Last Sunday, 10/25, we looked at the defeat of the Egyptian goddesses and gods, in the ten plagues God used to bring about the relaease of his people. Here is a video that does a good job creating the mood of the Exodus.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bl8dazS0FeQ
Me with my lovely wife, Kathy:
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Covington Bible Church, once again, presents the Live nativity:
If you live in our area we hope that you will join us one of the evenings, September 18-20.
The LIVE NATIVITY is a presentation of the birth of Christ, and what it means to us. Be our guest in the Village of Bethlehem and view scenes including:
- The Annunciation to Mary,
- The Stable where Christ was born,
- The Visit of the Magi, and more.
Visiting the Life Nativity will take about hour, but many people choose to stay and visit in Bethlehem or find out more about what these events mean to each of us.
It is a great family outing--help your children understand the real meaning of Christmas.
To find out more, write.
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Here we go again: Why would a Baptist pastor want to burn Bibles?
You have probably heard it by now, but if you haven't gotten the news about the church in North Carolina that is planning to burn Bibles on Halloween, go to the following link and watch the video: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/video/2009/10/13/VI2009101301831.html
Or you can read the story here: http://www.mercurynews.com/weird-news/ci_13567852
Nearly four decades ago when I began ministry, I knew about the King James Only movement. My hope was that when that generation died we would be done with them. We aren't. They have multiplied like rabbits--yeah, verily they hath been exceeding prolific in the spread of their view of scripture.
A couple of folk from the church where I pastor ran into some of these King James zealots recently. Thankfully, these devotees of what they call the "Authorized Version" aren't planning a Bible-burning, though I figure they wouldn't do much to talk the North Carolina pastor out of his event. One accusation, among others, is that modern translations like the NIV or NASB somehow downplay the Deity of Christ. Jesus Christ and Who He is are at the core of my faith, so I don't take those accusations lightly.
Here are a couple of good articles, if you want to read further:
Or you can read the story here: http://www.mercurynews.com/weird-news/ci_13567852
Nearly four decades ago when I began ministry, I knew about the King James Only movement. My hope was that when that generation died we would be done with them. We aren't. They have multiplied like rabbits--yeah, verily they hath been exceeding prolific in the spread of their view of scripture.
A couple of folk from the church where I pastor ran into some of these King James zealots recently. Thankfully, these devotees of what they call the "Authorized Version" aren't planning a Bible-burning, though I figure they wouldn't do much to talk the North Carolina pastor out of his event. One accusation, among others, is that modern translations like the NIV or NASB somehow downplay the Deity of Christ. Jesus Christ and Who He is are at the core of my faith, so I don't take those accusations lightly.
Here are a couple of good articles, if you want to read further:
- This article does a good job refuting the accusation that translations other than the KJV are substandard in regard to Christology:
http://contenderministries.org/biblestudy/kjodeityofchrist.php - Here is an article understandable to the layman that discusses the Greek manuscripts:
http://www.onenesspentecostal.com/kjvevaluation.htm - Here is an article that begins with a brief statement about why we need an English translation other than the King James and then goes on to do a good job of presenting, in essentially bullet-point format, a brief description of the popular modern translations and paraphrases.
http://www.firstpresb.org/translations.htm - While this article needs to be updated, it is still useful in making a decision as to which Bible translations are dependable and useful:
http://covingtonbiblechurch.org/DevotionalAidsResources/HelpinChoosingaBibleTranslation/tabid/235/Default.aspx
Monday, September 28, 2009
A Video About God's Plan, & a Couple of Other Web Resources:
I recently, presented a message about the mess our world in. It was the first message in a three-part series on the Good News. The cause of the mess, both out there in the world, and in here--our hearts--is the same, sin. The remedy is likewise the same. Romans 8 shows all creation waiting for the redemption of God's people to be completed. As we are transformed so is the world.
I also had the privilege to share a through the Bible session with Coffee Break, The ladies ministry that my wife helps to lead.
