Comments for my Athiest Friend with Questions

Tolerance in personal relationships is a virtue but tolerance in truth is a travesty. Two plus two doesn’t equal 17. It equals four. If this truth is circumvented in calculus, the inevitable result is chaos. Likewise, to compromise the claims of Christ can only lead to calamity.

What most can’t accept is the assertion that there is only one way to God.

That’s not my assertion. That’s what Christ said. His opinion is infinitely more noteworthy than mine because He is the Creator and we are but creatures.

Is Jesus the Only Way- Resurrection: Fact or Fantasy? First and perhaps most fundamental is the question of Christ’s deity. If He is truly God, His claim to be the only way must be taken seriously. If, on the other hand, He is merely one more person in a pantheon of pretenders, His proclamations can easily be pushed aside.

I focus on the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Through the Resurrection, Jesus demonstrated that He does not stand in a line of peers with Buddha, Muhammad, or any other founder of a world religion. They died and are still dead, but Christ is risen.

The Resurrection is an irrefutable fact of history. Indeed. I would go so far as to say that no one can examine the Resurrection with an open mind without becoming convinced of its authenticity. And that is not just evangelical rhetoric.

Dr. Simon Greenleaf, the greatest authority on legal evidences in the 19th century, came to this very conclusion after a thorough examination of the historical record. The essence of his verdict, as the famous Royall professor of law at Harvard, was that any unbiased jury openly examining the evidence would inevitably come to the conclusion that Christ had risen from the dead. Greenleaf suggested that any cross-examination of the eyewitness testimonies recorded in Scripture would result in an undoubting conviction of their integrity, ability, and truth.

A primary fact supporting the Resurrection is the empty tomb. Even the enemies of Christ had to concede this point. The record attests that they went so far as to bribe the guards to say the body had been stolen (Matt. 28:1 1-15). While many variations of this myth have been concocted over the years, the fact of the empty tomb has never been successfully refuted.

The fact of the Resurrection is supported by the post-resurrection appearances of Christ as well. On one occasion He appeared to more than 500 eyewitnesses at a single time (1 Cor. 15:6). He also appeared to numerous others, providing “many convincing proofs” of His resurrection (Acts 1:3).

The appearances of Christ resulted in a radical transformation in the lives of His followers. Before the Resurrection, they could best be characterized as cowards. After the Resurrection, however, they were transformed into lions of the faith. Despite the threat of torture and termination, they remained immovable in their testimony. While it is conceivable that one might die for what one believes to be the truth, it is inconceivable that multitudes would die for what they know to be a lie.

As Greenleaf put it, “If it were morally possible for them to have been deceived in this matter, every human motive operated to lead them to discover and avow their error….If, then, their testimony was not true, there was no possible motive for this fabrication.”

Is Jesus the Only Way- The Bible: Human or Divine? The next question undoubtedly then is the reliability of Scripture. Over and over many assert that the Bible has been scientifically and historically discredited. Thus it was concluded that Christ’s declaration, “I am the way and the truth and the life” (John 14:6), need not be taken seriously.

My response is that the Bible is divine rather than human in origin. Since we don’t have the autographa (the original manuscripts), the question is, “How good are the copies we have?” The answer is that the manuscript copies supporting Scripture are far better than those supporting such classical literature as Homer, Plato, Aristotle, Caesar, and Tacitus.

Archaeology testifies to the reliability of the Bible as well. It is telling that an archaeologist as noteworthy as Sir William Ramsey was converted to Christ as a direct result of his digs. And he is not alone. Many skeptics have bowed before the majesty of Scripture after an examination of archeological evidence.

As a case in point, skeptics who once ridiculed the Bible for declaring Belshazzar to be a king of Babylon have had to eat their words. Archaeological research has confirmed that Belshazzar indeed reigned as co-regent with Nabonidus, who was off waging war abroad. That, incidentally, explains why Belshazzar offered to make Daniel the third highest ruler in the kingdom (Dan. 5:16). The first two positions were already taken!

The Bible also records thousands of fulfilled prophecies that could not have been accurately predicted through chance or keen human insight. For example, the Book of Daniel (written before 530 B.C.) accurately records the progression of kingdoms from Babylon through the Medo-Persian, Greek, and Roman Empires, including the persecution of the Jews under Antiochus IV (Epiphanes), the desecration of the temple, and the liberation of the Jews under Judas Maccabeus in 165 B.C.

Since Christ is the culmination of the Old Testament as well as the center of the New Testament, it is not surprising that predictions regarding His birth, life, death, and resurrection outnumber all others. As should be obvious, Christ could not have conspired to fulfill such incredible prophecies as His descent from David (Isa. 11:1; 2 Sam. 7:12-16), His birth in Bethlehem (Mic. 5:2), His crucifixion with criminals (Isa. 53:12), the gambling for His garments (Ps. 22:18), and the burial of His remains among the rich (Isa. 53:9). It is also instructive to note that Jesus predicted both His death and resurrection.

It is statistically preposterous to suggest that these specific prophecies could have been fulfilled through good guesses or deliberate deceit. Consider that the Bible was written over a span of 1,600 years, by approximately 40 authors, in three languages (Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek), on hundreds of subjects, and yet with one central story line: God’s redemption of humankind. Clearly, the science of statistical probability is a powerful testimony to the trustworthiness of Scripture.

Which leads me to the next common question, what about he person who has never heard? Will God condemn them to hell for not believing in someone they never heard of? Although this is a classic smokescreen question designed to ward off an encounter with the gospel, I respond by pointing out the problem with its premise.

People are not condemned to hell only on the occasion of not believing in Jesus; they are already condemned because of their sin. The real question, then, is not how can God send someone to hell but rather how can God condescend to save any one of us?

