Vacation Bible School in October???

Yes–Sort of.

Stoney Point Baptist Church (1980 Stony Point Rd, Knoxville, TN 37914) is having October Bible School.  It is similar to VBS except that it is being held every Wednesday night in October.  It starts with a free supper at 6 pm with the Worship Rally starting at 6:45 pm with classes, crafts, and activities to follow.  We have classes for all ages and would love to see you there.

This year’s theme is “My God Rocks–Who is God to You?”

Please leave a comment if you would like more information.

The Vols Beat Themselves–Again

I have a great dislike for losing.  Whether I’m playing a board game or basketball, I want to win.  However, I understand that losing is part of life.  The way in which I lose makes a big difference in how aggravated I am.  This always goes for the teams that I root for.

The way my beloved Tennessee Volunteers are losing right now is as ridiculous as it is aggravating.

Costly mistakes, ineffectiveness, and not capitalizing on good field position are causing the Vols to lose games.  More than that, they are causing their fans to lose hope and confidence that things can get better.

Hope is the thing that keeps people coming back even when losses occur.  I can still have some level of excitement after a loss if we played well and it looks as though we may be able to improve.  Right now, that hope is gone.

I will be a Vol fan regardless of what happens the rest of the season.  But it would be nice to have a little hope, as well.

Ray Boltz is Gay (Part 2)

Now that I have gotten over my initial shock and sadness upon hearing the news that Ray Boltz has announced that he is gay, I feel up to put more of my thoughts down about it.  Here they are in no particular order:

1.  I still believe that homosexual behavior is a sin.  Note that I said “a sin” and not “the sin.”  It seems that for a large number of believers, homosexuality is the only sin that gets noticed.  So many tend to forget that rudeness, lustfulness, gluttony (ouch), and so many other things are mentioned as being sins in the pages of Scripture as well. 

2.  Homosexual desire, however, is not a sin anymore than a desire to abuse drugs is a sin.  Unfortunately, we have not talked about this enough in “Christian circles.”  If someone stood up in a group of Christians and said that he was struggling with a desire to use cocaine, we would rally around him and pray for him.  If someone else stood up in a group of Christians and said that he was struggling with a homesexual desires, I doubt the response would be the same.  Unfortunately, instead of rallying and praying many would turn their back and gossip.

3.  It is irrelevant to me to discuss whether people are ”born gay” or whether it is a “choice.”  A lot of hateful words are used when this topic is discussed and it does no good.  Those who believe being gay is a choice rarely change and those who believe being gay is something you have wired into you from birth rarely change.  I believe that we are all born with sinful natures/sinful desires.  The question is this:  What are Christians to do with their sinful desires?  As I understand the Bible, the answer is to acknowledge the desires as sinful and strive (with God’s great help) to overcome them.  This involves “dying to self” on a daily basis and choosing the hard road of denying our sinful impulses over and over again. 

4.  Believers should pray for Ray Boltz.  However, we should remember that everyone sins–so we should be praying for ourselves and everyone else to make choices that are pleasing to God.

5.  The idea that Boltz is being finally being pleasing to God because he is living the way he was created as a gay man is not a biblical idea.  God did create us, yes.  However, sin has perverted God’s original plan for us.  It is in following Christ that we fulfill God’s purpose for our lives.  To follow Christ requires repentance from sin and a determination to live a life that is pleasing to God and His will, not pleasing to ourselves and our sinful nature.

There is, of course, much more that could be said regarding this issue.  I may (or may not) address it again in a few days.  In the meantime, please know that I do not have all of the answers.  Actually, I’m sure that I don’t even have all of the questions.  I am just a person seeking the truth.

Feel free to leave comments.  I will post all of them (even those I disagree with) as long as they stay respectful.

Ray Boltz is Gay

Ray Boltz (well known for his songs such as “Thank You,” “Watch the Lamb,” “The Anchor Holds,” and “I Pledge Allegiance to the Lamb”) is gay.

He “came out” the other day.  You can read the article here:  http://www.washingtonblade.com/print.cfm?content_id=13258.  I normally wouldn’t have a link to a “gay and lesbian news source,” but in this case I felt like I couldn’t get around it.

This news causes me some sadness.  I don’t feel like writing much more about how I feel about homosexuality.  If you want to know more about my thoughts about homosexuality, see a previous post here: http://seekingpastor.wordpress.com/2008/02/14/an-irrelevant-question-about-homosexuality/.

Since ”Thank You” is one of my favorite songs and several other Boltz songs are loved by many, there is a new question on my mind.  Should people who believe homosexuality to be a sin still sing and play those songs?

To some of you this may be a silly question.  To others, you know that it will cause many to struggle.  My thoughts:  If a song glorifies God, it is ok to sing and play it no matter who wrote it or who made it popular. 

Share your thoughts if you would like.

(please see part 2 by clicking here: http://seekingpastor.wordpress.com/2008/09/17/ray-boltz-is-gay-part-2/.)

Letting God Be God

I don’t give up easily, but have decided to do so.  I’m giving up on changing anyone.  There-I’ve said it; it’s off my chest.  Cleverly crafted arguments don’t work, a preponderance of logic doesn’t work, and relentless attacks don’t work.  Sure, there may be some short-term changes due to these types of things.  But long-term, all of it is useless.

You know what works?  Letting God be God. 

