Four Americans were killed Tuesday, February 22, 2011, in the north Arabian Sea aboard a yacht owned by two of them, Scott and Jean Adam. Somali pirates seized the boat last Friday despite the fact that naval task forces from the European Union and NATO have 34 war ships on those waters. The sea is enormous, and pirate activity in the region is intensifying in numbers and in violence. In fact, the pirates are escalating their tactics, using "mother ships to launch smaller attack boats, enabling them to strike as far as 1,500 miles from the Samali coast" (www.politicsdaily.com).
Somali officials want intervention to squelch this plague of piracy coming from criminals among its citizens. Those traversing those waters, whether civilian, commercial or military vessels, must deal with threats to their safety and terror. Public outcry, among those aware of the situation, is significant. Yet, their number and their threat grows.
Why does piracy grow among these Somalians, despite the fact that many of them have been captured, sentenced, and even killed? International opinions are decidedly against them! Some would say that it has been physical and financial success. The BBC reports that they took 1,181 hostages in 2010 and were paid millions of dollars in ransoms (goafrica.about.com, 1/18/11). Some would say that the odd shape of the country, narrow but having a long coast line, or the vastness of the seas they scour, give them a sense of security. Others say that these pirates are trying to protect the waters off their coastline from international pollution and pillaging of fish and other marine life whereby Somalia's citizens can earn a living. The answer may not be clear, but the problem is. Piracy is a growing trend.
Have you stopped to think about the fact that sin does not stay dormant or stagnant in one's life. Unchecked and unremoved, it grows. Societal sins may start subtly and sparsely, but when not renounced, they move into the mainstream and are even embraced. Sin never ceases to be ugly, dangerous, and life-threatening. Whether one grows bolder in it, enjoys a measure of success despite it, or seeks to justify it, God views it just the same. So must we! It is dangerous, devilish, and deadly. May we ever strive to remove its effects from our individual lives and "let your light so shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven" (Mat. 5:16).
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Why does piracy grow among the Somalians continue?
Kindle e-reader for Christmas present
I was surprised this past Christmas to find a Kindle e-reader as one
of my presents. Though I had been intrigued by the advertising, I
hadn't asked to be given one. Now that I've had one for a couple of
months, I'm ready to say that I'm impressed.
This device, easily held in one hand while reading, can download books
from the Amazon web site within a minute. It will hold 3,500 books
and their service will archive any you don't want to keep on your
device. Other companies have their own versions of the e-reader;
Barnes & Noble, Sony and others are now players in the market. The
future of book stores has never been more in question as electronic
books grow in popularity. (Borders book stores are already shuttering
their stores.)
The thought struck me recently that this new medium really doesn't
change the message of the book. I've downloaded, for example, short
stories by O. Henry, originally produced in the medium of ink on
paper. But the electronic medium doesn't change the thoughts of this
entertaining author. My mind still receives the same message as it
would have if I had been reading "the old fashioned way".
The same could be said for mp3 files. I listen to music on my iPod
that originally was pressed onto vinyl discs. Since then I've
digitized my favorite LPs, and the medium has changed dramatically.
But the music is still the same. The medium did not alter the
message.
There was a time, though, when the medium was a major aspect of the
message. I'm referring now to the Incarnation, the coming of Jesus
Christ into this world by means of a fleshly body. The medium He
chose - a body like our own - is in itself a message (though He
certainly spoke other messages while in that body on earth).
Here's how Paul described the marvel of the medium: "Have this mind
among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was
in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be
grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being
born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he
humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death
on a cross" (Philippians 2:5-8, ESV).
Paul's use of the word "form" is the concept of "medium". God could
have spoken His expectations straight from heaven, as He did in Old
Testament times (see Exodus 20, for example). But when God the Son
came to earth in a body like our own - subject to pain, fatigue,
thirst, hunger, etc. - that in itself was a powerful message.
Hebrews 4:15,16 aptly sums up the message Jesus' medium conveys: "For
we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our
weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.
Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may
obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need."
Because Jesus experienced life as we know it, we know He understands
our needs. That knowledge of His compassion draws us to Him more
powerfully than if He had merely thundered laws from heaven. The
medium He willingly chose is one of the most beautiful messages of
all!
Timothy D. Hall
Monday, February 21, 2011
With God, there are only two categories of men
From the very beginning, we see God separating light from darkness (Genesis 1:4). We turn a few pages in God's Book and see God saving righteous Noah and his family while destroying the rest of earth's population with a massive, global disaster (Genesis 7-9). Even as God closes out His revelation to Man, we find all the righteous safely inside the walls of a city while everyone else is outside the walls where there are "dogs, sorcerers, whoremongers, murderers, idolaters, and liars" (Revelation
As we come to our own 21st Century generation, we see history repeating itself. In Romans 1:28, the apostle Paul tells of men with "depraved" minds whom God gave up on. The word "depraved," is the Greek word "ah-doc-oh-mohn," and has reference to those who just can't tell the difference between right and wrong. There's probably no better description that correctly personifies our very own generation. The reason for this "inability" is either unbelief in, or ignorance of, the Scriptures. The "reason" doesn't really make any difference as there is no "excuse for sin" (John
Evidently, because of their ignorance of the Scriptures and the power of God, some people think that if they can just get close to the Truth, they will be ok on Judgment Day. Therefore, they will associate themselves with a religious organization (usually called a church), and think they will slide right past the judgment seat of God without being "tested" by the Word (John
Because "righteousness" is revealed in the Gospel (Romans
It never ceases to amaze me how people can continue to hear this Truth for years, yet never change their lives, and still think they are in "good standing" with God. If you are living this "lie," it's time to put on the brakes and begin taking your salvation seriously. If you die lost, it won't matter that you ever lived in the first place; in fact, it would have been better that you had never been born (cf. Mark
Toby Miller
When a man believes in me, he does not believe in me only, but in the one who sent me
know or people you meet. You may not even know someone; you may just observe
them in some situation. What guides your thoughts and judgments? Judgmental
is defined as: "one who is characterized by a tendency to judge harshly."
One of the interesting things about being a preacher is it seems that most
people outside of the church think you automatically judge them when you
meet them. Sadly, some of those in our churches feel the same way. I'm not
sure exactly why people have that perception, maybe it's the influence of
things they are shown television and movies. (Yes, I have a real problem
with how preachers and Christians in general are portrayed in those medias).
Perhaps it's because they take a quick look at their own lives and think
that we somehow have magic vision that allows us to see any mistake, fault
or weakness. Of course we don't, but have you every felt that way about
anyone? Of course you have, why is it, the first thing you do when you are
driving and see a police car is to look at your speed odometer.
I have no problem stating that almost all of the preachers I have met in my
life are really nice, loving individuals, not judgmental at all. However
because of this general perception I often don't mention that I'm a preacher
when I first meet someone. I have hopes that they will get to know what kind
of person I am before they stick a preconceived opinion on me.
I believe that most preachers are governed by the same example as are all
Christians, that of Jesus our Lord. I don't think I have ever heard anyone
accuse Jesus of being Judgmental, though he had no problem telling people
they were not serving God and going to hell.
The example I first think of is found in John 12:44-50, "Then Jesus cried
out, "When a man believes in me, he does not believe in me only, but in the
one who sent me. When he looks at me, he sees the one who sent me. I have
come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should
stay in darkness. "As for the person who hears my words but does not keep
them, I do not judge him. For I did not come to judge the world, but to
save it. There is a judge for the one who rejects me and does not accept my
words; that very word which I spoke will condemn him at the last day. For I
did not speak of my own accord, but the Father who sent me commanded me what
to say and how to say it. I know that his command leads to eternal life. So
whatever I say is just what the Father has told me to say."
