Hate Crimes for Christians

You've heard the one about the frog and the pot of slowly heating water. Well I think the temperature is being turned up a little.

http://www.worldnetdaily.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=61342

The question, "Does a Christian business person have the right to deny serving a customer when that customer violates the principle by which the Christian orders their life?"

Some other questions that occur to me.

"Does the "couple" in question have the right to break the Law governing the States by use of semantics?"

"If the Christian lied and said they had a "scheduling conflict" what would have been the implications of their faith and their business?"

"Were Biblical convictions used to overturn discrimination half a century ago?"

"How do those same Biblical convictions apply to this kind of "discrimination"?"

"Does a Muslim Photographer have the right to deny homosexuals their photographic services?"

"Why didn't Miss Willock choose a Muslim Photographer?"

As a pastor I watch this sort of thing a bit more closely because I fully anticipate that one day soon clergy will be brought into this same arena, actually they already are, but that's another post. And the Law of this land changes like the wind but the Law of the Lord has remained for centuries and He is my judge. I need to love Him with my whole heart, mind and strength. It will take all of that to stand firm as a Pastor, photographer, you fill in the blank.

Is this really News???

It seems that American Idol changed the words to Shout to the Lord.

Check it out at WorldNetDaily:
http://www.worldnetdaily.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=61234

Unfortunately I have come to expect this from the mainstream culture. I do think it is good that somebody keeps track of this whole culture that opposes Christianity and I completely affirm that Christians, real Christian, must engage in the arena of ideas.

But to take American Idol seriously as one of the places where anyone should be upset that they disavowed Jesus by changing the words to Shout to the Lord seems like a waste of ink to me. I am glad that WND reporter tried to contact Idol and that Idol did do the song as originally written the next night. Cudos to American Idol...still why should anyone expect redeemed behavior from unredeemed people. Does that mean I'm judging the people on American Idol...nope. TV programs can't be Christians only people can be Christians. Jesus never said to "non-believers" if you deny me before men I will deny you before My Father...He said that to "Christians." Besides have you watched FOX lately...not cable FOX...the regular one.

I suppose that someone could argue that because the show in question on Idol was doing a relief concert that ended with Shout to the Lord that they might expect a bit more fair treatment of the lyrics but was any "Christian musician" on the show? Yes, I know artists can be Christian and sing country...blah, blah, blah... What fellowship has light with darkness? Were the sponsors of the broadcast Christian sponsors? or were they selling alcohol, and cars, and other FOX shows? Come on true believers use the mind God gave you and engage in more than rants against the world. Come up with a plan to love Ryan, Simon, Paula and Randy the way Christ loves them.

NIMBY and all sorts of fun stuff for Minnesota

Well folks just in case you missed this or your copy of the Star Tribune was late in arriving I thought I'd send along this very helpful link. It seems that a Muslim Public school right here in MN is functioning as a religious school with tax payers money. You can file this one under, "What's good for the goose..." Personally I'd like to see some consistency by the government but I'm not going to hold my breath.

http://www.startribune.com/local/17406054.html

Geothermal Heat

I recently watched a commercial that advocated for the efficiency of heating with geothermal sources. It was interesting to me how they attached such heating with being friendly to the environment. Here's the rub.

I'm 40 years old and I remember back to the 70's when the environmentalists said that "unless we did something drastic acid rain was going to kill us all." That's a little bit hyperbolic. But since the fear mongering of the environmentalists caught on in the 70's the past 40 years has paraded out one "environmental crisis" after the next.

Now understand I am not advocating the wanton destruction of the environment but I believe that it is hubris to think that we "control" the destiny of this planet. God has placed us here as stewards of His creation and we ought to fulfill that duty with vigilance but I am going to make a prediction. And I want to be the first on record.

Heating with geothermal energy will one day come under scrutiny of the "environmental crowd" and will, I predict, be declared as harmful to the environment because slowly we are changing the temperature of the earth's crust. There, that's my prediction.

Here's the thing. Plastic bags were going to save landfill space and trees because they replaced paper bags. Not even 30 years have gone by and now plastic bags are being outlawed as harmful to the environment. We have developed energy efficient light bulbs that can save $47.00 per year but the reason they are so efficient is because they contain mercury. Oops...what happens when they go to the landfills and break and all that mercury gets into the water table? Hmmmmm..... that's a tough one.

My point. Love God with all your mind. Be reasonable when it comes to the use of natural resources. Love God with your whole heart and do not give into the fear of the "environmental gang." Love God with your whole self. Don't worship trees or rain or plastic or global warming...

The SOUL of it all

A few weeks back I was up before church and watching the Chris Matthews Sunday show. It was interesting because they were discussing the debacle of the adulterous affair of Elliot Spitzer, the then Governor of NY...the place of my birth.

