Vacation!

Just returned from a nice trip to Colorado and Nebraska to visit with friends and family. Not sure what happened here but the pictures popped up in reverse order. Anyway, it was a nice trip, had a great time, reconnected with family and enjoyed the stress free life for a few weeks.

Here's the crew. This band of hooligans made sure we didn't sleep past 7 a.m. But this was what our trip was all about...family.

No vacation is complete without jumping in and playing in a big pile of leaves. Here I am eating some of Nebraska's finest roughage courtesy of my lovely wife.

Dont' look now Zach, but there is a train behind you. This is at the train museum in Denver. Grandpa used to work for Union Pacific Railroad. He and the boys nearly lost their alleged minds here. It was fun I must say!

Uhhhhhhh, I don't remember this being the way to Nebraska!

Here we are somewhere in the Rocky Mountains at a picnic area. Looks like a Christmas card to me! Grandma and Grandpa showed us a good time and fattened us up with some good food, then it was off to Nebraska!

Purpose Driven driving Christianity in the ditch?

From Roger Oakland, Understanding the Times, a discernment ministry: http://www.understandthetimes.org/commentary/c48.shtml#_ftn12

Calvary Chapel's position with Purpose Driven, Emergent and contemplative:
http://www3.calvarychapel.com/ccof2/parsontoparson.pdf

This is not something to summarily dismiss for any reason no matter what your religious stripe is or your theological bent might me. Study to show thyself approved unto God...then decide for yourselves.

Democrats taking over???

Looks like the Dems are taking over at least in the House of Representatives. I haven't seen too much election news yet, but what I've seen it looks like the Republicans are taking a beating. At this point in time, I honestly don't care. I'm so politically apathetic right now I couldn't give a rip who wins or loses. At the law firm I work at, I get to see some of the political games that are played. Albeit, what I witness is only the tip of the iceberg. Politics to me seems so dirty, so revolting, so.... I used to be politically minded and somewhat active. That got me no where and made me more frustrated. As a Christian, I know that political agendas are not the answer to "our problems." I gave up on politics. Oh, I will vote, but I'm not going to get to excited about any of it. And, I'm switching to Independent if I get around to it. The only thing that matters, the only thing that will make a real difference in our world is the proclamation and preaching of the Word of God and the salvation of sinners through Jesus Christ by faith. That's it. That's what I aim to do this day forward, one soul at a time. If we all purpose to do the same, one day there will only be one party (not Republican or Democrat). Just the Kingdom of God doing the will of God. And elections won't matter, politics won't be a dirty side show. As constituants of the Kingdom of God, we have a civic duty to share Jesus with all who will listen. Go and tell someone about Him. Godspeed.

The Emergent Church: A mystical ecumenical heresy?

False teachers such as Tony Jones and Brian McLaren have attempted to supplant the Gospel by seducing multitudes with doctrines that can damn their sould for all eternity. Jesus warned that "many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many" (Matthew 24:11). The present day emerging church movement is full of deceitful "contemplative practices." The danger of the Emerging Church's type of spirituality is that it replaces the certainty of the written Word with subjective experiences.

Satan's trick is always to promote leaders who think that they are truly Christian, while at the same time they proffer new unbiblical techniques for the glorious work of Christ. Ecumenical strategy, re-defining God, a fictitious contrast replacing the Word of truth, redefining theology, rewriting history, the utter denial of basic biblical principles, and the rejection of the gospel are just a part of what Brian McLaren, Tony Jones, Brennan Manning and other Emergent leaders propose and peddle on the Evangelical community.

Those who would strive for the faith of the Gospel must stand firm in it, aware of present dangers, and carry on unwavering in the hour of crisis. In the words of the Apostle, "...stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel" (Phil. 1:27).

Here are three must reads about and concerning the Emergent Church and it's dangerous propositions:

Part 1
Part 2
Part 3

Lessons for bloggers

True, blogs are a place where people can share thoughts, ideas and opinions and carry on conversations about an endless number of topics. One drawback is that communicating via the blogosphere, the human element or the face to face element is not present and that can hinder our communication and understanding of each other. In face to face communication, one might show more restraint or patience with the other person whereas while communicating electronically, we or should I say I have a tendency to just spout off showing no retraint at all.

I've learned some valuable lessons through my blog conversations with others. I've debated several people on blogs who held a contrary worldview than mine, I've debated various issues/topics with those who supposedly were adherants to my worldview. In most cases, the conversation went nowhere. Typically one side raises some issues they are questioning about the other person. Next, the other person usually feels personally "attacked" and throws out a bunch of rhetorical non-sequitors and ad hominum attacks against the other person, and then, well, it goes south fast from there. The real issues never get resolved, people say stuff they probably shouldn't and a bunch of wounds are inflicted leaving a bloody mess behind.

Here's what I've learned during my blogging career: 1) Pray before you speak. This is so easy it's the hardest thing to do. It's much easier and quicker to shoot from the hip in your own strength and wisdom than it is to actually pray and ask God if you should even spend your time engaging this person. 2) The other side will almost never be persuaded to agree with you. We all have a right to our opinions and those opinions are often strongly held. People aren't often willing to entertain opposing viewpoints. So that leads me to number 3) Keep your comments and arguments short, concise and focused. When you sense the other side isn't "getting it", move on. The chances things will get out of hand ratchet up considerably at that point. And finally, number 4) Use Scripture and plenty of it. If your argument has God watching your back, who can argue against that? The Word of God is living and powerful and sharper than a two edged sword piercing even to the division of sould and spirit, and of joints and marrow and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart (Hebrews 4:12).

Maybe these ideas will be helpful to you as you persuade the world to believe as you do. In conclusion, "Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one". Colossians 4:6

Godspeed,
Mike