Jesus makes it clear that there are rules (laws) given by God through His
Word. If judgment is made, it is not by some decision which you or I make,
but it's made by God. We often hear the phrase, "don't kill the messenger,"
meaning the one carrying the message is not the source of the message, only
the means of communicating it. Any judgment or decision is made based upon
the Word of the Master, not on our personal likes or dislikes.
In Matthew 25, Jesus tells the parable of the separation of the sheep and
the goats, or those who follow God's word and those who don't. He ends in
Matthew 25:46 with these words, "Then they (those who do not obey God) will
go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous (those who do obey God) to
eternal life."
When we recognize the difference between someone living in sin or living
righteously, does that make us judgmental? Often we don't have to say a word
to make the difference known, that's the impact of Jesus' words in Matthew
5:16 where he says, "In the same way, let your light shine before men, that
they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven." As the old
adage goes, sometimes deeds really do speak louder than words!
Russ Lawson
Friday, February 18, 2011
Is Religion an Emotional Feeling?"
| A few years ago when I was traveling to an area in which I was unfamiliar with, I stopped and asked a gentleman for directions. Shortly after leaving the gas station I realized that I did not understand very clearly the directions which he had given me. However, I did remember a landmark in which I would have to make a turn to get to the destination that I desired. The only problem was that I did not remember whether I should turn right or left. So, there I was having to make a decision so where did I turn for the answer? That's right I made my decision on what felt right to me. I made the left turn and drove for a good while until I came to an area in which there was nothing but empty fields with some mountains in the background. Due to the fact I was looking for some homes to perform insurance inspections I realized, my feelings were wrong and here I was lost. Furthermore, the sad fact was I had a map with detailed directions laying in the back seat of my car. However, I had took man's directions mixed with what I felt was right and made my decisions and therefore, I ended up not being were I desired to be. This same principle applies to religion and the spiritual life of people. Do many go on what they feel is right mixed with what men will tell them? Do many listen to men play on their emotions and led to believe it is right due to how they feel. The question is, " Is Religion an Emotional Feeling?" What does the Bible say? Jn. 14:6- Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. Jesus said that He is the only way to Heaven. Notice here there is no emotional feelings mentioned here. Jesus also said, Jn. 14:15- If ye love me, keep my commandments. Please notice, there is no emotional feelings on what is right or what is wrong. Religion has nothing to do with our emotions. Our love for God and His Son has nothing to do with emotional feelings, rather it has to do with OBEDIENCE to THE COMMANDMENTS OF JESUS CHRIST, not men. Nothing to do with how we feel. The Bible says. 1 Sam. 15:22- And Samuel said, Hath the LORD [as great] delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey [is] better than sacrifice, [and] to hearken than the fat of rams. Once again, God commands Obedience, nothing else. What I failed to realize and do with my travels at one time has taught me a very solid spiritual lesson. If you have the map follow the directions to get to the desired location. Friends we all have the same map, The Bible. I pray that the destination in which you seek is Heaven. I encourage you not to go upon man or your feelings. What may feel right to you may lead you in the wrong direction. Use God's map and Obey His directions. If I can be of any assistance in helping you with the map God has given us to help you get on the road to Heaven, please contact me. God Bless each and every one of you. Shawn D. Slone |
Thursday, February 17, 2011
United airlines grounded flights
United had to ground its fleet of nearly one hundred 757 airplanes. That is a financial nightmare in an industry already struggling to keep its head above water, something hurt greatly when it cannot keep its "birds" in the sky. The airline installed a necessary piece of computer equipment on all 757s back in 2004, but mechanics had not performed all the necessary safety checks. They have been flying these planes, basically, without explicit permission from the Federal Aviation Administration.
The FAA has industry standards that airlines, like them or not, must follow. Failure to do so is costly! There are objective standards, and the agency is blind to brand, label, or headquarters. Everyone must equally comply (www.usatoday.com).
