Thursday, October 13, 2011
Outside the Walls
The words of Jesus in Matthew 11:6 - "Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me.”
This past weekend, our family visited a rather large church in Atlanta, the nation's 2nd largest, as a matter of fact. And, after hearing Andy Stanley preach, I can see why he is a very in-demand speaker with a tremendous following. I even said after the message, "that one will end up on In Touch one day."
Andy was addressing how to respond when God seems inattentive, and he used as an example John the Baptist. John, from prison, sent messengers to Jesus, asking, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?” Now, that's odd, because this was the cousin of Jesus, the one who had introduced Jesus as the Lamb of God, who took away the sings of the world. But, John had been imprisoned by King Herod, and perhaps in his isolation and because of the fact that Jesus had not come to release him, he was exhibiting a bit of vulnerability in his faith. Jesus then said, in verse 4 of Matthew 11: “Go back and report to John what you hear and see: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor."
Andy Stanley said when God seems inattentive: 1) Look back and remember what God has done in the past, and 2) Look outside your circumstances and reflect. Jesus told John the Baptist's messengers that God was working - in a mighty way...the activity of God was continuing to take place, even though he could not see it.
Jesus delivered those words: "Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me.” In other words, He reminded John - and us - that even though we don't necessarily see how God is at work, or how, we can continue to trust in Him, and not stumble. When it seems as if God is inattentive to us, it's helpful to know that our personal circumstances do not necessarily coincide with how God feels about us. God's love for us was expressed on the cross - and that love never changes. God may seem inattentive, but we can continue trust that He's still at work.
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
Are You Ready for Some Free Speech?
Jesus said in Matthew 12:37 that "37 For [a]by your words you will be justified, and [b]by your words you will be condemned.”
Have you ever said something that you wish you could take back? I have to admit, when you speak hundreds of words a day to an audience on the radio, I have had numerous times, in the process of self-examination, when I wish I hadn't said something or want to say it in a different way. And, I think a great rule of thumb for all of us, as representatives of Christ, is to think before we speak and quickly take stock on whether or not what we're about to say will bring honor and glory to Him.
There's quite a controversy that has emerged resulting from some words spoken by country legend Hank Williams, Jr. - on "Fox and Friends", he used an analogy that President Obama playing golf with House Speaker John Boehner was like Hitler playing golf with Benjamin Netanyahu. The point is well-taken - they are political polar opposites, but perhaps that is not the best way to say it. Williams' opening song for Monday Night Football on ESPN was subsequently pulled and he has now unrepentantly released a song containing criticism for "Fox and Friends" and ESPN. Sure, he was exercising free speech, and I think that pulling his song was not the right decision for ESPN - it has brought attention to the network that it probably didn't want. And, if the analogy had been say, former President Bush and someone like John Kerry or Al Gore being likened to the two aforementioned figures, I wonder what the ESPN position would have been.
Welcome to the world of political correctness!
But Williams was an ambassador, in a sense, of ESPN, and as a private sector corporation, they have a right to exercise some control over those associated with them. Sure, he has free speech rights, but those rights extend to the public square, but not necessarily the world of commerce.
Now, while I believe we have a constitutionally protected right of free speech, as Christians, we have to be careful that our "freedom of speech" doesn't become a stumbling block. The apostle Paul drew a distinction between lawfulness and profitability - in other words, we might have the freedom to say or do something, that doesn't mean it's the best thing, and doesn't mean that it's God's will for us to do it. That's why we have the Holy Spirit, to guide our actions and to provide the power to control the tongue. I think of the words of James, where he cautions believers to be quick to listen and SLOW TO SPEAK! Words spoken can have permanent effects, and that is why, as ambassadors for Christ, we have a high standard regarding the words we speak, and the Lord will direct our tongues as we surrender to His leadership.
Have you ever said something that you wish you could take back? I have to admit, when you speak hundreds of words a day to an audience on the radio, I have had numerous times, in the process of self-examination, when I wish I hadn't said something or want to say it in a different way. And, I think a great rule of thumb for all of us, as representatives of Christ, is to think before we speak and quickly take stock on whether or not what we're about to say will bring honor and glory to Him.
