Give It Back to the Kids or Good Grief , I Got a rock!

There have been many articles of late lamenting Halloween and these coming from secular sources. Basically they argue and with some sadness , how Halloween has been co-opted by adults. That its all about the parties and has become very overtly sexual in the costumes worn by many. It has become a adult "holiday" to throw off the restraints of society and be who you really want to be .

The sad thing about all this is , the little kids have been left out in the cold . If you don't think that is the case , visit the Halloween costume section of your local department store. The section for grown ups has pretty much over taken the kids section almost.

Now I will tell you right up front , I have never been a huge fan of Halloween. Yes I did go out trick or treating but pretty much stopped when I was around 11. It just never appealed to me . That being said , I'm not a kill joy . Seeing little kids dressed up in cool costumes and having fun getting free candy is fine. But its just gone way too over the top for adults .

Why has this occurred is perhaps in no time recent  history have we had a group of parents raised in the era of sex  , drugs and rock n roll. This  told them to rebel , be young forever , embrace the hidden you and do what you want . I have heard of in some situations the adults were more excited about Halloween than their kids. I find that strange and a bit disturbing. The quest to be forever young I hold plays a part .

So my thought is simple , let the kids have the day back . Let them take it over and return it to the fun it used to be before grown ups , acting as kids took it over. So costumes off and grow up and be an adult , or all you should get on Halloween is a rock . Nuff said.

Final Post of the 95 Theses from Martin Luther

 So there we have it , all 95 . It was the beginning of the rescue of the gospel from oppression, corruption  and superstition. There of course were pre-reformers as well like John Hus and John Wycliffe , so it was clear that God was moving to shine a light and once again show that the  gates of hell will never prevail. So happy reformation day and be thankful for a German monk , a mallet and a piece of paper.


             Luther's 95 Theses 

69. Bishops and curates are bound to admit the commissaries of apostolic pardons, with all reverence.
70. But still more are they bound to strain all their eyes and attend with all their ears, lest these men preach their own dreams instead of the commission of the pope.
71. He who speaks against the truth of apostolic pardons, let him be anathema and accursed!
72. But he who guards against the lust and license of the pardon-preachers, let him be blessed!
73. The pope justly thunders against those who, by any art, contrive the injury of the traffic in pardons.
74. But much more does he intend to thunder against those who use the pretext of pardons to contrive the injury of holy love and truth.
75. To think the papal pardons so great that they could absolve a man even if he had committed an impossible sin and violated the Mother of God -- this is madness.
76. We say, on the contrary, that the papal pardons are not able to remove the very least of venial sins, so far as its guilt is concerned.
77. It is said that even St. Peter, if he were now Pope, could not bestow greater graces; this is blasphemy against St. Peter and against the pope.
78. We say, on the contrary, that even the present pope, and any pope at all, has greater graces at his disposal; to wit, the Gospel, powers, gifts of healing, etc., as it is written in I. Corinthians xii.
79. To say that the cross, emblazoned with the papal arms, which is set up [by the preachers of indulgences], is of equal worth with the Cross of Christ, is blasphemy.
80. The bishops, curates and theologians who allow such talk to be spread among the people, will have an account to render.
81. This unbridled preaching of pardons makes it no easy matter, even for learned men, to rescue the reverence due to the pope from slander, or even from the shrewd questionings of the laity.
82. To wit: -- "Why does not the pope empty purgatory, for the sake of holy love and of the dire need of the souls that are there, if he redeems an infinite number of souls for the sake of miserable money with which to build a Church? The former reasons would be most just; the latter is most trivial."
83. Again: -- "Why are mortuary and anniversary masses for the dead continued, and why does he not return or permit the withdrawal of the endowments founded on their behalf, since it is wrong to pray for the redeemed?"
84. Again: -- "What is this new piety of God and the pope, that for money they allow a man who is impious and their enemy to buy out of purgatory the pious soul of a friend of God, and do not rather, because of that pious and beloved soul's own need, free it for pure love's sake?"
85. Again: -- "Why are the penitential canons long since in actual fact and through disuse abrogated and dead, now satisfied by the granting of indulgences, as though they were still alive and in force?"
86. Again: -- "Why does not the pope, whose wealth is to-day greater than the riches of the richest, build just this one church of St. Peter with his own money, rather than with the money of poor believers?"
87. Again: -- "What is it that the pope remits, and what participation does he grant to those who, by perfect contrition, have a right to full remission and participation?"
88. Again: -- "What greater blessing could come to the Church than if the pope were to do a hundred times a day what he now does once, and bestow on every believer these remissions and participations?"
89. "Since the pope, by his pardons, seeks the salvation of souls rather than money, why does he suspend the indulgences and pardons granted heretofore, since these have equal efficacy?"
90. To repress these arguments and scruples of the laity by force alone, and not to resolve them by giving reasons, is to expose the Church and the pope to the ridicule of their enemies, and to make Christians unhappy.
91. If, therefore, pardons were preached according to the spirit and mind of the pope, all these doubts would be readily resolved; nay, they would not exist.
92. Away, then, with all those prophets who say to the people of Christ, "Peace, peace," and there is no peace!
93. Blessed be all those prophets who say to the people of Christ, "Cross, cross," and there is no cross!
94. Christians are to be exhorted that they be diligent in following Christ, their Head, through penalties, deaths, and hell;
95. And thus be confident of entering into heaven rather through many tribulations, than through the assurance of peace.

