By Grace Alone

Making Sermons Fun

2008-08-12T10:02:00.004-05:00

Thanks to the Irish Calvinist, a blog a check fairly regularly, I heard about this site called Wordle.net. Of course, some of you may already know all about it, but it was new to me and I found it very interesting. It takes whatever text you enter in and creates a "word cloud" based on the most often used words in the text, etc.

So for fun, I copied and pasted the text of my most recent sermon from our study in Genesis, and this is what came out.

Pretty fun. So I put a couple more recent sermons in and got this.

OK, so I'm wasting way too much time. But I thought it was fun (who thought sermons could be fun?), and the end result is almost worth framing, especially since God seems to have such a central place in it all (I was relieved to find that my sermons talk a lot about HIM!).

California Victory

2008-08-09T13:27:00.003-05:00

In case you haven't heard, there was a major homeschool victory yesterday. According to the brief blurb on the Home School Legal Defense Association site, the "California Court of Appeal for the Second Appellate District reversed its earlier ruling which would have required homeschoolers to be certified teachers in order to homeschool in California."

For more info, check the HSLDA site here. To read the full decision, click here.

Praise God!

Is it Bigger Than A Dead Jesus?

2008-08-04T15:09:00.000-05:00

For years I was caught up in the “entertainment” of preaching. I wanted to grab people’s attention, make them laugh, and hope they learned something along the way. After awhile, though, I realized that people were remembering the jokes and the gimmicks, but not the actual messages.

Now, I haven’t given up on the occasional joke altogether, but I have concentrated more on the content of the sermon than going for the comments on the sermon. I’m hoping we’ve moved from milk to meat.

I thought of that as I was looking back over my notes from the AiG Family Conference in Branson. I especially thought of it as I reflected on my notes on Voddie Baucham’s messages. Because while I took good notes and gained some very insightful truths, the things that stick out in my mind without checking those notes are the one-liners.

Things like his reference to a new Christian friend as “a new brother from another mother.” Or the admonition to “suck it up…don’t tell me about the pain, just show me the baby.” And my favorite, speaking of children and original sin: “No matter how cute that thing is, it’s still a viper in a diaper.”

Now, this isn’t to comment on the use of humor in preaching. After all, Charles Spurgeon wrote that “I must confess that I would rather hear people: laugh than I would see them asleep in the house of God . . . I do believe, in my heart, that there may be as much holiness in a laugh as in a cry.” And Baucham’s use is appropriate and minor in comparison to the amount of “meat” he offers. I guess it’s just human nature to focus on those zingers.

The point, I guess, is that sometimes the little one liners sticking in your brain can be more “meaty” than we might realize. The one line that keeps coming back to me was in a message Voddie brought on “The Person of Christ.” It was a wonderful exposition of 1 Corinthians 15 and Paul’s defense of the resurrection. And I do remember the solid meat of that message: Paul’s arguments from Authority, Evidence and Logic. I especially enjoyed bringing to the forefront the often overlooked truth that we have more written evidence for Christ’s resurrection than we do for the existence of Socrates, but no one ever calls the latter in to question.

But the one line that jumps out is this: Is It Bigger Than a Dead Jesus? After spending the bulk of the message defending the reality of the resurrection, the application was then made that regardless of the circumstances we find ourselves in, it can’t possible be a more “difficult” situation than a dead Christ. And if God can raise Christ, what are you afraid of? Could your problem possibly be bigger than a dead Jesus? Catchy phrase; powerful truth.

I have a tendency toward anxiety. I know it’s sinful. I know it’s a lack of faith. I know it’s outright disobedience. But I still struggle. I memorize verses like Philippians 4:6-7 which commands me outright to not be anxious about anything. I memorize helpful, encouraging words like Isaiah 41:13 which promises God’s upholding hand, along with another command not to fear. And God is working on this problem in me.

And please don’t hear me saying that a one liner from Voddie Baucham is more powerful, effective, etc. than the Word of God. After all, he’s just summarizing the truth of God’s Word, pointing to its promises and power. But I’ve found that line helpful: Is it Bigger Than A Dead Jesus? Obviously the answer is “no.”

So I say all that to say this. I just want to encourage anyone who might stop by out of boredom and read this. No matter what you might be facing, it’s certainly not bigger than a dead Christ. If Christ is raised, then what are you afraid of? If God can handle that situation, well…

Neutrality is Not an Option: Acts 4 & the Culture War

2008-07-29T09:07:00.005-05:00

I realize that having “heroes” can be dangerously close to idolatry. I have often been reminded that I quote Charles Spurgeon way too often. He was only a man (boy it’s hard to type that), and I need to remember that. While we should look to those saints who have stood for truth, etc. and “imitate the outcome of their faith” as Hebrews 13:7 says, we need not to exalt them above Scripture and so on.

I’m doing better, for the most part. But then guys like Voddie Baucham come along and I find myself bordering on hero worship again. At the recent family conference in Branson I nearly acted like a star-crazed fan in the presence of a rock star or something when I got the chance to shake hands with the man whose teaching has had a great impact on me in the last couple years.

