The Newly Announced NoLabels.Org Is Not New

There is a relatively new organization on the scene, called No Labels.  The claim in their logo is that they wish to move "Not left.  Not right. Forward."  Is this an idea who's time has come, or just an old idea recycled?  Is this a group for Christians, or one to be avoided?

What is NoLabels.org?  According to their website, they are a cross-section of America who desire to "put our labels aside, and put the issues and what’s best for the nation first."

Based on their blog, the new group launched publicly in September, 2010.

The idea that people should "put labels aside" and judge ideas based purely on their merits is nothing new.   The "NoLabels.Org" group may be a new version and may attract people who consider themselves reasonably minded, but the position they represent is part of an ages-old trend that ignores God's Word.

Why would I make such a statement?  Based purely on their own words.

For example, they say that they "want to put labels aside, and put the issues and what's best for the nation first."

How do we know "what's best," and how do we compromise when we disagree?  Why put aside labels that have served to clarify debate and identify positions?

First, let's talk for a moment about compromise.

How would the No Labels folks compromise with me on abortion?

I believe abortion is murder, others do not.  Where can we find compromise?  We could sit in a room for days on end and my position, based upon God's Word, will remain: abortion is murder.  Those opposite me would claim it is not.  If they are like most people who argue over abortion, they will argue based on emotional and economic grounds.

They may even say, "let's avoid labels and come to a compromise position."  However, it seems to me that any compromise is actually an acknowledgement that abortion, for at least some reasons, is not murder.  This isn't compromise, it is caving.  For the person who believes that abortion is acceptable, nothing changes; abortion still takes place.  For me, murder is taking place.  How is this compromise?

Far worse, it ignores God's Word.

In general, one common problem with any group which seeks compromise as their end-goal is that the side in the right always has to allow the side in the wrong to gain ground.

'Did God really say you shall not eat from any tree in the garden?'  Genesis 3:1

Secondly, No Labels, and groups like them, claim that the reasonable thing to do is to put aside labels.  There are two critical problems with this view.  First, when you put aside labels,you are then free to redefine or destroy the meaning of terms.  Secondly, eliminating labels (black, white, hot, cold) destroys your ability to communicate.  Labels exist for specific reasons, and clear communication is one of them.

How crafty it is to state that you do not want any labels!  If you can get others to set them aside, you can define reality any way you like.  When others object, simply say that they are the problem, that they are unwilling to let go of out-dated traditions.  

Labels allow people to see clearly.  When you eliminate them you blur meaning and create confusion. To quote Pilate: "What is truth?"  Those who desire to eliminate labels must have a reason, and it occurs to me that honesty and truth are not part of their end goals.

How can we discuss right and wrong, or what is fair, if we cannot even use words that carry a clear meaning?  How can you claim to want what's best for our nation if we can't agree on the meaning of  labels such as "best" or even "nation"?

If those in the No Labels crowd really want what is best for our nation, I have a simple recommendation: Get down on bended knee and cry out to God for mercy.  Put your faith and trust in Jesus Christ alone as savior.  Read His Word for instruction.  Then, do what He says.

You can find His Word in most bookstores under the label: BIBLE

Should People Fear God? A Comment On Psalm 112

If you tune into most Christian TV or radio programs you are likely hear a clear emphasis on the message  "God is love."  This message aims to comfort the listener, reassuring them that everything is going to be O.K.  Their daily theme seems to be: Just keep listening to this uplifting message, and imagining that God loves you, and you can have inner peace.

This is a dangerous and misleading characterization of God.

It is certainly true that God defines what love is.  However, the love God demonstrates is a love that should be feared if you are not a regenerate Christian.

(A regenerate Christian is one who is born again.  Being born again means that you have surrendered your own desires to God, admitted that you are a sinner who needs God's forgiveness, and put your faith and trust in Jesus Christ as your savior.)

Psalm 112 discusses the topic of God, love, and fear.  It begins,

"Praise the LORD!  How blessed is the man who fears the LORD,"

Why would the Bible make a statement such as "blessed is the man who fears the LORD"?  Why should anyone fear love?

Psalm 112 continues and provides insight into the answer to this apparent puzzle, telling us that the heart of a righteous man "is steadfast, trusting in the LORD." (verse 7)

How can you trust God if you fear Him?  You can trust God when you no longer have anything to fear.  There is no fear when you are seen as a righteous man, when you are seen as a man who is free from sin.

The Bible teaches that God, as the Creator of all that exists: you, me, the ground you walk upon, the trees that allow you to breath oxygen, the sun, the moon, and everything else, has dominion over His creation.

An illustration of this is to think of a painter.  He has complete control over his painting.  He can move the trees, change the bright sunlit day into a dark and gloomy night, or whitewash the entire canvas, obliterating all that once existed.

God created all, and as the Creator he has dominion.  Put another way, He sets the rules.  He also defines the consequences when you do not follow the rules.

If you understand who God is, and you are not one of His forgiven children, then you certainly should quake.  You should never again rest your head on your pillow and have a sound nights' sleep.  Why?  Because judgment awaits from the almighty God who created you, knows you, and knows every violation of His rules (That is, the Commandments. See Exodus 20:1-17).

However, as a loving God the Lord wishes that all should find life and peace through salvation (1 Tim 2:4; 2 Pet 3:9).  This salvation is available through repentance and faith in Jesus Christ (see my other posts).  This is the only way to shield yourself from the wrath of an angry God on judgment day (Rom 2:5-6).

"The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom." Psalm 111:10

Think about his.  Become wise.  Understand who you are, and who God is.  Fear the LORD.  Repent of your sin and trust the savior, Jesus Christ.  Then you can rest peacefully.

Should Christians Sign Up For Yoga Classes?

