Normally, I don’t celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. But since all the beer companies are boycotting the St. Patrick’s Day parade, I figured today would be a good day for green.
March, 2010
Somewhere in my ancient past, somewhere beyond the reach of genealogy software, I know there must be some Irish blood. It’s not something I can prove, but I do look good in green and turnip greens are one of my favorite foods. I also like green grass, the beauty of a rainbow, pots of gold, and Lucky Charms breakfast cereal.
Irish Hymns
But if there is anything Irish that makes a chill run up my spine, it’s the ancient hymn, “Be Thou My Vision.” I consider it one of the “battle hymns” of the faith: every time I hear or sing it, I am encouraged to draw my Sword and wage war with the Devil.
I had not been pastoring long when in 1996 I went to the Promise Keepers Clergy Conference in Atlanta, Georgia. It was a rare three-day event featuring a once-in-a-lifetime lineup of speakers; everyone from Chuck Swindoll and E.V. Hill, to Jack Hayford and Tony Evans, just to name a few. 40,000+ ministers came from all over the world to this event, including 200 Native American pastors who took 2 months to walk from out West. Believe me, it was incredible.
Towards the end of the gathering of all these men who had dedicated their lives to the service of the Lord, all 40,000 men stood to sing what was to be the first time I had ever heard “Be Thou My Vision.” The power…the chills…the call to do battle with the Enemy was nearly overwhelming. 40,000 pastors singing “High King of Heaven…” could make the deadest doorstop of a Christian stand to his feet and shout!
So, after searching YouTube, I found this video with a stirring rendition of the Irish hymn I love so much. Along with the song, there are pictures of great preachers and missionaries of the church. The only thing is that it ends with a picture of John MacArthur, so if you are not a MacArthur fan, just close your eyes, OK?
On this St. Patrick’s Day, please keep in mind something else…theology! Here’s another little video you should watch 😉
Have you ever offended anyone? I bet you have. Sooner or later, all of us will. We may say something we don’t mean, act carelessly, or speak the truth without love. Offenses happen.
However, there are times when simple words and phrases will set people off. For example, if you want to rile people up into a tizzy, just get on Facebook or Twitter and post any of the following words (your opinion doesn’t matter):
Grits, okra, and turnip greens
Roll Tide! / Go Vols!
“Put some clothes on!”
“It’s only a translation.”
Rapture
First On Race Day (Ford)
“I hate Twilight.”
“My kids will never do that.”
“You’re an idiot!”
Ronald Reagan
Seriously, use any of those words and it won’t take 10 minutes before people are arguing and fighting, calling each other names, questioning each other’s religion, and saying things like, “DON’T JUDGE ME!”
Nevertheless, we should do our best to “live peaceably with all men” (Romans 12:18). It should never be our intent to hurt feelings or make people angry. The apostle Paul instructed us to “follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another” (Romans 14:19). So, as much as is possible, we should watch what we say, choose our words carefully, and do our best not to offend.
And, when necessary, we should apologize.
The Rock of Offense
On the other hand, there are times when we MUST offend. Sometimes speaking the truth is the only loving thing to do; anything less is an offense to God.
For example, the following words will not make many friends, but are guaranteed to generate hate-filled comments from around the troll-dwelling universe. Yet, they must be said!
Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life, and no man can come unto the Father but by Him (John 14:6).
As a blogger, my words are read all over the world by people who hate the name of Jesus, and when I mention Him they go ballistic. I hate it for them, but how can I remain silent?
Jesus told the followers of John the Baptist,
“…Go your way, and tell John what things ye have seen and heard; how that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, to the poor the gospel is preached. And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me.“– Luke 7:22-23
I don’t like offending people, but here’s the thing: if we let the fear of offending silence the Truth, how then can we “follow after the things which make for peace?” There can be no real peace without the Prince of Peace.
One of the greatest hymns, at least one of my favorites, is “My Jesus, I Love Thee.” This past Sunday morning I preached a sermon based on the four verses from this song.
