There is a liar in our midst. Unfortunately he has deceived a lot of people and most of them don't even know they are deceived. He has been tireless in his desire to destroy the church and the people in it.
Did you know that he has a track record of accomplishing destruction in other churches? Apparently he's very powerful and we're not the first church he has tried to abolish.
I don't think I've ever seen him but I hear he is good looking. In fact, he has been described as beautiful to look at. Yet when he opens his mouth and poison comes out, he sprinkles just enough truth in with what he says that people follow him. However, without a doubt, he is an enemy of the Lord and of our church.
Not only is he a liar, I have heard that he is a murderer as well. An unrepentant murderer. Yet he still has followers. In fact, many people appear to love him. They have even invited him into their homes. I think he's been in my house too. I guess I don't know for sure. If I had known he was coming I hope I would have tried to keep him out.
That doesn't sound hospitable does it?
Just so that you've been warned, I'm planning on naming him in front of the church this Sunday.
I wonder if he'll be there?
I hope not.
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Sunday, September 19, 2010
Mobile blogging
I have attached a picture because that's one of the greatest advantages to mobile blogging. There have been several times in the last couple of months that I would have liked to quickly post a lighthearted picture. Since you're here, isn't Audrey beautiful?
Posted with Droid
Ha! It finally worked! I hope I'll remember how to do this the next time.
By the way, if you took the time to read this post, don't stop here. I would hate for you to miss the two posts below this one just because this post is superficial.
Pulling us Down
I must confess that there are a few secular things that I enjoy reading every month. Field and Stream, American Rifleman, and Popular Science. I doubt that the first two come as much of a surprise to many of you, however, you may not have known that I am an avid pop sci guy. I'm definitely not a "techno geek" yet I do enjoy keeping up with what's new. Unfortunately I can't recommend the magazine to anybody. Popular Science continues to teach a false religion month after month.
If you're reading this blog you probably know that I unashamedly share my faith. I pray like the Apostle Paul that the Lord would continue to give me utterance as I talk with those around me. I don't feel like I need to apologize for this because it is not a hidden agenda. If you talk with me for any length of time, you'll hear about my faith. I put my faith in the truth of the Bible.
John 1:1-2, 14 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, the same was in the beginning with God...And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
Popular Science is in the business of sharing their faith as well. The unfortunate thing is that they try to disguise their faith as "science". The October 2010 issue of this religious magazine is no exception.
On Sunday mornings we are trying to build a firm foundation for those who profess to know Christ as their personal Savior. Our strategy has been to go through history, from creation to Christ, in chronological order. In order to do that we needed to start at the beginning.
Genesis 1:1 In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.
How can we believe that statement? I believe it is true because the Bible is a collection of 66 historical books written in 3 different languages on 3 different continents by 40 different authors over a period of 1600 years. It was written by eyewitnesses during the lifetime of other eyewitness and records supernatural events which took place in fulfillment of specific prophecy and claims to be divine rather than human in origin. See II Peter 1:16-21
To hear Voddie Baucham on this subject...
http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=530914253
Popular Science, October 2010, "Decaying Gravity" on pages 29-31.
"No one has ever quite nailed down gravity. Newton saw that bodies appeared to attract each other even at a great distance, and from this observation was able to construct a mathematical formula that predicted the motion of the planets with astonishing accuracy. Einstein improved on that definition by stating that massive objects attract lesser ones by bending the space around them-like how a bowling ball deforms the surface of a trampoline so that a marble will roll toward it-and based on this insight was able to construct his theory of general relativity, which proved to be even more elegant and predictive.
But not perfect. Einstein's theory posits that the universe is expanding such that each object is moving away from everything else, which Hubble Space Telescope observations have confirmed. Yet for this theory to hold, it requires a far more complicated conclusion: If everything is moving apart as it goes forward in time, then at some moment everything in the universe must have been gathered into a single point."
Do you see the problem yet? Here they assume that if Einstein is right-and things are moving apart- then that means that at some point everything had to have been together at a single point. They will not allow the consideration that things were created and put in motion. They go on...