Furthermore, if ignorance were a ticket to heaven, the greatest evangelistic enterprise in the world would not be a Billy Graham crusade but a concerted cover-up campaign. Such a campaign would focus on ending evangelism, burning Bibles, and closing churches. Then, in a few years, no one will hear of Jesus Christ and hence everyone will be on their way to heaven. Given this scenario, Christ would not have come to seek and save those who were lost but rather to seek and lose those who were already saved.

Consider also that everyone will be judged according to the light they have been given: the light of creation (Rom. 1), the light of conscience (Rom. 2), and the light of Christ (Rom. 3). God is not capricious! Thus, we can rest assured that those who respond to light will receive more light. As the prophet Jeremiah put it, “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart” (Jer. 29:13).

While no one can be talked into the kingdom of God, I believe well-reasoned answers to objections like you raise can be used by the Holy Spirit to bring living water to a dry and dusty land. For those who come to know Jesus, His assertion, “I am the way and the truth and the life,” is not cruel exclusivism but rather liberating truth.

As for a common follow-up question by those who feel they were born with a passion for the wrong gender. I also have a “born-in” problem. I was born a red-blooded American male who with my passions left unchecked would not lead me to staying with one woman for a lifetime. All of us are responsible for keeping our will submitted to the Will of the Father. I personally don’t believe one’s DNA determines them as gay or straight. I believe all are given a choice to submit to God or not. But even if we are born one way or another, the choice to submit is still ours. Is it always fair? No, but God is just.

Thoughts on "The Shack"

Several of you have asked for my opinion. This isn't going to be a book review but just some random thoughts.

On Facebook I posted: So far, the only negative comments I've heard are from people who haven't read the book. The whole Trinity conversation caught me off guard, but in the context of a loving Father seeking a lost son, I was very impressed with the insight of the writer to men's issues when it comes to dealing with absent or abusive dad's. I am also identifying with Mack, as someone who has had to come to grips with that kind of "righteous" anger (really it's just anger) over the murder of my sister... I give it a 8 out of 10 so far.

First let me start by stating this is FICTION and not intended to be a course on theology. I'll place this on my bookself next to C.S. Lewis' Space Trilogy. I'll repeat, the way the author describes how each member of the Trinity interacts with each other is beautiful. Several of my paradigms were challenged in health ways. From a male perspective, I totally understand why Mack needed to see a different side of the Father in order to resolve his issues with his earthly father, and heavenly Father. Papa showed wonderful patience and grace in that process.

This wasn't the first time I was surprised to see part of the Trinity expressed this way. The first time was in the book of Proverbs, when Wisdom personified (the Truth personified) is pictured as a female.This conflict with my paradigm was resolved late in the book when, once Mack's issues were healed, Papa revealed himself to Mack fully male.My other panic attach came on page 184 when I was confused as to what the author was trying to communicate about paths to God. The KEY lines as quoted are: "Does that mean," asked Mack, "that all roads will lead to you?" "Not at all," smiled Jesus as he reached for the door handle to the shop. "Most roads don't lead anywhere. What it does mean is that I will travel any road to find you."

Has anything more true ever been said?

I want to publicly thank the author for helping me release the "family" guilt I've carried for years for forgiving and even praying for the resortation healing power of the man who killed my sister. There is still so much more healing that needs to happen within my family, yet I am thankful for the author's ability to capture and communicate that path with such clarity, confirming I'm on the right path.

So in the end, I highly recommend this book, but remember, it's FICTION.

Rick Warren's Inauguration Prayer

Let us pray.

Almighty God — our Father. Everything we see, and everything we can’t see, exists because of you alone. It all comes from you. It all belongs to you. It all exists for your glory. History is your story. The Scripture tells us, ‘Hear, Oh Israel, the Lord is our God, the Lord is one.’ And you are the compassionate and merciful one. And you are loving to everyone you have made.

Now today we rejoice not only in America’s peaceful transfer of power for the 44th time, we celebrate a hinge-point of history with the inauguration of our first African-American president of the United States. We are so grateful to live in this land, a land of unequaled possibility, where the son of an African immigrant can rise to the highest level of our leadership. And we know today that Dr. King, and a great cloud of witnesses, are shouting in heaven.

Give to our new president, Barack Obama, the wisdom to lead us with humility, the courage to lead us with integrity, the compassion to lead us with generosity. Bless and protect him, his family, Vice-President Biden, the cabinet, and every one of our freely elected leaders.
Help us, oh God, to remember that we are Americans, united not by race, or religion, or blood, but to our commitment to freedom, and justice for all.

When we focus on ourselves, when we fight each other, when we forget you, forgive us. When we presume that our greatness and our prosperity is ours alone, forgive us. When we fail to treat our fellow human beings and all the earth with the respect that they deserve, forgive us.
And as we face these difficult days ahead, may we have a new birth of clarity in our aims, responsibility in our actions, humility in our approaches, and civility in our attitudes — even when we differ.

Help us to share, to serve, and to seek the common good of all. May all people of good will today join together to work for a more just, a more healthy, and a more prosperous nation, and a peaceful planet. And may we never forget that one day, all nations and all people will stand accountable before you.

We now commit our new president, and his wife Michelle, and his daughters, Malia and Sasha, into your loving care.

I humbly ask this in the name of the one who changed my life — Yeshua, Isa, Jesús, Jesus — who taught us to pray:

Our father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, for thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever.

Amen.

Zephaniah

Zephaniah 1-3 (New International Version)

Zephaniah 1

1 The word of the LORD that came to Zephaniah son of Cushi, the son of Gedaliah, the son of Amariah, the son of Hezekiah, during the reign of Josiah son of Amon king of Judah:

Warning of Coming Destruction

2 "I will sweep away everything
from the face of the earth,"
declares the LORD.