There's quite a controversy that has emerged resulting from some words spoken by country legend Hank Williams, Jr. - on "Fox and Friends", he used an analogy that President Obama playing golf with House Speaker John Boehner was like Hitler playing golf with Benjamin Netanyahu. The point is well-taken - they are political polar opposites, but perhaps that is not the best way to say it. Williams' opening song for Monday Night Football on ESPN was subsequently pulled and he has now unrepentantly released a song containing criticism for "Fox and Friends" and ESPN. Sure, he was exercising free speech, and I think that pulling his song was not the right decision for ESPN - it has brought attention to the network that it probably didn't want. And, if the analogy had been say, former President Bush and someone like John Kerry or Al Gore being likened to the two aforementioned figures, I wonder what the ESPN position would have been.
Welcome to the world of political correctness!
But Williams was an ambassador, in a sense, of ESPN, and as a private sector corporation, they have a right to exercise some control over those associated with them. Sure, he has free speech rights, but those rights extend to the public square, but not necessarily the world of commerce.
Now, while I believe we have a constitutionally protected right of free speech, as Christians, we have to be careful that our "freedom of speech" doesn't become a stumbling block. The apostle Paul drew a distinction between lawfulness and profitability - in other words, we might have the freedom to say or do something, that doesn't mean it's the best thing, and doesn't mean that it's God's will for us to do it. That's why we have the Holy Spirit, to guide our actions and to provide the power to control the tongue. I think of the words of James, where he cautions believers to be quick to listen and SLOW TO SPEAK! Words spoken can have permanent effects, and that is why, as ambassadors for Christ, we have a high standard regarding the words we speak, and the Lord will direct our tongues as we surrender to His leadership.
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
Put Me In, Coach
It’s said that when a team is not living up to expectations, that the most popular member of the team is the second-string quarterback. And, when you’re the Denver Broncos and you’re losing, your backup quarterback is a folk hero and a college football legend – well, it makes the plot all the more interesting. Yes, the admirable, unflappable Tim Tebow has been warming the bench in Denver, waiting for an opportunity. When starter Kyle Orton flopped during the first half Sunday against San Diego, coach John Fox played the Tebow card in the second half and the former Gator led his team to a second-half comeback, almost defeating the Chargers.
Fox is still non-committal on whether or not he’ll start Tebow in the Broncos’ next game, in Florida one week from Sunday against Miami. The fans have made their choice known, chanting “Tebow! Tebow!” as his final pass that would have given the Broncos the victory fell incomplete in the end zone.
As ESPN attempts to put Hank Williams, Jr. in the rear-view mirror, Tebow talk has become a major item from the world of sports…and a source of inspiration for us.
God is faithful, and He is the one who determines the call for our lives – we may want to do something for God, and that desire may be God-inspired, but He is the One who will bring it to pass in His perfect timing. In the meantime, we are instructed to be faithful, growing in the grace and knowledge of God, and when there is an opportunity for Him to use us, we will be ready – in fact, He may not open doors until we are ready.
Monday, October 10, 2011
October 10, 2011 - Columbus and His Calling
This is the day set aside to commemorate the landing in 1492 of Columbus in the West Indies, the New World, and while Columbus didn’t exactly discover America, there are some compelling facts that we can think upon this day:
Columbus wrote in his Book of Prophecies, "It was the Lord who put into my mind--I could feel His hand upon me--the fact that it would be possible to sail from here to the Indies . . . All who heard of my project rejected it with laughter, ridiculing me . . . There is no question that the inspiration was from the Holy Spirit, because he comforted me with rays of marvelous illumination from the Holy Scriptures . . . For the execution of the journey to the Indies I did not make use of intelligence, mathematics, or maps. It is simply the fulfillment of what Isaiah had prophesied ..."
I used to think that referred to where Isaiah spoke of the world as the “circle of the earth”… and some have surmised that the purpose of his journey to prove the earth was round – but that had been done centuries before – Columbus was inspired by the writings of Isaiah, and was determined to take the gospel to the ends of the earth.
He personalized passages from Isaiah, such as: "Listen O isles, unto me; and hearken, ye people, from far; The Lord hath called me from the womb; unto the end of the earth." (Is 49:1,6)
His name meant Christ-bearer, and while his interaction with the people he found in this hemisphere was less than perfect, there was a Christian motivation behind his actions. He named the place where he had landed San Salvador, which means “Holy Savior”, and upon its dedication, prayed:
O Lord, Almighty and everlasting God, by Thy holy Word Thou hast created the heaven, and the earth, and the sea; blessed and glorified be Thy Name, and praised be Thy Majesty, which hath designed to use us, Thy humble servants, that Thy holy Names may be proclaimed in this second part of the earth.
