The Marvelous Message

  I will be preaching on the Armor of God very shortly this evening. In Ephesians 6:10-18, there is much described regarding such "armor" that the believer must put on, in order to stand firm against the temptations of the devil. In my study, I have been overwhelmed and overjoyed at the ultimate conclusion that I have found. Invariably taking up the armor of God is not by daunting practices or daily principles, but it is in the Divine Person of Jesus Christ. We must put on Christ, for He is made unto us our, “...wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption.” (1 Corinthians 1:30) Every Facet of the Christian Life is Found in Jesus Christ alone. May this be a blessing to you and a battle cry for all Christians as 2011 comes to a close.

      “Dustin, I said no.” Dustin looked at the toy that he held in his hand, grumbling over his father's decision to not purchase it, and then threw the toy on the ground in defiance. Immediately his father administered due justice by popping him on his rear. Though only five years of age, Dustin howled in humiliation. “Dustin, you need to learn to not throw fits like that. I love you but...” “Excuse me sir!” Dustin's dad looked over the next aisle of the store and saw a short, chubby woman glaring at him. “Yes?” She put her hands on her hips in disgust and bellowed, “How dare you hit that poor defenseless kid! You should be ashamed hurting him like that. That's no way to be a good parent!” The woman then muttered a few more words at the father of which are not appropriate to write. With a stern look and a sincere tone, Dustin's father said, “Ma'am. I appreciate your care over my sons well-fare, but I can assure you that I am not abusing him. This 'harsh pu

As of late there has been a lot of talk over Tim Tebow. It started as hype over what he could offer for the Bronco’s offense this year. It has now become an onslaught of not only discouraging remarks over his skills, but also fierce ridicule over his “practice” of faith on the field. What disparages me is not the doubt over his abilities or even the criticism of some of his Quarterback tactics (This is professional talk), but the fact that there has been a storm of foolish gests called “Tebowing,” which was supposedly made up to be humorous (This is punk antics). It seems a subtle attempt to get laughs, but the very fact that it has gained momentum in America and has been so widely laughed over and talked about by news and sports media alike proves that the thorn in the flesh of many Americans is “showy” Christianity. I will admit that Tim has not played well. I will admit also that he should not be too surprised that some have intolerantly labeled him as a funny/fanatic Christian,

As another week turns the page of my life’s story, I am reminded of a recent article from Yahoo.com that left a burden on my heart and a headache in my mind (Of course, there are many articles on Yahoo that leave me feeling this way). However, this one left me wondering whether such an ideological farce would invade the American courts. I found a similar article, not from yahoo, but it conveys the same idea. There is an interesting video above that relates to the article below. The video reveals what this man, who deals with many divorce cases, thinks about the whole idea in Mexico (By the way, this guy hits the nail right on the head).  Villa Juarez, Mexico -- Mexico is considering allowing temporary marriages.  A proposed ordinance in Mexico City would allow engaged couples to decide how long their marriage will last. More traditional couples could still choose "till death do us part."  But those who don't expect to stay married forever... Could set an end

 (IN NO WAY DO I ENDORSE THIS VIDEO. ON THE CONTRARY, I REPROVE IT, AS YOU WILL SOON READ.) What I find interesting about this video is that Penn Jillette, an ardent atheist, feels he has some great authority to announce that “there is no God.” He makes this statement with certainty to the billions who understand that creation did not simply happen without Intelligent Design. He makes this statement in light of the hundreds of scientists who have realized that our world cries out for a great Creator. Amazingly enough, Penn seems to think he has every right to demolish any trace of God without giving any reason for it whatsoever. He wants the viewers to accept him in total faith and turn from their….well, faith. His message in general diminishes the reality of God and the role of the government and uplifts a non-authoritative age where everyone respects one another and loves one another (as long as they hold to the right teachings and not some pomp religious trash), while “being re

"I am against religion because it teaches us to be satisfied with not understanding the world."  - Richard Dawkins       Richard Dawkins is a huge proponent for God out of schools, daily readings, conversations, practically in every aspect of life he believes that the notion of God is useless and harmful to one's intellect (I am amazed how much he consistently argues against a Deity, especially the God of the Bible, though it is supposedly a waste of breath to do so). So now we have taken God out of public education in America. We have wiped Him off the charts of science, defamed His book as a fairy tale, and implanted every theory known to mankind regarding how the universe and life came about. So, what's to show for it? What does this evolutionary filled, religion criticizing  generation reveal? Have we tapped into the annals of knowledge by slowly pushing God out of His own universe? Mr. Dawkins would like for everyone to think this. This is a copy of what is post

Satan’s Fables (The arguments I have heard before) Christianity is evil. Think about the DARK AGES where people with free thought were killed, because they would not conform to Church doctrine! Think of Galileo and those other rational people! It was truly the dark ages, but it was not because of Christianity. The true gospel holds to no hierarchy of man or to mans own merit for salvation. In fact, it was not the Dark Ages because people were not allowed to go against God’s Word, but quite the opposite. The Bible was very much suppressed by the Catholic Church and kept from the common people. It was a terrible age because God’s Word did not have free reign in the hearts of minds of the people. Roman Catholicism at its best is a man made religious monopoly. People who sought to know the truth of God’s Word were told that it could only be interpreted rightly by a priest. If somehow they got passed that system and questioned the pope’s teachings in comparison to God’s Wo

Bethany's Church sign this week reads Don't Be Too Busy to Miss God's Blessings. If I could describe this generation in one word, it would have to be busy . So often I find myself getting strapped down to the rigorous routine of life, finding that at the end of the day all I have to show for it is a worrisome mind and a stress filled heart. Always fully in motion, but never truly moving forward. The rat race spills over into my spiritual walk and all that was wholesome, joyful, and uplifting becomes monotonous rhetoric, haphazard reading, and clumsy living. Numerous times I have had to fall on my face from "running the race" to realize that the race will never be finished through busy running, but through blessed rest. It's not just by pacing, but by patience. This may seem like a paradox, and indeed it is, yet Christianity is about the impossible becoming possible. The gospel is powerful and paradoxical. Just as we in reverence begin to dwell on the truth

 I have been so disheartened as of late seeing, reading, and hearing about many people who have not only doubted what once they "professed" to believe, but ultimately end up rejecting God. Prominent anti-theists such as Richard Dawkins and Christopher Hitchens has for many years sought to wipe the notion of a Deity out of the world. Evolution is heralded as science, while the belief and study that the world was Created seems to have no merit in this day. You are a scientist as long as you embrace Darwinistic teaching and utterly repudiate any idea of ID (Intelligent Design). Sadly, if Darwin could have fully grasped the complexity of one living cell, I do not believe he would have been so foolish to assume that out of primordial soup triggered by electric energy life could have somehow been made. Still, you have many scientists that are willing to hold to the view that an advanced alien race planted a "seed" of life on this earth and then just said, "Have fun

Throughout my life, I have experienced times of seeming hopelessness. When I was 11, I experienced the pain of losing my granddad. He died of a heart attack. In that same year, I watched in despair as my father drove away from our home in North Carolina and back to Pennsylvania. Both my mother and father had large disagreements, but in a way, both were also in pain. At 11 years old, I felt the piercing of real heartache. Before, hardships were simple, ever quickly coming and going without really doing much damage to my fun childhood. I will never forget the one statement my mom told to me, after such tragedies happened, "You will always have a Heavenly Father to care for you." I was not saved, but I kept these words dear to my heart.  Just before the discouraging year ended, my brother and I were invited to ride the church bus. For years, we had not been to church, but this time we went. Only a few months after riding, I received Jesus into my broken heart. I do not remem