FOLLOWING JESUS

Mark 2:13-15

(NASB)

“¹³ And He went out again by the seashore; and all the people were coming to Him, and He was teaching them.

¹⁴ As He passed by, He saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting in the tax booth, and He said to him, ‘Follow Me!’ And he got up and followed Him.

¹⁵ And it happened that He was reclining at the table in his house, and many tax collectors and sinners were dining with Jesus and His disciples; for there were many of them, and they were following Him.”

My life from a very young age has been filled with politics.  I remember setting around the dinner table having political discussions with my dad as young as ten years old.  Before my dad died in 2010 he revealed to me that deep understanding regarding the subject.  My grandfather had been elected twice on the school board in Logan county Arkansas.  I can remember how interesting it was to see the shift that I had made when I first came to Christ at 17 some thirty years ago.  That transfer of believe and thought was overnight.  Suddenly I wasn’t as in tune with the liberal mush that came from the TV media.  Surprisingly I was more interested in the issues of the moment:  Issues about life, sanctity of life; issues dealing with belief systems; issues dealing with sexual identity because that dealt with the questions of evolution verses creation.   I was not longer a follower of what was being put out, but I followed Someone of higher authority and had a deeper, greater calling.  Over the years all of that has been challenged, but thanks to the Lord I have stayed true.

Mark is an interesting book because it shows Jesus moving from place to place very quickly.  In chapter 1 He just shows up on the scene and we march straight to the cross and resurrection from there.  He is always doing something, always on the move, always in motion.  In Mark chapter 2 we see some very interesting things.  The story of the paralytic man being helped by his friends is told in verses 1-12.  We see the scribes and Pharisees challenging Jesus on several issues (vv. 6-7, 18, 24).  But right in the middle of the chapter, right at the center of all the activity and criticism, is an action that could very easily be missed.  It is the action of following.

Three times we see Jesus being followed.  The first time we Mark tells of a group of people who had evidently witnessed healing of the paralytic “coming to Him” (v. 13).  Then we observe Him calling Levi (Matthew) to follow Him and that is exactly what Levi does (v. 14).  The third time we see a group of people following Jesus to a meal that is being given, evidently at Levi’s house (v. 15).

There are two things we can grasp dealing with following Jesus that occur:  One is how Jesus used the opportunity; He used it to teach.  Both in verses 13 and 15 Jesus taught the people.  Jesus didn’t just set and drink up all the praise.  He had a purpose behind allowing people to follow, to teach the way of Truth, the idea that He is Truth.  The second reason that Jesus used as an opportunity to allow people to follow Him is for service.  The Greek word for follow in verse 14 is Ἀκολούθει  (Akoluthi) which means to “join a person as an attendant.”  Jesus called Levi to be His servant.  If it is Levi’s house that the meal is being served at then Levi has immediately began to fulfill that role as a servant of the Lord by introducing his friends to Christ.  Again Jesus uses the moment to teach eternal truth.

I think the point is that Jesus willingly shared His life and teaching with others for the sake of bringing eternal life to those who needed it and wanted it.  Levi reflected that idea by inviting His friends to meet Jesus.  Nothing has changed with following Jesus.  About three weeks ago I asked a question about whether community service is really evangelism or not.  The fact is that it is not; it is just being a good citizen.  However, if the idea is to carry to gospel to a lost world around us, then yes it can be a tool that God uses.  Anything in our lives can be a tool that God uses to reach the lost world with the gospel.  It can be grocery shopping, mowing our lawn, mowing someone else’s lawn, taking care of ourselves by watch what we eat and how we exercise.  Anything can be a tool, but we have to live our lives with the expressed purpose of sharing the gospel with those around us.

Questions:  What are you doing today?  How are you serving Jesus today?  Are you sharing Jesus to a world that is dying, dead in their sins?  Are you concerned that people are in rebellion against God and that is the reason(s) they hold the world view of destruction in their lives?  Do you care that your friend, neighbor, child, spouse, parent, ex-spouse, or family member is going to Hell?  Have you taken the time to serve God by serving them with the truth that Jesus died on the cross for and because of our sins?  Are you taking the time to share with them how that He rose from the dead physically, giving them the opportunity to have forgiveness of sin and eternal life?

Think about it!

