Pastor Bud Stonebraker

Baggage Handler

2011-11-08T22:15:00.000-10:00

When I was in high school we all took this test to see what we should become after graduation. It was a long questionnaire about what you liked and didnt like to help you choose your career path. After I finished my test I wondered what Hawaii's public school system thought I should be. Well??

A baggage handler.

Now that may be a great job for some but all I could think of was that commercial with the gorilla throwing the suitcases around. What, was I just a gorilla? Is that the highest level I could ever reach?

Today after church I realized I had become exactly that. I am a baggage handler. Person after person shared their hurts and frustrations. life tends to beat us up. time weighs heavy on our souls. Sins past and present leave a indelible mark on us. We are scarred. We have baggage.

I don't think of myself as a particularly great pastor. I care for people and I love to teach the word, but sometimes I feel like I have enough of my own issues to deal with. Nevertheless God called me to do this. But I have found that bearing others' burdens is not so hard. Listening and praying and encouraging is like taking someone's baggage. And how we need to let it go. Jesus invited the weary and heavy burdened to come to Him. God has a heart for people who have baggage. And even though Jesus is the greatest burden bearer of all we can all handle someone elses bags now and then. Bear one anothers burdens and thus fulfill the law of Christ.

Bad Religion

2011-08-29T08:36:00.002-10:00

Sitting at the airport in Amsterdam I had thoughts flowing through my mind about the reputation of this city. Amsterdam is well known for its liberal leanings especially its hashish bars and window prostitutes. And even though the airport is quite pleasant I still pondered the American spiral in the same direction. Sitting at a table across from me was a young guy and girl. He sat with his head splayed out on the table asleep. He wore a torn up denim jacket and a curly unkept mohawk dyed purple blue and yellow. The girl's face was buried in her cellphone, her oily hear strung down covering her features. It seemed like she was his Nancy and he her Sid. "Where could these two kids be headed?" I wondered, "and what could their punk, counter culture life be like here in Europe?"

Just then their dad walked up. A successful looking man with wire rimmed glasses and a trimmed beard, sort of your poly-sci/sociology professor look. I was wrong. These weren't punk rock Euro travelers but a couple of American kids traveling with their mom and dad (mom showed up too). As they got up to head to their gate I could see that dad had a loving relationship with his kids, chatting and bantering as they left.

I wondered if they were Jewish too. Why? Aside from their appearance and liberality with their kids they reminded me of my in-laws, very generous with their kids loving their freedom of expression even if it was generally rebellious. Well that, and the fact that as the kid got up to walk away with his dad I could see his denim jacket more clearly. Under a cross with a circle and slash through it (the universal symbol of prohibition) were the words, "Bad Religion." Of course the kid was celebrating the band Bad Religion but it occurred to me that a jacket essentially saying "No Christianity" would more likely be accepted in a non believers home, like a Jewish home. Who knows. I could be wrong. After all, I was wrong about the kids being punkers from Amsterdam.

Still the boldness of that statement emblazoned with embroidery on denim stuck in my mind. Who would reject the cross? Don't people know about the cross of Jesus and what He did there for humankind? No they don't. "One day that boy may love the cross. He may come to Jesus and embrace the cross" I thought to myself. And it was then that I realized that this kid was basically saying aloud what all people silently believe. They might not put it on their shirts, but the whole world hates the idea of the cross. It is repulsive. To die to yourself or to celebrate the sacrifice of Jesus is anathema. From the most prim and proper businessman to the beautiful model to the housewife or the punk kid who rejects Christ. They might as well broadcast a cross with a slash through it because human nature rejects the cross. You could put it up in lights at Times Square to show the true heart of mankind. That kid was not an anomaly but a herald of the human condition. He is honest about what others secretly feel; "No Christ, no Cross, no Christianity."

Jesus said that if we want to follow Him we would have to take up the cross. The flesh says, "No" but its only when we die with Christ that we truly begin to live. Anything less than the cross is bad religion.

Sudan Update 8/22--Who will set the captives free?

2011-08-22T17:51:00.000-10:00

Yesterday was a long and great day. We started with prayer at around 6am. We have been doing that for an hour or so since we got here and it has been a sweet time. I was asked to speak for their Sunday morning service and I was glad to do so. After all, I came a great distance and I want to give and serve as much as I can. Teaching the Bible is the main area that I came to minister in. Hopefully when I am all done here I will have taught over a dozen times. Church was fun. The choir sang and danced for about a half hour. I wish we had that kind of energy in our American churches. I did my best to encourage the people out of Hebrews 4:16 -Let us come boldly to the Throne of Grace.
Later in the day me and Ed Gaunt took a walk through Nimule. Ed is a big guy, 6'5" and well over 300lbs. Needless to say, these Sudanese are fascinated by white men. They stare and whisper as you walk by. Now they are friendly and as you wave to them they wave back, but they can be scary looking at first. The children will run out of their tukuls (huts) yelling "kawaja kawaja" hoping to shake hands with you. After church they would line up just to touch you and then run away only to circle around and get in line again for another handshake. They can't understand the hair on your arms. It is so weird to them. They have smooth hairless skin.
Ed and I walked a few miles for exercise and sightseeing. When we got up to the jail we turned around and headed back. Ed says he has put men in that jail and taken them out. In all the years (over 10) they have never fixed the jail. As we stood there looking at this stone windowless dungeon we could smell the urine from across the street. Then a hand reached out of the slits near the roof and from inside a man yelled, "Eh Muzungu, eh muzungu." That is the Ugandan word for "white man." Here in Africa I am either Kawaja or Muzungu. Someone in prison was calling out for help. There was nothing we could do but I thought of how appropriate that was as a metaphor. We stand in the world looking at the dungeon of sin, smelling the stench of guilt and wrecked lives. Then a hand reaches out and we hear a call for help. Will you hear that call and preach the gospel to set the captives free?

When we got back to the FRM base we set about to paint the church. The whole place is buzzing with activity for tomorrow's graduation. After the youth and choir finished washing the walls and concrete floors we repainted. It is fun painting with Africans eager to help but with very little skill with a paintbrush. Imagine growing up never painting, sketching, drawing or doing anything that we are used to. It would be hard for them to vacuum or set up an email account. They all have cell phones now which is interesting.

What they can do is amazing, especially the women. I don't think I have ever seen women as strong as these. They will pump water up from a well 200 feet deep and put a 6 gallon jerry can on their head and one in each hand and walk a half mile like that. Many have been hired by the ministry here to feed the chaplains and care for the property. I see the young men hauling water early in the morning so that we can shower and flush the toilets. The women boil water and prepare tea before it is light at around 5am and then they are serving dinner late into the evening. FRM is very generous with them and they are able to provide for their families but they are so hard working it is amazing. On the other hand so many of the men are absolutely worthless. In the village areas men will just get drunk and play dominoes all day. It is sad and shows the need for the growth of the church and training of men like the chaplains here.

Before dinner I sat down with Peter Agoth, a chaplain who is 28 years old. He joined the army when he was 14. Many of these men went in the service to fight for their country at a tender age. The youngest they allow is 12. I asked the man on the other side when he joined. Also at 14. Peter comes from a family of nine children, three girls and six boys. He is now one of the three left alive. He has two brothers and the rest died as children by the age of 11 from disease. He is from the Dinka tribe. The Dinka are a very noble looking people. Both the men and women are very tall and lithe. The women look like queens. Maybe that is why a Dinka bride is the most expensive. Other women cost between 3-5 cows to marry, but the Dinka are 100 cows. It is their custom as a cattle raising tribe, but it makes it difficult for a young man like Peter to marry. He just can't afford it especially now that his sisters are dead. He could have used the dowry paid for them but now it seems he will never marry a Dinka woman. That is ok for Peter. He is willing to marry from any of the 66 tribes in Southern Sudan. He even offered some cattle for one of my daughters. They say if I was Dinka here with four daughters I would be a rich man. Don't worry I didn't accept the offer. Many Dinka practice scarring on their foreheads around to the back. Even some women do this as a rite of passage.

We are excited about the graduation that will happen today and know the men will be so proud to celebrate their hard work over this past year.

I have so many great pictures but the internet we use at the UN camp down the road is so slow. You'll have to wait until I come home for the full visual experience.

--Jesus Lives,
Bud

Sudan 8/19 blog-They Preach Without Fear

2011-08-19T09:44:00.000-10:00

Friday August 19:
Yesterday I got up and ran the PT with the chaplains at around 6am. It was fun with their whistling, hollering and singing as we ran down the gravel road through Nimule. It was a cool and misty morning, almost like a fog had settled down on us. I think the men really appreciate when we westerners take interest in them. I got to meet and learn alot about a few of the men. Later that day I was asked to fill in and do the teaching for the Genesis class. That was in the afternoon and I will be doing the same thing today. We have postponed the refresher course for another day until the rest of the guys make it in from the field. Now we are going to cover Ezra and Nehemiah for the guys. It is a perfect section as it deals with rebuilding the spiritual and physical walls of the nation. Sudan is rebuilding their nation after 30 years of war and persecution from the Muslim north. Almost all of these men have seen horrible conflict. Many have been shot, stabbed and blown up but survive to tell about it. One man, Lino, has been shot three times (once in each arm and once in the head). He showed me the scar on the top of his head. He was also tied up and stabbed repeatedly but escaped from his captors. Another man was carrying a pick nap sac yesterday. We had been joking around so I said, "I like your purse." He nodded and walked on and my friend Ed leaned over and said, "Bro, he has killed like fifty men." These guys are the toughest and bravest people I have ever met. When we had just arrived Wes told me that he was on the phone with one of their chaplains (Hochnoch-arabic for Enoch) in the Nuba mountains where the North had attacked a village. Hochnoch lost his wife and 11 other family members. He was having a hard time with it but was resolute to carry on and both defend his country and preach the gospel to his soldiers. The main goal of these chaplains is to get into the war zone and lead their men to Christ before they die. They will crawl up to soldier who are mortally wounded and tell them the gospel and lead them to Jesus before they die right there on the dirt. If you ask one of them what they fear the most they will tell you. They are afraid they won't reach people for Christ befoe they die. They are truly a different brand of believer than most pampered American Christians. They worship the Lord as if they could die tomorrow...because they could. They sing without shame. They love without reservation. They preach without fear. One man I met, Abdul Achman, was a Muslim before he turned to Jesus. They say that he will go anywhere, to any battlezone and he will share the gospel anywhere to anyone. Even though much of their fighting is against Muslim aggressors they want to convert Muslims. They have Muslims in their own Southern Sudan army. Thay want to win these men to Jesus too.