It started after I watch a video of the message he delivered at a gathering of Baptists in Texas. It was a conference on Evangelism, I believe, and Voddie was actually a last minute replacement for (of all people) Tim Lahaye. Those folks never saw it coming. Baucham delivered a out-of-the-park message on the centrality of the home in the discipleship of the next generation. Amazing stuff! Follow that up with one of the best books I’ve read in recent years, Family Driven Faith, and here I go with the hero stuff again.

Anyway, all of that is not the point, I guess. Voddie’s first session at this recent conference was on the issue of the Culture War, and he based it on Acts chapter 4: Peter and John before the Sanhedrin. He showed how similar their situation is to the culture we find ourselves in today. They were called “unschooled, common” men, which is the same thing we are called today if we fail to acknowledge the “acceptable” doctrines of evolution, religious relativism, tolerance, and philosophical pluralism.

The key was the idea that “neutrality is not an option.” It wasn’t an option for the Jews of the day. They had to deal with these rebels who were stirring things up and risking the wrath of Rome. It was not an option for Peter and John, who when commanded not to speak the name of Jesus politely refused. And today, there is no room for neutrality either. The culture says we must accept those doctrines mentioned above. We must accept their worldview or be labeled intolerant, ignorant, etc.

Yet, according to Baucham, this is where the similarities between their story and ours end. Because while Peter and John replied “we can’t help but proclaim what we have seen and heard,” the church of today has said, “OK, maybe we will be quiet. We’ll just witness with our lifestyle, or we’ll just wait until we have more godly men elected to higher offices, etc.”

I loved the example he used. Basically, he said we act like we could just go about our business, mowing our lawn, and neighbor will be so moved by the way we mow our lawn that they will rush over to us and say, “I am so impressed with the way you mow your lawn, what must I do to be saved?”

Obviously that’s an exaggeration. Certainly we must live lives worthy of the Gospel, and it does have an influence on our witness. As far as that goes, it’s probably even good for us to mow our lawns well. But I digress…

The point is, we are too reluctant to open our mouths. We care too much about what the world thinks of us. We want to fit in. The early church cared nothing about fitting in. They would rather die than not speak of what they had seen and heard. In fact, in the face of their persecution they prayed not for the persecution to be lifted, but for boldness to open their mouths regardless of the consequences.

We, on the other hand expect not to be persecuted. We forget that persecution is promised to those who are faithful. We need to stop listening to the health and wealth, comfort and convenience gospel of our day and preach Jesus Christ and Him crucified. Neutrality is not an option. We need to be more bold, like Peter and John. As Dr. Baucham concluded, we must have faith in a Sovereign Lord, and ask Him for boldness to proclaim the truth of Christ . . . that will win the Culture War.

Voddie Baucham on Education

2008-07-22T12:37:00.002-05:00

This is not from this recent conference, but this gives you an idea of Voddie Baucham's teaching, and it also goes along with the last post about Jerusalem vs. Athens. Enjoy.

The Desert Island Challenge

2008-07-22T11:51:00.004-05:00

What if your family were alone on an island, with nothing but a copy of God’s Word? How would you begin to build your family and the new “culture” of your island world?

I may not have gotten it word for word exactly like Doug Phillips of Vision Forum, but this was the question he asked during a session entitled A Family Vision of Victory. The point is quite simple, yet the truth of it hit me quite profoundly. If you had no other cultural ideas to infect your thinking, nothing but the Word of God, how would you shape your family and your life? Interesting idea, isn’t it?

For years now, people like Doug Phillips, and Voddie Baucham’s Family Driven Faith, and Tom Eldredge’s Safely Home and others have been calling into question how our families operate in today’s world. And the unanimous verdict is that we have given in to culture way more than we want to admit; in everything from the size of our families, to how we educate them, to how we disciple them, etc.

But what if we had nothing but God’s Word to guide us? Wouldn’t we see children as a blessing and desire a “quiver full” of them? Wouldn’t we realize that it is our responsibility as parents to disciple our children, not just the Sunday School teacher’s? And would we ever send them off to “fools” to be educated the way we do now?

Whoa! Harsh words. But think about it. We live in a culture that ridicules large families, not to mention the whole culture of death that wants to rid us of children all together. Though the idea of a Sunday School isn’t even found in the Bible, we’ve come to see that as the primary discipleship avenue for our families, neglecting our parental responsibility. And the secular humanistic government schools that we ship our kids off to every day have repeatedly shown us that they don’t want God to have any part in their curriculum. Since Scripture clearly says that only a fool says in his heart that there is no God (Ps. 14:1), this makes them the very fools I mention at the end of the preceding paragraph.

So the question again is: If we were alone on an island with nothing but God’s Word to guide us, would we be doing the things we’re doing? Have we been taken captive in our ideas from the God-hating culture around us? And shouldn’t we be living according the standard of God’s Word regardless of what the culture around us does?