A great question for us today as we celebrate discovery – what does God want us to discover about Him today? Isaiah 55 is a great challenge for us:
Have we become complacent in our knowledge of God – are we seeking or standing still?6 Seek the LORD while he may be found;
call on him while he is near.
7 Let the wicked forsake their ways
and the unrighteous their thoughts.
Let them turn to the LORD, and he will have mercy on them,
and to our God, for he will freely pardon.
Friday, September 2, 2011
September 2, 2011 - Embracing Biblical Truth
New survey shows that 10 years after 9-11, we need to embrace Biblical truth
Are you familiar with this phrase? "We often suffer, but we are never crushed. Even when we don't know what to do, we never give up."
In a new survey, 63 percent of U.S. adults incorrectly attributed that Bible verse from 2nd Corinthians 4:8 about overcoming suffering and hardships to civil rights activist Martin Luther King Jr., former President George W. Bush or comic book hero Captain America rather than the Bible. Martin Luther King Jr. received the highest percentage of attributions.
The survey was conducted online by Harris Interactive on behalf of American Bible Society to coincide with the tenth anniversary of the attacks of Sept. 11 and the release of The Freedom Bible also found that:
The Society is based in New York City and responded to the families of the victims and the first responders. In the aftermath of the tragedy, God's word, delivered by His people, provided hope and truth. Morin also said, "Sept. 11 forced us as individuals and as a nation to choose between being prisoner of the trauma of that terrible day or finding the hope and freedom to move forward...For thousands of Americans, the comfort offered through the Bible allowed them to choose freedom."
Press release from American Bible Society
Are you familiar with this phrase? "We often suffer, but we are never crushed. Even when we don't know what to do, we never give up."
In a new survey, 63 percent of U.S. adults incorrectly attributed that Bible verse from 2nd Corinthians 4:8 about overcoming suffering and hardships to civil rights activist Martin Luther King Jr., former President George W. Bush or comic book hero Captain America rather than the Bible. Martin Luther King Jr. received the highest percentage of attributions.
The survey was conducted online by Harris Interactive on behalf of American Bible Society to coincide with the tenth anniversary of the attacks of Sept. 11 and the release of The Freedom Bible also found that:
Despite significant security measures taken since Sept. 11, only 9 percent of Americans feel safer today than they did prior to Sept. 11. Thirty-six percent felt safer prior to the attacks of Sept. 11 than they do today.
Only 4 percent of Americans rely most on professional counseling to help deal with trauma. Four times as many (16 percent) rely most on the Bible.
Despite living in a predominantly Christian nation, 82 percent of Americans who have dealt with trauma rely most on sources other than the Bible to cope, including 6 percent of whom say they do not rely on anything.Geof Morin, the American Bible Society's chief communications officer, says, "Though 10 years have passed since the attacks on the U.S., many of us vividly recall the images and emotions of that day...In the aftermath of 9/11, we at American Bible Society saw firsthand the power of the Bible to help people deal with unfathomable trauma."
The Society is based in New York City and responded to the families of the victims and the first responders. In the aftermath of the tragedy, God's word, delivered by His people, provided hope and truth. Morin also said, "Sept. 11 forced us as individuals and as a nation to choose between being prisoner of the trauma of that terrible day or finding the hope and freedom to move forward...For thousands of Americans, the comfort offered through the Bible allowed them to choose freedom."
Press release from American Bible Society
Thursday, September 1, 2011
September 1, 2011
Komen for the Cure donates $$ to Planned Parenthood
They claim to be an organization that help provide resources to fight breast cancer. So, why are affiliates of the Komen for the Cure Foundation giving money to Planned Parenthood, the nation's largest abortion provider?
Well, the Komen organization apparently thinks that Planned Parenthood is doing enough to fight breast cancer and perform women's services that it is overlooking the harm that it does to women and their pre-born children. Remember the Congressional fight over funding Planned Parenthood with taxpayer dollars? Leaders such as Harry Reid were claiming that defunding the organization would deprive women of badly needed services. Well, as Live Action exposed in a round of phone calls, Planned Parenthood doesn't even do mammograms...and these vital services can be obtained elsewhere.
And there is certainly evidence of incompatibility between the Komen message and that of Planned Parenthood- Abortion is described as "a known risk factor" for breast cancer.
Here is a report from the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention.
According to the article:
They claim to be an organization that help provide resources to fight breast cancer. So, why are affiliates of the Komen for the Cure Foundation giving money to Planned Parenthood, the nation's largest abortion provider?
