What Was Pete Thinking?

Tebow Time

2012-01-10T05:39:00.000-08:00

I read Tim Tebow’s Book, “Through My Eyes”.

Tim Tebow is a rookie quarterback for the Denver Broncos. He gained popularity in his college years playing football for Florida University for not only being a great quarterback, but for painting scripture verses such as John 3:16 under his eyes (it is reported that 92 million people did a google search on “John 3:16” during or shortly after one of his games). His college team won the national championship in 2006 and 2008. He won the prestigious Heisman trophy in 2007. Most recently, he has become a national phenomenon because he has led the Broncos to win several games that appeared to be unwinnable – all the while, giving glory to his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

What Tim Tebow does on the field is amazing. But what he does off the field is intriguing. The conditioning he puts his body through is intense. If everyone else does 100 pushups, he’ll do 200. He’ll work out three times a day. He’ll lift weights until his arms tremble. He works hard and pushes himself by thinking somewhere out there, someone is working harder than him. Why does he push himself so hard? He does it out of his devotion to God. He does it because he wants God to be honored and glorified through his life. He does it because he believes God receives joy from watching His children use their gifts and skills to the best of their abilities. It is his way of investing his talents (Matthew 25:14-30) and maximizing them, rather than burying them and letting them waste away. It is his way of saying “Thank you God for what you have given me”.

He tells a story of rebuking a teammate for not giving his best when they were running the steps of the stadium during practice. His teammate justified his actions by saying he wanted to stay behind and encourage another teammate that was lagging behind. Tebow was livid and called it laziness, disguised as good intentions. He concluded, if you truly want to encourage your teammates, then give your teammates (and God) your best!

For all you sports fans, you would probably like for me to continue writing more about Tebow. For anyone who is not a sports fan, you probably stopped reading this article a couple of paragraphs ago. But the reason I’m writing about our Christian brother, Tebow, is to ask you – is his hard work, dedication and devotion to God, that has manifested itself in the NFL arena, a strange phenomenon? Or, is the fact that most Christian are not that dedicated and devoted to God with the talents He has given each one of us a strange phenomenon? Are we not all suppose to love the Lord our God with all of our heart, all of our mind, and all of our strength? (Mark 12:30) Isn’t Tim Tebow simply doing what we are all commanded to do?

What would it look like to truly give God our best? Let’s prepare ourselves for some intense spring training of our bodies, minds, and souls this year. God deserves it. The world needs it. And we will all be blessed by doing it.

Go bless,

Pete

“…whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” – 1 Corinthians 10:31

Perry, Romney, and a Baptist Preacher Calling Mormons "A Cult"

2011-10-14T05:20:00.000-07:00

The Story of Two Nations

In America…

FRIDAY, October 7, Robert Jeffress, the pastor of a Southern Baptist mega-church in Texas, got his 15 minutes of fame when he introduced presidential candidate, Rick Perry at a Values Voters Summit in Washington. Jeffress asked, “Do we want a candidate who is a good, moral person — or one who is a born-again follower of the Lord, Jesus Christ?” He later told reporters that Mormonism was a “cult.” (Mormonism doesn't recognize Jesus as God - but rather, the son of God, the brother of Satan))

The scuttlebutt over the next several days centered on whether or not Jeffress should have said what he said. Is someone’s faith relevant to being the leader of our country? The Constitution, Article 6, Clause 3: “…no religious test shall ever be required as a qualification to any office or public trust under the United States.” So legally, one’s faith is not a factor. But democratically, elections are not about what is legal, but about what “we the people” want.

TUESDAY, October 11, Mitt Romney called on Rick Perry to repudiate Pastor Jeffress’ remarks. He said that Jeffress’ remarks were divisive. He said, “I believe in the spirit of the founders, when they suggested in crafting this country that we would be a nation that tolerated other people, different faiths -- that we’d be a place of religious diversity,"

What do you think? Are you sympathetic to the verbal pounding Pastor Jeffress has received? Or, do you think he was an idiot for saying such a thing? Should we choose a Christian to lead us? Or, is the economy the issue that trumps all others?

In Egypt…

In Egypt, there has been a growing tension between the Muslim majority and the Christian minority (which make up 10% of the population) ever since President Mubarak was overthrown in February.

MONDAY, On October 10, 25 people were killed and 329 wounded (mostly Christians), when Christians protested the partial destruction of one of their churches by radical Muslims. They demanded the resignation of a governor for failing to protect them. The Los Angeles Times reports, "To support its version of events, which starkly contrasted with video posted by activists and protesters, the military aired video of the clashes taken by state TV and independent Egyptian media."

What are we to believe? Are the Christian’s at fault for protesting? Are the Muslim’s at fault for how they treat the Christians? Is the leaders at fault – for turning a blind eye to how the Muslims treat the Christians, and for how they handled the Christians who were protesting?

The Story of Two Kings

Once upon a time, there was a king named Ahaz, who lived in Judah. King Ahaz was a business man. He saw what all the other kings were doing, and how rich and powerful they had become, and he wanted to be like them. So, he closed the Temple of the Lord (2 Chronicles 28:24) and worshipped their gods and made the worship of these gods popular and convenient. King Ahaz was a religious man.

But the Bible says Lord handed him over to these kings he envied. He was attacked by Aram and Israel, the Edomites and the Philistines and Assyria. They experienced heavy causalities. 120,000 men were killed in one day, and 200,000 wives and children were taken into slavery. His kingdom was plundered (2 Chronicles 28:8).

Years later, there was a new king named Hezekiah (Ahaz’s son). Hezekiah sought God. He led his people to repent and turn to God. He united the people by teaching them the Word of God (2 Chronicles 30:12). The people were blessed. The people were safe. And his kingdom prospered (2 Chronicles 31:21)

So, I ask you, how important is the faith of our leaders? Is it enough for our leaders to be religious? To be moral? Do we see that our leaders need to be led by more than just a Higher Power, but the Highest Power – the King of kings, Jesus Christ. Do we see that our safety, our well-being, our prosperity as a nation is dependent on not who is leading our nation, but who is leading our leaders?

Go Bless,

Pete

Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain. - Psalm 127:1

WORSHIP IN OZ

2011-10-14T05:14:00.000-07:00

Worship In Oz

Our worship has a lot of the same problems as the Land of Oz.

Like the Scarecrow, some of us really need a brain! Jesus said, "true worshippers must worship in... truth." Jesus told the Samaritan woman, "You worship what you do not know" (John 4:22) He is saying, "You pray, but you don't know who you are praying to. You work, but you don't know who you are working for. You talk about God, but you haven't got a clue who God is." Some people... Some churches - are all spirit, but no truth. They love the hype, the entertainment, the tickling of the ears. Their worship is shallow, artificial, and useless. Hosea 4: 6 says, "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge..." Matthew 22:37, Jesus tells us to love the Lord with all of our... minds! 2 Thessalonians 2:10 warns us that people will perish because they refuse to love the truth. Don't check your brains in at the door when you come to worship.

Like the Tin Man, some churches need a heart. Jesus, talking about the Jews, said, "We worship what we do know" (John 4:22) - and as we all know, knowing is not enough. 1 Corinthians 8:1 says, "knowledge puffs up, but love builds up." The Lord said in Isaiah 29:13, "These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me." The Jews had reduced worship to rules and rituals. Many churches do the same! They know the Bible inside and out. They can quote scripture after scripture. They will beat you at Bible Trivia every time - but where's the love? Jesus tells us in Matthew 22:37, the greatest commandment is to love the Lord your God... with all of your heart!

A man once went to church with an angel as his guide. Every seat in the church was filled, but there was something strange about the service. The praise band led the people in a popular chorus without making a sound. During the offering, the organist moved her fingers over the keys, but no music came from the pipes. The choir rose to sing, their lips moved, but it was as the mute button had been pushed on the remote. The pastor stepped to the pulpit to read the Scriptures, but the man observing with the angel could not even hear the rustle of the pages. Then the Lord's Prayer was recited by the entire congregation, but not a single syllable was audible. The pastor went again to the pulpit, and the man could tell he had started his sermon as he gestured here and there to make his various points, but the man again heard nothing. Turning to the angel the man said, I don't understand. What does all this mean? I see the service is being held, but I hear nothing. The angel replied, You hear nothing because there is nothing to be heard, at least not by heaven's ears. Those people are just going through the motions. Nothing they are doing has any meaning for them and worship without the heart is not worship.

Hebrews 10:22 tells us to "...draw near to God with a sincere heart." Without a sincere heart, we are just wasting our time. God is not looking for something brilliant. He is looking for something broken. David writes, "Create in me a pure heart." (Psalm 51:10) "The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, a broken and contrite heart." (Psalm 51:17)

Like the Lion, Christians today need courage. Courage to worship in spirit AND in truth. We need courage to do both! To use our right brain AND left brain. To worship intellectually AND emotionally. To worship with our heart AND our mind.

Go Bless,

Pete

"...a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth." - John 4:23-24

The End Of The World

2011-05-20T12:26:00.000-07:00

Harold Camping has put up over 3000 billboards world wide. (I would love to know where he gets his money) Below is a list of predictions made over the past 1000 years (I'm sure there are more that are not listed). Typically, there is a lot of hype. Sometimes there is signifanct church growth (Jehovah Witnesses went from 60,000 to 300,000 members back in 1975). And then the day comes and nothing happens. Harold Camping has done this before in 1994 - but says he miscalculated. He is really sure this time.

