Both Feet

Okay, if you are reading this and you have a Bible handy, open it to John 3:16 and put your finger on the passage. Is your finger on the passage? Now, let me tell you the problem with Christianity in America; many would say it is because Christians have one foot in the world and one foot in the church, but the truth is that most Christians have both feet in the world and one finger on John 3:16. The attitude is: I can live however I want because I know John 3:16. Now don't get me wrong, I believe in the doctrines of grace; I believe in Justification by faith (alone), but I'm afraid many people hold onto an antinomian "cheap grace" that diminishes the Biblical gospel. I've done funerals for people who lived like hell, never went to church a day after they turned 13, but everybody says,"praise God they got saved at camp when they were 12". They might be sorely mistaken. When speaking of false prophets, Jesus said, "you shall know them by their fruits...even so every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit." (Mathew 7:16a-17). I think we can apply Jesus' words not only to prophets but to self proclaimed Christians as well. Bonhoeffer said, "when Christ calls a man, he bids him come and die", and "no one can say they are saved by grace alone unless they have left all to follow Christ". These quotes put the proper perspective upon the importance of trusting Christ with everything not just with one finger. We need to get our feet out of the world and put our whole selves into Christ and His gospel. " But the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God".(1 Cor. 1:18). Just as you can't take the bloodied cross out of the gospel, you can't take godly sorrow, repentance and good works away from faith for without them you don't have a true gospel nor a true faith.
(PS I can't take all the credit for the "finger on John 3:16" illustration- my lovely and godly wife came up with that)

What in the world is going on?

What in the world is going on? This isn't just a book by David Jeremiah (one of my favorite preachers) but it is a question a lot of people are asking today. We live in some crazy times, and as I watch the news and read news publications things seem a bit surreal. There is so much going on with our government, it is hard to keep track of, but there are pieces coming together of a large and complicated puzzle. I don't think anyone should doubt our president's intent of change... the change being socialism. Despite the "tin-foil-hat" image being portrayed of all the conspiracy theorists out there, many things are now seeming as plausible realities. Case in point, our academies,universities and governments are full of "ivory tower liberals" who believe that the world cannot sustain its current population growth. In a speech before the Texas Academy of Science Dr. Eric R. Planka advocated a 90% population reduction; his method of choice the airborne Ebola virus, but he also liked things such as the bird-flu. It is scary to think there are nuts out there like this; it is even scarier to think they hold positions of power. Unfortunately even our own president is putting people with similar views into positions within the administration. Yet still there are people who choose to deny the facts; who want to view the current president as a smart, intelligent, nice guy with our best interests at heart. Wake up and smell the roses all his buddies are radicals; bottom line, beware of any mandatory swine flu vaccines.

Now let me take off my "tin-foil hat with the antenna and the propeller," and tell every one what is happening at FBC Socorro. We have a lot going on lately. We are about to finish a remodeling project of the fellowship hall and kitchen; it looks great and the people have worked extremely hard. We have a big group of kids going to the Lives Ablaze Student Conference at Glorieta this weekend. Awanas is going to start up soon, and I am preaching through the book of Nehemiah. God is good!

I do recommend David Jeremiah's book to all. Another compelling book for all you church leaders that are out there is Vintage Church by Mark Driscol. An interesting, but theologically inept, thriller is the Doomsday Key don't remember the author's name but it came out not too long ago. It has a lot of twists and was a fun read, and the plot is similar to what Dr. Planka was addressing at the Academy of Science. So put on your "tin-foil hats" when you read it, and if you don't have one, call me, I have plenty to go around.

Is there a Post?

Wow, it has been a long time since I posted. Why has there not been a post? I've been busier than a one legged man in a jumping contest (that is not exactly how the phrase goes, but it is more PC for this blog). President Obama has been doing all the things that I had predicted, the Southern Baptist Convention is promoting a new manifesto, and the Republicans can't find their face with both hands (another saying that has been changed for this blog). Well as you can see, I am rambling on, I suppose because I hadn't blogged in a while; I felt like I should say something. That may be the problem with preachers, sometimes it is better to say nothing as one of the decons in my church puts it, "you don't need to tell all you know." Good advice.

Inaguration Day

Rick Warren did a fine job with his prayer- in the Name of Jesus! He called us to higher standards of respect and civility, and he reminded all, especially the new president and the Washington power players, that we will stand one day before God. Amen, brother Rick!