Now I am sitting under my mosquito net waiting to teach another class of Genesis. I am missing my wife and my kids, looking forward to getting home and pouring my life into them. Being away from my family highlights how precious time is.

He became poor for your sake so that you might become rich

2011-08-19T09:40:00.000-10:00

Wednesday afternoon August 17:
That was truly one of the most uncomfortable experiences I have ever had. Today I arrived at the Chaplains training base in Nimule, Southern Sudan. It's really cool here, built from the ground up over the years by Far Reaching. In the afternoon I decided to take a stroll trough town. Nimule is literally a border town. Two thirds of it is part of S Sudan and the other third is Uganda. It is the first stop on the way to Juba which is a booming town now that they have independence. I hear that there are 800 trucks passing through here every day with goods for Sudan. That makes Nimule a boom town, but also a little like the wild west. My walk took me out of the compound about a mile up the road. Every person I saw was gazing at me like I was from another planet. I might as well have been as they kept uttering "kawaja, kawaja" "white man white man." On the main road it was pretty awkward but then I ventured into the local marketplace. It was basically a bunch of huts with people selling candy and batteries out of their front porch area. The kids would yell and point and the adults would stare. Many of the men were drunk playing dominos. They were either curious or amazed but the feeling I got was that they we about to jump me at any minute. As I made my way through their huts I got the feeling I was right in the middle of their living room. Women did their laundry, naked kids with snot noses started following me. I passed the area where, between huts, they poo-ed. Then I came to a dead end. I had to turn back and take the whole route again to get back to where I came from. A young woman started asking me questions, "where are you from, what is your name?" as if to beckon me back to the dark doorway of her hut. This was not my world and there was no way I could blend in. I was out of place and felt in danger. It was then that I wondered what it was like for Jesus to come and walk among people. Not that I compared in any way to Him, but the strangeness and dirtiness all around me was awkward and strange. the Bible says, "He became poor for your sake so that you might become rich." what was it like for God who was in perfect glory to come down and step into our village? To be threatened and hit on and stared at? what was it like for God to be reduced to absolute obscurity of a Jewish village? To be a peasant? To be insignificant, but so rich in power and character so as to stand out? In light of my strange walk in Nimule I think the incarnation is the greatest miracle and act of humility there ever was. I'm thankful the Lord took a walk and embraced the uncomfortably and culture shock of this world.

Nimule, South Sudan 8/17

2011-08-19T09:37:00.000-10:00

Wednesday morning August 17:
It is wednesday night here at the Chaplains training base in Nimule. I got here yesterday but will have to wait till Friday to start my teaching. Once a year they have a refresher course where the men come in from the field for a sort of conference. This year they are coming together at graduation where the new class finishes their one year and are sent out to forward areas to encourage the soldiers. Amazingly the Western news has not mentioned anything about the brutal fighting happening in the North. The Muslim north has been attacking town along the new found border. Many men have been killed along with families and children. One area is evacuating 60,000 people. It is an incredible time for Sudan but it is coming at a cost.

I am a little anxious to begin teaching the men but we are awaiting them to all arrive. So far 60 have come for the refresher course and more are expected. With the graduating class of 60 there should be lots of men here on the base. It is incredible what they have done here. "Camp Hodge" sits on three acres and it is already looking to be too small for what the ministry needs. Aside from the daily activity of the chaplains, the Calvary Chapel services are filled to capacity on Sundays. I watched as the women's ministry hooted, hollered and danced their worship today. All the water is pumped from wells and electricity comes from a deisel generator at night. A few dogs roam the property along with a bunny and lots of lizards. It is walled with razor wire for security. You would hardly imagine how much security is needed in this wild part of the world. Just today I went to a river where a man was killed by the LRA a few years ago. Some boys were swimming naked in the muddy water a few feet from where he was cut down. Far Reaching put up fences to protect the chaplains' families nearby. Murder is more common than you'd think. Life is cheap in Africa. today it rained. Huge drops of rain thundered down. No thunderstorm is like an African thunderstorm.

Peter

2011-08-18T09:48:00.000-10:00

Peter (45) joined the SPLA when he was 17 years old. He wears distinct scarring on his forehead, lines that mark his tribal origin. But one scar on his left temple isn't self inflicted. Peter tells me how in 1992
while in combat he was hit in the face with an RPG. The rocket came from his left side hitting him square on the cheek/temple bone knocking him to the ground. He got up but fell right back to the ground again. Rising the second time he wondered if his head had been blown off. He felt all over to see of any parts were missing. His head was intact except for the blood. Not only did God spare his life, He saved his sight. He was only 25 at the time but already an officer in his platoon, Peter didn't tell his men what happened hoping to keep their morale high for the battle. The Muslims pressed through Juba forcing them out of the city. It was only by God's grace the SPLA survived those days to defend Southern Sudan later.

Mission to Sudan: arriving in Uganda

2011-08-14T21:53:00.002-10:00

I am here at the Far Reaching Ministries guest house in Kampala, Uganda. After an incredibly long journey it was nice to get a shower and sleep in a bed last night. I have to say that I love the technology that enabled me to talk with my wife via Skype while at the same time watching the UFC prelims on my ipad last night. Wow, the world has gotten smaller with tech. Anyway, my journey is not over. It has really only begun. Tomorrow we will take a small plane up to Nimule where FRM's chaplain training school is.

For those of you who don't know, FRM has been training chaplains for the Sudanese army for many years, first during their civil war when the Muslim north would raid, burn and kidnap millions of Christians in the south. from about 1980-2000 2 million people were killed and 4 million displaced by persecution and an attempt to take their oil rich land. Following a 10 year cease fire South Sudan voted for independence and as of July 2011 is an independent nation. Far Reaching Ministries has been here for all of it and has faithfully brought pastors over to teach these men the Word of God. It is my second trip and an honor to be with men and women who have endured such hardship for Christ.

Tomorrow I head up to their base in Nimule but today I get to kick back here in Uganda. I forgot how hard that flight is...6hrs to Seattle (7hr layover), 9.5hrs to Amsterdam (2hr layover), 9.5hrs to Entebbe (with a stop in Kigale) followed by an hour drive through Kampala. Look at me, writing it all out for sympathy. I left Friday night and arrived Sunday night. I just pray that the Lord will make it all worth while and bless the time I am here.

The weather is nice here. It is the cool season with moisture (boy could I use it after those flights dried up my sinuses). I hope the antibiotics I am taking kick in and knock this sickness out. I don't want to be weak and have to teach at half steam. Funny thing happened on the way over. I decided to just carry my bag instead of check it on the plane. After I passed through security I realized I had a couple of knives. They didn't even get them. Way to go TSA! Problem was that I had to go through another security in Amsterdam where they were discovered and taken. I almost got arrested too because one was close to being an illegal model in the Netherlands. That would have been an adventure huh? My new ministry to Dutch criminals in the Amsterdam prison system.

But now that I made it, I will be teaching a class of graduating chaplains up there in Sudan. I guess there will be about 60 of them. These are exciting times for Southern Sudan. Things are like a boom town in Juba (their capitol just near Nimule). It is called the capitol city but they still take the census by plane, counting the number of huts and estimating the population. I understand that they are buying up everything they can. SInce they have lots of money from the oil and no resources they pay top dollar for goods. In fact Kampala is out of sugar, the third most produced product in country, because Sudan has bought it all. Also they shut the power off in Kampala, city wide, every other day because Sudan is buying it at higher rates. They just can't keep up. Construction, business, politics, industry...it's all growing over there. I can only imagine how excited they are after all these years to finally be building their country instead of defending it or hiding for their lives.

I makes my teaching subject that much more appropriate. I have been asked to teach on the subject of Nehemiah. Nehemiah is about leadership in times of rebuilding. As God's people came back to rebuild Jerusalem the Lord raised up this man to build the walls of the city. What a great theme for those men; leadership to rebuild. Anyway I am praying how the Lord would lead me in that teaching and appreciate your prayers too.
Aloha from Uganda,
Bud

John 11:35 - "Jesus Wept"

2011-06-15T23:05:00.000-10:00

This is the shortest verse in the Bible but it sure speaks volumes. I have often wondered about this verse. The setting is the funeral of Lazarus. He had been dead and buried four days, but was Jesus crying because His friend Lazarus was gone? No, in a moment Jesus would raise Lazar from the dead. I believe Jesus wept as He saw the devastation that sin had caused in the world. The Bible says the wages of sin is death and here death had touched one more man -Lazarus. Look at the pain it caused for those around. Listen to the cries of those in agony? Jesus weeps with them even though the resurrection was right around the corner.

You know, Jesus cares when we hurt. He hurts with us. The resurrection is around the corner but He still sees the pain that sin and death cause. This is why He hates sin so much. It is not because sin is toxic to Him or like His kryptonite that He can't let it pollute Him. God hates sin because of the havoc it wreaks on the human life. He weeps seeing the pain sin causes.

I have seen that recently in my work as a pastor. I spent the last week and a half counseling a couple who has marital problems. Over the hours of hearing both sides I became overwhelmed with the mountain of sin they have committed toward God and each other. Jesus weeps in my heart. I see the caustic pollutant that sin really is and I hate it. I see the joy and purity of holiness and I love it. I cling to it. I want more of it in my own life.

The problem with people are that they are grossly wicked. People would rather lie and manipulate that repent and take responsibility. When you mediate between two people, often times they will both try to manipulate you. This means they will lie to you and exaggerate the other's faults to gain sympathy. They will subtly praise you and generously thank you for how "humble" and "spiritual" you are. For me, I have been a pastor for many years and I was in politics for years as well, I recognize spin. I know a lie right away. Interestingly I am not hurt by the lies. I am puzzled and curious as to why people continue to cling to their sin when it is destroying their lives.

