tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-55616644502497538102024-03-12T16:30:14.161-07:00Keeping Your Head In The GameHelping people think biblically and have a Christian mindset throughout life's journeyPastor Harold Warnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08108066191268810028noreply@blogger.comBlogger98125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5561664450249753810.post-76406497659956258092013-09-05T17:30:00.000-07:002013-09-06T00:04:11.329-07:00“SHHHhhhh....DON’T ENCOURAGE HIM!”<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXLL3XUwRDLq17oZRfuhhcgqs54629xlDzGyu_f9mb-Lp3f2twNCK2taycAhlXizFDgyUOh3yPsq8bcaFUFEdGLYOwrioZocCYPLLC5-ENN7ASVHx0N0B0eMBZdNnetDFR6MyOSFR3qx0/s1600/shhh-dont-encourage-him.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXLL3XUwRDLq17oZRfuhhcgqs54629xlDzGyu_f9mb-Lp3f2twNCK2taycAhlXizFDgyUOh3yPsq8bcaFUFEdGLYOwrioZocCYPLLC5-ENN7ASVHx0N0B0eMBZdNnetDFR6MyOSFR3qx0/s200/shhh-dont-encourage-him.jpg" width="200" /></a></span></span></div>
<style>
<!--
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{mso-style-unhide:no;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";}
.MsoChpDefault
{mso-style-type:export-only;
mso-default-props:yes;
font-size:10.0pt;
mso-ansi-font-size:11.0pt;
mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt;}
@page WordSection1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:.5in .5in 42.25pt .5in;
mso-header-margin:.5in;
mso-footer-margin:42.25pt;
mso-paper-source:0;}
div.WordSection1
{page:WordSection1;}
--</style><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">The early church gives us a
great model to pursue and to pray for.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
am reminded of the episode in Acts 4, where the apostles had been threatened by
the local authorities, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“So they called
the apostles back in and commanded them never again to speak or teach in the
name of Jesus.”</i> (Acts 4:19,20) Their response expressed an intense, inner
compulsion of soul to make Jesus known, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“But
Peter and John replied, "Do you think God wants us to obey you rather than
him? We cannot stop telling about everything we have seen and heard."</i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It could be a family gathering, or any number
of settings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is often an
unexpressed wish among many towards the Spirit-filled Christian.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Shhh,
don’t encourage him”</i> or he’ll start preaching; he’ll start in on his
religion kick, and there will be no shutting him up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, don’t get him started, OK?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You see, the early apostles’ hearts were
filled with awe for Jesus and His work for them; thus, there was no way they
could be silent. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Up against this is the “great
Encourager” or the “great Comforter,” the Holy Spirit of God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was going into morning prayer meeting and
one of the brothers was leaving at the same time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After greeting one another he said to me
sincerely, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Pastor, I just want you to
know that your sermons <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>do</u></b>
make a difference.”</i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He then
proceeded to mention a specific message that I had preached sometime
previously.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well, that’s “music” to a
preacher’s ears, not because of <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">ego</b>,
but due to <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">discouragement</b>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One of the constant battles that a pastor
faces is the question, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Am I making a
difference?”....“Are my sermons genuinely impacting people and instigating
spiritual change”...“In the end, does it really matter?”</i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These are all the inner wrestlings that a man
with the sacred charge to <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Preach the Word”</i></b> goes through.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span></span> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgylY9T2OBv1_2QwFhZAC5N8yr_N_hbddClKGiMaRsocsorto-N7uE6P_ARvHrPdPs2M6Md798I43EdhzfS7bGXtVvnePYl6dRZ40_IrjDx7r6JSw12ZDoFFe1lzeYkvPqVZ_pfFV3vaJA/s1600/old-worn-prybar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgylY9T2OBv1_2QwFhZAC5N8yr_N_hbddClKGiMaRsocsorto-N7uE6P_ARvHrPdPs2M6Md798I43EdhzfS7bGXtVvnePYl6dRZ40_IrjDx7r6JSw12ZDoFFe1lzeYkvPqVZ_pfFV3vaJA/s200/old-worn-prybar.jpg" width="200" /></a></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">This reminds me of the oft-used
fictitious story of spiritual warfare.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It seems that the devil decided to have a garage sale.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On the day of the sale, his tools were all
placed on display for public inspection, each one marked with a sales
price.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There were a treacherous lot of
implements from hatred, to envy, jealousy, deceit, and the other successful
ones like lust, lying, pride, and so on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Set apart from the rest was a harmless-looking tool.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was quite worn and yet priced higher than
any other tools of his nefarious trade.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“What is the name of this tool? asked one of the customers pointing to
this plain, yet potent tool.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With a
gleam in his eye, Satan replied, “Ahh, but of course, this is <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">discouragement</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Why have you priced it so high?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Because it is more useful to me than all the
others.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can pry open and get inside
man’s heart with that, even when I cannot get near him with any of the other
tools.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is badly worn because I use it
on almost everyone, since so few people know it belongs to me.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The devil’s price tag for discouragement was
high because it is still his favorite tool, and he is still using it on God’s
people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If he were training a group of
his underlings, then his advice would frequently be, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Shhh, don’t encourage him!”</i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> </i>
</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">One of the verses that captures
for me the essence of preaching ministry is (Job 4:4)TM, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Your words have put stumbling people on their feet, put fresh hope in
people about to collapse.”</i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wow!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Whether it is preaching in our public worship
services, various blog postings, or Twitter, they have <u>one</u> single aim to
them (2Cor.4:2;5) <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“We refuse to practice
cunning or to tamper with God’s Word, but by the open statement of the truth we
would commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God... For
what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as
your servants for Jesus’ sake.”</i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This
dimension is what added intensity and urgency to Paul’s prayer in
(2Thess.3:1)TM, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“One more thing, friends:
Pray for us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Pray that the <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Master’s Word</b> will simply take off and
race through the country to a groundswell of response, just as it did among
you.”</i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I’ve pondered a lot of the
so-called “innovation” today.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am no
stranger to or opponent of change or new things.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I believe, however, that behind a lot of the
new things today lies a <u>faltering confidence</u> that the Word works!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If the Word doesn’t work, then what are we
doing?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I take refuge in the Apostle’s
decision in Acts. 6.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They were forced to
make a priority decision.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There were
lots of needs, and some of them were going unmet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Prolonged or unaddressed needs can lead to
dissatisfaction, which, in turn can create disorder or the discordant note of
disharmony.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The apostles learned the art
of delegation, but it was their reasoning that was significant.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Acts 6:3,4) <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Therefore, brothers, pick out from among you seven men of good repute,
full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">But we will devote ourselves to prayer and
to the ministry of the Word</b>.”</i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This wasn’t a move to get out of doing work, but the adage to <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">work smarter</i>, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">not harder</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Their priority
mission and their passion would be prayer and the ministry of the Word.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is where their confidence lay.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYvq_r-ZSmXKpoyZ1gVSuysmTzsqYUauN64-tLXSqhTUQXvQ47929qgfiOFGqoZ-j-NRM_kPHBPFWzFIETLRICui8V6RhgLmzswTjBf5a5ejZb3nilo0z2TC7yEYuKtoICmgkiWvBBxYk/s1600/angry.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYvq_r-ZSmXKpoyZ1gVSuysmTzsqYUauN64-tLXSqhTUQXvQ47929qgfiOFGqoZ-j-NRM_kPHBPFWzFIETLRICui8V6RhgLmzswTjBf5a5ejZb3nilo0z2TC7yEYuKtoICmgkiWvBBxYk/s200/angry.jpg" width="166" /></a></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">There was this little delegation
that went to see the preacher. “Pastor,” the chairman said, “You need to know
the congregation is not very happy with you.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The pastor said, “I’m sorry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But
why are you telling me this?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
chairman said, “I would think it would matter to you.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The pastor said, “It does; but not
much.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The delegation was
dumbfounded.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A woman on the committee
said, “Well, if you ask me, when the congregation is unhappy, the pastor is
failing.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The pastor responded, “No
ma’am.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s based on a false
assumption that a lot of churches have.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>You see, the Lord does not send the pastor to make the church
happy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God sends the pastor to make the
church <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">healthy</b>–and to make HIM <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">happy</b>. Big, big difference.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“You
have strengthened tottering knees; your words have stood men on their feet.”</i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For a preacher or a writer, the power to use
words (God’s) and make a lasting difference in someone’s life is the best gift
in the world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Occasionally, someone who
hears a sermon, or reads this blog will send a note, “That was precisely what I
needed to hear today.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well, that makes
my day!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It overpowers those who would
say, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Shhh, don’t encourage him!”</i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> </i>
</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRkOdkHU8l21jNBwF-Qe6vN0hi2kCR1qSQfcpv8_TxMAwPWp2NuhLfjd7GaaWf5-OfMON9Ale3ZaMfK0_1JtGaHsGvWaLuPQFUWRY6G8Wa0WOgxOSg_sk-rf7BIYurYW5eBTVfWtqSMLw/s1600/oral-roberts-the-call.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRkOdkHU8l21jNBwF-Qe6vN0hi2kCR1qSQfcpv8_TxMAwPWp2NuhLfjd7GaaWf5-OfMON9Ale3ZaMfK0_1JtGaHsGvWaLuPQFUWRY6G8Wa0WOgxOSg_sk-rf7BIYurYW5eBTVfWtqSMLw/s200/oral-roberts-the-call.jpg" width="128" /></a></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">In Oral Robert’s book <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“The Call”</i> he described what I’m trying
to convey.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“As they sang it was like heaven’s choir had joined the singing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I remember that I looked straight up to the
top of the tent. I would not have been surprised if a shaft of light from
Heaven had shone all the way from glory into this earthly place.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I started to preach, and as I did, it seemed
that they reached out with their hands and pulled me into their hearts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Every word that I said was received by
them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The place roared with amen’s and
hallelujah’s.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I began to gather speed as
they said amen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I had preached for
about an hour, I felt I was losing my voice, for, as they got louder, I got
louder.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Soon I stopped and said,
‘People, if you don’t stop saying amen to me, I will preach myself to
death.’<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They laughed and just kept
saying amen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The sermon just rolled out
of me that night like rivers of living water.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>When I gave the invitation, 300 came to be saved, and more than a
thousand came to be healed.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></i>Embellished?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Oh, I’m sure (editor’s do that).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But, I also know there’s nothing quite like
when the wind of the Holy Spirit fills the sail of the preacher delivering
God’s Word!</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">All of this highlights the
important reality of the miracle or <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">mystery
of influence</b>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m talking about that
wonderful working of the Holy Spirit through God’s Word to touch people’s
lives.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is one of the blessed <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">streams of encouragement</i> God uses to
reinforce His servants.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Please, believe
me when I say, I’m not elevating the preacher/pastor to idolatrous levels, but
one of the descriptive phrases of the fruit of our Savior’s redeeming sacrifice
is <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“He shall see the labor of his soul
and be satisfied.”</i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We don’t always
get to see directly this influence, but there are little glimpses along the way
that fuel our tanks!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It serves as an
incentive to want <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">do our best</b> with
the calling, opportunities, and gifts God has entrusted us with.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I feel the “weight” of this sacred charge!</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> </span></span>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEdE9dREFAd54Ez-7KBCrTGtlPa0FQvocXhqobULL_TjSsABae_O259OAXsp33ybPSabzPrM4GoTtUUQcWQRa5rzPFq0yJQ33yLXyb_NwLgYx75XTycAyBF9K8XILqx3kqrzWI8BrAQPA/s1600/LA-County-Prison.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEdE9dREFAd54Ez-7KBCrTGtlPa0FQvocXhqobULL_TjSsABae_O259OAXsp33ybPSabzPrM4GoTtUUQcWQRa5rzPFq0yJQ33yLXyb_NwLgYx75XTycAyBF9K8XILqx3kqrzWI8BrAQPA/s200/LA-County-Prison.png" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">You never know where influence
starts and stop, do you?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am known all
over the California State prison system.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Yes, from Pelican Bay to Chino Prison to Folsom to Centinela state
prison (refer to it as <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">gladiator school</i>
since most of the inmates are under 40), to Corcoran, to Soledad state prison
etc.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is because Chaplain Bob Mecado
is a supervisory chaplain for the L.A. Sheriff’s Department, giving him access
to minister in all of these prison facilities and others.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He brings the Gospel of Jesus Christ inside
the walls of these prisons.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He also has
widely distributed preaching tapes from our church, so that prisoners there
“know” and quote from Pastor Warner’s sermons!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Is that awesome or what?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our tape
room or web site has a two-year moratorium on my tapes, as far as outside and
widespread distribution.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The reason is
that when I go and preach in some other churches in other places and countries,
the tapes have not already preceded me, leaving me with nothing new or fresh to
preach.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In prison, there’s a different
set of rules!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They have free access to
all of the tapes since I don’t have to be really concerned about prisoners or
chaplains using my material, and then I have nothing to preach.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve <a href="http://pastorwarner.blogspot.com/2011/08/prisoners-were-listening.html">blogged</a> before how incredibly humbling
it is that prisoners in these institutions are praying for me and other church
needs! Influence, but shhh, don’t encourage him!</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">This all was sparked with a
phone call from one of the sisters in our church.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As a manager, one of her responsibilities is
the mentoring and observing of new managers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>One was sent to her office for a day’s worth of training.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When it came time to go to lunch, he offered
to drive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When he started up the car, she
heard a “preaching” tape.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She listened a
moment and then exclaimed, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“That’s Pastor
Warner!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s my pastor!”</i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He told her that he really enjoyed listening,
and that being raised in another religion, he’d never heard the Gospel like
that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It turns out that another employee
was working and bringing him preaching tapes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He was looking forward to the messages.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This opened the door for her to discuss the Gospel with him and God’s
salvation in Christ.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He has been in our
church ever since.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All the time, I was
completely unaware to the mystery of influence that had been going on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Influence, but shhh, don’t encourage him!</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLRIOL2zzZLYJTWriUzC3XCfh5B1fhdOGM8c0ef8QBf0dqLt8LzB2wUjvR1k7hCxDH09TBLqkxKer_TYSBlvHjAmWq4RGTV_lrEDBY4iFELaMRwxAOoADA0GtCgoqb99TJPLddGaPOJLQ/s1600/raining-on-yellow-daisies-natural-selection-craig-tuttle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="134" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLRIOL2zzZLYJTWriUzC3XCfh5B1fhdOGM8c0ef8QBf0dqLt8LzB2wUjvR1k7hCxDH09TBLqkxKer_TYSBlvHjAmWq4RGTV_lrEDBY4iFELaMRwxAOoADA0GtCgoqb99TJPLddGaPOJLQ/s200/raining-on-yellow-daisies-natural-selection-craig-tuttle.jpg" width="200" /></a></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">(Isaiah 55:10,11)NLT paints a
vivid picture and gives us a wonderful promise.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">"The rain and snow come down
from the heavens and stay on the ground to water the earth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They cause the grain to grow, producing seed
for the farmer and bread for the hungry. It is the same with my word. I send it
out, and it always produces fruit.</i></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">It will accomplish all I want it to, and it will prosper everywhere I
send it.”</i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our joy is to share the
Word of God as best we can, and to leave the results with God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s not going to be our personality, our
persuasive ability, or the power of our eloquence or intellect.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The power and influence lies in the Scripture
itself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just like refreshing raindrops
or snowflakes, the Word has power to refresh and revive a parched desert.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God will revive His people and convert the
lost, and even if we don’t see all the results, we need to remain confident and
faithful to proclaim God’s Word.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Martin
Luther explained, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“I simply taught,
preached, wrote God’s Word...otherwise I did nothing...the Word did it all!”</i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But, shhh, don’t encourage him!</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">One of the marks of the
Spirit-filled individual and church is that they can’t stop talking about
Jesus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love the newly saved, and
delivered Gadarene (Mk.5:18-20).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“And when He got into the boat, he who had
been demon-possessed begged Him that he might be with Him. However, Jesus did
not permit him, but said to him, "Go home to your friends, and tell them
what great things the Lord has done for you, and how He has had compassion on
you."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And he departed and began to
proclaim in Decapolis all that Jesus had done for him; and all marveled.”</i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This ten city region that before had wanted
nothing to do with Jesus, later recognized and welcomed him (Mark 7:31) Why the
change in response?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I believe, in part,
this was the result of the testimony and influence of this one converted man.<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> </i>J. Ray Klingsmith wrote, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“People are starving for the Word of God,
and they don’t even know it; but when they hear it, believed, and get a taste
of it, it feeds their soul like nothing else can.”</i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There’s no greater privilege than to teach,
and preach, and to understand God’s wonderful Word,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But, shhh, you don’t want to encourage him.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi43P2L5z_0h9dz1bkv5bT3fiJrOZEuYMgg5oKL-v1UsaLwZqbxal7EqntuKkBc9euwjUspSTHJ7siD4W_oo9YNx8MABxwvF3xphwr2mnj4nWohVKgzIaYzWOzttPKXinN_qnuVdWs3YSw/s1600/colorful-birthday-cake-sermon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="134" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi43P2L5z_0h9dz1bkv5bT3fiJrOZEuYMgg5oKL-v1UsaLwZqbxal7EqntuKkBc9euwjUspSTHJ7siD4W_oo9YNx8MABxwvF3xphwr2mnj4nWohVKgzIaYzWOzttPKXinN_qnuVdWs3YSw/s200/colorful-birthday-cake-sermon.jpg" width="200" /></a>This influence extends to all
kinds of places and people, you just never know.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I received a note from one of our
congregants. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Pastor Warner, First of all
I want to share what my son was asking for on his birthday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My son’s birthday is coming up ____ and he
approached my wife and made this statement, “Mom, all I want for my birthday is
my family to be together (Abuela, Tata, Tios and Tias and cousins – he named
each by name) but he did not stop there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He said he wanted all of us to be together over dinner and for Pastor
Warner to preach a sermon to us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You
know, he could have asked for an iPad (I would not have given to him), but
could have asked for Star Wars/Lego figurines, he could have asked for a party
at the bowling alley or trip to Disneyland, but my boy sees the important
people in his life and wanted us (including you) to come together for a dinner
and a sermon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I thought this was an
awesome request...”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></i>I couldn’t agree
with him more, but, shhh, you don’t want to encourage him!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Oh, but you see, I already am, thanks to our
Lord Jesus Christ!</span></span></div>
Pastor Harold Warnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08108066191268810028noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5561664450249753810.post-37204729039134183602013-06-01T14:22:00.000-07:002013-06-01T14:22:08.084-07:00What To Say After 40 Years...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSs_PuclJzQA8vD3yIvW0d3ytZ9pjZx1gzsJXnwPsWgm-FmhuEu3AVm_oGLgaxxKYLwEmpHWTM0mJq-AY6lfdFmpLbLK63JFD3UOL-Lz61prbsUfgtn1VNA3ZEfA8eXj9_ZoLx7Nx9S8s/s1600/40-years-anniversary.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSs_PuclJzQA8vD3yIvW0d3ytZ9pjZx1gzsJXnwPsWgm-FmhuEu3AVm_oGLgaxxKYLwEmpHWTM0mJq-AY6lfdFmpLbLK63JFD3UOL-Lz61prbsUfgtn1VNA3ZEfA8eXj9_ZoLx7Nx9S8s/s1600/40-years-anniversary.jpeg" height="163" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When I started thinking seriously about 2013, and our June <a href="http://www.thedoorcfc.com/ministries/all/bible-conference" target="_blank">Bible Conference</a>, it was impossible to ignore the fact that this was going to be our 40-year anniversary! Forty years of ministry, 40 years of evangelism and discipleship, 40 years of preaching and teaching, 40 years of church planting both in Tucson and around the world. I could see that this would “flavor” much of this year, and rightly so. First, for God’s glory. (Ps.105:5) <i>“Remember the wonders he has done, his miracles, and the judgments he pronounced.”</i> When I look at all that God has done, it makes me want to shout His praise and glory, <i>“Look what the Lord has done!” </i>The second thing that makes this entirely fitting is to acknowledge the faithful saints who have made this possible. Those who have “partnered in the faith of the Gospel!” Those steadfast saints who have “owned” the Lord’s vision. They have embraced, identified with, invested in, and served the <i>“purpose of God in their generation.”</i> I’m sure there are those numerologists who could explain the significance of 40 from the Bible, but it would be getting side-tracked.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.thedoorcfc.com/about/our-ministers/108-pastor-warner-bio" target="_blank"><img a="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3_2ywaamrhLoBYpviX3hDJQmN4kWvRbsGYPj99AWIU-4YSNzSFHed1B7pRwyVvSLEC4H-z94D-J_sFO23HRcMuglfViXqGEpbWvKK0FDZovYKcZNIjsT17w-16M5Kxol36gFtveAG1Q0/s1600/harold-warner-preaching.png" height="164" width="200" /><span id="goog_2056199162"></span><span id="goog_2056199163"></span></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/"></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Out of all this, grew the Conference theme and focus, </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“STILL AT IT!”</i></b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This is not promoting an attitude that is resistant to change but, hopefully, the idea of unwavering faithfulness to the will of God.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Some of you may recognize that this comes from a motto that John Wesley employed, </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“AT IT - ALL AT IT- ALWAYS AT IT.”</i></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This is definitely not a mindset that you can manufacture artificially.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It has to be <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">God-birthed </i>and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">God-breathed</i>!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This parallels a fantastic statement about God in the Book of Zephaniah. He put things, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Yet God remains righteous in her midst...<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">He stays at it</b>, day after day...at evening <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">He’s still at it</b>, strong as ever...”</i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Zeph.3:1-5)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In the minds of so many people, isn’t this their concern or main question?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It might be someone you’ve witnessed to in the past, or someone you‘ve been reunited with after many years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One of the first questions they ask is, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Are you <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">still</b> into that Jesus thing? Are you still religious and/or going to that church?</i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What they’re asking in one way or another is, ARE YOU STILL AT IT?!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What thrills me about all this is we’re talking about a worthy endeavor:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>the building of Jesus’s church and the advancement of the kingdom of God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I say this with the conviction that the church is the hope of the world, and why Jesus made it completely clear, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">‘On this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.”</i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>James Emery White wrote, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“As a result, the church is the most dynamic, active, vibrant, forceful project on the planet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is the one thing we will give our lives to that will live on long after we are gone—and not just for a generation or two, but for all of eternity.”</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0KGAWgkYNIemIstGzeQ7qn532iTdmNNgaQuOeLHhKdlezf5hy90h5WCLlW5e3ACFzedmB23GCOZCqP1SSH4McJWO2SIBisZ-ORit2Uf-dGmb17VGyVKw80UbtAcr1Wf1CU9ibLISLrFM/s1600/question-mark.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0KGAWgkYNIemIstGzeQ7qn532iTdmNNgaQuOeLHhKdlezf5hy90h5WCLlW5e3ACFzedmB23GCOZCqP1SSH4McJWO2SIBisZ-ORit2Uf-dGmb17VGyVKw80UbtAcr1Wf1CU9ibLISLrFM/s1600/question-mark.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So, this brings me to a juncture, or a crossroads of how do I continue?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How do you tell the story of forty years in a reasonable length of time?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In telling our story, one option open to us follows the line of, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“What have you done?”</i></b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is, however, another perspective, that has a profound effect on how we view 40 years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It asks, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Who are you?” </i></b>or <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“What have you become?”</i></b> We sort of expect the first question when we meet someone; at some point they will ask, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“So, tell me, what do you do?”</i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is validity to this, but it is also a relatively “safe” question.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Far less common, because it starts to probe the real you, is someone who asks, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“So, tell me, who are you?”</i> <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></i>As I reflect on forty years of ministry, I could fill up a lot of space with what we’ve done.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Don’t get me wrong; these would be important and valuable contributions, because we try not to traffic with the trivial.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But, I could also go deeper and ask during these forty years what have you become...who are we?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;">
</div>
<ul>
<li><i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Have I become a more fully devoted Jesus follower...more of Him, and less of me?</span></i></li>
<li><i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Do I love people more? Do I carry a willingness to “spend and be spent for the sake of your souls”?</span></i></li>
<li><i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Am I a better husband and loving my wife with the love Jesus has for the church?</span></i></li>
<li><i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Am I an obedient and cheerful giver? Is that grace operating in my life to be blessed and be a blessing?</span></i></li>
<li><i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Am I becoming more and more of a servant in the exercise and discharge of ministry tasks?</span></i></li>
<li><i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Am I becoming large-hearted or magnanimous in my dealings with others, when that option is present?</span></i></li>
<li><i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Do I try to bring a spirit of excellence to everything; reflecting an attitude that says God deserves my best?</span></i></li>
<li><i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Am I content with the status quo or am I compelled to seek first the kingdom of God?</span></i></li>
<li><i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">How aware am I, and of what value do I place on “the least of these my brethren?”</span></i></li>
<li><i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Do I value the “spirit of holiness” so that it is a “heart pursuit” or has compromise made me casual?</span></i></li>
<li><i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Do I have a heart of forgiveness in light of God’s incredible forgiveness of me and my sins?</span></i></li>
<li><i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Am I practicing a life overflowing with gratitude and thanksgiving and freely express it?</span></i></li>
<li><i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Am I less impressed with or in need of recognition, but simply glad when the Gospel is advanced?</span></i></li>
</ul>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk5GtBO0NUxW3X9L1KBTi8F4V3mG1LfkWniS10w_0IHTE4oDrnasG-bB-nudaNMN8nIWn88TIAzSdK-K2Ey6z9ovBu6DT8BcQG-HhUbjIm4YQnf1PE10a8c5V_tzXufFrFQ1lzjLZp1Ts/s1600/pearly+gates.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk5GtBO0NUxW3X9L1KBTi8F4V3mG1LfkWniS10w_0IHTE4oDrnasG-bB-nudaNMN8nIWn88TIAzSdK-K2Ey6z9ovBu6DT8BcQG-HhUbjIm4YQnf1PE10a8c5V_tzXufFrFQ1lzjLZp1Ts/s1600/pearly+gates.jpg" height="131" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Jesus dropped a bit of a bombshell when he said (Matt.7:21) <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.”</i> I must confess, this verse has always troubled me, since it obviously says that none of can be half-hearted or presumptuous when it comes to our place in the kingdom.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Entry into the kingdom of heaven requires a divine symmetry, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.”</i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I cannot be committed to my will at all costs, and be fervent about the Father’s will at the same time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was the response of the people that is quite intriguing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Their response focused on all the things they had done, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“On that day many will say to me, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">do many mighty works in your name</b>?'<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And then will I declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.'” </i>Jesus made it clear that the kingdom is about relationship; it is about the Father’s will becoming paramount.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the case of these folk, lawlessness remained in control thus, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“I never knew you.”</i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the Lord’s mind, what was critical was <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“who are you?”</i> and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“what are you becoming?”</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;">
<br /></div>
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:OfficeDocumentSettings> <o:AllowPNG/> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings> </xml><![endif]--> <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:TrackMoves/> <w:TrackFormatting/> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:DoNotPromoteQF/> <w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther> <w:LidThemeAsian>JA</w:LidThemeAsian> <w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> <w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/> <w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/> <w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/> <w:OverrideTableStyleHps/> </w:Compatibility> <m:mathPr> <m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/> <m:brkBin m:val="before"/> <m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/> <m:smallFrac m:val="off"/> <m:dispDef/> <m:lMargin m:val="0"/> <m:rMargin m:val="0"/> <m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/> <m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/> <m:intLim m:val="subSup"/> <m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/> </m:mathPr></w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="276"> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--> <!--[if gte mso 10]> <style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";}
</style> <![endif]--> <!--StartFragment--> <!--EndFragment--><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Can you see how there are two important but different story lines here?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have a lot more to say, but, please, could you excuse me...I feel that I need to go to the altar, first, and do some repenting!</span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hey, but isn’t that what Conference is for anyway?!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thank you, Jesus!</span><o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.thedoorcfc.com/ministries/all/bible-conference" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX4rEk8RQgyD2nih0bQYVI695qeZVC2FApH5PjHLuEvE93IRFvD-gr5RIf3V6aOVhXkwa86wgzb2VbevVxUEOwVm1cudL2kofXMyRDWT0Cwb2Qw1X6vY0PLKlg1BoHyGEI0oFPt8MaxvE/s1600/2012-Conference-Theme.jpg" height="160" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></i></div>
Pastor Harold Warnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08108066191268810028noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5561664450249753810.post-23203315893402292162013-04-17T22:23:00.000-07:002013-04-18T21:02:05.248-07:00Would The Apostle Paul Use Social Media?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXEFaymZbPn5VuZDgxuVT69k3TF-Jppaat1EEezyaudV2icrsKrXmLDXA3azCGE98QbarLd8a1MiFfexsZFssu8dxAzs6Vhyphenhyphena1QWbMdPhHIT5EnknArHRdvjQGODshFhcvg7ZlegT3vYw/s1600/social_media_iconskeyboard_slate.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXEFaymZbPn5VuZDgxuVT69k3TF-Jppaat1EEezyaudV2icrsKrXmLDXA3azCGE98QbarLd8a1MiFfexsZFssu8dxAzs6Vhyphenhyphena1QWbMdPhHIT5EnknArHRdvjQGODshFhcvg7ZlegT3vYw/s200/social_media_iconskeyboard_slate.jpg" width="200" /></span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A good fisherman always <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“sets the hook”</i> before trying to reel in the fish.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hopefully, now that I’ve got your attention, let me go back to July of 2009.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Something was growing in me, a whole new realm of inspiration.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was going to start writing a <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">blog<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">, “Keeping Your Head In The Game.”</b></i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Two things were converging.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The first was using the numerous communication tools that technology has made available to our age.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The second thing was as the sub-title of the blog states, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Helping people think Biblically and have a Christian mindset throughout life’s journey.”</i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was excited!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was “pregnant” with a God-idea! </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The timing for my launch might have been a little bit off.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was during the <a href="http://pastorwarner.blogspot.com/2009/07/sadlers-alaska-challenge-2009-profile.html" target="_blank"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Sadler’s Alaska Ultra-Challenge</i> in 2009</a>, which is the longest and hardest wheelchair or handcycle race in the world, 256 miles from Fairbanks to Anchorage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The questionable timing was because I didn’t have a full grasp on the time demands that writing would make, even bad writing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, to try to do this during a six-day stage race was a bit taxing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Either way, I made the plunge, and since then, there have been some starts and stops, as I’ve juggled my time between preaching and teaching, and the new craft of writing.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://twitter.com/pstwarnerCFC" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBsUS6m84BEwdFPVAWxAbELOyd_369214hcbnvVOKCWMXB5MzTJ_U6WMCVwO6ZEGfmdyMtZRyaG8Cffkq18hdHdTUOJJkIWIAo_D4geZgv4m3T650F2lgs9r_k_r7bf9Mo5421klGK_14/s1600/twitter-bird-light-bgs-150.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBsUS6m84BEwdFPVAWxAbELOyd_369214hcbnvVOKCWMXB5MzTJ_U6WMCVwO6ZEGfmdyMtZRyaG8Cffkq18hdHdTUOJJkIWIAo_D4geZgv4m3T650F2lgs9r_k_r7bf9Mo5421klGK_14/s1600/twitter-bird-light-bgs-150.png" /></a><span style="clear: right; color: black; float: right; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This led to <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Twitter</i>, the most well-known of all the micro-blogging websites.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It has over 200 million people using it, and it has become part of how people communicate today or <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“the people’s voice.</i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am very aware of the valid spiritual and moral concerns in the world of social media. This is why you must have some clear spiritual guidelines and parameters to use technology effectively.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, I believe some of these pitfalls are trumped <u>if</u> it is used as a tool for the purpose of communicating God’s truth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here is what we came up with how to best use Twitter for the church and its mission as a medium of communicating truth.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<ol>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>To use it judiciously in a thoughtful and prayerful manner <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">(you get in trouble if you think</i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>you must say something about everything).</i></span></li>
<br />
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">To help facilitate the dynamics of leadership with words of encouragement, vision,</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">purpose, and admonishment here in the U.S. and around the world.</span></li>
<br />
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">To help people feel connected with the preaching of the Gospel, the mission of our</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">church, and various church-related news, activities, and prayer requests.</span></li>
<br />
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A way to shape the cultural conversation, letting people know about current events,</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">serious or pop culture, what we can call people’s attention to, and comment upon.</span></li>
