Friday, April 29, 2005
More on "Christian Happy Talk"
Here's a follow up by Brannon Howse about "Christian Happy Talk." As you will read in this article, the popularity in Christian circles of not talking about the "S" word is horrific. Psychology is the religion we worship at the idol of self.
If you want to get me started on how destructive and anti-God the influence of modern secular psychology is, we might be here a while. Has no one ever considered that the Bible is the best and greatest textbook on human psychology that there is?
The Bible tells who we really are. We are sinners and rebels against a holy God - that ain't happy talk, but it is reality. We need to see ourselves the way God sees us. The "self-esteem" message is dangerous, sinful, anti-Bible and anti-God.
Be careful who you listen to - not every idea that calls itself "Christian" is from God!
The heart is deceitful above all things & beyond cure. Who can understand it? -Jeremiah 17:9
Monday, April 25, 2005
Savetoby.com | Only YOU have the power to Save Toby!
Savetoby.com | Only YOU have the power to Save Toby!
Ok - Now you can't say anymore, "I've seen it all on the Internet" until you get a look at this.
My take on it is, why is the guy spending money for a vet with this rabbit if he's gonna eat it anyway? Maybe we should start a website that's called "EATTOBY.COM" and see if we can raise enough money to buy this guy a life.
I hear that rabbit tastes like chicken....
"There's a sucker born every minute." - P.T. Barnum
"He catches the wise in their craftiness, and the schemes of the wily are swept away." Job 5:13
Ok - Now you can't say anymore, "I've seen it all on the Internet" until you get a look at this.
My take on it is, why is the guy spending money for a vet with this rabbit if he's gonna eat it anyway? Maybe we should start a website that's called "EATTOBY.COM" and see if we can raise enough money to buy this guy a life.
I hear that rabbit tastes like chicken....
"There's a sucker born every minute." - P.T. Barnum
"He catches the wise in their craftiness, and the schemes of the wily are swept away." Job 5:13
Talking the Talk - Teaching the Next Generation Lesson
Wow - what a busy, whirlwind weekend. I had gone back and forth several times to Maranatha Bible Camp to do music for the Jr. Bash (overnighter for kids), so I don't think I was mentally with it enough to say everything I wanted to Sunday morning.
I guess this class is my heart for Christian families. I have banged my head against the wall so many times trying to help kids with Christian parents understand basic Bible concepts. Why have so many parents believed the lie that someone else would teach their kids the Bible?
Maybe it's because we have all of our priorities and basic assumptions out of whack. I heard Os Guiness on the radio the other night - there's a guy that is trying to help people, as he says, to "think Christianly." He said there is a four step process that lead's us away from God and His Word into the ways of the world.
First there is ASSUMPTION - because we watch and listen to wordly messages and inundate our lives with commercial marketing strategies, we begin to assume that the world has something better than God does. This goes against God's Word, which says,
"You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God? Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God." James 4:4
Then, there is ADAPTION (or ADOPTION) - this is the point where we try to combine God and the world - a little compromise here, a little there - it doesn't seem like that big a deal. The James 4:4 verse seems more powerful here, for we are, an "adulterous" people when we move down the slope of compromise into the quaqmire of the world.
Third, there is ABANDONMENT - this is the point that so many compromises have been made, that it is easier to just go whole hog and forget what God has said. The sad part about this is that many Christians allow their children to get to this point by their own bad choices, and then panic when they see this in their kids.
Fourth, there is ASSIMILATION - this is the Star Trek "Borg Collective" idea - that in order to fit in with the culture, we have to act like the culture does in everything.
It is time for Christian parents to stop this cycle of decline into worldliness by teaching children in an authoritative way, what God's Word says, and how it applies to their lives. I'll finish this lesson next week, with the idea that 2 Timothy 3:16 tells that Scripture has real life usefulness and application.
I'd love to hear any comments or questions!
Click Here for Sunday's lesson - Talking the Talk Part 1- Teaching The Next Generation."
If you don't have the Free Adobe Acrobat Reader, you'll need to get that here.
Acrobat reader will enable you to read the document (and any PDF file) This link takes you to the Glendale Christian Church website where I keep my teaching stuff. (I also have the same link on the sidebar.)
