What's next?

James Emery White, a Crosswalk writer, wrote an article entitled "The Next, Next Church." He observes a pattern in many church congregations that Christians keep looking for that next exciting event. His comments to this trend are quite thought provoking. I think sometimes we all fall into this pattern and forget the present. We live for the next event, instead of focusing on what is going on now. Take a look at this article and see what you think!

"The iPhone is so last month. Which means, writes Adam Bryant in the New York Times, that “it’s been downgraded from the next big thing to merely new.” And these days, “new can seem so yesterday. What matters is what’s next.” Bryant then notes how “next” is the go-to buzzword of our day. There is “Next” the movie, released this spring with Nicolas Cage as a man who can see two minutes into the future. Newsweek’s annual “Who’s Next” issue, intended to run against Time’s Person of the Year issue, prompted Time to start a regular “What’s Next” feature of its own. "

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Wal-Mart to Sell Biblical Action Figures in Some Stores

Well, I'm not sure what to think about this one. It's a good idea if you want to avoid the everyday action figures as most are quite weird. While Walmart begins this test of selling Bible based action figures (Daniel, Jesus, and Samson- probably not the best role model for kids, but makes for an exciting action figure), I'm sure that someone will be "offended" by this and sue Walmart for their bias to Christianity. Anything else is allowed practically, but if it hints of God, it should be banned or cast out of the stores.

"Wal-Mart said Tuesday it will test sales in some stores of biblical action figures whose makers say they are aimed at Christian parents who prefer their children play with Samson, David or Noah rather than with a comic book character or Bratz doll.

Wal-Mart Stores Inc. (WMT) spokeswoman Melissa O'Brien said the toys made by One2believe, a Valencia, Calif., company, will be offered in 425 of Wal-Mart's 3,376 discount stores and Supercenters."

Jerry Falwell is in heaven tonight.

As many of you have probably heard, Dr. Falwell is in heaven tonight. Many years ago, our church had Dr. Falwell come and speak. I was not there, in fact, I don't think I was even born yet. While some may disagree with his views, he definitely left a legacy that will last for years to come. I think it would be wise of us to learn from some of his accomplishments and his failures. Many of the great men of God are passing from the scene, and there are gaps forming in the line.

Who will stand in the gap?

"And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it: but I found none."

Ezekiel 22:30

"Falwell was found without a pulse in his office at Liberty University and pronounced dead at a hospital an hour later. Dr. Carl Moore, Falwell's physician, said he had a heart condition and presumably died of a heart rhythm abnormality.

Driven into politics by the 1973 Supreme Court ruling that established the right to an abortion, Falwell founded the Moral Majority in 1979. One of the conservative lobbying group's greatest triumphs came just a year later, when Ronald Reagan was elected president..."

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H.R. 1592 could limited what we preach.

Sometime next week, the US House of Representatives could be voted on a bill that could have a huge effect on Christians and other faith based groups.The Bible clearly calls homosexuality an abomination to the Lord. (Leviticus 18:22) If a law likes this passes, it could very well mean that our liberty to preach what we believe we be a crime. I firmly believe that it is high time that Christians take a stand against bills like this. People with an non-biblical agenda continue everyday to take down Christianity and we, pastors, must stand in the gap and encourage our people to do the same.

Here is a portion of an email that I received from American Family Association about H.R. 1592. This will help clarify what could happen with a bill like this in place.

"And not only does H.R. 1592 violate the concept of equal protection under the law by granting more government protection to certain classes of people, it is a clear overreach of federal power – allowing the federal government to intervene in local and state affairs.

But even more chilling is the fact that H.R. 1592 paves the way to religious persecution – with “hate crimes” laws inevitably leading to “hate speech” laws targeted specifically at Christians and other faith groups who hold traditional beliefs on homosexuality.

