It's Friday so let's jump right in with both feet shall we?
I want to encourage you to take the time and watch the 7 minute video on You Tube called, "The Church of Oprah Exposed." Why? I think it's time for people to understand what this woman is all about.
I'm sure that my statements will bother some people, but I can't take it anymore. This woman has become so influential that there are more than a few folks being led away by her current theological stance. Just in case you don't know: Oprah is not a Christian. In fact, it's her own testimony that convicts her. She has said that in her late 20's she became impatient with "rules, belief systems and doctrines." She also states that a lot of it started when she heard a pastor speak of God as a jealous God.
This doesn't surprise me at all. I have always though of Oprah as a conformist. She tries to morph into whoever is on her show. If Billy Graham is scheduled to appear she returns to her faith tradition. The very next day she can have some new age guru on the show and she turns it off. I have never felt she was a person of deep conviction when it comes to matters of faith. However, what we have seen recently is a determination to influence her audience toward New Age beliefs.
During all of this - God has not changed. Yes, the Bible tells us about a God who is jealous but His is a different type of jealousy than ours. We often think of jealousy in a negative way. God, however, is jealous for us. And why not? He created us, gave His Son on the cross for us, and offers us eternal life. God wants to be a part of who we are. To be quite honest with you, I'm glad that God is jealous for us. I'm thankful that God doesn't allow us to walk around with other gods because it speaks of His love for you and me.
I think for Oprah and those who follow the same path, this isn't an issue about God. It's really all about what they want. They want a God that's O.K. with us seeking out our own spirituality. They want a God that says it's O.K. to divorce, have sex outside of marriage, pursue all of your fleshly desires, and not have to conform to any kind belief system. It's all about idolatry: creating God in your own image. There's nothing NEW about New Age theology. This has been going on for centuries.
I will agree with Oprah about one thing: I have grown impatient with rules, belief systems and doctrines, but we differ greatly in how we respond. I embrace the God of Scripture while she embraces New Age theology. I embrace Jesus Christ as the only sacrifice for sin and means of salvation while she embraces herself as the only way to god likeness. I embrace the concept of a jealous God while she rejects the whole idea.
Yes, I'm impatient with any rules, belief systems, or doctrines that keep us from knowing the ONE TRUE GOD. Jesus said (literally), "I am the Way the Truth and the Life - NO ONE comes to the Father EXCEPT THROUGH ME."
Friday, May 30, 2008
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Having a Bad Day?
Plumber Needed:
Did you know that there was a faulty toilet on the space station? Yeah - that's right, one of the Russian built toilets isn't working properly. Man - that's gotta stink!
Adding Fuel to the Fire:
People have been complaining about high gas prices as we close in on $4.00 a gallon. Did you know that in France the price of gas is $8.67 and diesel is $8.54. In the UK gas is $8.70 while diesel has jumped to $11.50. OPEC blamed high oil prices this week on the weakness of the American dollar. Funny, I thought the Euro was pretty strong.
OOPS:
Vaclar Tichy resigned from his post, his deputy was fired, and another official from the Czech Republic's soccer federation was fined after a little mishap on Tuesday night. According to the report, the Latvian flag was placed in the game program and the Latvian national anthem was played before the game. The problem: Czech Republic was facing Lithuania not Latvian!
Maybe Czech Republic's soccer federation needs to adopt a new theme song. How about Michael W. Smith's "Place in this World"?
Can You Believe This:
On Sunday afternoon, Jamal Watts was shot for the 3rd time in the past 12 years. 5 years ago, Jarmell Austin shot Watts confining him to a wheelchair. This past weekend Watts was shot Austin's brother Ronnie. The good news - Watts condition has been updated from critical to fair. The bad news - what do you have to be doing to be shot 3 times in 12 years? (I don't share this story because it's funny - I just find it so unreal)
Is Nothing Sacred:
In Galesburg and 84 year old man was attacked with moon pies. That's right...they were being hurled at him by a 53 year old homeless man.
So, Still Think You're Having a Bad Day:
2 New Zealand pilots were flying in a microlight airplane when they ran out of fuel.
Grant Stubbs & Owen Wilson were making their flight on Sunday the 18th when the engine coughed and then died.