Nearing the End of the 95 Theses

Keep in mind that as you read these it was the start of Luther's journey out of the  Catholic Church. At this point he stilled held many basic views of the Roman Catholic Church. However this was the snowball that began to roll and would not stop.

Luther's 95 Theses 


53. They are enemies of Christ and of the pope, who bid the Word of God be altogether silent in some Churches, in order that pardons may be preached in others.
54. Injury is done the Word of God when, in the same sermon, an equal or a longer time is spent on pardons than on this Word.
55. It must be the intention of the pope that if pardons, which are a very small thing, are celebrated with one bell, with single processions and ceremonies, then the Gospel, which is the very greatest thing, should be preached with a hundred bells, a hundred processions, a hundred ceremonies.
56. The "treasures of the Church," out of which the pope. grants indulgences, are not sufficiently named or known among the people of Christ.
57. That they are not temporal treasures is certainly evident, for many of the vendors do not pour out such treasures so easily, but only gather them.
58. Nor are they the merits of Christ and the Saints, for even without the pope, these always work grace for the inner man, and the cross, death, and hell for the outward man.
59. St. Lawrence said that the treasures of the Church were the Church's poor, but he spoke according to the usage of the word in his own time.
60. Without rashness we say that the keys of the Church, given by Christ's merit, are that treasure;
61. For it is clear that for the remission of penalties and of reserved cases, the power of the pope is of itself sufficient.
62. The true treasure of the Church is the Most Holy Gospel of the glory and the grace of God.
63. But this treasure is naturally most odious, for it makes the first to be last.
64. On the other hand, the treasure of indulgences is naturally most acceptable, for it makes the last to be first.
65. Therefore the treasures of the Gospel are nets with which they formerly were wont to fish for men of riches.
66. The treasures of the indulgences are nets with which they now fish for the riches of men.
67. The indulgences which the preachers cry as the "greatest graces" are known to be truly such, in so far as they promote gain.
68. Yet they are in truth the very smallest graces compared with the grace of God and the piety of the Cross.

Continuing With Luther

I am afraid that the schools will prove the very gates of hell, unless they diligently labor in explaining the Holy Scriptures and engraving them in the heart of the youth.
Martin Luther

Luther's 95 Theses 

34. For these "graces of pardon" concern only the penalties of sacramental satisfaction, and these are appointed by man.

35. It is not according to Christian doctrine to preach and teach that contrition is not necessary for those who intend to buy souls out of purgatory or to buy confessional licenses.

