Mercy Upon Mercy

2011-11-27T15:17:00.001-05:00

A Real Good, Biblical Study from GCA

2011-11-19T13:05:00.001-05:00

http://www.gcaarchive.com/romansisraelology.shtml

Some Observations About Movies

2011-11-09T09:43:00.000-05:00

Cell phones can hold a charge for days, and the battery runs out at the most crucial moment in the main character's life.

Housewindows don’t have screens, and

Thewindows are left open all night, and no one gets eaten alive by mosquitoes,even if they live by a swamp.

Speakingof windows, a woman being stalked in a movie always undresses at night in frontof a window with the curtains wide open..

Halfthe time, people don’t answer a question- they just mutely stare back.

There’sa token homosexual in nearly every new movie, and he’s usually portrayed asbeing so much nicer than the hetero guy.

Peopleroutinely order a meal, then leave before even tasting it.

Womendon’t wear flat shoes, especially when being chased by a car.

Kidsare portrayed as being smarter than their dad.

Forthat matter, dogs are portrayed as being smarter than humans.

Thedad who has to travel will routinely say to his 6 year old son: "Take care of your mother while I'm away."

Computer hackers can access national security files with a few keystrokes and can guess the password n the third try.

People drink air coffee.

Andthis one really gets to me:

Noone uses fake gods’ names as a curse word, only the name of Jesus, the God of creation and the only one who could save them.

You Might be a Biblicist If...

2011-11-07T17:38:00.001-05:00

You think theBible means what it says and says what it means

When you are excited to read the Old Testament- even thegenealogies

When you read the word “Israel” you don’t think it actuallymeans the church

If you believe that God will not renege on His promises toAbraham, even the ones concerning the Land

When you read the word “bound” and don’t try to redefinewhat that word means

If you love looking up at the sky

When you read “a thousand years,” repeated six times inRevelation 20, and don’t assume it really means an undetermined amount of tine

When you begin to praise every time you think about God’ssovereign grace, which is 24/7

If you get that “three and a half years, “forty two months”and “a tine, times, and half a time” mean the same amount of time

When you look forward to all of God’s promises to Israel andthe Gentiles

When you come out from under the blanket of fear caused byArminian teaching

If you see that premil and reformed fit together like a handand glove

2011-11-01T11:13:00.003-04:00

The Best News You've Ever Heard

A sermon by Jim McClarty of Grace Christian Assembly in Smyrna, TN, given at the 2007 Sovereign Grace Conference in Lexington. Listen and be amazingly blessed!

Separation by Cell

2011-10-15T11:58:00.000-04:00

Do yourealize that the cell phone, designed for our convenience, has become thenumber one impediment to relationship between people? It has also greatlyimpacted our ability to enjoy God’s creation.

Think ofhow insidious this robber has become in our lives. The cell phone has evolvedfrom a communication tool into a constant texting, gaming, time suckingmonster, and we aren’t alarmed.

Here are justa few examples I’ve seen of cell phone insanity, and I’m sure you could citemany more:

In the summer,I had to chance to visit the Walkway Over the Hudson: http://walkway.org/ with my daughter and her children.What beauty! We had a panoramic view of the Hudson River Valley, stretchingnorth and south beneath our feet. Although it was mid summer and humid thatday, the strong breeze made walking there exhilarating! My grandchildrensquealed with delight to be able to see a passing train from an

aerial view, and a real tugboat passing beneath their littlefeet. Sunshine, clouds, wind, height- beauty to savoron this special day.

Then I beganto notice the people passing by. There was a businessman working out a deal onhis cell. There was a married couple out for a walk. Were they holding hands?No, they each were glued to their cells, talking with other people. There was ayounger teenage couple who were both text messaging, not bothering to look upat the azure blue sky. I wondered why they couldn’t turn off the technology fora measly half hour to enjoy the beauty of their surroundings.

Anotherexample: I invited a couple over for dinner, and the guy spent the entire timetexting on his cell phone- at the dinner table! After dinner, he got up toresume his rudeness on the couch.

I’veseen kids messaging at church during the sermon. I know that high-schoolstudents regularly hide their cell phones under their desks to text testanswers to each other during class, or just to ignore whatever the teacher issaying.

Foremost, however, are the sheer number of accidents that are attributedto texting while driving. I have a friend who works in the accident reportingdivision of the DOT and she says that more accidents are caused from cell phoneuse than from DUI’s. We need a newcategory-DUIC. No one thinks it will happen to them, so they take the hugerisk. Why? Because we have become a nation of cell phone junkies.

Cellphone have become an extension of the human hand. If you think I’mexaggerating, just stroll through a mall and observe. Not only are thesedevices omnipresent, they have become status symbols. Why get an inexpensive payas you go phone when you can own a Crackberry? Upgrades are eagerly looked forwardto because we mist keep up with our peers.

Think about the damage this is doing to ourrelationships. Couples sit on the couch together for the whole evening and don’tsay a word to each other.

Think abouthow we are forgetting to enjoy nature in lieu of playing with electronicgadgets. Kids spend hours playing Angry Birds, yet don’t notice the real geese,flying in perfect formation across the sky.

