I’ve Got Afghanistan Figured Out

I posted this as a status on Facebook, but thought I’d like to add it to my blog also.  So, here’s my slightly expanded blog version.

We LEAVE!.  And we leave pamphlets that say…..

‎”We’re going home. And when we’re there, all the money we save by not being here will be spent on bombs, and other weaponry. If anyone from here comes to attack us, we’re coming back. And we will destroy EVERYTHING here. Your mosque, your marketplace, your houses, your huts, your gov’t buildings, EVERYTHING!!. So ALL of you had better make sure that NO ONE trains or harbors any terrorists here. Bye. Hope to never see you again.”

A few commented on my FB status and here are my not-so-well-thought-out reactions to them.

1.  We failed Afghanistan in the 80′s read the book Charlie Wilson’s War. Just think the difference our country could of made economical, political and Spiritual if we would of provided the needed infrastructure in the 80′s. Things as simple as education.

• Maybe so.  Maybe not.  Maybe we should have had the same attitude back then.  Probably not.  But the fact is we can not change the past.  We don’t need to be fretting about what we should have done.
• My point in this is that everyone there must know that if we have to come back, we’re not going to be looking for combatants.  Everyone there will be held responsible for the actions that their culture incubates.

2.  We should leave pamphlets that say “Jesus is coming back soon. Have a nice day!”

• Well, they don’t really believe in Jesus over there.  I’m not saying that they don’t need the gospel.  But it is not the job of our government to evangelize them.  The job of our government is to protect us from them.  In my opinion, the best way to do that is to put the fear of annihilation into them.

Just so you can’t say I didn’t warn you…

This morning the Muslim Brotherhood warned the United States that if United States meddling in Egypt continued they intend to cut off America ‘s supplyof 7-11 and Motel 6 managers.

If this action does not yield sufficient results, cab drivers will be next, followed by Dell, AT&T and AOL customer service reps.

Finally, if all else fails, they have threatened not to send us any more presidents either.

It’s gonna get ugly, people.

Helping a Friend, Helping Myself

Dear Friend,

Please excuse me for not putting your name at the top, as I am sending this e-mail to many different people.  I am sending you this e-mail, or else it is being forwarded to you in hopes that you will do something very simple to help our city.  Ogden is currently embroiled in a very intense fight over a “nondiscrimination ordinance” that would include homosexuals and transgendered people.  Last Tuesday, the city council held a work session at which over 30 people stood up and urged the city council to pass this ordinance.  I was the only person to speak against it.

In opposing this ordinance, I brought out the fact that this ordinance will silence those who believe that the homosexual lifestyle is immoral.  The ordinance specifically forbids any sort of “harassment” in the workplace.  Harassment is not defined of course, and we know that homosexuals will consider it harassment if a Christian says that their lifestyle is sin.

The ordinance that has been proposed by our city council also requires landlords to rent to openly homosexual people, without regard for the landowner’s religious convictions.  Of course, the homosexuals want to force us to act as if this is not a moral choice at all, as if homosexuality is a “discovery” and not a choice.  That is the basis for this ordinance, and that is the reason why it must be rejected.

In response, I wrote a guest commentary which our local paper, the Standard-Examiner, was kind enough to print.  You can read it here. http://www.standard.net/topics/opinion/2011/02/07/ordinance-would-create-thought-police

Many cities have already passed a nondiscrimination ordinance, including Salt Lake City.  As far as I know, no city has rejected a similar ordinance.  That is why it is so important for us to stop this before it turns into a tidal wave that sweeps the country.  The proponents of this ordinance have made it very clear that they want to get it passed in cities first, so that they can make the case for it on the state level.  If we do not stop it, it will become state law.

That is the background, now this is what you can do.  Throughout the process, homosexuals and their allies have inundated our city council with e-mails from all across the country, trying to pressure them to pass this ordinance.  Even though the majority of these e-mails are coming from people who live outside of our state, yet these e-mails are still very influential.

