Let's have a little fun. I am still in classes so bear with me but just so that we can have some fun read this:
Enjoy! My favorites are #1, 2, 4, 5, 8, 9, 12 (take a deep breath before you read this one), 14, and 15 (breath deep on this one as well).
http://www.biblebelievers.com/Lightbulb_Title.gif
1. How many Charismatics does it take to change a light bulb?
One to change the bulb and nine to pray against the spirit of darkness.
2. How many Calvinists does it take to change a light bulb?
None. God has predestined when the light will be on. Calvinists do not change light bulbs. They simply read the instructions and pray the light bulb will be one that has been chosen to be changed.
3. How many Armenians does it take to change a light bulb?
All. They need everyone to make sure it stays on. One can never really be sure.
4. How many Baptists does it take to change a light bulb?
Change???
5. How many neo-orthodox does it take to change a bulb?
No one knows. They can't tell the difference between light and dark.
6. How many TV evangelists does it take to change a light bulb?
One. But for the message of light to continue, send in your donation today.
7. How many independent fundamentalists does it take to change a light bulb?
Only one, because any more might result in too much cooperation.
8. How many liberals does it take to change a light bulb?
At least ten, as they need to hold a debate on whether or not the light bulb exists. Even if they can agree upon the existence of the light bulb, they still might not change it, to keep from alienating those who might use other forms of light.
9. How many Catholics does it take to change a light bulb?
None. They always use candles.
10. How many worship leaders who use guitars does it take to change a light bulb?
One. But soon all those around can warm up to its glowing.
11. How many members of an established fundamental Bible teaching church that is over 20 years old does it take to change a light bulb?
One to actually change the bulb, and nine to say how much they liked the old one.
12. How many United Methodists does it take to change a light bulb?
This statement was issued: "We choose not to make a statement either in favor of or against the need for a light bulb. However, if in your own journey you have found that a light bulb works for you, that is fine. You are invited to write a poem or compose a modern dance about your personal relationship with your light bulb (or light source, or non-dark resource), and present it next month at our annual light bulb Sunday service, in which we will explore a number of light bulb traditions, including incandescent, fluorescent, three-way, long-life, and tinted-all of which are equally valid paths to luminescence. "
13. How many Amish does it take to change a light bulb?
"What's a light bulb?"
14. How many youth pastors does it take to change a light bulb?
Youth pastors aren't around long enough for a light bulb to burn out.
15. How many Southern Baptists does it take to change a light bulb?
109. Seven on the Light Bulb Task Force Subcommittee, who report to the 12 on the Light Bulb Task Force, appointed by the 15 on the Trustee Board. Their recommendation is reviewed by the Finance Committee Executive of 5, who place it on the agenda of the 18 member Finance Committee. If they approve, they bring a motion to the 27 member church Board, who appoint another 12 member review committee. If they recommend that the Church Board proceed, a resolution is brought to the Congregational Business Meeting. They appoint another 8 member review committee. If their report to the next Congregational Business Meeting supports the changing of a light bulb, and the Congregation votes in favor, the responsibility to carry out the light bulb change is passed on to the Trustee Board, who in turn appoint a 7 member committee to find the best price in new light bulbs. Their recommendation of which Hardware Store has the best buy must then be reviewed by the 23 member Ethics Committee to make certain that this hardware store has no connection to Disneyland. They report back to the Trustee Board who, then commissions the Trustee in charge of the Janitor to ask him to make the change. By then the janitor discovers that one more light bulb has burned out.
-Author unknown
Friday, July 30, 2010
Monday, May 10, 2010
Same Sex Issues-Part 2
Jennifer Knapp Announcement-Part B
Can A Christian Be “Gay”?
http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/music/interviews/2010/jenniferknapp-apr10.html
http:// www.youtube.com/watch?v=2xDWc7SvBOA
Last week I discussed my disappointment with Jennifer Knapp and her announcement about being lesbian. Many of you have wanted me to rush to judgment regarding the issue as too whether a Christian can be homosexual or not. I would prefer not to do that at this point, but want to take this opportunity to explore this issue in detail.
Attached are two links of two different interviews in which she makes her announcement. The first is with Christianity Today and the other is a You-Tube copy of the Larry King Live show where the announcement was made. It also includes Pastor Bob Botsford and Ted Haggard as part of the debate. The You-Tube link is in four parts. Part four is very interesting to me because of the rabble which occurs at the end. I’ll deal with this at the appropriate opportunity.
Allow me to also remind everyone as we go through this discussion that we are exploring science, statistics, culture, history and Scripture together in order to come to the final answer. This may take several weeks or even months to get to. Stick with me and wait to criticize at the end of the discussion.
Several of you have e-mailed me that you had read an article several weeks ago, hearing that this announcement had already been made. If you will read the previous blog you will note that I had already heard the rumors of what was transpiring. The article that some of you are noting is from Christianity Today on an April 13, 2010 online interview which Jennifer Knapp participated in, which I had already read.
Allow me to be very critical at this point of Ms. Knapp. In the Christianity Today interview everything is going fine until Mark Moring corners her with a question regarding the homosexual issue. Ms. Knapp is very frank about how she really does not want to discuss the issue, but Mr. Moring presses the subject. Once she is pressed then she openly states that she has been in a lesbian relationship for seven to eight years. She also states that she really did not want to discuss it and basically attempts to blow Mr. Moring off. But his consistent pursuit pays off. She admits to it, then when asked if this was the reason she went incognito, she says no. However upon reading the complete interview it becomes clear that this may have, in fact, played a very important role in her leaving Contemporary Christian Music for a while. It also comes across that Ms. Knapp is attempting to get by the issue so that she can reclaim her thrown as one of the leaders in the CCM market. I have read this article four or five times through and found Jennifer Knapp very disingenuous and more focused on returning to her claim to fame then really wanting to glorify God.
