“Tis the season...”
What causes stress?
- money problems?
- over scheduling?
- traffic?
- the words, “some assembly required”?
It seems that Christmas can bring out the best and worst in us. Lights on the roof... eggnog in the fridge... presents wrapped and placed under the tree. But what did it take to make it all happen? Long lines at the checkout counters… people fighting over Elmo... an overdrawn bank account. We are overworked, overwhelmed, and overcommitted. We are hurried and worried. Christmas leaves us physically exhausted, psychologically drained, and spiritually???
Christmas is a time many people stop and turn to God. But unfortunately, it is also a time that many people don’t stop. Many don’t turn to God. For them, there is no time to pray... no time to give thanks... no time to worship. Like Martha (Luke 10), we get distracted by all the preparations. We “are worried and upset about many things.” (Luke 10:41) We have lost focus of the one thing that is needed. Are we making time for God?
REST
The key to stress is rest. Right? How do we get rest when we are so stressed?
One of God’s original 10 commandments dealt with the issue of rest: “Remember the Sabbath day and keep it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not work.” (Exodus 20:8) It goes on to say that “For six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth... but he rested on the seventh day.” Have you ever thought about why God rested? Do you think He was worn out? Did He have to take a nap? No. He was modeling for us how to pause and prioritize. How to enjoy what is really important.
To some, there is no time to rest. There is too much to do! Rest is a luxury they cannot afford. Some people struggle to take a Sabbath. They see it as an Old Testament law. And, praise God, we are not under the Law anymore.
Others can’t wait to take a Sabbath from work. They “Thank God it’s Friday” (because they are so spiritual!). They believe that the weekend is what refreshes them. But most people should thank God for Monday so they can recover from their weekend!
But to God, the Sabbath is Holy. He “blessed the Sabbath and made it holy.” (Exodus 20:11) And when God blesses something - it ought to get our attention! If we want God’s blessing we ought to be a part of what He is blessing. His command to us is not: “Remember the Sabbath and rest” He says, “Remember the Sabbath and keep it holy.” The key to the Sabbath is not - not doing anything. The key is to do something! The key is to spend this time with God!
The key to stress is rest! And the key to rest is to remember that 24 hours of a week belongs to God. It is God’s gift to us - to protect us - from ourselves. Jesus said, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath” (Mark 2:27)
In Mark 6, the disciples had been sent out by twos to heal people and teach people. Jesus told the disciples, “Come with me... get some rest.” What are the words that most people hear? “Get some rest” But the real secret is in the words: “Come with me”
Again, in Matthew 11:28, Jesus says, “Come to me all who are weary, and I will give you rest.” How do you get rest? Come to Jesus!
If you are stressed over being overcommitted - take it to God. Allow Him to help you prioritize what is important. Ephesians 5:15-17 says, “Be very careful, then, how you live--not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity... Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is.”
If you are stressed because money is tight - come to Jesus. Pray about what you can spend this Christmas season. And then stay disciplined to do as God leads. Understand what the Lord’s will is!
If you are worried and upset about many things - understand that only one thing is needed. Understand what the Lord’s will is.
Got stress? Get Jesus!
He will give you rest.
Then you will be blessed!
Pete Baumgartle, Lanesville, Indiana
Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests." - Luke 2:14
Stress is a warning sign that we are taking ourselves too seriously, and that we are not taking God seriously enough.
Thursday, December 2, 2010
Thursday, September 23, 2010
One Nation Under Which God?
September 10, 2010, in a White House news conference focused largely on the sour economy and upcoming election, President Barack Obama also spoke about the mosque and Koran controversies that are threatening to politicize this year's commemoration of the 9/11 terror attacks.
Obama appealed to the American people to stand by the nation's belief in religious tolerance.
"We are all Americans, we stand together," Obama said. "I think it is absolutely important now for majority of Americans to hang onto that thing that is best in us: a belief in religious tolerance. We have to make sure we don’t start turning on each other.""We are one nation under God. We may call that God different names, but we are one nation."
Excuse me!
Am I the only one who is alarmed by such a comment?
Didn't anyone else see the dangers of Pres. Obama's articulate ignorance?
What he said was not only bad theology. It is also bad policy. It is the beginning of a divided nation. And he seems okay with that!
The Judeo-Christian God YHWH (I Am that I Am) is NOT the same god as the Muslim's Allah god! To say there is no difference is to be willfully ignorant of the Old Testament and YHWH attacks against other gods, including Baal, Beelzebub, Dagon, Pharaoh, Molech, Artemis, Asherah, and many more.
The history of these battles is fascinating and prove over and over and over that YHWH is superior to all these wannabe gods. He ALONE is worthy of our worship and devotion. Joshua challenged the Israelites: "...if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD." (Joshua 24:15)
The purpose of this history is so we don't lose our way and start following other gods - which has historically led to pain and suffering and oppression - for the Israelites, and ALL nations that reject YHWH.
Up until Barack Obama became president - no one questioned which God/god this nation was under. But, as a result of his ignorance of Christianity, and his plea for tolerance, he has in essence, publicly stated that Allah and YHWH are one and the same. But they are NOT! They are nothing alike! And anybody with half a brain, who reads the Bible and the Koran could see that these are two distinct Gods, with two distinct messages, and two distinct methods of reigning.
I believe that America is One Nation because we have served One God (YHWH). But, if we as a nation attempt to serve two gods - it won't be long until we become two nations... under duress.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Perhaps, in today's world, we should begin saying we are "One Nation Under Yahweh", instead of using the generic term "god" - which can refer to anything.