The problem - when church leaders make such predictions, churches often go through a significant growth spurt. But after the hype, Christians are disillusioned. They are cynical and apathetic. The Church is left with fewer and less committed Christians. And non-christians dig their heels in deeper against the things of God

It simply is NOT biblical. MATTHEW 24:36 says, "No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.” Because of his prediction - the one thing that I am absolutely certain of - it won't be May 21st.

However, I would encourage you to read 2 Peter 3 tonight. I know that Jesus will come back some day. For every prophecy in the Bible concerning his 1st coming - there are 8 looking forward to his second coming. The emphasis of 2 Peter 3 is "BE READY"
I'll see ya Sunday (probably)

Pete

HISTORY OF PREDICTED 2ND COMINGS

2nd Century – Montanist movement claimed Christ’s return was imminent.

1000 A.D. – The end of the first millennium caused widespread fear – “a universal expectation” that the end of the world was at hand.

1349 – The Bubonic Plague, 25 million Europeans (1/4 of the population) died. “The horsemen of the Apocalypse are in our midst.”

1532 – “There are rumors the world will end in 1532. (It) cannot last much longer.” – Martin Luther

Oct 19, 1533, 8 am – Date and time computed by Michael Stifel that the world would end.

1661 – Fifth Monarchy Men of England Movement

1836 – Year computed by John Wesley (founder of the Methodist) that the world would end

Oct 22, 1844 – Year Jonathan Edwards predicted the world would end.

1914 – “All signs point to 1914 as the end of the age.” – Charles Taze Russel (Jehovah’s Witnesses)

1975 – “With all certainty” mathematical formulas pointed toward the Fall of 1975 as the long awaited end. – Jehovah’s Witnesses

1988 – Book: 88 Reasons Why Jesus Will Return In 1988

May 1992 – Month and year computed by Edger C. Whisenaut (retired NASA engineer) that the world would end.

Sept 1994 – “I think the date range is between September 6 and Sptember 23” – Harold Camping (head of Family Radio, Oakland, Ca)

2000 - Over 500 groups made the prediction that the year 2000 would be the end of the world. – The Millenium Watch Institute

May 21, 2011, 6 pm - "...there's nothing in the Bible that holds a candle to the amount of information to this tremendous truth of the end of the world. – Harold Camping (head of Family Radio, put up 3,200 billboards throughout the world anouncing May 21, 2011 as the Second Coming)

9-11

2011-05-04T06:24:00.000-07:00

This is a re-post of an article I wrote after 9-11. After hearing of the death of Bin Laden, I re-read it and felt the need to post it again hoping it could shed some insight on what we are experiencing.

In our war against evil,

it is so important that we don’t become evil.

THE WORLD TRADE CENTER

After the shocking events that rocked our Nation September 11, 2001, I found myself feeling like a hypocrite. I’m very mindful of the Scriptures that command us to “Love our enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also” (Luke 6:27-29).

Quite honestly, I didn’t feel like turning the other cheek! I didn’t feel like loving my enemies and doing good to these people who have hurt our Nation so bad. But I am a Christian. And I keep hearing the words of Jesus as he asks, “Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord.” and do not do what I say?” (Luke 6:46) The Bible goes on to say, “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone" (Romans 12:18).

Many Christians have studied these Scripture and concluded that war is never permissible. They would be considered conscientious objectors if drafted - not out of fear of dying for their country, but out of fear of God. Much of the persecution of Christians when the church began is attributed to Christians refusing to fight for the Roman Empire. As Emperor Septimius Severus tried to build up his military might in 200 A.D., the churches were preaching that Christians should not bare arms. Why? Because Christians were to live at peace with everyone… as far as it was dependent on them… if possible.

JUSTICE

It wasn’t until St. Augustine addressed the subject around 400 A.D. that Christians realized, sometimes the way to peace required taking the road to war. Augustine said, “Peace is not sought in order to provide war, but war is waged in order to attain peace.” And with that, Augustine began laying the foundation for what we know today as the principles for Just War, which states:

• JUST WAR can only be waged by legitimate authorities.

• JUST WAR must exhaust all non-violent options first.

• JUST WAR must have a reasonable chance to succeed.

• JUST WAR must be fought with right intentions.

• JUST WAR must discriminate between combative enemies and non-combative civilians (Death of civilians are considered justifiable only if unavoidable).

• JUST WAR’s ultimate goal should be to re-establish peace.

Augustine’s rationale for war was nothing new. It was simply an elaboration of what the Bible had said all along… and what Christians had missed for 400 years. Romans 13:3-4 says, “For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. ... if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God’s servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer.”

Our rulers are God’s servants (agents of wrath) who have a responsibility to punish wrongdoers. Not only do our rulers have a responsibility to administer justice, everyone who calls themselves “Christian” has a responsibility to be just. Micah 6:8 asks, “And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly…“ It is our rulers’ responsibility to administer justice. And it is our responsibility to support our leaders as they carry out their responsibility. It would be unjust and immoral of me to not support our leaders as they carry out this God-given duty. It would be unjust and immoral of me stand by and do nothing as innocent lives are attacked. I can turn my cheek when someone strikes at me. But I can not turn my cheek when someone strikes the innocent.

But Romans 12:17 cautions us, “Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody (what is just)… Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord.” It’s important to understand that justice is not revenge. Principle #4 of the JUST WAR theory states, “JUST WAR must be fought with right intentions.” What is our intent? Revenge? Or peace? To kill? Or to save? Our goal must be to stop our enemies - not destroy them. However, if the only way to stop them is by destroying them, then we must do so. The Lord requires justice.

MERCY

But the Lord also requires mercy. (Micah 6:8) It thrills my soul to see how Americans pulled together after 9-11, offering transportation and housing, giving blood, time, and money (It’s a shame it took a tragedy to make this happen). But it scares me how much hate I hear from my fellow Americans… the desire to blow up the whole Middle East… the attacks on Arabs and Muslims here in the United States. Has it occurred to anybody that many of these people are in America to escape the injustice of their homeland? Hebrews 12:15 in the Living Bible says, “Watch out that no bitterness takes root among you, for as it springs up it causes deep trouble, hurting many in their spiritual lives.”

In our war against evil, it is so important that we don’t become evil. God says in Romans 12:21 “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” Ephesians 4:31 says, “Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” Is it possible to balance our desire for justice with our need for mercy? Here lies the problem. People strive for one, and neglect the other. We need both, or else bitterness will take root inside us and we will kill ourselves. We will become the very thing we are trying to destroy. We must love our enemy… pray for our enemy… forgive our enemy. We must “be merciful, just as our Father is merciful.” (Luke 6:36)

HUMILITY

One last thing. The Lord also requires humility. (Micah 6:8)

I heard of a little boy that was being read to by his father. In the book were pictures - and the father would often stop and point out the pictures and ask his son, "Luke, who made these trees?" The little toddler would say, "Luke did!" "No" said his daddy with a laugh, "God did."

"Luke, who made these mountains?"

"Luke did!"

"No" said his daddy, "God did."

"Luke, who made these flowers?""Luke did!"

"No" said his daddy, "God did."

The next morning - Luke had spilt his milk at the breakfast table. His Daddy walked in and immediately asked, "Who made this mess?"

"God did!"

Isn’t it like us to take all the credit for the good things in life... and blame God for all the bad?This tragedy that has devasted our nation... Did God cause this to happen? In 1 Kings 11:14, the Bible tells us that God raised up an adversary against Solomon... because Solomon had done evil in the eyes of the Lord. Isaiah 8 tells us how God raised up the Assyrians against Israel... His chosen people!!! because they had turned their backs on God.

Did God allow this tragedy? Did He cause this tragedy? I don’t know the answer. But I do know He has my attention.

Principle #3 of the JUST WAR theory states, “…we must have a reasonable chance to succeed.” Do we? We’re America! We are a great superpower! We’re #1! Right? Romans 8:12 says, “If God is for us, who can be against us?” And God is for us! Right? Romans 8:12 says, “If… God is for us, who can be against us?” I believe that if God is for us, we will be victorious. But if God is against us, we don’t stand a chance. Billy Graham once said “If God does not punish America for all it’s sins - He owes Sodom & Gomorrah an apology.” James Davison Hunter adds, “We Americans generally want to think of ourselves as good people. That, in many respects, is where the trouble begins.” Remember, God saves the humble but bring low those whose eyes are haughty (Psalm 18:27). Will we fight this fight with our own grit and determination? Or will we trust in the Lord? Will we be led by the Lord? Will we wait upon the Lord? This tragic week has forced our Nation to fall on our knees before God. There have been prayer services and vigils all across our land. I, for one, hope that we do not get up off our knees to quickly. For it is when our Nation turns to God that we are at our best.

So… What does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.

MICAH 6:8-6:8 What does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God...

STRESSED!

2010-12-02T06:59:00.000-08:00

“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.

One Nation Under Which God?

2010-09-23T13:27:00.000-07:00

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

Should We Burn The Koran?

2010-09-08T07:52:00.000-07:00

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.

