in california, washington, arizona, and other places such as oregon, wyoming, and south carolina, schools are banning games such as "tag" and "dodgeball", because they may be damaging to self esteem, and may be too physically dangerous for their young students. (click links for full stories)
so, the moral? don't let your kids feelings get hurt by being "it", being "tagged", being called out, or being picked last for a team.
this will keep our children "safe".
also, teach them to be "safe" when they have pre-marital sex , and that they can have an abortion if they have an unwanted pregnancy.
this makes our children "open", "free", and "individual", and are all much better alternatives than being closed minded and prudish.
lets recap...dodgeball, tag, etc. may cause hurt feelings, scrapes and bruises.
premarital sex can lead to s.t.d.'s, emotional baggage and scarring, possible decisions to kill an unborn baby, with all of the later guilt and emotional trauma to the mother, and single parent homes.
now go be safe!!!
-stephen
Tuesday, October 24, 2006
Tuesday, October 17, 2006
one remedy for terrible christian music
there were more comments than i had expected from my last post on "in christ alone", so i figured i would risk one more post about a song that impacts me each time i hear it.
"rock of ages" was written by sandra mccracken, a singer/songwriter whose talents are so under known and under appreciated, it is indeed a shame. she has been writing for many years, but gained a bit more publicity when she married former caedmon's call singer/songwriter derek webb in january of 2001.
simply stated, her music is intelligent, beautiful, sometimes hauntingly so, and always enjoyable. she has a warm voice that conveys every ounce of emotion that must have come upon initially penning the lyrics. says one secular magazine music critic:
"sandra mccracken's cloud-splitting voice
will be my undoing. and it doesn't hurt that
her writing marries the pop acumen off
lennon/mccartney to the lyrical heft of
julie miller. if i wrote down all the superlatives
i'm tempted to write down, you'd question
my credibility."
-jason killingsworth music editor,
paste magazine
i hesitate to compare her to anyone, for two reasons.
first, she is unique in her own way, and is unlike anyone else i have ever heard, although some comparisons and similarities will inevitably occur. second, i never want to present her as a watered down "christian" version of what is popular.
sandra is a christian, and a very outspoken one at that, but i hesitate to classify her as a "christian artist" because that could possibly imply many negative things. even some of my favorite musicians that are on christian labels, would never live up to the "quality standards" (whatever that means) of popular music. i don't just mean from a standpoint of talent, but also production, arrangement, originality.
the sad reality is, if religious or faith content were not an issue, secular radio would still never play 90% of what we hear on christian radio, because it is sub par when compared with popular music on secular radio. the lyrics are often cheesy and contrived, forced to rhyme, and the music is usually about three years behind whatever the current trend is. its a sad reality, but a true one.
however, that doesn't mean people don't like it and aren't affected by it.
there are hundreds of thousands of people who love christian music, and that is perfectly fine. people listen to what they enjoy. but if the mainstream d.j.'s of america's top secular stations were presented with music from some of today's top christian albums, i would almost guarantee they would never play it.
how did i get here??
the point is, sandra mccracken would not fall into this category. so, saying that, i would say that if you enjoy the music of sarah mclachlan, patty griffin, sheryl crow (the less pop variety), or emmy lou harris, you, by default, will love sandra. even if you aren't fans of the above mentioned artists ( and remember, i said sandra is not really like them, she is unique), give her music a chance.
here are the words to a song she wrote on the album "the builder and the architect" called rock of ages. read them and prepare to be pierced by the stunning honesty in her words. just reading the words is, unfortunately, to be told what colors van gogh used in "sunflowers", but to never see the painting. to fully appreciate this song, you have to hear the haunting melody sung by sandra's strong, yet vulnerable voice as it echoes over the spine tingling piano accompaniment.
even so, read on...
rock of ages, when the day seems long
from this labor and this heartache I have come
the skies will wear out but you remain the same
rock of ages, I praise your name
rock of ages, you have brought me near
you have poured out your life blood, your love, and your tears
to make this stone heart come alive again
rock of ages, forgive my sin
rock of ages, bind your children until the kingdom comes
rock of ages, your will be done
rock of ages, when in want or rest
my desperate need for such a savior I confess
and pry these idols out from my hearts embrace
rock of ages, I need your grace
rock of ages, broken, scorned for me
who am I that you would die to make me free?
to give me glory you took the death and the pain
rock of ages, my offering
rock of ages bind your children until the kingdom comes
rock of ages your will be done
rock of ages, it is done you cried
the curtains torn and I see justice satisfied
now write your mercy here on my heart and hands
rock of ages, in faith I stand
rock of ages, my great hope secure
your promise holds just like an anchor to my soul
bind your children with cords of love and grace
rock of ages, we give you praise
rock of ages bind your children until the kingdom comes
rock of ages, your will be done
"rock of ages" was written by sandra mccracken, a singer/songwriter whose talents are so under known and under appreciated, it is indeed a shame. she has been writing for many years, but gained a bit more publicity when she married former caedmon's call singer/songwriter derek webb in january of 2001.
simply stated, her music is intelligent, beautiful, sometimes hauntingly so, and always enjoyable. she has a warm voice that conveys every ounce of emotion that must have come upon initially penning the lyrics. says one secular magazine music critic:
"sandra mccracken's cloud-splitting voice
will be my undoing. and it doesn't hurt that
her writing marries the pop acumen off
lennon/mccartney to the lyrical heft of
julie miller. if i wrote down all the superlatives
i'm tempted to write down, you'd question
my credibility."
