Memorial Day Weekend

John 15:13, "Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends."

Memorial day weekend is upon us so that means the unofficial beginning of summer for most Americans. The beaches are preparing for an influx of tourists; school is out or soon will be; the Indy 500 and Nascar in Charlotte will draw hundreds of thousands of race fans; baseball parks will see an increase in attendance; family barbecues will be a popular destination. Summer is a wonderful time! But what about Memorial Day?

Designated by congress to recognize our fallen heroes who have died as a part of the fight for freedom over our 234 year history as a nation, Memorial Day seems to have lost much of it's meaning to us. We continue to be a culture focused upon ourselves neglecting the price that has been paid so that we could engross ourselves in such opulent lifestyles. On TV movies depicting the sacrifice of our soldiers used to dominate the airwaves on this weekend, but few can be found anymore. Our president is not even attending the services at Arlington National Cemetery in favor of a trip to Chicago. Memorial Day seems to have about as much meaning to us as Arbor Day or Earth Day, maybe less in some peoples eyes.

For many in our nation and across the world our military has become a symbol of evil and oppression. Motivated by a hate for America that borders on the obscene, critics let no chance slip by to call out and criticize those who sacrifice the most among us. The lot of a soldier is daily, life threatening peril separated by thousands of miles from those they love most. For this they receive scant pay and less appreciation. For most of us the words Duty, Honor, Country mean little anymore. But thankfully we have those who serve us who still believe in the foundational principles our nation was birthed by, and are willing to lay their lives on the line to protect those freedoms we seem willing to abandon more and more.

This past week the talk regarding our military centered around the repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell;" instead of the fact we lost our 1,000th soldier in the war on terror in Afghanistan. When the news media thought they could influence an election the body count in Iraq led the newscasts, but now it receives hardly a mention or is relegated to back page blurbs in our newspapers. Battles with names like Bunker Hill, Tyconderoga, Cowpens, Kings Mountain, Yorktown, or Bull Run, Gettysburg, Vicksburg, used to stir us with emotion regarding those who fought and died for the freedom of all men. Names like York, Pershing, Patton, MacArthur, Eisenhower or Bradley used to be honored with pride for the victories they brought and the evil they overcame. Now they are not even mentioned in our history books.

I honestly do not believe that if we were faced with the situation that our founding fathers were faced with in 1776 we would emerge as an independent nation, and a force for good throughout the world if our leaders today were in charge. Is their anyone among us who would cry out as Patrick Henry did, "Give me liberty, or give me death?" Is their anyone among us who can lead as George Washington did at Valley Forge? Is their anyone with the courage of an Abraham Lincoln to defend the basic principles of the constitution that "all men are created equal?" Today's leaders are more interested in public opinion, re-election and power than standing for principle and doing what's right. How many have the humility and grace of Washington to serve just 2 terms and then step down, when absolute power was his for the taking, or to honor the Creator by adding the words "so help me God" to the presidential oath.

The United States is not nor has it ever been a perfect nation. We have certainly been guilty of grievous sins such as our treatment of native Americans and slavery. But for the most part, in our history, we have confessed and repented of those sins. Does that same attitude exist today? We live in a time where their are no absolutes anymore, and the lines between right and wrong have been blurred to the point that they are indistinguishable. On this Memorial Day let us celebrate one of the things that is clearly right about our nation. The courage and sacrifice of the men and women in our armed services, those who have been asked to pay the ultimate cost for us. God bless, and God save America!

What Can God do for Me?

In his 1961 presidential inauguration address, John Kennedy made a pointed statement. He told his fellow Americans; "Ask not what your country can do for you, but rather ask, what can you do for your country." This is a statement that many Christians should look in the mirror and ask of themselves regarding God today. To paraphrase, "Let me not ask what God can do for me, but rather, what can I do for God."

We live in an age where church seems far to focused on what God can do for us, and not nearly enough on what we should be doing for God. Christianity has become "me" centered instead of God centered. After years of a man-centered message from far to many pulpits which has focused on the felt needs of the congregation instead of the true gospel message of lostness, repentance and the forgiveness of sin, Christianity is at a stage where it is a "mile wide and an inch deep" to quote many old pastors.

After years of telling people God wants them to be rich, successful, comfortable and many other self centered things, many who call themselves Christians have no sense of what God is really about. God has not promised us riches, but rather has commanded us to "deny" ourselves. He has not called us to be successful, but rather to be faithful. He has not called us to a comfort zone, but to a life of sacrifice, persecution and "hatred" from the world. Problem is, you preach the true gospel, and carnal people will run for the hills. Far to may churches and pastors are concerned about keeping the crowd than teaching the truth. As a result today knowledge of the bible is at an all time low, and true disciples of Christ are as rare as snow in South Carolina in July.

You see, one cannot be a disciple of Christ unless we are willing to sacrifice our wants for His. The call to the disciple is to walk away from our wants, deny ourselves, pick up our cross and follow Him. If we are going to follow Jesus, we must expect to be treated as Jesus, to suffer as Jesus, to walk and to live as Jesus did. That is not a popular message, and most certainly will not please carnal people focused on themselves instead of God. But let us remember Jesus, who left the riches and glory of heaven to become poor here on earth. Who suffered scorn and shame, ridicule and persecution, torture and death, as His life was not about His will, but about His Father's will.

Instead of focusing on what God can do for us, let us rejoice in what He has already done for us. He has given His all in giving His Son as the atonement for our sin. He has given us His Holy Spirit to enable us to resist temptation and live a holy life consecrated to Him. He has given us His word as our guide for living, with the life saving and life altering gospel message to show us the truth and lead us into fellowship with Him.

