Signing off for now. okie preacher is no more. We are moving to Tomball, Texas. I will be starting a new Blog and you can reach me at randall.slack@mail.com.

God Bless and keep you all.

Grace and peace be unto you...

Sunday Quotes

Thousands and tens of thousands have sought for pardon at the mercy-seat of Christ, and not one has ever returned to say that he sought in vain. Sinners of every name and nation—sinners of every sort and description—have knocked at the door of the fold, and none have ever been refused admission. If the way which the Gospel sets before us were a new and untraveled way—we might well feel faint-hearted. But it is not so. It is an old path. It is a path worn by the feet of many pilgrims, and a path in which the footsteps are all one way. The treasury of Christ’s mercies has never been found empty. The well of living waters has never proved dry. - J.C. Ryle

So often we have a kind of vague, wistful longing that the promises of Jesus should be true. The only way really to enter into them is to believe them with the clutching intensity of a drowning man. - William Barclay

Unfathomable oceans of grace are in Christ for you. Dive and dive again, you will never come to the bottom of these depths. How many millions of dazzling pearls and gems are at this moment hid in the deep recesses of the ocean caves. - Robert Murray M'Cheyne

Nobody ever got anything from God on the grounds that he deserved it. Haven fallen, man deserves only punishment and death. So if God answers prayer it's because God is good. From His goodness, His lovingkindness, His good-natured benevolence, God does it! That's the source of everything. - A. W. Tozer

Where does your security lie? Is God your refuge, your hiding place, your stronghold, your shepherd, your counselor, your friend, your redeemer, your saviour, your guide? If He is, you don't need to search any further for security. - Elisabeth Elliot

The reason the Evangelical Church is in decline...

"Once you begin to covet political power and influence, you lose the prophetic voice." - Jon Clayton

You can read Jon's Blog daily over at http://laboringinthelord.com/

Are U.S. evangelicals losing their influence on America?

http://blog.christianitytoday.com/ctliveblog/archives/2011/06/poll_evangelica.html

Sunday Quotes

The certainty that God is always near us, present in all parts of His world, closer to us than our thoughts, should maintain us in a state of happiness most of the time. But not all the time. It would be less than honest to promise every believer continual jubilee and less than realistic to expect it. As a child may cry out in pain even when sheltered in its mother's arms, so a Christian may sometime know what it is to suffer even in the conscious presence of God. Though "always rejoicing," Paul admitted that he was sometimes sorrowful, and for our sakes Christ experienced strong crying and tears though He never left the bosom of the Father (John 1:18). - A. W. Tozer

If through faith you have placed your eternal destiny in the loving hands of Jesus Christ, you can be sure that God is at work, shaping the events and circumstances of your life into a beautiful mosaic that will reveal His Son to the men and women around you. His hand is on you, as it has been since before you were born. - Chuck Smith

Where does your security lie? Is God your refuge, your hiding place, your stronghold, your shepherd, your counselor, your friend, your redeemer, your saviour, your guide? If He is, you don't need to search any further for security. Elisabeth Elliot

And when it rains on your parade, look up rather than down. Without the rain, there would be no rainbow. G. K. Chesterton

Remember it is the very time for faith to work when sight ceases. The greater the difficulties, the easier for faith; as long as there remain certain natural prospects, faith does not get on even as easily as where natural prospects fail. - George Mueller

We could never be brave and patient if there were only joy in the world. - Helen Keller

Teach us, O Lord, the disciplines of patience, for to wait is often harder than to work. - Peter Marshall

Saturday Satire

Sunday Quotes

An infinite God can give all of Himself to each of His children. He does not distribute Himself that each may have a part, but to each one He gives all of Himself as fully as if there were no others. - A. W. Tozer

God never made out a long contract that says, “Abide by all my terms and I will love you and bless you; but if you violate even the smallest provision, it’s all null and void and you are out of My kingdom!” Christians are not bound by any heavy contract to God. Paul declared that the only thing that constrained him was the love of Jesus Christ (II Corinthians 5:14). - Chuck Smith

Do you ever think, God can't love me today. I don't even love myself. I am miserable. Does God love us less when we have failed? No. Our standing before God is not based on our performance, but upon our faith in what Jesus has done on the cross. Because of Him, we are blessed with a beautiful, stable, loving relationship with our Father. - Chuck Smith

If you look at the world, you’ll be distressed.
If you look within, you’ll be depressed.
If you look at Christ, you’ll be at rest. - Corrie Ten Boom

God never made a promise that was too good to be true. Dwight L. Moody

Robert Dick Wilson, who mastered over 45 different languages in his lifetime, in order to read the manuscripts of the Bible in their original languages, after a dissertation to his students on the complete trustworthiness of Scripture, said with tears: “Young men, there are many mysteries in this life I do not pretend to understand, many things hard to explain. But I can tell you this morning with the fullest assurance, that, ‘Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so.’” - From the Book, “Which Bible,” by David Fuller

God always gives His best to those who leave the choice with him. - Jim Elliot

An Excellent Article by Dr. James Emery White...

Baptists and Baptisms - Dr. James Emery White Christian Blog
http://www.crosswalk.com/blogs/dr-james-emery-white/baptists-and-baptisms.html?utm_source=Crosswalk_Daily_Update&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=06/14/2011

"Profiling" in Church

Ever notice that most churches have a "profile?" It's not something that is spoken or even part of the "Requirements for Membership;" but its still there.

What am I talking about? Well, most churches have a "target group." That's a certain demographic (I hate that word) that they are trying to appeal to. It can be, for example, Youth, or 20 somethings, or even 30 somethings.

Now if you fit into their "profile" then you are catered to in almost every way. You and your children are entertained. "Messages" targeted to what you like or are dealing with one an everyday basis. A series of "messages" are "targeted" to you, all designed to make you happier, comfortable, even wealthier. "Messages" are carefully worded to avoid offending anyone.

Now, if you don't fit into their "profile" then you are basically ignored until you leave; or die. (Whatever comes first).

The basic problem with this (besides being un-biblical) is that it creates two classes of "Christians." One is "in;" the other is "out." If you are "in", God can use you in a special way; if you are "out," well you need to find another place to worship (there is little hope of God every using someone like you).

