Chaplain Mick's Blog: June 2007

Friday, June 29, 2007

Weekly ReCap – 06-29-2007

But what can I do? I can’t get involved!

“I can’t get involved. I’ve got work to do. It’s not that I like the Empire – I hate it, but there’s nothing I can do about it right now. . .” Luke Skywalker

“You must do what you feel is right, of course.” Obi Wan
(Star Wars, episode IV, A new Hope)

We must do what we ought to do, not just what feels right! It’s the unmistakable Moral Law that all humanity senses. The Force of what is right and wrong that permeates all cultural boundaries.

Search your heart to find the source of the Force of Moral Law: God the creator – Jesus His Son and our Savior – and the Holy Spirit. “. . . the work of the law is written on their hearts. Their consciences testify in support of this,” (Romans 2:15)

Draw on God’s strength and get involved!

Overcoming Evil - Two Ways to Get Involved
12 homicides this year already in Peoria! I offer two ways to be involved in presenting hope to overcome the evil. Please find a way to be involved. You can be a giant killer!
Read more. . .
Mid-Week Devotional - Luke 9:23
Heart check: are we taking up our crosses daily and seeking, wanting, and yearning for the Kingdom of Heaven through our Savior Jesus Christ on a daily basis?
Read more. . .
Bible Challenge 2007 - Week 13
Three months down! Rejoice! ". . . by the time his 18-year-old daughter is in her 40s, the percentage of adults who espouse a biblical worldview will have dropped to only four percent." Let us keep going for the Love and Glory of God!
Read more. . .

“. . . this Rule of Right and Wrong, or Law of Human Nature, or whatever you call it, must somehow or other be a real thing - a thing that is really there, not made up by ourselves. . . It begins to look as if we shall have to admit that there is more than one kind of reality; that, in this particular case, there is something above and beyond the ordinary facts of men's behavior, and yet quite definitely real - a real law, which none of us made, but which we find pressing on us.” (C. S. Lewis “Mere Christianity”)

“Our constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.” (John Adams, Oct. 11, 1798)

Have a great weekend.

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All Scripture links by BibleGateway.com Unless otherwise noted.

Bible Challenge 2007 - Week 13

Week 13

Three months down! Rejoice!

This has been so awesome. I hope you have enjoyed it as much as I have. Remember, do not be discouraged! If you are behind or have fallen off track, let’s just pick up here and keep going for the Love and Glory of God.

“While it is not necessary to read in order from Genesis to Revelation, every Christian should make the effort to do so.” (“How to Read the Bible” by Russ Young, Christian Worldview Network, 5/26/2007)

Sunday: 1 Samuel 22-24
Monday: 1 Samuel 25-27
Tuesday: 1 Samuel 28-31
Wednesday: 2 Samuel 1-3
Thursday: 2 Samuel 4-6
Friday: 2 Samuel 7-9
Saturday: 2 Samuel 10-12

“In his parents' generation, Parsley points out, 65 percent of adults espoused a biblical worldview; however, that number dropped to 35 percent of people in his generation, and he says if current trends continue, by the time his 18-year-old daughter is in her 40s, the percentage of adults who espouse a biblical worldview will have dropped to only four percent.” (Rod Parsley says Christians not engaged in culture war by Allie Martin)

“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17)

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Wednesday, June 27, 2007

Mid-Week Devotional – Luke 9:23

Read: Luke 8:40 – 9:36

Scripture

Luke 9:23

“Then he said to them all: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.” (NIV)

“Then He said to [them] all, "If anyone wants to come with Me, he must deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow Me.” (HCSB)

Observation

Jesus explains that anyone who would follow Him must live for the Kingdom above himself, and daily face the trials that will come as a result.

“Not only to all the disciples, but ‘to the multitude’. . . showing that afflictions, trials, and persecutions of one sort or another, are to be expected every day by the people of God, and to be continually submitted to, and borne with cheerfulness.” (Gill)

Application

“We must live a life of self-denial, mortification, and contempt of the world; we must not indulge our ease and appetite, for then it will be hard to bear toil, and weariness, and want, for Christ.” (Henry)

Is this a hard message for believers in America? We don’t have “afflictions” and “trials” like what commonly comes to mind. No hardship, so to speak. But, do we have enough “contempt of the world” to focus on a “wanting” for Christ?

A personal example of a cross I am bearing, and one that seems to be common among many, is the cross of being a Godly financial steward. The cross of being contemptuous of the cultural norm of over leveraging and over extending into debt and having more and more stuff.

It is a daily walk to deny the desire to “keep up with the Jones’” and continue to fix mistakes from my past. But I can overcome those cultural or fleshly desires by an overwhelming desire for Christ!