<br />
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">To steer people to more substantive platforms, such as our website and blog postings.</span></li>
</ol>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvpjIJBCzJlBwYg6RhoddxcPi925O8_uSQA8UhPzoycptjW_GKA3ODv6A-QfN1S0kM1ln-2saoRNmLhQ5gE2_InfijVuI5YSkwSogwdFLHoY6nnSUVq-wdMlsbQMk2b1qWwcCPWwBvmTU/s1600/social-media.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvpjIJBCzJlBwYg6RhoddxcPi925O8_uSQA8UhPzoycptjW_GKA3ODv6A-QfN1S0kM1ln-2saoRNmLhQ5gE2_InfijVuI5YSkwSogwdFLHoY6nnSUVq-wdMlsbQMk2b1qWwcCPWwBvmTU/s200/social-media.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In another sermon I preached just this February, this was part of the introduction: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“You’re not going to stop today’s technological tsunami, but our challenge is we must diligently work to understand how to live for God faithfully in a technology-saturated world and coincide with Jesus’s mission and mandate, ‘I will build My church.’” </i>Overall, I have tried to adhere to these principles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I received a note right after the November elections that said, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“The presidential election being what it is and gay marriage and pot smoking being approved in my state.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I could use a positive/encouraging tweet right now.”</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfXQSOxcWwLpa7te1uaUT7lApqmXpNBmDFbOpBBcRg2KBRP9xATi0fyoWFJXyBeYI0nHdbib3pogbXjWBfVHKVWQv09TYw1Pef2CBBWLaKiO037AHpCqkWofZmr5dJr1XZM5bsuYy7R2Y/s1600/handpen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfXQSOxcWwLpa7te1uaUT7lApqmXpNBmDFbOpBBcRg2KBRP9xATi0fyoWFJXyBeYI0nHdbib3pogbXjWBfVHKVWQv09TYw1Pef2CBBWLaKiO037AHpCqkWofZmr5dJr1XZM5bsuYy7R2Y/s1600/handpen.jpg" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So, back to practicing the discipline of writing.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This post was preceded by a statement I read by </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Jocelyn K. Glei.</i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> She wrote the following: </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Today, writing well is more important than ever.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Far from being the province of a select few as it was in Hemingway’s day, writing is a daily occupation for all of us – in email, on blogs, and through social media.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is also a primary means for documenting, communicating, and refining our ideas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As essayist, programmer, and investor Paul Graham has written, ‘Writing doesn’t just communicate ideas; it generates them. If you’re bad at writing and don’t like to do it, you’ll miss out on most of the ideas writing would have generated.”</i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Having said that,</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I know there are some things that can only be effectively communicated face-to-face.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Listen to the Apostle John, </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Though I have much to write to you, I would rather not use paper and ink. Instead I hope to come to you and talk <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">face to face</b>, so that our joy may be complete.” <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">(2John 12)</b></i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> I’d like you to see that the Apostle John is comfortable using “1</span><sup style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">st</sup><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> century technology”:</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">paper, pen and ink.</i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">John was able to use technology in the service of the church, but he still recognized that this was inferior to embodied relationships.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">He employed both kinds of communication; but he believed that only face-to-face reality offered both him and others </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“complete joy.”</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">All of this was sparked by a powerful incentive that came to me just recently in one of those <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“God-reminders”</i> that often comes to those who follow Jesus Christ.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I came across one of the 40-year old weekly articles that I used to write for the Prescott, AZ newspaper, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Prescott Courier</i>, which ran every Friday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The series was called <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Metamorphosis”</i></b> which is the Bible’s word for change or transformation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I actually had forgotten about this, but it reminded me that the desire to write had been with me, placed there by God for a long time. It confirmed the truth of (Eph.2:10)</span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“For we are God's masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">planned for us long ago</b>.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></i></span></blockquote>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I remember some of the events surrounding this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was a young Christian in the Prescott Foursquare Gospel Church.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had the “idea” that maybe the paper would print an article highlighting the miracle of people’s changed lives in Christ.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I told my pastor about the idea, and he suggested that I talk to another man in our church about writing it, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Phil Payson</i>, He was a good man, and certainly much more qualified than I was.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The only problem is this idea had not been birthed in Phil’s heart, as gifted as he was; and it wasn’t growing in the garden of his soul!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After awhile I felt the Holy Spirit challenging me that He wanted <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">me</b> to write this article, since he’d deposited this “open door” originally in my heart.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here’s a copy of one of those articles with my by-line!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m quite sure that it wasn’t <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Pulitzer-quality writing, </i>but that reminder spoke to me that these desires to communicate the Gospel through various media outlets had been planted in my heart a long time ago, and God had not forgotten!</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho7N8xl1VZ-CtyEiAEosh1kfbDAA3mde_LLrgS1iZC4Tg_ptu11TXqJdVf62psVjEEi0ZSJS3RFbJM8r-5ovQtOPbTGI1NaNl-_32DFnCjjHpiNt02rKL_bHrVfMpY5bYD7U0-c-QjyuU/s1600/Ex-User-Finds-Salvation2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="438" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho7N8xl1VZ-CtyEiAEosh1kfbDAA3mde_LLrgS1iZC4Tg_ptu11TXqJdVf62psVjEEi0ZSJS3RFbJM8r-5ovQtOPbTGI1NaNl-_32DFnCjjHpiNt02rKL_bHrVfMpY5bYD7U0-c-QjyuU/s640/Ex-User-Finds-Salvation2.png" width="640" /></a></span></div>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It was the author <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Kurt Vonnegut</i> who said, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Find a subject you care about and which you in your heart feel others should care about.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is this genuine caring, and not your games with language, which will be the most compelling and seductive element in your style.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am not urging you to write a novel, by the way – although I would not be sorry if you wrote one, provided you genuinely cared about something.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A petitioner to the mayor about a pothole in front of your house or a love letter to the girl next door will do.”</i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One thing I do know is that God’s grace in my life has equipped me with the capacity to feel very deeply or passionately about things that matter most!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidG4EsWe5dlDUnb3iX9qVUDEiGgHNoBvHxgh1LwSO6J9iAnE4uo9IJOhP0HlVkdRkQHdONF43D6Wiydy_Yi79mPAwO1rPkS7llVu_DsnwYj344CISqYlDPpPDiM4xoZ7LqkoUkt18npTg/s1600/socialmedia-question.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="125" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidG4EsWe5dlDUnb3iX9qVUDEiGgHNoBvHxgh1LwSO6J9iAnE4uo9IJOhP0HlVkdRkQHdONF43D6Wiydy_Yi79mPAwO1rPkS7llVu_DsnwYj344CISqYlDPpPDiM4xoZ7LqkoUkt18npTg/s200/socialmedia-question.jpg" width="81" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Oh yes, the title question, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Would the Apostle Paul use social media?”</i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Paul’s exposes his heart<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>to us in (Rom.1:14,15) <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“For I owe a great debt to you and to everyone else, both to civilized people and uncivilized alike; yes, to the educated and uneducated alike. So, to the fullest extent of my ability, I am ready to come also to you in Rome to preach God's Good News”</i> My sense is the man who wrote this would most likely employ every communication tool at his disposal, while recognizing some real pitfalls inherent in how it’s used.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The purpose of this blog posting is to do a kind of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">spiritual reset</i>!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I take encouragement from a writer’s adage, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Have the courage to write badly.”</i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>OK, I can try that!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m excited because on the one hand, the Word of God is inexhaustible, and on the other hand there is the Holy Spirit’s inspiration enabling me to care deeply about things.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, in shameless self-promotion (!), I encourage you to <a href="https://twitter.com/pstwarnerCFC" target="_blank">follow me on Twitter</a> and <a href="http://www.thedoorcfc.com/" target="_blank">visit the web site</a> for any new postings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will keep trying my best to be.....“<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">STILL AT IT!”</i></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><a href="http://www.thedoorcfc.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX-2FHa13oDXcxBNxaLIvjBZZbdQknD-vQmnWss_lvZdRjdWJphccU1CmZpcz0TnObW3RL9F79tGV5qzQl54FO-mJxT5pqpkfjM3arQs_umHLWbV9t5dM8C2IlB3RoFn62Kkhl19QVILY/s640/2012-Conference-Theme.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></i></div>
Pastor Harold Warnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08108066191268810028noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5561664450249753810.post-42385786528082697282013-03-16T12:53:00.000-07:002013-03-16T22:29:44.288-07:00I'm Working On A Building<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv9bnvpQIWapwGHhSiIrztXth0T47L-73yXVXJ91e3WF8xH847F86urfA_eHvzWTYNwpgcQVuv8iEK-uEfE1n2l09hk68U2TRDJKpzw7W3aRhMLp4mgiyfEJQPUv97zVFBuqdB1D3xz-8/s1600/Veterans-Blvd-Conference-(3).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="230" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv9bnvpQIWapwGHhSiIrztXth0T47L-73yXVXJ91e3WF8xH847F86urfA_eHvzWTYNwpgcQVuv8iEK-uEfE1n2l09hk68U2TRDJKpzw7W3aRhMLp4mgiyfEJQPUv97zVFBuqdB1D3xz-8/s320/Veterans-Blvd-Conference-(3).jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Someone recently asked me about some of my reminisces on the history of this ministry, in honor of our <b><i>40<sup>th</sup></i></b> year anniversary here in Tucson, AZ. Now it’s not always that anyone is able to talk about 40 years of ministry and the things that stand out. So, I guess I’ll “milk it” while I can! I wish I could be more specific about all the exact when, where, who, how’s. However, it seems that the last 40 years has morphed into one great bundle of God’s glorious grace and workings, for which I am deeply grateful. In the end, to quote (Ps.126:2,3)NLT, “<i>We were filled with laughter, and we sang for joy. And the other nations said, ‘What amazing things the Lord has done for them. Yes, the Lord has done amazing things for us!’ What joy!”</i> Amen!</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWOUnCW9DE0rUQUV-IJ1OegHr7qssHd-GX_Wc3oLHdPS9XbgprM5DwkyQA2obXN3Kpk8Lb5XZjWoAQfe3s2sbled_NtJP6jXDlf51hhQTnQ05AaI75gL2f-bS_l3sRzpOZdK-KtEY1ZMM/s1600/working-on-a-building.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWOUnCW9DE0rUQUV-IJ1OegHr7qssHd-GX_Wc3oLHdPS9XbgprM5DwkyQA2obXN3Kpk8Lb5XZjWoAQfe3s2sbled_NtJP6jXDlf51hhQTnQ05AaI75gL2f-bS_l3sRzpOZdK-KtEY1ZMM/s320/working-on-a-building.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As a young disciple in the Prescott church, I can remember singing the chorus: <i>“I’m working on a building, it has a firm foundation; and I’m holding up the blood-stained banner of my Lord. And I never get tired, tired, tired working on a building; and when I get to heaven, I’m going to receive my reward.” <br />
<embed flashvars="audioUrl=http://sites.google.com/site/pastorwarnermp3/mp3/Working-on-a-Building.mp3" height="27" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" quality="best" src="http://www.google.com/reader/ui/3523697345-audio-player.swf" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="400" wmode="transparent"></embed></i> A couple of things you should know. First, you don’t want to put a hammer in my hand, because I could become dangerous. I am the furthest thing from a craftsman when it comes to construction work or finished carpentry. When I was much younger, one of my first jobs was as part of a construction crew erecting modular buildings. One facet of that job was standing on a ladder, driving 16-penny nails for the rafters. I easily hit and did more damage to the wood than I did hitting the nails!? Needless to say, I did not last long on that job at all!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> I can relate though to working on God’s building, His house...which is the church of Jesus Christ. Like the apostle Paul, <i>“Because of God's grace to me, I have laid the foundation like an expert builder. Now others are building on it. But whoever is building on this foundation must be very careful. For no one can lay any foundation other than the one we already have—Jesus Christ.”</i> (1Cor.3:10,11) The building is God’s, so you and I must be careful how we build on it, and the only materials that will work are called <i>“living stones.”</i> (1Pet.2:5) The image of building or re-building is a decidedly Biblical one. The entire Book of Nehemiah recounts the rebuilding of Jerusalem’s walls, and is meant to be a picture of God’s greatest masterpiece: you & I. One of the “building chapters” that stands out to me is (Zech.4:1-10). It is dealing with the re-building of God’s house, the Temple. There are three things in this passage that stand out, and all three have helped me in co-laboring with God over these last 40 years. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i><u>THE <b>SOURCE</b> OF EVERYTHING!</u></i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG6dhRN2a8-wnG0KEMOQ84kJldU9k-5MZjilBq_tVv0tsDPBA2efU1_n8D1xdhD2lvp7DJSubkKuQpxwsBcRq0LSoTdQa039qHJFSr-FCPfgFbnULtNBQ9clbhs8Kcxtqz0kXW-XLs1Jg/s1600/apostles-fishing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="246" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG6dhRN2a8-wnG0KEMOQ84kJldU9k-5MZjilBq_tVv0tsDPBA2efU1_n8D1xdhD2lvp7DJSubkKuQpxwsBcRq0LSoTdQa039qHJFSr-FCPfgFbnULtNBQ9clbhs8Kcxtqz0kXW-XLs1Jg/s320/apostles-fishing.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It was sort of like “jet lag” sleep, where you wake up and it takes you a few moments to recollect where you are?! This is how Zechariah felt as the angel asked him, <i>“Do you know what these are?”</i> and he responded, <i>“No, my Lord.”</i> It reminds me of that night on the Sea of Galilee when Peter and six other apostles had spent it fishing. Far more than fish or “the catch of the day” were on their minds. They were trying to make some sense of all that had happened to them in the last couple of days. They wished for some kind of clarity for these events. It was there that Jesus inserted himself and asked them a question, <i>"Fellows, have you caught any fish?" </i> (Jn.21:5) They had to reply, <b>“No.”</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This is all so critical because the starting-point with God is the admission of our <b><i>sense of inadequacy</i></b>. Throughout the Bible, when God calls a man to do something great for Him, it is usually accompanied by the revelation that, in ourselves, we do <u>not</u> have what it takes. We’ve all felt this: that sense of inadequacy, the impotence, the lack of any kind when it comes with God’s calling and purposes. Think about Moses, when he was called to go against Pharaoh, the most powerful and influential man of his time! First, <i>“they will not believe me or hear my voice”</i> (won’t buy into this “God thing”). Then, <i>“O my Lord, I am not eloquent”</i> (persuasive words don’t come naturally to me). Then he crossed a line by presumptuously suggesting that God find someone else for the job!? In all of these cases, we’re not dealing with man’s rebellious nature, but people who happen to see things clearly: <i>“God, if you don’t help me (us), then there’s no way forward!”</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Zechariah knew all this; he was under no delusions. This is why the Lord spoke to him, <b>vs.6</b>, <i>“This is the word of the Lord unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but <b>by My Spirit</b> says the Lord of hosts.” </i> How this promise must have encouraged His worker, Zerubbabel! These words have crossed my lips countless times in prayer and in relation to the work of the ministry, working on that building! The witness the world needs to see can only be accompanied by the Holy Spirit’s power working in and through us! The Holy Spirit is not a <i>“supporting role.”</i> No, without His presence and power and working, we are at a total loss. The source of everything is <i>“by My Spirit says the Lord.”</i> The Great Commission (and the last words of the Gospel of Matthew) contains this promise that we must lock on to, “<i>And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." </i> (Matt.28:20) It is on this basis that we can say yes to <i>“Go ye...”</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i><u>THE PLACE OF “SMALL THINGS”</u></i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghxaoUw_LUFFlDMlBselpngVoNsRvIUYu7yUP2FbmmGhtME62pcRAlEYYkpKpHB1bx6RSbxwXZkcqg-vbvnwVt6HYYqtCvPnNZsEqSIbNQ6qDh5sUEPqCXx513HeuB0JlJ00dd0L9FZ1U/s1600/Veterans+Blvd+(9).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghxaoUw_LUFFlDMlBselpngVoNsRvIUYu7yUP2FbmmGhtME62pcRAlEYYkpKpHB1bx6RSbxwXZkcqg-vbvnwVt6HYYqtCvPnNZsEqSIbNQ6qDh5sUEPqCXx513HeuB0JlJ00dd0L9FZ1U/s320/Veterans+Blvd+(9).jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Every young pastor-pioneer learns to love this verse. That’s because when he looks around him, at his congregation, </span><i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“small things”</i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> stand out! There was a pastor of a mega-church in Brisbane, Australia who once told Pastor Mitchell, after listening to his vision, </span><i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“If you were running 2000 people, then people will listen [pay attention] to what you have to say.”</i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> The Bible is certainly not afraid of numbers, but size does </span><u style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">not</u><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> automatically determine legitimacy! God’s word to Zerubbabel was clear, don’t despise or look down upon those small beginnings. It is usually here that God is fashioning something in us that will bless and benefit us years later. It is also a truth that communicates to people and workers, </span><i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“Your value is related to who you are, not the size of your church.”</i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> I’ve told many workers down through the years that our investment was in them, not just their church size. Don’t get me wrong. This doesn’t mean I don’t want to see the church grow and reach its full potential, but their will always be </span><i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“small beginnings.”</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">That’s one reason I love the Christmas story because we find that God broke all the rules, at least all the <i>“marketing rules.”</i> The central, pivotal prophecy emphasizes this, <i>“But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, are only a small village among all the people of Judah. Yet a ruler of Israel will come from you, one whose origins are from the distant past.”</i> Bethlehem was not on the radar screen of “happening” places. Yet, when Herod inquired of the priests where the Messiah was to be born, they pointed to this feature of “small beginnings.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There’s a truth here that we need to grasp and appreciate: God uses the few, the small, and the insignificant. When God was selecting a man after His own heart, He chose David, the “runt of the litter” to be anointed to one day become Israel’s “benchmark” king. When talking about Solomon’s wisdom (1Kings 4:33) says, <i>“He spoke of trees, from the cedar that is in Lebanon to the hyssop that grows out of the wall.”</i> God’s working included the majestic cedars of Lebanon as well as the lowly hyssop bush. God’s chose tiny Israel, not some great world power, to be the caretaker of His covenants and promises, to pave the way for our Redeemer Jesus Christ to come. Even today, when you look at a world atlas, there is small Israel as the <i>“center of the earth.”</i> <i><o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What is the “take away truth” in all of this? The reason we don’t need to despair is that the kingdom of God advances through “small things” and “small victories.” The overwhelming message of Jesus’s life from His birth, His teaching and discipleship, and His death and resurrection is <b>small creates big</b>! This is why in God’s economy some of the smallest things have the greatest impact! Skye Jethani captured this by saying, <i>“Consider: God’s plan to redeem creation (big) is achieved through his incarnation as an impoverished baby (small). Jesus feeds thousands on a hillside (big) with just a few fish and loaves (small). Christ seeks to make disciples of all nations (big) but he starts with a handful of fishermen (small). Even Goliath (big) is defeated by Daviid with a few stones (small).”</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHCXUx5yePyWXwKGqrnP8JBMDbw5OS94WQcAzIcbryr9jgbPn-awNr4aJ9hlVtoeCw3cpcSDOdMTFvjGOp4FpYf3GpGtg3vcjGbRBjgQKm160Ix84nqjRW0t_TAgyzNW7POxWC3hdl70Q/s1600/gw-crossing.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="203" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHCXUx5yePyWXwKGqrnP8JBMDbw5OS94WQcAzIcbryr9jgbPn-awNr4aJ9hlVtoeCw3cpcSDOdMTFvjGOp4FpYf3GpGtg3vcjGbRBjgQKm160Ix84nqjRW0t_TAgyzNW7POxWC3hdl70Q/s320/gw-crossing.jpeg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This truth was illustrated by historian David Hackett Fisher, pointing out General George Washington’s crossing of the Delaware along with the men of the Continental Army and militia, on Christmas night 1776. From there, they marched to Trenton, NJ. This surprise attack and victory set the stage for the subsequent victories that would follow. Overall, it may not rank up there as one of the great or epic battles of history, but it proved to be a <i>tipping point</i> in the Revolutionary War and cause. Listen to how he described it: <i>“From the time of the crossing of the Delaware River to within the next ten days, the fate of the colonies was changed. The army survived and grew stronger. The British and Hessians almost instantly saw their enemies, these ‘rebellious farmers’ turned into a formidable foe. And it all began here, by the McKonkey Ferry Inn, when a small band crossed a tempestuous river, because they could see, hear, and conceive a new future.”</i> It became known as the <b>Ten Crucial Days</b> – a campaign that saved Washington’s army from defeat, allowing them to fight another day and achieve ultimate victory.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><i><u>STRENGTH TO CARRY ON!</u></i></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH_HkQkYpCqyJ9Z_Kt3Ljl5HmPEkSG8zVM4qN0jz-SHo7QjB0gzNb9O6OMaLGR8aM6chQ5_GIuM26t8RRiD4aUbTsQ7e_KYV9j7Xz5fIGjvLLy2pfG6qMW-wQuHh8w3KqBagVE4hvFO_g/s1600/Services-2013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH_HkQkYpCqyJ9Z_Kt3Ljl5HmPEkSG8zVM4qN0jz-SHo7QjB0gzNb9O6OMaLGR8aM6chQ5_GIuM26t8RRiD4aUbTsQ7e_KYV9j7Xz5fIGjvLLy2pfG6qMW-wQuHh8w3KqBagVE4hvFO_g/s320/Services-2013.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Every honest pastor and church pioneer has wrestled with thoughts and feelings <i>“do I really have what it takes?”</i> Strength to hang in there, strength to see it through until the end, strength to pick yourself up after a fall etc. Some of the greatest promises in the Bible focus on the reality of daily strength to meet daily needs. Since there is no shortage, begin by trying on (Ps.28:7)NLT <i>“The Lord is my strength and shield. I trust him with all my heart. He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy. I burst out in songs of thanksgiving..” </i>Hmm, what about this one which I frequently pray myself, <i>“For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, 16 that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.”</i> (Eph.3:14-19)ESV<i><o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">God gave Zerubbabel a word he could hold on to. <b>vs.7,</b> <i>“Who are you, O great mountain? Before Zerubbabel you shall become a plain; and he shall bring forth the capstone with shouting’s, crying, Grace, grace to it.”</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We know from Jesus’s teaching that a “mountain” is a picture of an obstacle; in this case, an obstacle met and overcome by God’s grace. The purpose and promise is that you might know the Lord who will <b>finish </b>His work (i.e. “capstone” was the finishing aspect of the rebuilt Temple). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Hopefully, It is in the hard and difficult seasons of life that our perspective is made clear. (Psalms 73) is a masterpiece of honesty as the Psalmist reviewed the things that almost knocked him out of the race. The conclusion that all of this taught him was<b> vs.28,</b> <i>“For me it is good to be near God; I have made the Lord God my refuge, that I may tell of all your works.”</i> Simple, yes, but also practical and profound. It is good for me to stay near God so that He is my refuge and my strength. Staying near to God is the exact opposite of where sin will take you, and that is not a good place for you to be. One of the premier passages in this context is (Isa.40:30,31) <i>“Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.” </i>People all around us may be dropping out of the race, but if we wait on God, we discover “strength reserves” that keeps us going. What a blessing!<i><o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Zerubbabel is given this promise: a promise for strength to carry on, even in the face of real opposition. There is a <b>quarry</b> by the side of the I-10 freeway leading to and from Los Angeles, located in Colton, CA. It has been there for years and years, and is almost a kind of landmark in the area as you travel through. The striking thing about it is that it keeps getting smaller and smaller; minuscule compared to what it used to be. <i>“Before Zerubbabel you shall become a plain.” </i>Just in case you need a little bit more then you can try on (Col.1:11,12) <i>“We also pray that you will be strengthened with all his glorious power so you will have all the endurance and patience you need. May you be filled with joy, always thanking the Father. He has enabled you to share in the inheritance that belongs to his people..” </i>I’m not just trying to inundate you with Bible verses, but these promises, like sparkling jewels, are what have kept and empowered me for 40 years. It definitely is not about me, but it is about the reliability of God’s “exceedingly great and precious promises.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Bottom-line? God will give you strength to do His will and to finish His work. The outcome of this promise is <i>“You shall bring forth the capstone with shoutings of grace, grace to it!”</i> It’s the finishing piece of this great endeavor. Strength to finish, oh yes indeed! Jesus said (Jn.4:34) <i>"My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to finish His work.”</i> This is success in God’s eyes: glorifying Him by completing the work He gives us to do! Like food, this will sustain your soul! No, we’re not “home” yet, and none of us have crossed the finish line; but, O glorious day, one day by God’s grace we will! <b>Until then, keep working on that building!</b> In the key of “whatever works”...“<i>I’m working on a building, it has a firm foundation...and I never get tired, tired, tired, working on a building...and when I get to heaven, I’m going to receive my reward” (repeat if you’d like!)<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">T. Austin Sparks wrote: <i>“Men of the world look upon Christians and, for the most part, do not think much of them. They measure them by the standards of the world and say: ‘Well, they are rather a poor lot; their caliber is not much!’ But men of the world are unable to measure spiritual and heavenly forces. They are unable to see what is happening when a few of those poor, weak, foolish, despised things get together and pray...and the powers of heaven are being brought into operation.”<o:p></o:p></i></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.thedoorcfc.com/ministries/all/bible-conference"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC8P_DyHZsF1mDKhnQAGVH4GIcpQEt7UBpZwqas2BwSjYYyreKsi7J0hIOtzTwJ7alLD-6T5-2HQ5f7k9ujnq48D_mwfAejAdczwnicOkxRhuVcbwYusptXxGa2LJpYXda4jlUR5KIW0k/s640/7282646546_11558cfdf8_c.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br />
</span></i></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Pastor Harold Warnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08108066191268810028noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5561664450249753810.post-51505814721187624422012-12-01T12:49:00.000-07:002012-12-01T12:50:21.132-07:00Pray For The Peace Of Jerusalem<br />
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><br />
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="267">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 0in .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY0RCJI6KuK8K2sGhUUazdt59CrTpBA9TvbgmODM0SVGMnihyphenhypheno7POREgKeRttfyTiODqAssfWPwP30aBvZcS-zo8pt4GiYgv3q2ZRBhR46_vAptFkTbuUy6aBwSRJYEEaolliyFkl9neA/s1600/jerusalem.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="135" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY0RCJI6KuK8K2sGhUUazdt59CrTpBA9TvbgmODM0SVGMnihyphenhypheno7POREgKeRttfyTiODqAssfWPwP30aBvZcS-zo8pt4GiYgv3q2ZRBhR46_vAptFkTbuUy6aBwSRJYEEaolliyFkl9neA/s200/jerusalem.jpg" width="200" /></a>I
don’t see how you can be any more specific about our actions, in this case,
prayer; and the content of that prayer, the peace of Jerusalem.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Ps.120:6) says, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Pray for peace in Jerusalem. May all who love this city prosper.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></i>It’s been said before that Israel is <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“God’s Timeclock To The Nations.”</i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This means if you want to really know what’s
going on in the world, especially prophetically, then keep your eyes on Israel
and events in the Middle East.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 0in .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRn3VExBzkZEDvn5CujB0eP9hce7K0Xq8T-2z66wBDEw3YcRhacMAM8YQT3TRnO4_-a41GckCc3CilGpSRLWTi_vi0XiBVHu17DCcAKA0JxZdf8eroMH91ylLLMVBLPlvj9nojGExA3Ug/s1600/irondome.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRn3VExBzkZEDvn5CujB0eP9hce7K0Xq8T-2z66wBDEw3YcRhacMAM8YQT3TRnO4_-a41GckCc3CilGpSRLWTi_vi0XiBVHu17DCcAKA0JxZdf8eroMH91ylLLMVBLPlvj9nojGExA3Ug/s200/irondome.png" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 0in .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in;">
The
purpose of this posting is not an exhaustive Biblical and prophetic treatise on
Israel and last days events. No, it comes from Joel Rosenberg’s blog<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> <a href="http://www.flashtrafficblog.wordpress.com/">www.flashtrafficblog.wordpress.com</a></span>
and an article entitled “The Palestinians could have been celebrating the 65<sup>th</sup>
anniversary of their state today.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What
happened?” The article highlights specific and detailed opportunities for
peace, which were road blocked or outright denied by the Arabs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is worth reading the entire article from
the link above.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 0in .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 0in .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in;">
The
context that inspired me was an article in today’s <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Wall Street Journal</i> by Israel’s ambassador to the U.N., Ron
Proser.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This was provoked by the U.N.
vote yesterday (11-29-12) where 138 nations declared a “State of Palestine” (41
nations abstained from voting, while only 9 nations voted against the
resolution, among them the U.S., Israel, Canada etc.).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While being careful to say the right things
the Palestinian Chairman Mahmoud Abbas also praised the terrorists who died in
the war against Israel last week in Gaza, calling them <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“beloved martyrs.”</i>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 0in .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 0in .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in;">
Mr.
Rosenburg went on to mention the speech given by Mr. Proser.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He responds to the question, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Exactly what kind of state are we voting
for?”</i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here is an excerpt of what he
wrote:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 0in .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 0in .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in;">
The
Palestinian people still live in pain and poverty. Last week, the Palestinian
leaders in Gaza started a war with Israel and committed more than 3,000 war
crimes. Today, they want the world to unilaterally declare a Palestinian state,
rather than sitting down and negotiating with the Israeli government and
people.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 0in .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 5.0pt; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span class="WPStrong">A state with no control over its territory</span> — The
Palestinian Authority has zero authority in Gaza today. Out of concern for his
personal safety, President Abbas has not even seen this area with binoculars
since 2007, when the Hamas terrorist organization seized control of it in a
bloody coup. Demonstrating their affection for Mr. Abbas, Hamas threw members
of his political party off 12-story rooftops. While members of the U.S.
Congress visit their constituents on a weekly basis, President Abbas hasn’t
laid eyes on almost half of the Palestinian population for six years. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 5.0pt; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span class="WPStrong">A terrorist state</span> — States recognized by the U.N. must
pledge to be “peace-loving.” This month, Hamas showed its commitment to peace
and love in Gaza by firing more than 1,200 rockets into Israeli cities. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 5.0pt; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span class="WPStrong">An undemocratic state</span> — Hamas has imposed brutal tyranny
in Gaza, and Palestinian democracy in the West Bank is also far from Jeffersonian.
President Abbas’s mandate to rule expired three years ago. He continues to
personally extend it without elections or consultation from his people. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 5.0pt; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span class="WPStrong">A bankrupt state</span> — Palestinian Authority institutions
remain completely dependent on foreign aid, limping from crisis to crisis. Yet
this year, as the PA threatened to delay payroll for many employees, it tripled
payments to convicted terrorists. Today the PA devotes 6% of its annual budget
to payments for imprisoned terrorists and the families of suicide bombers, and
less than 1% to higher education.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 0in .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 0in .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in;">
Every President in my memory has tried to tackle the problems in
the Middle East in attempts at bringing about “peace.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All of them have been unsuccessful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Prophetically, the Bible identifies the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Anti-Christ</i> as the one finally able (on
the surface) to bring about a managed peace.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>At the halfway point of this 7 year treaty he himself will violate it,
turning on the people of Israel. “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The
ruler will make a treaty with the people for a period of one set of seven, but
after half this time, he will put an end to the sacrifices and offerings. And
as a climax to all his terrible deeds, he will set up a sacrilegious object
that causes desecration, until the fate decreed for this defiler is finally
poured out on him."</i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Dan.9:27)
Ultimately, the Middle East problem will only be resolved by the “Prince of
Peace,” or Messiah, the Lord Jesus Christ. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 0in .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 0in .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in;">
Until then, saints, our support for Israel (besides going
on a tour!) is to PRAY.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This was part of
the songs sung by the pilgrims who would make their way up to Jerusalem on
specific Feast Days.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Pray for peace in Jerusalem. May all who
love this city prosper.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>O Jerusalem, may
there be peace within your walls and prosperity in your palaces.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For the sake of my family and friends, I will
say,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"May you have
peace."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For the sake of the house
of the Lord our God, I will seek what
is best for you, O Jerusalem.”</i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4RTC6tJ_8ABNLOaC_-3a26psqng25IvzYe2i5DQyTjacnyrvuHRzt71FNHSIgyFcWvIbDA3QgbTv0OilHncpgh20-ZVh7Q49WVfQ5TwxE2OE5bUyEauzZWX2JFz7G-b9SCTFZSdAqb_8/s1600/Pray_for_the_peace_of_jerusalem1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="209" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4RTC6tJ_8ABNLOaC_-3a26psqng25IvzYe2i5DQyTjacnyrvuHRzt71FNHSIgyFcWvIbDA3QgbTv0OilHncpgh20-ZVh7Q49WVfQ5TwxE2OE5bUyEauzZWX2JFz7G-b9SCTFZSdAqb_8/s320/Pray_for_the_peace_of_jerusalem1.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 0in .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> </i><span style="color: black;"> </span></div>
Pastor Harold Warnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08108066191268810028noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5561664450249753810.post-66230991146206856452012-12-01T08:26:00.000-07:002012-12-01T11:53:58.629-07:00Exactly what kind of state are we voting for?<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:OfficeDocumentSettings> <o:AllowPNG/> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings> </xml><![endif]--><br />
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:TrackMoves/> <w:TrackFormatting/> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:DoNotPromoteQF/> <w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther> <w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian> <w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> <w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/> <w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/> <w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/> <w:OverrideTableStyleHps/> </w:Compatibility> <m:mathPr> <m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/> <m:brkBin m:val="before"/> <m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/> <m:smallFrac m:val="off"/> <m:dispDef/> <m:lMargin m:val="0"/> <m:rMargin m:val="0"/> <m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/> <m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/> <m:intLim m:val="subSup"/> <m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/> </m:mathPr></w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="267"> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";}
</style> <![endif]--> <br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxavTqNRkz5lFUc5aZaW2cXhfYsgSIT6545Uc6NJ_CKT3HqttR5Ok0U5hNOVFh5U11EW0NHaEOqFCAHgmLU011B2wDQa4IVkf-QJd-7Ieu4iYoCOj096x5cc9zxJw3vSMQF6sMIN3IHdw/s1600/OB-VM563_prosor_G_20121128123527.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxavTqNRkz5lFUc5aZaW2cXhfYsgSIT6545Uc6NJ_CKT3HqttR5Ok0U5hNOVFh5U11EW0NHaEOqFCAHgmLU011B2wDQa4IVkf-QJd-7Ieu4iYoCOj096x5cc9zxJw3vSMQF6sMIN3IHdw/s200/OB-VM563_prosor_G_20121128123527.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #2a2624;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="display: inline ! important; float: none; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 10px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 10px; orphans: 2; text-align: right; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">European Pressphoto Agency</span></span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The Palestinian people still live in pain and poverty. Last week, the Palestinian leaders in Gaza started a war with Israel and committed more than 3,000 war crimes. Today, they want the world to unilaterally declare a Palestinian state, rather than sitting down and negotiating with the Israeli government and people. In this morning’s <span class="WPEmphasis">Wall Street Journal</span>, Israel’s Ambassador to the U.N. Ron Prosor writes a <span class="WPStrong"><span style="font-weight: normal;">column</span></span> that is worth reading and considering. He asks, <span class="WPStrong"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><a href="http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887323751104578146773248664676.html">“Exactly what kind of state are we voting for?”</a></span></span> A few excerpts:<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 5.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 5.0pt; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span class="WPStrong">A state with no control over its territory</span> — The Palestinian Authority has zero authority in Gaza today. Out of concern for his personal safety, President Abbas has not even seen this area with binoculars since 2007, when the Hamas terrorist organization seized control of it in a bloody coup. Demonstrating their affection for Mr. Abbas, Hamas threw members of his political party off 12-story rooftops. While members of the U.S. Congress visit their constituents on a weekly basis, President Abbas hasn’t laid eyes on almost half of the Palestinian population for six years. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 5.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 5.0pt; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span class="WPStrong">A terrorist state</span> — States recognized by the U.N. must pledge to be “peace-loving.” This month, Hamas showed its commitment to peace and love in Gaza by firing more than 1,200 rockets into Israeli cities. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 5.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 5.0pt; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span class="WPStrong">An undemocratic state</span> — Hamas has imposed brutal tyranny in Gaza, and Palestinian democracy in the West Bank is also far from Jeffersonian. President Abbas’s mandate to rule expired three years ago. He continues to personally extend it without elections or consultation from his people. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 5.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 5.0pt; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span class="WPStrong">A bankrupt state</span> — Palestinian Authority institutions remain completely dependent on foreign aid, limping from crisis to crisis. Yet this year, as the PA threatened to delay payroll for many employees, it tripled payments to convicted terrorists. Today the PA devotes 6% of its annual budget to payments for imprisoned terrorists and the families of suicide bombers, and less than 1% to higher education.</div>
Pastor Harold Warnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08108066191268810028noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5561664450249753810.post-59624749719081125342012-07-25T22:13:00.000-07:002012-07-26T00:15:37.320-07:00Violence: The Drug Of Choice<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBrPrGX22J-CaSojkrvKW7_e9ByP0d58FR3JbO55Jk4SctHrTjjDfjwN2uFJCvhoVT1kwWn10iqJPKPuKfbomWNTbtU27G-MvIXq4gjff07iKuVXuwWtIzvvT5ZHPGx_1RP_9tD4dlaao/s1600/violence-xsmall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBrPrGX22J-CaSojkrvKW7_e9ByP0d58FR3JbO55Jk4SctHrTjjDfjwN2uFJCvhoVT1kwWn10iqJPKPuKfbomWNTbtU27G-MvIXq4gjff07iKuVXuwWtIzvvT5ZHPGx_1RP_9tD4dlaao/s200/violence-xsmall.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
