Right after Sunday morning service, an Frontiersmen Camping Fellowship contingent left for Eagle Rock, Missouri, to participate in the National Rendezvous that happens only once every four years. This will be a great time of fellowship, encouragement, and developing a strong vision for FCF and Royal Rangers. I have been in FCF since 1998, and enjoy the friendship and passion for ministry that many participants embrace.
Last Monday, Paul Serb (Royal Ranger Senior Commander at my church) took me out fishing. I had a blast. I caught only two (a large mouth and a small mouth bass), but it was fun.
The war on faith continues--and reveals itself as a overt hatred for God and those that follow God. According to an article in the Times of London, dated July 8, 2008, a discovery of a tablet in the Dead Sea (and its interpretation) calls into question the validity of the death and resurrection of Christ (see article: http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/faith/article4295804.ece)
I desire good scholarship and good investigations on the claims of Christ and the Bible. I continue to be convinced that the historical record underscores the truth of God's Word, especially as it relates the the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. However, I think those that are unbelievers do a disservice to their cause when they use obviously poor or deceptive practices on archaeological and historical discoveries. Even in the Times of London's article, it is obvious that the aim is to discredit Christianity rather than to discover the truth.
Instead of discouraging my beliefs, these militant atheist continue to strengthen my faith in the truth of God's Word. Their attacks reveal something more sinister at work--they are in open rebellion to the obvious truth (see Romans 1:18 and following). So, in the end, I welcome the investigation--what I want is honest work--not shady, deceptive practices that reveal dishonesty and hatred.
Multi-cultural-ism, pluralism, diversity--in general, words that describe our country. From its' very inception, to the present, we are a people of differing races, creeds, religions, and viewpoints. This year, for the first time in our history, a major political party has selected as its presidential candidate an African-American. On one hand, I am thrilled that the American dream is becoming more and more accessible to everyone. But, there is something deep beneath the surface of the American culture that concerns me.
With the emphasis of "getting along" and "accepting" one another, there is, in our culture, a trend to discourage open freedom of religion and speech--especially religion and speech that is held by those who believe in salvation through Christ alone and the relevancy of God's written Word. Political statements in this year's presidential race reveals a growing popular demand to quiet those who believe in Christ and practice their faith openly.
I am careful with politics. I pastor a church made up of people from many differing political parties. My ministry emphasizes the proclamation of God's Word rather than proclaiming political ideology. However, God's Word is clear--there is morality from God's point of view. And, regardless of the current emphasis that the church should be quiet, we need people today to rise up and proclaim the truth--even when it is unpopular to do so.
If we as a nation reject God, God will reject us and remove His grace and mercy that has sustained us as a country for 232 years.
What do you think?
Next Sunday, God willing, I will be preaching on a message about the Spirit's Fire--more specifically, the admonishment from the Apostle Paul that we are not to put out the Spirit's Fire in our lives. My initial thought about what Paul wrote centers on passion for the cause of Christ. It is easy to allow the stressing and stuff of life to dampen our enthusiasm for Jesus. Prayer and Bible study seems to be crowded out of our busy lives. What should happen--what should we do?
What do you think?
