Monday, April 30, 2007

Tony Snow Says Cancer Has Brought Him Closer to God, Family

DAVIDSON, N.C. (AP) - White House Press Secretary Tony Snow, who'll soon begin chemotherapy for a cancer recurrence, told fellow alumni at Davidson College Saturday that he felt great and plans to return to work on Monday.

During an impromptu question and answer session Saturday, Snow said he has become closer to God and his family because of the cancer.

"I am actually enjoying everything more than I ever have," he said. "God hasn't promised us tomorrow, but He has promised us eternity."

Read more of this story on The Christian Post.

Dinner Blessing

A wife invited some people to dinner. At the table, she turned to their six-year-old daughter and said, "Would you like to say the blessing?"

"I wouldn't know what to say," the girl replied.

"Just say what you hear Mommy say," the wife answered.

The daughter bowed her head and said, "Lord, why on earth did I invite all these people to dinner?"

Digital Christian Outreach Picks Up Steam

NOTE: Yesterday was Internet Evangelism Day.

Evangelical Christians today are either entering secular scenes on the worldwide Web to save the lost or designing their own Christian web world to house the faith community. In both cases, the Internet has become a powerful tool for Christian evangelism.

Read more of this story on The Christian Post.

Barrooms in Fla. become "Salvation Saloons"

NOTE: There's a great quote in this story: "We don't have any spiritual superstars here," White says. "We believe that serving God shouldn't be a spectator sport." WOW! All Christians should believe that!

OZONA, Fla. - The pastor wears a sleeveless black T-shirt, blue jeans and a backward baseball cap. The collection is taken in a motorcycle helmet. And the first thing you see as you walk in the door of this makeshift church isn't a cross or a stained-glass window, it's a bar.

Steve's Cape Cod, a seafood restaurant and bar known for all-you-can-eat snow crab on Monday and ladies-drink-free night on Wednesday, is reborn each Sunday morning as the Salvation Saloon. Worshippers who go by names like Curly Joe and Wild Bill file in by the dozen - many holding plastic foam cups of coffee, some biting at doughnuts - for a service they say is unlike any other.

Read more of this story on One News Now.

A Waste Of Time

A little girl had just finished her first week of school. "I'm just wasting my time," she said to her mother. "I can't read, I can't write and they won't let me talk!"

Underground Churches in Iran Experience Growth

Despite the hard-line Islamist regime in Iran the underground church is growing, Release International has reported.

Evangelists are sharing their faith in towns and villages and planting new churches, according to the international persecution watchdog.

Iranian partners of Release International, which supports the persecuted church, report significant growth in the activities of the house churches - including outreach.

Read more of this story on Christian Today.

Doctor's Handwritting

Sunday, April 29, 2007

Sharing Jesus On The Internet

Today is Internet Evangelism Day. A day to promote Christian use of the internet as a tool to spread the Gospel to all the world. You can read more about it at this website.

You can also find out more information on the website for the Internet Evangelism Coalition. An interview with the coalition's chairman, Dr. Sterling Huston, Director of Special Ministries for the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, can be heard on the May 2006 edition of the "Walking with the Giant" podcast. He gives some great information that can be useful to churches, organizations and individuals that may want to use the web for evangelism.

Check out our ministry websites:

Draft Vs. Materpiece

Here's an interesting view on the creation of humans:

God may have created man before woman, but there is always a rough draft before the masterpiece.

Newsroom Mix-Up


READ: 1 Kings 22:1-8

Please inquire for the word of the Lord today. —1 Kings 22:5

A Congolese man went to the BBC’s News 24 for a job interview. But a time-conscious producer mistook the man for a scheduled guest authority. He led the baffled but compliant applicant into the newsroom studio and fitted him with a microphone.

When the “on air” signal was given, the interviewer missed the look of panic on the man’s face, and the flustered job-seeker awkwardly bluffed his way through the questions. When the mistake itself became news, the network apologized for the error.

That hapless man wasn’t pretending to be an authority—he was mistaken for one. In contrast, Ahab, the king of Israel, chose to ignore the truth by seeking answers from false prophets who were posing as religious authorities. Ahab didn’t want to inquire of the Lord through the godly prophet Micaiah “because he does not prophesy good concerning me, but evil” (1 Kings 22:8). The king had an aversion to the truth.

Sometimes we would rather hear the comfort of a lie than words of truth. But we need to get our counsel from advisers who believe that “all Scripture . . . is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness” (2 Tim. 3:16). We can’t afford to let our desires cause us to exchange God’s truth for a lie. Mart De Haan

When sin entices and allures
Its lies must be ignored;
The strength to gain the victory
Comes when we trust the Lord. —Sper

Better to hear the hard truth than a soft lie.

For similar resources, search these topics:

Bible Study > Application > Effect/Power

'Stupid' Church Sign?

Resource lets kids worship ... like kids

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP)--Picture a worship service with singing, drama, Bible reading -- and science experiments?

Add in arts and crafts and you have the makings of a worship service designed for the unique worship needs of children and older preschoolers.

LifeWay Christian Resources has developed Worship KidStyle, a resource available for the first time this summer for churches interested in providing interactive children's worship services. Designed for small and large group settings, Worship KidStyle offers easy-to-use and reproducible leaders' guides and materials that incorporate creative, active worship elements within a biblical context.

Read more of this story on Baptist Press.

Saturday, April 28, 2007

Educating Baptists on the Holy Spirit

NOTE: I'd love to hear your "Biblical viewpoints" on this issue, just post a comment below.

A three-day conference is underway in Arlington, Texas, to teach Baptists and other Christians what Scripture says about the Holy Spirit.

