PUMPKINS!

The definition of: Political Correctness

A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical liberal minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous leftstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up "dog poop" by the clean end.

A friend sent me this over the weekend. I have taken the liberty of sanitizing it somewhat for the blog.

THE LIVING DEAD

Recently I was having a discussion with a couple of "Kingdom Hall" followers, commonly but falsely called, "Jehovah's Witnesses." There aren't Jehovah's witnesses because they don't believe that Jesus is Jehovah though the Bible clearly teaches that He is. One of the most frustrating things about our conversation was the main talker constantly referring to death as a cessation of being (annihilation) even though the Bible (once again) clearly teaches otherwise. Even after I showed her in the Bible that death could not mean annihilation she would fall back into that 1 minute later. These people are not the only ones to misunderstand death. Some people will say something to the effect, "I just want to kill myself and end it all!" Or, "Well, at least for them it's all over now." "At least they're better off." Wishful thinking unless they know Jesus personally.

According to the Bible there are three* basic kinds of death. In none of these three cases is death a cessation of being. In all of the cases you could refer to the individuals involved as "the living dead." Everyone experiences 1 type, whether or not you experience another type is completely up to you, and the 3rd type is related to your previous decision as we shall see.

I. DEFINITIONS

Death is not cessation but is separation. You can be separated from someone or something without ceasing to exist and this is exactly what the Bible teaches. Let's see as we examine the 3 basic kinds of death.

1. Physical death-separation of the soul (the immaterial) from the body (the material) as seen in Lk. 16:22-23. It began to be possible with the sin of Adam & Eve and is the basic due of all living [Gen. 3:21-24, Rm. 5:12). Since they dead continue to exist they could be called a type of living dead.

2. Spiritual death-separation of the soul from God because of sin. Since we are born sinners we are born spiritually dead [Ps. 51:5, Is. 59:2, Eph. 2:1]. This explains Adam's situation- he was spiritually dead though he lived physically for many more years [Gn. 2:17, 3:4, 8, 22-24]. This is the natural condion of all people born of man and woman but can be changed. In the meantime, alive physically, dead spiritually, they too can be classified as the living dead.

3. The Second death-separation of the soul from God eternally in the lake of fire as taught in Rev. 20:11-15. The lake of fire was prepared for Satan and the fallen angels (Mt. 25:41) but men choose to go there by rejecting Christ's righteousness [v. 46, II Cor. 5:21]. Living in the sense of existing but spirituall dead and undergoing the second death forever- the eternal living dead.

II. SOLUTIONS-REALLY ONLY 1 BUT IT COVERS ALL THREE!

1. Spiritual death can be changed to spiritual life by the new birth according to the Bible [Jn. 1:12, 3:3-8; Eph. 2:1]!

2. Physical death is only temporary then to a Christian and can even be avoided if the rapture hits before you die physically [I Th. 4:13-17].

3. The second death is completely avoided by trusting Christ while still alive physically [Jn. 11:25-26; Rev. 20:4-6, 15]

III. SUMMATIONS

1. Born once you'll die twice (already spiritually dead).

2. Born twice you'll only have the possibility of dying once.

3. There are no chances after physical death to get saved- Heb. 9:22-28].





*Others include- dying to self, dying daily

THE TESTIMONY OF A TRANSFORMED LIFE

GALATIANS 1:20-24

Paul says they didn't know him by face but they had heard about him. They heard that his life had been changed. They heard that he had been changed. They heard God had changed him. He had the testimony of a transformed life!

I. IT WAS A PERSONAL TRANSFORMATION [V. 11-13, II Co. 5:17]

II. IT WAS A LIFE-GOAL TRANSFORMATION [V. 1, 13b, 23, Philippians 1:21 ]

III. IT WAS A RELIGIOUS TRANSFORMATION [V. 14-15, Eph. 2:8-9]

IV. IT WAS A MENTAL TRANSFORMATION [V. 16-17, MT. 22:41-46, JN. 8:32, Rm. 12:2]

V. IT WAS A RELATIONAL TRANSFORMATION [V. 18-19, new family-Jn. 1:12, friends-Jn. 15:14, enemies-I Pt. 4:4]

Have you been transformed? How far have you let it extend? Can others see a change in you?

Q: Is an Ivy League school really spending millions of dollars to prove there’s no God?

Weekly News from the Answers In Genesis' (see links) Answers Update

A: These days it seems as though everyone is jumping into the creation/evolution debate. Not wanting to be left out, Harvard announced a new multimillion dollar research project, the “Origins of Life in the Universe Initiative.” They’re setting aside $1 million a year to try to prove what they already believe.

