death by re-definition

R.I.P. 1930 - 2006

in case you missed it, there are now only eight planets, as it was decided this week that "pluto", does not qualify.
what changed about pluto that would cause this trauma to science teachers everywhere? nothing.
absolutely nothing.

what did change, was the definition of what a planet is and is not. and by "change", i mean, there wasn't really a definition to begin with. but now that there is, pluto didnt make the cut.

pluto, a planet since 1930, got the boot because
it didn't meet the new rules, which say a planet
not only must orbit the sun and be large enough
to assume a nearly round shape, but must
"clear the neighborhood around its orbit."
that disqualifies pluto, whose oblong orbit
overlaps neptune's, downsizing the solar
system to eight planets from the traditional
nine

for more information, read here.

its amazing that something as constant as;
teacher: how many planets are there?
students: nine

could be overturned by about 3oo scientists who come up with a definition.

praise god that he cannot be downgraded by being redefined. he is self defined and has made himself known to us.
as believers, our salvation is secure, and our status before our father is not in jeoporady of being overturned or denied because someone changes the rules.

" you alone are the LORD you have made
the heavens,the heaven of heavens with all
their host,the earth and all that is on it,the
seas and all that is in them you give life to all
of them and the heavenly host bows down before you."
nehemiah 9:6

"by the word of the LORD the heavens were made,
and by the breath of His mouth all their host."
psalm 33:6

the heavens are yours, the earth also is yours;
the world and all it contains, you have founded them.
psalm 89:11

therefore there is now no condemnation
for those who are in christ jesus.
for the law of the spirit of life in christ jesus
has set you free from the law of sin and of death.
for what the law could not do, weak as it was
through the flesh, god did: sending his own son
in the likeness of sinful flesh and as an offering
for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh,
so that the requirement of the law might be
fulfilled in us, who do not walk according to
the flesh but according to the spirit.
rom.8:1-4

the number of planets may change, but the god who created the contents of the heavens knows all of his creation by name, no matter what definitions our textbooks may give.
people may deny, redefine, or adjust what scripture teaches concerning salvation, but the only salvation is through the repentance of sin, and faith in christ alone.

-stephen

the god who 'blings'

from msnbc.com...

Mary J. Blige says she has
found religion, but she makes no apologies for her earthly
materialism. In fact, she says God has willed her to wear bling.
“My God is a God who wants me to have things,” the singer
tells May’s Blender magazine. “He wants me to bling. He wants
me to be the hottest thing on the block. I don’t know what kind
of God the rest of y’all are serving, but the God I serve says,
‘Mary, you need to be the hottest thing this year, and I’m gonna
make sure you’re doing that’.”

so mary j. blige doesn't know what kind of god i am serving, if he doesnt want me to bling as hers does.
first of all, i am not out to make a judgement call on whether or not ms. blige is a born again believer in christ. rather, i want to address the sentiment shared by many, and unfortunately a large number of "preachers" that if you follow god, nothing but money, fame, and good fortune will come your way.

i wish i could ask people like ms. blige, t.d. jakes, joel osteen, and others what they do with passages such as :
matt. 5:10-11
10"blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake
of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11"blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you,
and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me.

and john 15:18-21
18" if the world hates you, you know that it has hated me
before it hated you. 19"if you were of the world, the world
would love its own; but because you are not of the world,
but i chose you out of the world, because of this the world
hates you. 20"remember the word that i said to you, 'a slave
is not greater than his master ' if they persecuted me, they will
also persecute you; if they kept my word, they will keep yours also.
21"but all these things they will do to you for my name's sake,
because they do not know the one who sent me.

or how about this one...
matt.6:19-21
19"do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth,
where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break
in and steal. 20"but store up for yourselves treasures in
heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and
where thieves do not break in or steal; 21for where your
treasure is, there your heart will be also.

is having wealth bad?

