and he called the event a "social services fiasco."
Barnett is a pastor at Lighthouse Family Ministries in Poynette, Wis. A father of nine children, he founded Guardian Christian Academy.
A judge ruled Thursday that the case will head to trial. Now jurors at the Columbia County Courthouse will decide whether the spanking constituted "reasonable discipline" permitted under state law. The pastor's 21-year-old daughter, Amber, stood outside with a sign that read, "Thank you for spanking me dad" as a showing of support for her father.
District Attorney Jane Kohlwey told the Portage Daily Register the spanking was not reasonable, because it left bruising, though Barnett's attorney claims photographs only reveal red marks.
"We feel that he went beyond reasonable discipline and that it's a pattern," Kohlwey said.
Barnett has been forbidden from spanking any child as part of his bond.
Friday, October 24, 2008
Friday Funnies - Grandpa's Advice
A tough old Texan counseled his grandson that if he wanted to live
a long life, the secret was to sprinkle a pinch of gunpowder on his oatmeal
every morning.
The grandson did this religiously until he died at the ripe old age of 103.
He left behind . . .
14 Children,
30 Grandchildren,
45 Great grandchildren,
And a 15 foot hole where the crematorium used to be.
Friday Funnies - Investment tips For 2009
With all the turmoil in the market today and the collapse of Lehman Bros and Acquisition of Merrill Lynch by Bank of America this might be some good advice. For all of you with any money left, be aware of the next expected mergers so that you can get in on the ground floor and make some BIG bucks.
Watch for these consolidations next year:
1.) Hale Business Systems, Mary Kay Cosmetics, Fuller Brush, and W R. Grace Co. Will merge and become:
Hale, Mary, Fuller, Grace.
2.) Polygram Records, Warner Bros., and Zesta Crackers join forces and become:
Poly, Warner Cracker.
3.) 3M will merge with Goodyear and become:
MMMGood.
4. Zippo Manufacturing, Audi Motors, Dofasco, and Dakota Mining will merge and become:
ZipAudiDoDa .
5. FedEx is expected to join its competitor, UPS, and become:
FedUP.
6. Fairchild Electronics and Honeywell Computers will become:
Fairwell Honeychild.
7. Knotts Berry Farm and the National Organization of Women will become:
Knott NOW!
Thanks Eric R.
Thanks Eric R.
Thursday, October 23, 2008
SAID WITH FEELINGS
In a remote African village lay a sick old man. A doctor from the government hospital said he must to immediately to the near by hospital for treatment. The old man refused, saying he wanted to be sent to the little mission hospital. “Why?” asked the doctor. “The government hospital is closer and has very modern equipment that the mission hospital doesn’t have. Why would you want to go to such an ill-equipped hospital?”
“Because” answered the old man, “The hands there are different. There you are touched with hands that care.”
jeff
From my old files - SBC Adv.
Here is an old church advertisement we had is a local paper here in Prince George. jeff
Views on the Contemporary Church...
The church... has become one of many institutions offering a view of the world and purpose for living. It has found itself in a supermarket situation in which many people feel no need to buy its products at all. (Believe it or Not - a study of Australian churches)
In many Australian churches today we witness excessive emotionalism, fanaticism, entertainment, rock music and other human works programs passed off as a replacement for the reality of Jesus Christ. (Alan, Mt Gambier, SA)
There is a growing trend towards a "Post-denominational church". People are tending to choose a church not so much on issues of doctrine, but on the facilities and programs one offer, and whether felt needs are being met. There is "a decline in serious theological thought on the part of the average Christian." (Ross Prout, New Life, 8/5/97)
Here in North America, we have the “Church-Lite” crowd.
Has the heaviness of your old fashioned church got you weighted down? Try us! We are the New and Improved Lite Church of the Valley. Studies have shown we have 24% fewer commitments than other churches. We guarantee to trim off guilt, because we are Low-Cal... low Calvin, that is. We are the home of the 7.5% tithe. We promise 35 minute worship services, with 7 minute sermons. Next Sunday's exciting text is the story of the Feeding of the 500.