I am glad that we live in an age when so much good material is available for us to read, watch and listen to.

The following video addresses the question of yoga and Christianity better than I could hope to.  Please devote the next 3 minutes and 28 seconds to hearing the answer from Mark Driscoll.

Jesus is Not A Stepping Stone

Christian Hip-Hop Artist Lacrae understands the gospel and the reason for turning to Christ better than many men and women who stand in front of crowds, talking for 45 minutes at a time, in buildings that they self-define as churches.

I am amazed that you are so quickly deserting Him who called you by the grace of Christ, for a different gospel; which is really not another; only there are some who are disturbing you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. - Galatians 1:6-7 

If you don't understand the gospel, you don't have salvation.  Please get it right.


Enjoy the music, and the message.

Only One Way... Isn't That Intolerant?

Ray Comfort uses a story nearly everyone was following and explains why the truth that Jesus is the only way is not intolerant, it is kind and loving.


Read Ray's column by clicking here.

Flat Tires and Flat Faith

There once was a man who discovered that the pressure in one of his car tires was low.  So, he pumped the tire up and re-checked the pressure with his best gauge.  He could once more drive confidently, assured of continued safe driving ahead.

The next day, he wondered how the pressure in the tire was holding up.  Was there a leak?  What caused the pressure to drop in the first place?  Should the tire be checked by a professional, or replaced?  So, our diligent owner went out and checked the pressure once more.  The reading on his tire gauge was perfect, so he went back to his normal activities with a restored peace of mind.

But, the following day he felt compelled once more to check the pressure in the tire.  After all, the tire had lost pressure once, it might happen again.  Happily, he discovered that the tire pressure was perfect.  Well, nearly perfect.  "Close enough for today," he thought.  "But, tomorrow I'll check it once more."

This went on a few more days, until our intrepid pressure-checker discovered to his horror that the tire had once again lost pressure and needed a couple pounds of air.  In a panic, he went to the local auto shop to have the tire replaced.  No matter how much they checked, they could find nothing out of the ordinary, and yet he insisted on tossing the problem tire away and soon drove away with a brand new tire and refreshed peace of mind.

Hmmm...

Is this how you treat your faith?  Do you keep wondering if you are a Christian, or if you are saved?  Do you constantly check yourself against the Scripture and worry yourself into the certain knowledge that you need to repent once again and seek salvation once again?

The Bible tells us that once we are soundly saved (through repentence of sin, along with faith and trust in the One True Savior Jesus Christ) we are eternally saved.

"My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. I and the Father are one." - John 10:27-30

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you," - 1 Peter 1:3-4 

"Therefore He is able also to save forever those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them."
- Hebrews 7:25

"These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life."
- 1 John 5:13

Do we need to check ourselves and sometimes repent of sin revealed by the Holy Spirit?  Of course.  This is called growing in sanctification and is actually evidence that you are soundly saved!  


If you have discovered a new conviction and are struggling to glorify the Lord by drawing closer to Him, then you can rest assured.  These are not the feelings of a lost sinner who finds excuses and dismisses sin as "not as bad as..." someone else's sin.  There is no need to worry that your faith is flat or convince yourself that you were never truly saved in the first place.

Stop checking the tire and rest in God's promises.

Flat Tires and Flat Faith

There once was a man who discovered that the pressure in one of his car tires was low.  So, he pumped the tire up and re-checked the pressure with his best gauge.  He could once more drive confidently, assured of continued safe driving ahead.

The next day, he wondered how the pressure in the tire was holding up.  Was there a leak?  What caused the pressure to drop in the first place?  Should the tire be checked by a professional, or replaced?  So, our diligent owner went out and checked the pressure once more.  The reading on his tire gauge was perfect, so he went back to his normal activities with a restored peace of mind.

But, the following day he felt compelled once more to check the pressure in the tire.  After all, the tire had lost pressure once, it might happen again.  Happily, he discovered that the tire pressure was perfect.  Well, nearly perfect.  "Close enough for today," he thought.  "But, tomorrow I'll check it once more."

This went on a few more days, until our intrepid pressure-checker discovered to his horror that the tire had once again lost pressure and needed a couple pounds of air.  In a panic, he went to the local auto shop to have the tire replaced.  No matter how much they checked, they could find nothing out of the ordinary, and yet he insisted on tossing the problem tire away and soon drove away with a brand new tire and refreshed peace of mind.

Hmmm...

Is this how you treat your faith?  Do you keep wondering if you are a Christian, or if you are saved?  Do you constantly check yourself against the Scripture and worry yourself into the certain knowledge that you need to repent once again and seek salvation once again?

The Bible tells us that once we are soundly saved (through repentence of sin, along with faith and trust in the One True Savior Jesus Christ) we are eternally saved.

"My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. I and the Father are one." - John 10:27-30

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you," - 1 Peter 1:3-4 

"Therefore He is able also to save forever those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them."
- Hebrews 7:25

"These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life."
- 1 John 5:13

Do we need to check ourselves and sometimes repent of sin revealed by the Holy Spirit?  Of course.  This is called growing in sanctification and is actually evidence that you are soundly saved!  


If you have discovered a new conviction and are struggling to glorify the Lord by drawing closer to Him, then you can rest assured.  These are not the feelings of a lost sinner who finds excuses and dismisses sin as "not as bad as..." someone else's sin.  There is no need to worry that your faith is flat or convince yourself that you were never truly saved in the first place.

Stop checking the tire and rest in God's promises.

Book Review: Signature In The Cell, by Stephen C. Meyer

According to the book of Genesis, "In the beginning, God created..." the heavens and the earth, the sun, the moon, and all vegetation.  Next, He created the birds and the creatures of the sea.  Then the animals, and finally man and woman.

