will not hurt them

Please read THIS ARTICLE. It is a profoundly moving explanation of suffering in the light of God's love. It links suffering to the Gospel message, and the triumph of God over evil. It is one of the few articles I've read that helps make the problem of suffering make sense. It is a model of Christian testimony: perfectly instructive, and simply beautiful.

Do not think that I will accuse you

Internet Monk always has thought-provoking ways to examine Christianity and the practice thereof. This post has just such a thoughtprovoker. What kind of a sermon would Satan preach? Unfortunately, I disagree with the argument that's set up here.

Satan is more than an accuser of sin. Satan doesn't have to assist us in identifying what we do wrong. The Bible says in Rom1 that the evidence of God is clear, and that man knows right from wrong. Even infants feel shame when they've done wrong; it is inherent in us. What Satan actually accuses is God. That God is at fault for all this. That God made us this way. That God has planned our life in every little detail so He's responsible for our sin and our failure. That God must not love us. That God ultimately, is not worth following or loving or giving our lives over to. That's the damaging part of what Satan does, not just telling us what we aren't getting right. Satan's goal is not to make us feel guilty or forget our freedom from sin in Christ; his goal is to drive a wedge between man and God. That part shouldn't be forgotten.

Secondly, it is not Gospel-less for Pastors to be preaching and teaching about our failures. Doing so is not, in fact, repeating the message of Satan. The Bible says in 2Tim3:16, "All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness." Pointing out our failings and giving us instruction on what we should be doing is preaching the Word of God. It is neither legalism nor Satanic. In Rom6, doesn't Paul go over the whole "May it never be" spiel where he discusses the relationship of his sin to the Gospel? And while he ends by pointing out that we are free from the condemnation of sin, he begins Rom6 by making it clear that we shouldn't be sinning. And a good pastor will, in fact, teach on proper behavior.

Good question. Wrong argument. But a great future post would, in fact, be the sermon the devil would give. Although I don't know that I should be spending the energy on that, given that he doesn't need the help.

shall not follow the masses in

Now THIS is an interesting article. Quick thoughts:
* For the evil NYT, this is a fairly balanced article on religion. I guess a broken watch is right two times a day, and the devil's minions can speak truth every now and then.
* How is it humanly possible to mention the New Calvinists and not mention John Piper even once?! That's like discussing The Lord of the Rings without mentioning the One Ring. Yes, my inner nerd inadvertently likened my favorite pastor to the symbol of evil.
* Love this quote: "There are plenty of comfortable people who can say, ‘God’s on my side,’ ” Harris says. “But they couldn’t turn around and say, ‘God gave me cancer.’"
* I'm reading an interesting book right now that discusses the history of SNL. One interviewee discusses the difference between SNL and the Letterman Show and mentions how SNL cared more about being hip than smart whereas Letterman was the reverse. I'll give you one guess which side Driscoll would come down on in this analogy. That's not a compliment, by the way.
* On the last page of the article, it discusses Driscoll's intolerance of dissent, and how not only did he kick the dissenters out of his church, he called them out on their sin for dissenting against his mandate from God. I promise you -- I promise you -- that I would be the same way if ever I were to start a church. I don't care one whit about becoming a megachurch or pleasing everyone or preventing a split. I care about doing what I think is right by what I believe God is telling me. And if you disagree, the back door is always open, Luke.

in unity, so that the world

Um...what to make of this article about Christian monks fighting during a religious ceremony. Hmmm. How shall I put it? Oh, yeah. You all are a bunch of morons. WWJD? Not fight each other, that's for sure. Nice witness, luke.

did not love their life even when faced with death

This story should be headlining MSM rather than being a side story. But don't forget: MSM hates believers. In any case, interesting that believers are fleeing rather than staying and resisting conversion to the point of death, which begs the question: which is the preferable choice -- flight or martyrdom?

On the one hand, living to see another day makes the point that conversion is not an option. Giving up one's home and career and friends et al is no different than giving up one's physical life, no? And living to see another day means ministries and witnessing and testifying can all continue. Why choose automatic death when life is still an option?