Already this has happened in Canada, Sweden, Belgium, France, Spain, Ireland, Scotland, England, and New Zealand. Even here in the United States in Philadelphia, Christians have been arrested and jailed under a state “hate crimes” law.

Let’s face it: homosexual and transgender activists know full well that the church is one of last bastions in Western culture that has yet to cave in to the demands of a radical agenda that seeks to redefine fundamental concepts such as marriage, family and gender."

Scary, isn't it? I cannot imagine being told what I can or cannot teach a congregation or my youth group. For what it is worth, you would do well to sign up with American Family Association as they can keep you well informed of bills like this one.

Other Christian news agencies have also picked up on this. Crosswalk News has written an article about it and I've included a portion of it below.

"(CNSNews.com) - The House Judiciary Committee passed a "hate crimes" bill Wednesday night, all 23 Democrats in favor, all 17 Republicans opposed. Every Republican attempt to amend the bill was defeated. Critics call it a "thought crimes" bill.

The Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 2007 (H.R. 1592) would expand the federal definition of hate crimes to include violence against a person because of his or her "actual or perceived" sexual orientation or "gender identity."

Under the bill, people who attack others out of "hatred" for their race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or disability would be committing a federal offense."

The bottom line is will you help and take a stand or will you stand aside and let the enemy take over? Call your House of Representative today and let them know how you feel about this bill!

The day they kicked God out of the schools. Part 2

After mentioning that video about the day they kicked God out of the schools, I came across this article about mass shootings. The article is entitled "Mass Shootings More Common Since 1960s". Of course, guns are partly to blame, but why is it that people do not see the connection to the removal of prayer in public schools in the early 1960s? Most likely, these people purposely over look this connection because they do not want to recognize the truth. Obviously, it has been the constant attempts by people to remove God from everything over the years. Take some time and read this article thoroughly.

"NEW YORK (AP) - Mass public shootings have become such a part of American life in recent decades that the most dramatic of them can be evoked from the nation's collective memory in a word or two: Luby's. Jonesboro. Columbine.

And now, Virginia Tech.

Since Aug. 1, 1966, when Charles Whitman climbed a 27-story tower on the University of Texas campus and started picking people off, at least 100 Americans have gone on shooting sprees.

And all through those years, the same questions have been asked: What is it about modern-day America that provokes such random violence? Is it the decline of traditional morals? The depiction of violence in entertainment? The ready availability of lethal firepower?"

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The day they kicked God out of the schools.

Here is a stirring video that I came across and was mentioned to me by the American Family Association. It talks about the impact of God being kicked out of schools and what we have allowed to happen in our nation. I do sincerely believe that if Christians do not take a stand for the faith, that we will find ourselves being persecuted more then we are now and our nation drifting further into apostasy. Watch the video and see what you think.

Remembering the Virginia Tech victims.

I think it is important for us to know about the people who lost their lives on that horrible day. It drives me mad that some people think it is acceptable to make the killer immortal by posting his media packet. What we should be focused on is the victims, their families, and their friends, not the killer. The New York Times has published a article doing just that and I wanted to make you all aware of this article.

"Brian Bluhm, 25, was a graduate student in civil engineering at Virginia Tech who was working toward a master’s degree in water resources. He considered Blacksburg, Va., his hometown, but he was really from all over. He was born in Iowa and went to high school in Louisville, Ky. He spent his childhood in Detroit, where he became a rabid Tigers fan.

His next stop, friends say, was Maryland.

Mr. Bluhm was set to finish his courses and defend his master’s thesis early this summer, and he had already accepted a job in Baltimore and found an apartment there, said his best friend, Michael Marshall, 25, of Richmond. He said Mr. Bluhm had planned to start his new job in July."

