What's at stake...

Make no mistake about it Iowans seem to like their babies dead. At least that is how we continue to vote time and time again. We sit in church on Sunday and give a hearty, “Amen!” to the preacher when he speaks about the importance of life, but our voting record shows we would much rather have dead babies.

We believe the propaganda that organizations like Planned Parenthood are helping women with health services. We allow politicians and the media to lull our brains into thinking that the number one issue facing America is jobs. And all the while, the number of dead babies in the State of Iowa (and America) keeps mounting. Planned Parenthood is a money-making entity and the money they receive is blood money.

Planned Parenthood has one business and it is NOT providing health services to women. The business they are in is a bottom-line, money-making business. And the number one source of money for Planned Parenthood comes from the abortions they perform.

Just as Iowa seems to have devolved into the homosexual version of Mecca, it also happens to be Planned Parenthood’s chief resource as well. According to the Iowa Right to Life’s website, Planned Parenthood has 32 locations in Iowa (23 of which perform abortions). Compared to Illinois which has 18 Planned Parenthood locations (6 of which perform abortions). We have a population of just over 3 million here in Iowa and Illinois has 12.9 million.

Why am I writing about this? Because January 3^rd we are going to Caucus for the President of the United States. And the number one issue we face is not the crisis our economy is in. We are experiencing the economic crisis we are experiencing because we have lost our moral way.

We have churches filled with good Christian people who have learned how to be able to step over the carcasses of the unborn as they cast their vote to save their jobs. This cannot continue. I cannot be quiet about this topic anymore or I might drown in the swelling blood of the babies we choose to ignore.

We have got to begin to align our beliefs with how we vote or we will most certainly face judgment of Almighty God as a nation (if we have not already). Please for the love of God, I beg you to hear the cry of the unborn as you vote. I beg you to not wash their blood away.

We need Christian men and women who are broken and weeping before the Lord on behalf of our lost nation and state. We need Christians to do the right thing…not the practical thing…not the pragmatic thing…but the right thing and vote accordingly.

"Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute." -Proverbs 31:8 (NIV)

Time for a Re-Declaration

We are entering a time where the familiar words of Isaiah’s prophecy begin to be recited once again. We know the words all too well. But what if Mary had been chosen by God in our time? What if the angels visited the livestock herders in our day and age?

 I think the probability of Mary carrying baby Jesus to full term would have been very unlikely. The voices surrounding her would have put pressure on her to kill the baby. Her life would be ruined by this child’s birth, they would say, so do yourself a favor and get an abortion.

Although that might make for a nice Planned Parenthood style Christmas…it is in stark contrast to the true preciousness of the life of all babies, most definitely, baby Jesus’.

Our country began with the notion that life is a sacred right. It is a non-negotiable. It is an unalienable right which means that it is a right that you can never be alienated from, or separated from. It cannot be taken away from any person.

So to legitimize the taking away of such an important and foundational right, if a certain group would be declared non-human or not a person, say maybe simply a “fetus” or a “tissue mass” then it would be more acceptable. Which is precisely what we have done to the unborn in our nation. We have reclassified the unborn child as sub-human. Therefore, the Creator’s unalienable right to life hasn’t been granted to it, or so the logic goes.

I think it is high time, most especially at Christmastime, that we recognize what we are celebrating. We are celebrating the most important BIRTH of all time. The BIRTH of baby Jesus. That baby’s life was just as precious in the womb (by the way, doctor Luke recognized the unborn child as a legitimate life as well: Luke 1:41-44) as outside of it.

We need to Re-Declare as a nation that all life is precious to God. The most safe and sacred place on this planet for a life should be a mother’s womb. But 1500 baby deaths every day make it worse than any war our nation is currently fighting. Our God-given right to life is what our nation’s founders were willing to fight and die for.

Hear again the words from our country’s beginning:

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.

And hear again the words of our faith’s beginning:

“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given…” (Isaiah 9:6 – KJV)

A spade is still a spade

I was listening to the morning news and there was an interesting story about a Baptist Minister referring to Mormonism as a cult. And then Mitt Romney, the bright and morning star according to the media, said that language like that from the Baptist Minister was "poisonous language" and it has no place in the presidential campaign.

I found that very interesting, since, as far as I can recollect, Mormonism has always been considered a cult and outside of the norm from traditional evangelical Christianity. So I thought I would take some time to spew forth poisonous language (otherwise known as the truth these days) and share just why it is Mormonism and Christianity are not bed fellows.

There is so much evidence to prove that Mormonism is a man-made religion, but one basic tenet at the very foundation of Mormonism stands out. The Mormon church is built upon the idea that the Christian church had fallen into total, complete apostasy from the truth as taught by Christ and His apostles, and the true church ceased to exist. Mormon scripture proclaims that every church on the face of the earth is "wrong"; all their creeds are an "abomination" in the sight of God; and all their teachers are "corrupt" (Pearl of Great Price, Joseph Smith 2:19).

This teaching is refuted by Christ Himself, "I will build my church; and the gates of Hades will not overcome it." (Matthew 16:18) The church is not a denomination or organization but rather an organism made up of believers of all ages. Since the very foundation of the Mormon church is in error, it must be considered a man-made religion and not from God.