On the other hand, one's worldly life is NOT the same thing as one's physical life. Standing to the end and making the clear statement that you are greater than death because Christ is greater than death is the boldest statement one can make. The testimony of a believer who says to oppressors that "You cannot hurt me" is the greatest testimony one can make. As a Star Wars example, Obi-Wan tells Vader "If you strike me down, I shall become more powerful than you could possibly imagine." Clinging to life here on earth makes the statement that life here is so very important, when Christ makes it clear that life here is temporal and the only life we should be focusing on is the eternal one.

Not criticizing those who are fleeing; ten to one I'd make the same choice in that position. But if I weren't such a coward, I'd aspire to be the kind of believer strong enough to make the better choice and pick immediate eternity over all else.

the family inheritance with me

My pastor has a vision for our church where we have a focus on adoption. It hasn't been fully formed yet, but there's a powerful idea in there somewhere. Adoption is half the gospel message -- God loved you so much His Son died to cancel your debt AND He loved you so much He adopted you into His kingdom. Read this article to get a better understanding of adoption as it connects to our faith.

But an even better article can be found HERE. SCC loses a little one. If that were me, I would be a useless sack of infinite sadness. SCC instead writes an OpEd on CNN for all the world to see. And the OpEd is not focused on his anguish; it instead preaches the importance of adoption and calls for believers to get involved. Ignoring self and preaching the good news? If there's a more pure example of faith, I can't imagine it.

I'm not sold on the whole rewards in Heaven idea. But if there are crowns handed out for anything, methinks SCC is getting one today.

witnesses of these things

This article might possibly be the single best article you'll ever read on ESPN. Given the choice to downplay Tebow's great faith, or describe it honestly, the writer chooses truth. And when a light shines as brightly as Tebow's light does, it would have been difficult to neuter the message. Instead, the writer includes Tebow's pitch to the inmates, including mentioning Jesus.

A great many red-blooded American males would love to switch places with Tebow right now. And why not: he's young, athletic, famous, good-looking, surrounded by co-eds, and bound for riches. But most that desire these same things would switch places only so they could take advantage of the privileges. Tebow sees the gifts God has given him and knows the platform must be used for glory.

Our study of John15 yesterday examined vines that bear fruit compared to those that don't. Tebow's case is clear. And yours?

shines in the darkness, and

Make sure to catch this sports article before ESPN takes it down. An incredible game last night, and even more incredible is that MSM left in the religious references in this article. If you don't want to skim the whole thing, here's the relevant part about what the Most Outstanding Player (and the shooter of the shot to be seen time and again in replay) did as the game was slipping away.

But the situation was dire enough that when Memphis' Robert Dozier went to the foul line with 2:12 left and the Tigers up seven, Ronnie Chalmers reached into his pocket for some divine guidance.

On a piece of paper, he'd written two verses from Psalms: 46:10 and 46:1. He pulled them out and read them to himself.

"Be still, and know that I am God," reads 46:10.

"God is a refuge and strength. A very present help in trouble," reads 46:1.

"We were in trouble at that time," Ronnie said.

Beautiful. Others being interviewed might take all the credit, or boast of their confidence in their own skill. The game's hero had time to relate how he'd pulled out some Bible verses and admitted his own dire situation. You can cross yourself after you enter the endzone, or point to the skies when the whistle blows, but those are small displays; big faiths require big testimonies. Well done, faithful servant.

he who ignores reproof

The video below never got any press on ESPN, or ESPN2 or Sports Illustrated. I don't recall any media stories about Tyree's faith after his amazing catch. This GetReligion article contains a quote from an SI writer who admits that once he hears anything about faith from an athlete, he ignores it. MSM only covers religious angles when the story is negative. But when a miraculous catch happens and it's attributed to God? Silence.

There won't be silence on JDay, I'll tell you that. There'll be lots of noise from you all, lots of it.

and have seduced the inhabitants of

This article is a must-read for all believers, especially those who have any part in shaping the vision and goals of a church. From a starting point of good intentions, churches desire to seek the lost and outreach to their community. And the Willow Creeks of this world choose to do so by stooping down to the level of the seekers and drawing them in by any means necessary (concerts, skits, service programs, sports tournaments, etc.). And for many churches, this means becoming entertainment-focused.

I remember an instance almost thirteen years ago: discussing the music of David Wilcox and the difference between his fourth and second albums and how everything seemed overproduced; and then praying that our own worship and Friday night gatherings would avoid that same trap.