Unfortunately, I have been where the residents of Aurora, CO are, as the eyes of the nation are upon them in the wake of the horrific massacre at a movie theater last week that left 12 people dead and another 58 wounded. I live in Tucson, AZ where in January of 2011 a crazed gunman attempted to assassinate Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, and the violent rampage left 6 people dead, and 12 others injured. Like Colorado, it sent waves of anger, shock, grief and commentary through the city and across the land. This brings to the forefront my premise: that it seems that violence is escalating all around us, on so many different levels. You cannot help but think, what’s going on? what’s at the root of all this violence? why the increase? how will it ever end? As Christians, it should provoke us to think clearly and Biblically about what is happening in our land, all around us.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>THE VIRUS OF VIOLENCE</b></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEZoiJitnpuBEcWbYW3oUUimGXsZdS3pu27Gx_gK7HB2LU4_qqpkIK24D4T6natGLqPhK2OC5fGZKJuC2Ygo-zexvCh5lbZBE8GO7laEmdHAN5NlwiH0D_XGqZR-1lDzxWmZjOPv8quDU/s1600/43999_desensitised_virus_of_violence.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEZoiJitnpuBEcWbYW3oUUimGXsZdS3pu27Gx_gK7HB2LU4_qqpkIK24D4T6natGLqPhK2OC5fGZKJuC2Ygo-zexvCh5lbZBE8GO7laEmdHAN5NlwiH0D_XGqZR-1lDzxWmZjOPv8quDU/s200/43999_desensitised_virus_of_violence.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
I’m not sure if most grasp the magnitude of the problem. Like a virus, it borders on the epidemic, as well as containing a very virulent strain. I could easily overwhelm you with statistics, but for the basis of discussion I will limit myself. We have the Washington, D.C. sniper, John Mohammed, who during a three week rampage, along with a teenage accomplice paralyzed cities in fear and left 10 people dead. In April of 2007, the awful massacre at VA Tech University that killed 33 people. In March of 2009, in Jonesboro, AR, there was the schoolyard shooting deaths of 4 girls, and a teacher, with 11 others injured. The culprits were two boys, ages 11 and 13. Then, there was the Fort Hood massacre carried out by Col. Nidal Hasan, who was carrying out his own personal jihad (this was not just workplace violence like some would have you believe) in the name of Allah, killing 13 people and wounding 29 others. I don’t have to get any more detailed or graphic for you to get my point: that we are witnessing an unprecedented increase of violence. No matter how many times you read or witness these events, it never prepares you for such senseless acts of brutality. Not far away from where I live is El Paso, TX, one of the safest cities in the U.S. Across the border is Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, where anarchy rules. In the last two years there have been more than 5,800 murders. All that separates the two cities is a river, which tells us this is more than geographic, it is spiritual.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>SOCIETAL “TIPPING POINT”</b></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUIa3ZlALnO9gucjVQAUNVl-OKgySdgk292TxsyLQ548_rJhu1scEOTOMq9_hPiK2uKVVNuYJgxPyfHJR43kvX9GuxCqJugj_uMbQhliwwakmEXXs5X6EQajtX6kId-9XdfKAAHU-z3Yg/s1600/noah20preaching.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUIa3ZlALnO9gucjVQAUNVl-OKgySdgk292TxsyLQ548_rJhu1scEOTOMq9_hPiK2uKVVNuYJgxPyfHJR43kvX9GuxCqJugj_uMbQhliwwakmEXXs5X6EQajtX6kId-9XdfKAAHU-z3Yg/s200/noah20preaching.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
According to Jesus this represents a prophetic “tipping point.” He said, "But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only. As were the days of Noah, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the ark, and they were unaware until the flood came and swept them all away, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.” (Matt.24:36-39) Jesus tells us if we are to fully understand the last days, we’re going to have to examine another age, and that was Noah’s days. There was a lot going on but one feature that stands out is “THE EARTH WAS FILLED WITH VIOLENCE.” (Gen.6:11-13) reveals, “Now the earth was corrupt in God's sight, and the earth was filled with violence. And God saw the earth, and behold, it was corrupt, for all flesh had corrupted their way on the earth. And God said to Noah, "I have determined to make an end of all flesh, for the earth is filled with violence through them. Behold, I will destroy them with the earth.” There was a multiplying population coupled with multiplying moral and social corruption. The “tipping point” that led to judgment was the feature of unrestrained violence that violated God’s order. “The earth was corrupt, for all flesh had corrupted their way on the earth...I have determined to make an end of all flesh, FOR the earth is filled with violence through them.” We cannot miss the progression that stands out here: Genesis 3/Adam & Eve sinned – Genesis 4/Cain kills Abel (1st case of fratricide) – Genesis 5/Lamech kills 2 men in a revenge killing and boasts about it. Then, we come to Genesis chapter 6 which relates “the earth was filled with violence.” Like a virus, it spread and multiplied, affecting more and more people. <br />
<br />
The comparisons with our age are irrefutable. It reflects the proliferation that defined Noah’s day. We have the constant threat of terrorism; then there is media violence; domestic violence; workplace violence (which actually coined the phrase “going Postal”); school violence (79% of students, between the age of 12-18, admit to bullying); tribal violence throughout the world; gang violence and more. Two other interesting features of our age should be noted. The first is the increase of violence among girls. From police chiefs, to school teachers, to social workers, they are all testifying to an alarming new trend in the U.S. – which is girls becoming more violent, and more often. One commented, “It’s a nationwide phenomenon, and it’s catching us all off guard.” The other feature is the popularity of extremely violent video games, which is $$ billion dollar a year industry. People, mostly young men, will line up for hours, all night if necessary, for the release of such games as Halo, Medal of Honor, Metal Gear Solid, Diablo, Black Ops. Studies have shown that exposure to these games activates the aggression center in the human brain while de-activating the emotional center. The earth was filled with violence. I’m not trafficking in hyperbole. <br />
<br />
There are two things that stand out and should be a major concern about this “virus of violence.” The first is VIOLENCE AS ENTERTAINMENT. Graphic violence is promoted and glorified by Hollywood on a regular basis. There is such a duplicity at work: they claim to be shocked and horrified by events in Aurora, CO yet they continue to produce films filled with gratuitous violence on a regular basis. The second concern is the DE-SENSITIZING that is at work. The truly frightening thing today is the obliteration or crippling of the human conscience. This is the reason for the title of this blog posting. (Proverbs 4:17) says, “For they eat the bread of wickedness and drink the wine of violence.” I like how The Message paraphrase puts things, “Perversity is their food and drink, violence their drug of choice.” The choice of words is right on target: it acts like a drug!<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>THE ANATOMY OF VIOLENCE</b></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZSVpCh7LRsEIHFaDD7_pym2TPrL5O0TcazTqNYnOvroiTxy5zCDbERXBzrmeKBolltg1cGPyqHECLcHBUPuVVdFz8SiDdqlZC8adJYHxQ5ssPq0MFWExJGQVLm36xO5rKf5AcffPYgcc/s1600/humananatomy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZSVpCh7LRsEIHFaDD7_pym2TPrL5O0TcazTqNYnOvroiTxy5zCDbERXBzrmeKBolltg1cGPyqHECLcHBUPuVVdFz8SiDdqlZC8adJYHxQ5ssPq0MFWExJGQVLm36xO5rKf5AcffPYgcc/s200/humananatomy.jpg" width="70" /></a></div>
It is very common for people to completely miss the point in the wake of random, senseless violence. The first is the gun control advocates who will always politicize tragic events like this. The false logic is that if guns were not available, there would be no violence, at least not to the degree that we witness today. The other response that comes almost like clockwork, is where was God in all this, or how could God allow this? When we hear about violence, it is usually the sensational aspects that grab our attention. How is it that we overlook things like the unspeakable tragedy of 52 million abortions performed in our country in the last forty years. The biggest thing we get wrong is what Jesus made very clear, “For from within, out of a person’s heart, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, wickedness, deceit, lustful desires, envy, slander, pride, and foolishness. All these vile things come from within; they are what defile you." (Mark 7:21-23) This is the accurate diagnosis that people want to avoid: that the source of evil lies much closer to home!<br />
<br />
The Bible always takes us deeper, behind-the-scenes, to the true source of things. When describing what put things over the top, in God’s mind, about Noah’s generation, it says “The Lord observed the extent of human wickedness on the earth, and he saw that everything they thought or imagined was consistently and totally evil.” What caused God to say “Enough!” (I can’t take it anymore) was the mental saturation of wickedness that gave birth to a world filled with violence. Similar to the Psalms that says, “No, in your heart you plan evil; you think up violent crimes in the land.” (Ps.58:2) The increased violence reminds us not only of our “times” but it should also tell us something about the nature of man! While evolution argues that mankind is getting better, I think the facts and reality are telling us that we are getting worse! Clay Sterret spoke truly,<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
“Our American society is extremely violent: we love violent movies and video games. We love violence in sports. We legally allow 4000 brutal murders of (unborn) children every day in our hospitals and clinics, and then we get shocked when a child (that we can physically see) gets brutally murdered.” </blockquote>
I think we could easily edit that to say, “then we get shocked when someone goes on a killing spree.”<br />
<br />
I wonder if there’s any connection between increased violence and increased rejection of God’s laws and restraints? The Ten Commandments were given to restrain lawless and rebellious men. Hmmm, public schools and buildings are now being told that any public display of the “10” is “unconstitutional” and we act surprised when people act the way they do?! (Proverbs 29:18) gives us a true autopsy when it says, “Where there is no prophetic vision the people cast off restraint, but blessed is he who keeps the law.” Look at the connection between not giving God his rightful place and people casting off restraints?! Various translations say, “they run wild...people are uncontrolled...crime runs wild.” You see, there is a “spirit of violence” that goes beyond guns and knives and fists. Scripture talks about the “violence” of bearing a grudge, the violence of enticing others to evil, the violence of divorce (TM, “I hate the violent dismembering of the ‘one flesh’ of marriage”).<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>VICTORY OVER VIOLENCE</b></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-Rd4FaNsizX4NT63FkjwY1lSHfhpfrjVgWt3yPyrmZLJpMJYnNuLo4LhHg9sRKmaSqvZD8BAG7Kbh6QhEFvnwPAC36R4MgRZcO_ZKTRJdtEIT10mkJ0L5cuI9iyhXabmCK0NB7SJy11s/s1600/solution-problem.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-Rd4FaNsizX4NT63FkjwY1lSHfhpfrjVgWt3yPyrmZLJpMJYnNuLo4LhHg9sRKmaSqvZD8BAG7Kbh6QhEFvnwPAC36R4MgRZcO_ZKTRJdtEIT10mkJ0L5cuI9iyhXabmCK0NB7SJy11s/s200/solution-problem.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
Whether you know it or not, you are either part of the solution or you are part of the problem. This victory starts in every human heart. Ultimately, we need to look to the victory that is found in a miracle of God’s grace! (Gen.6:8) gives us a “ray of light and hope” in a culture inundated with darkness and corruption. It says “but Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord.” The only reason you or I or anyone for that matter is different is because of the grace of God! The Apostle Paul was no stranger to violence in his own life and person. His was perhaps the worst kind because it carried a self-righteous, sanctimonious sanction to it. This is why his testimony resonates so powerfully (1Cor.15:10) “But by the grace of God I am what I am....” Increased violence today should remind us all of where we might be apart from the grace of God! Charles Spurgeon was right on target when he said, “There is nothing that the worst of men have done, which the best of men could not do if they were left by the grace of God.” How true, how true!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8muLgKJOvxHFQsIqDZwYJnBg2IgCwfn32YlVt08zDXvGW8jO8Oj_MGWU5Jghlwjn-RTuI1Te1lT2jI1OGkMt6UVETAPeIag51m7YR4OLMkMy0Vg5JBGZO5BGKfqX5vg6P-x0KckOjRRo/s1600/The-Grace-of-God.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="141" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8muLgKJOvxHFQsIqDZwYJnBg2IgCwfn32YlVt08zDXvGW8jO8Oj_MGWU5Jghlwjn-RTuI1Te1lT2jI1OGkMt6UVETAPeIag51m7YR4OLMkMy0Vg5JBGZO5BGKfqX5vg6P-x0KckOjRRo/s200/The-Grace-of-God.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
Our police, emergency personnel, and first responders to a great job. The answer, though, has to be greater than more policemen, or better enforcement. The answer is a miracle within. One of my life verses is (2Cor.5:17)NLT which says, “This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!” We need new lives and a new kind of “violence” to characterize us: the violence of our age must be met with a “holy violence” from within us. Jesus said, “From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven has suffered violence, and the violent take it by force.” (Matt.11:12) He’s describing a kind of “holy fight” within you to do what is right. The fact is that the wrong, the evil, the unrighteousness comes natural to most of us, but we’re going to have to “fight” for what is right. The Amplified translation of that verse says, “And from the days of John the Baptist until the present time, the kingdom of heaven has endured violent assault, and violent men seize it by force [as a precious prize — a share in the heavenly kingdom is sought with most ardent zeal and intense exertion].” The grace of God will put that kind of “holy fight” within the hearts of Christ followers in these last days!<br />
<br />
Let me close by reminding you that this involves EVERYONE of us. This is not just a bit of religious moralizing for a few, this is a truth that applies to all of humankind. The headline would have grabbed everyone’s attention. It would’ve said something like “Pilate Orders The Murder of Innocent Worshipers.” Everyone in Jerusalem and the surrounding region would’ve been talking about this. They would’ve been discussing the especially heinous aspects to this murder and act of cruel violence. I’m sure they would’ve emphasized how innocent the victims were; after all, they had simply come to Jerusalem and the Temple to worship, and perhaps take part in one of the feast days. Little did they know that Pilate would use this to send another brutal message about the might of Rome and how futile it would be for anyone to try to resist it. The people informed Jesus about what had taken place and I’m sure were eager to hear his thoughts on the matter. However, I don’t think they were prepared for what he had to say. “About this time Jesus was informed that Pilate had murdered some people from Galilee as they were offering sacrifices at the Temple. "Do you think those Galileans were worse sinners than all the other people from Galilee?" Jesus asked. "Is that why they suffered? Not at all! And you will perish, too, unless you repent of your sins and turn to God.” (Luke 13:1-3) He wasn’t advocating the violence that occurred, but he did use this to remind them (and you and I) of our own individual need to repent and get right with God. You see, the proper response to the senseless violence in Aurora, CO, should move us to pray for the families and friends of the victims. Most of all, it should serve as a reminder to every one of us of our greatest need. In the end, that grace alone, is sufficient to answer to the plague afflicting our nation. Great or small, rich or poor, no matter what your race, ethnic background or education might be: REPENT, TURN TO GOD, AND BELIEVE THE GOSPEL!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8RxbliVDV1NL2kzssWu2vDuiTawtb-UVikYJyciBwPy5RWTKQa8lXVrQUQlSIZcW8EaamttE2RsAWJ4vUnLb7Z0ZQgqhDWRjtMSBmDxtpNynUS2FOHM9kpwKjd3tO4O2sU168Kr5l_QA/s1600/repent.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8RxbliVDV1NL2kzssWu2vDuiTawtb-UVikYJyciBwPy5RWTKQa8lXVrQUQlSIZcW8EaamttE2RsAWJ4vUnLb7Z0ZQgqhDWRjtMSBmDxtpNynUS2FOHM9kpwKjd3tO4O2sU168Kr5l_QA/s320/repent.jpg" width="246" /></a></div>
<br />Pastor Harold Warnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08108066191268810028noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5561664450249753810.post-83680427144524857202012-07-04T15:37:00.000-07:002012-07-05T22:25:04.891-07:00Thinking Biblically About The "Culture Wars"<span style="background-color: black;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7KVRu88frln0EdPSnTgmGzFzff_IvUBq86WOmDafWBF6sHDEJYnvmWwn47GS50FCw3Ce_1-Un6OqaZ9dmhE7Y9-30IAtF1K_xzMNTSXHVQ_tj5SCLaUlBM0V7aMRo6PsR0tAzRAl_63M/s1600/Obama-the-first-gay-president.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7KVRu88frln0EdPSnTgmGzFzff_IvUBq86WOmDafWBF6sHDEJYnvmWwn47GS50FCw3Ce_1-Un6OqaZ9dmhE7Y9-30IAtF1K_xzMNTSXHVQ_tj5SCLaUlBM0V7aMRo6PsR0tAzRAl_63M/s200/Obama-the-first-gay-president.jpg" width="148" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Recently, President Obama’s </span><i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“evolution”</i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> on his views on marriage came to an end in both an historic and tragic milestone: the first time in history that a sitting U.S. President endorsed same-sex marriage, and basically called for the transformation and subversion of civilization’s </span><i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">central institution</i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">.</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This earned him the cover of Newsweek Magazine’s title, </span><i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“America’s First Gay President.”</i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">While not really a surprise, observers referred to it as nothing short of a </span><b style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">cultural earthquake</b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">.</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It brought to the forefront once again in a very deep and dramatic fashion what has been dubbed, </span><b style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>“The Culture Wars.”</i></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">While I’m not particularly fond of the term, I feel a bit like David who said <i>“I am for peace, but when I speak, they are for war!”</i> This is actually a battle that is being brought to us. Albert Mohler Jr. said, <i>“We are swimming in one of the most complex and challenging cultural contexts every experienced by the Christian church. Every day brings a confrontation with cultural message, controversies, and products. We are bombarded with advertisement, entertainments, and the chatter of the culture all around us.” </i>The culture is a pretty broad term but it is made up of a vast network of institutions, laws, customs, and language that is a constant part of our lives, like it or not. The problem is that many of the most cherished ideas of our culture are in <i>direct conflict</i> with the teachings of Christ. Our challenge is how are we to remain faithful as Christians in this culture? How should we <b>think</b> about so many of the crucial moral questions of our day? To not think seriously about how we should respond to these challenges means that we will be swallowed up by the dominant culture. We will fail to live and think as Christians.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The Apostle Peter addressed his own “culture wars” or, more importantly, godly living before a watching world. Learning what it means to be Christian in the <i>public square</i>. Listen to what he wrote:<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><blockquote class="tr_bq"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>“Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good? But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, but in your hearts regard Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; 16 yet do it with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God's will, than for doing evil.”</i> (1Pet.3:13-17)</span></blockquote><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><i>THE MISGUIDED SUGGESTION</i></b><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It is right and fair to say that <i>economic issues</i> (i.e. jobs; housing market; corruption & greed at all levels; massive deficits) have dominated our nation’s conversation for the last four or five years. I’m certainly not against a good economy or a much-needed recovery; but at the same time, prosperity in itself is not a panacea. Listen to the wisest man who ever lived and made this clear, <i>“Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people.”</i> The TM says, <i>“God-devotion makes a country strong; God-avoidance leaves people weak.”</i> He wants us to see that woven into the fabric of individual, family, or a nation’s well-being (or disgrace) is the <b>issue of righteousness</b>. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQAdTO6Iq5bdLtVM1dL2UTl8aHsLdFzyiBEoOh92Enk0xLve5Fi3foaFApLzQ8H9oZuJbmB2f9k4-HjeHgP9fFDsCAqbz4Va0b0Ky6xB63AXk2yb8mcaPknLBOS-_4mOYNE68OlDcqQeA/s1600/mitch_daniels_2012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="143" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQAdTO6Iq5bdLtVM1dL2UTl8aHsLdFzyiBEoOh92Enk0xLve5Fi3foaFApLzQ8H9oZuJbmB2f9k4-HjeHgP9fFDsCAqbz4Va0b0Ky6xB63AXk2yb8mcaPknLBOS-_4mOYNE68OlDcqQeA/s200/mitch_daniels_2012.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What originally “sparked” my inspiration was a call being echoed for a <b><i>“social truce.”</i></b> Indiana Governor <i>Mitch Daniels</i> was the one who this is first attributed to: calling for a “truce” on social issues (which are considered divisive) going into 2012, since the gravity of the economic and fiscal challenges facing America trump all. This idea seemed to gain traction with a lot of people. Jeremy Mayer wrote, <i>“It’s about the economy. I just don’t think God, guns, gays and fetuses is really going to matter that much.”</i> My concern with this is that it comes from a false premise. Peter said, vs.14, <i>“but even if you should suffer for righteousness sake.”</i> Fiscal responsibilities and policies matter, but the <i>“basic glue”</i> and foundations for our country go beyond money. The fallacy is that many are made to think they must choose between economic issues and social ones. Biblically, however, they are all connected! Charles Colson asked, <i>“Can freedom survive where <b>virtue</b> isn’t able to flourish? </i>The response is obvious, <i>“He knew the answer in theory. And that answer was: No. Virtue-less societies cannot remain free for long. Without self-restraint, justice, love, for fellow human beings, and other virtues, eventually real chaos will follow moral chaos.”</i> Some of our most pressing social problems today have definite moral and ethical roots. We only have one cause, and that is to preach the Gospel and make disciples of all nations. By definition and certainly by application, this will always means <i>“engaging our culture”</i> at a heart level.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><i>THE LAST BASTION</i></b><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXTdu1gPO1WvRDa0uaxESqEbOqmv7plC8Q758vIC8kScvMMCqSi1x7rZAKIl17Tb6ccu9zXSYQKdFi806x5sOwLigShw3oljQlshKpl1tKUJn0rm6hiUh7zxy0BTKqGuTixFJYdv9d5Dg/s1600/dennis_prager.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXTdu1gPO1WvRDa0uaxESqEbOqmv7plC8Q758vIC8kScvMMCqSi1x7rZAKIl17Tb6ccu9zXSYQKdFi806x5sOwLigShw3oljQlshKpl1tKUJn0rm6hiUh7zxy0BTKqGuTixFJYdv9d5Dg/s200/dennis_prager.jpg" width="159" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This what caught my attention. I heard Radio Talk Show host, <i>Dennis Prager</i>, say, <i>“The last bastion of traditional moral values is the Evangelical church.”</i> He’s not writing as a Christian, either, but as an informed cultural observer. This has brought to the surface the question of to what extent should Christians be involved in the political process? I happen to agree with the late Carl F.H. Henry who addressed evangelicals and argued that disengagement from the critical issues of the day is not an option. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Peter highlights a critical role, perhaps more so today than ever before. <i>“Who shall harm you if you become <b>followers of what is good?</b>”</i> (RSV, “if you are zealous for what is right”). God’s major tool of change is not politics, but the Church of Jesus Christ, fueled by love and a prophetic voice! This is where you’ll find a voice of <i>moral sanity</i> in a very confused and dark society that fulfills Isaiah’s prophecy, <i>“What sorrow for those who say that evil is good and good is evil, that dark is light and light is dark, that bitter is sweet and sweet is bitter.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>What sorrow for those who are wise in their own eyes and think themselves so clever.”</i> (Isa.5:20,21) The church has always challenged society because the Gospel speaks directly to the hearts of men and women. When Scripture instructs us to love God and then to love our neighbor as ourselves, it gives us a clear mandate to the right kind of cultural engagement. We love our neighbor because we first love God, and we display His glory by preaching the Gospel, confronting persons with God’s truth and serving as agents of salt and light in a dark and fallen world. Loving our neighbor requires our participation in the culture and in the political process, working for the ultimate good of the culture around us. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaG94Y3rAv60Qvf4EYvV3PmBKOmne7Fv-Ipe7aLbelVzlVNbYfChypc-V0AtDgU7Pj1-PAQQabvp9YtYhjJxMwQ8-so4dXxRlTrmLKmSlK7v28TxB4PbjOSCWTjncDzjFB5mPs8NjgaEQ/s1600/Salt+and+Light.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaG94Y3rAv60Qvf4EYvV3PmBKOmne7Fv-Ipe7aLbelVzlVNbYfChypc-V0AtDgU7Pj1-PAQQabvp9YtYhjJxMwQ8-so4dXxRlTrmLKmSlK7v28TxB4PbjOSCWTjncDzjFB5mPs8NjgaEQ/s200/Salt+and+Light.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Jesus spelled out for us that we are to be <b>salt</b> and <b>light</b> in a fallen world, and this includes politics. <i>"You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men.”</i> The main emphasis is salt as a <i>preservative</i>, to arrest the putrefying process. James Emery White wrote: <i>“We should use our freedom to vote in any way possible to bring the Kingdom of God to greater reality. And yes, the Kingdom of God includes the biblical understandings of marriage and family. This is not about attempting to impose things through power, but influence.”</i> In Jesus’ day, the main use of salt was a preservative to keep food from rotting. Without refrigerators or freezers, canned goods or packaging, salt was used to keep food from spoiling. If you had a piece of meat that you couldn’t eat right away, you would take some salt and rub it into the meat, which would prevent the meat from going bad. John Stott wrote, <i>“The notion is not that the world is tasteless and that Christians can make it less insipid...but </i></span><i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">that it is putrefying. It cannot stop itself from going bad. Only salt introduced from outside can do this. The church...is set in the world...as the most powerful of all restraints within sinful society to be His own redeemed, regenerate and righteous people.”</i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> He continued, </span><i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“The influence of Christians in and on society depends on their being distinct, not identical.</i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> Unless the salt penetrates the culture, the decay cannot be arrested.</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This is behind the debate over what our engagement should be or look like in relation to the “culture wars.” In my study, a very interesting statistic came up which was referred to as the <b><i>“40/40 divine.”</i></b> <i>“Many discuss the 4040 divide on the matter; those <b>under</b> forty tend to support same sex marriage, and not only believe it is pointless to engage, but harmful to Christian outreach. Those <b>over</b> forty believe it is a decisive issue and that failure to speak out and resist comes at great cultural peril.”</i> My concern is “is the salt losing its saltiness?”<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Albert Mohler wrote again, <i>“There is no time for silence or for shirking our responsibilities as Christian citizens. Ominous signs of moral collapse and cultural decay not appear on our contemporary horizon. A society ready to put the institution of marriage up for demolition and transformation is a society losing its most basic moral sense. A culture ready to treat human embryos as material for medical experimentation is a society turning its back on human dignity and the sacredness of human life.”</i><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><i>THE WINNING STRATEGY</i></b><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSoQHXo1XPQjjoieHGaj7TpDaAHAgU3djOzT6vL4RpzOgGaViN3nqg46eha3aifp79qCyg44QWDUfVnVBt1xbxixQUkVstBS0Gfn-FYiLt_ks_cJPknfpxf-nWL32iGKOYRYqtqhgSbyg/s1600/sermon-on-the-mount.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSoQHXo1XPQjjoieHGaj7TpDaAHAgU3djOzT6vL4RpzOgGaViN3nqg46eha3aifp79qCyg44QWDUfVnVBt1xbxixQUkVstBS0Gfn-FYiLt_ks_cJPknfpxf-nWL32iGKOYRYqtqhgSbyg/s200/sermon-on-the-mount.png" width="178" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Jesus Christ was no stranger to culture wars. On a number of occasions He was drawn (attempted) into His generation’s “culture wars”! Whether it involved <u>paying taxes</u> (Mark 12:13-17), or the touchy subject of <u>marriage and divorce</u> (Matt.19:3-8). Then there was the debate over <u>social justice</u> where He was asked, <i>“Who is my neighbor?”</i> The whole Sermon on the Mount (masterpiece) could easily be looked at as Jesus’ treatment of the culture wars, <i>“You have heard....but, I say unto you.”</i><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If we visit our text, Peter spells out for us a winning strategy for us to engage our culture for Christ. There is no time for silence or for shirking our responsibilities as Christian citizens.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"></div><ol><li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">WE MUST GIVE GOD HIS RIGHTFUL PLACE, vs.15a “sanctify the Lord God in your hearts.” The answer to maybe 90% of life’s problems can be boiled down to our hearts.</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Is Christ Lord and at home there?<br />
</span></li><br />
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">FOCUS ON REASONED WITNESS, vs.15b, “always be prepared to give answer to anyone who asks you </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">for a reason for the hope that is in you.”</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There should be an authenticity of content about why you’re living the </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">way you are.<br />
</span></li><br />
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">ALWAYS MAINTAIN A GRACIOUS ATTITUDE, vs.15c, “with gentleness and respect.”</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">He’s referring to </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">the manner that we engage people with the truth of the Gospel.<br />
</span></li><br />
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">LIVE THAT WHICH GIVES VALIDITY TO WHAT YOU SAY, vs.16, “having a good conscience....good conduct.”</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Peter says there will always be those who will speak against you, but a good testimony will win out in the end!<br />
</span></li><br />
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">REMEMBER, THIS WILL COST YOU SOMETHING, or there’s always a price for doing what’s right.</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You will never be able to remove the scandal or offense of the Cross to the carnal mind.</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></li>
</ol><br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM5IfVwwm3NV6tjE5-LmUV442neydjBAwU1gLfC5YKxrwGwTN4vvdqJ5IOSxJmwcu9ppXr72n6Qj8FsIS0T-fPya44a6SOKlTHmdWGUPwFVpSGqs2zM6elvZGrvpTxqIjGTOKXjJf45X0/s1600/fishers-of-men.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM5IfVwwm3NV6tjE5-LmUV442neydjBAwU1gLfC5YKxrwGwTN4vvdqJ5IOSxJmwcu9ppXr72n6Qj8FsIS0T-fPya44a6SOKlTHmdWGUPwFVpSGqs2zM6elvZGrvpTxqIjGTOKXjJf45X0/s320/fishers-of-men.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Today when people “lose their religion” well, you must blog about it or at least be interviewed.</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You know, a </span><i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“why I left”</i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> treatise.</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It’s one thing when people leave because of an unloving attitude, but another it it’s over a </span><i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">moral stance</i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> that the Bible commands us to take!</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The “bookends” of Jesus’ ministry was that “</span><i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">He came preaching repent for the kingdom of God is at hand”</i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> and he concluded with, </span><i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“and that repentance and forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem.”</i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">To quote James Emery White: “THIS, BELOVED, IS ONE CULTURE WAR THAT WE CANNOT AVOID.”</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Over the next six months or so, it is my desire to help us think Biblically, and bring a reasoned voice of leadership to the issues of freedom and virtue, and ultimately for God to “heal our land.”</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></div>Pastor Harold Warnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08108066191268810028noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5561664450249753810.post-65713156073690127322012-05-30T10:52:00.000-07:002012-05-30T18:33:53.879-07:00At All Costs! Serving God’s Purpose in Your Generation<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.thedoorcfc.com/"><img border="0" height="125" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLhrMCl108B9vFG9hY2igscJnj2P1qX0XM_LldSdcxipXq_ZTKdzm-mfexPOBWmEq4njJ8PmpfVhXZlY-LxwPb_ErXGxDrnmUgvTgXtYRK8pFuN6rOUwFVhBefnS4f4dkZj9mPlkNqrss/s200/246440At_All_Cost_Web.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My practice of preaching a
“theme” for the new year, and of late, incorporating this into our Conference
theme, was never intended to be a gimmick or trafficking in mere
sloganism. No, it is based on the
conviction that the Holy Spirit <b><u>is</u></b>
truly saying something to the church, at strategic times and places. I consider Conference to be one of those
times in our lives and churches. This
theme in part, then, becomes a reference and rallying-point for our faith as we
move forward in God’s will throughout the year.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9TjNmSoNW01MIhNbAxlYchwkfrZcwqNl6ABobfW-5HbnOIGzrgPbez1Wj2VvpZj8rkZtr_bF6fKgwcCSeRGiwnnEbrwWLfMmoQeVpEhEwmyIY4VkrxyA2xVLbxeDP0FEXQBhrQ4znwc0/s1600/youcef-nadarkhani.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9TjNmSoNW01MIhNbAxlYchwkfrZcwqNl6ABobfW-5HbnOIGzrgPbez1Wj2VvpZj8rkZtr_bF6fKgwcCSeRGiwnnEbrwWLfMmoQeVpEhEwmyIY4VkrxyA2xVLbxeDP0FEXQBhrQ4znwc0/s200/youcef-nadarkhani.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The inspiration <i>“At All Costs”</i> predates my personal
medical conditions last year, 2011. That
wouldn’t make it <i>inspiration</i> but it
would be <i>projection</i> of my challenges
on to everyone else. That is certainly
not my intention. Where it originated
was the testimony of <i>Youcef Nadarkhani</i>,
an Iranian pastor who was arrested and convicted in Iran, and is facing the
death penalty. What is his crime? They call
it <i>apostasy</i>, but it is in fact
believing in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, and being a faithful pastor in an
Islamic country. Right then and there I
was “quickened” with the thought, <b>at all
costs</b>. Whether you are a pastor
persecuted for your faith and faithfulness to the Gospel, or a housewife
raising a Christ-centered family, or a plumber or teacher working a job but
your main calling in life is to glorify Christ, or a student, or a lay leader
in your church: we can ALL be faithful to serve the Lord Jesus Christ. The
price tag is always the same: at all costs!
There are 3 potent truths that this is meant to present to our
minds. Think about them with me for just
a bit.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i><u>Our Costly Salvation</u></i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivrjYsHQsk0_9AehySmS1nD6Yim1DPAG6-Uu9Rz6ryLApwhTIRUpaHShGBENSobbn32ylGcH3Lsk1kbHQveNrSnAv5rwSLgPLZqg3xmerdhVhnZ4W3kmp9iI3PjZP4A5QPdL7WuvaOudk/s1600/Crucifixion_of_Christ.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="140" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivrjYsHQsk0_9AehySmS1nD6Yim1DPAG6-Uu9Rz6ryLApwhTIRUpaHShGBENSobbn32ylGcH3Lsk1kbHQveNrSnAv5rwSLgPLZqg3xmerdhVhnZ4W3kmp9iI3PjZP4A5QPdL7WuvaOudk/s200/Crucifixion_of_Christ.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This is the starting point for
everything. The foundation for our
lives, our faith, our hope, our eternity, our service to God is based on the
price paid by Jesus Christ for our salvation.
At the center of redemption is the love-motivated,
obedient-to-His-Father self-sacrifice of the Lord Jesus Christ. John tells us, <i>“In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his
only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. In this is love,
not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation
for our sins.”</i> (1John 4:9,10) This is why we never move beyond of the Cross
of Jesus Christ, for it is our measure and model, because it reveals two
awesome realities. First, it reveals for
us the <b>character of God</b>. Everything originated in the heart of God,
and I can only truly grasp His character when I look to the Cross. The second thing is it reveals the <b>way to live</b> as the redeemed and loved
children of God. John again told us, <i>“By this we know that we love the children
of God, when we love God and obey his commandments. For this is the love of
God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome.”</i>
(1John 5:2,3)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i><u>Our Costly Service</u></i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO69O02CMcvt1IAvtDK7QE1ncznngwuwXRxfJyA2nGb0mWpdU8ICOhiLQN7V2dM5A1morR4FpSoZnMrBghtiaySsfWILEHXMbAE4mreuydxsBQgob0YTOcm17xLSgly-j7-7VAJkzA5qM/s1600/serve.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO69O02CMcvt1IAvtDK7QE1ncznngwuwXRxfJyA2nGb0mWpdU8ICOhiLQN7V2dM5A1morR4FpSoZnMrBghtiaySsfWILEHXMbAE4mreuydxsBQgob0YTOcm17xLSgly-j7-7VAJkzA5qM/s200/serve.png" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I was intrigued by a question
that was posed to a pastor of a huge mega-church, that over all the years what
was the <i>hardest topic</i> he’s had tried
to get across? The hardest truth and
theme to convey to people? Without
hesitation, he replied, <i>“Becoming totally
devoted to Christ.”</i> One of the facts that church history teaches is that a
leader can do more through a handful of totally devoted believers than through
a Church full of half-hearted ones.
What’s so powerful about this is that it presents us with a a <b><i>clear
purpose</i></b> for life. The sub-title,
<i>“Serving God’s Purpose in Your
Generation”</i> gives a <u>life context</u> for every believer and follower of
Jesus Christ. The text tells us that
David chose to center his life on serving and doing the <b><i>will of God</i></b> in every
season and phase of life. This gave him
and you and I a <i>singular focus</i> for
our lives. Success in the Bible is only
measured in the context of God’s will, where we shift from being devoted from
living for my will to living for God’s will.
Grace, though wonderfully free, is by no means cheap but, true grace
inspires both committed and costly service.
We’re talking about the <i>driving
force</i> in our lives. What gets you up
in the morning and powers you through each day?
What floats your boat? For David,
for Paul, and for a host of others, it was the <b><i>cause of Christ</i></b>. Jim Collins who has written extensively on
the subject of leadership coined this phrase, <i>“Level 5 Leader.”</i> This
refers to someone who <i>“blends extreme
personal humility with intense professional will.”</i> They are very often strong leaders. Collins went on, <i>“their ambition is first and foremost for the institution, not
themselves...for the company and concern for its success rather than for one’s
own riches and personal renown.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">How should I look at my
life? The Lord’s call is certainly
beyond just comfort, east, or worldly success.
Life is a <b><i>sacrifice</i></b>, so offer it! (2Tim.4:6,7) <i>“For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of
my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race,
I have kept the faith.”</i> Life is also
a <b><i>currency</i></b>,
so spend it! (2Cor.12:15) <i>“I will most gladly spend and be spent for
your souls.”<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i><u>“Our Costly Sacrifice”</u></i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRT5ByucZ1l-yx36i9ETijHJdSAzVHaPGrtUY7C4xTbuk4u9ZyldMBrKu-tBVo4fUy0FrUdto_j2ro0jru9ghLzUoGX24oBMJOLYtyu1X7f1hT1htUbscbqVxKTEQjehkLYpTsb72D41A/s1600/thirty-pieces-of-silver.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="140" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRT5ByucZ1l-yx36i9ETijHJdSAzVHaPGrtUY7C4xTbuk4u9ZyldMBrKu-tBVo4fUy0FrUdto_j2ro0jru9ghLzUoGX24oBMJOLYtyu1X7f1hT1htUbscbqVxKTEQjehkLYpTsb72D41A/s200/thirty-pieces-of-silver.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">David grasped this in a powerful
way! When he chose to offer sacrifice to
avert the plague that had descended on the land and was killing thousands of
people, (2Sam.24:23-25) gives us the account, <i>“All this, O king, Araunah gives to the king." And Araunah said to
the king, "The Lord your God accept you." But the king said to Araunah, "No, but I
will buy it from you for a price. I will not offer burnt offerings to the Lord
my God that cost me nothing." So David bought the threshing floor and the
oxen for fifty shekels of silver. And David built there an altar to the Lord
and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings. So the Lord responded to the
plea for the land, and the plague was averted from Israel.”</i> He said he would not offer God that which did
not cost him personally. He knew that if
he accepted Araunah’s gracious offer, there would be a missing element to his
offering. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8YQVRWasHm8vEPsP70PR-9FHgImPA_HE2owri20TMi1rcALkm35RhIOsggQLruTrC4MWQgd6vAj4i2CHkSejnJMkgqej0jke-tCy0B6v24ld18XLLg-PI3Yl4zn50Po4VtauCsB5so5I/s1600/not-free-01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8YQVRWasHm8vEPsP70PR-9FHgImPA_HE2owri20TMi1rcALkm35RhIOsggQLruTrC4MWQgd6vAj4i2CHkSejnJMkgqej0jke-tCy0B6v24ld18XLLg-PI3Yl4zn50Po4VtauCsB5so5I/s200/not-free-01.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This is why, beloved, to this
day there is no such thing as <i>“no cost”</i>
discipleship or Church planting. I’m
sorry, it does not exist. Looking for
bargains may be fine when shopping or doing business, but not the things of
God.<i>
</i>There is a “cost factor” to all things. We’re not talking here about the <i>“fine print” </i>but something that Jesus
put right up front. I think we’re all
the same in many ways. Most of us don’t
look forward to reading the fine print in contracts and manuals like mobile phone
contracts, or the licensing agreement in software purchase that ask you to
click “Agree.” Jesus spelled this out in
discipleship, <i>“For which of you, desiring
to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has
enough to complete it? Otherwise, when
he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to
mock him, saying, 'This man began to build and was not able to finish.' Or what king, going out to encounter another
king in war, will not sit down first and deliberate whether he is able with ten
thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand? And if not, while the other is yet a great
way off, he sends a delegation and asks for terms of peace. So therefore, any one of you who does not
renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple.”</i> (Luke 14:28-33) The very
essence of the Christian life is to give up our lives to Christ; to say “no” to
yourself and give your life over totally to the Lord Jesus Christ. Yes, there is a cost to doing God’s will; but
there’s also a cost to compromise and not doing God’s will...you decide!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1FIlGRixQtcwMFXZDrtoPFMdypjOQzdju9IrvZvx1KGY4edfCEk7HkFcGk7HISxad6B3eM_enunA7S5mvh7kV1M-uOcJlNkSb0osV-Pdh9a8uD67B1LdWE4SaRtI0NpTqbgNOKTSlLgc/s1600/riskreward.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1FIlGRixQtcwMFXZDrtoPFMdypjOQzdju9IrvZvx1KGY4edfCEk7HkFcGk7HISxad6B3eM_enunA7S5mvh7kV1M-uOcJlNkSb0osV-Pdh9a8uD67B1LdWE4SaRtI0NpTqbgNOKTSlLgc/s200/riskreward.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As we begin our 2012 Bible
Conference, I trust that the Holy Spirit will take God’s Word and this theme,
and cause it to powerfully resonate in our lives and bring encouragement and
fresh strength to our lives, our families, our ministries, and our
careers. I don’t have adequate words to
express my gratitude for the faithful saints of God in our church in
particular, which have been faithful to “serve God’s purpose in our generation.”