Jesus Christ Himself stated that eternal life was dependent upon knowing "the only true God." (John 17:3) One of the tests of a true prophet is that a prophet must not teach a doctrine concerning God that is contrary to what had already been revealed in the Scriptures (Deuteronomy 13:1-5). Joseph Smith, Mormonism's founding "prophet," taught about a plurality of gods. Current Mormon doctrine states that God the Father was once a mortal man who progressed to become a god as did the gods before him, and that men and women may also become gods and goddesses (a teaching known as eternal progression in the Mormon church). This whole idea is summed up in the well-known Latter-Day Saints phrase, "As man is, God once was; as God is, man may be." (The Articles of Faith, pg. 430)

But, the Scriptures tell another story. God says in Isaiah 43:10, "I am He: before me there was no God formed, nor will there be one after me." God further states in Hosea 11:9, "For I am God, and not man."

The entire concept of the plurality of gods is put to shame when God Himself asks the question, "Is there any God besides me?" He then answers, "I know not one." (Isaiah 44:8)

Joseph Smith was a false prophet and those who follow his teachings are being led away from the One True God. Mormonism has violated the very first commandment: You shall have no other gods before me. (Exodus 20:3)

Keep in mind, even though we currently have two Mormons running for president (Romney and Huntsman), it is not unloving to attack Mormonism. It would be unloving, however, to attack a Mormon. The truth is that Mormonism is indeed a cult. That is no more a poisonous thing to say than saying that Planned Parenthood kills babies. Truth is truth and a spade is still a spade.

The myth of the neat little boxes

Right next door to my grandmother’s home was the home of Mr. and Mrs. Crawford. He was a nice old man that would let me strike the match to light his pipe. One thing I remember from Mr. Crawford’s house was a room where he kept all of his tools. He had this one particular drawer that had all these little boxes in them that were filled with screws and nuts of various sizes and shapes. It was so orderly, it was intoxicating!

Although the screws may be easy to find for Mr. Crawford, a drawer like that carries appeal for many because a lot of us like neat little boxes to separate things. (Some of us to the point that we may need counseling because we are obsessive compulsive.)

But neat little boxes may work for separating screws but they don’t work very well for organizing your life. I think men, in particular, struggle with this. I remember hearing Dr. Gary Rosberg say that men are like waffles and women are like spaghetti. Men like the neat rows of spaces where everything is in order and everything has its place. But women are a big gooey pile of noodles where everything is connected to everything else.

That may be funny, but spaghetti is a closer picture of reality for all of us. We like to try to keep certain things in their proper place. So we say things like, “Don’t bring work home.” But how well do we actually do that? We haven’t found the magic bullet to stop thinking about work or even dreaming about it.

It is certainly a worthwhile goal to not be so over-focused on work that you minimalize your time with your family. But I believe a very dangerous myth for the Christ follower is the myth that our faith can be kept in a neat little box.

We don’t want to mix “politics with religion.” We want to make sure that we do church stuff at church. And when I go vote, I do so completely void of religious influence…because those two boxes should not be mixed.

But the problem is that faith bleeds. It is fluid. It cannot be contained. Even though there are many in our culture who want to make sure we do everything we can to maintain that invisible wall of separation of church and state, the fact is, wherever there are people of faith, their faith will always be in the public sphere.

To keep one’s faith separate from work or politics or school is like trying to command the outside air from invading the inside of your home. How do you do that?

We are commanded by our Lord to be salt and light (Matthew 5:13-16). We have been given an ultimatum by God to not only take our faith with us into our work environment or our classroom or the polling place, but to make sure that we are ever vigilant at it.

We may try to fool ourselves into thinking that we can put our faith in a neat little box…but a person of true faith knows how foolish that truly is. Faith is not a light switch that can be turned off or on at will.

I believe that one of my callings as a minister of the gospel is to help the congregation I serve to filter absolutely all of life through the lens of Scripture. We must begin to think biblically about every situation we face.

To hold a particular political candidate for office and his or her views up to the light of Scripture is exactly what a person of faith is supposed to do. A person of faith should evaluate every task at the workplace, every classroom assignment, and every relationship through a biblical lens.

Asking what does Scripture say concerning this or that is how a Christian navigates all of life. It is a myth to think that a Christian can approach life any other way. Neat little boxes may work for organizing nuts and bolts but it is impossible to try to keep faith separate from the rest of one’s life.

Can a Christian vote for a woman for President?

I recently was given an article outlining the biblical support for not voting for a woman for the office of civil magistrate. You can read that article here. Apparently this is the defining article on the issue. After reading the article, all Christians are summarily compelled to only vote for a man in any preceding election.

Honestly, there was much in the article I agreed with, but I believe there are some conclusions of the author that are not warranted and other issues that are not even addressed or dealt with.

Let me begin by saying this...I believe that male chauvinism is just as wrong and sinful as militant feminism. And what has been allowed to occur in the church is that women are denigrated and, at times, oppressed because of the kind of hermeneutic displayed in that article.

Let's begin with this understanding in Christ, that there is neither male nor female. We are all one in Christ Jesus (Galatians 3:28). Now saying that, I am not trying to wipe away any gender differences. But what I am saying is that in terms of salvation, we have a new distinction and identity in Christ alone.

When one does a study of the role of women throughout Scripture, one can see quite an array of roles. I want to look at women in Jesus' ministry as well as in the life of the Apostolic Church.

If you study Judaism at the time of Christ you would see that the Rabbis of Jesus' day considered that a woman's part in religion was restricted to personal piety and periodic attendance at worship. The ministry of Jesus sets aside such rabbinic views and practices at many points.