No one can serve two masters. - Matthew 6:24
We can not serve both Yahweh & Allah
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Should We Burn The Koran?
Pastor Terry Jones of a small church in Gainsville, Florida says he is determined to burn copies of the Koran on September 11, despite pleas from the White House, the military, the Vatican and Angelina Jolie.
General David Petraeus warned that “images of the burning of a Koran would undoubtedly be used by extremists in Afghanistan - and around the world - to inflame public opinion and incite violence”.
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton added her disapproval saying, “I am heartened by the clear, unequivocal condemnation of this disrespectful, disgraceful act that has come from American religious leaders of all faiths.”
What do you think?
What do you think? Is it right or wrong to burn the Koran? But wait. Before you answer that - How did you answer the question about is it right or wrong to build a mosque at ground zero? Do your answers line up? Or, is there any hypocrisy in your answer?
I don’t know what General Petraeus, or Hilary Clinton, or Angeline Jolie think about a mosque at ground zero. But I suspect that a lot of people who have defended the right of Muslims to build a mosque are the same people who oppose the Christians burning the Koran. Don’t the Christians have a right to burn a book that they want to burn? Yes they do. We have freedom of religion… Freedom of speech… Legally, Terry Jones can burn all the Korans he wants to.
My point (to the Muslims AND the Christians) is: Just because you legally have the right to do something doesn’t make it right.
As Christians, we are commanded to speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15). As a Christian, I believe the Bible is Truth - not the Koran. We must speak it, proclaim it, teach it and live it. But living it means speaking it with love. The Bible tells us to be ready to give the reason for the hope that we have. But to do it with gentleness and respect (1 Peter 3:15). The reason I believe the Bible is the word of God is because it was written by 40 authors over a period of 1500 years, with one message: The redemption of man by Yahweh God, through Jesus Christ. I feel that it is important to respectfully point out that the Koran, as I understand it, was written by one man, Mohammad, with one message: The submission of man to Allah, through Jihad if necessary.
It is my hope, that with love, gentleness and respect, I can point out that there is a BIG difference between the Koran and the Bible. The weapons we fight with are NOT the weapons of the world. We do not wage war the way the world does. (2 Corinthians 10:3) We, as Christians, do not use suicide bombs, IED’s, airplanes, or book burnings to get our message across. We, as Christians, should not be concerned with what is “legally” right, but what is right in the eyes of God.
I disagree with the Koran. But I also disagree with a public burning of the Koran in order to provoke those who disagree with me.
General David Petraeus warned that “images of the burning of a Koran would undoubtedly be used by extremists in Afghanistan - and around the world - to inflame public opinion and incite violence”.
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton added her disapproval saying, “I am heartened by the clear, unequivocal condemnation of this disrespectful, disgraceful act that has come from American religious leaders of all faiths.”
What do you think?
What do you think? Is it right or wrong to burn the Koran? But wait. Before you answer that - How did you answer the question about is it right or wrong to build a mosque at ground zero? Do your answers line up? Or, is there any hypocrisy in your answer?
I don’t know what General Petraeus, or Hilary Clinton, or Angeline Jolie think about a mosque at ground zero. But I suspect that a lot of people who have defended the right of Muslims to build a mosque are the same people who oppose the Christians burning the Koran. Don’t the Christians have a right to burn a book that they want to burn? Yes they do. We have freedom of religion… Freedom of speech… Legally, Terry Jones can burn all the Korans he wants to.
My point (to the Muslims AND the Christians) is: Just because you legally have the right to do something doesn’t make it right.
As Christians, we are commanded to speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15). As a Christian, I believe the Bible is Truth - not the Koran. We must speak it, proclaim it, teach it and live it. But living it means speaking it with love. The Bible tells us to be ready to give the reason for the hope that we have. But to do it with gentleness and respect (1 Peter 3:15). The reason I believe the Bible is the word of God is because it was written by 40 authors over a period of 1500 years, with one message: The redemption of man by Yahweh God, through Jesus Christ. I feel that it is important to respectfully point out that the Koran, as I understand it, was written by one man, Mohammad, with one message: The submission of man to Allah, through Jihad if necessary.
It is my hope, that with love, gentleness and respect, I can point out that there is a BIG difference between the Koran and the Bible. The weapons we fight with are NOT the weapons of the world. We do not wage war the way the world does. (2 Corinthians 10:3) We, as Christians, do not use suicide bombs, IED’s, airplanes, or book burnings to get our message across. We, as Christians, should not be concerned with what is “legally” right, but what is right in the eyes of God.
I disagree with the Koran. But I also disagree with a public burning of the Koran in order to provoke those who disagree with me.
Thursday, August 12, 2010
3 Generations
My grandparents rode a horse and buggy to church when they were children. They tell stories of killing chickens and getting them ready for Sunday dinner before they left for church. And of course, my grandfather tells the same story that every grandfather tells: “I remember when I walked four miles a day to go to school... in the snow... up hill... both ways... barefooted.” I tell my children similar stories about how rough I had it as a child - “When I was a child, I had to get up off the couch to change the channel on the T.V.”
How much has our generation forgotten (or never learned) from our grandparent’s generation? Most people in today’s world haven’t got a clue how to hitch a buggy. Most people in today’s world don’t know how to cook a chicken that’s not wrapped in plastic and says “Tyson” on it. And who knows how to darn socks? Who knows how to hang a door that is not pre-hung? Who knows which wildflowers are edible? Or how to use them for medicinal purposes? It’s pretty amazing how much information can be forgotten within three generations.
