Latest poll on CNN
Should drugs be legalized so they can be taxed?
Yes - 59%
66410
No - 41%
45762
Total Votes: 112172
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Any thoughts on this?
Should drugs be legalized to produce a larger tax base? Is there a Scriptural bases for a yes or no answer?
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Sunday, March 29, 2009
How not to be remembered
Ex-Megachurch Pastor Earl Paulk Dies in Atlanta Hospital
ATLANTA — An evangelical pastor whose leadership of an Atlanta-area megachurch ended in a sex scandal has died.
Atlanta Medical Center said Archbishop Earl Paulk, who was in his 80s, died early Sunday. The hospital could not release a cause of death. Paulk had been in bad health for the past couple of years after a battle with cancer.
A phone listing for Paulk's family could not immediately be found.
Paulk co-founded the Cathedral at Chapel Hill in Decatur and helped grow it to a peak membership of about 10,000 in the early 1990s.
A lawsuit by a female employee sparked a chain of events that ended in Paulk pleading guilty in January 2008 to lying under oath by denying affairs with other women.
A paternity test revealed Paulk was the father of his nephew, who is now leader of the church.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
It is not my intention to speak ill of the dead but to point out how a Christian life is not to be lived.
Paulk was no stranger of being involved in sexually related scandals. Those scandals eventually led to the dismantling of his suburban Atlanta megachurch.
Compare Paulk to the Apolstle Paul who wrote in 2 Tim 4:6-8 (bolding mine); "For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing."
Paul wrote to young Timothy telling him in 1 Tim 6:11-13 to "But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness. Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses."
I believe, based on James 3:1, that the leaders of the church will receive a stricter judgment when they stand before the Lord.
How many people did Paulk become a stumbling block to?
How many people blasphemed the name of God because of the escapades of Paulk?
Pastors should be godly men who walk upright and justly before God and men. Paul gave good instructions for pastors in 1 Thess. 2:4-12 (bolding mine);
But as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, even so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God who tests our hearts. For neither at any time did we use flattering words, as you know, nor a cloak for covetousness—God is witness. Nor did we seek glory from men, either from you or from others, when we might have made demands as apostles of Christ. But we were gentle among you, just as a nursing mother cherishes her own children.
So, affectionately longing for you, we were well pleased to impart to you not only the gospel of God, but also our own lives, because you had become dear to us. For you remember, brethren, our labor and toil; for laboring night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, we preached to you the gospel of God. You are witnesses, and God also, how devoutly and justly and blamelessly we behaved ourselves among you who believe; as you know how we exhorted, and comforted, and charged every one of you, as a father does his own children, that you would walk worthy of God who calls you into His own kingdom and glory.
Paulk has given us an example on how not to live and end our lives.
The Apostle Paul has given us, through his own godly living and through the words of the Holy Spirit, an example and an exhortation on how to live and finish a godly life.
ATLANTA — An evangelical pastor whose leadership of an Atlanta-area megachurch ended in a sex scandal has died.
Atlanta Medical Center said Archbishop Earl Paulk, who was in his 80s, died early Sunday. The hospital could not release a cause of death. Paulk had been in bad health for the past couple of years after a battle with cancer.
A phone listing for Paulk's family could not immediately be found.
Paulk co-founded the Cathedral at Chapel Hill in Decatur and helped grow it to a peak membership of about 10,000 in the early 1990s.
A lawsuit by a female employee sparked a chain of events that ended in Paulk pleading guilty in January 2008 to lying under oath by denying affairs with other women.
A paternity test revealed Paulk was the father of his nephew, who is now leader of the church.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
It is not my intention to speak ill of the dead but to point out how a Christian life is not to be lived.
Paulk was no stranger of being involved in sexually related scandals. Those scandals eventually led to the dismantling of his suburban Atlanta megachurch.
Compare Paulk to the Apolstle Paul who wrote in 2 Tim 4:6-8 (bolding mine); "For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing."
Paul wrote to young Timothy telling him in 1 Tim 6:11-13 to "But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness. Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses."
I believe, based on James 3:1, that the leaders of the church will receive a stricter judgment when they stand before the Lord.
How many people did Paulk become a stumbling block to?
How many people blasphemed the name of God because of the escapades of Paulk?
Pastors should be godly men who walk upright and justly before God and men. Paul gave good instructions for pastors in 1 Thess. 2:4-12 (bolding mine);
But as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, even so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God who tests our hearts. For neither at any time did we use flattering words, as you know, nor a cloak for covetousness—God is witness. Nor did we seek glory from men, either from you or from others, when we might have made demands as apostles of Christ. But we were gentle among you, just as a nursing mother cherishes her own children.
So, affectionately longing for you, we were well pleased to impart to you not only the gospel of God, but also our own lives, because you had become dear to us. For you remember, brethren, our labor and toil; for laboring night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, we preached to you the gospel of God. You are witnesses, and God also, how devoutly and justly and blamelessly we behaved ourselves among you who believe; as you know how we exhorted, and comforted, and charged every one of you, as a father does his own children, that you would walk worthy of God who calls you into His own kingdom and glory.
Paulk has given us an example on how not to live and end our lives.
The Apostle Paul has given us, through his own godly living and through the words of the Holy Spirit, an example and an exhortation on how to live and finish a godly life.
Thursday, March 26, 2009
The Lord reigns!
(William S. Plumer, "The Rock of Our Salvation" 1867)
"The Lord reigns! He is robed in majesty!"
Psalm 93:1"The Lord reigns! Let the nations tremble!" Psalm 99:1
Jesus Christ is--
Lord,
Master,
Governor,
Ruler,
Shepherd,
Prince,
Prince and Savior,
the great Prince,
the Prince of Life,
the Prince of Peace,
the Prince of princes,
the Prince of the kings of the earth,
a King,
the King,
the King of kings and Lord of lords!
He is God over all, blessed forever!