3 Generations

2010-08-12T10:49:00.000-07:00

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

Satan's 3 (Almost) Fatal Blows

2010-08-10T09:12:00.000-07:00

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

The Gulf

2010-07-08T11:11:00.000-07:00

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

Fathers Matter

2010-07-07T05:39:00.001-07:00

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.

Liberalism

2010-06-30T07:52:00.000-07:00

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)

In The Dog House

2009-08-13T09:12:00.000-07:00

ATONEMENT - An Offering That Turns Away Wrath

Have you ever been on someone’s bad side? Maybe it was your husband or your wife? Or a parent or a child? A best friend in school or a neighbor across the street? Maybe it was because of something you did. Maybe it was because of something you didn’t do. Perhaps you shared a secret that you didn’t know was a secret. Or, did you make an untimely comment about their weight? Or their hair? Or their shoes? Perhaps you forgot the anniversary of the first time you got a soda together. Perhaps you made light of something that was important to them. And now... you are in the dog house. You are on their bad list. They’re not talking with you. They want nothing to do with you.

You didn’t do it intentionally (or, maybe you did). Does it matter? They’re hurt. They’re mad.

Now what do you do?

IS IT WORTH IT?

There are some relationships that we just write off. We say, "Oh well." and quickly move on. Some people are just too hard to please and we rightly, or wrongly, conclude - they’re just not worth the effort.

IS IT FAIR?

Sometimes, it’s not about making an extra effort to please them. Sometimes, deep down inside, we know they have every right to be angry with us. We wronged them. Regardless of whether it was intentional or not - we deserve their wrath.

IS IT SALVAGEABLE?

So, when we determine the relationship is worth the effort... When we conclude that we were wrong and we need to go the extra mile to make it right... When we have a hope that there is a way to right the wrong... What do we do? How do we make atonement for the wrong that we have inflicted on another?

Often we try to make things right with our words. We say we are sorry. We beg for forgiveness. If that doesn’t get the job done, we then try to prove the sincerity of our remorse with our actions. We buy them flowers and candy. We clean the dishes. We bake cookies. We do whatever we can to satisfy their wrath so that we can eventually come out of the dog house and resume living the good life.

Have you ever been in the dog house with God? Have you ever felt that He may be upset with you? Have you ever seen all those verses in the Bible that talks about God’s wrath and realize He’s talking about His relationship with you? Verses like how God’s wrath is being revealed against men who suppress the truth (Romans 1:18)... against people who pass judgement on others (Romans 2:1)... against people who refuse to repent (Romans 2:5)... against people who are self-seeking (Romans 2:8).

If so, take yourself through the same process. Is it worth being right with God? Is He just too demanding? Perhaps you think He’s just not worth the effort. After all, He’s just God - our Creator and Provider.

Is it fair? Does God have a right to be upset with you. You can’t help it if you can’t obey. You can’t help it that you don’t want to listen to Him and live for Him. You can’t help it if you think that the world revolves around you. Maybe... hopefully... deep down inside you do realize, "God is fair. I am wrong."

So, now what? How do you satisfy the wrath of God? How do you make atonement? Do you buy Him flowers? Do you go to church? Do you say a bunch of "Hail Marys"? Do you try to keep the 10 commandments? Do you just hope and pray that He will forget? Or that His anger will subside?

The truth is - you can’t satisfy the wrath of God. No flowers, no words, no deeds of any kind (on our part) will satisfy the wrath of God. We deserve death. God wouldn’t be fair if He made an exemption for us - but punished other sinners by death. God wouldn’t be righteous if He simply forgave everybody. There is no way you can make atonement. God’s wrath demands justice.
But the good news is this - "Righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe... we are justified freely by His grace that comes through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. God presented Him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in His blood." (Romans 3:22-25).

The bad news is: God’s wrath demands justice.

The good news is: God’s grace provides justice. Because of Jesus taking our punishment by dying on the cross (the atonement), we are forgiven! We can come out of the dog house and live the good life that God intended for us to live!

Go Bless,

Pete Baumgartle, Lanesville IN

This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. - 1 John 4:10

God Haters

2009-07-15T13:34:00.000-07:00

20 years ago, Herbert W. Armstrong wrote, “Most humans are passively hostile against God. They simply do not normally think about God. If God is mentioned they become embarrassed and often try to change the subject.”

Today, it appears that people are no longer passive in their hatred for God - but they have become active, intentional, maliciously hostile against God. There appears to be a systematic elimination of God from public life.

In Kentucky

In December of 2008, the American Atheists, Inc filed suit against the Kentucky Office of Homeland Security for hanging a plaque that quotes Psalm 127: “Except the Lord keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain.” AAI’s president, Ed Buckner, declared, “I’m not aware of any other state or commonwealth that is attempting to dump their clear responsibility for protecting their citizens onto God or any other mythological creature.”

In D.C.

Washington D.C.’s new $600 million Capitol Visitor’s Center (built with your tax money) has been sanitized of all Christian heritage to appease the God-haters. The historical fact that church services were once held in the Capitol building as an official congressional function for most of America’s history has been replaced with a lie, that worship services were only “permitted”. Article VII omits the phrase, “In the year of our Lord”. And from Article III of the Northwest Ordinance, the words, “Religion, morality and knowledge being necessary to good government and the happiness of mankind” have been omitted. The words, “In God we trust” which are etched above the Speaker’s head in the House Chamber are missing in the model displayed in the Visitor’s Center.

The American Humanist Association is funding a campaign in our nation’s capital to put signs on public buses which read, “Why believe in a god? Just be good for goodness sake.”

Books & Documentaries

Perhaps the most vocal God-Hater today is Richard Dawkins, a professor at the University of Oxford. He has recently published The God Delusion belligerently attacking people of faith. Dawkins writes, “...if you meet somebody who claims not to believe in evolution, that person is ignorant, stupid or insane (or wicked, but I would rather not consider that).” Elsewhere, he writes, “I don’t think it is too melodramatic to say that civilization is at war. It is at war against religious bigotry.” Unfortunately, Dawkins is not alone in his attacks against those who believe in God. Christopher Hitchens authored a book entitled, God Is Not Great. He writes, “Imagine how peaceful the world would be if only people would give up religion.” Comedian Bill Maher released his documentary, Religulous, (the highest grossing documentary in America in 2008) where he continuously makes fun of people of faith. He calls the Bible “A fairy tale”.

The Freedom of Religion Foundation boasts, ”The secular revolution that hit Europe several decades ago is finally making inroads in the United States, with surveys showing that 14% to 16% of the adult population now registers as nonreligious. It's a 'sign of the times' that those of us who are nonreligious, freethinkers, atheists, and agnostics, are coming into our own," said Dan Barker, Foundation co-president and author of Losing Faith in Faith.

?

2 Timothy 3 says, “There will be terrible times in the last days...” because “people will be lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God.” Could it be that the terrible times we are facing right now are a direct result of this scripture being fulfilled? Will America become a better place, as the atheists suggest, for abandoning our faith in God? Or will it become worse?

Don’t be a God-Hater.

Go Bless,

Pete Baumgartle, Lanesville, Indiana

...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... They are... God-haters... - Romans 1:28-32

…in the last days scoffers will come, following their own evil desires, deliberately forgetting all that God has done - 2 Peter 3:3

...the sinful mind is hostile to God. It does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. - Romans 8:7

If 92% of Americans believe in God (2008 Pew Poll), then why is the remaining 8% controlling America

Communion

2009-02-25T16:50:00.000-08:00

Do this in remembrance of me
Luke 22:19

Q. What’s the purpose of Communion?

A. Each Sunday we take what we call "Communion" (Others call it "The Eucharist" or "The Lord’s Supper"). Communion is rich in symbolism and meaning. It is so much more than just "snack time" (as the children see it) in the middle of a worship service consisting of grape juice and a cracker. The cracker (unleavened bread) represents Jesus’ body which was given to us to be our sacrificial Lamb. The grape juice represents Jesus blood which was poured out on the cross for the forgiveness of our sins.

To really appreciate the rich symbolism of Communion, one should take time and study the parallels between Jesus dying on a cross setting us free from the bondage of sin (during Passover), with the story of the Exodus (Exodus 12) as God set the Israelites free from their bondage to slavery in Egypt (the first Passover). There was a lamb. There was blood. There was obedience. There was death. There is deliverance.

Q. How often should we take Communion?

A. We observe communion every Sunday, as did the church of the New Testament (Acts 20:7; 1 Corinthians 11:18-20 & 16:1-2) setting a biblical precedent. Some object, saying that a weekly observance would reduce Communion to a meaningless ritual. I have found just the opposite to be true. Communion can be - and should be - the highlight of our weekly worship.

Jesus’ commanded us to, "Do this in remembrance of me." (Luke 22:19) I strongly encourage all Christians to get in the habit of specifically remembering Christ’s sacrifice on the cross - at least weekly.

Q. What’s the purpose of the Communion Meditation?

A. One important tool we use to keep Communion from becoming a ritual is the Communion Meditation (or devotional). We schedule a different individual each week whose task is to help us focus on the significance of the Lord’s sacrifice. It doesn’t have to be long. It doesn’t even have to be profound. It just needs to be someone saying, "Let’s focus. Let’s think about the freedom we now have as a result of what Christ did on the cross."

