Tuesday, March 31, 2009

Wisdom from Swindoll

The Giant That Slew David


Joshua 1:8: "This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success."

During my days in New England, I heard of a teacher who quizzed a group of college-bound high school juniors and seniors on the Bible. The quiz preceded a Bible-as-literature course he planned to teach at the Newton (Massachusetts) High School, generally considered one of the best public schools in the nation. Among the most astounding findings he got from the students were:

Sodom and Gomorrah were lovers.
Jezebel was Ahab's donkey.
The four horsemen appeared on the Acropolis.
The New Testament Gospels were written by Matthew, Mark, Luther, and John.
Eve was created from an apple.
Jesus was baptized by Moses.

Seriously! The answer that took the cake was given by a fellow who was in the top 5 percent of the graduating class, academically.

The question: What was Golgotha?
The answer: Golgotha was the name of the giant who slew the apostle David.

If it were not so pathetic, it would be hilarious. Isn't it amazing how pitifully illiterate John Q. Public is of the written Word of God? In a land filled with churches and chapels, temples and tabernacles, there is only an insignificant handful of fairly well-informed students of the Book of books. We have Scriptures in hardback, paperback, cloth, and leather . . . versions and paraphrases too numerous to count, red-letter editions along with various sizes of print on the page . . . Bibles as big as a library dictionary and as small as one frame of microfilm . . . yet the years roll by as one generation after another passes on its biblical illiteracy.

Our nation's technical knowledge and scientific expertise overshadow our grasp of Bible basics to an appalling degree. We are moving toward an era similar to the Dark Ages . . . when copies of the Scriptures were chained to the pulpit in the secret language of the clergy . . . when the public was kept stone ignorant of the life-changing teachings of the truth. But I see one great difference. In those days biblical ignorance was forced . . . in our day it is voluntary. Therein lies the saddest fact of all.

Upon whom do we rest the blame? Some would say the seminaries of America. Indeed, part of the problem does rest there. Others blame the pulpits of our land. That's possible, for a mist in the pulpit will invariably cause a fog in the pew. Far too many preachers are specializing in "longhorn" sermons---a point here and a point there with a lot of bull in between.

Still others would blame this satanic, pressurized system we call the world---society---with its persuasive pleadings and so-called academic arguments against what is termed "a fanatical, foolish belief in the Bible." To embrace its truths, we have been told, is tantamount to committing intellectual suicide. The morticians promoting this lie have nothing to offer in its place beyond the grave, I might add, except a cold hole in the ground.

But in the final analysis, ignorance is a personal choice---your choice. If something is going to plug the dike, it will take your finger to stop the leak . . . and I mean fast.

Wednesday, March 25, 2009

Wisdom from Mike MacIntosh...

When Gideon came to the Jordan, he and the three hundred men who were with him crossed over, exhausted but still in pursuit.(Judges 8:4)

I believe one of the weaknesses of the body of Christ worldwide is that very few are really exhausted from eliminating the enemy from their lives, their families, and their churches. In fact, I doubt that many are truly still in pursuit, chasing the enemy down. Our spiritual senses have become dulled and we've given up the fight to be in the world but not of it.

I think that some Christians are over-exhausted from doing most of the work (2 Thessalonians 3:13). That shouldn't happen. The church needs everyone involved, doing his or her part, big or small, in evangelism and discipleship. If you're not involved in the church, now is the time to pick up your armor and go to battle, assisting your brothers and sisters in the Lord, and serving each other where you can. Some of you are gifted teachers and leaders, but have given up because of a small or even petty reason. Don't give up! The church needs you! Some of you have allowed the enemy to get the best of you and you're scared that Jesus or His church won't take you back in. That's baloney! The church needs you--everyone--to defeat the devil and to keep him out.

Jesus said that the harvest is huge but that the laborers are so few (Matthew 9:37). Don't be one who is being pursued by the devil; you take the Godly initiative. By the power of the Holy Spirit, we can kick the enemy out of our families, our schools, our communities, our churches, and our nation! And we cannot do it without every single one of us pitching in doing our part.

Saturday, March 21, 2009

Doctrine divides!

This is from a blog called "Defending.Contending" which I really like and would recommended (http://defendingcontending.com/). A gentleman by the name of "Pilgrim" wrote this one:

"Doctrine divides"

Whenever you hear this it’s usually followed up with “we all worship the same God” and “can’t we all get along?”