Sin that brings death. Sin that comes with pain and broken relationships. Sin that eats a person's heart and gnaws on their soul till they are living dead, numb from the pain, indifferent and desperate. Do they know that Jesus wept? Do they know that He is calling them, like Lazarus, to step out of the tomb? DO they know Jesus is calling them to life?

21 day fast

2011-02-28T18:40:00.000-10:00

This is my journal from a fast I finished one month ago. It was the longest I had gone but probably not as long as i will go in the future. I thoroughly enjoyed it and would highly recommend it for anyone. I hope this can help anyone who is considering a fast.

After a week:
I wanted to blog about fasting since I am in the middle of one and have found it to be a blessing so far. I have begun to plan it in Hungary in December. The new year was coming, I needed to choose a direction for the church, i felt clogged physically and spiritually. I think it was just taking too much stuff into my system. Physically that meant eating and spiritually that meant, entertainment, news and games on the computer. Whatever it was I was stagnate. I wanted to set aside a time where i could shut off the fleshly part of my life and give myself a control+alt+delete, a restart.

The first week back in Hawaii was designed to lighten my need for caffeine and start to cut the carbs. I cut out caffeine too so you know it's a true purge... I have found it helpful to wean off of carbs for a few days before stopping all food intake. Sugars and white processed flour makes you hunger like nothing else but once you get that out of your blood you seem to have power and control over e doughnut cravings.

For me, I cheat a little by splurging on the protein in that week. I go Atkins for about five days, the whole deal, bacon, cheese, eggs, cream and sugar free jello. I figure, why not it's tough enough with carb cravings, I might as well enjoy the bacon.

Then fast days come. To make it easier I like to drink fiber in the morning. You want to keep your bowels moving over the course of the fast. There are all kinds of toxins built up that will be released and dislodged fro the insides and you want to move that out. I drink sugar free orange flavored metamucil or some other brand fiber sometimes mixed in with psyllium husks. I do it to start the day, first thing in the morning. I am immediately full for the next few hours and don't have hardly any cravings. But I should say I follow the fiber with a treat.

I know treats aren't usually part of fasting but I figure, whatever makes it easier so long as I am doing it. Here's what I do; I drink a cup of grain coffee. Grain coffee is a coffee substitute made from an assortment of nuts and grains like, almonds acorns figs dates carob and chicory. When I first went off caffeine i read about it as a healthier substitute than decaf coffee. My wife and I found Teechino brand to be outstanding. I must say thought that getting caffeine out can be painful and difficult. There are the headaches and cloudiness, a malaise that you have to press through to come into the bliss of clear caffeine free thinking. I had some black tea in those first few days (along with advil) to ease my journey.

The immediate results are great. I have to say I love fasting. It is so good for me. I like the me that I am when I'm starving the flesh. I think more clearly. I feel more spiritually lucid and able to pray with ease. When I worship or meditate its not hard to stay in that place of stillness. I notice when I speak with others i am less uptight and more gregarious. I smile more. I laugh more.

I asked my mom to trim my hair since it was starting to mullet in the back. She was set on using her trimming clippers as opposed to the scissors and the result was disastrous. It was butchered and my hair looked terrible. My dad thought it'd be funny to hum the "Deliverance" song because i looked like a hillbilly. She'd even lost control of the clippers and gouged out a big strip. Instead of being upset I laughed till my stomach hurt. We all did and I think they were as surprised as I was that I wasn't upset. I went ahead and shaved my whole head.

In the early phase i find that my mind is a little blank at times. I can't remember bigger words when I hope to impress friends and I locked my keys in my car. Im not sure if that's just the first week or what. That's where I am, almost done with a week without food and 12 pounds lighter. That's the other benefit of starving, you lose weight. And though it is not my primary motivation it is a nice extra. My energy levels are moderate. My mind is clear (though sometimes absent) and there is a trickling of new joy flowing into my life. I am looking forward to the coming weeks.

Week 2
I am in the middle of week two and have noticed some interesting things. My sense of smell has dramatically increased. I cannot remember smelling so clearly. And it's not just that food is so interesting now, though when my wife cooks I can taste the flavor through my nose, it is heightened. I could smell the vitamins on the table the other day. It's really neat. In fact my whole nasal area seems much clearer.

One problem with fasting is that you want to tell everybody about your fast, how you feel, what day your on, how much weight you've lost, how clear you feel, and other things. As a Christian Jesus taught us to not make a big deal of your fast. "When you fast, don't be a hypocrite and put on a sad face so that people will notice you. Those people have their reward. When you fast clean up, wash your face, put deodorant on so it doesn't look like you're fasting and your Father in heaven will see you and reward you." I haven't told many people about my fast but it's hard to avoid it when everyone around you wants to eat with you. Plus, much of he reason I'd like to talk about it is not because I am spiritual for fasting but because there are physiological things that are fascinating about it.

Another thing I have noticed is that things don't bother me as much as they used to. Things aren't emotionally heavy. I tend to be introverted and passionate about things and I've always wanted to be able to let things go and lighten up in areas. Well this is a nice taste of that. I am way less anxious about things and feel a general sense of well being and peace. Surely some of these things are purely physical. I don't think this is God's specific touch upon me for fasting, rather a result of detaching from food and cleansing the system. Then again this is how the Lord works, the blessing is embedded with the action. I shouldn't think of God giving prizes out for spiritual sacrifice but that he gives fasting almost as a reward in itself. At the same time Jesus says, "the Father will reward you openly." I am looking forward to that reward.

I have lost about 16-18 pounds in the last nine days. I noticed I big drop initially, 3 a day and, then it tapered off to 2 and now it may be closer to 1 a day. I hope it can stay at two a day, that way I can be down to 200 lbs by February 1. That would be 42 pounds in 21 days. It'd be nice to lose the garbage hanging on my frame. But who knows, I am aiming at 21 days with a hope that I will go beyond that. They say the real deep detox starts to happen after 21 days. Stuff that you've been putting in your body from birth starts to get burned and flushed. I am wondering if I can experience some healing from my numerous ailments, psoriasis, the shingles virus, tonsil stones, chronic headaches, etc.

I also pray that a deep spiritual cleansing occurs, that I can be rid of striving, chronic selfishness, deep seated pride, toxic envy, primitive lusts, a wandering mind, lovelessness. I can see God's grace already working in so many areas. It is like He has defanged me and taken my venom. I am less harsh with my family, less jaded with others, more genuine in my heart and more generous in my preaching. It's just a little bit less of the flesh and its so nice.

I dreamed last night that I was eating pizza. I awoke so disappointed that I'd eaten and then realized it was only a dream. Since when is eating pizza a nightmare? Wow, things have flipped. I am realizing that there is an emotion attachment to eating. How we feel is how we eat and how we eat is how we feel. My friend cleaned up his diet over the last few months and really took control of his physical and mental well being through diet and exercise losing a bunch of weight and restoring his outlook on life. He tells me how just the other day he had two slices of pizza and exactly two hours later a heavy depression settled on him. It took a couple days to come out of the funk. We don't always eat because we are truly hungry. We eat because were depressed or get depressed because we eat. The foods we enjoy aren't helping us as much as we'd like because they are so processed and filled with preservatives. White sugar and white flour are almost toxic at the levels many people eat them. They might be a treat but shouldn't be staples.

It sounds weird to hear me saying this but we'd do well to get in tune with our own bodies. Many people eat for craving instead of pleasure. God gave us food to enjoy not to scarf down like wolves. Lucky for wolves that they can't make donuts and pizza. Then they'd be scarfing down processed food and all die off in a few years. Instead of consuming we should be tasting. We should be smelling and savoring. I pray that this fast changed and slows my approach to food, that I'd have self control to eat less and enjoy more, to experience food in it's raw God created state. I have never heard a sermon on gluttony but i wonder if I am one. Is gluttony only for the morbidly obese? Is it just for over eating or is it wrongly eating. An unhealthy approach food? Can a regular sized person be a glutton? I don't know. Maybe. Some of these questions are just the ramblings of a fasting man. You can take them with a grain of salt....or pure distilled water, which is what I'm drinking.

Day 11
Here we are at day 11 and just after i had written about all the peaceful bliss that starving provided, I find that there is still an emotional well inside. The last two days have been interesting. Some minor conflicts with some people up the street got my blood going yesterday. With a raised heartbeat and temperature I rehearsed what to say repeatedly...after our issue was solved. That is not the clear minded dispassionate approach I hoped accompanied fasting. Then our service last night was ill attended which, try as I might to not be bothered, bothered me deeply. It was only the worship team and staff. All these feelings of inadequacy and failure come rushing on me. All of a sudden i am the same old introverted, frustrated, prone to strive and want to quit kind of guy. Actually its not that bad but still the remnant of those feelings are there.

I notice a coaster ride with my emotions now. I am not so happy fasting as I was before. I am impatient with the slow results in my spiritual, emotional and physical life. I am halfway through but already I am hoping for the end. I believe I will, but don't know how I'll go till 21 days. I am a little bored of it and i miss eating. I am knot hungry per se but long for the joy of food, flavors and contentment. This is the emotional attachment to eating and I guess I am just wrestling with those emotions. God help me get through this...and all the other stuff in life that hurts my heart

Day 15
Im sitting in the living room while my family eats spaghetti at the table. I can't remember smelling something so incredible. The desire to eat is so strong and yet it's not a craving in the stomach but the enjoyment of taste. I am looking forward to Monday as the end of this fast.

I feel that i have emphasized e physical aspect of this fast over the spiritual. I have lost about 26 pounds so far but it was not my initial motivation. The problem is that the physical changes are so obvious and tangible. People notice when you lose that much weight so quickly. I have not hidden it from my friends from church either. However in this last week I want to refocus and redirect my hear to the Lord. I need power in the ministry and our church needs deliverance from the malaise of comfort and ease. I am knot sure we understand true hunger, physically of spiritually. I pray God pour out His Spirit of prayer, worship and ministry upon us like never before. I pray the prayer meetings are filled and outreach to the community begins happening.

I have not been free from emotional difficulty in this time. I realize how emotionally we are connected to food. It can be a crutch if we've had a bad day. I had one of those this past week and, without stuffing myself with something savory or sweet I was alone and raw with my feelings. If forces one to face reality a little more honestly. I tell you though, that day a hamburger would have helped.