Below is a copy of the simple outline I took to the pulpit. I must admit, it got me a little wound up. (Can I get an “Amen!“)
“My Jesus I Love Thee”
My Jesus, I love Thee, I know Thou art mine; (Jn 21:15-17) For Thee all the follies of sin I resign; (2 Tim. 2:19) My gracious Redeemer, my Savior art Thou; (Ruth 2:10) If ever I loved Thee, my Jesus, ’tis now. (The Place of Regeneration)
I love Thee because Thou hast first loved me, (1 John 4:19) And purchased my pardon on Calvary’s tree; (1 Peter 1:18-19) I love Thee for wearing the thorns on Thy brow; (Mt 27, Mk 15, Jn 19:2) If ever I loved Thee, my Jesus, ’tis now. (The Place of Realization)
I’ll love Thee in life, I will love Thee in death, (Job 13:15) And praise Thee as long as Thou lendest me breath; (Job 33:4) And say when the death dew lies cold on my brow, (Ps. 116:15) If ever I loved Thee, my Jesus, ’tis now. (The Place of Resignation)
In mansions of glory and endless delight, (Jn 14:2) I’ll ever adore Thee in heaven so bright; (Rev 21:23) I’ll sing with the glittering crown on my brow, (2 Tim 4:8) If ever I loved Thee, my Jesus, ’tis now. (The Place of Revelation)
-William Ralph Featherstone (1864)
Regeneration. As I read the lyrics, I began to see a logical progression through the believer’s life. First, there was the love for Jesus that comes when one is born again – that moment of regeneration, when one is “saved.” The love we have for Christ is evident by our desire to repent of our sin and turn from its “follies.” Along with that there’s the humble heart that asks, as Ruth, “Why have I found grace in thine eyes, that thou shouldest take knowledge of me?”
Realization. The second verse describes a maturing love for our Lord that, over time, gains an appreciation for what Christ actually did to save us. Our love deepens when we begin to realize all those little sins, even the most petty, caused the sinless Son of God to have to endure unimaginable pain and humiliation, not out of obligation, but because of His love for us. His cross should have been mine, but He loved me first; therefore, I love Him.
Resignation. Thirdly, there’s that place in life when we must ultimately resign everything – our hopes, our dreams, our lives – to the One who ultimately lends us each breath. This deep, trusting love comes from a life that has witnessed the enduring faithfulness of our Savior, leading us to echo the words of Job, “though He slay me, yet will I trust Him.”
Revelation. Then, finally, there will be the place of revelation that will send our love for Christ soaring to infinite heights. We will know as we are known. We will have no more need of faith, for faith shall become sight. We will be eternally overwhelmed by the Love of the ages, forcing us to cry out, “If ever I loved thee, my Jesus tis now!”
Yes, I know this is the 3rd post in one day, but it’s been snowing. What else was I supposed to do?
The Video
It was only my second Monday Monkey video, but it still remains to be one of my favorites.
“There’s a Monkey at the Wheel” was my first music video, but I was not the one singing. As a matter of fact, I got a former American Idol contestant to do the vocals!
If you haven’t seen it, have fun watching it for the first time…or the second, or third, or fourth 😉
The Voice
Lauren Huckabee, Mr. Monkey, and Me
The voice behind this video was a young lady named Lauren Huckabee. The reason I bring this up now is because Lauren is singing with a group that is rising rapidly up the gospel charts, Rhonda Frye and Riverside.
On top of that, Lauren has published her first blog post. In it she shares her past, one full of drugs, alcohol, and danger. But more than that, she gives glory to God for sparing her life and giving her hope.
Please read Lauren’s story and pray for her. And, if you get a chance, listen to the real music she’s doing. I’m sure you will like it just as much, if not more, than any parody I’ve done.
Last night we watched the highly-anticipated debate between Bill Nye (The Science Guy) and Ken Ham (Answers In Genesis / Creation Museum). But I must admit, one of the funniest things about it was watching the people in the audience, both on video and where we were. Some were getting it, while others had a strange, confused, glassed-over look.
Others have already posted reviews of the debate, so I’m sure you will be able to find a host of opinions supporting your own conclusions (Here’s a good one). The evolutionists will probably claim a victory, as well with most creationist. However, my opinion is that there were no clear winners at all. As a matter of fact, what is most disturbing is that the debate may have done more harm than good for many young Christians. Last night one of my daughters left the debate much more solemn than she arrived. To state it simply, her faith was challenged. She said, “The only thing I got out of that debate was doubt.”