More often than not, I am in the "out" category. You see, I am a 58 year old ex-pastor who taught the Bible verse-by-verse and actually believed that it has more to offer than books written by the "hip" so-called "christian" authors. (I even believe in Hell; scandalous, isn't it?).

Being in the "out" category is kinda cool. Read what Harley Howard wrote about A. W. Tozer:

"A. W Tozer, unquestionably one of the greatest men who ever preached the Bible, was a man ridiculed while he lived because he was so "out of touch" with the religious establishment around him. What made him so "out of touch" with those around him was the fact that he was so "in touch" with God."

Oh, yeah, and there was another fella who was "out." His Name is Jesus, and he was so far "out" that they crucified Him.

So, if you find yourself on the "outside;" don't bother looking in. You won't like what you see.

Saturday Satire

What's on your mind?

Forcing You Will Upon God

When you force your will upon God, you are always setting yourself up for failure. What seems sweet in the beginning, is always a bitter thing in the end.

Randall Slack

Psalms 106:15, “And he gave them their request; but sent leanness into their soul.”

The world does not object to your being a Christian for a time, if she can but tempt you to cease your pilgrimage and settle down to buy and sell with her in Vanity Fair. The flesh will seek to ensnare you, and to prevent your pressing on to glory. “It is weary work being a pilgrim; come, give it up. Am I always to be mortified? Am I never to be indulged? Give me at least a furlough from this constant warfare.” Satan will make many a fierce attack on your perseverance; it will be the mark for all his arrows. He will strive to hinder you in service: he will insinuate that you are doing no good; and that you want rest. He will endeavor to make you weary of suffering, he will whisper, “Curse God, and die.” Or he will attack your steadfastness: “What is the good of being so zealous? Be quiet like the rest; sleep as do others, and let your lamp go out as the other virgins do.” Or he will assail your doctrinal sentiments: “Why do you hold to these denominational creeds? Sensible men are getting more liberal; they are removing the old landmarks: fall in with the times.” Wear your shield, Christian, therefore, close upon your armor, and cry mightily unto God, that by his Spirit you may endure to the end.

C. H. Spurgeon (1834 – 1892)

What do these two verses have in common?

Ephesians 5:18-19:

"...but be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ."

Colossians 3:16: "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord."

Answer: The Spirit-Filled Christian is the Word-Filled Christian and the Word-Filled Christian is the Spirit-Filled Christian.

You cannot have one without the other. If you are filled with the Spirit, you will fill yourself with the Word of God; And if you fill yourself with the Word, you will be filled with the Spirit.

False Ministers

The apostles of Satan are not abortionists and sex traffickers, but are for the most part ordained ministers. Thousands of those who occupy our post-modern pulpits are no longer engaged in presenting the fundamentals of the Christian Faith, but have turned aside from the Truth and have given heed unto fables. Instead of magnifying the enormity of sin and setting forth its eternal consequences, they minimize it by declaring that sin is merely ignorance or the absence of good. Instead of warning their hearers to “flee from the wrath to come” they make God a liar by declaring that He is too loving and merciful to send any of His own creatures to eternal torment. Instead of declaring that “without shedding of blood is no remission,” they merely hold up Christ as the great Exemplar and exhort their hearers to “follow in His steps.” Of them it must be said, “For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God” ( Romans 10:3).

Their message may sound very plausible and their aim appear very praiseworthy, yet we read of them— “for such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves (imitating) into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore, it is no great thing [not to be wondered at] if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness, whose end shall be according to their works” (2 Corinthians 11:13-15).

In addition to the fact that today hundreds of churches are without a leader who faithfully declares the whole counsel of God and presents His way of salvation, we also have to face the additional fact that the majority of people in these churches are very unlikely to learn the Truth themselves.

A. W. Pink (1886–1952)

Memorial Day

Today, as we go about our activities, barbecuing, visiting with friends, boating, laughing, let us remember those who died for the freedoms we enjoy. And say a pray for their families who gave their sons and daughters for us.

Sunday Quotes

Of all things, guard against neglecting God in the secret place of prayer. William Wilberforce

Prayer is not so much an act as it is an attitude—an attitude of dependency, dependency upon God. Arthur W. Pink

I think that some of the greatest prayer is where you don’t say one single word or ask for anything. A. W. Tozer

The Christian on his knees sees more than the philosopher on tiptoe. D. L. Moody

The prayer power has never been tried to its full capacity. If we want to see mighty wonders of divine power and grace wrought in the place of weakness, failure and disappointment, let us answer God’s standing challenge, “Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and show thee great and mighty things which thou knowest not!’” Hudson Taylor

Prayer is as natural an expression of faith as breathing is of life. Jonathan Edwards

A Personal Post

My daughter, Rachel, is Bi-polar. It is heartbreaking to watch her suffer. One day, on top of the world; then next day, the world on top of her. Last week, she hit bottom. While she did not go to the hospital, she did confess to me Thursday that she had thoughts of suicide (last week). God has told me not to try to “fix” her; He said, “I am working in her life and I will take care of her.” If you have a child that is suffering, you know how hard it is to watch. Yet, God is working, you just have to trust Him and wait (I hate that part).

This week, she is doing well. Here is a poem she wrote yesterday:

"Not finished yet but I like where it’s going. Again, I hear it as music not just spoken word. I sound a little like yoda in one line, but I wanted to make it work! LOL!

5/27
Your light is my shield
Your love is my sun
It’s your banner over me
And under it I run

Into the battle
At peace and unafraid
You are for me and so against me
Will not prosper even one plan laid

You are for me
You are with me
You go before me
You’re underneath me
You are big enough
And strong enough
And I will never be ashamed
Those who hope in you won’t ever be ashamed!"

Thank God for His faithfulness and overwhelming Grace. Thank you Father for working in the life of my little girl. She has always been yours, you just lent her to me for a time. I still love her so and my heart breaks; yet, at the same time, I see you work in her life and I am blown away! Thank yo my King. Praise you Holy Name!