Heart check: are we taking up our crosses daily and seeking, wanting, and yearning for the Kingdom of Heaven through our Savior Jesus Christ on a daily basis?

Prayer

God, my Heavenly Father. Jesus, my Savior and King. Holy Spirit, my comforter and guide. Help me seek first Your Kingdom. Lord, I pray for those brothers and sisters that live in areas of the world that are violent toward them. I pray that their witness to your love and joy would change the hearts of those that persecute them. Lord, help me to not take my blessings for granted and keep me from coveting more than I need. I dedicate my life to you my God. Help me to deny myself and joyfully carry my cross as I follow you. In Jesus Christ’s name I pray – Amen.

More devotionals. . .

Works Cited:

Gill, John. "Commentary on Luke 9:23". "John Gill's Exposition of the Bible". http://bible.crosswalk.com/Commentaries/GillsExpositionoftheBible/gil.cgi?book=lu&chapter=009&verse=023. 1999.

Henry, Matthew. "Commentary on Luke 9". "Matthew Henry Complete Commentaryon the Whole Bible". http://bible.crosswalk.com/Commentaries/MatthewHenryComplete/mhc-com.cgi?book=lu&chapter=009. 1706.

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Tuesday, June 26, 2007

Overcoming Evil – Two Ways to Get Involved

12 homicides this year already in Peoria! I offer two ways to be involved in presenting hope to overcome the evil.

I am specifically speaking to Peoria, but there are bound to be similar ministries and opportunities in your local community.

First, Cornerstone Vocational Center has updated information about their mission and upcoming Open House July 10, 2007 from 4-7pm. Including speakers Congressman Ray LaHood, State Representative Dave Koehler, former Peoria mayor Lowell “Bud” Grieves, and the center's founder, Antonio Lipscomb. Visit the Cornerstone Vocational Center website for all the details, contact information and directions!

Second, the Greater Peoria Area Fellowship of Christian Athletes will be hosting it’s annual Golf Scramble Aug. 1st to raise money for this awesome ministry to bring the Gospel of Jesus Christ to Peoria’s student athletes and coaches! This is a top quality golf outing with at least two teams advancing to the state tournament at Piper Glen in Springfield and a chance to advance to the national scramble at TPC Sawgrass (home to the PGA TOUR's prestigious THE PLAYERS Championship). Last year we had a team make it to the national at TPC Sawgrass! Visit the Greater Peoria FCA website for more details! If you don’t play golf, would you consider a financial gift?

Please find a way to be involved. You can be a giant killer!

*Of course, I could always use your help!*
I hate to keep asking, but I have not yet recovered the $100 it cost to provide a domain name let alone the hosting for Cornerstone Vocational Center. I pray God blesses his efforts and uses the Cornerstone Vocational Center to reach youth in our community and give them hope, purpose, and eternity! Visit them at CVC-PEORIA.ORG
Could you please help me offset the costs of the web hosting?

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Thursday, June 21, 2007

Weekly ReCap – 06-22-2007

Why do actions matter?

“...the greatest destroyer of love and peace is abortion.”
- Mother Theresa

“When Barack Obama waxed pious, repeatedly invoking the biblical phrase, ‘I am my brother's keeper,’ as he discussed his concern for poverty, Christians informed about Obama's voting record probably wondered how the senator squares that injunction with, say, his staunch opposition to legislation protecting newborn babies who survive abortions from being left to die.” (Bauer)

Faith, in words only, rings shallow and untrue. As James says, “What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him?” (James 2:14) Dealing with poverty is important, but so is infanticide, the murder of innocent children. People will never understand the value of a government handout if they do not understand the value that God has placed on life! And anyone that is so casual about killing the image bearers of God must, I think, re-evaluate their faith (Devotional, Luke 1:15), otherwise one might think the words are for votes only.

We Need Alan Keyes for President
Our country is in moral turmoil. We have been lead away from the principles and values that made America a great nation. We are on a path to global socialism or communism. We the people need a leader to turn us back to the principles of our American Constitution.
Read more. . .
A Lesson from Cicadas and Sir Isaac Newton
Today’s science worshippers could learn a lesson from Cicadas and Sir Isaac Newton, the creation is full of the fingerprints of God!
Read more. . .
Mid-Week Devotional - Luke 8:7
We must do more than just hear God’s Word, we must act on it. Our changed lives should reflect the transforming power of God’s Word and His Holy Spirit.
Read more. . .
Bible Challenge 2007 - Week 12
It was during the movie “Samson and Delilah” that mom went into labor, and dad really wanted her to wait a little longer because Samson was about to push down the pillers!! Hahaha, I don’t think mom was as excited!
Read more. . .

