It Must Be Close To Bashing Time

So here we go again . As we near Christmas it will be very time to bash not only Christmas but Jesus . Already I have read the tiresome ,well you know the whole Christmas theme was borrowed from pagan sources foolishness , as if Pagan religions had any coherent writings (not)  . Plus as real historians have pointed out over ad nauseaum , Pagan influence within the early Church is not there. Christianity rose form its Jewish roots and once one honestly investigates , you see the other legends emerge later , even 100's of years removed . It is more likely they were influenced by the Christians. Plus there evidence that early Christians began to celebrate around 200 ad  some form of celebration of the birth of Christ. Yes , many customs over the years have been incorporated but as with anything Christ touches , it has been transformed . So give no quarter to the pagans on this matter .

Then we have the utter blasphemy,  the ridicule and hostility leveled towards Christians, the Church and Jesus . From a movie that I will not mention here but has scenes so depraved and portraying our Lord in a totally offensive way that it comes from the pit of hell . Then you have "holiday" comedy special running on a Canadian network, that is full of irreverent humor and disrespect towards the story of Christmas ( What the Tolerant Must Tolerate you read about it here) .  The point is each year over the last while the attacks , the disrespect  and disdain is growing. From schools dropping the name "Christmas" concert so as not to offend to stores running "holiday" specials. Christmas has become a dirty word .

I still recall a time as a child , that even though being raised in a non-christian home , that the respect and reverence was still witnessed. That I recall singing songs about Jesus at our school concerts and even a visible nativity scene on display, boggles my mind now. There was no question that even with all the "other" trappings and traditions borrowed , the celebration had religious significance at its core. Much has changed within less than 40 years.

We in the west have been spoiled rotten. In other places in the world the gospel , the message of the cross has been attacked and persecuted fiercely. Our shores have been a quiet place. One could practice a safe belief for a long time . But with the emergence of atheism that is very strident and hateful , along with the push to except the depravity of homosexuality as normal , we are seeing a rise of hatred against the Church and Jesus we have never seen in my lifetime. But we should not be surprised . Jesus said that the world hated Him first and if we are in Him and are His disciples , it will hate us as well.

So brace yourself and know what you believe , stand firm and be not afraid . For it is a great honor to enter into suffering for Jesus sake . For He is worth it . So stand up and prepare for a spiritual war . But know we have the truth of the gospel of Christ and it will expose the deeds of darkness and bring glory to  God .

Too Many Words

So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things.

How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire! And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell. For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind, but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so.

(James 3:5-10 ESV)

When one is tired , stressed , struggling with pain and maybe fighting feeling defeated , one should learn  not say anything before thinking it through .  As James reminded me instantly after I said perhaps the stupidest thing I have ever said , which I confess there have been others in the past , but this one was uncalled for and in hindsight  , came out wrong and not in the way I intended . The problem with the tongue is that it reflects the heart.  I'm reminded how Martin Luther  said many great things but at the same time , could say so many things that can make one cringe. 


But suffering from the various illnesses  he suffered and all the stress he was under , I get how he would spout off and say things , that I bet if he could step back , perhaps he would have calmed his tongue and pen. But he didn't and it is out there for all the world to see. That is the thing about words , they linger . Once you say a thing it is not something like a bone that's broke and mends , words rip and tear at the soul . Words carry poison to the heart and can leave a damage that unless the gospel is applied , can render deep emotional wounds that heal very slowly. 


We all have a tendency to say things as well to the ones we love the most . It is our spouse or kids that will usually take the brunt of our words. Why ? I believe our sinful nature , warring with our new nature , fed by the world and Satan fanning those fires , causes our testimony of Christ to be weakened and even null and void of any power. By causing tension and conflict within a household and rendering the home in discord , it guts the gospel witness. 


So in a real and public way , I want to ask for forgiveness from my Wife , who is the most blessed thing God has placed in  my life , whom I would die for in a heart beat , for the words I said in a cloud of fatigue,stress and despair. I let my old nature rule me , the world sift  and the devil to laugh in victory with my uncalled for words that hurt you. Instead of fleeing to Christ and letting Him take my weariness , it came outwards toward you and for that I'm repented  and tearfully sorry . 


May this be a lesson to me and anyone else , when tempted by the flesh to use the tongue to hurt , may the Holy Spirit take the word and yield it as a mighty sword to defeat the sin within and instead and use James 3 to shut your mouth and re open it for God's glory with words of grace, love and encouragement .  

A Few New Christmas Musical Journeys

Since I have been a bit slack in posting new material lately , I thought what better way to kick off a new start of post with Christmas music. There are a few new ones I hope to purchase over the next couple of weeks . Plus since it now is past November 15th , the countdown begins in earnest. This weekend we will dig out the decorations and begin to make the house reflect that Christmas is coming. So here is a quick list of a few releases I hope to be listening to as the day we celebrate the birth of the Saviour , Jesus Christ , the Son of God , comes .
1. Keith & Kristyn Getty - Joy ,An Irish Christmas
2. David Crowder Band - Oh For the Joy
3.Matthew West - The Heart of Christmas
4.Small Town Poets - Christmas
5.Jadon Lavik - Christmas

I'm sure there will be a few more but for now that is my list . Now for the Egg Nog , candy canes and oh yeah , need to get the mistletoe out as well . 39 sleeps till Christmas !