According to the Bible, none of this took millions of years and none of it formed haphazardly out of some mythical primordial soup.  God created the earth and all that lives upon it in all of its amazing variety by speaking it into existence or, as in the case of man, forming Adam from the ground and breathing life into him.

Some people do not believe what I have just written.  "Where," they demand "is the proof?"

Stephen C. Meyer dishes out hundreds of pages of proof in his comprehensive recounting of years of research and discovery in the well documented book, Signature In The Cell: DNA And The Evidence For Intelligent Design.

Well, sort of.

You see, the proof that Stephen C. Meyer has so carefully documented is NOT that God created everything, but that living creatures exhibit clear evidence of having been very, very carefully designed.  Such design is amazingly intricate, and appears to have many of the elements that are engineered into advanced computer systems (including data encryption and dual-purpose use of information).

Mr. Meyers is well qualified to write on this subject, having spend approximately twenty-five years wondering about or investigating the origin of life.

Meyer is a one-time oil exploration geophysicist who graduated with degrees in physics and geography.  By chance, Mr. Meyer overheard a discussion between some of the scientists who were about to participate in a conference on how life originated on earth.  They openly discussed how "they did not have an adequate theory of what they called "chemical evolution"".  In other words, they had no idea of how life began, and yet they were quite certain there was hope in some undiscovered combination of primordial soup and energy.  This chance encounter changed the course of Mr. Meyer's career, led to his Ph.D in the Philosophy of Science, and launched his own quest of discovery.

His book recounts key discoveries leading up to the documentation of the DNA double-helix, and then goes into remarkable detail about what science knows about the inner workings of what some would call the simple cell.

Simple it is not.  The simplest of living cells is filled with what can only be described as information storage and retrieval systems, protective walls, waste management, energy distribution schemes, and numerous micro-machines to ensure that everything works as it should.  The cell even includes processes for error detection and correction as all of this work takes place.

The book is also filled with amazing facts and figures to help you understand that there is almost zero chance that the oft-repeated cause of life (that is, "time and chance") is correct.  Take for example the calculation that a 'simple' amino acid (not life, but a building block necessary for life) could become assembled into a working form by random interaction in a primordial soup that consisted of all the necessary parts.  The odds are calculated to be 10 to the 164th power.

This is an enormous number.  To understand just how enormous this number is, the number of particles (that is, protons, plus neutrons, plus electrons) in the observable universe is a mere 10 to the 80th power.

Do you begin to see the difficulty?  And this calculation was for the accidental formation of one of the most simple building blocks required for life.

The book is also filled with clarifications on what is traditionally taught in public schools.  For example, he reveals that there is actually zero evidence for the primordial soup that is included as so many textbook lessons and the basic requirement for even a chance for early chemicals to gel together.

A Simplified Diagram of DNA Replication

To me, as a trained computer scientist, the most fascinating part of the book was found near the end and in the epilogue.  Most of you might get your fill with all the history, the look at the inner workings of the cell, the in-depth discussions of DNA splicing and dicing, how RNA requires DNA which requires RNA to produce amino acids, which require RNA and DNA, etc.  However, for me, the face that so much of what scientists are now discovering involves data storage, system management, data encoding, encryption, decryption, and data sharing was simply amazing.

In his chapter of summation on the theory of Intelligent Design, Meyer four overwhelming evidences that have no rival in the traditional world of Darwinian evolution or materialism (the world view that claims, essentially, that life arose spontaneously from non-life).

In addition, Dr. Meyer leans upon his many years of investigation and debate to document and refute the most common arguments against his theory.  Rebuttals are thoughtfully (or scientifically) offered against arguments such as: this is not science; that future research might surpass ID as a better explanation; that ID is simply a position that is argued by people who do not understand 'real science'; Hume's famous argument against ID; and the often repeated challenge by atheists and agnostics of, "then who created the Creator?"

Clearly a book packed with this much information cannot be thoroughly covered in a short review, so  I will summarize by saying that you really should read this book, especially if you have family or friends who dare to discuss how the "simple" cell could have spontaneously created itself.

Finally, however, we must remember that the power of salvation is not in a well researched and documented book that demonstrates that the best known theory for life on earth is an Intelligent Designer, it is the gospel.  Books such as this may help break through some resistance, get an atheist or agnostic to rethink their suppositions, and even reinforce what we read in the Bible.  However, without the recognition of our sin before a Holy God, a repentant heart and a faith in the Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, even this fine book is just a stack of paper that will wither and fall apart.

Book Review: "What Is The Gospel?" by Greg Gilbert

It is unfortunate that a critical problem faced by Evangelical Christians today is answering the question: What is the Gospel?

It's not that we don't have an answer, the problem is there are a wide variety of them.

Here are a few quick examples you can easily find, have probably heard, or may use yourself:

• Jesus died for your sins, if you believe in Jesus, you will be saved.
• If you are a good person, and you live your life the best way you know how, then the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross will allow you to enter heaven.
• If you believe in your heart, and confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord, then you are saved.

Are any of these correct?  Are any of these dangerous?

Put simply, any description of the gospel that misapplies or misstates the salvation message of the Bible is both wrong and dangerous.

How do we solve the problem?  Ad Fontes!  (To the sources!)  Specifically, to the books of the Bible.

This is the job Greg Gilbert tackles so very well in his remarkably well-written book, What is the Gospel?   The pages of this book are soaked with Scripture to ensure  he presents a clear and thorough Biblical understanding of the Gospel.

Our pastor summarized this book well when he described it as "comprehensive, yet concise."  To give you an idea of the accuracy of this description, the book is relatively small at only about 8 by 5 inches and 121 pages, yet the list of Scripture used in the book is three columns wide spanning more than two full pages.