Jesus considered his teaching to be for women as well as men, and at times, Jesus pointedly sought to teach women. Jesus ignored customary separations in situations in which his ministry would be hampered by them. When you read the gospels, it seems as though the Gospel writers give particular concern to women.

For example, Luke 8:1-3, gives insight into the entourage which followed Christ. This appears to be his close circle. These were women who benefitted from the ministry of Jesus and contributed to the support of that ministry. They were traveling companions and not concubines (as some have suggested) or apostles (as others have suggested).

The presence of these women must have been a source of considerable comment as Jesus traveled. It was not uncommon that a rabbi should have a band of followers; it was most unusual that the followers should include women.

The accounts of the crucifixion and resurrection give us more detail about these women. Matthew and Mark comment on the presence of Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of James the younger and Joseph, standing at a distance watching the crucifixion. Also mentioned are Salome and the mother of the sons of Zebedee (Matthew 27:55-56; Mark 15:40).

Mark adds in his gospel that Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joseph watched him (Jesus) being placed in the tomb and returned after the Sabbath to annoint his body, becoming the first witnesses to the resurrection (Mark 15:40-16:7). John's account notes that Jesus appeared to Mary directly (John 20:10-18).

The reason this is significant is that Jewish law prohibited women from acting as witnesses court rulings in the civil or religious sphere and yet it was women who were made the first witnesses to the resurrection!

I want it to be understood that Jesus view of and interactions with women should not be understood as a reaction to the Judaism of his day. Jesus taught with personal authority and grounded his teaching in his understanding of the Old Testament and of the kingdom's mode of arrival.

Another important side-note is that some of the most important discourses Jesus had were with women. The lengthiest discourse we have on what worship is and how it should be done was given to a woman (John 4:4-26).

The role of women in the teaching and community life of the church is also a very important aspect for the Christian to consider when thinking about this subject.

Something to understand is that women are highly visible and active in the life of the church. You see right from the start that women were playing a significant part in the life of this new community (Acts 1:13-14). In Acts 2, after Pentecost, Peter explains that women are a part of the new kingdom with as much standing as any man (Acts 2:17-18).

It seems that Luke, in his account of the expanding church, took pains to make it clear that women were included. The apostles continued in their Lord's example in the inclusion of women.

We see women participating in worship vocally (1 Corinthians 11:5), bringing their offerings (Acts 5:7-10), performing ministries of mercy and hospitality (1 Timothy 5:10), performing ministry to the poor (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=acts%209&version=NIV). Women also housed churches (Acts 12:12; 1 Corinthians 16:19).

The apostle Paul considered women "fellow workers" and in Romans chapter 16, eight of the twenty-six persons mentioned are women and six of these receive specific comment.

Priscilla (or the more formal - Prisca) enters the biblical narrative in Acts 18:2. They (Priscilla and her husband) become traveling companions of Paul. We next read about them in Romans 16:3-5.

In Philippians 4:3 we learn about Euodia and Syntyche. These two women were quarreling. But Paul warmly identifies both of them as having worked by his side. The reason this quarrel was so detrimental was that, having been "fellow workers" with Paul, these two women would have held a very prominent role in the church. The conflict then needed to be resolved.

The point in going through this study is to see that with Christ and the ministry of the apostles, women were held in a new light. They were extremely active and participated in all arenas of the life of the church.

The article I referenced at the beginning of this study, describes three God-ordained institutions: the family, the church, and government (or as he references it, the state). I believe that God has designed man to be the responsible leader in the family. You cannot argue any other point from Scripture(1 Corinthians 11:8-9). Paul's appeal to the created order supercedes any reason to think that this was merely a cultural statement for Paul's day.

The same implications are clear in reference to the design for the church. Men are to the the responsible leaders in the overseeing of the church (1 Timothy 3:1-7).

And I agree by extension that the same implications exist for government. But there is no clear "thus saith the Lord" on this part. It is through inference and Old Testament examples that the author of the referenced article makes this point. (But let me be clear, I do not disagree with him on this point).

What the author of the article does not address, however, is the reality of a man who abdicates his role and responsibility as the spiritual leader, either in his home, or his church, or his government. What happens then?

When a man decides that he will not lead his family to the Lord and he slides into a selfish, carnal pursuit without God in his life, what should happen to the wife and children of this man? Does this wife dare not lead spiritually because that goes against the clear design of Scripture?

Or does she lead spiritually, in "quietness and reverence for Christ"? I believe, as I have witnessed many times in ministry, that where men abdicate their responsibility, women are used of God to lead spiritually.

This isn't the design. It is not what the Lord intended, but God uses women in the home, nonetheless, to help bring the light and presence of Christ to the family when a man fails to do so.

Sadly, the same is true in some churches. Now, I am not naive enough to think that every church that has women running it is because all the men have abdicated their responsibility. Unfortunately, there is also the fact that some women have usurped their roles and have taken charge where they clearly have no place or business to do so.

But there are some circumstances where there simply are no men to lead. I am thinking about a dear friend of our family who is now with the Lord. She worked in Haiti for many years. She went because she felt called by God. She worked in the church she served very well. But she almost started that church from scratch. There were no men when she began this work...only women and children. And then when men started coming, they were not mature enough spiritually to lead.

