Moderate Muslims and The Great Commission

   

     Why do Evangelical Christians waste so much time trying to get Moderate Muslims to admit that what the Radical Muslims are doing is wrong? The radicals are doing exactly what the Koran tells them to do, they are the Fundamentalists of their religion. The thing is, the Radicals are not open to discussion of their beliefs, it is convert or die, whereas the moderates are. With a moderate Muslim you can have a dialogue and a chance to witness to them, something you will never have with a Radical/ Fundamentalist.

     We are not told in Scripture that everyone who hears our message will repent and believe, only that we are to preach the Gospel in and out of season.  2 Timothy 4:1 " I charge thee in the sight of God, and of Christ Jesus, who shall judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom:
2 Timothy 4:2  preach the word; be urgent in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching." At one time Jesus had thousands following Him, but after His death, only 120 were in the Upper room. Acts 1:15  "And in these days Peter stood up in the midst of the brethren, and said (and there was a multitude of persons gathered together, about a hundred and twenty), "

     We should not waste so great an opportunity  to witness to these people. It is not our job as Christians to judge these people, but to witness and to warn them of their error. They are God's children just like we are. God is not a respecter of persons, but loves all equally.  Rom 2:11 " for there is no respect of persons with God." Jesus died for all sinners and that includes Muslims. Therefore we should reach out to the Muslim world just as we would to any other with the Gospel, the only thing that can save them and offer them complete forgiveness from their sins.  

The Source of Homosexuality; A Christian's point of view

   
     Why are we obsessed with where this originates from? What does it matter if people are born with an inclination for people of the same sex or if they develop it later in life? Regardless of the answer, the source is the same, the sinful Adamic nature of man. Rom 5:12  Therefore, as through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin; and so death passed unto all men, for that all sinned: Rom 5:12  Therefore, as through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin; and so death passed unto all men, for that all sinned:.

Heb 9:27  And inasmuch as it is appointed unto men once to die, and after this cometh judgment;.We are all condemned to Hell for our sins, be they homosexuality, adultery, murder or lying or anything else that is sin toward God. All sin separates us from God, there is no little sin, all will and have convicted us of eternal death in Hell. All sin comes from our Adamic fallen nature including homosexuality. So to say that someone was born that way is true up to a point. 

     The real point is not that they are tempted by homosexual thoughts and desires, but they make the choice to act upon them! Then it changes from temptation to sin. We all fight temptation one way or the other, what it comes down to is our response to that temptation. For the Christian, this is when we need to bow in prayer and call on God's Promises in 1Corinthians 10:13 " There hath no temptation taken you but such as man can bear: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation make also the way of escape, that ye may be able to endure it. " We do not have any control over temptation entering our lives, but, we have complete control over how we choose react to the temptation!

     Why are we spending our time arguing where this comes from and how instead of fulfilling The Great Commission and telling people those who commit this and other sins that they are going to Hell if they don't repent? If we as Christians fail to tell others about their sins and their only hope for forgiveness is only found in Jesus Christ, nothing else matters! Not the source, not the type of sin or what someone may or may not have said. It all comes down to when you stand before Jesus on Judgement Day. He will either be your Savior or He will be your Judge. 

Charismatic Christianity

How is  Charismatic Christianity different from Mainstream Christianity? They claim to have a deeper knowledge, enlightenment or more insight than regular Christianity. All claim to have unique experiences, such as " baptism in The Holy Spirit " which cannot be defended from a Biblical standpoint using good Hermeneutics. In this tolerant society we are told to keep an open mind. When we open our minds, we open ourselves to attack from the Enemy, Satan. You are allowing your mind to be filled with whatever they want, whether good or evil.  We need to always be good Bereans, as in Acts 17:11, and   1Th 5:21  "prove all things; hold fast that which is good." One of the best ways to do this, is to be so familiar with the Word of God, that when we hear a false teaching, we go to the Bible to document whether what they are saying is right or wrong. How can we be filled with His Holy Spirit and not also be filled with His Word. The two are inseparable! How can we say we love God and not want to spend time with Him in His Word? If you treated your spouse like you do God, what kind of relationship would you have? Simply put if you cannot document your churches beliefs/doctrine by the Bible, you are teaching something that is not Scriptural! Why would anyone teach something other than the Bible? There is only one reason why someone would do this and that is power! Anytime you claim to have knowledge that others do not have, that puts you in a position of power. There will always be a group of people willing to follow someone without question who makes this claim. Again refer to 1 Thessalonians 5:21 above and test all things to see if they are true. It has always amazed me how willing and trusting some people can be because they are not willing to take the time to check out what is being said or taught. These "miraculous healings" and "messages from God" are just so much theatrics! If God indeed talks to them, as they claim, shouldn't someone be writing down what they say? Because that is Holy Scripture being spoken from the mouth of God and we do not have a closed Canon of Scripture. If this is true, then it nullifies Revelation 22 "Rev 22:18  Here is my warning for everyone who hears the prophecies in this book: If you add anything to them, God will make you suffer all the terrible troubles written in this book.
Rev 22:19  If you take anything away from these prophecies, God will not let you have part in the life-giving tree and in the holy city described in this book". You do not need healings, tongues, baptism in the Holy Spirit or any other things to teach in a expository manner. These things are only necessary if you are trying to attract a crowd and manipulate them for their money and resources. Please, teach the Word chapter by chapter and verse by verse and let God grow the Church His way. Always point them to the Savior and not to the man in the pulpit.  