-jason killingsworth music editor,
paste magazine
i hesitate to compare her to anyone, for two reasons.
first, she is unique in her own way, and is unlike anyone else i have ever heard, although some comparisons and similarities will inevitably occur. second, i never want to present her as a watered down "christian" version of what is popular.
sandra is a christian, and a very outspoken one at that, but i hesitate to classify her as a "christian artist" because that could possibly imply many negative things. even some of my favorite musicians that are on christian labels, would never live up to the "quality standards" (whatever that means) of popular music. i don't just mean from a standpoint of talent, but also production, arrangement, originality.
the sad reality is, if religious or faith content were not an issue, secular radio would still never play 90% of what we hear on christian radio, because it is sub par when compared with popular music on secular radio. the lyrics are often cheesy and contrived, forced to rhyme, and the music is usually about three years behind whatever the current trend is. its a sad reality, but a true one.
however, that doesn't mean people don't like it and aren't affected by it.
there are hundreds of thousands of people who love christian music, and that is perfectly fine. people listen to what they enjoy. but if the mainstream d.j.'s of america's top secular stations were presented with music from some of today's top christian albums, i would almost guarantee they would never play it.
how did i get here??
the point is, sandra mccracken would not fall into this category. so, saying that, i would say that if you enjoy the music of sarah mclachlan, patty griffin, sheryl crow (the less pop variety), or emmy lou harris, you, by default, will love sandra. even if you aren't fans of the above mentioned artists ( and remember, i said sandra is not really like them, she is unique), give her music a chance.
here are the words to a song she wrote on the album "the builder and the architect" called rock of ages. read them and prepare to be pierced by the stunning honesty in her words. just reading the words is, unfortunately, to be told what colors van gogh used in "sunflowers", but to never see the painting. to fully appreciate this song, you have to hear the haunting melody sung by sandra's strong, yet vulnerable voice as it echoes over the spine tingling piano accompaniment.
even so, read on...
rock of ages, when the day seems long
from this labor and this heartache I have come
the skies will wear out but you remain the same
rock of ages, I praise your name
rock of ages, you have brought me near
you have poured out your life blood, your love, and your tears
to make this stone heart come alive again
rock of ages, forgive my sin
rock of ages, bind your children until the kingdom comes
rock of ages, your will be done
rock of ages, when in want or rest
my desperate need for such a savior I confess
and pry these idols out from my hearts embrace
rock of ages, I need your grace
rock of ages, broken, scorned for me
who am I that you would die to make me free?
to give me glory you took the death and the pain
rock of ages, my offering
rock of ages bind your children until the kingdom comes
rock of ages your will be done
rock of ages, it is done you cried
the curtains torn and I see justice satisfied
now write your mercy here on my heart and hands
rock of ages, in faith I stand
rock of ages, my great hope secure
your promise holds just like an anchor to my soul
bind your children with cords of love and grace
rock of ages, we give you praise
rock of ages bind your children until the kingdom comes
rock of ages, your will be done
for more info on sandra, visit her website here , or her myspace site, where you can listen to her music here
-stephen
Tuesday, October 10, 2006
where do you stand?
i don't know why, but everytime i am somewhere and the song "in christ alone" is sung, i can't make it through the song with dry eyes. by that, i don't mean i get some kind of feel good warm fuzzies. what i do mean is, never have i known of a song that was so full of truth, and so well written, that to utter those words breaks and ignites my heart *because* they are true!
i won't diminish the power of these words (written by stewart townsend and keith getty) by trying to explain them. they speak for themselves. i encourage you to read through these few simple verses, and to maybe even say them outloud, and see what reaction your heart has.
In Christ alone my hope is found
He is my light, mystrength, my song
This Cornerstone, this solid ground
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm
What heightsof love, what depths of peace
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease
My Comforter, my All in All
Here in the love of Christ I stand
In Christ alone, who tookon flesh
Fullness of God in helpless babe
This gift of love and righteousness
Scorned by the ones He came to save'
Till on that cross as Jesus died
The wrathof God was satisfied
For every sin on Him was laid
Here in the death of Christ I live
There in theground His body lay
Light of the world by darkness slain
Then bursting forth in glorious Day
Up from the grave Herose again
And as He stands in victory
Sin'scurse has lost it's grip on me
For I am His and He is mine
Brought with the precious blood of Christ
No guilt in life, no fear in death
This is the power ofChrist in me
From life's first cry to final breath
Jesus commands my destiny
No power of hell, no scheme of man
Can ever pluck me from His hand'
Till Hereturns or calls me home
Here in the power of ChristI'll stand
amen and amen.
-stephen
i won't diminish the power of these words (written by stewart townsend and keith getty) by trying to explain them. they speak for themselves. i encourage you to read through these few simple verses, and to maybe even say them outloud, and see what reaction your heart has.