LEAVEN OF HEROD, by Gayle D. Erwin

Just had to post this from Gayle:

"Jesus issued the warning, "Beware the leaven of Herod" (Mark 8:15). Yes, he warned of other leavens-- Pharisees, Sadducees, Scribes--but the leaven of Herod gets ignored. We can ignore it no longer.

While the Pharisees (fundamentalists) and the Sadducees (liberals) represented the extremes of the religious world (against which Jesus warned), Herod symbolized the political world. Actually we have violated all of the Leaven warnings of Jesus, but strange companions have been uncovered in the bedroom of Herod. In the day of Jesus, the Sadducees, from what we might call a "liberal" stance, had chosen to make some political compromises with the ruling country of Rome. As a result, Rome decreed that the chief priest would be a Sadducee. Thus, the political bedfellows were Herod and the Sadducees.

Today, we have kicked those Liberals out (Herod is safely still in bed) and we conservatives (Pharisees?) have crawled under the sheets in the political arena. Why did we do that? Simply because we believed that the salvation of our country depended on our ability to rope the raging bull of political power and get him in our corral.

OUR MAN

The dream was clear: We must get "our man" in office, then everything will he all right. We had set the stage well. Books like The Power and the Glory and our frequent preaching of the tea, "If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I bear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land," (2 Chronicles 7:14) had led us to believe that we were the new "chosen people" and that the United States had replaced Israel as the central focus of the Bible. The implications that followed were obvious:

If the United States were the new "promised land" and "God's Chosen," then, Like the Pharisees and Sadducees, we must do something about Herod. Back then the Pharisees despised Herod, The Sadducees compromised with him and other major groups such as the zealots (radical activists) fought with him and the Essenes (monastics) withdrew from him. The Zealots still fight, the Essenes still withdraw, the Sadducees lick their wounds of diminished power, but now the Pharisees are doing the compromising with Herod.

We have hoped in three Christian presidents in succession. About each of them I have heard many stories of spiritual commitment and dedication to Biblical standards. Stories abounded of who became Christian by walking what aisle; of who prayed with whom; of the sincerity of voice when prayer was requested; of who was pastor of whom.

The question is not whether all of the above stories are true. I'm sure they are. The question is whether we should put our hope in Herod--any of our hope--even just a tiny bit, like leaven.

Each president, regardless of his commitment to Christ, has failed to place us at the right hand of God and failed to place us in dominion over the world. What a pity. It wasn't because we didn't try hard enough.

I have never seen such frenzied and unquestioning political activity on the part of church people, all of it built around the argument, "When we take over, or when our man gets in, we will turn this country around and have utopia."

Now, (Would you believe it?) a whole new theology has sprung up preaching that we should be the Herod. This theology flies several banners: "Dominion Theology, "Kingdom Now Theology," "Restoration Theology." The bottom line of these approaches is that we Christians should take over all the power centers (financial, governmental etc.) of the world and establish the Kingdom of God so Jesus can come back and reign. They must think that this great we called the Church is better qualified, organized and trained to be the Herod than Nixon, Carter or Reagan were. It seems that I hear the mother of James and John asking for some special privilege for her good boys again. Somehow we think that power corrupts everyone else, but we are in a special category. We never learn.

PILGRIM'S PROGRESS

The Bible is filled with scriptures that should give us pause before we plunge headlong into redemption by world power. Jesus informed Pilate that his kingdom was "not of this world" else his followers would fight. When Jesus told us we should be as the "younger," he was placing us in the category of pilgrim, even rebel. The younger was one who had little or no stake in the system of the world. The status quo was not his friend. We have abandoned that stance in order to become as the elder brother. We now wish to be the establishment. Jesus died "outside the gate" in shame. We want to live inside the gate in honor. (Hebrews 13:11-13) "Here we do not have an enduring city..." (Hebrews 13:14) but we are trying to prove the Scripture wrong and build our enduring city now.

We are no longer "looking for a city that is to come." (Hebrews 13:14) We have decided that that city is now in the United States and we get to build it."

Isaiah learned a lesson appropriate for our day. Uzziah may have been Isaiah's hero and candidate for messiah, but then a terrible thing happened--Uzziah died! (Isaiah 6) Then Isaiah records his incredible vision that resulted. "In the year Uzziah died, 1 saw the Lord..." At that same time, he also saw himself and his people as having unclean lips and needing help from the altar of heaven. I hope I can see this lesson clearly.

Perhaps, if we applied this passage to our day, we would have to say: "In the year that Nixon discovered Watergate, I saw the Lord..." " In the year that Khomeini discovered Carter, I saw the Lord..." "In the year that Reagan discovered the stars, I saw the Lord..." "In the year that the USA discovered drugs, I saw the Lord..." In the year Robertson discovered the Baptists of South Carolina, I saw the Lord..."


SO, WHAT NOW?

So, having said all of this, what is my answer. It is too simple. We are people of hope and our hope is in Jesus and him alone. If our hope is in this life, as Paul reveals, we are most miserable, but we are people of a different Kingdom whose rules the world cannot understand and whose establishment waits a returning king. In the meantime, the king rules in our hearts and in our actions.

We are to be a people who are not fooled by any of Herod's seductive ways. We can even be brave enough (as Jesus was) to say to a threatening Herod, "Tell that Fox" that we will go on healing and doing the work of God's kingdom until we reach our goal. (Luke 13:32) We will focus our attention on Jesus himself and do all we can to make his Name known. We will refuse to be identified by any party or power of our day. We are His. Does this mean we must have nothing to do with politics? Not at all. We must be as good as we can and as involved as we must for this day, but never lose our understanding that we are not people whose destiny is "this day.

The rules of the political world have not changed: Rule 1, get in power; Rule 2, stay in power; Rule 3, increase your power. The power to wash feet, to serve, is an afterthought, if it is thought at all. We must never hope that any of the systems of this world carry an ounce of redemption for us. I often told my students that maturity was simply being disillusioned and handling it wisely and that I prayed they would be disillusioned quickly so they would place faith in only God himself. Hopefully, we have now been disillusioned by the political world, and our hearts long for the government to be "upon his shoulder." Let us see the Lord."