Source: Digg

The "Christian" Blogosphere

One of my favorite Christian newspapers is the Sword of the Lord which publishes sermons, editorials, and other articles. It helps keep the fire stirred up. In one of its recent articles, the editor, Dr. Shelton Smith, discusses the impact of blogs on the Christian community. I find it amazing that Christians will blog their ungodly views about a business, church, school, or whatever to the extreme that some do. I guess being Christ-like goes out the door when they blog.
This is a really good read and I believe it will do you well to read it. It should help us consider what we blog, write, or say as we will be held accountable for it. Here is a a portion of that article:

"When Christians speak, orally or in print, there ought to be a note of integrity struck with every syllable spoken. Whether it be in the pulpit, on radio or television, the pastor’s paragraphs in Sunday’s bulletin, the editor’s column in this newspaper, or on an Internet blog, there should be (because we are Christians) a full commitment to scriptural values and views.

Since we’ve had pulpits, newspapers and Sunday bulletins a long time, we seem to have an idea about how to handle them in a way that is governed by the principles we all hold dear. Unfortunately, that is often not the case with the blogs.

In recent times, the Internet has come along. With it has come this phenomenon called “blogging.” A blog is a site where anyone with a computer can express his views openly and easily. Those blogs are then available for everyone with a computer to view. So far, so good! But now there’s a problem!

Some Christians have set up their own blog, or they post their thoughts on someone else’s site. Very quickly they can sign on and start giving the world the benefit of their thinking. They can express themselves positively or negatively about whatever comes to mind and about whomever they please."

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Prayers for the students, faculty, and their families at Virginia Tech

Days like today are ones we all wish never happened. The vicious taking of lives of those Virginia Tech students is hard and difficult to comprehend. People's lives have been changed forever and will not ever be the same. I do hope that you have taken the time to pray for those affected by this tragedy and if you are a pastor or a church member in that area, I pray that you find a way to reach those young college students that have so many questions about this awful event in their lives. We as Christians have an awesome responsibility to help and serve those around us to weep with those who weep, to lift up the fallen, to encourage the weary. May the Lord find us faithful in doing exactly that.

"But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer, to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear."

1 Peter 3:15

Boys only church

If this doesn't take all, a church in Florida has decided to start its "men-only" church. It's been labeled 'Church for Men'. If this isn't pleasing the crowd or really tickling their ears, I don't know what is.

"Florida 'Church for Men' Features Rock Band, One-Hour In-and-Out Guarantee

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. —
No hymnals. No pews. No steeple. No stained glass windows. And no women.

This ain't your grandma's church.

Organizers of the Church For Men say that guys are "bored stiff" in many churches today.

The Church For Men meets one Saturday evening a month, drawing about 70 guys dressed in everything but straight-laced shirts and neckties. The service features a rock band, a shot clock to time the preacher's message and a one-hour in-and-out guarantee.

The church is part of a national movement to reverse what many Christian pastors and ministers are calling a troubling trend.

Studies show that men are less likely than women to show up on Sunday mornings, and the reaction has been an emerging testosterone theology of sorts. Churches nationwide are now reaching out to men."

A shot clock? A one hour in and out guarantee? It seems like it's a place that makes you like good person just because you attended church?! If this is a national movement, I think that Christianity will suffer from this kind of "Burger King" church. You know, have it your way. Overall, they seem to have done a great job in making sure that this "church" doesn't resemble a church at all. No steeple. No hymnals. No pews. No stained glass windows. Unbelievable. It's really a shame that a church has to changed and adapted to what the world wants rather then bringing the world to Jesus Christ.


Source: Fox News

High-tech churches

Theology meets technology at high-tech churches one of the latest news articles to focus on churches that employ technology into their services. While I don't agree with all the comments in the article, nor do I feel that technology is more important then the preaching of the Word of God, I do see technology as a tool that we can use to minister in our churches and be a help to our people. Uploading sermons, Bible studies you've done, outlines ,etc. on your website can be a help to folks and other pastors, missionaries as well. It's a definite must for churches to have at least a website covering their ministries. As for adding tech into services, that's up to the pastor how much and how far. I definitely think recorded messages is a must as many folks will ask for a sermon to pass onto friends and family.
I've posted part of the article for your reading pleasure!

