Wednesday, May 29, 2013

#6 People Sleeping

Thom Rainer says that the #6 thing that is distracting to a preacher is people who are sleeping. To be perfectly honest, people who sleep in church don't really bother me until they start snoring! However, I can tell you professionally that if you are sleepy, it would be much better if you went to the back of the church and stood there for the remainder of the service rather than drifting in and out of the message, which in and of itself is a detraction to others who are forced to watch you struggle to sit up straight.

Tuesday, May 28, 2013

#7 People Texting

According to Thom Rainer, the #7 thing that distracts a pastor while he is teaching is people texting during the message. Of course one might argue that they are taking electronic notes, but we all know better. It's an unhealthy addiction when you can not go for an hour or more without texting someone. If you are not self-disciplined enough to use your electronic device simply as a Bible with an occasional note during the service, I would recommend that you take a Bible that doesn't require batteries.

#8 Ringing Cell Phones

Thom Rainer lists eight things that distract a pastor while he is teaching along with a rude example. #8 on his list is cell phones ringing. He says that today we usually ask for all phones to be silenced before the service begins, so it's not as bad as it used to be. However, he once did a funeral when the deceased's son's phone rang and he actually started talking to his hunting buddy while he continued his message." Very rude to talk on a cell phone in church. If you must take the call, leave so that they rest of us are not distracted by you.

Morally Straight to Immorally Bent


Here is a  very pointed and yet prophetic column written by Matt Barber of One News Now.

It's a sad day for both Scouting and for freedom. Indeed, it's a sad day for America. The century-old Boy Scouts of America (BSA) - created in 1910 to "prepare young people to make ethical and moral choices over their lifetimes" - has betrayed its own constituency, mission, oath and law.

Last Thursday, approximately 1,400 adult BSA delegates from around the country gathered in Texas and decided, in a disgracefully lopsided vote, to welcome into its ranks, "open and avowed" homosexuality (boy-on-boy sexual attraction and behavior), thereby disavowing the "morally straight" Scout Oath its members are sworn to uphold.

They voted unwisely.

History will reflect that on this day the BSA turned from morally straight to immorally bent - that this once great organization - founded on "honor," "reverence" and biblical morality - was crushed beneath the worldly weight of pagan idolatry.

Whereas, for over a century, millions of boys have raised their right hands, swearing "on my honor" to "do my duty to God and my country" - on this day, hundreds of adult delegates likewise raised their right hands, shook their fists at God and flipped their middle fingers at both the boys they serve and the parents who trusted them.

While endeavoring to "gain the world," this once honorable institution has forfeited its soul.

Scripture admonishes: "The wages of sin is death." (Rom. 6:23). This was a catastrophic miscalculation. It was sin, and, tragically, through this sin, the BSA has now effectively sealed its own fate. It has set into motion its own demise.

Even by its own estimates, BSA leadership admits that the decision will likely result in a mass exodus from Scouting. They anticipate that as many as 400,000 Scouts and Scouters will leave the organization (acceptable casualties in the war on morality, I guess). Still, as devastating as this number is, it too represents a gross miscalculation.

Consider, for instance, that when Canada's version of the Boy Scouts voted in 1998 to welcome open homosexuality, its membership rolls plummeted by over half in just five years, forcing camp closures, staff layoffs and huge budget cuts. Looking north of the border for clues, then, we can expect that, with current membership at around 2.6 million, it's more likely that roughly 1.5 million Boy Scouts and troop masters will walk.

Then again, we're talking about "progressive" Canada. This is the good ol' USA. With over 61 percent of Scouts, Scouters and parents opposing the homosexualization of Boy Scouts, and over 70 percent of U.S. Scout groups sponsored by churches and religious organizations, it's not unreasonable to expect that defections will even exceed this estimate.

In short, BSA's betrayal may well result in near-total ruin. 

The wages of sin is death.

Here's the reality: Reality has not changed. Objective truth did not suddenly and miraculously reverse itself on May 23, 2013. As BSA has always acknowledged (until Thursday), homosexual behavior remains empirically disordered and immoral. The only thing that has changed is politics.