Was she disobeying God by doing what she was doing? Because now there is a thriving church in Haiti that began because of her work. Did God use her when there was no man to be found. Most certainly.

The same can be true in government. I believe the best circumstance, the most preferred, would be to have a godly man leading us in the civil arena. But when there is not one to be found, does this mean we should simply vote for an ungodly man over a godly woman?

No. I believe that Scripture supports and shows (from Deborah all the way to Phoebe) that where godly male leadership falters, God will use godly women to continue advancing His agenda.

I could do what the above referenced article did, and proof-text my way into voting for an ungodly ruler simply because he's male. But that would do the whole counsel of Scripture a great injustice. God uses willing vessels. The design is clear. We should have a male leader. But when we don't and there is a willing, godly female...we most definitely need to rally our support behind such a person!

Please, don't show me your surgery scar...

One of the things I was never taught in Bible College is that there are some people that have problems dicerning when and how much personal information to share. There just wasn't a class to help you cover dealing with these types of people.

I remember the time I went to visit a dear old gal named Betty Reno after she had surgery for cancer. Colon cancer. This was very serious and a life-altering surgery for Betty.

I went to pray with her a day after her surgery. I had been informed that Betty was going to have a colostomy bag for the rest of her life. When I came in the room, Betty was wide awake.

She was genuinely happy to see me. After a little small talk, I prayed for her. When I got through praying, Betty did something I wasn't expecting. She threw off her bed sheet and pulled up her hospital gown all in one quick motion and said, "Look at my colostomy bag!"

Now that was a phrase I never thought I would hear, to be honest. And that was a sight I never...ever wanted to see.

I would like to say that is my only ministry horror story with seeing surgery scars. But unfortunately, it isn't that rare. And I so wish it was.

I have seen scars and stitches for everything from heart bi-pass surgery to even scars from a surgery for gastric bi-pass. I don't know why people want to show their preacher their scars from surgery. But if I may be so bold, I can honestly say the preacher doesn't want to see them.

If you happen to get sick and need surgery in the future and I come to visit you. Please, in the name of all that is decent and right, please don't show me your surgery scar!

The Armor of God

In our series through Ephesians we have spent the last several weeks studying the armor of God that Paul lays out for us in Ephesians 6:10-17. The six pieces of armor were extremely important.

The first piece is the belt of truth. In the Roman armor, a girdle was a belt which would hold his tunic tight so he might be free with his movements, it also provided a place for the soldier to hold his sword.

Paul tells us then to put on the breastplate of righteousness. The purpose of the breastplate is to guard the most vital organs of your body; it is the bullet proof vest that protects the heart.

After the breastplate, Paul says to shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace. The caligal, the Roman military boot, was one of the most important parts of their equipment. They were designed for long marches over every kind of rough terrain. In fact, it has been said the soldiers’ boots were the secret of the Roman conquest.

In addition, Paul states, take up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming missiles of the evil one. One of the most dangerous weapons of ancient warfare was the fiery darts. The heads of the darts would be wrapped with flax or hemp fiber, soaked in pitch, then set afire before they were launched. The wooden shields could be set aflame by the arrows so they were covered with a layer of hide and were large enough to protect the entire body. Even though the darts would pierce the shield, the fire would be quenched.

And take the helmet of salvation The helmet protects the head, the seed of our thought life.

These weapons are all defensive in nature, a protection against the forces that come against us. But we are not isolated with just a defensive posture, for Paul says for us to take up the sword of the spirit.
Church, when we take the Great Commission seriously and go on the offense, the devil and his horde of demons are going to fight back with flaming arrows. He will attack us and everything associated with us: our church, spouse, children, business, everything. And our armor against these attacks is given to us by Christ. We need belief in God and in his ability to protect us, having confidence in His word.

The super highway of life is littered with Christians who have never discovered how to fight the evil one. They have depended on their own moral strength, ethical wisdom, high ideals and a personal commitment to justice and righteousness. And they have faced evil in a naked encounter, without being clothed in the armor of God. And they had won some battles, they have escaped some temptation, they have overcome some sins they labeled as ugly, they have exposed some social crimes, but ultimately they were found lacking, wearing down and out because they needed more, they needed Christ who stands and battles with us and for us at every onslaught of sin.

We must wear the armor that our Lord purchased for us through His blood!

Jesse Jackson's reverse Mitt Romney

Jesse Jackson isn't someone typically you would mistake for a flaming Pro-life zealot. But if you read the following words, you just might...

[O]nly once in a while do the egg and sperm bring about fertilization. Some call that connection accidental, but I choose to call it providential. It takes three to make a baby: a man, a woman and the Holy Spirit….

Human beings cannot give or create life by themselves, it is really a gift from God. Therefore, one does not have the right to take away (through atypically that which he does not have the ability to give….

What happens to the mind of a person, and the moral fabric of a nation, that accepts the aborting of the life of a baby without a pang of conscience? What kind of a person, and what kind of a society will we have 20 years hence if life can be taken so casually?

~ Reverend Jesse Jackson, when pro-life in 1977, National Right to Life News op-ed

Jesus said, "What does it profit a man if he gain the whole world, but lose his own soul? (Luke 9:25) Jesse Jackson sold his soul when he wanted to be President. He didn't even end up receiving the coveted Democratic nomination he so desperately wanted. That was his traitor's reward.