I guess this class is my heart for Christian families. I have banged my head against the wall so many times trying to help kids with Christian parents understand basic Bible concepts. Why have so many parents believed the lie that someone else would teach their kids the Bible?
Maybe it's because we have all of our priorities and basic assumptions out of whack. I heard Os Guiness on the radio the other night - there's a guy that is trying to help people, as he says, to "think Christianly." He said there is a four step process that lead's us away from God and His Word into the ways of the world.
First there is ASSUMPTION - because we watch and listen to wordly messages and inundate our lives with commercial marketing strategies, we begin to assume that the world has something better than God does. This goes against God's Word, which says,
"You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God? Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God." James 4:4
Then, there is ADAPTION (or ADOPTION) - this is the point where we try to combine God and the world - a little compromise here, a little there - it doesn't seem like that big a deal. The James 4:4 verse seems more powerful here, for we are, an "adulterous" people when we move down the slope of compromise into the quaqmire of the world.
Third, there is ABANDONMENT - this is the point that so many compromises have been made, that it is easier to just go whole hog and forget what God has said. The sad part about this is that many Christians allow their children to get to this point by their own bad choices, and then panic when they see this in their kids.
Fourth, there is ASSIMILATION - this is the Star Trek "Borg Collective" idea - that in order to fit in with the culture, we have to act like the culture does in everything.
It is time for Christian parents to stop this cycle of decline into worldliness by teaching children in an authoritative way, what God's Word says, and how it applies to their lives. I'll finish this lesson next week, with the idea that 2 Timothy 3:16 tells that Scripture has real life usefulness and application.
I'd love to hear any comments or questions!
Click Here for Sunday's lesson - Talking the Talk Part 1- Teaching The Next Generation."
If you don't have the Free Adobe Acrobat Reader, you'll need to get that here.
Acrobat reader will enable you to read the document (and any PDF file) This link takes you to the Glendale Christian Church website where I keep my teaching stuff. (I also have the same link on the sidebar.)
Friday, April 22, 2005
ARE YOU A PARENT? QUIZ
ARE YOU A PARENT? QUIZ
Pretty funny stuff - if you have small kids, you will appreciate this. I don't know anything about this author or his book, but it might be worth checking out from the library!
(By the way, I scored 8 out of 9 on the quiz, and only missed one, because I was at the office and not at home when I took it!)
Have Fun!
BTW - I'm going to the Junior Bash at Maranatha Bible Camp tonight - I call it - "Adventures in Sleep Deprivation"
Pretty funny stuff - if you have small kids, you will appreciate this. I don't know anything about this author or his book, but it might be worth checking out from the library!
(By the way, I scored 8 out of 9 on the quiz, and only missed one, because I was at the office and not at home when I took it!)
Have Fun!
BTW - I'm going to the Junior Bash at Maranatha Bible Camp tonight - I call it - "Adventures in Sleep Deprivation"
Thursday, April 21, 2005
Parents Struggle Knowing How to Develop Faith in Children
Welcome to The Barna Group!
Ok, here it is - George Barna's research shows that though we know we are supposed to lead our kids in their relationship with the Lord, most parents just don't know how.
He doesn't ask the question "why" but I will. Is it because churches have failed to teach the Bible? I'm sure that's part of it.
Maybe it's just because we have not followed the Deut. 6 model of loving God, owning His word, transferring His Word to the next Generation, and not forgetting His Word. (Hmm, sounds like a good class to teach...)
Ok, here it is - George Barna's research shows that though we know we are supposed to lead our kids in their relationship with the Lord, most parents just don't know how.
He doesn't ask the question "why" but I will. Is it because churches have failed to teach the Bible? I'm sure that's part of it.
Maybe it's just because we have not followed the Deut. 6 model of loving God, owning His word, transferring His Word to the next Generation, and not forgetting His Word. (Hmm, sounds like a good class to teach...)
Tuesday, April 19, 2005
Christian "Happy Talk"
This is an excellent article that carries on a rant I've been on for years. If Christian broadcasters don't carry on with essential Christian doctrine, then we are in a sorry state indeed. Unfortunately, many many American Christians get their Bible teaching from Christian Radio and TV.