In another session called Jerusalem and Athens: the Battle of Christian Culture, Doug Phillips builds on this idea of the Desert Island Challenge by comparing two ways of thinking: Biblical Hebraic thinking, or Jerusalem vs. Greco-Roman thinking, or Athens. And he points out that the American church is much more influenced by the later as our nation “de-volves” into paganism.

Again, sounds like harsh words. Unfortunately, they are also true. This idea first hit me after reading the aforementioned book by Tom Eldredge a few years ago. It was the first time I had ever thought in terms of Hebrew vs. Greek thinking in regard to family, education, etc. And yet when we read the New Testament, this is exactly the conflict we see confronting the early church. How much do we hold to our Jewish roots, and how much to we give in to the Hellenistic culture around us? And we are still facing the same battle today.

The early church father Tertullian wrote a piece called The Prescription Against Heretics. Chapter seven deals with “Pagan Philosophy The Parent Of Heresies. The Connection Between Deflections From Christian Faith And The Old Systems Of Pagan Philosophy.” (Got to love those old titles!) It was here that Tertullian asked the question from which Phillips derived his session title: What indeed has Athens to do with Jerusalem?

What indeed do they have to do with one another? What do the children of Jerusalem, God’s children, our children have to do with the pagan, humanistic, evolutionary worldview of this modern culture and education system. The answer should be: nothing!

Now I’m not advocating, as I’m sure Phillips was not, that we literally go out onto a desert island somewhere and ignore the rest of the world. We do have a missionary mandate, after all. But that missionary mandate does not include turning our children over to a godless school system; does not include abdicating the discipleship responsibility of parents, does not include seeing children as a burden rather than a blessing, and so on.

Phillips summarized it with this question: By What Standard? By what standard are we going to live? God’s or man’s? We ought to live “as if” we were on a desert island, with only God’s Word to guide us. Imagine how much different our families and our churches and our own lives would be if we simply lived according to the word and not the world.

Still more to come….

Ham Hit It On The Head

2008-07-21T12:45:00.002-05:00

I’ve been preaching through the book of Genesis since January of 2007. Since I’m not the world’s greatest expositor, it will take me less than two years to get through all 50 chapters. I know I should probably go slower, dig deeper, etc., but…

Anyway, one of the reasons we started this particular study is because of the foundational role Genesis plays in Scripture. Not only is it the first book, setting the stage for all the rest. Even more it contains the foundations of all our basic doctrines as God’s people. John MacArthur reminds us that in this book of Genesis, “Theological foundations are revealed which include God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit, man, sin, redemption, covenant, promise, Satan and angels, kingdom, revelation, Israel, judgment, and blessing.” Name a concept, theme or doctrine, and chances are we find at least the seed of it in this first book of Moses.

I was reminded again during this past week’s family conference of the importance of this book. It would seem only natural that a conference sponsored by Answers in Genesis would place a heavy emphasis on that book. But it’s not so much that this ministry chooses to focus on this book, it’s that this book is the driving force behind this ministry.

Ken Ham, founder and director of AiG does a wonderful job of showing the vital nature of this book, and therefore why this book is the center of attack by our God-hating culture. Sure they can attack the Resurrection head on, but how much easier to go back and undermine the authority and authenticity of the very book that tells of the Resurrection. Christians will stand up and fight against a frontal attack on the cross, but we’ve largely rolled over and played dead when it comes to the attacks against Genesis; specifically, the six days of Creation.

The Southern Baptist Convention fought a battle in the recent past (some say we are still fighting it in some form) for the inerrancy of Scripture. At stake was not only the obvious issue, but also the authority, sufficiency, etc. of God’s Word. And, ironically, one of the key “sparks” that got it all going was not so much an attack from the world against the resurrection, the virgin birth, the deity of Christ, etc. It was a commentary, written by one of our own, on the book of Genesis.

Seminary Professor Ralph Elliott, influenced by the liberal theology that was rapidly growing all around us, wrote that “one must come to the place that he sees the parabolic and symbolic nature of much of the Old Testament Scriptures.” He then quotes Alan Richardson who says, “One must learn to think of the stories of Genesis – the Creation, the Fall, Noah’s Ark, the Tower of Babel…in the same way as we think of the parables of Jesus; they are profoundly symbolical stories, which aren’t to be taken as literally true…”

Therefore, Elliott concluded, Genesis 1-11 in particular is myth, not fact. Because we have been overrun with evolutionary thinking and a Secular Humanist worldview, many in the church saw no problem with this. After all, this allows us to claim the Bible and still give in to the “new” theories of science that said the earth was millions of years old, that man evolved from apes, and so on.

Much of what Ken Ham said during this past week focused on this same idea of dealing with the “millions of years.” Again, many people, blinded by bad science and un-founded theories, have bought into this idea and see no real problem trying to make the Bible “fit.” But, as Ham points out, the real issue is very basic: Is the Bible true? This is what our Convention was fighting over, and this is what we need to continue to fight for.