Recent debates on charismatic practices within the Southern Baptist Convention prompted the Rev. Dwight McKissic to open “A Baptist Conference on The Holy Spirit” on Friday along with a host of speakers lined up to discuss the role of the Holy Spirit in the church.

McKissic, a trustee of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary (SWBTS), was recently involved in a controversy at the school where he had mentioned in a chapel service of experiencing private prayer language. The sermon sparked debate among Southern Baptist leaders, most of whom do not engage in or accept charismatic practices, and the video recording of the service was not posted on the seminary's website, as was regular practice.

Read more of this story on The Christian Post.

Missing Bees, Cell Phones and Fulfillment of Bible Prophecy

MEDIA ADVISORY, April 27 /Christian Newswire/ -- Bees have been disappearing at an alarming rate. Learn how these missing bees relate to the use of cell phones, and the fulfillment of Bible prophecy.

David Bradshaw has endured countless stings during his life as a beekeeper, but he got the shock of his career when he opened his boxes in January 2007 and found half of his 100 million bees missing.

Read more of this story on Christian Newswire.

NC board will continue invocations

A unanimous vote by the Transylvania County (North Carolina) Board of Commissioners this week defied a demand letter from the American Civil Liberties Union and approved an invocation policy that will continue its tradition of opening its meetings with prayer. The prayer policy will follow a model provided by the Alliance Defense Fund (ADF) that has proven constitutionally defensible.

Read more of this story on One News Now.

Christian Persecution Escalates in Pakistan as 12-Year-Old is Raped

A 12-year-old Christian girl was kidnapped and gang-raped by four Muslim men in Lahore, Pakistan, on Easter Day. Less than a week later, a Christian man in Jamshoro district was threatened by a mob following allegations of blasphemy, persecution watchdog Christian Solidarity Worldwide has learned.

According to a report from the All Pakistan Minorities Alliance, Shaheena Masih was kidnapped at around 10am on 8 April as she was going to a shop. The rest of her family were at church, but Shaheena and her elderly father had stayed at home because he was unwell.

On her way to the shops, four men grabbed Shaheena and placed a handkerchief over her mouth. She fell unconscious, but when she woke up she found herself in a factory. The four men raped her, and then locked her in a room, CSW reports.

One of the rapists allegedly told his accomplices: “Don’t hesitate to rape a Christian girl. Even if she dies, no one will get us. Her poor parents cannot pursue us.”

Read more of this story on Christian Today.

The Silent Treatment

A man and his wife were having some problems at home and were giving each other the silent treatment. Suddenly the man realized that the next day he would need his wife to wake him at 5:00 AM for an early morning business flight.

Not wanting to be the first to break the silence (and LOSE), he wrote on a piece of paper,"Please wake me at 5:00 AM." He left it where he knew she would find it.

The next morning the man woke up, only to discover it was 9:00 AM and he had missed his flight. Furious, he was about to go to see why his wife hadn't wakened him when he noticed a piece of paper by the bed. The paper said, "It is 5:00 AM. Wake up."

A Fire To Be Kindled


READ: Luke 24:13-32

Did not our heart burn within us while He talked with us on the road, and while He opened the Scriptures to us? —Luke 24:32

In Acts 17, Paul went to Mars Hill to declare the truth of the resurrection. Many listeners gathered there were not spiritual seekers. Luke, who wrote the book of Acts, records that they spent their days simply wanting to discuss the latest new ideas, with little interest in acting on what they learned (v.21).

Too much information can be dangerous. All the ideas can blur together and become incoherent, leaving us unchanged by what we know.

Centuries ago, the historian Plutarch warned of the danger of living on a purely informational level. He wisely said, “The mind is not a vessel to be filled, but a fire to be kindled.”

The Christ-followers on the road to Emmaus would have agreed (Luke 24). As they grieved the death of Jesus, the risen Christ Himself joined them but hid His identity. He began instructing them on the ancient prophecies of those events found throughout the Old Testament. Later that day, Christ revealed Himself to them and then departed.

After Jesus’ departure, they marveled at what they had heard. The things He taught were not sterile facts but a fire that kindled their hearts with devotion for Him. May we likewise trust the Shepherd of our souls to kindle our hearts as we grow in His Word. Bill Crowder

As we walk along the road of life,
We can sense that Jesus is there too;
As we read His Word and hear His voice
We will find He kindles fire anew. —Hess

You cannot start a fire in another’s heart till it is burning in your own.

For similar resources, search these topics:

Relationships > Relating to God > Guidance/Leading

God Loves You

Myspace Graphics

Rick Warren, Laura Bush, Jerry Jones to Share Winning Game Plan with Christians

An all-star line-up from the church, sports, politics and business are coming together to impart their wisdom on leadership and management skills in a rare Salvation Army Conference event.

Occurring only once in every four years, The Salvation Army National Advisory Organizations Conference this year will bring together Purpose Driven Life author Rick Warren, Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, and U.S. first-lady Laura Bush on Friday to share about the best practices for serving suffering humanity in the United States and worldwide.

Read more of this story on The Christian Post.

Baghdad Prayer Patrol Deploys on Internet

VIRGINIA BEACH, April 24 /Christian Newswire/ -- A Christian website dedicated to prayer has launched the "Baghdad Prayer Patrol" to enlist Americans to pray for troops stationed in and around the Iraqi capital.

Prayercentral.net founder Wayne Dillard has timed the new prayer project to coincide with the recent troop surge in Baghdad. "It's not right to send more troops without sending more prayer," said Dillard. "We are asking Christians to join us for just one minute a day to stand with our troops over the next six months."

Read more of this story on Christian Newswire.