Obama's speech raised a few red flags with me like when he mentioned a religious syncritism that sounded very one-worldish. Many may wonder why Christians get so uneasy concerning a one world philosophy. It is because the Bible speaks of a time where there will be a one world government with a one world religion and a one world currency that is from the Antichrist the one world leader and the power of the Dragon that is Satan (Rev. 13). We seem to be on a roller coaster ride toward that time. Christians need to get busy sharing the gospel like never before.

The end of Obama's speech was fantastic. He is a great speaker and the words were well crafted. I believe the ending will be as memorable as John F. Kenedy's inaguration speech, maybe not in the wording itself but certainly in the hope it inspired.

We shall find out a great deal about this new leader when he actually does something. But for now we can all bask in the pagentry and patriotism an inaguration brings.

Bush says goodbye

In a tearful address to staff, President George Bush said goodbye. His presidency was marked by serveral monumental events. Through it all, he held to his convictions. Though many opposed the war in Iraq, getting rid of Saddam Hussain was a good thing. I believe his most notable deeds, though, were on the war against aids in Africa. Africa has had no better Presidential friend than Bush. Also under Bush and his Supream Court appointments, constitutional conservatives have had two great victories, one- the partial-birth abortion ban, and two- the overturning of the D.C. handgun ban.

Now that the liberals are in control of both the executive and legislative branches of government I'm afraid of what is going to happen. Here are some things I am worried about coming to pass under the new administration:
1. a weakening of America's defenses.
2. appointment of liberal judges.
3. overturning of the partial-birth abortion ban, and more federal funding of abortion.
4. gun bans starting with a new assult rife ban and moving to ammunition bans and eventually handgun bans and registration of all firearms.
5. a federal law legalizing homosexual marriage.
6. a widening of hate-crime laws to prevent ministers from preaching what the Bible teaches concerning homosexuality.
7. reinstituting the "fairness doctrine" in order to eliminate conservitave talk radio.
8. federal takeover of the internet.
9. represive enviornmental restrictions that will put many out of business, and a broadening federal take over of big business.
10. a restrictive treaty with the EU and Arab League.
11. a pull back from support of Israel.

that names a few... there are many others, but these are the ones that come to mind first and ones I believe we could easily see in the next four to eight years. God help us!

The Antichrist

The antichrist is a term (often loosly) used to suggest a world ruler who would be the antithesis to the Christian Jesus. Many have been accused of being the antichrist from Nero to Hitler, Kissenger to Gorbachev. I John 2:18 states that the Antichrist is coming and already many antichrists have come. Antichrist means "in the place of" and "against" the Christ. The Apostle John points out that there is a future culmination of all that is antichrist in one person the Antichrist, but that already antichrists have appeared and are types of the future manifestation. What do we know about this coming Antichrist? The Bible gives us many clues:
1. He will be the leader of a revived Roman Empire (Dan. 9:26b, Rev. 13:1-10, Dan. 7:23-25).
2. He will be a gentile (Rev. 13:1 "sea" refers to the countries around the Mediterainian, the Sea of the Gentiles).
3. He may be a homosexual (Dan. 11:37).
4. He will make a peace treaty with Israel and allow the rebuilding of the temple but will break the treaty and desecrate the temple after three and a half years ( Dan. 9:27).
5. He will call himself god and make people worship him (2 Thess. 2:4, Rev. 13:8).

TO BE CONTINUED...

Demon Hunter Live!

If listening to Christian Rock is a vice, as many believe, it is one vice I have. I grew up playing guitar and listening to Rock and Roll. I played in a rock band from 1982-1985 called Bounty Hunter. I love music of all types. The first Christian rock concert I went to was Ressurection Band. I was awestruck that these godly people could make music with a message that was relavent to my culture. So, I have never been one to say that certain kinds of music were demonic and others were not. You can find demonic, evil music in any style- just listen to Wagner.

About a year ago, I discovered a band called Demon Hunter. I loved the name and thair logo- a demon skull with a bullit hole in the center of it. Their music was evocative, a mix of melodic rock and thrash metal. I have to admit I became a fan. Last night they were in Albuquerque so I dragged my two older boys and a professor from the local university with me to their concert. I was delighted with the performance, not only delighted but blessed. It is great to see Christians taking on the culture without compromise of the Christian message.

Here is a sample quote from Undying by Demon Hunter:

Tearing through these days I find the tolerance to strive and push on
I know what lies beyond this life for me is already won
No one can take away the blood that covers over my fall
Without the blood of perfect life I know I’m nothing at all
So now I reign forever hallowed in eternity’s hand
No man can shake me from the everlasting ground that I stand
Undying!