I find myself now a week from a staff/elder work session to discuss outreach. This article reminds me that there is a tricky balance between outreach and discipling. And that we need be careful that in our efforts to entice, that our ends don't justify all means.

bringing swift destruction upon themselves

Sometimes I think the world is baiting me, trying to make me angry. Example#145,541 can be found here. I once criticized the media attack on Scientology, declaring it was part of a larger attack on religion. But that didn't mean I think it's credible; it is a cult, plain and simple. Like Paul in Gal1:5-7, "I am amazed that you are so quickly deserting Him who called you by the grace of Christ, for a different gospel; which is really not another; only there are some who are disturbing you and want to distort the gospel of Christ."

Paul continues further in 2Pet2, "But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will also be false teachers among you, who will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing swift destruction upon themselves."

You think the "Way to Happiness" is "easier to understand and clearer to follow" than the Word? Maybe in your congregation where the Spirit doesn't reside. And that emptiness starts at the top with you.

Pentecostal Scientologist? That's like saying "heavenly devil" or "righteous Mormon". You think combining lie with truth comes out something purer? You think serving your flock is more important than growing your flock in truth?

Ring ring ring. Hello? Oh, Satan, Lord of Lies? Hold on. Let me check. I think they're free."

at a distance, seeing

Been meaning to link to an interesting profile of a believer. (Extra points for him for attending my high school.) Many have decided to mock Kitna's testimony. I don't know where I stand on the issue of prayer and religion and how that mixes in with sports. But I do know an amazing story when I read one. And in case you missed the astounding sentence in the article, let me highlight it for you:

"Since he signed a four-year, $11.5 million deal in March 2006, about 20 Lions have given their lives to Christ."

In a year and a half, Kitna has been used by the Lord to bring in 20 new brothers into the kingdom. And if those 20 go on to be spiritual leaders of Godly families, those 20 will soon be part of the beautiful kind of pyramid scheme.

It is easy for us to want to separate God from trivial things like sports entertainment. But that separation is not something the Lord wants, I'm beginning to think. Because if it's that easy for you to build that little wall between the little things in your life and the cross, how much easier will it be to craft that bigger wall twixt Him and you?

on my body the brand-marks of Jesus

This interview is required reading. You might not be familiar with Korn, but it's not worth linking to their site. Their music appeals to angry youth, that's all you need to know. But at one time, they were as big as any band on the planet, and so leaving them and leaving that scene is a greater test than most ordinary people face. And then to read the ridicule he faced from friends and peers and fans -- the Lord promises persecution and the presence of mockers, but few face it to the degree that Welch has.

I love how he had a few tattoos before he was a believer, but that once he became a believer he actually got a whole bunch more. Brian, you are indeed marked -- marked by the Lord as a child of His, destined to see Him for all eternity.

to bring back to this place

I'm secretly hoping members of my home church either read this post or read the original post I'm linking to. You need to read this post and check out the list of "innovations" for the American church. What's striking here is not its ironic let's-be-innovative-by-being-old-school sensibility. What's striking to me as an evangelical who very much treasures his Catholic roots are the high church traditions being advocated. How many on that list bring to mind the vaulted ceilings and incense-laden atmosphere of being in a cathedral?

Sing hymns? Check. More frequent Communion? Check. Scripture reading? Check. Apostles' and Nicene creed? Check and check. A focus on sin? Absolutely.

Throw in reverent kneeling during the service and robed pastors, and I'm ready to bring along my Pope-blessed rosary. Said the Protestant elder.

but this I admit to

This post is a wonderful analysis of all the many things wrong with the modern American church. At some point, discussing each of the reasons on his Top Ten list would be a valuable exercise, but I'm more interested in the ending to the post which is an answer to what happens to Christians who die with unconfessed sin, which then veers to look at the problematic philosophy behind confession as a whole. As an evangelical with Catholic tendencies, what he writes at the very end is worth noting:

Then remember this: You could never say enough. You could never be sorry enough. You could never confess sincerely enough or completely enough. At the end of your confession, God would say "All your righteousness is filthy rags in comparison to my law's demands." Not the labor of my hands -- or my best attempt at confession -- can fulfill thy law’s demands. Christ’s perfect confession for us is "It is finished." From there, "there is no condemnation," deathbed or otherwise.