36. Every truly repentant Christian has a right to full remission of penalty and guilt, even without letters of pardon.

37. Every true Christian, whether living or dead, has part in all the blessings of Christ and the Church; and this is granted him by God, even without letters of pardon.

38. Nevertheless, the remission and participation [in the blessings of the Church] which are granted by the pope are in no way to be despised, for as I have said, they are the declaration of divine remission.

39. It is most difficult, even for the very best theologians, to commend to the people the abundance of pardons while at the same time encouraging true contrition.

40. True contrition seeks and loves penalties, but generous pardons only relax penalties and cause them to be hated, or at least, furnish an occasion [for hating them].

41. Papal pardons should be preached with caution, lest people falsely think they are preferable to other good works of love.

42. Christians should be taught that the pope does not intend the purchase of pardons to be compared in any way to works of mercy.

43. Christians should be taught that he who gives to the poor or lends to the needy does a better work than buying pardons;

44. Because love grows by works of love, and a man becomes a better man; but by pardons he does not grow better, only escapes penalty.

45. Christians should be taught that he who sees a person in need, and passes him by, and then purchases pardons, purchases not the indulgences of the pope, but the indignation of God.

46. Christians should be taught that unless they have more than they need, they are bound to keep what is necessary for their own families, and should by no means squander it on pardons.

47. Christians are to be taught that the buying of pardons is a voluntary matter, and not a legal requirement.

48. Christians should be taught that in granting pardons the pope needs and desires their devout prayer for him more than the money they bring.

49. Christians are to be taught that the pope's pardons are useful only if they do not put their trust in them; but altogether harmful, if they lose their fear of God because of them.

50. Christians should be taught that if the pope knew the exactions of the pardon-preachers, he would rather that St. Peter's church be reduced to ashes than be built up with the skin, flesh and bones of his sheep.

51. Christians should be taught that it would be the pope's wish, as it is his duty, to give of his own money, even though the church of St. Peter might have to be sold, to many of those from whom certain hawkers of pardons cajole money.

52. The assurance of salvation by letters of pardon is useless, even though the commissary, or indeed even though the pope himself, were to stake his soul upon it.

No Excuses From a Arm Chair Theologian

With the US election coming next year and the search for the republican candidate  in full swing , the issue concerning Mitt Romney and his Mormonism has played out. The issue whether or not a Evangelical Christian should vote for a Mormon and even further whether it is within the scope of the Christian faith.So the light has been shining on this belief system.

So many talk shows and news related items have been popping up. recently the famous smiling , tickle your ears Pastor , Joel Osteen , has been asked to comment about Romney and Mormon belief . I do not care about his responses concerning Romney as a candidate but it was his comments about Mormon beliefs that was so maddening. More or less he didn't take Mormon doctrine out of the flow of the Christian truth and all his answers where so , weak. Then he excused himself in a way saying he hasn't gone to seminary. 

Give me a break . First is his head in the sand that he doesn't have the time in a week to read a chapter from Walter Martin's Kingdom of the Cults and see how Mormonism and historic Christianity have no relationship at all. That the terms they use like Jesus ,God etc.. their teaching concerning sin , the virgin birth , well the list could go on and on are foreign to classic Christian teaching. To think this man has sold millions of books , attracts 20000 people each week and he uses an excuse , he never attended a seminary.

 In no time in history have Christians been so blessed to have excess to so much solid material. From solid christian histories by Phillip Schaff , John Calvin's Institutes , Luther works, Spurgeons sermons to more contemporary writers like Sproul, Horton , White , MacArthur to websites like Ligoinier ,White Horse Inn , Alpha and Omega Ministries , well I could keep going but you get my point. The resources are amazing.

Now I consider myself a arm chair theologian. I have amassed a decent library and have books about pretty much every major doctrine from the Trinity to the atonement. Along with numerous commentaries and study bibles , if asked whether  Mormonism is Christian  , I would answer clearly no and could give a basic over view why this is so . Guess what Joel , I have never set foot within a seminary. Fathom that !