Q. Should a person who has not confessed Jesus as their Lord and Savior take Communion?

A. Paul said, "...whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord." (It seems to me that someone who is not a believer is already sinning against the body and the blood of Jesus.) Paul went on to say, "A man ought to examine himself before he eats of the bread and drinks of the cup. For anyone who eats and drinks without recognizing the body of the Lord eats and drinks judgment on himself." (1 Corinthians 11:27-29) As a result, some churches, in an attempt to keep Communion pure, or to protect people from bringing judgement upon themselves, have forbidden nonbelievers or believers from other denominations to participate in their Communion. This is what is referred to as "Closed Communion" (I have been asked by two different churches not to participate when the bread and cup were being offered because our beliefs differ.)

But being denied Communion hurts! It’s hard not to feel like you are being judged. And nobody likes being judged. Besides, I don’t believe these churches were concerned with protecting me from bringing judgement upon myself. They were simply making a statement that I was not one of them. Instead of uniting us - Communion was used to drive us further away from one another. How can that be pleasing to God?

Jesus said, "When I am lifted up, I will draw all men unto me." (John 12:32) Who’s to say, that when a nonbeliever is welcomed to join with believers in a time of Communion with Christ, when they are explained the purpose and meaning of the moment, when they are encouraged to examine themselves before God - that may very well be the moment they are changed forever.

At New Life, we offer what is called "Open Communion" with Scriptures in mind like Revelation 22:17, which says, ""Come!" Whoever is thirsty, let him come; and whoever wishes, let him take the free gift of the water of life."

I am very mindful that it is not my place to judge whether someone is worthy to take Communion with Christ. It is my place to encourage all to remember Christ and examine themselves. Then, it is between them and God.

Q. When should someone NOT take Communion?

A. We see the warning that Paul gives in 1 Corinthians and we become terrified of taking Communion. We don’t want to take it in an unworthy manner. We don’t want to bring judgement on ourselves - so we don’t take it. It makes no sense to me that we can scare ourselves from taking Communion - but we can’t scare ourselves enough to change our behavior so that we can take Communion.

Although confessing our sins to God during Communion will certainly be beneficial, we need to understand that sin does not disqualify us from taking Communion. In fact, it is a prerequisite! The only people who should take Communion are those who willingly admit that they are sinners in need of a Savior!

Consider the unrepentant sinner. If you are living in unrepentant sin, you need not worry about bringing judgement upon yourself for taking Communion. You have already brought judgement on yourself for simply not repenting. "If we claim to have fellowship with God yet walk in the darkness we lie and do not live by the truth." (1 John 1:6)

Consider the sinless person. If you think you are not a sinner - then why would you need Jesus? Why even care about Communion? "If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us." (1 John 1:8)

Communion is not about being terrible sinners or being perfect (sinless) - it is about being real with God. Jesus said, "Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in him." (John 6:56)

Communion is about remaining dependent on God, believing His grace is sufficient, acknowledging how unholy we are and how much we need Him. Anything less - then we should not be taking Communion.

Q. What should I be thinking about during communion? (Should I be praying for others? Myself? Confessing my sins to God? Thanking God for what He’s done for me?)

A. When Jesus says, "Do this in remembrance of me" I remember what He did - leaving all the glories of heaven behind to live on this earth as a man, knowing that He would eventually be brutally murdered in order to redeem us from the penalty of our sins. I remember why He did it - so that I could be forgiven and spend eternity with Him. And I also think about how unworthy I am of all that God has done for me. It’s very humbling.
But I would caution against praying for others during this time (even though this sounds noble). I can’t help but think that God wants our total attention during this time. It’s as if He is cupping our face in His hand, looking us straight in the eye, and saying, "Look at me! I love you! Do you understand how much I love you? Do you understand I would go through another 30 years of misery on the earth, and allow myself to be beaten and crucified again because I love you that much? Do you understand?"

Q. Who can serve Communion?

A. When our church first began, this was a big question. "So and so was not baptized". Or "so and so was too young." I remember one man who was insistent that anyone serving Communion must where a tie. (Where’s that in the Bible?) Some have pushed for women to serve. (However, most women like the thought of the men doing the serving for a change)

I struggle to see what all the hubbub is about. Serving Communion is not a leadership position. It is simply an act of service. I find it interesting to hear people argue over who can serve Communion - but we’ve never had people argue about who can come in early and prepare the Communion.

Q. Who can give Communion Meditation?

A. The one giving the Communion devotional really needs to have a strong understanding of what Communion is about. And then, they need to be able to help the congregation get the right mind set.

As a policy, we ask men to give the Communion Meditation. It is our goal to turn men into the spiritual leaders that God wants them to be - and we find asking them to prepare a small devotional about Communion to be a great first step in the process. I have seen men, who say they could never give a Communion devotional, eventually do so - and do it well. Then they become teachers! And leaders! One man, who told me he could never give a Communion Meditation, has preached for me!

Q. How do I explain the purpose of Communion to my child?

A. As a child, I was guilty of thinking of Communion as snack time (And thinking the snacks were a lot better in children’s church than in big people’s church).

But there is something about the words, "Do this in remembrance of me" that has a way of drawing us closer and closer to the presence of God.

As soon as our children are old enough to understand, we should encourage them (weekly) to remember all that Jesus has done, all that He said, all that he has told us to do. We should invite our children to examine the words of Jesus. We should invite them to examine their relationships with others. We should invite them to examine themselves and ask themselves if they are living for God. (This works really well if we are asking ourselves these same questions and not just going through the motions in front of our children.)

I find that taking communion with my children is a great teaching opportunity - to teach them the gravity of sin and the amazing grace of God - that He would die on a cross for me... and them!
Hopefully, in time, my children will understand and believe verses like 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, which says, "You are not your own; you were bought at a price." Or Leviticus 17:11 which says, "...it is the blood that makes atonement for one's life." Or Romans 3:25, "God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood." But for now, it is enough for my children to understand that sin is awful, and God’s love is awesome!

Examine your motives, test your heart, come to this meal in holy awe.
- 1 Corinthians 11:29 (The Message)

"The world drinks to forget. We drink to remember." Steve Brown

This article was based on questions asked of Pete concerning the sacrament of Communion

Baptism - Avoiding The Extremes

2009-01-15T09:31:00.000-08:00

Extreme #1 "You Don’t Need To Be Baptized To Be Saved"

I hear too many Christians say, "You don’t need to be baptized to be saved"

Says who? Jesus clearly says in Mark 16:16, "Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved."

Who are we to say that you don’t need to be baptized?

And WHY would you say that you don’t need to be baptized to be saved?

Jesus commanded us to "Go, make disciples, baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit." (Matthew 28:19)

In the book of Acts, everyone who accepted Jesus as their Lord and Savior were baptized. Peter told 3000 people to repent and be baptized (Acts 2:38). Paul was commanded to be baptized in order to wash his sins away (Acts 22:16). The Ethiopian Eunuch was baptized (Acts 8:36-38), The Philippian Jailor... (Acts 16:33)

"But wait!" the Christian who wants to diminish the importance of baptism objects. "What about the thief on the cross?" What about him? He died before Jesus ever gave us the command to be baptized. Technically, he died under the old covenant - before (or during) Jesus’ death. Jesus gave us the command to be baptized after His resurrection (Mark 16:16, Matthew 28:19), after the thief on the cross was already in paradise. Being baptized was never commanded by Jesus until after the resurrection.

Extreme #2 "Baptism Saves"

Of course, on the other end of the spectrum is the Christian who overemphasizes baptism. (Which, perhaps, explains why some go to Extreme #1)

I recently caught my son talking about how someone was saved because they were baptized. We would like to assume that people are saved when they are baptized - but is that true?

I once had a woman ask me to pray for her son who was into drugs, and drinking, and womanizing, etc. "But praise God he’s been baptized" So what if he’s been baptized? There is no repentance. There is no evidence of spiritual fruit. He is clearly not listening or living for the Lord. It makes no sense to me to think that his salvation is secure simply because he’s been baptized. No. For all practical purposes - he just got wet. There is much more to salvation than simply being baptized.

A Balanced View -

We are saved by the grace of God. Ephesians 2:8 says, "It is by grace we are saved - through faith".

We are saved BY GRACE

Through faith in Jesus

And if we have faith in Jesus, we will want to obey Jesus. And Jesus tells us to repent, confess, believe, and be baptized.

I try to emphasize that baptism is a part of the salvation process. It is a part of "through faith" in Jesus. It is being obedient to Jesus as a result of faith. It is a part that should not be minimized. Nor should it be overly emphasized. It should just be accepted as apart of the process.

Legalistic?

Is it legalistic to say you need to be baptized? No! It is biblical! It is what Jesus commanded. It it was the Apostles taught and did. And it should be what we do. The emphasis needs to be on the grace of God which saves us - but "through faith in Jesus", meaning through faith in what he taught and commanded - which includes confessing His name, repenting of sins, AND being baptized (plus a whole lot more!)

Immersed?

