MEMORIAL DAY 2010
“Cover them with beautiful flowers, deck them with garlands these brothers of ours, lying so silent by night and by day.” Those were the words of poet Will Carleton speaking of the Civil War dead. Memorial Day is more than a national holiday, it is a sacred observance.
As a nation we must be reminded again and again that our freedom was bought with a price. Throughout the history of this republic, soldiers, sailors and airmen have given their lives for the sacred cause of liberty. The honored dead lay in cemeteries all over the nation and scattered around the world.
Even now freedom is defended at great cost. The story of American freedom is the story of noble and sacrificial service. On Memorial Day we honor all those who have given their lives for this nation and its ideals–and we pray for those who serve even now.
Saturday, May 29, 2010
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
FRIGHTENING TIMES
In these anxious and critical days in which we live, people are wondering what this world is coming to. Whether it be the oil-well devastation along our Gulf coast, or illegal immigration along the U.S.-Mexican border, or the global economic crisis, or the escalation of tensions between North and South Korea, there’s plenty to be frightened about. We live in horrible times of violent crimes. Yesterday, the F.B.I. reported a consistent drop in violent crimes across the country, but don’t tell that to the mother in Richmond, California, who two little girls were kidnapped, raped and murdered last week. She’s not buying it! Sometimes you can't help but wonder, "Is the end coming?" Or more accurately, you ask, "Is the return of Christ near?"
In the midst of all of our wondering, there is someone who knows exactly what the future holds, and He has told us all about it in His book—the Bible. The Bible is the one book that accurately predicts the future. It predicts coming events not in broad strokes, but with amazing detail.
It is worth noting that two thirds of the Bible is prophecy. And one half of these prophecies have already been fulfilled. Therefore, if one half of the Bible's prophecies have happened just as God said they would, we have no reason to doubt that the remaining ones will also come true. The Bible's accurate prediction of the future is reason for us to believe that when God says something will happen, we can believe Him and take His promises to the bank.
In these anxious and critical days in which we live, people are wondering what this world is coming to. Whether it be the oil-well devastation along our Gulf coast, or illegal immigration along the U.S.-Mexican border, or the global economic crisis, or the escalation of tensions between North and South Korea, there’s plenty to be frightened about. We live in horrible times of violent crimes. Yesterday, the F.B.I. reported a consistent drop in violent crimes across the country, but don’t tell that to the mother in Richmond, California, who two little girls were kidnapped, raped and murdered last week. She’s not buying it! Sometimes you can't help but wonder, "Is the end coming?" Or more accurately, you ask, "Is the return of Christ near?"
In the midst of all of our wondering, there is someone who knows exactly what the future holds, and He has told us all about it in His book—the Bible. The Bible is the one book that accurately predicts the future. It predicts coming events not in broad strokes, but with amazing detail.
It is worth noting that two thirds of the Bible is prophecy. And one half of these prophecies have already been fulfilled. Therefore, if one half of the Bible's prophecies have happened just as God said they would, we have no reason to doubt that the remaining ones will also come true. The Bible's accurate prediction of the future is reason for us to believe that when God says something will happen, we can believe Him and take His promises to the bank.
Friday, May 21, 2010
A "YES" FACE
A man was trying to get across a river on foot with little or no success. He spied a man on horseback, took one look at him, and said "Please let me ride over with you on the back of your horse. I need to cross this river." Sure enough, the rider lifted him up and took him across the river. The man on the horse was named Abraham Lincoln.
When they reached the other side, those gathered on the bank who had witnessed this act of kindness said, "You wanted the President to take you across, didn't you? The rest of us weren't good enough." But the man shook his head and said, "No, I didn't recognize Mr. Lincoln. I didn't know it was him." His answer was met with disbelief. "Then why did you single him out, and ask him instead of all the other riders who crossed before him?" Without hesitating, the man replied, "That's easy. He had a ‘yes' face, and I saw it right away."
Do you have a "yes" face? Are you approachable? Do strangers ever ask you for directions? Do friends ask you for help? Peter and John must have had ‘yes' faces, because the lame beggar at the Beautiful Gate of the temple singled them out to ask for alms. But he got more than he bargained for. Peter and John were willing to help, but not in the way this beggar envisioned. Peter told him he had no gold or silver, but he was willing to give what he did have: healing. "In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene," he said, "walk!"
The truth is, the beggar at the gate had more gold than either Peter or John. But they had something he needed more than money. Jesus has a "yes" face. He is willing to help when we call on Him. But He knows better than we do what our true needs are. The question is, are we willing to call on Him, and to receive what He deems best for us?
A man was trying to get across a river on foot with little or no success. He spied a man on horseback, took one look at him, and said "Please let me ride over with you on the back of your horse. I need to cross this river." Sure enough, the rider lifted him up and took him across the river. The man on the horse was named Abraham Lincoln.
