This is the high holy week for Christians all around the world . As I left Church yesterday , after a sermon from our guest preacher concerning the king is coming , I realized even in the west , even with so many Churches , how many will even know or understand the depth of this coming week . For many it is nothing more than a long weekend . It is very possible many will spend the entire day of Good Friday and Easter Sunday , without a hint of Jesus. Unlike Christmas with the carols , Easter seems oddly removed from faith .
May we this week , pray for opportunities to proclaim Jesus Christ and Him crucified and raised . This is indeed the week that profoundly changes everything form how we live to how we die .
"We carry about in our pockets His very nails." Martin Luther
Monday, April 2, 2012
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
Quick Quotes
The Church needs to challenge the world again with the daring proclamation of a gospel that is offensive---offensive because it speaks of God saving those whom He will, offensive because it proclaims a sovereign Savior who redeems His people. James White
Monday, March 26, 2012
Monday Musings
The killing of a young black man in Florida has once again brought up tensions within the US over the role race plays in the US. The shooting death of this young black man by a Hispanic man , who was apparently on a neighbourhood watch , has caused a roar of injustice because George Zimmerman , the Hispanic man , has not been charged as of yet. He has been claiming self defence . You can Google and read all the news feeds for more info , but my point in bringing this up is simple , racial problems still exist and linger in 2012. Sad as it is , this story highlights this truth. No matter what happened and even if it was a death by wrong place, wrong time and a misguided confrontation that wasn't race motivated , the fact that it is being played as a racially motivated incident tells us much about the issue and how close it is to the surface . Christians need to be at the fore when it comes to breaking this evil cycle of racism against any race . In Christ , within the Church we are all brothers and sisters , no matter what wonderful diverse colour we may be . Those out side the fellowship , are our fellow image bearers of God . They are human , our neighbours , our friends , our co-workers . God created humans , with may shades , may we see each person in this light. My prayer for this sad situation is that justice will be served , that no side will be pandered to for political points and both families will find grace , mercy and forgiveness amid the pain.
It appears that a group of new agers are flocking to a mountainous area in France in light of the Mayan doomsday prediction for the end of the world later this year . According to the Mayan calender , on Dec 21st , 2012 , there is going to be a catastrophic series of events that will alter the earth as we know it . These type of predictions have come up in the past and many of the "faithful" firmly believe but what I find quite hilarious , if you speak about the Bible and its prophecy of Jesus Christ coming again , well that's just a myth or story . Look , all of these new age nuts , who cling to the crystals , tarot cards , astrology and Mayan predictions are deluded and blinded by their sin and the devil. What they need more than anything is the truth that there will be a day coming and unless one is in Christ and forgiven of their sins , they will perish eternally in hell. If you come across someone who is interested in this stuff , use that as a starting point to get them into scripture and share the real truth of the second coming and all its implications. Needless to say I have no plans on going to France and climbing no mountain.
Soon it will Hockey play off time . My Boston Bruins will be in playing to defend their Stanley Cup they won last year . I love hockey in the play offs . It is passionate and really gets the blood going when your team is contending . My prayer fro myself this year is to be excited , exuberant and loud but not lose control and sin in any way . When one is caught up in the action , I have been carried away , my wife will vouch for that . So I write publicly to ask for prayer that I might cheer and enjoy my Bruins no matter how long they may be in the run. No I'm not greedy , so realistically I can't see them repeating . But it would be nice because I just know the Bruins have to be God's favourite team . Just kidding .
It appears that a group of new agers are flocking to a mountainous area in France in light of the Mayan doomsday prediction for the end of the world later this year . According to the Mayan calender , on Dec 21st , 2012 , there is going to be a catastrophic series of events that will alter the earth as we know it . These type of predictions have come up in the past and many of the "faithful" firmly believe but what I find quite hilarious , if you speak about the Bible and its prophecy of Jesus Christ coming again , well that's just a myth or story . Look , all of these new age nuts , who cling to the crystals , tarot cards , astrology and Mayan predictions are deluded and blinded by their sin and the devil. What they need more than anything is the truth that there will be a day coming and unless one is in Christ and forgiven of their sins , they will perish eternally in hell. If you come across someone who is interested in this stuff , use that as a starting point to get them into scripture and share the real truth of the second coming and all its implications. Needless to say I have no plans on going to France and climbing no mountain.