Plain, simple, and effective.  He has been changing the hearts and minds of everyone from rulers to reprobates for a few thousand years.  Why would I think that He has now for some strange reason decided to alter course and have us mere humans be responsible for this activity?  He has not done so, nor should He, nor would He.

Does discord abound in your family?  Let God be God.  Is someone you love travelling down a wrong path?  Let God be God.  Is there turmoil in your life?  Let God be God.

I understand that we have a role to play in all of this.  We must do those things that God has told us and shown us to do (pray, meditate upon His Words, show the love of Christ, etc.), but we can not change anyone.  That is God’s realm.  Let Him rule it.

Doing this will free you to simply be obedient to Him without harboring feelings of guilt because you haven’t been able to change those you hold so dear.  It’s a great weight to remove from your shoulders.

9/11 and Change

Just a few days ago, on September 11th, I heard several give exhortation to “never forget.”  I don’t believe I could if I tried.  That day 7 years ago will be forever etched in my memory.  It seems as though I walked in a fog after the tragedy and for several days thereafter. 

I also heard people talk about the change that those events wrought.  I guess that it did change many things.  It made us more aware of terrorism and of the evil thoughts of those who have no regard for life-not even their own.  We (Americans) woke up to the fact that we are not as safe as we thought.  From this event two wars sprang forth–the one in Afghanistan and the other in Iraq. 

Unfortunately, there were some changes that did not last.  Immediately after those tragic events, there was far less divisiveness.  People on the right and on the left became united as they were charged with leading during dangerous times.  There seemed to be unity in the last place you would expect–Washington, D.C. 

Also right after 9/11/01, there was a renewed interest in spritituality/religion/Christianity.  Some churches stayed open so people could pray.  Most of the churches I knew about saw more people in their worship services.  Even a local strip joint got into the act with a sign that said “30 Beautiful Ladies—God Bless America.”

Neither of those positive changes lasted, however.  It wasn’t long before the political arena became about what it is always about–power and how to get more of it.  The unity was short-lived as the right and left split from each other.  I expected that reversal.  It was the other change that I hoped would last.  Of course, it didn’t.

Of those wh flooded into churches after those days, only a small percentage remained long-term.  Prayers for our country, our leaders, and our soldiers slowly became less fervent.  The interest in becoming people who diligently seek God waned.

It is depressing to see what it takes to get people to turn to God and how quickly so many abandon the One who can bring the healing that we need.  I pray that those who follow Christ will remain committed to following after Him in good times and in bad.

“Christian Rock”–the Early Years

Check this video out-http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7-NOZU2iPA8 .  I can’t help help but love this.  It makes me smile.

Many thanks to www.dankimball.com for “discovering” this.

I Pledge Allegiance to…….

It is around this time every 4 years that some people begin talking about the presidential election as though the future of the world hangs in the balance.  I understand how easy it is to begin thinking this way.  But with all due respect, I must point out something.

JESUS IS STILL ALIVE!

It is Christ who is in control. 

If Obama is the next President of the United States of America–JESUS IS STILL KING. 

If McCain is the next Presisdent of the United States of America—JESUS IS STILL KING.

The politicians will do whatever they think they need to do, but they can not take the place of the Savior.

So, before you pledge your allegiance to Obama, McCain, or even this country, make sure that you first and foremost pledge your allegiance to the KING OF ALL–Jesus Christ, the Lord.

The fate of the world does not hang in the balance with this election.  The fate of the world is in the capable, awesome, loving hands of Jesus.  Right where it belongs.

I Pledge Allegiance to the Lamb of God, the Son of God, the Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End, the Risen King, the Savior, My Friend, the Lover of my sould—KING JESUS!

Too Distracted to Love

The TV is on

There is nothing good to watch.

But still, we watch.

The radio is blaring

With songs that deaden our souls.

But still, we listen.

Wherever we are

there is noise.

And we take it all in.

Thoughts race through

Our minds and we ponder

things that mean nothing.

They are suffering

While we are distracted.

Our children, our friends,

Our enemies, the outcasts.

Maybe having the mind

Of Christ occurs when we

Rid ourselves of the clutter

And make important what

He says is important.

Maybe then we will

Quit allowing ourselves

To be distracted and

Actually do some good

Before we die.

Some Good Preaching

Unfortunately, there is plenty of not-so-good preaching to be found on television, on radio, and via the internet these days.  I hesitate somewhat to say it quite like that because I am not one to stand in judgement of these things–only God can do that.  What I mean when I say this is that there seems to be many preachers who care more for being cool or hip or cutting-ege than they care about being true to Scripture.  Also, there seems to be many who are not genuine.  There lips are saying many good things, but their hearts do not appear to be in the right place.

Of course, I do not know their hearts.  Hopefully all that proclaim the Word of God are living faithfully to the Word of God.  My first prayer is for myself.  I pray that my life is in tune with God and His perfect will.  I pray that I do not get in the way of the Kingdom of God and that I remain faithful to the words found in the Bible. 

I know that there are plenty of good preachers out there, but I want to pass along a website where you can see/hear good men proclaiming God’s Word effectively.  Check out Watson Chapel Baptist Church’s website at www.watsonchapel.net.  Click where it says podcasts.  This will take you to a place where you can click on sermons from their pastor, Russ Cooper.  Also, scroll down a little and you will see sermons from my friend, Don Pierson.  Great Stuff.

More importantly, find a local church where God’s Word is preached and taught faithfully.  There are many out there–go and let God speak to you through His preached Word.