Not because of coercion, but motivated by the love of God, they continue to
invest and seek to be fruitful in every season of life. In investment, there is what’s called the <i>“risk-to-reward”</i> ratio that must be
considered: how much risk are we willing to bear in order to see an abundant
return. Jesus has already made clear for
each and everyone of us how that correlates to serving Him. “<i>And Jesus answered and said, Verily I say
unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or
father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the
gospel's, but he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and
brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions;
and in the world to come eternal life.”</i>
In other words, He said you can take this to the bank: YOU WILL NEVER BE
A LOSER IF YOU LIVE YOUR LIFE FOR GOD’S PURPOSE AND GOD’S GLORY!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>Pastor Harold Warnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08108066191268810028noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5561664450249753810.post-29690942761362068422012-05-21T17:32:00.000-07:002012-05-22T00:17:42.320-07:00Tear Down This Wall!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKdNiWq2r5Nehq3_oyiNECyGLo9Mb9mL8gqz-giNyeGnKON7uZ228SmmrbE8i2jrVHGpMtm3bg8VFYEkwfNrWgcyPSmKb1Jw2wgXcPfuVAHOq3MeF9uvWMoMtRY3rPZ5ANHJl3L9LAGz0/s1600/tear-down-this-wall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKdNiWq2r5Nehq3_oyiNECyGLo9Mb9mL8gqz-giNyeGnKON7uZ228SmmrbE8i2jrVHGpMtm3bg8VFYEkwfNrWgcyPSmKb1Jw2wgXcPfuVAHOq3MeF9uvWMoMtRY3rPZ5ANHJl3L9LAGz0/s200/tear-down-this-wall.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">One of the most famous speeches
in recent times was delivered by President Ronald Reagan at the Brandenburg
Gate, prior to the demolishing of the Berlin Wall that has had existed for many
years, and symbolized the divide between freedom and communism that marked the <i>Cold War</i>. One of the most memorable lines the President
delivered was, <i>“General Secretary
Gorbachev, if you seek peace for the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe</i>...<b><i>Mr.
Gorbachev, open this gate! Mr. Gorbachev,
TEAR DOWN THIS WALL!”</i></b> He firmly
believed that <b>freedom</b> would pave the
way to prosperity, and result in the burying of what he called <i>“ancient hatreds”</i>, as well as clearly
marking the path forward.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><i>Take
A Visit With Me To The Wall</i></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I want to take you to another
wall, if that’s alright. I’m not talking
<u>architectural</u> such as the <i>Great
Wall of China</i>; not <u>geographic/political</u> as the Berlin wall. This is not <u>historical</u> or memorable
such as the <i>Vietnam War Memorial </i>dubbed
simply <i>“The Wall.”</i> I don’t have in mind the <u>religious</u> or
symbolic such as <i>the Western or the
Wailing Wall</i> in East Jerusalem that carries with it profound implications
of identity and title deed to the Jewish people. No, what I have in mind is much, much closer
to home. In fact, it resides in the
human heart and is referred to as <b><i>“the dividing wall of hostility.”</i></b> Please read and consider (Eph.2:11-18) ESV
which so richly declares:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>“Therefore remember that at one time you
Gentiles in the flesh, called "the uncircumcision" by what is called
the circumcision, which is made in the flesh by hands— remember that you were
at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel
and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in
the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought
near by the blood of Christ. For he himself is our peace, who has made us both
one <b>and has broken down in his flesh the
dividing wall of hostility,</b> by abolishing the law of commandments and
ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so
making peace, and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross,
thereby killing the hostility. And he came and preached peace to you who were
far off and peace to those who were near. For through him we both have access
in one Spirit to the Father.”</i></span></blockquote>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbUe0CSthO-s75oN7x13KyUFilSUOTXKeiLEglu4z_FEroPh_uYrgYXX39kAhlGLEjk6ip5lDuKVHafzJcrNreLEsUCuU-rDMJroI9likhhEJOf4JQ1z1nqBPQkoyDOzqs2ZpQUdNjjo4/s1600/martin-and-zimmerman.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="124" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbUe0CSthO-s75oN7x13KyUFilSUOTXKeiLEglu4z_FEroPh_uYrgYXX39kAhlGLEjk6ip5lDuKVHafzJcrNreLEsUCuU-rDMJroI9likhhEJOf4JQ1z1nqBPQkoyDOzqs2ZpQUdNjjo4/s200/martin-and-zimmerman.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Recently, much of the nation was
stunned and captured by the tragic events surrounding the slaying of a 17-year
old teenager <i>Trayvon Martin</i>, by a
local neighborhood watch captain in Sanford, FL, <i>George Zimmerman</i>. There are
certainly a lot of unanswered questions, but almost immediately this even was
jumped on and politicized by numbers of people. There were very few sober,
restrained voices warning of the dangers of any case being tried in the <i>media</i> without all the facts investigated
and corroborated. In the end, what we
are left with is a sad, sad legacy that will forever scar this teenager’s
parents, and all the others close to the case and individuals. What it has served to accomplish is to bring
the issue of <b>“race”</b> or racial
divisions to the forefront of the cultural conversation. I don’t have statistical evidence of this,
but it seems that the <i>“race card”</i> is
being played and exploited by a lot of people more & more frequently, and
is not helping. So, instead of people
being brought together and old wounds being healed, the racial divide seems
more pronounced than ever. This was not
supposed to happen! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6k1A285yLuVA79dKcDhCAjpgTwo_47RqT9vkpr3YfPeoeX_6vydHP5S7FI6Y_m6bLbYCImre_wXeF9fxFux_9np_9JPy_9fL0NrByaL6mBi5X4knpUYlRqGkTRR6YC71-tE09zhtSPnA/s1600/bible-light-shining-on.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6k1A285yLuVA79dKcDhCAjpgTwo_47RqT9vkpr3YfPeoeX_6vydHP5S7FI6Y_m6bLbYCImre_wXeF9fxFux_9np_9JPy_9fL0NrByaL6mBi5X4knpUYlRqGkTRR6YC71-tE09zhtSPnA/s200/bible-light-shining-on.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It is right here that the <b>true Gospel of Jesus Christ shines!</b> The Gospel paints the glorious picture of
humanity reconciled to God, and thru Jesus Christ, to each other. Ephesians 2/3 present us with the Biblical
and theological foundation of this reality. According to God’s word the life
lesson about the problem is two-fold. <u>First</u>,
the one word that sums up the human condition and so much of human history is
the word...<b>alienation</b>. As a very young Christian, the earliest
explanation given to me about sin was the fact of <i>separation</i>: <b>sin separates
people first from God, and then from one another</b>. The <u>second</u> lesson that follows is that
the roots and origins of <b><i>racism</i></b> are not political, social, or
economic (although these certainly contribute to the problem); no, they are <i>spiritual</i>. You don’t have to look any further than the <u>human
heart</u> to what gives this its death-dealing power!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqhxgvqZeV4UqFSgsOoWO7x6NwqV6qsd5YwoSs-ZLEGOTXqs6R3uA5UlJeywHr2M5zJd-d2hIdfm2ESKP3iNJXum4OGydMXAkJO8Y-ReRURjrhlUfO5OUg52yqPg7_uy1V5S92EHbEjVo/s1600/devil-head.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqhxgvqZeV4UqFSgsOoWO7x6NwqV6qsd5YwoSs-ZLEGOTXqs6R3uA5UlJeywHr2M5zJd-d2hIdfm2ESKP3iNJXum4OGydMXAkJO8Y-ReRURjrhlUfO5OUg52yqPg7_uy1V5S92EHbEjVo/s200/devil-head.gif" width="119" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It’s also true that you don’t
have to go very far or look very hard to find examples and illustrations of
this alienation, this <i>“dividing wall of
hostility.” </i>You have the <b>tribalism</b> in Africa that often carries
genocidal tendencies like what happened in Rwanda between the Hutus and Tutsis,
which much of the world turned a blind eye to.
In the <b>Asian</b> community, the
Koreans don’t like the Japanese, and vice versa; plus they both dislike the
Chinese. I live in Arizona where the
label ‘racist’ is attached to any attempt to address the problem of illegal
immigration. Among some <b>Latino</b> people they get very offended
and say, <i>“Don’t call me Mexican; I’m
Spanish.”</i> Amongst the <b>Native Americans</b> you find the neighbor
on neighbor conflict between the Navajos and Hopis that has been going on for
generations; also including their neighbors to the north, the Utes. Then there’s the <b>Islanders</b>. In the
Micronesia, the Chamorros hate the Chuukese.
Not to be outdone, in the <b>Polynesians</b>,
the Samoans and the Tongans are not wild about each other. My chaplain friend, Bob Mecado, confirmed
that the prison system is one of the most segregated places on earth where
you’re forced to make a choice about <i>“what
car you’re going to ride in.” </i>Will it be white, or Mexican, or Black? It’s hard to fight a war and bring stability
in <b>Afghanistan</b> to a people where
tribes or clans have been fighting one another for generations. Dear ones, this is just a small sampling of
the world we live in, with all its <b>walls</b>. I haven’t even got into the travesty of
apartheid in <b>South Africa</b>, and the
wall between whites, blacks, and colored.
Or <b>Sierra Leone</b>, where you
have the Mende and the Temne, with the Creole feeling superior to all the
indigenous people. We can look around
and find the ancient political tactic of DIVIDE & RULE is being propagated,
and originated with and learned from the <i>“father”
</i>of it all, which is the <i>devil</i>!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Where I get some hope is from
our Scripture. As real as these and all
the other social distinctions are: they can’t hold a candle to, and are not
nearly as intense or unrelenting as the “dividing wall of hostility” between <b>Jew</b> and <b>Gentile</b> in Bible times. The
Jews believed that Gentiles were only good for and were created to fuel the
fires of Hell. It was not lawful for a
Jew to give aid to a Gentile woman giving birth, since you’d be helping to
bring another heathen into the world.
The collision of Jewish/Gentile exclusiveness was monumental. The Gentiles were <i>dogs</i> in Jewish parlance; and the Jews were <i>homicidal enemies</i> of the human race in Gentile terms. Among the Gentiles as well it was written, <i>“The Greeks wage a truceless war against
people of other races</i> (whom they consider to be <i>barbarians</i>). My reason for
wanting to visit this wall with you is that if we’re going to experience
revival and kingdom fruitfulness then...this <b>“spirit”</b> must be broken.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><i>The
Miracle Of The Church</i></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZAj6L4AiLz-8F6sMVapK5CnyjA2mMV0nBTntcA_Nl5Z01595PGdhFrMxDbAhbmYAdZvjRkHQHN3NrY7VyN-9ABXdxx4j1ASlEiES5SukixmeD25uB052bgvKStZPkNAqcQR2QUU4zzm8/s1600/Worshiping-God.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="135" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZAj6L4AiLz-8F6sMVapK5CnyjA2mMV0nBTntcA_Nl5Z01595PGdhFrMxDbAhbmYAdZvjRkHQHN3NrY7VyN-9ABXdxx4j1ASlEiES5SukixmeD25uB052bgvKStZPkNAqcQR2QUU4zzm8/s200/Worshiping-God.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Oh yes, God has something in
mind! Something much bigger, much
deeper, much broader than any human solution!
God’s answer to all this was to <b>create
a whole new race</b>! “<i>For he himself is our peace, who has made us
both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility....<b>that he might create in himself one new man</b>
in place of the two, so making peace, and might reconcile us both to God in one
body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility.” </i>Only God could think of something so
radical!<i>
</i>He’s going to take from the mess around that wall and “create”
something brand new: a whole new humanity; not Jews, not Gentiles, but the <i>church of God.</i> Clement of Alexandria commented on this, <i>“We who worship God in a new way, as the <b>3<sup>rd</sup> race</b>, are Christians.”</i> Paul goes on to spell out the Church’s
charter in vs.18, 19, <i>“For through him we
<b>both</b> have access in one Spirit to
the Father. So then you are no longer
strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members
of the household of God.”</i> The death
of Jesus Christ has created a new humanity (a 3<sup>rd</sup> race) reconciled
first to God, then through Christ to each other.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsw_pZfHAvh48F4FXNDV42IV7wM8m_bVKQXLGSk48qeEzky5lNq3SG8ieMUbuuECrTJTstXdrKlnX3Vzg1SOVYZEuPd290whdLz5dEAp6l9KqGAX98HuW_k6wlmU_817R356ewlk9C3wI/s1600/Crucifixion_of_Christ.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="140" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsw_pZfHAvh48F4FXNDV42IV7wM8m_bVKQXLGSk48qeEzky5lNq3SG8ieMUbuuECrTJTstXdrKlnX3Vzg1SOVYZEuPd290whdLz5dEAp6l9KqGAX98HuW_k6wlmU_817R356ewlk9C3wI/s200/Crucifixion_of_Christ.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Never mind the propaganda. The Cross of Christ is the <b>greatest unifying force</b> in the world, <i>“might reconcile us both to God in one body <u>through
the Cross</u>, thereby killing the hostility.”</i> The meaning here is not that we feel a little
bit closer to “our kind” but those who were formerly hostile, divided and
hating each other, now experience a profound bond of love and unity. It also helps to define our task, where Jesus
said, <i>“Go make disciples of all <b>nations</b>.”</i> The word <i>“ethnos”</i>
refers to various ethnic groups. This means in the church there are no 2<sup>nd</sup>
class citizens, but <b>dignity</b> or full
acceptance for all, and <b>expression</b>,
enabling people to fulfill the destiny of God, is open to all. It reminded me of the “snapshot” we’re given
of the church at Antioch. <i>“Now there were
in the church at Antioch prophets and teachers, Barnabas, Simeon who was called
Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen a member of the court of Herod the tetrarch,
and Saul. While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit
said, "Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have
called them." Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them
and sent them off.”</i> (Acts 13:1-3) This church on fire for Christ had an
amazingly diverse or heterogeneous staff.
<i>Barnabas</i>, a native of Cyprus; <i>Simeon</i> or Niger (Latin for “black”); <i>Lucius</i> of Cyrene (region of North
Africa); <i>Manaen</i> who was raised in
Herod’s household with privilege; and a young Rabbi named Saul or the Apostle
Paul.<i>
</i>This is a kind of microcosm of what the church would and should
become in the world, a racially integrated group of Christ-followers and
missions-minded people. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I guess the question that begs
to be asked here is what about single-ethnic churches? I understand there are some exceptions due to
various circumstances factors, historical, linguistic, and geographical. The idea is that people come to faith easier
when there are people of the same ethnic and socio-economic background. That might have some truth to it, but how
does it differ from a religious-flavored being <i>comfortable with our kind</i>?
The real model should be local churches that reflect the ethnic
diversity of heaven and God’s glory. The song of redemption that says, <i>“And they sang a new song, saying, ‘Worthy
are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by
your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people
and nation, and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they
shall reign on the earth.”</i> (Rev.5:9, 10)<i> </i>A church where Jesus Christ reigns will
be a <i>“pocket of reconciliation and shalom
in an alienated world.”</i> Dr. Martin
Luther King is noted for saying that the most segregated hour in America is
Sunday morning at 11:00am which is when whites go to their church, and Blacks
go to theirs. I’m not denying that this happens;
I’m saying that this is <u>not</u> manifesting the life of Jesus Christ or His
Kingdom. A people whose prayer and heart
desire is <i>“thy kingdom come, thy will be
done, <b>on earth as it is in heaven</b>.”</i> The building of God’s kingdom necessitates
the ministry of racial reconciliation (<i>“tear
down this wall!”</i>), which results in a multitude of diverse people
worshiping, serving together, loving, and seeking first the Kingdom of
God. The witness that the Kingdom of God
is <i>“righteousness, peace and joy in the
Holy Spirit.”</i> (Rom.14:17)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><i>Ministering
The Mystery</i></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_TQaSw8RDad3cLxMUa5Ex2qMAsiEsJb3LQLmv_C1rCRT9s3u2bhbAHXpiqET960OzsazIaGpuRHE-C2EPEPsw3OxnEo2BtSrUTssoQcFUeS5-qsCjfTN5lqTbJ6JYajsYUXNJfJoaruw/s1600/holy-bible.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_TQaSw8RDad3cLxMUa5Ex2qMAsiEsJb3LQLmv_C1rCRT9s3u2bhbAHXpiqET960OzsazIaGpuRHE-C2EPEPsw3OxnEo2BtSrUTssoQcFUeS5-qsCjfTN5lqTbJ6JYajsYUXNJfJoaruw/s200/holy-bible.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The word “mystery” in the Bible
is not talking about a crime thriller or an Agatha Christie novel. The word indicates something beyond natural
knowledge; something that has been previously hidden, but is now manifest. It refers to <b>an open secret</b>! Paul is
over-the-top thrilled that he would have an opportunity to preach among the
Gentiles <i>“the unsearchable riches of
Christ” </i>and to bring to light this mystery. “<i>This mystery is that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same
body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.”</i> (Eph.3:6) The mystery involves a <b><i>“miraculous
togetherness”</i></b> that is the fruit of Christ’s reconciling work on the
Cross.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Our calling as Christians and as
a church is to manifest this mystery: <i>“so
that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to
the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places.”</i> We are called to give truth and validity to
the <i>“many-colored wisdom of God”</i> in
the fellowship of the Church! This will
come at a cost since the flesh (fallen human nature), the world (with its many
power-centered agendas), and the devil is constantly trying to re-erect what
Christ came to tear down. A Church that
is “manifesting the mystery” is a work of God, not something we can concoct on
our own. It happens when the central
impetus of ministry is preaching the Gospel and making disciples. It also is the fruit of the <i>pastor’s heart</i>. He must be seized by the Biblical conviction
and cast the vision that God wants the local church to reflect the “manifold
wisdom of God,” or a multi-ethnic <i>ethos</i>. It is also the fruit of a spiritual principle
found in (1Jn.1:1-3) that the closer we are to God, the closer we become to
each other.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIKsQhJdyYHhDxc9G7L8jjYdH6QeE73z0zKPg3Kr6W56siY4f1_cf4SwvaFivWFG11BBUhPmF6E-ljq4Wwsuyr1Hc4OmV24geGdEsGVD419Z5YBPrx9GN9ThbLVckqKr6vR3KTsljmb2U/s1600/angels-visit-the-shepherds.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIKsQhJdyYHhDxc9G7L8jjYdH6QeE73z0zKPg3Kr6W56siY4f1_cf4SwvaFivWFG11BBUhPmF6E-ljq4Wwsuyr1Hc4OmV24geGdEsGVD419Z5YBPrx9GN9ThbLVckqKr6vR3KTsljmb2U/s200/angels-visit-the-shepherds.jpg" width="162" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I must point out that there is a
<b>cosmic drama</b> to all this since not
only is there a witness to our broken world, but there is a <i>heavenly audience</i> to all of this. The
text says that this <i>“might be made known
to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places.”</i> I’m not sure if I
fully grasp the entire meaning of this, but there’s something about a local
church that is first, committed to the process of tearing down the wall, and
second, committed to manifesting God’s <i>“many
colored wisdom and plan”</i> that draw the attention of the angels! They long and love to peer into the nature
and purpose of God being played out. Not
only is the world watching, but angels are watching as well! Wow!
That’s why the place where you’ll find a demonstration of this is not
the U.N. but the C.I.C. (<b><i>C</i></b><i>hurch
<b>I</b>n <b>C</b>hrist)</i>!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3WpX5186Ec_SDEQ3aOtLsF4i3_KiktNVGqcs-2aBCwmxmxZQcWJkI2gmHjlIArqEeBnieQL3-svTn71Az5DsbmDXo9zDEF_faSRHV6OWBtQ34wAE9FMIjxwwFnAC_feE6UzF1rdBicpo/s1600/navajo-code-talker-warriors.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="165" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3WpX5186Ec_SDEQ3aOtLsF4i3_KiktNVGqcs-2aBCwmxmxZQcWJkI2gmHjlIArqEeBnieQL3-svTn71Az5DsbmDXo9zDEF_faSRHV6OWBtQ34wAE9FMIjxwwFnAC_feE6UzF1rdBicpo/s200/navajo-code-talker-warriors.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I was talking to Pastor Artie
Aragon in Chinle, AZ about some of this.
He had conducted a funeral service for one of the original <b>Navajo Code Talkers.</b> What an amazing
story and confirmation and conclusion to what we’re looking at. During the war in the South Pacific, from
Guadalcanal to Okinawa, the <i>Navajo Code
Talkers</i> became one of the Marine Corps most valuable secret weapons. The
pilot project began with 29 Navajo volunteers in April of 1942, and grew to a
force of more than 400 by the end of the war.
They were an integral part of the South Pacific strategy, and only God
knows how many 1000's of American lives were saved because of the unique
contribution of these “code talkers.”
The Navajo people were used for victory and freedom for the whole of the
United States. To me, one of the amazing
features is what they had to overcome.
They fought for a country that had caused them great pain and
struggle. How easy it would’ve been for
them to be trapped in the past, and become prisoners of bitterness. They fought for a country that had broken 197
treaties. They were willing to submit to
the training of a different culture and race, some of them under General George
Patton. They chose to be United States
Marines <b>first</b>, embracing a new
culture of character, discipline and excellence. Because they “manifested the mystery” they
have been memorialized forever, and rightly so, in a way that brought them
great dignity, and a cause much greater than themselves. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It’s easy to take the posture or
attitude of <i>“being more comfortable with
people like us...people of our kind.”</i>
But, if we are going to think and live Biblically, then we are <b>Christian’s first</b>, and then whatever
else: white, black, Mexican, Asian, native-American, rich or poor, educated or
uneducated etc. Why? Because WE ALL HAVE
THE SAME FATHER, THE SAME CITIZENSHIP, THE SAME FAMILY, THE SAME GRACE AND
SALVATION, THE SAME PROMISES, AND THE SAME HEAVENLY HOME by aligning ourselves
with God and His truth and His people, we too, become part of something much
greater than ourselves in a world hopelessly alienated. That, my friend, is worth contending for;
don’t you agree?! TO GOD BE THE GLORY!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></i></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Note: Pastor Warner is a white guy from New
England, married to a Mexican girl from the barrio, going on 40 years. He is also glad and privileged to serve in
the same church made up of numerous ethnicities, with a burning desire to
“manifest this mystery” as a living illustration. They seek to do this in the context of a
passion to reach the world with the saving Gospel of Jesus Christ, which at
this time includes people from 5 different continents, and 26 different
countries.</span></i></blockquote>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.thedoorcfc.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE-PMgVtd8eSr9m5Mtm3lVXyeuKF0BhFt18RcXWKxLLJXa3IvrEOnDYGynL6RGcrwqDgntyER5lu4G37RGDFS02l9kUrfYswyRo1Y9iVJVl71JnMCL-szQmJZ3tBMdnYCvVJiwGOhKqwc/s1600/sundayworshipcelebration2012.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<o:p></o:p></div>Pastor Harold Warnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08108066191268810028noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5561664450249753810.post-74902498629730404912012-05-14T13:19:00.000-07:002012-05-14T21:27:19.003-07:00Home Field Advantage<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifjlorfWVq8nWUUu-b_MYJyAJo-DgVmpgQf9dj07Zxdl2TZxFs0WbzNAqe61354QaDnap5w9mmop64l8Inxn0-9WEPodLHjxwzMPfcm4D4JMBrER7ymqSjr-BKv9rRmvAobu6-7N5CA4M/s1600/NY-HFA.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifjlorfWVq8nWUUu-b_MYJyAJo-DgVmpgQf9dj07Zxdl2TZxFs0WbzNAqe61354QaDnap5w9mmop64l8Inxn0-9WEPodLHjxwzMPfcm4D4JMBrER7ymqSjr-BKv9rRmvAobu6-7N5CA4M/s320/NY-HFA.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sports fans around the world can
usually rely on one fact: the <i>home team</i>
wins more often than the <i>visiting team</i>,
hence, we talk about having a <b><i>“home field advantage.”</i></b> Sports Illustrated stated, <i>“Home field advantage is no myth. Indisputably, it exists...across all sports
and at all levels, from Japanese baseball to Brazilian soccer to the NFL, the
team hosting the game wins more often than not.”</i> Well, I have a suggestion: for the Christian,
our “home field” refers to the particular <i>local
church</i> where God has called and placed us.
Yes, I understand fully the theology that we don’t just <i>go</i> to church, but we <i>are</i> the church. But, after nearly 40 years of pastoring what
I’ve observed over and over is that IF WE DON’T <i>GO</i> TO CHURCH, THEN WE CAN’T <i>BE</i>
THE CHURCH.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>“And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good
works, 25 not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner
of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day
approaching.”</i> (Heb.10:24,25)</span></blockquote>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><i>Jesus’s
Mission Statement</i></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXc0EwXfN7rFi1eR0Lk52xCew16hb22pgqrhrcgmNuPOvBwizsBInR2O5VSDrrC7OFGlWNzfF2fRUkYakWUpjM1NItQEU48xr-RAWchvUeKxX05qU1IGwwgzpUSuKhcprNa3b50wAUIQA/s1600/christianity-in-crisis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXc0EwXfN7rFi1eR0Lk52xCew16hb22pgqrhrcgmNuPOvBwizsBInR2O5VSDrrC7OFGlWNzfF2fRUkYakWUpjM1NItQEU48xr-RAWchvUeKxX05qU1IGwwgzpUSuKhcprNa3b50wAUIQA/s200/christianity-in-crisis.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In a pivotal encounter in the
Gospel, Jesus said to Peter (Mt.16:18) <i>“And
I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I WILL BUILD MY CHURCH, and the
gates of hell shall not prevail against it.”
</i>What more do you need? Jesus is telling every generation what his
building project is! It seems to me that
the church has been battered a lot lately.
Andrew Sullivan wrote an article recently in <i>Newsweek</i> magazine, <i>“Christianity
In Crisis.”</i> It was your typical Holy
Week “hit piece” by a supposed Christian author and political commentator. In the article he makes the case, <i>“Christianity has been destroyed by
politics, priests, and get-rich evangelists”</i> and that Christians should
walk away from the church altogether and follow the teachings of Jesus
individually.<i> </i> Oh, boy, another person who has a better idea
than Jesus! Sure, it’s easy to chronicle
all the problems around us, but what are you doing personally to make things
better? I’d suggest that we walk away
from Mr. Sullivan, since his diagnosis betrays an abysmal lack of understanding
of New Testament truth and ecclesiology<i>. </i>Churches are flawed, just like people,
but it is God’s will that you and I be part of a local expression of the Body
of Christ. Phillip Jensen said, <i>“The distinctively Christian gathering or
assembly, that historically has come to be called ‘church’, is made up of those
whom God has saved and redeemed in Christ, and who now in repentance and trust
gather around him to listen to his word, so that they may persevere and grow in
holiness and righteousness.”</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><i>Watch
Your Manners!</i></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOukwra4qYCQ20tTeXVWPcDvxMtntwbz39E6GHULQHv49t8_mOere4yfA0ZI8pURPW_yYIWfRzx9q5HzJRvr7FcK65nUMEVH2Ezl9oowqXeIjwDFIl5l8CyiHqIUo44_fmJnHcS-jVtlw/s1600/church8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="149" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOukwra4qYCQ20tTeXVWPcDvxMtntwbz39E6GHULQHv49t8_mOere4yfA0ZI8pURPW_yYIWfRzx9q5HzJRvr7FcK65nUMEVH2Ezl9oowqXeIjwDFIl5l8CyiHqIUo44_fmJnHcS-jVtlw/s200/church8.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Paul warned <i>“not forsaking (neglecting) the assembling of ourselves together, as is
<b>the manner of some</b>.” </i>We’re not dealing with anything new, but
it is definitely a spiritual issue. One
author recently stated that there is an <b><i>epidemic</i></b> of American Christians of
floating, leaving, or switching churches, that carries with it the mindset of a
<i>consumer</i>, or at least an independent
spirit. The simple truth that Paul
emphasizes here is that faith in Jesus Christ will ultimately lead to
functioning in a local church. Hence, he
writes, <i>“let us draw near”</i>...<i>“let us hold fast”</i>...<i>“let us consider how to stir up one
another.”</i> One of our pastors told
me about two women in his church, both in their mid-30's. They recently went to work at a Christian
bookstore in town, exposing them to a large swatch of the religious community
in their city. One pastor was talking to
them, and asking them where they went to church. They told him that they had been going to <i>The Door</i> for the last 18 years. He was very surprised to see people committed
to the same church for that long period of time, especially coming from that
age demographic. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><i>Necessary
Steadfastness</i></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVsZFav9jS1e_lqxTP9YhI2Ia2VD8hDrPZFV_W7A2_hPVcWhM3VrF_dgXOLKFZtZNTpqi-CAIWURQ42d6itt1DscF16hHcDynkTLHl9tIZj9f_py2xQeOFwAEnxpnlCg4Mf5mOcSoDEDk/s1600/why-we-never-take-baths2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="147" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVsZFav9jS1e_lqxTP9YhI2Ia2VD8hDrPZFV_W7A2_hPVcWhM3VrF_dgXOLKFZtZNTpqi-CAIWURQ42d6itt1DscF16hHcDynkTLHl9tIZj9f_py2xQeOFwAEnxpnlCg4Mf5mOcSoDEDk/s200/why-we-never-take-baths2.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I love the testimony of the
Colossian church in (Col.2:5) where Paul told them, <i>“For though I am absent in the flesh, yet I am with you in spirit,
rejoicing to see your good order and the steadfastness of your faith in
Christ.”</i> They displayed the discipline of staying put in God’s place for
your life. It is very doubtful that
without steadfastness to God, our spouse, our church, our work, our vision,
that we can enjoy the fullness of human life and God’s blessing. There are those who would argue, <i>“I don’t have to go to church to be saved.”</i> Exactly....just like you don’t need to bathe
to keep on living, but, trust me, it will affect you and others! There was a brochure entitled <i>“Why I Never Take A Bath”</i> where someone
had listed reasons for avoiding bathtubs and showers. It included things like:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<ol start="1" style="margin-top: 0in;" type="1">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I was forced to bathe as a child.<o:p></o:p></span></i></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">People who bathe are hypocrites; they
think they’re cleaner than others.<o:p></o:p></span></i></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There are so many different kinds of
soap, I can’t decide which is best.<o:p></o:p></span></i></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It’s boring.<o:p></o:p></span></i></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I wash only on special occasions, like
Christmas and Easter.<o:p></o:p></span></i></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The soap makers are only after your
money.<o:p></o:p></span></i></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The last time I bathed, someone was
rude to me.<o:p></o:p></span></i></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I’m too dirty to get clean; I’d clog up
the drain.<o:p></o:p></span></i></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I can watch other people bathing on
television.<o:p></o:p></span></i></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I’ll bathe only when I find a bathroom
exactly right for me.<o:p></o:p></span></i></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I can bathe at the golf course.<o:p></o:p></span></i></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The bathroom is never the right
temperature, and I don’t like the sound of the plumbing.<o:p></o:p></span></i></li>
</ol>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I think you can see my
point.</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The Lord Jesus established His
church to carry on His work until He comes again.</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It’s not perfect, but it has changed the
world!</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This is the lost </span><u style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">blessing of
constancy</u><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">.</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It is what David promised
when he said, </span><i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“<b>Planted</b> in the house of the Lord, they will flourish in the courts
of our God. They will still bear fruit
in old age, they will stay fresh and green.”</i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> (Ps.92:13,14)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><i>Enduring
Satisfaction</i></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo844ncsGcCR5Tc5S_PodeRbP2-CGxMisWqkw-dFoMuxImNTL_DUv6fgDS6taZLBistz06zyDYoVpYyz237-BWOrqgiRJruS9-tDvBBMZebZ58JA4Qm-CeOpZ8zRTEOmsTAeOCLB18K78/s1600/punctuality.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo844ncsGcCR5Tc5S_PodeRbP2-CGxMisWqkw-dFoMuxImNTL_DUv6fgDS6taZLBistz06zyDYoVpYyz237-BWOrqgiRJruS9-tDvBBMZebZ58JA4Qm-CeOpZ8zRTEOmsTAeOCLB18K78/s200/punctuality.jpg" width="160" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">OK, I’ll admit it that it
touched a nerve in me! Church leaders in
England were discussing how they could stop the steady decline in their
churches, and the best they could come up with was <i>shorter services</i>. After all
they said, church services already have to compete with shopping, lying in bed,
or taking the day off. So, the idea of
giving God any meaningful time is not very appealing in today’s society. They were <i>Anglicans</i>,
and their conclusion to reach people was shorter services, no longer than 50
minutes in their entirety. The <i>Vatican</i> took it even a step
further. They told their priests to keep
their sermons under 8 minutes, because, on top of everything else, people’s
attention spans are not what they used to be.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My advice, for what it’s worth,
is not for shorter services (or longer), but...<b><i>better services</i></b>! More
Jesus-centered, more faith-filled, more Word-saturated, more praise-uplifting
services! We need to echo David’s
sentiments about the house of God. (Ps.26:8) <i>“I love your sanctuary, Lord, the place where your glorious presence
dwells.” </i>(Ps.36:8) <i>“They feast on the
abundance of your house; you give them drink from your river of delights.” </i>Then
there’s (Ps.65:4) <i>“Blessed is the one you
choose and bring near, to dwell in your courts! We shall be satisfied with the
goodness of your house, the holiness of your temple!<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><i>Ministry
Motivation & Methods</i></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXOr_aENA9kJoyr4R_x19eNWPsz8hl2_GMn5F9hAMecR9dQnmKuloK26nWZwcmn2X3QlEKjQQhj5fSFIrcCWMZeHI2dxPgnPNv_wQDDJz2S5a5dyDnESe647dp9-AhCpRjimurj45lzhE/s1600/Cartoon+Leaving+Going+To+Church.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="164" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXOr_aENA9kJoyr4R_x19eNWPsz8hl2_GMn5F9hAMecR9dQnmKuloK26nWZwcmn2X3QlEKjQQhj5fSFIrcCWMZeHI2dxPgnPNv_wQDDJz2S5a5dyDnESe647dp9-AhCpRjimurj45lzhE/s200/Cartoon+Leaving+Going+To+Church.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Here’s the exciting challenge
before us, vs.24, <i>“Let us think of ways
to motivate one another to acts of love and good works.” </i>(NLT) Let’s give
some thought and consider how we can spur one another to grow in love and good
works. This makes plenty of room for
creativity, but there are two simple ways here for every Christian to be
involved in meaningful ministry. First,
is the <b><i>ministry of showing up</i></b>!
Yes, as simple as that, if you make assembling together a priority, it
becomes a real blessing to others. Over
the years I’ve learned that for people just to make it to church sometimes is a
huge accomplishment. The second
opportunity is the <b><i>ministry of encouragement</i></b>, vs.25b, <i>“but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day
drawing near.”</i> This introduces the <i>edification factor</i> to our coming
together. (1Cor.14:26) <i>“How is it then, brethren? Whenever you come together...<b>let all things be done for edification</b>.”</i> The word means <i>“to build up”</i> but we can simplify that we’re talking about <b><i>friendliness</i></b>. I was reading an interesting study from the
White House Office of Consumer Affairs (I’m sure you all have a
subscription). It found that 96% of
unhappy customers never complain about rude or unfriendly treatment, but 90% of
those unhappy persons will not return to that place. Furthermore, each one of those unhappy
persons will tell 9 other people about the lack of friendliness and
courteousness, and 13% will tell more than 20 other people! A later study discovered that the number one
reason why individuals do not return to a particular establishment is an
indifferent, unfriendly employee attitude.
Work on your attitude and the church will be blessed; because one
unfriendly saint can do a whole lot of damage.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A Churchgoer wrote a letter to
the editor of the newspaper and complained that it made no sense to go to
church every Sunday. <i>“I’ve gone for 30 years now,” </i>he wrote, <i>“and in that time I have heard something
like 3,000 sermons. But for the life of
me, I can’t remember a single one of them.
So, I think I’m wasting my time and the pastors are wasting theirs by
giving sermons at all.”</i> This started
a controversy in the “Letters to the Editor” column, which went on for weeks
until someone wrote this clincher: <i><o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“I’ve been married for 30 years now. In that time my wife has cooked some 32,000
meals. But for the life of men, I cannot recall the entire menu for a
single one of those meals. But I do know
this: they all nourished me and gave
me the strength I needed to do my work.
If my wife had not given me these meals, I would be physically dead today. Likewise, if I had not gone to church for
nourishment, I would be spiritually dead
today!”</span></i></blockquote>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><i>Where’s
Waldo?</i></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDTA57K0tk9co5fHV6BuKw9IlqnYJDAIHalAAObhZy2sviGP5tpUyr0F1ba_08mTFfEq0quWVutSGUXBXvkEooZ6w1MRSqUjz9Yp8-p_2U8-8rX_KRhEIHopy5IhSMPGVhNs8rexx214U/s1600/waldo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDTA57K0tk9co5fHV6BuKw9IlqnYJDAIHalAAObhZy2sviGP5tpUyr0F1ba_08mTFfEq0quWVutSGUXBXvkEooZ6w1MRSqUjz9Yp8-p_2U8-8rX_KRhEIHopy5IhSMPGVhNs8rexx214U/s200/waldo.jpg" width="170" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Our webmaster forwarded me an
email from a young man who attended our church in the 1970's. Listen to what he said: <i>“Pastor, you may not remember me.