Let us consider that we ownelectronic devices- they should not own us. Let us spend more time talking faceto face, using body language instead of emoticons. Let us turn off the cellsfor the afternoon and use our hands to do something useful and creative. Let usgo outdoors and walk, leaving the thing at home. Smell the air, look up at thesky. Remember what is what like before we became addicted. Your nerves willthank you for it.

Pet Peeve of the Day

2011-08-26T10:04:00.001-04:00

I listen to sermons online, lots of sermons. I am rich with teaching from pastors all over the globe. I get to download podcasts to my iMac and listen whenever I feel like it. I'm spoiled, I know. And I have a pet peeve for teachers:

Would you please stop shouting throughout the sermon, only speaking in your normal voice when you get tired of shouting? It doesn't drive home the points- it is actually very distracting!

Thank you. Now I feel better.

An Eye-Opening Read

2011-08-23T09:03:00.000-04:00

http://www.bunyanministries.org/books/Future%20Israel.pdf

Johnny Mac on Eschatology

2011-08-21T20:42:00.000-04:00

Yes! This is what I believe the Bible clearly teaches:

Sovereign Grace, Reforme theology, Premil eschatology, Biblically correct Israelology= Understanding, Joy,Freedom, and a sure hope.

Reading what the Bible actually says and believing it- what a concept. This is a series that premils will love and amils will hate. Why? Because it's so simple, even a child can understand it. ;-)

John MacArthur -Why Every Calvinist Should Be a Premillennialist:

http://www.gty.org/products/Audio+Series/300

Can anyone say Doubletalk?

2011-04-25T16:00:00.003-04:00

A true politician at work. The EPA is a waste.

Is This Supposed To Be Funny??

2011-04-08T09:14:00.002-04:00

Coach Dave Understands

2011-04-07T08:41:00.001-04:00

America needs to wake up before it's too late.

http://www.ptsalt.com/commentaries/2011-04-07%20Cerebral%20Rectumitis.mp3

This is telling...

2011-04-05T09:50:00.000-04:00

Old dictionary:

Je"sus (?), n. [L. Jesus, Gr. , from Heb. YÈsha'; Yh Jehovah + hsha' to help.] The Savior; the name of the Son of God as announced by the angel to his parents; the personal name of Our Lord, in distinction from Christ, his official appellation. Luke i. 31.

Thou shalt call his name Jesus; for he shall save his people from their sins. Matt. i. 21.

Modern dictionary:

Main Entry: Je·sus

Pronunciation: j-zs, -zz

Variant(s): or Jesus Christ /krst/

Function: biographical name

about 6 B.C.-about 30 A.D. source of the Christian religion and Savior in the Christian faith.

More Good Teaching

2011-03-11T10:47:00.000-05:00

Sing to Jesus

2011-03-05T16:07:00.000-05:00

2Peter 3:9 Is it true that God is not willing that any should perish? That's certainly what we hear from the Arminian pulpits. But, is that a proper reading of what Peter actually wrote? That's the question Jim McClarty explores in this video.

2011-02-27T21:09:00.000-05:00

Are You Saved? (Or Wrongly Assume You Are?)

2011-02-23T13:33:00.001-05:00

We either believe what God tells us in the Bible, or we will fall for the lies of man. We believe when God opens up the eyes of our hearts to have the faith to believe.

Hebrews 11:6

And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.

If you don’t believe that He exists, look at the sky, a birth, and the stars that have guided countless sailors throughout history. Think about the earth, producing all the elements we need to build. Consider how the earth is in perfect balance in the solar system to support life. Think about your heart that keeps beating and the beauty of the flowers. If you think this is a big cosmic accident, this is what God says:

Psalm 53:1

The fool says in his heart, "There is no God."

If you are still reading, you probably believe in God. But are you saved? Belief doe not equal salvation.

Romans 6:23

For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Salvation can be obtained only through the shed blood of Jesus, not by any other way.

Acts 4:12

And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved."

Sin kills. God gives eternal pardon. God erases our sins when we come to Him with a repentant heart and begin to hate what God hates, and love what God loves. Salvation is not thinking you are saved because you asked Jesus into your heart once.

1 Corinthians 15:2

And by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you— unless you believed in vain.

See, it is not a one-time deal. It is an ongoing relationship with Jesus and being led by the Holy Spirit. We can have hope in this life and not live in defeat, as we cling to our Lord and savior.

When we come to Him on His terms, not ours, we can know that God has saved us and that he loves us so much that He is orchestrating everything in our lives. There is no room for despair to take root and grow when we know we are His.

Romans 8:31

“If God be for us, who can be against us?”

As believers, no matter what situations or obstacles we are facing, are we not alone. God is actively working through these circumstances to bring us to complete salvation. What? Isn’t our salvation already complete? Well, yes- in a sense. When we bow the knee to the Lordship of Christ and become his disciples, we are saved.

Romans 10:9

Because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

Salvation is now and ongoing. As we come to Him daily, He reveals more and more about his great mercy and love to us, and our faith grows.

Romans 10:17

So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.