I thought i would go to 21 days and maybe beyond, depending on how i felt. I can say now that i am tired of this and want it to be over. I have heartburn, my stomach hurts, I am weak and nearly black out when i stand too quickly. I am not a joyful person, but also too tired to be abrasive. I am somewhat sullen. I look forward to night so I can just go to sleep. I am humbled by my own sinfulness.

This is fasting, an afflicting of the soul, a humbling of ones self before God. It is a recognition of our own weakness and frailty before God.

I can't say it's all bad. I did just wake from a nap. I am a little grumpy.

Here I am one month from the fast. I finished and I am so glad I did it. Looking back i often long for the things I experienced while hungry. There was an ease with going to bed and getting up in the morning. I could sing comfortably in a higher pitch because of the clearness of my nasal passages. I could smell so well. I could wait on the Lord without anxiousness and felt great joy. All these things are still with me to a lesser degree but the fast was quite a joy. I recommend it.

Home

2011-01-15T10:10:00.004-10:00

I really need to blog. I hardly mentioned that we got home safely and are back into the swing of things. It has been two weeks home since returning from Hungary. It was a long trip. A family of seven for four months in a small European village? Why did you go? What did you learn?

Last year the idea and prayer about going arose after I grew frustrated asking young people in our church to go to the Bible College in Europe and see the mission field. Nobody was interested or even motivated to look beyond their own backyard to the adventure of stepping out in faith like that. Then I asked myself "Why not me? I'm so excited for other people to go, why don't I go myself?" And I did after much prayer and waiting on the Lord.

I also wanted to let my kids experience a new culture and different people and languages of the world. One of the highlights was taking my daughter, Chooch, to the Ukraine for a 10 day mission trip with some others from the school. She did so great and took the sting away from missing the family. Another highlight was our trip to Poland when Keren's dad came to visit. Navigating through the snowy mountains is something I will never forget. Good times.

Another reason for our going was to take a sabbatical. Now in our Calvary Chapel circles we don't have a formal sabbatical. Maybe we should. It provides a pastor with the chance to retool and refocus, to see things from a different perspective. My trip wasn't a pure sabbatical though. I taught twice, sometimes four times a week. We did two short mission trips and ministered locally in Budapest. It wasn't like I was doing nothing, but it was different. Also it gave our church the chance to function without me which they did quite well. I left the teaching in the able hands of my good friend and faithful minister Bryant Stevens, who did a great job and has received nothing but praise from the folks back home. Nonetheless it can be a test to see if the folks still come and even step up to serve. They did and I couldn't be more pleased.

Yet another reason for our trip was a nagging question in my heart as to where I ought to serve. I have always felt a call to the mission field. It was there that I knew I was to serve the Lord and there that I have had such great times of effectiveness and learning. I wanted to ask the Lord if He would have us stay in this country or that. We asked Him in prayer where we might go and plant a church, to move the family, and leave our home for the mission field. There is so much need and such open doors. We prayed about Hungary, staying there, but didn't have God's peace or approval. We asked Him about an opportunity in Czech, home to the most beautiful city in Europe, where a Calvary had lost a pastor. He said "no." After I led a group of young Polish tourists to the Lord one night in Budapest and going through on our drive home from Ukraine, I got jazzed about that possibility. I took the family up for a week in Krakow, also an incredibly beautiful city. We prayed and waited for the Lord's peace and prompting. No. Nothing. I felt a little defeated, like a kid whose dad tells him "no." I had asked and the Lord said "no." We were resigned and truly excited to come home with no plans to leave and no calling elsewhere. We are still wondering if Israel is in the future though. But that is for another trip, another year, and another blog.

I learned some things over there about ministry and myself. One thing is that ministry is ministry wherever you go. There are people with hurts and needs all over the world. They speak different languages and have different cultures but people are essentially the same. They all need forgiveness and renewal. They all need Jesus.

I also learned that I am not necessary for God's kingdom. He doesn't need me. Churches and Bible Schools here or there will be fine without me. I don't make them happen and I don't keep them going. It is a little humbling and a truth I have always known but was glad to be reminded of. The Lord will do His work with or without me. I don't have to carry it or stress over it. He is in control and is building His kingdom.

I also learned that I like being a pastor. Being a teacher is great, but those students are required to come to class and do their work. In a church they come because they are truly fed. There is a difference and although subtle, I realize that I like to sow into people's lives as a pastor more than just a lecturer. I also like the opportunity for vision in the church. As the pastor I can guide and direct what we'll do and where we'll go as a fellowship. It might seem selfish but I like that control. And really it isn't about control but functioning in the gifting God gave me. I am a visionary and being a pastor just fits for me.

I also learned that we have it so great in Hawaii. It is truly one of the best places on Earth. Three weeks before we came home we noticed our whole family was growing homesick. We started listing the things we missed about home. We'd sit around the dinner table as it snowed outside and talk about it. Things like: Costco, Korean BBQ, Panda Express, two bathrooms, Stand up Surfing, my Mom and Dad, Teddy's Bigger Burger, JiuJitsu, WiFi, carpeting, American toilets, driving, jacuzzi, the SUN and many more things. Now that we're home we just revel in all of it giving glory to God for a great trip and one family adventure of many more to come. Its good to be home.

You can see all our Hungary update videos at my YouTube channel, TheBudStonebraker.

Meet the Missionaries

2010-12-21T02:44:00.003-10:00

It was almost 20 years ago that I met Phil in Moscow. We were just teenagers. He had come from California and I from Hawaii, but we ended up together in a Moscow flat with few other missionaries in 1991. At that time Russia was in in huge transition. Communism had fallen and their whole world was turning upside down. When I first got to Moscow you'd get 30 Rubles for a dollar. Five months later it was 1100 rubles for the same dollar. The Mafia ran everything, including the black market. Initially it was Snickers and Pepsi but later got into seedier thing. Crime was exploding. Muggings and robberies were common. Burglaries were so frequent that there was a market for bolting steel doors. I'd never seen a corpse on the street till I was in Moscow. It was like the wild west and Phil and I were both just kids with a passion for the Lord and a taste for adventure. In other words we were missionaries.

My life would take me back to Hawaii and Phil to California, but Phil would marry and shortly return to the mission field; this time to Hungary.

Phil met and married his lovely wife Joy before they moved to Hungary close to 15 years ago. They adopted a beautiful Hungarian girl (Niki) and had three more children (Karina, Judah and Hannah).

Phil leads worship and is a gifted evangelist so He and Joy were initially church planters. Later he served as an assistant Pastor. Eventually they took on the excellent work of the Bible College here in Vajta. In 2007 Phil stepped in to Pastor the Calvary in Budapest when Pastor Greg Opean asked him to. The church, Golgota Chapel Budapest, continues to grow and play a vital role in the city. They minister to well over 1000 people a week and, I was just told by their media guy that, their services are downloaded over 8000 times per week. He's one of the few pastors I know who has to have two midweek services just to fit the folks in who are coming to hear the Word. The church also has a much needed and well used ministry to the homeless in Budapest. It is a truly active church. Phil also oversees the Calvary Chapel church plants throughout this part of Europe and even into Africa. God has really blessed the Metzgers in all they do.

Paul told Timothy (1 Tim 4:12-13), "Let no man despise your youth, but be an example in word, conduct, love, spirit, faith and purity, encouraging the believers with teaching." Phil and I may not be the "youths" we once were all those years ago in Moscow, but he sure has taken these words of Paul to heart. He is an example for others who want to serve the Lord.

Please pray for the Metzgers and the ministries they oversee. Consider supporting them in your giving. Also check out the different programs they offer at the Bible College. Pray about a semester or a summer here on the mission field. It will change your life.

Missions

2010-12-15T00:06:00.002-10:00

There is a passage in the Old Testament that I think of when considering missions. It is from 1 Samuel 30. Some Amalekites had raided and captured David's whole village, burned it with fire and took everyone's family captive. David and his men pursued them, but after 100 miles in four days and some men became so exhausted that they couldnt go on. They set up camp and stayed while David and the rest went on to catch the Amalekites and conquer them. David recaptured all the families and all the stuff but when they returned to the camp where the others were waiting some of David's "worthless" guys said, "They did not go with us to battle so we're not giving them any of the spoil. Just give them their families and let them leave" (30:22). This was harsh and would have caused a division in David's ranks. David responded to these guys, "No way. We are all brothers and God gave us this victory. Those who fought will share in the rewards with those who guarded the supplies" (30:23-24). This principle became a rule in Israel, that those who go and those who stay share alike.

I believe this sheds some light on the principles of missions. Like David's men, there are some who go and some who stay. Some can't go out on the mission field. They have to set up camp and guard the supplies. Their job is to protect the resources of those going into battle. Others are sent out and supported. It is much easier for some people to pick up their life, hop on a plane and serve in an unreached area. This used to be me. I loved going out and the adventure of faith. It was easy too. Now that I am a little older, things have changed. I have a family and responsibilities to a church body back in Hawaii. This trip we have taken to Hungary has been great but not without a huge effort. A family of 7 just isn't as mobile as a single guy or girl. Nevertheless we came. The only way we were able to was that there was a group of people who stayed by the supplies back home. We have been supported by faithful people back home. According to our story in 1 Sam 30, those folks back home will share in all the rewards in heaven for the souls who have been touched or saved in our ministering here. By the way, thank you for your continued faithfulness in giving. Only heaven will display all the rewards you have wrought by your generosity.

Let me encourage you to be faithful if you are a "stay by the stuff" person. Just as David's men's hearts surely went with him, though physically they couldn't, you should go in your heart too even if physically you can't be out there. Protect the home base, support your local church, continue praying and giving to those who have gone out.

For those who have gone out, be sure that you don't despise those back home. Don't judge them for not being able to go. Don't dismiss their faithfulness to watch over the supplies. Share the rewards of your exploits for the Lord. If you have gone out with the Greater David and won souls, then rejoice with those who couldn't go.

What are you? Are you sent or a sender? If sent, than engage the battle on the mission field. Preach and pray like souls depend on it. They do. You are engaged in a serious fight for captive souls and God has promised victory. Are you a sender? Then stay faithful by the stuff. Keep your heart in the fight and continue to be the supplier that God has made you. You will be richly rewarded. "As his part is who goes down to battle, so shall his part be who stays by the supplies, they shall share alike."