"My friend and I are both Christians so our immediate reaction...was to ask God for help", said Stubbs. He prayed that they would make it over the top of a ridge and find a landing site that wasn't too steep or in the sea.
Wilson said, "There was an instantaneous answer to prayer as we crossed the ridge and there was an airfield" (he didn't know existed).
When the two men landed in the grassy strip they stopped beside a 20 ft. billboard that read (I'm not joking) "Jesus is Lord."
O.K, O.K. - I've got a reason for all of this.
Jesus is Lord.
Sometimes we just need to be reminded of that fact.
Remember, your day may not have started out so great but at least your not looking for the nearest outhouse in space, buying gas in Europe, taking Geography again, recovering from a shooting, or being attacked by an American classic. No - I want you to think of your day to be like that of the two pilots. You got up, got in your plane, and hoped that everything will fly right. In the end - even though you may feel lucky to have made an emergency landing - Jesus is Lord.
Have A GREAT Day!
Did you know that there was a faulty toilet on the space station? Yeah - that's right, one of the Russian built toilets isn't working properly. Man - that's gotta stink!
Adding Fuel to the Fire:
People have been complaining about high gas prices as we close in on $4.00 a gallon. Did you know that in France the price of gas is $8.67 and diesel is $8.54. In the UK gas is $8.70 while diesel has jumped to $11.50. OPEC blamed high oil prices this week on the weakness of the American dollar. Funny, I thought the Euro was pretty strong.
OOPS:
Vaclar Tichy resigned from his post, his deputy was fired, and another official from the Czech Republic's soccer federation was fined after a little mishap on Tuesday night. According to the report, the Latvian flag was placed in the game program and the Latvian national anthem was played before the game. The problem: Czech Republic was facing Lithuania not Latvian!
Maybe Czech Republic's soccer federation needs to adopt a new theme song. How about Michael W. Smith's "Place in this World"?
Can You Believe This:
On Sunday afternoon, Jamal Watts was shot for the 3rd time in the past 12 years. 5 years ago, Jarmell Austin shot Watts confining him to a wheelchair. This past weekend Watts was shot Austin's brother Ronnie. The good news - Watts condition has been updated from critical to fair. The bad news - what do you have to be doing to be shot 3 times in 12 years? (I don't share this story because it's funny - I just find it so unreal)
Is Nothing Sacred:
In Galesburg and 84 year old man was attacked with moon pies. That's right...they were being hurled at him by a 53 year old homeless man.
So, Still Think You're Having a Bad Day:
2 New Zealand pilots were flying in a microlight airplane when they ran out of fuel.
Grant Stubbs & Owen Wilson were making their flight on Sunday the 18th when the engine coughed and then died.
"My friend and I are both Christians so our immediate reaction...was to ask God for help", said Stubbs. He prayed that they would make it over the top of a ridge and find a landing site that wasn't too steep or in the sea.
Wilson said, "There was an instantaneous answer to prayer as we crossed the ridge and there was an airfield" (he didn't know existed).
When the two men landed in the grassy strip they stopped beside a 20 ft. billboard that read (I'm not joking) "Jesus is Lord."
O.K, O.K. - I've got a reason for all of this.
Jesus is Lord.
Sometimes we just need to be reminded of that fact.
Remember, your day may not have started out so great but at least your not looking for the nearest outhouse in space, buying gas in Europe, taking Geography again, recovering from a shooting, or being attacked by an American classic. No - I want you to think of your day to be like that of the two pilots. You got up, got in your plane, and hoped that everything will fly right. In the end - even though you may feel lucky to have made an emergency landing - Jesus is Lord.
Have A GREAT Day!
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Would You Agree?
Matthew 18:19, "Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven."
I wonder how many of us are creatures of habit when it comes to the Internet? I can usually tell you the first 4-5 websites I'm going to visit as soon as I sit at my CPU. Today, however, I did a little Internet strolling and visited Henry Blackaby's website (link under "Neal's best of the web"). I noticed that they had a link to hear Blackaby speak on various topics. Prayer was the topic today. I didn't hear anything new but it made me think. {Just a note: if all you do is hear Blackaby read scripture and stop to ask "Did you get that?" it's worth taking the time to do so}
The verse quoted above is a reference to prayer. In face value alone it's one of the greatest promises of prayer ever given to us. However, what I need to point out to you is that the promise given is conditioned upon agreement. When we agree on earth about anything it will be done. Why then is there such difficulty in regards to prayer?