Christ's kingdom is universal. It includes all worlds, all creatures, all causes. Nothing in heaven, nothing in earth--is outside of it. His saints praise Him. The angels adore Him. The devils are subject to Him. The king's heart is in His hands, and He turns it wherever He will. His kingdom rules over all.
His kingdom is supreme. Nothing can shake it. Worms cannot spit their venom so as to reach the stars in their course. Nor can puny mortals reach the person or the power of our glorious Immanuel.
Christ's kingdom is omnipotent. By His own divine efficiency He carries on His government. He upholds all things by His powerful word. He does His will in heaven and in earth. Not an empire rises or sinks,but by His will. Not a sparrow falls to the ground,without His notice. Every change on earth is by His providence. He gives no account of any of His matters.
His work on His people is mighty. He subdues them to Himself. He reigns as their Lord and Master. He chains their great adversary. He subdues their iniquities. He strips the world of its fatal fascinations. He makes them willing in the day of His power. He leads them into all necessary truth.
"Hallelujah! For the Lord our God, the Almighty, reigns!" Revelation 19:6
"The Lord reigns! He is robed in majesty!"
Psalm 93:1"The Lord reigns! Let the nations tremble!" Psalm 99:1
Jesus Christ is--
Lord,
Master,
Governor,
Ruler,
Shepherd,
Prince,
Prince and Savior,
the great Prince,
the Prince of Life,
the Prince of Peace,
the Prince of princes,
the Prince of the kings of the earth,
a King,
the King,
the King of kings and Lord of lords!
He is God over all, blessed forever!
Christ's kingdom is universal. It includes all worlds, all creatures, all causes. Nothing in heaven, nothing in earth--is outside of it. His saints praise Him. The angels adore Him. The devils are subject to Him. The king's heart is in His hands, and He turns it wherever He will. His kingdom rules over all.
His kingdom is supreme. Nothing can shake it. Worms cannot spit their venom so as to reach the stars in their course. Nor can puny mortals reach the person or the power of our glorious Immanuel.
Christ's kingdom is omnipotent. By His own divine efficiency He carries on His government. He upholds all things by His powerful word. He does His will in heaven and in earth. Not an empire rises or sinks,but by His will. Not a sparrow falls to the ground,without His notice. Every change on earth is by His providence. He gives no account of any of His matters.
His work on His people is mighty. He subdues them to Himself. He reigns as their Lord and Master. He chains their great adversary. He subdues their iniquities. He strips the world of its fatal fascinations. He makes them willing in the day of His power. He leads them into all necessary truth.
"Hallelujah! For the Lord our God, the Almighty, reigns!" Revelation 19:6
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Living their best life now -
On Feb. 25, 27-year old Hossein Karimi was released from prison after placing his home as collateral, according to Farsi Christian Network News (FCNN).
Hossein, a new convert, had been arrested on charges of attending home churches, evangelizing, storing Bibles and converting to the Christian faith, FCNN reported.
Hossein was arrested by Iranian secret police on Jan. 30 and was held for 27 days in an unknown location until his release. He’s now waiting for the courts to give him a scheduled date to appear to present his case.
Prior to this recent incident, Hossein was arrested in November 2008. According to FCNN, he was taken into custody, fingerprinted and photographed. He was then released after four days on bail with a consent that he would no longer participate in any Christian activities.
Praise God for Hossein’s faithfulness to the Lord and his release. The Voice of the Martyrs encourages you to pray for him. Ask God to protect him as the Iranian government will be watching him closely. Pray he will continue to stand for Christ.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Arrested on charges of attending home churches, evangelizing, storing Bibles and converting to the Christian faith..........
Christians are suffering and being persecuted throughout the world for simply living out their faith. Please take a moment today and pray for our persecuted brothers and sisters in Christ.
Hossein, a new convert, had been arrested on charges of attending home churches, evangelizing, storing Bibles and converting to the Christian faith, FCNN reported.
Hossein was arrested by Iranian secret police on Jan. 30 and was held for 27 days in an unknown location until his release. He’s now waiting for the courts to give him a scheduled date to appear to present his case.
Prior to this recent incident, Hossein was arrested in November 2008. According to FCNN, he was taken into custody, fingerprinted and photographed. He was then released after four days on bail with a consent that he would no longer participate in any Christian activities.
Praise God for Hossein’s faithfulness to the Lord and his release. The Voice of the Martyrs encourages you to pray for him. Ask God to protect him as the Iranian government will be watching him closely. Pray he will continue to stand for Christ.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Arrested on charges of attending home churches, evangelizing, storing Bibles and converting to the Christian faith..........
Christians are suffering and being persecuted throughout the world for simply living out their faith. Please take a moment today and pray for our persecuted brothers and sisters in Christ.
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
The Grand Object of the Eye of Faith
(Charles Spurgeon)
"We fix our eyes not on what is seen--but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal!" 2 Corinthians 4:18
In our Christian pilgrimage it is well, for the most part--to be looking forward. Forward lies the crown--and onward is the goal. Whether it is for hope, for joy, for consolation, or for the inspiring of our love--the future must, after all, be the grand object of the eye of faith!
Looking into the future--the Christian see sin cast out, the body of sin and death destroyed, the soul made perfect, and fit to be a partaker of eternal glory. Looking further yet, the believer's enlightened eye can see death's river passed. He sees himself . . .
enter within the pearly gates,
hailed as more than conqueror,
crowned by the hand of Christ,
embraced in the arms of Jesus,
glorified with Him, and made to sit together with Him on His throne!
Contemplation of my glorious future may well relieve, the darkness of the past, and the gloom of the present!
The joys of heaven will surely compensate for the sorrows of earth!
Hush, hush, my fears!
Death is but a narrow stream--and you shall soon have forded it!
Death--how brief! Immortality--how endless!
Time--how short! Eternity--how long!
The road is so, so short! I shall soon be there!