This leads us to the interview with Larry King and the debate between her and Pastor Bob Botsford as well as Ted Haggard’s input. Allow me to criticize some bloggers (http://pursuegod.wordpress.com/2010/04/23/jennifer-knapp-pastor-botsford-and-ted-haggard-on-larry-king/) who have made it their thing to criticize Pastor Bob Botsford. First, note that not everyone is a debater; therefore it would do well that if you do not know how to set up a truth table to prepare for the debate, you probably shouldn’t. This may very easily be the case for him. Also, during the interview/debate I found that everyone teamed against Mr. Botsford. I am not familiar with this gentleman, nor his ministry, but the blog which started this fire between him and Ms. Knapp (http://www.bobbotsford.com/2010/04/straight-to-the-truth-in-love%E2%80%A6/) seems to be something which showed great concern for what was occurring. I did not find it offensive, in fact while reading it you can tell there is a background that is familiar with those in the homosexual lifestyle. I will say though the he was not the best choice in regards to this topic. Someone like a John MacArthur who is more skilled in this kind of debate, would have been better. Mr. Botsford did start the debate and should have heeded Luke 14 and counted the cost before doing so. Having said that Mr. Botsford’s views were critical to the discussion.
Ted Haggard’s role in this dispute seemed somewhat squishy. (Is that a word?) He really never willingly touched on the topic. He constantly affirmed his belief in the Gospel and in the infallibility and inerrancy of Scripture, but never dealt with the issue itself. I believe that his final conclusion of Romans 1 and 2 can be questioned, while it may in part be correct. He constantly talked in circles about a love relationship with God, but never about the standards of that relationship and how that plays out. He made one weak attempt of saying it was like the love relationship with his wife and that there were rules, but he never enumerated on it much. Mr. Haggard’s answer to Larry King’s question as to whether homosexuality was a choice or not, was very ambiguous. I also found him ineffective because when Larry King and Jennifer Knapp were bombarding Mr. Botsford with technical questions, rather than being a theologian and discussing the technicals, Mr. Haggard just lets it happen.
Now to Ms. Knapp, from the get-go you could tell she was uncomfortable with the discussion of the subject. She really didn’t want to talk about it, it was an issue of conscience and you could tell. I found many of her answers to be inadequate. When asked if her lifestyle contradicted Biblical Christianity she attempted to circumnavigate and never gave a definitive answer. While some may criticize Mr. Botsford for not being very knowledgeable about the technical’s of the subject matter, may I say that same criticism should be handed out to Jennifer Knapp. I found her intelligent but not very skillful with the discussion either. She could never give the name of any historical theologians or reference specific scriptures which directly supported her lifestyle. She argued well, but did not debate agreeably. Again, I found her inconsistent and disingenuous. The real question which tell-tell this moment is when she asks (while being on the attack) Bob Botsford, “Would you have a young teenage girl setting in your congregation choose between her sexuality and her faith?” (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nnOJnHjgkI0&feature=related) Here she shows her lack of knowledge in terms of the Scripture. Constantly Scripture is calling for Christians to make a choice between this and that regarding the Kingdom of Heaven verse the things of this world.
But what Ms. Knapp has done for us is brought into play the issue of identification. To this the scriptures speak clearly. Therefore, in the next part of our discussion we will layout the argument to see if someone is created (or evolved) to the point of being bent toward same sex relations. In the mean time I would express that Jennifer Knapp re-read the Gospels and attempt to see the call which the Lord Jesus makes in regards to our lives. Then she needs to balance that out with a strong reading of the epistles in light of the Old Testament for clearer understanding of the calling placed on an individual’s life when Christ becomes Lord.
Your comments are welcomed. Remember only debate the issue not the person.
Lord Bless,
Steven
Can A Christian Be “Gay”?
http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/music/interviews/2010/jenniferknapp-apr10.html
http:// www.youtube.com/watch?v=2xDWc7SvBOA
Last week I discussed my disappointment with Jennifer Knapp and her announcement about being lesbian. Many of you have wanted me to rush to judgment regarding the issue as too whether a Christian can be homosexual or not. I would prefer not to do that at this point, but want to take this opportunity to explore this issue in detail.
Attached are two links of two different interviews in which she makes her announcement. The first is with Christianity Today and the other is a You-Tube copy of the Larry King Live show where the announcement was made. It also includes Pastor Bob Botsford and Ted Haggard as part of the debate. The You-Tube link is in four parts. Part four is very interesting to me because of the rabble which occurs at the end. I’ll deal with this at the appropriate opportunity.
Allow me to also remind everyone as we go through this discussion that we are exploring science, statistics, culture, history and Scripture together in order to come to the final answer. This may take several weeks or even months to get to. Stick with me and wait to criticize at the end of the discussion.
Several of you have e-mailed me that you had read an article several weeks ago, hearing that this announcement had already been made. If you will read the previous blog you will note that I had already heard the rumors of what was transpiring. The article that some of you are noting is from Christianity Today on an April 13, 2010 online interview which Jennifer Knapp participated in, which I had already read.
Allow me to be very critical at this point of Ms. Knapp. In the Christianity Today interview everything is going fine until Mark Moring corners her with a question regarding the homosexual issue. Ms. Knapp is very frank about how she really does not want to discuss the issue, but Mr. Moring presses the subject. Once she is pressed then she openly states that she has been in a lesbian relationship for seven to eight years. She also states that she really did not want to discuss it and basically attempts to blow Mr. Moring off. But his consistent pursuit pays off. She admits to it, then when asked if this was the reason she went incognito, she says no. However upon reading the complete interview it becomes clear that this may have, in fact, played a very important role in her leaving Contemporary Christian Music for a while. It also comes across that Ms. Knapp is attempting to get by the issue so that she can reclaim her thrown as one of the leaders in the CCM market. I have read this article four or five times through and found Jennifer Knapp very disingenuous and more focused on returning to her claim to fame then really wanting to glorify God.
This leads us to the interview with Larry King and the debate between her and Pastor Bob Botsford as well as Ted Haggard’s input. Allow me to criticize some bloggers (http://pursuegod.wordpress.com/2010/04/23/jennifer-knapp-pastor-botsford-and-ted-haggard-on-larry-king/) who have made it their thing to criticize Pastor Bob Botsford. First, note that not everyone is a debater; therefore it would do well that if you do not know how to set up a truth table to prepare for the debate, you probably shouldn’t. This may very easily be the case for him. Also, during the interview/debate I found that everyone teamed against Mr. Botsford. I am not familiar with this gentleman, nor his ministry, but the blog which started this fire between him and Ms. Knapp (http://www.bobbotsford.com/2010/04/straight-to-the-truth-in-love%E2%80%A6/) seems to be something which showed great concern for what was occurring. I did not find it offensive, in fact while reading it you can tell there is a background that is familiar with those in the homosexual lifestyle. I will say though the he was not the best choice in regards to this topic. Someone like a John MacArthur who is more skilled in this kind of debate, would have been better. Mr. Botsford did start the debate and should have heeded Luke 14 and counted the cost before doing so. Having said that Mr. Botsford’s views were critical to the discussion.