"The problem, which has challenged theorists for nearly a century, is that Einstein constructed several specific mathematical formulas from his general theory, and they have proved accurate in describing nearly everything-except the proposed origins of the universe itself..." *
There is a lot I can say here but I want to keep it short and simple. If you start with the wrong presupposition, you will end at the wrong conclusion. I am going to leave off some of the "babbling" and pick it up at the declaration of an out and out lie!
"Ferreira and Banados were able to replicate Einsteinian gravity in normal situations, and they were also consistent with the conditions scientists have observed about the origins of the universe." *
WHAT? Scientists observed the origins of the universe? Does throwing the word "about" before "the origins of the universe" make this any less of a lie? Do they think it is okay to give people the impression that they have observed things scientifically regarding the origins of the universe?
Romans 1:19-22
Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath showed it unto them. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools...
The article continues...
"The recent appearance of so many theories may be a sign of a field on the verge of a breakthrough. Indeed, Erik Verlinde of the University of Amsterdam argues that gravity is not a force at all but rather an "emerging condition". As he told the New York Times in July, "For me, gravity doesn't exist." " *
WOW. That's science?
Apparently it's POPULARSCIENCE.
*Emphasis added
If you're reading this blog you probably know that I unashamedly share my faith. I pray like the Apostle Paul that the Lord would continue to give me utterance as I talk with those around me. I don't feel like I need to apologize for this because it is not a hidden agenda. If you talk with me for any length of time, you'll hear about my faith. I put my faith in the truth of the Bible.
John 1:1-2, 14 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, the same was in the beginning with God...And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
Popular Science is in the business of sharing their faith as well. The unfortunate thing is that they try to disguise their faith as "science". The October 2010 issue of this religious magazine is no exception.
On Sunday mornings we are trying to build a firm foundation for those who profess to know Christ as their personal Savior. Our strategy has been to go through history, from creation to Christ, in chronological order. In order to do that we needed to start at the beginning.
Genesis 1:1 In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.
How can we believe that statement? I believe it is true because the Bible is a collection of 66 historical books written in 3 different languages on 3 different continents by 40 different authors over a period of 1600 years. It was written by eyewitnesses during the lifetime of other eyewitness and records supernatural events which took place in fulfillment of specific prophecy and claims to be divine rather than human in origin. See II Peter 1:16-21
To hear Voddie Baucham on this subject...
http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=530914253
Popular Science, October 2010, "Decaying Gravity" on pages 29-31.
"No one has ever quite nailed down gravity. Newton saw that bodies appeared to attract each other even at a great distance, and from this observation was able to construct a mathematical formula that predicted the motion of the planets with astonishing accuracy. Einstein improved on that definition by stating that massive objects attract lesser ones by bending the space around them-like how a bowling ball deforms the surface of a trampoline so that a marble will roll toward it-and based on this insight was able to construct his theory of general relativity, which proved to be even more elegant and predictive.
But not perfect. Einstein's theory posits that the universe is expanding such that each object is moving away from everything else, which Hubble Space Telescope observations have confirmed. Yet for this theory to hold, it requires a far more complicated conclusion: If everything is moving apart as it goes forward in time, then at some moment everything in the universe must have been gathered into a single point."
Do you see the problem yet? Here they assume that if Einstein is right-and things are moving apart- then that means that at some point everything had to have been together at a single point. They will not allow the consideration that things were created and put in motion. They go on...
"The problem, which has challenged theorists for nearly a century, is that Einstein constructed several specific mathematical formulas from his general theory, and they have proved accurate in describing nearly everything-except the proposed origins of the universe itself..." *
There is a lot I can say here but I want to keep it short and simple. If you start with the wrong presupposition, you will end at the wrong conclusion. I am going to leave off some of the "babbling" and pick it up at the declaration of an out and out lie!