Listen to what a Harvard professor of chemistry and chemical biology told the New York Times about the origin of life: “My expectation is that we will be able to reduce this to a very simple series of logical events that could have taken place with no divine intervention.”

For all the PhDs that Harvard may hand out—and for all the good science they may do—none of it is important when it comes to eternity. If they’re producing atheists, then what’s the point in the long run?

As Matthew 16 tells us, “What profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?”


Read the full story at "Harvard allocates millions to prove there is no God" at the AIG website.

This information was provided by Answers In Genesis, an excellent source of material relating to Creation and evolution. Please visit their website using the link in the upper left.

AN OPEN LETTER TO WIL RICE OF THE BILL RICE RANCH

Dear Brother Wil,

What a great time we had at the Master's Mens Conference. Some of our men were disappointed when we heard that Dr. Bill wouldn't be there but we all saw God's hand moving even in that! I can't imagine not hearing even one of the great messages from God's Word brought to us by you and Brother Pittman. Thank you for allowing God to use you to minister to us.

The staff at the Ranch was up to their usual top-notch "behavior", the music was superb and the food was just plain good! Thank you for nor repeating the quiche disaster of a while back (I'm only half-way kidding about that)! As I told you then, "Real men don't eat quiche!" I rejoice to see what the Lord is doing there in Middle Tennessee! I remember when there was more red mud visible than grass. How beautiful the Ranch is.

Of course, we rejoice in Mike's salvation. Thank you for being sensitve to the Holy Spirit and speaking to him. He said he's going to follow the Lord in believer's baptism soon! Many of the men are already planning on coming next year Lord willing! Personally I hope to be in the first week of summer camp as well.

This letter is going on the blog but a hard copy is winging it's way to you as well. Enclosed you'll find a little something for the mission fund. To say I believe in the Ranch is not enough, I personally want to have a part in the work!

In Jesus' Name, Rick Jackson

Pastor, Bradford Baptist Church

PICTURES OF THE WEEK (Headshots???)

GOD, HITLER AND WAR

War
Edwin Starr

War, huh yeah
What is it good for?
Absolutely nothing. [Impossible, even a bad war can serve as a good example]
War huh yeah
What is it good for?
Absolutely nothing.
Say it again y'all
War, huh good god [God is good but blasphemy is not. Mk. 10:18, Ex. 20:7]
What is it good for?
Absolutely nothing. Listen to me

War-I despise
cause it means destruction
Of innocent lives [In the strict sense there are no innocent lives-- Rm. 3:23, 6:23][First, there is no such person as the innocent, as we have seen already. We are all sinful. But furthermore, we clearly have to reap the consequences not only of our own personal sins, but also of the sins of the entire race; and, on a smaller scale, the sins of our particular country or group. We are, at one and the same time, individuals, and members of the state and of the entire race. The Gospel saves us as individuals; but that does not mean that we cease to be members of the state and part and parcel of the entire human race. We share the same sun and rain as other people, and we are exposed to the same illnesses and diseases. We are subject to the same trials by way of industrial depression and other causes of unhappiness, including war. Thus it comes to pass that the innocent may have to bear part of the punishment for sins for which they are not directly responsible.-MLJ]

War means tears to thousands of mothers eyes
When their sons go off to fight
And lose their lives

War, huh good god y'all
What is it good for? [Stopping evil--- WWII for example]
Absolutely nothing. say it again
War whoa lord
What is it good for?
Absolutely nothing. listen to me
It ain't nothin but a heartbreaker [It's more than that as we shall see]
Friend only to the undertaker [Do undertakers love death?]

Oh war, is an enemy to all mankind [It's a sympton, not the actual problem.]
the thought of war blows my mind
war has caused unrest in the younger generation
induction, then destruction who wants to die

War, good god y'all
What is it good for?
Absolutely nothing. say it say it say it
War uh huh yeah huh
What is it good for?
Absolutely nothing. listen to me
It ain't nothin but a heartbreaker
got one friend that's the undertaker

oh war has shattered many young mans dreams
made him disabled bitter and mean
life is much to short and precious to fight mighty wars these days
war can't give life it can only take it away oooooh [War cannot give life, but it can preserve and protect life]
War, huh good god y'all
What is it good for?
Absolutely nothing. say it say again
War whoa lord
What is it good for?
Absolutely nothing. listen
It ain't nothin but a heartbreaker
Friend only to the undertaker

Peace love and understanding tell me
Is there no place for them today
they say we must fight to keep our freedom
but lord knows there's got to be a better way [There is a better way- for men to trust Christ and then live for Him but men reject the only solution and want still another way. There is no other way. No-one can ever offer a different solution than to trust Christ or have war.]