Ted Haggard’s role in this dispute seemed somewhat squishy. (Is that a word?) He really never willingly touched on the topic. He constantly affirmed his belief in the Gospel and in the infallibility and inerrancy of Scripture, but never dealt with the issue itself. I believe that his final conclusion of Romans 1 and 2 can be questioned, while it may in part be correct. He constantly talked in circles about a love relationship with God, but never about the standards of that relationship and how that plays out. He made one weak attempt of saying it was like the love relationship with his wife and that there were rules, but he never enumerated on it much. Mr. Haggard’s answer to Larry King’s question as to whether homosexuality was a choice or not, was very ambiguous. I also found him ineffective because when Larry King and Jennifer Knapp were bombarding Mr. Botsford with technical questions, rather than being a theologian and discussing the technicals, Mr. Haggard just lets it happen.
Now to Ms. Knapp, from the get-go you could tell she was uncomfortable with the discussion of the subject. She really didn’t want to talk about it, it was an issue of conscience and you could tell. I found many of her answers to be inadequate. When asked if her lifestyle contradicted Biblical Christianity she attempted to circumnavigate and never gave a definitive answer. While some may criticize Mr. Botsford for not being very knowledgeable about the technical’s of the subject matter, may I say that same criticism should be handed out to Jennifer Knapp. I found her intelligent but not very skillful with the discussion either. She could never give the name of any historical theologians or reference specific scriptures which directly supported her lifestyle. She argued well, but did not debate agreeably. Again, I found her inconsistent and disingenuous. The real question which tell-tell this moment is when she asks (while being on the attack) Bob Botsford, “Would you have a young teenage girl setting in your congregation choose between her sexuality and her faith?” (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nnOJnHjgkI0&feature=related) Here she shows her lack of knowledge in terms of the Scripture. Constantly Scripture is calling for Christians to make a choice between this and that regarding the Kingdom of Heaven verse the things of this world.
But what Ms. Knapp has done for us is brought into play the issue of identification. To this the scriptures speak clearly. Therefore, in the next part of our discussion we will layout the argument to see if someone is created (or evolved) to the point of being bent toward same sex relations. In the mean time I would express that Jennifer Knapp re-read the Gospels and attempt to see the call which the Lord Jesus makes in regards to our lives. Then she needs to balance that out with a strong reading of the epistles in light of the Old Testament for clearer understanding of the calling placed on an individual’s life when Christ becomes Lord.
Your comments are welcomed. Remember only debate the issue not the person.
Lord Bless,
Steven
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Same Sex Issues
Part1
Jennifer Knapp Announcement-Part A
Can A Christian Be “Gay”?
Saturday night, April 24th 2010, "Christian" singer/songwriter Jennifer Knapp made it official on Larry King Live...she's "gay." I watched with tears and embarrassment as she made her public announcement. In fact she didn't even say it originally, Larry King did! Now before I go too far with my criticism let me back up and run at this from a different angle than most have.
Back in 1999 my ex-wife walked out of my life. She took her two kids and almost eight years of my life with her. It was a difficult time for me. I was on the verge of moving ahead in the ministry as churches were starting to look at me as a candidate as the under-shepherd (pastor). Financially some things were coming together though we continued to struggle. On the extended family issues regarding religious differences they appeared to be settling down. It had been a hard eight years but I felt that every hardship was worth it, until she decided to walk out.
Times were tough as I struggled with the issue of divorce and financially because things were on the outset economically of going downhill. Many nights were spent crying over the loss along with the guilt of making things difficult in the marriage, but nothing worth a divorce. During that time I came across Jennifer Knapp in a video (yes video, they were still around at the time). I really felt consoled by the song and purchased the album. What was unique about her songs was that I felt everything she relayed was very Biblical and had a personal message about her relationship with Jesus Christ. I needed to hear this and I believe the Lord knew it, but then again He is omniscient. I also identified with something else in her songs...struggle. I could tell there was something unique because what she sang about and the way she sang it. Whether she knew it or not it spoke volumes regarding her personal life. Now remember where I am at this point in my life...I'm hurting and am very sensitive to those in pain. Before I would enter a new journey in life I would find myself ministering to an odd collaboration of people along the way. I believe that God heightened that sensitivity on purpose.
In 2002 I would meet Mary at Sunnyvale First Baptist, a large church in the Dallas area. We would get married in 2003. By that time I had become quite a fan of Ms. Knapp. I would have all her CDs and in 2002 went to hear and see her perform at a Franklyn Graham crusade in College Station. So imagine how I felt when all of the sudden Jennifer Knapp suddenly fell off the radar screen in 2004. Also try and guess what it felt like when all of the sudden the blogosphere opened up with rumors about her lesbian lifestyle. I, along with other fans, chose to wait and see what would happen. It was a long wait and after awhile the bloggers died down with their assumptions. Now think about the excitement when in 2008 it begins to surface that she would be making a major comeback. While I waited, along with others, in anticipation I did so with one eye on the awaited announcement and the other on the blogs. It had been bothering me for four years. The bloggers who had unfolded these accusations were very sure if themselves. I could only hope and pray that they were wrong, but something kept telling me they were right.
2008 came and went. So did 2009 as stronger rumors of her return began to emerge. At the same time my fears were beginning to be heightened because of where the publications were coming from. When her return was finally broadcast nothing was initially said of her same sex relations, but the declarations were not coming from the more well recognized Christian media. They were coming from more moderate emergent church leaders and gay and lesbian groups. As Sherlock Holmes would say to Dr. Watson, "The game is afoot." Or as we would say today, "Something ain't right."