Well, the Komen organization apparently thinks that Planned Parenthood is doing enough to fight breast cancer and perform women's services that it is overlooking the harm that it does to women and their pre-born children. Remember the Congressional fight over funding Planned Parenthood with taxpayer dollars? Leaders such as Harry Reid were claiming that defunding the organization would deprive women of badly needed services. Well, as Live Action exposed in a round of phone calls, Planned Parenthood doesn't even do mammograms...and these vital services can be obtained elsewhere.
And there is certainly evidence of incompatibility between the Komen message and that of Planned Parenthood- Abortion is described as "a known risk factor" for breast cancer.
Here is a report from the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention.
According to the article:
Eighteen of the more than 120 Komen affiliates in the United States contributed more than $569,000 to Planned Parenthood affiliates in the United States during 2009-10, according to a report released Aug. 24 by American Life League (ALL), a Virginia-based, pro-life organization. ALL staff confirmed the grants by examining Komen affiliates’ 990 Internal Revenue Service forms for tax-exempt organizations.
In an April statement on its website, Komen reported 19 of its affiliates make grants to Planned Parenthood but did not specify the total given.
The report came on the heels of news that the Catholic bishops of Columbus, Ohio, and Toledo, Ohio, called for the schools and other institutions in their dioceses not to participate in fundraising efforts for Komen. A statement from Ohio’s bishops said individual Catholics are free to make their own decisions, since none of Komen’s Ohio affiliates donate to Planned Parenthood, according to an Aug. 20 article in The Columbus Dispatch.
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
August 31, 2011 - New 9-11 Event in NYC, Faith Radio Programs
NYC Ceremony excludes clergy and first responders
Plans are being made for commemorative events across the country for the 10th Anniversary of the 9-11 attacks on America.
One of the most high profile gatherings will be in New York City, but controversy has arisen because Mayor Bloomberg's office has planned the program, without one of the key elements of the aftermath of the tragedy - the clergy. The planned program will apparently not have a representative of the faith community.
According to an update in The Christian Post:
A spokesperson for New York's City Hall told The Wall Street Journal that previous 9/11 anniversary memorials did not include religious leaders and they wanted to strike a similar tone with the 10th anniversary. “There are hundreds of important people that have offered to participate over the last nine years, but the focus remains on the families of the thousands who died on Sept. 11,” the spokesperson said.
City Council Member Fernando Cabrera, a pastor at New Life Outreach International, told The Wall Street Journal that religious leaders were “one of the pillars that carried us through. They were the spiritual and emotional backbone, and when you have a situation where people are trying to find meaning, where something is bigger than them, when you have a crisis of this level, they often look to the clergy.” Apparently, first responders are being left out, as well.
The Family Research Council is leading an effort to collect 50,000 signatures to present to Mayor Bloomberg on September 9th. So far, some 30,000 have been gathered. The FRC says this:
NYC event being organized by faith leaders
This past weekend, Saddleback Community Church pastor Rick Warren declared:
Faith Radio presents 9-11 on-air programming
A special from Moody Radio is coming up on Sunday, September 11th at 5:00pm, called "Finding God on 9/11". Wayne Shepherd hosts an hour of memories and perspectives from the 9/11 attacks with Dr. Joe Stowell, former President of the Moody Bible Institute. During the hour they will open the Moody Radio archives and hear echoes from the Moody Radio coverage on 9/11 and the days following, and Dr. Stowell will give his insights on how we can find God working in the middle of this national crisis. You'll hear from a variety of Christian leaders, including Brooklyn Tabernacle Pastor Jim Cymbala, as well as Lisa Beamer, whose husband died on the plane that went down in Pennsylvania, and World Trade Center survivor, Genelle McMillan.
The 10th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks will also be marked by a special two hour live simulcast featuring Anne Graham Lotz, Joel Rosenberg and praise and worship music with Selah on Sunday, Sept. 11 from 6:00-8:00pm. It's entitled, "A Wake-Up Call For God's People", and will be shown at churches and ministries throughout America, as well as online at http://www.annegrahamlotz.com/.
In the Faith Radio area, simulcast locations include:
His Vessel Ministries in Union Station in downtown Montgomery,
First Baptist Church of Opelika,
and Crosspoint Christian Church in Selma
What about your own personal 9-11 emergency?