In Christ alone my hope is found
He is my light, mystrength, my song
This Cornerstone, this solid ground
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm
What heightsof love, what depths of peace
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease
My Comforter, my All in All
Here in the love of Christ I stand
In Christ alone, who tookon flesh
Fullness of God in helpless babe
This gift of love and righteousness
Scorned by the ones He came to save'
Till on that cross as Jesus died
The wrathof God was satisfied
For every sin on Him was laid
Here in the death of Christ I live
There in theground His body lay
Light of the world by darkness slain
Then bursting forth in glorious Day
Up from the grave Herose again
And as He stands in victory
Sin'scurse has lost it's grip on me
For I am His and He is mine
Brought with the precious blood of Christ
No guilt in life, no fear in death
This is the power ofChrist in me
From life's first cry to final breath
Jesus commands my destiny
No power of hell, no scheme of man
Can ever pluck me from His hand'
Till Hereturns or calls me home
Here in the power of ChristI'll stand
amen and amen.
-stephen
Tuesday, October 03, 2006
we have everything when we have nothing
christi and i had a doctor visit yesterday, and in less than 7 months, (around may 25), we are going to be parents. need less to say, we are very excited and are looking forward to the coming months, as well as the coming years.
we had a miscarriage in the spring, and since that time, the lord sustained us and increased our faith in him and his care. now he has blessed us with this great news.
the lord is indeed faithful, but not because he has given us a child. he would be faithful if we were never able to have children of our own. he is faithful in that he promises to bring to himself all of his children, and to never leave them or forsake them. he is gracious in that he has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places. he has given us the gift of his son.
so may we never dare suggest that he has not given us everything if he doesnt give us our every want. our knowledge is limited, our desires our shortsighted, and often tainted with sin. but our lord is holy, and all knowing, and good. he gives us himself, and in him, we have everything.
we praise him for this pregnancy and pray that he will give christi a safe and trouble free pregnancy and delivery, that our child will be born whole and without complication, and grow up strong and in the lord. but we pray more that we would daily be satisfied in him, so that if all else were to fall away, we would still stand firm and proclaim that we have everything in christ.
we had a miscarriage in the spring, and since that time, the lord sustained us and increased our faith in him and his care. now he has blessed us with this great news.
the lord is indeed faithful, but not because he has given us a child. he would be faithful if we were never able to have children of our own. he is faithful in that he promises to bring to himself all of his children, and to never leave them or forsake them. he is gracious in that he has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places. he has given us the gift of his son.
so may we never dare suggest that he has not given us everything if he doesnt give us our every want. our knowledge is limited, our desires our shortsighted, and often tainted with sin. but our lord is holy, and all knowing, and good. he gives us himself, and in him, we have everything.
we praise him for this pregnancy and pray that he will give christi a safe and trouble free pregnancy and delivery, that our child will be born whole and without complication, and grow up strong and in the lord. but we pray more that we would daily be satisfied in him, so that if all else were to fall away, we would still stand firm and proclaim that we have everything in christ.
Tuesday, September 19, 2006
rich mullins, 9 years later
two posts in one night! unbelievable!
i didnt realize it until by sheer happenstance (yeah yeah..) i went searching for lyrics to a rich mullins song, and saw that it was nine years ago today that he was killed.
if you arent familiar with mullins' music, or only attach "awesome god" to his name, do yourself a favor and get some of his music, especially his last recording called "the jesus record".
the music on that album is unbelievable. he was killed before he was able to get into the studio to record them professionally, but to hear just his voice singing those lyrics with a beat up guitar and an almost-in-tune piano in an old church is inspiring. he truly was a gifted man.
the lyrics i was looking for were to the song "hold me jesus" (from the album series "songs" and songs 2" , both are must have's) . this song has ministered to me in several ways throughout the years. most poignantly on september 11, 2001.
i had no access to television when that happened, and had only heard by a panic stricken phone call from a girl i barely knew, and a brief conversation with my dad what was going on.
i listened to the radio while getting ready for class. as i drove to class, the d.j.'s on the radio were crying and reading scripture. though i hadn't yet seen the destruction, the preliminary numbers of probable casualties was staggering. that mixed with the uncertainty if more attacks were coming or not.
i remember the sky was the bluest i had ever, and probably still have ever seen. so peaceful. so serene. it was hard to imagine that just minutes before there were people much closer to that cloudless deep blue sky who knew that they were going to die, but could look out of their windows and see such beauty in a moment of such repulsive ugliness.
and on the radio came this rich mullins song:
Well, sometimes my life Just don't make sense at all
When the mountains look so big And my faith just seems so small
So hold me Jesus, 'cause I'm shaking like a leaf
You have been King of my glory
Won't You be my Prince of Peace
And I wake up in the night and feel the dark
It's so hot inside my soul I swear there mus
t be blisters on my heart
So hold me Jesus, 'cause I'm shaking like a leaf
You have been King of my glory
Won't You be my Prince of Peace
Surrender don't come natural to me
I'd rather fight You for something I don't really want
Than to take what You give that I need
And I've beat my head against so many walls
Now I'm falling down, I'm falling on my knees
And this Salvation Army band Is playing this hymn
And Your grace rings out so deep It makes my
resistance seem so thin
So hold me Jesus, 'cause I'm shaking like a leaf
You have been King of my glory
Won't You be my Prince of Peace
You have been King of my glory
Won't You be my Prince of Peace
thanks rich.