Cheap Grace

http://m.gty.org/blog/B140630

Did Chik fil a crumble to money?

http://www.al.com/living/index.ssf/2014/03/did_chick-fil-a_ceo_dan_cathy.html.

     Here is a link to a story related to the heading above I think Mr Cathy has sacrificed his Christian beliefs for the expansion of his chain. I admired his first stance and standing for what God says is wrong in His word,  it is not Mr Kathy's views but God's laws . We need a good strong Christian men and women to take a strong stand against the immorality of today's society.

     We need more a Christian business men and women to make a stand like he did formerly, and not Christians who are in  business!

http://bible.com/59/1pe1.3.esv Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

Why morality matters

"Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other." John Adams

     In the recent Supreme Court ruling on the political contributions what did the founding forefathers mean by morality and corruption? If we were the moral nation the Founding Forefathers intended this country to be, patriotic and God fearing, this would be a non issue!

     As it is, we have drifted so far from God, we don't even know the true definition of corruption and morality.

     The reason for this is simply a matter of people ignoring The Word of God. Without the Bible as our foundation for all morality, we are left with human opinion. Man is totally corrupt, so how can he declare anything immoral? We must have a standard that is higher than corrupt man, that standard is God's Holy and inspired Word. Whether the general public cares to acknowledge it or not, it is the basis of all our laws. When we depart from that standard we are left with opinions like the one handed down by SCOTUS.

    

What is Salvation? Can the gift of Salvation be refused?

     We in Christianity use many words we do not usually use in normal conversation. Salvation being one of them. What does it mean? Can the gift of Salvation in Jesus Christ be refused? I believe it can. All through the Bible I notice that God always gives His people choices to make. To follow Him and obey His Word or refuse and follow Satan. There is no third option.  

     Let's start with an example from the Old Testament "Deu 5:29  I wish they would always worship me with fear and trembling and be this willing to obey me! Then they and their children would always enjoy a successful life.". God always give man a choice, else we would be nothing more than programmed machines with no feelings or choice. We could only respond in the way we were programmed to do. 

     This also applies to Salvation, God's gracious gift to mankind. If we had no choice whether to accept or deny this gracious offer, we again would be nothing more than preprogrammed robots! 

     We are much more than that obviously! A gift is the key word, some gifts can be distasteful to the receiver. Which is why they reject Christ outright. They love their sinful lifestyle and have no interest in changing for any reason. Too many people want to be Lord and Master of their own life! Others think they can wait until their death bed and then play the salvation card and get out of Hell for free! What does the Scriptures say? Isaiah 55:6 "Seek the Lord while He may be found,call upon Him while He is near." (Emphasis mine). We may have the choice to deny Him when He calls, be we do not have the choice to accept Him anytime we so choose. We must call upon Him while He is near.  

     

Why is Evolution so popular?

     I have often wondered why Darwin's theory of evolution took off like it did. Stop and think about it, people always believed before the release of "The Origin of the Species"  that they were made by God as the Bible says they were. Not to mention that there is no evidence of this in the fossil record! Then suddenly all that changed because of some thoughts by a man who had no degree in science, biology, or any other that would lend credibility to his famous theory.

     I have noticed when I have read about Darwin that one thing lacking in his life was a solid Biblical foundation or a solid foundation of any point of view as far as I can tell. What do I mean by that? For starters his grandfather was a Unitarian minister, Unitarians having a very liberal view on Scripture and the Deity of Christ.That hardly makes for a solid theological foundation. His dad was a doctor, a liberal by today's standard. His mother died when he was young, not giving him the stable relationship and home children so desperately need in their formative years. I firmly believe that you have only one chance to lay a track in a child's mind and heart and a brief time to do it. Once they  reach a certain age, say about 10 years old or so and the mold has been set. If we miss the critical period it will be set for the child for the rest of their life.

    Darwin tried several fields of study while in college, medicine, like his dad, but could not stand the patients being traumatized by surgery without anesthetics. Finally he decided to be a clergyman like his grandfather. Again no background in science, only his own self education in the field by reading and doing his own "research".

     Enough about Darwin, let us look at the main point I want to make, which is why were people drawn to this theory.

     It seems to me that for the first time people had a rational ( at least it seemed to them) reason to deny God's existence, and thereby casting off all guilt for sin. Everyone could do what they wanted and be held accountable to no one!

     This is one of the most appealing things to mankind in general! If there is one attitude that crosses all boundaries, races and cultures it is " I am going to do what I want to!".