During the discussion Chris threw the 'hot potatoe' to Rick Stengel from Time Magazine. Rick responded with the discovery of some biochemist that the same reaction that takes place in men who 'charge up the hill' is the same internal reaction that makes men do these things. And then things got really interesting. In any case here's the link for the transcript:

http://www.thechrismatthewsshow.com/html/transcript/index.php

Last night on ABC Barbara Walters had a special on concerning living until we are 15o years old. One of the spots concerned cryogenic freezing of humans or at least their heads slightly before or immediately after they die. The hope is that in 25, 50, 100 years the 'cure' for whatever they died from will be found and then they will be thawed and brought back to life.

The intersting thing to me is how both spots reduce human life and action to a matter of matter. It's just the chemicals that make men heroes or scoundrels. So then why the outrage at Elliot Spitzer? Why the morality of it all? Because a grown man should know better...is that it? Why, if it's just the chemicals? Of course I suppose he could have, by a sheer force of will rejected the chemical urge and used his brain matter to avoid the affair. I suppose men in battle reject the urge to charge up the hill...but then why court marshal them for disobeying orders? They are simply following the chemicals.

And this business of freezing oneself post mortem. If we are animated matter that can be resucitated at any time then why do people die at all? Where's Dr. Frankenstein when you need him? These people who shuffle out $75,000 per freeze are being taken for a ride.

The point: we are humans created in the image of God and given a soul by Him. We could discuss when that occurs but that is besides the point...maybe some day. But it is the soul that makes us more than animals who charge up hills or have illicit affairs. That is where morality comes from. We know right and wrong not because it is hardwired into the matter of our brains but because it is placed in our hearts by God through His law. When a person rejects God's law and does whatever is right in their own eyes it isn't a matter of chemicals it is a matter of the soul.

When a person dies their bodies become inanimate matter but their soul continues it's existence. How do the people who are doing the freezing plan to put the soul back into the thawed body? That's what I'd really like to have seen Barbara ask.

Simply Brilliant

Recently I have embarked on a four year reading program developed by Mark Dever and Michael J. Thate. I was led to the plan by D.A. Carson at a conference I attended in Fargo, ND. You can find the plan at the Gospel Coalition web site. Only being in the second month of the first year I'm still a newbie but I can say that I have enjoyed it so far. This month's read is Augustine's Confessions. I am enjoying the read very much and I came across a paragraph that I wanted to share. It is simply brilliant as it discusses the nature/depth of why sin is so offensive to God.

Book 2, Chapter 6, Paragraph 13:

For thus cloth pride imitate high estate, I whereas Thou alone art God, high above all. And what does ambition seek but honours and renown, whereas Thou alone art to be honoured above all, and renowned for evermore? The cruelty of the powerful wishes to be feared; but who is to be feared but God only,(Ps. lxxvi. 7.) out of whose power what can be forced away or withdrawn—when, or where, or whither, or by whom? The enticements of the wanton would fain be deemed love; and yet is naught more enticing than Thy charity, nor is aught loved more healthfully than that, Thy truth, bright and beautiful above all. Curiosity affects a desire for knowledge, whereas it is Thou who supremely knowest all things. Yea, ignorance and foolishness themselves are concealed under the names of ingenuousness and harmlessness, because nothing can be found more ingenuous than Thou; and what is more harmless, since it is a sinner's own works by which he is harmed? (Ps. vii. 15.) And sloth seems to long for rest; but what sure rest is there besides the Lord? Luxury would fain be called plenty and abundance; but Thou art the fellness and unfailing plenteousness of unfading joys. Prodigality presents a shadow of liberality; but Thou art the most lavish giver of all good. Covetousness desires to possess much; and Thou art the Possessor of all things. Envy contends for excellence; but what so excellent as Thou? Anger seeks revenge; who avenges more justly than Thou? Fear starts at unwonted and sudden chances which threaten things beloved, and is wary for their security; but what can happen that is unwonted or sudden to Thee? or who can deprive Thee of what Thou lovest? or where is there unshaken security save with Thee? Grief languishes for things lost in which desire had delighted itself, even because it would have nothing taken from it, as nothing can be from Thee.

Think about it a little..."And sloth seems to long for rest; but what sure rest is there besides the Lord?"

Calling Barry or Ron

Ok so it's Super Tuesday and I'm as excited as anticipating tuna casserole for supper. Political overload has hit way too early for me. They look good, they sound good but every "man on the street" type of interview just leaves me scratching my head. I know that the media wades through the people they interview to get the one reaction they want so I don't fall for it being "mainstream." But good-googly-moogly some voters do not make sense to me.

All is not lost though. I believe firmly in Christian people participating in the political arena. I believe firmly in prayer to God for the right choices to be made for our governing officials. And I, with my whole heart, believe that God ordains governing bodies. I submit to His will for our elections and trust in His grace and goodness while still doing my part by voting, praying and following His self revelation in Scripture.