After an introduction and opening chapter devoted to explaining the problem he hopes to solve, along with a brief retelling of how the apostles preached the good-news, Gilbert systematically constructs a Biblical explanation of the gospel by building four key layers: God the Righteous Creator, Man the Sinner, Jesus Christ the Savior, and Response: Faith and Repentance.

Along the way, Gilbert dismantles the popular perception of God as some old man who spends most of his time in some imaginary garden in the sky, or as a benevolent janitor ready to sweep your mistakes under the rug.  He reveals God for who He is: The Holy, Righteous, Creator who has the right and duty to judge all mankind.  Once you realize this truth you would be wise to evaluate how you might fare during such a judgment.

The good news of the Gospel, as Gilbert meticulously spells it out, is that even the worst offender of God's law can receive God's complete forgiveness.  Not because of any deed or work done by you, but purely based on knowing the truth, repenting of your sins, and putting your complete faith and trust in the risen savior, Jesus Christ.

I highly recommend this book.  It is a resource for the most studious Christian as well as those who do not understand what Christianity is all about.  

Pastors would do well to ensure their elders, deacons, and others in the church have studied this book.  One way to assure fellowship is to agree on doctrine.  The study of What is the Gospel? would go a long way toward settling turf battles in many congregations.

Evangelicals would do well to read this book and use it as a guide for sharing the gospel with the lost.  Then, get a few spare copies to put in the hands of non-believers for later study.

Deeper Conference 2010 Recap, Part 4: Mark Spence

Immediately after Ravi Zacharias spoke at the 2009 Deeper Conference, Kirk Cameron remarked, "I'm glad he's on our side."

I feel the same way about Mark Spence.  I am so glad he is a soldier of the Lord, armored up and out in the fields.

Not because he, like Zacharias, is someone who can engage the loftiest of intellectuals with multi-syllable words I can't define, but because he has been on the front lines of evangelism, has probably heard it all, offers practical advice, and projects a humble disposition.

For the 2010 Deeper Conference, Spence tackled the question frequently used as they Atomic Bomb of Objections: If God is so good, why does evil exist?

As Christians we are told to be ready to give a defense for our faith and to preach the gospel routinely.  If you strive to be faithful in these areas, you will eventually have this question fired at you as the questioner looks on with a hint of disgust because so many bad people get away with so much.  The question may be mixed with an air of certainty that you cannot answer this timeless puzzle.

It is unfortunate that more Christians are not primed and ready with a Biblical response, such as the answer Spence shared with the audience and that I now reveal to the readers of this blog.  Ready?

Jesus.

Yes, the answer to evil is Jesus.  But it probably will make little sense unless I share a bit more from the talk given by Spence.

There are a couple keys to answering this question.  First, understand that the person who asks this questions recognizes that evil exists.  In this age of relativism, this is an important factor to recognize.  Secondly, the person agrees that evil should be punished.

People need to understand that evil is the absence of good (much the same way that darkness is the absence of light and cold is the absence of heat).  Without a standard for good, the concept of evil is meaningless.  The concept that "morality has evolved" is meaningless.  There is no foundation.  (See the article I wrote on this topic, Do Good?  What Does That Mean?)

What most people don't like about this truth is that the breaking of God's moral standard means they have to admit they were wrong, and they should be punished by the God who will stand in judgment.  This is one thing they fight against as they try to deny God's existence.  But the answer for them, as we know from Scripture, is answer given by Spence for Evil: Jesus.

Jesus paid the price for sin.  This is the good news of the gospel, and the answer to evil.  All that is required is to repent and put your full faith and trust in Christ as Savior.  Evil will continue to exist, but it has no hold on you.

Finally, Spence gives a question that you can ask your non-believing friend who wants to know about the question of evil:  If God was to fully handle the problem of evil at Midnight tonight, where would you be as 12:01?

The Grand Canyon, How Do Creationists Explain That?

Those who hold fast to evolution, and the belief that the age of the earth is counted in millions or billions of years, frequently point to the Grand Canyon and say it is evidence of erosion over a vast period of time.

However, Creationists look at the same rocks, river, and gorge and walk away amazed at the work of the receding waters of the global flood as recorded in the book of Genesis 6-9.

If you are interested in understanding the facts relied upon by Creationists, this week's free download from Answers In Genesis is for you.

Get it by clicking here.  (The free download offer expires October 4, 2010.)

...since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse.

For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened.

Professing to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God for an image in the form of corruptible man and of birds and four-footed animals and 1crawling creatures.

Therefore God gave them over in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, so that their bodies would be dishonored among them.

For they exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen." - Romans 1:20-25

Plan On Seeking God Later In Life?

There is a common belief among many that as people age they naturally gravitate to God.

Perhaps you are someone who thinks, "Sure, I should look into this God stuff, but first I have to..." get a job, put money in the bank, become famous, invent something, buy a house, etc.

Well, there are lots of examples of people who have the time to achieve all of this and more.  But, death does not have any such checklist.  Death is fickle, fast, and uncaring.

Take for example the reports on September 27th of the death of Jimi Heselden.

Jimi Heselden had it all from the world's perspective.

Heselden had certainly seen the worst of life.  He was a high-school drop-out who was at one point laid-off as a coal miner.  Unemployed and with no high-school diploma, many might give up.  But rather than give up, Heselden got back to work and eventually developed a system that allowed the military to blast wholes in walls and doors while directing the energy away from the troops.  Such a system allowed the troops to remain relatively close to the opening while reducing their chance of injury.  This was his big break.

Heselden used his self-made fortune to purchase the Segway company, makers of those odd-looking upright scooters, in December of 2009.