I will end this blog here. Next time I will discuss the interview itself. From there it is my hope to explore the same sex issue and it's ramification on society. Hopefully it will be discussed from a loving, yet critical view using science, statistics, history, culture, and Scripture. These will be employed to show what this is all about and expose the lies which are being perpetrated by the media, political interests, and emergent church apostates. Your prayers will be needed, because some will falsely accuse me of hate speech. Remember it can only be contributed that way if, and only if, I insight physical harm on someone. Harming someone physically or their reputations is both wrong and not my desire. I believe that, except for self defense, harming anyone physically or reputation wise is both unbiblical and wrong. I will be honest and open about what I find, like it or not. If you continue to believe differently than I do then that is you right. Anyone who chooses to debate me needs to debate the issues not the person...no name calling...use respect!
God Bless,
Steven
Friday, April 16, 2010
TAX DAY MESSAGE
Sometime at the turn of the last century (20th) somebody got this really great idea…let’s tax the American people’s income. Originally the idea was to tax 1% of the total income. Now remember that at the close of the 19th century and opening of the 20th century the Federal government only had three basic obligations: secure the boarders, defend the nation, and govern by law. That was it! However, times were changing. There was discussion of roads which would reach from one coast to the other; the need for federalizing certain crimes; and the possibility of strengthen a standing armed force since things were starting to get very ugly in Europe. By 1913 the idea was ratified into the 18th Amendment.
Despite what most conspiracy buffs want you to think, the 18th Amendment was legal and despite a few potholes in ratification, everything was done as it should have been. That was then, but what about now? As most know the least in taxes you will pay is anywhere between 19-25% of your income. In other words you and I pay at least a bare minimum of 19 to 25 cents on the dollar. If you make over $250,000 dollars a year, that goes up. And that’s just on the federal income tax. For those of you who live and work in states that have state income taxes you pay more. Then there are all the federal and state sales taxes on the gas and other items we purchase. If that isn’t enough they now tax your retirement (even if you get Social Security) and if you die or better yet when you die you are taxed then.
In the health care debate it has been brought out that a consumption tax or value added tax (which is a sales tax) will be added to help pay for this. I (along with many of you) will be taxed for purchasing health insurance and will be fined (or taxed) if we don’t purchase any. (Me’s think they call that double jeopardy.) Presently food is not taxed, under the Obama plan it will. They have planned to tax you and I everywhere till sundown. In fact I bet they will tax us for watching the sun go down if we let them. What I am discussing is only the tip of the ice berg. It has officially been estimated that there is a possibility that we as American citizens will be taxed as much as 70% before it’s all over(http://www.heritage.org/Research/Reports/2008/06/European-Levels-of-Taxation-Barack-Obamas-Tax-Plan ). Again understand that is 70 cents on the dollar. That leaves you and me with 30 cents to do or buy anything (including food). We have not seen this kind of out of control taxation since 1937 under the Franklin Roosevelt and later the Harry Truman administrations. I respectively ask you to read one of my previous blogs dealing with this (Socialized Medicine? Good, Bad, or Indifferent?)
The question may be asked, “If the federal and state governments tax us of our living so much do we have to pay our taxes?” For the Christian the answer is an undaunting, YES! Why you may ask. Because Jesus was clear in Matthew 22:21, “…render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's; and to God the things that are God's.” The idea is that if Caesar built it, it belongs to him. If you reside under his protective hand, payment for that protection is to be made to him. If you walk on roads he built, live in cities he approved for structure, live under his authority, you have to make payment. If Caesar prints the money then it belongs to him.
Jesus does not stop there. He makes a greater observation, we are not only to give the tribute that Caesar is owed, but we are to also give to God what belongs to Him. If we are paying back to the government what they own, then what is it that God owns? Simple, EVERYTHING!!! God owns it all. Why? Because He created it all, His authority is unlimited, and His power is unreachable. This means our very lives belong to Him. This is where government stops. In Job 2 God tells Satan that he can do whatever he wants to poor Job except take his life. Why? Because Job’s life belonged exclusively to God. Things could not be clearer. It is our lives which we pay tribute to God with, not money, even though the way we handle money may show how we are paying tribute to God. Paul the apostle would have agreed with this thought in Romans 12:1-2 were on bended knee he begs Christians to give their all to God as living sacrifices.
John Locke, known as the father of liberty, would agree with the assumption that if God owns the person, then nobody else should own them. As a British philosopher and minister of the 17th century John Locke had great influence on such men as Roger Williams. His view was that government should make a contract with its people, limiting itself to defending the people, not controlling them. Since God owned the person, then what the person owned was owned by God and government’s authority should be limited to taking care of the matters of state and defense and allow the people to govern their own affairs. It was the idea of a nation where people took responsibility of what they did and also of the government itself.
John Locke also had a great influence on our founding fathers such as Samuel Adams, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, and Benjamin Franklin. His writings would cause the birth of a nation which has been called the greatest experiment in history. Exclusively the United States was born from the influence of preachers, philosophers, and theologians, unlike any other nation before or after it. It is a nation where the church does not run the government, nor the government runs the church, yet each person involved in government is allowed to vote according to the dictates of their own conscience. As Martin Luther stated in Worms, “It is neither safe nor right to go against conscience.”
With this brief understanding how shall we proceed with a government which is encroaching more and more on our freedoms every day? What should we do about those who’s spending is out of control? Where should we turn in the process?
Allow me to note some things first before we come down to what we can do. As American Christians we have a responsibility and obligation that the rest of the world does not understand. I go to church with immigrants from Eastern Europe, who escaped communism and are concerned with the direction of our nation. Even then they can, at times, be critical of American Christians when we complain about the way things are going. However, there are some Biblical grounds for the way things run and I believe that what our founding fathers attempted to do was closer and is closer to God’s design for humanity. I know that it has been reported by the Chinese Christians that they pray that we will go through a persecution to wake us up. And who knows that maybe what it takes. I think we should understand that as long as we are faithful God in all that we do and draw close to Him constantly, then persecution will not be necessary. At the same time I also pray for their freedom so that the Gospel can be openly preached. So now how shall we proceed?