“You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.” (James 2:19)

As for government’s wise and compassionate use of your tax dollars, check out the shocking abuse by the CDC, then send the AFA letter to the President!

So, I think political actions matter because we need true Godly leadership, or at least a leader that acknowledges that all people are Created equal, including children! I think action matters because we should honor God not only in our words, but in our actions also! (Devotional, Luke 8:7)

Have a wonderful weekend!

Works Cited:

Bauer, Gary. “The Religious Left Still Doesn’t Get Christians” Human Events Online, 06-15-2007.

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barack obama

Bible Challenge 2007 - Week 12

Week 12

Samson and Delilah (Judges 16).

My dad likes to tell the story of when my mom was due to deliver me. It was during the movie “Samson and Delilah” that mom went into labor, and dad really wanted her to wait a little longer because Samson was about to push down the pillers!! Hahaha, I don’t think mom was as excited!

Another week down. Keep up the good work!

Sunday: 1 Samuel 1-3
Monday: 1 Samuel 4-6
Tuesday: 1 Samuel 7-9
Wednesday: 1 Samuel 10-12
Thursday: 1 Samuel 13-15
Friday: 1 Samuel 16-18
Saturday: 1 Samuel 19-21

“A new campaign has been launched across Greater Manchester to draw attention to the relevance of the Bible to daily life. . . ‘From cowboy builders to menopausal mums, cheating wives to debt-ridden dads, the Bible has it all.’”
(Bible Society Brings Biblical Riddles to Manchester by Daniel Blake)

“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17)

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All Scripture links by BibleGateway.com Unless otherwise noted.

Tuesday, June 19, 2007

Mid-Week Devotional – Luke 8:7

Read: Luke 8:1-39

Scripture

Luke 8:7

“Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up with it and choked the plants.” (NIV)

“Other seed fell among thorns; the thorns sprang up with it and choked it.” (HCSB)

Observation

Jesus is explaining about how his Word will be received by people (v. 8:11-15).

The seed is the Word of God (v. 8:11). People among the thorns are people that hear the Word of God but still follow their own way and are more worried about money and fleshly pleasures than about serving God’s Kingdom (v. 8:14).

Application

How have you received the Word of God? Have you taken God’s Word to heart and turned away from the ways of the world?

Often we are told in Scripture to “walk” in God’s ways (Joshua 22:5, Judges 2:22). Walking implies action. We must do more than just hear God’s Word, we must act on it. Our changed lives should reflect the transforming power of God’s Word and His Holy Spirit.

What are the priorities in our lives? Hording more money? Buying more stuff? Seeking ever more hedonistic pleasures?

Or, are our priorities based on serving and honoring God and seeing His Kingdom advanced? Don’t be choked out by the thorns!

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank you for your life saving and life transforming Word! Lord I pray you would penetrate my heart with your Word. I pray that you would help me to know and proclaim your Holy Word. Let my life transformation lead others out of the thorns and into eternal fruit bearing salvation. My King, Jesus, in your Holy Name I pray – Amen.

*I hate to keep asking, but. . . I need your help!*
I hate to keep asking, but I have not yet recovered the $100 it cost to provide a domain name let alone the hosting for Cornerstone Vocational Center. I pray God blesses his efforts and uses the Cornerstone Vocational Center to reach youth in our community and give them hope, purpose, and eternity! Visit them at CVC-PEORIA.ORG
Could you please help me offset the costs of the web hosting?

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A Lesson From Cicadas and Sir Isaac Newton

Sincere truth seeking science is an act of worship to God.

Seeking the wonder and mystery of God’s creation is a noble deed. I was marveling at the perfect little holes left in the ground by the Cicadas this year with my brothers. One of them mentioned how it was like a perfect aeration system. . . hmmm, could it be just that? Even if not its intended purpose, it is not any less spectacular! The finger prints of God for sure!

Three-century-old manuscripts by Isaac Newton are on display this week at the Jewish National and University Library in Jerusalem. They show how one of history’s greatest scientists gave credit to God’s sovereignty over creation.

“The Newton papers, Ben-Menahem said, also complicate the idea that science is diametrically opposed to religion. ‘These documents show a scientist guided by religious fervor, by a desire to see God's actions in the world,’ she said.” (AP)

Today’s science worshippers could learn a lesson from Cicadas and Sir Isaac Newton, the creation is full of the fingerprints of God!