3 "I will sweep away both men and animals;
I will sweep away the birds of the air
and the fish of the sea.
The wicked will have only heaps of rubble ^[a]
when I cut off man from the face of the earth,"
declares the LORD.

Against Judah

4 "I will stretch out my hand against Judah
and against all who live in Jerusalem.
I will cut off from this place every remnant of Baal,
the names of the pagan and the idolatrous priests-

5 those who bow down on the roofs
to worship the starry host,
those who bow down and swear by the LORD
and who also swear by Molech, ^[b]

6 those who turn back from following the LORD
and neither seek the LORD nor inquire of him.

7 Be silent before the Sovereign LORD,
for the day of the LORD is near.
The LORD has prepared a sacrifice;
he has consecrated those he has invited.

8 On the day of the LORD's sacrifice
I will punish the princes
and the king's sons
and all those clad
in foreign clothes.

9 On that day I will punish
all who avoid stepping on the threshold, ^[c]
who fill the temple of their gods
with violence and deceit.

10 "On that day," declares the LORD,
"a cry will go up from the Fish Gate,
wailing from the New Quarter,
and a loud crash from the hills.

11 Wail, you who live in the market district ^[d] ;
all your merchants will be wiped out,
all who trade with ^[e] silver will be ruined.

12 At that time I will search Jerusalem with lamps
and punish those who are complacent,
who are like wine left on its dregs,
who think, 'The LORD will do nothing,
either good or bad.'

13 Their wealth will be plundered,
their houses demolished.
They will build houses
but not live in them;
they will plant vineyards
but not drink the wine.

The Great Day of the Lord

14 "The great day of the LORD is near—
near and coming quickly.
Listen! The cry on the day of the LORD will be bitter,
the shouting of the warrior there.

15 That day will be a day of wrath,
a day of distress and anguish,
a day of trouble and ruin,
a day of darkness and gloom,
a day of clouds and blackness,

16 a day of trumpet and battle cry
against the fortified cities
and against the corner towers.

17 I will bring distress on the people
and they will walk like blind men,
because they have sinned against the LORD.
Their blood will be poured out like dust
and their entrails like filth.

18 Neither their silver nor their gold
will be able to save them
on the day of the LORD's wrath.
In the fire of his jealousy
the whole world will be consumed,
for he will make a sudden end
of all who live in the earth."

Zephaniah 2

1 Gather together, gather together,
O shameful nation,

2 before the appointed time arrives
and that day sweeps on like chaff,
before the fierce anger of the LORD comes upon you,
before the day of the LORD's wrath comes upon you.

3 Seek the LORD, all you humble of the land,
you who do what he commands.
Seek righteousness, seek humility;
perhaps you will be sheltered
on the day of the LORD's anger.

Against Philistia

4 Gaza will be abandoned
and Ashkelon left in ruins.
At midday Ashdod will be emptied
and Ekron uprooted.

5 Woe to you who live by the sea,
O Kerethite people;
the word of the LORD is against you,
O Canaan, land of the Philistines.
"I will destroy you,
and none will be left."

6 The land by the sea, where the Kerethites ^[f] dwell,
will be a place for shepherds and sheep pens.

7 It will belong to the remnant of the house of Judah;
there they will find pasture.
In the evening they will lie down
in the houses of Ashkelon.
The LORD their God will care for them;
he will restore their fortunes. ^[g]

Against Moab and Ammon

8 "I have heard the insults of Moab
and the taunts of the Ammonites,
who insulted my people
and made threats against their land.

9 Therefore, as surely as I live,"
declares the LORD Almighty, the God of Israel,
"surely Moab will become like Sodom,
the Ammonites like Gomorrah—
a place of weeds and salt pits,
a wasteland forever.
The remnant of my people will plunder them;
the survivors of my nation will inherit their land."

10 This is what they will get in return for their pride,
for insulting and mocking the people of the LORD Almighty.

11 The LORD will be awesome to them
when he destroys all the gods of the land.
The nations on every shore will worship him,
every one in its own land.

Against Cush

12 "You too, O Cushites, ^[h]
will be slain by my sword."

Against Assyria

13 He will stretch out his hand against the north
and destroy Assyria,
leaving Nineveh utterly desolate
and dry as the desert.

14 Flocks and herds will lie down there,
creatures of every kind.
The desert owl and the screech owl
will roost on her columns.
Their calls will echo through the windows,
rubble will be in the doorways,
the beams of cedar will be exposed.

15 This is the carefree city
that lived in safety.
She said to herself,
"I am, and there is none besides me."
What a ruin she has become,
a lair for wild beasts!
All who pass by her scoff
and shake their fists.

Zephaniah 3

The Future of Jerusalem

1 Woe to the city of oppressors,
rebellious and defiled!

2 She obeys no one,
she accepts no correction.
She does not trust in the LORD,
she does not draw near to her God.

3 Her officials are roaring lions,
her rulers are evening wolves,
who leave nothing for the morning.

4 Her prophets are arrogant;
they are treacherous men.
Her priests profane the sanctuary
and do violence to the law.

5 The LORD within her is righteous;
he does no wrong.
Morning by morning he dispenses his justice,
and every new day he does not fail,
yet the unrighteous know no shame.

6 "I have cut off nations;
their strongholds are demolished.
I have left their streets deserted,
with no one passing through.
Their cities are destroyed;
no one will be left—no one at all.

7 I said to the city,
'Surely you will fear me
and accept correction!'
Then her dwelling would not be cut off,
nor all my punishments come upon her.
But they were still eager
to act corruptly in all they did.

8 Therefore wait for me," declares the LORD,
"for the day I will stand up to testify. ^[i]
I have decided to assemble the nations,
to gather the kingdoms
and to pour out my wrath on them—
all my fierce anger.
The whole world will be consumed
by the fire of my jealous anger.