Why did my daughter leave with feelings of doubt? Well, one reason, I believe, was the evidence Bill Nye presented for the age of the earth, such as star light, ice samples, the ages of trees, etc. Ham stuck to a “young earth” creation model that, at least in the debate, never adequately addressed, from a “reasonable” perspective, these evidences. So, when the evolutionist threw out all of these seemingly undeniable proofs, and since the debate format really didn’t allow for any back-and-forth questioning, the proofs were allowed to stand unchallenged. As Ken Ham dutifully stuck to the main point of the debate, Nye flanked Ham and fired rounds which could not be deflected.
On a positive note, I was able to reassure my daughter as we drove home. I reminded her of two things, one of which was brought up in the debate, and another which was not. First, there was the ultimate issue of where did everything come from. Even though the age of the earth could be debated based on how one interpreted the evidence, when Bill Nye was asked the ultimate question of where did matter come from in the first place, he didn’t have the faintest idea. All he could say was, “I don’t know.” But as Ken Ham said, “There’s a Book out there” with the answer. No matter what the evolutionist claim, they have no clue how to account for something coming from nothing, unless they creatively attempt to redefine “nothing” as “something” – which then means something came from something, not nothing.
The second thing I reminded her of was the hinge on what the whole Christian world view rests: Jesus. Nye and Ham completely disagreed on the definition of “science.” Ham argued that there is “observational science” and “historical science,” while Nye maintained that there is no difference. At times, Nye even questioned Christian dogma as a way to belittle the viability of Ham’s worldview. According to the evolutionist, there is nothing “testable and verifiable” about faith. But that’s where we disagree, at least on one critical point: Jesus.
In my opinion, although I believe in a “young-earth” creation model, I believe there is room for a larger span of time than 6,000 years for age of the earth. I certainly don’t accept the billions of years idea, but I am perfectly open to 10’s of thousands. Most importantly, I am open to the miraculous, where Bill Nye is not. But had Nye been debating an “old-earth” creationist, I definitely believe Nye would have lost 90% of his wind.
But whether or not creation is young or old, the history of Jesus Christ IS testable and verifiable. Was Jesus who He said He was? Did Jesus come to earth, go to the cross, and rise again from the dead? If Jesus was who He said He was (not a liar or a lunatic), then He is Lord (C.S. Lewis). If Jesus is who He said He is, then we can trust the Bible, despite all of the “evidences” and statistics Bill Nye offers. If Jesus is the Christ, then our worldview begins with the opening statement of Genesis, thereby proving this world, and we, have meaning and purpose, as opposed to being the product of random chance.
I believe Jesus was and is who He said He was. I believe He came into the world that He, the Word of God, first spoke into existence and became flesh. I believe Jesus walked the paths of this world as man, showing that a transcendent God could know our pain, and then went to the cross in order to reconcile fallen man to God. I believe, too, that Jesus, as He promised, rose again, thereby becoming the “firstfruits” of those who put their trust in Him. And I believe that the observable world testifies to the account of Genesis, that it is a fallen world, a broken version of the original, waiting for the day it, too, will be made new. Jesus, not “discovery,” brings me hope…brings me joy…and gives meaning to what otherwise would be meaningless, or as the writer of Ecclesiastes would say, “vanity.”
So, my dear daughter, be strong in your faith! “If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable. But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.” – 1 Corinthians 15:19-22 KJV
Having been around the block a few times, I am certainly aware that any time a blogger says anything negative, or even questions the theory of evolution in any form, there is going to be a hateful backlash from atheists and agnostics. I certainly expect a few to say something after I post this commercial for the upcoming debate between Bill Nye (The Science Guy) and Ken Ham (Answers in Genesis).
I will be attending a live streaming of the debate at Bayside Baptist Church in Chattanooga. If you get to attend, come say “Hi!” However, find somewhere to watch this, even if it’s on your home computer.
Please be pray for Ken and Bill. Pray for those in the audience, along with those who will be watching elsewhere. Pray that eyes will be opened, hearts will be softened, and ears will be tuned in to the Truth.
