but as in foolishness

I'm a Star Wars fan and an examiner of popular culture, so I have to comment on THIS. Listen, I love the films as much as anyone (NOTE: Probably not true since I don't do anything as stupid as THIS), but having a respected college teach a course on Jedi mind tricks borders on the inane. The course prof makes the point that since the films are fictional, is it really any different than a course based on any other work of fiction? Well, yes. Because the whole force thing and jedi lifestyle are so bought into that a stupid cult began.

Voltaire once said, "If God did not exist, it would be necessary for man to invent him." Here's my version of that thought: God exists, and man still unnecessarily invents versions of Him.

the door of the sheep

For a future something; at least I hope that it's a future something. Unless I'm on some sort of ban. Nothing like banning the truth.
* Reasons for why Good Friday "good"
* 1Pet1:29, John1:19,36 (JtheB proclamation)
* Love: fulfillment of 3:16, perfect model of love
* Atonement: completion of law, payment of debt
* Mercy: deferral of payment deserved
* Blessing: set up for Easter and conquering of death, Eph1:7,11

of what you said that we believe

"What in the World are we Thinking?"
* Past doesn't create present -- future creates present
- Lord takes us where He wants to take us
* What is a Christian world-view?
- Everything you think is true is influenced by what you believe
- Centered on Word of God
- God-centered
* Diff twixt values and morals
- Value: how you feel about something (you decide)
- Morals: what you ought to do (God decides)
* Examples:
- Ecology: not how you feel about nature; what does God feel about nature, and does how we act around that belief reflect that
- Political scandals: not is what they do immoral; what is role of divinely-appointed office?
- Relationships: not how you feel about your significant other; what is God's view of relationships (marriage, et al)
* 1John2:15-17
- John3:16 world = people of the world
- 1John2:15 world = society, culture
- John3:16 love from God for people
- 1John2:15 "love of the Father" not God for people, but people for God
* Contrast in 1John2:15-17
- Love of world v love of Father (mutually exclusive, i.e. God & Mammon)
- Comes from world v comes from Father
- World passes away v eternal Father
* "If I'm out of touch, how do I know what happens next?"

instead of being a

Something different: the meaning behind people's half-truthed speech:

* Lance Armstrong is returning to cycling and expects to race in next year's Tour de France. Armstrong says, "The reason for this is to launch an international cancer strategy blah blah blah." Translation: I'm an attention hog and I miss the limelight. You and Favre both, Lance. You and Favre both.
* Polls say that the ridiculous price of gas is voters' primary concern for the presidential election. Translation: Nope, I'm really going to vote down traditional party lines. Just don't want to admit it.
* Focus on the Family is now on board the Straight Talk Express with Palin's nomination as VP. Translation: We normally speak ill of Catholics, but we're going to ignore Palin's faith because we like Republicans. Do me a favor, FotF. Don't talk. Don't talk.

may receive mercy and find grace

For much of this summer, daily reading of the Word has been more chore than delight -- all my heart's fault, I realize. Been trying to commit to treating my time with Him as the treasure it is meant to be. Always wonderful to see the insights that come out when the heart is right. Reading 2Sam14 last night, and an amazing verse stood out. John3:16 gets all the credit as the singular verse that perfectly encapsulates the Gospel. Well, take a look at the second half of 2Sam14:14:

"Yet God does not take away life, but plans ways so that the banished one will not be cast out from Him."

Another idea for the future bookshelf: a work with individual chapters focusing on all of the verses that express the gospel. You've got John3:16; you've got 2Sam14:14 now; you've got Ezek18:23,32. Yeah. This could go somewhere.

they were not confessing

Pastor on Sunday mentioned how every major revival began with massive repentance; that one of the clear signs of the work of the Holy Spirit was conviction of sin. A year or two ago, a fellow shepherd wondered aloud if one of the reasons for declining attendance was some hidden sin among the shepherds. The Achan incident in Josh7 is the Biblical precedence of sin holding back the work of the Lord. Pondered my own sins today, and wondered myself whether or not there was some truth in that in relation to the flock I will one day answer for.

Prayer is so important to this church that several sermons a year are devoted to prayer, a somewhat local prayer conference is pushed as if its some wonder drug, and quarterly concerts of prayer are conducted. But if repentance is so critical, where is its connection in all that we do? When is the sin sermon series? When is a seminar on repentance held? When are the quarterly concerts of confession?

Osteen critics point to his evil work as the antithesis of the gospel message -- a focus on blessing, blessing, blessing, and a complete passing over on pointing out sin. So if he's the antithesis, shouldn't the ideal then be a focus on sin, sin, sin?

will tear off their bonds; and strangers

"Prayer Walking 101"
* Our purpose as a church is to make disciples {Matt28:19-20}
* Satan & demons very real
- They exert power over people to keep them in darkness
- 2Cor4:4: Liar god of this world
- Col1:13: dominion of darkness
- Eph2:1-3: children of wrath in darkness
* Geographical areas have demons w/ degrees of power & control over people
- Eph6:10-12
- Dan10:12-13
* Revival comes to people on basis of prayer
- Rev20:1-8
- Mark9:29
- Eph6:10-20
* Spiritual authority often increased in an area as we walk in it & pray
- Gen13:14-17
- Josh1:3
- Luke10:1-2

came about from the Lord

For future message (?): Run-through of Joshua's recognition from whence all success came:
- Josh1 and the Lord keeps giving
- Josh3:5
- Stones in Josh4
- Jericho, and the Lord has given you the city
- Josh23-24

have made a separation between you and

Drove home from a meeting last night and listened to the radio. The DJ was speaking with some caller sharing memories about her (the caller's) mother. She told some story about finding her mother's Bible after her mother passed away, and finding these prayer notes in the back of the Bible, and discovering what a prayer warrior her mother was when alive. The DJ responded, "So you knew she was a strong woman of God, but didn't realize what a prayer warrior she was."

Sorry to rain on your nostalgic sympathy parade here, but I have to correct you. Can you really consider someone to be a strong person of God who wasn't also a prayer warrior? That's like saying so-and-so was an outstanding baseball player, but he couldn't bat or field.

Prayer is an essential element of every strong believer, along with Bible reading and service and leading a life of virtue. Missing out on one cannot be overcome by doing well in the other three. You can have slips every now and then, but consistency across these elements defines the strength of a walk. Absent them, be satisfied with your nominal label of person of God, Luke.

and denial of justice

I didn't grow up with anything; I was poor. The fact that I am not now in the same condition is a blessing from the Lord, I know this. But it does put me in a position where I can be of help to others without the same level of resources. Recently spoke to two relatives and asked them if they needed anything -- code for money. Both vehemently turned down my implied offer of help, as if I had offended them. The fact that both could use the help was of little relevance to them.

This is very much like the unbeliever's position with God. The Almighty freely offers the gift of salvation; already paid the price for eternity through Christ. And yet . . . and yet the unbeliever viciously shakes his head no, he's got it handled. He's fine on his own, thanks. Really, he's good. The fact that he absolutely needs the help and can't do it on his own is not his concern right now.

Pride is a powerful emotion. It can block needed help. Do not let it block eternity for you, friend.