And beside all that, here's a guy wise enough in the Scriptures and courageous enough to cut through all the "Pope worship" to say - hey, he's just a guy, and he'll get to heaven the same way anyone else does - by faith in the grace of God through Jesus Christ.
Awesome - pastor Minto deserves a medal for courage in the line of fire - too bad it was friendly fire.
Monday, April 18, 2005
Walking the Walk - The Biblical Model of Parenting
Well, it has been a few days since I have blogged, but it was mainly because I was getting ready for Sunday's lesson. These lessons have been both a struggle and a joy for me. A struggle, because I am trying to do a good job with it and it is taking a lot of time. I have never written out SS lessons as a manuscript each week before because I never had time. Now I remember why!
But they have been a joy because I am learning and am being challenged by what I am trying to teach. I also have been writing them out because I have been trying to keep them posted on this blog so that more people have access to the lessons. Already people all over the world are reading them and hopefully being challenged as well. (Well, at least my father-in-law in Taiwan has read some - I guess that's "all over the world" isn't it?)
As you read this, I want to challenge you to struggle through the application questions. I asked my boys what they thought about my desire to read and know God's Word - I won't tell you what they said, but it was very humbling.
I'm so glad that my boys are the oldest ones in our clan - although not perfect, they have a growing sense of the love of God in their hearts. We watched the movie "BABE" the other day (it's a pig-flick!) and had a great discussion about the heart issues of pride and humility. When Farmer Hoggett walked through the laughing crowd with a stiff resolve - it reminded me that the world thinks Christians are fools. We talked about this - I was so impressed with the insight that the kids were able to have and the comparisons they made between a movie and real life.
I'll be doing more blogging this week, hopefully. My parents were up this weekend, and they took lots of pictures of baby Jenna, so I'll post some of them when I get them. My parents are awesome - they got up at 4:30 Saturday morning to drive up here and make the boy's soccer game on time.
BTW (for those of you that don't know - that means "by the way"), if you didn't hear BA's sermon Sunday - get the tape - it was an awesome follow up to my sermon the week before and made my sermon much more complete.
Click here for Sunday's Lesson "Walking the Walk - The Biblical Model of Parenting."
If you don't have the Free Adobe Acrobat Reader, you'll need to get that here. Acrobat reader will enable you to read the document (and any PDF file)
This link takes you to the Glendale Christian Church website where I keep my teaching stuff. (I also have the same link on the sidebar.)
But they have been a joy because I am learning and am being challenged by what I am trying to teach. I also have been writing them out because I have been trying to keep them posted on this blog so that more people have access to the lessons. Already people all over the world are reading them and hopefully being challenged as well. (Well, at least my father-in-law in Taiwan has read some - I guess that's "all over the world" isn't it?)
As you read this, I want to challenge you to struggle through the application questions. I asked my boys what they thought about my desire to read and know God's Word - I won't tell you what they said, but it was very humbling.
I'm so glad that my boys are the oldest ones in our clan - although not perfect, they have a growing sense of the love of God in their hearts. We watched the movie "BABE" the other day (it's a pig-flick!) and had a great discussion about the heart issues of pride and humility. When Farmer Hoggett walked through the laughing crowd with a stiff resolve - it reminded me that the world thinks Christians are fools. We talked about this - I was so impressed with the insight that the kids were able to have and the comparisons they made between a movie and real life.
I'll be doing more blogging this week, hopefully. My parents were up this weekend, and they took lots of pictures of baby Jenna, so I'll post some of them when I get them. My parents are awesome - they got up at 4:30 Saturday morning to drive up here and make the boy's soccer game on time.
BTW (for those of you that don't know - that means "by the way"), if you didn't hear BA's sermon Sunday - get the tape - it was an awesome follow up to my sermon the week before and made my sermon much more complete.
Click here for Sunday's Lesson "Walking the Walk - The Biblical Model of Parenting."
If you don't have the Free Adobe Acrobat Reader, you'll need to get that here. Acrobat reader will enable you to read the document (and any PDF file)
This link takes you to the Glendale Christian Church website where I keep my teaching stuff. (I also have the same link on the sidebar.)