I am certain that he worked just as hard in his new role as the owner of this technology company.  I imagine he had big plans, and was working hard on the next set of personal and business objectives right up until the morning of his death.  

Though the exact cause of his accident remains under investigation, it appears that Heselden's Segway carried him over a 30-foot cliff while he was out riding alone testing a new cross-country model of the popular scooter.

Suddenly, almost in the blink of an eye, his life ended.

What do you think mattered to him as death quickly approached?  I don't imagine that he was thinking about the cars he owned, the balance of his banking accounts, the important meetings he had scheduled for later in the week, or even the money he gave to the help people in his community.

In the end, none of that matters.  What matters is: What happens when you die?

If you are not yet prepared to meet the God who created the universe by speaking it into existence, then today is the day to consider how you will be judged by Him. 

"...it is appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgment" - Hebrews 9:27

Are you ready for your judgment day?  Tomorrow may be too late.

For more information on preparing for eternity, click here, before your time runs out.

Deeper Conference 2010 Recap, Part 3: Todd Friel

If I could get you to read this at two-hundred words per minute, you might get some sense of what it was like to listen to Todd Friel speak at Deeper.  Todd's "cutting room floor" must be very clean, because if he cut anything from his talk it was this: his plan to pause here and there for effect.


Taking notes when Todd speaks is why people invented short-hand, that dying art for the few people who actually captured more than 25% of what he said.  For those of you who regularly listen to Todd on the Wretched Radio program, I have encouraging news for you: he can stick to the point! (For those of you who do not listen to Wretched Radio, you will not understand this insider reference and, by the way, you should find time to listen.  Click on the Wretched with Todd Friel banner for information.)

Don't take my opening comments the wrong way.  I'm having fun commenting on the experience of listening to Todd Friel at the 2010 Deeper conference, but in all seriousness, it was a wonderful guided tour through Scripture to see how Christ is woven throughout the Old Testament.

Todd, for example, described how Adam is a 'type and shadow' of Christ.  The term type and shadow refers to an Old Testament person , event, or thing that points to the coming Messiah or helps us understand the Messiah, whom we now know as Jesus the Christ.  As an example, the book of Romans compares Christ to Adam.  If you study Romans 5:12-16, you will get some appreciation for the comparison between the two.  Adam, as the first human, represented all mankind; Jesus (God in fully human form) represented God the Father.  Adam was tested in the garden and failed; Jesus was tested is the desert and was obedient.  Sin entered the world through Adam, resulting in death; Christ took upon those sins on the cross and the free gift of grace entered the world through Him. In Adam, condemnation; in Christ, justification.

We have the blessing of looking back over the history of progressive revelation, and we can appreciate and learn from the types and shadows to be found.  But, Todd's talk also included a warning!

Todd cautioned that we need to avoid the mistake of seeing Christ where He is not to be found.  In other words, do not twist scripture to make every verse about Him.  Take care to look for types and shadows of Christ from a New Testament perspective.

I simply have too many notes to go into detail on Todd's full presentation.  However, I highly recommend that you obtain a copy of this talk (and all of the Deeper presentations).  CD's and DVD's should eventually be available for order on the IND Duplication web site.  Keep an eye out for them.

Do Good! What does that mean?

I had to dash into a local general store today.  As I entered I saw that Pepsi has a new slogan on the side of their case boxes.  They read, "Do Good" (see the photo, taken with my aging cell phone, at left).

Seeing this message instantly brings to mind the question, "What do you mean by that?"

People naturally attach value to good and evil acts every day. Just today the news reports these examples:

• There were several stories on the trial of the murderer of Jennifer Hawke-Petit and two of her daughters back in July of 2007.  One NBC story from the time opens with the line, "Evil arrived in Cheshire, Conn., along with the sweet summer corn."
• A mother recently placed five of her children in a small closet, barricaded them in, then left for several hours.  By the time she returned two of her children were dead.  In response to the news, one man is quoted as saying, "This is a horrible, horrific, tragic thing that has happened,"
• In a story about two female teachers who became intimately engaged with students, a local sheriff comments, “This is absolutely unacceptable.”

It is clear that people have a built-in sense of what is good and what is evil.  If they did not, why would there be widespread agreement on such stories?

Where does this sense of good and evil come from?

Some would say this sense of right and wrong evolved over time, as part of the struggle for survival. 

If it is true that morals evolved over time, why is rape wrong?  Couldn't you argue that the rapist is simply trying to continue the species?  What about theft?  Why is theft wrong if the thief decides to prey on the weak?  After all, shouldn't the stronger one survive and improve the species?

Some modify this evolution argument to state that people unconsciously agree to support society because such unconscious agreements ultimately serve their needs.  In other words, I don't steal from you and you won't steal from me.  I leave your wife alone, and you leave my daughters alone as they walk home on a dark night.  If this is true, why do some opt-out of the implied social compact (becoming known as criminals) and even complain when they are punished?  In fact, what right does anyone have to condemn anti-social behavior?  You made a choice to join the social compact, others did not make this same choice.  Who are you to judge?  What right do you have to impose your standard on the other person?

The biggest problem with standards that are set by mankind and based on mankind's desires, is that ultimately the biggest, baddest guy on the block makes the final decision.  You need only look at the millions of deaths at the hands of atheistic rulers of the 20th Century to see clear evidence of big, bad dudes wiping out less powerful people who did not agree with them.

Interestingly, everyone (outside of such countries where they are free to voice an opinion) agrees that what these rulers did, even if it was 'for the benefit of our great society' was wrong.  It was evil.

If you think about this question for a moment you realize that everyone agrees that certain acts are always horrible and horrific.  Rape and murder, for example.  In addition, people seem to agree that other actions are also universally wrong, such as: disobedience and disrespect of your parents, foul language, desiring another person's husband or wife, and pornography.