First, pray. I know, I say that every time, but this is the basis. We have to be a people of prayer. We need to pray for those who we disagree with as well as those we agree with. Again, Jesus in Matthew 5:43-45 is very clear about this. We are to pray for those who abuse us as well as those who love us. At the same time I do not believe this means we should willingly submit ourselves to abuse, but if abuse does happen then we are to be praying for those doing the abusing. We need to pray that God will give them favor for salvation; that they will become more compassionate and understanding; and that they will become more helpful with the needs of others. At the same time we should pray for those who we agree with so that they will stand the needed ground in order to preserve liberty.
Second, we should be involved. There are a number of ways in which citizens can be involved. One is to make sure we stay informed about what is going on. Learn and understand the issues at hand from all angles. Another way we can be involved is to write letters, e-mails and make phone calls to our representatives, senators, governors, city councilman, and mayors. Remember that the person, who runs for mayor today, may run for the senate tomorrow. An additional way to be involved is by giving to the person who discusses the issues you think are important. Finally, you can also show up in rallies. When doing this we need to be very careful about the way we handle ourselves. Rallies can become contentious especially if another rally is going on at the same time from the opposing side. Remember that our Constitution secures the right for peaceful assembly. Protest rallies can be both peaceful and Biblical as long as they do not move into a frame work of calling names. This is the reason why some ministers and preachers, especially younger ones, are speaking out against going to politically motivated rallies.
Third, stand your ground morally. What do I mean by this? Stop allowing society to declare what the norm should be. I have come to the point where when someone uses filthy language in excess, I say something. It is not right that my wife and child have to be subjected to someone else’s abusive language. While the Constitution guarantees free speech, it does not allow for abusive speech. There is a difference. No one has the right to use foul language in open public. Take the high ground morally and ethically every day. We may pay a heavy price for it, but in the long run it will pay off.
Fourth, pay your taxes. Right now the tax situation is what it is and we are all obligated to pay. Laws can be changed, but until they are, taxes have to be paid.
Fifth, vote. I have the attitude that if you don’t vote, you shouldn’t complain. Vote for the person you agree with.
Last, go to church and daily dedicate yourself to the living Savior. You and I have to understand that what goes on down here is small compared to the kingdom of God and what He is wanting. If we are not busy proclaiming the good news of Jesus Christ to the lost while there is free speech and while there is time, then we are missing the point. You see freedom means very little if we are not busy proclaiming the truth of Jesus Christ with it. There are people who have not heard the Good News of salvation through Jesus Christ. They do not understand that they are lost in their sins, bound by their lusts, greed and passions. They have no idea that Hell will become their eternal home without Him. There is no real conscience toward the fact that Jesus Christ bleed, suffered and died on the cross for, because of, and in place of their sin. They are blind to the idea that they are under the judgment of God and need this Savior. They do not care that He is bodily raised, nor are they concerned with the fact that He will return one day to judge everything they have ever done.
You see this is the reason I am concerned with freedom of speech, liberty of life. If we do not have these two things then the Gospel will have to go back underground and it will be suppressed from the masses that need to hear.
Let me know what you think.
God Bless,
Steven Swaim-President and Founder of Be Devoted Ministries
(All Bible quotations are from the New American Standard Bible (NASB)-Lochman Foundation)
Despite what most conspiracy buffs want you to think, the 18th Amendment was legal and despite a few potholes in ratification, everything was done as it should have been. That was then, but what about now? As most know the least in taxes you will pay is anywhere between 19-25% of your income. In other words you and I pay at least a bare minimum of 19 to 25 cents on the dollar. If you make over $250,000 dollars a year, that goes up. And that’s just on the federal income tax. For those of you who live and work in states that have state income taxes you pay more. Then there are all the federal and state sales taxes on the gas and other items we purchase. If that isn’t enough they now tax your retirement (even if you get Social Security) and if you die or better yet when you die you are taxed then.
In the health care debate it has been brought out that a consumption tax or value added tax (which is a sales tax) will be added to help pay for this. I (along with many of you) will be taxed for purchasing health insurance and will be fined (or taxed) if we don’t purchase any. (Me’s think they call that double jeopardy.) Presently food is not taxed, under the Obama plan it will. They have planned to tax you and I everywhere till sundown. In fact I bet they will tax us for watching the sun go down if we let them. What I am discussing is only the tip of the ice berg. It has officially been estimated that there is a possibility that we as American citizens will be taxed as much as 70% before it’s all over(http://www.heritage.org/Research/Reports/2008/06/European-Levels-of-Taxation-Barack-Obamas-Tax-Plan ). Again understand that is 70 cents on the dollar. That leaves you and me with 30 cents to do or buy anything (including food). We have not seen this kind of out of control taxation since 1937 under the Franklin Roosevelt and later the Harry Truman administrations. I respectively ask you to read one of my previous blogs dealing with this (Socialized Medicine? Good, Bad, or Indifferent?)
The question may be asked, “If the federal and state governments tax us of our living so much do we have to pay our taxes?” For the Christian the answer is an undaunting, YES! Why you may ask. Because Jesus was clear in Matthew 22:21, “…render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's; and to God the things that are God's.” The idea is that if Caesar built it, it belongs to him. If you reside under his protective hand, payment for that protection is to be made to him. If you walk on roads he built, live in cities he approved for structure, live under his authority, you have to make payment. If Caesar prints the money then it belongs to him.
Jesus does not stop there. He makes a greater observation, we are not only to give the tribute that Caesar is owed, but we are to also give to God what belongs to Him. If we are paying back to the government what they own, then what is it that God owns? Simple, EVERYTHING!!! God owns it all. Why? Because He created it all, His authority is unlimited, and His power is unreachable. This means our very lives belong to Him. This is where government stops. In Job 2 God tells Satan that he can do whatever he wants to poor Job except take his life. Why? Because Job’s life belonged exclusively to God. Things could not be clearer. It is our lives which we pay tribute to God with, not money, even though the way we handle money may show how we are paying tribute to God. Paul the apostle would have agreed with this thought in Romans 12:1-2 were on bended knee he begs Christians to give their all to God as living sacrifices.
John Locke, known as the father of liberty, would agree with the assumption that if God owns the person, then nobody else should own them. As a British philosopher and minister of the 17th century John Locke had great influence on such men as Roger Williams. His view was that government should make a contract with its people, limiting itself to defending the people, not controlling them. Since God owned the person, then what the person owned was owned by God and government’s authority should be limited to taking care of the matters of state and defense and allow the people to govern their own affairs. It was the idea of a nation where people took responsibility of what they did and also of the government itself.