Monday, April 11, 2005
Jesus - the "Familiar Stranger"
PFM Familiar Stranger
More good stuff about the claims of Jesus and who He is. I thought this was interesting in light of the sermon I preached yesterday and some of the previous postings I have. How refreshing that some scholars are looking at Jesus as the "familiar stranger" - one we have always known but have refused to see.
This is the Breakpoint commentary - usually written by Chuck Colson, but this one is by Mark Earley - a really sharp guy. He has written many of these commentaries recently.
More good stuff about the claims of Jesus and who He is. I thought this was interesting in light of the sermon I preached yesterday and some of the previous postings I have. How refreshing that some scholars are looking at Jesus as the "familiar stranger" - one we have always known but have refused to see.
This is the Breakpoint commentary - usually written by Chuck Colson, but this one is by Mark Earley - a really sharp guy. He has written many of these commentaries recently.
Friday, April 08, 2005
Jesus Christ Q&A from Answers in Genesis
Jesus Christ Q&A
Some more good stuff about Jesus, his claims, and His relationship with the Father.
(BTW - I think you could seldom go wrong with anything from Answers in Genesis!)
My sermon this Sunday is from John 5:16 - 30. Analyzing the claims of Jesus helps me to remember what Christianity is all about. It's not about being nice or being good - it's about worshipping the One who, though fully human, was fully God and took the penalty of our sins on the cross.
Every Christian should know in detail the claims of Jesus and should be ready to explain them to those who don't believe because they don't know the claims.
"But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answerto everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect." 1 Peter 3:15
Some more good stuff about Jesus, his claims, and His relationship with the Father.
(BTW - I think you could seldom go wrong with anything from Answers in Genesis!)
My sermon this Sunday is from John 5:16 - 30. Analyzing the claims of Jesus helps me to remember what Christianity is all about. It's not about being nice or being good - it's about worshipping the One who, though fully human, was fully God and took the penalty of our sins on the cross.
Every Christian should know in detail the claims of Jesus and should be ready to explain them to those who don't believe because they don't know the claims.
"But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answerto everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect." 1 Peter 3:15
Thursday, April 07, 2005
Worldly academic attempts to figure out Jesus - READ WITH GREAT DISCERNMENT!
from jesus to christ: jesus many faces: the complexity of his religious identity
Ok, now my last two posts were good stuff about the claims of Jesus. This is the ugly stuff. If you read through this (and you should drink several caffeinated beverages to hang with it) you will read the utter foolishness of man as they try to figure out who Jesus is apart from what Jesus said.
This is the PBS Frontline crack at explaining Jesus. Even their title says what they think about Him - "From Jesus to Christ."
The only good thing about this stuff is that these guys are so "out there" that the average common sense guy named Cliff is gonna say, "Who would read this #!*& ?"
Ok, now my last two posts were good stuff about the claims of Jesus. This is the ugly stuff. If you read through this (and you should drink several caffeinated beverages to hang with it) you will read the utter foolishness of man as they try to figure out who Jesus is apart from what Jesus said.
This is the PBS Frontline crack at explaining Jesus. Even their title says what they think about Him - "From Jesus to Christ."
The only good thing about this stuff is that these guys are so "out there" that the average common sense guy named Cliff is gonna say, "Who would read this #!*& ?"
Who is Jesus: Claims
Who is Jesus: Claims
Another good summary of some of the claims of Jesus, although this article has nothing quoted from John 5 (sigh). Sometimes it is hard to do an "exegetical" sermon from a particular text, because you want to stay in the text but stay true to everything the Bible says. I guess if I could preach the sermon in 3 hours instead of 30 minutes I'd be ok.
BTW, this site is really interesting and could be a good "intro" to Christianity, although I wouldn't agree with their "sinners prayer" approach to salvation under the Investigate section.
Another good summary of some of the claims of Jesus, although this article has nothing quoted from John 5 (sigh). Sometimes it is hard to do an "exegetical" sermon from a particular text, because you want to stay in the text but stay true to everything the Bible says. I guess if I could preach the sermon in 3 hours instead of 30 minutes I'd be ok.