-stephen
i didnt realize it until by sheer happenstance (yeah yeah..) i went searching for lyrics to a rich mullins song, and saw that it was nine years ago today that he was killed.
if you arent familiar with mullins' music, or only attach "awesome god" to his name, do yourself a favor and get some of his music, especially his last recording called "the jesus record".
the music on that album is unbelievable. he was killed before he was able to get into the studio to record them professionally, but to hear just his voice singing those lyrics with a beat up guitar and an almost-in-tune piano in an old church is inspiring. he truly was a gifted man.
the lyrics i was looking for were to the song "hold me jesus" (from the album series "songs" and songs 2" , both are must have's) . this song has ministered to me in several ways throughout the years. most poignantly on september 11, 2001.
i had no access to television when that happened, and had only heard by a panic stricken phone call from a girl i barely knew, and a brief conversation with my dad what was going on.
i listened to the radio while getting ready for class. as i drove to class, the d.j.'s on the radio were crying and reading scripture. though i hadn't yet seen the destruction, the preliminary numbers of probable casualties was staggering. that mixed with the uncertainty if more attacks were coming or not.
i remember the sky was the bluest i had ever, and probably still have ever seen. so peaceful. so serene. it was hard to imagine that just minutes before there were people much closer to that cloudless deep blue sky who knew that they were going to die, but could look out of their windows and see such beauty in a moment of such repulsive ugliness.
and on the radio came this rich mullins song:
Well, sometimes my life Just don't make sense at all
When the mountains look so big And my faith just seems so small
So hold me Jesus, 'cause I'm shaking like a leaf
You have been King of my glory
Won't You be my Prince of Peace
And I wake up in the night and feel the dark
It's so hot inside my soul I swear there mus
t be blisters on my heart
So hold me Jesus, 'cause I'm shaking like a leaf
You have been King of my glory
Won't You be my Prince of Peace
Surrender don't come natural to me
I'd rather fight You for something I don't really want
Than to take what You give that I need
And I've beat my head against so many walls
Now I'm falling down, I'm falling on my knees
And this Salvation Army band Is playing this hymn
And Your grace rings out so deep It makes my
resistance seem so thin
So hold me Jesus, 'cause I'm shaking like a leaf
You have been King of my glory
Won't You be my Prince of Peace
You have been King of my glory
Won't You be my Prince of Peace
thanks rich.
-stephen
a christian/american or american/christian?
i just ran across this brief article over at desiring god, and i found myself wishing every media outlet would air it. take a moment to read this excerpt, and then i dare you to go read the whole article. it will take less than five minutes, but the effects, if lived out, will last for your entire lifetime.
More than ever since 9/11, Christians in America,
and especially Christians in the U.S. government,
should make clear that there is a radical distinction
between Christianity, on the one hand, and American
culture and the American political system,
on the other hand. Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists,
Jews, atheists, and all other non-Christians need
to know this for Christ's sake.
They need to know that Jesus Christ-crucified
for sinners, risen from the dead, and reigning as
God from heaven today-was accomplishing his
purposes, gathering a people for himself from
every culture, and building his church before
America ever existed, and will be omnipotently
doing the same centuries from now, even if
America becomes a footnote in world history.
Christianity and American culture are radically
distinct. It is possible to be a faithful Christian under
any regime in the world-and may be easier to be a
radical, cross-bearing disciple of Jesus in regimes
less prosperous than America.
We should make that clear over and over in these days.
i encourage you to take five minutes and go read the entire article here
-stephen
More than ever since 9/11, Christians in America,
and especially Christians in the U.S. government,
should make clear that there is a radical distinction
between Christianity, on the one hand, and American
culture and the American political system,
on the other hand. Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists,
Jews, atheists, and all other non-Christians need
to know this for Christ's sake.
They need to know that Jesus Christ-crucified
for sinners, risen from the dead, and reigning as
God from heaven today-was accomplishing his
purposes, gathering a people for himself from
every culture, and building his church before
America ever existed, and will be omnipotently
doing the same centuries from now, even if
America becomes a footnote in world history.
Christianity and American culture are radically
distinct. It is possible to be a faithful Christian under
any regime in the world-and may be easier to be a
radical, cross-bearing disciple of Jesus in regimes
less prosperous than America.