John Locke also had a great influence on our founding fathers such as Samuel Adams, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, and Benjamin Franklin. His writings would cause the birth of a nation which has been called the greatest experiment in history. Exclusively the United States was born from the influence of preachers, philosophers, and theologians, unlike any other nation before or after it. It is a nation where the church does not run the government, nor the government runs the church, yet each person involved in government is allowed to vote according to the dictates of their own conscience. As Martin Luther stated in Worms, “It is neither safe nor right to go against conscience.”
With this brief understanding how shall we proceed with a government which is encroaching more and more on our freedoms every day? What should we do about those who’s spending is out of control? Where should we turn in the process?
Allow me to note some things first before we come down to what we can do. As American Christians we have a responsibility and obligation that the rest of the world does not understand. I go to church with immigrants from Eastern Europe, who escaped communism and are concerned with the direction of our nation. Even then they can, at times, be critical of American Christians when we complain about the way things are going. However, there are some Biblical grounds for the way things run and I believe that what our founding fathers attempted to do was closer and is closer to God’s design for humanity. I know that it has been reported by the Chinese Christians that they pray that we will go through a persecution to wake us up. And who knows that maybe what it takes. I think we should understand that as long as we are faithful God in all that we do and draw close to Him constantly, then persecution will not be necessary. At the same time I also pray for their freedom so that the Gospel can be openly preached. So now how shall we proceed?
First, pray. I know, I say that every time, but this is the basis. We have to be a people of prayer. We need to pray for those who we disagree with as well as those we agree with. Again, Jesus in Matthew 5:43-45 is very clear about this. We are to pray for those who abuse us as well as those who love us. At the same time I do not believe this means we should willingly submit ourselves to abuse, but if abuse does happen then we are to be praying for those doing the abusing. We need to pray that God will give them favor for salvation; that they will become more compassionate and understanding; and that they will become more helpful with the needs of others. At the same time we should pray for those who we agree with so that they will stand the needed ground in order to preserve liberty.
Second, we should be involved. There are a number of ways in which citizens can be involved. One is to make sure we stay informed about what is going on. Learn and understand the issues at hand from all angles. Another way we can be involved is to write letters, e-mails and make phone calls to our representatives, senators, governors, city councilman, and mayors. Remember that the person, who runs for mayor today, may run for the senate tomorrow. An additional way to be involved is by giving to the person who discusses the issues you think are important. Finally, you can also show up in rallies. When doing this we need to be very careful about the way we handle ourselves. Rallies can become contentious especially if another rally is going on at the same time from the opposing side. Remember that our Constitution secures the right for peaceful assembly. Protest rallies can be both peaceful and Biblical as long as they do not move into a frame work of calling names. This is the reason why some ministers and preachers, especially younger ones, are speaking out against going to politically motivated rallies.
Third, stand your ground morally. What do I mean by this? Stop allowing society to declare what the norm should be. I have come to the point where when someone uses filthy language in excess, I say something. It is not right that my wife and child have to be subjected to someone else’s abusive language. While the Constitution guarantees free speech, it does not allow for abusive speech. There is a difference. No one has the right to use foul language in open public. Take the high ground morally and ethically every day. We may pay a heavy price for it, but in the long run it will pay off.
Fourth, pay your taxes. Right now the tax situation is what it is and we are all obligated to pay. Laws can be changed, but until they are, taxes have to be paid.
Fifth, vote. I have the attitude that if you don’t vote, you shouldn’t complain. Vote for the person you agree with.
Last, go to church and daily dedicate yourself to the living Savior. You and I have to understand that what goes on down here is small compared to the kingdom of God and what He is wanting. If we are not busy proclaiming the good news of Jesus Christ to the lost while there is free speech and while there is time, then we are missing the point. You see freedom means very little if we are not busy proclaiming the truth of Jesus Christ with it. There are people who have not heard the Good News of salvation through Jesus Christ. They do not understand that they are lost in their sins, bound by their lusts, greed and passions. They have no idea that Hell will become their eternal home without Him. There is no real conscience toward the fact that Jesus Christ bleed, suffered and died on the cross for, because of, and in place of their sin. They are blind to the idea that they are under the judgment of God and need this Savior. They do not care that He is bodily raised, nor are they concerned with the fact that He will return one day to judge everything they have ever done.
You see this is the reason I am concerned with freedom of speech, liberty of life. If we do not have these two things then the Gospel will have to go back underground and it will be suppressed from the masses that need to hear.
Let me know what you think.
God Bless,
Steven Swaim-President and Founder of Be Devoted Ministries
(All Bible quotations are from the New American Standard Bible (NASB)-Lochman Foundation)
Saturday, April 3, 2010
ARE YOU READY FOR THE SURPIRSE WHEN IT COMES?
About two weeks ago Mary, my wife, came down with migraines which lead to her becoming very ill. The next morning I started to leave for work, when she started complaining of sever back pains. After a brief discussion I decided to stay home and take care of her. She called doctor who told her to go to the Labor/Delivery room and she would meet her there. Six hours later we left with a diagnosis of pre-labor start-ups. Two days later we went to the doctor for a normal check-up and Mary was put on bed rest. On Friday, March 26th, 2010, the doctor released Mary from bed rest. On Saturday March 27th, 2010 at 5:15 a.m. Mary woke me up saying that her water had broken. By 7:30 a.m. we were in Labor/Delivery and by 6:36 p.m. James Swaim entered the world. The point is that James was exactly one month early. He had captured Mary and me totally by surprise. His room was still being worked on; we still had one baby shower to go; I was still putting furniture together and the house was a wreck from Mary having been sick and me having taken a class at DBU. We were caught off guard.
Many would say that this is the way life works. But upon a deeper examination, some could argue that this is the way God Himself works. Scripture seems to bear this out. We could look at a variety of scriptures that display this thought.