One more thing....The word "Baptize" means to immerse. I have found it helpful to replace the Greek word "baptize" with the English word "Immerse" throughout the Scriptures. Not for the sake of argueing against the practice of sprinkling (which I am opposed to), but for the sake of emphasizing the symbolic meaning of Baptizing. "for all of you who were baptized (immersed) into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ." (Galatians 3:27) It just seems to get at the heart of the issue! We need to be immersed in Jesus... Soaked with Jesus! And I hope and pray that we never dry off!

God Is Funny

2008-12-03T08:51:00.000-08:00

God is a loving God! A caring God! A providing God! But have you ever taken time to notice His sense of humor?

Right from the beginning we see God actively involved in the affairs of man, noticing that man was alone, evaluating the situation, and taking active measures to remedy the situation. God declares, "I will make a helper suitable for him." God, Himself, who is all-knowing and all-powerful takes on this important assignment - not trusting it to anyone else.

As the story unfolds, we see God bringing before Adam all the animals He had created to find if any were suitable. God watched as Adam named each one, and He must have been amused with the names Adam came up with. Names like "Hippopotamus", Orangutan", "Duck-billed Platypus", etc. It seems as if Adam wanted very much to impress God with his intellect and prove to Him that he was quite capable of thinking for himself.

But in the end, it was God that declared that none of them were suitable for Adam (And aren't we glad He did!). In His infinite wisdom, God made Eve. And Adam, in wonderful amazement, cried, "Wo... man!"

Now, it hit me while I was performing a wedding and reading this passage of Scripture, that God is hilarious! There's no doubt that when God made woman she was beautiful. She was smart. She was soft. She was sweet. But suitable??? Everyone knows that man has more in common with dogs than women! What was God thinking? Man and monkeys could have lived together in peace and harmony. But man and woman?

Consider the differences. Women eat quiche. Men eat edible things. Men appreciate the importance of a big screen T.V., women don't. Men speak in sentences. Women speak in paragraphs. Men like to sleep at 2 a.m.. Women like to talk about where their relationship is going at 2 a.m. Women put things at the bottom of the stairs to take up the next time they go up. Men have to step over it all. When men want something - they ask for it. Men use "I" and "me" when they should really use "we" or "us". Women use "we" or "us" when they should really use "I" or "me".
We're different! But God says we are suitable. And I can't forget the fact that God is all-knowing and all-wise. Nor, can I forget that we were created for His enjoyment.

"You created everything, and it is for Your pleasure that they exist and were created." (Revelation 4:11 NLT); The Lord takes pleasure in His people. (Psalm 149:4 TEV); He delights in every detail of their lives. (Psalm 37:23 NLT) Watching us try to understand one another must be something along the lines of America's Funniest Homemade Videos in heaven.

It is not cruel. It is wholesome entertainment similar to watching our children take the bottom role of paper towels from a big stack on display at the store. Or, turning their cup over when all the ice is stuck at the bottom - until it breaks loose and crashes on their face. We laugh. God laughs. It's funny! It's a learning process. Until... out of frustration we lose our tempers and begin to hurt each other.

God commands us to love one another. And I feel compelled to remind you that He has determined that we are suitable for one another. Left to our own choices, we would be living with hippopotamuses. God knows what is best.

"He takes pleasure in those who honor Him; in those who trust in His constant love." (Psalm 147:11 TEV) Do we trust Him?

These difference that we speak of are not exclusive to men and women. There are differences between co-workers and relatives, neighbors and classmates. And what about all the different cultures of people - all of whom were created in God's image. And God says we are suitable for one another.

It's enough to make you think that God is crazy! But He's not crazy. He just has a good sense of humor. He enjoys watching us figure out how to get along. And, if we get frustrated... let us remember that He commands us to get along.

My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. (John 15:12)

Love your neighbor... The entire law is summed up in a single command: "Love your neighbor as yourself." If you keep on biting and devouring each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other. (Galatians 5:14-15)

Love your enemy... "But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you..." (Luke 6:27)

Next time you get frustrated by the people you are surrounded by, whether it be your spouse, your parents, your children, your in-laws, your co-workers, or whomever... Remember, God knows best. And God says, "You are suitable." So don't lose your temper. Just look up and tell God, "I get it."

Go Bless,

Pete Baumgartle, Lanesville, IN

"Sometimes we forget that the opposite sex is opposite." Gary Chapman

Divorce (How Evil)

2008-12-03T08:48:00.000-08:00

Another marriage is shattered, Lord, the divorce will be final next week.

He said it was a breakdown of communication and the subtle infiltration of boredom.

She said it was an accumulation of things.

He said she was unnecessarily preoccupied with home, children and activities.

She said he stifled her dreams and ignored her achievements.

He said he felt in prison, restricted; that night after night he got the old pushaway.

She said he was harsh and brutal and often embarrassed her in public.

He said her critical attitude contributed to his sense of inadequacy.

She said she felt lonely and unappreciated with no claim to personal idenity.

He said she wallowed in self-pity and refused to acknowledge her benefits.

She said he was shiftless and irresponsible.

He said she didn't understand.

She said he didn't care.

Lord, how tragic that through all the wasted years niether of them asked what You said.
by Ruth Harms Calkin

"Hey Jesus, Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any and every reason?" - The Pharisees, Matthew 19:3

Breaking The Law?

The Old Testament taught that you were not to remarry your ex if she/he married another and divorced again. (Deuteronomy 24:1-4)

The New Testament teaches that divorce is only legal in the case of marital unfaithfulness (Matthew 5:31, Matthew 19:9), or when someone has been abandoned (1 Corinthians 7:10-11,15).

America puts no stipulations on divorce. Ronald Reagan signed the first no-fault divorce law in 1970, bowing to conventional wisdom that divorce would be less harmful to children if it were easier to obtain and didn't require a finding of fault (I've had a hard time forgivng Reagan for this one).

Breaking Society

1. Who cares if divorce is breaking the law. Consider how it is breaking our Community -

"Divorced women make up 50% of our welfare recipients." (Concerned Women of America)

"Marriage difficulty is the number 1 cause of decline in the workplace." (USA Today, January 8, 1990)

2. Consider how it is breaking our Children -

"Divorce is almost always more traumatic for the children than the parent." - according to Judith Wallerstien, Psychologist and Divorce Research Expert

Children of divorce experience more anxiety, more anger, more discipline problems. Less resistance to drugs, alcohol, and pre-martial sex. They are more likely to drop out of school. And more likely to commit suicide.

Cal Thomas writes, "The folks who gave us 'no fault' divorce and tried to persuade us that it mattered not how we lived, only that we be 'happy,' have inflicted profound unhappiness on countless children abandoned by their parents." He goes on to say, "Far from the initial impact on children, which fades with time, divorce is a cumulative experience that produces stark emotional scars and shapes the attitudes, behavior, and relationships of the children of divorce into adulthood."

It is these "stark emotional scars" that have convinced me that divorce is THE GREATEST EVIL of our time. And it happens so often that we take little notice! God says, "I hate divorce." He goes on to say in the same sentence, "I hate a man's covering himself with violence..." (Malachi 2:16) which says to me that God equates divorce with violence. How is divorce violent?

Consider what divorce does to a child's ability to trust, and what that alone will do to all the relationships the child will develop in his or her lifetime. Consider the fact that children of divorce are more likely to be raise in poverty, with emotional and behavioral problems, and less resistant to drug and alcohol abuse... Consider the downward spiral of crime and chaos we've created by saying divorce is okay for any and every reason.

3. Consider how it is breaking You -

2 years after a divorce, 7 out of 10 people admit it was a mistake

5 years after a divorce, 5 out of 10 are remarried and divorced again

10 years after a divorce, 1 out of 10 people claim to be happy

Dr. J.D. Unwin, a British social anthropologist, spent 7 years studying the births and deaths of eighty civilizations. His studies showed that all civilizations begin with strong moral principles and strong family values. But history records that in time these principles deteriorated and led to the destruction of that civilization. Dr. Unwin stated that when a man is devoted to one woman and one family, he is motivated to build, save, protect, plan, and propser on their behalf. However, when for example, his sexual interests are dispersed and generalized, his effort is invested in the gratification of sexual desires. He spends all his time trying to satisfy self and neglects family. Dr Unwin concluded, "Any human society is free to display great energy preserving the family or to enjoy sexual freedom. The evidence is that they cannot do both for more than one generation."

Since 1960 there has been a 400% increase in the divorce rate and a 200% increase in the number of children raised in single-parent homes.

80% of school-aged children come home each day to an empty house.

Go Bless,

Pete Baumgartle, Lanesville, IN

http://www.fireproofthemovie.com/

What God has joined together, let man not seperate. - Matthew 19:6

Cohabitation

2008-12-03T08:45:00.000-08:00

e-harmony.com, e-dating.com, lovesites.com, lovecompass.com, plentyoffish.com

On-line dating services have over 7 million users a year. It's nice to know that men and women still like each other!!! But do they like each other enough to commit to... marriage?

Anita (age 9) says, "It's better for girls to be single, but not boys. They need someone to clean up after them." Freddie (age 6) says, "You have to be a fool to get married." One boy was asked what the Bible said about marriage. He quoted Luke 23:34, "Father, forgive them for they know not what they do."

The problem is... these childish views seem to prevail long after these children grow up. We live in a society today that is down on marriage.

MARRIAGE MATTERS

In a recent seminar I attended about the health and well-being of Indiana families, Harrison County ranked far better than Floyd or Crawford Counties because of better marriages (or at least, less divorce).