Whenever the mantra “doctrine divides” is employed, it’s always with a negative connotation. But have you stopped to ponder why?

Allow me to submit for your consideration, that “doctrine divides” is actually a good thing–a positive thing. It’s true that “doctrine divides,” and here’s what it divides:

The ones just wanting to be fed from the ones willing to take up their cross.

The false conversions from the true conversions.

The ones under law from the ones under grace.

The swine from the pearls.

The profane from the holy.

The tares from the wheat.

The goats from the sheep.

The wolves from the flock.

The hirelings from the shepherds.

The “other gospels” from the one true Gospel.

The false christs from the one true Christ.

The darkness from the Light.

The lies from the Truth.

The myths from the facts.

The wicked from the righteous.

The wide gate from the narrow gate.

The broad road from the narrow road.

and

The many paths from the only Way.

Doctrine divides; doctrine divides; thank God Almighty, doctrine divides!

- The Pilgrim

Friday, March 20, 2009

Husbands: Listen Up!

From Charles Spurgeon...

Ephesians 5:25: Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church.

What a golden example Christ gives to His disciples! Few masters could venture to say, "If you would practice my teaching, imitate my life;" but as the life of Jesus is the exact transcript of perfect virtue, He can point to Himself as the paragon of holiness, as well as the teacher of it. The Christian should take nothing short of Christ for his model. Under no circumstances ought we to be content unless we reflect the grace which was in Him. As a husband, the Christian is to look upon the portrait of Christ Jesus, and he is to paint according to that copy. The true Christian is to be such a husband as Christ was to His church. The love of a husband is special. The Lord Jesus cherishes for the church a peculiar affection, which is set upon her above the rest of mankind: "I pray for them, I pray not for the world." The elect church is the favorite of heaven, the treasure of Christ, the crown of His head, the bracelet of His arm, the breastplate of His heart, the very centre and core of His love. A husband should love his wife with a constant love, for thus Jesus loves His church. He does not vary in His affection. He may change in His display of affection, but the affection itself is still the same. A husband should love his wife with an enduring love, for nothing "shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." A true husband loves his wife with a hearty love, fervent and intense. It is not mere lip-service. Ah! beloved, what more could Christ have done in proof of His love than He has done? Jesus has a delighted love towards His spouse: He prizes her affection, and delights in her with sweet complacence. Believer, you wonder at Jesus' love; you admire it-are you imitating it? In your domestic relationships is the rule and measure of your love-"even as Christ loved the church"?

Tuesday, March 17, 2009

Author, Unknown...

June 1940: Hitler’s armies are poised to destroy the cornered British Army, stranded on the beaches at Dunkirk. As the British people anxiously await word of their fate, a three-word message is transmitted from the besieged army: “And if not . . .”

The British public instantly recognizes the message: It’s a reference to the biblical story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego standing before King Nebuchadnezzer’s fiery furnace. “Our God is able to save us . . . and if not, we will remain faithful to him anyway.”

The message galvanized the British people, and thousands crossed the English Channel in small boats to rescue their army.

Fast forward sixty-one years to January 22, 2001: President Bush delivers his Inaugural Address. Afterward, Dick Meyer of CBS News confesses “there were a few phrases in the speech I just didn’t get. One was, ‘When we see that wounded traveler on the road to Jericho, we will not pass to the other side.’”

“I hope there’s not a quiz,” Meyer concludes.

What a difference a generation makes. For centuries, biblical references were the common coinage of Western speech. As Dunkirk demonstrates, people were so steeped in the Scriptures they immediately recognized a cryptic biblical allusion. But today that memory has been erased.

This kind of spiritual illiteracy represents a sobering predicament for the Church: How do we evangelize neighbors who no longer recognize, let alone think, in Christian terms?

We can begin by reintroducing our nation’s children to the Bible—in the public school classroom. Yes, it’s legal—if we go about it the right way
.
The courts have consistently upheld the study of the Bible within the classroom—so long as it’s done in an academic manner. For example, students can focus on the Bible as a literary text, learning the major narratives and characters of the Bible. They can also learn how profoundly Biblical teachings have influenced Shakespeare and Milton, and permeate classics like Uncle Tom’s Cabin.