IED Is Sunday

Tomorrow is Internet Evangelism Day. A day to promote Christian use of the internet as a tool to spread the Gospel to all the world. You can read more about it on their website.

Friday, April 27, 2007

Throw-Back?

A father was at the beach with his children when the four-year-old son ran up to him, grabbed his hand, and led him to the shore where a seagull lay dead in the sand.

"Daddy, what happened to him?" the son asked.

"He died and went to Heaven," the Dad replied.

The boy thought a moment and then said, "Did God throw him back down?"

Study: Religion Is Good for Kids

NOTE: After reading this information, you would think it might make some leaders reconsider removing the Bible from schools?

CrossFeed Religious News points out that some of the findings of this study are reflected in the Bible; Proverbs 22:6 and 2 Corinthians 6:14-16.

I also wonder how much press coverage this study will receive and if it will be featured on news/talk programs like "negative theories" against Christianity?

Study: Religion Is Good for Kids

Kids with religious parents are better behaved and adjusted than other children, according to a new study that is the first to look at the effects of religion on young child development.

The conflict that arises when parents regularly argue over their faith at home, however, has the opposite effect.

Read more about this study on FOX News.


Study: Highly Religious Parents Have Better Behaved Kids

Religion can be good for the kids, a new study has found.

Researchers found that when parents, especially both, attend religious services frequently and talk about religion with their children, the kids had better self-control, social skills and approaches to learning than kids with non-religious parents.

Read more of this story on The Christian Post.

Best-selling Author Will 'Prove' God's Existence

ABC to Air LIVE Atheist Debate with Kirk Cameron and Ray Comfort

MEDIA ADVISORY, April 26 /Christian Newswire/ -- After ABC ran a story in January about hundreds of atheists videotaping themselves blaspheming the Holy Spirit, best-selling author Ray Comfort contacted the network and offered to prove God's existence, absolutely, scientifically, without mentioning the Bible or faith. He and Kirk Cameron (co-hosts of an award-winning Christian TV program) challenged the two originators of the "Blasphemy Challenge" to a debate on the existence of God. According to Comfort, he and Cameron (an ex-atheist) are qualified to debate on the subject. Comfort had not only written a book titled "God Doesn't Believe in Atheists", but had spoken at Yale on the subject of atheism, and been flown by American Atheists, Inc., to their 2001 annual convention to be a platform speaker.

ABC loved the idea, and will host a debate in New York City on May 5, 2007. Moderated by Martin Bashir, the debate will be streamed LIVE on their website and will also be filmed for "Nightline."

Read more of this story on Christian Newswire.

What Money Can't Buy


READ: Isaiah 55:1-7

Seek the Lord while He may be found, call upon Him while He is near. —Isaiah 55:6

Money is a necessary part of living. Without it, we couldn’t secure the necessities or luxuries of life. But there are things money can’t buy. As preacher W. A. Criswell said, “Money will buy luxuries, but it will not buy spiritual power. Money will buy advancement and preferment, but it will not buy the recognition of God. Money will buy . . . favor and accolades, but it will not buy soul respect.”

The greatest good—so great that it is in a category all by itself—cannot be bought. If the entire human race were to bankrupt its resources in an effort to buy forgiveness of sin and eternal life with Jesus, it would be infinitely insufficient. All the wealth of the whole world cannot purchase the supreme blessing of forgiveness and heaven.

We’ll never accumulate enough riches to purchase a place in the paradise of God. But there’s good news! Salvation can be ours “without money and without price,” according to Isaiah 55:1.

Have you trusted Jesus as your Savior? You need only to stretch out your empty hands in childlike faith to the Lord (John 1:12). Cry out to Him and confess your sin. “He will abundantly pardon” (Isa. 55:7). Vernon C Grounds

I am redeemed, but not with silver;
I am bought, but not with gold;
Bought with a price—the blood of Jesus,
Precious price of love untold. —Gray

The faintest knock of faith opens wide the door to forgiveness.

For similar resources, search these topics:

Basics Of Faith > Salvation > New Birth

The Moral Of The Story Is...

I heard about a teacher who gave her six grade class an assignment. They were to get their parents to tell them a story with a moral at the end.

The next day the kids came back and one by one began to tell their stories in class.

"Billy, do you have a story to share?", the teacher asked.

"Yes, ma'am, my daddy told a story about my Aunt Carol. Aunt Carol was a pilot in Desert Storm and her plane got hit. She had to bail out over enemy territory and all she had was a small can of whiskey, a pistol and a survival knife. She drank the whiskey on the way down so it wouldn't fall into enemy hands and then her parachute landed right in the middle of twenty enemy troops. She shot fifteen of them with the gun until she ran out of bullets, killed four more with the knife, 'till the blade broke and then she killed the last one with her bare hands."

"Good heavens," said the horrified teacher, "What kind of moral did your daddy teach you from that story?"

"Stay away from Aunt Carol when she's been drinking."

'Monster Mash' Singer Bobby 'Boris' Pickett Dies at 69

NOTE: This post is not a Christian related story, but has sentimental value for me. I remember listening to "Monster Mash" as a kid and buying the "45" record. I also remember playing the song around Halloween when I worked as a DJ for WBKF-FM in Macclenny, Florida. Let's see, that radio stuff as "James The Giant" was in the area of 1978-1982.

Bobby "Boris" Pickett
, whose dead-on Boris Karloff impression propelled the Halloween anthem to the top of the charts in 1962, making him one of pop music's most enduring one-hit wonders, has died of leukemia. He was 69.

Pickett, dubbed "The Guy Lombardo of Halloween," died Wednesday night at the West Los Angeles Veterans Hospital, said his longtime manager, Stuart Hersh. His daughter, Nancy, and his sister, Lynda, were at Pickett's bedside.