When they reached the other side, those gathered on the bank who had witnessed this act of kindness said, "You wanted the President to take you across, didn't you? The rest of us weren't good enough." But the man shook his head and said, "No, I didn't recognize Mr. Lincoln. I didn't know it was him." His answer was met with disbelief. "Then why did you single him out, and ask him instead of all the other riders who crossed before him?" Without hesitating, the man replied, "That's easy. He had a ‘yes' face, and I saw it right away."
Do you have a "yes" face? Are you approachable? Do strangers ever ask you for directions? Do friends ask you for help? Peter and John must have had ‘yes' faces, because the lame beggar at the Beautiful Gate of the temple singled them out to ask for alms. But he got more than he bargained for. Peter and John were willing to help, but not in the way this beggar envisioned. Peter told him he had no gold or silver, but he was willing to give what he did have: healing. "In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene," he said, "walk!"
The truth is, the beggar at the gate had more gold than either Peter or John. But they had something he needed more than money. Jesus has a "yes" face. He is willing to help when we call on Him. But He knows better than we do what our true needs are. The question is, are we willing to call on Him, and to receive what He deems best for us?
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
NOAH'S ARK. REALLY?
We’ve all been waiting for it--the discovery of the real Noah’s ark. Consider the attention given in recent days to the claim that remnants of Noah’s ark has been found on Mount Ararat in Turkey. A team from “Noah’s Ark Ministries International,” based in Hong Kong, claims that wood found on the mountain came from Noah’s ark — with a certainty of “99.9 percent.”
How incredibly great will it be if it they are correct? The whole world will see that there really was a Noah--there really was an ark--the Bible is really true. The remnants could be retrieved, put on display in New York City and millions of people could view it and who knows--maybe this could be the greatest evangelistic breakthrough in the history of civilization.
Not so fast.
Even if the discovery is authentic (and many reputable archaeologists remain cautiously skeptical) it is still just a relic. The list of authentic relics is a mile long with the Dead Sea Scrolls somewhere near the top. And still we are waiting for the world to be turned upside down.
The fact remains that Christians should not give too much attention to such claims in the first place. Our confidence that the account of the flood and Noah’s ark happened in space, time, and history is grounded in the Bible, not in remnants of ancient timber.
If archaeologists later agree that the fragments are indeed from Noah’s ark, that will be a matter of real interest to Christians, but it should add nothing to our confidence in the Bible. If the fragments are determined to be authentic or, most likely, if there is no consensus at all, this will not detract anything from the truthfulness, authority, and sufficiency of the Scriptures.
Our confidence is in the Bible as the Word of God, not in gopher wood.
May 23rd at Gatetree
This Sunday we will continue in our series Ten Values That Build Strong Families--based on the 10 Commandments. Sunday’s sermon is titled “Honor Your Parents.” If you’re in the neighborhood at 10:45 AM, please drop in and be our guest. We’d really like to meet you.
We’ve all been waiting for it--the discovery of the real Noah’s ark. Consider the attention given in recent days to the claim that remnants of Noah’s ark has been found on Mount Ararat in Turkey. A team from “Noah’s Ark Ministries International,” based in Hong Kong, claims that wood found on the mountain came from Noah’s ark — with a certainty of “99.9 percent.”
How incredibly great will it be if it they are correct? The whole world will see that there really was a Noah--there really was an ark--the Bible is really true. The remnants could be retrieved, put on display in New York City and millions of people could view it and who knows--maybe this could be the greatest evangelistic breakthrough in the history of civilization.
Not so fast.
Even if the discovery is authentic (and many reputable archaeologists remain cautiously skeptical) it is still just a relic. The list of authentic relics is a mile long with the Dead Sea Scrolls somewhere near the top. And still we are waiting for the world to be turned upside down.
The fact remains that Christians should not give too much attention to such claims in the first place. Our confidence that the account of the flood and Noah’s ark happened in space, time, and history is grounded in the Bible, not in remnants of ancient timber.
If archaeologists later agree that the fragments are indeed from Noah’s ark, that will be a matter of real interest to Christians, but it should add nothing to our confidence in the Bible. If the fragments are determined to be authentic or, most likely, if there is no consensus at all, this will not detract anything from the truthfulness, authority, and sufficiency of the Scriptures.
Our confidence is in the Bible as the Word of God, not in gopher wood.
May 23rd at Gatetree
This Sunday we will continue in our series Ten Values That Build Strong Families--based on the 10 Commandments. Sunday’s sermon is titled “Honor Your Parents.” If you’re in the neighborhood at 10:45 AM, please drop in and be our guest. We’d really like to meet you.
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