“For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.” (Romans 1:20)

1 Then the LORD answered Job out of the storm. He said:
2 "Who is this that darkens my counsel
with words without knowledge?
3 Brace yourself like a man;
I will question you,
and you shall answer me.
4 "Where were you when I laid the earth's foundation?
Tell me, if you understand.
Job 38:1-4

Related links:

- Science Points to God
- Are nature’s fundamental laws changing?
- Evolution, Really?
- The Case for A Creator... by Lee Strobel
- The Case for Christ… by Lee Strobel

Works Cited:

AP. “Papers Show Isaac Newton’s Religious Side, Predict Date of Apocalypse” The Associated Press, via Christianpost.com. Posted: June 19, 2007.

University of Illinois Extension. “Cicadas in Illinois”

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Monday, June 18, 2007

We Need Alan Keyes for President!

For immediate release: Grassroots effort to support Alan Keyes for President.

Our country is in moral turmoil. We have been lead away from the principles and values that made America a great nation. We are on a path to global socialism or communism. We the people need a leader to turn us back to the principles of our American Constitution.

I feel that Alan Keyes is that leader:

- A Reagan Statesman
“Statesmanship is not just a matter of coping with the political challenges of the moment, or doing well at getting elected, or even meeting immediate problems the right way. You must approach them according to an understanding — according to a set of principles — that reflects a sense of the permanent destiny of the nation.”

- A Constitutional Scholar

- A Declarationist
1. All human beings are created equal and endowed by God with unalienable rights;
2. The purpose of government is to secure these rights; and
3. No government is just or legitimate if it systematically violates these rights.

- A Moral Conservative
“We need to start addressing the real underlying cause of these challenges and to recapture a sense of the moral foundation, so that we can restore the moral discipline, restore the sense of commitment to true family life that then provides the basis for economic strength in our communities, for better performance for our children in our schools, for a greater sense of responsibility on the part of parents toward those children, and so forth and so on. We know that these are the keys to real progress, and it's time we got out and voted like we know.”

- and a Pro-Life Leader
“It is like the issue of slavery and the issue of civil rights, an issue of whether or not we really acknowledge the transcendent authority on the basis of which we have our rights, or whether we are going to arrogate that authority to ourselves and declare that we have the right to draw the line determining who is human and who is not. If we arrogate this power to ourselves, don't fool yourself. You have dethroned the authority of that Creator; you have denied His will. And this regime cannot survive.”

Learn more at Alan Keyes for President

“While it's true that the first order of business is to keep the ship afloat, if that becomes the goal of captaincy, the ship is unlikely to take us where we want to go. The better captain is the one who keeps our goal in mind and knows his craft well enough to use the wind, the waves, and the stars to plot a course that gets us there.

According to the oath that all public officials swear when they take office, our leaders' principal goal is to preserve our liberty — which is to say, to preserve, protect, and defend the constitutional form of government that gives the people of our country a decisive voice in its affairs. The failure to take account of this goal isn't just an incidental shortcoming. It's an indication of fatally defective leadership that must eventually produce the destruction of our way of life.”
The key to American statesmanship: Part 5 of 'The Crisis of the Republic', Alan Keyes June 8, 2007

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Friday, June 15, 2007

Weekly ReCap – 06-15-2007

Culture War!

Is this latest battle in the culture war even debatable? Would it be ok for your 14 to 18 year old son and daughter to hear this crap? This is only a small sample of what a high schools in Boulder, Co. heard during a recent assembly:

“That's the thing they don't tell you about condoms. If you're lucky enough to get them on, and you still stay hard, it's hard to stay hard. And it doesn't feel as good.”

“It's very natural for young people to experiment with same-s-x relationships. Even today, there are psychiatrists who will do sessions under the influence of ecstasy. If I had some, maybe I'd do it with somebody.” (O’Reilly)

Yes friends, the culture war, coming to a high school near you! Hurry, get your kids signed up before space runs out!

Education - The Hope or Downfall of Our Nation
How can we solve rampant immorality by filling the heads of our students with more (educated) immorality? What goes in, stays! When the focus of our government education system is to fill students’ minds with filth, then filth is what we will get out of our students.
Read more. . .
Mid-Week Devotional - Luke 7:50
By faith alone, in Jesus alone, through grace alone. We can not earn our way to heaven. Have faith in Jesus and pour your love out on Him today and all the days following!
Read more. . .
Flag Day - June 14, 2007
And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!
Read more. . .
Bible Challenge 2007 - Week 11
Keep up the God honoring good work! Remember, it isn’t just a reading assignment, but an act of worship and dedication to God and His Word.
Read more. . .

Knights, fathers, we were made for times such as this. Are you ready to defend your families, your honor, and your King? Semper Fi!
(“Semper Fidelis” Latin for Always Faithful!)