A Time To Pause

Friday is a day we stop and recall the sacrifice of all those who have served and some who paid the ultimate price to secure our freedoms. Those who have served in the military throughout the years deserve our respect and  thanks. May we comprehend how precious it is we live in a free country and stand up when free speech is trying to be stifled .

So thank you for all who serve still . May we never forget.



In Flanders fields the poppies blow
      Between the crosses, row on row,
   That mark our place; and in the sky
   The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
   Loved and were loved, and now we lie,
         In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
   The torch; be yours to hold it high.
   If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
         In Flanders fields.

Super Grover Always Makes Me Laugh

Tough Subject and the Truth

Recently on a show that is broadcasted on the CBC , a personality went on a rant concerning bullying.  There was a clear connection to the suicides of young people resulting from being bullied about being gay. As anyone knows , High-school is a breeding place for bullies. From being fat , ugly  ,slow, black different in anyway , you can be a target . Within that list add the young and gay. They have been told to be who they are , come out and be proud. But the world is a place that is full of those who will hate and bully. But many will list Christians in the hate and bully camp . Is this so and do Christians play a role in this tragedy.

First I will with no apologies say the Bible teaches clearly  , that the only sexuality that God is pleased with and has given to humanity is within marriage between a man and woman. The word says the marriage bed is undefiled.  That its sanctified by God's blessing . That it for both intimacy and children . Any other form is sin . Sex outside of marriage is sexually immoral  and is listed in 1 Corinthians 6 as one of the sins of those who are under God's wrath. Within that list it also homosexuality as well .

Homosexuality is sin , serious sin against a holy God . But any sin is a serious sin against God. As a Christian we must be very careful not to exult homosexuality above or move beyond what God's word tells us concerning any behavior that is against God. To tell someone that God does not approve of their lifestyle choices is not the same as hating or bullying as long as we maintain a biblical understanding of how to call out sinners to repentance

First we have to see others as made in the image of God. That every person is a image bearer although fallen ,broken and a sinner . But that in itself gives each person worth.

Second , we are all sinners . No one is righteous , no one is without temptations. Each person will struggle with different sins , that are the result of our fallen nature. So homosexuality and same sex attraction is one of those sins many may fight all their lives.

Third , we knowing we are saved by grace alone , by faith alone , in Christ alone should give a Christian any room for arrogance or self righteousness .

Fourth , one must make no room for hatred , speech that is unbecoming and incites any type of harm to a person period. Jesus said to love your enemies. Who are the enemies ? Anyone who opposes the gospel of Christ.

Fifth , we must at the same time be willing to proclaim the truth of the gospel of Christ without editing . But the point to start is we are all sinners in need of God's forgiveness , not a peculiar sinful behavior . That may come into the conversation but shouldn't be the starting point.

Sixth , make it clear when it comes to "christian's" who expound hate and advocate a gospel that is no gospel , that you are not in the same boat. Explain the difference.

Last , reach out in love without compromising what the Bible teaches . One will face hostility and sometimes even threats but return this with love . Just as Jesus did facing the cross and his persecutors , show compassion and forgiveness .

These are just simple thoughts from a Christian who is deeply saddened by bullying but I do not hold sharing God's truth in love , falls under this category . Bullying has no place in a Christians life . Nuff said.

Reformation Still On

There have been those in the last 20 years or so who have pushed that the reformation is all but over. With a push by Chuck Colson and others , the Evangelicals and Catholics together movement has made  some to believe we are all one big family. However once you look at the central differences , one will come to the conclusion , unless you are willing to surrender any pursuit of truth in matters of doctrine, the gap still exist as wide as ever.

The  5 sola's of the reformation still stand in complete contrast to all central Catholic understanding of those matters. No we need to continue to defend the gospel , hold to the what was started in the reformation and carry the torch still . Many may be confused because when some say I believe in Jesus , well that settles it . But the Mormons , Jehovah Witnesses say as much , yet most realize they do not believe in the Jesus of the Bible. Well in a real way neither does the Catholic Church in matters pertaining to Jesus Christ being our only reason for salvation. It Jesus plus works , its salvation found within the Church , Marian dogma, praying to saints , the mass , the treasury of merit , the Pope .

Now granted many Catholics are saved despite the doctrines of the Church. They believe it is only Christ that saves and secures but within its system , many are deceived and in the dark . It is another gospel . The reformation insistence  on scripture alone , by faith alone , by grace alone , in Christ alone and to the glory of God alone still needs to proclaimed . so may we look back to stand form as we move into the future.