I. WAR IS A CONSEQUENCE OF SIN (it is not a sin in and of itself)

1. Satan's sin [Rev. 11:7, 12:7, 12:17, 19:19]

2. Man's sin [Rev. 17:12-14, James 4:1-3]

3. World of sin [II Cor. 10:1-6]

II. WAR IS A REMINDER OF SIN

1. The cost of sin [Ex. 17:6, Is. 21:15, Rm. 6:23]

2. The cancer of sin [James 4:1-2, I Pet. 2:11]

3. The continuation of sin [Judges 5:8, I Sam. 23:8]

To ask God to prohibit war or to prevent war, therefore, is to ask Him to prohibit one of the particular consequences of sin. Or, if we take the view that war itself is actual sin, it is to ask God to prohibit one particular sin. Here again we see both the selfishness that is involved in the request and also the insult to God. Because this particular form of sin, or consequence of sin, is especially painful and difficult for us, we ask God to prohibit it. We are not at all concerned about the holiness of God, or sin as such. Were we so concerned, we would ask Him to prohibit all sin and to restrain all iniquity. We would ask Him to prohibit drunkenness, gambling, immorality and vice, the breaking of the Sabbath, and all the various other sins which men enjoy so thoroughly. But if anyone ventured to suggest that, a protest loud and strong would be registered immediately in the name of freedom. We boast of our free-will and resent any suggestion or teaching that God should in any way interfere with it. And yet, when, as the result of the exercise of that very freedom, we find ourselves faced with the horrors and troubles and sufferings of a war, like peevish children we cry out our protests and complain bitterly against God because He has not used His almighty power and forcibly prevented it! God, in His infinite and everlasting wisdom, has decided not to prohibit sin and not to restrain altogether the consequences of sin. War is not an isolated and separate spiritual and religious problem. It is just a part and an expression of the one great central problem of sin.---Martyn Lloyd-Jones


III. WAR DOESN'T MAKE THE PARTICIPANT'S SIN

1. War can be fought righteously [Ex. 15:3, I Tm. 1:8, Rev. 19:11]

2. War can bring benefits [Dt. 4:34, Job 5:20, Ps. 27:3]
(Does anybody really believe the world would have been better off if nobody opposed Hitler?)[And all this, in turn, leads to the final purpose, which is to lead us back to God. Like the Prodigal Son, when we have lost all and are suffering acutely and in a state of wretchedness and misery, seeing our folly and our stupidity, we think of God, even as he thought of his father and his home. No word is found more frequently in the Old Testament as a description of the Children of Israel than the words, in their trouble and distresses they cried unto the Lord.---MLJ]

3. War will be ended [Is. 2:4, Micah 4:3, Rev. 20:7-10]

The question that needs to be asked is not "Why does God allow war?" but rather,

Why does God not allow the world to destroy itself entirely in its iniquity and its sin? Why does He in His restraining grace set a limit to evil and to sin, and a bound beyond which they cannot pass?

Oh, the amazing patience of God with this sinful world! How wondrous is His love! He has sent the Son of His love to our world to die for us and to save us; and because men cannot and will not see this, He permits and allows such things as war to chastise and to punish us; to teach us, and to convict us of our sins; and, above all, to call us to repentance and acceptance of His gracious offer.

The vital question for us therefore is not to ask, "Why does God allow war?" The question for us is to make sure that we are learning the lesson, and repenting before God for the sin in our own hearts, and in the entire human race, which leads to such results.

May God grant us understanding and the true spirit of repentance, for His Name's sake.

Martyn Lloyd-Jones (1899-1981), minister of Westminster Chapel in London for 30 years

QUOTES OF THE WEEK- Only A Piece of Paper?