"In the future, there is reserved for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on that day; and not only to me--but to all those who have loved His appearing!" 2 Timothy 4:8
"We fix our eyes not on what is seen--but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal!" 2 Corinthians 4:18
In our Christian pilgrimage it is well, for the most part--to be looking forward. Forward lies the crown--and onward is the goal. Whether it is for hope, for joy, for consolation, or for the inspiring of our love--the future must, after all, be the grand object of the eye of faith!
Looking into the future--the Christian see sin cast out, the body of sin and death destroyed, the soul made perfect, and fit to be a partaker of eternal glory. Looking further yet, the believer's enlightened eye can see death's river passed. He sees himself . . .
enter within the pearly gates,
hailed as more than conqueror,
crowned by the hand of Christ,
embraced in the arms of Jesus,
glorified with Him, and made to sit together with Him on His throne!
Contemplation of my glorious future may well relieve, the darkness of the past, and the gloom of the present!
The joys of heaven will surely compensate for the sorrows of earth!
Hush, hush, my fears!
Death is but a narrow stream--and you shall soon have forded it!
Death--how brief! Immortality--how endless!
Time--how short! Eternity--how long!
The road is so, so short! I shall soon be there!
"In the future, there is reserved for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on that day; and not only to me--but to all those who have loved His appearing!" 2 Timothy 4:8
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Proposal to transplant organs of abortion victims
Conservatives: Proposal to Transplant Organs of Aborted Fetuses 'Horrifying'
LONDON – Christians and conservatives in the United Kingdom have reacted in horror to a suggestion by an Oxford professor, who said that the organs of aborted fetuses should be used in organ transplants for the seriously ill.
Sir Richard Gardner, a stem cell expert from Oxford University, said that using the organs of fetuses was a realistic way of solving the problem of a shortage of freely given organs. He also said that experiments on mice had shown that fetal kidneys grew very quickly when transplanted into adults.
“It is probably a more realistic technique in dealing with the shortage of kidney donors than others,” Gardner said of his proposal, according to The Daily Mail.
Using aborted fetuses “is something that could be done but it’s not something that’s talked about much,” he added. “It is at least a temporary solution.”
Christian groups have opposed the idea, however, describing it as immoral.
Dr. Peter Saunders of the Christian Medical Fellowship argued that unborn children deserved “protection, respect, wonder and empathy.”
Josephine Quintavalle from Comment On Reproductive Ethics (CORE), meanwhile, was quoted by The Daily Mail as saying, "At what stage do you say to the woman who is to have an abortion, ‘Can we have some organs for transplant?’”
She described the idea itself as “absolutely horrifying."
Currently there are 8,000 people in the United Kingdom waiting for organ donations, around 7,000 of which are waiting for kidneys. People waiting for kidneys have only a one in three chance of receiving a kidney during the year and hundreds are dying every year because of the shortage
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Well, well, well..........
I am going to post an I told you so.
In my post "The New Obama Nation", I chided Obama for the following statement:
"Promoting science isn't just about providing resources, it is also about protecting free and open inquiry," Obama said. "It is about letting scientists like those here today do their jobs, free from manipulation or coercion, and listening to what they tell us, even when it's inconvenient especially when it's inconvenient. It is about ensuring that scientific data is never distorted or concealed to serve a political agenda and that we make scientific decisions based on facts, not ideology."
I asked this in my post:
Shall we let scientist have a free reign on doing whatever they want "free from manipulation or coercion"? ..."even when it's inconvenient especially when it's inconvenient"?
I also asked:
If this is the mind of Obama then nothing is off limits is it?
How about these things for scientific study free from manipulation or coercion:
*Once a baby is aborted, science will harvest the organs and limbs to do research.
*Mentally ill people will be subject to 'life enhancement' research and testing.
*The elderly will be subject to 'life longevity' research and testing.
*Random selecting of individuals will begin this year for frontal lobotomy research.
*All new drugs will no longer be tested on animals but from random human population drawings.
*To better understand cancer cells, science will now start injecting cancerous cells into healthy babies drawn randomly.
What was the first one????
I was asked by Quasar in his response to the posting:
Hello Wayne. A few quick questions, if you don't mind: Do you have any reason for believing that the new American president has any intention of allowing such clearly immoral things to happen, besides the obvious reason of political bias due to perceived ideological dissimilarities?
Yes.....I do have reason to believe that this president could allow it...remember his words; "It is about letting scientists like those here today do their jobs, free from manipulation or coercion, and listening to what they tell us, even when it's inconvenient especially when it's inconvenient. It is about ensuring that scientific data is never distorted or concealed to serve a political agenda and that we make scientific decisions based on facts, not ideology."
Now granted this was an Oxford professor who made this statement in the United Kingdom, but can you see where we are headed?
Do you really think it is unreasonable that this could happen? Maybe not today......maybe not in a few years......but it will happen. People are desperate for cures for dying and will stop at nothing to gain a few extra years no matter what the perceived 'morals' are of that particular generation.
There is only one cure for death and His Name is Jesus Christ. Christ died on a hill called Calvary to pay for the Law you and I have broken; God's Commandments. The Scriptures say that God is not willing that any should perish but but that all should come to repentance.
The Bible says that if you repent of your sins and put your trust in Christ, He will save you from the wrath that is to come.
Please, do that today before it is too late.
LONDON – Christians and conservatives in the United Kingdom have reacted in horror to a suggestion by an Oxford professor, who said that the organs of aborted fetuses should be used in organ transplants for the seriously ill.
Sir Richard Gardner, a stem cell expert from Oxford University, said that using the organs of fetuses was a realistic way of solving the problem of a shortage of freely given organs. He also said that experiments on mice had shown that fetal kidneys grew very quickly when transplanted into adults.
“It is probably a more realistic technique in dealing with the shortage of kidney donors than others,” Gardner said of his proposal, according to The Daily Mail.
Using aborted fetuses “is something that could be done but it’s not something that’s talked about much,” he added. “It is at least a temporary solution.”
Christian groups have opposed the idea, however, describing it as immoral.