“But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses. In the sight of God, who gives life to everything, and of Christ Jesus, who while testifying before Pontius Pilate made the good confession, I charge you to keep this command without spot or blame until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, which God will bring about in his own time—God, the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone is immortal and who lives in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see. To him be honor and might forever. Amen.” (1 Timothy 6:11-16)

Have a glorious weekend and always be faithful to God, your family, and your sacred honor!

Works Cited:

O’Reilly, Bill. “Culture War Over Boulder High School Panel That Encouraged Students to Have Sex; Break the Law” FOX News. Posted: June 14, 2007.

*I need your help!*
The Romans 15:4 Project is providing the web hosting for Pastor Lipscomb, and I pray God blesses his efforts and uses the Cornerstone Vocational Center to reach youth in our community and give them hope, purpose, and eternity! Visit them at CVC-PEORIA.ORG
Could you please help me offset the costs of the web hosting?

Amazon Honor System

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Bible Challenge 2007 - Week 11

Week 11

Here is a link to a short, 6 step, message about reading Scripture by John Wesley from the Preface to Explanatory Notes upon the Old testament.

Keep up the God honoring good work! I got some great feedback this week, if you have any suggestions or comments please email or post a comment to the blog post. Remember, it isn’t just a reading assignment, but an act of worship and dedication to God and His Word.

Sunday: Judges 4-6
Monday: Judges 7-9
Tuesday: Judges 10-12
Wednesday: Judges 13-15
Thursday: Judges 16-18
Friday: Judges 19-21
Saturday: Ruth 1-4

“Biblical illiteracy is a huge problem, and parents need solutions. Author and speaker for Summit Ministries, Chuck Edwards, offers this advice: ‘Teach students that Christianity is a comprehensive world and life view. This means explaining the reality of God’s truth in every area: from philosophy and science, ethics and economics, to psychology, sociology, law and, yes, even politics. In this way, no matter what course a student takes, he or she will be able to discern when the professor is presenting an anti-biblical bias.’” (Marsha West, Christian kids are too gentle to live amongst the wolves)

“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17)

*I need your help!*
The Romans 15:4 Project is providing the web hosting for Pastor Lipscomb, and I pray God blesses his efforts and uses the Cornerstone Vocational Center to reach youth in our community and give them hope, purpose, and eternity! Visit them at CVC-PEORIA.ORG
Could you please help me offset the costs of the web hosting?

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All Scripture links by BibleGateway.com Unless otherwise noted.

Thursday, June 14, 2007

Flag Day - 2007

The Star Spangled Banner
By Francis Scott Key, 1814

O say, can you see, by the dawn's early light,
What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming?
Whose broad stripes and bright stars, through the perilous fight,
O'er the ramparts we watched, were so gallantly streaming!
And the rockets' red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there:
O say, does that star-spangled banner yet wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?

On the shore, dimly seen through the mists of the deep,
Where the foe's haughty host in dread silence reposes,
What is that which the breeze, o'er the towering steep,
As it fitfully blows, now conceals, now discloses?
Now it catches the gleam of the morning's first beam,
In full glory reflected now shines on the stream:
'Tis the star-spangled banner! O long may it wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

And where is that band who so vauntingly swore
That the havoc of war and the battle's confusion
A home and a country should leave us no more?
Their blood has washed out their foul footsteps' pollution.
No refuge could save the hireling and slave
From the terror of flight, or the gloom of the grave:
And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

Oh! thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand
Between their loved homes and the war's desolation!
Blest with victory and peace, may the Heaven-rescued land
Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation.
Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,
And this be our motto: “In God is our trust.”
And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

GOD BLESS AMERICA!

*

Learn about George Washington's Sacred Fire!

American and Christian Flags Poles and banners

*

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Mid-Week Devotional – Luke 7:50

Read: Luke 7:11-50

Scripture

Luke 7:50

“Jesus said to the woman, ‘Your faith has saved you; go in peace.’” (NIV)

“And He said to the woman, ‘Your faith has saved you. Go in peace.’” (HCSB)

Observation

This woman went out of her way to shower Jesus with love and affection (v. 44-48).

She needed to because she is a sinner (v. 39). The Jewish religious leader, the Pharisee, couldn’t believe that Jesus was allowing this sinner to touch him.

But, because of her faith Jesus forgave her of her sins (v. 48).

Jesus forgives sin. He is the Son of God, and He dwelt among us, He lived with the prostitutes and destitute. He is approachable by all.

Application

We all need to touch Jesus!

We are all sinners, and it is not the religious elite, the Pharisees, that get the privilege, it is every sinner. Jesus didn’t say, “Your religious practice has saved you.” Or, “Your goods works have saved you.” No, he said, “Your FAITH has saved you.” (v. 50).