"Monster Mash" hit the Billboard chart three times: when it debuted in 1962, reaching No. 1 the week before Halloween; again in August 1970, and for a third time in May 1973. The resurrections were appropriate for a song where Pickett gravely intoned the forever-stuck-in-your-head chorus: "He did the monster mash. ... It was a graveyard smash."

Read more of this story on FOX News.

Visit the official Monster Mash website.

Legal victory for Texas Bible monument

A federal appeals court has refused to side with an atheist in a case that could determine the constitutionality of Bible monuments on public property. The case Staley v. Harris County, Texas involves a monument that was erected in front of the county courthouse in 1956 in Houston in honor of industrialist and philanthropist William Mosher.

The monument, which featured a Bible, was on display for more than four decades until atheist Kay Staley, a member of Americans United for Separation of Church and State and former employee of the ACLU, sued Harris County, claiming the monument violated her constitutional rights. A district court agreed and ruled that Bible should be removed.

Read more of this story on One News Now.

Sticky Back Up System

Avalon Founder to Leave Group

The founding member of one of Christian music’s most famous groups, Avalon, has now announced that he will be leaving the musical foursome over physical illness.

Jody McBrayer, who has been with the band since it first began 12 years ago, announced his departure on the group’s website.

“The past 12 years have been such a tremendous blessing, and I am thankful for the opportunities I’ve been given as part of this amazing group,” explained McBrayer on the website. “While the decision to leave Avalon saddens me, I feel that it is necessary in order to prolong my health both for myself and my family. I am so thankful for the love and support that my family has received from Janna, Greg and Melissa [other group members] through this challenging time in our lives.”

Read more of this story on The Christian Post.

Thursday, April 26, 2007

One Saved During Statenville Meeting

I had a wonderful time during the revival services at Statenville Baptist Church in Georgia this week. Pastor Ted Sauls, his family, church members and visitors all made me feel right at home. I'm excited to report we had one young lady to accept Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior. There were several others that rededicated their life to Christ. Only the Lord knows all of the decisions that were made during the week. Please join me in praying for this church as they move forward with the Lord's work in Statenville, Georgia.

If you live in the area of Statenville, Georgia, give Statenville Baptist Church a visit. Pastor Ted Sauls and all of the members will be glad to have you. For more information about the church, service times or directions, call the church at (229) 559-7148. The church is located on Baptist Church Road.

A Good Mule

An old farmer had a wife who nagged him unmercifully. From morning till night (and sometimes later), she was always complaining about something. The only time he got any relief was when he was out plowing with his old mule.

One day, when he was out plowing, his wife brought him lunch in the field. He drove the old mule into the shade, sat down on a stump, and began to eat his lunch. Immediately, his wife began nagging him again.

Complain, nag, complain, nag; it just went on and on. All of a sudden, the old mule lashed out with both hind feet; caught her smack in the back of the head and killed her dead on the spot.

At the funeral several days later, the minister noticed something rather odd. When a woman mourner would approach the old farmer, he would listen for a minute, then nod his head in agreement; but when a male mourner approached him, he would listen for a minute, then shake his head in disagreement. This was so consistent, the minister decided to ask the old farmer about it.

So after the funeral, the minister spoke to the old farmer, and asked him why he nodded his head and agreed with the women, but always shook his head and disagreed with all the men. The old farmer said, "Well, the women would come up and say something about how nice my wife looked, or how pretty her dress was, so I'd nod my head in agreement."

"And what about the men?" the minister asked.

"They wanted to know if the mule was for sale."

Google Church Sign

Third Grader Barred from Singing Christian Tune at Talent Show Gets School's OK

A third grade elementary student who was initially barred from singing one of her favorite Christian songs at a local talent show was able to perform the song last week after a letter was sent to school officials explaining the student’s right to religious speech.

For the talent show at Mount Scott Elementary School in Portland, Ore., Kelli Bobst gave her rendition of “God’s Love is for You” on Thursday after receiving aid from Liberty Counsel – a Christian legal group that promotes religious freedom.

"Student-initiated speech endorsing religion is fully protected by the Constitution,” commented Mathew D. Staver, founder of Liberty Counsel and Dean of Liberty University School of Law, in a statement. “It is unconstitutional to eliminate Christian viewpoints from a school talent show or any other time where secular viewpoints are permitted.”

Read more of this story on The Christian Post.

Jesus And Pancakes

A mother was preparing pancakes for her sons, Kevin 5, and Ryan 3. The boys began to argue over who would get the first pancake. Their mother saw the opportunity for a moral lesson.

She said, "If Jesus were sitting here, He would say, 'Let my brother have the first pancake, I can wait.'"

Kevin turned to his younger brother and said, "Ryan, you be Jesus!"

China Detains U.S. Church Pastors

Police recently arrested four American Christian leaders and dozens of Chinese house church leaders during a fellowship gathering in a northwest province in China.

The Americans had arrived at Akesu airport in Akesu city, Xinjiang province, on Apr. 17 and started meeting with house church leaders in the region for fellowship on Apr. 18 at a local church family house, reported China Aid Association’s sources on Tuesday.

However, just two days after their arrival, on Apr. 19, China’s Public Security Bureau (PSB) reportedly arrested about 30 Chinese house church leaders who met with the American Christians and detained the Americans.

Read more of this story on The Christian Post.

Bible Distributors File Lawsuit After Arrests, Police Bullying

Gideons International, an evangelical Christian organization dedicated to distributing copies of the Bible, filed a lawsuit on Friday after members of the organization were arrested for their activities in Florida.