-Gayle D. Erwin

On January 13, 1947, U.S. Senate Chaplain Peter Marshall stated: "The choice before us is plain: Christ or chaos, conviction or compromise, discipline or disintegration. I am rather tired of hearing about our rights...The time is come...to hear about responsibilities...America's future depends upon her accepting and demonstrating God's government." Opening a session of the 80th Congress, July 3, 1947, Peter Marshall prayed: "God of our Fathers...may it be ever understood that our Liberty is under God and...to the extent that America honors Thee, wilt Thou bless America."

Chase "Freedom"

I just got a letter from Chase for a credit card called (of all things) "Freedom." Here are some facts about credit cards:

1) If you pay the minimum every month on what you owe, you will never pay off the balance.

2) Your minimum payment is almost all interest (that means that very little goes to the principle).

3) You will end up paying interest on the interest they are charging you.

4) Banks know that loaning you money will make them a boatload of cash.

5) The average person owes $1,600 on every credit card they possess; and most have at least 3.

6) Most people who use credit cards for every purchase have no savings account.

7) Most people who have credit card debt, are one or two paychecks away from bankruptcy.


Now, some facts about whether or not you have a problem with credit:

1) If you are making the minimum payment every month, you have a problem.

2) If you use one credit card to pay off another, you have a problem.

3) If you are a compulsive spender, you have a problem.

4) If you cannot pay off the balance every month, you have a problem.

The solution:

1) Buy a Dave Ramsey book and study it. (Don't charge it on your credit card!)

2) Call your creditors and level with them. Most will work with you.

3) Consider a non-profit credit counseling agency (be careful, there are some "shady" groups out there.

Getting into debt is easier than getting out of debt. It will be very painful to get out, but it will be the best thing you can do for yourselves and your children.

Make a budget; stick to it. Drive used cars; don't buy designer clothes; stay home and eat; never go to the grocery store hungry.

Finally, pray and ask forgiveness from God and for His assistance.

There is no "Freedom" in credit card debt, only bondage,"The rich rules over the poor, And the borrower is servant to the lender." (Proverbs 22:7, NKJV).

You can do it, but it is going to be painful. How do I know? Because I was once you. And by the Grace of God, we are debt free. If He can do it for me, He can do it for you.

Don't laugh; I live in Oklahoma...

The Lion of the Tribe of Judah...has Prevailed

Revelation 5:1-7 (NKJV):

And I saw in the right hand of Him who sat on the throne a scroll written inside and on the back, sealed with seven seals.

Then I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice,"Who is worthy to open the scroll and to loose its seals?"

And no one in heaven or on the earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll, or to look at it.

So I wept much, because no one was found worthy to open and read the scroll, or to look at it.

But one of the elders said to me, "Do not weep. Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has prevailed to open the scroll and to loose its seven seals."

And I looked, and behold, in the midst of the throne and of the four living creatures, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as though it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent out into all the earth.

Then He came and took the scroll out of the right hand of Him who sat on the throne."

It may not look like it now, but Jesus has indeed prevailed. He has paid the price for our sins, and has conquered death, seated at the right hand of the Father, coming soon.

Staturday Static...

Blog about anything you want, but please, keep it clean. :)

Laboring in Lord

I have been working around the house, getting it ready for sale, so I haven't felt very "inspired" lately. But my friend, Jon Clayton, over at "Laboring in the Lord" has an excellent post you should read. http://laboringinthelord.com/

The Road to Emmaus

Luke 24:14-35:

Now behold, two of them were traveling that same day to a village called Emmaus, which was seven miles from Jerusalem.
And they talked together of all these things which had happened.
So it was, while they conversed and reasoned, that Jesus Himself drew near and went with them.
But their eyes were restrained, so that they did not know Him.
And He said to them, "What kind of conversation is this that you have with one another as you walk and are sad?"
Then the one whose name was Cleopas answered and said to Him, "Are You the only stranger in Jerusalem, and have You not known the things which happened there in these days?"
And He said to them, "What things?"
So they said to Him, "The things concerning Jesus of Nazareth, who was a Prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people,
and how the chief priests and our rulers delivered Him to be condemned to death, and crucified Him.
But we were hoping that it was He who was going to redeem Israel. Indeed, besides all this, today is the third day since these things happened.
Yes, and certain women of our company, who arrived at the tomb early, astonished us.
When they did not find His body, they came saying that they had also seen a vision of angels who said He was alive.
And certain of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said; but Him they did not see."
Then He said to them, "O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken!
Ought not the Christ to have suffered these things and to enter into His glory?"
And beginning at Moses and all the Prophets, He expounded to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself.
Then they drew near to the village where they were going, and He indicated that He would have gone farther.
But they constrained Him, saying,"Abide with us, for it is toward evening, and the day is far spent." And He went in to stay with them.
Now it came to pass, as He sat at the table with them, that He took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them.
Then their eyes were opened and they knew Him; and He vanished from their sight.
And they said to one another, "Did not our heart burn within us while He talked with us on the road, and while He opened the Scriptures to us?"
So they rose up that very hour and returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven and those who were with them gathered together,
saying, "The Lord is risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!"
And they told about the things that had happened on the road, and how He was known to them in the breaking of bread."
NKJV

Make it as secure as you know how...

Matthew 27:57-66 (NKJV):

Now when evening had come, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who himself had also become a disciple of Jesus.

This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Then Pilate commanded the body to be given to him.

When Joseph had taken the body, he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth,

and laid it in his new tomb which he had hewn out of the rock; and he rolled a large stone against the door of the tomb, and departed.

And Mary Magdalene was there, and the other Mary, sitting opposite the tomb.

On the next day, which followed the Day of Preparation, the chief priests and Pharisees gathered together to Pilate,

saying, "Sir, we remember, while He was still alive, how that deceiver said, 'After three days I will rise.'

Therefore command that the tomb be made secure until the third day, lest His disciples come by night and steal Him away, and say to the people, 'He has risen from the dead.' So the last deception will be worse than the first."

Pilate said to them, "You have a guard; go your way, make it as secure as you know how."

So they went and made the tomb secure, sealing the stone and setting the guard.

