HR45...Beware...

Have you heard of a new bill called HR45? The Obama administration has a new bill that will begin steps toward the government threatening our constitutional right to keep and bear arms. This bill will require that all owners of semi automatic clip loading guns, pistol or rifle, take a safety course and be liscenced by the federal government. Each gun must be registered, owner fingerprinted, and promise to securely keep guns locked up. Doesn't sound too bad huh?... I said they are "beginning steps", and the first step to removing our firearms is to find out who has them and how many we have. This bill would provide our govenment will all of the info they need to begin confiscating our firearms. Can't happen to us? It's already happened in Europe, Austrailia and Canada. They didn't think it would happen either. This bill, should it become law, will cause law abiding, good citizens to become law breakers. The bad guys who own guns aren't going to register theirs. So this law only hurts the lawful and does absolutely nothing to the criminal. The whole purpose for the 2nd amendment is security and protection, against anyone including government who may threaten the freedoms of we the people. This very amendment has kept our great nation safe for 233 years and will continue to do so provided we don't let our own government abolish it. Write your congressman, raise your voice, vote, throw a fit. This is no time to be silent and passive, the government is getting out of control.

let's be brutally honest...

Why are christians having such are difficult time about whether it's ok to drink alcohol or not. I mean really... the bible is crystal clear on drunkeness. But then we have this "social drinking" issue. It's ok in moderation, I only have one glass with a meal, etc., etc., etc., really... what's the point in that? Having one glass of alcohol is about as pointless as owning a corvette and only driving the speed limit. Alcoholic drinks cost about 3 to 4 times more than a regular drink costs; Are you claiming that they taste that much better? Just be real... truthful... honest... people don't drink alcohol for taste, it's for the buzz. Thats like saying people have sex in order to have children.... ha yeah right! If people are drinking to quench thirst, why do the manufacturers constantly have to tell them to drink responsibly? Why is alcohol the number one killer of people age 3-30? This stuff is rotting our society away, killing our kids, destroying our families. Why not just have a coke or a glass of tea? This issue really isn't about alcohol... it's about being a lover of God rather than ourself. It's about sacrificing a physical pleasure for the sake of holiness. It's about caring more about personal integrity and the advance of the gospel than social pressures and personal preferences.

The End of the World as we know it.

Recently i've completed teaching a series called "The End of the World as we Know It". The series dealt with biblical prophecies and how these days are currently fulfilling what the scriptures have already predicted. In the gospel of Matthew 24:32, Jesus uses a fig tree to prepare us for the "things to come". Most biblical scholars believe this to be fulfilled by the rebirth of Israel or the repossessing of Jerusalem, therefore we are the "last generation". If so, then the warnings of scripture directly apply to us. Over 40 times in the New Testament the warnings of... "Watch out!.... Wake up!... Be ready!... Keep watch!... Be alert!... Be careful!" are found encouraging believers not to be caught unsuspecting of "that Day".

So how do we keep watch? How do we stay alert? How can we be careful? I believe there are 3 simple ways to be prepared and not be caught off guard by the Day that is approaching. First is doctrine. Do not be mislead. Make sure that what you believe is the truth from the bible. The bible is our only source for faith and practice, not anyone elses experience or opinion. Test every new teaching with the truth of scripture, and through constant use we will be able to distinguish good from evil. Secondly is our lifestyle, your life must be consistent with your doctrine. In other words your deeds must show your faith. It is not enough to simply know the truth, we must be obedient to it in our actions. Third, watch Israel. God has made Israel the stage on which everything will be unveiled, or unwrapped. Study Israel... the feasts, the prophecies concerning her, and current happenings of how the rest of the world is treating her.

You should know... Jesus said that we are living in the "year of the Lord's favor" (Luke 4:19), and for now we are under God's grace and mercy, his kindness that draws us to repentance. But on his return the "year of favor" has ended. It will be the "Day of vengence" and grace, mercy, and kindness will be replaced with justice and wrath. The Jesus of the second coming in Rev. 19, looks much different than the Jesus of the gospels. Don't let Him catch you unaware.

the curse of the church bus...

What is the deal with church owned transportation? Every(and I mean every) church bus or van that I have ever experienced has had issues! If it's not the transmission, it's the A/C, or the heater, or electrical issues... or just some kinda wierd smell. What's up with that? I think the devil has a special brigade of demons that screw with church vehicles. I'm not kidding either. I have an electronics background, I've been installing cd players, amps, subs, security systems, tv's, vcr, etc. for over 20 years now. (whoa.. did i just say that?) Anyways our church bus has a dvd/ 4tv system, and I just spent a good 6 hours working on it and still no luck at all. Frustrated. I need a young priest and an old priest. "The power of Christ compels you!"

the summer struggle...

When the warm weather comes, the sun is bright, and the rains are frequent... that's when I struggle. You see i'm blessed to have a large yard with lots of grass and room to run and play. I am also cursed with not one but two ancient lawn mowers that need to be repaired weekly. That's my struggle, will I have time to mow this week?... will the mower crank?... will I get it running before dark?...the second mower died today... there was a loud snap and now there's no compression in the engine; probably broke a piston rod; RIP... the yard remains half mowed! I want to plant some trees badly.