My name is Walter Nichols. It
used to be Whitehead, and you always called me Waldo. I remember the church doing outdoor concerts
in the park. Just to let you know, I am
married to a wonderful woman, and have four wonderful boys.....<b>There is not a day that goes by that I have
not thought about you or the church that I used to go to. </b> Just thought I would say hello, and may God
richly bless you. Walter (Waldo).”</i>
That really floored me. The grace
of God through the ministry of the Gospel and the Church had made a divine
deposit in his life. It also convicted
me to think back 30+ years and wonder, <i>“Lord,
I hope I was a good testimony and friendly towards Waldo!”</i> I think we should realize that there are a
lot of “Waldos” in every city and place, and the Church is God’s vehicle to
touching their lives.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When we honor God and one
another by coming together faithfully on our home court, it aligns the <i>internal gyroscopes</i> of our soul with
God. One of the brethren who heard this
message put it the best, when he told me that our <i>“home field advantage”</i> means that the church is <b><i>home</i></b>
for all of us! I couldn’t say it any better!</span><o:p></o:p></div>Pastor Harold Warnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08108066191268810028noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5561664450249753810.post-12693229080876570292012-04-06T19:32:00.000-07:002012-04-07T11:07:05.284-07:00A Reasonable Faith<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV3vDqdYRz5QN8wyNVRWu0NQFzpVJ6ij_t0OPucaEvabxLU7aHACpu6SKYBU8Pfy1mSaEQvzt7E3hHJLH6nHg4dctws1Zx3TC2_eWOIgNHWS4KEhmR84v2BE1Be6ug-2kxZxsRz6pAilo/s1600/the-reason-rally.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV3vDqdYRz5QN8wyNVRWu0NQFzpVJ6ij_t0OPucaEvabxLU7aHACpu6SKYBU8Pfy1mSaEQvzt7E3hHJLH6nHg4dctws1Zx3TC2_eWOIgNHWS4KEhmR84v2BE1Be6ug-2kxZxsRz6pAilo/s200/the-reason-rally.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The event caught my attention on
a number of different levels.</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It was
billed as a </span><b style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>“Reason Rally,”</i></b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> and it was held in Washington D.C.’s National
Mall on March 24, 2012, ostensibly to promote and bring recognition to </span><i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">non-religion</i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> and </span><i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">atheism</i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">.</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">First, I guess I
don’t grasp the motivation of why someone would travel such a significant
distance at significant expense, to rally around what you </span><u style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">don’t</u><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> believe
in?</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If you know anything about the
National Mall, a gathering of 20,000 people is small in comparison to other
similar events.</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">That didn’t keep someone
though from engaging in shameless self-promotion or inept reporting calling it,
</span><i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“the largest secular event in the history
of the world.”</i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Really?!</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In the history of the world?!</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Then, there was the overall tenor of the
event, which seemed more about attacking Christianity than celebrating the joys
of atheism.</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There were signs that read, </span><i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“So many Christians, so few lions.”</i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
Numerous references were made that speaking about your faith was tantamount to </span><i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“hate speech.”</i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And, oh yes, calls for everyone from </span><i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Rick Santorum</i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> to </span><i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Pope Benedict XVI</i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> to </span><i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Tim
Tebow</i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> to be arrested.</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Their crime? I
guess if you have faith, you should literally be silent about it.</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Anyhow, it inspired me to wade in to make it
perfectly clear that ours is a </span><i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“reasonable
faith.”</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><i>Faith Under Fire</i></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbSB5vh1nXF96LNSEFy14V-Krn_yLHjK8nWwCP0KJUV_VGw90HGg0vUB6Dabs1vd1ziRR55f6vT6o-y36qPp3UKC7DBruDviO8-GzqrDnFztd1mPqa4ykM59w5Y1Pa1lUO8M1WF4hc904/s1600/faith-under-fire.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="128" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbSB5vh1nXF96LNSEFy14V-Krn_yLHjK8nWwCP0KJUV_VGw90HGg0vUB6Dabs1vd1ziRR55f6vT6o-y36qPp3UKC7DBruDviO8-GzqrDnFztd1mPqa4ykM59w5Y1Pa1lUO8M1WF4hc904/s200/faith-under-fire.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You should know that when it
comes to Christianity and especially belief in Jesus Christ, there has always
been its detractors and its <i>skeptics</i>. One of the unique features of our age is we
are witnessing the rise of <b>both</b>
skepticism and faith; doubt and belief are growing side by side. This accounts for the resurgence of what’s
been called the <b><i>neo-atheists</i></b>, with names like Christopher Hitchens, Richard Dawkins
(author of <i>“The God Delusion”</i>), Sam
Harris and others.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“New atheism is a more aggressive and anti-religious form of atheism
that presupposes the validity </span></i><i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">of scientific theories and
reason, and applies them to religious phenomena in an attempt to disprove </span></i><i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">that God exists and that religion is dangerous”</i></blockquote>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7HkK6ChOXR8yPRv8CDh2SnLfOZwCaBEqUf9nHCGNClvBMF5-LX8i2M32YxCQfQYcCGqRjxGiVXXJveXZplCGfW62UYkvgp8a5MrfQ6UvpnaNFX9hGG8InVmn2uvlmp4VE0t3pYvBEp5Q/s1600/richard-dawkins.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="146" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7HkK6ChOXR8yPRv8CDh2SnLfOZwCaBEqUf9nHCGNClvBMF5-LX8i2M32YxCQfQYcCGqRjxGiVXXJveXZplCGfW62UYkvgp8a5MrfQ6UvpnaNFX9hGG8InVmn2uvlmp4VE0t3pYvBEp5Q/s200/richard-dawkins.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Richard Dawkins</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Have you ever looked up the
definition of skeptic or skepticism? The dictionary says, <i>“To look at a matter closely; to scrutinize; to study with great care;
in minute detail.”</i> True skepticism
is not an excuse or refusal to think or investigate things closely; just the
opposite. I think this is what’s
different about today: the goal is not honest dialogue or even honest
disagreement, but the intention is to disparage and refute the truth of the
Bible, often using <i>mockery</i> to
intimidate believers. I think of that
intellectual giant, <i>Bill Maher</i>, of
HBO who along with others have alleged that Christians should be in mental
wards and are nothing more than sycophantic sheep. That tone was definitely present at the <i>“Reason Rally,”</i> when Richard Dawkins
told the crowd that (Christians) “<i>need to
be ridiculed with contempt...mock them, ridicule them! In public!”</i> Uhhhm, where’s the civility and the towering
“reason” in all of that? The bottom-line
is that faith in Jesus Christ has always been “ground zero” of spiritual
warfare. Every believer and generation
will be faced with its own adamant rejection of the message and truth of the
Gospel.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><i>By No Means A New Phenomenon</i></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKtp7IZPH8ZQm1bH0XJkMxfxzvdS6D0ZVH-n3-pbc7RwVD8Zr4bJALRQEDrrvfokbeuCFJQ3PsgfSmm0h3CbbJyzosHBTPXWaTWl5Rk1zX50e8r6eJf5-m47ey5F9kwbi1ONXHqeLrN9o/s1600/Francois-Voltaire.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKtp7IZPH8ZQm1bH0XJkMxfxzvdS6D0ZVH-n3-pbc7RwVD8Zr4bJALRQEDrrvfokbeuCFJQ3PsgfSmm0h3CbbJyzosHBTPXWaTWl5Rk1zX50e8r6eJf5-m47ey5F9kwbi1ONXHqeLrN9o/s200/Francois-Voltaire.JPG" width="151" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Francois Voltaire</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Looking back, there is a long,
long list of famous or infamous skeptics, agnostics, and atheists who’ve
crossed the stage of history. There was
the noted French author, historian, philosopher, and infidel, <i>Francois Voltaire</i>, whose boast and aim
in life was to demolish Christianity. He
said, <i>“In twenty years, Christianity will
be no more. My single hand shall destroy
the edifice that took twelve apostles to rear.”</i> Well, Voltaire died like everyone else, and
what’s more is that his home was used by the American Bible Society for the
publication and distribution of Bibles!
In America, <i>Robert Ingersoll</i>
drew large audiences for his lectures on atheism. He liked to shock his hearers by taking out a
big pocket watch and announcing, <i>“I give
God — if there is one — five minutes to strike me dead.”</i> When someone called this to the attention
of the English evangelist, Joseph Parker, I like his answer. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">He said, </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></i></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“And
did the gentleman presume to exhaust the patience of the eternal God in five
minutes?”</i></blockquote>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoWTtsXPWDJ9NkcB8yGiC47uB3Uv89wZHQMxze7SjRmdCb0OZrBtCEA8hsdngc1IyN-iAubIcGQTA6KCdpbVNgyuNjd-5GHwt1dzlT4iGlYYGgVybKlgq3IyX70HmxriyKs4A7DS4X-7g/s1600/Reason+Rally+2012+125.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoWTtsXPWDJ9NkcB8yGiC47uB3Uv89wZHQMxze7SjRmdCb0OZrBtCEA8hsdngc1IyN-iAubIcGQTA6KCdpbVNgyuNjd-5GHwt1dzlT4iGlYYGgVybKlgq3IyX70HmxriyKs4A7DS4X-7g/s200/Reason+Rally+2012+125.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Nate Phelps</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There is an added question here
that is valid and interesting, and it is what makes an atheist. I certainly don’t know everything or have all
the answers, but I can tell you that there’s almost always a <b><i>back
story</i></b>! I was fascinated by the
author and professor from New York University, <i>Paul Vitz</i>, in his book called <i>Faith
Of The Fathers.</i> He studied the <b>72</b> most well-known atheists in history,
the Bertrand Russells, the Voltaires, and the Freuds, to see if they had
anything in common. The only thing he
could find in common with every one of them is they all <b>hated their dads</b>, every one of them. They had a distant dad, a demeaning dad, a
dead dad...they had no relationships with their fathers. That’s why it wasn’t surprising, but a bit
sad, that one of the speakers at the <i>Reason
Rally</i> was <b><i>Nate Phelps</i></b>, the son of Westboro Baptist Church pastor, <i>Fred Phelps.</i> The church has become infamous fore picketing
military funerals with signs and epithets such as <i>“Thank God for dead soldiers”</i> and <i>“God hates fags.”</i> Their
position and ugly misrepresentation is that all of this represents God’s
judgment on America for homosexuality.
Just imagine growing up in that home environment. Is it surprising that at the stroke of midnight
on his 18<sup>th</sup> birthday, he packed all of his belongings and left home,
rejecting God and the distorted faith of his parents, in particular his father? There is always a story behind things, often
hidden, but nevertheless real.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr4IEjILSzQYbncEPnK9BAG0meirWrVrEJHJBdXGoCqhJLhUoQBWIOTNa9c4GL9q6sbWeKqJI6sZ_f08hPUvzWitjcC65Oj4LGeUgl7EvBsbJgJ2vIu4DJP0jFmmJe6XbW_SjkMfs5mN8/s1600/eternity-mans-heart.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr4IEjILSzQYbncEPnK9BAG0meirWrVrEJHJBdXGoCqhJLhUoQBWIOTNa9c4GL9q6sbWeKqJI6sZ_f08hPUvzWitjcC65Oj4LGeUgl7EvBsbJgJ2vIu4DJP0jFmmJe6XbW_SjkMfs5mN8/s200/eternity-mans-heart.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In the end, you have to work
hard at suppressing your belief in God since Scripture tells us <i>“He has put eternity into man’s heart.”</i> It’s describing man’s instinct for God, not
the result of some evolutionary process but God’s creative design. You are either a Christian or an atheist, you
see, <b>by faith</b>! Robert Rowe is an atheistic professor from
Purdue University, educated at Oxford who said: <i>“Even as the evangelical Christian accepts God by faith, I reject the
idea of God by faith, but I cannot reject God by reason alone for there is too
much evidence of His existence. It is by
faith I am an atheist.”</i> I can
appreciate the man’s honesty.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If you keep telling a lie
frequently enough, eventually people believe it. It seems that the common claim and biggest
misconception about Christianity is that it’s all about <b><i>“blind faith.”</i></b> It is portrayed as a <i>blind leap into the dark</i>, instead of a <i>bold step into the light!</i>
The caricature presented is that to become a Christian is to commit <i>“intellectual suicide.”</i> In order to become a follower of Jesus Christ
you have to unplug your brain first. We
need to dismantle that deception so that the truth can really set you free!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><i>The Wonderful Possibility</i></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg50M4SLujmbjSDwzmZGHzGml80qP8rw_anBz_F_Tes00JHjUJYIMH6DTkuyZHwdpEqvQylE2KJTfUUC4Rg9awnGGYrCo0thAM3rPohfptqW-c4FvG2wRWS5mfriyhV_Apv8FTfaHTBoXA/s1600/jesus-reading-from-scroll.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg50M4SLujmbjSDwzmZGHzGml80qP8rw_anBz_F_Tes00JHjUJYIMH6DTkuyZHwdpEqvQylE2KJTfUUC4Rg9awnGGYrCo0thAM3rPohfptqW-c4FvG2wRWS5mfriyhV_Apv8FTfaHTBoXA/s200/jesus-reading-from-scroll.jpg" width="176" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">God is such an awesome God! The text that comes to mind is (Isaiah 1:18) <i>“Come now, <b>let us reason together</b>, says the Lord: though your sins are like
scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they
shall become like wool.”</i> Can’t you see the heart and the character of God
here? God is saying <i>“Why don’t you and I sit down and reason together about the things that
really matter in life.”</i> You know,
the big things, the big questions that set the direction of your life and
ultimately determine both its quality and outcome. True wisdom possesses this quality as well, <i>“But the wisdom from above is first pure,
then peaceable, gentle, <b>open to reason</b>,
full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere.”</i> (James 3:17)
Christianity is open for reason because of a simple fact: Christianity holds
its own and can operate in the arena of ideas!<i><o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaQ3UV3pakUfggHeCK5AL64WVwErvqlkUIdYEj-igWUKKtf5O4oIU63t_tb_t9tQr41kllMy98MqKKkSYZLTRwSHKE45qtAsP8l8AZbDPWNdTq-1aD5Ccy8S4riG6Vhe9hpV70OYoQ-ww/s1600/jesus_suffering.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaQ3UV3pakUfggHeCK5AL64WVwErvqlkUIdYEj-igWUKKtf5O4oIU63t_tb_t9tQr41kllMy98MqKKkSYZLTRwSHKE45qtAsP8l8AZbDPWNdTq-1aD5Ccy8S4riG6Vhe9hpV70OYoQ-ww/s200/jesus_suffering.jpg" width="177" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Throughout the NT, this was the
Apostle Paul’s strategy. (Acts 17:2, 3)
“<b><i>And
Paul went in, as was his custom, and on three Sabbath days he reasoned with
them from the Scriptures, explaining and proving that it was necessary for the
Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead, and saying, "This Jesus, whom
I proclaim to you, is the Christ."</i></b>
He reasoned with them from the Scriptures. The word means “to dialogue; to discuss
thoroughly; to open, explain, and give evidence.” Arguments by Christians are more “reasonable”
than those of the skeptics or the atheists.
Dr. George Eldon Ladd in his book, <i>I
Believe In The Resurrection</i>, observes that <i>“faith does not mean a leap in the dark, an irrational credulity, a
believing against evidences and against reason.
It means believing in the light of historical facts, consistent with
evidences, on the basis of witnesses.”</i>
It is completely “reasonable” to put your faith in Him and serve Him all
the days of your life. There is a
“divine reasonableness” to faith, to the Cross, to the resurrection, and to the
call to holiness. That is why ours is a <b><i>“reasonable
faith”</i></b> to those who will take the time to examine and then to trust.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs5JYnmMQ3VPvI8h5TtxkQVkRoJVBd8zKiphFaf6Mcfn9dkw-zGIlOIA4L9po5lU6k2GmDSNcNnHpqRUcNFGpxjwFE4RfGjwv4TmnLUOLwu6_g4yvErvNBxhhMTNqj2VFhCk7p5fimMW8/s1600/Christian-Witnessing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs5JYnmMQ3VPvI8h5TtxkQVkRoJVBd8zKiphFaf6Mcfn9dkw-zGIlOIA4L9po5lU6k2GmDSNcNnHpqRUcNFGpxjwFE4RfGjwv4TmnLUOLwu6_g4yvErvNBxhhMTNqj2VFhCk7p5fimMW8/s200/Christian-Witnessing.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Here is insight into the task of
every believer. (1Pet.3:15, 16) tells
us, <i>“But in your hearts regard Christ the
Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you
for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and
respect, having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile
your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame.”</i> To live winsomely for and effectively for
Christ in our age, we must first make Jesus Lord of every area of our hearts
and lives. Until this is done our lives
will be half-hearted and we will not be taken seriously. The second thing is we must be ready to give
an answer (make a defense; reasoned argument) to everyone for the reason for
the hope in our lives. He’s talking about
the field of <i>apologetics</i>. Not that everyone has to be a Bible scholar,
but we should be able to enunciate the <b>what</b>
and the <b>why</b> of our faith and hope in
Christ. Then he tells us that our
attitude and approach is what backs it all up.
A winsome witness is underscored by our lifestyle, <i>“do it with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience, so that,
when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be
put to shame.”</i> The truth backed up
by a committed lifestyle is a winning strategy!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><i>The Verdict</i></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYUHK7kn33FrEqccNiF3H4FCcTROjs4JQOj4Xp37kLsg816GgvgvbE-xX4ffo3NEwMy-BNDyKmRLjx92B1MpvzSbIXlzmJRQIUjNWFcqcrPvG6VN_rnDwH_RnWDApaodpN-9Et6pRv3ZA/s1600/jesusbaptism1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYUHK7kn33FrEqccNiF3H4FCcTROjs4JQOj4Xp37kLsg816GgvgvbE-xX4ffo3NEwMy-BNDyKmRLjx92B1MpvzSbIXlzmJRQIUjNWFcqcrPvG6VN_rnDwH_RnWDApaodpN-9Et6pRv3ZA/s200/jesusbaptism1.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Paul’s closing argument was
concise, <i>“<b>This Jesus</b>, whom I proclaim to you, is the Christ.”</i> I was
intrigued reading about an award-winning writer, <i>John Jeremiah Sullivan</i>, who had what he called an adolescent “bout
with evangelicalism.” Sullivan walked away from the church and a biblical
faith, but after all these years he can’t fully reject the person of Jesus
Christ. He claims, <i>“Once you’ve known [Jesus] as God,”</i> it’s hard to find comfort in
Jesus as just another man. And even
after years of unbelief, Sullivan admits, <i>“one
has doubts about one’s doubts.”</i> You
see, it always comes back to Jesus and our encounter with Him. When the Apostle Paul made his defense before
King Agrippa in Acts 26, the final piece of evidence was <b>his testimony</b> of how he met Jesus on the Damascus Road! It was there that the greatest destroyer of
Christianity became its greatest defender!
That’s why the saying is true: A MAN WITH AN ARGUMENT IS NO MATCH FOR
MAN WITH AN EXPERIENCE. That’s why
Paul’s life passion from that point on became <i>“that I might know him and the power of his resurrection.”</i> Christianity is <b>both</b> a FACT to be believed and an EXPERIENCE to connect with. One without the other is to have a form of
religion with no power. DO YOU KNOW THEM
BOTH? Christianity says if you want to
experience God, you have to believe the truth: you have to believe that He
really lived that He really died, that He really raised...which leads to a real
experience, which leads to more understanding of the truth, and the truth leads
to more experience. And this cycle keeps
growing and being repeated in our lives!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><i>Ordinary Or Extraordinary God</i></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR6iUTJRMJ40pXSSxi2qLbNZUY6uqUHhk9a4ejvSH_9Bx5qJ6XYA_2iLsejFh_Zu466HGYqYcvLRaijvwt-44VvgHd22mBzpft3uW5Mfh7V9JL1_bSofzfRq_vtEXhvpgoU8GA-zvSkKs/s1600/Extraordinary-God.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR6iUTJRMJ40pXSSxi2qLbNZUY6uqUHhk9a4ejvSH_9Bx5qJ6XYA_2iLsejFh_Zu466HGYqYcvLRaijvwt-44VvgHd22mBzpft3uW5Mfh7V9JL1_bSofzfRq_vtEXhvpgoU8GA-zvSkKs/s200/Extraordinary-God.jpg" width="154" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">God needs to deliver us from the
<b>idolatry</b> that is so common
today. Idolatry is defined as <i>“the worship of anything or anyone other
than or less than the true and living God”</i> revealed in Scripture. Several years ago in Britain, researchers
went door-to-door asking persons about their belief in God. One of the questions: <i>“Do you believe in a God who intervenes in human history, who changes
the course of affairs, who performs miracles etc.?”</i> When the report was published, it took its
title from the response of one man who became typical of many. He answered, <i>“No, I don’t believe in that God; I believe in the <b>ordinary God</b>.”</i> If all we
have is the ordinary God, then He certainly wouldn’t be worthy to be worshiped
or adored with all your heart, soul, and mind!
I am so grateful that Jesus Christ is an <b>extraordinary God and Savior</b>; otherwise, I wouldn’t be a Christian
today.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuw1dPFZMbHOU_WP6AFBAIutXybt0uf-tUmq-5XASG-c93A-dOjYljm_laSg9C86FR-oRYUGiQNfLvJvy4yZPUgJMcgSVno5UQe_LSew4-H-IFKOfzTR6Vk2STegl0Gn4_OWdG-nF3QZU/s1600/the-reason-for-god.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="111" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuw1dPFZMbHOU_WP6AFBAIutXybt0uf-tUmq-5XASG-c93A-dOjYljm_laSg9C86FR-oRYUGiQNfLvJvy4yZPUgJMcgSVno5UQe_LSew4-H-IFKOfzTR6Vk2STegl0Gn4_OWdG-nF3QZU/s200/the-reason-for-god.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In some of my reading for this
message, I read Tim Keller’s introduction to <i>“The God of Reason”</i> - <i>Belief
In An Age of Skepticism</i>. He told of
a Columbia University graduate and atheist, <i>Kevin</i>,
who was working on Wall Street with J.P. Morgan. He and his future wife, <i>Kelly</i>, had their <i>doubts about
their doubts, </i>so they started going to church. It was still a slow grind, since they had a
lot to work through. But, let me put it
in his words:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Kelly wrote,<i> “As an atheist I thought I lived a moral, community-oriented,
concerned-with-social-justice kind of life, but Christianity had an even higher
standard–down to our thoughts and the state of our hearts. I accepted God’s forgiveness and invited him
into my life.”</i> Kevin wrote, <i>“While sitting in a coffee shop reading C.S.
Lewis’s <b>Mere Christianity</b>, I put
down the book and wrote in my notebook, ‘the evidence surrounding the claims of
Christianity is simply overwhelming.’ </i>I
realized that my achievements were ultimately unsatisfying, the approval of man
is fleeting, that a carpe diem life lived solely for adventure is just a form
of narcissism and idolatry. And so I became a believer in Christ.” Oh, yes! Oh,
happy day, when Jesus washed my sins away.</span></blockquote>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Dear ones, <i>“Reason Rallies”</i> come and go, but the <b><i>God of Reason</i></b> endures
forever, and one day we will all stand before Him. In fact, <i>“In
Him are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” </i>and He invites
you to give Him your hearts and your head, and discover that He is in the
life-transforming business! There is
a <i>tipping
point</i> for this to be a reality in your life? <i> </i>The prophet Isaiah tells us
in this internal reasoning process: <i>“If
you are willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land; but if you
refuse and rebel, you shall be eaten by the sword, for the mouth of the Lord
has spoken." </i>I URGE YOU THIS
EASTER SEASON TO BE WILLING AND OBEDIENT: AND GIVE THE LORD JESUS WHO IS THE “<i>”RESURRECTION AND THE LIFE”</i> A PLACE IN
YOUR LIFE! YOU WILL NEVER REGRET IT.</span><i><o:p></o:p></i></div>
<br />Pastor Harold Warnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08108066191268810028noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5561664450249753810.post-79699856266915176322012-02-24T12:18:00.000-07:002012-02-24T22:54:14.719-07:00My Super Team!<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">To all of you who read the postings on my blog, thank you. I have been a bit tardy in “feeding the beast,” but I assure you it’s not from a lack of desire. The combination of the holidays, preaching and pastoral responsibilities, Conference in Prescott, my mom visiting her firstborn son, have all put the discipline of writing on hold a bit. My hat is off to those who can preach and pastor full-time, and still write books, articles etc. But, I’m still IN THE GAME, and will contend for more “scribal momentum!”</span></blockquote>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsxRwcTSr8TiJiB0tCrqBax6FLF3PoEPNqWDEsGxym6eSEkeGlogdrsh668ojMaOJLmfFgsaAO5jtCDwe5om92mIqysrGJgpC03Fd58IsdQe4Tms8hxI6fqq7Q93aJAC8u4IoeV0cZbZg/s1600/He's-Alive-2009.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsxRwcTSr8TiJiB0tCrqBax6FLF3PoEPNqWDEsGxym6eSEkeGlogdrsh668ojMaOJLmfFgsaAO5jtCDwe5om92mIqysrGJgpC03Fd58IsdQe4Tms8hxI6fqq7Q93aJAC8u4IoeV0cZbZg/s200/He's-Alive-2009.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Well, the <i>Super Bowl</i> is now over, and either your team won (and you’re happy), or you team lost (and you’re sorry about the outcome). Perhaps, you’re not that into sports, so you had no favorite team, and the game didn’t impact you one way or another which, of course, is fine. When all is said and done, it’s just a game, and not life or death (try telling this to a die-hard fan). Relax, I don’t want to write about sports, but I do want to talk about a “team.” A team, that in the end, is going to reign as champs for all eternity: <b>The Church</b>! I’m having to make this local in application, so in the interests of honesty, I must tell you up front that I am completely biased! By the grace of God, I am privileged to pastor a tremendous church of people, made up of <i>“super saints!”</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>SIGHT FOR SORE EYES!</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvrc8-K6bfrOVqm2Wv6lnDkaV2XVSVLZW8eOCXeRZBJRRJ7iTFNPmmY_glNVKC3i0MzQq9ROVlSyt2U4xYdesI5vZl4fzS8X3G-eNN-zwmehaOVpputADJmXRO594OQGUreaizgzTKBYs/s1600/pastor-harold-warner-listening-to-report.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvrc8-K6bfrOVqm2Wv6lnDkaV2XVSVLZW8eOCXeRZBJRRJ7iTFNPmmY_glNVKC3i0MzQq9ROVlSyt2U4xYdesI5vZl4fzS8X3G-eNN-zwmehaOVpputADJmXRO594OQGUreaizgzTKBYs/s200/pastor-harold-warner-listening-to-report.jpg" width="133" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">How this all came about is I was engaged in one of my favorite activities which is <i>“platform watching!”</i> You won’t find this listed in the events at the Summer Olympics, but it refers to those rare moments when I am on the platform of our church, and there is no one to counsel, no specific task to be done, and I can just watch people! I enjoy it immensely. You can see and learn a lot. Specifically, I can watch the church “operate” with so many people serving in various capacities. To me, it is a thing of beauty! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">That particular morning I saw there were several new men serving as <i>ushers</i>. This blessed me for a number of reasons. I felt blessed for a number of reasons. The first reason is that for years, our head usher <i>John McClune</i> has been very conscientious about this ministry. He has expressed to me his burden for a sufficient number of men to rise up to serve in this way week after week. There are a minimum of three worship services a week, so you can do the math. I was glad that day because John’s prayer was being answered. The other thing that blessed me was <i><u>who</u></i> had risen up to fill that gap, such a great diversity. One was a former pastor, another a long term disciple in our church for over 36 years, and also a young man recently graduated from high school. Their names might not mean anything to you, but they speak volumes to me!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You would expect that as a Pastor, I love seeing people come to church, and you’d be right. I love it even more, though, when they are not Christians, and they answer an altar call to come and repent and receive Christ! It’s even more exciting to me to see these same people come back to church, and begin to grow in their relationship with Christ. We are deeply committed to this discipling aspect of evangelism. Then, as the icing on the cake, I love to see them beginning to serve the Lord in the church in a variety of different ways. It is part of my “super team,” the church, as the body of Christ. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>HOW’S YOUR CHURCH DOING?</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhzCZooYlYaMJUORqPrkuC_75ZE3ESO6_ZpdXxIJ_vi9IEOK4HSaaD4wh-_1xQF7-PHF9GPF3DQwrkbJnLcn9_9cq7ZEUdQqYk3xOVIK3SWJa_8BqCWMIvcnJbvt04gSoHnn7G1fJMVn4/s1600/church6.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhzCZooYlYaMJUORqPrkuC_75ZE3ESO6_ZpdXxIJ_vi9IEOK4HSaaD4wh-_1xQF7-PHF9GPF3DQwrkbJnLcn9_9cq7ZEUdQqYk3xOVIK3SWJa_8BqCWMIvcnJbvt04gSoHnn7G1fJMVn4/s200/church6.gif" width="193" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There are a number of way to assess the health of a church, and the standard is not just numerical. One of the Biblical signs of a healthy church is <i>servanthood</i>. One of the first and unmistakable signs of the life of God at work in our lives is that we are <i>set apart to serve</i>. Peter’s mother-in-law has always stood out in my mind as such a simple and powerful illustration of this. (Mk.1:30,31) <i>“Now Simon's mother-in-law lay ill with a fever, and immediately they told him about her. And he came and took her by the hand and lifted her up, and the fever left her, and she began to serve them.”</i> When the Master touched her, and she was healed, immediately she began to serve! When the Bible speaks of the functioning ministry gifts to the church (apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors/teachers) it spells out their task (Eph.4:12) <i>“Their responsibility is to equip God's people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ.”</i> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRZgKXMiPlCXlj1sY4pXUaFNP-qlSeixtYd6WegEE_1OenzGerZzyWnBRc4oa9arhkOL0uSwDnvK-9FHbvoJjcjZ3e-L9i_XYdexKEc9LHQLSz8vAInGnvyckKao4A_d_gLogKMWmdrgU/s1600/tabitha.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRZgKXMiPlCXlj1sY4pXUaFNP-qlSeixtYd6WegEE_1OenzGerZzyWnBRc4oa9arhkOL0uSwDnvK-9FHbvoJjcjZ3e-L9i_XYdexKEc9LHQLSz8vAInGnvyckKao4A_d_gLogKMWmdrgU/s200/tabitha.jpg" width="155" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Two people stand out in my mind, Biblically, in this regard because they contributed greatly to the health of the church, often in unseen ways. <i>Tabitha</i> is a Biblical heroine whose life was devoted to small acts of kindness and service. (Acts 9:36) says, <i>“In Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha (which, when translated, is Dorcas), who was always doing good and helping the poor.”</i> Her impact was so great, and she was loved so dearly, that the church sent a delegation when Peter was nearby; who came and prayed for her and God raised her from the dead! Her claim to fame was not in preaching great sermons or evangelizing vast multitudes. She just did what she could for the Lord. Someone wrote, <i>“The little things we do are bigger than the great things we do; and how wonderful to learn the importance of the sacred ordinary.” </i>The other one that stands out is the “household of Stephanas” who were some of the early converts in that region and who really set the pace for the whole church! <i>“Now I urge you, brothers —you know that the household of Stephanas were the first converts in Achaia, and that they have devoted themselves (KJV), “addicted themselves” to the service of the saints— be subject to such as these, and to every fellow worker and laborer.” </i>The Holy Spirit makes the point that these are the kind of people we need to model our lives after and follow.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>SUPER SAINTS!</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">No church will function to the glory of God, or to her full potential without the contribution of faithful saints who are “set apart” to volunteer generously and serve in the local congregation. Just think about the contribution of these, who I consider to be part of God’s “super team.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The people who watch your children so you can enjoy the service, and they must listen to the message on tape.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">They set up and breakdown all the equipment for every service, plus the various special events and outreaches </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">that are a regular part of our church’s life.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">On Saturday night, when we go home to bed, they are setting things </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">up for the Sunday services.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">They clean up your mess, giving up their Sunday afternoons while we fellowship or take a Sunday afternoon </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">nap, so that things are nice and neat and ready for the evening service.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Saints prepare lessons, and often open their homes, so that we can meet in our </span><i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">HHM</i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> small groups for fellowship, support, and edification.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">They practice long hours instrumentally or vocally for our worship services, not to lift themselves up, but to help us enter into the presence of God.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">They are the ones who put huge effort, expertise and excellence into the church web-site, in order to present an attractive, informative, and substantive web-based church presentation.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">They are the people who mobilize to present outstanding dramatic and musical presentations during Easter and in the Fall.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">These are the ones whose gift is their “availability” to: visit and pray for those who are sick, prepare meals for those in times of need, labor in all the preparation for real ministry at weddings and funerals, they put together awesome times of church-wide fellowships.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Saints are the people who “step up their game” and prepare for a genuine time of excellence to the glory of God during our annual Bible Conferences, and in the process touch people from around the world.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">They are reaching out to and pouring their lives into your teenagers to see Christ formed in their lives.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">They are the ones who prepare lessons and programs for children’s ministry, not baby-sitting, but an authentic Gospel ministry to the “little children.”</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">They will run the sound and lighting, they will usher, they will prepare the weekly bulletin, they will serve in the parking lot, they will pray with people at the altar, they will follow-up on young converts to see them established in Christ. THE LIST GOES ON AND ON, WHICH IS WHY THEY ARE IN MY ESTIMATION A “SUPER TEAM!”</span></li>
</ul>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>IT’S NOT ABOUT YOU!</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA2hKk96mvpSDCdreps8UbpoF4nUyCJNt1jJ9RNt8jMMbviGj_jmliirwt1AVcTez8TiYcZZEcPccKRGDOpv7iNPFVeRs2JYAPV149-D0olP2k8Kf4GXVaQdPtRDJv3ArNs8WNW2paEZI/s1600/narcissus.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA2hKk96mvpSDCdreps8UbpoF4nUyCJNt1jJ9RNt8jMMbviGj_jmliirwt1AVcTez8TiYcZZEcPccKRGDOpv7iNPFVeRs2JYAPV149-D0olP2k8Kf4GXVaQdPtRDJv3ArNs8WNW2paEZI/s200/narcissus.jpg" width="165" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">One of the reasons these kind of people and this spirit is so refreshing is that it runs counter to the spirit of our age: a <i>pre-occupation with self</i>. Just think about the names that are part of our world: <i>YouTube, MySpace,</i> and the <i>I’s - iPod, iTunes, iMac, iPhone</i> and <i>iPad</i>. It pretty much sums up the theme of our day: <b><i>“it’s all about me.”</i></b> Tom Wolfe labeled the 1970's as the <i>“Me Decade”</i> and I’ve got to think we’ve carried this to new heights. Paul said in the last days, <i>“people will love only themselves,” </i>they will be utterly self-absorbed. There is a word for this mentality, and it’s called <b><i>narcissism</i></b>. In Greek mythology, Narcissus is the character who, upon passing his reflection in the water, becomes so enamored with himself that he devotes the rest of his life to his own reflection. This classic “<i>I, me, mine</i>” mentality places personal pleasure and fulfillment at the forefront of our concerns. Historian Christopher Lasch labeled ours as <i>“the culture of narcissism”</i> equating it with the new religion. Tragically, that spirit has permeated our culture’s thinking and the church is not exempt! Just listen to some of the following statements:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<ul>
<li><i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“<b>I</b> want to go where I’m fed”</i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">: not where we can learn to feed ourselves, or more, to feed others.</span></li>
<li><i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“<b>I</b> need to be ministered to”</i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">: making it something that happens to us, instead of something we make happen through us for others.</span></li>
<li><i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“<b>I</b> didn’t get anything out of the service today”</i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">: placing our edification before God being glorified.</span></li>
</ul>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">All of these represent a kind of <i>“spiritual narcissism”</i> and it has invaded our thinking, making the individual needs and desires of the believer the center of all attention. No team can function effectively or victoriously when this is the moving force. Written into the DNA of every cell in the human body by our Creator God is the principle that each cell serves a specific purpose for the <b>good of the whole</b>. Every organ is dependent on the selfless service of other organs and cells. Without this, life ceases! This is true whether it is our human body, or the Body of Christ, the Church. It causes people to miss one of the deepest spiritual truths you can discover in life, and it is: <i>“It’s not all about me!”</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>POSTURE GUARANTEED TO BRING SUCCESS & VICTORY</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg44B_iJTi1gZImFquUDojn11aW0JkUPzzr1vKpp3WoaJlhKFplSXpX85qWwLC1tn-vvBqHitB6jNq2CItRSYvASP7vVxSfEiU2Wvi2qvQhhYfYuqVCV-qabSrhhh_hzni1S0Ys7LoV48/s1600/jesus_washing_apostles_feet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="152" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg44B_iJTi1gZImFquUDojn11aW0JkUPzzr1vKpp3WoaJlhKFplSXpX85qWwLC1tn-vvBqHitB6jNq2CItRSYvASP7vVxSfEiU2Wvi2qvQhhYfYuqVCV-qabSrhhh_hzni1S0Ys7LoV48/s200/jesus_washing_apostles_feet.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In the kingdom of God there is no higher calling than servants. Remember God’s promise, <i>“I will pour out of My Spirit upon <b>My servants</b>.”</i> “My servants” is the word <i>“doulos”</i> translated servant or slave, and it is the term used most often to describe the relationship between God and the believer. Jesus made this pointedly clear when He said, <i>“It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be your slave, even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." </i> (Matt.20:26-28). The <b>master key</b> of servanthood is what unlocks the blessing, power and destiny of God in our lives. When you read the story of Joseph, you read about a young man whose world was turned upside down. He was betrayed by his own brothers and sold into slavery, being forced to relocate to another country, cut off from the people and surroundings he loved. Joseph was forced to cope with new and unwanted circumstances. How easy it would have been for him to turn aside, and become bitter and side-tracked from God’s purpose. Today, I’m sure they would’ve labeled him as having some kind of <i>“disorder”</i> and tried medicating him. So, what was it that kept him? How did he survive and persevere, making him an overcomer? The answer was the grace and favor of God, but coupled with the master key of service. The refrain in Joseph’s life throughout, no matter what circumstance he was in, was <i>“the Lord was with him.”</i> The key response and posture that he adopted in whatever circumstance was service. In the house of Potiphar as a slave, (Gen.39:4) <i>“So Joseph found favor in his sight, and <b>served him</b>.”</i> When he resisted temptation and is falsely accused and imprisoned, <b>he served</b> the jailer. When deliverance finally came, and promoted, <b>he served</b> the nation. In the final scene of his life (Gen.45:7,8) we see Joseph <b>serving his family</b>.<i> </i>Through all of this, God was able to preserve and promote Joseph because he had the heart of a servant! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The exciting thing for me is that this carries with it the <u>release of the miraculous</u>! The scripture says, <i>“The Lord was with Joseph, and he was a successful man.”</i> It is repeated three times directly about his life, telling us why he was successful. This helps to answer a bit of a riddle. (Acts 19:11,12) talks about <b><i>“special miracles.”</i> </b>The actual text says, <i>“Now God worked unusual miracles by the hands of Paul, so that even handkerchiefs or aprons were brought from his body to the sick, and the diseases left them and the evil spirits went out of them.”</i> These handkerchiefs were not a fashion accessory, and they weren’t something that a TV evangelist is selling, promising you your miracle if you’ll place it on your body or on your wallet. These were cloths used to wipe sweat away while working. They were <b>sweat rags</b>! God connected His miraculous power to these symbols of a servant character and hard work. When people are ready to invest labor to make the Gospel available; when they are willing to give their all and their best wherever they serve, you will find the release of the miraculous! It is significant that this is how the apostle Paul measured his life, <i>“But my life is worth nothing to me unless I use it for finishing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus—the work of telling others the Good News about the wonderful grace of God.”</i> (Acts 20:24). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR3nADG0iQ8HStjnz2bTLnqSjmfLyuGMl6DBKYwTl5pKp-UjUNB50pNwkBd1TpokvC9PVR-IR2Ly33S_TY7NQoRXj-STmYj5ftNalTDenf0jttyskh-AN4x8LZfU64yuopeH2-7rJlxuk/s1600/outreach-to-vista-del-prado-park-tucson-az.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="125" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR3nADG0iQ8HStjnz2bTLnqSjmfLyuGMl6DBKYwTl5pKp-UjUNB50pNwkBd1TpokvC9PVR-IR2Ly33S_TY7NQoRXj-STmYj5ftNalTDenf0jttyskh-AN4x8LZfU64yuopeH2-7rJlxuk/s200/outreach-to-vista-del-prado-park-tucson-az.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When you have people gripped by this motivation, then you have the makings of a super team! The good news today is that there is plenty of room on God’s team for you! You don’t have to worry about not being drafted, or being cut, or suffer the humiliation of being the person picked last for a certain team. No, no, you find yourself on the winning team! How does the old song made famous by Louis Armstrong go:<i> </i><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We are traveling in the footsteps<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Of those who’ve gone before<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But we’ll all be reunited<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">On a new and sunlit shore<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Oh when the saints go marching in<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When the saints go marching in<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Oh Lord I want to be in that number <o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When the saints go marching in!</span></div>
</div>Pastor Harold Warnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08108066191268810028noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5561664450249753810.post-16288957719907551562012-01-01T09:41:00.000-07:002012-01-01T09:41:34.682-07:00A Prayer for 2012<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0OazDPHG-X8/TwCMTtQK0MI/AAAAAAAABJ4/UoZKfproJH0/s1600/Jonathan-Edwards-Banner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0OazDPHG-X8/TwCMTtQK0MI/AAAAAAAABJ4/UoZKfproJH0/s1600/Jonathan-Edwards-Banner.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Lord God Almighty,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I understand that I am unable to do anything without your