THE FIRST GENERATION
Consider the generation that conquered the Promise Land (Joshua 3-10). When God told them to cross the Jordan River at flood stage, they stepped into the river without blinking an eye. They knew God would part the waters. And when God told them to march around the Canaanite’s stronghold of Jericho seven times, they didn’t argue with God. They didn’t second guess God or question the strategy of His plan. They simply obeyed and the walls fell down! When God told them to purge the evil from among them at Ai, they took care of the sin promptly and decisively. Joshua had told this generation, “Fear God and serve him with all faithfulness” - and they did! Which is why they were so successful. They were bold! They were faithful! They saw God do mighty things among them! They were blessed by God.
THE SECOND GENERATION
Then arose the next generation (Judges 1-2). They were to take possession of the hill country. But the people of the hill country had iron chariots - so the 2nd generation couldn’t take possession. (Huh? Jericho had massive walls. The hill country had iron chariots. Are iron chariots a problem for God?) The Benjamites failed to dislodge the Jebusites. Manasseh didn’t drive out the people of Beth Shan. Some Israelites made slaves of the Canaanites instead of driving them out of the land as the Lord commanded. This generation seemed timid. They were compromising. They were disobedient. They lost many battles. As a result, God said He would NOT drive out the Canaanites. He said they would be thorns in the Israelites’ sides. Their gods would be the Israelites’ snares. (Judges 2:2-3)
THE THIRD GENERATION
After that generation, “...another generation grew up, who knew neither the LORD nor what he had done for Israel.” (Judges 2:10)
And they did evil... They worshipped the pagan gods... they provoked the Lord to anger. They were plundered. Defeated. Sold into slavery. Oppressed.
What happened? How could they grow up not knowing the Lord? Not knowing how great the Lord is? Not knowing all the wonderful things the Lord had done for their grandparents?
WHICH ARE YOU?
It seems to me that there are two kinds of people. There are those who walk with God, listen to God, trust God, and they see God do mighty things in their lives (The First Generation). Then, there are those who can’t see God anywhere. They easily get involved in what the Lord calls “evil”. As a result, their lives are full of self-inflicted pain and misery. They are plundered and defeated. They become slaves to sin (The Third Generation).
But wait. There is a third kind of person. The Second Generation. They are the ones who act religious. They talk a good talk. They do some good things in the Name of the Lord. But they are not faithful to God. They are not really walking with God and trusting God. They are not glorifying Him or exalting Him with their lives. They just go to church. They think little about the impact their disobedience is having on others... their children - the third generation.
Which are you? Who cares if you don’t know how to hitch a buggy or kill a chicken. Do you know how to walk with God?
Go Bless,
Pete Baumgartle, Lanesville, IN
IS THIS YOU?
For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. - Romans 1:21
How much has our generation forgotten (or never learned) from our grandparent’s generation? Most people in today’s world haven’t got a clue how to hitch a buggy. Most people in today’s world don’t know how to cook a chicken that’s not wrapped in plastic and says “Tyson” on it. And who knows how to darn socks? Who knows how to hang a door that is not pre-hung? Who knows which wildflowers are edible? Or how to use them for medicinal purposes? It’s pretty amazing how much information can be forgotten within three generations.
THE FIRST GENERATION
Consider the generation that conquered the Promise Land (Joshua 3-10). When God told them to cross the Jordan River at flood stage, they stepped into the river without blinking an eye. They knew God would part the waters. And when God told them to march around the Canaanite’s stronghold of Jericho seven times, they didn’t argue with God. They didn’t second guess God or question the strategy of His plan. They simply obeyed and the walls fell down! When God told them to purge the evil from among them at Ai, they took care of the sin promptly and decisively. Joshua had told this generation, “Fear God and serve him with all faithfulness” - and they did! Which is why they were so successful. They were bold! They were faithful! They saw God do mighty things among them! They were blessed by God.
THE SECOND GENERATION
Then arose the next generation (Judges 1-2). They were to take possession of the hill country. But the people of the hill country had iron chariots - so the 2nd generation couldn’t take possession. (Huh? Jericho had massive walls. The hill country had iron chariots. Are iron chariots a problem for God?) The Benjamites failed to dislodge the Jebusites. Manasseh didn’t drive out the people of Beth Shan. Some Israelites made slaves of the Canaanites instead of driving them out of the land as the Lord commanded. This generation seemed timid. They were compromising. They were disobedient. They lost many battles. As a result, God said He would NOT drive out the Canaanites. He said they would be thorns in the Israelites’ sides. Their gods would be the Israelites’ snares. (Judges 2:2-3)
THE THIRD GENERATION
After that generation, “...another generation grew up, who knew neither the LORD nor what he had done for Israel.” (Judges 2:10)
And they did evil... They worshipped the pagan gods... they provoked the Lord to anger. They were plundered. Defeated. Sold into slavery. Oppressed.
What happened? How could they grow up not knowing the Lord? Not knowing how great the Lord is? Not knowing all the wonderful things the Lord had done for their grandparents?
WHICH ARE YOU?
It seems to me that there are two kinds of people. There are those who walk with God, listen to God, trust God, and they see God do mighty things in their lives (The First Generation). Then, there are those who can’t see God anywhere. They easily get involved in what the Lord calls “evil”. As a result, their lives are full of self-inflicted pain and misery. They are plundered and defeated. They become slaves to sin (The Third Generation).
But wait. There is a third kind of person. The Second Generation. They are the ones who act religious. They talk a good talk. They do some good things in the Name of the Lord. But they are not faithful to God. They are not really walking with God and trusting God. They are not glorifying Him or exalting Him with their lives. They just go to church. They think little about the impact their disobedience is having on others... their children - the third generation.