We should make that clear over and over in these days.
i encourage you to take five minutes and go read the entire article here
-stephen
Saturday, September 09, 2006
your best life now, gospel free
i promise not to start posting only links to someone else, but i ran across this blog of the internet monk ("imonk") , michael spencer, courtesy of justin taylor's blog.
spencer writes again of his concern of the harm that joel osteen's "ministry" is causing by presenting "religion" as a self-esteem/self-help method.
i do occasionally watch osteen's program, because i disagree with a lot of what he says, and how he says it. i watch because i want to accurately present his teachings and philosophies when i explain why i disagree. i do not and will not ever recommend joel osteen to anyone, not even for leisure reading or watching/listening.
some may wonder why i would speak out against joel osteen when he has a large church (lakewood church meets in a former n.b.a. arena, seating over 16,000, with, as of june 2005, over 30,000 attendance each weekend)). after all, if so many people are buying his books and attending his church, what harm is that? at least they are hearing/reading about the gospel, right?
maybe we shouldnt be so quick to assume that because someone is a pastor of a "christian" church, that they are preaching the gospel.
consider these excerpts from a 2005 larry king interview: (my comments in bold)
KING: ...we've had ministers on who said,
your record doesn't count. You either believe in
Christ or you don't. If you believe in Christ,
you are, you are going to heaven. And if you
don't no matter what you've done in your life, you ain't.
OSTEEN: Yeah, I don't know. There's probably a balance
between. I believe you have to know Christ. But I think
that if you know Christ, if you're a believer in God,
you're going to have some good works. I think it's a
cop-out to say I'm a Christian but I don't ever do anything ...
KING: What if you're Jewish or Muslim,
you don't accept Christ at all?
OSTEEN: You know, I'm very careful about saying
who would and wouldn't go to heaven. I don't know ...
KING: If you believe you have to believe in Christ?
They're wrong, aren't they?
OSTEEN: Well, I don't know if I believe they're wrong.
I believe here's what the Bible teaches and from the
Christian faith this is what I believe. But I just think
that only God will judge a person's heart. I spent a lot
of time in India with my father. I don't know all about
their religion. But I know they love God. And I don't know.
I've seen their sincerity. So I don't know. I know for me,
and what the Bible teaches, I want to have a relationship
with Jesus.
________________________________________
Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth
and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me. (john 14:6)
He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved;
but he who has disbelieved shall be condemned. (mark 16:16)
For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son,
that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.
For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world,
but that the world might be saved through Him.
He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe
has been judged already, because he has not believed in the
name of the only begotten Son of God. (john 3:16-18)
...
KING:...people call you cotton candy theology.
Someone said you're very good but there's
no spiritual nourishment. I don't know
what that means ...
OSTEEN: I think, I hear it meaning a lot of different
things. One I think a lot of it is that I'm not condemning
people. And I don't know, but Larry I talk, I mean
every week in our church we're dealing with people
that are fighting cancer, that have their lost loved ones.
That are going through a divorce. I mean, I talk about
those issues, and to me I don't see how it can get any
more, you know, real than that. So I don't know what
the criticism is.
KING: What is the prosperity gospel?
OSTEEN: I think the prosperity gospel in general is
-- well I don't know. I hear it too. I don't know.
I think what sometimes you see is it's just all
about money. That's not what I believe. It's the
attitude of your heart, and so you know, we believe --
but I do believe this, that God wants us to be blessed.
He wants us to be able to send our kids to college, excel
in our careers. But prosperity to me, Larry, is not just
money, it's having health. What good is money
if you don't have health?
KING: Also many in the Christian belief are wary
of too much material, aren't they?
OSTEEN: Yeah, I think some of them are. But to me,
you know, I hope people get blessed if they can handle
it right. Because it takes money to do good. You know
to do things for people. To spread the good news. So I
think it's all a matter of your heart.
________________________________________
it takes money to do good?
really???
and i do believe that god wants what is best for us. him. but it does not follow that god's will for everyone is for their kids to go to college, or for us to make a lot of money at our job. what if he wants us to sell everything we have and move with our kids to a foreign country or inner city and spend our lives in relative poverty sharing the gospel? does that mean god doesnt have a good plan for us?
...
KING: How about issues that the church
has feelings about? Abortion? Same-sex marriages?
OSTEEN: Yeah. You know what, Larry? I don't
go there. I just ...
KING: You have thoughts, though.
OSTEEN: I have thoughts. I just, you know,
I don't think that a same-sex marriage is the
way God intended it to be. I don't think
abortion is the best. I think there are other,
you know, a better way to live your life. But
I'm not going to condemn those people. I tell them
all the time our church is open for everybody.
KING: You don't call them sinners?
OSTEEN: I don't.
KING: Is that a word you don't use?
OSTEEN: I don't use it. I never thought about it.
But I probably don't. But most people already
know what they're doing wrong. When I get them
to church I want to tell them that you can change.
There can be a difference in your life. So I don't go
down the road of condemning.
KING: You believe in the Bible literally?
OSTEEN: I do, I do.
_______________________________________
out of the many things that grab my attention in this segment, is the statement "but most people probably already know what they are doing wrong"
granted, people who are doing the "big" sins (stealing, murder, adultery, etc.) probably are aware at some level that they shouldn't be doing those things. but for the most part, our culture is saturated with a mentality of "im a pretty good person". what about lust, lying, gossip, "filthy talk", watching programs or movies with nudity and suggestive material, premarital sex between partners that "really love each other"? the book of james reminds us that whoever fails in one aspect of the law fails in the whole law (2:10).
but more than that, there are millions of people who want us to know that homosexuality is not only "not wrong", but perfectly acceptable and "normal". millions of dollars a year are spent in campaigns built on the right for women to choose to kill a baby inside of them. they say that not only is it "not wrong", but everyone should feel the same way about it.
sin is a major problem, the major problem, in the world. to assume that people already know what they are doing is wrong, is to segment the gospel and discard the part that emphasizes our need FOR the gospel.