"Many women callers to my radio show have told me that the man in their life sees no reason to marry. 'It's only a piece of paper,' these men (and now some women) argue. There are two answers to this argument. One is that if in fact 'it is only a piece of paper,' what exactly is he so afraid of? Why does he fear a mere piece of paper? Either he is lying to himself and to his woman or lying only to her because he knows this piece of paper is far more than 'only a piece of paper.' The other response is all that is written above. Getting married means I am now your wife, not your live-in; I am now your husband, not your significant other. It means that we get to have a wedding where, before virtually every person alive who means anything to us, we commit ourselves to each other. It means that we have decided to bring all these people we love into our lives. It means we have legal obligations to one another. It means my family becomes yours and yours becomes mine... When you realize all that is attainable by marrying and unattainable by living together without marrying, you have to wonder why anyone would voluntarily choose not to marry the person he or she wishes to live with forever." ---Dennis Prager

"Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,
That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself. For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church: For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones.
For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church. Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband." ---Ephesians 5:25-32

MAKE THE RIGHT CHOICE

HEBREWS 11:23

Every day we make scores of choices. Some small, insignificant and some life-changing though we may not know it at the time. All through our lives we will have choices to make. Adam and Eve made the first wrong choice and we have all been affected by it. We are not islands. Our choices affect others. Joshua told Israel, "And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD."

Elijah said, " How long halt ye between two opinions? if the LORD be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him."

"Whenever you are confronted with a decision- you do make one! Even deciding to put off the decision is a decision!" -Evangelist Bill Rice III

Jesus put it this way, "He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad." [Mt. 12:30]

In the book of Hebrews we see lots of choices people made and their results. One man who made some wise choices that affected not only his life and the life of millions in his time but continues to affect lives today is the man we call Moses.

Moses parents made a wise decision and Moses was spared death as an infant. Let's look at some of his decisions.

I. MOSES CHOSE GOD OVER POSITION [V. 24]

Henry Clay was once offered a deal that would guarantee him the presidency. Knowing it to be morally wrong Clay replied, "Gentlemen, I'd rather be right than president." He never was presient but we remember him more than many presidents because of his character.

II. MOSES CHOSE GOD OVER PLEASURE [V. 25]

David made the wrong choice in this area and he is remembered still for this sin. Many lives have been ruined because of the pursuit of pleasure. How many of our young people have been snuffed out in the prime of life in seeking some high from drugs or alcohol? The adults who allow it or set the bad example are also making the wrong choice.

III. MOSES CHOSE GOD OVER RICHES [V. 26]

Jesus said, "No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon." [Mt. 6:24]

IV. MOSES CHOSE GOD OVER GOVERNMENT [V. 27]

FAITH=Forsaking All I Trust Him [I COR. 2:14, II COR. 4:4, HB. 11:6]

V. MOSES CHOSE GOD OVER UNBELIEF [V. 28]

VI. MOSES CHOSE GOD OVER SURRENDER [V. 29]

Choosing God is always the right choice. Choosing God's way is always the right choice. Choosing God's Word is always the right choice. So, MAKE THE RIGHT CHOICE!

THE MISTAKES OF FOOLS

PROVERBS 1:22-23

I. THEIR MISTAKES ARE MANIFEST

1. They Disregard God [v. 24]

2. They Devalue God [v. 25]

3. They Despise God [v. 29-30, Heb. 10:28-29]

II. THEIR OUTCOME IS ODIOUS

1. God will be antagonistic toward them [v. 26]

2. God will be apathetic toward them [v. 27-28]

3. God will be appropriate toward them [v. 31-32]

III. THE SOLUTION IS SIMPLE

1. Fear the Lord [v. 7]

2. Turn to the Lord [v. 23]

3. Hearken to the Lord [v. 33]

Q: Do creationists believe flying dragons were mythical?

A: The pictures of flying dragons we see in movies and books may be a bit fanciful. But they are probably based on memories from people who did see such flying creatures, perhaps pterodactyls.

In the 5th century BC, Herodotus, the famous Greek historian, wrote about the “winged serpents” of Arabia. Their descriptions fit what we know about pterodactyls. Similar reports of such creatures come from Ethiopia and India. And there are people living today in the jungles of Southern Africa who say they’ve seen flying reptiles—though they call them “kongamato.” Even the Bible, in the book of Isaiah, talks about flying serpents that lived with people.

Evolutionists insist that the flying reptiles became extinct with the dinosaurs millions of years ago. But the Bible and ancient records give evidence that such creatures lived with people not so long ago.

Furthermore, it shouldn’t surprise those who believe in the book of Genesis if such a flying reptile was still living today. After all, the Bible says that God created all the land animals on the sixth day of creation.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Does that mean, then, that dinosaurs were also made on the sixth day—the same day that Adam was created? For some intriguing evidence that humans and dinosaurs have lived together, read Dinosaurs and the Bible at www.answersingenesis.org

This information was provided by Answers In Genesis, an excellent source of material relating to Creation and evolution. Please visit their website using the link in the upper left.