Defending the group is the Alliance Defense Fund (ADF) – a legal alliance that defends the right to speak the “Truth” – which is arguing against the unlawful arrests. The Gideon members had been taken into custody because they were within 500 feet of a public school.

“Free speech in America exists even within 500 feet of public school property,” explained ADF senior legal counsel David Cortman in a statement. “Under the First Amendment, the Gideons have every right to distribute Bibles on a public sidewalk to those who wish to accept them. There is no legal justification for the continued harassment of peaceful members of the community who wish to hand out Christian literature.”

Read more of this story on The Christian Post.

Turkey Christian Missionaries Horrifically Tortured Before Killings

NOTE: Please be advised that this story contains information that may be tremendously disturbing to you, but it should also move us to prayer more than ever.

The three Christians who were martyred in Turkey last week were horribly tortured for three hours prior to being killed, Christian Today has learned, as details continue to emerge.

According to the Washington-DC based human rights group International Christian Concern, the three were put through a horrific ordeal which included multiple stabbings before finally being killed.

An ICC statement tells: “As difficult and sorrowful as it is to learn more, we believe that we must expose the truly hellish nature of this attack for what it is.”

Read more of this story on Christian Today.

Thousands to Reaffirm America's Christian Roots After 400 Years

Four centuries after the first English settlers planted a cross on Virginia soil, dedicating the New World in prayer, Christians across the nation are gathering on that same soil this week to rededicate America to God.

The Assembly 2007 is expected to gather Christians to Virginia Beach beginning Thursday in a major prayer event centered around the 400th anniversary of the first permanent English settlement in North America. Top Christian leaders will join the national gathering, which is said to be the only faith-based event among all other Jamestown quadra-centennial events.

"We see this as a God-given time for our nation," said Bishop John Giminez, who is leading the team that is organizing the event. "We are encouraging Christians across the country to plant a cross at their churches or in their front yards to do their own personal dedication of their land to God."

Read more of this story on The Christian Post.

Why Stocks Fall

The Quarter In Your Pocket


READ: James 5:13-18

The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. —James 5:16

Some things are irresistible. For me, it’s bubble-gum machines. I can hardly resist the urge to watch one of those colorful gumballs roll down the tunnel so I can pop it into my mouth. But without a quarter, those gumballs are locked up inside. You can be sure that as long as I have the right coin, I won’t pass up an opportunity to enjoy the mouth-watering treat.

Prayer is the quarter in your pocket when it comes to releasing the vast resources of God’s character and blessings in your life. The “muchness” of God stands in sharp contrast to the leanness of our souls, and without prayer we cannot begin to tap into the reservoir of all that He is waiting to bestow on us. When we long for a satisfying taste of His resources, prayer is essential.

James makes it clear that our prayer needs to be “fervent” and “effective” (5:16). God is not into ritual but reality. He wants us to avoid formulaic prayers in exchange for a persistent passion. We are to approach His throne of grace with a keen awareness of our need for Him.

As James stated earlier in his book, “You do not have because you do not ask” (4:2). The more we pray, the more we receive, and before long our lives will demonstrate the life-changing reality of the muchness of God. Joe Stowell

The more we go to God in prayer
Intent to seek His face,
The more we’ll want to be with Him
Before His throne of grace. —Sper

Much prayer, much power; little prayer, little power; no prayer, no power!

For similar resources, search these topics:

Relationships > Relating to God > Prayer

Thousands of Volcano Cult Members Turn to Jesus Christ

Thousands of cult members who used to worship a mythical messiah figure they believed to dwell inside a nearby volcano are giving their hearts to Christ after viewing the Jesus film.

The people on the isolated South Pacific island of Tanna, in the country of Vanuatu, have long put their faith in John Frum, a figure they insist is a former American GI during World War II who will someday emerge from the volcano and shower his believers with wealth and knowledge.

Frum has been described as a combination of John the Baptist, Uncle Sam and Santa Claus.

Yet members of the cult quickly forego their volcano “god” after viewing the Jesus film.

Read more of this story on The Christian Post.

Wednesday, April 25, 2007

Have You Made The List?

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Interesting Church Sign

How do you like this church sign?

Tuesday, April 24, 2007

Tallahassee Engagements Added To Schedule

I will be traveling to Tallahassee, Florida on Sunday, June 3, 2007 for two separate preaching services. The first will begin at 10 AM at Chapel Hill Baptist Church located at 102 Chapel Drive. For more information call (850) 222-6900. The second service will begin at 6:30 PM at Crossway Baptist Church located at 405 Crossway Road. For more information about this service call Pastor Josh Parker at (850) 877-5216.

This will be the first time that I will have ministered in either of these churches. Please be in prayer for these services.

FIRST-PERSON: Are God & Allah the same?

By Emir Caner

FORT WORTH, Texas (BP)--In some far-flung field around the world a Southern Baptist missionary enters a territory which has remained hostile to the Gospel for some time. Upon entering the mountainous village, he is able to speak to some of the villagers about eternal matters. They are uninhibited to speak about their faith, although reticent to accept any other opinion, and this missionary quickly gains a cursory understanding of their god. He is an all-powerful being who blesses both the just and the unjust. He reveals himself through miracles. Additionally, these villagers believe that there is no forgiveness of sin without the shedding of blood. In fact, these villagers believe that their god has a son and that this son was once dead and now has come to life! Now, can this missionary then assume that the god the villagers are describing, due to so many similar characteristics, is the same God the Scripture reveals?