Students may also study the Bible in history class. They can learn how Americans invoke Scripture in debates ranging from abolition and temperance to civil rights and abortion.

Teaching about the Bible this way will not be easy. To help schools navigate through legal minefields, the Bible Literacy Project has developed a Bible curriculum for use in public schools—one that passes constitutional muster. To insure balance, nineteen religious and educational groups reviewed the content. And to encourage local school boards, the lawyers of the Becket Fund have offered to defend, gratis, any school district that is sued.

Educating the culture in this way is what Francis Schaeffer called pre-evangelism. Christians can then take the next step, explaining why the Scriptures have had such a deep impact on our society; that indeed it is the word of God that moves citizens to action.

Monday, March 16, 2009

Spurgeon on suffering...

Acts 14:22: We must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.

God's people have their trials. It was never designed by God, when He chose His people, that they should be an untried people. They were chosen in the furnace of affliction; they were never chosen to worldly peace and earthly joy. Freedom from sickness and the pains of mortality was never promised them; but when their Lord drew up the charter of privileges, He included chastisements amongst the things to which they should inevitably be heirs. Trials are a part of our lot; they were predestinated for us in Christ's last legacy. So surely as the stars are fashioned by his hands, and their orbits fixed by Him, so surely are our trials allotted to us: He has ordained their season and their place, their intensity and the effect they shall have upon us. Good men must never expect to escape troubles; if they do, they will be disappointed, for none of their predecessors have been without them. Mark the patience of Job; remember Abraham, for he had his trials, and by his faith under them, he became the "Father of the faithful." Note well the biographies of all the patriarchs, prophets, apostles, and martyrs, and you shall discover none of those whom God made vessels of mercy, who were not made to pass through the fire of affliction. It is ordained of old that the cross of trouble should be engraved on every vessel of mercy, as the royal mark whereby the King's vessels of honour are distinguished. But although tribulation is thus the path of God's children, they have the comfort of knowing that their Master has traversed it before them; they have His presence and sympathy to cheer them, His grace to support them, and His example to teach them how to endure; and when they reach "the kingdom," it will more than make amends for the "much tribulation" through which they passed to enter it.

Friday, March 13, 2009

Dave Burchett on Medication...

From Crosswalk.com
Thursday, March 05, 2009
Medicated And Unrepentant

Today’s topic has real potential to rile up the spiritual hall monitors. I expect I will hear from many of them. Recently I talked to a pastor about depression and anti-depressants. He was resisting trying medication for his struggles because he felt he wouldn’t be having these problems if he were a “better” Christian. Some folks had told him that he should trust God with his sadness. I agree. But there is sometimes more to the issue and we, as fellow sojourners in Christ, do a disservice if we merely give depressed friends the “buck-up and do better” pep talk. The old give hundred and ten percent for Jesus challenge can make a sad and lonely person feel even lower and more worthless.

I have some experience with this topic. I am medicated and unrepentant. For years I went through emotional ups and downs that my wife described as my “funks”. She walked on relational eggshells when I was going through these moods. Finally I agreed to try medication. Within two weeks my bride turned to me one morning and uttered a sentence I will never forget.

“I like you again.”

She had never stopped loving me but I had become difficult to like at times. That was several years ago. I am delighted to report that she still loves and still generally likes me. Hey, it’s not a miracle drug!

The medication did a couple of things. It leveled out my moods and helped me to not obsess about problems or problem people. I have since researched the ADD brain and found that my brain scan would look different from most people. Regular readers of these humble ramblings just had a joint response.

Really? You are not normal? Who knew?

Moodiness and depression is often caused by brain chemistry that goes askew. In my case the chemical messenger seratonin was not properly regulated. The medication corrected that with pretty amazing results. Not only did my wife like me more (which was a rather huge benefit) but it also helped me discern which struggles were spiritual battles and which ones were simply brain chemistry issues. That was one of the most liberating experiences in my journey. For years I felt so guilty that I couldn’t shake these emotional blahs by trying harder to trust God with my mood. When my brain chemistry playing field was leveled I could recognize when the problem was truly in my heart.

My pattern before was predictable. Get sad. Try harder. Feel guilty. Listen to the old tapes telling me that I always do this and I always will. Get dog piled by Satan. Withdraw into hiddenness and sadness and grumpiness. Hard to imagine why my wife didn’t like me much during those times.