We can do the same thing.  If you would take a moment to write one short paragraph (it doesn’t need to be more than 2-3 sentences in length) to our city council, and e-mail to every member of the Ogden City Council, it is possible that we could let them know that we have a voice as well.  Of course, if you live or work in Ogden, please say so.

The following links are for all 7 members of the Council.

mailto:bartblair@ogdencity.com

mailto:brandon@ogdenmunicipalward2.com

mailto:neilgarner@ogdencity.com

mailto:dougstephens@ogdencity.com

mailto:susievanhooser@ogdencity.com

mailto:caitlingochnour@ogdencity.com

mailto:amywicks@ogdencity.com

If you can, I would ask you to write the e-mail in your own words.  But if you prefer, I am including a sample e-mail here, which you can simply cut and paste.

Dear Council Member:

The nondiscrimination ordinance that is being proposed for Ogden City will violate the rights of Christians and others who have moral objections to the homosexual lifestyle.  We believe that homosexuality is sin, and our right to declare this conviction must be protected.  Our United States Constitution protects our rights to speak our minds freely and to share our convictions when it comes to moral choices.  It would be wrong to pass an ordinance that infringes on our rights of free expression, or that imposes a lifestyle on us that we find objectionable.   Please vote against this ordinance, or else include wording that protects our rights to speak our minds.

As you write your letter, please be respectful in your tone.  If the vote were held today, the ordinance would pass.  Several key members of our city council believe that homosexuality should be an accepted lifestyle, and would be highly offended by the use of any sort of terms that they would consider “bigoted,” including the term “queer.”

If you have some like-minded friends who you think would be willing to help us (please don’t just forward this to everyone in your contact list), then we would be grateful if you would send them this e-mail and ask them to help us.

May the Lord bless this effort to the praise of the glory of His grace.

Blessings!
Dave Mallinak
Pastor

Instrumental Music Resources

Here’s a list of places to find music for your woodwind, brass, or string player, duet, trio, quartet, or ensemble.  Some of these listings also have band and orchestra arrangements.

This is a continually developing list:

Jantz Publications

David E. Smith Publications

Washington Music

http://www.churchmusic.biz

Lifeway Worship Music

SoundForth

Lillenas

 

Spurgeon on Bribing Kids to Sunday School

When John Pounds bribed an urchin with a hot potato to come and learn to read the Bible, I am sure John Pounds had no idea of all the Ragged schools in London, but there is a clear line of cause and effect in the whole matter. A hot potato might be the coat of arms of the Ragged school Union. When Nasmyth went about from house to house visiting in the slums of London, I do not suppose that he saw in his act the founding of the London City Mission and all the Country Town Missions. No one can tell the end of his beginnings, the growth of his sowings. Go on doing good in little ways and you shall one day wonder at the great results. Do the next thing that lies before you. Do it well. Do it unto the Lord. Leave results with His unbounded liberality of love, but hope to reap at least a hundredfold.

From http://www.spurgeon.org/sermons/2110.htm

Join the Campaign against BABEL: (via Jack Hammer)

Setting the record straight on what real bigotry is and who the real bigots are.

We the people must take the offensive against the Bigotry Against the Bible that is being Executed on the citizens of the United States Legally by its government, all three branches, legislative, judicial, and executive. We've got the constitution, history, and, of course, God and the Bible on our side. The former don't matter so much in light of the latter, but we shouldn't stand by without at least being heard. I believe there is a basis in Scr … Read More

via Jack Hammer

The Rich Fool – Luke 12:13-21

The second beware (first is about hypocrisy—spiritual) – physical

• spiritual hypocrites are most always covetous

Things

• fairly recent industry of storage units
• wealth gives a man choices – what will I do?

• complicates life
• choices reveal our priorities

vs. 13 – where did this question come from

• normal for rabbis to judge in material matters
• desired something different than normal – wanted the money now

vs. 14 – answer

• Man—unsympathetic address

vs. 15 – admonition

• beware of covetousness
• life is more than possessions

vs. 16-20 – anecdote

• land brought forth plentifully
• what shall I do?
• eight “I” and four “my”

• what about employees
• what about widows
• what about temple

selfish man, even speaks to himself

Forgot 3 things

• God
• others
• mortality

Fool!!

vs. 21 – application

• be rich toward God
• otherwise, you like this FOOL

What happens to a Christian that blasphemes the Holy Spirit?

Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit is rejecting the revelation that he has given.  The Revelation from the Holy Spirit is the Word of God.  I don’t believe that a Christian can blaspheme the Holy Spirit.  If someone who professes Christianity rejects the Word of God revealed by the Holy Spirit, he would be showing himself to have never been a Christian.

Honor the Spirit–Luke 12:10-12

Beware of Hypocrisy

• Take heed to yourself
• Hypocrisy is like leaven
• How?

vss. 2-7 – Honor the Father – Hebrews 11:6 (believe in God as He is)

• Fear God
  • Uncovers all
  • Can send to Hell
  • Knows everything

vss. 8-9 – Honor the Son – Confess Him

• Jesus is the Son of Man – 1 John 4:2; 2 John 7 (Jesus)
• Jesus is the Son of God – 1 John 4:15 (Christ)
• Jesus is Lord – Romans 10:9-10; Philippians 2:11 (Lord)
• Acts 16:31 (summary)
• Must know Christ to get to the Father – John 14:6

vss. 10-12 – Honor the Spirit – Hear Him

• Cannot come to the Son except through the Spirit – 1 John 4:1-3
• Faith comes by hearing the Word…which was given by the Spirit
• John 16:8-9 (sin, righteousness, and judgment realized by the Word)
• The Spirit speaks consistent with the Bible
• 1 Corinthians 12:1-3

vs. 10

• speaking against Christ can be forgiven—each of us has been, Mark 3:28
• blaspheming the Holy Spirit (speaking against the Spirit’s revelation) cannot be forgiven

• if you reject the work of the Spirit—Word and conviction, you will not be saved (danger—Mark 3:29)
• if you believe the Spirit’s testimony, you will believe in Christ
• if you speak against (blaspheme) the Spirit, you deny His testimony of Christ, you will not receive Him and cannot come to God
• Hebrews 6:4-6
• Hebrews 10:29

vss. 11-12

• contrasts throughout

• Father knows all—knows his children
• Confess the Son—he will confess you
• Hear the Spirit—he will teach you when you need it

He will be your permanent teacher

• He will guide you into truth (in the Word)
• He will give you discernment (through the Word)
• He will empower you in persecution

• Don’t worry about what you might or might not be able to do
• He will give you strength in the hour of trial

When… (inevitable)

Synagogues (Jewish authority)

Magistrates, powers (Gentile authority)

What about the Pueblo Indians that never knew about God?

1. God is always right—even when we don’t understand.
2. All mankind has had some light—Adam, Noah.
3. We gain light when we follow the light we have.  Psalm 36:9
4. Faith comes by hearing the Word of God.  Romans 10:17

Interesting, what is your score?

You are a Social Moderate (50% permissive) and an… Economic Conservative (75% permissive) You are best described as a:  Capitalist     Link: The Politics Test

Does Leaven Always Stand for Something Bad?

Question:  Leaven was mentioned in last Sunday’s lesson.  Could you please discuss the use of leaven in the Bible?  Does it always stand for something bad?

As far as I can tell, leaven carries a bad connotation in all its uses except for one in each testament of the Bible. So generally, (and all generalizations have exceptions) leaven pictures a silent, spreading corruption.

Ye shall bring out of your habitations two wave loaves of two tenth deals: they shall be of fine flour; they shall be baken with leaven; they are the first fruits unto the LORD.
(Lev 23:17)

In this NT parable, Christ uses leaven to describe the kingdom of heaven.  Some insist that this is also a negative use of leaven, but I don’t follow their arguments.  There is also the leaven that should be offered during the feast of first fruits.

Another parable spake he unto them; The kingdom of heaven is like unto leaven, which a woman took, and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened.
(Mat 13:33)

 

What does Galatians 2:20 mean?