Dr. Peter Saunders of the Christian Medical Fellowship argued that unborn children deserved “protection, respect, wonder and empathy.”
Josephine Quintavalle from Comment On Reproductive Ethics (CORE), meanwhile, was quoted by The Daily Mail as saying, "At what stage do you say to the woman who is to have an abortion, ‘Can we have some organs for transplant?’”
She described the idea itself as “absolutely horrifying."
Currently there are 8,000 people in the United Kingdom waiting for organ donations, around 7,000 of which are waiting for kidneys. People waiting for kidneys have only a one in three chance of receiving a kidney during the year and hundreds are dying every year because of the shortage
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Well, well, well..........
I am going to post an I told you so.
In my post "The New Obama Nation", I chided Obama for the following statement:
"Promoting science isn't just about providing resources, it is also about protecting free and open inquiry," Obama said. "It is about letting scientists like those here today do their jobs, free from manipulation or coercion, and listening to what they tell us, even when it's inconvenient especially when it's inconvenient. It is about ensuring that scientific data is never distorted or concealed to serve a political agenda and that we make scientific decisions based on facts, not ideology."
I asked this in my post:
Shall we let scientist have a free reign on doing whatever they want "free from manipulation or coercion"? ..."even when it's inconvenient especially when it's inconvenient"?
I also asked:
If this is the mind of Obama then nothing is off limits is it?
How about these things for scientific study free from manipulation or coercion:
*Once a baby is aborted, science will harvest the organs and limbs to do research.
*Mentally ill people will be subject to 'life enhancement' research and testing.
*The elderly will be subject to 'life longevity' research and testing.
*Random selecting of individuals will begin this year for frontal lobotomy research.
*All new drugs will no longer be tested on animals but from random human population drawings.
*To better understand cancer cells, science will now start injecting cancerous cells into healthy babies drawn randomly.
What was the first one????
I was asked by Quasar in his response to the posting:
Hello Wayne. A few quick questions, if you don't mind: Do you have any reason for believing that the new American president has any intention of allowing such clearly immoral things to happen, besides the obvious reason of political bias due to perceived ideological dissimilarities?
Yes.....I do have reason to believe that this president could allow it...remember his words; "It is about letting scientists like those here today do their jobs, free from manipulation or coercion, and listening to what they tell us, even when it's inconvenient especially when it's inconvenient. It is about ensuring that scientific data is never distorted or concealed to serve a political agenda and that we make scientific decisions based on facts, not ideology."
Now granted this was an Oxford professor who made this statement in the United Kingdom, but can you see where we are headed?
Do you really think it is unreasonable that this could happen? Maybe not today......maybe not in a few years......but it will happen. People are desperate for cures for dying and will stop at nothing to gain a few extra years no matter what the perceived 'morals' are of that particular generation.
There is only one cure for death and His Name is Jesus Christ. Christ died on a hill called Calvary to pay for the Law you and I have broken; God's Commandments. The Scriptures say that God is not willing that any should perish but but that all should come to repentance.
The Bible says that if you repent of your sins and put your trust in Christ, He will save you from the wrath that is to come.
Please, do that today before it is too late.
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Would Jesus have the sinner die?
Would Jesus have the sinner die?
Why hangs He then on yonder tree?
What means that strange expiring cry?
(Sinners, He prays for you and me)
“Forgive them, Father, O forgive,
They know not that by Me they live,”
“They know not that by Me they live!”
Jesus descended from above,
Our loss of Eden to retrieve,
Great God of universal love,
If all the world through Thee may live,
In us a quickening Spirit be,
And witness Thou hast died for me,
And witness Thou hast died for me!
Thou loving, all-atoning Lamb,
Thee—by Thy painful agony,
Thy bloody sweat, Thy grief and shame,
Thy cross and passion on the tree,
Thy precious death and life—I pray,
Take all, take all my sins away,
Take all, take all my sins away!
O let me kiss Thy bleeding feet,
And bathe and wash them with my tears!
The story of Thy love repeat
In every drooping sinner’s ears,
That all may hear the quickening sound,
Since I, even I, have mercy found,
Since I, even I, have mercy found.
O let Thy love my heart constrain!
Thy love for every sinner free,
That every fallen soul of man
May taste the grace that found out me;
That all mankind with me may prove
Thy sovereign everlasting love,
Thy sovereign everlasting love.
Charles Wesley
Why hangs He then on yonder tree?
What means that strange expiring cry?
(Sinners, He prays for you and me)
“Forgive them, Father, O forgive,
They know not that by Me they live,”
“They know not that by Me they live!”
Jesus descended from above,
Our loss of Eden to retrieve,
Great God of universal love,
If all the world through Thee may live,
In us a quickening Spirit be,
And witness Thou hast died for me,
And witness Thou hast died for me!
Thou loving, all-atoning Lamb,
Thee—by Thy painful agony,
Thy bloody sweat, Thy grief and shame,
Thy cross and passion on the tree,
Thy precious death and life—I pray,
Take all, take all my sins away,
Take all, take all my sins away!
O let me kiss Thy bleeding feet,
And bathe and wash them with my tears!
The story of Thy love repeat
In every drooping sinner’s ears,
That all may hear the quickening sound,
Since I, even I, have mercy found,
Since I, even I, have mercy found.
O let Thy love my heart constrain!
Thy love for every sinner free,
That every fallen soul of man
May taste the grace that found out me;
That all mankind with me may prove
Thy sovereign everlasting love,
Thy sovereign everlasting love.
Charles Wesley
Monday, March 16, 2009
Slain pastor's wife: `I refuse to let Satan win'
MARYVILLE, Ill. The widow of a pastor killed in mid-sermon urged mourners to reject hate and to take comfort in their faith at his funeral Friday, in the church where he was gunned down five days earlier.
"On Sunday, my husband didn't die. He simply got a promotion," Cindy Winters said. She raised a hand to the sky as the "Movin' on Up" theme from "The Jeffersons" blared from the loudspeakers and the standing-room-only crowd rose to its feet at First Baptist Church in this St. Louis suburb.