Ultimately, this decision had nothing to do with "tolerance" or "inclusivity." Neither did it concern the best interests of the boys who make up Boy Scouting. Instead, this decision was rooted in pure evil. It had everything to do with money. "For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs" (1 Timothy 6:10).

And wandered from the faith they have.

Now come the many griefs.

Really, three things drove this decision: Fear, greed and politics. A number of high-dollar corporate donors threatened to pull funding from BSA if they maintained the existing policy on sexual morality. Additionally, a number of extremist pressure groups, aided by a sympathetic left-wing media, brought tremendous pressure to bear.

But the pressure's not going away. The BSA made a critical error in judgment. It showed weakness. This has only whipped these radicals into a heightened frenzy. Within moments of the "gay" announcement, Nancy Pelosi called the move "an important first step." The Human Rights Campaign demanded "the new policy doesn't go far enough," and Mother Jones, a liberal online publication, posted an article titled, "Boy Scouts: You Can Be Gay Until You're 18."

Sin is never satisfied. The homofascist thirst for absolute affirmation is unquenchable.

What's the next step? Activists now demand that adult men who desire sex with other males ("gay" scout masters) be allowed to take your sons camping overnight. Soon they'll be insisting that "transgender boys" (girls who wish they were boys) be allowed to join as well.

What a camping trip. Imagine the pup tent. Your son and Jimmy - who's got a crush on him - along with Billy and Billy's boyfriend Bobby, all snuggly warm in the middle of nowhere. But make room for Sammy (formerly Suzie) and Sammy's boyfriend Gary (formerly Gertrude).

Don't forget to hang the disco ball and "always be prepared."

It's a sad day for both Scouting and for freedom. Indeed, it's a sad day for
America. The century-old Boy Scouts of America (BSA) - created in 1910 to
"prepare young people to make ethical and moral choices over their lifetimes" -
has betrayed its own constituency, mission, oath and law.
Last Thursday, approximately 1,400 adult BSA delegates from around the
country gathered in Texas and decided, in a disgracefully lopsided vote, to
welcome into its ranks, "open and avowed" homosexuality (boy-on-boy sexual
attraction and behavior), thereby disavowing the "morally straight" Scout Oath
its members are sworn to uphold.
They voted unwisely.
History will reflect that on this day the BSA turned from morally straight
to immorally bent - that this once great organization - founded on "honor,"
"reverence" and biblical morality - was crushed beneath the worldly weight of
pagan idolatry.
Whereas, for over a century, millions of boys have raised their right hands,
swearing "on my honor" to "do my duty to God and my country" - on this day,
hundreds of adult delegates likewise raised their right hands, shook their
fists at God and flipped their middle fingers at both the boys they serve and
the parents who trusted them.
While endeavoring to "gain the world," this once honorable institution has
forfeited its soul.
Scripture admonishes: "The wages of sin is death." (Rom. 6:23). This was a catastrophic
miscalculation. It was sin, and, tragically, through this sin, the BSA has now
effectively sealed its own fate. It has set into motion its own demise.
Even by its own estimates, BSA leadership admits that the decision will
likely result in a mass exodus from Scouting. They anticipate that as many as
400,000 Scouts and Scouters will leave the organization (acceptable casualties
in the war on morality, I guess). Still, as devastating as this number is, it
too represents a gross miscalculation.
Consider, for instance, that when Canada's version of the Boy Scouts voted
in 1998 to welcome open homosexuality, its membership rolls plummeted by over
half in just five years, forcing camp closures, staff layoffs and huge budget
cuts. Looking north of the border for clues, then, we can expect that, with
current membership at around 2.6 million, it's more likely that roughly 1.5
million Boy Scouts and troop masters will walk.
Then again, we're talking about "progressive" Canada. This is the good ol'
USA. With over 61 percent of Scouts, Scouters and parents opposing the
homosexualization of Boy Scouts, and over 70 percent of U.S. Scout groups
sponsored by churches and religious organizations, it's not unreasonable to
expect that defections will even exceed this estimate.
In short, BSA's betrayal may well result in near-total ruin. The wages of
sin is death.
Here's the reality: Reality has not changed. Objective truth did not
suddenly and miraculously reverse itself on May 23, 2013. As BSA has always
acknowledged (until Thursday), homosexual behavior remains empirically
disordered and immoral. The only thing that has changed is politics.
Ultimately, this decision had nothing to do with "tolerance" or
"inclusivity." Neither did it concern the best interests of the boys who make
up Boy Scouting. Instead, this decision was rooted in pure evil. It had
everything to do with money. "For the love of money is a root of all kinds of
evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced
themselves with many griefs" (1 Timothy 6:10).
And wandered from the faith they have.
Now come the many griefs.
Really, three things drove this decision: Fear, greed and politics. A number
of high-dollar corporate donors threatened to pull funding from BSA if they
maintained the existing policy on sexual morality. Additionally, a number of
extremist pressure groups, aided by a sympathetic left-wing media, brought
tremendous pressure to bear.
But the pressure's not going away. The BSA made a critical error in
judgment. It showed weakness. This has only whipped these radicals into a
heightened frenzy. Within moments of the "gay" announcement, Nancy Pelosi
called the move "an important first step." The Human Rights Campaign demanded
"the new policy doesn't go far enough," and Mother Jones, a liberal online
publication, posted an article titled, "Boy Scouts: You Can Be Gay
Until You're 18."
Sin is never satisfied. The homofascist thirst for absolute affirmation is
unquenchable.
What's the next step? Activists now demand that adult men who desire sex
with other males ("gay" scout masters) be allowed to take your sons camping
overnight. Soon they'll be insisting that "transgender boys" (girls who wish
they were boys) be allowed to join as well.
What a camping trip. Imagine the pup tent. Your son and Jimmy - who's got a
crush on him - along with Billy and Billy's boyfriend Bobby, all snuggly warm
in the middle of nowhere. But make room for Sammy (formerly Suzie) and Sammy's
boyfriend Gary (formerly Gertrude).
Don't forget to hang the disco ball.
And "always be prepared."
- See more at: http://onenewsnow.com/perspectives/matt-barber/2013/05/27/rip-boy-scouts-of-america#sthash.jtAFuUz9.dpuf
.I.P, Boy Scouts of Americadfadsfads