By faith alone, in Jesus alone, through grace alone. We can not earn our way to heaven. Have faith in Jesus and pour your love out on Him today and all the days following!

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank you for sending your Son, Jesus, to save us. We do not deserve and can not earn your favor because You are the source of all truth and righteousness. I praise you! You are so merciful and loving that you would make yourself available to the worst of us! Thank you, God. I pray that I could bear witness to the Good News that all can be saved by faith in Jesus Christ. In His name I pray – Amen.

Click here for more Mid-Week Devotionals. . .

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Monday, June 11, 2007

Education – The Hope or Downfall of Our Nation

Mind Pollution!

At a Boulder, Colorado high school assembly this year, students were told, “‘I am going to encourage you to have sex and encourage you to use drugs appropriately. . . Now, what is healthy sexual behavior? Well, I don't care if it's with men and men, women and women, men and women -- whatever combination you would like to put together,’ Becker said in an event labeled, ‘STDs: Sex, Teens and Drugs.’” (qtd. in “A wake up call for parents” at Mommy Life blog)

Mind pollution of the American children with government endorsement and at the expense of their parents, plain and simple. Anyone that expresses that kind of filth to a minor without parental consent should be in jail!

But, we are in an age where there is no justice and righteousness. An age where being right, just, and virtuous is considered bigoted and hateful. As Gary Bauer notes, “When adults are allowed to pollute the minds of our children in our schools, it’s no wonder that 82% of Americans think our moral values are in decline!”

“Furthermore, since they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, he gave them over to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done.” (Romans 1:28)

Kristoff, in his blog article “What Goes In, Stays”, did a little personal experiment to see if it was true that what goes into a person’s head can affect behavior, even behavior contrary to the persons stated values. He writes, “What goes into our bodies – be that by our eyes or ears – does indeed affect our outlook on life and behavior. I have since found this is true for whatever we concentrate on or make the object of our attention – good or bad.”

How can we solve rampant immorality by filling the heads of our students with more (educated) immorality? What goes in, stays! When the focus of our government education system is to fill students’ minds with filth, then filth is what we will get out of our students. Mind Pollution!

“Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” (Romans 12:2)

Again, I will state, as in past posts, that [we should not abandon the children and teachers of government schools], but [we should seriously consider taking our children out of them] in order to ensure a future for America!

I encourage you to take a few minutes to read this article by Mark and Renee Taylor, here is an excerpt:

What does a family do when the poor educational quality of many schools - coupled with an anti-American, appeasement-filled, Socialist/Communist agenda - does not fit with their academic, moral and social standards and values? While home schooling is not for every family, it is the only choice for those willing to make the financial sacrifice of one parent’s income and who are willing to ensure the dedication necessary to deliver a quality education for their children.

The time has come for our government-run schools to return to education and abandon indoctrination. By returning to quality education without politically correct apologetics, our son’s generation might have a fighting chance to save our nation from itself.

“Home Schooling – A Fighting Chance to Save Our Nation from Itself” by Mark and Rennee Taylor, posted to Family Security Matters, June 4, 2007.

It’s not that much of a stretch to think that one day the education enforcement officers will go house to house and make sure all of our children are enrolled in government education (i.e. indoctrination) centers. It would be best for us to take a stand now!

“Parents have been struggling with an ongoing debate with a school board in Juneau, Alaska, over whether or not they have the right to pull their children from sexual education classes.” (Huntington)

A struggle over whether parents have the right to control the education of their children! That doesn’t sound like the America I pledge allegiance to. Sounds more like some socialist or communist nation. God help us!

Related Posts:

- Public School Outreach – Fellowship of Christian Athletes

- Government School Alternatives

- Government Schools (Updated!)

- More education posts. . .

Works Cited:

Bauer, Gary. “End of Day Report 6-5-07” American Family Values.

Huntington, Doug. “Alaska Schools Discuss Whether Exempting Kids from Sex Ed is ‘Unconstitutional’” Christianpost.com Posted: June 7, 2007.

Kristoff. “What Goes In, Stays” Christian View. Posted: June 5, 2007.

Mommy Life. “A wake up call for parents” Posted: 5/29/2007.

Taylor, Mark and Renee. “Exclusive: Home schooling – A Fighting Chance to Save Our Nation from Itself” Family Security Matters, June 4, 2007.

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Friday, June 08, 2007

Weekly ReCap - 06-08-2007

Remember D Day!

There is evil in the world, no doubt. When a dictator stands before the world and declares that another nation should be wiped off the map soon, we should take him at his word. When the people of a nation chant “death to America, death to Israel” on a daily and weekly basis, we should take them at their word.