We have only 6 Commandments-- Your choice!! We use just 3 gospels in our contemporary New Testament *Good Sound Bites for Modern Human Beings*. We take the offering every other week, all major credit cards accepted, of course. We are looking forward with great anticipation to our 800 year Millennium.
Yes, the New and Improved Lite Church of the Valley could be just what you are looking for. We are everything you want in a church... and less!!
S P R U C E L A N D
Baptist Church
The churches is full of willing people:
20% willing to work, and 80% willing to let them.
Preaching Service
Sunday 10:45 A.M.
Pastor Jeff Hallmark - 964-6802
Baptist Church
The churches is full of willing people:
20% willing to work, and 80% willing to let them.
Preaching Service
Sunday 10:45 A.M.
Pastor Jeff Hallmark - 964-6802
Views on the Contemporary Church...
The church... has become one of many institutions offering a view of the world and purpose for living. It has found itself in a supermarket situation in which many people feel no need to buy its products at all. (Believe it or Not - a study of Australian churches)
In many Australian churches today we witness excessive emotionalism, fanaticism, entertainment, rock music and other human works programs passed off as a replacement for the reality of Jesus Christ. (Alan, Mt Gambier, SA)
There is a growing trend towards a "Post-denominational church". People are tending to choose a church not so much on issues of doctrine, but on the facilities and programs one offer, and whether felt needs are being met. There is "a decline in serious theological thought on the part of the average Christian." (Ross Prout, New Life, 8/5/97)
Here in North America, we have the “Church-Lite” crowd.
Has the heaviness of your old fashioned church got you weighted down? Try us! We are the New and Improved Lite Church of the Valley. Studies have shown we have 24% fewer commitments than other churches. We guarantee to trim off guilt, because we are Low-Cal... low Calvin, that is. We are the home of the 7.5% tithe. We promise 35 minute worship services, with 7 minute sermons. Next Sunday's exciting text is the story of the Feeding of the 500.
We have only 6 Commandments-- Your choice!! We use just 3 gospels in our contemporary New Testament *Good Sound Bites for Modern Human Beings*. We take the offering every other week, all major credit cards accepted, of course. We are looking forward with great anticipation to our 800 year Millennium.
Yes, the New and Improved Lite Church of the Valley could be just what you are looking for. We are everything you want in a church... and less!!
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Over 10,000 Hits @ Baptist Potluck
Thanks to all who visit the Baptist Potluck.
Today, we hit over 10,000 visits.
God bless,
Bro. Jeff Hallmark
Today, we hit over 10,000 visits.
God bless,
Bro. Jeff Hallmark
WARNING! WARNING! YOU ARE NOT A ROBOT!
. . . And you hath he quickened, who were DEAD in trespasses
and sins . . . and were by nature the CHILDREN OF WRATH, even as
others. -- Eph. 2:1-3
. . . the soul that sinneth, it shall die. -- Ezek. 18:4 (20)
When Jesus saw him lie . . . saith unto him, WILT thou be made
whole? -- John 5:6
It is not a question of whether or not a sinner is dead or
not. God quickens the sinner or not (for He does), but the question is how
God quickens the sinner and when. All unsaved sinners are dead "in
trespasses and sins" (dead spiritually) and are totally the "CHILDREN OF
WRATH." All sinners, without exception either are or were once the CHILDREN
OF WRATH. They would all have gone to hell and experienced God’s wrath,
except that they had repented and believed on Christ. While it is true that
mankind is universally "dead in trespasses and sins" (spiritually dead),
equally true each unsaved sinner is NOT totally dead.
Only the spirit of a sinner is totally dead. The soul is not
dead; the will is not dead; the mind is not dead; the body is not dead.
Each sinner is in need of having his dead spirit quickened, but his living
soul, will, mind, and body are in need of being MADE WHOLE. Each and every
unsaved person has the ability, given to him by God, to desire to be made
whole, to be interested in self preservation, and to respond to gospel
words, to the Spirit of God, and to the genuine offer of grace, with a
"Yes!" or "No!". (This implies no inherent goodness or spark of goodness
that is deserving of salvation. There is none good but God.)
There are some that would misapply the Lazarus analogy of
physical death of the body, to illustrate the total deadness of a sinner.