The fact that there is a universal standard, an unwritten universal law that condemns such actions, is a strong indication of a Universal Law Giver.  If this Universal Law Giver also exercises judgment, shouldn't you consider for a moment who He is and what His plan and purpose might be?

The Bible says that men "suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them." (Romans 1:18-19)

This means that all people know there is a Universal Law Giver because He gave them a way to understand right from wrong and to understand that He exists.

Why do so many people support the view that moral values and our nagging conscience comes from unspoken societal pacts or evolution?  The Bible explains:

"For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools" (Romans 1:21-22)

and

"and although they know the ordinance of God... they not only do the same, but also give hearty approval to those who practice them." (Romans 1:32, ellipsis added for clarity)

Do you see that God's Word addressed this very problem over 2000 years ago?  Men do not honor God even though, inside, they know He exists.  Instead they turn to foolish explanations and theories which turns them further from God.  Then, they give approval, endorsement, and encouragement to others who likewise dismiss God or who create theories and explanations that conflict with God's Word.

If you are not a Christian, it is time to recognize the burden you have from living in sin.  It is time to turn from your own ways and turn to God.  This means that you have to give up your life of sin and strive to never return.  

"For My yoke is easy and My burden is light." (Jesus speaking in Matthew 11:30)

When Jesus Christ came to earth He died on the cross as the perfect substitute for all the sin you have committed.  He took upon Himself the wrath that you deserve.  All He asks in return is your repentance and complete faith and trust in Him to save you.  Once you do this, you will be a new creature and the Holy Spirit will help you to love God and live for Him.

"Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come." (2 Corinthians 5:17)

Deeper Conference 2010 Recap, Part 2

Immediately after Kirk Cameron spoke top open the 2010 Deeper Conference, Emile Zwayne (who frequently goes by the nick-name E.Z.) took to the stage to discuss The Incarnation of Christ.

By the end of this day we would understand how one can become worn-out while just sitting: It happens when you listen intently to speaker after speaker who challenge you to deepen your understanding of the God of the Bible.

E.Z. focused his discussion on three key aspects of Christ's Incarnation: His Lordship, His Lowliness, and His Love.  He used Philippians 2:1-11 as his springboard as we dove into the topic.

After challenging those of us gathered for the conference to deepen our theology of Christ, rather than drifting along with knowledge that barely scratches the surface, E.Z. used Scripture to clearly illustrate that Christ is God from eternity to eternity, that Christ came to serve in humility, and that one aspect of His selfless love was clearly demonstrated by becoming a man so that He could offer redemption to mankind.

As if this were not enough, E.Z. closed with this challenge (challenges became a frequent theme at the Deeper conference):  If Christ did these things for us, and demonstrated this love toward us, shouldn't we be willing to talk to others about Him? Shouldn't our time and energy reflect our appreciation for all He has done?

As we began to consider this, he gave a preemptive yardstick to gauge our walk with respect to this challenge, "Look at your calendar.  Does your calendar reflect a love for Christ, or a love for the things of the world?"

Deeper Conference 2010 Recap, Part 1

As I write this, the amazing 2010 Deeper Conference is packing up.

Deeper is the annual conference organized by Living Waters Ministries.  This conference brings together like-minded Christians from across the USA (and across the seas) to equip believers to defend the faith and inspire those same Christians to fulfill the Great Commission.

Lots of conferences make big promises.  How well does the Deeper live up to their stated goal?

Very, very well.

The overall theme of this years' conference was Jesus Christ.

In these days of diverse conference themes put on by churches and Christian organizations it is dissappointing that so few seem to focus on the King of Kings, and Lord of Lords.  Perhaps this is one reason I felt this year's Deeper conference was refreshing, invigorating, and most importantly, Christ honoring.  

In addition, the Living Waters team continued their reputation for lining up so many challenging speakers that you had better come with plenty of note paper and a fresh pen.  To top it off, they serve up heart-melting worship, led again this year by Scott Krippayne and his impressive out-of-the limelight percussionist, Charlie Petit.

Over the next few posts I hope to provide an overview of the speakers, the topics, the worship experience, and what was for me the highlight of the conference even though it was technically not even part of Deeper.

Kirk Cameron was the first speaker on day one.  Kirk's story of growth from teen heartthrob to mature evangelist is best told through his book or other web-sites.

Kirk reminded the audience that there is something more important in Christianity then your theology, namely Christ: the Name above all names, Lord of Lords and King of Kings.  He then compared and contrasted the downfall of man in the first Adam and the redemption of man in the Second Adam (Jesus).

For me, the most fascinating part of Kirk's talk was when he raised the difficult topic of the temptation of Christ by Satan.  

I have often wondered how Christ could be tempted.  Christ is God.  God is perfect.  Yet, the Bible tells us that He was tempted in His humanity (Mark 1:12-13; Hebrews 4:15).  Kirk raised the possibility that what Satan tried to accomplish in the desert was to tempt Christ by offering Lordship of the earth without going to the cross.  If so, then the prince of lies had stumbled upon potentially exploiting the event that would later weigh heavily upon Christ.  As they hour of His crucifixion approached, Christ would pray to God the Father, "if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; yet not as I will, but as You will."

Had Satan known about this coming burden, I can see that he might try to use the cross against Jesus.  However, Satan cannot know the future except as revealed in Scripture or as God otherwise reveals it to him, and we have no record of Satan having foreknowledge of this event.  So, while it might explain what Satan was doing, and it certainly illustrates how crafty Satan can be when tempting mankind, I will record this as a though-provoking but unconvincing perspective.