Meet the Missionaries

2010-12-01T06:28:00.006-10:00

Missionaries are some pretty awesome folks. I knew this before our trip out to Hungary but being here has given me a chance to meet some great families. One of them is the Langes, Paul, Jeanette, Sierra, Sean and Jake Bear.

Paul and Jeanette Lange have been here in Europe for nearly 20 years. Along with Phil Metzger, who pastors Calvary Chapel Budapest, Paul helps oversee a lot of the practical stuff on the ground. And these are some grounds too. The campus and castle are huge and the property has a large staff just to run things smoothly. Paul does a good job with it. I think of Paul as a quintessential Calvary leader. He has an easy way about him and a relaxed management style. He lets the Lord run the show. For example, one day I wouldn't make my class so I let him know and asked if that was alright. Paul just said something like, "You do whatever you need to so long as your students know the book of Hebrews at the end of the semester." The Bible says where the Spirit of the Lord is there is freedom. I think Paul facilitates that well. In addition Paul is a rock solid bible teacher and communicator.

Paul's wife Jeanette is an awesome woman. She and Keren love to hang out whenever they can. Actually it was Jeanette that took Keren for the ultrasound to find out we were having a boy (the state of the art equipment was masked by communist era service so they waited all day at the hospital...thanks Jeanette). Jeanette is actually Swedish, but you wouldn't know it. She doesn't have an accent at all. She seems to have a knack with languages as she is conversant in Hungarian (a cruel and harsh language to learn indeed). With Paul originally form Michigan and Jeanette from Sweden, these guys can handle the cold. Jeanette is also in high demand as a speaker for women's fellowships all over Hungary. She is a great encourager and really ministers to the ladies.

We always appreciate their kids Sierra (16) and Sean (12) who are awesome, smart and respectful. But the one kid we see most is Jake Bear. Jake and my boy are the best of friends. They are always together riding bikes, throwing sticks, digging holes, running around or causing some havoc around here. Missing Jake is going to be one of the hardest parts about leaving for Little Bud.

Over the past year Paul and Jeanette have had some extremely difficult health issues. One of Paul's lungs collapsed a while back and the treatment and recovery has been tough. Jeanette had knee surgery with major complications and is scheduled to do the other one pretty soon. Pray for them. It has been a tough year for these guys but they continue to shine as great examples to the staff and students here.

I love missionaries, but this is the great dilemma about meeting them; you miss them when you're gone. Keren and I will be leaving soon part of heart will left back here in Hungary. There'll be a hollow spot in our hearts but...well take the Langes home with us in there.

The Road

2010-11-28T03:34:00.002-10:00

In the past few weeks we have been on the road driving around Europe. First we had to get out of the European union in order to renew our visas. Our three months in Hungary were up so we drove down to Serbia for the day, got our passports stamped and ate some burek. It was pretty uneventful overall but a good experience for us. It is a stressful thing to take five kids into a different city where you. Don't speak the language. I found myself 'shushing' them constantly, not wanting to stand out as Americans too much. Maybe it was my days in Russia where i developed an intense cautiousness when around swarthy unshaven men that smell like vodka. Anyway, I don't think it was too much fun for the kids.

More recently we took a trip up to Poland to visit Krakow. What an amazing city this is. What is cool is that I can bluff my way by in Polish, saying just enough to get into a conversation that I can't handle. My father in law had come to visit so we made the drive out of teensy Vajta up through Slovakia and the Tatra mountains. It is a solid 8 hour drive, even when you don't get lost. We didn't get lost but we did lose our bearings a little. Keren and I are still sorting that out since she was the navigator. Wow, driving through the mountains at night can be a little scary if you aren't sure where you're going. Anyway we made it and got settled in to our cool apartment in a perfect spot in the old city.

We visited this old historic salt mine called Wieleczka. This thing was awesome. It goes a thousand feet down and was the number one industry in Poland for many years. Salt was as precious as gold at one time because there was no other way to preserve food. The miners would be paid in salt (salt is where we get our word salary). We spent hours deep beneath the surface of the earth. Miners are very religious and had carved over 40 different chapels in the over 300 KM of tunnels down there. They also carved gnomes out of the salt to scare off the monsters that lurk in the dark. I felt like we were going to run into a cave troll or something. I had a sword and Legolas close by so it was cool. I uploaded some pics to facebook if you want to see.

My friends Kurt and Kendall Kula came down from Radom where they are missionaries. They and their four great kids spent the day with us. We had a blast walking around the town and reminiscing on old times. Kurt and I first came out here 20 years ago. He stayed and has been serving the Lord faithfully in a couple of different cities. They aren't sure where the Lord is leading them now but it may be a new chapter in their ministry. Anyway we had a good time in the city square and at a candy shop where you watch them make the candy. Later Kurt and my father in law got into a discussion on the Bible. It was friendly and passionate and alot of fun. I got involved too and tried to make some good points from the Old Testament. I usually don't broach the subject anymore so it was good Kurt did. In the end, I think he was challenged to take another look at the Word of God. I absolutely love him and couldn't have ever asked for a greater father in law. Pray for Yehuda.

Today Yehuda took the big girls to visit Auschwitz. I told Chooch and Ebi that it was a day of homeschooling and their Saba (grandpa) was the teacher. I hope it is a good experience for them overall. You know how those things can be. Keren and I took the little three to do a little shopping. It had snowed a little the other day but today was clear and cold. We walked a few miles and got some good things to take back for our friends. There is a forecast of a foot of snow tomorrow and with our drive over the mountains i am a little concerned. Thanks for your prayers.

With this cold weather we are missing Hawaii all he more. Also we have gotten warm. Messages from friends there saying we are missed. Makes us appreciate the things and people we have back home. I was thinking about that the other day....what do i miss most about Hawaii? Well i miss my dad a lot. I miss our stand up surf sessions and talking shop about the ministry. I also miss playing ping pong with the guys at church. I miss rolling jujitsu with that crew of guys. I miss Costco (is that shallow?). I miss not having to share a bathroom with my kids. I miss my own soft California king bed. I miss wearing slippers. I miss the ocean. I miss the sun. I miss South Shore Christian Fellowship.

Anyway, I know what'll happen when i get home. I will start to miss al the great people i have met here in Europe. It happens every time and is one of the sweet hazards of ministry. I feel like I leave a piece of my heart wherever I go. By God's grace that missing piece grows back just in time to leave it in a new place.

Lost! -Danny Lehmann

2010-11-16T11:46:00.002-10:00

Danny Lehmann recently sent me this. It is an excellent read and a worthy subject.

LOST

"For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost."
Luke 19:10

    He was truly lost. Johnny Stockton, a 24-year-old physically fit former YWAM staff member, on a break between assignments, decided to take a prayer retreat/expedition along the Kona Coast of Hawaii's Big Island. His plan was to paddle his rented kayak one half mile offshore along the coast and paddle northward for 30 miles where he was intending to make his way inland, sleep under the stars and come back home the next day. The prevailing winds and ocean current did not cooperate and Johnny found himself frantically paddling against the forces of nature to try to get to land. He paddled for hours and collapsed in exhaustion.

   Upon awakening he saw the summit of Mauna Kea far off in the distance, made one frantic last call for help on his cell phone which showed no bars. Miraculously his call got through breaking up severely. Johnny waited - for four more days. Severely sunburned and dehydrated, he gave up hope. He wrote a final letter to his family telling them how much he loved them and waited to die. Miraculously, in his final pass a pilot spotted the yellow kayak. His survival story was told worldwide.

   Historically one of the strongest motivating factors for world missions has been the fact that Christians believed people without Christ were in the strongest sense of the word, "lost". Hudson Taylor once said , "There is a great Niagra of souls passing into the dark in China... a million a month are dying without God... I never would have gone to China if I didn't believe the Chinese were lost". In a gripping vision of a waterfall of blind people falling headlong off a cliff to their destruction, Amy Carmichael, a missionary to India, described the fate of the lost in her essay "Thy Brother's Blood"*. William Booth is reported to have wished all his Salvation Army officers could hang over Hell for 24 hours prior to their commissioning. He thought this would stir them to greater service to the poor and the lost.

     A few months ago on my home island one of the most popular American TV series in history wrapped up filming. For 6 years the writers of "LOST" skillfully took viewers through the lives of people who were stranded on a Pacific island after Oceanic 815 broke up in mid-air and crashed. Millions waited expectantly for the last episode. In the feel-good finale they all ended up in the afterlife happily enjoying one another's company. Prominently displayed on a stained-glass window in the church which represented heaven were the symbols of all the world's major religions signifying what the writers intended to communicate- that no one is really lost after all!

    Recently about 3 miles from where this episode was filmed I was told by an angry young man to "go to Hell". Five minutes before he consigned me to perdition, he informed me that he didn't believe such a place existed and then proceeded to damn me by the God that he didn't believe in. This random street witnessing encounter set me to thinking about Hell. I re-examined it's impact on my life. Does it's terrible reality grip my soul in any tangible way. Did I believe that not only the Hitlers and Bin Ladens of our world but many others will end up there? Does the stark reality hit me that according to Jesus unless a person repents they will perish (Lk.3:5)?

   A recent book on world missions contrasts old school/new school viewpoints on the Great Commission. One chapter was entitled "From Saving Souls From Hell To The Glory of God". It was pointed out that many missionaries today are discovering that the highest motivation for world missions should be to glorify God and to honor Him, and much less about rescuing the perishing. Fair enough, but shouldn't a primary impetus that sends us and keeps us on the mission field also be the fact that people are lost? Wouldn't this reinforce a burning passion to reach out with the good news?

   Theologians disagree about the nature of Hell, whether it's eternal or destructive, flaming hot or cold and dark, physical [fire] or spiritual [death]. Whatever it's nature, it is certain that it's residents are separated from the life of God forever. Paul declared (the verse after warning of God's judgment) that , "Knowing the terror of the Lord we persuade men."(2 Cor 5:11 KJV). Jesus spoke much about Hell (33 times) while other biblical writers used words like death, fire, perishing, destruction, outer darkness, black darkness etc. The Bible refers to hell 167 times. It is there and we must deal with it or dismiss it.