From the Old Testament we could look in Genesis 12 at the call of Abraham. In Exodus 3 there is the sudden appearance of YAHWEH in the burning bush before Moses. Exodus 5 records the surprise return of Moses to Egypt. Joshua 1-5 tells of the shock of Joshua and the Israelites crossing the Jordan. It surprised King Saul and Israel that God chose David as the next king (1st Samuel 16). Nehemiah astonished Sanballet, Tobiah and Geshem with the rebuilding of the wall of Jerusalem (Nehemiah). And this hits only the highlights in the Old Testament.
In the New Testament things do not work much different. In Matthew 1-2 Jesus Christ took the world by surprise by being born even thought it had been prophesied for close to six thousand years, starting in Genesis 3. Not only did His arrival amaze people but in Matthew 7:38 His authority did as well. In Matthew 26 His crucifixion startled he disciples. But the biggest surprise was His bodily resurrection which is recorded in Luke 24. What seems to be more amazing to His disciples was the ascension into Heaven some forty days latter in Acts 1.
Looking back on all of this we might say, “Yeah, I can see were that caught them by surprise, but that was then and this is now.” WAIT!! There is more! The apostle Paul wrote of “…the coming of the Lord…” (4:15) in 1st Thessalonians 4:13-5:11. In 5:2 he states that this day, “…will come just like a thief in the night.” In other words we (all of humanity, saved and unsaved) will be caught by surprised. I know that not everyone reading this believes as I do regarding the “coming of the Lord.” And quiet frankly I don’t care!!! Each theological argument regarding this moment in time has hermeneutical and historical issues which comes with it. So you can argue among yourselves. My point is this, regardless of your view; regardless of your theological thinking; regardless of your drum beating belief; when Jesus returns we will all be caught by surprise. The point of Scripture is that no matter how things play out, in the end we are to be faithful to Him, because He will return.
I am reminded of a story by Chuck Swindoll about a black elderly woman in a Mississippi town. Every week she would go to town to grocery shop. Every week she would be taunted by three young teenagers about her faith. One day they yelled out and asked her in a jesting manner, “Hey, are you ready for Jesus to return?” She quickly snapped back, “Boys! I’sa stays ready!”
That is the point in question: Do you stay ready? How ready are you for the day of reckoning? Will the great Judge of Eternity find you guilty in your sins or righteous through the work of His resurrected Son? Only you can answer.
Have a happy Resurrection Sunday and let me know what you think.
Steven Swaim
President of Be Devoted Ministries
Many would say that this is the way life works. But upon a deeper examination, some could argue that this is the way God Himself works. Scripture seems to bear this out. We could look at a variety of scriptures that display this thought.
From the Old Testament we could look in Genesis 12 at the call of Abraham. In Exodus 3 there is the sudden appearance of YAHWEH in the burning bush before Moses. Exodus 5 records the surprise return of Moses to Egypt. Joshua 1-5 tells of the shock of Joshua and the Israelites crossing the Jordan. It surprised King Saul and Israel that God chose David as the next king (1st Samuel 16). Nehemiah astonished Sanballet, Tobiah and Geshem with the rebuilding of the wall of Jerusalem (Nehemiah). And this hits only the highlights in the Old Testament.
In the New Testament things do not work much different. In Matthew 1-2 Jesus Christ took the world by surprise by being born even thought it had been prophesied for close to six thousand years, starting in Genesis 3. Not only did His arrival amaze people but in Matthew 7:38 His authority did as well. In Matthew 26 His crucifixion startled he disciples. But the biggest surprise was His bodily resurrection which is recorded in Luke 24. What seems to be more amazing to His disciples was the ascension into Heaven some forty days latter in Acts 1.
Looking back on all of this we might say, “Yeah, I can see were that caught them by surprise, but that was then and this is now.” WAIT!! There is more! The apostle Paul wrote of “…the coming of the Lord…” (4:15) in 1st Thessalonians 4:13-5:11. In 5:2 he states that this day, “…will come just like a thief in the night.” In other words we (all of humanity, saved and unsaved) will be caught by surprised. I know that not everyone reading this believes as I do regarding the “coming of the Lord.” And quiet frankly I don’t care!!! Each theological argument regarding this moment in time has hermeneutical and historical issues which comes with it. So you can argue among yourselves. My point is this, regardless of your view; regardless of your theological thinking; regardless of your drum beating belief; when Jesus returns we will all be caught by surprise. The point of Scripture is that no matter how things play out, in the end we are to be faithful to Him, because He will return.
I am reminded of a story by Chuck Swindoll about a black elderly woman in a Mississippi town. Every week she would go to town to grocery shop. Every week she would be taunted by three young teenagers about her faith. One day they yelled out and asked her in a jesting manner, “Hey, are you ready for Jesus to return?” She quickly snapped back, “Boys! I’sa stays ready!”
That is the point in question: Do you stay ready? How ready are you for the day of reckoning? Will the great Judge of Eternity find you guilty in your sins or righteous through the work of His resurrected Son? Only you can answer.
Have a happy Resurrection Sunday and let me know what you think.
Steven Swaim
President of Be Devoted Ministries
Saturday, March 20, 2010
HEALTHCARE AND MINISTRY/NON-PROFIT ISSUES
This will be a brief blog because, as many of you know throughout the year I have ranted regarding the healthcare legislation which has been moving through Congress. All that can be said has been said. I believe that it is an overall takeover of not just one-sixth of our economy, but a taking away from our very freedom itself. I have also posted in some previous blogs my thoughts of what would help regarding our present system. In order to get specifics see my blogs on August 2, 2009 (socialized medicine? good, bad, or indifferent?), November 7, 2009 (The Dems Are Wanting You To Demo On) and December 5, 2009 (WHERE IS SAMUEL ADAMS WHEN YOU NEED HIM). However, as usual no one listens.
Allow me to bring to you the necessity of this discussion from a ministry angle. Here is the danger, most, while not all, of the social needs of our nation are still taken care of by churches, ministries and other non-profit organizations. Most of these small organizations and groups employee one to fifteen people with the rest being volunteers. Having said that remember that the IRS is being put in charge of keeping up with the employers payment regarding health insurance. This means that government will be more intrusive than it has ever been before. With ministries, non-profits and churches being in a special status this will make them even bigger targets of the IRS than before. What this means is that groups and non-profit businesses which run on shoe string budgets will still be required to give employees insurance or will be required to take up government run health insurance. Folks this is called socialism by no other word.