But can they be addressing a sinner's body? Unlike Lazarus, does it not
move, sense, act, sin, and die? Can they be addressing the sinner's soul?
Does it not think, sense, desire, sin, and die? If it be argued that the
soul is unconscious, it can be argued that the soul is not conscious or
aware of sin and, therefore, not responsible for sin. It could be further
argued that God must make that dead soul irresistibly sin, without an act
of its own free will. Total Robotivity!
While the universal, total depravity of humanity is a valid
assessment, it is also true that one hundred percent total depravity does
not exist in each unsaved human being. No unsaved sinner is as sinful and
depraved as he can be, hence, no unsaved sinner is one hundred percent
totally depraved. In order to get a proper perspective of the extent of a
sinner's depravity, we must examine a dead sinner in the scriptures in
order to establish how much ability, life, and free will that a sinner
really does have. A perfect example of this would be Cornelius, the
Italian. Cornelius proves that there is no such thing in an individual as
"TOTAL" depravity, death, inability, nor robotivity, according to the
scriptures.
All Dead Sinners Are Capable of Being Devout, Fearing God, and Prayer
There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a
centurion of the band called the Italian band, A DEVOUT man, and one that
FEARED God with all his houses, which gave much alms to the people, and
PRAYED to God alway. -- Acts 10:1,2
And said, Cornelius, THY PRAYER IS HEARD, and thine alms are
had in remembrance in the sight of God. -- Acts 10:31
Here, we find a depraved sinner, dead in trespasses and sins,
who is capable of being "devout" and able to "fear" God. He is also capable
of "prayer" and of having his prayer "heard" by God. Oh, but what about the
objection that God heareth not sinners? Who says things like that? Self
righteous Pharisees? Find a spiritually ignorant sinner, who is devout, who
fears God, who tries to pray, who follows the light, which lighteth every
man that cometh into the world, and you have found a sinner, who is not far
from the kingdom of God. Spiritually ignorant? Yes! (Acts 10:25)
Spiritually dead? Yes! Totally dead? No! Depraved? Yes! Totally depraved?
No! Unable to "will" God's mercy? Yes! Unable to "will" to accept God's
offer of mercy? No! Total inability? No! Lost? Yes! Total robotivity? No?
All Dead Sinners Capable of Good Report, Being Just, Working Righteousness
And they said, Cornelius the centurion, a JUST man, and one
that FEARETH God, and of GOOD REPORT among all the nation of the Jews, was
warned from God by an holy angel to send for thee into his house, and to
hear words of thee. -- Acts 10:22
But in every nation he that FEARETH him, and WORKETH
RIGHTEOUSNESS [repent and believe], is accepted with him. -- Acts 10:35
Cornelius, was an unregenerated, depraved, spiritually dead,
ignorant, honest, moral, just, of good report, religious CHILD OF WRATH! He
was capable as are other dead, depraved Gentile children of wrath of
"working righteousness" without works by repenting and believing. His
future destiny was not yet etched in stone, for he WAS WARNED of God to
escape the wrath to come. WARNING! WARNING! WARNING! But he was not a robot.
All Dead Sinners Are Granted Repentance Unto Life
When they heard these things, they held their peace, and
glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles [all of them]
GRANTED REPENTANCE UNTO LIFE. -- Acts 11:18
All depraved, dead sinners are granted light, grace, and
repentance unto life. Whether they accept it and act on it or not is
another matter. Cornelius was one, who did accept that which was granted
and offered. He heeded God's WARNING! WARNING! WARNING! But he was not a robot.
All Dead Sinners Are Able to be Saved and to Receive the
Remission of Sins
Who shall tell thee WORDS [that will save], whereby thou and
all thy house shall be saved. -- Acts 11:14
Simon a tanner . . . he shall tell thee what thou oughtest TO
DO. -- Acts 10:6
To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name
WHOSOVER BELIEVETH in him shall receive remission of sins. -- Acts 10:43
The word is NIGH THEE, even in thy mouth, and IN THY HEART:
that is, the WORD OF FAITH, which we preach [not the word of election].