                                                          Why Hell Isn't Cool

1) Hell isn't cool because it isn't "cool." Cool people don't like to talk about Hell. It's a drag and unpleasent in polite adult conversation. Not only is it not cool, but it's not popular, hip or sexy in a postmodern world where Truth itself is up for grabs--especially Truth that tells you that you are lost (think U2 lead singer Bono's headband-"Jesus, Mohammed, Jew- it's all true"). Now that's "cool!" One sure fire way to freeze up an otherwise friendly dialogue is to suggest people might want to consider where they are planning to spend eternity.

2) Hell isn't cool because it's, well , "hot." Hell brings the metaphor of a "hot topic" of conversation to a whole new level! Dante's "Inferno," Jonathan Edwards' "Sinners in the Hands of An Angry God" and modern books by folks who say God allowed them to pay Hell a visit offend modern sensibilities. A lake of fire, even when seen metaphorically is tough for 21st Century people to swallow, even giving many Christians the creeps when discussing it.

3) Hell isn't cool because we don't take it seriously. John Lennon's "Imagine" ("...no Hell below us, above us only sky..."), rock bands like AC/DC (Highway to Hell, Hells Bells, Hell Ain't A Bad Place To Be) and Black Sabbath (Heaven and Hell) numbed a previous generation to Hell's reality while more recently TV shows like The Simpsons and South Park regularly made light of Hell and kept millions laughing in the process.

4) Hell isn't cool because we have a warped understanding of God. We often emphasize His benevolence and barely mention or even apologize for His wrath, using phrases like "The Father Heart of God", His "unconditional love" or an allegorized, out-of-context slant on the Song of Solomon that pictures God as a romantic lover, lonely for our companionship. These pictures of God are fine in their context but we must not forget the allegiance and obedience due to the Creator and just Judge of the Universe who demands our surrender, is to be feared and (albeit from a reluctant, broken heart) will execute judgment on those who refuse His gracious offer of eternal life.
To The Rescue

   The man responsible for more people hearing about Jesus than anyone in history, Dr. Bill Bright, founder of Campus Crusade For Christ, shortly before his death wrote: "In today's culture with a growing indifference to the afterlife, I have come to realize the need for a greater discussion on hell...To be silent on the eternal destination of souls is to be like a sentry failing to warn his fellow soldiers of an impending attack" ( "Heaven or Hell- Your Ultimate Choice" - pg.32,28).

   Recently millions worldwide celebrated with the families of the 33 trapped Chilean miners who were rescued after 69 days underground. They would have been forever "lost" if not for the heroic efforts of hundreds of people at great expense ($19 Million). No one bemoaned the cost of the rescue. Why?-- The value of human life. How much more should we with fervent zeal and burning love come to the eternal rescue of those who are lost. It's not that life is so short, but that you're dead for so long!


   " What will it profit a man if he were to gain the whole world and lose his own soul"
   (Matthew 16:26)

Ukraine update

2010-10-31T14:02:00.000-10:00

This is a couple days dated since I couldn't find wifi.

Today is Friday, our last full day in Ukraine. We will be leaving tomorrow from what seems to be turning into a very fruitful trip to Lutsk. We were able to get contacts in the University where we taught English over the past three days. Native speakers are a treasure for English professors so they had worked us hard over these days. We have taught for close to three hours a day to numerous different classes. This has enabled us to build relationships with the students who have met with us outside of the school, moony of them opening their hearts to the Lord. They have also become our helpers by passing out fliers for a city wide game that we'll be putting on this afternoon called Quest. It is like a huge scavenger hunt where the kids go through the city in groups doing tasks and solving puzzles. At the end we gather for prizes and a party. A young girl from YWAM has been helping set this up and we hope there will be lots of kids tonight.

Yesterday we did some outreach in the park where I got to preach to a group that had gathered. I haven't preached publicly very often but now i wonder why not. I was not uneasy or nervous but felt God's grace help me present the gospel clearly. I brought the people to a decision for Jesus and many raised their hands and prayed the sinners prayer. It is exciting but I know that they need consistent follow up and ministry so we keep pointing people to the church which will begin on Saturday. The service is from 2-4 in the afternoon and we are hoping for a grood turnout.

We are starting to feel the wear of the work. We are rejoicing in what the Lord is doing but at the same time were getting timed. A couple of the people a feeling sick so please pray for energy and rest.

Ukraine Update

2010-10-27T10:24:00.001-10:00

Thank you for your prayers. Today was our busiest day so far. After a good two days in Ternobil with the church we journeyed north to Lutsk where George Markie has been aiming his prayers. They hope to see a work started here soon, running services on Saturday nights and heading back for Sundays in ternobil. Tuesday was a little slow. It was cold and rainy so a bit tough to do any ministry. We were hoping for opportunities in the university with some English classes and some sun so we could play with the kids outdoors in the park. Praise the Lord our prayers were answered today. We had two very enthusiastic classes with the English students and huge favor with the teachers. Svetlana was especially eager to have us everyday and Irina was happy to have us teach in her class. All together there were about forty girls. No boys in the classes, strange huh? We invited them to show us the city later and meet us for tea in the evening.

George, Jon, and I went to see about a place they could rent for a possible first meeting on Saturday. The place will work perfectly well and we have it reserved for Saturday. Calvary Chapel Lutsk will have it's first meeting this Saturday!! George got to work on invitations right away and we went to the park to meet with the kids for a while. The team had lots of fun playing in the (cold) park. Balloons soccer and dodgeball. They are all expecting us back tomorrow.

In the evening we met with about 10-12 of the college girls for tea cookies and games at a local candy type store. They all had a good grasp on English so when Lisa gave her testimony they were really touched. She shared the gospel so well and prayed for them. Jon played an awesome song he had written in Ukrainian and after we shared the gospel and asked if they wanted to pray to receive Jesus THE ALL INVITED THE LORD INTO THEIR LIVES!!! We were so stoked.

We are scheduled to be in class first thing in the morning tomorrow. We will probably have a similar schedule for the day. Please pray that God confirms His word and show himself to these young people tonight, even as they sleep, and tomorrow. I felt like the Lord impressed on my heart that they really need to know how much He loves them. They don't really know Gods love in what they see in churches here. It is all religion. They are literally afraid of their churches and religious leaders. Please pray their hearts would be opened to understand His love for them.

OK, I will keep you updated. Thank you so much for your prayers and spiritual partnership in our venture. Great things are ahead for this city and we are excited to see God's plan unfold here.

Bud and the team

You can see pictures at my facebook page.

Walking and Praising

2010-10-25T16:45:00.002-10:00

Acts 3:9 and all the people saw him walking and praising God.

Such a short simply verse, and it speaks so much to me. After being healed and touched by Jesus this man jumps up and starts celebrating. For over forty years he has been like this, lame, carried around, begging. In a flash he is healed. The whole crowd can only watch him rejoice and dance around.

This should be the story of our lives. We were poor lame beggars but Jesus lifted us up and set us on our feet. Our greatest witness to people is that they can see us walking a new walk and praising God. That is the summary of our lives, a new walk and praise. Our witness is a simple celebration of what Jesus did in us.

There is not much attraction to a life that is not walking or praising God. It's no witness when a believer isn't walking a walk that is worth watching. If your life was a tv show, would it be worth watching? Would you watch it yourself? It would be sad if a person lived a life so boring they'd change channels if they could. The life of faith is an adventure even in what others might think is mundane. Nobody thought walking was as fun as that man that day in the temple. He absolutely loved the boring, mundane act of walking and that caught people's eye.

Are you excited about what God has done in your life? Are you excited about "walking"? Man, this is a new life that He has given us. Rejoice. Jump. Dance. Live. It is so exciting that after forty years God had a plan for this man's life. In middle age it was all just getting started. I know as I collect years (I have quite a few now) there is a tendency to grow tired with them, less excited, more beat down and worn out. Look around. Most people don't have a joy about life. They aren't excited about what God has done or is doing in them today. But we do. I am excited about what Jesus is doing in me.

This man also praised the Lord in such a way that others noticed. I have seen people who truly worship God with passion and others who aren't too interested in praise. There is a radical difference. Nobody wants to watch a bland worshipless life. Well, maybe that is not true considering the crap people watch on television. People might look at garbage but this is true, there is nothing as attractive as a life that is truly praising God. The most beautiful people I know have hearts that are in love with Jesus...and they express it to Him. I think something is released in us when we release praise to God. Like endorphins are released after exercise...what's good for us is the running, but the little extra reward is that blissful feeling of release, endorphins. So the exercise of worship is so good and healthy, but the extra blessing is the peaceful joy that it brings into our lives. People that really worship God glow. They really glow. Maybe someone should do a study on that. You can measure the brightness of a countenance that has relished the presence of God. They radiate. Praise is a attractive.

Lord I pray our lives would be irresistible to viewers. That our walking and praising would be a great witness of your power in us. You have touched us. You have raised us up. You have set us on our feet again. You are worthy of our new walk, of our jumping and twirling for joy. Give us again the joy and zest for this new life you've blessed us with. Let our mouths be filled with praise. Let your radiance be reflected on our faces as we truly give you glory. May our praise be a beacon of hope to lost souls, drudging in darkness without hope. You are so awesome Lord and we want the world to know it.

Ukraine

2010-10-24T23:20:00.004-10:00

A couple of days ago a group of seven of us drove out here to Ukraine for a weeklong mission trip. We helped serve at the Calvary in Ternobil which is pastored by George Markie. The Markie family has an incredible history here in Ukraine having come here twenty years ago. Pam and George brought their eight kids (16-6mos) out here in the early nineties. Now the kids are all grown amid serving in the ministry. George Sr. went home to the Lord about four years ago but his legacy lives on in his wife and awesome kids. Pam is now our neighbor in Vajta and I often think to myself how much she emulates the person of Jesus. I guess if you have a neighbor, you'd prefer Jesus over anyone else.

Anyway George jr and Jon Markie work side by side here in Ternobil and have been praying to plant a work up in Lutsk. Yesterday I had the privilege to preach at Calvary Chapel Ternobil, a neat church with all the elements you'd hope to find in a growing ministry. The people were enthusiastic and involved and spent time in fellowship and prayer after service.