You see, once we throw out the creation narrative and the Noahic flood and so on, it becomes easier to then say: well, maybe Jonah wasn’t really swallowed by a big fish. Maybe David didn’t really kill a giant. Maybe Jesus wasn’t really virgin-born. Maybe he didn’t really do all those miracles. And maybe, the whole resurrection thing was just symbolic as well. Once the foundation is eroded, the whole building is at risk.

2 Corinthians 11:3 reminds us that our enemy will continue to use the same attacks that he’s always used. “…as the serpent deceived Eve by his cunning, your thoughts will be led astray from a sincere and pure devotion to Christ.” And how did the serpent lead Eve astray? By simply saying, “Are you sure God said that? It’s not really true; you’ll not surely die if you eat the fruit.”

Today the serpent says, “Are you sure it was only six days of creation? Surely that can’t be true. The evidence says it was millions of years. Are you sure there was a real world-wide flood?” And so on.

The enemy is the same. The tactic is the same. Our response must be different. God’s Word is true. God’s Word is authoritative. God’s Word, from Genesis to “maps”, is sufficient for all things. 2 Peter 1:3 tells us that “His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.” Since our knowledge of him comes through the Word, we know that the Word supplies all we need.

I appreciate anew the ministry of Answers in Genesis. I encourage you to check out there website, view their materials, visit their creation museum. From a purely “scientific” standpoint it’s amazing to see some of the evidence that humanist science doesn’t want you to know about. We don’t need science to prove the Bible, but it’s nice to know that science does indeed confirm the Bible, not “disprove” it.

And the church needs to know this. We need to stand up and take notice. Ham hit it on the head: The attack on Genesis is an attack on God, and we can’t ignore it. Let’s be faithful in defending the faith from all attacks, and as the theme for the week reminds us, we should always be ready/prepared “to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you.” (1 Peter 3:15).

More conference reflections to come…..

Help, My Brain Is Full!

2008-07-19T13:47:00.003-05:00

Just got back from the Defending Your Faith Family Conference put on by Answer’s In Genesis. Wow! What a week.

2,000 folks gathered in Branson, Missouri for fifteen teaching sessions from Voddie Baucham, Doug Phillips and Ken Ham. The emphasis was on apologetics in general, with each ministry represented taking a slightly different approach.

As of right now, I’m still processing most of it. I think it has to do with being completely wiped out! In addition to the conference, we spent a day at Silver Dollar City, as well as some go-kart racing, craft store shopping, general running around, and of course lots of time in the pool! The kids all report that a good time was had by all.

Well, not quite all. The four-year-old’s patience was a bit tested, so mom missed several of the conferences trying to entertain him. As much as she loves him, even mom got a little worn out by that.

Anyway, in the coming days I plan to do a few entries on some of the subject matter addressed this week. It was all fantastic stuff, and once I’ve rested up and thought it all through, I’m sure I’ll be able to deal with it more coherently.

In the meantime, check out Ken Ham’s blog for some conference notes and a few photos. Doug Phillips makes a reference to the first night on his blog as well.

For the record, anyone considering taking your family to an AiG conference, or a Vision Forum event, or anything where Voddie Baucham is speaking, pack the bags and get going. It will be worth every penny.

The New Look

2008-07-06T22:54:00.002-05:00

I couldn't believe that I've been doing this silly thing for as long as I have. Readership picked up quite a bit during the Mike Huckabee presidential bid, drawing notice from illuminaries such as the New York Times and St. Louis Post Dispatch. Since then, things have calmed down. I'm just another small church pastor looking for an outlet for some thoughts now and then.

So, I figured maybe it was time for a little change. I've had the same template here since the beginning. Quite a feat for a guy who likes to change furniture as often as I do. (It drives me crazy that my office is set up in such a way that limits the changes I can make).

Also, I love the lighthouse theme. Lighthouses are one of my "things." I have several in my office: portraits and paintings, wood carvings, little statuette types, and even a giant puzzle of a Thomas Kincaid that I put together and framed. I love the image of the minister as a lighthouse in this foggy world.

Anyway. For the one or two folks who do stop by here on a semi-regular basis, I thought I'd explain the new look. Maybe it will inspire me to do a little more serious thinking and blogging in the near future.

Hurray For the Constitution

2008-06-26T09:56:00.006-05:00

You just have to love it when the Supreme Court actually says the US Constitution is correct. In an age where a radical judiciary seeks to legislate from the bench, often in direct opposition to the stated will of the people, it’s nice to have Justices who have the guts to say, “The Constitution really is true.”

In case you haven’t heard, the High Court handed down a decision which states that Americans have a right to own guns for self-defense and hunting. Now most of us regular folks knew that all along. There’s this thing called the Second Amendment which guarantees that right. But it was nice to see the Supreme Court agree with that Amendment, even if it was by only a 5-4 majority.