The damage that has been done to the church of Christ by man-centered churches and preachers is incalculable. The people led astray by this "me" message are more than we can count. Church and God are not about having our wants met, our desires fulfilled, but rather, how much He has already done for us, and how willing we are to surrender all and give for Him. If a person is truly a regenerate, blood bought, born again, believer in Jesus Christ, then our lives will not be about us, but about Him. God help the church, pastor and congregation that focuses more on me than God.

Is There a Revival Occurring?

I was channel surfing a few days ago when I came across the Glenn Beck Show on Fox News. Beck is the controversial conservative commentator who is also a practicing Mormon, and at this time he was speaking of George Whitfield, so it caught my ear. Whitfield was one of the great preachers from the early 18th century who along with men like Jonathan Edwards and John Wesley stirred America and Europe through their preaching and saw the first "great awakening" brought about by God. True revival swept our land and laid the foundation for our nation to be founded as one that recognized and acknowledged the true and living God. While I agreed with much of what Beck stated regarding our nation's founding, one thing stood out that I simply couldn't stomach: Beck stated that there is a revival occurring in our nation right now!

Oh, how I wish this was true. But unfortunately, when I survey the landscape of our nation, I see little of the ingredients that indicate true revival is occurring, or even remotely close to occurring. Beck is a political commentator and he seems to have made a common mistake. He's sensing political unrest among many who long for a return in adherence to our constitution, a movement which is gaining steam through political entities like the Tea Party, and mistakenly ascribing this as a movement of God. Friends, a movement of God does not begin in the political arena. A true movement of God begins among His people and then His people impact the world around them through a return to God and His ways. While political tides may be shifting, are God's people in the midst of revival?

True revival revolves around certain characteristics that are unmistakable when we see them. God's people are burdened to cry out to God in sincere prayer, they are convicted of their sin and earnestly repent of their sin returning in obedience to God's word and statutes. Is this what we are witnessing in the United States today? I pray that you see these signs in the church you attend, but across our nation we live in an age when most of Christ's church is far from these conditions which have accompanied every true revival in history.

God will never bring about a heaven sent, Holy Spirit revival to a rebellious, unrepentant people. While there seems to be a desire for change in our government and political culture among many, where is the desire to get right with God? Instead of concerning ourselves with our nations plight and drift into liberalism, where is the concern with our churches lurch into liberalism and straying from the word of God in favor of political correctness and pragmatism. Until we see our churches regain their passion for God and His ways, our nations problems will only multiply and expand.

Believe me, I do desire and pray for our nation to return to its roots. To see us as a people honor and acknowledge that all the blessings we've enjoyed as a nation are from God, not our own ingenuity and hard work. To see us be able to once again be called a Christian nation. But that cannot occur until we as Christians fall on our faces before God, cry out to Him in prayer, turn from our wicked ways and return to His ways. Unless this first happens in the body of Christ, His church, our nation is destined for a future judgment from God. A godless government can only be changed by the true and living God, and a people who have come back to Him.

This past weekend I was struck by a message I heard delivered by Billy Graham. One of the T.V. stations on our Dish TV package re-runs old Billy Graham crusades from years gone by. This particular message was delivered from Charlotte, NC in 1958. In it I heard Graham decrying the state of our nation, and it's drift into godlessness. He in fact addressed many of the issues we face today, and I often preach on myself. That was 52 years ago, and our nation is miles farther down the road away from God than it was in 1958. We live in an age when we need God to raise up another Billy Graham, Billy Sunday or D.L. Moody. We live in an age when we desperately need men like Whitfield, Edwards and Wesley to stir our nations heart. As entertaining and informative as Glenn Beck can be, His message is not God's message. God is not concerned with our government. God is concerned with our heart. As long as all of the noise in our nation is centered around politics, and not our sinful, desperate condition before God, no revival will be occurring anytime soon.

The Evangelism Error of the Church

Before I write this blog, let me state this. If anyone can show me biblically where I am wrong, I am very open to biblical correction. But only biblical correction, as I feel this is a profound biblical issue in the church today. Yesterday I mentioned the seeker sensitive church movement, which has now evolved into the emergent church movement. How in these churches true biblical discipleship does not occur so as not to offend non-believers who may be present, so the "whole counsel" of God is not presented. The word of God is a small part of church, as church is more about appealing to lost people, giving them something that is palatable for an unregenerate soul. The goal of these churches is to get lost people into church. So I'll ask the question, what's wrong with that? Well, the problem is, their is nothing biblical about this model for church.

In the bible, most Christians are familiar with the "Great Commission." Jesus's charge to us to go into the world, preach the gospel, win the lost and make disciples. But have we convoluted Jesus's way of accomplishing this? Well, if we look to the bible, the answer is clearly, yes. Let's look at how.

Throughout the gospels we see Jesus preaching and teaching. When Jesus is in the synagogue, what we would call church, He is dealing with people who believe of themselves, that they are believers in God. Many of them clearly were not, but Jesus's messages in these situations were aimed at people with a knowledge of God. Jesus preached often in the world, and when He was in the world, he hung out with sinners. With publicans and tax collectors. Jesus spent time with church people, and with the lost of the world. He chastised the religious folks for failing to go into the world as He did to witness to the lost. Jesus never invited a lost person of the world into the synagogue, or church.

In fact, no where in the New Testament will you find anyone inviting one lost person to church. Why is that? Because church is where disciples are to be made, and one cannot be a disciple, unless one first is a repentant, saved sinner. In scriptures like Acts 1:8 and Mark 16:15 we are clearly told to go into the world, not invite the world into the church. In Matthew 28:19-20, the scripture we refer to as the "Great Commission," we see the same thing. The command to "Therefore go," is not worded, "Therefore invite them to come." And our aim is not just to see someone saved, but to make them a disciple. To teach them "all things" Jesus has commanded us. You cannot teach a lost person to obey Christ. They must first turn to Him, repent and be saved. That is to happen in the world, then they come to church to learn, as they now have a Holy Spirit fueled desire to do so.