There seemed to be a direct correlation with the divorce rate and crime rate in a community. The same was true with teen pregnancies, poverty, poor academics, child abuse, etc. Where divorce prevailed - other bad things prevailed. So, the answer to many is - just don't marry.
Wrong answer! The break up of any "live-in" relationship, especially where children are involved, will produce the same results.

The point of this article is not to argue the importance of marriage or the dangers of divorce. But to confront the cultural trend that says living together outside the covenant of marriage is okay.
There is an estimated 4 million unmarried couples living in America today. (That's up from .5 million in 1960). Over 50% of first marriages are proceeded by cohabitation. Why are so many people living together and not getting married? How did this become acceptable in our society? They do so because they don't want to get a divorce. Or, they have bought into the myth that "it's a good idea to live together first to find out if you can really get along."

The Bible is true. "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)
Think about it! Cohabitation does NOT lead to better marriages or better lives. It is a deception straight from hell that the devil invented to destroy the lives of the people God loves. Cohabitation has a built in "in case it doesn't work" clause - providing little incentive to make it work.
Cohabitation leads to less stability. How can you make long term plans or investments with someone who you are not committed to - or who is not committed to you? How can you buy a house with such a person? What happens when one of you are relocated by your company? Is the other expected to follow?

Cohabitation leads to less trust (an essential element to sustain a healthy marriage). What's to prevent your special someone from finding another special someone when there is no commitment?

Cohabitation leads to less selflessness and more selfishness. In fact, cohabitation is extremely selfish. When you or your partner are no longer getting what you need or want from the relationship - the door is wide open. There is no "for better or for worse". There is no "in sickness and in health". There is no, "for richer or for poorer".

Cohabitation leads to more loneliness. More disease. More abuse. More children born out of wedlock. Unmarried women who are in a "live-in" relationship are twice as likely to be victims of domestic violence than married women. 75% of children born out of wedlock will see their parents split up.

The National Marriage Project summarizes: "Living together before marriage has been remarkably unsuccessful as a generator of happy and long lasting marriages."
Do you want to be happy? Do you want to have a long lasting, successful marriage? Then do it God's way! Not the worlds' way.

Pete Baumgartle, Lanesville, IN

Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral. - Hebrews 13:4

Since 1970, cohabitation has increased by 700 percent

Stats:

Women..

Unmarried women who are in a "live-in" relationship are twice as likely to be victims of domestic violence than married women. - Jan Streets, Researcher for Washington State University

Children born out of wedlock...

- 75% will see their parents split up
- will have more behavioral problems
- will have lower academic performance

Sexual Immorality

2008-12-03T08:42:00.000-08:00

So I was having lunch with a Politician, a Journalist, and a Judge (True story!). We didn't intend on meeting together - we were just all in the same diner at the same time. The Politician and Journalist were debating the merits of homosexuality. The Judge and I were just wanting to eat our lunch and get out of there. It was one of those debates where the conclusion was already decided before the discussion ever began. Nobody was going to change anybody.

But then I asked, "Is there such a thing as sexual immorality?" To my amazement, everyone agreed there was. Then I asked, "Then what is it?"

What is Sexual Immorality?

Just a few weeks ago, the governor of New York resigned in disgrace after being caught soliciting prostitutes. I was amazed how the media questioned the criminalization of prostitution. "Think of the tax revenue if we legalized prostitution". They spent days publicizing and advancing the career of "Kristen" the prostitute. She will probably get a million dollar book deal after its all said and done. But no one talked of the immorality of it all... the damage done to Gov. Spitzer career... the damage done to his family, his wife, his daughters... the damage that caused "Kristen" to become a prostitute in the first place - how she came from an abusive childhood and broken family, addicted to drugs. She became a slave... Governor Spitzer's slave. Isn't that immoral? (And isn't it immoral how nobody wants to talk about that! That no one wants to talk about the 1 million children who are forced into prostitution each year.)

I was recently invited to a seminar called R.O.C.K. (Reclaiming Our Culture Kentuckiana). I was shocked to hear that the Louisville area is ranked 5th in worst clusters of sex business in the United States. Pornography is a $13 billion dollar industry. Is it immoral? Consider how 60% of websites are sexual in nature. Consider the fact that 9 out of 10 children have viewed pornography online. Consider that 138 countries have no laws against child-pornography - which is a huge concern for the International Centre for Missing & Exploited Children, which reports 1 in 5 girls and 1 in 10 boys in the United States are being sexually abused. Consider that rape is an epidemic in our country (95,000 per year) - one of the worst fears for women, and parents of young teen age girls. Yet, we have turned a blind eye to the fact that we are feeding and breeding sexual predators with unlimited pornography. Is pornography immoral? Which leads to sexual addiction, isolation, and abuse.

What the Bible Says?

It seems to me that our culture is in a crisis, and will continue to be in a crisis until we define or redefine what is sexually immoral. For me, the answer is easy. If the Bible says it is immoral - then it's immoral. The Bible warns us to "Flee sexual immorality." (1 Corinthians 6:18). "Abstain from... sexual immorality" (Acts 15:20). "Avoid sexual immorality" (1 Thessalonians 4:3). The context of 1 Corinthians 6 is specifically referring to prostitution. Jude 1:7 talks about the sexual immorality and perversion that took place in Sodom & Gomorrah. Specifically: homosexuality. (Also condemned in Romans 1:24-27, and 1 Corinthians 6:9). Concerning pornography, the Bible says, "...the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes...comes not from the Father but from the world." (1 John 2:16). The Bible strongly condemns adultery and fornication - which is sex before marriage, which causes children to be born out of wedlock (which is immoral!). Ephesians 5:3 warns us, "But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God's holy people."

The book of Numbers records a plague against the Israelites that wiped out 24,000 people because of their sexual immorality. Today, 1 in 4 adolescent females are infected with a sexually transmitted disease - many of which are known to cause cancer.

Revelation 9:21 says, "The rest of mankind that were not killed by these plagues still did not repent... Nor did they repent of their... sexual immorality."

The debate over what is sexually immoral will probably continue for a long time among those who do not consider themselves "Christian". But for those of us who call ourselves "Christian" - Case closed.

Go Bless,

Pete Baumgartle, Lanesville, IN

Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor... adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders... will inherit the kingdom of God. And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. - 1 Corinthians 6:9-11

"In 1970, pornagraphy was downtown. Today, it is downstairs." Father Morton A Hill

Bible Translations

2008-12-03T08:38:00.000-08:00

I remember a day (not so long ago) when I walked into a Christian bookstore and asked for a Bible.
"What kind of Bible are you looking for?" asked the store clerk.

"Well, a Holy Bible, of course."

Thus began my education into the world of Bibles. There was the King James (KJV), the New King James (NKJV), the Revised Standard (RSV), the New Revised Standard (NRSV), the New International Version (NIV), the New American Standard (NAS), and the Good News Bible - which is now called the TEV (Today's English Version). I have recently discovered that there are over 500 different English versions of the Holy Bible. I only wanted one!

The store clerk recommended the King James. She said, "If it was good enough for Jesus, it's good enough for me!" I thought she had a pretty good argument - until I found out that Jesus didn't speak English. (But I bet He could have if He wanted to!)

We at New Life teach and believe that the Word of God is infallible (which means without error). So, why so many different translations? And are they all right? Is every translation infallible???
The question is so critical that those who originally translated the Bible into English in 1382, and again in 1525, were excommunicated - and burnt at the stake! (It's dangerous to mess with the Word of God)

Only the King James is "Authorized." But who authorized it? Not God. The King James Version was a wonderful help to the Church in 1611. But language is always changing. In 1611, "prevent" meant "precede" (Psalm 119:147), and "let" meant "hinder" (Romans 1:13), and "wot" (Acts 3:17)... well, who knows what "wot" means? One of the most common concerns I hear from people is that they can't understand the Word of God. And the Word of God needs to be understood!
Over the past 100 years the world has been bombarded with modern day versions of the Bible. Most do a really good job. Some don't.

Over the past few years a controversy has been brewing over the TNIV (Today's New International Version) published by Zondervan, which is owned by HarperCollins, which is owned by Rupert Murdoch's News Corporation. This translation seeks to be "gender neutral" (which means: Politically Correct). It sounds noble... But consider some of these passages: In Hebrews 2:6, "the son of man" is changed to "human beings." In Psalm 34:20, "He protects his bones" is changed to He protects their bones." In Acts 17:22, "Men of Athens is changed to "People of Athens." So what's the problem? The problem is masculine words are made neutral, singular words are made plural, prophecies concerning Jesus are wiped out, and accuracy is thrown out the window. Are you reading God's Word? Or what a translator thought God should have said? Instead of accurately translating the Word of God, they are blurring the Word of God.

I personally believe the TNIV doesn't have a chance on the market. But I also believe that we need to be aware of what the market is doing with the Word of God. I also believe that accuracy is important! We have placed our hope in the Words of God. And if we are unable to read His Word in the original Greek and Hebrew, then it is important that we know that those who translate God's Word into modern English are being as accurate as possible. (These translators provide a great service! But they ought to do it with fear and trembling!)