GOD, DANNY ROLLING, AND CAPITAL PUNISHMENT

On the editorial page of yesterday's Gainesville Sun was a letter from a woman we'll call Ms. Smith. Ms. Smith begins by telling us what most of us already know.

"Danny Rolling will be killed on Oct. 25, finally receiving the ultimate legal payment for his heinous crimes. There's no doubt that he is guilty or that he deserves the maximum punishment the state can impose, even after his abusive childhood and personality disorder are taken into account."

Okay, she admits his guilt and that he deserves the maximum punishment (I prefer the word "penalty") for his crimes. The state of Florida recognizes the maximum penalty as death. This should be the end of the story. Unfortunately, it is not.

Ms. Smith continues, "There is also no doubt that the victims' families, the residents of Gainesville, and indeed the world, deserve closure and some sense of relief." So far, so good. But then she says, "Unfortunately, ending Rolling's existence will not comfort the families' grief or mollify their rage; only God and their own inner resources working through time can accomplish that."

It actually might comfort them to know the man that killed their loved one(s) will not kill again. It might even mollify their rage by the same reasoning. It is true that ultimately their only hope lies in God, so does God have anything to say about the death penalty, i.e., about capital punishment?

I. GOD DOESN'T JUST APPROVE OF THE DEATH PENALTY- HE INSTITUTED CAPITAL PUNISHMENT!

1. God instituted it along with human government before the law [Gn. 9:1-6]

2. God insisted upon it during the law albeit with certain provisions [Ex. 21:12-14, Nm. 35:30, Dt. 17:6]

3. God reiterated it after the law by the Apostle Paul [Rm. 13:1-10]

Ms. Smith voices her opinion further. "Danny Rolling's death will not relieve Gainesville or the world of his horrific brand of violence. Potential torturers and killers are not deterred by the execution of others. Rolling, of course, will not be committing murder again, but that would be the case if he were spending life in prison without parole."

II. CAPITAL PUNISHMENT ADDRESSES ISSUES OTHER MEANS DO NOT

1. As a determination-the murdered will never murder again. Life without parole doesn't guarantee this (pardon, escape, in prison)

2. As a deterrant-when done speedily it does work [Eccl. 8:11]

3. As something deserved-Num. 35:3

Ms. Smith finishes her letter with her opinion as opposed to God's unalterable Word:
"Killing Danny Rolling can't satisfy our need for vengeance, because death is a woefully inadequate punishment for his crimes. It only shows the civilized world that our system of justice is unable to respond to violence without more violence.
The justice to be executed this month confirms and sanctions a violent society. Please join me outside the prison on Oct. 25 to protest the death penalty."

III. LESSONS LEARNED FROM CAPITAL PUNISHMENT

1. There is a penalty for doing wrong [Rm. 6:23]

2. There is an authority to whom we must answer [Rm. 3:4, Rev. 20:11-15]

3. There is a solution [Rev. 20:15, Rm. 6:23, 10:9ff]

PICTURES OF THE WEEK

QUOTES OF THE WEEK

The world is not always ready to receive talent with open arms. Very often it does not know what to do with genius. - Oliver Wendell Holmes

You can bear witness or you can bear a grudge but you cannot do both at the same time. Not well. - Evangelist Wil Rice

Your ministry is not YOUR ministry. - Wil Rice

It's not what you have done. It's what you become. - Pastor David Pittman

Be sure that they see Jesus in you today. - Randy Lamb

WHAT DOES THE BILL RICE RANCH DO TO PEOPLE?

Why would 7 men travel 10 hours one way to spend approximately 36 hours at the Bill Rice Ranch outside of Murfreesboro, Tn.? Why would they sit through 8 services during that time and then travel 10 hours back to Florida? Why? Because of what the Bill Rice Ranch does to people. Besides the great activites and the great food the Bill Rice Ranch:

I. THEY EVANGELIZE THE SINNER [RM. 1:13]

1. They are unbiased [v. 14]

2. They are unpretentious [v. 15]

3. They are unashamed [v. 16]

II. THEY EDIFY THE SAINT [EPH. 4:7-10]

1. Note the who [v. 11]

2. Note the work [v. 12]

3. Note the why [v. 13-16]

III. THEY EMPHASIZE THE WORD OF GOD [TITUS 1]

1. They promote Scripturality over style [v. 9a]

2. They promote sound doctrine over sensationalism [v. 9b-2:6]

3. They practice what they preach [2:7-8]

RIGHT & WRONG

MT. 26:6-13, MK. 14:3-9, JOHN 12:1-8

It was in the spring of 30 AD, the week before Jesus would go to the cross to bear the sins of the world, to give His life on Calvary's tree, and to rise from the dead three days later. Here we find Mary, the sister of Lazarus and Martha, illustrating our first point...