no, not in and of itself. but when we start obligating god to bless us with material things or good health, or saying that being blessed by god is having good things happen to you, we trample over many passages of scripture that speak of the sufferings of followers of christ, and those sufferings are lauded as badges of honor!
did paul not have enough faith? is that why he was beaten and thrown into prison multiple times? were the first christians just bad believers, because they were persecuted and poor?

as believers, we are the most blessed of all, no matter what our social, or economic status, because we as sinners have been declared righteous by the one holy god, whose son suffered the fury of holiness having its way with sin so that he may be glorified in his justice and graciousness, and we may spend eternity with him, and worshipping him.

eph. 1:3-4 states:
3 blessed be the god and father of our lord jesus christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, 4 just as he chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before him

we don't need to be blessed by health, wealth, or prosperity. we have "every spiritual blessing" in christ!


god didnt save us to "bling" us, he saved us to be "holy and blamelessbefore him"

romans 8:34-36
34who is the one who condemns? christ jesus is he who died,
yes, rather who was raised, who is at the right hand of god,
who also intercedes for us. 35who will separate us from the
love of christ? will tribulation, or distress, or persecution,
or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
36just as it is written, "for your sake we are being
put to death all day long; we were considered as
sheep to be slaughtered."

of this passage, matthew henry wrote: (its lengthy, but worth the extra minute)

By the merit of his death he paid our debt. Yea, rather that
is risen again. This is convincing evidence that Divine
justice was satisfied. We have such a Friend at the right
hand of God; all power is given to him. He is there, making
intercession. Believer! does your soul say within you,
Oh that he were mine! and oh that I were his; that
I could please him and live to him! Then do not toss your
spirit and perplex your thoughts in fruitless, endless doubtings,
but as you are convinced of ungodliness, believe on Him who
justifies the ungodly. You are condemned, yet Christ is dead
and risen. Flee to Him as such. God having manifested his
love in giving his own Son for us, can we think that any thing
should turn aside or do away that love? Troubles neither cause
nor show any abatement of his love. Whatever believers may be
separated from, enough remains. None can take Christ from the
believer: none can take the believer from Him; and that is enough.
All other hazards signify nothing. Alas, poor sinners! though you
abound with the possessions of this world, what vain things are they!
Can you say of any of them, Who shall separate us? You may be
removed from pleasant dwellings, and friends, and estates.
You may even live to see and seek your parting.
At last you must part, for you must die. Then farewell,
all this world accounts most valuable. And what hast thou left, poor
soul, who hast not Christ, but that which thou wouldest gladly
part with, and canst not; the condemning guilt of all thy sins!


our god *is* a god who wants us to have things... himself.

-stephen

the only thing we have to fear is what we hear on christian radio...

singer/songwriter andrew osenga makessome brilliant observations on his blog about fear in the christian media. here is an excerpt, i strongly encourage you to read the whole thing at
http://www.andrewosenga.com/blog/2006/07/31/safety-is-illusion-2/:

What’s been really interesting is how the buzz word in all of these
advertisements is “safe”. This is a “safe” station, watch
our “safe” TV channel or use our “safe” web browser.
It even gets into things like “a ’safe’ place to buy
a car” or a “’safe’ online singles community” you know,
to meet that “safe” significant other when the Saturday
night service has dried up.
It’s been shocking to me to see how often this word gets used.
It’s obvious that marketing dollars are being spent to get this
word associated with products, and that only happens because
the market research shows that people are looking for that
identity with said product.
And I’m left with the question: what are we afraid of?
What is it that has us, or at least this demographic, so scared?
This is a radio station for believers of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
The one who told us to have no fear. “There is no fear in love”,
He said, “perfect love drives out fear.” Over and over, Jesus tells
us that we have nothing to be afraid of. We are held tightly in His
hand. Bombs may fall, disease may ravage, our innocence
will be plundered, our stocks will crash. These things don’t
matter. We are new creations with the living God within us.
Death has no sting!