The more we read, listen, and learn, the more we will grow in our knowledge of Christ and begin to understand not only the depth of our sin, but also the greatness of His mercy and love.

The gospel is called the Good News. We receive good news with eagerness and joy.

Have you received Jesus, or only think you have?

Bottom line:

If you:

· don’t feel any remorse for your sins (lying, stealing, porn, slandering, selfishness, not forgiving others, cheating, etc.

· don’t have any desire to meet with believers; even avoiding them whenever possible

· never read your Bible

You probably aren’t saved.

I’m not talking about the temporary seasons when we are struggling with sin and trying to avoid God, or are praying about where to fellowship, but if this is your normal, accepted lifestyle and you never call upon Jesus, except when you use His Name as a curse word, you do not know Him at all, which means He doesn’t know you. This is a dangerous place to be in.

Even of you do all the “Christian” things- go to church, read your Bible, serve in ministry- if you have a proud, rebellious heart that seeks recognition and refuses to forgive others, you are not right with God and need to repent.

Matt. 7

21 "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 On that day many will say to me, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?' 23 And then will I declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.'

God looks not just at our actions but our thoughts and motives.

2 Corinthians 13:5

Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you fail to meet the test!

“Father, in the Name of Jesus I pray that everyone reading this will examine their heart to see whether or not they belong to You, and that if not, You will give them the desire to run to you and receive a saving faith. Amen.”

Just a reminder...

2010-10-27T16:32:00.000-04:00

People are infinitely more important than anything we can buy.

Funny Friday

2010-10-15T18:36:00.001-04:00

Some things that happened decades ago still make me laugh when I think of them, and this is one incident that still cracks me up:

One of my kids had a 5^th grade field trip to watch a play at an old and famous theater – you know, the kind of place that when you enter, you feel like you had just stepped back in time.

With rich, red velvet curtain and seats and high ceiling; it was grandly ornate in every way.

Our bus had arrived first and we were quickly ushered down the aisle to occupy row seats! This was a first for me, and I felt privileged to be sitting with nothing but air between the stage and my seat. What a great view!

As the play progressed, I began to relax from the hustle and bustle of trying to get myself and my girls ready for the big event. That morning I’d thought about wearing a dress, but was glad I’d decided on slacks, being as we were seated front row center.

Somewhere mid-play, I crossed my legs and noticed something sticking out of a pants leg. At first I had no idea what it was, then looking closer I realized it looked like one of my ankle stockings that women wear under their slacks.

Oh, bother. It must have gotten stuck on the inside of my slacks in the dryer. Reaching down, I tugged on the end to pull it out. To my surprise, it was really stuck in there! I gave it another good yank and as it came out further, I was shocked to realize it was not an ankle sock. It was a complete pair of pantyhose.

In retrospect, I should have shoved it back up inside my pant leg, but by then I had noticed the bulge under the fabric, well past my knee. Good thing it was dark in there, because my face must have been beet red in embarrassment. Feeling like a thief in the night, I slowly, nonchalantly, began to pull the leg of the pantyhose out, with my leg crossed up on my thigh and my eyes fixed on the stage. The last thing I wanted was to draw attention to myself. Thank God I was sitting with family members on either side.

It must not have been as dark in the theater as I’d thought. About a minute into the process, to my utter horror I noticed that the two main actors were trying not to laugh-at me. To their credit, they managed to keep their lines straight as I frantically yanked and yanked, wanting to get this over with as soon as possible. The more I pulled, the more it stretched. I was afraid to look up at the stage. I was breaking out in a sweat and totally mortified. Finally, after what seemed like miles of nylon and an eternity, the last of the other static laden leg came loose from its hiding place. I balled the stockings up and shoved them in my coat pocket. I could have sworn everyone on that stage KNEW. As soon as the play ended and the lights came up, I mumbled something about the ladies room and ran back up that aisle.

Come to think of it, I haven’t been to a play since… and I triple check for static cling before setting foot outside the house.

Thought Provoking and Scriptural

2010-10-13T13:47:00.000-04:00

An eye opening look at a practice that is accepted as correct, but it is not meant for the new covenant church.http://tekoapublishing.com/books/tithing/index.html

Real Good Reading

2010-09-23T09:28:00.000-04:00

Luther's Commentary to the Galatians

Beauty and Fragrance

2010-09-13T23:30:00.001-04:00

Luke 12:27 Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.

We Can Learn From the Lilies

The flower helps me to consider…

God will always take care of me. After all, His children are of far more worth than a flower. Like the lily, I don’t need to worry about what I will wear, how I’ll be fed, or how much (or fast) I’ll grow. It’s all in God’s very capable hands.

The grace of God saved me and will keep me.

Ephesians 2:5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ— by grace you have been saved.

Jude 1:24 [ Doxology ] Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, 25to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.

Not only are we alive in Christ when He saves us, we also carry the aroma of Christ when we belong to Him and are walking in His Spirit.

2 Corinthians 2:15 For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing, 16 to one a fragrance from death to death, to the other a fragrance from life to life. Who is sufficient for these things?

Matthew 19:26 But Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible

These flowers also made me think of my new nature.