I. DOING RIGHT [JOHN 12:1-3]

1. Mary knew what Jesus had done [v. 1]

2. Mary knew what Martha was doing [v. 2, note: the events of Lk. 10:38 etc. had occurred in the fall of the previous year, i.e. 29 AD]

3. Mary knew what another had done [v. 3, note: the events of Lk. 7:36-50 had happened in 28 AD, some 2 years earlier)

You might think that this display of love would elicit praise from others in the immediate area. But instead we find our people illustrating our second point...

II. DOING WRONG [JOHN 12:4-6]

1. The self-serving sinner will criticize [v. 4-6]

2. The careless Christian will conform [Mt. 26:8, Rm. 12:2]

3. The carnal Christian will conflict with God [Mk. 14:4, Rm. 5:8-13]

One of the reasons we study God's Word is to get to know Him better, and in knowing Him better we can look at what's going on, see right and wrong, and that brings us to our third and final point...

III. KNOW THE DIFFERENCE BY KNOWING THE SAVIOUR

1. The Rebuke [Mk. 14:6]

2. The Reminder [Mk. 14:7]

3. The Reward [Mk. 14:8-9, Mt. 25:21]

Q: What do creationists mean when they say dinosaurs were re-discovered?

A: Most people have the idea that we discovered dinosaurs when scientists found and examined their bones back in the 1800s. But when you think about it, this idea is really based on the evolutionary belief that dinosaurs never lived with people.

According to the Bible, all land animals—including dinosaurs—were made on Day 6 of Creation Week. So they actually lived alongside Adam and Eve. Therefore, when some scientists say that we first discovered dinosaurs in the 1800s, we say that, from a biblical perspective, they actually rediscovered them.

Furthermore, the many “dragon” legends from cultures around the world are most likely stories about the creatures we now call dinosaurs. Dragons are actually referred to a number of times in the Old Testament. (The word “dinosaur” wasn’t coined until 1841.)

When someone asks you, “When were dinosaurs discovered?” you can start from Genesis and reply, “They were first discovered about 6,000 years ago, when Adam saw the first dinosaurs!”

This information was provided by Answers In Genesis, an excellent source of material relating to Creation and evolution. Please visit their website using the link in the upper left.

20-20 VISION

ACTS 20-18-24

Paul saw very early in his Christian life what a Christian needs to be and what a Christian needs to do. Let us open our eyes and hearts to what the Lord would have us to do.

In order to have Acts 20:20 Vision we need to:

I. HIT THE GROUND RUNNING! [V. 18]

Suppose, like me, when you first got saved you didn't know you were supposed to do anything. You just kept on like you had been until you learned better. Well, it may be a cliche, but it's still true- today is the first day of the rest of your life!

II. SERVE THE LORD HUMBLY [V. 19, Col. 3:23, James 4:10, I Peter 5:5-6]

III. SHARE THE WORD PROFITABLY [V. 20, II Tm. 3:16-4:5]

IV. GIVE THE GOSPEL IMPARTIALLY [V. 21]

V. SUBMIT TO THE SPIRIT WHOLLY [V. 22-23]

VI. FINISH THE COURSE JOYFULLY [V.24, Rom. 15:32, Phil. 2:17, I Pet. 4:13]

chalk drawings from Julian Beever.

Julian Beever is an English artist who's famous for his art on the pavement of England, France, Germany, USA, Australia and Belgium . Beever gives to his drawings an amazing 3D illusion.

W.W.W. ON REAL WORSHIP

Warren W. Wiersbe on Real Worship

“I have learned that preaching is an act of worship and that my message must be a sacrifice placed on the altar to the glory of God.”

Warren Wiersbe, Real Worship (Nashville: Oliver-Nelson, 1986),

p. 18

“When you consider all of the words used for worship in both the Old and New Testaments, and when you put the meanings together, you find that worship involves both attitudes (awe, reverence, respect) and actions (bowing, praising, serving). It is both a subjective experience and an objective activity. Worship is not an unexpressed feeling, nor is it an empty formality. True worship is balanced and involves the mind, the emotions, and the will. It must be intelligent; it must reach deep within and be motivated by love; and it must lead to obedient actions that glorify God.”