Fred Winters was eulogized as a coupon-clipping brainiac who never forgot a name and a devoted family man whose love for basketball was outmatched by his passion for the Bible. The 45-year-old had a bachelor's degree, two master's degrees and a doctorate, but his wife joked, "I could never teach him how to fold laundry."
Winters' closed casket was just feet from where his life ended Sunday, when authorities say Terry Sedlacek, 27, entered the church with a .45-caliber Glock handgun and enough bullets to kill 30 people. Investigators say his eyes were fixed on the preacher as he walked down an aisle toward the altar.
The first shot clipped the Bible Winters was clutching, sending pieces of it spraying like confetti in what some of the 150 onlookers thought at first was a skit. After Sedlacek's gun jammed, police say, he pulled out a knife and wrestled with two congregants who subdued him. All three were wounded.
None of Friday's speakers mentioned Sedlacek by name, instead casting the slaying as the work of Satan and the forces of evil. The theme: Channel the grief into greater spirituality.
"Our vision and our purpose still remains the same," Cindy Winters told mourners, some of whom watched a video feed from a nearby gymnasium because the church was packed.
"You know what? I refuse to let Satan win," she continued. "I'm not going to hate. And I'm not going to survive this thing - I'm going to be a better person because of this thing."
Winters said her two young daughters told her, "I want everyone to come to know Jesus through this. I hope the man who did this learns to love Jesus."
She also quoted the children as saying that Sunday was not "death day" for their father, a reference to the phrase the alleged gunman wrote in his day planner. "It was celebration day, the best day of his life" because he reached heaven, they said.
Sedlacek was being held without bond in Madison County jail on charges of murder and armed criminal action after being transferred from St. Louis to Illinois on Friday afternoon. He had been hospitalized in St. Louis for treatment of self-inflicted stab wounds, then spent Thursday night in the St. Louis city jail.
"The reasons may not be fully understood until we get to glory and are reunited," said Tim Cowin, a pastor at St. Louis' Rock Hill Baptist Church. "I believe in all my heart that Pastor Fred died as a hero and as a martyr" - a hero for perhaps drawing the gunman's fire away from Sunday's crowd, martyr because he died in spiritual service.
Referring to what authorities said was Sedlacek's calm walk down the aisle before opening fire, the Rev. Bob Dickerson, a former minister at the church, told mourners: "I can't help but think the first thought Fred had just those moments before this terrible deed was ... here's somebody that can't wait to receive Jesus Christ and that's why he stepped out to greet him in those few moments."
"On Sunday, my husband didn't die. He simply got a promotion," Cindy Winters said. She raised a hand to the sky as the "Movin' on Up" theme from "The Jeffersons" blared from the loudspeakers and the standing-room-only crowd rose to its feet at First Baptist Church in this St. Louis suburb.
Fred Winters was eulogized as a coupon-clipping brainiac who never forgot a name and a devoted family man whose love for basketball was outmatched by his passion for the Bible. The 45-year-old had a bachelor's degree, two master's degrees and a doctorate, but his wife joked, "I could never teach him how to fold laundry."
Winters' closed casket was just feet from where his life ended Sunday, when authorities say Terry Sedlacek, 27, entered the church with a .45-caliber Glock handgun and enough bullets to kill 30 people. Investigators say his eyes were fixed on the preacher as he walked down an aisle toward the altar.
The first shot clipped the Bible Winters was clutching, sending pieces of it spraying like confetti in what some of the 150 onlookers thought at first was a skit. After Sedlacek's gun jammed, police say, he pulled out a knife and wrestled with two congregants who subdued him. All three were wounded.
None of Friday's speakers mentioned Sedlacek by name, instead casting the slaying as the work of Satan and the forces of evil. The theme: Channel the grief into greater spirituality.
"Our vision and our purpose still remains the same," Cindy Winters told mourners, some of whom watched a video feed from a nearby gymnasium because the church was packed.
"You know what? I refuse to let Satan win," she continued. "I'm not going to hate. And I'm not going to survive this thing - I'm going to be a better person because of this thing."
Winters said her two young daughters told her, "I want everyone to come to know Jesus through this. I hope the man who did this learns to love Jesus."
She also quoted the children as saying that Sunday was not "death day" for their father, a reference to the phrase the alleged gunman wrote in his day planner. "It was celebration day, the best day of his life" because he reached heaven, they said.
Sedlacek was being held without bond in Madison County jail on charges of murder and armed criminal action after being transferred from St. Louis to Illinois on Friday afternoon. He had been hospitalized in St. Louis for treatment of self-inflicted stab wounds, then spent Thursday night in the St. Louis city jail.
"The reasons may not be fully understood until we get to glory and are reunited," said Tim Cowin, a pastor at St. Louis' Rock Hill Baptist Church. "I believe in all my heart that Pastor Fred died as a hero and as a martyr" - a hero for perhaps drawing the gunman's fire away from Sunday's crowd, martyr because he died in spiritual service.
Referring to what authorities said was Sedlacek's calm walk down the aisle before opening fire, the Rev. Bob Dickerson, a former minister at the church, told mourners: "I can't help but think the first thought Fred had just those moments before this terrible deed was ... here's somebody that can't wait to receive Jesus Christ and that's why he stepped out to greet him in those few moments."
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Quote of the day -
Many pastors criticize me for taking the Gospel so seriously. But do they really think that on Judgment Day, Christ will chastise me, saying, 'Leonard, you took Me too seriously?
Leonard Ravenhill -
Leonard Ravenhill -
Living their best life now
Since October, three Christians imprisoned for their faith have died in Eritrean military prisons, according to Compass Direct News.
Mehari Gebreneguse Asgedom died on Jan. 16 from torture and diabetes while in solitary confinement at the Mitire Military Confinement Center. Asgedom's death followed the revelation in January that another Christian died in the same prison, Compass reports. Mogos Hagos Kiflom was said to have died as a result of torture he endured for refusing to recant his faith, but the exact date of his death was unknown.