Two vases of flowers, side by side

One is fragrant, the other fake

Both appear to be alive

But only one, fit for a bride

Revelation 19:7 Let us rejoice and exult and give him the glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his Bride has made herself ready…

Are we alive in the Spirit, or merely putting on a good show like the fake flowers? Anyone can talk the talk, go to church and act pious, then feel comfortable about sinning all week. How do we act at home? Are we growing in grace, or are we playing games? Like the flower illustration, it is only when we get close, can we discern the fake from the real. When people get close to us, do they see Jesus? Do they smell the sweet aroma of His presence?

I fall so far short of this desire. Too often, people see me and not Him. My prayer is for me and for us all, by God’s grace, to walk in the freedom provided by the atoning sacrifice of our savior and Lord. Sin no longer has dominion over us, if we are born of the Spirit. Jesus broke sin’s power over us on the cross- so let’s press on to take hold of it. :-)

OK, the real flowers are on the left. And they do fill the room with perfume.

Remembering the Victims of 9-11

2010-09-13T11:58:00.004-04:00

http://www.crosstalkamerica.com/

Remembering the Victims of 9-11

Date:	September 10, 2010
Host:	Vic Eliason
Listen:	RealAudio \| Windows Media \| MP3 \|Order Tape or CD

It’s been 9 years since the 9-11 attacks, yet many Americans seem to be more “on edge” than ever. Some are frustrated, others are angry, and still others are confused. Perhaps the best example of confusion comes to us from Florida where a pastor is making worldwide headlines for wanting to have a Quran burning ceremony.

Why does it seem that these feelings are so prevalent? Perhaps Vic said it best when he noted the following:

“Muslims are now calling the shots worldwide; you know this. They’re already holding the world hostage to their threats of violence. What happened on 9-11 is a permanent shot across the bow of free nations that they are no longer in possession of their own rights. The First Amendment and our Constitution is meaningless in the face of deadly threats of violence and mayhem. That’s the new reality of life in the 21st Century, and it started 9 years ago on 9-11.”

Vic asked, “Where were you on that dreadful day?” It’s with that question that he opened the phone lines to let callers share their thoughts and experiences from that important day in American history.

More Information

To order today's program on CD or Cassette for a donation of $6.00

Online: Use the link at the top of this entry

By mail:

Crosstalk
3434 W. Kilbourn Ave.
Milwaukee, WI 53208

By phone: 1-800-729-9829 M-F 8am-5pm Central

Lessons From God's Creation

2010-08-18T21:08:00.008-04:00

Isaiah 55: 12 "For you shall go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and the hills before you shall break forth into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands."

God often speaks to me when I’m outdoors. Don’t get me wrong- He speaks to me indoor every day when I open the Bible and let the Word sink into my spirit. But when He speaks through His creation, it is extra and special.

Today my five year old grandson and I were taking a walk and he pointed out a young tree that was bent way down, but still growing. I told him it probably happened when we had the giant ice storm last winter.

Then the Lord showed me a spiritual lesson from that tree. When the fierce storms in our lives come, we can be bowed down by the heavy weight, much like the limbs of the tree in the ice storm. If we don’t give way to despair, in due season the ice will melt. Not only will we survive, we will sprout leaves, bear fruit, and often find ourselves growing in a new direction.

I wouldn’t have seen this while wading through

Farmville posts while wondering if my third grade teacher is still alive.

God created beauty in the countless stars, birds singing in the trees, the azure sky with its ever changing cloud patterns, the rushing streams, the colors of the rainbow, the butterflies, the dew; everything He created is meant to be enjoyed by our senses. So what do we do? We watch really stupid movies, sit at our computers, wasting hours and hours on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube. Sure, everything in moderation, but are we being moderate, or sitting in our little boxes much more than is healthy?

Being outdoors in nature brings peace. We all need peace. I want to begin making some little changes. I ask myself:

Do I really need to sip my morning coffee while reading email? Why not sit outside, or at least in front of the window and see the dew on the grass, while meditating on the goodness and mercy of God?

Can’t I take a few minutes to go out and watch the sunset, instead of turning around and saying "Oh, wow, it’s dark out already?”

Do I really need to close my curtains when the yard is awash in light from the full moon?

Do I really need to drown out the nighttime crickets and morning bird songs with the humidifier and/or fan?

While I’m on the subject of technology, I’m convinced that texting 24/7 is ruining our kids’ brains and jeopardizing their lives. Ever ride with a teen who is driving while texting. I did-once.

I think I’ll stick to walking.

Comfort

2010-05-22T08:25:00.007-04:00

Charles Spurgeon's MORNING EVENING http://www.heartlight.org/

"He led them forth by the right way."

-- Psalms 107:7

Changeful experience often leads the anxious believer to enquire "Why is it thus with me?" I looked for light, but lo, darkness came; for peace, but behold trouble. I said in my heart, my mountain standeth firm, I shall never be moved. Lord, thou dost hide thy face, and I am troubled. It was but yesterday that I could read my title clear; to-day my evidences are bedimmed, and my hopes are clouded.

