Missional Living

A new word has popped up in our theological vocabulary: missional. Some have claimed this was an invention of the emergent church and is associated with conformity to culture and liberal theology; however, the word missional was coined by Baptist theologian Elmer Towns years ago. What it means is living like a missionary where you are. Missional is an attitude that we are on mission for Christ whether we are going to a foreign country or going across the street. I think this is the kind of attitude that we need as our country takes on a new look and adopts a new culture. Let's face it the country that we grew up with is totally different than what it is today; even the culture has shifted to a post-christian world view, although remarkably 85% of people polled still claim Christianity. As missionaries to our culture, we need to adapt and be flexible in our approaches without compromising the truth of God's Word and the Gospel message. The missional person, family, church will look for new ways to reach people, will be constantly taking on the new norms while adopting the new culture. It sounds impossible but it is not. Missionaries have been doing it for years. "Being in the world but not of the world." When you get out today, think of yourself as a missionary in a foreign land, then see how God can use you as you live missionally.

Why I own an assult rifle.

The tragedy and senseless violence that occurred in Aurora last week has renewed the anti-gun argument. Sen. Dianne Feinstein reiterated the position of an assault rifle ban on Fox News. She asks, "Why should we have military style weapons available to citizens?" She makes the point that assault weapons are not for hunting. Such weapons with multi-round magazines certainly make it easier to do greater damage in the hands of a mad man. These arguments sound sane during a tragedy like this. But I would have you consider: why should we blame the gun instead of the sinful human who used it. Sunday in Texas 23 people were packed into a truck both in the crew cab and bed. It went off the road crashing and killing 14 people and injuring 9. Do we blame the Ford truck? Do we call for a ban on trucks? Our constitution tells us we have the right "to keep and bear arms". The founders were not talking about hunting. They were talking about the citizens right to defend their freedoms, their families, their property and their country. It is the final check in a check and balance system. I have an assault rifle. I keep it well oiled and with several magazines at the ready. I enjoy shooting it, but target shooting is not the reason I own it. I enjoy collecting firearms, but collecting is not the reason I own it. I own it in the case of an emergency. If some disaster happens and there is looting and rioting, my assault rifle is my weapon of choice to defend my family, friends and property. If, God forbid, there was ever a civil war or uprising, my assault rifle is at the ready for the protection of family, friends and property. I hope I never have to use it for such purposes but it is far better that I should have it and not need it than to need it and not have it. The guy who shot those people in the movie theater is a villain. There are villains all around this world doing evil things. The response should not be the control of firearms but the control of self. We need a renewed morality in our country that is based on the Bible. Teaching young people to esteem others better than themselves. This would be a far better remedy for violence than taking away our freedoms.

Okay so you all know those Chuck Norris jokes ie.- When Chuck Norris does a pushup, he doesn't push himself up, he pushes the world down. There's hundreds of them and they are funny. But on a serious note, all of them point to the fact that Chuck Norris is a really impressive guy: six time world karate champion, movie star, television star, author and political adviser. I say all this to share a new Norrisism: Why are all other churches inferior to the Baptists? You got it, Chuck Norris is a Baptist, (my apologies to all the other denominations). Rode to Ruidoso today to help with a food, and clothing drive for all those who lost their homes in the Little Bear Fire. Rode up with the Son's of God MC and were accompanied by three other motorcycle clubs and met another when we got there. The fire was devastating with over 224 homes burned and over 36,000 acres of forest burned. It was great to be a part of the relief effort. Members of our church have already been there with the Southern Baptist Disaster Relief and my son, Jeremy, spent two weeks there with the Army National Guard. It had been a while since I rode with that large a group of bikers. It is pretty fun and sometimes hair-raising to be flying down the highway two-a-breast a couple bike lengths back from one another going ** mph. I'm sure it is the same kind of feeling skydivers get. Well, while I was off chasing the wind (and rain) deacons at our church discovered a huge water leek that flooded the sanctuary. They had to call a cleaning service and there will be no worship in that part of the building tomorrow. In fact we canceled the Saturday night service and the early Sunday morning service and will just have one service in the fellowship hall. Unfortunately, I won't even be there, I am preaching at a friends church in Albuquerque, so our youth pastor will be running the show. However, being in Ruidoso today kept it in perspective. God is good and this too shall pass.

Okay so Mitt Romney seems to be the Republican nominee. What to do? Hopefully he will choose an Evangelical conservative running mate and I can cast my vote for them. If not... well God is in control, Amen. This may sound like a cop out but God really is sovereign. Look at what King Nebuchadnezzar says of God: "For His dominion is an everlasting dominion. And His kingdom is from generation to generation. All the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing; He does according to His will in the army of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth. No one can restrain His hand or say to Him, 'what have You done?" Amen!

Presidential Primary Elections

Okay, so Michele Bachmann is out and Rick Perry is out. What is a social conservative to do? At this point I'm shifting my support to Rick Santorum. Not that my support means much, but I probably represent a lot of voters who are pro America, pro life, pro 2nd amendment, pro Christianity and pro Israel. Newt Gingrich is extremely intelligent when it comes to history, politics, foreign policy but he has a lot of personal baggage; however, he freely talks about how Christ has changed his life and is repentant; therefore, he will be my next choice should Santorum drop out. As for Mitt Romny...he is nothing more than Obama Jr.. Please Republicans don't run Romny or many of us will be disenfranchised and wont vote.

Presidential Primary Elections

I am personally endorsing Michele Bachmann for president http://michelebachmann.com.
She has the same values, concerns and faith that I do. If she can handle all those foster kids she had, she ought to be able to handle the brats in congress.

If Mitt Romney wins the primary, I will sit the election out as I feel there would be no difference between Mitt Romney and Barack Hussein Obama. God help us!

Marriage

what a blessing to be able to perform the marriage ceremony for my son Josh and his lovely bride Lucy. Soli Deo Gloria!