Oddly enough, this is the first major decision regarding the “gun rights” issue in the history of these United States. According to a brief AP blurb, “The court had not conclusively interpreted the Second Amendment since its ratification in 1791.” Probably because most people understood exactly what this thing meant! It’s hard to argue with plain language, although the liberals love to do it with the First Amendment on a regular basis.

The ruling specifically strikes down the District of Columbia's 32-year-old ban on handguns, while at the same time suggesting that this right does come with some limitations.

Ironically, this all comes at the same time as some other good news for gun owners in Missouri. Today, Gov. Matt Blunt is scheduled to sign into law House Bill 2034, which will make some positive changes to MO’s gun laws.

Those who know me know that I am not a violent sort of person. I’m squeamish enough that I have to leave the room while they put an IV in patients while I’m visiting in the hospital. Needles make me freaky!

But at the same time, the basic right to “bear arms” both for hunting purposes and to protect my family if need be is one that I support with all my being. Obviously, our forefathers did as well, which is why they wrote that Amendment to begin with. And history has proven their wisdom. In most places which are “gun friendly,” allowing concealed carry, etc. crime rates are always lower.

It’s nice to see the judiciary get one right.

Protect Free Speech!

2008-06-21T17:48:00.004-05:00

For years now Christians have been taken in by a variety of “petition drives” asking us to sign petitions to stop people like atheist Madalyn Murray O’Hair (who’s been missing and presumed dead/murdered for years BTW). Most of these deal with non-existent legislation and it only serves to embarrass the Church when we pass things like this along.

This is different. This is real.

According to an email alert sent out from Focus on the Family,

the Democratic leadership in the House has stalled a key bill -- the Broadcaster Freedom Act (H.R. 2905). This bill would ban the so-called Fairness Doctrine, which would allow the federal government to dictate the content of talk radio. Unless pro-family citizens demand immediate action in Congress, the bill will die and conservative free speech on the air will remain threatened.

The Broadcaster Freedom Act will die in committee unless we can rally a majority of members of Congress to sign a “discharge petition” that would move the bill to a floor vote in spite of the Democrats. Thus far, 195 members of Congress have signed the discharge petition but we must have 23 more signatures or the bill dies. It's important to note that if the Act comes to a vote, it will likely pass.

The Focus on the Family folks are asking us to sign a petition to encourage legislators to sign the “discharge petition.” I know it sounds confusing. But go here to read more about it and sign this petition.

In case you haven’t realized it, the anti-Christian lobby in this nation is growing each and every day. And if Christian people don’t stand up against it, we will have no one but ourselves to blame when we lose the freedoms we take for granted.

I’m not usually an alarmist, but it’s time to take action. Please go Focus on the Family and sign this petition.

Vision Forum DVD Winner!

2008-06-20T18:33:00.004-05:00

Well, after the overwhelming response (sarcasm intended!) it's time to announce the winner of the DVD giveaway from Vision Forum. They had authorized affiliate blogs like this one to give away a free copy a DVD from their Reclaiming the Culture DVD series. , and we decided to give away a copy of the DVD entitled: The Promise: The Beauty and the Power of the 5th Commandment.

So congrats to Kristen and Doug. I'll be sending an email with some details in the very near futre.

For the record, I still encourage folks to check out the VF site and catalog. They have quality resources that are family friendly and Christ centered. I appreciate them making things like this available. Enjoy!

A Matter of Life and Death

2008-06-11T12:46:00.003-05:00

It's not an overstatement to say that this year's Presidential election is a matter of life and death, especially if Barack Obama is elected. Those at risk are not just the millions protected by our military whom the Illinois Senator would abaondon. It's not just the lives and well-being of millions of middle class Americans who will suffer as those who have to pay for the ridiculous programs he advocates. The most serious issue is literally the life or death of hundreds of thousands as a result of this pro-death activist.

A recent Wall Street Journal article by Daniel Allott called "The Audacity of Death," (a play on Obama's well known theme) says that the record shows Obama as the most pro-abortion person in the Senate, with a 100% pro-death voting record. Further more, Allott says:

As an Illinois state senator, Barack Obama twice opposed legislation to define as "persons" babies who survive late-term abortions. . . Mr. Obama said in a speech on the Illinois Senate floor that he could not accept that babies wholly emerged from their mother's wombs are "persons," and thus deserving of equal protection under the Constitution's 14th Amendment.
And he promises, "the first thing I'd do as president is sign the Freedom of Choice Act," which would overturn hundreds of federal and state laws limiting abortion, including the federal ban on partial-birth abortion and bans on public funding of abortion.

Later, Allott reports:

All this explains why the National Abortion Rights Action League voted unanimously to endorse Mr. Obama over Hillary Clinton, as did abortion activist Frances Kissling, who called Mrs. Clinton "not radical enough on abortion."

He admits his pro-death, anti-child mindset with comments like the one he made regarding not wanting his daughters "punished" with a baby. (See Rod Albert's excellent blog regarding this).