Ibid., p. 21

“We do not worship God for what we get out of it, but because He is worthy. ‘Whoever seeks God as a means toward desired ends will not find God,’ wrote A. W. Tozer. ‘God will not be used.’ If you worship because it pays, it won’t pay. Of course, this runs contrary to much of the popular preaching and teaching today that promises health, wealth, contentment, and a problem-free life to all who will ‘turn themselves over to God.’ Those who proclaim this pernicious doctrine would be brokenhearted if their own children loved them only for what they could get out of them.”

Ibid., p. 22.

“True worship is not cheap entertainment.”

Ibid., p. 23

“Worship is the believer’s response of all that he is--mind, emotions, will, and body--to all that God is and says and does. This response has its mystical side in subjective experience, and its practical side in objective obedience to God’s revealed truth. It is a loving response that is balanced by the fear of the Lord, and it is a deepening response as the believer comes to know God better.”

Ibid., p. 27


This information was from AS I SEE IT.

[“As I See It” is a monthly electronic magazine compiled and edited by Doug Kutilek. Its purpose is to address important issues of the day and to draw attention to worthwhile Christian and other literature in order to aid believers in Jesus Christ, especially pastors, missionaries and Bible college and seminary students to more effectively study and teach the Word of God. The editor’s perspective is that of an independent Baptist of fundamentalist theological persuasion.

AISI is sent free to all who request it by writing to the editor at: DKUTILEK@juno.com. You can be removed from the mailing list at the same address. Back issues sent on request. All back issues may be accessed at http://www.KJVOnly.org]

THE 7 YEAR EVENT

There is coming a 7 year period unlike any other in history. It has been called Daniel's 70th week, the coming Holocaust, and more commonly, the Tribulation. It is as sure as yesterday's news and yet many people know little about it. We know it will start after the next big event on God's prophetic calendar, the rapture of the church, but we don't know when that will be. Once it starts the history of the world is written out in gross detail. This message will touch on a few key individuals and events of that time. Let's look then, at the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly!

I. THE BAD

1. The Beast (II Th. 2:1-12)

2. The Boss (II Th. 2:9, Rev. 13:1-10)

3. The Booster (Rev. 13:11-18)

II. THE GOOD

1. The 2 (Rev. 11:3-12) [Moses, Elijah, Enoch? Mt. 17:1-3, Gn. 5:24, II K. 2:11]

2. The 144,000 (Rev. 14:1-5, 7:1-8) [Imagine 144,000 apostle Pauls]

3. The Multitude (Rev. 7:9-17)

III. THE UGLY

1. The Desecration (Dan. 9:26-27, 12:11; Mk. 13:14)

2. The Destruction (Rev. 11:13, 12:13-17)

3. The Destination (Rev. 19:19-21, 20:10-15)

Q: Can public schools remain religiously neutral by “deleting” Jesus?

A: Not at all! Take this example from a school near Answers in Genesis.

The Christmas program at this school was to be a religious musical titled “Calling All Angels.” The program included Mary, Joseph, the voice of God and numerous angels preparing for the birth of Jesus.

The daughter of a prominent secular humanist wrote a letter to the music teacher that stated, “I do not think it’s fair at all to put on a religious holiday play. Not everyone is a Christian and believes that the Christmas story is true. I think that it’s wrong to promote that one religion is true, when many people do not agree.”

This student had been trained by her humanist parents to protest any religion except her parents’—humanism. As a result, the musical was replaced by a secular program that glorified winter instead of Jesus.

The point is, removing references to Christianity didn’t make the program neutral; instead, Christianity was replaced by the religion of humanism! Christians must realize that humanists are imposing their man-centered religion on our society and deleting the true answers from God’s Word.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Christmas season generates a multitude of questions from people who are confused and want to know whether they may wish someone “Merry Christmas,” or whether their town may include religious decorations to celebrate the season. For answers to these questions and more, please see Christ, Christmas, and the U.S. Constitution.


This information was provided by Answers In Genesis, an excellent source of material relating to Creation and evolution. Please visit their website using the link in the upper left.

Picture(s) of the week

A Lesson Too Often Unlearned

From the Word of the Living God-

Luke 6:40-49

The disciple is not above his master: but every one that is perfect shall be as his master.

And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but perceivest not the beam that is in thine own eye?

Either how canst thou say to thy brother, Brother, let me pull out the mote that is in thine eye, when thou thyself beholdest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Thou hypocrite, cast out first the beam out of thine own eye, and then shalt thou see clearly to pull out the mote that is in thy brother's eye.

For a good tree bringeth not forth corrupt fruit; neither doth a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.