In my opinion , no one who calls himself a pastor and shepherd of the flock and cannot discern falsehood , is fit to call themselves a pastor of Christ Church.

Osteen needs to step up or step down. He is simple embarrassing and is the poster boy of the type of person Paul says people will want for he tickles ears and feeds the masses what they want to hear. This is also why doctrine and teaching is crucial. But with all the resources out there , Osteen and anyone like him who thinks Mormonism is Christian in any way , are without excuse.Nuff said.

Continuing Luther's 95 Theses

Amazing what happened with a hammer and a nail .One note I would like to make . Luther at this time still held to the reality of purgatory , so keep this in mind as you read through his 95 theses . However as the reformation took hold and Luther made his complete break from Catholicism and allow scripture to be the standard of truth not a Pope or Magisterial board , by around 1530 , he had totally rejected purgatory . Luther said that not one passage from the word of God could be used to teach this doctrine .


25. The power which the pope has, in a general way, over purgatory, is just like the power which any bishop or curate has, in a special way, within his own diocese or parish.
26. The pope does well when he grants remission to souls [in purgatory], not by the power of the keys (which he does not possess), but by way of intercession.
27. They preach man who say that so soon as the penny jingles into the money-box, the soul flies out [of purgatory].
28. It is certain that when the penny jingles into the money-box, gain and avarice can be increased, but the result of the intercession of the Church is in the power of God alone.
29. Who knows whether all the souls in purgatory wish to be bought out of it, as in the legend of Sts. Severinus and Paschal.
30. No one is sure that his own contrition is sincere; much less that he has attained full remission.
31. Rare as is the man that is truly penitent, so rare is also the man who truly buys indulgences, i.e., such men are most rare.
32. They will be condemned eternally, together with their teachers, who believe themselves sure of their salvation because they have letters of pardon.
33. Men must be on their guard against those who say that the pope's pardons are that inestimable gift of God by which man is reconciled to Him;
34. For these "graces of pardon" concern only the penalties of sacramental satisfaction, and these are appointed by man.
35. They preach no Christian doctrine who teach that contrition is not necessary in those who intend to buy souls out of purgatory or to buy confessionalia.
36. Every truly repentant Christian has a right to full remission of penalty and guilt, even without letters of pardon.
37. Every true Christian, whether living or dead, has part in all the blessings of Christ and the Church; and this is granted him by God, even without letters of pardon.

Let the Word Speak

The main task of the pastor is to preach. To proclaim the word of God and expound on its truths and meaning to the congregation each Lord's day. It is a lofty and serious task to open the word of God for with doing so comes great responsibility  . One has the eternal nurture of the flocks souls. The pastor is called to feed the sheep . Just as any shepherd needs to care for his sheep , the pastor must fulfill this role with due diligence.

As a pastor he is called to do primarily three things with the text. To use hermeneutics , exegesis and exposition of the text. Hermeneutics is the science of interpretation , exegesis the examination of the text and its meaning in context and exposition is the applying what one has learned and preaching out the meaning for application to congregation. However first and foremost , one is preaching for God's glory and to Him , therefore how one handles the word should be done with the utmost reverence and seriousness to get it right.

The pastor is to hold to sound doctrine ( Titus 1:9) and be able to handle the word of God rightly ( 2 Tim 2:15). A pastor should not be carried away with trends and novelty nor apply his own thoughts or thinking over the clear teaching of scripture just to try and make a point . If he twist the scripture and wrestles it out of context to say something it really doesn't  , he is misrepresenting the word and by doing so , God . When a pastor does this it is called , eisegesis. Unlike exegesis , which seeks to draw out the meaning of the text , eisegesis is the reading into the text ones own interpretation  , doing violence to the word of God.

I have heard over the years many abuses like this and wonder why or how it could happen . I realize certain teachings we will encounter slight differences of opinion but if the pastor at least tries to handle the text honestly , no problem. But recently I heard what was one of the worse I have eve heard .