New Life believes and teaches that the Word of God is infallible... without error! But translations are a service provided by man. Keep your faith in God - not man.

God Bless,

Pete

New American Standard (NAS) published in 1971
Nearly word for word translation. Considered most accurate by many Bible students. Text may seem choppy when read aloud. - A great Bible

New International Version (NIV) published in 1978
Sentence by sentence translation. Less accuracy, but slightly easier to read than the NAS. Most popular. - A very good Bible

King James Version (KJV) published in 1611
Most reliable English version for 300 years. The language is archaic and can be hard to understand. - Was a very good Bible.

New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) 1966
A decent translation, but not widely accepted among evangelicals.

English Standard Version (ESV) published in 2001
A modern version of the New Revised Standard, which is quickly gaining popularity.

New Living Translation (NLT) published in 1996
Originally a paraphrase (The Living Bible, published in 1971), which is not a true translation, but a phrase by phrase commentary written for the author's children). But in 1996, Kenneth Taylor published this full translation from the original Greek and Hebrew. - A very easy to understand Bible
New Century Version (NCV) published in 1991
One of Max Lucado's favorite Bibles.

The Message published in 1993
A paraphrase. Fun to read! A helpful tool (But should be used in conjuction with an accurate translation).

The Cotten Patch Bible published in 1960's
A "Southern walk thru Georgia" style Bible where Israel is referred to as "Georgia", Rome is "Washington D.C"., Jesus is "Skipper", and Zacharias is "Zach Haris, the preacher" Some think this Bible is heresy. Others think it is hilarious. I want a copy!

Bible Sales in 2001:
NIV - 33%, KJV - 22%, NKJV - 10%, RSV & NRSV - 6%

Hide & Seek

2008-12-03T08:37:00.000-08:00

Have you taken time recently to consider how incredibly awesome this world is we live in? Think about all the colors... all the fragrances... all the sounds. Think about how many species of animals... the variety of plants... the different seasons... the different landscapes. And to think, God could have made everything black and white. He could have made us without noses. He could have made the world flat, without mountains, without valleys. He could have made only cows for food - or worse, only brussel sprouts!

But God made what seems to be an endless amount of possibilities. Why? Because it is to His glory to create and hide what He created (Proverbs 2:2) - so that we could live our lives on a never ending treasure hunt. The world is like 10 billion Christmas gifts wrapped under the tree. Or an Easter egg hunt that takes a lifetime to play.

He delights in giving us mysteries to uncover. Like an arcade game - as soon as we think we've mastered the game, it blinks "Level 2!" And the game continues. Perhaps He has designed the world in such a way so that we stay addicted to living, so that we stay interested, fascinated, amazed!

Are you still amazed? Are you still fascinated with God's creation? Are you still discovering the mysteries of God? Perhaps one of the saddest things in life is to be bored, impassionate, just existing - not searching for answers, not asking questions, not participating in this wonderful game that God wants to play with us.

Some of us are plant people: devoting our lives to studying what makes a garden grow, or studying wildflowers, or trees. Some of us are animal people: we never stop learning about our cats, or our dogs, or horses, or insects, etc. Some of us are people people: teachers trying to discover what makes children learn, or nurses trying to figure out what makes a patient well. But all of us are God's people: created not only to discover His creation - but to discover Him in His Creation. Jeremiah 29 says, "...when you get serious about finding me and want it more than anything else, I'll make sure you won't be disappointed." (The Message)

Paul writes in Colossians that his purpose is to encourage us and unite us in love so that we can have complete understanding and know the mystery of God - which is Christ. "All the richest treasures of wisdom and knowledge are embedded in that mystery and nowhere else." (Colossians 2:3)

So it seems that God has hidden little treasures for us to find just about everywhere we look. But the prize is Christ! Seeking Him. Knowing Him. Not only learning about all that has been made, but learning all we can about the One through whom all things were made (John1:3).
So - what are you discovering? Have you found all that God has hidden? Are you ready to go to the next level? Are you still surprised? Are you still excited? - Or have you just stopped looking?

Go Bless,

Pete

When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him? - Psalm 8:3-4

THINGS DISCOVERED!
• 287,655 plants (which includes 15,000 mosses, 13,000 ferns, and 74,000 to 120,000 fungi)
• 1,250,000 animals (including 950,000 bugs, 9,000 reptiles, 10,000 birds, and 30,000 fish)
• And do you want to talk about bacteria?

THINGS STILL CONCEALED
What's holding up the earth? What's keeping us on the earth as it spins around? How does the sun keep burning? How do we attain world peace? Are we responsible for global warming, or is God just messing with us?

The Standard

2008-12-03T08:33:00.000-08:00

As I was growing up I remember my mom trying to learn to cook from Mama. Mama's method of cooking was "a pinch of this...a dash of that", etc. Mom never quite got it. Her pinch just wasn't the same as Mama's. Mom needed more exact measurements.

Perhaps I needed more exact measurements as well because I remember getting in horrendous trouble when Mom would say, "Be back in a little while." 3 hours later, I would make my way home and the scolding would begin. "I said 'a little while!' That doesn't mean 3 hours!" She would exclaim. To which I would reply, "Jesus said He'd be back in a little while - and He's still not back."

Or, can you imagine going to Zabel's Hardware store and asking for a bolt. "What size?" Mr. Zabel asks. You answer, "A small one."

Somewhere along the way, someone came up with the concept of "Measurement" by creating standards in regards to weight, size, & time. Now, an inch in Florida is the same as an inch in Alaska. An ounce in Detroit is the same as an ounce in L.A. In the kitchen, instead of a "pinch" we have a "teaspoon". And to keep little boys from getting in trouble, we give specific times - i.e. "One hour", or "Ten minutes" instead of "a little while". And at the hardware store, we can give a specific length and width in order to find that perfect bolt on the first try.

Having a standard for measurement has proven invaluable in eliminating confusion and chaos in the market place and work place. The ability to measure things has provided our world with a system of order and fairness. Can you imagine a world without the ability to measure?
Would it be useful to measure more than just food? And time? And hardware? What if we could measure what is right and wrong?

But we could never do that. What is right for you might be wrong for me. And what is wrong for you might be right for me -- because we live in a world with NO MORAL STANDARDS! (Can you imagine hearing someone say, "What is a 2x4 to you isn't a 2x4 to me. It's a 4x8.")
I propose that we develop a moral standard... Some form of measurement to know what is right and what is wrong in order to be consistent with the Lord's command in Leviticus 19, "You must be impartial in judgement. Use accurate measurements..." And I propose the standard we use be the Bible.

Some will argue the Bible is not worthy of being our standard. Some would have you believe that it is an evil book responsible for much of what is wrong in our world today. (The ACLU has successfully argued that the Bible should be yanked from our schools and courtrooms.)
Some will argue that the Bible is not worthy of being our standard because, although it is filled with good stories, that's all it is - good stories. When I first went to college, the Bible was completely picked apart and destroyed by my professors using arguments of contemporary scholars (atheists). My faith was shaken because my standard became obsolete. Then I went to a Bible college and threw all these new arguments at my professors, who, one by one, dismantled the "wisdom of the wise" with solid, relevant, intelligent, biblically-sound arguments helping me restore my faith in my standard - the Bible.

Today, I argue that the Bible is not a bad book at all. The schools and courthouses have not gotten better by removing the Bible. In fact, they have gotten far worse. And the Bible is much more than a good book with good, but outdated stories. I argue that the Bible is God's Book! A Book from God Himself!

Consider the words of Jesus when He says, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me" (Matthew 28:18).

If this be true, then what Jesus says should be worthy of being our standard. Many in our world today have accepted Jesus as Lord and Savior. They pray to Jesus. They worship Jesus. They admit that He has all authority. But they reject the Bible as being authoritative.

Luke 6:46 says, "Why do you call me, 'Lord, Lord' and do not do what I say?" How do we know what He says if we dismiss the Bible? Is He telling you things He's not telling me? Have you got a special relationship with the Lord that I don't have?

What concerns me most is that we have churches that proclaim Jesus, but have dismissed the Bible (Or at least parts of the Bible). Some will recognize the "red letters" as authoritative- because Jesus said those words. But they will dismiss the "black letters" because those are just the words of the disciples (mere men... who, by the way, recorded the "red letters"). But Matthew 28 goes on to say, "...go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you." (Matthew 28:19,20) Jesus, with all of His authority commissioned the disciples to teach what the disciples taught. He gave them authority. (So the black letters count!)
Jesus tells his disciples in John 14:26, "The Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.
Again, in John 16:12-14, Jesus says, "I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear. But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; He will speak only what He hears, and He will tell you what is yet to come. He will bring glory to me by taking from what is mine and making it known to you." Jesus told them to be dependent on the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit would teach them, remind them, reveal new things to them, and guide them. These are Jesus' words in red letters giving the black letters of the disciples credibility!

If the disciple Peter had any credibility, and if he was given the responsibility to teach all nations to obey what Christ commanded, then it would be important for us to review what Peter writes. In 2 Peter 1:16 he says, "We did not follow cleverly invented stories when we told you about the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of His majesty." It is important to remember that Peter was crucified as a martyr for his faith and obedience to Christ. He didn't die for "cleverly invented stories" He was an eyewitness - and willing to die for what he saw!