Your thoughts are welcomed.

Steven Swaim

President and Founder, Be Devoted Ministries

WORDS OF APPRECIATION

I want to take a moment and say a word of appreciation to all my readers. Because of you the readership on this blog has gone over 1000 hits. This means that when people are searching out certain topics that have been covered on this blog site the name of Be Devoted Ministries will be one of the top choices to view.

March has been an exceptional month for me. I came to know Jesus Christ as Savior on April 4, 1981. I know that April is not March, but the date is immediately after March (give me some room here folks). I started this blog in March of 2007 with about twenty people looking at it. I thought it was cool when the hits went over 100. At that time I was much more active with blogging. As time grew the audience began to grow. You were here when my son was born in March of 2010. Many of you noted that my writing slowed down during the fall of 2010 and almost came to a stop in 2011. There were two reasons for the slowdown. One was because of a very busy schedule while trying to get ready for graduation and the other was the death of my father. The impact of his death and subsequently the deaths of other family members and friends throughout the year of 2011 only added to the depression I found myself in. The new inspiration for starting up again came as a result of the President’s 2012 State of the Union Address, where under a dictatorial tone, I heard him taking my son’s freedoms away. That coupled with the religious freedom issue in regards to the healthcare debate pushed me to start again. My goal is to attempt to blog once a week, if not every couple of weeks.

This blog has also been used in ways that I have never thought possible. For instance I never imagined that it would be read worldwide. People from all over the world have come and continue to come to this blog to find out information, receive encouragement, and hopefully find the giver of life Himself, Jesus Christ Lord of Glory, Savior of the world. I have received numerous hits from Russia, Germany, Slovenia, Great Britain, and parts of Africa. Most of the hits come from here in the United States and primarily here in Texas. But even then I have had people view this blog from Maine to California.

The most interesting of all of the blogs evidently are the devotionals which I started from the book of Ezra. There have been more consistent hits on them than on anything else. This last post dealing with confusing community service with evangelism is the second most popular, with the religious freedom issue being the third, and the liquor issue being the fourth most viewed. Ending the top ten lists is the article about churches which seem to be more about entertainment than the gospel.

What does all of this mean? It means that there are some changes to be made. One is that many of the old postings will be reviewed for timely information and grammar problems. There are some of the articles which will be removed because they are more rants than anything while others just need cleaning up. Some blogs will be moved to the website www.BeDevotedMinistries.com because of their subject matter as well as the complexities that maybe involved in research and so forth. While I may seek to give my opinion on this page I will refer to the website itself as my source. There you can find a PDF which will have information and studies that point to my opinion. Since the devotionals seem to be the most popular of the items on this site more of them will show up on this page with a link to the website for greater commentary which will be posted there. Another thing I may also do is post needs from missionaries from all over the world so that you will know what they are.

How can you help? First, as a reader allow me to reiterate my thanks to you. Without you there would be little reason for writing. I love doing this and would do it for a living if I could. I also want to set something up for my posterity, so that they will know where I stood on social issues and theology. So my request from you is to continue reading this blog site and go to the website mentioned above. It is always my hope that your life will become richer because of something you have read. It is also my prayer that you will become more aware of what God is doing in the world as well as what God is expecting from us at the same time. The second thing you can do is join the following. By following this blog you will help enhance the search capability for those who are seeking the information that I provide. The final thing that can be done is spread the word. Please let others know about this site, especially pastors, missionaries, or Sunday School teachers. My goal this year is to get at least two thousand hits on this site and the sister website. With your help we can transform the world by leading them to Jesus Christ and change the direction of this country by returning it to the values that once prevailed. Help me accomplish this for the glory of God.

Steven Swaim
President and Founder, Be Devoted Ministries

WHEN DID WE START CONFUSING COMMUNITY SERVICE WITH EVANGELISM?

“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.”-Ephesians 2:10 (NASB)

A while back I posted this question on my Facebook page. Of course there were few takers to the question because nobody had an answer. I have been a Christian since 1981 and involved in all kinds of evangelistic campaigns of one kind or another. In the last several years I have noticed two new campaigns which have started to take shape: sport evangelism and community service. Sport evangelism has actually been around for several years and for the most part has been fairly effective. The analogy of the sports and the gospel message is easy to make plus the fact that during these “sports camps” there is, at some point, a captive audience to share with. Most of the time “sports camps” have a time in which the whole group gathers together and a speaker will make a gospel presentation of one kind or another. There are also more personal times given to children so they understand the idea of eternal life in Jesus. If done correctly a sports camp can be extremely effective and have a very positive impact. Allow me to say one thing before we go too far, I am no huge sports fan, so for me to say something this positive only shows how really effective I feel that it is.