For every tree is known by his own fruit. For of thorns men do not gather figs, nor of a bramble bush gather they grapes.

A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.

And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?

Whosoever cometh to me, and heareth my sayings, and doeth them, I will shew you to whom he is like:

He is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock.

But he that heareth, and doeth not, is like a man that without a foundation built an house upon the earth; against which the stream did beat vehemently, and immediately it fell; and the ruin of that house was great.

From the old sayings category:

"Oh my goodness. I've got three words for you. Pot... kettle... black. " -Mr. Chapel

3 PROVISIONS OF THE PERFECT GOD

a message by Rick Jackson

I. GOD'S WORK IS PERFECT (DT. 32:1-4)

1. The action of salvation (Heb. 10:1-14)

2. The associates of salvation (Rm. 8:31-32, James 1:17)

3. The assurance of salvation (I Jn. 2:5, 4:12, 4:17-18)

II. GOD'S WAY IS PERFECT (II SAMUEL 22:31, PSALM 18:30)

1. Look at the prospect (Mt. 5:48, Jn. 17:17-24)

2. Look at the process (Ps. 138:8, Eph. 4:12-13, Ph. 3:12, I Pt. 5:10, Ja. 1:4)

3. Look at the Person (Heb. 2:10, 5:9, 9:11, 13:21)

III. GOD'S WORD IS PERFECT (PSALM 19:7)

1. To grow by (II Tm. 3:16-17, Heb. 6:1, I Pt. 2:2)

2. To live by (James 1:25)

3. To keep (I Jn. 2:5)

Top Ten Peeves that Dogs Have About Humans...

Adapted from an email someone sent me.

1. Blaming your gas on me... not funny... not funny at all !!!

2. Yelling at me for barking.. I'M A DOG, YOU IDIOT!

3. Taking me for a walk, then not letting me check stuff out. Exactly whose walk is this anyway?

4. Any trick that involves balancing food on my nose... stop it!

5. Any haircut that involves bows or ribbons. Now you know why we chew your stuff up when you're not home.

6. The sleight of hand, fake fetch throw. You fooled a dog! WooHoo! what a proud moment for the top of the food chain.

7. Taking me to the vet for "the big snip", then acting surprised when I freak out every time we go back!

8. Getting upset when I sniff guests. Sorry, but I haven't quite mastered that handshake thing yet.

9. Dog sweaters. Hello, Haven't you noticed the fur?

10. When you are acting all high and mighty when we get on the furniture. We both know who the boss is here! You don't see me picking up your poop.

EL SHADDAI

Last week we said, Elohim is derived from two root words 1. "El" meaning unlimited energy, might, power , strength (Gn. 1:1) It celebrates the divine attribute known as Omnipotence. (Heb. 1:3, Ps. 19:1) ...There are 3 secondary names compounded with "El" the root of "Elohim" meaning "God". El Shaddai, El Elyon, and El Olam. Now we look at the first of these three names:
El Shaddai

God's names in Scripture reveal His nature. "El Shaddai" is used 48 times in the Bible. 31 of which are found in Job alone! El is the abbreviated form of Elohim and has we have previously pointed out speaks of God's Omnipotence. The root word for "Shaddai" is "shad" which is almost invariably used in reference to a mother's breast through which she transmits all that her baby needs to live, grow and be healthy. The effect of a mother's milk on a baby is nothing short of amazing. It can quiet and comfort as it nourishes the little one. "El Shaddai" is a tender term that is used exclusively in reference to God and His children.

This lesson is only intended to whet your appettite. For further study let me recommend Lehman Strauss's book, "The First Person".

Let us look in Genesis 17 for:

I. THE FIRST TIME

1. God's promise to Abram (Gn. 17:1-8, 15-19)

2. God's persuasion of Abraham (Rm. 4:13-25, 10:17)

3. God's power in Abraham & Sarah (Heb. 11:11-19)

II. THE FAMILY TRADITION

1. Isaac used the name with Jacob (Gn. 28:1-4)

2. God used the name with Jacob/Israel (Gn. 31:42, 32:24-30, 35:9-18)

3. Jacob used the name with his sons & grandsons (Gn. 43:11-14, 48:1-4, 49:22-26)

III. THE FRUITFUL TEACHING (Ps. 91:1)

When we meet His conditions:

1. God will supply our needs (Mt. 6:33, Phil 4:19)

2. God will increase our faith (Lk. 17:5, II Cor. 10:12-17)

3. God will use us (Jn 15:1-8)