Since I have been thinking of the global impact of sin, and the broad stroke view of God's work, the video below hit a responsive chord with me. Anytime you can get from Genesis to Revelation in less than 7 minutes it is worth the trip. Thanks to Shawn Thornton for posting the video on his blog: http://pastorshawn.com/
Here is another resource. At first I thought this one was pretty off the wall. I mean, who uses a $20,000 prize to encourage folk to learn the Bible? But after I looked at it I found it to be a pretty good presentation of the Ten Commandments. It is a cyber opportunity to take the hand of the Law and be led to Christ.
http://www.tenandwin.com/index.html
Finally, Evantell has provided some online training in evangelism. There is a mix of video, exercises and text. There are some specialized programs for youngsters, parents, etc. You will likely find one that meets your needs. If you like, you can print workbooks, as well. They do ask you to register. I did, and they haven't bugged with emails, etc.
Thursday, September 17, 2009
I figure that most of the readers of this blog--both of you--are also readers of Something to Think About. Since I don't have any fresh blog-fodder, and on the off chance that someone unfamiliar with STTA will wander this way, I'm posting two reeent STTAs. Both of them are about some recent very uncivil actions that have been in news.
Are people less polite than they used to be?
I’m not sure. I figure that athletes have argued with officials as long as there have been games—“Are you blind? That discus was clearly in bounds!” Politicians are well known for spouting off, and much worse. Julius Caesar would have been glad to merely have his veracity challenged. When have you not known rich spoiled entertainers to act like—well—rich spoiled entertainers?
The essence of good manners is not snootily looking down one’s nose at people who don’t know which fork to use to eat their escargot. The Lord Jesus Christ gave the standard of civilized behavior in a compact statement: “. . . treat people the same way you want them to treat you.” (Matthew 7:12) The news the last couple of days are but the tip of the impolite iceberg. Way too many people turn the Lord’s maxim upside-down, “I demand that you treat me the way I want to be treated; I don’t care how it makes you feel.”
I’m not sure if folk are less polite than they used to be. I am confident that we are less considerate than we ought to be.
It’s STTA.
Joe Wilson, Serena Williams, and Kanye West have actually done us a favor. In case you haven’t seen the news lately, these three have been in the spotlight for their outbursts of impolite activity. I’m not saying their outbursts are entertaining, but the coverage of their antics has diverted part of the news from the decidedly non-entertaining subjects of healthcare and the economy.
Could it be, though, that the lack of polite behavior and our nation’s economic woes come from a common source?
If you look below the surface you find the common denominator of selfishness—whatever it costs, however it may affect you, I want what I want.
And there are people who say the Bible is irrelevant to our culture today.
It’s STTA.
Here is an interesting website dealing with this issue:
http://www.civilityproject.org/
Are people less polite than they used to be?
I’m not sure. I figure that athletes have argued with officials as long as there have been games—“Are you blind? That discus was clearly in bounds!” Politicians are well known for spouting off, and much worse. Julius Caesar would have been glad to merely have his veracity challenged. When have you not known rich spoiled entertainers to act like—well—rich spoiled entertainers?
The essence of good manners is not snootily looking down one’s nose at people who don’t know which fork to use to eat their escargot. The Lord Jesus Christ gave the standard of civilized behavior in a compact statement: “. . . treat people the same way you want them to treat you.” (Matthew 7:12) The news the last couple of days are but the tip of the impolite iceberg. Way too many people turn the Lord’s maxim upside-down, “I demand that you treat me the way I want to be treated; I don’t care how it makes you feel.”
I’m not sure if folk are less polite than they used to be. I am confident that we are less considerate than we ought to be.
It’s STTA.
Joe Wilson, Serena Williams, and Kanye West have actually done us a favor. In case you haven’t seen the news lately, these three have been in the spotlight for their outbursts of impolite activity. I’m not saying their outbursts are entertaining, but the coverage of their antics has diverted part of the news from the decidedly non-entertaining subjects of healthcare and the economy.
Could it be, though, that the lack of polite behavior and our nation’s economic woes come from a common source?
If you look below the surface you find the common denominator of selfishness—whatever it costs, however it may affect you, I want what I want.
And there are people who say the Bible is irrelevant to our culture today.
It’s STTA.