At the same time I have also noticed more churches being involved in organized community services. These services may include helping someone in the church with needed repairs in their house; helping people with yard work; painting fire hydrants; cleaning up graffiti; or any number of clean up efforts to help make the community surrounding the church look better. More often than not it includes people, young people in particular, wearing t-shirts with the name of the ministry or church which is doing the community service. It has also become a real incentive for youth in these churches to participate since community service is now required in most public schools. While all of this is not bad I am afraid the message and mentality that it may be sending, both to those who are participating and those who see it, is not what is intended.

The Mentality Behind The Idea

Several years ago I remember reading an article in a magazine. Forgive me while I do not state who the article was about or which magazine it was since over twenty-eight years have passed, I just remember the story. A particular traveling evangelist was due to speak at a church in Houston, Texas. He arrived very early that Sunday morning, coming in from another speaking engagement the night before. He hailed a taxi and off they went. The driver asked him what he did for a living and the evangelist told him. They drove by a very large church building. The driver told him that the church they were passing was a growing church at one time, but now had very few people attending it. On the sign outside the church were the words, “Come and see.” They drove a little further and came to an intersection which had a major traffic tie-up. The driver explained that ever since this new church had started traffic had been this way. The church building was small and looked to be more like a store front than an actual traditional church. People were everywhere trying to get in. On the sign outside it read, “Go and tell.”

In this story the illustration can be clearly seen. There was a philosophical difference between the two churches. In todays “Community Service” driven churches appear to have the same “come and see” mentality. As a student and participant of evangelism/outreach I know that in most cases churches need some kind of structured outreach in order to have an “active” presence regarding the Great Commission which is ordered by the Lord Jesus Christ in Matthew 28:16-20. Over the years I have seen churches becoming more dependent on programs rather than the courage and personal conviction to share the gospel in their everyday situations. One such program was presented by the Southern Baptist called G.R.O.W. which finally faded away only to be replaced with F.A.I.T.H. While there is nothing unbiblical or wrong with programs, when we start placing our trust in a program as the only tool in the kit then we find ourselves amiss. But even with the programs mentioned above at least the idea is going and telling. I fear that the deception with the community service projects is that there is an appearance of going, but in reality it is nothing more than being a walking marque. Nobody talks about the gospel; nobody shares the good news; rarely is contact with anyone made. When contact is made it is often limited and is more about the group’s work they are doing verses presenting the gospel to someone. It is not uncommon for community service projects to be run by local governments or school entities, which will not allow an outward display of sharing religious thought. The other problem is that at some point in the future communities will begin to expect or even require churches in their areas to participate in these community efforts.

The Missed Opportunity

Let me say clearly that I do not think there is anything wrong with community service projects. I feel that if we keep things clean, help those who need assistance, and are more aware of what goes on around us, we help the world become a better place. However I do not believe doing these things will really improve conditions all that greatly until hearts are changed through the preaching of the gospel and Jesus returns. There are many in the emergent church arena who preach “missional” living which is the idea that we as a community are responsible for the individual. This is getting things backwards. The reality and the Biblical thinking is that the individual is responsible to take care of themselves while doing what they can to make the community better. But what constitutes a better community? Is it better to live in a clean crime ridden community?

Several months ago I was talking to an outreach minister at a particular church which had made a real effort to help with community project services over the past several years. For every one wall of gang graffiti they cleaned up there would be four more walls messed up, not including the one they just cleaned. Helping with crime watch services, YMCA, and health centers had benefits, but very little was ever accomplished in terms of changing the core of the neighborhood. It didn’t take long for him to realize the problem was not in cleanliness of the neighborhood, or the upkeep of houses, or doing good things out in the community to make it look and feel better. The problem was with the fact that the gospel was not being shared. People saw all the good they were doing, but it was leading to nothing. At that point he concluded that change, real change, would only happen if the Christians living in that area were to start sharing the gospel with their neighbors, the people at the grocery store, kids they went to school with, and people they worked around. The sharing of the good news of Jesus Christ was the only real way the area was going to change. Needless to say the church rejected that idea and wanted to continue to pursue the community service idea. Today that church continues to die.