We see this at Pentecost in Acts 2:40-47. Here Peter preaches a powerful message to the crowd, and 3000 are saved. It is then, only then, that they are received into the church in Jerusalem, and begin to live amongst the brethren. Everywhere in the New Testament, it is Jesus or His followers going into the world and winning the lost, not going into the world and inviting them to church. When Jesus was confronted with one lost sheep in Luke chapter 15, he went into the world to find it. And their was "joy in heaven" because of the repentance of the sinner symbolized by that lost sheep. You see, it is only when we have surrendered to Christ and turned from sin, that we are ready to join His body. That change is to occur before we come to church, because if that change has not occurred, we're not in church for the right reason, and will not be able to edify the body, which is the duty of all in Christ's church.

I am not saying we should not welcome lost people in our churches, far from it. What I am saying is their is nothing biblical about gearing our churches to draw the lost. To water down sound, albeit tough, doctrine so as not to offend and drive away that lost person. They need the truth, not a feel good, psycho-babble, self-help message. Jesus never compromised His message, and many turned away from Him because the "teaching became to hard." If it happened to Him, it will happen to us if we faithfully proclaim the bible. It is the Father who draws the sinner to Christ, in fact, Jesus said no one can come "unto Him" unless that first happens. God does that through the Holy Spirit and conviction from the Holy writ. Not by making the lost feel comfortable in church.

In fact, I'll say this adamantly. If lost people are comfortable in the church you attend, the bible is not really being preached. If lost, unrepentant sinners can sit through a church service and leave feeling good about themselves, that church is not a church based upon the biblical model. You see, the bible, the law, is there to reveal our sin to us, so we can conform to the image of Christ. Only a believer or one whom the Holy Spirit is working upon will be convicted of sin, as that is one of the Holy Spirit's ministries. The lost, unregenerate person does not want to hear they are a sinner, that they cannot live the way they do, and be pleasing to God. So many churches simply ignore a convicting message, and most of the bible, in favor of pleasing people.

Friends, when we invite and welcome the world into the church, it does not help the church. As Paul says numerous times, and Jesus Himself warns us, leaven(sin) will work its way through the whole loaf. If we allow sin through unregenerate people to take hold in our churches, it will corrupt everyone. Our mission is not to bring worldly people into church, but to win them in the world, and bring them in as saved, hungry Christians on fire for God. The world is for winning souls, the church is for the body of Christ. This is what the bible teaches, so why do so many churches seem to be missing or simply ignoring this?

Easy Believing

I have a friend who attends a church in the upstate. When commenting on the church he calls it an "easy Jesus" church. He explained the church this way: "They talk about me a lot, no real sermons about sin or repentance, about sacrifice or the cost of following Christ. The messages make me feel good and the preacher is done in 20 minutes. The small groups feed me food and we discuss our opinion on things, and the worship service is really entertaining." Does this describe your church?

With the advent of the seeker sensitive church that has evolved into the emergent church, this type of attitude is more and more prevalent in Christian circles. The attitude that we cannot offend anyone because they need to be in church, so we stay away from real biblical discipleship, and the tough lessons that are the main teaching of the bible. This man-centered gospel championed by people like Robert Schuller, Joel O'Steen, Joyce Meyer, Rick Warren, Rob Bell, Brian McLaren and many others draws huge crowds. It pleases the people who attend and focuses on issues near and dear to our hearts. We are the center of attention, and we like that. So what's the problem?

Well, if we are to sincerely come together in true worship, God must be the center of everything. And in order for God to be in His rightful place, as the center of everything we do, God's word must be at center stage. True biblical preaching has been replaced by entertaining people and a clear biblical exposition of scripture by a service more heavily weighted toward music, drama, interpretive dance and other such things. Now don't get me wrong, I'm all for great music, and imaginative worship that glorifies God. But not when it limits the clear exposition of scripture. In order for people to grow, God's word must be preached and taught. Problem is, when that happens, toes get stepped on, and many don't like that.

In the bible, whenever God's people came together for worship, God's word is always at the center of the service. Expounding God's word takes precedence over everything else. Great Old Testament chapters like Nehemiah 8 show that God's people thirsted for His word, so much so that they stood for hour upon hour, day after day, listening too and taking in God's word. Nehemiah 8:6 rightfully declares they "worshipped the Lord" in doing so. Paul once preached so long in the Book of Acts that a young man fell asleep and fell from a second story window. Paul raised him from the dead. Like I said, I'm all for great music and creative worship, but no place in the gospels does Jesus enter a synagogue or the temple and lead the people in singing, announce a drama, or do an interpretive dance. He preached and He taught. He above all knows what it is to worship in "Spirit and in truth."

But today, if a sermon goes beyond 25 minutes, or a church service ends after 12:00 noon because the preacher went long, you'd think a mortal sin had been committed. The congregation has many better things to do on the day that is supposed to be consecrated to God. You see, even in more traditional services, the seeker sensitive attitude of church being about me instead of God is more prevalent than not. In fact, a church that does practice and emphasize mostly preaching and teaching is called irrelevant today. Maybe in the people's eyes, but not God's. In God's economy, nothing is more important than making disciples. And that happens with hearing, learning, knowing and then practicing God's word. If church is about me, and not God, how can that happen?

But the word of God and a service that seeks to please people and to not offend, are not compatible. Their is no way the bible can be preached and taught in it's "whole counsel" and not offend us. If we have sin, the bible will offend. And since we are all sinners, there is no way we can read or listen to sound teaching and preaching, and not have our hearts pressed upon. I know this, when I do hear preaching, I want to hear a message that will convict and challenge me, not tell me how good of a person I really am. I know that's not the truth. Me, Jeff Phillips, in my natural man state was so pleasing to God He had to send His Son to die for Me. Don't tell me I'm really good at heart. As the bible says, "there is none righteous, no, not one.(Romans 3:10)."
Yet apparently today our churches are full of good people. Friends, if we believe that we are good in God's sight, we've fallen for the trap of easy believing.