Wake up, folks! This man offers no real hope. Of course, the only real hope is in Jesus Christ, but even apart from that, from a purely national standpoint, this man will literally be the death of hundreds of thousands. If you value life, if you believe a person is a person no matter how small, to steal a phrase, we must vote to oppose men like Barack Obama.

Protecting Marriage

2008-06-05T10:27:00.001-05:00

As many of you are aware, with recent rulings in California, the need for an amendment to the US Constitution protecting Marriage is needed now more than ever. Congressman Paul Broun of Georgia has introduced H.J. RES. 89, known as the Marriage Protection Amendment of 2008. This amendment would make marriage legal only between a man and a woman.

The American Family Association has some good information about this. At the bottom of the article is a link to a form you can fill out to send to your Congressman to encourage them to become co-sponsors of this legislation. The time to act is now while we have a President friendly to the cause. Regardless of how the November election turns out, Christians will not find a friendly face in the Oval Office come January 2009.

FREE DVD from Vision Forum

2008-06-02T09:43:00.004-05:00

The generous folks at Vision Forum have authorized affiliate blogs like this one to give away a FREE copy a DVD from their Reclaiming the Culture DVD series. In particular, we will be giving away a copy of the DVD entitled: The Promise: The Beauty and the Power of the 5th Commandment. Here’s a bit about the DVD:

Is it “well with you”? If not, it may be because there are unresolved issues relating to honor in your life. “Honor your father and mother” is the first command with a promise. When you practice honor, “it will be well with you.” But what does this mean?

In this foundational message, Doug Phillips breaks down the issue of honor and addresses challenging issues such as: How do wise parents instill honor in their children? How should children respond to perverse authority in parents? In what ways are adult sons and daughters to honor their living parents? How does our culture promote dishonor? How can adult children restore honor to relationships that have long been tinged by dishonor? What are the consequences of dishonor? This talk has been shared with tens of thousands and has been a life-changing message for many.

So here’s how it works. Simply post a comment to this article and you’ll be entered in the drawing. To keep things as “fair” and “random” as possible, I’m going to put all the names in a hat and let my three-year-old son draw one out. Then check back here along about June 20 to find out who the winner is and we’ll make the contact arrangements and so on.

This is a wonderful way to get a sample of what Vision Forum is all about. I urge you, if you haven’t before, to check out their website. They have a plethora of solid Christian, pro-family books, CDs, DVDs, resources and fun stuff available. In the meantime, post a comment below for your chance to win the FREE The Promise DVD.

Excellence?

2008-05-22T14:06:00.002-05:00

Our good friends over on The Back Deck have issued an award to this blog; rating it as "E" for Excellent. I'm not sure what the criteria is, but I do greatly appreciate the sentiment.

I'm assuming that I am to pass this along to others, but being the lazy person that I am, I'll simply point you to the left of this page where I have already listed those sites which are most excellent. Of course, The Back Deck is among those listed, as is the Challies site and Monergism mentioned in the previous post here; but so are others whom I don't know personally and are not part of a contest I'm trying to win!

All of this assumes, of course, that my opinion of what is a good read is really worth anything, but hey, we can all dream. Happy reading, all, and thanks again for the vote of confidence, guys. I'll try to get back in the swing of things and give you something to merit the award (ha!)

Remember the Sabbath

2008-04-22T11:45:00.002-05:00

One of the issues our family has struggled with over the years is the idea of "keeping the Sabbath." What exactly does it mean? Is it still necessary for New Testament believers? How much emphasis should it get? How much should we encourage others to do likewise? And so on.

Recently, I read a fairly short, to the point and helpful article on this over at the reformation21.org site. It was written by Rick Phillips, senior minister of Second Presbyterian Church in Greenville, S.C., . I would encourage you to read this post on Advice for Sabbath-keeping.

I know this will not answer any and all questions. I know I still have some examination to do on the issue myself, but I find myself leaning more and more toward agreement with Phillips and others in this camp. You may disagree, but I hope you'll at least take time to read the article, read the Scriptures he cites and prayerfully considering remembering the Sabbath more faithfully.

Conference Update

2008-04-18T10:08:00.002-05:00

Although I missed the Grace Camp Meeting at Rockport Baptist Church this past weekend, I was delighted to discover that ALL 14 messages are available online to download. You can read Pastor Scott's blog entry on the conference itself, and you can go to SermonAudio.com to download any or all the conference messages. I haven't listened to all of them yet, but I'm sure you'll be blessed by each of these men of God as they break the Bread of Life. Ah, ain't technology great!

That's My Boy!

2008-04-14T10:36:00.003-05:00

Sorry, but it's proud daddy time again. Deacon Jim took me and Nathanael out turkey hunting for the very first time this weekend for youth season. And on his first try, first day, first shot, Nathanael got himself a big ol' tom. Go to our family site for more details.