9 "Then will I purify the lips of the peoples,
that all of them may call on the name of the LORD
and serve him shoulder to shoulder.

10 From beyond the rivers of Cush ^[j]
my worshipers, my scattered people,
will bring me offerings.

11 On that day you will not be put to shame
for all the wrongs you have done to me,
because I will remove from this city
those who rejoice in their pride.
Never again will you be haughty
on my holy hill.

12 But I will leave within you
the meek and humble,
who trust in the name of the LORD.

13 The remnant of Israel will do no wrong;
they will speak no lies,
nor will deceit be found in their mouths.
They will eat and lie down
and no one will make them afraid."

14 Sing, O Daughter of Zion;
shout aloud, O Israel!
Be glad and rejoice with all your heart,
O Daughter of Jerusalem!

15 The LORD has taken away your punishment,
he has turned back your enemy.
The LORD, the King of Israel, is with you;
never again will you fear any harm.

16 On that day they will say to Jerusalem,
"Do not fear, O Zion;
do not let your hands hang limp.

17 The LORD your God is with you,
he is mighty to save.
He will take great delight in you,
he will quiet you with his love,
he will rejoice over you with singing."

18 "The sorrows for the appointed feasts
I will remove from you;
they are a burden and a reproach to you. ^[k]

19 At that time I will deal
with all who oppressed you;
I will rescue the lame
and gather those who have been scattered.
I will give them praise and honor
in every land where they were put to shame.

20 At that time I will gather you;
at that time I will bring you home.
I will give you honor and praise
among all the peoples of the earth
when I restore your fortunes ^[l]
before your very eyes,"
says the LORD.

Footnotes:

1. Zephaniah 1:3 The meaning of the Hebrew for this line is uncertain.
2. Zephaniah 1:5 Hebrew Malcam , that is, Milcom
3. Zephaniah 1:9 See 1 Samuel 5:5.
4. Zephaniah 1:11 Or the Mortar
5. Zephaniah 1:11 Or in
6. Zephaniah 2:6 The meaning of the Hebrew for this word is uncertain.
7. Zephaniah 2:7 Or will bring back their captives
8. Zephaniah 2:12 That is, people from the upper Nile region
9. Zephaniah 3:8 Septuagint and Syriac; Hebrew will rise up to plunder
10. Zephaniah 3:10 That is, the upper Nile region
11. Zephaniah 3:18 Or "I will gather you who mourn for the appointed feasts; / your reproach is a burden to you
12. Zephaniah 3:20 Or I bring back your captives

The Good Jihad

The good jihad. It sounds like an oxymoron, unitl you look in your Bible at 2 Timothy 4:7. Paul says, "I have fought the good fight." In the Arabic translation those last three words are rendered "the good jihad".

We are engaged in a fight. Actually a war. It involves the challenge of Islam. Millions of Muslims have settled in Europe and Norht America, and we must acknowledge that at least some of them hate the West (Okay, most). We've seen the evidence: September 11, the nightclub attach in Bali, the Madrid train bombins, the London subway attacks, Iran, Iraq. Thosuands of people have died, and extremist groups like al-Qaeda promise that more attacks are on the way.But this isn't the war it appears to be.

It isn't the war Paul the apostle talked about with Timothy. Rather these events are a reflection ofa spiritual war, an unseen conflict. How are we Christians going to respond? With guns, and bombs? Is that really our only option? I can assure you this approach won't win a spiritual war. For one thing, it's a purely defensive, reactionary approach. It's time for Christians to go on the offensive.So just how do we fight a good spiritual jihad?

Critics are complaining that the Iraq war and misnamed "war on terror' have now taken as longa as World War II and we haven't won yet. Perhaps that is because we still haven't started fighting the way we did then - to win. We are still more afraid of ACLU lawsuits and New York Tims editorials tha n we are of the enemy who is dedicated to destroying Christianity and Western civilization (the two are NOT synonyms).

I don't believe we fully understand the challenges to the worldwide church that Islam presents. But it would be tragic if all we do is respond with fear and retreat. I want to suggest that it's time for the western Church and the persecuted church in the Islamic world to love all Muslims by giving the m the Good News, to forgive when we're attacked, to live lives totally committed to Jesus Christ and to engage in the real war - the spiritual war.

Thoughts on Reaching the Homeless (Mark and Peter)

It's often so hard for us to acknowledge, especially years after our conversion, just how depraved each of us are. We knew it when we hit rock bottom, when our soul was in complete turmoil. We new we needed a Savior. But you know, that depravity exists... I was made pure in the sight of God since He sees me through the holes in Jesus' hands. But my nature is still bent toward depravity. I think if we a honest with ourselves in the quietness, the times when no one else is in the house, the TV is off and the computer shut down... we know when we're quiet are nature doesn't always naturally bound toward greatest... There is no one good not one. We are all fallen and flawed creatures, at odds with our Creator and each other. We are no better than Mark and Peter. Ephesians 2:3. Romans 3:10-12

We're all born separated from God... Eph 2:12, We're all bound to a life of futility... Ecclesiastes 1:14 (all that we do is just a chasing after the wind), We are all enslaved to a corrupt nature... Job 5:7 And lets face it, we are all bent to do evil... Galatians 5:19-21

Not only individually... but whole communities... Hosea 4:1-4 9:9, and Romans 1:28-32

Depravity means we are all dysfunctional by nature. It means that most of my real problems are "in ME", on "out there" (Genesis 3:9-13). Depravity cannot be eradicated by education, a better environment, self esteem, new rules, or money. Depravity can wear all kinds of sophisticated masks to hide itself... Personality Mask, Education Mask, Rule Keeper Mask, or even the Religious Mask... Matthew 23:25, 27 Seriously, would Mark's and Peter's stand out to us if they were sophisticated enough behind one of those masks?