Were you there when they crucified my Lord?
Were you there when they crucified my Lord?
Oh sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble.
Were you there when they crucified my Lord?

Were you there when they nailed him to the tree?
Were you there when they nailed him to the tree?
Oh sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble.
Were you there when they nailed him to the tree?

Were you there when they pierced him in the side?
Were you there when they pierced him in the side?
Oh sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble,
Were you there when they pierced him in the side?

Were you there when the sun refused to shine?
Were you there when the sun refused to shine?
Oh sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble
Were you there when the sun refused to shine?

Were you there when they laid him in the tomb?
Were you there when they laid him in the tomb?
Oh sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble.
Were you there when they laid him in the tomb?

Were you there when God raised him from the tomb?
Were you there when God raised him from the tomb?
Oh sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble.
Were you there when God raised him from the tomb?

Mankind's Greatest Sin

John 19:17-24:

And He, bearing His cross, went out to a place called the Place of a Skull, which is called in Hebrew, Golgotha,

where they crucified Him, and two others with Him, one on either side, and Jesus in the center.

Now Pilate wrote a title and put it on the cross. And the writing was:

JESUS OF NAZARETH, THE KING OF THE JEWS.

Then many of the Jews read this title, for the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city; and it was written in Hebrew, Greek, and Latin.

Therefore the chief priests of the Jews said to Pilate, "Do not write, 'The King of the Jews,' but, 'He said, "I am the King of the Jews."'"

Pilate answered, "What I have written, I have written."

Then the soldiers, when they had crucified Jesus, took His garments and made four parts, to each soldier a part, and also the tunic. Now the tunic was without seam, woven from the top in one piece.

They said therefore among themselves, "Let us not tear it, but cast lots for it, whose it shall be," that the Scripture might be fulfilled which says:

They divided My garments among them,And for My clothing they cast lots."

Therefore the soldiers did these things.

Palm Sunday

"But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons." (Galatians 4:4-5)NKJV

The prophet Daniel predicted the exact day that the Messiah would ride triumphantly into Jerusalem, Daniel 9:25: "Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the command to restore and build Jerusalem Until Messiah the Prince, there shall be seven weeks and sixty-two weeks..."

"Weeks" here are defined as 7 year periods or 483 years. Sir Robert Anderson, in his book, "The Coming Prince," documents that the fulfillment of Daniel's prophesy began with the command of Artaxerxes on March 14, 445 BC (Nehemiah 2) to Nehemiah to restore and re-build Jerusalem. And that 173,880 days later (483 years)on April 6 AD 32, Jesus Christ made His Triumphal entry Jerusalem.

God sent His Son at exactly the right time, to the very day He declared.

I stole this one from Pyromaniacs...

I must tell you of a friend of mine. His name is Jonathan. When I first met him, he was a train wreck, spiritually. He was raised in a very “sober” religious environment. No, I’m not talking about alcohol. I’m talking about the kind of environment where you did not smile, laugh, clap your hands, life your hands, or generally anything of that nature.

When he first heard me talk of intimacy with God, he wondered if that was possible. After all, He was God and we, well, we were mere mortals. I liked him immediately. He has a wonderful, committed Christian wife who has been an encouragement to him and by his side for several years now. He also has two wonderful sons. One of which, I had the privilege of holding only a few hours after he was born.

Jonathan has come a long way. Watching him grow in his relationship with Jesus has been nothing short of amazing. He sat wide eyed with wonder as the Word was taught. Unknown to me at the time, he hung on every word I spoke, yet went home and “searched the Scriptures to see if these things were so.”

At times he disagreed with me. (He will laugh when he reads this because he has a particular way of being straight forward. If you didn’t know him, you would think he was being rude. But that is just his way and I love him for it). We would sit often and talk on about a wide variety of topics in the Word, and he would often say, “I need to think about that one.” And think he did. He would come back and we would talk more and more, mostly agreeing, and occasionally, disagreeing – but always agreeably.

You should of seen the look on his face when I told him (yes, I didn’t ask him) that he was speaking the following Wednesday evening. Yet giving him increasing opportunities to speak only confirmed what God has called him to do. To teach. His style is different from mine and that is fine. God wants to make men in His image, not mine. And the time came, March 2008, when we did ordain him a Minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

I write this because I just got a letter from him. Him and his wife attended a writers conference and he was given an exercise of brainstorming for 5 minutes, then writing “to a person you respected and who made a significant impact to your life.” He chose me. He had a lot of wonderful things to say, which was a relief. You see, he has seen me at my best and my worst – yet, he has continued to choose to be my friend. And in reality, what he sees is Jesus in me, and that is the best thing a Bible Teacher and Pastor could ever hope for.

I love him like a son. You see, I never had any sons. God gave me daughters who are like 10 sons to me. But if I did have a son, I would want one like Jonathan. To me, he is my spiritual son in the faith.

God bless you, Jono. You (and your family) will always have a place in my heart…

“Over half a century ago, while I was still a child, I recall hearing a number of older people offer the following explanation for the great disasters that had befallen Russia: ‘Men have forgotten God; that’s why all this has happened.’

Since then I have spent well-nigh fifty years working on the history of our revolution; in the process I have read hundreds of books, collected hundreds of personal testimonies, and have already contributed eight volumes of my own toward the effort of clearing away the rubble left by that upheaval. But if I were asked today to formulate as concisely as possible the main cause of the ruinous revolution that swallowed up some sixty million of our people, I could not put it more accurately than to repeat: ‘Men have forgotten God; that’s why all this has happened.’” — Alexander Solzhenitsyn

Again, stealing thhis from my friend Jon over at http://laboringinthelord.com/

Apperantly, I have no shame...

Integrity keeps your eyes on your own paper during the test. Integrity makes you record and submit only true figures on your expense account. Integrity keeps your personal life pure and straight. Integrity restrains us from taking unfair advantage of others.

Chuck Swindall

We never should have known Christ's love in all its heights and depths if He had not died; nor could we guess the Father's deep affection if He had not given His Son to die. The common mercies we enjoy all sing of love, just as the sea-shell, when we put it to our ears, whispers of the deep sea whence it came; but if we desire to hear the ocean itself, we must not look at every-day blessings, but at the transactions of the crucifixion. He who would know love, let him retire to Calvary and see the Man of sorrows die.