"Ferreira and Banados were able to replicate Einsteinian gravity in normal situations, and they were also consistent with the conditions scientists have observed about the origins of the universe." *
WHAT? Scientists observed the origins of the universe? Does throwing the word "about" before "the origins of the universe" make this any less of a lie? Do they think it is okay to give people the impression that they have observed things scientifically regarding the origins of the universe?
Romans 1:19-22
Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath showed it unto them. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools...
The article continues...
"The recent appearance of so many theories may be a sign of a field on the verge of a breakthrough. Indeed, Erik Verlinde of the University of Amsterdam argues that gravity is not a force at all but rather an "emerging condition". As he told the New York Times in July, "For me, gravity doesn't exist." " *
WOW. That's science?
Apparently it's POPULAR
*Emphasis added
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Some Have, Some Haven't
Earlier this week, as I was reading through the book of Revelation, I came across a passage that (in the past) I hadn't taken a lot of time to think about. Sometimes the Lord reveals great truths in this way, yet this time, it wasn't what was revealed that struck me. It was what had been left out.
Revelation 10:1-7 And I saw another mighty angel come down from heaven, clothed with a cloud: and a rainbow was upon his head, and his face was as it were the sun, and his feet as pillars of fire: 2And he had in his hand a little book open: and he set his right foot upon the sea, and his left foot on the earth, 3And cried with a loud voice, as when a lion roareth: and when he had cried, seven thunders uttered their voices. 4And when the seven thunders had uttered their voices, I was about to write: and I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Seal up those things which the seven thunders uttered, and write them not. 5And the angel which I saw stand upon the sea and upon the earth lifted up his hand to heaven, 6And sware by him that liveth for ever and ever, who created heaven, and the things that therein are, and the earth, and the things that therein are, and the sea, and the things which are therein, that there should be time no longer: 7But in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he shall begin to sound, the mystery of God should be finished, as he hath declared to his servants the prophets.
I'm not sure who the mighty angel is, it could be Jesus Christ (based on the description), or it could be another created spirit being like we see in chapter 9. In his hand he holds a "little book", his feet stand on the earth and the sea (Hebrews 2:8 Thou hast put all things in subjection under his feet. For in that he put all in subjection under him, he left nothing that is not put under him. But now we see not yet all things put under him), and his voice is like the roar of a lion (Hosea 11:10 They shall walk after the LORD: he shall roar like a lion: when he shall roar, then the children shall tremble from the west). See also Joel 3:16; Amos 1:2; Isaiah 5:29
Obviously we can't be sure that this instance is what the prophets are speaking of. However we can be sure of one thing, whatever the thunders (thunder usually indicates judgment) uttered, it is not for us to know. John was about to write what he heard when a voice from heaven told him to keep it to himself. We do know that when the seventh angel begins to sound, the mystery of God will be finished.
Imagine hearing from the Lord but being asked to keep it a secret. I wonder if it was difficult for John to keep this secret to himself? I would like to know what John heard. Would it change my life? Would I even understand it? Would it cause me to fear?
Job 37:1-51At this also my heart trembleth, and is moved out of his place. 2Hear attentively the noise of his voice, and the sound that goeth out of his mouth. 3He directeth it under the whole heaven, and his lightning unto the ends of the earth. 4After it a voice roareth: he thundereth with the voice of his excellency; and he will not stay them when his voice is heard. 5God thundereth marvellously with his voice; great things doeth he, which we cannot comprehend.
As we continue building a Firm Foundation, know this; Everything that God wants us to know is revealed in the Bible. Some things are fascinating to think on, yet The secret things belong unto the LORD our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law Deuteronomy 29:29
As I get ready to preach on Sept 26, I will be preaching on something that has been revealed and belongs to us; The creation of woman. I think it's ironic that such a beautiful thing can be so divisive in our culture today. With all the things that haven't been revealed, why should we struggle with the things that have?
Now you're interested!