I found these fitting thoughts in light of the current political presidential cycle (or insert circus here) that we now find ourselves in. Take time to vet each candidate not on party line...and obviously not even on what they say to us as they try to woo us here in Iowa. But hold each candidate up to the penetrating light of Scripture. Let the Word of God expose any darkness in their words or deeds.

And, as an aside, let me make myself abundantly clear, no Christ follower can find abortion acceptable with even a cursory reading of God's Word. If you claim the Name of the Author of Life then you better not find yourself standing in the aisle with those who want to destroy life (anyone who supports abortion) because ultimately they are under marching orders from the great life destroyer himself, Satan.

From Devastation to Heaven

On Sunday, May 22nd, 2011 a monstrous tornado ripped through Joplin, MO leaving many dead and horrible destruction in its wake. That day began like any other day for Natalia Puebla, a 17 year old college student from Ozark Christian College. She did what she did every Sunday. She got up and went to church.

Doug Welch is a New Testament professor at Ozark Christian College. He had received the students final papers for his class a week earlier. They still sat on his desk ungraded the Sunday that the tornado hit Joplin. Most of the destruction in Joplin was on the south side of town. The campus of Ozark is located on the north side, so it was relatively unscathed. After the tornado, Doug had made it back to his office a few days later. There was the stack of ungraded papers on his desk. On top of that stack was Natalia Puebla’s paper on the “Hope of Heaven.” Natalia was killed the day the tornado hit Joplin. Doug said, “Her paper deserved an ‘A’ but Natalia knows the hope of heaven far better now.”

Everything can change in a moment. In the blink of an eye, your normal can be forever changed. Are you ready for that? Do you live with the realization that you have no solid guarantees of happiness and a pain-free life?

That is why the Scriptures tell us to set our minds on things “above.” (Colossians 3:1-2) Natalia is most certainly in heaven with her Lord. 2 Corinthians 5:8 says, “…and prefer to be absent from the body and to be at home with the Lord.” (NASB) Paul was not expressing a death wish, but he was saying that this earthly existence is not the end of life at all for the Christian. Death immediately ushers the believer into a fuller, higher realm of a more abundant life.

A Christian at death is to be “with Christ.” (Philippians 1:23) When a believer dies he or she immediately enters heaven. Psalm 16:10-11 shows that when the psalmist died he anticipated being in the presence of God. Psalm 23:6 expresses the same idea that at life’s end, he would dwell in the house of the Lord forever (which means he would be in heaven with God).

Luke 16:19-31 gives us the description of “Abraham’s bosom” which some think describes a holding tank for the righteous. John 13:23 uses a parallel expression. This is in the context of the last supper. That expression comes out of eating at banquets and dinners. Lazarus was at the banquet table in a celebration of joy, next to Abraham, the father of the faithful. Which means Lazarus was given the seat of honor.

Some believe in places like purgatory or something similar. But I believe that the clear message of Scripture is that the hope of heaven is the heartbeat of the believer’s life. We look forward to this realm of inexpressible glory (Revelation 4-5). If you read Ezekiel 1:4-28, the prophet tried to describe something which neither he nor us can fully understand this side of heaven. But Natalia Puebla does. She knows it far better than a write up for a newsletter or a paper she turned in for her professor. She is in heaven.

We're Still Here...

Harold Camping had predicted the end of all things on May 21st but that day came and went. What now? Well, for Robert Fitzpatrick of New York, he’s simply out $140,000 (which equals his life savings) that he spent on an ad campaign warning people of the impending doomsday. But for the rest of us, it is good to reflect on what the Scriptures actually do teach concerning the end of the world and Christ’s return.

Surprisingly, the Bible has quite a bit to say about the coming of the Lord. Peter warns us to not think that because the Lord hasn’t returned yet that means that He is not going to come at all (2 Peter 3:3-9). In fact, there is no truth more central to our faith as believers than the return of Christ.

Jesus said multiple times Himself that He would return (Matt. 24:30, 35; 26:64; Rev. 22:12; 22:20), angels from heaven testified that He will return (Acts 1:11), the apostles testified Jesus would return (Acts 3:19-21; 1 Peter 1:3-13; 2 Peter 3:1-14; 4:12-13; 5:4; Rev. 1:7).

The Bible tells us the manner in which Jesus will return. It will be visible (Matt. 24:27; Acts 1:11; Rev. 1:7) and it will be “with the clouds” (Matt. 24:30). It will be in glory with the angels (Matt. 25:31; 1 Thess. 1:7; 4:16). It will also happen in concert with convulsions of physical nature (Matt. 24:29; Rom. 8:19-22).

Now the Jehovah’s Witnesses teach that Christ secretly came back in 1914 and established the headquarters for His Kingdom on earth in Brooklyn, NY (I personally think it would have been Chicago if this were true because God is a Cubs fan). But you can clearly see this teaching, like Camping’s, is not Scriptural.

The one thing we for certain do NOT know concerning the return of Christ is when it will occur. Jesus made the very clear in Matthew 24:36 and Mark 13:32. If the angels in heaven do not know, neither the Son, it is certain that Harold Camping was destined to be wrong on this one as well. Because as the apostles were told by Jesus, “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority.” (Acts 1:7)

The overwhelming point of Scripture concerning the return of Christ is not to give us signs so that we will be able to figure out when it will occur. In fact, Jesus said, “A wicked and adulterous generation seeks after signs, but none will be given it except the sign of Jonah.” (Matt. 16:4) The point of Scripture about the end times is that we will live in a constant state of readiness. Being prepared for the return of Christ is the most important thing we believers can do. It coincides with living life from a “numbered days” perspective (Psalm 90:12). When you live your life like Christ could come back today, it puts things in the proper light. Material things aren’t important. Our relationships are. Our walk with the Lord is. That is the most important thing you can do in light of the return of Christ. Don’t try and figure out when, live like it could be today!