BTW, this site is really interesting and could be a good "intro" to Christianity, although I wouldn't agree with their "sinners prayer" approach to salvation under the Investigate section.
Check out the claims of Jesus
A Ready Defense
I'm working on a sermon from John 5 about the claims of Jesus - this link is to a chapter from Josh McDowell's book about the "trilemma" - is Jesus liar, lunatic, or Lord?
Check this out and think about the claims of Christ. I'll post the sermon when it's finished.
I'm working on a sermon from John 5 about the claims of Jesus - this link is to a chapter from Josh McDowell's book about the "trilemma" - is Jesus liar, lunatic, or Lord?
Check this out and think about the claims of Christ. I'll post the sermon when it's finished.
Tuesday, April 05, 2005
The Wait of the World...Completed!
"A woman giving birth to a child has pain because her time has come; but when her baby is born she forgets the anguish because of her joy that a child is born into the world." John 16:21
No words could better describe the situation Jenette faced today. Jenna Molly Clay joined our bustling family today at 1:00 PM. She was 20.5 inches long and weighed 6 lbs 8 ozs. See the posts below for a few pictures. I'll try to post more pictures in the next few days.
Pain and joy. Lots of waiting...for pain and joy. Some people think that Jenette just kind of delivers and it's no big deal, but I can tell you - it was very difficult and very painful for her.
But as difficult and painful it was, our joy is even greater. When Jesus said those words he was talking to his disciples of his upcoming death and resurrection. He knew that they would mourn with extreme anguish. In fact, the verse before says that they would weep and mourn while the world rejoices. They would grieve - but their grief would turn to joy.
That is our great hope - as the disciples mourning over Jesus death turned to joy over Jesus resurrection - as the mother's great pain and anguish turns to joy as she sees her newborn for the first time - "...our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all." 2 Corinthians 4:17
No words could better describe the situation Jenette faced today. Jenna Molly Clay joined our bustling family today at 1:00 PM. She was 20.5 inches long and weighed 6 lbs 8 ozs. See the posts below for a few pictures. I'll try to post more pictures in the next few days.
Pain and joy. Lots of waiting...for pain and joy. Some people think that Jenette just kind of delivers and it's no big deal, but I can tell you - it was very difficult and very painful for her.
But as difficult and painful it was, our joy is even greater. When Jesus said those words he was talking to his disciples of his upcoming death and resurrection. He knew that they would mourn with extreme anguish. In fact, the verse before says that they would weep and mourn while the world rejoices. They would grieve - but their grief would turn to joy.
That is our great hope - as the disciples mourning over Jesus death turned to joy over Jesus resurrection - as the mother's great pain and anguish turns to joy as she sees her newborn for the first time - "...our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all." 2 Corinthians 4:17
The Wait of the World
Well, today is the day that the baby has decided to come - lots of waiting, and it all comes down to one moment in time. So, I'll write more later - after the blessed event.
In the meanwhile...more waiting.
In the meanwhile...more waiting.
Monday, April 04, 2005
What the Bible Says About Parenting Class
Click here for the first lesson. (Actually, it's the first two lessons - because I didn't get finished last Sunday!) If you read all of it, you will know what is coming for this coming Sunday.
If you don't have the Free Adobe Acrobat Reader, you'll need to get that here. Acrobat reader will enable you to read the document (and any PDF file)
This link takes you to the Glendale Christian Church website where I keep my teaching stuff. (I also have the same link on the sidebar.)
Feel free to read through the lesson and add your comments! Email me or click on the "add comment" button under the posting if you have questions.
Thanks to Alan Davis for helping me accomplish all this.
If you don't have the Free Adobe Acrobat Reader, you'll need to get that here. Acrobat reader will enable you to read the document (and any PDF file)
This link takes you to the Glendale Christian Church website where I keep my teaching stuff. (I also have the same link on the sidebar.)
Feel free to read through the lesson and add your comments! Email me or click on the "add comment" button under the posting if you have questions.
Thanks to Alan Davis for helping me accomplish all this.
Sunday, April 03, 2005
Sunday Morning Class Resources
Here's the first of several posts about my "What the Bible Says about Parenting" class I started this morning at the church. Tomorrow I hope to have the full lesson linked up here to the church website.