This morning I had planned on writing about a silly dream analyst I saw on Dr. Oz (totally pathetic). I had even contemplated writing a piece actually defending …da, da, da… Joel Osteen (yes, I know that’s a shocker). But when I sat down at the computer and took a minute to scroll through recent posts on Facebook, I saw a video, and wept.
However, it is the reason for the tears that I wanted to share a video with you. Yes, I cried tears of happiness for all those little children, wives, and moms and dads who were reunited with their brave dads, husbands, and sons. But I also cried for another reason – the anticipated reunion I will have with my own dad.
Funerals
I have preached many funerals. I have seen many loved ones laid to rest in the cold earth. People have looked to me for comforting words as I have stood beside the lifeless body of a recently passed loved one. All I can tell you is this: the only hope I can offer is the hope found in Jesus Christ.
In the 1 Corinthians 15:19, the apostle Paul said, “If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.” So, to put it another way, if trusting in Jesus is only good for this world, like for making you a better person, then what’s the point? Why follow a dead man to the grave?
Real Hope
But Paul adds in the next verse: “But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.” In other words, trusting in Jesus means that this life is NOT all that there is…that we will one day be reunited with our loved ones…and Jesus’ resurrection is the PROOF!
It has been over 20 years since I last saw my dad face-to-face. I never had the chance (except in a dream) to say goodbye. So let me assure you, when I set foot on those celestial shores…when I breath that sparkling air…when I finally reach Home…there is going to be a celebration like this world has never seen.
The last post I wrote had to do with discouragement, being down, and the hope that can be found in the Lord. I also shared with you one of my favorite passages, Psalm 57:1-2
No, this is not my church, but a pipe organ would be nice, don’t you think?
Today I am going to share with you another recording of me preaching, and this time it will be based on Psalm 57:1-2. It is an edited version of the message that will air later today on the radio. I hope it will be a blessing and an encouragement to you, especially if you can’t pick up the radio station.
PSALM 57 – “Till the Storm Passes By”
If you do find this sermon to be encouraging, please pass it on to someone else.
This might be a little out of the ordinary, friends, but I feel led to do something a little different for you today (I can do that).
Are you discouraged? Do you feel like the world is coming down around you? Do you feel like there’s no one you can talk to, no one who can understand?
Are you under attack? Are people out to get you? Do you have people around you that would rather you fail than succeed?
Do you need a place to hide? Do you feel like crawling up into a little ball and hiding in a corner, away from the noise and confusion, away from the messes you may or may not have created?
Believe it or not, I have felt every bit of that at one point or another. And, I regularly have people wishing they could have my head (and if I were in some countries it might have already happened).
But not too long ago, when I was under so much stress and burdened with worry and sorrow, God showed me two verses from Psalms, chapter 57…
“[1] Be merciful unto me, O God, be merciful unto me: for my soul trusteth in thee: yea, in the shadow of thy wings will I make my refuge, until these calamities be overpast. [2] I will cry unto God most high; unto God that performeth all things for me.”
Whatever you are going through right now, know that you can cry to God, and He will hear. Just hold on until “these calamities” pass over, till the storm passes by. Be humble and trust in the One who can do all things.
Many times Satan whispered, “There is no need to try, for there’s no end of sorrow; there’s no hope by and by.” But I know thou art with me, and tomorrow I’ll rise, where the storms never darken the skies.
Till the storm passes over, till the thunder sounds no more, till the clouds roll forever from the sky, hold me fast, let me stand in the hollow of Thy hand! Keep me safe, till the storm passes by.
– Mosie Lister (“Till the Storm Passes By”)
If this has spoken to you, I’d love to hear about! Leave a comment below.
Dear Friends, I don’t want to burst any bubbles or shatter any Christmas ornaments, but Christmas, at least the meaning of Christmas, might not be what you think it is. At least I know this, it is not what the President of the United States’ speech at the 2013 lighting of the National Christmas Tree made it out to be.
Why do I make such a bold and controversial statement? I say it because the message of Christmas is too important to have pluralists, universalists, and atheists redefine it – even if they occupy the White House.
Below is an excerpt from President Obama’s December 6th speech at the lighting of the National Christmas Tree. Please read it, then my comments.