The Liberal Agenda

2008-04-05T09:15:00.002-06:00

As so often happens, I have no original thoughts here. But there are several posts I've read elsewhere lately that remind us of what the liberal agenda is all about and how at odds it is with both the facts and common sense morality:

Regarding Life:
Rod Albert's Press On blog about Obama comments

Regarding Morality:
Story on Planned Parenthood's "advice" to teens

Regarding "Climate Change:"
From Andy Barnett's Culture War blog about the facts vs. fiction

Regarding more of Obama's questionable background:
Mentored by a communist?

For those who just want to know more about a Christian View of voting, etc. :
Listen to this from Scott Brown's blog

The point of all this is simple: The liberal folks have a definite agenda for this nation, and it has nothing to do with taxes or the war in Iraq. It has everything to do with a secular humanistic worldview that will take us further and further from our Christian national roots. Christians need to stand up and take notice of these things and not stick our heads in the sand or be swayed by the slick PR campaign being waged.

Obama does have one thing right. It is about "hope." But he has none to offer. Our only hope is to turn to Christ and away from this continued moral slide we're in. May God have mercy on us.

Homeschool Freedom - Update

2008-03-27T09:04:00.000-06:00

For those who have an interest in the California case which in some ways has become a threat to homeschool freedom, here is the latest update sent out by the Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA):

Court of Appeal Grants Petition for Re-hearing

On March 25, the California Court of Appeal granted a motion for rehearing in the 'In re Rachel L.' case--the controversial decision which purported to ban all homeschooling in that state unless the parents held a teaching license qualifying them to teach in public schools.

The automatic effect of granting this motion is that the prior opinion is vacated and is no longer binding on any one, including the parties in the case.

The Court of Appeal has solicited a number of public school establishment organizations to submit amicus briefs including the California Superintendent of Public Instruction, California Department of Education, the Los Angeles Unified School District, and three California teacher unions. The court also granted permission to Sunland Christian School to file an amicus brief. The order also indicates that it will consider amicus applications from other groups.

Home School Legal Defense Association will seek permission to file such an amicus brief and will coordinate efforts with a number of organizations interesting in filing briefs to support the right of parents to homeschool their children in California.

"This is a great first step," said Michael Farris, chairman of HSLDA. "We are very glad that this case will be reheard and that this opinion has been vacated, but there is no guarantee as to what the ultimate outcome will be. This case remains our top priority," he added

This is truly good news at this point. I urge you to keep praying about this case. As I've said in response to some earlier comments, regardless of the particulars in this one family, the phrasing of the courts judgment was the concern. We need to continue to fight for the rights of parents to raise and educate their children according to biblical principles, including the freedom to homeschool.

Another Great Conference Opportunity

2008-03-21T09:16:00.004-06:00

As long as I'm plugging conferences, I thought some might be interested in this one. My friend Scott Lee at Rockport Baptist in Arnold, MO (St. Louis Area) is hosting this Grace Camp Meeting and Bible Conference. The dates are April 10-13, starting Thursday night at 7:00 and going through Sunday morning.

One of my all time favorite preachers, Paul Washer, will be one of the speakers. He is the director of the HeartCry Missionary Society and one of the most intense, challenging, biblically sound men of God I've had the privilege of hearing.

Unfortunately, due to commitments within our own fellowship, I'll not be able to attend. I would love to be there, since this church is only minutes from my folks house, but it just won't happen this year. But I did want to do what advertising I could for this event because I know that it will be a blessing to any and all who attend.

Defending Your Faith Family Conference

2008-03-12T15:13:00.005-06:00

I just wanted to call your attention to what promises to be an outstanding family get-away. The ministry of Answers in Genesis (AiG) is sponsoring a “Defending Your Faith Family Conference” this summer in Branson, Missouri. Billed as “a spiritual feast for the family,” it will be held July 15-18 at the Tri-Lakes Center in Branson. Personally, I’m excited about the opportunity to hear some of the men I respect most on issues of faith and family. The speakers include:

Ken Ham, founder of AiG and an expert on Creation issues.

Voddie Baucham, pastor of Grace Family Baptist Church in Spring, TX; author of Family Driven Faith, and respected speaker on issues like family and cultural apologetics.

Doug Phillips, founder of Vision Forum Ministries and champion of the Biblical family, Biblical manhood and womanhood, etc.

Carl Kerby, founding board member of AiG, and one of their most popular speakers.

Since we’re short on funds around our place, we’ve decided to make this our family vacation for the year. What’s so great is that Cheryl and the kids are as excited about this trip as I am. I can’t think of a better way to spend our time and money that to get the whole family together for a few days of learning from these men, fellowship with like-minded families, and throw in a couple days in Branson to boot.

I know it’s not super cheap. Were it not for some tax refund money, we probably wouldn’t be able to do it either. But compared to what many spend on vacations, this comes in at or less than the usual cost. And the benefit to your family will be priceless.

I don’t know what kind of demand there will be for this, but I would suggest you pray and consider this now and make your reservations soon. Hope to see you in Branson in July.