Their is nothing easy about being a disciple, a follower of Christ. Their is nothing easy about denying ourselves and living and walking as Christ did. It is often sobering, and deflating, to look into the mirror and realize how short we fall of God's standards and expectations for us. It is not a church service, a small group, a great song or activity from where we should derive our self worth in God, and interpret how greatly He is moving in our midst. But rather, from self examination and discipline as we continually conform to Christ. Is the church you attend one that makes you feel good, or one that gives you the truth and often leaves you feeling guilty before God. While it may be tough to understand, change, real change, cannot occur without conviction of our sin. And conviction of our sin comes when the Holy Spirit confronts us with the Holy word of God.

What type of church do you attend? One that caters to your interests and desires, or one that leaves you ashamed before God from time to time? That's the difference between easy believing, and biblical worship. I know this, as a pastor, if their are people listening to me preach who are overtaken by sin, and they leave feeling good about themselves; I've failed God. Is your church one that focuses on anything but biblical teaching and preaching? If so, what are you going to do about it? Do you truly desire to be a disciple of Christ, or are you content to suffer easy believing, content to have church be about you, instead of God?

What is Ecumenism?

Ecumenism is in religious terms, differing denominations or religions putting aside their differences to work together on the things they agree upon. In theory, this sounds good. Why should we not come together as peoples of the world to fight world hunger, AIDS, or in aid when natural disasters strike somewhere? Basically, why can't we all just get along, and agree to disagree on some things? Why can't we work together for the common good of mankind? Well, the question we must answer is this: is our home and kingdom of this world, or is our citizenship in heaven?

What is the harm in joining together with Muslims or Mormons? What is the problem with yoking ourselves with liberal Christianity who deny the person of Christ in the bible, the Jesus of the bible, to serve those in need? Well, the problem lies in lending credibility to those false and apostate religions that hurt, deny or distort the cause of the gospel and Christ. What good does it do for an AIDS patient to live another 40 years, if they do not receive the truth about Jesus and die lost and go to hell? What good does it do to cure cancer, yet have that person hear a false gospel, and be deceived into receiving a sentence of eternal death? Does the bible tell us to be more focused on the here and now, or on eternity? What is more important for the person, receiving aid or a cure, life here on earth, or eternal life with God in heaven?

Paul tells us in Ephesians 5:8-11, "For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light(for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), finding out what is acceptable to the Lord. And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them." You see, any person or organization who denies Jesus Christ as God, as Lord and Savior of this world, as the only way to the Father and heaven, is in darkness. And no amount of good works can change that. While the decision is sure to bring ridicule and scorn, we must stand on the word of God, and as Christians remain focused on the the eternal soul, and not just the life here on earth.

Does this mean we are not to offer aid to those in need? Of course not, but what we must do is join together with those of a like mind regarding Jesus, the gospel, salvation, to work together to not only meet needs here on earth, but also the spiritual need of the path to eternal life through Jesus alone. We can disagree on many things, but we cannot disagree on who Jesus is. And you know what, this should not be difficult. Experts estimate that their are around 1 billion people on earth who proclaim the Jesus of the bible. Folks, that's plenty of people we can claim as brothers in Christ to serve those in need, but also present the life saving message of the gospel. You see, good works apart from the good news, is meaningless in the grand picture of eternity. The biblical salvation of a person is to be the top priority of the church. As Jesus said, "man does not live by bread alone." Without the spiritual manna from heaven, death will surely come. And not just physical death, but eternal spiritual death.

The mission of the church is not to cure disease, or win elections. It is not to just give those in need food for their bellies, but food for their souls. Our mission is to win the lost and instruct them in the ways of God so that they can become disciples who also make disciples. How can we accomplish this biblical mission by joining together with darkness, those who deny Jesus Christ?

So can we have ecumenism? Yes, to a certain extent. As a Baptist, I can join to together with any Christian denomination that preaches and proclaims, follows and fosters fellowship with the Jesus of the bible. And that is a large number of fellow servants here on earth to team up with. But as one who believes in the literal word of God, I cannot in sound faith join together with those who deny Christ, and practice darkness. To do so is to empower Satan, and his message that leads to eternal destruction.

Are You a Disciple, or Just a Believer?

I pose a question today that I truly believe holds the answer to another question; what is wrong with the church today? Do we understand that someone can be saved, can be a believer in Jesus Christ, yet not be His disciple? Do we understand that all are able to come to Jesus for salvation, but it takes more than heartfelt belief to be His disciple? Jesus tells us throughout the gospels that unless we "deny ourselves," "pick up our cross," and "follow Him," that we are not "worthy" to be His disciples. Friends, what Christ's church, what our world, needs now more than ever, is disciples, and not just believers content with their salvation.

Luke 14:25-35 lays this out for us clearly. In order to be a true disciple of Jesus Christ nothing can come before Him in our lives. Jesus illustrates this in v.26 when He tells us He must come before even our dearest loved ones. This means that in our lives we place our utmost confidence in the "Greatest Commandment," and we love God above all others, enabling us to love others more than ourselves, just as Jesus did. We cannot be His disciple unless we love Him first and foremost, thus denying ourselves and following Him.