Soon it will Hockey play off time . My Boston Bruins will be in playing to defend their Stanley Cup they won last year . I love hockey in the play offs . It is passionate and really gets the blood going when your team is contending . My prayer fro myself this year is to be excited , exuberant and loud but not lose control and sin in any way . When one is caught up in the action , I have been carried away , my wife will vouch for that . So I write publicly to ask for prayer that I might cheer and enjoy my Bruins no matter how long they may be in the run. No I'm not greedy , so realistically I can't see them repeating . But it would be nice because I just know the Bruins have to be God's favourite team . Just kidding .
Thursday, March 22, 2012
Thursday Follies
This toy was named one of the top 100 toys of all time. Now it sounds funny to name a toy you just stretch but when my brother got one for Christmas one year , I tell you it was a blast trying to pull and manipulate this toy for all its worth to see if we could break it . We could not . Such a simple toy but so much fun and some cool memories of my brother and I seeing who could stretch him the furthest .
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
Branding , Its Working
The concept of branding is a marketing ploy to make a product not only well known but wanted or desired. Its to change ones mind about say what type of coffee one buys. In Canada , Tim Hortons has been the best at this , even though in my humble opinion the coffee isn't that great . However in my country say Tim's and everyone knows what it is and it holds market share.
Well the same thing has happened within the entertainment media over the last 15 years or so that has seen a increase of what I think is a deliberate moral branding in the entertainment medium . Over the last while no matter what show you are watching , in general 2 things will happen . A gay couple or character will be introduced and at the same time within a show , pretty much every time a religious person is depicted , its is usually in a very negative light . Now here is the truth of the matter , branding does work . What we consume from the media no matter what anyone tells me , has a affect on ones view of the world around them .
With the normalization of homosexuality within these shows and the over all depictions that if one rejects this as a true expression of sexuality , you are labelled a homophobe , bigot or worse , one can discern what the shows are trying to do. It has worked very well . In the age group that has grown up within this time and in the TV generation , the over all acceptance of gay behaviour as being normal and should be celebrated is at a all time high in terms of agreement. Now I'm sure other factors have come into play , like education as well within those liberal halls of learning , acceptance has been preached . But the TV as a medium and influence cannot be understated .
If advertising didn't work or have no effect , no company would spend millions of dollars for add times in major sporting events . Well in essence a TV show is one long advertisement of a world view . We sit there passive for 30 minutes or an hour , our minds being carried along by the events . Now unless one watches with a discerning mind and is aware of what a writer is saying , how can one not be influenced . The health profession tells us all the time concerning what we consume , and we know we feel better when eat well . Well if we allow our minds to be plugged into what this world is offering , then how can we not come under its sway.
Look , I'm not saying homosexuality is some form of uber sin , its not . Like all sin , it is a direct attack against God and His holiness . We all have sinned and fall short , as Romans tells us . Plus the lake of fire is for liars , cowards , the ungodly , adulterers and the like . That is all of us . We sin because we are sinners . Plus as Christians , we must make no place for hate speech or advocate harm to anyone , but we must speak the truth , that homosexuality is sin and against God's plan for humans period.
We must be aware that as we continue to hold to God's revealed word and the gospel of Jesus Christ , this world around us will not take to kindly to our stands , no matter how meek or loving we may try to be . A sinner wants their sin and while they are under its full sway , the devil plays them like a fiddle . But greater is the one who crushed the serpents head at the cross and broke the chains of sin and death , We worship a living Saviour , Jesus Christ . This issue could very well be a time of reckoning within the Churches across many countries . May we find the courage to draw a line in the sand and stand on God's word .