Every Wednesday evening our church body assembles together for the sole purpose of prayer. As a pastor I must credit Jim Cymbala for reminding me of the necessity of prayer among God's people. It was after reading "Fresh Wind Fresh Fire" several years ago that God began burdening my heart about collective prayer within the church. Immediately we made the change. I was excited about the new direction - I wish I could say it was true of the whole church at the time. I'm not saying that our church stood against prayer; I'm saying that not everyone at the time stood with it.
I think that there is a common misconception when it comes to prayer meetings. Some Christians have this idea that prayer is boring, unattractive, and meaningless. I will tell you from experience that prayer is none of the above. In fact, I have found prayer to be exciting, beautiful in the eyes of God, and so meaningful in the life of the church that we dare not exclude it. For at least one couple in our church God used the means of an "ordinary" prayer meeting to answer their prayers for a child. Others can cite God's answers for provision, the salvation of family members and friends, healing, and direction. Time and space does not allow me to dive into all the stories but I think you get the picture - Prayer Among God's People Works.
When you look at the teaching in Matt. 18:19 there are some things that cannot be ignored.
1) Prayer was a great emphasis in the teachings of Jesus.
- I want you to notice the word "again". This was a topic that He had addressed before. When God repeats something we need to take notice!
2) We can never de-emphasize the importance of agreement.
- I wonder how many churches will continue to fall by the wayside before answering the call to pray? How many marriages will continue to end in divorce before husbands and wives break dismantle their pride and kneel together to ask God to do a work in their lives? How many children will continue to go the way of the prodigal before mom and dad decide it's time to pray for God to bring their lost child home? When you and I agree in prayer it moves the heart and hand of God.
3) Pay careful attention to the word "ask".
- As children of God we don't demand anything! I liken this to our relationship with our earthly parents. When I was a child I knew that everything my parents owned could be accessed by me, but I did not have a right to demand it of them. I was taught to ask. If I asked, they gave what I needed. God works on the same principle. We may claim the promises of God but we must do so with the understanding that He is God. When we stop demanding - and start asking - God can work in marvelous ways.
4) Whenever we pray in agreement - consider it done!
- I say to you, again, this is a promise. God's promises have never failed. When He says it will be done - it will be done. All we have to do is agree.
I hope that this teaching of prayer will motivate you to pray with your spouse, your children, and your church. The needs of this life are too great to be left up to chance. Why don't we take the time to make things happen? It's time for us to emphasize once again the power of prayer. Would you agree?
I wonder how many of us are creatures of habit when it comes to the Internet? I can usually tell you the first 4-5 websites I'm going to visit as soon as I sit at my CPU. Today, however, I did a little Internet strolling and visited Henry Blackaby's website (link under "Neal's best of the web"). I noticed that they had a link to hear Blackaby speak on various topics. Prayer was the topic today. I didn't hear anything new but it made me think. {Just a note: if all you do is hear Blackaby read scripture and stop to ask "Did you get that?" it's worth taking the time to do so}
The verse quoted above is a reference to prayer. In face value alone it's one of the greatest promises of prayer ever given to us. However, what I need to point out to you is that the promise given is conditioned upon agreement. When we agree on earth about anything it will be done. Why then is there such difficulty in regards to prayer?
Every Wednesday evening our church body assembles together for the sole purpose of prayer. As a pastor I must credit Jim Cymbala for reminding me of the necessity of prayer among God's people. It was after reading "Fresh Wind Fresh Fire" several years ago that God began burdening my heart about collective prayer within the church. Immediately we made the change. I was excited about the new direction - I wish I could say it was true of the whole church at the time. I'm not saying that our church stood against prayer; I'm saying that not everyone at the time stood with it.
I think that there is a common misconception when it comes to prayer meetings. Some Christians have this idea that prayer is boring, unattractive, and meaningless. I will tell you from experience that prayer is none of the above. In fact, I have found prayer to be exciting, beautiful in the eyes of God, and so meaningful in the life of the church that we dare not exclude it. For at least one couple in our church God used the means of an "ordinary" prayer meeting to answer their prayers for a child. Others can cite God's answers for provision, the salvation of family members and friends, healing, and direction. Time and space does not allow me to dive into all the stories but I think you get the picture - Prayer Among God's People Works.