History Agrees

Over at matthiasmedia.com, J. Mack Stiles posted a very good article recognizing this very issue in June, 2011 (http://matthiasmedia.com/briefing/2011/06/deckchairs-on-the-titanic-evangelism-and-social-action/). In his article he tells the story of working with a missionary in Guatemala, where the Guatemalan farmers were starving because of lack of protein. The missionary began to implement a plan which allowed them to get the needed protein. In the process he also shared Christ with these people groups. As time went on he noticed improvements in the culture that he was not anticipating. In areas of morality men stopped running around on their wives which lead to them paying more attention to their families and farms. Disease became less of a factor because cleanliness became more of one. Ethically people started treating each other better as a result started helping each other in situations which allowed them to manage issues better. They also developed a stronger sense of honest economics. Health wise the protein problem began to diminish, before the program could be administered in any significant way.

This would not be the first time something of this nature has happened. Wherever Christianity takes root stories of this nature are the norm. Billy Graham noted in several interviews back in the 1960’s that the answer to the race issues in America was Christ. Many Christian economic experts have stated that the work place issues that go on between the unions and employers could be resolved by following the Ephesians 6 model of treating one another with great respect and doing an honest day’s work. Physicians with a strong Biblical background have shared how many health problems could be averted if people simply took time to rest (Sabbath), ate things in proper portions (no gluttony), allowed God to handle situations more (prayer), rebelled less (obey parents), exercised more (work), and stopped being sexually immoral. Each of these issues demonstrates about 80% of the health problems in our nation. They all answer the issues of heart disease, stress related trauma, some forms of cancers, and sexually transmitted diseases such as AIDS, gonorrhea, and certain kinds of cervical cancers.

The Biblical Aspect

Many who believe that community service is the ultimate form of outreach will run to the book of Acts, in particular chapter 4:32-37 where many of the rich land owners would sell property as needed in order to help take care of those in hardship. This group will criticize those of us who look at the issue of community service and ask hard questions, as being anti-Christian, overtly traditional, unscriptural, or even immoral. The problem is they criticize me while they mandate more of an emergent church philosophy. That philosophy basically states that we can make the world a better place if we just help people out. In fact it is a new form of Phariseeism that has immerged. They have ignored the fact that the land owners did what they did, “as any had need” (v. 35).

They will also run to James 1:27 stating that if we do not take care of the poor (widows and orphans) then we are not showing Christ. What they ignore here is the context of the power of God’s word at work in the life of a believer (vv. 22-25), the need for repentance in the life of those in sin (vv. 19-21), and doing things out of an experiential compassion (2-18). Again those who think this is the only way to make an effect in a community miss the mark.

It should also be understood that so much of what happened in the Bible was spontaneous. It is often not an organized effort or even a mandated thing. It is something that occurs as people’s lives are changed from the inside/out through the work of the Holy Spirit, from the word of God, grounded in a relationship with Jesus Christ. Which brings us back to a fuller aspect, the best way to bring a real effect to a community is for the people in the churches to individually share the gospel with their family, friends, neighbors, and acquaintances. This is the only real way in which things change. Unlike many of the emergent church leaders such as Rob Bel, John Burke, Brian McLaren, Doug Pagitt, Dallas Willard, and others changing the social environment does not produce the kind of change that is necessary to enter the kingdom of God. They have missed the mark (sinned) by thinking that only by saving the planet can anyone enter into Heaven. In fact some of them do not believe in eternity, only in an eternal purpose.

A Final Thought

It all comes to this one question, “Does community service automatically translate to evangelistic outreach?” Let me ask another question, “Does going grocery shopping, or mowing your lawn, or helping your neighbor work on their car, or teaching your children good manners, or protesting an abortion clinic, or setting up a city ordinance against pornography video stores, or working in an election against alcohol, automatically lead to evangelistic outreach?” The answer is no, it does not. In fact any of the above mentioned things only leads to people saying that you are a good person who wants what is best for the community. Any of these, including community service, must be done with the express purpose of sharing the gospel. In the end what it does is it opens up opportunity to talk to others about the gospel. When you feed the poor, and try and help the homeless, it is not uncommon that they will be more open to hearing what you say. However, again it must be done with the intent of sharing the good news of Jesus Christ. Paul wrote in 1st Corinthians 10:21, “Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” Nothing more needs to be said.