Charles Spurgeon

"He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry [them] in his bosom, [and] shall gently lead those that are with young." Isaiah 40:11

He has not forgotten you. He cares for you. He carries the young because they are not strong enough to keep up. Sometimes we walk with Him; sometimes He carries us.

Robbed Hell - C.A.S.T. Pearls Presents from Canon Wired on Vimeo.

A word about humility from Mike MacIntosh

And he preached, saying, "There comes One after me who is mightier than I, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to stoop down and loose." Mark 1:7

It's been estimated that John the Baptist preached to over 300,000 people around the area of Palestine. What an opportunity! Imagine 300,000 people coming to hear what you have to say! Our human tendency might not have been one of humility in such a situation. It would be pretty easy to say, "Yes I am doing a great job for God, aren't I?" and, "Can I sell you some of my CDs or books?" But John is humble enough to realize who he is, in light of who Jesus is.

How important it is to learn that we should always be humble people. The Bible says, "Humble yourself in the sight of the Lord and He will lift you up" (James 4:10). When you are serving, counseling, preaching or teaching, or even listening, there should always be that underlying current of humility. John is spiritually sensitive and discerning to realize that he's in the presence of Jesus Christ, the creator of everything. And how could we be anything but humble men and women in the presence of Jesus Christ?

So imagine if you and I would start spending more time in the Bible and more time in prayer; like John, we would start to see ourselves in our proper place with Jesus Christ at the top. Instead of us thinking that we have all of the answers to everyone's problems, we'd look to Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith (Hebrews 12:2). My prayer and encouragement to you is that you would enjoy being a humble servant, and that you would continue to seek the Lord and dwell in His presence.

"Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time" (1 Peter 5:6).

"The humble He guides in justice, And the humble He teaches His way" (Psalm 25:9).

Mike is the Senior Pastor of Horizon Christian Fellowship, in San Diego, California. His Daily Devotional can be found at: http://www.horizonsd.org/

"Surely the serpent will bite without enchantment; and a babbler is no better." Ecc 10:11

I will be taking a break for a while. Thanks to you all for commenting on this blog. God bless you all. Grace and peace...

Beware of pride. Someone once said, that if you want to destroy a man, don't attack him; praise him.

From my friend, Jon Clayton, over at Laboring in The Lord...

Well, Kent Shaffer is out with his Top 200 Church Blogs. This year he expanded the list. It is a good list.

My problem is that this blog did not make the list! Neither did my friends Okie Preacher and Ken Mickel. Now what is with that!

Well, maybe next year…

You can read Jon's blog @ http://laboringinthelord.com

I thought it was very funny!

What is the shortest verse in the Bible? John 11:35

And, what do you think it means? According to Chuck Smith, Calvary Chapel, Costa Mesa:

"Now, there are those who suppose that Jesus wept, they say, because His friend Lazarus was dead. That's ridiculous. Why would He weep because Lazarus was dead? He knew that He was going to raise him from the dead in a few minutes. Don't you remember that Jesus said to His disciples down there at the Jordan River, "I must go to wake him out of his sleep"? And He said, "This is happened that the Son of God may be glorified, and I go that I may awake him out of his sleep." And then He said, "He's dead. I'm going to raise him from the dead." So, those commentators who say that Jesus was weeping because His friend was dead haven't really read the whole text. He was weeping when He saw the pain and the sorrow of humanity, when He saw the pain that His friends Mary and Martha were experiencing as a result of death. And He wept for their grief. Jesus is moved by our infirmities; we have such a great High Priest, who is touched by our weaknesses. He sees us in our frailties. He sees us in our griefs. And He's touched by our feelings of grief and sorrow, by our weaknesses. He's just a loving and compassionate Lord, and One who is moved by our own sorrow and grief. And so, He wept for them."

"Whenever a Church keeps back Christ crucified, or puts anything whatsoever in that foremost place which Christ crucified should always have, from that moment a Church ceases to be useful. Without Christ crucified in her pulpits, a Church is little better than a dead carcass, a well without water, a barren fig-tree, a sleeping watchman, a silent trumpet, a dumb witness, an ambassador without terms of peace, a messenger without tidings, a lighthouse without fire, a stumbling-block to weak believers, a comfort to unbelievers, a hot-bed for formalism, a joy to the devil, and an offense to God."

J. C. Ryle

I found this on the Net and I am sad to say I am not the author...

A preacher and a bus driver met their demise
They arrived at Heaven's gate side by side
Heaven was beautiful they waited to see
Where God would place them for eternity

God took the preacher to a valley nearby
Showed him a cottage with a gate so white
There were soft rolling hills all around

A stream running made peaceful sounds.

God said "Preacher, this is your home
Peace and beauty you have for your own
All these flowers will brighten your days
For a job well done, for keeping the faith

Then to the bus driver, God said with care,
"The stately mansion on the hill up there
With waterfall and flowers so bright
You'll forever enjoy, both days and night"

The preacher said "God, I don't understand
A stately mansion to such a common man,
And I only get a cottage in the valley below
I'm not ungrateful; I would just like to know"

God said "Yes, you've been faithful, it's true
You've served me well all your life through
But when you were preaching, my children slept
While he was driving, they prayed and wept."

So, I was thinking, what a wonderful Saviour we have. He loves us so. Especially, since He came to Earth and we nailed Him to a cross. And on that Cross He said, “Father, forgive them…” just like He told us to do to our enemies.

I’d much rather hate my enemies, plot their destruction and laugh at their calamities. If you are honest, you feel the same way too. It’s all part of that old nature thing Paul spoke about (Romans 6:6). He tells us that our old nature died with Christ so we are account our old nature as dead. Okay. Sometimes, okay? Maybe after I get a little self satisfaction? Nope. Dumb old Paul. Uh, oh. Paul was speaking by the Holy Spirit? This is what God wants? Okay, but sometimes (okay, most of the time) I still don’t want to do it.