For now, here's the link to the George Barna research report about what Parents think the purpose for parenting is. If you were in the class or read the lesson, I'd love to hear your comments.
http://www.barna.org/FlexPage.aspx?Page=BarnaUpdate&BarnaUpdateID=183
For now, here's the link to the George Barna research report about what Parents think the purpose for parenting is. If you were in the class or read the lesson, I'd love to hear your comments.
http://www.barna.org/FlexPage.aspx?Page=BarnaUpdate&BarnaUpdateID=183
A day of sports
Yesterday was an interesting day. It was the first day of a new spring season of youth sports. Joel (11) is playing soccer and Jason (9) and Jon (7) are on the same flag football team. It was different because for the first time, the two younger boys are playing on the same team instead of the two older boys. The soccer game was in the morning - Joel's team got beat 4-1, but Joel enjoyed it immensely. I don't think he even noticed that they lost. He just enjoyed playing.
The football game was later in the day. Again, our team didn't win the day, and again, the boys seemed much more interested in the snacks at the end of the game than the score. They had a great time, even though it was getting dark and the game was cut short.
After the football game, we went to the church for the father-son sports banquet. This was a great event with lots of dads and sons attending. It made my day even more connected because the two guys that had coached my boys earlier in the day were the two guys that organized the event.
Now both these guys Bob Ruggeri (soccer) and Chris Tillman (football) are great guys who love the Lord and love the kids they coach. Bob did all the cooking for the banquet and put together an awesome sports highlight and blooper video that my boys just loved. (I can still hear Jason cackling and hooting with laughter watching the football fumble clips!)
Chris introduced the speaker and pointed out that he had already had a long day - coaching three different football teams.
As I sat there I was reminded that parenting is very much like coaching - you drill and practice and motivate and encourage, but at some point, you have to send the kid onto the field to play the game.
Parenting is so much like that - it is filled with long difficult days and self-doubts as you send the kids in to "play the game" - or to live their lives. But you never quit, never stop coaching, and never stop the love and encouragement from the sidelines. Thanks to Bob and Chris for helping me learn such a valuable lesson.
Here's what the Bible says about sports: (or at least one verse!)
"For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come." 1 Timothy 4:8
The football game was later in the day. Again, our team didn't win the day, and again, the boys seemed much more interested in the snacks at the end of the game than the score. They had a great time, even though it was getting dark and the game was cut short.
After the football game, we went to the church for the father-son sports banquet. This was a great event with lots of dads and sons attending. It made my day even more connected because the two guys that had coached my boys earlier in the day were the two guys that organized the event.
Now both these guys Bob Ruggeri (soccer) and Chris Tillman (football) are great guys who love the Lord and love the kids they coach. Bob did all the cooking for the banquet and put together an awesome sports highlight and blooper video that my boys just loved. (I can still hear Jason cackling and hooting with laughter watching the football fumble clips!)
Chris introduced the speaker and pointed out that he had already had a long day - coaching three different football teams.
As I sat there I was reminded that parenting is very much like coaching - you drill and practice and motivate and encourage, but at some point, you have to send the kid onto the field to play the game.
Parenting is so much like that - it is filled with long difficult days and self-doubts as you send the kids in to "play the game" - or to live their lives. But you never quit, never stop coaching, and never stop the love and encouragement from the sidelines. Thanks to Bob and Chris for helping me learn such a valuable lesson.
Here's what the Bible says about sports: (or at least one verse!)
"For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come." 1 Timothy 4:8
Saturday, April 02, 2005
New and out of the box
This is my first crack at blogging. I hope to achieve a better of level of communication with the people I work with and minister to at Glendale Christian Church. I know there are a million blogs out there. With so much great information available on the web for people to access, I would like to be a part of it and hopefully teach somebody something.
As I learn more about the world of blogging - I will hopefully be adding lessons and sermons and articles and links of all kinds to help people develop their love for Jesus Christ and his Word.
So thanks for reading - let me know what you think!
As I learn more about the world of blogging - I will hopefully be adding lessons and sermons and articles and links of all kinds to help people develop their love for Jesus Christ and his Word.
So thanks for reading - let me know what you think!
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