The text handled was the story form 2 Kings concerning the Prophet Elisha . It was just after Elijah had anointed Elisha as his successor as Prophet of the Lord . Elijah then is taken up into heaven by the Lord's chariot and Elisha shortly after performs two miracles .Using Elijah's cloak , he parts the river Jordan and crosses over . Then he heals the water near Jericho that was bad and not safe . So he shows himself confirmed to be the Lord's prophet.

The main part of the text that was so misused was the next part of the story . As Elisha is approaching Bethel , a mob of youth or young boys begins to taunt him and call out to him , "Go up , Baldhead , Go Up , Baldhead ". Now first we must understand Bethal was in a apostate way as one can read about in 1  Kings 12 . So to have this mob of youth show disrespect to the Lord's prophet is nothing more than an extension of Bethel's apostasy.  Plus to show contempt or disrespect to God's prophet is to disrespect God Himself , since the prophet is the representative of God.

So this mob of youth , numbering probably over 50 and we can conclude with some certainly , Elisah might have been in real danger knowing the the situation of Bethel , Elisha curses them and 2 female bears come out and 42 are mauled to death. God honored Elisha's cry and sent judgement upon them justly. The basic premise is , do not mock God's anointed or prophet . It is a theme that runs through Kings.

But what was said had something to do with cursing the next generation of youth who will be the leaders of the Church . Elisha it seems should have blessed these apostate , menacing youth and even though he was given a double portion of blessing , he failed to use it to pass the torch to these youth . May we not curse our youth but pray they do more then us . WHAT????

Do you see the problem . The text does not in any way go there . It was a just judgement towards a mob of hostile youth against God and His prophet.  But when one wants to make a point and allows there own agenda take over , the word of God becomes puddy in a one mouth to say what one wants it to say.

Is that rightly handling the word ? No it is not. We must be careful and understand that we have no right to inject a meaning into any text just to suit our own schemes or plans . Just like many who cheery pick scripture , which does violence to the context and meaning. I ask that we be like the Bereans who it is said of ,  "Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so.
(Acts 17:11 ESV)

May we follow their example and listen , read and examine to see if what is being preached and written truly honors God's word and is sound in its interpretation and application.Nuff said.

Some Context Concerning the 95 Theses by Luther

In This short but insightful interview , Dr. Carl Trueman , Professor of Historical Theology and Church History, and Academic Dean, at Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia , flushes out a bit  info concerning Luther and the posting of the 95 Theses. Hope its insightful as we move towards Reformation day . 

Luther’s 95 Theses: An Interview with Carl Trueman

How Love Wins (Thief) by Steven Curtis Chapman

Amazing song featuring Steven Curtis Chapman from the album entitled Music Inspired by the Story. A stellar album that weaves the narrative of the Bible. It features Chapman,Mac Powell, Bart Millard , Chris Tomlin,Jeremy Camp etc.. a who's who of Christian music. Excellent album worth getting .

Is it not amazing how the Lord loves us in that while we were still sinners , He died for us . That is how love wins .

Counting Down to Reformation Day

Today we will continue with Luther's 95 Theses . I had a interesting conversation about Luther at Church last week concerning some of his later writings concerning Jews . I won't comment yet but all I will say is all of us hold a better theology than how we live up to that theology.

Anyway we continue.