Which are you? Who cares if you don’t know how to hitch a buggy or kill a chicken. Do you know how to walk with God?
Go Bless,
Pete Baumgartle, Lanesville, IN
IS THIS YOU?
For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. - Romans 1:21
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Satan's 3 (Almost) Fatal Blows
Jesus told is disciples to “Go, make disciples.” And they did! Acts 2:41 tells us that there were 3000 additions to the church. Acts 4:4 says there were about 5000 men who believed. Acts 5:14 says “more and more men and women believed and were added to their numbers.” Acts 6:7 says “The number of disciples... increased rapidly.”
These believers were passionate. They were bold! They were obedient. And the world was changed forever! Christianity experienced remarkable growth - even while being severely persecuted. And, by an edict of Constantine in 313 A.D., Christianity became the State religion of the entire Roman Empire!
But today, many of our churches are not seeing much dynamic growth. Many of our churches are just barely staying alive. America could accurately be described as “post-Christian”. What happened?
What happened is that Satan has dealt the Church 3 nearly fatal blows.
Human Nature
The first blow Satan dealt was to appeal to our human nature; our desire for comfort... protection... convenience... We stopped making disciples because - it’s hard! And, besides, what will people think? We wouldn’t want our friends and neighbors to label us a “Jesus Freak!” So, being led by our human nature, we chose comfort over commitment, protection over personal involvement, convenience over our Lord’s command to “Make Disciples”
“Clergy” vs “Laity”
Secondly, Satan began to overemphasize distinctions of service in order to divide an army of believers. This was perhaps his most severe blow to the Church - dividing it into two groups. The small group became known as “Clergy”, and the large group, “Laity”. The small group eventually became empowered to do things the larger group could not. It was only the Clergy who were entrusted to serve communion, to baptize, to preach the Word of God. Making disciples became an exclusive right of the Clergy.
Once again, this appealed to our human nature. It appealed to the pride and ego of the Clergy to be considered valuable and needed. It appealed to the Laity to be lazy and allow the Clergy to do all the work. And as the years went by, less and less work was getting done. The Church’s ministry crumbled beneath the feet of men clothed in ecclesiastical garb.
The whole concept of “Clergy” and “Laity” is totally foreign to the Word of God. “...Peter and John were unschooled, ordinary men” (Acts 4:13), yet they turned the world upside down! What made the Church so successful in its early years was that every disciple was a witness for Christ. Every disciple was committed to making more disciples!
Institutionalism
The third and final blow was to turn the Church into an institution rather than the living Body of Christ. Houses that once hosted the glorious movement of the Spirit of God were replaced with rigid formality and cold cathedrals. Icy rigor mortis set in... It was known as the Dark Ages. And unfortunately, many of us are still living there today - at least so far as obedience to the Great Commission is concerned.
Jesus asked, “Why do you call me Lord, Lord, and not do what I say?” (Luke 6:46) He warns in Revelation, “I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! (Revelation 3:15)
Let’s live by the Spirit - not our human nature. Let’s make disciples - not religious people. Let’s be the Body of Christ.
Go Bless,
Pete
...you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.
- 1 Peter 2:9
These believers were passionate. They were bold! They were obedient. And the world was changed forever! Christianity experienced remarkable growth - even while being severely persecuted. And, by an edict of Constantine in 313 A.D., Christianity became the State religion of the entire Roman Empire!
But today, many of our churches are not seeing much dynamic growth. Many of our churches are just barely staying alive. America could accurately be described as “post-Christian”. What happened?
What happened is that Satan has dealt the Church 3 nearly fatal blows.
Human Nature
The first blow Satan dealt was to appeal to our human nature; our desire for comfort... protection... convenience... We stopped making disciples because - it’s hard! And, besides, what will people think? We wouldn’t want our friends and neighbors to label us a “Jesus Freak!” So, being led by our human nature, we chose comfort over commitment, protection over personal involvement, convenience over our Lord’s command to “Make Disciples”
“Clergy” vs “Laity”
Secondly, Satan began to overemphasize distinctions of service in order to divide an army of believers. This was perhaps his most severe blow to the Church - dividing it into two groups. The small group became known as “Clergy”, and the large group, “Laity”. The small group eventually became empowered to do things the larger group could not. It was only the Clergy who were entrusted to serve communion, to baptize, to preach the Word of God. Making disciples became an exclusive right of the Clergy.
Once again, this appealed to our human nature. It appealed to the pride and ego of the Clergy to be considered valuable and needed. It appealed to the Laity to be lazy and allow the Clergy to do all the work. And as the years went by, less and less work was getting done. The Church’s ministry crumbled beneath the feet of men clothed in ecclesiastical garb.
The whole concept of “Clergy” and “Laity” is totally foreign to the Word of God. “...Peter and John were unschooled, ordinary men” (Acts 4:13), yet they turned the world upside down! What made the Church so successful in its early years was that every disciple was a witness for Christ. Every disciple was committed to making more disciples!
Institutionalism
The third and final blow was to turn the Church into an institution rather than the living Body of Christ. Houses that once hosted the glorious movement of the Spirit of God were replaced with rigid formality and cold cathedrals. Icy rigor mortis set in... It was known as the Dark Ages. And unfortunately, many of us are still living there today - at least so far as obedience to the Great Commission is concerned.