...
CALLER: Hello, Larry. You're the best, and thank you,
Joe -- Joel -- for your positive messages and your book.
I'm wondering, though, why you side-stepped
Larry's earlier question about how we get to heaven?
The bible clearly tells us that Jesus is the way, the
truth and the light and the only way to the father is
through him. That's not really a message of condemnation
but of truth.
OSTEEN: Yes, I would agree with her. I believe that...
KING: So then a Jew is not going to heaven?
OSTEEN: No. Here's my thing, Larry, is I can't
judge somebody's heart. You know? Only god can
look at somebody's heart, and so -- I don't know.
To me, it's not my business to say, you know, this
one is or this one isn't. I just say, here's what the
bible teaches and I'm going to put my faith in Christ.
And I just I think it's wrong when you go around
saying, you're saying you're not going, you're not
going, you're not going, because it's not exactly
my way. I'm just...
KING: But you believe your way.
OSTEEN: I believe my way. I believe my way
with all my heart.
KING: But for someone who doesn't share it is wrong, isn't he?
OSTEEN: Well, yes. Well, I don't know if I look at it like that.
I would present my way, but I'm just going to let god be the
judge of that. I don't know. I don't know.
KING: So you make no judgment on anyone?
OSTEEN: No. But I...
KING: What about atheists?
OSTEEN: You know what, I'm going to let someone --
I'm going to let god be the judge of who goes to heaven
and hell. I just -- again, I present the truth, and I say
it every week. You know, I believe it's a relationship with
Jesus. But you know what? I'm not going to go around telling
everybody else if they don't want to believe that that's going
to be their choice. God's got to look at your own heart.
God's got to look at your heart, and only god knows that.
___________________________________________
the correct answer is :"the bible is the word of god, and it clearly states that the only salvation is found in jesus christ. to deny christ as lord is to spend an eternity in hell receiving the just punishment of a sinner. those who place their faith in christ have had their punishment paid for by christ on the cross, therefore their "wage of sin" have been paid out, and the one covered by the righteousness of grace will enter the kingdom of god."
of course no one wants to arbitrarily say " this person is saved, this person is not". but we can confidently say what the bible says. it is not being "judgemental" to answer "who will go to heaven?" with what the bible says.
a university is not being judgemental by not allowing high school dropouts with no g.e.d. into their school. if the requirement is not met, then then there is no admission.
...
and from an interview with cbs' harry smith:
After reading his book, and watching his sermons,
Smith said that the message seems to be about
God and perhaps a little less about Christ than
one might expect from and evangelical preacher.
"I don't think I do it purposefully because my whole
basis of Christianity is Christ and the message of the cross,
" Osteen said. "When my father died, I thought
, 'I'm going to make a decision: be who I am supposed to be.
' My dad was raised Southern Baptist. I'm not loud.
I'm more laid back. I feel like my gift is talking about
everyday issues, overcoming the past, not being selfish
and having a good attitude. I just try to tie the Bible
principles into that."
_________________________________________
we dont use the bible as a reference book to justify our own agenda.
a pastor and preacher should preach the word of god and plead with his hearers to conform to it.
the word of god is not a suggestion book for "how to have a good life", although it does contain the good news. it is a book of god commanding us to live an obedient life. there is a difference.
the gospel is this. we are sinners. everyone of us. and because we are sinners we deserve an eternity enduring the wrath of god. christ came and lived a perfectly righteous life, keeping and fulfilling the law in every aspect. those who place their faith in christ have their just payment of the wrath of god "paid in full" on behalf of christ, and his righteousness is credited to our "account". it is only by faith in christ alone and his saving work on the cross that we are saved.
if people do not know that their sin is deserving of death, then they will not understand their need for a savior. if they never hear about sin, then they will never understand that they deserve death.
lest i be misunderstood, and painted as someone who is just "out to get" joel osteen, let me say this. i have no vendetta against joel osteen as a person. there are people out there who intentionally corrupt the gospel for selfish gain. i do not feel that this is joel's motive or purpose. i believe that he thinks what he is doing is harmless, and probably very helpful.
but that doesnt make him any less dangerous.
ignoring sin and focusing on how to be a better, husband, father, employee, etc. is not the gospel.
speaking on self-esteem is not the gospel.
you can live a successful life, make a lot of money, have a lot of good memories, have healthy successful kids who love you, feel great about yourself, and die and go straight to hell.
do the people who attend joel's church and read his book know that?
i pray that they will.
spencer writes again of his concern of the harm that joel osteen's "ministry" is causing by presenting "religion" as a self-esteem/self-help method.
i do occasionally watch osteen's program, because i disagree with a lot of what he says, and how he says it. i watch because i want to accurately present his teachings and philosophies when i explain why i disagree. i do not and will not ever recommend joel osteen to anyone, not even for leisure reading or watching/listening.
some may wonder why i would speak out against joel osteen when he has a large church (lakewood church meets in a former n.b.a. arena, seating over 16,000, with, as of june 2005, over 30,000 attendance each weekend)). after all, if so many people are buying his books and attending his church, what harm is that? at least they are hearing/reading about the gospel, right?
maybe we shouldnt be so quick to assume that because someone is a pastor of a "christian" church, that they are preaching the gospel.
consider these excerpts from a 2005 larry king interview: (my comments in bold)
KING: ...we've had ministers on who said,
your record doesn't count. You either believe in
Christ or you don't. If you believe in Christ,
you are, you are going to heaven. And if you
don't no matter what you've done in your life, you ain't.