Martin Luther 95 Theses

11. This changing of the canonical penalty to the penalty of purgatory is quite evidently one of the tares that were sown while the bishops slept.
12. In former times the canonical penalties were imposed not after, but before absolution, as tests of true contrition.
13. The dying are freed by death from all penalties; they are already dead to canonical rules, and have a right to be released from them.
14. The imperfect health [of soul], that is to say, the imperfect love, of the dying brings with it, of necessity, great fear; and the smaller the love, the greater is the fear.
15. This fear and horror is sufficient of itself alone (to say nothing of other things) to constitute the penalty of purgatory, since it is very near to the horror of despair.
16. Hell, purgatory, and heaven seem to differ as do despair, almost-despair, and the assurance of safety.
17. With souls in purgatory it seems necessary that horror should grow less and love increase.
18. It seems unproved, either by reason or Scripture, that they are outside the state of merit, that is to say, of increasing love.
19. Again, it seems unproved that they, or at least that all of them, are certain or assured of their own blessedness, though we may be quite certain of it.
20. Therefore by "full remission of all penalties" the pope means not actually "of all," but only of those imposed by himself.
21. Therefore those preachers of indulgences are in error, who say that by the pope's indulgences a man is freed from every penalty, and saved;
22. Whereas he remits to souls in purgatory no penalty which, according to the canons, they would have had to pay in this life.
23. If it is at all possible to grant to any one the remission of all penalties whatsoever, it is certain that this remission can be granted only to the most perfect, that is, to the very fewest.
24. It must needs be, therefore, that the greater part of the people are deceived by that indiscriminate and highsounding promise of release from penalty.

So Where Would Jesus Go?

When one reads the gospels , you are confronted with the people Jesus interacted with. He is one who associated with the outcast,the sinners , the losers , the poor and the hurting. Those who thought they had it all together or the religious He didn't shun but had His most intense language with.

But Jesus growing up in Nazareth would have been very aware of being poor and considered a outcast. Often its said that Joseph was a carpenter and in today's world , those of us who know a carpenter knows very well from the homes many have , the cars they drive , they are not poor. But in Jesus day a carpenter was just a worker with his hands. Maybe he made chairs,common tools etc... but it had no status or economic advantage. Even the town of Nazareth was insulted , for it seemed to have a bit of a reputation.Much like we would think of a trailer park today.

I often wonder if the Church in the west have lost the understanding the gospel is for all . Not just the upper middle class white families living in fancy subdivisions. The blame for this can be laid at the Church growth movement who began to target certain groups of people. Lets face it , no one is going to be able to build a fancy Church by targeting the poorer sections of a town or city. But I guarantee you , those are the areas that Jesus would be preaching.

I'm not saying that the gospel should have barriers , in fact it should be preached and shared with all . The rich,the poor,the weak,the hurting,the arrogant etc.. We have done a big disservice to the gospel when we break it done to target groups in order to build a Church. I don't see Jesus doing that throughout the Gospels. Nor do I see it in the rest of the New Testament by Paul , Peter , James , John . In fact by succumbing to target groups and programs we show our lack of faith in proclaiming the gospel of Christ.

Jesus often takes us to places we don't like or want to go but know this , we never walk alone. So if He had no blinders on His eyes but preached without prejudice to the poor , the needy which we all are in reality , may we do the same . For do we  follow an amazing Lord.

Wonderful Song from Jason Gray

Gray has a wonderful way with words. This song talks about how wastes no hurt or pain . Is this not true . For even in our weakness, our suffering and even our struggles , He will make beauty out of darkness.

The Reformation Day Draws Near

With the end of Oct drawing close , on the 31st we mark the day that Martin Luther nailed his 95 theses to a door , a public billboard and ended up starting a revolution within Christiandom and its the reason when I attend my Baptist church , I'm a protestant. So over the next couple of weeks on any given day , I will feature some info on the reformation and the men who shaped it and thanks to them the gospel of Jesus Christ was recovered .

So to kick it off , I will begin by posting over the next few days all of the 95 theses Dr.Luther famously posted and caused a tidal wave of change. Enjoy.