I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

I am crucified with Christ

• As part of His body, he being the head
• This is something already done
• We do not need to crucify ourselves again.
• His work is done, we have been crucified with Him
• Do not try to live the crucified life

Nevertheless I live

• This crucifixion has made me dead to one that I may live unto God
• So, since I am crucified, I can live.
• I do live.
• I must live.

Yet not I

• I have no power of mine own.

Christ liveth in me

• As physical life needs air and nourishment
• Spiritual life needs the Spirit of Christ and the Word of Christ
• I live not a crucified life, but a resurrected life.
• I live a glorious life.
• I live a spiritual life.
• I live Christ’s life.

The life I live in the flesh

• This is the life everyone sees.
• All live life in the flesh
  • Church on Sunday, Thursday, etc.
  • Work on Monday-Friday
  • Ministry on Saturday
  • Housecleaning, Providing, Ministering, Giving, Worshipping, all is done in the flesh.

I live by the faith of the Son of God

• Spiritual Christians do all this by faith.
• Not just a “Sunday-go-to-meetin’-Christian”
• Faith is not for Sunday only.
• Faith is not for devotions only.
• Faith is not for the spiritual part of your life only.
• The life of the flesh is lived by the faith of the Son of God
• Faith is for the mill, the body shop, the office, the classroom, the bedroom, the kitchen, the living room, the family room, the car, the business, the laundromat, the grocery store…
• Faith is for everywhere, all the time.

Who loved me, and gave Himself for me.

• Very likely that Paul was present at the crucifixion.
• Excited “college student” with plenty of cruel mockings for the Savior
• “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do”
• Love is always demonstrated by giving

You can hear this in the context of a sermon our church website.

Beware of the Leaven

In the mean time, when there were gathered together an innumerable multitude of people, insomuch that they trode one upon another, he began to say unto his disciples first of all, Beware ye of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.
(Luke 12:1)

Then Jesus said unto them, Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees.
(Matthew 16:6)

And he charged them, saying, Take heed, beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, and of the leaven of Herod.
(Mark 8:15)

Then understood they how that he bade them not beware of the leaven of bread, but of the doctrine of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees.
(Matthew 16:12)

Luke’s contextual setting:

• Chapter 11 reveals a growing hostility, the rulers claim Christ works through Satan, the people also take up this claim.
• Christ corrects these slanders and teaches about false religion.
• All false teachers are the worst deceivers

The physical setting:

• He was heading toward/in the Judean vicinity
• A huge number of people around him (murias=10,000, largest number in their language)
  • Imagine how they heard what Jesus said
  • Climbed on top of each other
  • All types in the crowd
  • Some interruptions in the “discourse” – all the way to 13:9
• He spoke to his disciples, first of all
  • They are closer to Him
  • Not all are believers
  • The ones still listening, learning
  • The ones who have not “gone away.”

The instructions:

• Beware of the leaven

• Beware

• Take heed to yourself
• Tendency in ourselves to stray this way
• Don’t be found in this company

• Defiling – 1 Corinthians 15:33 – evil communications corrupt good manners
• Damning

What is leaven?

• Luke 13:21 – a spreading, influencing agent
• Matthew 16:12 – the doctrine, teachings

Pharisees (rule makers, legalists, form w/o power, materialism)

Sadducees (rationalist, scientists, theistic evolutionists)

Herodians (pragmatists, secularism, political ambition)

All of them is Hypocrisy

• No power
• No life
• No truth

What girls do for fun.

Someone sent this to me…

Several years ago a Christian girl told me about an incident with a young man who had been asking to date her. He was not a member of the church, and they just didn’t have anything in common. She had turned him down twice and now she had said “no” to attending a rock concert with him. In a kind of mock exasperation, the young man asked, “What do you do for fun? You don’t dance, you don’t drink, you don’t attend rock concerts, what do you do for fun?”

To the young man she replied, “For fun I get up in the morning without feeling embarrassed, ashamed and guilty about what I did the night before.”

The young man had nothing more to say. She was right; it is fun not to feel guilty for your actions the night before.