Yesterday I could climb to Pisgah's top, and view the landscape o'er, and rejoice with confidence in my future inheritance; to-day, my spirit has no hopes, but many fears; no joys, but much distress. Is this part of God's plan with me? Can this be the way in which God would bring me to heaven?

Yes, it is even so. The eclipse of your faith, the darkness of your mind, the fainting of your hope, all these things are but parts of God's method of making you ripe for the great inheritance upon which you shall soon enter. These trials are for the testing and strengthening of your faith-they are waves that wash you further upon the rock-they are winds which waft your ship the more swiftly towards the desired haven. According to David's words, so it might be said of you, "so he bringeth them to their desired haven." By honour and dishonour, by evil report and by good report, by plenty and by poverty, by joy and by distress, by persecution and by peace, by all these things is the life of your souls maintained, and by each of these are you helped on your way. Oh, think not, believer, that your sorrows are out of God's plan; they are necessary parts of it. "We must, through much tribulation, enter the kingdom." Learn, then, even to "count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations."

"O let my trembling soul be still,

And wait thy wise, thy holy will!

I cannot, Lord, thy purpose see,

Yet all is well since ruled by thee."

Good Gifts

2010-03-29T19:07:00.001-04:00

This morning the Lord called me to praise as I was warming up my coffee in the microwave. Does that ever happen to you? You’ll be standing there and suddenly you’ll be overwhelmed with gratitude and have to start thanking God? Today I suspect it was the first time all morning I’d been still enough to pay attention to the still, small, nudging voice.

You see, I’d just bought my dream computer, the 27”I iMac. I’d been saving to buy a new Mac for well over a year, and I was able to buy it now because a very kind and generous Christian friend had just give me, no strings arttached, $500 toward the purchase. Things like this boggle my mind because I never outright fully paid for anything as expensive as this machine.

As I worshiped, I began to cry, not only tears of gratitude and joy over God’s love, but also because God was healing me of a lifelong bondage- the lie that I didn’t deserver anything nice. On a spiritual level, I understand that none of us deserves God’s forgiveness from sin. Jesus, fully God and fully man, bore the full weight of the sins we have committed, and will continue to commit. He received the wrath we deserved, and we deserved the wrath He received. This alone causes me to cry whenever I slow down and think about the sheer enormity of this miraculous, totally undeserved gift.

Anyway, to get back to the story, it took years for me to accept this kind of love, and it’s also hard for me to believe I am worth having anything nice for myself. I’ve lived a life of hand-me-downs, thrift store clothing, beat up furniture, mismatched…everything.

I was the poster girl for cast off things. I’ve been a cast off thing, too; abused by men many times through the years, and here comes this man I’ve never even met, and he blesses me with this staggering gift. What do I do with this?

I cried as the Lord showed me He has good gifts for His children and I don’t always have to eat the crumbs that get swept off someone else’s table. Will I stop shopping at the thrift store? Naahh… it’s too much fun to look for the bargains there. But I no longer feel I have to shop there exclusively, as if I shouldn’t have anything that isn’t secondhand.

I was changed this morning as God showed me that I can look forward to the future; that His gifts are yes and amen and not a slammed door. I can expect Him to provide whatever He sees fit to bring into my life, even it is “too good to be true.” The change is subtle, but it is here, because someone generously gave to me without a hidden agenda. He gave because he belongs to the Lord. Thank you, my friend. Because of you, I am also going to start a grace fund, so I can bless others as you have blessed me.

The Prodigal Son Suite

2009-12-21T18:26:00.008-05:00

This is a song written by Keith Green, who went home to be with the Lord in 1982, at age 28. You can read more about Keith here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keith_Green

It's Christmas, not Xmas

2009-12-08T11:42:00.000-05:00

OK, this is unfair. We shorten the name, ostensibly so we don't have to spend all that valuable time writing it out. So let's do the same for the other holidays with long names!

Thanksgiving Day can be Thanks Day
Halloween can be Haween
President's Day can be Prez Day
George Washington's Birthday can be GW day
Martin Luther King Day can be MLK Day
Independence Day can be Inde Day

I mean, fair is fair.

Mercy & Grace

2009-11-27T21:47:00.007-05:00

Click the triangle above to hear the song:

Mercy and Grace, by Roxylee

That day is fast upon us now
The puzzle pieces falling
The grace of God is near to you
Can you not hear Him calling?

When strife and turmoil cloud us in
Our hearts can be despairing
Yet in the presence of the Lord
Is joy and peace and caring

I once was ruled by all I felt
Desire, fear, depression
Sin was the master over me
And guilt from my transgression

But Jesus washed that all away
Forgave me so completely
Who was, and is, and is to come
His Spirit now within me

His mercy and his grace appeared
To give to me salvation
This is a gift from God on high
The author of Creation

So if you hear his voice today
I pray your heart won’t harden
The risen Lord will give you life
His love will freely pardon

So if you hear his voice today
You may not have tomorrow
Repent from sin and turn to God
He’ll give you joy for sorrow

Trusting God

2009-09-12T17:12:00.000-04:00

I've come to the conclusion that every trial we go through is sent by God for the purpose of teaching us to trust Him implicitly with everything, big and small.