Parenting must include consequences...

Have you ever observed a parent that never let a child face the consequences of bad behavior? You can be absolutely sure of this, that child will grow into an immature and irresponsible adult. Our culture of entitlement has produced a spoiled generation of children who repeatedly have to be asked, “What do you say?” after receiving an expensive Christmas present. When you allow a child to go to jail and refuse to bail him or her out for driving one hundred miles an hour or doing drugs, that child learns to value a driver’s license or a safe environment.

When we have vague expectations and choices without consequences it leads to confusion. We see this in other arenas in the world. Politicians face serious consequences with their constituents when they commit moral failure. Athletes who break the rules, throw temper tantrums, or use drugs are often required to sit out entire seasons.

Why would a parent not require the same of their children? It is not love to always be rescuing your child from his or her own consequences of bad choices or behavior. It is just the opposite, it is a lack of love.

Scripture teaches: A hot-tempered person must pay the penalty; rescue them, and you will have to do it again. (Proverbs 19:19, NIV)

Allowing consequences to occur sends a message to the soul of the one involved. You are letting them know that no matter the amount of maneuvering they may try, you are letting them face the music because you don’t want to have to go through this scenario ever again with them. You can love, support, empathize, assist, and encourage…but you will not rescue them from the consequences.

This is what God did with Adam and Eve. Their wrong choice brought them death (Genesis 2:17) and expulsion from the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3:23). But even with the consequences of their behavior, God still showed them love and grace. He showed mercy to them by covering them with skins, but in no way did He change the consequences of their actions.

When you rescue your own child from a consequence that stemmed from a bad decision or behavior, you are interrupting the natural law of sowing and reaping. But the Bible is very clear that character change cannot occur without pain (Hebrews 12:11). A child who never feels the pain of wrong choices will repeat them every time.

Parenting isn’t easy. But the parent who doesn’t let their child face consequences is handicapping their child to a life of stunted maturity and constant frustration. But the parent who allows their child to face their own consequences will give them the best gift that can be given…love.

Rob Bell's got a hell of a problem...

On March 15th, Rob Bell's latest book Love Wins was released. Even before its release, the book created quite a bit of controversy. Well, what's the big deal? Rob Bell, the minister at Mars Hill Church in Grand Rapids, Michigan has always been known for being a little edgy and at times controversial.

Well, the big deal is the ideas being put forth in this book by Rob Bell. King Solomon wisely stated that "there is nothing new under the sun." (Ecclesiastes 1:9)and nothing could be more true of the teachings in Bell's new book. Bell even says this himself in the introduction to his book. He says, "...nothing in this book hasn't been taught, suggested, or celebrated by many before me. I haven't come up with a radical new teaching that's any kind of departure from what's been said an untold number of times."

Even though Rob Bell denies being a universalist that is precisely the doctrine he is espousing in his book.

I want to give you a break down of the book, chapter by chapter.

Chapter one was entitled, "What About The Flat Tire?"

In this chapter Bell simply asks a series of questions about doctrine. He doesn't provide any answers but questions he has. Lots of them. He asks about the doctrine of the age of accountability. He asks about the sinners prayer? He asks if all that matter is if we have a "personal relationship" with Jesus or not even though that phrase is not found in Scripture. (And in passing, he mentions that a woman authored the book of Hebrews - which for someone who seems to be so in tune with Jewish history, this is a real stretch to say the least.) He asks if what we say is what saves us? He asks if what we do is what saves us? He asks if it is who we forgive that saves us? He asks if it is the faith of our friends that saves us (Mark 2)? He asks if it is through childbearing that saves us (1 Timothy 2)?

As I said, no answers. Just questions.

Chapter two was entitled, "Here is the New There"

In this chapter Bell puts forth his belief about heaven. He recounts the story of the rich young ruler. Bell points out that the rich young ruler was not corrected by Jesus when he asked: What must I DO to get eternal life? Because most contemporary preachers would have pointed out to the rich young ruler you don't DO anything, you can't earn it. But instead, Jesus tells the man to obey the commandments and then to sell off all his possessions.

Bell teaches in this chapter that heaven is not a place we go to, it is a state of being that we are invited by God to participate in here and now. Unfortunately for Bell, Jesus does not teach this. Jesus spoke of going to his Father's house (John 14:1-4). In the book of Hebrews (authored by a man, by the way), the idea of heaven being a place is furthered by the teaching of heaven as the future "country" of the saints (Hebrews 11:16). In Philippians 3:2o Paul (another male) says that our "citizenship" is in this new country/place. The Bible describes heaven as a place in it's descriptions of heaven as a city (Hebrews 11:10; Hebrews 12:22; Revelation 21:2). The Bible does not support Bell's understanding of heaven being a state of mind that we are invited to participate in here and now. Heaven is the future home of the saints of God. It is a prepared PLACE for those who are prepared to go there.