The response to the realization that one could never be sorry enough is perhaps what separates Catholics from Protestants in my view. Protestants cling to the concept of grace and no longer feel any remorse, whereas Catholics use that realization of the enormity of their debt to fervently pursue absolution in every manner possible (bodily prayer, daily communion, other various rites), theologically right or not. Me? I can cling to grace and still be cognizant of the ever present desire needlessly to apologize.

they themselves were filled with rage

This story meshes well with the Romans chapters I've been reading lately. The only emotion I get from this story is one of sadness. All of us, even believers -- sometimes especially believers -- get mad at God. All of us come to a point where the helplessness of the situation fuels furrowed brows turned skyward. This man's actions are not uncommon. Frankly, the Lord would probably prefer a senseless act of anger like a car through a church door over the quiet apathy expressed by most with issues with the Lord, especially those who occupy the pews.

Romans 1 discusses how we purposely turn our backs on God, and Romans 3 reminds us that all are guilty. After that? Don't spoil the rest of Romans for me. I want to see how this story plays out. I have a hunch that there's a happy ending.

when once you have turned

Continuing yesterday's pondering of EO's list of "Ten Deadly Trappings of Evangelism". About the only one I have serious disagreements with is number five on that list, Carter's contempt of personal testimonies.

For my money, I can't get enough of them. Been listening to a number over the last year, and every time I find it marvelous to behold the power of God succeeding through faulty vessels. Have heard it stated that it is easy to argue against theological points, or philosophical stances, but that no one can argue with a testimony that shows how once you were lost but now you are found, once you were blind but now you see.

Personal testimonies are the reason much of the Bible was written in the first place. Why detail all of the travails David went through if David's only importance was his genealogy? Why detail any of the great heroes of the faith if their stories are second-rate when compared to the Lord's story?

The struggles of those in the Word are detailed so that we can see the Lord's strength and perfection working through their weakness and imperfection. And personal testimonies today continue the tradition of revealing Him through us. It is so gauche to quote oneself, but I don't care. As I once penned, "The sharing of each of these paints the giant canvas that is the saving grace of God."

I bow my knees before

Not usually a rebel, but have been forwarding this blog article to a number of folks in the flock. Not trying to foment a revolution; just found the thoughts expressed in the article interesting to discuss. Now, there is much to dislike in the article, including a defensiveness and rationalization for not spending much time on the knees (although the author attempts to stress the importance of prayer as a concept).

However, the railing against the modern concepts of prayer, including the terminology and the scheduled events, strikes my heart as something full of truth. Prayer is in fact the most important of the spiritual disciplines, and is in fact the most powerful weapon we have against liar and the forces of darkness. It should come as no surprise that there exists much confusion as to what prayer is or is not.

I'll give you a big hint as to how you can tell the difference between is and is not: from you? Is not. From the Lord? Is.

not ashamed to be called

Surprised to see this piece on CNN at all. Although it is Holy Week and the focus of MSM will be on Christianity all week. And I don't suspect it will stay on the front page for long. And I anticipate the responding comments will be fairly negative. And I anticipate a counterpoint commentary as a rebuttal.

But kudos to Dr. Collins for placing his faith at the forefront and risking his career. But sometimes that step of faith calls for one to be in front of others. And being scared of being caught holding on to the back hem of the robe is no way to live.

my eyes have seen your salvation

Clear reason why this story is making headlines. As it should be. Not every day what once was lost now is found. Not every day that something long since without hope brought back from presumed death. Not every day that new life brings great joy. Not every day these things once realized are rightfully attributed to divine intervention.

But it is every day that this can be repeated in all who are lost, all who are dead. It starts with the recognition that you are a sinner without hope of eternity, and ends with your acceptance of Jesus Christ as your Savior. And that process won't capture national headlines. But it will produce a celebration in Heaven that will be replayed at your arrival.

Today can be the first step toward this wonderful story. Today you can meet your salvation if you put your faith in Christ. And if you do that, my friend, your Father in Heaven will be as overjoyed, more overjoyed than any mentioned in these types of stories. And He will clothe you in the eternal robes of Heaven. Take that step today. And be part of the grandest story ever told.