You know the passage in 2 Sam. 6, where God struck down Uzzah for touching the cart that held the ark of the covenant? Well, I've heard it taught that God was mad because it was too holy to touch. I saw it differently when I read it this morning. I think God was incensed that Uzzah actually thought that Almighty God needed his help to set things right.

God is in control of everything in our lives, no matter what it looks like. We will experience shaking and shattering until we come to the place of deep trust, realizing that there is nothing we can do to "set anything right."

When we begin to see that God not only knows the story, but has written all the chapters, our worries will fall away. The One who counts the hairs on our heads is creating just the right life experiences it will take for us to come to that place of total dependence and trust in Him. This brings the peace that surpasses all understanding.

Not our will, but His be done, and His will is perfect.

We must read the Word with eyes of understanding that we are totally His and no one and nothing can take us out of his hands, and that ALL things work together for our good and for His glory. Here is where the freedom is.

Praise the Lord!

2009-09-07T09:43:00.004-04:00

Psalm 33

¹ Rejoice in the LORD, O you righteous!
         For praise from the upright is beautiful.
² Praise the LORD with the harp;
         Make melody to Him with an instrument of ten strings.
³ Sing to Him a new song;
         Play skillfully with a shout of joy.

⁴ For the word of the LORD is right,
         And all His work is done in truth.
⁵ He loves righteousness and justice;
         The earth is full of the goodness of the LORD.

⁶ By the word of the LORD the heavens were made,
         And all the host of them by the breath of His mouth.
⁷ He gathers the waters of the sea together as a heap;
         He lays up the deep in storehouses.

⁸ Let all the earth fear the LORD;
         Let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of Him.
⁹ For He spoke, and it was done;
         He commanded, and it stood fast.

¹⁰ The LORD brings the counsel of the nations to nothing;
         He makes the plans of the peoples of no effect.
¹¹ The counsel of the LORD stands forever,
         The plans of His heart to all generations.
¹² Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD,
         The people He has chosen as His own inheritance.

¹³ The LORD looks from heaven;
         He sees all the sons of men.
¹⁴ From the place of His dwelling He looks
         On all the inhabitants of the earth;
¹⁵ He fashions their hearts individually;
         He considers all their works.

¹⁶ No king is saved by the multitude of an army;
         A mighty man is not delivered by great strength.
¹⁷ A horse is a vain hope for safety;
         Neither shall it deliver any by its great strength.

¹⁸ Behold, the eye of the LORD is on those who fear Him,
         On those who hope in His mercy,
¹⁹ To deliver their soul from death,
         And to keep them alive in famine.

²⁰ Our soul waits for the LORD;
         He is our help and our shield.
²¹ For our heart shall rejoice in Him,
         Because we have trusted in His holy name.
²² Let Your mercy, O LORD, be upon us,
         Just as we hope in You. (Psalm 33, New King James Version)

The Mercy and Love of God is Awesome!

2009-08-30T12:01:00.000-04:00

A sermon by Carter Conlon

2009-08-29T13:38:00.001-04:00

What is a Pastor?

2009-08-28T09:16:00.002-04:00

“It is a poor sermon that gives no offense; that neither makes the
hearer displeased with himself nor with the preacher.”
-George Whitefield.

Pastors are supposed to tell the truth- namely, we are all wretched, miserable sinners, in dire need of the Savior. Pastors are supposed to have a fear of God and not of man. Pastors are supposed to lead the sheep to green pastures, not to a swampland. Pastors are supposed to feed the sheep on the whole counsel of God, not tell them what they think they want to hear. Pastors are supposed to protect the sheep from wolves, not throw them to them.

I pray God will send real pastors to the church. We desperately need them.

Amazing Grace - The History and Theology of Calvinism

2009-08-24T10:02:00.003-04:00

Reading the Bible through the eyes of grace brings such sweet liberty from the bondage of fear!

If we believe that our eternal security rests upon our obedience, we are a works mentality and the fear of losing our salvation will be ever present. On the other hand, if we accept the truth that we are saved by grace alone, and no one, (not even us) can keep God from bringing us to completion in Him, we are gloriously set free. Glory, glory, Hallelujah!

a short video clip from Lane Ch in youtube

God's Sovereign Election of Believers

2009-08-23T12:03:00.003-04:00

Matt. 4: 18 While walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon (who is called Peter) and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. 19And he said to them, "Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men." 20Immediately they left their nets and followed him. 21And going on from there he saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets, and he called them. 22Immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.

It can't get any clearer than this.

Not Rocket Science

2009-08-17T08:59:00.007-04:00

With all the GLTBQ hoopla going on in the faux church today, how can we know who is correct? Well, one doesn't need to be a rocket scientist to know exactly who to believe.

2 Timothy 3:16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17thatthe man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.

1 Corinthians 6: 9 Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, 10nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.

2 Thessalonians 2:9 The coming of the lawless one is by the activity of Satan with all power and false signs and wonders, 10and with all wicked deception for those who are perishing, because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. 11Therefore God sends them a strong delusion, so that they may believe what is false, 12in order that all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

We don't get to pick and choose which parts of the Holy Bible we will obey, based on our feelings or what is politically correct at the moment. We either believe God, or we don't. We're either saved, or we're not. If we reject all or some of God's Word, we are saying we are wiser than God. This is, in effect, saying there is no God. If we do this, we will most certainly be deceived.