R.I.P, Boy Scouts of America

Matt Barber   - Guest Columnist


Monday, May 27, 2013
"What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their
soul?"
(Mark 8:36)
It's a sad day for both Scouting and for freedom. Indeed, it's a sad day for
America. The century-old Boy Scouts of America (BSA) - created in 1910 to
"prepare young people to make ethical and moral choices over their lifetimes" -
has betrayed its own constituency, mission, oath and law.
Last Thursday, approximately 1,400 adult BSA delegates from around the
country gathered in Texas and decided, in a disgracefully lopsided vote, to
welcome into its ranks, "open and avowed" homosexuality (boy-on-boy sexual
attraction and behavior), thereby disavowing the "morally straight" Scout Oath
its members are sworn to uphold.
They voted unwisely.
- See more at: http://onenewsnow.com/perspectives/matt-barber/2013/05/27/rip-boy-scouts-of-america#sthash.8d6DhdXP.dpuf

Thursday, May 23, 2013

Tuesday, May 21, 2013

Destructive Nature of Sin

James 1:14-16 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death. Do not err, my beloved brethren.

Paul Harvey tells the story of how an Eskimo kills a wolf that offers insight into the consuming, self-destructive nature of sin.

"First, the Eskimo coats his knife blade with animal blood and allows it to freeze. Then he adds another layer of blood, and another, until the blade is completely concealed by frozen blood. "Next, the hunter fixes his knife in the ground with the blade up. When a wolf follows his sensitive nose to the source of the scent and discovers the bait, he licks it, tasting the fresh frozen blood. He begins to lick faster, more and more vigorously, lapping the blade until the keen edge is bare. Feverishly now, harder and harder the wolf licks the blade in the arctic night. So great becomes his craving for blood that the wolf does not notice the razor-sharp sting of the naked blade on his own tongue, nor does he recognize the instant at which his insatiable thirst is being satisfied by his OWN warm blood. His carnivorous appetite just craves more--until the dawn finds him dead in the snow."

Sunday, May 12, 2013

Behold, What Manner of Love

In the text today from 1 John 1:1-3 we take a look at the many blessings that God has bestowed upon the church and how these blessings should lead to purification in the life of its members.