We need to reunite for truth, justice, and the American way. We do not fight to conquer, we fight to free the enslaved and defeat the evil. There have been over 8,500 terror attacks around the world since 9/11, but America’s leaders have forgotten. Two foiled terrorist attacks on our home soil just this year, but America’s leaders have forgotten.

We were once a stronger nation in our moral resolve of right and wrong.

From Boom to Bust - 'Moral Murkiness' of the Buster Generation
We must defend the family! The natural family, creation of God, is the best design for raising and equipping children. “A moral community in which young generations can grow, versus false ideologies propagating demoralization;” (Warsaw Declaration)
Read more. . .
Mid-Week Devotional - Luke 7:22
Jesus is the One! God’s only Son sent to save us! And how do we know, not out of blind faith, but because only He could do the things that so many people witnessed.
Read more. . .
Remember D-Day Tribute
Liberty is a gift from God, and often comes at great cost. Watch this D-Day Tribute Video.
Read more. . .
Bible Challenge 2007 - Week 10
So just think, by stepping away from the TV for a few extra minutes to do your Bible Challenge reading, you have honored God by reading His word, and have reduced your exposure to media that tends to lead you away from Him!
Read more. . .

“Almighty God: Our sons, pride of our nation, this day have set upon a mighty endeavor, a struggle to preserve our Republic, our religion, and our civilization, and to set free a suffering humanity. …They fight not for the lust of conquest. They fight to end conquest. They fight to liberate. They fight to let justice arise, and tolerance and goodwill among all Thy people. They yearn but for the end of battle, for their return to the haven of home. Some will never return. Embrace these, Father, and receive them, Thy heroic servants, into Thy kingdom. And for us at home -- fathers, mothers, children, wives, sisters, and brothers of brave men overseas, … – help us, Almighty God, to rededicate ourselves in renewed faith in Thee in this hour of great sacrifice. …And, O Lord, give us faith. Give us faith in Thee; faith in our sons; faith in each other; faith in our united crusade. …Thy will be done, Almighty God. Amen.” (Excerpts of President Franklin Roosevelt’s D-Day prayer)

May God bless our troops in foreign lands fighting and sacrificing to give people the freedoms we have taken for granted here at home. Have a thoughtful weekend.

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Bible Challenge 2007 - Week 10

Week 10

A recent study showed that “43 percent of light TV viewers try to live by God's principles compared to 32 percent of heavy TV viewers.” So just think, by stepping away from the TV for a few extra minutes to do your Bible Challenge reading, you have honored God by reading His word, and have reduced your exposure to media that tends to lead you away from Him! (“Report: More Media Consumption, Less Commitment to Traditional Values” by Lillian Kwon, Christianpost.com, June 7, 2007)

Praise God! Let’s keep honoring, worshipping, and praising God by turning away from TV and turning toward Him and His Word!

Sunday: Joshua 7-9
Monday: Joshua 10-12
Tuesday: Joshua 13-15
Wednesday: Joshua 16-18
Thursday: Joshua 19-21
Friday: Joshua 22-24
Saturday: Judges 1-3

“Speaking, teaching, and living the Word of God was (and still is) what makes a disciple.” (Ray Vander Laan)

This is a long quote, but it is so so good!
“As for you, my brothers and sisters, who have not to preach, the best food for you is the Word of God itself. Sermons and books are well enough, but streams that run for a long distance above ground gradually gather for themselves somewhat of the soil through which they flow, and they lose the cool freshness with which they started from the spring head. Truth is sweetest where it breaks from the smitten Rock, for at its first gush it has lost none of its heavenliness and vitality. It is always best to drink at the well and not from the tank. You shall find that reading the Word of God for yourselves, reading it rather than notes upon it, is the surest way of growing m [sic] grace. Drink of the unadulterated milk of the Word of God, and not of the skim milk, or the milk and water of man's word.” (“How to Read the Bible” a sermon by C. H. Spurgeon)

“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17)

Learn about George Washington's Sacred Fire! and more in the bookstore.

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Wednesday, June 06, 2007

Remember D Day Tribute

Liberty is a gift from God, and often comes at great cost.

Military.com Videos: Remember D Day Tribute

More Patriotism posts. . .

Thank you Grandpa!

I pledge allegiance to the flag
When we recite the Pledge, we are promising to be faithful to the ideals of our country.

Of the United States of America
The flag symbolizes our fifty states joined in a common bond to fulfill those ideals.

And to the Republic for which it stands,
We elect representatives who govern for a time and are accountable to us for the job they do.