Here is an interesting website dealing with this issue:
http://www.civilityproject.org/
Thursday, August 27, 2009
I was not a fan of Ted Kennedy's politics. He was the leader of the Left. I am mostly a conservative. While he may have argued against various expensive, and expansive, programs at different time in his career, he was clearly part of the movement that stretched the US government envelope in the direction of bigger government, impacting, even controlling, a steadily increasing portion of the personal lives of US citizens. In his younger years Senator Kennedy became well known for his failure to control various appetites. I regretted, and continue to regret the fact that the well-known politician was clearly part of the redefining of what is accepted, and even expected, morally and ethically, in the realm of public service. Apparently, in his latter years, the Senator gained the victory over some of these personal demons.
I did, however, observe a trait in Kennedy's public career that is admirable; one we could use more of in politics on a local, state, and federal level; one that many conservative and even Christian leaders need to learn. Ted Kennedy once spoke at Liberty University. He did not compromise on his liberal views, but he made his points in a gracious way. There was no doubt that the late Rev. Jerry Fallwell was his political counter-pole, yet he graciously responded to Fallwell's invitation and behaved like a gentleman. (BTW, he was treated like one, while on the Liberty campus.) In the Senate Orin Hatch was close friends with Kennedy. Again these men were, on most issues, political enemies, yet they were united by a profound friendship. Brent Alderman comments on this unexpected trait in the Lion of Senate, referring to the remarkable friendship between Kennedy and conservative columnist, Cal Thomas. http://capminmd.wordpress.com/ I'm not suggesting that we compromise on matters that are non-negotiable, or that we adopt a go-along-to-get-along mode. I am appealing for a more civil tone. I fear that too many of us look to Sean "Never-Let-Them-Finish-A-Sentence" Hannity rather than to our Lord, Who though He clearly confronted evil, was always more concerned about people's souls than their politics.
This is not just a concept that I am recommending for the big guys up in Washington. My little part of the world is currently involved in an argument over consolidation. A friend told me that some former friends were still divided because of the last consolidation vote, twenty-five years ago. My church, not long ago had to make a decision related to our building. Unfortunately, in the discussions leading to the decision, eternal values sometimes were sacrificed for stuff that won't even last a lifetime. Even when talking politics over a cup of coffee, I need to maintain a civil tone.
I did, however, observe a trait in Kennedy's public career that is admirable; one we could use more of in politics on a local, state, and federal level; one that many conservative and even Christian leaders need to learn. Ted Kennedy once spoke at Liberty University. He did not compromise on his liberal views, but he made his points in a gracious way. There was no doubt that the late Rev. Jerry Fallwell was his political counter-pole, yet he graciously responded to Fallwell's invitation and behaved like a gentleman. (BTW, he was treated like one, while on the Liberty campus.) In the Senate Orin Hatch was close friends with Kennedy. Again these men were, on most issues, political enemies, yet they were united by a profound friendship. Brent Alderman comments on this unexpected trait in the Lion of Senate, referring to the remarkable friendship between Kennedy and conservative columnist, Cal Thomas. http://capminmd.wordpress.com/ I'm not suggesting that we compromise on matters that are non-negotiable, or that we adopt a go-along-to-get-along mode. I am appealing for a more civil tone. I fear that too many of us look to Sean "Never-Let-Them-Finish-A-Sentence" Hannity rather than to our Lord, Who though He clearly confronted evil, was always more concerned about people's souls than their politics.
This is not just a concept that I am recommending for the big guys up in Washington. My little part of the world is currently involved in an argument over consolidation. A friend told me that some former friends were still divided because of the last consolidation vote, twenty-five years ago. My church, not long ago had to make a decision related to our building. Unfortunately, in the discussions leading to the decision, eternal values sometimes were sacrificed for stuff that won't even last a lifetime. Even when talking politics over a cup of coffee, I need to maintain a civil tone.
- We need to remember that hindsight has shown us that there are times when we are sure that we are right, but we aren't.
- We need to be reminded that the person who holds to whatever ridiculous view we are arguing against is a creature of God, a person who bears His image, and one for whom Christ died. How can we have such disdain for one whom Christ loves so much?
- Ultimately, the answer is not the president, senator, governor, or dog-catcher we elect, but the Savior we serve.
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