There will be some who read this and will judge me without knowing a thing about me. They will be muttering that if I really trusted God or understood doctrine like they understand it then I wouldn’t need the crutch of medication. I think they are full of something less than grace.

Depression can be many things. Medication may not be the answer for everyone and it is not the only tool in the healing toolkit. But it can be a tool that is helpful. I would ask those who are so critical of these medications to answer this question.

If your cholesterol is too high does it show a lack of trust in God to take medication to lower those levels? Could God not lower your LDL level without the crutch of medication if you simply trusted more? I absolutely believe that God can do that. But I would still do what is medically prudent while believing that God is ultimately in control of my health. My brain chemistry is stable enough to know that just makes sense.

Why is brain chemistry viewed as being different from any other medical condition? I suspect that many who do not struggle with this issue find it easy to believe it is not real. But I can testify that for some people it is real. My cholesterol is excellent. I wonder how that person with bad LDL levels would respond if I judged their cholesterol issue as showing a lack of faith and discipline?

“Why don’t you mix in some vegetables and trust God to push away from the dessert buffet once in a while? And by the way, don’t be afraid to trust Him to lift your keister off the couch and get some exercise!”

I think some might take offense to that approach. Yet that is how those who deal with the confusing issue of depression feel when people judge their lack of faith to overcome their blues.

Every person who wanders if their struggles might be a brain chemistry issue should find a competent and trusted doctor to evaluate their particular situation. I distrust any doctor who is like an anti-depressant Pez dispenser. Ask those who love you and have your back what they think. One of my issues before medication was an inability to see myself accurately.

Some people need medication and counseling. Some need counseling alone. We all need to be loved and nurtured through God’s Word to walk through the valleys of life. Paul told us to “rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn”. We need to walk alongside those who are sad and lonely and depressed. And I know that is not easy.

My heart is sad when I see people who are too proud to seek help. Some are deluded by well meaning Christians to believe that trying medication shows a lack of faith. In the current issue of Christianity Today Joel Scandrett writes these words.

Antidepressants are a boon to those who truly need them, but they are not a panacea for the human condition.

Well said. You need to trust Jesus for forgiveness of sin. You need to understand that you are a new creature in Christ and that the Holy Spirit gives you the power to overcome sin. But don’t let a physical condition hinder your spiritual growth because of lack of understanding or pride. The medication helps me. What helps the most is the truth of God’s Word.

God is (my) refuge and strength,
always ready to help in times of trouble. (Psalm 46, NLT)

Amen. And to all of the spiritual all monitors I regret to inform you that my cyber mailbox is full. What unfortunate timing.

Dave Burchett is an Emmy Award winning television sports director, author, and Christian speaker. He is the author of When Bad Christians Happen to Good People and Bring'em Back Alive: A Healing Plan for those Wounded by the Church. You can reply by linking through daveburchett.com.

Thursday, March 12, 2009

A great word from Greg Laurie...

Reverence or Relevance?
March 11th, 2009 Posted in Pastor's corner, sermons

It seems to me that for some we have lost the “fear of the Lord,” even in the Church.

There was a time when things were perhaps too uptight, and one spoke in whispers in the Church, and laughter was rarely heard. But today, many churches, in their attempt to be thought of as “cool” or “contemporary,” they have lost their focus.

I am not suggesting we attempt to be irrelevant and uncool, but my question is “Have we traded reverence for relevance?”

For instance, you have preachers talking in great detail about sexual issues, ranging from programs to have “sex every day for seven days” to more extreme versions in which they speak very graphically about specific sexual acts from the pulpit.

The cussing preacher

Then you have the “Cussing Preacher” syndrome. The pastor thinks it’s cool to use profanity in the pulpit so people will see him as one of them.

Is this all really necessary? I don’t think so.

Look, I have been a pastor for 35 years, and we have never had a problem reaching our culture and seeing people come to Christ. I am all for being real and authentic, but I also stand up on the platform to speak God’s Word.

1 Peter 4:11 says, “If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God” (NIV).

We are also told in Scripture to watch what we say. Speaking of the tongue, James writes, “With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men who are made in God’s likeness. From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so” (James 3:9-10 ESV).

The early Church had it right

The early Church, the Church of the book of Acts, had it right, of course. And let’s not forget they “turned their world upside down” (see Acts 17:6). Do we ever need that today!