One Nation under God,
Our founders understood that the government does not give us our freedom. Our freedom ultimately comes from God, and our government was established to secure that God-given freedom.

Indivisible,
We pledge ourselves to stay together as a country, even when we disagree.

With liberty and justice for all.
We commit ourselves to such liberties as the freedom to worship, freedom to assemble, and freedom to speak. We also commit ourselves to justice which means being fair and right in our judgment of people.

Gateways to Better Education Pledge Poster (Buehrer)

Holman Christian Standard Bible

Specialty Devotional Bibles!
Firemen, Police, Soldier, Sailor Bibles and more!

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Tuesday, June 05, 2007

Mid-Week Devotional – Luke 7:22

Read: Luke 7:11-50

Scripture

Luke 7:22

“So he replied to the messengers, ‘Go back and report to John what you have seen and heard: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor.’” (NIV)

“He replied to them, ‘Go and report to John the things you have seen and heard: The blind receive their sight, the lame walk, those with skin diseases are healed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have the good news preached to them.’” (HCSB)

Observation

Jesus is the Messiah! John and his disciples wanted confirmation of their faith (v. 20).

“The faith of John Baptist himself, or at least of his disciples, wanted to be confirmed in this matter; for Christ had not yet publicly declared himself to be indeed the Christ. . . and therefore it is not strange that they should ask, Art thou the Messiah? not doubting but that, if he was not, he would direct them what other to look for.” (Henry)

Jesus is the One! God’s only Son sent to save us! And how do we know, not out of blind faith, but because only He could do the things that so many people witnessed.

“Christ left it to his own works to praise him in the gates, to tell what he was and to prove it. While John’s messengers were with him, he wrought many miraculous cures, in that same hour, which perhaps intimates that they staid but an hour with him; and what a deal of work did Christ do in a little time!” (Henry)

The blind able to see, the crippled able to walk, diseases healed, the deaf able to hear, the dead returning to life, and the outcasts of society receiving the grace of God Almighty!

Application

Jesus Christ is The Way, The Truth, and The Life! Jesus is God the Son. The one true God in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The Messiah, the One that fulfilled the Old Testament prophecies.

Jesus is God, our Lord, our eternal King. And he loves each and every one of us.

Let’s return the love in worship and praise!

Prayer

Heavenly Father, Jesus the Son our Savior, and the Holy Spirit, God we praise you! We give thanks to you this day and all days for sending your Son, Jesus Christ, to rescue us. For your mercy and compassion and grace, thank you, God. In Your Son’s name, the name of Jesus Christ, I pray – Amen.

Works Cited:

Henry, Matthew. "Commentary on Luke 7". "Matthew Henry Complete Commentaryon the Whole Bible". 1706.

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"Brethren, we came to this country to practice our religious liberties, and if we don’t get involved, we’re going to lose them."

John Peter Muhlenberg "January 21, 1776 in the Lutheran church in Woodstock, Virginia, Reverend Muhlenberg took his sermon text from the third chapter Ecclesiastes, which starts with 'To every thing there is a season...'; after reading the eighth verse, 'a time of war, and a time of peace,' he declared, 'And this is the time of war,' removing his clerical robe to reveal his Colonel's uniform. Outside the church door the drums began to roll as men turned to kiss their wives and then walked down the aisle to enlist, and within half an hour, 162 men were enrolled. The next day he led out 300 men from the county to form the nucleus of the Eighth Virginia."
John Peter Muhlenberg, American Heritage

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"All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing." -Edmund Burke

"If ye love wealth better than liberty, the tranquility of servitude better than the animating contest of freedom, go home from us in peace. We ask not your counsels or your arms. Crouch down and lick the hands which feed you. May your chains set lightly upon you, and may posterity forget that you were our countrymen." ~Samuel Adams

Saint: "the people of God, the church of Jesus Christ. . . the idea of being set apart for God as well as conformity to God's likeness through the work of the indwelling Holy Spirit." We are all called saints that believe and have faith. The "celebrated" saints are people who lived extraordinary lives and can inspire us to do the same.
Saint Stephen I of Hungary

"The time is now near at hand which must probably determine, whether Americans are to be, Freemen, or Slaves; whether they are to have any property they can call their own; whether their Houses, and Farms, are to be pillaged and destroyed, and they consigned to a State of Wretchedness from which no human efforts will probably deliver them. The fate of unborn Millions will now depend, under God, on the Courage and Conduct of this army-Our cruel and unrelenting Enemy leaves us no choice but a brave resistance, or the most abject submission; that is all we can expect. We have therefore to resolve to conquer or die."
- General George Washington to his troops before the Battle of Long Island
Thanks to Jim's Quote of the Day