He goes on... "Above all, 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). Peter is stating what Jesus stated (in red letters). They would be guided by the Holy Spirit... and they were!
Most people do not have a problem with Jesus. They don't have a problem with the Gospels, or anything in red ink. Most people wouldn't have a problem with Peter. He was a follower of Jesus... taught by the Master Himself. Jesus has credibility. The Gospels have credibility. Peter has credibility!

But what about Paul? The one who writes some things that are hard to understand... Some things that hard to accept. He was never one of the twelve who followed Jesus Christ. In fact, he martyred believers. What if his miraculous conversion in Acts 9 was a hoax! The book of Acts was written by Luke. Luke wasn't one of the twelve. He was a historian. So there's room to argue that Luke wasn't led by the Holy Spirit when he recorded Paul's conversion. And besides, Paul had to fight for recognition as an Apostle all throughout his writings. Maybe he wasn't an apostle... Maybe Paul isn't credible.

But Peter is credible. He was guided by the Holy Spirit. And Peter writes, "Bear in mind that our Lord's patience means salvation, just as our dear brother Paul also wrote you with the wisdom that God gave him. He writes the same way in all his letters, speaking in them of these matters. His letters contain some things that are hard to understand, which ignorant and unstable people distort, as they do the other Scriptures, to their own destruction" (2 Peter 3:15,16).

There are two things to notice: Peter, guided by the Holy Spirit, says everything Paul wrote was with wisdom from God. And secondly, Peter states that Paul's writings are Scripture! He doesn't say, "...people distort, as they do the Scriptures." He says, "...people distort, as they do the OTHER Scriptures."

ALL SCRIPTURE
Paul has credibility! And Paul writes, "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness." (2 Timothy 3:15) It is all God-breathed! It is God's Book! Therefore, it is worthy of being OUR STANDARD!

Go Bless,

Pete Baumgartle, Lanesville, IN

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness. - 2 Timothy 3:15

God's Word is Complete & Final
Hebrews 1:1-2 In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe.

Proverbs 30:5-6 "Every word of God is flawless; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him. Do not add to his words, or he will rebuke you and prove you a liar.

1 Corinthians 4:6 Do not go beyond what is written.

"Most people are bothered by those passages of Scripture which they cannot understand. The Scriptures which trouble me the most is the Scripture I do understand." - Mark Twain

"You have studied the Scriptures which are true and inspired by the Holy Spirit. You kow nothing contrary to justice or truth has ben written in them." - Clement of Rome, 95 A.D.

"The Scriptures are indeed perfect, since they were spoken by the Word of God and His Spirit." - Irenaeus, Late 2nd Century

"For I confess... that I have learned to yeild respect and honor only to... books of Scripture: of these alone do I most firmly believe that the authors were completely free from error." - Augustine, Early 5th Century

"For the Word of God is perfect... it is truth itself. There is no falsehood in it. Scripture has never erred. God's Word cannot err." - Martin Luther

Scripture is as sharp as a two edge sword. Some who use it are surgeons. Others are butchers.

Church Is Boring

2008-12-03T08:29:00.000-08:00

"Yeah, I've tried church a few times. One of the deadest places I've ever been." - LAGirl1 (in the Jesus Only Internet Chat Room)

Perhaps one of the biggest reasons people give for not coming to church is that "It is boring." "Nothing ever changes! You get there at 10. You sit on hard chairs. You listen to some old man rant and rave about how you are a sinner. And then, you come back next week and do it all again." Some complain because they can't understand the Bible. They conclude that the Word of God is not relevant to their lives. The end result is: "Church is boring." Some people don't like the old hymns and the pipe organ. It lulls them to sleep. They leave thinking "That was boring." Some don't like the new choruses - singing the same words over and over and over. "It's boring." Or maybe it's the people - "A bunch of do gooders. Boring!"

At some point people conclude they have had enough. They don't give up on God - but they decide they have better things to do with their time then go to church. In fact, only 41% of Americans attend church on any typical Sunday. And with each generation, church attendance seems to be getting smaller and smaller. Kids are growing up today clueless about Christianity - clueless about why they need to know Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. (Perhaps I'm talking about your kids, or your neighbor's kids, or your nieces and nephews.) Is this okay?

What should we do? How can we make church more interesting? How can we liven things up a bit?
We could wrap the church in neon lights! (like Las Vegas!) We could serve beer! We could get rid of the old preacher! We could get rid of the Bible. Get rid of the pipe organ. Get rid of the hypocrites! Maybe we could make it more interactive - like Play Station! Or faster, with a drive thru - like McDonald's.

Over the years the church has made some major changes. Some of these change were good! It use to be that churches worshipped in Latin (I'm glad we don't worship in Latin. I don't understand Latin. That would have been very boring!) It use to be that drums and guitars were not allowed in church (at least, not the church I grew up in). I like the drums and guitars! And I like the new songs we sing! I like the sophisticated technology... The theatrical lighting.

But some of the changes have not been so good. Some churches have gone too far to draw a crowd - watering down the gospel, not requiring repentance, not teaching the truths of the Word of God.

The church has existed for 2000 years. For 2000 years, the church has been worshipping, praying, teaching the Bible and remembering the sacrifice that Jesus made so that we could have eternal life. For 2000 years, lives have been radically changed by the gospel being preached in these churches all around the world. Lives are still being changed today.

Perhaps, just maybe, it isn't the church that is suppose to change. Perhaps - it is you and I that are suppose to change. Perhaps it is when we change, when we hear the word of God, when we repent, when we embrace Jesus as our Lord and Savior - that is when the church stops being boring... and starts getting exciting.

Go Bless,

Pete Baumgartle, Lanesville, IN

God's intent was that now, through the church, the wisdom of God should be made known... - Ephesians 3:10

MAKE CHURCH EXCITING!
Things We Can Change...
Get in the habit of going to church weekly
Get involved
Get to know people
Get plugged into a small group Bible Study
Ask questions
Take notes during the sermon
Get a modern Bible - and read it! (Start with the gospel of John, then Romans, stay in the New Testament for a while)
Fall in love with God!

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. - Hebrews 13:8

That's Not Fair

2008-12-03T08:26:00.000-08:00

A Day at the Baumgartles...

"That’s not fair! Jordyn gets to stay up later than everybody else!"

"That’s not fair! Isaac got two hours on Play Station."
"That’s not fair! Simon ate the last piece of pumpkin pie."
And now, Julia, our three year old, goes around crying, "No Fair!" (We really haven’t got a clue what she’s complaining about. But obviously, she has the disease as well.)

Personally, I don’t think its fair that I have to decide what’s fair all the time. How do I make sure everyone gets equal portions of food? Equal assignments of chores? Equal opportunities to play? It’s a full-time job. It’s a job I’m not good at. And its a job I resent having to do.

My Role As Judge
So how do we decide? What do we do? There are a few Scriptures that stand out. First, The Golden Rule: "Do unto others as you would have them do to you." (Luke 6:31) As a father, it is not necessarily my goal to treat my children "fairly". I want to do better than that. I want to treat my children generously. Oh, how I wish my children understood what they were asking for when they demand to get what they deserve. Micah 6:8 tells us to "...act justly" and "love mercy." Being just means be fair. But being merciful means be better than fair.

My Nature As A Child
The problem with fairness is often NOT about fairness - but about envy. When the judge is gracious to us, we are grateful (hopefully). But when the judge is gracious to others - we are envious. In Matthew 20, Jesus tells a parable about workers who were hired throughout the day. And then, at the end of the day they were paid, beginning with the last ones first. All the workers were paid the same amount - the amount the first group agreed to work for. But for some reason, the owner of this operation insisted on paying the last ones first. Why? It was as if to make a point: The human heart is greedy, envious and selfish. Why couldn’t the first workers rejoice at the owner’s generousity. But, no! Instead they complained about the "fairness" of it all.

Do you remember the story of the prodigal son? (Luke 15) Which is really not about the son at all, but about his older brother - who became angry when his younger, irresponsible brother returned home after squandering his father’s wealth. The father threw a party. "Kill the fatted Calf!" The older brother sulked. "It’s not fair!"

It just seems to be what we do. We complain and grumble and whine about what is and isn’t fair. I wonder if God ever gets tired of playing judge to all of our complaints about not getting our fair share - when he has blessed us so generously. Why can’t we just be grateful? Why can’t we just trust that He has a way of making everything right?

My Role As A Child Of God
I recognize that my sinful nature is greedy, selfish and envious. But, because of the grace of God, I am "...a new creation. The old is gone. The new has come!" (2 Corinthians 5:17) I am (or, at least, I hope I am) being transformed by the renewing of my mind - by studying and applying God’s Word.
God’s Word tells me to "not repay anyone evil for evil" (Romans 12:17). Don’t give people what the deserve. Give them mercy! God’s Word says, "Rejoice with those who rejoice" (Romans 12:15). Don’t be envious when God blesses the people around you. Be thrilled! The Bible tells us that the Lord "...richly blesses all who call on Him." (Romans 10:12) He provides. He rewards. Our hope is in Christ! Not - in what is fair.

Do you trust God? If so, then you know He will make sure you get what you have coming to you. He just may even give you better than you deserve. That’s not fair. That’s God!

Go Bless,

Pete

Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding... - Proverbs 3:5