Psalm 14:1 The fool says in his heart, "There is no God.

Smashing Idols

2009-08-15T18:21:00.002-04:00

1 Samuel 5:4
But when they rose early on the next morning, behold, Dagon had fallen face downward on the ground before the ark of the LORD, and the head of Dagon and both his hands were lying cut off on the threshold. Only the trunk of Dagon was left to him.

The Lord made it abundantly clear by breaking off the idol's head and hands that idols can neither think nor act. They can't do anything but lie there, mute and lifeless. They have no power to save, or to do anything else.

On the other hand (pun intended):

Revelation 14:14
[ The Harvest of the Earth ] Then I looked, and behold, a white cloud, and seated on the cloud one like a son of man, with a golden crown on his head, and a sharp sickle in his hand.

Talk about power!!

King Solomon and Wisdom

2009-07-22T09:50:00.002-04:00

In 1 Kings 3, Solomon asks God for wisdom, and God grants his request:

1 Kings 3

Solomon’s Prayer for Wisdom

1 Solomon made a marriage alliance with Pharaoh king of Egypt. He took Pharaoh’s daughter and brought her into the city of David until he had finished building his own house and the house of the LORD and the wall around Jerusalem. 2 The people were sacrificing at the high places, however, because no house had yet been built for the name of the LORD.

3Solomon loved the LORD, walking in the statutes of David his father, only he sacrificed and made offerings at the high places. 4And the king went to Gibeon to sacrifice there, for that was the great high place. Solomon used to offer a thousand burnt offerings on that altar. 5 At Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream by night, and God said, "Ask what I shall give you." 6And Solomon said, "You have shown great and steadfast love to your servant David my father, because he walked before you in faithfulness, in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart toward you. And you have kept for him this great and steadfast love and have given him a son to sit on his throne this day. 7And now, O LORD my God, you have made your servant king in place of David my father, although I am but a little child. I do not know how to go out or come in. 8 And your servant is in the midst of your people whom you have chosen, a great people, too many to be numbered or counted for multitude. 9 Give your servant therefore an understanding mind to govern your people, that I may discern between good and evil, for who is able to govern this your great people?"

10It pleased the Lord that Solomon had asked this. 11And God said to him, "Because you have asked this, and have not asked for yourself long life or riches or the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern what is right, 12behold, I now do according to your word. Behold, I give you a wise and discerning mind, so that none like you has been before you and none like you shall arise after you. 13 I give you also what you have not asked, both riches and honor, so that no other king shall compare with you, all your days. 14And if you will walk in my ways, keeping my statutes and my commandments, as your father David walked, then I will lengthen your days."

I read how the Queen of Sheba came to visit him and marveled at his great wisdom, He was able to easily settle complicated disputes. God gave him the ability to build the temple for the ark of the covenant., and there are many more examples of his ability to govern with total discernment. Imagine being this smart!! I was feeling a little envious of Solomon- that is, until I got up to chapter 11....

I Kings 11: 4 For when Solomon was old his wives turned away his heart after other gods, and his heart was not wholly true to the LORD his God, as was the heart of David his father. 5For Solomon went after Ashtoreth the goddess of the Sidonians, and after Milcom the abomination of the Ammonites. 6So Solomon did what was evil in the sight of the LORD and did not wholly follow the LORD, as David his father had done.

What??? The wisest man ever born did what??At first, I was really shaken up. If the wisest man ever born was capable of being so stupid, what hope is there for me??

Then the Lord brought these verses to mind:

1 Corinthians 10

Warning Against Idolatry

1For I want you to know, brothers, that our fathers were all under the cloud, and all passed through the sea, 2and all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea, 3and all ate the same spiritual food, 4and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank from the spiritual Rock that followed them, and the Rock was Christ. 5Nevertheless, with most of them God was not pleased, for they were overthrown in the wilderness.

6Now these things took place as examples for us, that we might not desire evil as they did. 7 Do not be idolaters as some of them were; as it is written, "The people sat down to eat and drink and rose up to play." 8 We must not indulge in sexual immorality as some of them did, and twenty-three thousand fell in a single day. 9We must not put Christ to the test, as some of them did and were destroyed by serpents, 10nor grumble, as some of them did and were destroyed by the Destroyer. 11Now these things happened to them as an example, but they were written down for our instruction, on whom the end of the ages has come. 12Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall. 13No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. 14Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry.

I see a few things here.

First, that God allowed some people in the Bible to turn away from truth, as examples to us today to show just how much God hates sin and idolatry of any kind. If Solomon could fall away, we'd better be sure we are following hard after God, not turning to the left or the right for answers. Solomon's big downfall was in consulting and trying to please his plethora of wives, many of whom were foreigners. Marrying outside of his faith, being unequally yoked, brought him into bondage. His wives wanted the wicked freedom to go up to the high places to worship their demon gods, which was and is detestable to the living God. This is exactly what's going on today in the name of spiritual tolerance, but I digress...