OSTEEN: Yeah, I don't know. There's probably a balance
between. I believe you have to know Christ. But I think
that if you know Christ, if you're a believer in God,
you're going to have some good works. I think it's a
cop-out to say I'm a Christian but I don't ever do anything ...
KING: What if you're Jewish or Muslim,
you don't accept Christ at all?
OSTEEN: You know, I'm very careful about saying
who would and wouldn't go to heaven. I don't know ...
KING: If you believe you have to believe in Christ?
They're wrong, aren't they?
OSTEEN: Well, I don't know if I believe they're wrong.
I believe here's what the Bible teaches and from the
Christian faith this is what I believe. But I just think
that only God will judge a person's heart. I spent a lot
of time in India with my father. I don't know all about
their religion. But I know they love God. And I don't know.
I've seen their sincerity. So I don't know. I know for me,
and what the Bible teaches, I want to have a relationship
with Jesus.
________________________________________
Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth
and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me. (john 14:6)
He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved;
but he who has disbelieved shall be condemned. (mark 16:16)
For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son,
that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.
For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world,
but that the world might be saved through Him.
He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe
has been judged already, because he has not believed in the
name of the only begotten Son of God. (john 3:16-18)
...
KING:...people call you cotton candy theology.
Someone said you're very good but there's
no spiritual nourishment. I don't know
what that means ...
OSTEEN: I think, I hear it meaning a lot of different
things. One I think a lot of it is that I'm not condemning
people. And I don't know, but Larry I talk, I mean
every week in our church we're dealing with people
that are fighting cancer, that have their lost loved ones.
That are going through a divorce. I mean, I talk about
those issues, and to me I don't see how it can get any
more, you know, real than that. So I don't know what
the criticism is.
KING: What is the prosperity gospel?
OSTEEN: I think the prosperity gospel in general is
-- well I don't know. I hear it too. I don't know.
I think what sometimes you see is it's just all
about money. That's not what I believe. It's the
attitude of your heart, and so you know, we believe --
but I do believe this, that God wants us to be blessed.
He wants us to be able to send our kids to college, excel
in our careers. But prosperity to me, Larry, is not just
money, it's having health. What good is money
if you don't have health?
KING: Also many in the Christian belief are wary
of too much material, aren't they?
OSTEEN: Yeah, I think some of them are. But to me,
you know, I hope people get blessed if they can handle
it right. Because it takes money to do good. You know
to do things for people. To spread the good news. So I
think it's all a matter of your heart.
________________________________________
it takes money to do good?
really???
and i do believe that god wants what is best for us. him. but it does not follow that god's will for everyone is for their kids to go to college, or for us to make a lot of money at our job. what if he wants us to sell everything we have and move with our kids to a foreign country or inner city and spend our lives in relative poverty sharing the gospel? does that mean god doesnt have a good plan for us?
...
KING: How about issues that the church
has feelings about? Abortion? Same-sex marriages?
OSTEEN: Yeah. You know what, Larry? I don't
go there. I just ...
KING: You have thoughts, though.
OSTEEN: I have thoughts. I just, you know,
I don't think that a same-sex marriage is the
way God intended it to be. I don't think
abortion is the best. I think there are other,
you know, a better way to live your life. But
I'm not going to condemn those people. I tell them
all the time our church is open for everybody.
KING: You don't call them sinners?
OSTEEN: I don't.
KING: Is that a word you don't use?
OSTEEN: I don't use it. I never thought about it.
But I probably don't. But most people already
know what they're doing wrong. When I get them
to church I want to tell them that you can change.
There can be a difference in your life. So I don't go
down the road of condemning.
KING: You believe in the Bible literally?
OSTEEN: I do, I do.
_______________________________________
out of the many things that grab my attention in this segment, is the statement "but most people probably already know what they are doing wrong"
granted, people who are doing the "big" sins (stealing, murder, adultery, etc.) probably are aware at some level that they shouldn't be doing those things. but for the most part, our culture is saturated with a mentality of "im a pretty good person". what about lust, lying, gossip, "filthy talk", watching programs or movies with nudity and suggestive material, premarital sex between partners that "really love each other"? the book of james reminds us that whoever fails in one aspect of the law fails in the whole law (2:10).
but more than that, there are millions of people who want us to know that homosexuality is not only "not wrong", but perfectly acceptable and "normal". millions of dollars a year are spent in campaigns built on the right for women to choose to kill a baby inside of them. they say that not only is it "not wrong", but everyone should feel the same way about it.
sin is a major problem, the major problem, in the world. to assume that people already know what they are doing is wrong, is to segment the gospel and discard the part that emphasizes our need FOR the gospel.