Martin Luther


Out of love for the truth and the desire to bring it to light, the following propositions will be discussed at Wittenberg, under the presidency of the Reverend Father Martin Luther, Master of Arts and of Sacred Theology, and Lecturer in Ordinary on the same at that place. Wherefore he requests that those who are unable to be present and debate orally with us, may do so by letter.
In the Name our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

1. Our Lord and Master Jesus Christ, when He said Poenitentiam agite, willed that the whole life of believers should be repentance.
2. This word cannot be understood to mean sacramental penance, i.e., confession and satisfaction, which is administered by the priests.
3. Yet it means not inward repentance only; nay, there is no inward repentance which does not outwardly work divers mortifications of the flesh.
4. The penalty [of sin], therefore, continues so long as hatred of self continues; for this is the true inward repentance, and continues until our entrance into the kingdom of heaven.
5. The pope does not intend to remit, and cannot remit any penalties other than those which he has imposed either by his own authority or by that of the Canons.
6. The pope cannot remit any guilt, except by declaring that it has been remitted by God and by assenting to God's remission; though, to be sure, he may grant remission in cases reserved to his judgment. If his right to grant remission in such cases were despised, the guilt would remain entirely unforgiven.
7. God remits guilt to no one whom He does not, at the same time, humble in all things and bring into subjection to His vicar, the priest.
8. The penitential canons are imposed only on the living, and, according to them, nothing should be imposed on the dying.
9. Therefore the Holy Spirit in the pope is kind to us, because in his decrees he always makes exception of the article of death and of necessity.
10. Ignorant and wicked are the doings of those priests who, in the case of the dying, reserve canonical penances for purgatory.

Sometimes We Can't See

 I always find it striking when you read through the gospels how the disciples really only saw and listened to what they wanted. Even though the intimate time spent with Jesus and His clear warning that He would have to die , they preferred to see the miracles and embraced the message of the power Messiah . For Jesus was going to restore the glory of Israel and became the greatest King , even over David. Of course that was shattered when Jesus was arrested , tried and crucified.

His closest followers ran scared , lied about knowing Him and wept in shame over what had happened. I can only think some of the tears where as well for thinking , I have given up all and now I will be marked as well. For what ? As well for the shattered hope of Jesus being triumphant over the enemies of Israel .

Sometimes as I have read through the gospels and tried to place myself there , I ask would I have not done the same. For I know my heart and often see how I can easily slip into the same error these men did. I want Jesus on my terms. The one the blesses me and gives me what I want. But when He calls me to enter to Hos sufferings and take up my cross daily , not so much. I want the Jesus that gives me rest but not the one who calls who tells me the world will hate me if I follow Him because it hated Him first.

So even though we have the whole of Scripture and know the rest of the story that the disciples did not , we really are worse in some ways. The disciples of course were transformed . After the resurrection of Jesus and the coming of the Holy Spirit in His fullness , they turned the world upside down. They fully grasped and understood the whole story. A light bublb moment if you will .

We must always do the same. Its so easy and tempting to only hear and see what we want. Cheery picking Christians make very shallow ones. For they fail to see the majesty,wonder and splendor of the whole truth of following Jesus . So may we read the whole story and look to God in all His amazing love and truth . That will help us not get blinders on that makes us see only what we want to see or hear with our ears.

Open Hands

Christians are called to bare fruit in our lives as a clear sign we are truly born again. But when it comes to money , how many are truly free from the allure of the world . To live in this world with open hands means that we will not hold on to money like the world. That the treasure we want to store up is found in heaven . They are good works done in Christ and for God by serving our fellow believers and neighbours .

Yes we need to pay our bills, feed our families etc... but to hoard and to act like the world shows that we have a root in our lives that needs to be pruned. Money is a great tool and gift from God . If we have been blessed with much or little , we all need to look in the mirror to see  if we are clutching on to money like Scrooge prior to his visits from those three faithful ghost.

As James says , what good is our faith if we see a need and just pray and say go your way but we have resources to help in a real tangible way. That is no faith and we deceive ourselves if you can look around at your life and see no compassionate giving , no mercy and no open hands in some real way that impacts another person. It could be family,stranger,friend,charity or a little girl/boy sponsored in some poor country but you should be able to have a check-list of giving . A giving that exults God and honours Jesus.