When you look at the teaching in Matt. 18:19 there are some things that cannot be ignored.
1) Prayer was a great emphasis in the teachings of Jesus.
- I want you to notice the word "again". This was a topic that He had addressed before. When God repeats something we need to take notice!
2) We can never de-emphasize the importance of agreement.
- I wonder how many churches will continue to fall by the wayside before answering the call to pray? How many marriages will continue to end in divorce before husbands and wives break dismantle their pride and kneel together to ask God to do a work in their lives? How many children will continue to go the way of the prodigal before mom and dad decide it's time to pray for God to bring their lost child home? When you and I agree in prayer it moves the heart and hand of God.
3) Pay careful attention to the word "ask".
- As children of God we don't demand anything! I liken this to our relationship with our earthly parents. When I was a child I knew that everything my parents owned could be accessed by me, but I did not have a right to demand it of them. I was taught to ask. If I asked, they gave what I needed. God works on the same principle. We may claim the promises of God but we must do so with the understanding that He is God. When we stop demanding - and start asking - God can work in marvelous ways.
4) Whenever we pray in agreement - consider it done!
- I say to you, again, this is a promise. God's promises have never failed. When He says it will be done - it will be done. All we have to do is agree.
I hope that this teaching of prayer will motivate you to pray with your spouse, your children, and your church. The needs of this life are too great to be left up to chance. Why don't we take the time to make things happen? It's time for us to emphasize once again the power of prayer. Would you agree?
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Welcome Back
I hope that everyone had a wonderful Memorial Day. For most of you it's back to the grindstone. Hopefully the energy you gained from the grilled hot dogs and burgers will carry you through this busy day.
As I considered what grand topic should be covered today I thought why not talk about what every news network is talking about. HIGH GAS PRICES! Call me crazy, but I don't get as excited about this topic as everyone else. I'm not happy with the price of gas, but I don't see it as the end of the world. The reason why I take this position is because I know that we (as a nation) can greatly affect the cost of gasoline at the pump. All we have to do is affect the cost in the barrel. How do we do that? Pumping our own oil!
Just last week the Senate held some "hearings". Actually they put on a little show with top execs from BIG OIL COMPANIES (if you are going to be in the media you have to learn to say it with disdain). They hammered them, and hammered them, over oil prices. One Senator actually asked them, "Don't you care what you are doing to us?" Interesting...that's a question we could all ask the Senate! Then there's the story about this idiot Congressman (Paul Kanjorski) who introduced HR5800, a bill that would tax windfall oil & gas profits. These profits of course would be determined by a "Reasonable Profits Board."
Folks - WAKE UP! The media and those in power want you to think that the greatest threat to this country is rising gas prices. Listen to their statements. Hillary Clinton said she wanted those profits. Obama continually hammers "BIG OIL". Now we are having hearings and creating bills to ensure that oil companies only make a certain amount of money. There is such wealth envy in this country that you won't have too many people complaining about it. In fact, most Americans don't have a problem with you making money as long as you are not in the oil business, pharmaceutical business, insurance business, or the food business. All other business can make money - just not you.
What spurred this interest in me this morning was that I was channel surfing with my kids before school. As I came across the CBS early morning show I noticed that they were doing a piece on a guy who was drilling for oil in his backyard. There was a small pump working hard to produce 3 barrels of oil a day. By years end they believe he will make a profit. By year's end? I thought oil companies were making record profits? You mean it actually costs money to drill for oil? Oh...wait...back to the story. Point is: this shouldn't be news. We have oil in the United States. We just don't want to pump it. Let me rephrase that: tree-huggers and liberals don't want us to pump it.
I can protest: FREE OUR NATION - FREE OUR OIL! (quick somebody grab a sharpie and a poster and let's congregate in front of the mayor's office).
As I considered what grand topic should be covered today I thought why not talk about what every news network is talking about. HIGH GAS PRICES! Call me crazy, but I don't get as excited about this topic as everyone else. I'm not happy with the price of gas, but I don't see it as the end of the world. The reason why I take this position is because I know that we (as a nation) can greatly affect the cost of gasoline at the pump. All we have to do is affect the cost in the barrel. How do we do that? Pumping our own oil!