This unfortunate episode, which United is proactively working to resolve, reminds me of something I see far too often in religion. Jesus, having all authority in heaven and on earth (Matt. 28:20), has told us what to teach about salvation, worship, gender roles, church organization and leadership, purpose, and the like. His inspired Word is the means whereby we measure our compliance. Unauthorized changes, whether additions or subtractions, constitute a change from what He wills and desires (cf. Deut. 4:2; Rev. 22:18-19; Gal. 1:6-9). If, when we examine scripture and handle it aright (2 Tim. 2:15), we find that we are not in compliance with that for which He has called, we need to conform to His standards. This is neither legalism nor mere liturgy. It is obeying from the heart the form of doctrine delivered to us (Rom. 6:17). It is humble submission, ready and eager to do the Lord's will over our own (Phil. 2:13). The fact that He went to the trouble to preserve His will in His Word shows us that what we do and how we do it is important! May we, from the inside out, comply with His standards and do all religious things His way!
Neal Pollard
What was the largest amphibious assault of all time?
that demonstrates power or force, such as Niagara Falls or an Atomic Bomb.
Sometimes we think of power in the form of people or armies, maybe political
power or maybe the power to influence or persuade others (such as he or she
is a powerful speaker).
Of course we know that God is the ultimate power, but being human we
sometimes forget how he works in our world. We think of him only on a
spiritual being that doesn't interfere with the world in which we live.
This concept was brought into focus for me by the following true story:
A teacher writes, "I had been teaching my seventh-graders about World War
II, and a test question was, "What was the largest amphibious assault of all
time?" Expecting to see "the D-Day invasion" as the answer, I found instead
on one paper, "Moses and the plague of frogs."
How would you have answered? Do you think God still has an interest in our
world?
Paul reminds the church in Rome of this fact in Romans 13:1 where he writes:
"Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no
authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist
have been established by God."
I like another illustration of God's power in Romans 1:16 where Paul writes:
"For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God
unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to
the Greek."
The word "power" in the Greek is the word dunamis (doo'-nam-is) and is the
same root word from which we get the words Dynamo or Dynamite. So, when
things get difficult in your life or you are facing some crises, don't
forget the greatest power. Don't forget we have a connection to the creator
and sustainer of the universe, Our God!
Russ Lawson
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
How to overcome anxiety
Nathan Liddell preached a great chapel lesson today from Luke 2:52. Along the way, he talked about the preacher's need to protect his figurative heart. He cited the great formula for overcoming anxiety found in Philippians 4:6-9. He is right. Notice what Paul wrote there.
"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you."
Anxiety is a common mental ailment. The 2003 U.S. Census bureau determined, based on our country's estimated population of 176.4 million people between 18-64 years old, that anxiety disorders cost an annual $42.3 billion to treat. 13.3% of the population is said to have some type of anxiety disorder, an approximate 23.4 million people. Anxiety disorders take in depression, eating disorders, and substance abuse. Many people develop more than one disorder. This is the most common mental health problem in the U.S. (all via depressionperception.com). Do you think that Paul's inspired counsel could help with this? Consider what he suggests in our text.
PRAYER (6). It is what Paul suggests as the substitute for anxiousness. He says not to engage in the one but to pour oneself into the other. By having God shoulder the load, the burden is lighter. He is able to do anything and everything. We need to petition His help.
PRESCRIPTION (7). Paul promises divine guidance in our lives as we give ourselves to prayer. I am not making judgments on when medicine is or is not needed in treating stress-induced mental problems, but Paul is saying that the prescription must include staying attached to Christ and the peace we enjoy in Him.
PROPER PONDERING (8). You are the product of your thoughts. Shad Helmstetter wrote an entire book on this subject entitled, What to Say When You Talk to Yourself. In it, he said, "All of us talk to ourselves all of the time. Our self-talk may be in spoken words or unspoken thoughts. It can take the form of feelings, impressions, or even worldess physical responses...We are thinking machines that never shut down" (36). But, what are we thinking? Paul tells us to employ positive, pure thoughts that exalt the Lord's cause and lift our own lives. You think about the things suggested here and you attack anxiety at its roots.