Admitting and somewhat truly owning our depravity is the first step to finding a real relationship with God... Matthew 5:3. And progress in authentic maturity will only parallel our growing understanding of the depth and extent of our depravity.

So, I'm no longer a drug dealer and coke head, slut... but my depravity is still as great. How? My depravity means I have a natural tendency to rule harshly and judge (Genesis 3:16, Ephesians 6:4) Why is it the church is better at criticizing those with issues rather than celebrating recovery and reconciliation? My depravity also shows up in getting lost in my career or personal pursuits and ignore Gods purpose in my life Ecclesiastes 2:4-11

Well, I'm struggling with a thought... why do I single out Mark's and Peter's in my life. Why is conversation with them so difficult? Truly, if I believe the above... they are no different from me... in fact I'm probably more like them, then I am of my own perception of me.

I think the only time Jesus categorized people is when he was ticked at the Religious folks... the rest of the time he just found common ground with people and loved on them. People changed because of that love. Jesus knew he was to be the sacrificial lamb. He knew He was to bear all our depravity on the cross. In fact, although without sin, He was depravity personified when He died. But when He rose... well that's when the story gets good.

Don't try to save the Mark's and Peter's... just find common ground and love the Mark's and Peter's. Soon they'll realize Jesus offers us much more than "spare change".

"Jesus, what is it you want us to do again?"

If there was ever a collection of people who had become confused about their purpose on earth and needed direction, it was Jesus' eleven surviving disciples in the days after His crucifixion and resurrection.

The disciples' own ""master plan"" for the future--Jesus' triumph over the occupying Romans and the arrival of the kingdom age for Israel--had been shattered by Jesus' announcement of His death and soon departure back to the Father. Now, Jesus' disciples didn't know what the future held. They needed to hear from the master Himself what He had in mind for them.

What Jesus had in mind for the disciples, and for us, was an intervening age before His return that we call the church age or dispensation of grace. The Lord gave His followers the basic strategy for this period just before His ascension.

Sometimes the church today seems as confused about its mission as the apostles were in those early days. There are plenty of voices telling us what the church ought to be: moral crusader, social reformer, even political power broker. But none of these captures the essence of the church's assignment, which, according to Jesus, is disciple-maker.

It's possible for us to hear the Great Commission quoted so many times that we lose the force and the finality of what Jesus told His body, the church, to be doing. The force of what Jesus said comes through in the command to ""make disciples.""

This is not an option for us. Christ's body is to reproduce itself the way the human body was made to reproduce itself and sustain the race. The church is to practice spiritual obstetrics, bringing new spiritual children to birth.

The church is also to be a nursery and a school where new disciples are nurtured, taught, and brought to maturity. We can make disciples by going into ""all the world"" to preach the gospel (Mark 16:15), baptizing those who respond in faith, and teaching the new disciples everything Jesus taught us.

There's a definite finality to the commission Jesus gave us. He promised us His presence throughout this age, but His instructions have never changed. Whatever else the church may do must conform to Jesus' command.

Quote of the Day

The defining issue of our day is the battle for the family. Upon the biblical family model rests the future of Western Civilization. The family is the backbone of the Church, the fundamental vehicle for evangelization, and the training ground for the next generation. - Jim Robertson

The Night is Not Dark

They tell of Adam;

How frightened he must have been when, for the first time, he saw the sun disappear, ending the light of day!

It was Adam's first darkness... How could he understand the night, when he had never seen a dawn?

After the splendor of the sun, how astonishinly dark the darkness was; how desperate the long terror of the first fall of night... until Adam learned that day would come again;

that there is order in the universe.

And then Adam could begin to see how much light remains in the sky at night: the stars, and their enduring promise of the sun...

the returnining star of day.

Adam learned the night is never wholly dark, and no night is endless... even as each of us must learn it in our own times of trouble and darkness.

The Light is never far.

On September 27, 2008, we will be participating in the 2008 Tulsa Walk to Cure Diabetes. We are humbled by the number of people who have donated their time and money to support our team the past two years. Thank you and may God bless you in ways you never imagined possible.

This year, "Carter's Crew" has expanded. Our dear friend's baby was recently diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes as well. So, "Carter's Crew & Forest's Too" will be raising walking to support those who are deeply affected and suffer from this horrible disease. If you care to donate financially, please visit this link http://walk.jdrf.org/walker.cfm?id=87057623 to join our team.

If you'd like to order a 2008 version of our annual team T-shirts... please send an email to Laura at robertsonlaurac@cableone.net. Please include the sizes you need. Adult shirts are $15 and chirldren's sizes are $12. If there is a need to ship, we will need to add that to the cost.

Our team verse this year is: 2 Corinthians 1:7 (New International Version)

And our hope for you is firm, because we know that just as you share in our sufferings, so also you share in our comfort.

Called to Communism or Called to Sacrifice

Acts 2: "42They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. 44All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. 46Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved."



In 1848, Karl Heinrich Marx wrote a book that changed modern history. In The Communist Manifesto, Marx argued against private land ownership and for state ownership of factories and farms. He advocated a classless society using the stirring slogan: “From each according to his ability, to each according to his needs!”


People often point to similarities between Marx's ideals and passages in Acts. There are, however, some profound differences between Communism and the early church. For one thing, giving among the disciples was purely voluntary. Moreover, Acts 12:12 shows that believers owned houses. But even more importantly, the early church was motivated by a unity of love and sincerity of heart (2:46), only possible because of Jesus Christ and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.