If your answer is yes, you have fallen prey to a tactic the devil has used since the Fall in the Garden of Eden. The devil, the best counterfeiter in history, plays upon the attributes of God and places them upon another, even himself. Ironically, the situation above is not foreign to the Scripture, for Elijah is that missionary who found himself in a strikingly similar situation in 1 Kings 18:20-40. The Jewish people had fallen into idolatry, specifically Baal worship. Although Baal worship differed regionally, Elijah came across the form of Baal worship which believed that Baal is the son of El, the most high god. Baal was once dead, but like the fall harvest, has come back to life. Baal required a blood sacrifice for appeasement to El, albeit the sacrifice is not of Baal himself but of a first-born son of each family. Baal was all-powerful and could be seen in miracles such as raining down fire. Yet, Baal was not mistaken as Jehovah. Elijah rhetorically asks the Israelites who are worshipping a false god, "How long will you falter between two opinions? If the Lord is God follow him; but if Baal, follow him" (1 Kings 18:21).

Today, similar debate has revolved around the two largest faiths in the world, Islam and Christianity, and whether the god of the Koran is the God of the Bible. Simply put, the god of Muhammad is not the Father of Jesus. The subject in its essence is not a linguistic issue, but a theological matter with eternal ramifications. To say that since Allah is Arabic for God and YHWH is Hebrew for God, Christians and Muslims worship the same God is beyond naïve –- it is blasphemous.

Read more of this opinion on Baptist Press.

Dreams Come True Auction Friday

I will be, once again, serving as auctioneer for the Dreams Come True banquet and auction this Friday, April 27, 2007. The event is a fundraiser for the non-profit wish-granting organization and will be held in the atrium at Shands of Starke beginning at 7pm. For more information call Dan Bowen at (904) 772-9799.

An article about the success of last year's event can be read on the Bradford County Telegraph.

A Sleepy Presentation

NOTE: This sounds like some of my sermons. 8-)

Ministry puts prayer wall for mass shooting victims online

A virtual "prayer wall" has been set up for those affected by the mass shooting at Virginia Tech. Located on the Internet site of the Presidential Prayer Team (PPT), the online prayer wall is open to members and non-members of the Team as a way to encourage and pray for family members and friends of the mass shooting victims.

John Lind is CEO of the Presidential Prayer Team. He says the group has called all of its members to intercession through prayer alerts, but the PPT also "felt led" to put together a prayer wall on its website at www.presidentialprayerteam.org.

"It's kind of reminiscent of the wailing wall, and people can post prayers," Lind explains. "Also, when we complete this, we would like to bind these prayers up and send them to Virginia Tech as a gift from our members at the Presidential Prayer Team," he says.

Read more of this story on One News Now.

Care Of The Heart


READ: Proverbs 24:30-34

When I saw it, I considered it well; I looked on it and received instruction. —Proverbs 24:32

My father-in-law took a rocky, barren hilltop in Texas and transformed it into a beautiful homesite with a shaded green lawn. After removing thousands of rocks, he added topsoil, planted trees and grass, and kept it watered. Since his death, it has lacked his consistent care. Today when I visit and work around that house, battling the invading thistles, thorns, and weeds, I ponder the state of my own heart.

Am I like that neglected yard, or perhaps the field and vineyard described in Proverbs 24—overgrown with thorns, covered with nettles, its stone wall broken down? (v.31). The owner is lazy and lacks understanding (v.30), perhaps putting off today’s tasks for a more convenient time.

Along with the practical instruction about diligence in work, I find an application for the care of my soul. The thistles of self-interest grow naturally within me, while the fruit that pleases God requires constant weeding and watering through prayer, confession, and obedience to the Lord. Without these, the soil of my heart will become choked with the thorns of trivial pursuits and greed.

“Keep your heart with all diligence,” Solomon wrote, “for out of it spring the issues of life” (Prov. 4:23). That requires constant care. David C. McCasland

One little sin, what harm can it do?
Give it free reign and soon there are two.
Then sinful deeds and habits ensue—
Guard well your thoughts, lest they control you. —DJD

The garden of our heart needs constant weeding and care.

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Christian Life > Sin > Conviction Of

ACLU Sues State Over 'God' License Plate

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) - A legal complaint filed Monday challenges the constitutionality of the year-old law that created the "In God We Trust" specialty license plate, saying its supporters receive preferential treatment not available to supporters of other specialty plates.

The lawsuit filed in Marion Superior Court in Indianapolis claims motorists who request the "In God We Trust" plates receive preferential treatment because they do not have to pay a $15 administrative fee that the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles collects. The administrative fees are added to other fees whose proceeds promote the causes of the other specialty plates.

Read more of this story on The Christian Post.

Read a related post from March 25, 2007.

Must Be Job

A Trashy Prayer?

One particular four-year-old prayed, "And forgive us our trash baskets as we forgive those who put trash in our baskets."

NOTE: There's a lot of truth in that prayer.

Monday, April 23, 2007

Christian Slayings Probe Leads to 12 Arrests in Turkey

Twelve suspects have been detained by Turkish police as investigations continue into the slaying of three men last week in a Christian publishing house that distributes Bibles in Turkey.

The girlfriend of one of the 11 suspects was arrested in Istanbul Saturday bringing the total number to 12 people believed to be connected to the killing of the three victims, reported The Associated Press.

Last Wednesday, one German and two Turkish Christians were bound hand and legs before having their throats slit in the southeastern city of Malatya.

Read more of this story on The Christian Post.

Men's Meeting In Wellborn

I will be speaking during a meeting of the Baptist Men on Mission of Wellborn Baptist Church on Thursday, May 10, 2007 beginning at 6:30 PM. The church is located on US90 in Wellborn, Florida. For more information call the church at (386) 963-2231.

Simon Anyone?