GOOD work NIGHT
Last week we started a new monthly ministry opportunity for those that have the gift of service. I wish I could come up with a clever name for this monthly work night. For those of you that aren't aware, the trustees of the church meet the first Tuesday evening of each month. Their meeting begins at 6:00 p.m. so this gives the rest of the congregation the chance to come in at 7:00 p.m. and help out around the church while the trustees are there to give help and advice.
We had a good turnout last week with approx. 20 people there to help. Many different small projects were tackled during this time. I wish that I could recognize everyone that we there to help out but there were so many things going on that I'm not sure what everyone did. I did however snap a few pictures with my phone to share with you. Unfortunately, many of the people who were working turned their back on me when the noticed what I was doing. I'll refrain from posting the pictures of people's backsides.
Thank you to everyone who gave up their Tuesday evening to serve the Lord and his church!
We had a good turnout last week with approx. 20 people there to help. Many different small projects were tackled during this time. I wish that I could recognize everyone that we there to help out but there were so many things going on that I'm not sure what everyone did. I did however snap a few pictures with my phone to share with you. Unfortunately, many of the people who were working turned their back on me when the noticed what I was doing. I'll refrain from posting the pictures of people's backsides.
 |
| Karen and the girls scraping the parsonage picture window |
 | ||
| Matt Brennan and the youth removing bushes from the front landscape while Pastor Dan power washed the front of the church building and the sign |
Thank you to everyone who gave up their Tuesday evening to serve the Lord and his church!
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Real Men Don't Retreat
Well, regardless of the title, we have a Men's Retreat scheduled for this weekend at Whispering Cedars Baptist Camp. Lord willing, we will have at least 8 men from Valley View attending this event. Don't let the name scare you, we don't really plan to "retreat" from anyone, we're "retreating" from the busyness of life. Ironically, the schedule is so packed I'm not even sure we can say we're "retreating" from busyness. It should be a good time of fellowship, football, and fun though. Pastor Phil is even talking about getting the paintball equipment out, this means that "retreat" is totally out of the realm of possibilities!
Men, if you haven't signed up yet but would still like to attend, please let me know by Wednesday evening. This is open to all men, not just Valley View members. Pastor Dan and I would love to have you along.
One last thing, in small print on the poster we had in the foyer it stated "Bring your shotgun!" (This is not for the paintball game or I would retreat). It looks like we'll have the opportunity for a little skeet shooting. I look forward to seeing you there,
It's always nice to hear "bring your guns" in reference to a church event.
Men, if you haven't signed up yet but would still like to attend, please let me know by Wednesday evening. This is open to all men, not just Valley View members. Pastor Dan and I would love to have you along.
One last thing, in small print on the poster we had in the foyer it stated "Bring your shotgun!" (This is not for the paintball game or I would retreat). It looks like we'll have the opportunity for a little skeet shooting. I look forward to seeing you there,
It's always nice to hear "bring your guns" in reference to a church event.
Monday, September 6, 2010
Wholeheartedly
What a great church retreat we had last weekend! On Friday night we had 78 people who came out for our singspiration and smores. Not everyone that came out Friday evening stayed and camped but there were several families that did. We enjoyed our time around the campfire (two of us sat by the fire and visited until 12:30 a.m.) and the fellowship was wonderful.
The weather was beautiful on Saturday and we enjoyed a cookout, blind volleyball, 3 legged races, water balloon games, water balloon volleyball, and flag football. One of the deacons (his initials are Matt Fjare) managed to sneak up behind me as I was watching the festivities and hit me in the shoulder with a water balloon. Ten minutes later it warmed my heart as I rewarded his effort by cascading an icy water cooler over his head.
I came away from the weekend with a bloody forehead and bloody shins. It appears that flag football can be a very physical game when played with someone as competitive as Pastor Dan. I've learned that in any sports related activity, Dan plays with all his heart! Actually, only my left shin was skinned up in flag football, the right one was injured playing horseshoes with Allen Hatfield. I know, realizing I drew blood playing horseshoes made me laugh too! It turns out that even if you are playing a mild game like horseshoes, you still need to watch where you're walking.