     People very much want to deny God's existence so they can "be free"  or so they think. But Scripture is very clear on this matter "Rom 1:19  They know everything that can be known about God, because God has shown it all to them.
Rom 1:20  God's eternal power and character cannot be seen. But from the beginning of creation, God has shown what these are like by all he has made. That's why those people don't have any excuse." They very well may deny Him, but as these verses tell us they are without excuse.

     One of the hidden dangers in embracing evolution is there is therefore no rules other than what is right to me! Another is if we believe we are nothing more than evolved amoeba, why does morality matter? Or as it says in Judges " Jdg 21:25  In those days Israel wasn't ruled by a king, and everyone did what they thought was right. ".We can then justify almost any behavior whether it be abortion, genocide, sexual perversion or anything else. What right do you have to tell me that I am wrong? By the law of man? Man is totally corrupt! Just look at the news anytime, any day and it will tell you that.

     Ravi Zacharias raises this argument " If there is a moral law, there must be a moral law giver which is not man. If there is a moral law giver, there must be a moral God. Because man by his own example is not moral!". Indeed if man has proved nothing else it is that he is not moral. The eagerness of man to cast off God from all aspects of society is more than proof of this!

     As you can see it is no wonder why such a flimsy scientific theory was so heartily embraced and believed by so many even today. Take away the idea that you can deny God's existence from this theory and the scientific world would have shot it down in a second! Everything rises and falls on this one point! Without it Darwin would not even be a footnote in science or history.

The Tee Pee Drive In

     I was out taking pictures recently and stopped at the old Tee Pee Drive In just west of Sapulpa OK. I had saw many movies there when I was younger. The first time was with my parents when I was about 5 years old and the last one when I was first married about 1987. The last one I saw there was Beverly Hills Cop II.

     I can remember the first time I was able to drive myself there to watch a movie, and remember being so excited about it. Lot's of good memories there. Now it is just an empty field left to the grass and weeds. The end of an era I guess. But, at least I had the experience to look back on. Many kids today will not have that opportunity of taking their date there to watch a double feature or see a movie made for that kind of venue. I am talking about the fast car movies of the 60's and 70's that appealed to us as teenagers. Nowadays it is about video games and comic book heroes.

     Everything changes and so do we, but it is still sad to see an old friend slowly fade away. I guess as long as we remember it a part of it will still continue. Enjoy the pictures below.

http://bible.com/59/gal5.13.esv For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.

The Death of the Tea Party

It has been my observation that when things political or social get out of balance, people will almost always over correct. Such is the case with the Tea Party. It got it's start because we as a country have drifted away from the principles and ideas our Founding  Forefathers laid out for us in the Constitution.

Now to be fair, do we need to get back to Patriots ideas that they laid out?

Yes I believe we do. But let us keep in mind as to what great lengths the Founders went to to make sure there would always be a balnce of power. After living under a monarchy/theocracy they knew all to well what happens when a person, group or political faction gets too much power.

So with that in mind they set up a form of government with 3 branches. The Legislative, Judicial and Executive. Like a 3 legged stool, if one leg is missing, it won't work. These 3 branches are designed to balance out one another and to provide a healthy amount of suspicion of one toward the others.

The Tea Party tried to get us back to this point and failed. Why? Because they adopted from the start a no comprimise policy when lobbying Congress.

Anyone who has followed politics or served on any kind of board or commitee can tell you that will not work ever.

I went to the first Tea Party rally they had in Tulsa. It was at Veterans park, and they were promoting ideals I closely identify with. While I was there I signed up for some follow up e-mail updates to see what the group had planned.

It didn't take long to figure out this was a right wing extremist group.

If there was one underlying principle the Founders wanted in their new form of goverment it was moderation! They went to geat lengths, as mentiond above, to try to keep things politically centred. In other words in exact opposite of what the Tea Party ideals are.

How can a group that tries to so closely identify with the Founders, yet at the same time be for a point of view politically opposite the Founders?

With such contradictions as this as their platform, the only thing surprising about this group is how long they have lasted!

Enough bashing of Gov. Fallin on Obamacare!

I was reading an article in the newspaper today about Rebecca Ungerman needing surgery, but not having medical insurance. Here is the link http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/health/state-medicaid-rejection-rebecca-ungerman-raising-funds-for-her-surgery/article_12d6352b-2505-5806-ba2f-0fa5432d2b5d.html Now I sympathize with anyone who is in this position. But as usual the writer used this story to bash Gov. Fallin. Gov .Fallin did not accept the MediCare supplement to fund Obamacare because the funding is only for 3 years. After that the state must cover the full cost of coverage. We are already experiencing a major budget shortfall, and by Federal law the state budgets must be balanced. In other words, unlike the Feds, we cannot have deficit spending. So Oklahoma, just like Ms. Ungerman, has to do without what we cannot afford regardless of the outcome. I would like to see a little less criticism and more on ideas on how we as a state can create a funding vehicle so things like this won't happen to fellow Oklahomans.