Why, then, must our radio be “safe”??

missing "christians"

comediean mitch hedberg once observed...

when you go to a restaurant on the weekends and it's busy they start a waiting list. they start calling out names, they say "dufresne, party of two. dufresne, party of two." and if no one answers they'll say their name again. "dufresne, party of two, dufresne, party of two." but then if no one answers they'll just go right on to the next name. "bush, party of three." yeah, but what happened to the dufresnes? no one seems to care. who can eat at a time like this - people are missing. you are selfish... the dufresnes are in someone's trunk right now, with duct tape over their mouths... and they're hungry! that's a double whammy. we need help. "bush, search party of three! you can eat when you find the dufresnes."

pastor and author jim elliff observes a similar phenomenon taking place in our churches, albeit much less humorous...

out of southern baptist's 16,287,494 members, only 6,024,289, or 37 percent,
on average, show up for their church’s primary meeting, according to statistics
from lifeway christian resources.

how is it that we readily give such large numbers when asked about our "membership",(when, biblically, being a member means being an active participant, and a growing and maturing christian) when we *know* that a much smaller percentage actually show up? where are those "members", what have we done to communicate their responsibility as members, and what do we do when they show no interest in coming back?
read elliff's entire sobering article at http://www.bpnews.net/bpnews.asp?ID=21189

more to come...

-stephen

name that christianity!!

in a letter to the editor in "usa today", a man, mr. gordon hill from florida, wrote in regarding a topic that has grown quite tiring to me, the "davinci code" movie . fortunately, this is not the focus of this discussion.
apparantley, the paper had published a couple of reviews about the movie by writers whom mr. hill found to have "absolutist points of view and little sense of humor"
in response to one writer's view that "the davinci code is a deeply deceptive account of what christians really believe about jesus.", mr. hill wrote:

really? what do christians believe about jesus? my christian
acquaintances are of many minds when it comes to what jesus
taught and how we are to live."

about comments made by dennis mccain and chuck colsen, mr. hill writes:

"both suggest that there is one clear definition of what a christian is supposed
to be."

this is the world that we live in. to mr. hill in florida, and countless others, being a christian can mean many things. i am reminded of several people i know and have known who feel the same way. to be a christian is to be more or less moral, and to think that the person called jesus from 2000 years ago had some good things to say.

where do they get these ideas? who is teaching them that there are multiple definitions of what it means to be a christian? maybe a better question is, what are we * not * teaching, that leads to this way of thinking?

in our churches, in our homes, and in our work places, do we, as christians, add any validity to the claims of mr. hill from florida, that "christian" can mean many things? or are we striving to teach, and share, and live, and know that the gospel is only this: that all of mankind is born sinners who deserve an eternity of the wrath of god, and that god sent his son jesus christ to die and appease his wrath for the sins of all who would place their hope and faith in him, and that true faith in christ produces fruit of obedience and holiness.

is this what we are teaching and sharing about our faith? or are we teaching, maybe even by our silence, that to be christian is to be "moral" or "religious"?

questions? comments? hate speech?

ive been in summer classes for 3 weeks now. one more to go and i am taking the month of july off (from school.. not work)

over lunch this week, my friend freddy (www.freddytandsusan.blogspot.com) were talking about comments left on blogs. my friend john and i were also discussing a stream of comments left on another blog that numbered well over the one hundred mark for one controversial "post".

these conversations on "comments" made me realize the amount of comments (in person) and conversations , as well as emails i get regarding this blog. i appreciate them all and thank you for stopping by. i am also finding out , in very random ways, that more people read this than i realize. so dont be afraid to post a comment and let me know who you are. (it makes me less paranoid that way...)

it is my intention to start posting more frequently, as an excercise in discipline for myself mostly, possibly as often as once a week. so feel free to use the comment link on this site for discussion and interaction. i know that there are people reading who could have a lot to add, and possibly correct. interaction can be good and healthy, and i would love for this to be a place that promotes that.
or, if you would rather, keep emailing me and calling, or bringing it up over lunch. either way, thanks for dropping by.