So very quickly what should we do? I don’t think being rebellious toward the law itself will help, however I don’t think we should just stand and take it if it passes. First, continue to call your representative. At the writing of this blog they barely have the votes, even though that may very easily change. Second, vote the bums out. I will continue to keep this issue as a forefront issue until November, 2012. They have done a very bad job at listening to the people! Third, encourage your state’s Attorney General to file a constitutional grievance against this and push the issue to the Supreme Court. Make sure they do a good job at representing the issue or else we will wind up with a law that we cannot back out, even through legislation. Fourth, we do need to force the next group of Representatives and Senators to deal with the health care issue carefully so that this kind of debacle doesn’t happen again. Last, but most significantly, we need to pray. The real issue here is not Social Security, Medicare/Medicaid, or Health Care. The issue is not conservative verses liberal or the constitutionalism verses socialism. The real issues are spiritual. There is a need in our nation for revival, a need for people to come to Jesus as Savior.
This healthcare issue is very important for ministries, non-profits and churches for other reasons than what I have listed. Let’s not forget that the abortion issue is still involved in this piece of hogwash, or as Will Rodgers called it, “sausage making.” Also, remember that this impacts the way people give. If healthcare costs go up then giving will go down, which is the source of income for non-profits. Finally remember that personally it will impact every minister, pastor, and owner of non-profits regarding their First Amendment rights. “How?” you may ask. Some of the biggest pushers of this legislation are the homosexual, abortion and pornography groups. While the abortion industry has been the loudest, the other two have been quietly lobbing the issue. AIDS is still a major concern in these two communities. Once this legislation is passed they will view these issues as something that cannot be discriminated against. And the euthanasia issue still has not been covered. Does anyone hear Joseph Stalin and Adolf Hitler rising from the dead? Believe me, as I have stated before I state again, it may take ten to twenty years to happen, but it will.
Tell me what you think.
Steven
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
The Mary and James Ordeal
As some of you, who are my Facebook friends, know I asked for prayer for Mary last night. As a quick update, Mary and James are doing fine. Last night while I was in the middle of taking an online final test for a class I had taken at Dallas Baptist University last week, Mary came down very ill and started to throw-up. I was unaware of the severity of what was happening until after I had completed the test. At one point she had come in stating she was not feeling well, which evidently went down hill after that. I tended to her the best I could and when everything caulmed down I posted my request. However little did I know what was about to occur.
About two o'clock in the morning she woke me up milling around the house stating that her back was hurting her. She had tried everything, and remained in that perpetual state of up and down for the rest of the morning. Both of us felt it had something to do with her being sick after the migrain headache last night (no that should not be interpreted that I am her migrain).
This morning when I got up at four o'clock in the morning (yes that is normal for me), she was already up (no that is not normal for her). She continued to complain with the back pain for the next two hours while I attempted to get ready for work. Finally, as I was ready to walk out the door, I began to ask her a series of questions to determine if this was one of those, "Oh, I'm pregnate and am just misrable" moments or if it was something which really needed my attention. I determined that it really needed my attention. I had her call the doctor oncall, who instructed her to immediately go to the hospital.
We arrived at the hospital at seven-thirty in the morning and she was admitted in the labor/delivery room. The nurses immediately began to monitor her and ran some test. The doctor suspected kidney stones but the test came out clear. The nurse was the one who put two and two together. She noticed that the monitor was picking up contractions at 3 to 4 minutes apart. Understand that Mary is only 33 weeks along, so we should not be seeing anything like this yet. They gave her a shot to settle the contractions down and to allow Mary to rest. Basically, the back pain was contractions. The doctor then began to question why this happening. I then shared with the doctor what occured last night. After watching Mary for another hour, they determined that Mary was slightly dehidrated, the medicine was working as it should, and the dehidration is what caused the contractions. I was instructed to get her something to eat after she was released (like I needed to be instructed to do this) and make sure she got plenty of rest this afternoon (like I needed to be instructed to do this as well). We left the hospital at one o'clock this afternoon.
Mary has eaten and is resting well right now. I am able to get some rest after completeing my studies for the next twelve weeks. But our rest is short lived, in about seven to eight weeks the little fellow who we were so concerned for will be entering this world. Please continue to pray for Mary and James, while giving God the praise for those who are working in our health care industry!
Lord Bless,
Steven Swaim
About two o'clock in the morning she woke me up milling around the house stating that her back was hurting her. She had tried everything, and remained in that perpetual state of up and down for the rest of the morning. Both of us felt it had something to do with her being sick after the migrain headache last night (no that should not be interpreted that I am her migrain).
This morning when I got up at four o'clock in the morning (yes that is normal for me), she was already up (no that is not normal for her). She continued to complain with the back pain for the next two hours while I attempted to get ready for work. Finally, as I was ready to walk out the door, I began to ask her a series of questions to determine if this was one of those, "Oh, I'm pregnate and am just misrable" moments or if it was something which really needed my attention. I determined that it really needed my attention. I had her call the doctor oncall, who instructed her to immediately go to the hospital.
We arrived at the hospital at seven-thirty in the morning and she was admitted in the labor/delivery room. The nurses immediately began to monitor her and ran some test. The doctor suspected kidney stones but the test came out clear. The nurse was the one who put two and two together. She noticed that the monitor was picking up contractions at 3 to 4 minutes apart. Understand that Mary is only 33 weeks along, so we should not be seeing anything like this yet. They gave her a shot to settle the contractions down and to allow Mary to rest. Basically, the back pain was contractions. The doctor then began to question why this happening. I then shared with the doctor what occured last night. After watching Mary for another hour, they determined that Mary was slightly dehidrated, the medicine was working as it should, and the dehidration is what caused the contractions. I was instructed to get her something to eat after she was released (like I needed to be instructed to do this) and make sure she got plenty of rest this afternoon (like I needed to be instructed to do this as well). We left the hospital at one o'clock this afternoon.
Mary has eaten and is resting well right now. I am able to get some rest after completeing my studies for the next twelve weeks. But our rest is short lived, in about seven to eight weeks the little fellow who we were so concerned for will be entering this world. Please continue to pray for Mary and James, while giving God the praise for those who are working in our health care industry!
Lord Bless,
Steven Swaim
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