It is impossible to communicate the sincerity packed into Kirk's talk.  He engages the audience by shedding the movie-star mystique, letting you know that he is a fallen sinner who loves the Savior who just happened to begin working life with a job that placed him in the public eye.  In the end, however, he is engaged in the same basic pursuit as the audience, and he faces the same struggles as every other man.


In the end, Kirk further cemented his place as a sincere and thoughtful speaker on Christian topics.  He was a fine choice to kick off the 2010 Deeper conference.

Why Do Some Christians Insist On Mentioning Hell?

Greg Gilbert posted an excellent article on why hell is integral to the gospel.

If you are a Christian, and you routinely avoid any mention of Hell when sharing or defending your faith, please read this article.  In it you will learn five reasons why Hell is an essential part of understanding and appreciating the gospel.

Here is a snippet:

"There are those who think that, by rejecting or at least ignoring the doctrine in their preaching, they are making God more glorious and more loving. Far from it! What they are really doing is unwittingly stealing glory from the Savior Jesus Christ, as if what he saved us from was…well, not so bad after all."

Read the full article at the 9 Marks eJournal.

The Hearing Ear, The Seeing Eye... Limited Time FREE Video

Our friends at Answers In Genesis are offering another free video.

Until September 20, 2010 you can download a presentation on the amazing design of the human ear and eye.

To get the video, click this link, then use the "Download now" link on the right side of the page.

Consider What The Three Little Pigs Ignored

We are all familiar with the story of the Three Little Pigs, but while re-reading this story I realized it ignores one very important consideration.






To get to my main point, please allow me to take you on a short detour to tell  a true story.







I used to live in a small town near Frederick, Maryland.  On an otherwise normal day the local news station reported that the major North-South highway in the region was shut down.  It simply collapsed into empty space, which eventually became a hole measuring 14-feet by 20-feet wide and 35-feet deep.

As it turns out, the ground under the roadway contained a large amount of limestone.  Over time rain and groundwater dissolved the limestone.  Without the limestone the ground fell away.  Had it not been for an attentive State Trooper, the collapsing roadway could have created accidents, injury, even deaths.


Back To My Original Point...


The happy ending to the story of the Three Little Pigs revolves around the solid construction of the house.  Unfortunately, the author misses the point that the ground upon which the house is built is even more important than the house itself.

You can build a solid house, ready for the strongest winds, capable of handling most earthquakes, shored up in case of most high waters, but if the ground underneath does not provide a firm foundation, your house is going to crumble.


What does this have to do with the Bible and you? 



What do you base decisions upon?  How do you handle the struggles of life? How do you comfort others?  Are these based upon your feelings, or your perception of how others construct sweet-sounding sentences that put another at ease for a time?


Feelings quickly fade, and can lead you astray. You can be sincere, only to discover that you are sincerely wrong.


Words can distract or even comfort for a time.  But once the calming affect of the words have passed, the struggle or pain remains.


The Bible says that God's Word (which is accurately recorded in the Bible) is true, profitable for teaching, profitable for equipping, and makes people wise.  The Bible is also a lamp that lights the way for our life.

"All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work."  - 2 Timothy 3:16-17

"Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth." - John 17:17

"The law of the Lord is perfect, restoring the soul; The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple" - Psalm 19:7

"Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path." - Psalm 119:105

What better qualifications could you think of for a solid foundation for life than truth, training, equipping, perfect work in restoration, and a guide?

The Bible is the firm foundation that each of us need in our lives to ensure that we can relish the good times and are prepared to weather the hardest times.

But wait... there is a catch!


God's promises are for the believer.  What does that mean?

This means that if you have not humbled yourself, turned from sin, and surrendered to Jesus Christ as Lord, then you are an enemy of God.  You are storing up wrath against yourself for Judgment Day and for all eternity.  (John 3:36, 2 Thessalonians 1:9)

if you have repented of your sins, put your full trust and faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, then your sins are covered.  God's promises for the New Testament believer apply to you, and you can take full confidence in them.  You have a Firm Foundation upon which you can build your faith and confidence.

"In the Lord I take refuge;" 

- Psalm 11:1

Christian Prayer, Christmas Displays, Muslim Prayer... Hmmm

We have seen story after story on the banning of Christian prayer at public schools, school activities, government meetings, and even pastors told not to pray in the name of the Lord, Jesus Christ.

We see stories of Christmas displays either being banned or opened up to the most unbelievable God-offending displays, the words of Christmas songs are changed or banned altogether.

Now, under the guise of tolerance many Americans are allowing or encouraging Islamic prayer, even when they infringe upon the supposedly off-limits public government activities and in public schools.


Is this right?

I am not asking, is this Constitutional, or if it is an admirable thing as defined by modern secular society.  I am asking, does the Bible condone or condemn this type of activity?  

It seems to me that we may discover one of three answers.

First, if the Bible ignores this topic each Christian must follow his own prayer, study of the Bible, and conscience to decide if it is acceptable or off-limits for them personally.  They should not judge believers who disagree or try to force their view upon others (see Romans 14:13-14).

Secondly, if the Bible condones such activities, then as a Christian we can sleep well and not be concerned about any who participate in or support such behavior.  

Finally, if the Bible condemns these activities, Christians should be reject participating in such events and share God's Word with anyone who does not understand that they are sinning against the Lord.


Let's begin by examining scripture in the Old Testament.