Jesus asked, “Why do you call me Lord, Lord, and not do what I say?” (Luke 6:46) He warns in Revelation, “I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! (Revelation 3:15)
Let’s live by the Spirit - not our human nature. Let’s make disciples - not religious people. Let’s be the Body of Christ.
Go Bless,
Pete
...you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.
- 1 Peter 2:9
Thursday, July 8, 2010
The Gulf
Not a day goes by that the National News doesn’t lead off with an update on the disastrous effects of the giant oil spill caused by the explosion of Deep Horizon in the Gulf of Mexico. Brian Williams begins, “This is day 72 of the massive spewing of oil. And still no end in sight.” The next four stories are submitted by on-the-scene reporters, complete with pictures and video. They show birds covered in oil, tar balls on beaches, and families lamenting the loss of their livelihood.
It is estimated that perhaps 20,000 to 50,000 barrels of oil are pouring into the Gulf every day. That’s a total of 150 million gallons. The floating oil slicks and subsurface plumes are destroying the ecosystems in the marshes of Louisiana. It is poisoning the fish of the sea, including sperm whales, whale sharks, blue fin tuna, sea turtles, shrimp and coral. It is starving the birds of the air and coating them in oil so they can no longer fly. We’ve all seen the heart wrenching pictures of birds being pulled out of the sea - some barely alive. And for others, it is already too late.
The government has prohibited fishing in what it has labeled “The Dead Zone” - which is 80,000 square miles of contaminated waters. Commercial fishermen have docked their boats, laid off their workers, dipped into their savings and filed their claims, hoping to get some financial relief from the $2.35 billion that BP has dished out so far. Hotels and resorts, and restaurants and tourist attractions remain deserted as the masses stay away from the white sand beaches that are no longer white. In a kneejerk reaction, the President has placed a 6 month moratorium on deep sea drilling - but that only compounds the problem because 120,000 people in the South make their living from oil - not fish.
It is bad. Everything about it is bad. The consequences are devastating on so many levels. The Gulf was once full of life and beauty. People longed to go there to get away and enjoy all it had to offer. And now, it has very little to offer because of the enormous amount of oil that is polluting the Gulf with very little resistance.
It was at our Saturday morning Men’s Bible Study a few weeks ago when Todd Schroering brought to our attention something that had not hit me before like it did this morning. We were discussing the book of James, a verse that we are all familiar with: “Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress...” (James 1:27). We sat around and talked about the practical implications of this verse in our lives and for our church. We talked about what God expects of us. We talked about the need to help widows and orphans, and the children, and the poor, etc. This is good. This is acceptable by God. And deep down inside - most people know this. They might not make it to church on Sundays. They might not do a lot of other things in the name of religion, but they do feel passionate about taking care of the widows and orphans.
And then, Todd brought to our attention the second half of the verse... “and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.“ Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is.. to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. And that’s when it hit me like a ton of bricks - that you and I are created in God’s image. We are filled with life and beauty. We are just like the Gulf of Mexico! But something has gone terribly wrong! We are being poisoned and polluted by some bad stuff in this world. And we stink. And we are dying. And we are covered with sin that keeps us from soaring. We are spiritually starving. We are so far from the robust spiritual economy that we were destined to be because we have allowed ourselves to be polluted.
It is strange to me that this verse in James is so popular - and yet we have completely missed the importance of the second half of the verse. Keeping ourselves from becoming polluted by the things of the world is just not that big of a deal to most of us.
Uhmmm. I bet it would be if you were a bird in the Gulf!
Go Bless,
Pete Baumgartle, Lanesville, Indiana
Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. - James 1:27
It is estimated that perhaps 20,000 to 50,000 barrels of oil are pouring into the Gulf every day. That’s a total of 150 million gallons. The floating oil slicks and subsurface plumes are destroying the ecosystems in the marshes of Louisiana. It is poisoning the fish of the sea, including sperm whales, whale sharks, blue fin tuna, sea turtles, shrimp and coral. It is starving the birds of the air and coating them in oil so they can no longer fly. We’ve all seen the heart wrenching pictures of birds being pulled out of the sea - some barely alive. And for others, it is already too late.
The government has prohibited fishing in what it has labeled “The Dead Zone” - which is 80,000 square miles of contaminated waters. Commercial fishermen have docked their boats, laid off their workers, dipped into their savings and filed their claims, hoping to get some financial relief from the $2.35 billion that BP has dished out so far. Hotels and resorts, and restaurants and tourist attractions remain deserted as the masses stay away from the white sand beaches that are no longer white. In a kneejerk reaction, the President has placed a 6 month moratorium on deep sea drilling - but that only compounds the problem because 120,000 people in the South make their living from oil - not fish.
It is bad. Everything about it is bad. The consequences are devastating on so many levels. The Gulf was once full of life and beauty. People longed to go there to get away and enjoy all it had to offer. And now, it has very little to offer because of the enormous amount of oil that is polluting the Gulf with very little resistance.
It was at our Saturday morning Men’s Bible Study a few weeks ago when Todd Schroering brought to our attention something that had not hit me before like it did this morning. We were discussing the book of James, a verse that we are all familiar with: “Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress...” (James 1:27). We sat around and talked about the practical implications of this verse in our lives and for our church. We talked about what God expects of us. We talked about the need to help widows and orphans, and the children, and the poor, etc. This is good. This is acceptable by God. And deep down inside - most people know this. They might not make it to church on Sundays. They might not do a lot of other things in the name of religion, but they do feel passionate about taking care of the widows and orphans.