Well the same thing has happened within the entertainment media over the last 15 years or so that has seen a increase of what I think is a deliberate moral branding in the entertainment medium . Over the last while no matter what show you are watching , in general 2 things will happen . A gay couple or character will be introduced and at the same time within a show , pretty much every time a religious person is depicted , its is usually in a very negative light . Now here is the truth of the matter , branding does work . What we consume from the media no matter what anyone tells me , has a affect on ones view of the world around them .
With the normalization of homosexuality within these shows and the over all depictions that if one rejects this as a true expression of sexuality , you are labelled a homophobe , bigot or worse , one can discern what the shows are trying to do. It has worked very well . In the age group that has grown up within this time and in the TV generation , the over all acceptance of gay behaviour as being normal and should be celebrated is at a all time high in terms of agreement. Now I'm sure other factors have come into play , like education as well within those liberal halls of learning , acceptance has been preached . But the TV as a medium and influence cannot be understated .
If advertising didn't work or have no effect , no company would spend millions of dollars for add times in major sporting events . Well in essence a TV show is one long advertisement of a world view . We sit there passive for 30 minutes or an hour , our minds being carried along by the events . Now unless one watches with a discerning mind and is aware of what a writer is saying , how can one not be influenced . The health profession tells us all the time concerning what we consume , and we know we feel better when eat well . Well if we allow our minds to be plugged into what this world is offering , then how can we not come under its sway.
Look , I'm not saying homosexuality is some form of uber sin , its not . Like all sin , it is a direct attack against God and His holiness . We all have sinned and fall short , as Romans tells us . Plus the lake of fire is for liars , cowards , the ungodly , adulterers and the like . That is all of us . We sin because we are sinners . Plus as Christians , we must make no place for hate speech or advocate harm to anyone , but we must speak the truth , that homosexuality is sin and against God's plan for humans period.
We must be aware that as we continue to hold to God's revealed word and the gospel of Jesus Christ , this world around us will not take to kindly to our stands , no matter how meek or loving we may try to be . A sinner wants their sin and while they are under its full sway , the devil plays them like a fiddle . But greater is the one who crushed the serpents head at the cross and broke the chains of sin and death , We worship a living Saviour , Jesus Christ . This issue could very well be a time of reckoning within the Churches across many countries . May we find the courage to draw a line in the sand and stand on God's word .
Monday, March 19, 2012
Monday Musings
Recently I watched a interesting trailer called No Compromise:Ever . It is a program being released that features some solid and trustworthy Bible Preachers/Teachers. It will no doubt it will be a call to faithful , truthful and brave when it comes to God's truth and the gospel of Jesus Christ. In this day and age with so many dancing on the fence or surrendering ground within the Church , we must and need to hear this , stand firm ,stand strong and yield no ground . Can't wait to watch this .
It seems that there will be no more Tebowing being done in Denver come next NFL season . They have won the Peyton Manning sweepstakes , who was released by the Indianapolis Colts earlier this year. Now unless you live under a rock , Manning is one of the greatest Quarterback ever to have played the game . So the signing by the Broncos is a clear sing Tebow will be moving on . Tebow of course brought Denver from a horrible start to a birth in the conference final . He is a very out spoken Christian young man , and has handled himself well under a extreme microscope of scrutiny. So no matter what God has planned for this young man . I truly hope and pray , he will maintain his zeal , his love and witness for Christ. Wherever he lands next year , it will make for some interesting news that is for sure and fun to watch.
Recently I was listening to Dr. James White and how as he listened to different news podcast , how he was truly sickened to hear so much news coming at him that exults sin and evil , while tearing down and spitting at God's holiness . So as I was watching some random entertainment news programs , it was so true if one just opens ones eyes to discern , how much comes at a Christian everyday from so many sources , that insults , degrades and blasphemes God . The shift has been dramatic over my life time . In just 40 years what is acceptable in broad daylight has grown to pure unadulterated blasphemy against the God of the Bible . The cursing and use of Jesus name , filthy sex jokes etc.... It is a judgment against the us . For as Romans 1 tells us , God will hand over people to their own sin and lust . The only answer to this to preach Jesus crucified and rose again for the forgiveness of the sinners caught in this darkness , just as we where once . May we not lose hope , but press on .