Many may ask themselves why is the cost of discipleship so high? Why must it be so difficult, so taxing? Well in verses 28-32, Jesus shows us why in 2 parables. Many misinterpret these verses. They believe it is we who count the cost, but that is not what these parables teach us. It is the builder of the tower, not the workers who count the cost. It is the king of the armies, not the army, that counts the cost. Friends, Jesus is the One who is in charge of building His kingdom, He is the King of His army to fight Satan and evil, the enemy. He alone knows what He needs from us in order for His kingdom to be built. And in verses 27 and 33 he clarifies once again, it is only the one who is willing to "bear his cross" and "come after" Him that can be His disciple. It is only the one who is willing to "forsake all" who can be His disciple. Does this attitude of complete surrender, love, and devotion to Jesus describe us, or most other believers we know? And we wonder why the church is in trouble, ineffective, failing in it's mission to "Go therefore and make disciples." We cannot make disciples until we are first a disciple ourselves.

Jesus closes this section of scripture using salt as His illustration. He said their is good salt which is useful. But also that their is salt that has lost "it's flavor." Of this salt He tells us it is worth nothing, not even fit for the "dunghill." That's a strong condemnation. When it comes to building Christ's kingdom, are we good salt? Salt when it's good is a preservative, it prevents decay. Have we succeeded in this in this world, or has the enemy won in bringing us down even further as people. Salt is a cleansing agent, and was used to fight infection. It would sting in a wound, but it would also heal. Are we as the body of Christ winning the battle to fight off the infection of evil that surrounds us? Most of all, salt adds flavor, and it makes you thirsty. Are we a people thirsty for the word of God, for living in obedience and faithfulness for Him, or do our wants and desires take precedent in our lives. How can we be the "salt of the earth" and not make others thirst for the "living water" in Christ?

What does the church need today? Do we need new methods? Do we need a new way of doing church? No, we don't need something new, but rather, something old. We need Christians to surrender to Jesus and His call to be His disciples. To forsake everything for Him, to bear our cross and the burdens that come with following Him. Only then are we worthy to be His disciples, and only then can we make disciples. Anything else is just rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic. The ship will still go down.

One Word to Describe Yourself

Summing up one's character and being in one word is a tall order. Each of us has many aspects to our appearance and personality so settling on one word to define yourself is , well....let me take a look in the mirror:

Appearance wise I would describe myself as overweight(actually I prefer undertall), pale, stocky, average, or maybe inneedofbowflex. Thankfully, God looks at the heart, not physical appearance, so how would I describe my inner self? Well, I'm outspoken, opinionated, loyal, intelligent, relaxed, happy, humorous, passionate, but most of all, I'm probably growing, no not in weight or height, but in my life and how I view things. I'm learning new things all the time, and that growth shapes every part of my being. Now, let me ask you a question. If you had to choose one word to describe you as a Christian, what would it be?

Would it be faithful, well, I'm far more faithful than I used to be but still have tremendous room for growth there. What about obedient? For me, once again, I'm far more obedient to God's word now, than say 5 years ago, but still, their is a lot of room for improvement.

What about loving? Am I putting God first in my life and putting others above myself? Am I the best husband to my wife I can be or the best son to my mother? Sadly, I'd have to say this is yet another area that I can really still show a lot of growth. Am I holy? Well, in Jesus I know I am, but when I look at myself I have to tell you I don't really see holy. Here's one, am I patient? I'll let internet lingo define this one, LOL.

Well when I look at myself, it seems that many of the characteristics God wants from me in my life, I fall short of. So let me ask this question, does the word saved define me. Well, it could, because I know I am saved. In spite of my shortcomings I can look back on my life and see radical change from the person I was before I knew Jesus. I know that day in 2003 when I wept before God and received Jesus Christ was genuine and transforming. While I still fall short in many areas, I know I'm far more like Jesus today than I was 7 years ago, even one year ago. So yes, I have the fruit of salvation. But that's still not how I would describe myself. So what is the one word I would use to describe myself as a Christian?

Well for me the answer is really easy. For me, the one word that describes me best as a Christian, is forgiven. I know in my heart that my sinful past has been wiped away completely by the shed blood of Jesus and my faith in Him. I know that by God's grace my sins exist no more. I know that even though I fall short in my Christian walk many times, God is patient with me and that those shortcomings, those sins, are as far as the east is from the west in our magnificent Lord's eyes because of what Jesus did for me. While I may displease God sometimes, while I may fall into the flesh, I know that it's covered by the blood of the Lamb.

So I'll close with this question? Have you fully and truly experienced the forgiveness of our sins that God has given us through Jesus? Have you received Jesus into your heart as Lord and Savior, and experienced the life changing power of the Holy Spirit? Does your life now lead closer and closer to God, revealing the fruit of salvation; repentance from sin and a growing walk in love, obedience and faithfulness? Is the word that best describes you as a Christian, and as a person, forgiven?

Comedy Central Developing Cartoon About Jesus

From the you can't make this stuff up files:

James Hibbard of the Hollywood Reporter writes that Comedy Central is developing a cartoon that will feature their version of Jesus as the main character. The main theme of the cartoon will feature Jesus, wanting to escape the shadow of his "powerful but apathetic" father, moving to New York City to start a new life. God is portrayed as preoccupied with video games while Jesus, the "ultimate fish out of water," tries to tackle big city life. This from the network that offered a severely redacted episode of "South Park" about the prophet Mohamed so as not to offend. As I've said many times, Jesus is the target, not other religions or the name God. No word yet as to whether Jon Stewart was dodging fire and brimstone last night.

Again, from California(surprise, surprise), 5 teenagers at a high school were sent home from school on May 5th for wearing t-shirts with the American flag on them. School officials were afraid that the flag of the country that the state of California is actually in would offend people on Cinco de Mayo. I don't know if anyone in California was offended, but I sure was. Word is on July 4 California will celebrate the fact China invented fireworks by declaring it Chairman Mao day.