RELIGIOUS FREEDOM UNDER FIRE

OBAMACARE IS BEGINNING TO SOUND A LOT LIKE NAZI SOCIALISM

On December 5th, 2009 I wrote a warning that I believe few either read and fewer even cared to know. We were only a month or so away from the grand fight regarding what is now called ObamaCare. It was the third in a four part series that I launched regarding socialized medicine and the lack of benefit from it. Those who closely assessed the situation noted that the nationalized healthcare debate would be a political bloodletting. Something we have not ever seen before and nothing like we will ever see again, that is until this next Presidential election. In that blog from December 2009 I noted that there were two quiet elements that were told to be cautiously discreet, but were to be extremely active in the lobbing process: the pornography movement and the gay/lesbian groups. The reasons for these groups being involved is because of the rampant diseases that are caused by these lifestyles. And yes they are lifestyles. I am willing to admit that I have no evidence of this theory except of past comments and harsh criticisms about those government entities which did not wish to use Federal funds for AIDS research. However my greatest concern was presented in this article and in the fourth and final article called Healthcare and Ministry/Non-Profit Issues, which was posted just before the final vote that plunged our nation, not into socialism, but into communism, on March 20th, 2010. On that fateful day America as I knew it ceased to exist and a new order of high-archaism had begun. This was the day that the Democratic-Republic that so many had fought and died for ended. Our greatness as a free society and nation was squelched by those who lied and continue to lie. The issue that I was most concerned with in both articles was the freedom of conscience and religion.[i] Once these two are destroyed, then our liberties evaporate instantly. I am quickly reminded of statements from both Martin Luther and Roger Williams who claimed that freedom of conscience was of the highest standing for any society to remain free regarding its religion. This law, if allowed to stand by our Supreme Court, violates both.

I have spent almost thirty years debating and arguing with individual Christians and churches of all sizes that this day was coming, now it has arrived. CNSNews.com reported that the Obama administration is now, under the healthcare law, questioning whether the Catholic churches, hospitals, universities, and other institutions should be exempt from providing abortion, contraceptives or other forms of “reproductive services” to people.[ii] Now the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops is being called lobbyists[iii] by Nancy Pelosi, who was the Speaker of the House during the fiasco that lead to the passing of the most comprehensive economic, religious, and unconscionable takeover, ever! They have targeted the strongest and biggest anti-abortion organization in the world. I am sure that the idea is if the mighty fall, then the lesser will fall in line to do as has been told.

However, the greater concern should be what both articles bring out; anyone who is an individual Catholic cannot choose to opt out of assisting in those procedures. It is in direct violation of the idea of freedom of conscience. Our Constitution notes that, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof;;...”[iv] The last phrase deals with the idea of conscience and the freedom to practice religion as long as that practice does not jeopardize the lives of those around us. In other words I have the right to believe as I wish as long as what I believe does not cause damage or destruction to someone else. Anyone who has an objection to abortion based on conscience should not be made to preform or assist in the abortion. There are plenty of others who would be willing to do such a hideous act.

While I am not a Catholic and Be Devoted Ministries is not aligned with the Catholic Church; while I may have some deep theological disagreements with Catholicism; while I do not believe that the Catholic Church is historically the true church of Jesus Christ; I will do what I can to fight for their rights to practice and teach what they believe. Why? Because today it is the Catholic Church, tomorrow it is you and I. Martin Niemöller (1892–1984) was a pastor during the days of Adolph Hitler in Germany. He is the one who said, “First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out --Because I was not a Socialist. Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out --Because I was not a Trade Unionist. Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out -- Because I was not a Jew. Then they came for me -- and there was no one left to speak for me.” Edmund Burke (January 12, 1729 – July 9, 1797) noted, “All that is necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing.” So much of what the Obama administration is taunting from its post-modern philosophy reminds me of the story about Hitler who told a young pastor protesting the socialistic control of life and religion to, “Sit down, shut up. I will take care of the physical needs of the people; you take care of their spiritual needs.” We have now entered this kind of thinking.