These first-century believers were filled with both joy and the fear of the Lord.

Acts 2:46-47 tells us, “So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people” (NKJV).

This phrase “gladness and sincerity of heart” literally means “with unaffected joy!” I love that–they were not afraid to express joy in their faith.

But there also was a sense or reverence and awe among these believers.
Acts 2:43 says, “Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles” (NKJV).

What is the fear of the Lord?

It does not mean you should be afraid of God. To fear God means that you have a healthy respect or reverence for Him. Another translation describes it as “a wholesome dread of displeasing God.” In other words, I love God so much that I want to do all I can to keep from displeasing Him.

Look, I am all for relevance. We need to make sense to the people we are reaching. But let’s not lower our standard in order to extend our reach.

Let’s not trade reverence for relevance.

I think for us to seek to live godly lives is very relevant, and very different than what this world has to offer. That’s how we will turn our world upside down, instead of the world turning us upside down.

Greg's blog can be see at http://blog.greglaurie.com/

Wednesday, March 11, 2009

Something wonderful from Spurgeon...

Isaiah 62:12: "Thou shalt be called, Sought out."

The surpassing grace of God is seen very clearly in that we were not only sought, but sought out. Men seek for a thing which is lost upon the floor of the house, but in such a case there is only seeking, not seeking out. The loss is more perplexing and the search more persevering when a thing is sought out. We were mingled with the mire: we were as when some precious piece of gold falls into the sewer, and men gather out and carefully inspect a mass of abominable filth, and continue to stir and rake, and search among the heap until the treasure is found. Or, to use another figure, we were lost in a labyrinth; we wandered hither and thither, and when mercy came after us with the gospel, it did not find us at the first coming, it had to search for us and seek us out; for we as lost sheep were so desperately lost, and had wandered into such a strange country, that it did not seem possible that even the Good Shepherd should track our devious roamings. Glory be to unconquerable grace, we were sought out! No gloom could hide us, no filthiness could conceal us, we were found and brought home. Glory be to infinite love, God the Holy Spirit restored us! The lives of some of God's people, if they could be written would fill us with holy astonishment. Strange and marvellous are the ways which God used in their case to find His own. Blessed be His name, He never relinquishes the search until the chosen are sought out effectually. They are not a people sought to-day and cast away to-morrow. Almightiness and wisdom combined will make no failures, they shall be called, "Sought out!" That any should be sought out is matchless grace, but that we should be sought out is grace beyond degree! We can find no reason for it but God's own sovereign love, and can only lift up our heart in wonder, and praise the Lord that this night we wear the name of "Sought out."

Boat Rental (with apoligies to Alister Begg)...

A Scotsman, planning a trip to the Holy Land, was aghast when he found it would cost fifty dollars an hour to rent a boat on the Sea of Galilee. "Hoot mon," he said, "in Scotland it wouldna ha been more than $20."

"That might be true," said the travel agent, "but you have to take into account that the Sea of Galilee is water on which our Lord Himself walked."

"Well, at $50 an hour for a boat," said the Scotsman, "it's no wonder He walked."

http://www.cybersalt.org/cleanlaugh

Monday, March 9, 2009

A video everyone must see...

Jar 47

A new doctor had arrived in town. He could cure anything and anybody. Everyone was amazed with what he could do - everyone except for Mr. Thompson, the town skeptic.

Grumpy old Mr. Thompson went to visit this 'miracle doctor' to prove that he wasn't anybody special. When it was time for his appointment he told the doctor, "Hey, doc, I've lost my sense of taste. I can't taste nothin', so what are ya goin' to do?"

The doctor scratched his head and mumbled to himself a little, then told Mr. Thompson, "What you need is jar number 47."

So the doctor brought the jar out, opened it, and told Mr. Thompson to taste it. He tasted it and immediately spit it out, "This is gross!" he yelled. "Looks like I just restored your sense of taste Mr. Thompson," said the doctor. So Mr. Thompson went home.... very mad.

One month later, Mr. Thompson decides to go back to the doctor and try once again to expose him as a fake, by complaining of a new problem. "Doc," he started, "I can't remember anything!" Thinking he had the doctor stumped now, he waited as the doctor scratched his head, mumbled to himself a little, and told Mr. Thompson, "What you need is jar number 47, it's......"