In October, Teklesenbet Gebreab Kiflom died while imprisoned for his faith at the Wi'a Military Confinement Center. He reportedly died after prison commanders refused to give him medical attention for malaria.
These latest deaths reflect the Eritrean government's harsh treatment of believers. The Eritrean government targets Christians, often placing them in metal containers that are extremely hot during the day and cold during the night. Nearly 1,800 Eritrean Christians are believed to be under arrest because of their religious beliefs, held in police stations, military camps and prisons in 12 known locations across Eritrea. It is believed more than 28 clergymen are being held.
Jailed Christians are routinely subjected to physical beatings and severe psychological pressure to deny their religious beliefs. Police and military authorities continue to demand the prisoners return to one of the three "official" Christian denominations recognized by the government. But even the legally recognized denominations — the nation's historic Orthodox, Catholic and Lutheran churches — have come under government disfavor in recent years, incurring threats and even jailing by security police officials.
The Voice of the Martyrs provides assistance and encouragement to persecuted believers in Eritrea. VOM supports the families of martyred believers through our Families of Martyrs fund. VOM encourages you to pray for Christians in Eritrea. Pray for the families of the deceased believers Ask God to encourage other Christians suffering for Christ's sake in Eritrean prisons.
Mehari Gebreneguse Asgedom died on Jan. 16 from torture and diabetes while in solitary confinement at the Mitire Military Confinement Center. Asgedom's death followed the revelation in January that another Christian died in the same prison, Compass reports. Mogos Hagos Kiflom was said to have died as a result of torture he endured for refusing to recant his faith, but the exact date of his death was unknown.
In October, Teklesenbet Gebreab Kiflom died while imprisoned for his faith at the Wi'a Military Confinement Center. He reportedly died after prison commanders refused to give him medical attention for malaria.
These latest deaths reflect the Eritrean government's harsh treatment of believers. The Eritrean government targets Christians, often placing them in metal containers that are extremely hot during the day and cold during the night. Nearly 1,800 Eritrean Christians are believed to be under arrest because of their religious beliefs, held in police stations, military camps and prisons in 12 known locations across Eritrea. It is believed more than 28 clergymen are being held.
Jailed Christians are routinely subjected to physical beatings and severe psychological pressure to deny their religious beliefs. Police and military authorities continue to demand the prisoners return to one of the three "official" Christian denominations recognized by the government. But even the legally recognized denominations — the nation's historic Orthodox, Catholic and Lutheran churches — have come under government disfavor in recent years, incurring threats and even jailing by security police officials.
The Voice of the Martyrs provides assistance and encouragement to persecuted believers in Eritrea. VOM supports the families of martyred believers through our Families of Martyrs fund. VOM encourages you to pray for Christians in Eritrea. Pray for the families of the deceased believers Ask God to encourage other Christians suffering for Christ's sake in Eritrean prisons.
Better than Hell-deserving sinners
(Arthur Pink, "A Legal Spirit" 1942)
Though the Gospel is exactly suited to the dire need of fallen man--yet it is far from being suited to his proud heart! It calls upon him to "Behold the Lamb of God"--but in order to do so--he must look away from Himself. That is, he must renounce himself, deny himself, repudiate all "imagined goodness" in himself--and this is something which he is very far from being willing to comply with. The Gospel is a revelation of pure grace, of sovereign mercy, unmerited favor--offering to enrich spiritual paupers, to clothe the spiritually naked, to save Hell-deserving sinners--but that is something the self-righteous and independent heart of fallen man cannot tolerate!
Being completely under the dominion of the Devil--fallen man is puffed up with pride. Instead of humbling himself beneath the mighty hand of God, and confessing his ruined condition--he foolishly imagines that he cannot only do that which will meet with God's approval--but actually make God his Debtor, so that justice requires God to reward him for his excellent performances. He refuses to acknowledge that he is a fallen, depraved, lost sinner, "without strength," and without a spark of spiritual life. He refuses to acknowledge that he is utterly incapable of recovering himself, of bettering himself, of doing anything which can meet with the approval of a holy and sin-hating God.
Thus, the unsaved are so deceived by their own hearts and so deluded by Satan--that it is impossible to disillusion them--until a miracle of grace is wrought within them!
But even Christians themselves, have the 'root of legality' still left within them, and are to a greater or less degree, infected with a self-righteous spirit to the end of their days! Though a Divine work of grace has been wrought in them, enabling them to see, feel and know they are depraved, polluted and vile creatures--causing them to close with Christ as He is presented to them in the Gospel, and cast themselves upon Him as their only Hope, their Deliverer, their all-sufficient Savior--pride still works within them, and as it does, they are ready to give heed to some of Satan's lies--and imagine that they are now in themselves something more, something better than Hell-deserving sinners!
This 'root of legality' is constantly bringing forth its foul and poisonous fruit, though for the most part--we are quite unaware of its so subtle and secret activities. Whenever we are pleased with ourselves and our religious performances --a legal spirit is at work within us. Whenever we are less conscious of our deep need of Christ--pride is to that extent, possessing our hearts. Whenever we feel that God, in His providences, is dealing severely with us--a self-righteous spirit possesses us, and we are guilty of this sin. This is sure proof that we think more highly of ourselves, than we ought to think.
Though the Gospel is exactly suited to the dire need of fallen man--yet it is far from being suited to his proud heart! It calls upon him to "Behold the Lamb of God"--but in order to do so--he must look away from Himself. That is, he must renounce himself, deny himself, repudiate all "imagined goodness" in himself--and this is something which he is very far from being willing to comply with. The Gospel is a revelation of pure grace, of sovereign mercy, unmerited favor--offering to enrich spiritual paupers, to clothe the spiritually naked, to save Hell-deserving sinners--but that is something the self-righteous and independent heart of fallen man cannot tolerate!