Jesus commands us to love our enemies in order to demonstrate to them that we really are children of God (Matthew 5:44). So when I don’t, it doesn’t mean I’m not His child. What it means is I am acting like a selfish, spoiled brat. Ouch!

Jesus commands us to love our enemies, just like He has. “For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son…” (Romans 5:10). You mean, we were His enemies and He loved us? Yep. That’s what God says in His word.

The problem is, that even if I wanted to, I can’t. I don’t have the power to do so. He knows that. That’s why He has given us His power, the Power of the Holy Spirit. You see, the fruit of the Spirit, the proof of His working in our lives, is…Love (Galatians 5:22-23). So, if I am unwilling to love my enemies, I’m not allowing the Holy Spirit to work in my life? Now your getting it Randall. Maybe I should ask the Holy Spirit to work in my life? Better yet, maybe I'd better let Him...

"Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you." I Peter 5:7

Here Peter encourages us to cast our care upon Jesus. The first word "care", is not a throwing, but "a definiate act of the will in commiting to Him our worries." The second word "cares" means, "concerned with our welfare."

There are many things to be concerned with in the world today. But there is nothing that the Christian should be worried about. Has God not saved you? Has Jesus not promised to be with you forever? Has He not promised to return and to take you to His Father's House? When I find myself worring, it is the Holy Spirit that reminds me of these things. And when I commit to Him my worries, I have peace once again.

God has taken the responsibility of taking care of us. So, why worry?

"So then faith [cometh] by hearing, and hearing by the word of God."

A simple message today: If you don't read and study your Bible, you will be deceived. Is this harsh? Yes. But so is the fate of those who are deceived. Much of what is popular reading today in Christianity is false. And if you don't know the truth, you may end up believing a lie.

"...be sure your sin will find you out." (Numbers 32:23).

The time for confession and repentence is today. It is foolishness to think that one can hide their sin from God.

He stands ready to forgive today, even now.

Japan

The events of the last few days in Japan are indeed overwhelming. What do we do? What can one person do? These are the questions we all struggle with.

Why did this happen to the people of Japan?
There are currently some of the most heartless and inhuman people I have ever heard of crediting the earthquake to the bombing of Pearl Harbor. Absolutely foolish and cruel! Events of this kind happen to the good and the bad, the just and the unjust. Who you are and what you do often have little significance. Someone will bring up Sodom and Gomorrah as an example of the judgment of God upon nations He is not pleased with. Be careful; someone once said that if God doesn’t judge America, He owes Sodom and Gomorrah and apology.

Why did God allow this to happen?
We are the cause of these events. When we participated in Adam’s rebellion against God in the Garden we set forth the course of action that sin against God ultimately brings. Some will say, “I wasn’t there. Why am I guilty?”All have sinned against God. Just read your Bible to see if it isn’t so.

Consider the words of Jesus, Luke 13:1-5 (KJV):
“There were present at that season some that told him of the Galilaeans, whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices.

And Jesus answering said unto them, Suppose ye that these Galilaeans were sinners above all the Galilaeans, because they suffered such things?

I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.

Or those eighteen, upon whom the tower in Siloam fell, and slew them, think ye that they were sinners above all men that dwelt in Jerusalem?

I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.”

Really, the question isn’t why this happened to the people of Japan? The question is, according to Jesus, your condition before God? Instead of questioning this event, we should consider our own hearts. Have we repented, as Jesus said? If something of this sort happens to us, what will be our outcome?

I had the privilege of visiting Japan on a business trip in 2009. The people I met with and visited with were, beyond a doubt, the most polite and pleasant people it has ever been my pleasure to meet (and I have been all over the world).

What do we do?
We can and should pray. We can support Churches and Organizations that are mobilizing to help the people of Japan. What can one person do? One person can make a dramatic difference in the lives of others, if we will seek to help.

“There remains therefore a rest for the people of God. For he who has entered His rest has himself also ceased from his works as God did from His.” Hebrews 4:9-10

Paul here is not talking about Christian service. Serving Jesus (Sunday School teacher, greeter, mowing the church lawn, witnessing, pastor, etc.) is a privilege.

What Paul is talking about is works to improve our position with God. There is nothing you can do to improve your position with God. You position before God is in Christ. You can’t do better than that. You can’t make God love you more than He already does. His love is prefect and is demonstrated in the Cross.

For me, when I realized this a few years ago, it was as if a great weight was lifted from my shoulders. Perhaps today you are carrying that weight? All you need to is to set it at Jesus feet and enter into His rest. Doesn’t that sound wonderful?

1 Thessalonians 5:18: "in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."

Notice that God wants us to give thanks "in" everything, not "for" everything. There is a difference. He is telling us, that no matter what our circumstance or situation, we are to give Him thanks. "In everything give thanks..."

As Chuck Smith once said,"In order to give thanks in everything I must know 3 things:

1. God Loves me.
2. God is wiser than me.
3. God is in control.

If I know these three things, I can give thanks in everything."

“When joy and prayer are married their first born child is gratitude.” (Spurgeon)

So, what about you? Do you give God thanks in everything? I confess that there are times I question my circumstances; until I remember these three things.

For a Good Friend...

Fits of Depression

“Fits of depression come over most of us,” Charles Spurgeon once told his students. “The strong are not always vigorous, the joyous are not always happy.” Spurgeon himself was living proof, for he often suffered agonizing periods of depression. One of the worst occurred when he was only 22 years old. His congregation had outgrown its building, so Spurgeon arranged to rent Royal Surrey Garden’s Music Hall, London’s most commodious and beautiful building, for Sunday night services. Surrey Hall usually accommodated secular concerts, carnivals, and circuses. Using it as a place of worship was unheard of in its day, and the news spread through London like lightning.

On Sunday morning, October 19, 1856, Spurgeon preached at New Park Street Chapel, saying: “I may be called to stand where the thunderclouds brew, where the lightnings play, and tempestuous winds are howling on the mountain top. Well, then, amidst dangers he will inspire me with courage; amidst toils he will make me strong; we shall be gathered together tonight where an unprecedented mass of people will assemble, perhaps from idle curiosity, to hear God’s Word; see what God can do, just when a cloud is falling on the head of him whom God has raised up to preach to you. … ”

That evening 12,000 people streamed into Surrey Hall and an additional 10,000 overflowed into the surrounding gardens. The services started, but as Spurgeon rose to pray, someone shouted “Fire! Fire! The galleries are giving way!” There was no fire, but the crowd bolted in panic, and in the resulting stampede seven people were trampled to death. Twenty-eight more were hospitalized.