Each Christmas, we celebrate the birth of a child who came into the world with only a stable’s roof to shelter Him. But through a life of humility and the ultimate sacrifice, a life guided by faith and kindness towards others, Christ assumed a mighty voice, teaching us lessons of compassion and charity that have lasted more than two millennia. He ministered to the poor. He embraced the outcast. He healed the sick. And in Him we see a living example of scripture that we ought to love others not only through our words, but also through our deeds.
It’s a message both timeless and universal — no matter what God you pray to, or if you pray to none at all — we all have a responsibility to ourselves and to each other to make a difference that is real and lasting. We are our brother’s keeper. We are our sister’s keeper.
When I recently shared my thoughts about this on Facebook, a friend of mine responded with the following words: “[The] president is simply making an appeal to shared values– that even if you don’t believe in God, that you still have the responsibility to make a positive influence in the lives of others– which is exactly what Jesus did.” Oh, I completely understand the reason why a national leader would want to make a universal appeal to “shared values” and the “responsibility to make a positive influence.” However, just for comparison’s sake, listen to what former President Ronald Reagan had to say.
Why don’t we look at the things Obama said about Christmas? Let’s see if we can square what he said with Scripture and try to determine if the President clearly defined the TRUE meaning of Christ’s birth – the “message” of Christmas.
“Each Christmas, we celebrate the birth of a child…” I know this may sound like grasping at straws, but Christmas is not about celebrating “a” child’s birth; it is about celebrating the birth of THE child of whom the prophets foretold…God in flesh, Emmanuel (Matthew 1:23).
“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.” – Isaiah 9:6 KJV
“Christ assumed a mighty voice…”Christ did more than “assume a mighty voice” as a result of his life of humility, sacrifice, and kindness; Jesus did what he did to prove he was not only the Voice, but the literal Word of God made flesh.
“And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.” – John 1:14
“He ministered to the poor. He embraced the outcast. He healed the sick. And in Him we see a living example of scripture that we ought to love others not only through our words, but also through our deeds.” Yes, Virginia, there is a Jesus, and He did do all of these things. But why? A social gospel is wonderful, except when it leaves out the fact that Jesus did good works to fulfill Scripture (see Isaiah 61:1-2).
“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.” – Luke 4:18-19
“It’s a message both timeless and universal…” This is where we get into some serious, pluralistic territory. What, exactly, is the “message” that is “timeless and universal”? Obama said “It’s” a message. What’s a message? The birth and life of Christ? Christmas?
I will agree with Mr. Obama on this one thing, that is certainly our responsibility “to ourselves and to each other to make a difference that is real and lasting.” The fact that we are our brothers’ and sisters’ keepers is most certainly a “timeless and universal” message, regardless whether or not we are pagans or atheists. But is this the message of Christmas? Is caring for others the message of Christmas? Simply put, no. It’s so much more than that.
The reason we celebrate Christmas with generosity, usually expressed with the giving of gifts, is because on that morning of which the angels sang (Luke 2) the most extravagant gift ever bestowed upon mankind was delivered, wrapped in the same cloth used to coddle newly-born sacrificial lambs, and laid in a manger. It was the Gift of God to desperate souls. THIS is the reason why we should “love one another.”
“In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.” – 1 John 4:9-11
In Luke 19:10 Jesus stated that the whole reason he came was not to set an example, be a good role model, or even start a religion…he came to save sinful men and women, boys and girls.
“And Jesus said unto him, This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham. For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.” – Luke 19:9-10
Truly, the real message is meant for all, for God so loved the world (John 3:16). So, if President Obama wants to call that “universal,” then so be it. But the message of Christ coming to save the lost is NOT “one of many ways to God,” or one of many ways to unite the brotherhood of man. No, the message of Christmas is that Jesus came because there was no other way. The message of Christmas is exclusive to the core (which is the real reason why so many want all vestiges of it removed from public life).
“Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” – John 14:6
“Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” – Acts 4:12
America is a nation that accepts people from all walks of life and from every religious background. With rare exception, Lady Liberty will turn no one away (the Department of Immigration is another story). So, the “spirit of Christmas,” that common feeling of generosity and good will we all enjoy this time of year, should be a blessing enjoyed by all. But let us be careful, Mr. President, when we define the Reason for the season as anything other than what the Scripture says.
The Recovering Legalist 