Finally, this is more of the same lack of substance that the Obama administration is known for…broken promises. Bart Stupak is a name that should be familiar with anyone who remembers this fight. Stupak was the leader of twelve pro-life Democrats who were holding the process up of passing the healthcare legislation. At this point in the fight on March 3rd, 2009, the Democrats and their socialistic friends did not have what it took to make the final push on this massive intrusion of liberty and freedom. However, after a meeting with the President of the United States, Stupak caved with the other twelve. They caved on a promise that President Obama would not allow abortions to be performed by executive order.[v] One year later Stupak still had no regrets even though the President acted on his post-modern beliefs and failed to ever sign any executive order in regards to not federally funding abortions.[vi] This reminds me of the Biblical account about the two brothers named Jacob and Esau. Esau was a hunter, while Jacob tended sheep. One day Esau came back to the camp hungry, stating he would do anything for some stew which Jacob was cooking. Jacob conned him out of his first born birthright, which Esau stated he really didn’t care about.[vii] The New Testament writer of the book of Hebrews notes, “See to it that no one comes short of the grace of God; that no root of bitterness springing up causes trouble, and by it many be defiled; that there be no immoral or godless person like Esau, who sold his own birthright for a single meal. For you know that even afterwards, when he desired to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no place for repentance, though he sought for it with tears.”[viii] I wonder if the same will be said for Mr. Stupak and those who cratered to the power of the President rather than to the authority of God.

Those of us who are Christians and Conservatives are at a crossroads. We must either choose to fight this based on the Constitution or die trying. My son’s life is depending on it; your children and grandchildren’s lives are depending on it; the future of a free society is depending on it. This could be the year of re-establishing the Constitution or it could be the nightmare of what Mark Levin calls a post Constitutional nation. If the later prevails we will be only a footnote in the annals of history. If we succeed then history will remember us for our courage. I myself will stand against this tyranny because Scripture compels me too. Together we must stand so that men, women and children may, in free conscience carry out what they believe in peace and faithfulness. As Martin Luther said after his trial at Worms, “Unless I am convicted of error by the testimony of Scripture or by manifest evidence...I cannot and will not retract, for we must never act contrary to our conscience....Here I stand. God help me! Amen!”

Amended Thought
I originally wrote this article on December 8th, 2011, but did not have time to post it. Now the Obama administration as dug its heels in on this issue. At this posting they have decided, even with a split within the White House staff, to continue this policy against the First Amendment. Also though I have only read portions of his new book, Ameritopia, Make Levin has done an excellent job at over viewing what is going on. This book is not for the faint hearted. Remember that I warned religious issues would be violated. Allow me to warn everyone of one more thing; the IRS is in charge of this power grab. If we do not speak now we will loose the freedom under 503 (c) status to say anything. As of yesterday the Southern Baptist entities spoke out against this in a wired release from Lifeway and GuideStone. This thing will spread; already Catholic chaplains in the military have been told that they cannot speak out against this situation. If you want to know just how corrupted things can become and how substandard care by a government body will be please read an article from The Lancet, which tells how people who are under the Romanian health care law have to bribe doctors to help take extra care of them.[ix] Folks we cannot allow Mr. Obama a second term. I will follow up in the next day or two about his latest State Of The Union speech and critic what was said. Until then, God help us all!

Amended Thought-2

Only a few minutes after I posted this blog the President of the United States, Barak Obama, came out and announced a compromise. However, as with anything of this nature there are two problems. First, it is not up to him to determine who will and will not be able to live by or not live by a certain conviction. Second, constitutionally he is out of place, because such powers are not given to him by neither the people nor God. Folks this fights not over yet.