Today we head up to Lutsk, probably a few hours drive (nothing compared to the 14 to get here from Vajta). I really don't know what we are going to do. Plans change quickly on these missions. Things you'd hoped would work out don't and other things arise. Originally we were slated to speak to college English students in their classes but it turns out school is out this week. We will find other things to do. We have a bunch of balloons so maybe we can draw some kids and share with their parents. I noticed that they are a bit skeptical here about free things. A man yesterday refused a balloon for his son. Maybe he thought I was selling it. I left it with him and walked away hoping he'd see the church invitation I left along with it. I felt weird to be refused when giving a gift. I wondered how the heart of the Lord feels when the world refuses His gift of salvation and the offering of Jesus.

I hope you will pray for us. We need open doors and opportunities to share the Gospel. Above all we need the power end presence of the Lord to fill us and enable us. Yesterday i was struck by Jesus' words to the disciples when He spoke to them in Acts 1 saying "wait till you receive power then you'll be My witnesses." Why didn't He just send them out? "Hey guys go tell people about me....now!!" because we can't be effective witnesses without the power of the Holy Spirit. Now that the Holy Spirit has come we don't have to wait FOR His power but we do have to wait ON Him. We are totally dependent on God to move on this trip otherwise we won't see true fruit. So please pray for us, even now, pray that the Lord pours out grace on our team and saves the people of Lutsk. Pray for the Markies and others serving her in Ukraine that they might see the power of God moving mightily on these precious people.

Give me springs (Joshua 15:19)

2010-10-17T21:57:00.002-10:00

Achsah answered "Give me a blessing; since you have given me land in the south, give me also springs of water." So he (Caleb) gave her the upper springs and the lower springs.

Caleb offered the hand of his daughter, Achsah, in marriage to the man who could take the city of Kiriat Sepher. Othniel did it. He is an amazing guy, this Othniel. He's from the tribe of Judah and his name means "Lion of God." He is the first judge we read of in the book of Judges. Judges 3 says 'The Spirit of the Lord came upon him.' This is the first time in the Bible this phrase is used. Incredible guy. He's like Jesus who is the greater "Lion of God" from the Tribe of Judah who conquered so He could win His bride (us).

Once Achsah is married she gets Othniel to ask for property from Caleb and they get a big plot of land in the south. Then I like how Achsah asks for springs of water in addition to the land they've received. She is pretty bold, as a daughter should be with her father, and asks for ia blessing of water. Land and fields don't have much value if you can't water them. She uses this thinking in her proposal to her dad; "since you've given me land, give me water too."

This story shows me how I should ask for the Holy Spirit. It is the bride's boldness before her father in asking for something that is absolutely essential. The Lord has given me salvation, a good land if you will. He has blessed me with the promise of fruitfulness in the promised land. But I cant bear fruit without the irrigation of the Holy Spirit. I will dry up and have a barren field without water. Jesus said that if we'd come to Him and ask, then out of our lives would flow rivers of water. To the woman at the well He said "the water that I give will become in you a spring." I come to the Lord and say "Thank you for your salvation. You have blessed me with a good lot, and yet Lord without your Spirit I can't bear fruit. Give me a blessing. Give me springs."

And you notice how Caleb gave her more than she asked for? He gave the upper and lower springs. The Lord is waiting for us to simply ask for more of the Holy Spirit. You have not because you ask not. Jesus said, "If you know how to give good gifts to your kids, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!" Take a minute to ask the Lord for new springs. Ask for an outpouring of His Spirit. He will give you the upper and lower pools.

Moses killed some giants...

2010-10-16T22:21:00.000-10:00

Numbers 13:12 "...the remnant of the giants; for Moses had defeated and cast out these."

Reading through Numbers and coming across this verse reminded me once again that Moses, though he won some victories, did not lead Israel into the promised land. There is a patten given for us in the nation of Israel and their entrance to the place of victory and blessing. Moses, the giver of the Law and mediator of the great Old Covenant, would fail to represent God perfectly. He was to speak to the rock but in his anger he struck it. Still a great man, Moses was disqualified. It was Joshua, Jesus in Hebrew, who would lead them into the land and bring great victory. This speaks to us of two covenants. Moses is the Old Testament of rules and regulations in the Law and Joshua speaks of Jesus, who gave us a new covenant based on His blood at the cross.

A man grows up in church. His whole life he is moral and dutiful in the things of his faith. He gives. He works. He loves his religion and the people in it. He even loves God. But there is a void deep in his heart, an emptiness that all the religious activity has not, and cannot touch. Though successful on the outside he knows that he doesn't know the fruitful life that God has intended for Him. This is a man hoping to enter God's blessing by Moses. He looks good on the outside but isn't really experiencing victory. Only a few giants have been killed but there is no entrance into the things of God.

One day this man finds Jesus. Be it by a friend, a tract or a preacher, the man understands the gospel and invites Christ into his heart. His life is flooded with the love of God. He knows he is forgiven and accepted by God. Church takes on new meaning. He wants to worship God and hear from Him in the Bible. There is sweet fellowship and relationship with his maker. His religious activity may or may not change but what has changed is his heart. He is still active in church but for wholly different reasons. Anything he does is fueled by his awe of God and in gratitude to Jesus. Secret sins left unbothered in his religious life, he is now bringing to Jesus for cleansing. Soon his life is bering genuine fruit to God. His family is blessed, his co-workers see a change, he is beginning to know the victory and blessing of entering into God's promised land through Jesus.

We can try to live a stringent life of rules and regulations, of conditions and requirements, of ceremony and prohibitions...all that the old covenant requires, and we will find that, though some giants are killed, we will not enter into the real promised land. If you want to go into God's blessed life you can only do it with Jesus. The Lord doesn't want you to be religious. Knowing Jesus is the way to sweet spiritual fruit.

Hungary Update

2010-10-11T03:38:00.003-10:00

It may be better to view this on our YouTube Channel.

Missionary Introduction: The Bellers

2010-10-11T03:12:00.005-10:00

Let me introduce you to a couple of missionaries we know.

Caleb and Kim Beller, along with their three beautiful kids have been serving here in Hungary for about two years. The Bellers are from southern California. Caleb ran a successful martial arts dojo and was a police chaplain before coming out to serve at CCBCE.

He runs the conference center groups that come for a week or weekend at a time. The campus here is amazing and this is a great place to get away with your leadership, youth group or church to seek the Lord. Caleb takes care of the details for those groups. He also teaches classes during the school years and leads teams on outreach.

Kim has had a missionary heart for years serving the Lord with YWAM before becoming a wife and mom. She is in charge of some of the women's ministry and does discipleship with the young ladies on campus.

I love playing basketball with Caleb because of his hard work and team playing. Unfortunately I gave him black eye the first week I was here. Now he is out with a knee injury from football. He'll be back. But not only is Caleb an athlete, I've heard that Kim used to run marathons. I don't doubt it, Iv'e seen her passing up the students on the soccer field.

Their three kids are Charis (6), Hope (4), and Justice (2) are a bunch of joy. My kids love playing with them around the grounds since they liven up the whole atmosphere. Hopey just had her 4th birthday.

Please pray for the Bellers, consider supporting them and read some of their updates over at Kim's blog.

The Truth about Calvary Chapel Budapest

2010-10-03T21:49:00.002-10:00

On our weekend visit we got to visit CC Budapest and as I sat there a few thoughts occurred to me. BTW, Did that title grab you attention? I hope so. That was more alluring than the more accurate but less provocative title, "What I liked about Calvary Chapel Budapest" that I didn't use. Well here it is.

What I liked about Calvary Chapel Budapest.

The activity. Man the place is hopping. It was so crowded and jam packed that it was hard to move in the foyer. There was an excitement in the air...and it was the third service. The atmosphere was one of expectation and faith, truly a work of the Lord.

The diversity. People from every ethnic background were milling about. It was a mixing pot of colors and cultures, including people of every age. I saw the white hair age and the mohawks of youth. When people come together regardless of cultural boundaries it is a work of the Lord.

The worship. Though a simple setup, Mike led the folks in sweet praise. The team was just five people but ample even for a church of over a thousand. I liked that it was mostly Hungarian, few English words makes for truly local praise. I worshipped with a tongue stretching pronunciation and language lesson. It was good to hear their voices though. Real praise is a work of the Lord.

The Word. Pastor Phil Metzger broke the word open and fed the people like a good pastor should. Good solid teaching and fun too. The Bible is and should be a good time. The joy of the Lord is our strength. I also noticed something fading in some churches; bibles. Everyone had their Bible. The people had their Bibles and notebooks open. Note takers are people hungry to hear from the Lord. That hunger to hear from the Lord is a work of the Holy Spirit.

The place. The church meets in an unassuming spot in a corner building. You wouldn't know it was a church except from the people flowing in and out between services. There are empty churches all over Europe, gargantuan cathedrals...beautiful and unused except as museums. CC Budapest is not a building, it's a church, a location that is full of the church. That's a work of the Lord.

I love a church that is truly a work of God. What is not to love about something the Lord has done? Nothing! He does all things well. Great church, thanks you Lord for making it. And thank you servants who are faithfully serving there. Great job!

Budapest weekend

2010-10-03T21:46:00.001-10:00

I am sitting in our hostel room after our night of outreach here in Budapest. Keren and I decided to join the small group of students, leaders and families that were taking a tour of the city this weekend. We are just loving it and the kids are having a blast too. We saw buildings today that were built 750 years ago, visited churches that would blow your mind, and learned so much about the rich (and often tragic) history of Europe. It gives you a greater compassion for people when you feel their collective historic wounds.

After a great day of touring we checked into the hostel Citadella which rests on the highest point overlooking Budapest and headed out for some outreach. The students had a drama prepared and I was going to do some music and preach. It was cold outside but my fingers lasted till i finished our songs and the group performed a skit about the Lord's power and love. Then i got up and shared with the folks scattered about on the lookout. They really listened well and I shared simply and clearly about the love and forgiveness of the Lord. Asking for a response for who wanted to accept Jesus in to their hearts I got nothing but proceeded to give a sample prayer to anyone who wanted to invite the Lord to work in their life. I cast the net anyway. We stayed a while longer while people came and went, new folks arriving all the time. The students did the skit again and another bro, Neil, preached for a few minutes getting about the same response. The students were actively sharing and ministering to those who were around and it seemed like a fun and potentially fruitful night.