help,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">so I ask you to enable me by your grace to fulfill your
will.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Give me grace to do whatever brings most glory and honor to
you,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">pleasure and profit to me,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">and life and love to others.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Help me to number my days,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">spending my time wisely,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">living my life with all my might while I still have breath.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Humble me in the knowledge that I am chief of sinners;<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">when I hear of the sins of others,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">help me to not look upon them with pride,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">but to look upon myself with shame,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">confessing my own sins to you.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When I go through difficulties and trials,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">remind me of the pains of hell<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">from which you have already delivered me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Place people in my path who need my help,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">and give me a compassionate and generous spirit.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Fill my heart with such love<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">that I would never do anything out of a spirit of revenge,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">nor lose my temper with those around me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Hold my tongue when I am tempted to speak evil of others.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Thank you for the gospel and for the hope of glory.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Help me to live in light of these truths every day of my
life,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">so that when the time of my death arrives,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I will rest assuredly in you,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">and you will be most glorified in me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In Christ’s name…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">- <a href="http://trevinwax.com/2012/01/01/a-prayer-for-2012-adapted-from-jonathan-edwards-resolutions/print/" target="_blank">Trevin Wax</a> (adapted from the first 21 of Jonathan Edwards’
resolutions)</span><o:p></o:p></div>Pastor Harold Warnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08108066191268810028noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5561664450249753810.post-63893120413408981162011-12-31T11:25:00.000-07:002011-12-31T17:53:01.510-07:00Take Out The "Trash Of Regrets" At The End Of 2011<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-P-GMYeOZU3E/Tv-rXy382NI/AAAAAAAABI8/_UKVhEFhBgA/s1600/man-taking-the-garbage-out.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-P-GMYeOZU3E/Tv-rXy382NI/AAAAAAAABI8/_UKVhEFhBgA/s200/man-taking-the-garbage-out.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As we reach the end of another year, 2011, I am reminded of one of the great secrets of life: </span><i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">to live life with as <b>few regrets</b> as possible.</i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I love the testimony of Abraham that says, </span><i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“Abraham breathed his last and died in a ripe old age, an old man and satisfied with life; and he was gathered to his people.”</i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What a coveted testimony, to live your life, determined to come to the end as a </span><i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“satisfied customer”</i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> with as few regrets as possible.</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The reason this is so important is that this life is not a </span><b style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>trial run</i></b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">, YOU ONLY GET TO DO THIS ONCE!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XBYutkVBv9M/Tv-rgp-cBqI/AAAAAAAABJI/KsHsSUv2ClI/s1600/regret.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XBYutkVBv9M/Tv-rgp-cBqI/AAAAAAAABJI/KsHsSUv2ClI/s200/regret.jpg" width="137" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As we close this year, let me just speak to those who are carrying a huge <b><i>weight of regret</i></b>. The writer of Hebrews reminds us, “<i>Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, <b>let us also lay aside every weight</b>, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith”</i> (Heb.12:1,2) Regret is a huge weight that so many people carry around their necks. There life is burden by and trapped by the <b><i>“if Only’s</i></b><i>.”</i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I would have dressed up, only it was too much trouble.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I would have gone out, only it cost too much.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I would have driven, only travel’s dangerous.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I would have eaten, only I weigh too much.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I would have danced, only I didn’t have a partner.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I would have returned, only it brought back bad memories.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I would have gone, only I didn’t have time.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I would have visited, only I wasn’t wanted.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I would have tried, only it was a waste of energy.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I would have helped, only they didn’t need me.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I would have cared, only I didn’t feel like it.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I would have cried, only I wasn’t sorry.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I would have volunteered, only I had better things to do.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I would have voted, only it wouldn’t have changed things.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I would have donated, only they’d made their quota.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I would have spoken up, only I was afraid to.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I would have acted, only others got there first.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I would have felt sorry, only I didn’t feel guilty.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I would have prepared, only it was too much work.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I would have studied, only I wouldn’t have passed.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I would have corrected it, only it was too late.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I would have told the truth, only it would have offended.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I would have graduated, only life intervened.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I would have gotten the job, only they didn’t like me.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I would have prayed, only God only knows.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I would have worshiped, only I hate to sing.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I would have fellowshipped, only I didn’t know them.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I would have served, only I didn’t have the calling.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I would have loved, only it hurt too much.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I would have lived,<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If only</span></i></b><i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">.</span><o:p></o:p></i></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i><br />
</i></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eGfptk3vE8k/Tv-rvUMMHGI/AAAAAAAABJU/EHCXbk6qQVs/s1600/Nobel_Prize.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="196" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eGfptk3vE8k/Tv-rvUMMHGI/AAAAAAAABJU/EHCXbk6qQVs/s200/Nobel_Prize.png" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The <i>Nobel Peace Prize</i> awards excellence in the field of science, literature, peace, and economics. It is named after <i>Alfred Nobel</i>. Nobel was a Swedish chemist who made his fortune by inventing explosives and licensing their manufacture to foreign governments for the production of weapons. One day Nobel’s brother died and the newspaper accidentally ran Alfred’s obituary instead of his brother’s. Alfred had the rare opportunity to read how others would remember him. The obituary identified him as the inventor of dynamite, enabling nations to more effectively destroy one another. Concerned that he would be remembered only as a <i>merchant of death</i>, he decided he would re-channel the remainder of his life to more productive efforts. With a sizeable chunk of his wealth, he established the Nobel prizes to recognize and encourage accomplishments that would benefit humanity. This is what he is most remembered for today. We may not achieve the stature of his fame and fortune, but...<u>all of us</u> have the possibility of redirecting our time, our money, our emotions, our energies in such a way that we can live and die <b><i>without regrets</i></b>!<i><o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8kCg43BhW78/Tv-r5Y8dlwI/AAAAAAAABJg/0RCjfQDeOTQ/s1600/finish-line1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="139" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8kCg43BhW78/Tv-r5Y8dlwI/AAAAAAAABJg/0RCjfQDeOTQ/s200/finish-line1.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">According to Hebrews, the goal here is the <b><i>finish line</i></b><i>!</i> One of the biggest lessons life has to teach us is the necessity of arranging life around what <b><i>really matters</i></b> in light of our mortality and God’s eternity! You know what I hear in Paul’s prayer and plea? Laying aside every weight and sin, running with enduring keeping your eyes fixed always on Jesus is to live to MINIMIZE REGRETS. Let <b><i>eternity</i></b> motivate you to search out the highest and the best, and you will not only live the best life you can now, but, you will also one day see a <i>victorious finish line!</i> God will remain on His throne, sovereign over all creation, and all will be well with our soul, no matter what happens. Perhaps things will not be well with our world, but they will be well with our soul.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There is an odd little carol which is sometimes sung on this first Sunday after Christmas. It begins:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There’s snow on the mountain and ice on the pond,</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The Wise Men are home now in the back of beyond.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The Shepherd’s have left us; the heavens are dumb;<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>There’s no one to tell us why Jesus has come.</i> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><br />
</b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Then, it ends:</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But God’s in His heaven, and Jesus has come<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">To show every sinner he’s welcome back home,<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">To be this world’s Savior from hunger and fear,<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And give us new courage to face the New Year.</span><o:p></o:p></i></div>
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">WE HAVE COURAGE TO FACE THIS NEW YEAR BECAUSE OF JESUS.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">HE IS IMMANUEL–GOD WITH US AND FOR US.</span></div>
</div>Pastor Harold Warnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08108066191268810028noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5561664450249753810.post-67766441499210105212011-12-26T16:28:00.000-07:002011-12-26T19:52:17.545-07:00Wrapping Up Christmas!<br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lbnOgFp5pzM/TvkptepfM1I/AAAAAAAABIA/1hOj0u2KiLw/s1600/at_boxing_day_2011-box-en.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="121" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lbnOgFp5pzM/TvkptepfM1I/AAAAAAAABIA/1hOj0u2KiLw/s200/at_boxing_day_2011-box-en.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In many places of the British Commonwealth, today is a holiday, </span><i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Boxing Day</i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">, the day after Christmas, December 26</span><sup style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">th</sup><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">.</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It was for years when I saw this printed on my Day Runner calendar, I thought it was some kind of big sporting event, you know, a boxing match!</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Well, historically, it goes back to a time when wealthy people in the UK would give a box containing gifts to their servants.</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Today, it is a bank or public holiday that is observed in Great Britain, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, when Christmas gifts are traditionally given to service workers.</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In Canada, for instance, it gives people the chance to take part in the post-Christmas sales or watch ice hockey games.</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">On a more practical level, it is time to start </span><i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“boxing up Christmas”</i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> for another year!</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I thought this would also be a good day for me to “wrap up” any Christmas-related thoughts and truths, for you to take home with you (or wait until next year).</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My specific focus is the whole Christmas tradition of <b><i>gift giving</i></b>. It is one of the aspects of Christmas that I have a kind of <i>love-hate relationship</i> with. This is not because I have a hard time being a <i>“cheerful giver”</i> or expressing liberality. God really has taught me over the years the wonderful blessing of giving and not just receiving (Acts 20:35). My dilemma is not even the result of the <i>rank commercialism</i> that defines Christmas for a lot of people, starting on <i>“Black Friday” </i>and continuing through the day-after-Christmas sales. No, my frustration is related to the time-sensitive nature (December 25<sup>th</sup> is coming whether you’ve been “naughty or nice”), and the cultural expectations of <i>finding just the right gift</i> for the person you love. After nearly 40 years of marriage to the most incredible woman, Mona, what do you give her that: 1) she doesn’t already have, or 2) she’d really like or need, or 3) that would be a real blessing to her and show her you love her. It doesn’t help either when I ask her, <i>“Honey, what do you want for Christmas?”</i> and she answers <i>“nothing,”</i> and in her case, she means it. She’s happy, we’re still married, we have our health, we’re able to serve God in the most wonderful church in the world (I am totally and unashamedly biased), so, no, I really don’t want anything. Plus, my track record in this area is not the greatest (I don’t think I hit any home runs this Christmas!), not for a lack of desire, but a lack of time and necessary insight. I rely a lot on “Santa’s elves and helpers” (her friends), but even they couldn’t help me much this year.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-n41c2b6521Q/TvktARa14YI/AAAAAAAABIM/SLCgT_95EoQ/s1600/shoppers_returning_gifts_jh003_t640.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="136" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-n41c2b6521Q/TvktARa14YI/AAAAAAAABIM/SLCgT_95EoQ/s200/shoppers_returning_gifts_jh003_t640.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I am not alone in this dilemma either! Just try working in the <i>“Returns Department”</i> on the day or two after Christmas, as gifts are returned that either are not liked, or that don’t fit, or, they’re not the right color etc. I love the story of the three sons who had grown up, left home, went out on their own and prospered. Getting back together, they discussed the gifts they were going to give their near blind, elderly mother for Christmas. The first said, “I bought her a big house for Christmas.” The second said, “I got her a Mercedes Benz and a chauffeur.” The third smiled and said, “I’ve got both of you beat. You remember how mom enjoyed reading the Bible? And you know she can’t see very well. So I sent her a remarkable parrot that recites the entire Bible. It took a preacher 12 years to teach him. He’s one of a kind. Mama just has to name the chapter and verse, and the parrot recites it. Soon thereafter, the woman sent out her letters of thanks to her sons for the Christmas gifts. She wrote the first son and said, “The house you bought is so huge. I live in only one room, but I have to clean the whole house.” She wrote the second son, “I am too old to travel. I stay home most of the time, so I rarely use the Mercedes. And the chauffeur is really rude!” She wrote her third son, “Son, you are the only one who has the good sense to know what you mother likes. The chicken was delicious!” You see, it’s not always easy to get the perfect gift!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FK1tqYUsmuw/TvkttSqV0tI/AAAAAAAABIY/Wy05huKf0T4/s1600/Wise+Men+Still+Seek+Him.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="178" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FK1tqYUsmuw/TvkttSqV0tI/AAAAAAAABIY/Wy05huKf0T4/s400/Wise+Men+Still+Seek+Him.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">TO THE RESCUE, come the wise men or <i>Magi</i> in the Christmas story in Matthew 2. The way they help us is by answering the most important question which is, <i>“What do I give to Jesus?”</i> In this area their lives teach us, and are role models for us today what <i>true wisdom</i> is all about. The Magi (Greek, <i>“majoi”)</i> were from the Medeo-Persian Empire. They were the scientists and the scholars of their day, the <i>intelligentsia</i> in a good sense. In them, we find the best educated and finest minds of their time; the kind of <i>“go to”</i> people in times of crisis. Their mission in life was to hunger for and search out truth, wherever they could find it. Their actions model for us <b>3 gifts</b> that we should present to God 365 days of the year.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">THE GIFT OF PURSUIT</i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZbapfqwhjV4/Tvkh-E_XBdI/AAAAAAAABH0/q0Gm7AQ6HFo/s1600/Magi-708539.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZbapfqwhjV4/Tvkh-E_XBdI/AAAAAAAABH0/q0Gm7AQ6HFo/s200/Magi-708539.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Matthew begins by saying, <i>“Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, "Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”</i> In their minds, the fruit of their study and calculations, coupled with the appearance of a very unusual star in the heavens, heralded the birth of a King, the <i>“king of the Jews.”</i> The king that the Hebrew scriptures and prophecies pointed to for hundreds of years. These propelled them to make the almost 1000 mile journey to Jerusalem, which probably took them around 3 months to complete. Just the journey itself was no small feat, but one they felt was completely warranted. You’ve heard about <b><i>pursuing Christmas</i></b>? Well, the Christian life is exactly that: it is a continual, day-by-day pursuit to know and to serve God. This is true whether you’ve recently come to Christ, or you’ve been a believer for years or decades. When Jesus said, “follow Me,” He was talking about a pursuit, and one that is entirely warranted and worth it! Listen to the promise in (Jer.29:11-13 ) <i>“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for wholeness and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me. When you seek me with all your heart.”</i> According to these verses, God loves you and has a wonderful plan for your life. But, that plan is aimed at triggering a corresponding response in you and me: a lifelong and <b><i>sincere search</i></b>. When we read the story and consider their actions, it confirms the saying: WISE MEN STILL SEEK HIM!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">THE GIFT OF WORSHIP</i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TA2VYCx8GHU/TvkwgQg73vI/AAAAAAAABIk/INwRULtpEMY/s1600/boc5bce-narodzenie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="170" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TA2VYCx8GHU/TvkwgQg73vI/AAAAAAAABIk/INwRULtpEMY/s200/boc5bce-narodzenie.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Man was created by God to be a worshiper. This is why every person inherently will “worship” someone or something. It’s in us, you can’t escape this fact. It was also very clear in the Christmas story that this was the priority of the wise men. They told Herod, <i>“we are come to worship Him.”</i> Then, in verse 11, it says: And<i> going into the house they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him.”</i> Any participation in or celebration of Christmas that does not lead to, or include worship, in the end is either not valid or it is missing something. Jesus told the woman at the well, <i>“But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth."</i> (John 4:23.24) The essence of <b><i>true worship</i></b> is seen here: it involves giving God His rightful place in our hearts and lives. In the Christmas story, we see elements of a clear focus on the person of Jesus Christ, along with the awesome reverence and submission and obedience that true worship contains. It is such a moving picture: grown men bowing down before a baby in worship. In 1872, the poet <i>Christiana Rossetti</i> wrote a poem that was later set to music and became a Christmas carol. She was a devoted follower of Christ, who for many years volunteered at a refuge for women coming out of a life of prostitution. Her poem asks and says,<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><blockquote class="tr_bq"><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What can I give Him,</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Poor as I am?</span></i></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If I were a shepherd,</span></i></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I would bring a lamb,</span></i></i></div><i> </i><i><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If I were a wise man</span></i></div></i><i><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I would do my part, Yet what can I give Him,</span></i></div></i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i>Give my heart</i></b><i>.</i></div></span></blockquote><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Worship acknowledges the one thing that all of us can give Christ, no matter who were are, and it is the one gift Christ wants more than anything else–and that is <b><i>our hearts</i></b><i>!</i> The beautiful thing about the gift of worship is that it is a “gift that keeps on giving” and one I can give to God every day of the year, not just on a single holiday. WISE MEN STILL SEEK HIM, AND WHEN THEY FIND HIM, THEY WORSHIP HIM!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">THE GIFT OF LIBERALITY</i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rnWqxGpIMrw/TvkgrK8q3UI/AAAAAAAABHo/kuLoC-itfvA/s1600/gold-frankincense-myrrh.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="176" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rnWqxGpIMrw/TvkgrK8q3UI/AAAAAAAABHo/kuLoC-itfvA/s200/gold-frankincense-myrrh.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The key phrase and insight is found in verse 11, <i>“Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh.”</i> <b><i>Gift theology</i></b> plays a central role in the revelation of the Bible, and finds an outstanding expression in the actions of these wise men. Our giving is a reflection of God’s giving and it proves the sincerity of our love and devotion. “They opened their treasures.” Jesus told us that <i>“where your treasure is, there will your hearts be also.”</i> This is one reason I also emphasize at offering time that we are <i>“giving in worship”</i> because the clear connection is unmistakable in the first Christmas story. They gave God the best they had, because God desires and deserves the best of our time, our talents, and our treasures. The gifts the wise men gave were not only great in value, but they were even greater in <b><i>meaning</i></b>, for what they said about Jesus, the recognition each contained.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"></div><ol><li><i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Gifts of <b>gold</b>. </i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This is what you give a King or royalty.</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><u style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Jesus is our King</u><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">!</span></li><br />
<li><i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Gifts of <b>frankincense</b></i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">.</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This was an important element in Temple worship, and the altar of incense, telling us that </span><u style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Jesus is our Priest</u><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">!</span></li><br />
<li><i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Gifts of <b>myrrh</b>.</i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This was a spice that was used in embalming corpses.</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It probably was the strangest of all the gifts given that day, but even at or around His birth, the </span><i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">shadow of the Cross</i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> could be seen.</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It tells us that </span><u style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Jesus is our Sacrifice</u><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">!</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This King was born to die for you and me.</span></li>
</ol><br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Our giving and gifts to God should not be a sporadic or once-in-awhile affair.</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">They should be a </span><b style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>lifestyle</i></b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> that is a reflection of and a response to God’s indescribable gift of Jesus Christ!</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The powerful reality of the wise men’s gifts is that many believe that it was these gifts that financed and made possible the flight into Egypt of Joseph and Mary and the Christ Child.</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">They were </span><u style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">strategic</u><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> in preserving the life of Jesus Christ and advancing the Gospel in their time.</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I really like the story about the family who chose to celebrate Christmas every year with a birthday party for Jesus.</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">An extra chair of honor was set up at the table that became the family’s reminder of Jesus’s presence.</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">One year an after-Christmas visitor was at the house, and asked the 5-year old daughter, Ruth, </span><i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“Did you get everything you wanted for Christmas?”</i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">After a moment’s hesitation, Ruth answered insightfully, </span><i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“No, but then it’s not my birthday!”</i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As we prepare to “wrap up” Christmas in 2011, we can learn that these gifts are ones that every follower of Jesus Christ is able to give to God on a regular basis. They are gifts that will not only meet the needs of others, but they will first and foremost give honor and praise to God, and they will bless our lives in the process. I encourage you to keep on giving to God these gifts throughout this upcoming New Year.<i> </i>Let me take this opportunity to remind you one more time: WISE MEN STILL SEEK HIM, AND WORSHIP HIM, AND IT CARRIES WITH IT THE FRAGRANCE OF SACRIFICIAL GIVING.</span><o:p></o:p><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JZRhegWL9fs/Tvkw_ZxbCII/AAAAAAAABIw/GH_VROrrt3k/s1600/wise.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JZRhegWL9fs/Tvkw_ZxbCII/AAAAAAAABIw/GH_VROrrt3k/s400/wise.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>Pastor Harold Warnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08108066191268810028noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5561664450249753810.post-25772364983593306142011-12-13T14:08:00.000-07:002011-12-13T23:44:01.649-07:00O, Come Let Us Adore Him!<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">One of my aims in my </span><i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Twitter</i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> account was to be able to link it directly to my more substantive blog, </span><i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“Keeping Your Head In The Game.”</i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It is especially hard to take inspiration and limit it to 140 characters!</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This is what gave birth today to this Christmas article.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">One of the many things that sets Christianity apart is <b><i>singing and the power of song</i></b>. This is why Christmas and music are synonymous: from music in the Malls, to airports and hotel lobbies, all of the places of business, and, of course, all the radio stations. This is not accidental, cultural, or traditional; but it’s one of the cornerstones of God’s workings in the lives of His people. His people have always been a <i>singing people</i>! Think about some of these truths with me for a moment.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><i>The Melody of Redemption</i></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigm6QKjXEXfZ5kaKKYwYVjQx8P9TdKFb30mbDOvTdLTL7VfyAAFiyR9CuK1-f8s7P1sdBFXfvxSzCY7JTlOwM5rnbAqU5DD2c23dy3Sqv0mRvKargIjvU5Tx33xsp8w7-RwyfRoqf3tBQ/s1600/music.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigm6QKjXEXfZ5kaKKYwYVjQx8P9TdKFb30mbDOvTdLTL7VfyAAFiyR9CuK1-f8s7P1sdBFXfvxSzCY7JTlOwM5rnbAqU5DD2c23dy3Sqv0mRvKargIjvU5Tx33xsp8w7-RwyfRoqf3tBQ/s200/music.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">One unique aspect that stands out about Christianity is that we have a <i>singing faith</i>. This is unique among the religions of the world because singing and song are <u>not</u> a major part of their worship! When was the last time you saw a Muslim singing with joy? Or, the last time you heard a Buddhist breaking out in praise? You probably have not heard an atheist caught up in the rapture of his or her <i>“non-faith”!</i> This is sad because singing is an expression and has tremendous power and ability to <i>influence.</i> Think about how patriotic songs can stir in us a sense of national pride. The air waves are filled with love songs because of the impact they have on people’s emotions. Military training involves the bonding that marching cadences and ballads can bring. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We’re talking about a prominent feature throughout the Bible. God’s acts in creation and redemption have always been accompanied by song! (Job 38:7) says that at creation, <i>“the morning stars sang together”</i> because they were witnessing something truly amazing. Miriam’s song in (Exodus 15:20, 21) celebrated their fantastic deliverance, as they sang, <i>“the Lord has triumphed gloriously.”</i> David’s Tabernacle had the unique feature of employing people in song, music and praise 24/7 (1Chron.9:33). The Book of Psalms was not just inspirational devotional reading, but it was actually Israel’s “hymnal” or songbook (we still sing them today). This reality reaches its climax and finds its ultimate expression in <b>heaven</b>. Heaven is going to be a place of much music, song, and vibrant expression of worship and praise to God and the Lamb! One of my favorite books in my library is by Robert Coleman, <i>“Songs of Heaven,”</i> where he goes through the various songs contained in the Book of Revelation and their meaning for our lives.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The significance of this is that it shows us the activity which takes place nearest the throne of God! <i>“Worship is the proper response of created beings (human or angelic) to the glory of God.”</i> There’s something about the revelation of God: His majesty, His holiness, His greatness, His acts, His love, His glory, and His goodness that <i>demands and gives birth to song!</i> It’s as if these things can only be adequately expressed through the medium of song, because it is the <i>language of the soul</i>. The Christian life begins with a song, it continues with song, and it will one day end with song. The <i>melody of redemption</i> rests in the heart of every true child of God!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><i>The Miracle of Christmas</i></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEFcrMwtoPuG7d3k49SfQXD4Zt9euZoC9fUThlfgrIOEnOJRdpBCRr0cpIDKDRXhFfawCb8vFQtEPvr_p1CjTUgOfgj5JLXy-qJzBKXK-5FGVUp303WSntf03HERuJ4v1NPsyiAq83IJU/s1600/angles-shepherds.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="166" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEFcrMwtoPuG7d3k49SfQXD4Zt9euZoC9fUThlfgrIOEnOJRdpBCRr0cpIDKDRXhFfawCb8vFQtEPvr_p1CjTUgOfgj5JLXy-qJzBKXK-5FGVUp303WSntf03HERuJ4v1NPsyiAq83IJU/s200/angles-shepherds.png" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Christmas is a season for singing! This is why Christmas hymns and carols (comes from <i>Latin word, choral song)</i> are some of the best known songs in the world. Even with the battle with the prevalence of <i>“Politically-Correct Christmas”</i> which gives us the “winter holiday” and <i>“All I Want For Christmas Is My Two Front Teeth”</i> instead of Christ and Christmas, songs are part of the season. This is why it seems every musical artist releases his or her Christmas albums, since no one wants to miss out on this lucrative market. I’m not saying that all of this is wrong or anti-Christ, but tradition or attempts at creating an “artificial atmosphere” can never compare with the profound depths behind the <u>real reason</u> of Christmas. Let’s visit the real thing that we find in the angel’s announcement to the shepherds, “<i>And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with fear. And the angel said to them, "Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.”</i> (Lk.2:8-11) Suddenly, this was followed by the fitting response and tribute of a <i>heavenly chorus,</i> (Lk.2:13,14) <i>“And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!" </i>Only a heavenly choir could do all of this justice. The first Christmas carol was sung by <b>angels</b> in the fields outside of Bethlehem. Billy Graham wrote, <i>“Christmas is not just a date on the calendar. It is not just an annual holiday. It is not a day to glorify selfishness and materialism. Christmas is the celebration of the event that <b>set Heaven to singing</b>, an event that gave the stars of the night sky a new brilliance. Christmas tells us that at a specific time and at a specific place, a specific Person was born. That Person was ‘God of God, Light of Light, very God of very God’ ---- the Lord, Jesus Christ.”</i> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Christmas began with praise, and since then, the birth of Jesus the Messiah has been the inspiration of countless songs and hymns. Luke’s Gospel is filled with music, especially the first 2 chapters, where we find <b>5 hymns</b>: Elizabeth, Zachariah, angels, Simon, and Mary. I think Mary’s <i>“Magnificat”</i> captures the essence of this as she exclaimed, <i>"My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant. For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name.”</i> This is awesome because it is sung by a young girl whose mind is obviously filled with Scripture, and her song is like a beautiful tapestry. Ruth Graham Bell captured this by saying, <i>“We should sing when we feel like it, for it is a shame to miss such an opportunity. We should sing when we don’t feel like it, for it is dangerous to remain in such a condition.”</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><i>Singing Lessons</i></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0H4uSGFHDFULRLgvRoL3fqgaUiJQ7xWuTf63Wq8aOOpe14NHkrxpirQgPLhOoiA73WTVGn9Of-yvCcUpZxKG3LW2RsBOlP_lhQikFuWTVEdInXeZTq_FXimpZQdUtplxg7ALO7zb25CQ/s1600/singing-lessons.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="141" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0H4uSGFHDFULRLgvRoL3fqgaUiJQ7xWuTf63Wq8aOOpe14NHkrxpirQgPLhOoiA73WTVGn9Of-yvCcUpZxKG3LW2RsBOlP_lhQikFuWTVEdInXeZTq_FXimpZQdUtplxg7ALO7zb25CQ/s200/singing-lessons.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Martin Luther who was one of the spearheads of the <i>Reformation</i> fought for two things: the first was to give people a <b><i>Bible</i></b> they could read on their own, and secondly, a <b><i>hymnal</i></b> so they could sing on their own! There’s a lot of people today who talk about the <i>“worship wars”</i> but my conviction is that strong preaching and strong worship go together. One is not complete without the other. (Ps.47:1;6,7) says, <i>“Clap your hands, all peoples!<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> Shout to God with loud songs of joy! Sing praises to God, sing praises! Sing praises to our King, sing praises!<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>For God is the King of all the earth; sing praises with a psalm!”</i> Congregational worship makes possible an <i>intensity</i> that cannot occur individually. <i>Spirit-filled Christianity is a song-filled Christian.</i> (Eph.5:18-20) defines it so clearly, <i>“And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with all your heart, giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Carlyle once said, <i>“Let me make a nation’s songs, and I care not who makes their laws.”</i> This is a huge testament to the power invested here. Let me re-phrase one of the disciple’s questions to bring a conclusion here, <b><i>“Lord, teach us to sing.”</i></b> This is not talking about becoming the next <i>American Idol</i> or winning the <i>X-Factor</i> or releasing your new CD, but spiritual songs can be learned by each and every one of us. Here are a few brief singing lessons for us all.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<ol>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Focus on the </span><b style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">lyrics</b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Pay attention to </span><u style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">what</u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> you are singing.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We’re told to </span><i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“sing praises with understanding.”<br />
</i></li>
<br />
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Call to </span><b style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">participation</b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A whole lot of today’s “worship music” is a performance, not participation.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It might make us feel good, but it is not true worship.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If I could also add one other aspect: if it cannot be sung congregationally, especially by men, then it is of limited and not lasting value.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It might be a “worship experience” but it falls short of Biblical worship.<br />
</span></li>
<br />
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Necessity of </span><b style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">whole-heartedness</b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sing with “gusto.”</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You don’t need to have a beautiful singing voice, or to possess perfect pitch to sing the Lord’s songs; just do it with your whole heart.</span></li>
</ol>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjgOs4iQAlZxZduzQY6dxh-sdSoh0ie0XYAwDZi9Hws_Xyk8CC0CTLB2clHeGwF-Rhjdzseyb62vFBOPYGhEvSlgksKtcd13a9WLKRnNJGobwElUPQYVzYrM00uywiE3UCiNOM0wqcMc4/s1600/worship-at-the-door-church-sierra-leone.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjgOs4iQAlZxZduzQY6dxh-sdSoh0ie0XYAwDZi9Hws_Xyk8CC0CTLB2clHeGwF-Rhjdzseyb62vFBOPYGhEvSlgksKtcd13a9WLKRnNJGobwElUPQYVzYrM00uywiE3UCiNOM0wqcMc4/s200/worship-at-the-door-church-sierra-leone.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There is a very simple secret here: <i>the harmony that comes out of us must first be within us!</i> Mary’s song came from a surrendered heart. (Lk.1:38)LB “<i>Mary said, ‘I am the Lord’s servant, and I am willing to do whatever He wants. May everything you said come true.”</i> I remember one of the most awesome worship times I ever heard. It was in Freetown, Sierra Leone, West Africa, in an area called Ferry Junction. I can remember driving towards the church and turning the corner, passing the U.N. compound on the left side of the road, and just past that to approach <i>The Door Church</i>, and to hear the sounds of the saints of God there singing and worshiping! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">O Come All Ye Faithful</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Joyful and triumphant,<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Come and behold Him,<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Born the King of Angels;<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">O Come, let us adore Him,<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">O Come, let us adore Him,<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Christ the Lord.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">O Sing, choirs of angels,<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sing in exultation,<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sing all that hear in heaven God’s holy word.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Give to our Father glory in the Highest;<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">O come, let us adore Him,<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">O come, let us adore Him,<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">O come, let us adore Him,<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Christ the Lord.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">All Hail! Lord, we greet Thee,<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Born this happy morning,<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">O Jesus! For evermore be Thy name adored.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing; <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">O come, let us adore Him.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">O come, let us adore Him.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">O come, let us adore Him.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Christ the Lord.</span></i><o:p></o:p></div>Pastor Harold Warnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08108066191268810028noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5561664450249753810.post-71772887728731089782011-12-08T14:38:00.000-07:002011-12-08T19:08:43.495-07:00Advent: Ancient Longing and Hope!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkSccxDFBqxuSfyOj_22QJNmchtpGaiONNSYf56r7jW2DGTADhEa_DLrxtMKWTO7VVgwPOFYzXxAVmrO_2CpFIJrLa-58nAHzlj5apCm5uRg2T6yv_fc9ZUEdr13DYNkfvtzTWDZ3kB9s/s1600/240px-Adventskranz-1_Advent.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkSccxDFBqxuSfyOj_22QJNmchtpGaiONNSYf56r7jW2DGTADhEa_DLrxtMKWTO7VVgwPOFYzXxAVmrO_2CpFIJrLa-58nAHzlj5apCm5uRg2T6yv_fc9ZUEdr13DYNkfvtzTWDZ3kB9s/s200/240px-Adventskranz-1_Advent.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I always try to get inspired to
“</span><i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">feed the flock of God”</i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> during the
Christmas season.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My reason for
preaching, teaching, and writing is it has everything to do with </span><b style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">beginnings</b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Mark’s Gospel begins with this statement, </span><i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“The <u>beginning</u> of the Gospel of Jesus
Christ, the Son of God.”</i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Beginnings
are important because if you’re off here, you’ll be off about other critical
things as well.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL_HYYspZ6jaLdZ0VLrt6CA9_ALj7F6vqlZvgoaois9JkaZd-j8BgkTtUQTtcas8vnbsTGIT7w_AnnHBvskMblGSMlKR-QeV0M_B5V6RcjE46AWXSRDWRcm-e6SgOFnfYA-eNGfUzIk1I/s1600/Simeon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="149" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL_HYYspZ6jaLdZ0VLrt6CA9_ALj7F6vqlZvgoaois9JkaZd-j8BgkTtUQTtcas8vnbsTGIT7w_AnnHBvskMblGSMlKR-QeV0M_B5V6RcjE46AWXSRDWRcm-e6SgOFnfYA-eNGfUzIk1I/s200/Simeon.jpg" width="200" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">One of the figures of this drama
and the unparalleled event of God becoming a man was a man named <i>Simeon</i>.