-- Romans 10:8
Regardless of how devout, regardless of how much he feared
God, regardless of how much he prayed, regardless of his prayers and alms
going up to God (for a remembrance), regardless of how religious,
regardless of how moral and just, regardless of how good a report he had,
regardless of the repentance unto life, which had been granted to him,
Cornelius, was a CHILD OF wrath still had to personally receive the
remission of his sins and salvation. The only way that he could be saved
was to hear gospel words and to respond to them affirmatively, by repenting
and believing. Total robotivity? No! Good news! Yes!
--by Herb Evans
and sins . . . and were by nature the CHILDREN OF WRATH, even as
others. -- Eph. 2:1-3
. . . the soul that sinneth, it shall die. -- Ezek. 18:4 (20)
When Jesus saw him lie . . . saith unto him, WILT thou be made
whole? -- John 5:6
It is not a question of whether or not a sinner is dead or
not. God quickens the sinner or not (for He does), but the question is how
God quickens the sinner and when. All unsaved sinners are dead "in
trespasses and sins" (dead spiritually) and are totally the "CHILDREN OF
WRATH." All sinners, without exception either are or were once the CHILDREN
OF WRATH. They would all have gone to hell and experienced God’s wrath,
except that they had repented and believed on Christ. While it is true that
mankind is universally "dead in trespasses and sins" (spiritually dead),
equally true each unsaved sinner is NOT totally dead.
Only the spirit of a sinner is totally dead. The soul is not
dead; the will is not dead; the mind is not dead; the body is not dead.
Each sinner is in need of having his dead spirit quickened, but his living
soul, will, mind, and body are in need of being MADE WHOLE. Each and every
unsaved person has the ability, given to him by God, to desire to be made
whole, to be interested in self preservation, and to respond to gospel
words, to the Spirit of God, and to the genuine offer of grace, with a
"Yes!" or "No!". (This implies no inherent goodness or spark of goodness
that is deserving of salvation. There is none good but God.)
There are some that would misapply the Lazarus analogy of
physical death of the body, to illustrate the total deadness of a sinner.
But can they be addressing a sinner's body? Unlike Lazarus, does it not
move, sense, act, sin, and die? Can they be addressing the sinner's soul?
Does it not think, sense, desire, sin, and die? If it be argued that the
soul is unconscious, it can be argued that the soul is not conscious or
aware of sin and, therefore, not responsible for sin. It could be further
argued that God must make that dead soul irresistibly sin, without an act
of its own free will. Total Robotivity!
While the universal, total depravity of humanity is a valid
assessment, it is also true that one hundred percent total depravity does
not exist in each unsaved human being. No unsaved sinner is as sinful and
depraved as he can be, hence, no unsaved sinner is one hundred percent
totally depraved. In order to get a proper perspective of the extent of a
sinner's depravity, we must examine a dead sinner in the scriptures in
order to establish how much ability, life, and free will that a sinner
really does have. A perfect example of this would be Cornelius, the
Italian. Cornelius proves that there is no such thing in an individual as
"TOTAL" depravity, death, inability, nor robotivity, according to the
scriptures.
All Dead Sinners Are Capable of Being Devout, Fearing God, and Prayer
There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a
centurion of the band called the Italian band, A DEVOUT man, and one that
FEARED God with all his houses, which gave much alms to the people, and
PRAYED to God alway. -- Acts 10:1,2
And said, Cornelius, THY PRAYER IS HEARD, and thine alms are
had in remembrance in the sight of God. -- Acts 10:31
Here, we find a depraved sinner, dead in trespasses and sins,
who is capable of being "devout" and able to "fear" God. He is also capable
of "prayer" and of having his prayer "heard" by God. Oh, but what about the
objection that God heareth not sinners? Who says things like that? Self
righteous Pharisees? Find a spiritually ignorant sinner, who is devout, who
fears God, who tries to pray, who follows the light, which lighteth every
man that cometh into the world, and you have found a sinner, who is not far
from the kingdom of God. Spiritually ignorant? Yes! (Acts 10:25)
Spiritually dead? Yes! Totally dead? No! Depraved? Yes! Totally depraved?
No! Unable to "will" God's mercy? Yes! Unable to "will" to accept God's
offer of mercy? No! Total inability? No! Lost? Yes! Total robotivity? No?