Just last week the Senate held some "hearings". Actually they put on a little show with top execs from BIG OIL COMPANIES (if you are going to be in the media you have to learn to say it with disdain). They hammered them, and hammered them, over oil prices. One Senator actually asked them, "Don't you care what you are doing to us?" Interesting...that's a question we could all ask the Senate! Then there's the story about this idiot Congressman (Paul Kanjorski) who introduced HR5800, a bill that would tax windfall oil & gas profits. These profits of course would be determined by a "Reasonable Profits Board."
Folks - WAKE UP! The media and those in power want you to think that the greatest threat to this country is rising gas prices. Listen to their statements. Hillary Clinton said she wanted those profits. Obama continually hammers "BIG OIL". Now we are having hearings and creating bills to ensure that oil companies only make a certain amount of money. There is such wealth envy in this country that you won't have too many people complaining about it. In fact, most Americans don't have a problem with you making money as long as you are not in the oil business, pharmaceutical business, insurance business, or the food business. All other business can make money - just not you.
What spurred this interest in me this morning was that I was channel surfing with my kids before school. As I came across the CBS early morning show I noticed that they were doing a piece on a guy who was drilling for oil in his backyard. There was a small pump working hard to produce 3 barrels of oil a day. By years end they believe he will make a profit. By year's end? I thought oil companies were making record profits? You mean it actually costs money to drill for oil? Oh...wait...back to the story. Point is: this shouldn't be news. We have oil in the United States. We just don't want to pump it. Let me rephrase that: tree-huggers and liberals don't want us to pump it.
I can protest: FREE OUR NATION - FREE OUR OIL! (quick somebody grab a sharpie and a poster and let's congregate in front of the mayor's office).
Monday, May 26, 2008
The "Greater Love"
John 15:13, "Greater love has no one than this, that someone lays down his life for his friends."
If there is one lesson that history has taught America it's that freedom isn't free. There is a price to be paid to live as free men and women. For America to become a free nation, blood had to be shed. For America to continue to enjoy the freedom she had won, blood had to be shed. Over and over again throughout the course of our history wars had to be fought to ensure that America continues to be a free nation. No my friends, peace doesn't happen automatically, peace must be achieved.
I find it interesting that the older I get the less people in this country recognize the price that was paid for us to enjoy the freedoms we possess. How quickly we have forgotten the pain and agony of WWI and WWII. War wasn't easy then and it's definitely not easy now. There are those that would argue about the justification of war. Which battles do we as a nation get involved with? Where are we willing to fight to ensure the peace and security of our nation and our allies? Since we are a free nation we have the opportunity to question the actions of our leaders. However, I am a firm believer that once our troops are committed to fighting we should support their endeavors completely.
I don't know of any father or mother who gladly sends their child off to war. I don't know of any soldier who cheerfully looks at the possibility of death. But I will say that this nation has been blessed by those who were willing to fight to protect our nation. We are fortunate enough to have Americans who believe in the cost of freedom and are ready to pay it's price.
Memorial Day has been set apart to honor those who have given their lives to serve and protect our nations greatest interests: freedom. This is not just some obscure holiday or 3 day weekend. This happens to be one of the most important remembrances our nation does every year. This past week our home town had a rally to remember those who have given their lives in war. As bikers from around our nation joined together to make a "run for the wall" in Washington DC, we are reminded once again of what makes our nation so great. As these men and women streak across the landscape of our state we are reminded of those who boarded a ship or plane for the very first time without the promise of ever returning home.
I find it interesting that the news media would rather do a piece promoting those who protest outside of recruitment centers for our armed forces rather than focus on those who actually honor the service and work that is being done everyday for the cause of America.
Today, let us be reminded of those who have given their lives. Let us take the time to honor those who have exemplified the "Greater Love" of Christ for their brothers and sisters of this country. If there is one thing that unites us as Americans it's the freedoms that we hold dear. Those freedoms came at a great price. Today we think of those who paid it.