His testimony was summed up in (Lk.2:25) <i>“And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon, and
this man was just and devout, waiting for the <b>Consolation of Israel</b>, and the Holy Spirit was upon him.” </i>This statement talked about a believing
remnant in Israel, and it was almost like “code” for those who carried with
them and held on to the hope of the promised Messiah who would answer every
need in the human heart.<i> </i>Hope was a precious commodity in a dying nation. The Jews had been carried into captivity,
many of them living in exile and slavery.
Many were cynical, faithless, and embittered. Still, some yearned for the great days of the
kings of the past, the glory of David and Solomon. Prophets like Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Micah
urged the people to <i>keep the faith</i>. Their message was <i>“Wait for one more King. This
one will be the greatest of all, and He will end our struggle forever.” </i> Micah distinguished himself when he said, “<i>But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too
little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who
is to be ruler in Israel, whose origin is from of old, from ancient days.”</i>
(Micah 5:2)<i><o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This accounts for why there are
more than 300 Scripture prophecies, some of them fantastically specific, about
Messiah who would come. The Christmas
season is also known and referred to as <b><i>Advent</i></b>, which comes from the Latin,
‘adventus” that means <b><i>‘coming.’</i> </b>This is why in Matthew’s Gospel
especially you find repeatedly in reference to the birth of Christ the
statement, <i>“that it might be fulfilled
that was spoken by ______.”</i> Christ’s
birth was not an accident, but God’s divine plan from the foundations of the
world, prophecy fulfilled!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeArTsc_OwYkRoOUxEifBqoIctOVAUWVM2mdwBNs9xImXraaWajLRov3FLjm96H_ST9rJ3KhxxFhQp85VBOE-Kd4cFrDSWhmYB8uSP0x8fCsxY1Kimcr4IF9Bo50MXERthkinTc_z8Bxk/s1600/john_chrysostom_archbishopofconstantinople.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeArTsc_OwYkRoOUxEifBqoIctOVAUWVM2mdwBNs9xImXraaWajLRov3FLjm96H_ST9rJ3KhxxFhQp85VBOE-Kd4cFrDSWhmYB8uSP0x8fCsxY1Kimcr4IF9Bo50MXERthkinTc_z8Bxk/s200/john_chrysostom_archbishopofconstantinople.jpg" width="158" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>John Chrysotom</i> (347-407 A.D.) was one of the most influential early
church fathers from the 4<sup>th</sup> and 5<sup>th</sup> centuries. He served for a time as the Archbishop of
Constantinople. He was known from his
eloquence in preaching and public speaking, earning him the name <i>“the golden-throated preacher.”</i> Here is one of his writings which highlights
the hope that Christmas brings, even in a pagan culture that either ignores
Christmas altogether, or makes it traditionally into a time of riotous behavior
and debauchery.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So not think you are hearing of small things<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">when you hear of this birth, <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">but rouse up your mind,<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">and tremble when you are told<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">that God has come upon earth.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">For so marvelous was this,<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">and beyond expectation,<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">that because of these things<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">the very angels formed a choir,<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">and in behalf of the world<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">offered up their praise for then,<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">and the prophets from the first were amazed at this,<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">that He was seen upon earth, and conversed with men.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">For it is far beyond all thought<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">to hear that God the Unspeakable, the Unutterable, <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">the Incomprehensible, and He that is equal to the Father,<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">has passed through a virgin’s womb,<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">and has chosen to be born of a woman,<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">and to have Abraham and David for forefathers.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Hearing these things, arise, and think of nothing low!<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And most of all you should marvel at this –<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">that being Son of the Unoriginate God, and His true Son,<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">He suffered Himself to be called also Son of David,<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">that he might make you son of God.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">He suffered a slave to be father to Him,<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">that He might make the Lord Father to you a slave!<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4ABSPZaJCK496qP-xvQD93kUhfpfr2tYcFvG7jl9mLoKMYC7ngzxwuZ421F7pqnIe3wy62dXIn18wi3POJLRF6m-niWDMyJBTLFbjHFKal34QZa7qBfFTBQGlBlRgxWSVhpViqzjdfPU/s1600/MerryChristmas.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="161" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4ABSPZaJCK496qP-xvQD93kUhfpfr2tYcFvG7jl9mLoKMYC7ngzxwuZ421F7pqnIe3wy62dXIn18wi3POJLRF6m-niWDMyJBTLFbjHFKal34QZa7qBfFTBQGlBlRgxWSVhpViqzjdfPU/s320/MerryChristmas.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></i></div>Pastor Harold Warnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08108066191268810028noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5561664450249753810.post-84929196694527602892011-12-03T21:31:00.001-07:002011-12-03T22:53:13.934-07:00The Christmas Spirit<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">*The headlines on the </span><i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Drudge Report</i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> on the day after “Black
Friday” tells it all.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This was the list
of articles relating to the activity and excess of that day.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<ul><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRx8V71AZcUBL-CsPdesoK8M5RCDbbzCpS9xFWlKDeULb42cr_BI_YqL8YEYn3Eyvhf9pH431AcZ-mIfB6i-xaWsGqEzVAJBXUyrz66ovufM8_Iv-XzQCBQYiMibwtcDX66Njy1brn3FQ/s1600/black_friday_madness.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRx8V71AZcUBL-CsPdesoK8M5RCDbbzCpS9xFWlKDeULb42cr_BI_YqL8YEYn3Eyvhf9pH431AcZ-mIfB6i-xaWsGqEzVAJBXUyrz66ovufM8_Iv-XzQCBQYiMibwtcDX66Njy1brn3FQ/s320/black_friday_madness.jpg" width="320" /></a>
<li><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Black and Blue Friday</span></i></li>
<li><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Woman pepper sprays other Black Friday shoppers ‘to gain an upper
hand...”</span></i></li>
<li><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">‘Competitive shopping’ turns into chaos...</span></i></li>
<li><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">‘Girls Punching Each Other’ Over Yoga Pants Sale at Victoria’s
Secret...</span></i></li>
<li><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">VIDEO: Mayhem over $2 waffle maker...</span></i></li>
<li><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Two women insured in brawl...</span></i></li>
<li><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Woman shot, robbed in SC after midnight shopping trip to WALMART...</span></i></li>
<li><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">NC police use pepper spray to break up melee...</span></i></li>
<li><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Grandfather smashed to ground as he tried to protect grandson from
crowd...</span></i></li>
<li><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Police taser WALMART customer...</span></i></li>
<li><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">GUNFIRE ERUPTS AT MALL.........</span></i><i><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></o:p></i></li>
</ul>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As I read these headlines the
song that came into my mind was, <i>“It’s
beginning to feel a lot like Christmas...”</i>
I know it sounds a bit cynical, and I’m not criticizing anyone who tries
to be a “value shopper.” It does,
however, illustrate the challenge we face at this time of year: <i>finding balance in our Christmas
celebration.</i> How do we make
Christmas joyously special without it becoming either paganized or overly
commercialized? Is the answer a kind of <i>“sanctified Scroogism”</i> that spends most
of its time attacking almost everything, or can I keep my head to make the
holidays happily holy?! I am very well
aware that the holiday season is surrounded by the silly, the superficial, and
the senseless. I also realize that at
the same time there is a definite openness of people’s souls that we can capitalize
on to see the true spirit and message of Christmas reaching as many people as
possible. Is there a way that holiday traditions can be applied without allowing
an undermining worldliness to clutter our celebrating? How about a few suggestions:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja266sMNwtFH9HCCofyNPZsGMEqNH513Of4-2h-4tpc_DXpx3Bpn3zyCPViy_fCANcdxoRLfW-g2bWty3WRgkGCeCvVLkjO8AyinTAZ1IKgrd5RWbxQ0094e-VwfA6qQUkusfAc-Nsi7c/s1600/2006_the_nativity_story_027.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja266sMNwtFH9HCCofyNPZsGMEqNH513Of4-2h-4tpc_DXpx3Bpn3zyCPViy_fCANcdxoRLfW-g2bWty3WRgkGCeCvVLkjO8AyinTAZ1IKgrd5RWbxQ0094e-VwfA6qQUkusfAc-Nsi7c/s320/2006_the_nativity_story_027.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">1. <i><u>Why not be more like the shepherds?</u></i> The angels incredible announcement to them on
that “night of nights” was <i>"Do not
be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to
all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior,
who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe
wrapped in swaddling clothes.”</i> Their
response is still the correct one over two millennia later, <i>“So it was, when the angels had gone away
from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, "<b>Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this
thing that has come to pass</b>, which the Lord has made known to
us." And they <b>came with haste</b> and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a
manger. Now when they had seen Him, <b>they
made widely known</b> the saying which was told them concerning this Child.”</i>
(Excerpts Luke 2)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv226_84xScALdV1nCzr_LeIcCTFAz8XeMUrmkE134bu6iY3MbxH7_P2AflrnXazUByGEceOPf1Qyy1rwTQGp83sxTHG_10hV_TRCSrbstua1e5YQcVxo6O0HfuyypDOXw3kEUbpeNLHY/s1600/family-coffee-fireplace.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv226_84xScALdV1nCzr_LeIcCTFAz8XeMUrmkE134bu6iY3MbxH7_P2AflrnXazUByGEceOPf1Qyy1rwTQGp83sxTHG_10hV_TRCSrbstua1e5YQcVxo6O0HfuyypDOXw3kEUbpeNLHY/s320/family-coffee-fireplace.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">2. <i><u>Purpose that your goal will be to embrace community not consumption.</u></i> The practice of gift giving is a tradition
that has roots in the original Christmas story, which is a good thing. However, try to remember that the things that
really have value is relationships in home, church and those we work with. This will help me approach this season
without becoming overwhelmed by all the things that must be done in order to
have a <i>“good Christmas.”</i> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihmTBuuHHR2fBN3s6OrtigVAaAQbTWIZA0NbTNItH9iGeLqzR4ZWYtM4SVgG1s4j0t6rzJYQbr9JCsbCpRL79KLV8B7CEGOK1uBYzem28Eks5YeV6SlVEoLurDQ9FpWYruhj04NAj5Kvs/s1600/the-door-christian-fellowship-church.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihmTBuuHHR2fBN3s6OrtigVAaAQbTWIZA0NbTNItH9iGeLqzR4ZWYtM4SVgG1s4j0t6rzJYQbr9JCsbCpRL79KLV8B7CEGOK1uBYzem28Eks5YeV6SlVEoLurDQ9FpWYruhj04NAj5Kvs/s320/the-door-christian-fellowship-church.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">3. <i><u>Practice the wisdom of (1Pet.3:15)</u> </i>which says, <i>“Through thick and thin, keep your hearts at
attention, in adoration before Christ, your Master. Be ready to speak up and
tell anyone who asks why you're living the way you are, and always with the
utmost courtesy.” </i>This is not hype
but rather a hope-filled witness to an inquiring world, which is especially
applicable to our traditional year-end holidays. I can’t think of too many things that are
more likely to open hearts to Christ than being exposed to the joy of Jesus in
a home or congregation where people have learned to make the holidays happily
holy. Sanctify the Lord Jesus <i>first</i> - centering everything around
Him. Then rejoice! Let people learn what it is to live in the
liberty that the truth and Spirit of Christmas really bring.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiZWl8ZJo24c98h9Yfjw7jEtsyXyhqLjdqGg-iM-K0IDO0avL509aWjdUJFckK6ZMrtJpOVyZoNCyInxfRBslh_vHHmFSCECThwQRvg6HofPMeyzCrfGJ2Cu2-ER50qZmEA2cuwgIC1-o/s1600/jesus-joseph-mary2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="205" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiZWl8ZJo24c98h9Yfjw7jEtsyXyhqLjdqGg-iM-K0IDO0avL509aWjdUJFckK6ZMrtJpOVyZoNCyInxfRBslh_vHHmFSCECThwQRvg6HofPMeyzCrfGJ2Cu2-ER50qZmEA2cuwgIC1-o/s320/jesus-joseph-mary2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">4. <i><u>Always keep in mind Who and Why we celebrate at this time of year.</u></i> (Isaiah 9:6,7) contains mind-boggling truth
about the Child Jesus, the Son who was born on Christmas day! <i>“For to
us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his
shoulder, and his name shall be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of
the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne
of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice
and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the
Lord of hosts will do this.”</i> In the
Name and Person of Christ is reality that answers to every need in the human
heart!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The bottom line this year and
every year is that it is impossible to live up to all the hype of Christmas....<b>without Jesus</b>! Think about it, Christmas without Jesus is a
holiday that celebrates nothing. Holiday
trees, secular music and solstice winter celebrations are all fine, but they
become a <i>celebration of nothing</i>. I’m not a serial killer about taking Christ
out of Christmas, but it is sad and sets up people for a horrible letdown. Without Christ, nothing can live up to the
hype of Christmas. After the Civil War,
when the Union troops captured Richmond, wagonloads of Confederate money were
taken from the city. In the evenings
during that trip, the Union troops would play poker with Confederate money. It
wasn’t an important game. In fact, it
was a meaningless game. The money was
absolutely worthless. This reminds me of
Christmas without Christ: it’s like the poker game that isn’t real; and, when
it’s over, nobody wins in the game. On
the other side, because of the coming of the Messiah, you know what’s
important. You know truth that nobody
but you can know because of Him! This is
the <i>Christmas Spirit</i> that we contend
for year after year, and not just limit it to a holiday, but make it our goal
to walk in that spirit all 365 days of the year!</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi6vNU6hALQQk-Xf_PrqR7_Vdo5kudUFw6QVx306fOAmWqQdB35on1D0Y7F1qWOcGPQTsE8qTvOka9sqBfMOY0de3KoERmOerpZYz8DYW4T_rSkOhZHRnH0bfYEEPrdh1gu7chYpMJAFU/s1600/Jesus_-_Birth.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi6vNU6hALQQk-Xf_PrqR7_Vdo5kudUFw6QVx306fOAmWqQdB35on1D0Y7F1qWOcGPQTsE8qTvOka9sqBfMOY0de3KoERmOerpZYz8DYW4T_rSkOhZHRnH0bfYEEPrdh1gu7chYpMJAFU/s640/Jesus_-_Birth.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>Pastor Harold Warnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08108066191268810028noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5561664450249753810.post-89940270745165225872011-12-03T17:30:00.000-07:002011-12-04T13:31:53.716-07:00How To Avoid A Blue, Blue, Blue Christmas<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzmU_ISljlSQQtQDDJPtqMaMACEkoHm74MLNvbj5E2FuDBwwaSKeTC7sgOYrr49gZKBiKgICsPHc3TmnkCtWF1IirVLBPYSVWGVW_pr75B4PwbEzsiizkxFy3KgEmLsAzpOvSEkeb_Xfg/s1600/carreycarol2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzmU_ISljlSQQtQDDJPtqMaMACEkoHm74MLNvbj5E2FuDBwwaSKeTC7sgOYrr49gZKBiKgICsPHc3TmnkCtWF1IirVLBPYSVWGVW_pr75B4PwbEzsiizkxFy3KgEmLsAzpOvSEkeb_Xfg/s200/carreycarol2.jpg" width="191" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Guest Blog by Pastor Fred Rubi.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“I will honor Christmas in my
heart, and try to keep it all the year.” – Ebenezer Scrooge (Charles Dickens, A
Christmas Carol)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I suspect what makes Scrooge
such an enduring character is that (if we’re honest) there is a little humbug
in most of us. Let’s face it Christmas
Cheer is not always that cheerful. The
truth is Christmas exists between the tensions of great joy and profound angst.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It’s interesting to note that
the first official response to the announcement of Jesus’ birth was fear. The Angel began his message to the Shepherds
in the field with, <i>“Be not afriad</i>;
for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy which will come to all the
people; for to you is born a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I don’t think much has changed
in two millennia. For some it’s hearing
their first “Yuletide” carol of the season, for others it’s the sighing of a
holiday display at a shopping mall sometime near Columbus Day, or just the
weight of having to consider advancing Christmastime obligations. The first thought of Christmas can be rough.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Many people wrongly equate
happiness with an event partly because that has the word’s original
implication. The word happy comes from
the old English word “hap” meaning luck, or good fortune. The idea was that a happy person demonstrated
the joy of someone who experienced good luck.
It stands to reason that people who go through life waiting for a
fortuitous moment to bring contentment will be very unhappy most of the time.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">That’s why we must constantly
remind ourselves that the true meaning of Christmas is the good news of “a
great joy.” The Angel told Joseph that
Mary would “bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name JESUS, for He will
save His people from their sins.” The
great joy is the promise of salvatioin.
The heart of joy is hope not just a good time.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBlLL6jpy6-hdKYHk1KQykdKzp44TAQ5FcvDBn3ZJV5rxjf8nqPdMSg5yVA7DC1C-2hpgarZTPHMZHRNLFUD1_owA85eHLW0i5oof5_kRWeSLmi_5-kQRamyyx3lLdoWPywBPNvOQR9oc/s1600/JesusBirth.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBlLL6jpy6-hdKYHk1KQykdKzp44TAQ5FcvDBn3ZJV5rxjf8nqPdMSg5yVA7DC1C-2hpgarZTPHMZHRNLFUD1_owA85eHLW0i5oof5_kRWeSLmi_5-kQRamyyx3lLdoWPywBPNvOQR9oc/s400/JesusBirth.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I believe Christmas is a wonder
from God given to the world so every year the nations will hear the
proclamation, “born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the
Lord.” I believe it’s also a gift to his
people that no matter what we are going through we can pause and be reminded
(and encouraged) that Jesus Christ is indeed Lord!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Scrooge’s great revelation was
that the joy of Christmas was something that had to be embraced—something that
had to be honored—because it represents far more than a dreaded holiday season.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwYrSRWiP4HsdwfxTw56ayrbLvZrB01F7dZO44YPi9bWzXquNzChsrRpAYtci1uWY36Ng5Ys3wJ6dILJs_7pZKPqji9u01jHKY2wFi0Fa2GYdORWCfbemqwEuWZVmXrj2v7_rOKjSI6xc/s1600/a_christmas_carol_2009_09-1.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwYrSRWiP4HsdwfxTw56ayrbLvZrB01F7dZO44YPi9bWzXquNzChsrRpAYtci1uWY36Ng5Ys3wJ6dILJs_7pZKPqji9u01jHKY2wFi0Fa2GYdORWCfbemqwEuWZVmXrj2v7_rOKjSI6xc/s640/a_christmas_carol_2009_09-1.png" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Pastor Fred Rubi</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>Pastor Harold Warnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08108066191268810028noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5561664450249753810.post-54526193881587732922011-12-03T09:33:00.000-07:002011-12-03T17:41:25.735-07:00Coming To America!?<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6WcVbRIaj3kxSKFHxyyCSSLm9LY8O_cplaJ8QaQoGx9o9uh2qpYCaVCJ57tQzViHKx9CllyAL1vkO7OxWeJuKlKwgZ0yvevucmu6J8heoDsjDMkS8Nqbp6bGo0xSBn2LNa5pClPfbZBo/s1600/cameroon-map1.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6WcVbRIaj3kxSKFHxyyCSSLm9LY8O_cplaJ8QaQoGx9o9uh2qpYCaVCJ57tQzViHKx9CllyAL1vkO7OxWeJuKlKwgZ0yvevucmu6J8heoDsjDMkS8Nqbp6bGo0xSBn2LNa5pClPfbZBo/s200/cameroon-map1.gif" width="140" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Our Bible Conferences are
exciting times of personal ministry and edification, coupled with a renewed
casting of vision.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">One of the great
challenges is always to hear the Holy Spirit when He says, </span><i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“separate me Barnabas and Saul </i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">(you could put lot of people’s names
here!)</span><i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> for the work to which I have
called them.”</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNGOkG_3qdg6vrtH55DM5rSfgB-WkW1N8U59JuIz5847mbakdwvQK5ahmXKvaFhXWBabeGFOzf8KN8nt9Y5q__IehkT43quHIeNblzdqRFqex0PMBGGA2afKZz9tGVfDA523BP2Q2cwig/s1600/sliver-spring-md-map.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="171" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNGOkG_3qdg6vrtH55DM5rSfgB-WkW1N8U59JuIz5847mbakdwvQK5ahmXKvaFhXWBabeGFOzf8KN8nt9Y5q__IehkT43quHIeNblzdqRFqex0PMBGGA2afKZz9tGVfDA523BP2Q2cwig/s200/sliver-spring-md-map.png" width="200" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This year we announced a new
overseas church plant into <i>Bamenda,
Cameroon</i> with Phillip and Kristin Kuti-George. The other part of this venture is taking over
the church in Silver Spring, MD where the Kuti-George’s have labored is <i>Jamile & Yinka Hurst</i> from London,
England. To me, the exciting part is we
normally heart about sending workers and missionaries from the U.S. into other
places. In this case, the order is
reversed: we’re bringing a couple from London to pastor here in the U.S.! Especially in one of the most influential
metropolitan areas in the country, <i>Washington,
D.C.</i> Silver Spring is a suburb, located approximately 8 miles from D.C. The whole area there is an incredible melting
pot of people of various ethnicities and people from many different parts of
the world. Originally, this was one of
the incentives for Phillip & Kristin to go there, with its large population
of people from Sierra Leone and other West African nations.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0_qioy5tfiH0mnZP2Y-5YnP3T_GD0I0lktrMkQszsiOAmGRWj-SIt1A3jyElN5TucbWTAzny2pisOL0oWoQ-N_1FLZoFjgIkAjOLj15j0PGWYkgDcAtxrBTS25a4v6vpkn0HfBMFP1_M/s1600/jamile.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="146" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0_qioy5tfiH0mnZP2Y-5YnP3T_GD0I0lktrMkQszsiOAmGRWj-SIt1A3jyElN5TucbWTAzny2pisOL0oWoQ-N_1FLZoFjgIkAjOLj15j0PGWYkgDcAtxrBTS25a4v6vpkn0HfBMFP1_M/s200/jamile.png" width="200" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Jamile Hurst was saved in
November of 1999 in South London, and was originally from the Caribbean country
of <i>Antigua</i>. He has pastored in the U.K. and for the last
few years he has evangelized throughout England and other countries. I am excited because, first, he is a man of
God with real vision, and secondly, I think that he will be uniquely positioned
to not only relate, but also to transcend many of the barriers between people
in that area. They have just enlarged
and remodeled the building in Silver Spring.
The Hurst’s arrived yesterday and the official changeover will take
place on 12-11-11. Pray that by God’s grace the church is positioned to move
forward and the Word of God can <i>“multiply
and prevail!”</i></span><o:p></o:p></div>Pastor Harold Warnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08108066191268810028noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5561664450249753810.post-78032264658514013632011-11-29T21:56:00.000-07:002011-11-30T08:14:18.551-07:00Out Of The Mouths Of...Frogs<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0nWaY89nQCwuE8TtCaTjmI_C9slgsd8Yuzo_JgBAUQTtJttTwV0nJrORkzNsmt1q8IOvb5bT34bewrb6JDl_DUW8bCGrjjf6CiUina519v6n-Q1p-icWPJ3AY3saY0dvBPS3hYw_kuiE/s1600/Frog-from-Satan%2527s-mouth.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0nWaY89nQCwuE8TtCaTjmI_C9slgsd8Yuzo_JgBAUQTtJttTwV0nJrORkzNsmt1q8IOvb5bT34bewrb6JDl_DUW8bCGrjjf6CiUina519v6n-Q1p-icWPJ3AY3saY0dvBPS3hYw_kuiE/s200/Frog-from-Satan%2527s-mouth.jpg" width="154" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sunday, three of our sisters just returned home from a tour to the land of </span><i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Israel</i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We asked them all to give a report, especially the impact that this had on them personally.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">They came back with a sense of the real </span><b style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">urgency</b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> to pray for and stand by and support the nation of Israel.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">(Ps.122:6) clearly say, “</span><i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Pray for peace in Jerusalem. May all who love this city prosper.”</i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The prosperity he speaks about is not financial, but instead, the </span><i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">security</i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> that comes from being in harmony with God and in tune with his plans and workings.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This is why I couldn't ignore the abundance of articles in the last few weeks all centered around Iran’s nuclear program and the possibility of Israel’s pre-emptive attack on them in the interest of national security, most of them emphasizing sooner rather than later.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Something like this would undoubtedly have profound ramifications for our world today.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3_2ywaamrhLoBYpviX3hDJQmN4kWvRbsGYPj99AWIU-4YSNzSFHed1B7pRwyVvSLEC4H-z94D-J_sFO23HRcMuglfViXqGEpbWvKK0FDZovYKcZNIjsT17w-16M5Kxol36gFtveAG1Q0/s1600/harold-warner-preaching.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="164" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3_2ywaamrhLoBYpviX3hDJQmN4kWvRbsGYPj99AWIU-4YSNzSFHed1B7pRwyVvSLEC4H-z94D-J_sFO23HRcMuglfViXqGEpbWvKK0FDZovYKcZNIjsT17w-16M5Kxol36gFtveAG1Q0/s200/harold-warner-preaching.png" width="200" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Biblical preaching carries with it many dimensions. There is <i>doctrinal</i> preaching: teaching us what we believe as Christians and why. There is preaching about <i>Christian living</i>: the implications of what we believe in our day-to-day living, decisions and priorities. There is preaching that emphasizes the <i>relational</i>: when we make Jesus Christ Lord and Savior of our lives, it brings us into vital relationship with the church, Christ’s <i>Body</i>. Some preaching is <i>purposeful</i>, in that it focuses on the callings and giftings of God: what we’re on ths earth to accomplish. There is also <i>inspirational </i>preaching whose aim is the building up of people’s faith. Then, there is also <i>prophetic preaching</i>. Bible prophecy is a vital part of the Christian life, since it deals with the future aspect of our Faith. The prophetic realm though is not limited to the predictive or being able to tell the future; it is preaching that lays out how things fit into the scope of God’s greater plans. I’ve always been inspired by the testimony of the Sons of Issachar who had <i>“understanding of the times to know what Israel ought to do.”</i> They were people who had understanding both of our unique TIMES and also our DUTIES in light of our times. The need for people of this caliber is always with us. Whenever you tackle the subject of Bible prophecy you should do so knowing the challenges. First, is the fact that prophecy sermons are “informational intensive.” Another challenge is that even the best of us <i>“sees through a mirror dimly,” </i>even the so-called “experts.” The other challenge is to take that truth and teaching and make the connection how it relates to our day-to-day living. It’s not about speculation or sensationalism, it’s about the future promises of God motivating us as Christ-followers and witnesses today. The Apostle Peter was a master in this department as he wrote about the last days and said, <i>“Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming.”</i> (2Pet.3:11,12)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It was with all this in mind that I was drawn to the Apostle John’s words in the Book of Revelation 16:12-16):<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“The sixth angel poured out his bowl on the great river Euphrates, and its water was dried up, to prepare the way for the kings from the east. And I saw, coming out of the mouth of the dragon and out of the mouth of the beast and out of the mouth of the false prophet, three unclean spirits like frogs. For they are demonic spirits, performing signs, who go abroad to the kings of the whole world, to assemble them for battle on the great day of God the Almighty. ("Behold, I am coming like a thief! Blessed is the one who stays awake, keeping his garments on, that he may not go about naked and be seen exposed!") And they assembled them at the place that in Hebrew is called Armageddon.”</i></blockquote>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You've</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> heard of the saying, </span><i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“Out of the mouths of babes”...well, this verse spoke to me of “Out of the mouths of....Frogs!”</i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> It draws our attention to some very vital considerations, which I would like you to think about with me.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><i>I Feel The Spirit Moving!</i></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiljJVY9kCfJqCtdZGUuFB_5L6LppwiCnwFVLxe2S4WWgv_rLKuqpq4SIGNUGEEbjeGzbOqK9WW2bhwemMEMYURVR9RdSe_BawHx6gptAqiG7JNO598EuTSav_zyBdCwzSvkyiMeTzwdbc/s1600/obama-sarkoszy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="110" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiljJVY9kCfJqCtdZGUuFB_5L6LppwiCnwFVLxe2S4WWgv_rLKuqpq4SIGNUGEEbjeGzbOqK9WW2bhwemMEMYURVR9RdSe_BawHx6gptAqiG7JNO598EuTSav_zyBdCwzSvkyiMeTzwdbc/s200/obama-sarkoszy.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In this case, I am not talking about the Holy Spirit, but a different kind of spirit. This passage deals specifically with the period of the Great Tribulation, a time still future, when God turns His focus to Israel nationally. It is very similar to (1Jn.2:18), <i>“Children, it is the last hour, and as you have heard that antichrist is coming, so now many antichrists have come. Therefore we know that it is the last hour.” </i>John is saying that the event (i.e. the coming of the anti-Christ)<i> </i>has not arrived, but there are spiritual precursors to this that mirror and echo the physical reality. In this case it would be the spirit of anti-Christ at work in the world. The spirit that is highlighted here is the <i><u>spirit of anti-Semitism</u></i>. The text mentions <i>“<b>3 unclean spirits like frogs. For they are demonic spirits.”</b></i> <i> </i>He talks about spiritual forces that have political, international and even military objectives; a kind of <i>“news behind the news.”</i> Recently, at the end of the <i>G20 Summit</i>, there was a very embarrassing and revealing open microphone gaffe. French President <i>Nicolas Sarkozy</i> told U.S. President <i>Barack Obama</i> that he could not stand Israel prime minister <i>Benjamin Netanyahu</i>, and he thinks the premier is a liar. President Obama was heard to respond, <i>“You’re fed up with him? I have to deal with him every day.”</i> When I heard that, my first thought was <i>“anti-Semitism is alive and well”</i> in our world today! I trust that you will agree with the truth of the statement, <i>“No people on the planet has endured more systematic, heavily resourced attempts to wipe it out than the Jewish race.”</i> A quick trip through history should confirm this fact. In <b>Egypt</b> we see the enslavement of an entire nation with Pharaoh’s command to the Hebrew midwives to kill all of the male children. In <b>Persia</b>, we see Hamaan’s hate-filled attempt at genocide, <i>“Letters were sent by couriers to all the king's provinces with instruction to destroy, to kill, and to annihilate all Jews, young and old, women and children.”</i> In the first century, in 70 A.D., <b>Rome</b> killed a million Jews and took another 300,000 as slaves exiling them to different parts of the empire. More recently were the <b>Russian pogroms</b> of the 19<sup>th</sup> century. Then, there was Hitler’s <i>“final solution”</i> during WWII with the goal of the eradication of the Jewish people. Six million Jews lost their lives throughout Europe during this period known as the Holocaust. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">All of this only really makes sense when you realize it doesn't make sense, at least not on the natural. It is spiritual and supernatural in nature. (Rev.12:1-5;13;17) pulls back the curtain to reveal a deep, spiritual and demonic roots of both anti-Semitism and anti-Christianity. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>“And a great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars. She was pregnant and was crying out in birth pains and the agony of giving birth. And another sign appeared in heaven: behold, a great red dragon, with seven heads and ten horns, and on his heads seven diadems. His tail swept down a third of the stars of heaven and cast them to the earth. And the dragon stood before the woman who was about to give birth, so that when she bore her child he might devour it. She gave birth to a male child, one who is to rule all the nations with a rod of iron, but her child was caught up to God and to his throne, 6 and the woman fled into the wilderness, where she has a place prepared by God” – “And when the dragon saw that he had been thrown down to the earth, he pursued the woman who had given birth to the male child.” — “Then the dragon became furious with the woman and went off to make war on the rest of her offspring, on those who keep the commandments of God and hold to the testimony of Jesus.” </i></span></blockquote>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHVY9q5P6FAURUR4P-G52BRvSQheWMGwNUcaiuySaSsOrV6eiGdJerBOe_IRo7m1fAnCIzAxCFwBJb_dRRNcTZ3Z4x8cLuwUK7rmy6yBQgHqWCQwKS6ouqwRKcUJpoBZz6doQWQHBc4Vw/s1600/woman_clothed_in_sun.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHVY9q5P6FAURUR4P-G52BRvSQheWMGwNUcaiuySaSsOrV6eiGdJerBOe_IRo7m1fAnCIzAxCFwBJb_dRRNcTZ3Z4x8cLuwUK7rmy6yBQgHqWCQwKS6ouqwRKcUJpoBZz6doQWQHBc4Vw/s200/woman_clothed_in_sun.jpg" width="197" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What this presents us with is a <b>majestic woman</b> (the nation of Israel and the Jewish people); a <b>Child</b> destined to rule the nations (Christ); and a great <b>red Dragon</b> (identified as the devil and Satan). All of this is set in the context of the ancient <i>cosmic struggle</i> to damn the souls of men and defeat the purposes of God. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The text is specific, the woman was pregnant and about to give birth. God chose Israel, Abraham and his descendants to be the <i>delivery system</i> for His message of life, truth, love, law and the gift of Messiah. Israel has and will yet pay a <u>tremendous price</u> for this privilege, making them the focus of Satan’s animosity down through the ages. This is the real source of anti-Semitism and why it continues to this day. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<u style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A.W. Sac</u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> wrote, </span><i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“Next to the survival of the Jews, the most baffling historical phenomenon is the hatred which he has repeatedly encountered among the nations of the earth. This hostility is to the Jews, which goes under the name of anti-Semitism, is as old as Jewish existence. It is endemic like many contagious diseases; it is always with us to some degree. But under certain circumstances it assumes epidemic proportions and characteristics. It is prevalent wherever Jews reside in sufficiently large numbers to make their neighbors aware of their presence. ‘The growth of anti-Semitism,’ Chaim Weizman declared, ‘is proportionate to the number of Jews per square kilometer. We carry the germs of anti-Semitism in our knapsack on our backs.’”</i></blockquote>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There is something totally illogical about this, but woven into the fabric of the “<i>world mind”</i> by the Deceiver himself. If you’ve been paying attention, the whole <i>‘Occupy Movement’</i> and protesters are filled with an unmistakable <i>anti-Semitic</i> note. Today, we might be dealing with a <b>new face</b>, bit it is the same <b>old spirit</b> at work...trust me on this. <i><o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><i>The Alignment of Nations</i></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9RL4nU46HghrapRUt4KYTRac2EdyafjNg4OET_nVY8oz9i0mYnpF7kgYMuV7TI4_TH0hc_3AGYXrCf73r7pluutGoDiH6CHjTpbcyOpzqnoVrjRHOzN5OJCt8Ob03u_RYUE-HjEgV9ws/s1600/islam-gog-magog-eurasia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9RL4nU46HghrapRUt4KYTRac2EdyafjNg4OET_nVY8oz9i0mYnpF7kgYMuV7TI4_TH0hc_3AGYXrCf73r7pluutGoDiH6CHjTpbcyOpzqnoVrjRHOzN5OJCt8Ob03u_RYUE-HjEgV9ws/s320/islam-gog-magog-eurasia.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This is without a doubt God’s domain. The prophet Haggai spoke (Haggai 2:6,7) <i>"For thus says the Lord of hosts: 'Once more (it is a little while) I will shake heaven and earth, the sea and dry land; and I will shake all nations, and they shall come to the Desire of All Nations...”</i> Any thinking person would agree that there is a <i>“shaking”</i> being felt today whether it is economic, or political, or international or military. In the Book of Revelation, John highlights this aspect, vs.14, <i>“who go abroad to <b>kings</b> of the whole world to <b>assemble</b> them for battle on the great day of God Almighty.”</i> In order for Satan to try to wipe out Israel, THE NATIONS MUST ALIGN TOGETHER. This is not new, but there is an ancient strategy behind it, (Ps.83:4,5 “<i>They have said, "Come, and let us cut them off from being a nation, that the name of Israel may be remembered no more.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>For they have consulted together with one consent; they form a confederacy against You.”</i> Notice, there is an evil confederacy that will one day align nations against Israel. We can clearly see this happening before our eyes today! In fact, recently, there is so much happening it is hard to keep track. One of the most important prophecies in this regard is (Ezek.38:1-6)</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>“Now the word of the Lord came to me, saying, "Son of man, set your face against Gog, of the land of Magog, the prince of Rosh, Meshech, and Tubal, and prophesy against him, and say, 'Thus says the Lord God: "Behold, I am against you, O Gog, the prince of Rosh, Meshech, and Tubal. I will turn you around, put hooks into your jaws, and lead you out, with all your army, horses, and horsemen, all splendidly clothed, a great company with bucklers and shields, all of them handling swords. Persia, Ethiopia, and Libya are with them, all of them with shield and helmet; Gomer and all its troops; the house of Togarmah from the far north and all its troops — many people are with you.”