Stock Market Lingo

The Fellowship Of The Cross


READ: 2 Corinthians 1:3-11

We had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves but in God who raises the dead. —2 Corinthians 1:9

In J.R.R. Tolkien’s fictional The Lord of the Rings, a simple, good-hearted hobbit by the name of Frodo Baggins is entrusted with a dangerous mission. Together with a group called the Fellowship of the Ring, he must defeat the forces of evil by returning a magic gold ring to the fires of Mount Doom from which it was forged.

Along the way, evil stalks Frodo. Battles are lost. Friends die. Reflecting on such tragedies, Frodo confides in his wise friend Gandalf, “I wish the ring had never come to me. I wish that this had never happened.” Gandalf replies, “So do all who live to see such times. But that is not for them to decide. All you must decide is how to use the time that is given to you.”

In the “fellowship of the cross,” a servant of Christ is also tested. Like Paul, we may feel crushed under the weight of circumstances (2 Cor. 1:3-11). The path seems too steep to climb. We wonder if there is a dawn beyond the darkness.

Though we may not choose our circumstances, we do choose whether to trust God (2 Cor. 1:9). Through the fellowship of the Son and the enablement of the Spirit, we can carry out our mission for God (1 Cor. 1:9; John 16:13).

Trust Him to guide you along the way. He offers wise counsel. Mart De Haan

Then in fellowship sweet, we will sit at His feet
Or we’ll walk by His side in the way;
What He says we will do, where He sends we will go—
Never fear, only trust and obey. —Sammis

You can trust God in the dark as well as in the light.

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Basics Of Faith > Holy Spirit > Ministry

Can You Hit A Fast Ball?

Test your reaction time by taking a swing at a fastball at this website.

I didn't do so well. I did actually get one base hit out of who knows how many attempts.

A Letter From A Concerned Father

Dear Bill,

I have been unable to sleep since I broke off your engagement to my daughter last month. Would you please forgive me? I was much too sensitive about your purple mohawk, tattoo, nose plug and pierced tongue. I now realize that motorcycles aren't really that dangerous. I know that I have said some mean things about the way you have never held down a job, and have lived under the bridge in the park with some nice people.

I know that my daughter is only 17 years old and wants to marry you instead of going to the university on full scholarship. After all, you can't learn everything about life from those college books. I sometimes forget how backwards I can be. I was wrong. I was foolish. I have now come to my senses, and you have my full blessings to marry my daughter.

Sincerely,

Your future father-in-law

P.S. Congratulations on winning this week's 150 million dollar lottery.

Sunday, April 22, 2007

So, You're The Idiot?

Saturday, April 21, 2007

Sunset Boulevard


READ: Deuteronomy 34

[Moses’] eyes were not dim nor his natural vigor diminished. —Deuteronomy 34:7

Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musical Sunset Boulevard tells the story of Norma Desmond, a former silent film star. When the talking movies came into fashion, she lost her audience. As an older woman, she longed for the glory of her past. In her mind, silent facial expressions alone made a good movie­—not dialogue. In the song “With One Look” Norma sings:

With one look I can break your heart;
With one look I play every part . . .
With one look I’ll ignite a blaze;
I’ll return to my glory days.

Because Norma lived in the past, her life ended in tragedy.

It’s been said that each life is like a book, lived one chapter at a time. If you think your most fruitful years are behind you, remember you’re writing a new chapter now. Learn to live each day with contentment in the present.

Near the end of Moses’ life, God showed him the Promised Land. Clearly, he had accomplished his mission in life. But he didn’t long for the miracles of his “glory days.” Instead, Moses was content to obey God in the present. In his sunset years, he mentored Joshua to be his successor (Deut. 31:1-8).

Living contentedly in the present has a way of making us productive for a lifetime—for God’s glory. Dennis Fisher

I give my life to You, O Lord,
And live for You each day;
Grant me contentment as I strive
To follow and obey. —Sper

Living in the past paralyzes the present and bankrupts the future.

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Ministry and Outreach > Serving > Commitment

A Unique Prisoner

It was the end of the day when I parked my police van in front of the station. As I gathered my equipment, my K-9 partner, Jake, was barking, and I saw a little boy staring in at me. "Is that a dog you got back there?" he asked.

"It sure is," I replied.

Puzzled, the boy looked at me and then towards the back of the van. Finally he said, "What'd he do?"

Bill Maher evades security at Creation Museum

The group Answers in Genesis (AIG) says comedian Bill Maher of HBO recently made an unannounced visit to its new Creation Museum in an effort to "mock Christians and creationists." According to a ministry spokesman, Maher chose to circumvent security measures in order to obtain an interview with AIG founder Ken Ham.

A production company called "First Word Productions" told Answers in Genesis it was doing a documentary on world religions and wanted to showcase AIG's Creation Museum near Cincinnati, which will open to the public May 28. The film crew spent about three hours walking through the museum with Ken Ham, asking him questions along the way. They then requested a sit-down interview with Ham in his office.

As the crew began recording, one of them propped open a secure back door and let comedian Bill Maher in to take over the interview. AIG co-founder Mark Looy, who the film crew distracted so Maher could sneak in, says Ham was not aware of who Maher was.

Read more of this story on One News Now.

Ways Of The Ant


NOTE:
Proverbs 6:6 (NKJV)
6 Go to the ant, you sluggard!
Consider her ways and be wise,

Friday, April 20, 2007

Georgia Revival Services Begin On Sunday

Revival services begin at Statenville Baptist Church this Sunday at 11 AM and 7 PM. The services will continue Monday through Wednesday at 7 PM nightly. The church is located on Baptist Church Road in Statenville, Georgia. For more information you can call Pastor Ted Sauls at (229) 559-7148.