But before the doctor could finish his sentence, Mr.Thompson was cured and fled the room!

http://www.cybersalt.org/cleanlaugh

Sunday, March 8, 2009

Jesus will save anyone who comes to Him by faith...

Warning; the following is graphic and may be upsetting...



Abortion is a vicious crime perpetuated by the cruel on the helpless. Abortion has more than one victim; while you morn abortion morn with those who have been victimized as well, the millions of mothers (and fathers) who were convinced that their baby was just a lifeless lump of tissue...

Saturday, March 7, 2009

From my friend, Gayle Erwin...

At a recent pastor/leader conference where both Chuck Smith and I were speaking, I handed him one of our “Others” bumper stickers. He smiled and launched into a poem whose memorization was required for membership in the Hi-Y in his high school. (Hi-Y was a high school YMCA program that I, too, had been a member of in Greenwood, Mississippi).

As a gift of his memory, here is the poem:
Others Prayer

Lord, help me live from day to day
In such a self-forgetful way
That even when I kneel to pray,
My prayer shall be for others.

Help me in all the things I do,
To ever be sincerely true,
And know that all I do for you
Must needs be done for others.

Others, Lord, yes others,
Let this, my motto be.
Help me to live for others
That I might live for thee.

In these difficult economic times, true wealth resides in the understanding of that one word – Others. As a contrast, our current economy was produced by unbridled greed – self-centeredness.

Keep in mind that the opposite of others – self-centeredness, also known as pride – was the event that split Heaven and formed Hell. That split continues to divide the universe.

Keep in mind that Jesus lived that heavenly faithfulness by serving others and giving of himself. When Jesus said, “Satan has nothing in me,” it was a statement of a total others-centered life. Pride and selfishness had been conquered.

Keep in mind that Jesus declares that he did not come to be served (selfishness), but to serve and to give his life a ransom for many (others-centered).

Keep in mind that Jesus requires those who follow him to deny themselves, take up their cross (the constant knowledge that they belong on one) and follow him.

Keep in mind that he finally sums up the achievement of all things good by declaring that whoever loses (gives away) his life for Christ’s sake shall find it.

Think of all the problems solved by simply blessing others: When I am blessing others, I am not sinning. When I am self-centered, all manner of sin expresses itself. When I am blessing others, my life is filled with joy. When I am thinking of myself, I reap misery, depression, mental illness, fear, etc.

When Jesus confronted Peter with those famous questions, “Do you love me?” he knew that Peter’s redemption did not lie in self-thought or self-examination, but in the giving away of himself – the very thing he was called to do originally. “Feed my sheep,” rose to apostolic level as therapy. Health is still wrapped up in blessing others and doing so by choice and not by manipulation.

When depressed people ask me for help, I direct them to simple things. Write letters of thanks to people who don’t usually get them – such as city officials. Walk around your block every morning and pray for the people in each house you pass. Start a prayer list for the needs of others. So begins their redemptive recovery.

Marriage (a gift of God) falls to misery when described by such statements as “He (or she) doesn’t meet my needs,” or “He (or she) doesn’t make me happy or satisfy my emotions.”

Happiness in marriage is not the result of getting the other to meet my needs, but for two people to give 100% in making life better for the other one. That is called Paradise.

Does the power of “others” sound too simple? It is! However, that makes it sound so divine, since the kingdom is designed to be understood by children. Oh, that this was the first word we taught them.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Gayle can be reached at http://www.servant.org/

Friday, March 6, 2009

For you Obama supporters...

You wanted change, and your going to get it; this is just the beginning...

Breakpoint, Tuesday March 3, 2009:

PROTECTING CONSCIENCE
An Obstacle to Tyranny
Chuck Colson

Last week, what the Washington Post characterized as a "terse posting on a federal Web site" set the stage for a debate on just how seriously our society takes freedom of conscience.

The posting announced that the Obama administration was planning to rescind "job protections for health workers who refuse to provide care they find objectionable." These explicit protections were issued in the last few months of the Bush administration.

Under the current provisions, health care providers can lose federal funds if they don't accommodate health-care workers "who refuse to participate in care they feel violates their . . . moral or religious beliefs." The regulations covered "state and local governments, hospitals, health plans, clinics and other entities."

Health-care providers and "abortion rights" advocates were quick to attack the Bush administration for promulgating the regulations. Groups like the American Medical Association said they opposed the regulations because, as they put it, "health-care providers have an obligation" to advise patients "of the options despite their own beliefs."