</i> </span></blockquote>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It’s important because it sheds light on a particular </span><i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">alignment of nations</i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> in the last days.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXE9PtAnmpx-IBUeIdSg0TKptz0SPtGbHfiya40fqDWdFgrzmHWGQa4so6jZGZmDgQK09BFJA1UXoQeKgZm8hvAVOdk9cGFYoTKHiQhzEBQJrBFRSj61w_0U2zE33xLRITXFZTC183OjM/s1600/prophetic-countries.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXE9PtAnmpx-IBUeIdSg0TKptz0SPtGbHfiya40fqDWdFgrzmHWGQa4so6jZGZmDgQK09BFJA1UXoQeKgZm8hvAVOdk9cGFYoTKHiQhzEBQJrBFRSj61w_0U2zE33xLRITXFZTC183OjM/s320/prophetic-countries.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Ezekiel identifies (using the ancient names) a confederacy led by <b>Russia</b> consisting of <i>“Persia (Iran), Ethiopia, Libya will join you too, with all their weapons.”</i> Also <i>“Togarmah”</i> which is modern day Turkey. We’re looking at something that’s reported on in the news on a weekly, if not daily basis today! Let me just highlight a few things for you. What has been dubbed <b><i>“the Arab Spring”</i></b> has brought a major realignment of governments with some serious unrest and uncertainty that goes along with it. Just think this year: Tunisia, Egypt, Libya, Yemen with very possibly, Syria next. All of this has been reported in the news as a populist uprising in response to oppressive regimes with a yearning for democracy. Really? What has happened is a toppling of dictators and governments with an uncertain future at best, but indications of a vacuum that is being filled by Islamic extremists. On the day that Libyan President, <i>Muammar Qaddafi, </i>was captured and killed, President Obama immediately took to the airways to talk about how the dark cloud of oppression has been lifted there. Uhhm, he conveniently forgot to mention the absence of the rule of law in all of this, or where this was actually taking that nation<i>. </i>Not to mention the huge stash of weapons they had! Remember Ezekiel, <i>“Persia, Ethiopia, and Libya...with all their weapons.”</i> One commentator remarked, <i>“The worst aftermath is over 20,000 shoulder-fired anti-aircraft missiles belong to the Qaddafi regime have been ‘dispersed’ throughout the world and are currently ‘lying in wait.”<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPJUxA6dv2N9ovaMBipTLrfv_vzr5EyOF_Lt2A8vIJ6ojmcYaC8YoGPmLD2mpkmc6aBKF9Z15YJ6s8tAz4qlubojpXGkw3vK7jwORxPu7YHXJ9jB5XPHGMmnqFC4eRlUmS7eVbXQPUX74/s1600/map_of_iran.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPJUxA6dv2N9ovaMBipTLrfv_vzr5EyOF_Lt2A8vIJ6ojmcYaC8YoGPmLD2mpkmc6aBKF9Z15YJ6s8tAz4qlubojpXGkw3vK7jwORxPu7YHXJ9jB5XPHGMmnqFC4eRlUmS7eVbXQPUX74/s320/map_of_iran.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The most noticeable nation in this confederacy next to Russia has to be <b>Iran</b>, whose burgeoning nuclear program not only has a de-stabilizing effect on the entire region, but it represents the greatest threat to Israel’s security. This was ratcheted up by the 25-page report by the IAEA (<i>International Atomic Energy Agency</i>) which confirmed Iran is much closer to having an atom bomb than most thought. The report concluded that Iran is systematically enriching nuclear fuel towards military applications; and that Iran’s nuclear program is no longer run by civilians but by the Ministry of Defense. It stated that Iran did not cease developing military applications for its nuclear program in 2003, as the CIA reported in its controversial National Intelligence Estimate in 2007, but rather accelerated its efforts to develop the Bomb. It seems that the U.S. policy of “containment and sanctions has been unsuccessful, largely blocked by Russia and China. What makes Iran so unsettling and such a threat is the <i>“theological”</i> element embraced by its leaders. They embrace a Muslim prophecy of the <i>12<sup>th</sup> Iman</i> and that in order to hasten his coming, he is waiting for the Muslim world to attack Israel. The real quarrel is not with the Iranian people, but the regime in Tehran that has been hijacked by Islamic extremists, and represent probably the significant threat in the world to global peace and security (quote by Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnOGOpblkz8m9L2ZbcPkh7KdRMphBl5bZjs_YVFYARz1mMfGh6n06y9hlKFA_oxbEmqAqlWE9JDqx8ZugBBcEFh3KJp3mQrI3827PNxa72G39phDQhJYtAXDI42ZYA-jVF2bWRwIgZFXk/s1600/Prime-Minister-Netanyahu.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnOGOpblkz8m9L2ZbcPkh7KdRMphBl5bZjs_YVFYARz1mMfGh6n06y9hlKFA_oxbEmqAqlWE9JDqx8ZugBBcEFh3KJp3mQrI3827PNxa72G39phDQhJYtAXDI42ZYA-jVF2bWRwIgZFXk/s200/Prime-Minister-Netanyahu.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Prime Minister Netanyahu’s remarks before the Israeli Knesset last week about the Iranian threat were very sobering and enlightening. He said, <i>“If I had to summarize what will happen in our region, I would use two terms: instability and uncertainty. The collapse of Gaddafi’s regime in Libya, the bloody incidents in Syria, the American forces leaving Iraq, the new government in Tunisia, the upcoming elections in Egypt and many other events - these are all expressions of the immense changes occurring around us. These changes can increase the instability within these countries, and the instability between countries....A nuclear Iran would pose a terrible threat to the Middle East and on the entire world. And of course, it poses a great, direct threat on us too....A security philosophy cannot rely on defense alone. It must also include offensive capabilities, which is the very foundation of deterrence. We operate and will continue to operate intensely and determinately against those who threaten the security of the State of Israel and its citizens. Our policy is guided by two main principles: the first is ‘if someone comes to kill you, rise up and kill him first,’ and the second is ‘if anyone harms us, his blood is on his own hands.’”</i> Clear, concise, accurate and sobering words, indeed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLgORXOw8kC_nNKhAbTOhkWpCOqApyZUP28SwCs1hYd9sOeCRiMBgcCYZrb8Jy3IRVd6NnDQOmRzv0D4S_7aOJMOG19-80jyhLZjM_iSoDMsjeO5FA655QwcTQ5k70GjEQ1M9P_T_sQI8/s1600/turkey-israel-ties.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="145" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLgORXOw8kC_nNKhAbTOhkWpCOqApyZUP28SwCs1hYd9sOeCRiMBgcCYZrb8Jy3IRVd6NnDQOmRzv0D4S_7aOJMOG19-80jyhLZjM_iSoDMsjeO5FA655QwcTQ5k70GjEQ1M9P_T_sQI8/s200/turkey-israel-ties.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The other nation mentioned is <b>Turkey</b> (<i>Togarmah)</i>. Turkey has been a secular Islamist state for many years, but in recent times is becoming more and more radicalized. The new Prime Minister has targeted Israel by halting all trade and defense ties to the Jewish State, ordering Turkey’s ambassador to leave Israel, and warning of more sanctions to come. Perplexingly, we’re talking about a NATO ally here? All of this represents a kind of ticking time clock, and mirrors the confederacy that Zechariah spoke about in (Zech.12:2,3), <i>"Behold, I am about to make Jerusalem a cup of staggering to all the surrounding peoples. The siege of Jerusalem will also be against Judah. On that day I will make Jerusalem a heavy stone for all the peoples. All who lift it will surely hurt themselves. And all the nations of the earth will gather against it.”</i> Religious, political and economic alignment will cause the nations of the earth to conclude, “Israel is the problem; if they would be more reasonable, or did not exist, then things would be safer and more prosperous for everyone involved. I have no idea what will trigger all these events. It is stunning, however, to see that the pieces and players are all definitely in place.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><i>Paying Attention To The Signs</i></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnPNU21UGKrqdx318PknaPw1-f8YThS0Z1K6wPfifnv0Y_-Q5feQC9XgupkuLXLT0ycVoLpIa0KHF2mqxflcgidQfC7WyvDDwCFgacFLUr8WVYhRFSljDHwo8FcReEGem_tQFxK-ZAAKs/s1600/End-Times.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="246" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnPNU21UGKrqdx318PknaPw1-f8YThS0Z1K6wPfifnv0Y_-Q5feQC9XgupkuLXLT0ycVoLpIa0KHF2mqxflcgidQfC7WyvDDwCFgacFLUr8WVYhRFSljDHwo8FcReEGem_tQFxK-ZAAKs/s320/End-Times.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In God’s word, a “sign” refers to an indication or to a marker, usually showing proximity and warning. Today, we see an abundance of signs, of events and alignments which should tell us <b>what time it is</b>. In (Matt.24:33) Jesus said, <i>“So you also, when you see all these things, know that it is near – even at the doors.”</i> To conclude, the key question though is why? I’m not making any of this up, and I’m not a “prophecy expert” (is there such a thing?!), but why is all of this unfolding before us today?<i> </i>Perhaps, more importantly what should we glean from all of this for our daily lives? Let me quickly suggest 4 things that come into clear focus as we consider the <i>“signs of the times.”</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<ol>
<li><i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A reminder of the sovereignty of God</i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">, that God is in control, orchestrating events according to His purpose. This is a major antidote against </span><b style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">fear</b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">, that God has not lost control. In our personal lives as well, I can live confidently knowing that my life and my steps are ordered of the Lord.</span></li>
<br />
<li><i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">An encouragement of the love of God</i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">, specifically, that God does not judge the righteous with the wicked. (1Thess.5:9) states, </span><i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus</i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Christ.”</i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> This is a powerful argument for the importance and truth of the Rapture of the church: God removes the righteous before judgment (i.e. Lot; Noah; Rahab). This is not saying we’ll escape persecution, but there is a huge difference between persecution and the wrath of God.</span></li>
<br />
<li><i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A warning for believers to be ready</i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">. I do believe God knows human nature, that we tend to lose focus. God, in His mercy, allows these signs and events to remind us so that WE WILL BE READY. Our text carries the blessing, vs.15, </span><i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“Behold, I am coming like a thief! Blessed is the one who stays awake, keeping his garments on, that he may not go about naked and be seen exposed!"</i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> I tell our church, today is definitely NOT the time to be stupid or careless or drift from the things of God!</span></li>
<br />
<li><i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Preparation for an end-time harvest.</i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> Any true understanding of Bible prophecy doesn’t leave us with our heads in the clouds. Instead, it speaks about our own personal readiness, and also our being positioned as workers in God’s harvest (the world) to see souls won to Christ. Jesus Himself exemplified this, “</span><i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work.”</i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> (Jn.9:4)</span></li>
</ol>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I must confess: from the time of my conversion on November 15, 1970, I have lived with the thrill and anticipation over the Lord’s promise of his Second Coming. I know there are those who would scoff and dismiss it all and say, </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“ You've been saying this for 40 years, and Jesus still hasn’t come.”</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> I’ll be honest with you, when I first became a Christian; I didn't think we’d be here this long! But my answer to those nay-Sayers is simple, </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“Yes, you’re right, Jesus hasn't come yet. But, He’s 40 years closer than when I was first saved!”</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> KEEP LOOKING UP!</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJl4RoEDqHNuRapeomBMT65SVU5xLd0iAeCKGyKtoyhJLwVA-aMwD3v1lD0iLsZ4OTijN3sttq0n403DCMk4M-KBn1n3xTgydtW2ELubI3IKi613DNvl1xUtTcy-mVTLnBmLjN5jFdw-4/s1600/looking-up.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="249" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJl4RoEDqHNuRapeomBMT65SVU5xLd0iAeCKGyKtoyhJLwVA-aMwD3v1lD0iLsZ4OTijN3sttq0n403DCMk4M-KBn1n3xTgydtW2ELubI3IKi613DNvl1xUtTcy-mVTLnBmLjN5jFdw-4/s320/looking-up.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>Pastor Harold Warnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08108066191268810028noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5561664450249753810.post-46346888764996166722011-11-20T20:25:00.000-07:002011-11-21T07:15:59.042-07:00Pedaling To...Somewhere!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJRrRC4lPHHWkKPXGZWfNC81cShD6a5lxsSea3Rg7__u0su2QabpHusnP6BCHDX_NvTJyok_jinSbj-gpJvNYaanpBzUPm3BkFbA1jWZ5z5PVsG64J1SZXH6BuOoQijOOvaiX6ZGpUXDo/s1600/Pastor-Warner-Indoor+El+Tour-2011+%252810%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJRrRC4lPHHWkKPXGZWfNC81cShD6a5lxsSea3Rg7__u0su2QabpHusnP6BCHDX_NvTJyok_jinSbj-gpJvNYaanpBzUPm3BkFbA1jWZ5z5PVsG64J1SZXH6BuOoQijOOvaiX6ZGpUXDo/s200/Pastor-Warner-Indoor+El+Tour-2011+%252810%2529.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Something a little light-hearted, OK? I’m not a <i>“bike racer”</i> but I have been riding my Handcycle for fun and fitness for the last dozen or so years. And, yes, there’s been some “competition” involved, although that can be a bit of a stretch, since generally I am competing against myself and by PBT <i>(personal best time)</i>. More importantly to me right now, it is an aspect of my life that signals returning to normal. That’s why even though we were all pedaling and going “nowhere” the truth for me, is that we were headed “somewhere,” which is up and about and business as usual!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">For the last 10 years of so, I’ve competed in the annual <i>El Tour de Tucson</i> bike race here in Tucson. Depending on the time I’m able to invest in training, I’ve done the 111-mile portion three times, the 82-mile twice, the 67-mile segment two times, and the 41-mile event three times. This year, because I will still just three and a half weeks post-amputation, it seemed like the streak would be broken. I just happened to talk to <i>Beverly Blohme</i> at the PBAA office who sponsors El Tour every year and she informed me about the <i>“Indoor El Tour”</i> event. Essentially this means riding your bike on a trainer, making you stationary, and instead of racing 111 miles, you do 111 minutes or whatever time amount you desire. I just rounded it off to a nice 120 minutes, or two hours. Anyone who’s ever trained on a resistance trainer knows it can be terribly boring, but the PBAA people were very gracious and allowed us to set up right at the finish line area at Armory Park on S. 6<sup>th</sup> Avenue and 13<sup>th</sup> Street. - <i>Special thanks to Michele Wyatt for helping us with this facet.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKSaughA3A34pzQkavQqQZxap9FlITpEdq33UFWEX-TM15u185ePvYGpF-U8dKf7s0NCcFb8n1OFqQ1xf5KxoAC0ejzJeuxurbVfy21DjoY4r4pzl0ZLtL4LAhTG5CYOARIx7s_AkMpfA/s1600/Pastor-Warner-Indoor+El+Tour-2011+%252828%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKSaughA3A34pzQkavQqQZxap9FlITpEdq33UFWEX-TM15u185ePvYGpF-U8dKf7s0NCcFb8n1OFqQ1xf5KxoAC0ejzJeuxurbVfy21DjoY4r4pzl0ZLtL4LAhTG5CYOARIx7s_AkMpfA/s200/Pastor-Warner-Indoor+El+Tour-2011+%252828%2529.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This is what added to <i>“Team Victory”</i> the sports side of things, to go along with the medical and support side. I want to thank those who “rode” with me yesterday for the two hours. My wife, Doug Marcotte who rode my other handcycle, Paul Arbo, Manny Montoya, Mike Hauri, Bill Neil, Lucia Villalba, McKenzie Breckenridge, Larry Priest, and Rick and Susan Surber who came down from Phoenix to participate. It was good time of fellowship and camaraderie.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkdHOBVHCF6ENyOnJBs5FPksghbagAasjuAnSzD8PBMIqADHpMoxcrCOyoEQRrMRVB16u1WeMwDF5_Rh0npO19GD8MGEO1PidC1sce79LYDg1Uamy7bjWpSkan-epWZbBuWRAbOwNSyYE/s1600/Pastor-Warner-Indoor+El+Tour-2011+%25289%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkdHOBVHCF6ENyOnJBs5FPksghbagAasjuAnSzD8PBMIqADHpMoxcrCOyoEQRrMRVB16u1WeMwDF5_Rh0npO19GD8MGEO1PidC1sce79LYDg1Uamy7bjWpSkan-epWZbBuWRAbOwNSyYE/s200/Pastor-Warner-Indoor+El+Tour-2011+%25289%2529.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4GOlgVomGcEu8jtKtybl-9xZBRGTX1Xpl0doK1ckY1b8Ypr_wPXgxcpKgBG1srq62Pa4BuPVMCXsUCPdByoxGEIS8wZvzm1XBRuG3zvOllIG2MD14m_OsNifRro3zA7dA7jhMi3Pv8_M/s1600/Pastor-Warner-Indoor+El+Tour-2011+%25286%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4GOlgVomGcEu8jtKtybl-9xZBRGTX1Xpl0doK1ckY1b8Ypr_wPXgxcpKgBG1srq62Pa4BuPVMCXsUCPdByoxGEIS8wZvzm1XBRuG3zvOllIG2MD14m_OsNifRro3zA7dA7jhMi3Pv8_M/s200/Pastor-Warner-Indoor+El+Tour-2011+%25286%2529.jpg" width="150" /></a><i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“Team Victory”</i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> was chosen, first, because it emphasizes that true and lasting victory will always involve a “team” effort or dimension. The other part is to highlight God’s fantastic promise of </span><b style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">victory</b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">, not just as an ultimate goal but a present possession as we </span><i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“press toward the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”</i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> Listen to Paul’s exhortation to the Corinthians, </span><i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place.”</i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> (2Cor.2:14) Through Christ, we are part of his great victory parade! It is here that he diffuses the fragrance of his knowledge, or the difference he makes in people’s lives, in every place and in every life situation! Yes, there are battles and they can be very intense, but as Christians we hold to the promise of victory in the midst of them all! When talking about the reality and implications of the resurrection for every Christ-follower, Paul erupts in praise and declares </span><i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”</i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> (1Cor.15:57) Then, you have the Apostle John picking up on the same theme and talking about how God is making us all </span><b style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">overcomers</b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> (can’t be an overcomer without something to overcome). </span><i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world— our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?”</i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> (1John 5:4,5) I like this because the secret to victory is not our incredible strength; no, it is simple </span><b style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">faith</b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> in Jesus Christ. Faith connects us to a resurrected and victorious Savior and Lord, and that promise is open to everyone who will believe and put their faith in Jesus, God’s only Son!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiX79WQyhFFAbY0c408PJJn026agy7gxJLKjv3rxDDPqsyLOrLxvQB8b2urcr2-btvGD3JPXxipvk-VnYjpgdA441DMqCCLuKzZQ72YjOgeKN35yDZlMEEeU0uGzmPH3kS9WVioIk4934/s1600/Pastor-Warner-Indoor+El+Tour-2011+%252833%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiX79WQyhFFAbY0c408PJJn026agy7gxJLKjv3rxDDPqsyLOrLxvQB8b2urcr2-btvGD3JPXxipvk-VnYjpgdA441DMqCCLuKzZQ72YjOgeKN35yDZlMEEeU0uGzmPH3kS9WVioIk4934/s200/Pastor-Warner-Indoor+El+Tour-2011+%252833%2529.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPpAPMs5iwulA7CPdil1tTLZHfJAE7wuxAGu74F3v1QMJz1wp0b9qfmrw3G9xgylaJkKLSpkgOLP4LKG_i-zAY8pZnTlt-8Fg_BFfskeMZ-8fmkXga8_0OEqNw1M2DPu3p2Ncpl2q0kRw/s1600/Pastor-Warner-Indoor+El+Tour-2011+%252817%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPpAPMs5iwulA7CPdil1tTLZHfJAE7wuxAGu74F3v1QMJz1wp0b9qfmrw3G9xgylaJkKLSpkgOLP4LKG_i-zAY8pZnTlt-8Fg_BFfskeMZ-8fmkXga8_0OEqNw1M2DPu3p2Ncpl2q0kRw/s200/Pastor-Warner-Indoor+El+Tour-2011+%252817%2529.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In any event, there’s something about the <u>finish line</u> that creates a surge of adrenaline through your system. While we did not do the entire 111-mile event, we did what we could at the time, and so the final picture of celebration is fitting. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i><br />
</i></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIM-02orbwEDy6HLkbNV-HnIFnuerknUHE1KTAdh2roYHZ5zraJ6JP-N8igy-BXqiEg4kaEMoZIkAba_lal6nFxeFWlh33ks-xhv4vmz5G_fQqdVqN5bkzeDAJKPIYolFFPloDIhVN4hs/s1600/Pastor-Warner-Indoor+El+Tour-2011+%252852%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIM-02orbwEDy6HLkbNV-HnIFnuerknUHE1KTAdh2roYHZ5zraJ6JP-N8igy-BXqiEg4kaEMoZIkAba_lal6nFxeFWlh33ks-xhv4vmz5G_fQqdVqN5bkzeDAJKPIYolFFPloDIhVN4hs/s400/Pastor-Warner-Indoor+El+Tour-2011+%252852%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Just try to imagine the thrill and relief of finishing victoriously in Christ. You can almost taste it, and one day it will be a glorious reality for all of us who walk with Him. <i>“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that Day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.”</i> (2Tim.4:4,5) Not to be outdone is (1Corinthians 9:24-27) NLT “<i>Don't you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win! All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize. So I run with purpose in every step. I am not just shadowboxing. I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified.” </i>SO, DEAR ONES, KEEP FIGHTING THE GOOD FIGHT, KEEP RUNNING THE RACE, AND KEEP HOLDING ON TO YOUR FAITH IN CHRIST, AS HE HOLDS ON TO YOU!</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjt-E21sQHzwx5IEOwC28pvHU8-3oDleo-rSfpr8b34wYvWrkNvEcB9NEEYtdjChHk5i5angwIKhRg29_9WHFsxb7VVIt_SXtHBRvR3sNbBktm2goZqSvfHlYyBrjmt75_u1ZvMxNg33w/s1600/Pastor-Warner-Indoor+El+Tour-2011+%252842%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjt-E21sQHzwx5IEOwC28pvHU8-3oDleo-rSfpr8b34wYvWrkNvEcB9NEEYtdjChHk5i5angwIKhRg29_9WHFsxb7VVIt_SXtHBRvR3sNbBktm2goZqSvfHlYyBrjmt75_u1ZvMxNg33w/s320/Pastor-Warner-Indoor+El+Tour-2011+%252842%2529.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>Pastor Harold Warnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08108066191268810028noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5561664450249753810.post-2472322293955141292011-11-15T14:50:00.000-07:002011-11-15T20:41:14.283-07:00Kardashian’s they are NOT...thank God!<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">God has allowed me to see and do some genuinely awesome and very cool things in the years that I have followed Christ.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I thought about </span><i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Simeon</i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> in Luke’s Gospel, a fascinating character in the Christmas drama.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We are told, “</span><i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">At that time there was a man in Jerusalem named Simeon. He was righteous and devout and was eagerly waiting for the Messiah to come and rescue Israel. The Holy Spirit was upon him and had revealed to him that he would not die until he had seen the Lord's Messiah.”</i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> (Luke 2:25,26)</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In other words, “Simeon, you’re going to see some pretty amazing things in your lifetime!”</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I could compile a long list of things, some big, some small, but all are part of the wonderful tapestry of the adventure of doing God’s will.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Recently, in the last number of years, my “</span><i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">ministry portfolio”</i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> has expanded to include marrying the children of the people (parents) I married 20-30 years ago.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It really is something special.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It has an almost sacred quality to it, and I try to oblige whenever it is possible, especially since the ones asking and desiring this are the new generation!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Last week was supposed to be a “luxury week” for me. I was going to have plenty of time to read, re-order and re-fill the wells of inspiration in preparation for renewing my preaching responsibilities on November 20<sup>th</sup>. Well, it didn’t quite work out that way at all. I don’t know where the time went, but it went by very quickly! But, one thing on my calendar that was a “must” was marrying <i>Claressa Ford</i> and <i>Jordan Suiter</i> Sunday morning, November 13<sup>th</sup>. Especially, given the fact that Claressa is an Rn and has been a part of the medical side of my “<i>Team Victory”</i> for many months, I wasn’t going to let a little thing like an amputation keep me from being there.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXT9qZB-J_u9s8fcRcoVMpb8h8AqOtBNHEOSFlnjbudjZfHGDh5GKCb5eTFYmAZyhBEXlHCz1L5q34_vYMxtKreBX1EIN4GQimM3llprZEJYqRhJ0tACIZuigrNfhEzdhP7naMIvJ-GBI/s1600/Dave-Mariah-Ford.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXT9qZB-J_u9s8fcRcoVMpb8h8AqOtBNHEOSFlnjbudjZfHGDh5GKCb5eTFYmAZyhBEXlHCz1L5q34_vYMxtKreBX1EIN4GQimM3llprZEJYqRhJ0tACIZuigrNfhEzdhP7naMIvJ-GBI/s200/Dave-Mariah-Ford.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As I was sitting on the platform before the service, her grandmother came up to me and brought me a picture. This was another one of my treasures because it was the picture of me and Dave and Mariah Ford in 1984 when I was privileged to marry them. I’m not a picture person, as many know, so this is the “customary” (lol) one picture of the bride and groom with Pastor Warner after the wedding! So, as part of the service that day, we quickly scanned the picture so we could project it on the large screen in the church. Why? I wanted to illustrate and set things in context about the awesome power of <i>heritage</i> taking place that day. It is rare that the same pastor who married your parents, the same church setting and worship of Christ, becomes the place where you as a younger person enter in to your marriage covenant! There was such a glorious realization of the power of Jesus Christ as the <b>foundation</b> of marriage and the <b>source</b> of LONGEVITY. As you’ve heard me say so many times, <i>“If you lose longevity, you lose blessing.”</i> Trust me, there was heaps of blessing tangibly present in Sunday’s service.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQrTMazwX8xVgdQe9-7tOklRz6XRF10HC0qtXNUXnXLn1YdyZhoCoUSzrAYSmP90XTzF0W58u3OXDPozsxvAWpWV_edK2-l6ZXUMiv0GuYMFzmDQJ_Fnd74gUpoJLaeszwvDtHaBX20DQ/s1600/kim-kardashian-people-mag.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQrTMazwX8xVgdQe9-7tOklRz6XRF10HC0qtXNUXnXLn1YdyZhoCoUSzrAYSmP90XTzF0W58u3OXDPozsxvAWpWV_edK2-l6ZXUMiv0GuYMFzmDQJ_Fnd74gUpoJLaeszwvDtHaBX20DQ/s200/kim-kardashian-people-mag.jpg" width="151" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">OK, I could probably be accused of “piling on” here, but I couldn’t help but think of the <b>contrast</b> between what we were part of Sunday, and Kim Kardashian’s seeming mockery of marriage. After a whirlwind romance with <i>Kris Humphries</i>, who she met on October 31, 2010 (that’s Halloween, folks) they were married on July 28, 2011. The marriage lasted an incredibly long 72 days when Kim filed for divorce on the grounds of <i>“irreconcilable differences.”</i> Excuse me if I’m a bit cynical or turn a bit sarcastic about all this. Irreconcilable after 72 days? You haven’t even had time to decide what side of the bathroom belongs to each spouse, the color of your sheets, or even some of the cooking responsibilities. I’m sure there was a huge effort made on her part to make this relationship work. In a statement she released on her website, she said that she married for love and it just didn’t <i>“turn out to be the fairytale”</i> she wanted. Dear Kim, that is simply because “theatrics” and a fairy-tale mentality never does match the true <b>reality</b> of what makes marriage work. You can just imagine the plethora of jokes and tweets about this fiasco. There is actual a hashtag that’s gone viral <i>#ThingsLongerThanKim’sMarriage</i>. Even the author <i>Salman Rushdie </i>tweeted his once-only, never-to-be-repeated “kim #kardashian limerick” by writing <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>“The marriage of poor kim #kardashian / was krushed like a kar in a krashian. / her kris kried, not fair! /why kan’t I keep my share? / But kardashian fell klean outa fashion.”</i></span></blockquote>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Well, Kim has actually hired a famous L.A. attorney, </span><i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Marty Singer</i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">, to do public relations damage control for her (i.e. he’s the same attorney who worked with Charlie Sheen and Arnold Schwarzenneger, which is all you really need to know). The reason for hiring the attorney was to manage the “PR fall out,” especially the allegation by her former publicist, </span><i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Jonathan Jaxson</i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">, saying that her wedding to Kris Humphries was a </span><b style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">sham</b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> from the start. Others have piped in on the subject. Mona Elyafi: Kim Kardashian Divorce Makes a Mockery of Marriage wrote, </span><i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“They say that allowing same-sex marriage would make a mockery of the institution of marriage. Really? Then what do you call a celebrity who utilizes her notoriety to deliver and exorbitantly lavish wedding production as a money-making publicity stunt?”</i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> Lisa Coffey: Kim & Kris Krash & Burn: What Went Wrong says, </span><i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“Was it telling that Kim appeared solo on the cover of People magazine, beaming about her ‘dream wedding?’ Is it a coincidence that Kim filed divorce papers the day before her mother’s book hits stores?”</i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> I’m sorry, I don’t know Kim Kardashian anymore than what you read in the tabloids, but celebrity or not, a complete and total </span><b style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>narcissist</i></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> does not make for a good marriage partner!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMXikVpnM81sSMROnwwk8DNYqfPHLQtVjuPb56x97iB3U6CnIgD3CT5qNaxQNLiGH1ITbvXCJeH3CpXAtB-2l_48umyjk1acLZXEUxv7ItgsvgCPtnnCj-9TL1oNdXbVuTNlePb4X5T0Q/s1600/Jordan-Claressa-Suiter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMXikVpnM81sSMROnwwk8DNYqfPHLQtVjuPb56x97iB3U6CnIgD3CT5qNaxQNLiGH1ITbvXCJeH3CpXAtB-2l_48umyjk1acLZXEUxv7ItgsvgCPtnnCj-9TL1oNdXbVuTNlePb4X5T0Q/s200/Jordan-Claressa-Suiter.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So, please, repeat after me, OK, slowly if you need to, <b><i>“until death do us part!”</i></b> You cannot parse away the fact that successful and fulfilling monogamy calls for and is undergirded by <b>longevity </b>and <b>commitment</b>, not feelings and emotions, or your idea of a “fairy tale.” Jordan and Claressa, like their parents almost three decades ago, did not spend $$ millions on their marriage ceremony. They had something better: knowledge of what marriage is all about, and the <i>“covenant glue”</i> in Christ that makes it work. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Someone sent me an article about lawmakers (a bit of a joke to call them that) in Mexico City that are considering a two-year marriage arrangement. Let me just quote from the news article</span></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>“Mexico City lawmakers want to help newlyweds avoid the hassle of divorce by giving them an easy exit strategy: <b>temporary marriage licenses</b>. The minimum marriage contract would be for two years and could be renewed <b>if</b> the couple stays <b>happy</b>. The contracts would include provisions on how children and property would be handled if the couple splits. Leftists in the city’s assembly </i>(no different from leftists in our own government)<i> - who have already riled conservatives by legalizing gay marriage – proposed a reform </i>(what they should’ve said was <b>deform</b>)<i> to the civil code this week that would allow couples to decide on the length of their commitment, opting out of a lifetime. ‘The proposal is, when the two-year period is up, if the relationships is not stable or harmonious, the contract simply ends.”</i> </span></blockquote>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Leonal Luna</i>, the Mexico City assemblyman who co-authored the bill says the proposed law is gaining support and he expects a vote by the end of this year. <i>“You wouldn’t have to go through the tortuous process of divorce</i>,” he declared. One of his supporters, the mayor of Mexico City, has also announced that he would soon step down in order to run for President. Oh, that’s just grand; can you say <i>hope and change</i>?!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Folks, man without God can be incredibly absurd. I think of Romans 1 and the fruit of failing to acknowledge God and His ways that says, <i>“But God shows his anger from heaven against all sinful, wicked people who suppress the truth by their wickedness...as a result, their minds became dark and confused. Claiming to be wise, they instead became utter fools.”</i> (Romans 1:18;21,22) Dear ones, all of man’s <i>“better ideas”</i> about the meaning of life, morals and marriage tends to the irresponsible and the immoral. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It also contradicts the very nature of marriage which is put on display in Christ’s love for the church. Paul’s description of marriage is one of the most profound and definitely challenging blueprints you’ll ever find, <i>“Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish. In the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church, because we are members of his body. "Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh." This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church. However, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.” </i>(Ephesians 5:25-33) I know this can be a sensitive subject, especially to those who’ve experienced a marriage failure, often through no fault or desire of their own, but, he sets the bar very high where it needs to be. This is why to glibly claim “irreconcilable differences” is to insult both the character and love of Jesus Christ for His church. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Since they say a picture worth a thousand words, I’d like you to feast your eyes on these two pictures. Take a good look, and give God the glory!<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXT9qZB-J_u9s8fcRcoVMpb8h8AqOtBNHEOSFlnjbudjZfHGDh5GKCb5eTFYmAZyhBEXlHCz1L5q34_vYMxtKreBX1EIN4GQimM3llprZEJYqRhJ0tACIZuigrNfhEzdhP7naMIvJ-GBI/s1600/Dave-Mariah-Ford.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXT9qZB-J_u9s8fcRcoVMpb8h8AqOtBNHEOSFlnjbudjZfHGDh5GKCb5eTFYmAZyhBEXlHCz1L5q34_vYMxtKreBX1EIN4GQimM3llprZEJYqRhJ0tACIZuigrNfhEzdhP7naMIvJ-GBI/s200/Dave-Mariah-Ford.jpg" width="200" /></a></td> <td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXT9qZB-J_u9s8fcRcoVMpb8h8AqOtBNHEOSFlnjbudjZfHGDh5GKCb5eTFYmAZyhBEXlHCz1L5q34_vYMxtKreBX1EIN4GQimM3llprZEJYqRhJ0tACIZuigrNfhEzdhP7naMIvJ-GBI/s1600/Dave-Mariah-Ford.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMXikVpnM81sSMROnwwk8DNYqfPHLQtVjuPb56x97iB3U6CnIgD3CT5qNaxQNLiGH1ITbvXCJeH3CpXAtB-2l_48umyjk1acLZXEUxv7ItgsvgCPtnnCj-9TL1oNdXbVuTNlePb4X5T0Q/s1600/Jordan-Claressa-Suiter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMXikVpnM81sSMROnwwk8DNYqfPHLQtVjuPb56x97iB3U6CnIgD3CT5qNaxQNLiGH1ITbvXCJeH3CpXAtB-2l_48umyjk1acLZXEUxv7ItgsvgCPtnnCj-9TL1oNdXbVuTNlePb4X5T0Q/s200/Jordan-Claressa-Suiter.jpg" width="200" /></a></td> </tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dave and Mariah Ford 1984</td> <td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jordan and Claressa Suiter 2011</span></td> </tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>Pastor Harold Warnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08108066191268810028noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5561664450249753810.post-66602788434108294892011-11-10T15:49:00.000-07:002011-11-10T20:41:40.923-07:00My Friends In Need<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This is not going to be a long
article, and it’s not for me anyhow.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As
I sit here, I am deeply saddened and hurt for my friends, </span><i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Bob & Pat Mecado</i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">On
Tuesday, their twin 14-year old grand-daughters, </span><i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Leilani</i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> and </span><i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Luana Fukui</i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
were walking in a crosswalk when they were hit by a car at the same time, both
ending up on life support with severe brain injuries.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Leilani died, while Luana is still fighting
for her life.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The purpose of this article is
not to answer the unanswerable, <b>why</b>? That can wait until later. Joseph’s truth, “<i>As for you, you meant evil against me, but
God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive,
as they are today” </i>is a revelation that came many years after his own heartbreaking
tragedy. Now is not the time for
that. Right now I just hurt and cry
together for my friend, Bobby. Bobby
works with some of the hardest convicts in the California prison system, yet he
himself possesses such a soft heart. To
me, he has personified (Prov.17:17) <i>“A
friend is always loyal, and a brother is born to help in time of need.”</i> He
is always building me up to others, to the degree that I think, “Bobby, stop
that, brother!” I want to be that kind
of friend to him in this very difficult time of need.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I have linked the <i>KTLA</i> news report, but mostly so that you
can lift them and their entire family before the throne of God’s grace. The God who is <i>“All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our
merciful Father and the source of all comfort. He comforts us in all our
troubles so that we can comfort others.”</i> (2Cor.1:3,4)</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.ktla.com/news/landing/ktla-teens-hit-covina,0,1762792.story" target="_blank">Girl Brain Dead, Twin Sister Critical After Accident at Busy Intersection</a></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>Pastor Harold Warnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08108066191268810028noreply@blogger.com