I was just hoping for somone more like Barry Goldwater or Ronald Reagan rather than Barry Gibb or Ronald McDonald. Just needed to get that off my chest.

Al Franken in Minnesota

If you go to NEWSMAX.COM and sign up your e-mail for their Newsmax Insider report there is a funny little blurb on Al and has bid for the Senate seat now occupied by Norm Coleman. We don't hear much about this in Minnesota and considering that most of the people I know in MN are registered DFL voters I am very interested in seeing what they decide here in a few weeks. Wonder if my local CBS, NBC, ABC affiliate will cover it?

Pastors and Politics

Here's a link that is very enlightening. If you're a pastor read it...if you know a pastor, print it out and give it to him.

http://www.newsmax.com/falwell/church_politics/2008/01/18/65600.html

Furthermore, look over to the left of this page and take the poll on whether or not it's important to you that 'your church' has a tax-exempt status? Just a quirk of mine.

Ooops...I filtered it too

Found this on the web recently. Thought it was worth a link.

http://newsweek.washingtonpost.com/onfaith/prayingfields/2007/12/tebow_talks_god_and_media_igno.html

I'm not sure exactly what to think about this. So as I consider how this applies to loving God with my whole mind. I know that I can tell you how I feel. Which would be loving God with my whole heart.

First I am glad that Tebow claimed that Jesus was his Lord and Savior. It seems to me that when a professional athlete experiences their fifteen seconds of fame they should witness of their saving faith. I can also extend grace to Tebow. He didn't claim the forgiveness of his sins by the completed work of the Cross but I guess that is wrapped up in his "title" for Jesus...his Lord and Savior.

The problem the "saved" face today is that most people who aren't "saved" don't have the foggiest idea nor most likely do they really care to be "saved." "Saved from what?" In all fairness to Tebow didn't have time to enter into a conversation about salvation with the news media so should he have kept his faith quiet...no he shouldn't have but the idea that the authors of the article were putting forward was their personal dismay at the media ignoring Tebow's comment.

Second I feel pity for the columnists. Is this news to you? Whining about not being invited to the prom by the Main Stream Media is a colossal waste of time. Maybe the authors of the article could have helped Tebow out and presented the rest of the Gospel. They commit the same error that they claim the media made the day after Tebow won the Heisman. They filtered his message.

Mixed Emotions

Yesterday and today during the morning news shows we watched Hilary Clinton get a bit choked up when she was asked, "How do you keep so upbeat and positive?" with refernce to the defeat in Iowa and all the nasty campaign adds being run against her in NH. She responded by saying how passionately she believes in how effective she could be to bring about change and how that with her it was personal.

Now compare that to her appearance on the ABC debate Saturday night. During a response by John Edwards which followed an emotionally charged response by Barack Obama wherein both claimed to be personally motivated to see real change happen in Washington Hilary proceeded to throw up her hand at the two men and proclaim, "Let's get real." Personal passion wasn't enough on Saturday night according to the Senator from NY...experience mattered. Her experience. She was seen as strong and forceful by the media on Sunday but I suspect that the NH voters, as well as many other Americans, weren't so impressed with her show of strength and thus the "change" of heart on Monday.

Yes, I am making a political point but I would like to press the point of "heart" even further. I am beginning to consider the fact that because of such a huge media glut, from the mainstream media, to cable outlets, to the blogosphere, to mobile news and yes even print media the average American interested in such things is less likely to be duped by the run of the mill flip-flop. Further, the lack of integrity and authenticity is seen immediately for what it is and it is no longer tolerated. Yes people can change and yes people can "grow" but when it smacks of expediency...well, "That dog won't hunt."

This is something that we have been experiencing within the body of Christ for a long time. From the Fall to the Flood to the Prophets to the Gospels and beyond the individuals that claim the label lovers of God (i.e. Christ follower) those who are not authentic and that lack integrity are seen for what they truely are...white washed tombs full of dead men's bones. We who love God can't fake it, nor should we try. That doesn't mean we are perfect. It means we shouldn't pretend to be. Loving God with our whole hearts isn't political expediency...well it isn't about expediency at all.

Returning

Well it has been many months since I have even thought about blogging. Most, if not all the people who linked to this blog have deleted it. And that's ok. There have a been a few personal circumstances recently that have brought me back. You are free to read the archives although those posts are culturally dated.

My intention in returning should become clear over the next few posts. If you want to comment feel free. I have the moderator engaged so that spamming will be blocked. I will review any and all comments, positive or negative, and permit them to be read. If they need editing I reserve the right to do so.

Thanks for stopping by and come again soon. You can e-mail any post to a friend and have them stop by as well.