Being completely under the dominion of the Devil--fallen man is puffed up with pride. Instead of humbling himself beneath the mighty hand of God, and confessing his ruined condition--he foolishly imagines that he cannot only do that which will meet with God's approval--but actually make God his Debtor, so that justice requires God to reward him for his excellent performances. He refuses to acknowledge that he is a fallen, depraved, lost sinner, "without strength," and without a spark of spiritual life. He refuses to acknowledge that he is utterly incapable of recovering himself, of bettering himself, of doing anything which can meet with the approval of a holy and sin-hating God.
Thus, the unsaved are so deceived by their own hearts and so deluded by Satan--that it is impossible to disillusion them--until a miracle of grace is wrought within them!
But even Christians themselves, have the 'root of legality' still left within them, and are to a greater or less degree, infected with a self-righteous spirit to the end of their days! Though a Divine work of grace has been wrought in them, enabling them to see, feel and know they are depraved, polluted and vile creatures--causing them to close with Christ as He is presented to them in the Gospel, and cast themselves upon Him as their only Hope, their Deliverer, their all-sufficient Savior--pride still works within them, and as it does, they are ready to give heed to some of Satan's lies--and imagine that they are now in themselves something more, something better than Hell-deserving sinners!
This 'root of legality' is constantly bringing forth its foul and poisonous fruit, though for the most part--we are quite unaware of its so subtle and secret activities. Whenever we are pleased with ourselves and our religious performances --a legal spirit is at work within us. Whenever we are less conscious of our deep need of Christ--pride is to that extent, possessing our hearts. Whenever we feel that God, in His providences, is dealing severely with us--a self-righteous spirit possesses us, and we are guilty of this sin. This is sure proof that we think more highly of ourselves, than we ought to think.
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
The New Obama Nation
Obama Overturns Bush Policy on Stem Cells
WASHINGTON – Reversing Bush policy, President Barack Obama on Monday cleared the way for a significant increase in federal dollars for embryonic stem cell research and promised no scientific data will be "distorted or concealed to serve a political agenda."
Obama signed the executive order on the divisive stem cell issue and a memo addressing what he called scientific integrity before an East Room audience packed with scientists. He laced his remarks with several jabs at the way science was handled by former President George W. Bush.
"Promoting science isn't just about providing resources, it is also about protecting free and open inquiry," Obama said. "It is about letting scientists like those here today do their jobs, free from manipulation or coercion, and listening to what they tell us, even when it's inconvenient especially when it's inconvenient. It is about ensuring that scientific data is never distorted or concealed to serve a political agenda and that we make scientific decisions based on facts, not ideology."
Let's read that statement again from Obama shall we... ..."It is about letting scientists like those here today do their jobs, free from manipulation or coercion, and listening to what they tell us, even when it's inconvenient especially when it's inconvenient. It is about ensuring that scientific data is never distorted or concealed to serve a political agenda and that we make scientific decisions based on facts, not ideology."
Shall we let scientist have a free reign on doing whatever they want "free from manipulation or coercion"? ..."even when it's inconvenient especially when it's inconvenient"?
If this is the mind of Obama then nothing is off limits is it?
How about these things for scientific study free from manipulation or coercion:
*Once a baby is aborted, science will harvest the organs and limbs to do research.
*Mentally ill people will be subject to 'life enhancement' research and testing.
*The elderly will be subject to 'life longevity' research and testing.
*Random selecting of individuals will begin this year for frontal lobotomy research.
*All new drugs will no longer be tested on animals but from random human population drawings.
*To better understand cancer cells, science will now start injecting cancerous cells into healthy babies drawn randomly.
In doing these things, we can assure the people that scientific data is never distorted or concealed to serve a political agenda and that we are making scientific decisions based on facts, not ideology.
Romans 1:18-23
For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools, and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man—and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things.
WASHINGTON – Reversing Bush policy, President Barack Obama on Monday cleared the way for a significant increase in federal dollars for embryonic stem cell research and promised no scientific data will be "distorted or concealed to serve a political agenda."
Obama signed the executive order on the divisive stem cell issue and a memo addressing what he called scientific integrity before an East Room audience packed with scientists. He laced his remarks with several jabs at the way science was handled by former President George W. Bush.
"Promoting science isn't just about providing resources, it is also about protecting free and open inquiry," Obama said. "It is about letting scientists like those here today do their jobs, free from manipulation or coercion, and listening to what they tell us, even when it's inconvenient especially when it's inconvenient. It is about ensuring that scientific data is never distorted or concealed to serve a political agenda and that we make scientific decisions based on facts, not ideology."
Let's read that statement again from Obama shall we... ..."It is about letting scientists like those here today do their jobs, free from manipulation or coercion, and listening to what they tell us, even when it's inconvenient especially when it's inconvenient. It is about ensuring that scientific data is never distorted or concealed to serve a political agenda and that we make scientific decisions based on facts, not ideology."
Shall we let scientist have a free reign on doing whatever they want "free from manipulation or coercion"? ..."even when it's inconvenient especially when it's inconvenient"?
If this is the mind of Obama then nothing is off limits is it?
How about these things for scientific study free from manipulation or coercion:
*Once a baby is aborted, science will harvest the organs and limbs to do research.
*Mentally ill people will be subject to 'life enhancement' research and testing.
*The elderly will be subject to 'life longevity' research and testing.
*Random selecting of individuals will begin this year for frontal lobotomy research.
*All new drugs will no longer be tested on animals but from random human population drawings.
*To better understand cancer cells, science will now start injecting cancerous cells into healthy babies drawn randomly.
In doing these things, we can assure the people that scientific data is never distorted or concealed to serve a political agenda and that we are making scientific decisions based on facts, not ideology.
Romans 1:18-23
For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools, and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man—and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things.
Monday, March 09, 2009
Your Goliath lust
(Thomas Watson, "Christ All in All")
"Be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might." Ephesians 6:10
When you are to resist a temptation, or to mortify a corruption--do not go out in your own strength, but in the strength of Christ.