And then, Todd brought to our attention the second half of the verse... “and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.“ Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is.. to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. And that’s when it hit me like a ton of bricks - that you and I are created in God’s image. We are filled with life and beauty. We are just like the Gulf of Mexico! But something has gone terribly wrong! We are being poisoned and polluted by some bad stuff in this world. And we stink. And we are dying. And we are covered with sin that keeps us from soaring. We are spiritually starving. We are so far from the robust spiritual economy that we were destined to be because we have allowed ourselves to be polluted.
It is strange to me that this verse in James is so popular - and yet we have completely missed the importance of the second half of the verse. Keeping ourselves from becoming polluted by the things of the world is just not that big of a deal to most of us.
Uhmmm. I bet it would be if you were a bird in the Gulf!
Go Bless,
Pete Baumgartle, Lanesville, Indiana
Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. - James 1:27
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Fathers Matter
Where Are All The Dads?
Once upon a time, Fathers mattered. But in today’s world, do children really need a dad? Isn’t it enough to live with mom, and watch Sponge Bob on the TV?
Perhaps the role of a father is outdated and old-fashioned. Perhaps a father doesn’t contribute much to the health and well-being of the children or the community. Maybe that explains why divorce has become so common and acceptable. Maybe that explains why more women are trying to raise children without the children’s father. After all, who really needs a dad?
The Downward Plunge
How does the absence of a father effect a child’s education? Research is pretty conclusive that children in one-parent homes have lower test scores, miss more days of school, are more likely to be suspended or expelled, are more likely to drop out of school, and are less likely to attend college. The absence of a father has significant negative effects on the education of children. As a result, they tend to make less income and receive more government assistance.
How does the absence of a father effect the crime rate? James Q. Wilson, one of the nation’s leading scholars on crime says, “neighborhood standards may be set by mothers, but they are enforced by fathers… Neighborhoods without fathers are neighborhoods without men able and willing to confront errant youth, chase threatening gangs, and reproach delinquent fathers. The absence of the father… deprives the community of those little platoons that informally but effectively control boys on the street.” The divorce rate and the percentage of households headed by women are the leading indicators of a community’s crime rate. Travis Hirschi, author of A General Theory On Crime, states, “The more strongly a child is bound to his parents, the more strongly he is bound to their expectations and, therefore, the more strongly he is bound to conformity with the legal norms of the larger system.”
David Blankenhorn says, “We have too many boys with guns primarily because we have too few fathers.” Boys need fathers in order to observe masculinity in productive and socially acceptable ways.
How does the absence of a father effect sexual promiscuity? Girls need fathers in order to learn the proper ways to interact with and receive affection from men. Wade Horn, Commissioner for Children, Youth, and Families explains, “If a girl experiences the love of a father who places her well-being above his own and who acts as a natural protector, then the girl is likely to delay sexual relations until she finds such a man herself. If she is denied such fatherly love, then the girl is likely to seek it elsewhere – often inappropriately and often at very young ages.” While boys without fathers turn to guns and crime, girls without fathers seem to turn to having babies – out of wedlock, and before finishing school.
And the cycle continues…
Go Bless,
Pete Baumgartle, Lanesville, Indiana
"Bless me, even me also, O my father!"
Genesis 27:34
“A growing number of analysts of all political stripes believe problems with the economy – as well as a number of other social ill – could be best addressed by halting the disintegration of the traditional American family.” - Investor’s Business Daily
It is imperative that we fathers learn to depend on God – because our children are depending on us.
Dad Life from Church on the Move on Vimeo.
Once upon a time, Fathers mattered. But in today’s world, do children really need a dad? Isn’t it enough to live with mom, and watch Sponge Bob on the TV?
Perhaps the role of a father is outdated and old-fashioned. Perhaps a father doesn’t contribute much to the health and well-being of the children or the community. Maybe that explains why divorce has become so common and acceptable. Maybe that explains why more women are trying to raise children without the children’s father. After all, who really needs a dad?
The Downward Plunge
How does the absence of a father effect a child’s education? Research is pretty conclusive that children in one-parent homes have lower test scores, miss more days of school, are more likely to be suspended or expelled, are more likely to drop out of school, and are less likely to attend college. The absence of a father has significant negative effects on the education of children. As a result, they tend to make less income and receive more government assistance.
How does the absence of a father effect the crime rate? James Q. Wilson, one of the nation’s leading scholars on crime says, “neighborhood standards may be set by mothers, but they are enforced by fathers… Neighborhoods without fathers are neighborhoods without men able and willing to confront errant youth, chase threatening gangs, and reproach delinquent fathers. The absence of the father… deprives the community of those little platoons that informally but effectively control boys on the street.” The divorce rate and the percentage of households headed by women are the leading indicators of a community’s crime rate. Travis Hirschi, author of A General Theory On Crime, states, “The more strongly a child is bound to his parents, the more strongly he is bound to their expectations and, therefore, the more strongly he is bound to conformity with the legal norms of the larger system.”
David Blankenhorn says, “We have too many boys with guns primarily because we have too few fathers.” Boys need fathers in order to observe masculinity in productive and socially acceptable ways.
How does the absence of a father effect sexual promiscuity? Girls need fathers in order to learn the proper ways to interact with and receive affection from men. Wade Horn, Commissioner for Children, Youth, and Families explains, “If a girl experiences the love of a father who places her well-being above his own and who acts as a natural protector, then the girl is likely to delay sexual relations until she finds such a man herself. If she is denied such fatherly love, then the girl is likely to seek it elsewhere – often inappropriately and often at very young ages.” While boys without fathers turn to guns and crime, girls without fathers seem to turn to having babies – out of wedlock, and before finishing school.