At the same time, they said that the regulations were unnecessary because "there are already laws [that protect] health-care professionals" who refuse to provide care for personal reasons.

Well, not so fast. The rules were established in response to what the Catholic Health Association called "a variety of efforts to force Catholic and other health care providers to perform or refer for abortions and sterilizations."

In a country that treasures freedom, what could possibly justify compelling people to violate their consciences? There is a long tradition established in the law and court cases not to do this, as in the case of conscientious objectors not being compelled to serve in the military.

Reportedly, some officials believe that protecting health-care workers' consciences creates a "major obstacle to providing many health services" and even interferes with "scientific research."

It is difficult to imagine what "scientific research" they have in mind-a pro-life researcher is not likely to choose a specialty where the destruction of unborn human life is a pre-requisite.

And by "many health services," what's really meant is "pharmacists." One of the groups leading the charge for rescinding the rule is the National Association of Chain Drug Stores. Its members have joined with Planned Parenthood to force pharmacists to dispense prescriptions that violate their religious beliefs, even when the prescription can be filled elsewhere.

In other words, the government is considering undermining religious freedom and freedom of conscience for the sake of convenience. They can't even argue it's necessary. If someone objects, for conscience' sake, to facilitate abortion, anybody is free to go to another doctor or druggist.

Remember-freedom of conscience is the first freedom. And people who can be compelled to act in violation of their most deeply held convictions are not free in any meaningful sense.

The good news is that this appears to be a "trial balloon" of sorts. Administration officials are expecting lots of comments on the proposed change. And we shouldn't disappoint them. Let them know that we value freedom of conscience too highly to let it be sacrificed, especially to those driven by ideology and profit.

Because what government officials are regarding as an "obstacle" is, in fact, the very foundation of our freedom-and the first defense against tyranny.

Wednesday, March 4, 2009

From Today's Crosswalk.com

Parents Trust Experience over Bible, Survey Shows

Baptist Press reports that most American parents believe their parenting skills and family lives are pretty good, but they're reluctant to describe their homes as peaceful, relaxed or joyful. They say their daily family time consists mostly of eating dinner and watching television, according to a new study from LifeWay Research. While most parents are trying to improve their skills, far fewer look to the church or the Bible for help, the researchers reported. The national survey of 1,200 parents with children under 18 at home was conducted by LifeWay Research, the research arm of LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention. The study found that 96 percent of parents agree they consistently try to be better parents. "Parents claim they are trying hard to be better parents, but they are not welcoming outside guidance or advice," Scott McConnell, associate director of LifeWay Research, said.

Monday, March 2, 2009

Spurgeon for every Pastor...

Ephesians 3:8: Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ.

The apostle Paul felt it a great privilege to be allowed to preach the gospel. He did not look upon his calling as a drudgery, but he entered upon it with intense delight. Yet while Paul was thus thankful for his office, his success in it greatly humbled him. The fuller a vessel becomes, the deeper it sinks in the water. Idlers may indulge a fond conceit of their abilities, because they are untried; but the earnest worker soon learns his own weakness. If you seek humility, try hard work; if you would know your nothingness, attempt some great thing for Jesus. If you would feel how utterly powerless you are apart from the living God, attempt especially the great work of proclaiming the unsearchable riches of Christ, and you will know, as you never knew before, what a weak unworthy thing you are. Although the apostle thus knew and confessed his weakness, he was never perplexed as to the subject of his ministry. From his first sermon to his last, Paul preached Christ, and nothing but Christ. He lifted up the cross, and extolled the Son of God who bled thereon. Follow his example in all your personal efforts to spread the glad tidings of salvation, and let "Christ and Him crucified" be your ever recurring theme. The Christian should be like those lovely spring flowers which, when the sun is shining, open their golden cups, as if saying, "Fill us with thy beams!" but when the sun is hidden behind a cloud, they close their cups and droop their heads. So should the Christian feel the sweet influence of Jesus; Jesus must be his sun, and he must be the flower which yields itself to the Sun of Righteousness. Oh! to speak of Christ alone, this is the subject which is both "seed for the sower, and bread for the eater." This is the live coal for the lip of the speaker, and the master-key to the heart of the hearer.

Sunday, March 1, 2009