These new believers were grounded in the apostles' teaching, fellowship, communion, and prayer (2:42). Outsiders were struck by the unity of this new community (v. 43) and were drawn to it, showing that evangelism occurs both through powerful preaching (Acts 2:14-36) and godly lifestyles and service.


Next we find the noteworthy example of Barnabas, who lived up to his name (“son of encouragement”) by selling a field to help those in need. In stark contrast, we read about Ananias and Sapphira. Peter's words make it clear that this couple wasn't obligated to sell their property. Apparently, they wanted to enjoy the kind of reputation that Barnabas did, only they weren't as generous as he was. Their sin was hypocrisy.


The verb “kept back” used in Acts 5:2 is the same word used in the Greek translation of Joshua 7, which describes how Achan withheld for himself that which was devoted to the Lord. Like Achan, God's judgment on Ananias and Sapphira was immediate and purified God's people. Nothing destroys the unity of the church more quickly than hypocrisy.



Concerning Acts 4:32-37, John Calvin wrote, “They sold their own possessions in those days; in our day it is the lust to purchase that reigns supreme.” Today this same lust still reigns. Sharing one's possessions doesn't come naturally. Yet we all need to be challenged that thinking we actually own our possessions, withholding our tithes and failing to help the needy is a serious sin—particularly when we often want to be known as generous, committed Christians.

Leave a Different Way than You Came

Matthew 2:12 (English Standard Version)
"And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way." http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=47&chapter=2&version=47&context=chapter

"Once you have come and surrendered your will to the King of the Universe, Crucified and Risen Savior, God in infant clothing, there is no going back the same way you came." - Jim Robertson

JAMES TAYLOR - "Home By Another Way" (lyrics Mayer/Taylor)

Those magic men the Magi, some people call them wise or Oriental, even kings. Well anyway, those guys, they visited with Jesus, they sure enjoyed their stay. Then warned in a dream of King Herod's scheme, they went home by another way.

Yes, they went home by another way, home by another way. Maybe me and you can be wise guys too and go home by another way. We can make it another way, safe home as they used to say. Keep a weather eye to the chart on high and go home another way.

Steer clear of royal welcomes, avoid a big to-do. A king who would slaughter the innocents will not cut a deal for you. He really, really wants those presents, he'll comb your camel's fur until his boys announce they've found trace amounts of your frankincense, gold and myrth.

Time to go home by another way, home by another way. You have to figure the gods, saying play the odds, and go home by another way. We can make it another way, safe home as they used to say. Keep a weather eye to the chart on high and go home another way.

Home is where they want you now, you can more or less assume that you'll be welcome in the end. Mustn't let King Herod haunt you so or fantasize his features when you're looking at a friend. Well it pleasures me to be here and to sing this song tonight, they tell me that life is a miracle and I figured that they're right. But Herod's always out there, he's got our cards on file. It's a lead pipe cinch, if we give an inch, old Herod likes to take a mile.

It's best to go home by another way, home by another way. We got this far to a lucky star, but tomorrow is another day. We can make it another way, safe home as they used to say. Keep a weather eye to the chart on high and go home another way.

Wherever You Go, There You Are

"So, the cross is always ready and waits for you everywhere. You cannot escape it no matter where you run, for wherever you go you are burdened with yourself. Wherever you go, there you are." —Thomas a Kempis, Imitation of Christ, ca. A.D. 1440

What is it that causes us to go to such extravagant lengths to hide. Whether it's our clothes, our speech, the people we spend time with, or the people we avoid, our activities, or the activities we desperately desire but refrain from, we all find ways hide or run. Amazingly, in our attempt to avoid a concentrated view of ourselves, we can hurt so many around us. We create rules and project them upon others. We sin, and rather than face and accept loving disciple from the body of Christ, we change churches. We erase the history files, so that there is no trial left behind. We hide behind acts of service, for surely my fruit will speak for itself. And we lie awake at night, desperate for rest.

Our Lord reserved His harshest criticism for people who made denial into a trademark. The Pharisees specialized in looking good. They managed to preserve their image by defining sin in terms of visible transgressions and then scrupulously adhering to the standards they established. Their source of joy was the respect of others and they found effective means of gaining it. They performed well.

I suspect very few of the Pharisees would have reported a longing to feel good for just ten minutes. These were the together people. They lived in the box they had created. They never seemed to be struggling. They'd found what they were after and were proceeding with confidence. They even looked good. But listen to Jesus' remarks when He spoke to them. They impressed others, but not Him.

BTW... How similar to my life! His criticism is meant for me as well.

"Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. Blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and dis, and then the outside also will be clean" Matthew 23:25-26

Small wonder He wasn't invited to their parties! Such pretense is hard to keep up. It's hard to be "on" all the time. Many comedians will testify that being funny all the time is impossible, that is, without pharmaceutical help. But once you start the game, it's hard to quit.

But not all of us are good at playing the game. Those whose integrity makes such pretense difficult, sometimes worry over their apparent lack of faith. "Why don't I feel as happy and together as others? Something must be wrong with my spiritual life!" To make matters worse, these people of integrity often appear less mature and their lives less inviting than folks more skilled at denial. And churches tend to reward their members who more convincingly create the illusion of intactness by parading them as examples of what every Christian should be.

Beneath the surface of every one's life, especially the more mature, is an ache that will not go away. It can be ignored, disguised, mislabeled, or submerged by a torrent of activity, but it will not disappear, for good reason. We were designed to enjoy a better world than this. Until that better world comes along, we will groan for what we do not have. An aching soul is evidence of realism, not spiritual immaturity or neurosis.

You can run but you can not hide. Take a risk. Take the conversation on level deeper. This time, don't settle for pleasantries. Share the ache. Loosen the tie and roll up your sleeves. Allow them to see you sweat. And be amazed at the freedom found as the chains of insecurity and oppression drop to the floor.