All Dead Sinners Capable of Good Report, Being Just, Working Righteousness
And they said, Cornelius the centurion, a JUST man, and one
that FEARETH God, and of GOOD REPORT among all the nation of the Jews, was
warned from God by an holy angel to send for thee into his house, and to
hear words of thee. -- Acts 10:22
But in every nation he that FEARETH him, and WORKETH
RIGHTEOUSNESS [repent and believe], is accepted with him. -- Acts 10:35
Cornelius, was an unregenerated, depraved, spiritually dead,
ignorant, honest, moral, just, of good report, religious CHILD OF WRATH! He
was capable as are other dead, depraved Gentile children of wrath of
"working righteousness" without works by repenting and believing. His
future destiny was not yet etched in stone, for he WAS WARNED of God to
escape the wrath to come. WARNING! WARNING! WARNING! But he was not a robot.
All Dead Sinners Are Granted Repentance Unto Life
When they heard these things, they held their peace, and
glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles [all of them]
GRANTED REPENTANCE UNTO LIFE. -- Acts 11:18
All depraved, dead sinners are granted light, grace, and
repentance unto life. Whether they accept it and act on it or not is
another matter. Cornelius was one, who did accept that which was granted
and offered. He heeded God's WARNING! WARNING! WARNING! But he was not a robot.
All Dead Sinners Are Able to be Saved and to Receive the
Remission of Sins
Who shall tell thee WORDS [that will save], whereby thou and
all thy house shall be saved. -- Acts 11:14
Simon a tanner . . . he shall tell thee what thou oughtest TO
DO. -- Acts 10:6
To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name
WHOSOVER BELIEVETH in him shall receive remission of sins. -- Acts 10:43
The word is NIGH THEE, even in thy mouth, and IN THY HEART:
that is, the WORD OF FAITH, which we preach [not the word of election].
-- Romans 10:8
Regardless of how devout, regardless of how much he feared
God, regardless of how much he prayed, regardless of his prayers and alms
going up to God (for a remembrance), regardless of how religious,
regardless of how moral and just, regardless of how good a report he had,
regardless of the repentance unto life, which had been granted to him,
Cornelius, was a CHILD OF wrath still had to personally receive the
remission of his sins and salvation. The only way that he could be saved
was to hear gospel words and to respond to them affirmatively, by repenting
and believing. Total robotivity? No! Good news! Yes!
--by Herb Evans
FIVE "IFs" TO BEWARE OF
FIVE “IFs” TO BEWARE OF.
1. “If Thou wilt.
Doubt of Divine Willingness
And it came to pass, when he was in a certain city, behold a man full of leprosy: who seeing Jesus fell on his face, and besought him, saying, Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean.
Luke 5:12
2. “If thou canst.”
Doubt of Divine Power
Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.
Mark 9:21
3. “If I may”
Doubt of Personal Fitness
For she said within herself, If I may but touch his garment, I shall be whole.
Matthew 9:21
4. “If it be Thou”
Doubt of Divine Word.
And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water.
5. “If the Lord would make windows in heaven.”
Doubt of Divine Providence.
Then a lord on whose hand the king leaned answered the man of God, and said, Behold, if the LORD would make windows in heaven, might this thing be? And he said, Behold, thou shalt see it with thine eyes, but shalt not eat thereof.
II Kings 7:2
1. “If Thou wilt.
Doubt of Divine Willingness
And it came to pass, when he was in a certain city, behold a man full of leprosy: who seeing Jesus fell on his face, and besought him, saying, Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean.
Luke 5:12
2. “If thou canst.”
Doubt of Divine Power
Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.
Mark 9:21
3. “If I may”
Doubt of Personal Fitness
For she said within herself, If I may but touch his garment, I shall be whole.
Matthew 9:21
4. “If it be Thou”
Doubt of Divine Word.
And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water.
5. “If the Lord would make windows in heaven.”
Doubt of Divine Providence.
Then a lord on whose hand the king leaned answered the man of God, and said, Behold, if the LORD would make windows in heaven, might this thing be? And he said, Behold, thou shalt see it with thine eyes, but shalt not eat thereof.