It seems that there will be no more Tebowing being done in Denver come next NFL season . They have won the Peyton Manning sweepstakes , who was released by the Indianapolis Colts earlier this year. Now unless you live under a rock , Manning is one of the greatest Quarterback ever to have played the game . So the signing by the Broncos is a clear sing Tebow will be moving on . Tebow of course brought Denver from a horrible start to a birth in the conference final . He is a very out spoken Christian young man , and has handled himself well under a extreme microscope of scrutiny. So no matter what God has planned for this young man . I truly hope and pray , he will maintain his zeal , his love and witness for Christ. Wherever he lands next year , it will make for some interesting news that is for sure and fun to watch.
Recently I was listening to Dr. James White and how as he listened to different news podcast , how he was truly sickened to hear so much news coming at him that exults sin and evil , while tearing down and spitting at God's holiness . So as I was watching some random entertainment news programs , it was so true if one just opens ones eyes to discern , how much comes at a Christian everyday from so many sources , that insults , degrades and blasphemes God . The shift has been dramatic over my life time . In just 40 years what is acceptable in broad daylight has grown to pure unadulterated blasphemy against the God of the Bible . The cursing and use of Jesus name , filthy sex jokes etc.... It is a judgment against the us . For as Romans 1 tells us , God will hand over people to their own sin and lust . The only answer to this to preach Jesus crucified and rose again for the forgiveness of the sinners caught in this darkness , just as we where once . May we not lose hope , but press on .
Friday, March 16, 2012
Thursday Follies
I still recall being totally in awe of Bruce Lee when I was around 10 or so . When I first had the chance to see Enter the Dragon , I was blown away by his fighting skills and amazing speed. He was the man . Since I was pretty scrawny and small , my thinking was if I could fight like Bruce Lee , no one would mess with me . So I sent away to an add I saw in one of my comics for a instructional Karate how to book.
Well what I thought was a booklet turned out to be a very simple poster , with about 20 or so moves to defend one self. It was pretty lame , but I practised the moves and since my Uncle , 7 years older than me , was into this stuff as well , we would mess around . He actually , if my memory is correct , took some real lessons . It was fun and bruising .
But my one real take away from the whole thing was , if your going to learn something like self defence , get real instruction. Bruce Lee was a master with Nunchucks. A martial weapon that consist of 2 pieces of wood , with a piece of rope or chain connecting the 2 ends. Well my Uncle , who was quite good at wood working constructed a pair for me and him . Having watched Lee masterfully move this lethal weapon and make it look so cool and easy , I had to try . Needless to say , after a few real good bangs upside my head , my common sense kicked in and said , I leave that to watching Lee in the Movies.
I stilled messed around with the Karate poster for a while but in the end , decided to play hockey and just watch Kung Fu on TV . A safer alternative I think . Of course when your a kid , who didn't want to be the guy who could take down the bully with one awesome round house kick , and then get all the girls . Only in the Movies .
Well what I thought was a booklet turned out to be a very simple poster , with about 20 or so moves to defend one self. It was pretty lame , but I practised the moves and since my Uncle , 7 years older than me , was into this stuff as well , we would mess around . He actually , if my memory is correct , took some real lessons . It was fun and bruising .
But my one real take away from the whole thing was , if your going to learn something like self defence , get real instruction. Bruce Lee was a master with Nunchucks. A martial weapon that consist of 2 pieces of wood , with a piece of rope or chain connecting the 2 ends. Well my Uncle , who was quite good at wood working constructed a pair for me and him . Having watched Lee masterfully move this lethal weapon and make it look so cool and easy , I had to try . Needless to say , after a few real good bangs upside my head , my common sense kicked in and said , I leave that to watching Lee in the Movies.
I stilled messed around with the Karate poster for a while but in the end , decided to play hockey and just watch Kung Fu on TV . A safer alternative I think . Of course when your a kid , who didn't want to be the guy who could take down the bully with one awesome round house kick , and then get all the girls . Only in the Movies .
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