From here in Mayberry, ahem, Chesterfield, yesterday we held our version of the "National Day of Prayer" at the courthouse downtown. Approximately 8 prayers were offered for things as varying as race relations to families, police and firemen to our nations leaders and courts. It wasn't until the 3rd prayer offered that a member of the county Sheriff's department actually prayed in the name of Jesus. Thankfully, about the 6th prayer was by friend Larry Wilbur of Pine Grove Baptist who prayed for our families and boldly and correctly closed in Jesus name. Only then did it appear that it was appropriate for those of us who call ourselves Christians here in Chesterfield to pray in the name of Christ.

If you are a member of Facebook you may also have friends who are part of the "Message From God" application as I do. Never have I seen such mindless drivel offered in the name of God, oh wait, forgot I grew up in the Episcopal church. On a friends status yesterday was the message to them that God is just pleased as punch that "you are you." That we are all unique, "immortal souls." Yeah, God is so pleased with us being ourselves He had to send His Son to die for us to remove our depravity and sin. No mention that the only way we can please God is through faith in Jesus Christ.

Finally, I was watching the Documentary Channel on TV last night. Thought you might be interested in the Cherokee Indians story of creation. According to the Cherokee's all of animal life once lived above the earth that was covered with water. One day, a water beetle was sent down to try to find dry ground. When it could not this enterprising beetle went down to the bottom of the sea and started bringing up mud and the land masses were created. Then on another day, a buzzard was sent down to see how the "creation" beetle was doing. This buzzard grew tired looking for the land and by the time it found it Mr. Buzzard was so tired that it's wings began scraping the dry ground. This is how mountains and valleys were formed. So much more plausible than, "In the beginning God created..." But about as likely as the theory of evolution.

Until tomorrow, have a Jesus filled, blessed day!

National Day of Prayer

Across our nation today Christians will be gathering together to lift up our nation in prayer as part of the "National Day of Prayer." This years event has brought much controversy as this day has been ruled unconstitutional by a circuit court judge and the Rev. Franklin Graham has been prohibited from participating with the military for his truthful comments about the religion of Islam. Apparently, in America today, it is offensive for someone to pray.

This really should come as no surprise to us. The courts in our nation have already ruled that the 10 Commandments are offensive, that murdering an unborn child is perfectly acceptable, and that terrorists trying to destroy our nation as part of a declared war on us have the same rights as an American citizen. America as a nation founded on Judeo-Christian values has ceased to exist in our governments eyes. Why should it surprise us that something as simple and inoffensive as prayer is now a target.

A spokesperson for the group "Freedom From Religion" was on Fox News this morning. To quote him he said that he feels that when the government sponsors a day of prayer, "it cheapens prayer." This from a person who said he feels prayer is a waste of time. How can something be viewed any more cheaply than to state it is a waste of time? These people claim that the "Christian right" have an agenda to indoctrinate our nation with Christian values through events like this. But what of the atheists agenda to rid our nation of any mention of God, and specifically Jesus Christ?

The fact of the matter is that our government and our leaders calling our nation to prayer is nothing new. George Washington did it several times during his presidency, as did Abraham Lincoln. FDR called for regular days of prayer and fasting during World War II. In 1952 the joint houses of Congress unanimously approved the "National Day of Prayer." In every instance it was always prayer to the God of the bible, the God of Christianity. This belief in our nation that the government cannot so much as recognize a "National Day of Prayer" is a recent development. So what has changed in our nation?

What has changed in our nation is, that we have become a people that "worship God with" our lips, but our hearts are far from "Him." We have become a nation that has compromised our founding fathers principles for the sake of political correctness, and placed false gods on the same level as the "True and Living God." Now let me be clear, I do believe in the founding fathers vision that any American citizen is free to worship any god they want. If someone wants to worship Allah, Buddha, Satan, a tree, a goat or a rock, they have a right to do so. But this freedom does not change the fact that we as a nation were founded as a nation that recognized and worshipped the God of the bible and His Son Jesus Christ. This is not a debatable point, but a statement of fact. But today, instead of holding to these principles that were the foundation at our nations beginning, and for most of it's history, we cow tow to special interest groups for the sake of not offending anyone. I just wish someone would show me the place in the constitution that guarantees an American citizens right to not be offended. Because I can show them my right to assembly and my freedom of religion. And I can show them a long, accepted history from our founding fathers on, of expression of the Christian faith on behalf of our government.

What I hope we as Christians realize is that this sort of thing is only going to grow worse. As Christians this is what the bible tells us we should expect. As Paul wrote to Timothy is his second epistle to the young preacher, "Anyone who desires to live a godly life will suffer persecution." Wake up Christians, and accept the truth. In America today, WE are the problem. We are the reason their are divisions, and hatred and discrimination in the United States. Our antiquated beliefs are holding back the enlightenment of our society, and our acceptance in the global community. The world hates America because of us!

What did Jesus have to say about this. Well, our God and Savior said, "If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you(John 15:18.)" Jesus said, "Do you suppose that I came to give peace on earth? I tell you, not at all, but rather division(Luke 12:51)." It appears as though things are happening in our beloved country just as Jesus said they would. Be prepared Christian, this is just the tip of the iceberg. The attack on Jesus(not religion, just Jesus) is gaining and will continue to gain momentum. What can we do? Stand for Jesus! Let us a Christians vow to look up, stand up, pray up, preach up, sing up, lift up, speak up, never back up or shut up for Jesus Christ. We may one day be arrested, but so were Jesus and the apostles. We may one day be asked to give our lives,but so have countless martyrs and missionaries. As much as we love our country never let us forget, that our kingdom is "not of this world, but in heaven." We are merely pilgrims and sojourners here on earth. Let us remain faithful to Jesus, and be able to say as Paul did to Timothy; "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing(2 Timothy 4:7-8)." The question for us as Christians is not will our government endorse our right to pray for our nation in Jesus name, but rather, are we willing to remain faithful to Jesus in the face of what will be more and more severe persecution.