"For the eyes of the LORD move to and fro throughout the earth that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His" 2 Chronicles 16:9 (NASB)

Carl Sagan is a Believer: Every Knee Shall Bow

On December 20, 1996, the eminent Cornell University astronomer, Carl Sagan, made his greatest discovery. Perhaps you remember Dr. Carl Sagan as the host of the acclaimed television series "Cosmos", which extolled and explored the grandeur of the universe. And perhaps you recall the statement he made in 1980, for which he is best known, "The cosmos is all there is, or ever was, or ever will be." According to a CNN news story, Dr. Sagan's "lifelong passion was searching for intelligent life in the cosmos. 'The significance of a finding that there are other beings who share this universe with us would be absolutely phenomenal, it would be an epochal event in human history,' Sagan once said." (1)

I agree with Dr. Sagan wholeheartedly, and on December 20, 1996, Dr. Carl Sagan realized his lifelong dream. On that day, he experienced the revelation of something so far beyond his "cosmos", that he could only utter four words to describe it. Even his staggering intellect could not understand or explain what he was experiencing. It was, perhaps, not the revelation for which he had hoped, but it certainly far exceeded anything he could have possibly imagined. For you see, on December 20, 1996, Dr. Carl Edward Sagan left this world and entered eternity. And at that moment, falling to his knees, he could only confess, "Jesus Christ is Lord".

I do not know what was in Dr. Sagan's heart while he was allowed the privilege of walking on this small planet in God's great physical universe. I do not know what his relationship with God was. I do not know what opportunities he had to embrace the truth, that God had chosen to express inexpressible love for him. And I do not know whether or not, perhaps even in his last hours, he chose to accept that love, despite what he is purported to have said from his hospital bed. (2) What I do know is that we are all eternal beings. What I do know is that he is now a believer. But sadly, his confession may have come too late, "for it is appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgment". (Heb. 9:27) And the judgment is simply this, "He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved; but he who has disbelieved shall be condemned." (Mark 16:16)

In this life we are given sufficient revelation of the truth, and ample time to accept it. After death, it is too late; for faith is not needed when all is revealed and the truth is self-evident. (Heb. 11:1)

The ultimate truth is this: "that at the name of Jesus very knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father." (Phil. 2:10-11)

The issue is not if you will confess it; the issue is when you will confess it. For surely everyone will. I do not mean to disparage Dr. Sagan, for as I said, I did not know his heart. Only God did, and the final judgment belongs to Him. But let us all take fair warning that this life is short and our time is precious, and that "the Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing any to perish but for all to come to repentance." (2 Peter 3:9)

Testifying To Truth, our confession is inevitable, but it is far better to confess sooner and inherit the blessings than later and suffer the consequences. "For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 6:23)

(1) http://www.cnn.com/US/9612/20/sagan/
(2) http://users.tpg.com.au/users/tps-seti/sagan.html (Under "A Speaker For Earth")

Don't Be Fooled. Truth Revealed: "Mormon Jesus" is not the same as Jesus of our New Testament

Facts versus Truth:
What if I told you there is a presidential candidate that:

• supports prayer in school should be allowed
• supports home-educators
• supports family values
• will veto any bill that would redefine marriage between one man and one woman
• has a pro-life perspective and agenda
• has not been divorced
• attends church regularly

You'd probably state that the religious right, evangelicals have found their man.

Even with all those facts, you'd be deriving a conclusion that is far from the truth.

This issue will continue to heat up over the next year as Mitt Romney gains more political clout, marketplace acceptance and his particular "faith based beliefs" become more spotlighted. Mr. Romney seems like a decent and likable fellow; but we should pray for him that he would come to the Lord Jesus Christ of the Bible for the salvation of his soul. Politics aside, our primary concern for him should be his eternity--not the election.

So what is the issue? It's Mr. Romney's response to Jesus' question offered in Matthew 16:15 "but who do you say that I am?" The answer to that question is essential to understanding one's relationship with God. Either Jesus is who He says He is or He wasn't. This is the Word of God speaking about the Word made flesh (Jesus the Christ) in John 3:16: "For God so loved the world, that He gave His ONLY Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life." Jesus is God's only Son. This is critical... not just semantics.

Jesus, the ONLY Son of God, God the Father, and the Holy Spirit make up that perfect Trinity that existed before time and made us in Their image.

In any case, as the "spin machine" is at full throttle, so few know almost anything about Mormonism. As a Mormon, sadly, Mr. Romney does not believe the essential truth of the Trinity and Jesus as God's Only Son. Mormonism devalues the role of Jesus by elevating the role of Lucifer making them "spirit brothers". In essence they become equals... but different. Many have compared this to the Chinese philosophy of the Ying and Yang.

From the Mormon perspective...
THE SUBJECT: Are Jesus and Lucifer spirit brothers?
THE MORMON ANSWER: Here are some factual quotes that define Mormon Jesus and Lucifer as spirit brothers:

• Thus it is shown that prior to the placing of man upon the earth, how long before we do not know, Christ and Satan, together with the hosts of the spirit-children of God, existed as intelligent individuals, possessing power and opportunity to hoose the course they would pursue and the leaders whom they would follow and obey (James Talmage, Jesus the Christ, p. 8)
• The appointment of Jesus to be the Savior of the world was contested by one of the other sons of God. He was called Lucifer, son of the morning. Haughty, ambitious, and covetous of power and glory, this spirit-brother of Jesus desperately tried to become the Savior of mankind (Milton R. Hunter, The Gospel Through the Ages, p. 15---this book was "written and published under the direction of the General Priesthood Committee of the Council of the Twelve of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints")

Compare these statements from LDS Apostle Bruce R. McConkie in his book, Mormon Doctrine:

• The devil...is a spirit son of God who was born in the morning of pre-existence (p. 192)....Christ is the Firstborn, meaning that he was the first Spirit Child born to God the Father in pre-existence (p. 281)....Christ, the Firstborn, was the mightiest of all the spirit children of the Father (p. 590).The June, 1986 edition of the Ensign Magazine, p. 25, the official publication of the LDS Church, had this question, "How can Jesus and Lucifer be spirit brothers when their characters and purposes are so utterly opposed?" The response provided included the following: On first hearing, the doctrine that Lucifer and our Lord, Jesus Christ, are brothers may seem surprising to some---especially to those unacquainted with latter-day revelations. But both the scriptures and the prophets affirm that Jesus Christ and Lucifer are indeed offspring of our Heavenly Father and, therefore, spirit brothers....But as the Firstborn of the Father, Jesus was Lucifer's older brother.

So anyone denying the reality that Jesus and Lucifer are spirit-brothers is, in the words of the LDS Church, ignorant of latter-day revelations. Or, they are spinning things and hoping they are talking to folks who don't know any better and they can get away with it. That's sadly a possibility.

Of course, we should be quite clear in what our objection to this doctrine is, and what it means. Their doctrine does not include the Trinity; instead their doctrine states that Jesus and Lucifer are spirit-brothers because in Mormonism, we are all spirit-brothers and sisters of them both. We are all spirit offspring of an exalted man from another planet, Elohim.

The objection, then, is that this belief denies the unique and eternal deity of Christ, not that the character of Lucifer is somehow the issue at this point.

So I pose this question... do the "ends" justify the "means"? If we gain presidential support for our "ends" (prayer in school, a pro-life agenda, family first values etc.) are the "means" of supporting and aligning ourselves under a man that denies the Trinity thus justified?

It's a question we can ask ourselves in history as well. As can be referenced in the News with Views article here http://www.newswithviews.com/baldwin/baldwin405.htm we've elected a man twice recently that also needs to address his view of Jesus the Christ as The Way, The Truth and The Life... otherwise he's calling Jesus a liar.

Pastor Chuck Baldwin states:

• George W. Bush was twice elected President of the United States with great assistance from evangelical Christians, who, almost universally, believed he was a born-again believer. Many still hold onto that belief. In fact, evangelical Christians compose the bulk of the ever-shrinking base of support Bush has left. This is due almost exclusively to this belief that Bush is a born-again Christian.
  As a minister of the Gospel for more than three decades, I have witnessed professing Christians do and say just about anything one would associate with unbelief. In fact, nowadays the line dividing believers and unbelievers seems practically nonexistent.
  I've known unbelievers who are far kinder and more compassionate than many professing believers. In fact, professing Christians are sometimes even meaner and more cantankerous than unbelievers. (Don't get me wrong: I've known many unbelievers who were as mean as rattlesnakes, too.)
  Another paradox to me is how so many professing believers (including pastors) seem to lack the spiritual discernment to understand even the simplest principles. This is especially true regarding the principles of freedom and national independence. One would assume that knowledge of the Scriptures, along with the aid of the Holy Spirit, would cause believers to be on the front lines in the defense of these principles. However, many times, unbelievers are the ones fighting for liberty, while believers sit piously and passively on the sidelines. What a shame!
  However, that believers can continue to propound the "Christianity" of George W. Bush takes the cake. One has to hand it to Karl Rove: he thoroughly and masterfully fooled the Religious Right. And he did it with only a little assistance from Bush.
  A few public catch phrases; some prayer breakfasts; a few references to Jesus; some personal meetings; and a few phone calls or personal meetings with big-name evangelicals was all it took to beguile the vast majority of professing believers. Because of this, George W. Bush is now and forever known as "our beloved Christian President."
  Then again, how would our Christian brethren react if someone came into their church and said that "all religions pray to the same God"? I dare say such a statement would be met with the most vehement rejection. Yet, that is exactly what President Bush has said repeatedly. The latest example was just last Friday, October 5, 2007.
  In an interview with Al Arabiya reporter Elie Nakouzi, Bush said, "I believe that all the world, whether they be Muslim, Christian, or any other religion, pray to the same God." Bush has made this same statement throughout his Presidency. The statement obviously reflects a deep-seated belief.
  Of course, George W. Bush is the first President in U.S. history to celebrate Ramadan in the White House. He is also the first President to worship and pray in a Shinto temple.
  Last Friday, World Net Daily quoted Bush as saying, "We are having an Iftaar dinner tonight--I say, 'we'-- it's my wife and I." Bush also said, "This is the seventh one in the seven years I've been the president. It gives me a chance to say 'Ramadan Mubarak.'" Bush is also quoted as saying, "I want American citizens to see me hosting an Iftaar dinner."
  The Iftaar dinner refers to the evening meal for breaking the daily fast during the Islamic month of Ramadan. "Mubarak" means "blessed." So, when Bush says "Ramadan Mubarak" he is saying that Ramadan is blessed (by God), or "blessed Ramadan."
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  I would very much like to see President Bush ask one of his Muslim or Shintoist friends to pray in Jesus' name, or ask them to take Christian communion, or publicly worship the Lord Jesus Christ. You know as well as I do that no Muslim would deny Allah by worshipping Jesus Christ. Yet, our supposed "Christian" President has no qualms about denying Christ in order to worship Allah or pray to Shinto gods.

Believers beware... as we traverse through these next several years... if we stay the course, we will see a continued devaluation of Jesus the Christ of the Bible, and an elevation (through "spiritual correctness") of the Evil One as represented by the false religions of this world. Prepare your children to always be ready to give a defense for the gospel. May they know, proclaim and TESTIFY TO TRUTH in ways we have failed and never dreamed possible.