The question is how can we not when we ponder what God has given to us , His son , Jesus who is our treasure . The more He becomes our treasure then our hands will be open to others freely .

This Movie Never Gets Old

This film was a one that I did not really think I would like. But after viewing years ago , it was instantly one of my all time favourite films. This movie has a little of everything . Its action packed , a love story , a family movie that can be enjoyed with the whole family. So if you haven't seen it , get some popcorn , find a rental place or netflix and get your whole family and enjoy.Pure film magic.

Preaching The Gospel To Yourself

This amazing song by Jason Gray reflects the truth that we are new creations in Christ. That we are hidden in Christ . That our sins are forgiven . May we preach the gospel to ourselves each day. We are being made new. Amen.

To Live is Christ , To Die is Gain

Death is the great equalizer between the poorest of the poor living in the third world and the richest of the rich in the west. No one escapes it, no matter how much one has or possesses , it claims the rich as well as the poor. It comes with no bias .

So as the world awakes tomorrow and commentators speak of the impact Steve Jobs has had on this world , I will leave that to them . I'm not a computer geek kinda of guy , so my knowledge about Jobs is limited but do know that through Apple and I-Tunes , I have been touched by Steve Jobs company and inventions. No question he has had a impact on the world . Some have said a modern day Thomas Edison. Perhaps, but there can be no denying the Apple logo and brand is known the world over.

But death has come to Jobs and my prayers and thoughts go out to his family and friends.

I do not presume to know his relationship with Christ . From all accounts he followed a hybrid type of Buddhism and new age thought.

One thing I do know , that even though death will come to all , if your faith is in Jesus Christ , then death is a defeated enemy . It no longer has the sting , the power over you . Christ has made you His own and in the power of His resurrection , you , a sinner , deserving of the wrath of God eternally in hell , are now forgiven through the precious blood of Jesus.

May we say with Paul , " For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell. I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better."
(Philippians 1:21-23 ESV)

Adjusting the Lens

As I was sitting watching a bit of T.V , I wanted to pay attention to the commercials . Over and over they promoted everything from soap to anti-ageing creams . The push is to make you feel unhappy or discontented with what you have. Its not enough or never enough. Even watching a show where couple look for a new house or become first time buyers , the comments about things that are so trivial given for reasons they don't like a house , point to a society in the west spoiled and discontented.

We all have a world view. A filter which we see the world. Those who say they don't or have no religion , if challenged concerning how they make decisions , will soon understand a world-view at work and a under-girding religious system of belief. Even if its cobbled together. Bottom line , in the west we are dominated by a materialistic , give me more , I want more and I deserve more mind set. From the culture around us to I would argue even within our education system , greed and materialism is the dominate world view. 

So as we approach Thanksgiving Day here in Canada , I'm both thankful and content. According to the worlds eyes I really should miserable and not happy. As I struggle to find employment that this body can do well , the world tells me I should be discontented. Yes there are moments when this can happen. If I allow the world-view bombarded at me through the lens of this fallen world but when I correct it with God's truth , His love and grace sets my eyes back to 20/20 vision through His lens . 

But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content.

(1 Timothy 6:8 ESV)

Paul in a very simple and profound way tells all believers , bottom line if you have food and clothing , be content. For when its all said and done , that should be enough . The pursuit of wealth and things are folly for one , they can be gone in a second and you can't take it with you.So may we be thankful this Thanksgiving with what God has given us and if we have more than we need , open our hands and share . Besides do we not have riches in Christ that are true riches and can never be taken away. 

Profound and True

There is something so true in this clip. Poor Charlie needs to be encouraged and given hope but instead its judge,condemn and an exaggeration of all his faults.There is a time to speak truth in someones life but if its not measured with grace,mercy and love , it is poison to the soul. Jesus would not brake the bruised reed. So are you more of a encourager or fault finder ? Can you see your own sins clearly and therefore measure your tongue with grace and love ? Or are you a Lucy , filled with a self righteous  glee in saying , look I'm not like you .