Steven Swaim
[i] http://bedevotedministries.blogspot.com/2009/08/socialized-medicine-good-bad-or.html; http://bedevotedministries.blogspot.com/2009/11/dems-are-wanting-you-to-demo-on.html; http://bedevotedministries.blogspot.com/2009/12/where-is-samuel-adams-when-you-need-him.html; http://bedevotedministries.blogspot.com/2010/03/healthcare-and-ministrynon-profit.html

[ii] http://cnsnews.com/news/article/wh-obama-undecided-whether-impose-regulation-forcing-catholics-act-against-their-faith; (November 30. 2011)

[iii] http://cnsnews.com/news/article/pelosi-dismisses-catholic-bishops-lobbyists-opposing-obamacare-reg-forcing-catholics (December 1, 2011)

[iv] Constitution of the United States of America

[v] http://wizbangblog.com/content/2010/07/14/federally-funded-abortions-brought-to-you-by-bart-stupak.php

[vi] http://www.lifenews.com/2011/03/23/stupak-no-regrets-for-role-in-allowing-pro-abortion-obamacare/

[vii] Genesis 25:27-34, New American Standard Bible

[viii] Hebrews 12:15-16, New American Standard Bible

[ix] http://www.lancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(12)60214-1/fulltext

Is The Sales of Liquor Really Good For A Community

Explanation: Below is a letter to the editor of the Mesquite News. There were three things which prompted this letter. One were comments made by Mr. Gary Huddleston which aired on May 2, 2011 on WBAP (96.7 FM/820 AM-Dallas/Fort Worth). His comment regarded the issue of “the myth” of crime and alcohol sales. The second issue is the ongoing two faced/underhanded ways the city counsel of Mesquite, Texas continues to shirk their responsibilities as citizen leaders while at the same time quietly making deals with the liquor industry. They continue to place the whip on the backs of the citizens to keep the city clean through ordinances on residential properties, but are unwilling to do their part by leading the citizens to rally against the issue of beer and wine sales. The final reason that prompted this letter is the apparent and very disgusting way in which the election was viewed. Because the city counsel chickened out on their responsibilities to make this issue well know very few people realized it was on the ballet. I for one spoke 25 to 30 people only two to three days before the election. None of them had any idea that it was on the ballet. Also, those who were for this being passed are now gloating. I plan on attempting to rally as many people as possible to take this fight back to them and repeal this on the next election. For those who are friends of mine in Forney…according to my sources your next.

Disingenuous Myths And Destructive Outcomes

I believe that the title to you May 19^th lead “Election Day cheers” is very misleading and I find Mr. Gary Huddleston very disingenuous as well. I also feel that the leadership in Mesquite deserves the tagged call of hypocrites as well. I realize by starting my thoughts off this way you will probably give very little attention to what I am about to say, but then again we no longer live in the land of free speech and truthful reporting any more do we? Allow me to build my case and you can determine if what I am saying is worth your time. Then again this will start showing up on several conservative blogs anyway.

Let me start with Mr. Gary Huddleston, who in an interview with WBAP on May 2, 2011 stated that it was time to debunk the myth that crime and alcohol sales were tied together. With authority in his voice he claimed that the surrounding communities had proven what he believed because their crime rate had not increased significantly since they voted wine and beer sales in. It is very clear that Mr. Huddleston is not very well versed in the facts of this issue. First, he cites no studies. However, there are plenty of studies to state otherwise. In 2007 Berkley University in California did a statistical study regarding this question in a paper called “Do Liquor Stores Increase Crime and Urban Decay? Evidence from Los Angeles’” (www.colgate.edu/portaldata/imagegallerywww/2050/.../teh_jobmktpaper.pdf). The answer in the paper is a resounding yes. There is no question that liquor sales, especially from liquor stores do lead to greater aggravated crimes. This means that the sales of a substance which is often abused leads to greater spousal/significant other abuse, stronger risk of child neglect and abuse, robbery of the establishment itself as well as the community at large; and assaults, battery, murder, and alcohol related deaths by accidents go up proportionately as a result. (www.sacbee.com/static/maps/crimemap.html) Also, don’t forget that now that we have this as something that will be substantially available; the criminal activity of juvenile abuse of this substance will go up. That means any tax monies brought into the city will be used form special law enforcement units that will have to covertly police this situation. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) proposed that communities would need to spend anywhere between 15,000 to 20,000 extra dollars a year to cut down on this issue alone. (www.pachiefs.org/.../NHTSA%20HVE%20Youth%20Access%20to%20Alcohol%20Demo%20R...) In some situations it can be up to 50,000 dollars a year. (http://www.berkeleydailyplanet.com/issue/2005-09-27/full_text) What will need to be understood is that cost would increase every year, it is not a one time thing. In fact the crime which goes with liquor sales was so bad in south Berkley, California that in 2005 a campaign was launched to drive the liquor industry out.( www.dailycal.org/article/18063) Therefore we can clearly see what Mr. Huddleston believes is the real myth. Also, if Mr. Huddleston really cared about our city he would not have continued to waste tax payer’s monies by continually bringing it up. Remember it cost to have propositions placed on the ballet itself.