This Memorial Day I say "Thank You" to all of those who have honored us. Oh, how I wish that we could go to war without the loss of life. Wouldn't it be wonderful if we never had to say "good-bye" to a man or woman in uniform? But the reality of life and freedom is that someone will pay the price. Today we say "Thanks". Your sacrifice, your service, and your love for this country and your fellow man is not in vain.
Heavenly Father,
Today we thank You for blessing us with individuals who have been willing to give their lives to protect our freedoms. We thank You for the framers of this nation who faced the threats of loss to ensure that America would be a free nation. We thank You for those who were willing to lay down their lives for their friends. Father, we pray for the families who have had to say good-bye to a loved one for the cost of freedom. We pray for Your peace to reign in their lives. We pray for this nation that we will never shrink away from conflict if it is the only means for protecting this nation. Father, we pray for the resolve of this nation. We pray that we will always pay freedoms price with honor and dignity. And God we ask for those who are being deployed in harms way that you will watch over them and their families back home.
We know that you understand sacrifice even more than we do. You gave your Son so that we could have freedom from sin and death. We honor those who have given their best for us.
In Jesus' Name - Amen.
If there is one lesson that history has taught America it's that freedom isn't free. There is a price to be paid to live as free men and women. For America to become a free nation, blood had to be shed. For America to continue to enjoy the freedom she had won, blood had to be shed. Over and over again throughout the course of our history wars had to be fought to ensure that America continues to be a free nation. No my friends, peace doesn't happen automatically, peace must be achieved.
I find it interesting that the older I get the less people in this country recognize the price that was paid for us to enjoy the freedoms we possess. How quickly we have forgotten the pain and agony of WWI and WWII. War wasn't easy then and it's definitely not easy now. There are those that would argue about the justification of war. Which battles do we as a nation get involved with? Where are we willing to fight to ensure the peace and security of our nation and our allies? Since we are a free nation we have the opportunity to question the actions of our leaders. However, I am a firm believer that once our troops are committed to fighting we should support their endeavors completely.
I don't know of any father or mother who gladly sends their child off to war. I don't know of any soldier who cheerfully looks at the possibility of death. But I will say that this nation has been blessed by those who were willing to fight to protect our nation. We are fortunate enough to have Americans who believe in the cost of freedom and are ready to pay it's price.
Memorial Day has been set apart to honor those who have given their lives to serve and protect our nations greatest interests: freedom. This is not just some obscure holiday or 3 day weekend. This happens to be one of the most important remembrances our nation does every year. This past week our home town had a rally to remember those who have given their lives in war. As bikers from around our nation joined together to make a "run for the wall" in Washington DC, we are reminded once again of what makes our nation so great. As these men and women streak across the landscape of our state we are reminded of those who boarded a ship or plane for the very first time without the promise of ever returning home.
I find it interesting that the news media would rather do a piece promoting those who protest outside of recruitment centers for our armed forces rather than focus on those who actually honor the service and work that is being done everyday for the cause of America.
Today, let us be reminded of those who have given their lives. Let us take the time to honor those who have exemplified the "Greater Love" of Christ for their brothers and sisters of this country. If there is one thing that unites us as Americans it's the freedoms that we hold dear. Those freedoms came at a great price. Today we think of those who paid it.
This Memorial Day I say "Thank You" to all of those who have honored us. Oh, how I wish that we could go to war without the loss of life. Wouldn't it be wonderful if we never had to say "good-bye" to a man or woman in uniform? But the reality of life and freedom is that someone will pay the price. Today we say "Thanks". Your sacrifice, your service, and your love for this country and your fellow man is not in vain.
Heavenly Father,
Today we thank You for blessing us with individuals who have been willing to give their lives to protect our freedoms. We thank You for the framers of this nation who faced the threats of loss to ensure that America would be a free nation. We thank You for those who were willing to lay down their lives for their friends. Father, we pray for the families who have had to say good-bye to a loved one for the cost of freedom. We pray for Your peace to reign in their lives. We pray for this nation that we will never shrink away from conflict if it is the only means for protecting this nation. Father, we pray for the resolve of this nation. We pray that we will always pay freedoms price with honor and dignity. And God we ask for those who are being deployed in harms way that you will watch over them and their families back home.
We know that you understand sacrifice even more than we do. You gave your Son so that we could have freedom from sin and death. We honor those who have given their best for us.
In Jesus' Name - Amen.
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