And the cycle continues…
Go Bless,
Pete Baumgartle, Lanesville, Indiana
"Bless me, even me also, O my father!"
Genesis 27:34
“A growing number of analysts of all political stripes believe problems with the economy – as well as a number of other social ill – could be best addressed by halting the disintegration of the traditional American family.” - Investor’s Business Daily
It is imperative that we fathers learn to depend on God – because our children are depending on us.
Dad Life from Church on the Move on Vimeo.
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Liberalism
Perhaps it all started with Galileo who had the audacity to suggest that the earth revolves around the sun! After the Church threatened Galileo with excommunication for saying something so absurd, Galileo wrote "The intention of the Holy Ghost is to teach us how to go to heaven - not how heaven goes." Basically, Galileo silenced the Church by saying, "You stick to theology and let the scientists do science"
On the surface, Galileo's little snide rebuke seems timely and profound. The Church was foolish and wrong to try to censure his great discovery for no good apparent reason. However, this little crack in the dam opened the floodgates to putting the Church in their place - which has become an ever increasingly small place.
After Galileo, others followed. There was Francis Bacon, Georges Louis Comte de Buffon, Pierre Laplace, Abraham Werner, James Hutton, Charles Lyell, etc. It was Werner who suggested the earth was one million years old. Lyell, a lawyer and geologist, argued that the earth must be explained "…by a slow gradual process of erosion." William Buckland and Adam Sedgwick, both geologists at Oxford and Anglican Clergy, led many in their congregation and university to believe the new theories about geology and the history of the earth, instead of believing… "In the beginning, God made the heavens and the earth."
And then along comes Charles Darwin. As Darwin was formulating his theory about the evolution of the species, it was only natural at this point for others to conclude that religion evolved as well.
HIGHER CRITICISM
After years of being evolutionized, we now have biblical scholars who don't believe anything - And teach it at our universities. It is called "Higher Criticism" and it became popular in the 19th century. I was a victim of it at the first college I attended (in the 20th century). The professor of New Testament Studies challenged my thinking on every level , suggesting the Word of God was not really the Word of God, but just the words of people. He left the students to conclude that it's all just one big cute story (or the compilation of several cute stories). Myths! Similar to Greek Mythology. "I mean, come on! You don't really believe Jonah got swallowed by a whale? …that Noah saved the world with a big boat? …that the Isrealites crossed the Red Sea at floodstage?"
It is not uncommon for college professors to mock those who believe the truths of the Bible, and the miracles of the Bible. They teach, instead, that miracles were merely "natural events that people thought were supernatural". "People in Bible times were confused, ignorant, excited". "Jesus' healings were actually psychosomatic" (their sicknesses were all in the mind). Some of the things we think were miracles were simply "figures of speech". The Bible scholars of the infamous "Jesus Seminar" have concluded that Jesus actually said only 18% of what he is quoted as saying in the Bible.
This is dangerous stuff! This is lethal! They deny the resurrection of Christ, the 2nd coming of Christ, the power of Christ. They leave people without hope. This is what is being taught to our children that we send off to college after mortgaging our homes! This is why our children go to college on fire for God and come back as atheists!
HIGH TREASON
Paul writes, " I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you by the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel-- which is really no gospel at all. Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ." (Galatians 1:7-7)
Liberalism is, in fact, another gospel. It has thrown the world into confusion. It uses the terminology of Christianity, but distorts the meaning. It has a high-view of man and a low-view of God. It values tolerance, and cares nothing about holiness. It exalts science and throws away Scripture. It believes what is reasonable - and concludes that much of what Christ taught and did is just not reasonable.
Never mind the fact the apostles John and Peter both claimed to be eye-witnesses (John 1:14, 2 Peter 1:16). Never mind that the apostles were killed for what they wrote and believed. Never mind that the Dead Sea Scrolls authenticate the prophecies spoken about Jesus. Never mind the archaeological findings that confirm the miracles of the Bible. Never mind that the Bible was authenticated by using 24,633 manuscripts (many dating to within the 1st generation of Christians) to ensure its accuracy. Never mind the millions of people whose lives have been radically changed after reading the living Word of God (Hebrews 4:12).
REVELATION
The Bible says, "Thus saith the Lord…" 2853 times. Either He did, or He didn't. Jesus says, "I tell you the truth…" 390 times. Did He tell us the truth or not? The Apostle Paul writes, "All Scripture is God-breathed" (2 Timothy 3:16).
Liberalism, the intellectual movement that has elevated human reason to near divine status, has caused Christians to conclude the Bible is not the inspired, infallible Word of God revealed to us by the prophets. Liberal Christians don't believe the apostle Peter, who writes, "…you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet's own interpretation. For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit" (2 Peter 1:20-21). Liberal Christians believe the Scriptures evolved... It's constantly changing…. They don't believe the Bible is authoritative because they have chosen to believe those who criticize the Bible.
My question is, if these scholars are so scholarly, then why have they wasted their lives studying something they don’t believe?
My concern is, many people are listening to these so called “scholars” instead of listening to God.
Go Bless,
Pete
Instead of believing what they knew was the truth about God, they deliberately chose to believe lies. Romans 1:25
CASE STUDY
Harvard - founded in 1636 by Puritans who recognized the necessity for training up a clergy if the new world was to flourish in the wilderness.
They wanted ministers who were able to expound the Scriptures from the original Hebrew and Greek, as well as be familiar with what the church fathers, scholastic philosophers and reformists had written in Greek and Latin.