Final Great Commission Resurgence Report is Out

For nearly a year a task force appointed by Southern Baptist Convention president Dr. Johnny Hunt has been working on a report that is supposed to be debated and voted upon at this years SBC Annual Meetings in Orlando, FL this June. This task force was given the responsibility of drafting a new vision to enable Southern Baptists to more effectively fulfill the "Great Commission" as given to us by Jesus in Matthew 28:19-20. There has been a great deal of conversation since the task forces progress report was issued in February, and it is shaping up to be one of the most important meetings in SBC history next month. You can read the report for yourself at www.pray4gcr.com.

As I've stated before in regards to this topic I have found basically no one who does not believe that we as Southern Baptists need to make some changes. Some of the statistics revealed as part of this report are eye opening. Primarily to me, in the United States this past year we baptized 30,000 fewer people than we did in 1950, in spite of the fact we have 17,000 more SBC churches, many millions more church members and countless millions more citizens in the U.S. Their is no doubt we are becoming less and less relevant in our culture. The question we as Southern Baptists must now answer is why is this the case and is this report the beginning to answering that question.

I found no major changes to the path presented by the progress report in February and the final report a few days ago. This is the path the leadership of the SBC feels we should take, and that does carry some weight. What I've found though in soliciting opinion from all around the country is that the report leaves as many questions as it provides possible answers. As I stated last month, I feel this is going to be a very contentious meeting with clear divides already forming. I believe it is going to divide young against older, the large church against the small church, and state conventions against the national convention. My concern is that this will become a very political convention with whoever is best organized taking the day. A political meeting is the last thing we need. We do not need this report rammed through because one group is more organized or stopped because the other group is more organized. We need to be on our faces before God seeking His guidance in determining what is best for us and our convention.

Just to mention a few of the concerns being voiced across the country, some of the more major ones are: A fear from state conventions that far more financial and administrative burden will be placed upon them. The appearance of a major restructuring of NAMB that many feel is the first salvo in combining it with IMB. A large focus on money and the change that all giving through SBC agencies will now be counted toward a churches missional giving, with Cooperative Program giving being replaced by Great Comission giving; many feel this will give even more influence to larger churches. And IMB now having oversight over some missions in the United States via people groups they already minister to overseas.

Their is also alot to like in this report. Which is why I will pose this question. Is it an absolute necessity that this report be passed as is, or will their be room for sincere negotiation regarding some of the more controversial elements? Will each side be willing to compromise on some things? Their is alot of uncertainty in many areas of SBC life right now. We are going to be appointing new leaders for NAMB, IMB and the Executive Committee. Older, trusted hands are retiring and no one really knows who will fill these positions. If this report is passed as is it will lead to major structural changes, which always results in some angst. Finally, their is a lack of detail in how these changes will be carried out. The details were not the responsibility of the task force, let me make that clear. But if this is passed, the focus of how we are going to accomplish these goals will bring more and more questions.

It's going to be an interesting time this June when we gather together as Southern Baptists. Let us all be in prayer for a unity in Christ to cover this meeting, and for the fleshly attitudes all of us have sometimes to be quenched and lovingly rebuked. Let us pray this meeting is focussed on God's will for us, and not our will in how to do things. And let us be untited coming out of this meeting around Jesus as never before. For if we are not, and we leave with a wide gulf between us, the SBC is in for some very difficult times.

Sigh, Westboro Baptist Coming to S.C.

John 3:16, "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life."

My wife e-mailed me a message last night that Westboro Baptist Church of Topeka, KS were bringing their picket signs and message of hate to the state of South Carolina May 15-21. For those of you not familiar with Westboro they are the ones who have regularly picketed military funerals, homosexual events, churches and basically anyone or anything that disagrees with their legalistic views of scripture since 1991. The church has been pastored by Fred Phelps since 1955 and most of the congregation is made up of his family members. Phelps is a graduate of Bob Jones University in Greenville, SC.

The target of most of Westboro's venom are homosexuals and our military whom they claim are being killed by God in Afghanistan and Iraq as the result of a direct judgment of God against the wickedness of our nation. Now, for those of you who know me, have read this blog or heard me preach you know that I do believe we are a nation that has sunken into debauchery and you know that I believe the bible when it speaks of the sin of homosexuality calling it an abomination and unnatural. But Westboro takes these sound biblical teachings to another level, placing their personal beliefs in addition to the teachings of the bible on equal footing. That friends, is legalism, and God condemns it as much if not more than He condemns the sins that Westboro so radically opposes.

While they claim to preach a gospel of grace and peace, all that really shines through in their language and actions is hatred. If you wish to read their views you can go to their website www.godhatesfags.com. Seriously, that is there web address. And it speaks volumes about how they view things and propagate what they claim the bible says. Honestly, if there signs read "God Hates Homosexuality" instead of "God Hates Fags," I'd be standing right beside them supporting their views. You see, God does hate sin. He hates homosexuality and all forms of sexual immorality, He hates stealing, and lying, and idolatry, and greed, and murder, and selfishness and envy and every other thing that He calls sin. But, God does not hate the individual. He will judge the individual and cast them into an eternal hell if they do not turn to Him and repent of their sin, but God does not hate people.

John 3:16 clearly states this. It boldly and clearly tells us that God "so loved the world," and by the world that means all of us. God "so loved the world" that He gave us His "Son" so that through belief and faith, exhibited by following Him in obedience and repenting of our sin, we can be saved, "born again" a "new creation" in Jesus and have eternal life in heaven with God. Friends, their are homosexuals in the world. And thieves, liars, murderers, idolators, and all sorts of sinners. In fact, we are all sinners, guilty before God apart from the saving grace of God and the shed blood of Jesus Christ. If the world were not helplessly depraved and sinful, capable of perfectly living the Law of God, Jesus would never have had to come to earth and die for us.