Some go out to duty in the strength of their abilities; and go out against sin in the strength of their resolutions--and they both come home foiled. Alas! What are our resolutions, but like the green cords which bound Samson! A sinful heart will soon break these!
Do as David when he was to go up against Goliath. He said, "I come to you in the name of the Lord!" So say to your Goliath lust, "I come to you in the name of Christ!" Then we conquer, when the Lion of the tribe of Judah marches before us!
"Be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might." Ephesians 6:10
When you are to resist a temptation, or to mortify a corruption--do not go out in your own strength, but in the strength of Christ.
Some go out to duty in the strength of their abilities; and go out against sin in the strength of their resolutions--and they both come home foiled. Alas! What are our resolutions, but like the green cords which bound Samson! A sinful heart will soon break these!
Do as David when he was to go up against Goliath. He said, "I come to you in the name of the Lord!" So say to your Goliath lust, "I come to you in the name of Christ!" Then we conquer, when the Lion of the tribe of Judah marches before us!
Wednesday, March 04, 2009
The biblical flood account
The biblical flood -
Is there any evidence for a biblical flood?
Was the biblical flood only a local event? (Did the flood look like the picture above?)
Could a forty day and forty night rain with "fountains of the great deep" breaking open cause a global flood?
Where did all the water go after the flood?
Why was there a flood to begin with?
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I'll be honest with the readers of this blog; I take the Bible by faith.
That doesn't mean that I won't engage in debates, listen to evidence from opposing viewpoints, and have a little fun with biblical apologetics but, in the end, it comes down to my faith in God and His Word.
We all have the same facts about what happened here on Earth in the distant past. What is in question is the interpretation of those facts.
So, any takers on the questions above?
Tuesday, March 03, 2009
Unbelief
From my friend over at Food for the Soul
Deuteronomy 4:24 Luke 16:31
Many people say that if God were to show Himself to them, they would believe in Him. The Jewish people are evidence that an unbeliever would not believe in God if He showed Himself to them. The Jews saw the Red Sea parted. They saw miraculous signs when Jesus was here on Earth, they even saw His resurrection, and they had the scriptures from Moses and the Prophets. They saw all those acts of God and God made His existence very obvious, yet they still don't believe to this day. They have the scriptures and they still don't believe that Jesus was the Messiah even though it was prophesied. Luke 16:31
If God were to show Himself to an unrepentant sinner, God would kill them on the spot because He is so Good that He cannot let anything defiled into His presence. A dried leaf has contrasting characteristics with fire, the fire must consume the leaf because it is in its nature to consume objects with contrasting characteristics. Sinners and God are the same way. Deuteronomy 4:24
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This is so true - I witnessed to a fellow co-worker a few years back. He finally told me that unless God Himself wrote in the sky, "John, it's me...God", he would never believe that there was a God.
I told him that even if that did happen he would not believe it was God. John looked at me with a startled look and said why not? I told him that even if God not only wrote to him in the sky and announced it with a loud shout that he would still not believe and would pass it off as UFO's and aliens that were trying to get his attention.
You know what he said to me?
"Yep, you are probably right; I probably still wouldn't believe it was God."
Deuteronomy 4:24 Luke 16:31
Many people say that if God were to show Himself to them, they would believe in Him. The Jewish people are evidence that an unbeliever would not believe in God if He showed Himself to them. The Jews saw the Red Sea parted. They saw miraculous signs when Jesus was here on Earth, they even saw His resurrection, and they had the scriptures from Moses and the Prophets. They saw all those acts of God and God made His existence very obvious, yet they still don't believe to this day. They have the scriptures and they still don't believe that Jesus was the Messiah even though it was prophesied. Luke 16:31
If God were to show Himself to an unrepentant sinner, God would kill them on the spot because He is so Good that He cannot let anything defiled into His presence. A dried leaf has contrasting characteristics with fire, the fire must consume the leaf because it is in its nature to consume objects with contrasting characteristics. Sinners and God are the same way. Deuteronomy 4:24
---------------------------------------------------------------------
This is so true - I witnessed to a fellow co-worker a few years back. He finally told me that unless God Himself wrote in the sky, "John, it's me...God", he would never believe that there was a God.
I told him that even if that did happen he would not believe it was God. John looked at me with a startled look and said why not? I told him that even if God not only wrote to him in the sky and announced it with a loud shout that he would still not believe and would pass it off as UFO's and aliens that were trying to get his attention.
You know what he said to me?
"Yep, you are probably right; I probably still wouldn't believe it was God."
Monday, March 02, 2009
Are you hungry?
from Spurgeon's sermon, "BREAD FOR THE HUNGRY"
We should come to hear the Word, like baby birds in the nest--when the mother-bird comes with the worm, they are all stretching their necks to see which one shall get the food, for they are all hungry and want it.
And so should hearers be ready to get hold of the Word,not wanting that we should force it down their throats, but waiting there, opening their mouths wide that they may be filled,receiving the Word in the love of it, taking in the Word as the thirsty earth drinks in the rain of heaven.
Hungry souls love the Word.
Perhaps the 'speaker' may not always put it as they may like to hear it, but as long as it is God's Word, it is enough for them.
They are like people who are sitting at the reading of a will--the lawyer may have a squeaking voice, perhaps, or he mispronounces the words, but what does that matter?They are listening to see what is left to them.
So is it with God's people. It is not the preacher,but the 'preacher's God' that these hungry ones look to.
Why, if you were very poor, and some benevolent neighbor should send you a loaf of bread by a man who had a club foot,you would not look at the foot, you would look at the bread.
And so is it with the hearers of the Word-- they know if they wait until they get a perfect preacher, they will get no preacher at all, but they are willing to take the man, imperfections and all,provided he brings the Master's bread.
And though he be but a lad, and can bring but a few barley loaves and fishes, yet since the Master multiplies the provision,there is enough for all, and they feed to the full.
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