II Kings 7:2
From my inbox - Oct 21
Hello friends!
Below the dashed line is Jon Ekblad's insightful report that I promised to share regarding the election. First, I'll share what you ought to know to count the cost as an individual. Your vote will never say as much about any candidate as it says about you. Our votes will never impact that person's future as much as it impacts us to expose our hearts for judgment day. So I urge you now friend, do soberly take this to heart.
Imagine someone slipping into a nursery and leaving a bloodbath of bodies. Our news people would report it for weeks while our nation explodes in contempt against the depraved reprobates who would take the life of a child. That is basically what already happened to the Israelites in Egypt. Then it happened again to Israel under the rule of Herod. And that is what is happening in America today.
IN EGYPT
Pharaoh ordered the execution of baby boys
Exo 1:16 And he said, When ye do the office of a midwife to the Hebrew women, and see them upon the stools; if it be a son, then ye shall kill him: but if it be a daughter, then she shall live.
IN ISRAEL
Herod ordered the slaughter of infants and toddlers
Mat 2:16 Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently inquired of the wise men.
IN THE USA
Americans by their votes have chosen to murder millions of babies
How many American soldiers have been killed in Iraq since March 19, 2003? -- 3388 have been killed since the war began according to a recent total.
How many babies are being killed in America? -- 3700 babies in the USA are executed every day.
So how arbitrarily to complain about the victims of war while approving of the victims in the womb! Abortion is excused by people but it is not by God. Abortion may seem sanitized as just the faceless death of nobodies, but never to God who sees their faces and hears their cries.
Mat 18:10 Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven.
You need to know that when a baby bleeds, God is watching your deeds. While soldiers die in wars, babies are slaughtered in wombs. Whenever babies are killed, the Almighty's wrath is being filled. Blood on our hands!
So be clear as voting Americans that to knowing promote anyone legalizing abortion, we have less character than the midwives of Egypt who tried to save those little lives. What they accomplished powerfully mattered to God (Exodus 1). In comparison, to presumptuously vote for anyone approving of the murder of babies, we become little different than the baby butchers of Herod's day who were there to execute their lives themselves. To participate and promote the death of babies, we become guilty! Now clearly, without the support of the voting American public it would never happen.
Luke 17:2 It were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he cast into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones.
Rom 1:18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;
Rom 2:5-6 But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God; Who will render to every man according to his deeds:
- - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Jon's report:
- Obama's minimal voting record does reflect his insistence that no fetters whatsoever be put on abortion, even up until minutes before natural birth. He voted decisively against the bill to ban partial birth abortion. This gruesome "procedure" is where the doctor induces labor during late term pregnancies all the way up to the delivery date. As the child leaves the womb, a forceps is used to puncture the tender base of the skull, and the infant's brains are sucked out.
- While in the Illinois legislature, Obama voted three times, no less, to legalize infanticide. He favored a bill that would allow medical personnel to abandon or actively kill infants born by mistake during an attempted abortion!
- Obama carries the colors for the anti-family, pro-sodomy activists. He champions their entire agenda, which intends to leave no stone unturned in their quest for unbridled licentiousness and public lewdness. Rm 1 is their playbook. Churches and Christian ministries must knuckle under, hire and grant all benefits to all comers. Schools must teach this profoundly harmful wickedness as beneficial, desirable, and noble.
God decrees woes, He pronounces divine condemnation, upon those who invert right and wrong (Is 5:20). Redefinition and inversion of morality, praise of wickedness and repression of what is right are magnets of God's judgment.
- Obama is supportive of the liberal push to reinstate the "Fairness Doctrine." This would silence conservative criticism, talk radio, and even threaten Christian teaching and preaching on the radio. The tide of "hate speech" legislation is not far behind, criminalizing any conversation that criticizes another's religion or implies that Christianity is superior.
- Obama gleefully announced that the United States is not a Christian nation. He reveled in pronouncing his opinion that it is a very beneficial thing that all religions have equal standing in America. However, that simply is not the case. True, all religions are respected and protected by law, but our Republic was founded largely upon Christian principles extracted from the Bible. Our laws and legal system find much of their foundation in Scripture. To adopt Muslim Sharia law or allow it equal footing, as is sweeping Europe, will unleash the gravest of consequences and abject loss of liberty.