"Spreading the gospel has gone high tech as more churches are incorporating technology into their worship service.

At Riverbend Church in West Austin, services combine preaching and production. The church has technical team for sound and lighting and a webmaster who uploads sermons to the Internet."

Tolerance yes! To Christianity? NO!

I'm amazed that with all this cry for tolerance in society it seems that God, Jesus, the Bible, and Christianity, is not to be tolerated whatsoever. Honestly, I'm not so amazed. Every since the church began on the day of Pentecost, the church and early Christians then were persecuted. Why would today or anytime after that be any different?
Here is the latest article I've found in news, specifically the Washington Times, regarding Christians being persecuted. This time it is happening on a college campus of where you'd think that free speech would prevail. The Washington Times article itself is entitled "It's called 'free speech'."

"Georgia Tech is perilously close to deserving the "anti-Christian" label some detractors are now throwing at it. A speech code and an Orwellian "free speech zone" have been used to prevent Christian students from voicing dissent on homosexuality. A judge threw out the code and the zone. Brochures from the school's "Safe Space" program have declared certain biblical interpretations on homosexuality to be wrong, comparable to slavery apologias. All this has landed the school in court. Within the next several weeks, we hope, the judge will send the remainder of the school's repugnant policy the way of its code and zone."

Here is some good news in regards to Public schools

According to Yahoo! News, Georgia is getting close to introducing Bible classes in Georgia Public schools next year. The article states that it would be considered a literature class and I'm sure there will be many who will attempt to knock down and discredit the Bible in these classes. I'm also sure that the ACLU will be sending their lawyers over to help those who oppose these classes.

How ironic that it's always God, Jesus, the Bible, prayer, and Christians that people seem to dislike and yet those same people preach and teach tolerance. Something isn't right with this picture.

"ATLANTA - Georgia is poised to introduce two literature classes on the Bible in public schools next year, a move some critics say would make the state the first to take an explicit stance endorsing — and funding — biblical teachings.

The Bible already is incorporated into some classes in Georgia and other states, but some critics say the board's move, which makes the Bible the classes' main text, treads into dangerous turf."

Source: Digg

Scientists Discover Subterranean 'Ocean' Under Eastern Asia

FOXNews.com is reporting that scientists have discovered a underground ocean in Eastern Asia. I couldn't help but think of the Genesis Flood when I read this as the Bible refers to the "fountains of the great deep broken up". I wondered if this underground ocean is part of those fountains the Bible mentioned in Genesis 7. Makes for an interesting read.

"In the six hundredth year of Noah’s life, in the second month, the seventeenth day of the month, the same day were all the fountains of the great deep broken up, and the windows of heaven were opened. And the rain was upon the earth forty days and forty nights."

Genesis 7:11-12

Another attack on Christianity: Jesus wasn't resurrected.

As is common with Christianity, folks constantly attack it. We, Christians, know this is to be expected. For many centuries, Satan has attempted to discredit God's Word and foil God's plan. Satan tried this in the Garden of Eden and it didn't work. Despite knowing his very end, Satan continues to try and foil the will of God. While no man or devil can do this, some people are once again attempting to foil the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

James Cameron, a Hollywood movie director/producer(yes, I know what you are thinking), and his director, Simcha Jacobovici, are claiming that they have found Jesus' coffin and 9 other coffins that are part of Jesus' family. They say they can prove this through "DNA tests, archaeological evidence and Biblical studies." How they can figure out the DNA was Jesus' is beyond me? How could a poor carpenter family afford stone caskets for their family is once again puzzling? How they say Biblical studies has further confirmed their findings is also quite amusing. Not sure what Bible they are reading or referring to, but my King James Bible says Jesus died, was buried and rose again the third day. It later speaks of His accession into heaven. So, it stands to reason that much- OK all of this is hogwash. That said, we as Christians must realize that people will attack this way and it shouldn't shake our faith, but rather strengthen it.