The Hound Of Heaven

2008-03-10T10:53:00.006-06:00

Every now and then I thoroughly enjoy going back through my music archives and pulling out stuff that was popular back in my “radio days” (i.e. the mid- to late- 80s when working at various Christian stations in college and after). Recently, I’ve been on a DA (Daniel Amos) kick.

One of my favorite songs has always been “The Hound of Heaven.” I just like the music. I like the hook line. But lately, I’ve come to be quite fond of the whole theology behind the concept itself.

The song is based on a 182 line poem of the same title written by 19th Century English poet Francis Thompson. The images Thompson weaves of a man on the run from God, looking to man and beast and indeed the rest of all creation for aid, is truly remarkable. Yet, at every step, he hears even bigger steps behind him, and a Voice letting him know how futile this flight is.

I wouldn’t expect you to read all 182 verses: but here is at least the beginning and the end (those who are non-poetry lovers or with shorter attention spans can skip to the conclusion below):

I fled Him, down the nights and down the days;
I fled Him, down the arches of the years;
I fled Him, down the labyrinthine ways
Of my own mind; and in the mist of tears
I hid from Him, and under running laughter.
Up vistaed hopes I sped;
And shot, precipitated,
Adown Titanic glooms of chasmèd fears,
From those strong Feet that followed, followed after.
But with unhurrying chase,
And unperturbéd pace,
Deliberate speed, majestic instancy,
They beat—and a Voice beat
More instant than the Feet—
“All things betray thee, who betrayest Me.”

…
Now of that long pursuit
Comes on at hand the bruit;
That Voice is round me like a bursting sea:
“And is thy earth so marred,
Shattered in shard on shard?
Lo, all things fly thee, for thou fliest Me!
Strange, piteous, futile thing!
Wherefore should any set thee love apart?
Seeing none but I makes much of naught” (He said),
“And human love needs human meriting:
How hast thou merited—
Of all man’s clotted clay the dingiest clot?
Alack, thou knowest not
How little worthy of any love thou art!
Whom wilt thou find to love ignoble thee,
Save Me, save only Me?
All which I took from thee I did but take,
Not for thy harms,
But just that thou might’st seek it in My arms.
All which thy child’s mistake
Fancies as lost, I have stored for thee at home:
Rise, clasp My hand, and come!”
Halts by me that footfall:
Is my gloom, after all,
Shade of His hand, outstretched caressingly?
“Ah, fondest, blindest, weakest,
I am He Whom thou seekest!
Thou dravest love from thee, who dravest Me.”

Francis Thompson (1859-1907)

What a great and glorious God of grace we serve! A God who’s love and mercy will not let us go until He has accomplished His purposes. And then to look back over the course of one’s life and see that all those things we thought were struggles and difficulties, and maybe even “desertions” by God, were really intended by God to draw us closer to Himself.

1 Peter 4:19 reminds us: “Therefore let those who suffer according to God's will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good.” Seems to me to be an echo of the same thought. That God will use whatever means possible/necessary, even suffering, to ensure we are drawn to Him and “entrust our souls to a faithful Creator.”

Forgive me is this seems a little to melancholy. Getting nostalgic and listening to these old songs make me a bit more reflective than usual. But I for one am glad for a God of such persistence. In the end, the sound of those Footsteps breathing down my back has come to be more of a comfort than a fright. And I pray they will become the same for you, and that the Hound of Heaven will overcome you with His grace.

Homeschool Freedom

2008-03-06T21:41:00.002-06:00

Dear Reader,

I don’t know if you consider yourself the activist type or not, but I would encourage you to read and sign this petition being offered through the Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA).

I mentioned in an earlier post about the recent decision in a California Court of Appeals which basically decided that homeschooling is illegal in California unless a parent is a certified teacher.

According the HSLDA:

The Court could have restricted its decision to the facts before it, but instead, it issued a broad ruling that effectively outlaws home education in California. The Court also certified its decision for publication, which means that the decision can now be cited as legal authority by all other courts in California.

One option to keep homeschooling free in California is to petition the Supreme Court of California to “depublish” the opinion. If the opinion is “depublished” then it cannot be used by other California courts and this threat to homeschool freedom will be neutralized for other California homeschoolers.

Regardless of the particulars of this specific case, the court has obviously gone too far in issuing such a broad reaching decision. As someone who enjoys the freedom to homeschool, and furthermore considers this freedom to be a basic right that should be available to all in all 50 states without interference from the government, I want to stand alongside our California brethren. Signing a petition is the very least I can do.

I would urge you to join me in signing the HSLDA’s petition, as well as to pray for homeschoolers in California, and the rest of the nation for that matter. We are living in a day when the freedom of individuals, especially Christian individuals it seems, is slowly being eroded right from under our feet. Forgive the alarmist sounding note, but we need to unite and stand firm against such erosion if we want our children to enjoy the freedoms we take for granted.

So please, commit this to prayer and consider signing this petition.