- Recent months have intensified Obama's evasive, duplicitous answers when (very rarely) pressed on positions. Just one example: Though he vociferously insisted upon public financing of political campaigns (this federal program, however, puts strict limits on how much can be spent), when it came to his campaign, he opted out of public financing so he can spend limitless dollars from his deep-pocket, liberal donors.
- Despite claims of humility, Obama exudes a supremely arrogant messiah-complex. He spouts words like "change" and "hope" and implies that he's the only one capable of fulfilling either. Of course, he talks so smoothly that people don't care what he's saying: He hopes to change America into a far more socialist mold.
- Obama recently toured in Europe, and lamented the travesty of Americans' failure to know European or other languages. But no one called him on his hypocrisy, as he demonstrated his own inability to speak anything but English while there.
- To listen to Obama, everything about America is wrong, and it's all Bush's fault. He feeds on the radical left's apoplectic hatred for President Bush, and gladly acts as their mouthpiece.
- Obama has been rated the most liberal member of the US Senate. Now that's saying quite a lot, considering Ted Kennedy, John Kerry, etc. are also known for their leftist positions.
- Obama's best friends and mentors for decades are long-time, hard-core anti-Americans. Not just his former pastor who makes acutely anti-white racist comments and anti-American accusations from the pulpit. He hob-knobs with and seeks endorsement from "Weather Underground" terrorists who 30 years ago bombed federal buildings, killed innocent civilians, and still publicly lament not having done more carnage.
- Obama has pledged to nominate Supreme Court justices similar to the liberal ones who adhere to the "living Constitution" philosophy. These are the activist justices who legislate the liberal agenda into law, because they cannot succeed through the legislative branch. They assert that the Constitution does not necessarily mean what it says. They invent between the lines new "rights" such as abortion. They nearly abolished the 2nd Amendment willy-nilly. They are chomping at the bit to eradicate every vestige of Christian expression in the public square.
- Obama, in concert with all the prominent national Democratic leaders, has done everything possible to defame our current president, and defeat our soldiers on the battlefield. The news media has been a loyal accomplice in this effort.
- Every problem Obama proposes to redress is to be solved by ratcheting up government's theft of private property and productivity – he proposes the largest tax increase in human history. His vision of redistributing the wealth pushes the far bounds of socialism to remake America after his leftist vision.
Remember this is what Obama told 'Joe the plumber'. jh
Boy it was cold camping out in October!!
We made is safely back home after a couple of days out in the bush.
I was able to visit with one man from Burns Lake. I asked him if he received a John and Romans in the mail back in March. He wasn't sure but would go home and speak with his wife. Upon our discussion this follow testified that they were believers and he was able to defend his faith in Christ.
BTW, the moose is still loose. B-(
Sunday, October 19, 2008
South of Francois Lake In Beautiful British Columbia
Greetings once again from the TRUE NORTH STRONG AND FREE... Canada
My son, David and I are going out one more time for Mr. Moose. We are headed just about 100 miles west of us here in Prince George. Going over to Skeena Hunting Area where beginning on Monday Oct. 20 it is any size 'bull moose'. We will be out hunting and camping till Tuesday night or Wednesday mid-day. It would be great if we were back home on Monday evening, with about 400 to 500 lbs of moose meat to share.
So if you think of us, pray for us to be blessed of our Lord.
God Bless and trust to be posting again by Wednesday.
Bro. Jeff Hallmark
My son, David and I are going out one more time for Mr. Moose. We are headed just about 100 miles west of us here in Prince George. Going over to Skeena Hunting Area where beginning on Monday Oct. 20 it is any size 'bull moose'. We will be out hunting and camping till Tuesday night or Wednesday mid-day. It would be great if we were back home on Monday evening, with about 400 to 500 lbs of moose meat to share.
So if you think of us, pray for us to be blessed of our Lord.
God Bless and trust to be posting again by Wednesday.
Bro. Jeff Hallmark
Mark Lockhart Family
Twas a great Sunday with the Mark Lockhart Family who missionaries to Mexico City, Mexico. Preaching both Sunday morning and evening Bro. Mark challenged us with being involved in world wide missions, as well as seeking the 'will of God' for our lives.