The young preacher, reeling in shock, was literally carried from the pulpit to a friend’s house where he remained in seclusion for weeks. He wept by day and suffered terrifying dreams at night. He later said, “My thoughts were all a case of knives, cutting my heart to pieces.” At last, while meditating on Philippians 2:10, the Lord’s Word began to restore his soul.

It was this disaster, horrible as it was, that vaulted Charles Spurgeon to overnight fame as a preacher all the world wanted to hear.

Morgan, R. J. 2000, c1997. On this day: 365 amazing and inspiring stories about saints, martyrs & heroes (electronic ed.). Thomas Nelson Publishers: Nashville

"Whoever would be filled and indwelt by the Spirit should first judge his life for any hidden iniquities; he should courageously expel from his heart everything which is out of accord with the character of God as revealed by the Holy Scriptures." A. W. Tozer

"God's Spirit wants to use you and me to bring the love of God to others. He wants His Spirit to flow like a torrent of living water out of our lives and into the lives of those who have yet to quench their thirst at the fountain of God." Chuck Smith

"Every time we say, “I believe in the Holy Spirit,” we mean that we believe there is a living God able and willing to enter human personality and change it." J. B. Phillips

"How long shall we trust in man’s programming to accomplish the work of His Spirit in men’s souls?“ Jim Elliott, 1949

"I have gone through my Bible time and time again checking this subject and I make this statement without the slightest fear of successful contradiction that there is not one single passage in the Old Testament or the New Testament where the filling with the Holy Spirit is spoken of, where it is not connected with testimony for service." R. A. Torrey

"I am persuaded that I shall obtain the highest amount of present happiness, I shall do most for God’s glory and the good of man, and I shall have the fullest reward in eternity, but maintaining a conscience always washed in Christ’s blood, by being filled with the Holy Spirit at all times, and by attaining the most entire likeness to Christ in mind, will, and heart, that it is possible for a redeemed sinner to attain to in this world." Robert Murray M’Cheyne

Mike MacIntosh on Praying for Others

“I have manifested Your name to the men whom You have given Me out of the world. They were Yours, You gave them to Me, and they have kept Your word."John 17:6

Jesus showed us how important it is to pray for others. We see here that as He reported to the Father about His mission, He prayed lovingly about His followers. Jesus prayed for the disciples with real, earnest, and heartfelt expressions of love, warmth, and compassion. And the disciples were in earshot. You see, they heard everything Jesus prayed. For some of the disciples, this may have been the very first time they heard Jesus acknowledge to God that He had a purpose for them and that He had accomplished that purpose. Do you have a prayer life like that? Do your friends and family know that you are praying for them? Have they ever actually heard you pray for them? Do your spouse and children know that you are praying for their future? Have they actually heard your prayer for them and about them?Jesus modeled the power of being prayed for. His example is a prayer of intercession, full of compassion and warmth. Jesus lifted His eyes and voice toward heaven, and the people for whom He was praying were right there, listening. Would it overwhelm your heart if you could hear Jesus praying for you? It overwhelms mine. (By the way , Jesus does pray for you; it says so in Hebrews 7:25.) What if your best friend, or your neighbor, or your teacher, or even your boss heard you praying for them? How would they react? What would happen in their hearts? You can be a blessing to others as you pray for them with love and compassion.

"The church is the one organization in the world where the only qualification for membership is not being qualified. The less qualified you are, the more qualified you become."

Steve Brown

Lamentations 3:22-24

Through the LORD's mercies we are not consumed,
Because His compassions fail not.
They are new every morning ;
Great is Your faithfulness.
"The LORD is my portion," says my soul,
"Therefore I hope in Him!"

Nothing to say. Just blown away by the Lord's goodness.

When you force your will upon God, you are always setting yourself up for failure. What seems sweet in the beginning, is always a bitter thing in the end.

So I took this whole post from my friend Jon Clayton over at http://laboringinthelord.com/

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
(1 Peter 1:3-5 ESV)

Praise God that He would be so good to not just save us, but to actually cause us to be saved. Calvinists call this irresistible grace (no I am not…). But we are so fallen that if God did not draw us, we would not, no could not respond (Romans 3:10).This is characteristic of fallen human nature.

But God (Ephesians 2:4) did calls us. Not only He call us to salvation, He PROVIDED the salvation Himself. And then, like this was not enough, He has kept and guarded this salvation for us!!!

Praise God indeed!

So, are we responding with life-changing faith as we encounter the living Jesus in the pages of Scripture? Is our life being changed by the depth and breadth of these incredible promises? In what ways are these changes evident?

A faith that cannot change my life cannot save my soul. — Charles Spurgeon

(Jon is the Lead Pastor of Calvary Bible Fellowship in West Springfield, MA.and is a wonderful man of God. I encourage you to check his blog everyday. He always has something great posted or something great to say).

Isaiah 49:16: "See, I have inscribed you on the palms of My hands..."

Oh, how He loves you and me
Oh, how He loves you and me
He gave His life, What more could He give?
Oh, how He loves you
Oh, how He love Me
Oh, how He loves you and me

A Gospel for All of Us

From my friend Jon Clayton over at: http://laboringinthelord.com/

“A gospel which is only about the moment of conversion but does not extend to every moment of life in Christ is too small.

A gospel that gets your sins forgiven but offers no power for transformation is too small.

A gospel that isolates one of the benefits of union with Christ and ignores all the others is too small.

A gospel that must be measured by your own moral conduct, social conscience, or religious experience is too small.

A gospel that rearranges the components of your life but does not put you personally in the presence of God is too small.” — Fred Sanders

John 3:30: "He must increase, but I must decrease."

I do not believe in setting resolutions, but if I did, this is what I would want in 2011.