...
CALLER: Hello, Larry. You're the best, and thank you,
Joe -- Joel -- for your positive messages and your book.
I'm wondering, though, why you side-stepped
Larry's earlier question about how we get to heaven?
The bible clearly tells us that Jesus is the way, the
truth and the light and the only way to the father is
through him. That's not really a message of condemnation
but of truth.
OSTEEN: Yes, I would agree with her. I believe that...
KING: So then a Jew is not going to heaven?
OSTEEN: No. Here's my thing, Larry, is I can't
judge somebody's heart. You know? Only god can
look at somebody's heart, and so -- I don't know.
To me, it's not my business to say, you know, this
one is or this one isn't. I just say, here's what the
bible teaches and I'm going to put my faith in Christ.
And I just I think it's wrong when you go around
saying, you're saying you're not going, you're not
going, you're not going, because it's not exactly
my way. I'm just...
KING: But you believe your way.
OSTEEN: I believe my way. I believe my way
with all my heart.
KING: But for someone who doesn't share it is wrong, isn't he?
OSTEEN: Well, yes. Well, I don't know if I look at it like that.
I would present my way, but I'm just going to let god be the
judge of that. I don't know. I don't know.
KING: So you make no judgment on anyone?
OSTEEN: No. But I...
KING: What about atheists?
OSTEEN: You know what, I'm going to let someone --
I'm going to let god be the judge of who goes to heaven
and hell. I just -- again, I present the truth, and I say
it every week. You know, I believe it's a relationship with
Jesus. But you know what? I'm not going to go around telling
everybody else if they don't want to believe that that's going
to be their choice. God's got to look at your own heart.
God's got to look at your heart, and only god knows that.
___________________________________________
the correct answer is :"the bible is the word of god, and it clearly states that the only salvation is found in jesus christ. to deny christ as lord is to spend an eternity in hell receiving the just punishment of a sinner. those who place their faith in christ have had their punishment paid for by christ on the cross, therefore their "wage of sin" have been paid out, and the one covered by the righteousness of grace will enter the kingdom of god."
of course no one wants to arbitrarily say " this person is saved, this person is not". but we can confidently say what the bible says. it is not being "judgemental" to answer "who will go to heaven?" with what the bible says.
a university is not being judgemental by not allowing high school dropouts with no g.e.d. into their school. if the requirement is not met, then then there is no admission.
...
and from an interview with cbs' harry smith:
After reading his book, and watching his sermons,
Smith said that the message seems to be about
God and perhaps a little less about Christ than
one might expect from and evangelical preacher.
"I don't think I do it purposefully because my whole
basis of Christianity is Christ and the message of the cross,
" Osteen said. "When my father died, I thought
, 'I'm going to make a decision: be who I am supposed to be.
' My dad was raised Southern Baptist. I'm not loud.
I'm more laid back. I feel like my gift is talking about
everyday issues, overcoming the past, not being selfish
and having a good attitude. I just try to tie the Bible
principles into that."
_________________________________________
we dont use the bible as a reference book to justify our own agenda.
a pastor and preacher should preach the word of god and plead with his hearers to conform to it.
the word of god is not a suggestion book for "how to have a good life", although it does contain the good news. it is a book of god commanding us to live an obedient life. there is a difference.
the gospel is this. we are sinners. everyone of us. and because we are sinners we deserve an eternity enduring the wrath of god. christ came and lived a perfectly righteous life, keeping and fulfilling the law in every aspect. those who place their faith in christ have their just payment of the wrath of god "paid in full" on behalf of christ, and his righteousness is credited to our "account". it is only by faith in christ alone and his saving work on the cross that we are saved.
if people do not know that their sin is deserving of death, then they will not understand their need for a savior. if they never hear about sin, then they will never understand that they deserve death.
lest i be misunderstood, and painted as someone who is just "out to get" joel osteen, let me say this. i have no vendetta against joel osteen as a person. there are people out there who intentionally corrupt the gospel for selfish gain. i do not feel that this is joel's motive or purpose. i believe that he thinks what he is doing is harmless, and probably very helpful.
but that doesnt make him any less dangerous.
ignoring sin and focusing on how to be a better, husband, father, employee, etc. is not the gospel.
speaking on self-esteem is not the gospel.
you can live a successful life, make a lot of money, have a lot of good memories, have healthy successful kids who love you, feel great about yourself, and die and go straight to hell.
do the people who attend joel's church and read his book know that?
i pray that they will.
Friday, September 01, 2006
3 bibles for one cup of coffee
from justin taylor's blog:(a blog i highly recommend for everyone to read everyday)
At Crossway, our vision is bold—we want
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A basic guide for getting started.
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Imagine the people you can reach with this beautiful
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consider doing this... for less than a can of dr. pepper, and for 1/3 the amount of a cup of columbia narino supremo coffe, you can give someone a copy of god's word.
-stephen
Saturday, August 26, 2006
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
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
Saturday, August 12, 2006
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
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
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