Speaking of funny incidents, yesterday Pastor Dan thought I was having a heart attack during my sermon. I have been struggling with a cough all week and I had been praying that the Lord would prevent it from being a distraction while I taught. Unfortunately, in the middle of the message, I started getting a tickle in the back of my throat. I tried to ignore it for a few minutes while I continued to preach. Suddenly I realized that a coughing spell was imminent. In a panic, I quickly reached to shield my mouth from the microphone I was wearing. The hasty movement dislodged the microphone from my ear and knocked it over my shoulder. Realizing I could not catch the microphone in time, I scrambled to find the mute button on the transmitter hooked to my belt. After my coughing spell, I turned back to the congregation to see them all looking at me wide-eyed.
That minor catastrophe aside, it thrilled my heart to hear the church sing the closing hymn this week. I quietly praised the Lord as I enjoyed hearing the lifted voices singing "The Wonder of it All". On the way home Karen, who was playing the piano during the closing, mentioned to me that she thought the congregation was truly praising the Lord for his wonderful creation. She said that from her perspective at the piano it sounded louder than she had heard in quite a while. What a joy it is to stand among believers when they sing praises with their whole heart!
This Wednesday will be the start of our new children's program "Kids4Truth". I thank the Lord for those in the church that have committed to this new ministry. We look forward with anticipation to what God will do in the hearts of the children that attend this program. As we look at our purpose statement to "Introduce, Instruct, and Inspire" we are excited about the opportunity Kids4Truth gives in instructing children in Christlike maturity. Please continue in prayer regarding this important ministry.
The weather was beautiful on Saturday and we enjoyed a cookout, blind volleyball, 3 legged races, water balloon games, water balloon volleyball, and flag football. One of the deacons (his initials are Matt Fjare) managed to sneak up behind me as I was watching the festivities and hit me in the shoulder with a water balloon. Ten minutes later it warmed my heart as I rewarded his effort by cascading an icy water cooler over his head.
I came away from the weekend with a bloody forehead and bloody shins. It appears that flag football can be a very physical game when played with someone as competitive as Pastor Dan. I've learned that in any sports related activity, Dan plays with all his heart! Actually, only my left shin was skinned up in flag football, the right one was injured playing horseshoes with Allen Hatfield. I know, realizing I drew blood playing horseshoes made me laugh too! It turns out that even if you are playing a mild game like horseshoes, you still need to watch where you're walking.
Speaking of funny incidents, yesterday Pastor Dan thought I was having a heart attack during my sermon. I have been struggling with a cough all week and I had been praying that the Lord would prevent it from being a distraction while I taught. Unfortunately, in the middle of the message, I started getting a tickle in the back of my throat. I tried to ignore it for a few minutes while I continued to preach. Suddenly I realized that a coughing spell was imminent. In a panic, I quickly reached to shield my mouth from the microphone I was wearing. The hasty movement dislodged the microphone from my ear and knocked it over my shoulder. Realizing I could not catch the microphone in time, I scrambled to find the mute button on the transmitter hooked to my belt. After my coughing spell, I turned back to the congregation to see them all looking at me wide-eyed.
That minor catastrophe aside, it thrilled my heart to hear the church sing the closing hymn this week. I quietly praised the Lord as I enjoyed hearing the lifted voices singing "The Wonder of it All". On the way home Karen, who was playing the piano during the closing, mentioned to me that she thought the congregation was truly praising the Lord for his wonderful creation. She said that from her perspective at the piano it sounded louder than she had heard in quite a while. What a joy it is to stand among believers when they sing praises with their whole heart!
This Wednesday will be the start of our new children's program "Kids4Truth". I thank the Lord for those in the church that have committed to this new ministry. We look forward with anticipation to what God will do in the hearts of the children that attend this program. As we look at our purpose statement to "Introduce, Instruct, and Inspire" we are excited about the opportunity Kids4Truth gives in instructing children in Christlike maturity. Please continue in prayer regarding this important ministry.
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