I also saw that sin creeps in, little by little, until it has damaged or even erased our consciences to the point of no return, if we go along with it:

Galatians 5:9 A little leaven leavens the whole lump.

Bread takes time to rise, and sin takes time to take root. I'm sure Solomon didn't go from obeying God fully one evening to rising up up the next morning to construct a high place for molech. No doubt his many foreign wives pleaded, cajoled, seduced, and pouted, until he gave in to their demands, and his conscience was defiled.

We need to guard against sin and remain constantly in the Word and the Spirt to be kept safe from sin's deception. Cling to Jesus, who bore all the sins of God's elect. Are you one of God's elect? If you are, your life will run the race as if to win.

Hebrews 12

Jesus, Founder and Perfecter of Our Faith

1Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

I've heard people say they worship Jesus, yet see nothing wrong with consulting a medium, or tarot cards, or getting direction from horoscopes. I've heard people say they are Christians, yet believe that all religions worship the same God. Many Christians have converted to a false religion out of a lack of Biblical understanding or to please someone else.We can't afford to be ignorant of God's Word, or to pick and choose from it what we feel comfortable about believing. God is Holy. Every scripture is from God, not just some of them.

2 Timothy 3:16: All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.

We can't make Him in our image. We need the wisdom that comes from knowledge of Him who gave his life as a propitiation for our sin. Wisdom is believing what God says. He said He hates sin, and if we are not justified by the blood of Jesus, we will be held accountable for all our sins.

I saw that if we think we know something spiritually, no matter how good or reasonable it may sound, if it disagrees with God's Word, we are deceived. Also, if God blesses us with honor, wealth, creativity, friends, intelligence, or any other thing, it doesn't mean we are approved of God. Solomon had all these to the nth degree, yet he threw his soul away.

Mark 8:36
For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul?

Get wisdom while there is still time.

Proverbs 4:7
The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom,and whatever you get, get insight.

Psalm 111:10
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom;all those who practice it have a good understanding.His praise endures forever!

Hebrews 4:7
again he appoints a certain day, "Today," saying through David so long afterward, in the words already quoted, "Today, if you hear his voice,do not harden your hearts."

Believe and trust God, through Jesus, who is able to save you.

Psalm 115:11
You who fear the LORD, trust in the LORD! He is their help and their shield.

How to Recognize an Emergent

2009-07-10T19:07:00.000-04:00

1)They use important sounding words and phrases to try to make you think they are Really Smart, but

2)Their sentences don't make any sense

3) They don't mention Jesus, the cross, sin, or repentance

4) If you can listen to them for 5 minutes, you will be grinding your teeth or pulling out your hair, and

5) # 4 is how you can be sure you're not one of them

Revelation Song

2009-07-07T11:07:00.001-04:00

This song, given by God to Kari Jobe, is pure worship. Enjoy!

Sunday Sermon

2009-07-05T12:18:00.000-04:00

Romans 8:28

2009-07-05T09:49:00.000-04:00

Life can be tough. Things happen that we don't want. People can really get on our nerves. If you have a teenager you probably know exactly what I mean. As Christians, we need to remember that for those who love God, all things work together for good, for those who love God and are called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28). Do we love God? If so, we can safely say that this situation is for our good, and for God's glory, if we let it accomplish its purposes in our growth. The enemy wants to rob our joy in the Lord by getting us all riled up so we lose our peace. Today, let us see every situation as a test and a learning experience, to practice walking in faith and joy. We have the victory, because it already has been won by our Lord and savior, Jesus Christ.

It's Not Complicated

2009-07-04T21:43:00.001-04:00

Christianity is the same yesterday, today, and forever, because Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Yet the "Emergents" are trying to reinvent Christianity. How can anyone remake what God has already made? Answer: They can;t. So why do they think they can? Yet they are trying, and they are deceiving thousands, who have no idea they are being led astray.

Maybe these false teachers don't read the Bible, and have no idea what it actually teaches. Maybe they are trusting other false teachers but have no discernment to see that what they are saying is unbiblical. Or maybe they are just ravenous wolves, sent to devour the flock.

It's not complicated. The Bible is God's Word. We are to believe and trust God 's Word, without subtracting from it or adding to it. If we study to show ourselves approved and ask the Holy Spirit to give us wisdom and insight, we will be kept safe from the deep deceptions that are flooding the Church.

Why are people deceived? The Bible tells us why in 2 Thess:2. Hey, go get your Bible and read what it says! :-)

Whoa... God will send a delusion to those who refuse to love the truth, and when God sends a delusion, you will believe it. On judgement day, we will all stand before God. We Christians won't be able to blame the tv preachers, our pastor,or our lack of time for our ignorance of the truth.

So I encourage you to get into the Bible and read it for yourselves daily. Turn off the tv preachers (many of them are liars, sad to say), and get into a Bible believing church-if you can find one. If you can't, there are good sermons to be found online. Be filled with God's word and He will give you the discernment you will need to wade through the garbage tht is being widely taught today.

How will you recognize the fake if you aren't well versed in the real?