"This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth."

1 Timothy 3:1-7

Source: Time Blog and Drudge Report

Just what the world needs: A world-wide lottery

Don't know how many of you feel about state lotteries, but I wouldn't mind seeing them gone forever. I do not believe for one moment that they help education or anything thing else. Their negatives far out weigh their positives. Here's a clip about the push for a world-wide lottery.

"A "world lottery draw" with a possible £250 million jackpot could be available within five years.

The proposed game forms the centrepiece of Camelot's submission for the next lottery licence, while its rival bidder is pledging better terms for corner shops and other retailers.
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Dianne Thompson, Camelot's chief executive, unveiled plans yesterday for the "biggest lottery on earth" as she pitched for a third successive licence. So far 48 countries have expressed an interest.

Under the proposal, "up to 100 millionaires" will be created every month, with one annual game that could bag a winner up to £250 million."

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Another reason Christians need to take a stand.

In Ephesians 6:13, Paul writes, "Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand." I believe that some Christians are not doing their part in the "good fight". They have chosen the road of comfortable Christianity and a philosophy of let's-just-get-along.

The Bible tells me that "Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution." It inevitable that serving the Lord will be an irritant to others and we cannot allow ourselves to put the armor down. We must continue the "good fight".

The reason I ranted is because I feel many Christians could do more to fight the "good fight". There is a battle going on right now in the state of Washington that all Christians, not the ones living in Washington, but everywhere should take a stand against. Other battles like this happen a lot in our nation and when they do I hope you do stand and encourage those around you to do the same.

"LYMPIA, Wash. - An initiative filed by proponents of same-sex marriage would require heterosexual couples to have kids within three years or else have their marriage annulled.

Initiative 957 was filed last month by Washington Defense of Marriage Alliance. That group was formed last summer after the state supreme court upheld Washington's ban on same-sex marriage.

Under the measure, marriage would be limited to men and women who are able to have children. Couples would be required to prove they can have children in order to get a marriage license, and if they did not have children within three years, their marriage would be subject to annulment.

All other marriages would be defined as "unrecognized" and people in those marriages would be ineligible to receive any marriage benefits."

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Christian Palm Addicts Forum

Sammy over at Palm Addict has setup a thread for Christian Palm Addicts to discuss Palm/Treo programs and Palm/Treo other tips and tricks. There has been some good discussion already in the thread. If you haven't visited the Palm Addict forums, I'd highly recommend it as you'll find a friendly atmosphere and one devoid of the usually forum discussions.

Jungle secrets: 52 new species found in Borneo's 'Lost World'

I love reading articles like this one. God has created amazing creatures and even today we still are finding new species. The jungles of the world hold many secrets to be sure. It always amazes me how people still believe in evolution over creation. When you find new creations like these that have amazing characteristics, why do people believe that they evolved? Why can't they see that God had a unique plan for that creature and that is way they would created that way. Here's a portion of the article that I read about the new species found.

"More than 50 new species of animals and plants that have never been seen before have been discovered in a 'Lost World' on the island of Borneo in just 18 months, say scientists.
Among them are two tree frogs, a whole range of plants and trees and 30 brand new types of fish including a tiny one less than a centimetre long and a catfish with an adhesive belly that allows it to stick to rocks. "

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From Fox News: Russian Teen Sues School Over Teaching of Evolution

How interesting is this? I think its important that we remember to pray for other Christians through out the world that are taking a stand for God and His Word.

"Maria Shreiber sued the St. Petersburg city education committee, claiming the 10th-grade biology textbook used at the Cervantes Gymnasium was offensive to believers and that teachers should offer an alternative to Darwin's famous theory.

"The biology textbook generally refers to religion and the existence of God in a negative way. It infringes on believers' rights," she said in comments carried by Russian television stations."

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