On the anniversary of September 11th, First Baptist of Montgomery presents "Team Night", featuring former University of Alabama star running back Siran Stacy, who faced his own emergency as he lost his wife and 4 of his children in a tragic automobile accident. Also, Mike & Rebecca Ellis will share their story of how they responded after the death of their son, Cole. "Team Night" begins Sunday, September 11th at 6:11pm at First Baptist on South Perry Street.
Plans are being made for commemorative events across the country for the 10th Anniversary of the 9-11 attacks on America.
One of the most high profile gatherings will be in New York City, but controversy has arisen because Mayor Bloomberg's office has planned the program, without one of the key elements of the aftermath of the tragedy - the clergy. The planned program will apparently not have a representative of the faith community.
According to an update in The Christian Post:
A spokesperson for New York's City Hall told The Wall Street Journal that previous 9/11 anniversary memorials did not include religious leaders and they wanted to strike a similar tone with the 10th anniversary. “There are hundreds of important people that have offered to participate over the last nine years, but the focus remains on the families of the thousands who died on Sept. 11,” the spokesperson said.
City Council Member Fernando Cabrera, a pastor at New Life Outreach International, told The Wall Street Journal that religious leaders were “one of the pillars that carried us through. They were the spiritual and emotional backbone, and when you have a situation where people are trying to find meaning, where something is bigger than them, when you have a crisis of this level, they often look to the clergy.” Apparently, first responders are being left out, as well.
The Family Research Council is leading an effort to collect 50,000 signatures to present to Mayor Bloomberg on September 9th. So far, some 30,000 have been gathered. The FRC says this:
Pastors are not invited to the event, as Mayor Bloomberg apparently thinks that the invited politicians will be able to offer enough comfort to the families. But Mayor Bloomberg's glaring omissions from the event do not end with clergy. The very people who hallowed the ground, the living embodiment of selfless courage we vowed "never to forget" -- New York's first responders -- won't even be invited.For additional information, you can go to FRC's website at http://www.frc.org/.
This past weekend, as large areas of New York City were evacuated in preparation for Hurricane Irene, first responders were on vigilant alert, prepared at a moment's notice to place their lives in harm's way for others. If anything, this should have served as a reminder for Mayor Bloomberg of the sacrifices these men and women are prepared to continually make and the recognition they deserve.
NYC event being organized by faith leaders
This past weekend, Saddleback Community Church pastor Rick Warren declared:
“This week the mayor of New York City announced that at the 10th anniversary memorial service at Ground Zero that there are going to be no prayers...Now, you know what I think about that. So, we are going to have our own nationwide, national prayer day,” he said to applause.So, Saddleback is partnering with one of its church plants, Lower Manhattan Community Church in New York City to present a special service, along with a webcast. Details on these "Hope and Freedom" services are being developed.
Faith Radio presents 9-11 on-air programming
A special from Moody Radio is coming up on Sunday, September 11th at 5:00pm, called "Finding God on 9/11". Wayne Shepherd hosts an hour of memories and perspectives from the 9/11 attacks with Dr. Joe Stowell, former President of the Moody Bible Institute. During the hour they will open the Moody Radio archives and hear echoes from the Moody Radio coverage on 9/11 and the days following, and Dr. Stowell will give his insights on how we can find God working in the middle of this national crisis. You'll hear from a variety of Christian leaders, including Brooklyn Tabernacle Pastor Jim Cymbala, as well as Lisa Beamer, whose husband died on the plane that went down in Pennsylvania, and World Trade Center survivor, Genelle McMillan.
The 10th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks will also be marked by a special two hour live simulcast featuring Anne Graham Lotz, Joel Rosenberg and praise and worship music with Selah on Sunday, Sept. 11 from 6:00-8:00pm. It's entitled, "A Wake-Up Call For God's People", and will be shown at churches and ministries throughout America, as well as online at http://www.annegrahamlotz.com/.
In the Faith Radio area, simulcast locations include:
His Vessel Ministries in Union Station in downtown Montgomery,
First Baptist Church of Opelika,
and Crosspoint Christian Church in Selma
What about your own personal 9-11 emergency?
On the anniversary of September 11th, First Baptist of Montgomery presents "Team Night", featuring former University of Alabama star running back Siran Stacy, who faced his own emergency as he lost his wife and 4 of his children in a tragic automobile accident. Also, Mike & Rebecca Ellis will share their story of how they responded after the death of their son, Cole. "Team Night" begins Sunday, September 11th at 6:11pm at First Baptist on South Perry Street.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)