Second, I think it is ironic that you have two articles one on page 2A and the other on page 3A. The one on page 2A deals with “Fishin’ at the park” where families are encouraged to bring their children out for a day of fishing at City Lake Park. Nothing wrong with that. The other was called “Spring Cleaning” where we are being encouraged to bring our recyclable items to Poteet High School in order to help keep our city clean. Nothing wrong with that! However in light of the election and what is about to expire I find it ironic and hypocritical. While I know that our city counsel did not indorse the wine and beer sales, they have been very quiet about it. It reminds me of Edmund Burke’s statement, “All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing.” In the realm of law a person who does not assist someone who has been injured by someone else, is as guilty as the person who was the perpetrator. The same is true here. Our city counsel showed no leadership on this issue. Also, they continue to heap more and more ordinances on the citizens, but ignore the fact that the city will become more and more polluted with beer cans and bottles. Many friends I have who live on the edge of the Mesquite and Balch Springs border will attest to the fact that they clean more beer bottles and cans out of the yards then they use too. A recent study shows that when alcohol is just introduced into the home, children residing at that residence are 30 times more likely to become alcoholics. If it is consumed in front of them and introduced to them at an early age (6 years to 20 years of age) they are 50 times more likely to become alcoholics.( http://www.drugfree.org/join-together/alcohol/teens-who-drink-with-adult-supervision-have-more-drinking-problems-study-finds) Funny to the Mesquite News never brought this study up during this vote. If our city really wants to stay clean more ordinances is not the answer. And if we want to be known as a family friendly city, more sponsored activities alone will not do it. I can pretty well bet that at some of the larger city sponsored activities liquor will be sold there as well. Our city leaders should have stood up and denounced the idea of liquor sales. I know they could not have stopped the voters from voting on it, but they could have shown some backbone and lead the way.

Last, allow me to take time to stroll down memory lane. The year was 1979 or 1980. Those years were remembered for a lot of things; being one of the coldest winters on record; having a hard fought political battle for the White House; the death of 7 teenagers on Beltline Road as the result of a drunk driver. I was a freshman in high school during that time. In 2005 I was handed the name of a gentleman from the ministries at First Baptist Sunnyvale. They wanted me to go visit a man. My wife and I went to a run down apartment in Balch Springs and knocked on the door. A gentleman came to the door and we asked for the person we were looking for. He stated that the person we were inquiring about was not there. We left our materials along with ministry cards and returned home. A few days later one of the staff members from Sunnyvale contacted me and asked that I call the gentleman that evening. I made the phone call. The person we had met at the door was the person we were looking for. He quickly apologized and began to tell me a story that made my hair stand on end. The man I was talking too was the man who had killed those teenagers that fateful night. His life was never the same; it was eaten by guilt, drugs, alcohol, and dependant relationships. He had no true frame of mind to really work with. That night of the accident he left with some minor injuries. The woman with him had a broken arm, but all seven teenagers in the other car were dead. They only lived a few blocks from where the accident happened. This is only one example of many that could be brought up in regards to alcoholic driving. Not only that but because these kinds of accidents will become more prevalent we can expect our car insurance to go up as well. Mine already has and according to my agent, this election had something to do with it.

My final thought is that Mr. Huddleston and his group should not gloat over this too much, it was only a 1% win. They won by 150 votes. That means the citizenship in this city are heavily divided over this issue. The fight is not over! I suggest that those of us, who oppose the sale, regroup and take the fight back to them on the next elections. And maybe by that time we will have the courage to vote some real leadership onto the city counsel and vote the liquor out.

Thank You,

Steven Swaim
President and Founder of Be Devoted Ministries
www.bedevotedministries.blogspot.com
I am available for speaking engagements. Please feel free and contact me with any questions.

How many Christians groups does it take to change a light bulb?

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

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