Before God delivered the wandering nation of Israel into the new land, there is a warning given:

"you [Israelites] shall utterly destroy them [non-Israelites]. You shall make no covenant with them and show no favor to them. Furthermore, you shall not intermarry with them; you shall not give your daughters to their sons, nor shall you take their daughters for your sons." - Deuteronomy 7:2-3

Why would a loving God give such a command, such a warning? The answer is given in the very next verse:

"For they will turn your sons away from following Me to serve other gods;" - Deuteronomy 7:4

The Lord does not warn His people to avoid non-believers out of spite, or because He is restricting healthy exposure to other activities and experiences.  God restricts our exposure and involvement with other religions because they will draw us away from God!

Other Old Testament scripture gives similar warnings and commands:

"You [Israel] shall make no covenant with them or with their gods. They shall not live in your land, because they will make you sin against Me; for if you serve their gods, it will surely be a snare to you." Exodus 23:32-33

Psalm 36 tells of a time when this is exactly what happened to those who permitted the false religions to co-exist  in the nation of Israel:

"They joined themselves with Baal-Peor... They did not destroy the people, as the Lord commanded them... they mingled with the nations and learned their practices... which became a snare to them." Psalm 36:28,34,35,36

God gave clear instructions to avoid other religions, and they were ignored.  Their tolerance of false religions eventually became acceptance, and finally a falling away to join them and turn from God.

But, do these Old Testament restrictions apply to Christians?  Unless we find New Testament scripture addressing the same (or similar) topic, are we forced to imply from Old Testament scripture our modern attitude toward false religions?

Thankfully, we do have clear New Testament instruction.  Consider the following:

"I [Paul] know that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you [Christians], not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves men will arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them." - Acts 20:29-30


"For many deceivers have gone out into the world, those who do not acknowledge Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh. This is the deceiver and the antichrist. Watch yourselves, that you do not lose what we have accomplished, but that you may receive a full reward. Anyone who goes too far and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God; the one who abides in the teaching, he has both the Father and the Son. If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house, and do not give him a greeting; for the one who gives him a greeting participates in his evil deeds." - 2 John 7-11

These are clear warnings to Christians from the New Testament: Avoid false teachers!  Avoid false religion!  What is a false teaching?  Anything that contradicts the Word of God as revealed in the Bible.  What is false religion?  Anything other than Bible-based repentance and faith in Christ as revealed in the New Testament. 

In the passage from Acts those who teach false religions are equated with savage wolves, hunting down and killing their prey.

In the passage from John's second epistle, we learn that deceivers (false teachers) will teach lies.  In this second example, we are warned that they will make claims like 'Jesus did not come in the flesh'.  The result?  Those who follow such false teachings do not know God.  They are like the false religions in the Old Testament, an affront to God that are to be avoided.

Why is this serious?  Can't we just get along?

There is a difference between tolerance (we can disagree and I won't punch you in the nose) and acceptance (all religions are the same).  The fact is we are in a war for truth.

"For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm." - Eph 6:12

"But the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons" - 1 Tim 4:1

Though some Christians may feel that allowing or encouraging prayers from non-Christian religions is a demonstration of compassion and love, when it is in fact a sin against a Holy God who commands you to "not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect." (Romans 12:2)

Challenging Teenagers

Just in case you mis-read the title of this blog post, I am not talking about the challenges faced by parents of teenagers. Instead, this is a comment about the teenage years, which these days is elongated and minimized under the name 'adolescence'.

"When I was a child, I used to speak like a child, think like a child, reason like a child; when I became a man, I did away with childish things." - 1 Cor 13:11

Just what is adolescence?

According to resources I reviewed, adolescence is the time from about puberty until adulthood. Some resources define it as a transitional stage of both physical and mental development.

None of these define restrictions on what young adults can do or accomplish. Society, however, has imposed a number of restrictions on young adults.

Some (the purchase and consumption of alcohol comes to mind) are intended to protect those without experience or to reduce the chance for peer-driven reckless behavior.

Unfortunately, many restrictions placed upon young adults today impose, or imply, the inability for real accomplishment during the teen years.

Modern society is needlessly coddling these youth and deluding themselves into the belief that young people must continue to be treated as children. Worse, they create a mentality in the youth of today that robs them of productive years as contributing members of society.

Treating youth as feeble-minded children is a relatively new phenomenon. According to one excellent article on the blog/web-site The Rebelution, by brothers Alex and Brett Harris, all of this youth-minimization began in the late 1800's as a result of social engineering.

Prior to that, youth moved seamlessly from childhood to adulthood. Consider a few examples:

• George Washington ended his formal education at age 14, became the official surveyor of Culpepper County, Virginia at age 16, and earned the equivalent of $100,000 per year by age 19.
• David Farragut was a midshipman on the warship Essex at age 10 (at a time when life at sea was much harder than we experience today), commanded his first ship at the age of 12, and later became the first admiral of the U.S. Navy.
  

The Bible also includes amazing examples of young adults:

• David was perhaps 19 when he went out to battle Goliath and saved the Israeli army.
• Mary was probably about 15 when she gave birth to the Savior, Jesus Christ. Consider that she was on the move with her husband Joseph, literally running for their lives at times, when most youth today are still in high school.
• Joseph, who's story is recorded in the book of Genesis, was probably 16 or 17 when he was sold into slavery. Soon after, he became a trusted servant and overseer of the household of Potiphar (the captain of Pharaoh's bodyguards). Not many years later Joseph became a ruler over Egypt.
  

If you search through the Bible (I used the NASB), you will find:

• The word for teen is found zero times.
• The word for adolescent is found zero times.
• The word for child is used 122 times.
• The word for youth is used 74 times.
  

Interestingly, the word for adult is also used zero times, but that is because the assumption was if you are not a child or a youth you are an adult!


Young person, put away the things of childhood (1 Cor 13:11). Stop being a stuck-in-childhood 'adolescent.' Begin by reading your Bible and serving God though obedience. Stop allowing days to float past like so many discarded leaves in a stream.