Chapter three is aptly entitled, "Hell"

In this chapter, Bell recounts the story Jesus tells in Luke 16 of Lazarus and the rich man. Bell points out that the fact that the rich man asks for Lazarus to bring him water means he still desired for people to serve him. The rich man's "hell" was that he as in a lower status than Lazarus after death.

Bell spends a great deal of time in this chapter showing that God clearly punishes to reconcile. He points out that Sodom and Gomorrah are restored according to Ezekiel 16.

Bell teaches that ultimately hell is a metaphor to describe present-day evils much like (according to Bell) "Gehenna" [the dump outside of Jerusalem] was for Jesus in his day.

But Scriptures teach a different story again. The Scriptures teach that hell is a real place that was originally created for the devil and his angels (Matthew 25:41). The Bible teaches that those who reject God and do not obey the gospel will go there (2 Thessalonians 1:8-9; Revelation 20:15).

Chapter four is entitled, "Does God get what God wants?"

Bell quotes 1 Timothy 2:4 which states that God "wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth." Bell asks, "So does God get what He wants? Or does God fail in the end?"

Bell teaches that God will eventually win everyone over with his love, if not in this life, then after death. He espouses in this chapter that even the early church fathers held this view (which is historically inaccurate).

Bell concludes his chapter by saying, "Telling a story about a God who inflicts unrelenting punishment on people because they didn't do or say or believe the correct things in a brief window of time called life isn't a very good story."

Again, the word of God does not support any idea of a sinner's salvation after death. Instead, the male author of Hebrews clearly declares, "it is appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgment." (Hebrew 9:27) And, to be honest, I disagree with Bell, I think it is a good story. Because any story that's true is a good story.

Chapter five is entitled, "Dying to Live"

I really enjoyed the bulk of this chapter. Bell teaches about the resurrection and its implications for us in the here and now. I honestly didn't have much of a problem with this chapter at all.

Chapter six is entitled, "There are rocks everywhere"

In this chapter Bell amazingly tries to explain that when Jesus declares that He is "the way the truth and the life," No one comes to the Father except through him, that this is actually a very open statement of Jesus. Because Jesus doesn't explain the mechanism of how one gets to the Father through him. So this "opens the door to Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists, and Baptists from Cleveland." Bell says, "Jesus is as exclusive as himself and as inclusive as containing every single particle of creation."

Need I mention more about the absolute heretical thoughts Bell is trying to convey? Muslims do not accept Christ as the Son of God, yet Bell is saying that doesn't matter. A Hindu does not accept Christ as the Son of God. They believe that people who are economically depressed or diseased have had this happen to them because of some wrong they committed in a past life. A Buddhist does not believe Christ is the Son of God. But somehow all of these religions are equal?

It really is like a funnel, according to Bell. In the end, Jesus will funnel all to the Father, no matter what the believed or did.

This is blasphemous heresy.

Chapter seven is entitled, "The Good News is better than that"

In this chapter Bell tells the story of the two sons from Luke 15. He believes that story is a metaphor for how when we believe our own version of our life's story over God's version then we create hell here and now for ourselves. Bell says, "Hell is our refusal to trust God's retelling of our story." Bell believes that we actually shape God who in turn shapes us.

I don't give humanity that much credit. I am not a Calvinist, but the one point I would be most willing to accept is the depravity of man. We are fallen creatures with very little power. It seems that the gospel has man at the center doing a lot that makes God almost unnecessary according to Bell. I reject his view outright.

Chapter eight is entitled, "The end is here"

This chapter is a basic recap of the book.

Ultimately Bell is trying to rescue Christianity from itself. Bell attempts to reduce the Bible, and particularly, the Gospel to a story, and (as Albert Mohler points out) it is his duty to tell us which story is better than another. The problem is this...the church must tell one story. The story in the Bible, every Word of it. We do not get to choose what we think would be a more compelling story for an unbeliever.

We are compelled to preach the offensive message of the cross of Christ and any attempt to offer a story superior to the comprehensive story of the Bible fails on all fronts! It is an abdication of biblical authority, a denial of biblical truth, and a false Gospel. It misleads sinners and fails to save. It also fails in its central aim — to convince sinners to think better of God. The real Gospel is the Gospel that saves — the Gospel that must be heard and believed if sinners are to be saved.

In the end, Bell's book: Epic Fail!

Real Men 2011

The Real Men Conference was held at Rising Sun Church of Christ on Friday night, February 18, 2011. 230 men came from all over the state of Iowa. 45 different Iowa communities were represented. It was an incredible encouragement to the men who came.

Pathway Band (from Pathway Church in Johnston, IA) led the worship experience. Hearing the room filled with men lifting their voices in praise to God was an incredible experience!

Jan Mickelson (from WHO Radio) spoke to the men about their relationship to the Lord as the primary factor in helping them become “Real Men” who will appropriately love their wives. It was a tremendous message that spoke straight into many of the men’s hearts

We watched the video testimony of Austen Arnaud (former quarterback for Iowa State) who shared the unique struggles and challenges of being a Christian athlete in an arena that is largely not Christian.

We also heard from Fred Stoeker (author of Every Man’s Battle) who shared his testimony. Although Fred went a little long, his message was a tremendously practical message calling men to live pure lives for the Lord and for the sake of the next generation.