PRACTICE (9). All the thinking in the world will not lead to peace. We need to pick out good role models for apparent mental and spiritual health, then follow them. We need to enact the Christ-life in our personal lives. When we are busy doing what the Lord wants, we can find purpose and lose the panic.
I am not trying to oversimplify real, medical, and physiological issues. Yet, let no one discount the divine diagnosis and directions. Following Paul's urging in this text will help us move from panic to peace, if we will put it to work in our lives!
Neal Pollard
Monday, February 14, 2011
False ideas about the church
If I were to visit you some evening and explain that I have discovered a new church outlined in the Bible that, if you become a member, you are guaranteed entrance into Heaven when you die, would you be interested?
Interested or not, you would probably be curious and begin asking a few questions:
"What do I have to do to become a member of this church?"
I replied, "Just let me immerse you in water and you'll become a full-fledged member!"
You ask: "As a member, what would be expected of me?"
My reply, "Nothing in particular."
You ask: "How many services would there be each week, and how often would I have to attend?"
My reply, "Well, there would be three services each week, but you don't have to attend them all, in fact, if you just show-up once in a while we'll leave your name on the membership roll."
You ask, "If I become a member f this church, what would be my responsibilities?"
My reply, "Oh, you would have no responsibilities. In fact, you would have to demonstrate no loyalty, no commitment, there are no dues to pay, and you would not have to participate or become involved in any of the work or activities!"
You would probably say, "Toby, are you telling me that the Bible outlines a church that all you have to do to become a member is to be dunked in water, and after that there is nothing expected of me ... that I only have to attend services once in a while ... that no commitment or loyalty is demanded of me ... that I don't have to participate in any of the work ... plus, membership will not cost me anymore than my kid's allowance -- and I'm still guaranteed to go to Heaven?"
I respond with a modern affirmative: "Yep!"
You would probably say, "Well, Toby, I may not know much about the Bible, but I do know enough to know that such a doctrine is ludicrous!"
If that is your response, you would be absolutely correct! There is NO such church revealed in the Bible! Yet, is this not the church that too many have in their heads? "By their fruits ye shall know them" (Matthew
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Get it right the first time
Another similar saying that I read recently puts it this way: "Always try to say the right thing, first thing, after doing the wrong thing!" (From Cowboy Etiquette).
A man wrote the following story about the importance of getting it right or confessing when you messed up.
He wrote: "My sister prepared a pasta dish for a dinner party she was giving. In her haste, however she forgot to refrigerate the spaghetti sauce and it sat on the counter all day. She was worried that it might have spoiled, but it was too late to cook up another batch. She called the local Poison Control Center and asked them about it. They advised her to boil the sauce again just to make sure, but felt it would be OK.
That night the phone rang during dinner and a guest volunteered to answer it. My sister could have sunk beneath the table, when the guest called out, 'It's the Poison Control Center. They want to know how the spaghetti sauce turned out.'"
Trying your best to get it right, but being a strong enough person to own up to it when you get it wrong, that's some time tough to do! I've messed up plenty of times in my life, thankfully, most of the time it has been in personal matters that affect no one else. However what about the times when we mess up, when we sin, and it does affect others, how do we handle it then? What does God's word have to say about that?
First what about sin that affects others? James 5:16 tells us, "Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective."
While concerning personal sin John writes in 1 John 1:9, "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness."
Now here is what is important that we notice before we start applying these passages to someone else. Notice what John says in the context of 1 John 1:8-10, "If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives.." (NIV)
So, each and every one of us sin at some time. Simply we mess up in trying to live good or righteous lives. It's impossible for us to go though life without sinning. How do we know? Because God's Word says so!
But you see, you have a direct line to the most important poison control center, the one that monitors sin and connects us to God and his forgiveness. Rather than waiting for someone else to find out about what we have done wrong (our sin), maybe it's time for you to have a little talk with Jesus about your life. I do it often!
Russ Lawson