-stephen

gimme that new law...

in honor of the conclusion of the 2006 annual meeting , i dedicate these lyrics by derek webb to the southern baptist convention....

don’t teach me about politics and government
just tell me who to vote for
don’t teach me about truth and beauty just label my music
don’t teach me how to live like a free man just give me a new law

i don’t wanna know if the answers aren’t easy
so just bring it down from the mountain to me
i want a new law
i want a new law
gimme that new law

don’t teach me about moderation and liberty
i prefer a shot of grape juice
don’t teach me about loving my enemies
don’t teach me how to listen to the Spirit
just give me a new law

what’s the use in trading a law you can never keep
for one you can that cannot get you anything

do not be afraid

do not be afraid

do not be afraid

-stephen (afraid)

pour me another cup; or "cry me a river"

"Imagine we are all the same. Imagine we agree about politics, religion and morality. Imagine we like the same types of music, art, food and coffee. Imagine we all look alike. Sound boring? Differences need not divide us. Embrace diversity. Dignity is everyone’s human right."
-- Bill Brummel, Documentary filmmaker.
His programs focus on human rights issues.

imagine that we live in a world where anyone who wrote or said anything that sounds all inclusive and unoffensive, even if otherwise making no sense, can be quoted on a coffee cup.

the problem with statements like mr. brummel's is that they only work as long as someone else' s being "diverse" doesn't infringe on their own politics, religion, morality, etc. sure, when stacked up right next to differences in preference of art, food and music, it sounds good. but no one is going to hell because i didn't tell them my coffee was the only true coffee. no one is going to spend their adult years living in regret of their past mistakes because i didnt give them a c.d. of my favorite singer songwriter. millions of lives do not hang in the balance when i dont call a ladder surrounded by christmas tree lights with a naked peacock carcass "art".

don't be fooled by slick statements and philosophies that make no sense when you think about them.
as much as i like the beatles and john lennon's songs, the song "imagine", while a beautiful song musically, and a nice sentiment, is just a blathering sonic "pout".

and how did we get from "we should all be able to enjoy different music, food, art, and coffee" to "dignity is everyone's human right"? in america, by and large, do we know anyone who witholds the right of dignity to someone because of their taste in entertainmen or food, or even politics or religion? even those who hate other poltical parties, or try to keep christianity from "taking over" don't refuse dignity to those they disagree with.

don't be fooled by overstatements and false dichotomies.

in acts 17, luke writes of the bereans, "Now these were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they received the word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so." (verse 11).

i pray that i would be a "berean" when it comes to examining the ideas and philosophies of our day, examining the scriptures daily, to see if these things are so.

may our lives be goverened by the word of god, not short sound bytes from talk show hosts, celebrities, or coffee cups.


-stephen

coffee quotes....

a lot of you may have seen (or heard if you're not a coffee drinker) about the starbucks "the way i see it" quotes on their coffee cups. recently, i have been paying more than casual attention to them, and have been surprised at some of the nonsense that appears on the back of those oh so delicious cups of caffinated goodness. (can you tell it is nearing finals time??)

now, by nonsense, i do not mean they make no coherent sense. on the surface, they usually do. if you were to just read some of them in passing, you mightthink "hmm.. that's true." take this one i had last weekend for instance...

the way i see it #84
"in thinking about my journey so far here on planet earth, i have come to believe that there are some people who would rather be right than be loved. i would rather be loved. how about you?" -- wynonna judd

now, upon the initial reading, this doesnt sound so bad. who among us don't want to be loved?

when it coems to petty arguments, i can see her point. what the *real answer* is in trivial pursuit or scrabble, or discussing sports trivia really just doesnt matter.. no one likes a "know it all", so why not just enjoy the good company rather than trying to always correct people and be the one who is always right.

o.k. wynonna, im with you on this one.

but what about when it comes to the gospel? what if you have lost friends or family that tell you that they can believe whatever they want, and as long as they believe it sincerely, they will be in heaven? what if they get mad when you try to tell them that the bible says that christ is the only way to the father, and that there is only one way to salvation. what if they tell you that they love you, but they dont want to talk about it anymore. what if they say that if you love them, you would leave them alone. what if they tell you that you are closed minded and you need to be more accepting of those who are different?