The kind of teaching that Harvard College was to provide was spelled out in its “Rules and Precepts” as follows:
Let every Student be plainly instructed, and earnestly pressed to consider well, the maine end of his life and studies is, to know God and Jesus Christ which is eternal life, John 17:3, and therefore to lay Christ in the bottome, as the only foundation of all found knowledge and Learning…
Harvard’s original motto: Veritas Christo et Ecclesiae (which means: “Truth for Christ and the Church”)
Harvard’s motto today: Veritas (Which means: Truth)
On the surface, Galileo's little snide rebuke seems timely and profound. The Church was foolish and wrong to try to censure his great discovery for no good apparent reason. However, this little crack in the dam opened the floodgates to putting the Church in their place - which has become an ever increasingly small place.
After Galileo, others followed. There was Francis Bacon, Georges Louis Comte de Buffon, Pierre Laplace, Abraham Werner, James Hutton, Charles Lyell, etc. It was Werner who suggested the earth was one million years old. Lyell, a lawyer and geologist, argued that the earth must be explained "…by a slow gradual process of erosion." William Buckland and Adam Sedgwick, both geologists at Oxford and Anglican Clergy, led many in their congregation and university to believe the new theories about geology and the history of the earth, instead of believing… "In the beginning, God made the heavens and the earth."
And then along comes Charles Darwin. As Darwin was formulating his theory about the evolution of the species, it was only natural at this point for others to conclude that religion evolved as well.
HIGHER CRITICISM
After years of being evolutionized, we now have biblical scholars who don't believe anything - And teach it at our universities. It is called "Higher Criticism" and it became popular in the 19th century. I was a victim of it at the first college I attended (in the 20th century). The professor of New Testament Studies challenged my thinking on every level , suggesting the Word of God was not really the Word of God, but just the words of people. He left the students to conclude that it's all just one big cute story (or the compilation of several cute stories). Myths! Similar to Greek Mythology. "I mean, come on! You don't really believe Jonah got swallowed by a whale? …that Noah saved the world with a big boat? …that the Isrealites crossed the Red Sea at floodstage?"
It is not uncommon for college professors to mock those who believe the truths of the Bible, and the miracles of the Bible. They teach, instead, that miracles were merely "natural events that people thought were supernatural". "People in Bible times were confused, ignorant, excited". "Jesus' healings were actually psychosomatic" (their sicknesses were all in the mind). Some of the things we think were miracles were simply "figures of speech". The Bible scholars of the infamous "Jesus Seminar" have concluded that Jesus actually said only 18% of what he is quoted as saying in the Bible.
This is dangerous stuff! This is lethal! They deny the resurrection of Christ, the 2nd coming of Christ, the power of Christ. They leave people without hope. This is what is being taught to our children that we send off to college after mortgaging our homes! This is why our children go to college on fire for God and come back as atheists!
HIGH TREASON
Paul writes, " I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you by the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel-- which is really no gospel at all. Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ." (Galatians 1:7-7)
Liberalism is, in fact, another gospel. It has thrown the world into confusion. It uses the terminology of Christianity, but distorts the meaning. It has a high-view of man and a low-view of God. It values tolerance, and cares nothing about holiness. It exalts science and throws away Scripture. It believes what is reasonable - and concludes that much of what Christ taught and did is just not reasonable.
Never mind the fact the apostles John and Peter both claimed to be eye-witnesses (John 1:14, 2 Peter 1:16). Never mind that the apostles were killed for what they wrote and believed. Never mind that the Dead Sea Scrolls authenticate the prophecies spoken about Jesus. Never mind the archaeological findings that confirm the miracles of the Bible. Never mind that the Bible was authenticated by using 24,633 manuscripts (many dating to within the 1st generation of Christians) to ensure its accuracy. Never mind the millions of people whose lives have been radically changed after reading the living Word of God (Hebrews 4:12).
REVELATION
The Bible says, "Thus saith the Lord…" 2853 times. Either He did, or He didn't. Jesus says, "I tell you the truth…" 390 times. Did He tell us the truth or not? The Apostle Paul writes, "All Scripture is God-breathed" (2 Timothy 3:16).
Liberalism, the intellectual movement that has elevated human reason to near divine status, has caused Christians to conclude the Bible is not the inspired, infallible Word of God revealed to us by the prophets. Liberal Christians don't believe the apostle Peter, who writes, "…you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet's own interpretation. For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit" (2 Peter 1:20-21). Liberal Christians believe the Scriptures evolved... It's constantly changing…. They don't believe the Bible is authoritative because they have chosen to believe those who criticize the Bible.
My question is, if these scholars are so scholarly, then why have they wasted their lives studying something they don’t believe?
My concern is, many people are listening to these so called “scholars” instead of listening to God.
Go Bless,
Pete
Instead of believing what they knew was the truth about God, they deliberately chose to believe lies. Romans 1:25
CASE STUDY
Harvard - founded in 1636 by Puritans who recognized the necessity for training up a clergy if the new world was to flourish in the wilderness.
They wanted ministers who were able to expound the Scriptures from the original Hebrew and Greek, as well as be familiar with what the church fathers, scholastic philosophers and reformists had written in Greek and Latin.
The kind of teaching that Harvard College was to provide was spelled out in its “Rules and Precepts” as follows:
Let every Student be plainly instructed, and earnestly pressed to consider well, the maine end of his life and studies is, to know God and Jesus Christ which is eternal life, John 17:3, and therefore to lay Christ in the bottome, as the only foundation of all found knowledge and Learning…
Harvard’s original motto: Veritas Christo et Ecclesiae (which means: “Truth for Christ and the Church”)
Harvard’s motto today: Veritas (Which means: Truth)
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