Westboro claims to be a five point Calvinist church(google T.U.L.I.P.), but in actuality they profane this teaching taking it to a level it was never meant to hold. They completely ignore John 3:16, and the word "whosoever," which clearly teaches that all are able to come to the saving grace of Jesus Christ, if they choose to accept the calling of God to His Son. As D.L. Moody used to say, "whosoever will, will; and whosoever won't, won't." God has not predestined any person to an eternity in hell, in fact the bible teaches that hell was not created for mankind, but rather for "Satan and his angels." But, because of our sin, our depravity, our unbelief in Jesus countless people will join Satan and his angels there. But God has given us Jesus so that we should not have to suffer this fate, if we come to Him, and for nearly 2000 years He's been calling us to His Son through the message of the cross.

In Galatians 5:19-26 the bible teaches us about the "fruit of the Spirit" and the "works of the flesh." Hatred is not a "fruit of the Spirit." It is however a work "of the flesh," as are contentions, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions and heresies. Each of these attributes describe Westboro's attitude, not "love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control." Now understand clearly beloved, sexual immorality, including homosexuality, is also a work of the flesh. These people are not wrong in calling it sin. But they are inherently un-Christlike in how they communicate this truth.

For most Christians, it is far easier to see the sin in others than it is in ourselves. But as Jesus instructs us in Matthew 7:1-5. we must first remove the "plank"(our own sin) from our own eye before we can righteously judge the sin in others and help them remove the "speck" from their own eye. This is what Westboro needs to do. They judge condemningly, and that is God's job, not ours. While we must judge right from wrong, none of us is capable of judging anothers eternal soul. We do not know when or if they will turn to God and repent. I'm praying for this group from Westboro, that God allows them to see that they are inherently damaging the cause of Christ and tearing down His body, not helping Christ and edifying His body.

Note: The picketing schedule is listed on Westboro's website. Among the churches they intend to picket include Shandon Baptist and Riverland Hills Baptist, two of the finest churches in the Columbia area. If you or your church plan to show up when Westboro is present, show them the love of Christ and if the Spirit allows attempt to show them the error of their ways. In all prayerfulness and Christlikeness, show them Jesus, and do not stoop to their level.

Sound Theology from a Devout Atheist

As I was browsing through the blogosphere this morning I ran across an interesting snippet(source, The Berean Call). Christopher Hitchens is an outspoken, devout atheist who authored the 2007 book, "God is Not Great: Why Religion Poisons Everything." The mere title of his book should make clear Hitchens views of Christianity and really all organized religion. Since his book was published Hitchens has been touring the country promoting his beliefs and also engaging in debates about religion, including several with some well respected Christian leaders.

At a stop earlier this year in Portland, Oregon, Hitchens was questioned on a radio show hosted by a Unitarian minister named Marilyn Sewell. Part of the interview went like this:

Sewell: The religion you cite in your book is generally the fundamentalist faith of various kinds. I'm a liberal Christian, and don't take the stories from scripture literally. I don't believe in the doctrine of atonement, that Jesus died for our sins, for example. Do you make any distinction between fundamentalist faith and liberal religion?

Hitchens: I would say that if you don't believe Jesus of Nazareth was the Christ and Messiah, and that he rose again from the dead and by his sacrifice our sins are forgiven, you're really not in any meaningful sense a Christian.

Wow! Now let me remind you of the biblical definition of an atheist. Psalm 14:1 says, "It is the fool who says in his heart, that their is no God..." So, from the mouth of an ardent atheist, one the bible calls a fool, comes a total rebukement of liberal Christianity. Hitchens clearly states that if you do not believe in the Jesus of the bible, you really have no claim on the name Christian. Sewell's response to Hitchens rebuke of her entire belief system was, "Let me go someplace else." Where else is there to go? An atheist has just stated that their is no base in Christianity for what you believe. That you are not a Christian. That you are in fact, antichrist. By anti meaning against Christ.

The sad thing here is that an atheist, a fool, can clearly see the foundational truths as presented by the bible, a book he clearly despises, does not believe in, and tries to undermine every chance he gets. The person here who claims to be a Christian minister cannot. I have never seen a more clear distinction made between what real Christianity and liberal Christianity are.

I write this because there is a clear liberal theology that is being recognized under the mantle of Christianity today. Their are churches, denominations and movements that preach "another Jesus," a Jesus not of the bible, that call themselves Christians. And the people who attend these churches, are members of these denominations, and follow these movements are so biblically illiterate or blinded by Satan that they cannot discern between what is clear biblical teaching and the "doctrine of demons." If someone as alienated from the true Christian faith as Christopher Hitchens, who clearly has no leading by the Holy Spirit, but who has studied the bible and knows what it clearly says and claims, can make the distinction, why can't so-called Christians? And even more so, why can't so-called Christian ministers?

Friends, the bible teaches repeatedly about an apostasy that will envelop the church as the return of Christ approaches. The fundamental tenet of apostasy is a falling away from biblical truth. We are seeing this apostasy accelerate before our very eyes, and unless we as the true church of Christ are willing to stand against these false teaching and heresies instead of going along to get along for the sake of ecumenical peace, the church of the traditional and biblical Christian faith will surely disappear. We live in a time in need of prophets to proclaim, "Thus saith the Lord!" We live in a time when the gift of discernment is desperately needed. We live in a time when revival and a movement of God through His Holy Spirit is all that can save us. When atheists, when fools, see things more clearly than many so-called Christians, how can we say anything but that the body of Christ is on life support, and that our hands through our ambivalence and refusal to disown any who teach "another Jesus" are in the process of pulling the plug.