what if you are told by a homosexual friend that if you can't accept that their lifestyle is a valid one and perfectly ok, and if you cant support them then they don't want to hear anything you say?

would you rather be loved by them, or be right?

jesus christ said that he is the only way to salvation. (john 14:6) it is not unloving to tell someone who is trusting on their morality or good works, or buddha, mohammed, or some other means to attain salvation that they are wrong.

now obviously, i am not suggesting that we become calloused christians who throw away any regard for personal relationships. we cant share the gospel with or minister people who we chase off because we treat them as a project. it is not about "being correct". it is about knowing the truth and sharing it... just like we are commanded.(matt.28:19-20)

but when it comes to the gospel, telling them that our message is the only "right" truth so that they might turn to christ*is* loving them.

i find that, mor often than not, i am apt to be light on the gospel, and heavy on the "don't disturb the still waters" when it comes to boldy sharing the gospel.
scripture paints no picture of christ or the apostles being sheepish about the truth. sometimes the most loving thing we can do is tell people that the way the are living, or what they believe is a lie.

again, obviously we are to speak the truth in love, not just go around trying to prove we are the ones who are right, just for the sake of being seen as "the one who is right." heaven and hell are at stake, and to compromise the gospel for the sake of "being loved" is selfish at best, and "wrong" at worst.

-stephen

intermission...

ive gotten a few emails and such wondering when the next post is coming. i always appreciate those and the comments left on here, thanks for reading.

the semester is winding down and due dates for position papers and such are coming at a rapid pace. hopefully, within the next week, i can get to a starbucks quote that i cut off of my cup to write about.

have a blessed resurrection day. ill post the lyrics to one of the most amazing songs about "easter" that i have ever heard.
the lines "when jesus took in that breath, and shattered all death with his life" gives me chills, as i picture a lifeless body not breathing for 3 days, suddenly being filled with life, and jesus christ breathing in, and with that breath, defeating death. we would all do well to just think about the significance of that . along with " go on you wages of sin, go dont you come back again", this *is* the significance of the resurrection. not simply that a dead man rose, but that that man was the son of god, and his rasing and life, freed us from the power of death.
the other line that always puts a lump in my throat, simply because i so rarely mediate on the truth of it, is "the mouth of the tomb shouted 'glory!! the groom is alive!!!"
how often do we even feel like shouting that jesus christ is alive??

i hope you are as blessed by them as i always am. the song is called "high noon" by andrew peterson, from his album "love and thunder". if you dont own it, it should be your next music purchase. simply amazing. -stephen

"high noon" from the album "love and thunder" by andrew peterson
high noon in the valley of the shadow when the deep of the valley was bright
when the mouth of the tomb shouted, "glory, the groom is alive"
"so long, you wages of sin go on, don't you come back again
i've been raised and redeemed you've lost all your sting
to the victor of the battle
at high noon in the valley of the shadow"

now the demons, they danced in the darkness when that last ragged breath left his lungs
and they reveled and howled at the war that they thought they had won
but then, in the dark of the grave the stone rolled away
in the still of the dawn on the greatest of days

it was High noon in the valley of the shadow when the shadows were shot through with light when jesus took in that breath and shattered all death with his life
so long, you wages of sin go on, don't you come back again
i've been raised and redeemed you've lost all your sting to the victor of the battle
high noon in the valley of the shadow

let the people rejoice let the heavens resound
let the name of jesus, who sought us and freed us forever ring out
all praise to the fighter of the night who rides on the light
whose gun is the grace of the God of the sky

it was high noon in the valley of the shadow when the shadows were shot through with light
when the mouth of the tomb shouted, "Glory, the Groom is alive"
so long, you wages of sin i said go on, don't you come back again
i've been raised and redeemed all praise to the king ,the victor of the battle
high noon in the valley of the shadow

Copyright 2003 New Spring Publishing, Inc.