Since the conference I have heard from a number of men who were impacted by the experience. Here’s a few examples:

“I just wanted to thank you for sponsoring the Real Men Conference last night. I thought it was a blessed and successful event. God also helped me to leave a bunch of garbage at the altar. Thank you again. I can’t wait for the next one!” -Stewart

“Awesome job on the Real Men 2011 -- I counted at least 15 of my guys there, which means you helped impact the families in our church in a very positive Godly way -- THANKS!” –Dan Hudson, Pathway Church

There have been more examples like these but I just wanted you to see a sampling. I am convinced that men are hungry for truth in this dark culture. Men need encouragement to be men. Men want to be called out to a higher standard than that of the world that says a real man drinks a lot of beer and ogles a lot of women. But a Real Man of God knows better.

That is why this conference is so important. I am so proud of Kyle Phillips who God laid the idea on his heart. He listened to God and now, as a result, many, many men’s lives have been impacted. Kyle Phillips is a Real Man!

Jan Mickelson, aka Jedi Master...

Maybe you saw the video of Zach Wahls giving his testimony speaking before a House Subcommittee on the marriage debate. If not here it is...



It was very well worded and presented. On Jan Mickelson's radio show today he masterfully "Reverse engineered" Zach's speech by deconstructing his arguments line by line. Here is the LINK to Jan's Blog on this. By the way, Jan Mickelson not only proves that he truly is the Jedi Master in this, he also happens to be one of the keynote speakers for our upcoming Real Men Conference on February 18, 2011 at Rising Sun Church of Christ. Register today at realmeniowa today!

Word Choices and Heart Matters

It isn't uncommon to hear Pro-lifers referred to as "anti-abortionists" by those in the media while those who support abortion are not referred to as "anti-life," they are simply "Pro-choice." Recently, Michael Reagan, was upset by those in the media who labeled him as a "conservative" radio talk show host, but in the same segment wouldn't describe his brother as a "liberal" talk show host when they were both being interviewed.

Dave Price is a local media personality that I like and respect, to be honest. I don't agree with him all of the time, but find him to be generally fair in his treatment of subjects, that is, until a very recent segment he did where he let his own liberal leanings show through.

He was covering the current debate in the Iowa State House over the marriage amendment. In his story, Price said that "Republicans were working to provide a more "narrow definition" of marriage in Iowa." I wrote to Dave Price and told him that I felt that his use of the phrase "narrow definition" was not only unfair but it was a revelation of where he actually stands on the issue. Of course, he defended his use of the term and wrote about it here.

Here's my contention with describing the Republican position as providing a "narrow definition" of marriage. Why not describe the Democrats as attempting to provide a more "broad definition" of marriage? That is exactly what is occurring, by the way. Republicans cannot provide a more narrow definition because the historical definition of marriage has always been a man and a woman for life. So in all actuality the Democrats are the ones trying to revise the definition of marriage.

Media personalities like Dave Price remind us from time to time that our words matter. The word choices we employ reveal our hearts. Christ Himself said, "What comes out of our mouth comes from our hearts." (Matthew 15:18) I believe that the majority of media personalities, including Dave Price, have liberal leanings and their word choices reveal what is really in their hearts concerning their true feelings on the subjects they cover.

Even though Dave Price may disagree, his heart was revealed this week in his word choice. He believes that the current redefinition of marriage by the Iowa Supreme Court is the acceptable one and any attempt to reinstate the historical definition of one woman-one man marriage is "narrow" in nature.

Remember, folks, we can't give ground on this debate. Terms and word choices really do matter. We are not the ones redefining marriage. The definition of marriage is unchanged. Marriage is one man and one woman in a committed relationship for life. There is a small (albeit very loud) segment of the population of this state that is attempting to "broaden" the definition of marriage to include homosexual couples. But we are no more or less narrow than we ever were by guarding the true definition of marriage yesterday, today and tomorrow. (Hebrews 13:14)

Rearview Living

I have a long driveway compared to some homes. To back out of my driveway each morning I rely heavily on the help of my rearview mirror. A rearview mirror helps drivers keep an eye on what is behind them, and especially when you are backing up, this is very helpful. Safe drivers keep a frequent eye on their rearview mirrors.

But staring at your rearview mirror while driving means you won't stay on the road for very long. Not too long ago, I passed a car wreck and was looking back at the wreck in my rearview mirror as I looked away from the rearview mirror I realized I was about to plow into the back of the car in front of me. I had to slam my brakes to avoid a crash.

The point is that a good driver knows how to discern the right amount of time to look back while staying focused on what lies ahead. The very same lesson is true in our lives.

The apostle Paul writes in Philippians 3:13-14, "Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus."

It is very helpful, at times, to look back on our lives. God can use your retrospection - good times and bad, the painful memories as well as the delicious one, the hard lessons learned and the hard victories won. But, as Paul stresses, staring into your past is hazardous. When we become too focused on where we've been, we lose track of where we are going. We get off course, and we may end up running into something.

Jesus told a man who was wanting to follow him but first wanted to bury a family member before he did in Luke 9:59-62, "No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God." The true disciple of Christ is one who doesn't stay focused on the past.

Some side rearview mirrors have a label on them that reads: Warning: Objects may be closer than they appear. I believe we should heed Scripture's warning about staring into the rearview mirror of our lives. It will derail us from our journey. Our ultimate destination lies ahead, not behind.

One of the very best things you could do in your life is to stop staring at, focusing on, or being overwhelmed by past events in your life. Start looking at your journey ahead in Christ Jesus!