This will be my first time preaching at this church and I'm excited about the opportunity. Please be in prayer for these services.

Gainesville Revival Was A Blessing

The revival services at Pine Grove Baptist Church in Gainesville, Florida ended on Wednesday night. The services went very well; even though my voice grew weaker each day due to allergies. This was my first time ministering at this church and I really made some wonderful friends. The congregation was so receptive to the Word of God and were truly seeking revival.

If you live in the area and do not have a regular church home, give Pine Grove Baptist a visit. Pastor John Parker will be glad to have you. For more information about the church, service times or directions, call the church office at (352) 376-4052. The church is located at 4200 NW 39th Avenue in Gainesville, Florida.

If you don't live in the area, please pray for this church as they minister and evangelize for our Lord, Jesus Christ.

Snow White's Diet

Herd Instinct


READ: John 10:14-30

My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. —John 10:27

Near the village of Gevas in eastern Turkey, while shepherds ate their breakfast, one of their sheep jumped off a 45-foot cliff to its death. Then, as the stunned shepherds looked on, the rest of the flock followed. In all, 1,500 sheep mindlessly stumbled off the cliff. The only good news was that the last 1,000 were cushioned in their fall by the growing woolly pile of those who jumped first. According to The Washington Post, 450 sheep died.

The Bible often refers to human beings as sheep (Ps. 100:3; Isa. 53:6; Matt. 9:36). Easily distracted and susceptible to group influence, we would rather follow the crowd than the wisdom of the Shepherd.

I’m glad the Bible also describes sheep in a positive way. Jesus said, “I am the Good Shepherd . . . . My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me” (John 10:14,27).

So the big question for us is: Whom are we following? One another? Self-centered shepherds? Or the voice and direction of the Good Shepherd?

Our challenge is to avoid the mistake of the sheep who blindly followed one another over a cliff. We must make it our daily purpose to ask ourselves: Am I listening for the voice of the Good Shepherd? Am I following Him? Mart De Haan

Savior, like a shepherd lead us,
Much we need Thy tender care;
In Thy pleasant pastures feed us,
For our use Thy folds prepare. —Thrupp

Follow Christ, not the crowd.

For similar resources, search these topics:

Relationships > Relating to God > Discipleship

Shake It Off

One day a farmer's donkey fell down into a well. The animal cried piteously for hours as the farmer tried to figure out what to do.

Finally he decided the animal was old and the well needed to be covered up anyway, so it just wasn't worth it to retrieve the donkey.

He invited all his neighbors to come over and help him. They each grabbed a shovel and began to shovel dirt into the well.

At first, the donkey realized what was happening and cried horribly. Then, to everyone's amazement, he quieted down. A few shovel loads later, the farmer finally looked down the well and was astonished at what he saw.

With every shovel full of dirt that hit his back, the donkey was doing something amazing. He would shake it off and take a step up. As the farmer's neighbors continued to shovel dirt on top of the animal, he would shake it off and take a step up. Pretty soon, everyone was amazed as the donkey stepped up over the edge of the well and trotted off!

Life is going to shovel dirt on you, all kinds of dirt.

The trick to getting out of the well is to shake it off and take a step up. Each of our troubles is a stepping stone.

Thursday, April 19, 2007

The Ketchup Bottle

A woman was trying hard to get the ketchup out of the bottle. During her struggle the phone rang so she asked her 4-year-old daughter to answer the phone. "Mommy can't come to the phone to talk to you right now. She's hitting the bottle."

Born-Again MySpace, YouTube Sites Shift Focus to God

A number of religious Web sites are aping the names and styles of some of the Web's most popular sites.

Chief among them are GodTube.com, a video-sharing site for Christians, and MyChurch.org, a social networking realm.

The explosion of niche social networking sites that divvy up your personality into various identities has extended into religion with MyChurch.org. The site describes itself: "This is NOT `MySpace for Christians,' this is MyChurch for EVERYONE."

All are invited to MyChurch, including nonbelievers who can pick from the 4,306 churches that have pages on the site. You first form a Facebook-style profile that can be linked to friends and different churches.

Users can share sermons saved as podcasts, blog about their faith and learn about church activities.

Read more of this story on The Christian Post.

The Peace-Of-Mind Game


READ: Psalm 23

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. —Psalm 23:1

In her down-to-earth book More Than Sparrows, Mary Welch tells of her discussion about worry with a group of teenagers. Although they were Christians, they were as worried as unbelievers about the common things of life. As she lovingly listened to them, an unusual idea came to her for a game they could play. It went like this:

Instead of saying, “I’m worried,” stop and say, “The Lord is my Shepherd.” Then add, “So I’m worried to death!” The students laughed at the absurdity of the idea, but they all promised to play this new “peace-of-mind” game.

Later, Mary received a phone call from a young woman who had been paralyzed by worry over an exam she had been dreading to take. She said, “I must tell you how the game helped me trust God today. As I froze with worry, I remembered to say, ‘The Lord is my Shepherd . . . so I’m afraid I’ll fail!’ Suddenly I felt the strangest peace of mind. I laughed at myself, then I took the exam—and I passed!”

Saying “The Lord is my Shepherd, and I am worried to death” is more than a mind game to point out the absurdity of worry. God can use this contradiction to bring us to a fuller trust in Him. Joanie Yoder

Why worry when you can pray?
Trust Jesus, He’ll be your stay;
Don’t be a “doubting Thomas,” rest fully on His promise.
Why worry when you can pray? —Peterson
© Renewal 1977 Singspiration, Inc.

Worry is the interest you pay on borrowed trouble.

For similar resources, search these topics:

Christian Life > Personal Crisis > Worry/Anxiety