Bro. Mark traveled down to Quesnel on Sunday afternoon with me for services at Berean Baptist Church.
One of our ladies mentioned that they have met alot of missionaries since attending Spruceland Baptist Church.
Our folks has a heart for missions, Praise the Lord.
Saturday, October 18, 2008
TOP TEN SIGNS ...
... YOU MAY NOT BE READING YOUR BIBLE ENOUGH:
10) The Preacher announces the sermon is from Galatians ... and you check the table of contents.
9) You think Abraham, Isaac & Jacob may have had a few hit songs during the 60's.
8) You open to the Gospel of Luke and a WWII Savings Bond falls out.
7) Your favorite Old Testament Patriarch is Hercules.
6) A small family of woodchucks has taken up residence in the Psalms of your Bible.
5) You become frustrated because Charlton Heston isn't listed in either the Concordance or the Table of Contents.
4) Catching the kids reading the Song of Solomon, you demand: "Who gave you this stuff?"
3) You think the Minor Prophets worked in the quarries.
2) You keep falling for it every time when Pastor tells you to turn to First Condominiums.
And the number one sign you may not be reading your Bible enough:
1) The kids keep asking too many questions about your usual bedtime story: "Jonah the Shepherd Boy and His Ark of Many Colors."
10) The Preacher announces the sermon is from Galatians ... and you check the table of contents.
9) You think Abraham, Isaac & Jacob may have had a few hit songs during the 60's.
8) You open to the Gospel of Luke and a WWII Savings Bond falls out.
7) Your favorite Old Testament Patriarch is Hercules.
6) A small family of woodchucks has taken up residence in the Psalms of your Bible.
5) You become frustrated because Charlton Heston isn't listed in either the Concordance or the Table of Contents.
4) Catching the kids reading the Song of Solomon, you demand: "Who gave you this stuff?"
3) You think the Minor Prophets worked in the quarries.
2) You keep falling for it every time when Pastor tells you to turn to First Condominiums.
And the number one sign you may not be reading your Bible enough:
1) The kids keep asking too many questions about your usual bedtime story: "Jonah the Shepherd Boy and His Ark of Many Colors."
Dog Tricks
I have no idea how they do this: TYPE IN a command under the dog and see what
happens... sit, roll over, down, stand, sing, dance, shake, fetch, play dead,
etc., and...it's also very cute if you type in a command that's not recognized...!!
Make sure you type in 'Kiss', too, but do it
last!!!
happens... sit, roll over, down, stand, sing, dance, shake, fetch, play dead,
etc., and...it's also very cute if you type in a command that's not recognized...!!
Make sure you type in 'Kiss', too, but do it
last!!!
A ROYAL RESOLUTION FOR EVERY REAL BELIEVER
I am living in the era of the World’s crisis.
I am living in the era of Church’s crisis.
I will with unquestioned faith, give more time to definite perusal of the Word of God.
I will give more time to prayer for God’s blessing upon His work and workers.
I will give more time to personal work for the salvation of lost souls.
I will seek to live a more self-sacrificing life.
I will seek to acquaint myself with the facts concerning the world’s needs and the needs of our church.
I will give more liberally to God’s work and with more definite knowledge of where and how my gifts are being used.
I will stand, by God’s grace, with unquestioned confidence in the whole Word of God, and with the unsheathed Sword of the Spirit, contend for the faith once for all delivered, against all deceivers every where.
I am living in the era of Church’s crisis.
THEREFORE
I will with unquestioned faith, give more time to definite perusal of the Word of God.
I will give more time to prayer for God’s blessing upon His work and workers.
I will give more time to personal work for the salvation of lost souls.
I will seek to live a more self-sacrificing life.
I will seek to acquaint myself with the facts concerning the world’s needs and the needs of our church.
I will give more liberally to God’s work and with more definite knowledge of where and how my gifts are being used.
I will stand, by God’s grace, with unquestioned confidence in the whole Word of God, and with the unsheathed Sword of the Spirit, contend for the faith once for all delivered, against all deceivers every where.
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