I was about to pack it in and bring my two oldest girls, who had joined us, home for the night when our team members decided to do the drama one last time. Alright, I thought, we can do it one more time, but I was sort of in charge of the preaching so I stuck around. I prayed, Lord I just cast the net and caught nothing but you told Peter You would make him a fisher of men so help me now. Then I realized our translator had left. I figured it meant that I wouldn't share but as the skit ended I felt prompted to ask the 15 or so students standing there if anyone spoke English. Well they all did so I shared with them for about 10 minutes. Turns out they were a group of young people from Poland who came for a Rubiks cube competition. I shared some more with them and led them in prayer asking the Lord into their hearts. It seemed there was a general consensus who asked the Lord to come into their lives. All we need now is a place for them to grow in a good Bible church. (Lord send workers into your great harvest.) It turned out to be a great night and I rejoice that I get to share the gospel so often here.

Why does it seem so hard to share to people at home and so easy out here? Is it because on the mission field you know you're an outsider and aren't worried about not fitting in while at home there is a fear of rejection? Probably, but all I know is that it is refreshing to me to be out here again. Pray for these Polish kids who prayed with me tonight. Pray the Lord really blows them away with His presence and power and that as the read His word He'd speak to them. Pray that they find other believers and grow in a solid church. Pray how you might impact them or others like them.

Serbia

2010-09-21T22:06:00.002-10:00

We got back safely from our weekend mission to Serbia. There were about 25 of us -students, interns, and leaders- who sent down. We were sort of crammed into a few cars and vans but the drive was short. We made it to Subotica (pron. suboteetsa) in a couple/few hours where we had a prayer time and had burek for dinner. Burek is a combination of pizza and puff pastry. Different kinds of meats and cheese baked into oily goodness...sort of like a calzone fritter. Hmm good but we jest that if you say it really fast it sounds (and feels) like "brick." Bureks eaten we drove another half hour to Cantavir (Chant a veer) where Pastor Tibor ministers to many gypsie children and runs the church which meets on Sunday afternoons.

It is an impoverished area and we wanted to make sure our presence there was a blessing not a burden. It took God's grace and faith to go for it. We had to smack the dust and spiders off of our mattresses before laying them on the floor for the night. It was rainy and cold all night. Praise the Lord they had toilets (they just got them in)! I fasted from showers the three days we were there (I started to blend right in). Anyway our job was to basically help the church so the men dug out and poured a concrete slab the first day. This was harder than you'd think with Neanderthal shovels and soft mud to dig. But we got it done while the ladies tackled a huge room of donated goods which needed sorting. It was like a Goodwill warehouse. Tibor is the distribution point for a relief organization.

That afternoon we split into smaller teams and went out to some gypsie villages. It was a strange culture shock. Imagine if foreigners, some Italians for example, were dropped into the movie "Deliverance." They'd know they were not only in another country but another world. That's what these little outposts were like, run down and seemingly hopeless. But you know what I could see? I saw people whom God loved. Regular folks who were living life in wholly different circumstances than we could ever imagine.

Me and my team shared with a group of 20 or so folks who were sitting around on milk crates when we arrived. After some songs and testimonies I was able to share about Jesus telling Nicodemus about being born again. When I invited them to receive the Lord almost everyone agreed that they wanted to pray inviting Jesus into their lives. I led them aloud in group prayer for salvation. They were so open and now so in need of discipleship. Thankfully Tibor has been building up some good young men for the task and they will be going back week to week to follow up.

That night, over the fire, we roasted keilbasa and exchanged stories. The other teams had similar experiences with their outreaches.

Sunday got pretty much rained out. Most of what we wanted to do we cancelled but as the day progressed the gypsie kids from around the town made their way to the church area for the afternoon kids ministry that Tibor has been doing for a while. That morning our team's organizer and leader, Lisa Collins (missionary from Florida for 8 years now did such an awesome job), did a training program for the group called "Simply Jesus." It is a number of skits and activities for outreach to kids and adult that share the gospel ever so simply and in a fun way. What the team learned in the morning they performed for the kids in the afternoon. Then the music started and the gypsy dancing begun. Actually it was the young girls from our team that really got the fun going. Soon we were spinning and dancing to some polka type beats played over the old "Sankyo" stereo system.

At 5PM the regular church folks came for service. A hearty group of people they were, the salt of the earth really. I have pictures. I got to share from John 4 about the woman at the well. I think it really resonated when I pointed out that most people didn't like Samaritans but Jesus loved them and went to them to tell them the good news. These people are kind of like the Samaritans of Serbia.

We drove out that night and praised the Lord the whole way home, thanking Him that He'd use regular people like us to show His love. When I got home I took a long and very needed shower and happily slept in my own bed. I have put pictures up on my facebook page for you to look at.

Pray for the Calvary Chapel in Cantavir and Pastor Tibor who is doing such a great work for the Lord there among the poor.

The adventure of faith.

2010-09-16T10:23:00.001-10:00

Tomorrow I will be heading on a weekend outreach to Serbia. 25 students and missionaries in training are heading over to support a Calvary Chapel church plant with some outreach and mercy ministry. We will be building a home for a gypsy family and serving in the church. Looks like I get to preach Sunday too. Thanks for your prayers.

This marks a landmark for me. Twenty years ago I went on my first short term missionary trip to what was then called Yugoslavia. I was young and excited for the Lord. We had been witnessing a lot in southern California along the beaches of Carlsbad and inland around Calvary Chapel Vista where I attended church. I was just a young surfer kid. My hair was down to the middle of my back, my shoes were duct taped together in typical skater fashion and I loved my Christian heavy metal bands like Deliverance and Vengeance (anybody remember them?). Obviously these cassettes were played in my yellow snap-shut sports Walkman. Man, it was 1990 and I was totally cutting edge for eastern europe. Anyway we landed in Belgrade and bussed it up to Subotica. I still remember our tiny hotel room, the strange food (cheese and tomatoes for breakfast?) and the pornography prominently displayed in the news stands (we young guys spent most of our time shielding our eyes). They also had this really cool ice cream that came in little scoops, like scoop-lets in a big waffle cone. Funny the things you remember.

Subotica was a dingy and quaint little town with lots of cobblestones and bricks. The buildings seemed old and outdoor cafes with bright umbrellas punctuated the sidewalks. We heard there was a place called the "Mimun Platz" -the monkey place- because that's where the kids hung out (like monkeys I guess?). The little thrashers we were, we headed our with our skateboards causing the typical mayhem and garnering long stares from the Babuskas with their shopping bags. Clickety clickety our wheels sounded out over the rough brick sidewalks until we came to the little square where the locals would be found. Donning Metallica tshirts and leather jackets with cigarettes in hand, there they were. We soon began to mingle with our foreign peers skating and popping ollies over the benches. That opened the doors a little. Soon, through broken English and Serbian we were leading them to Christ.

One kid, Zoltan -Zoli for short- came back with me to hang out at the hotel. We listened to Vengeance on my sweet yellow Walkman pounding out rocking power chords with heavy theological lyrics. Usually it was about the blood and atonement (those bands were hardcore for the Lord!!), and wouldn't you know it, by explaining the words and corresponding passages in the Bible, Zoli came to Jesus. We hung out over the next few days and exchanged addresses before we said goodbye.

Many others came to the Lord in ways that I can hardly describe. Groups would pray on the street after a spontaneous approach and simple gospel explanation. It was so powerful and thrilling to be used by the Lord in that way that it changed my life. I knew that all I wanted to do in life was to serve Jesus and feel that flow of the Holy Spirit though me to touch hearts. That, and get as many people as i could to experience the same thing by getting out and going on a mission trip.

Zoli and I lost touch about five years after that. I heard he grew up and fought in that terrible war. He made it through alright but only recently did I ask a fellow Serbian from Subotica (Danny who is in school here) about him. Turns out Zoli is doing well and loves the Lord having served faithfully in the church. He has since moved south about an hour but has a good testimony among the believers. I am so blessed to know that a seed I planted twenty years ago, by the grace of God, continues to grow.

What can God do with a punk skater kid with long hair and loud music? Who knows. What can God do with a guy approaching forty with a wife and five kids? Who knows. But isn't that what life is all about? Finding out what God wants to do with us and following His lead? There is no greater adventure than the adventure of faith.

2010-08-31T21:27:00.002-10:00

It's Wednesday morning here in Vajta. My wife was right and I was wrong. It is cold here. It is an early fall. They said it just got chilly a few days ago...it seems just in time for our arrival. The journey here was, as expected, arduous. 27 hours of travel time and a 12 hour time difference with a few short naps here and there for me made it quite a trek. Now adjusting to it all is a task in itself. The kids dont know why they want to play at 4 ithe morning and sleep through dinner but we are doing our best.

We have met some great people. Joseph picked us up from the airport. I was thankful that he was there to get us and more thankful he made the drive when I learned it was two hours each way. Caleb and Kim stopped by when we got to the house with their three kids, perfect for our to play with. I have cute kids and I know cute kids and these three are way cute. Karis -6, Hope -3, and Buddy (Justice) -2. gabby told Karis, "I've been waiting to meet you." My Gabby is a fountain of affection just waiting for a friend to lavish it on.

The castle, as they call it, was once a huge estate belonging to a wealthy publisher. It is amazing. It would take you hours just to see every room and we hav eyet to see it all. Don and Marta gave us a short tour yesterday. They have been here for four months but are long time missionaries, pastoring in Israel and spending time in Africa and Ukraine. It's a couple hundred yards to the castle from our house and we walk the for all the meals. I can see it being hard to get motivated for the breakfast walk once it get really cold. The students all liver there and serve in different ways. There are three stories all arranged in a giant horseshoe shape. I encourage you to take the virtual tour on their website -http://www.ccbce.com/index.php?option=com_wrapper&view=wrapper&Itemid=117

The interesting thing about his school is that it is officially recognized by the Hungarian government as a degree granting school. As the story goes a government official has been going to the Calvary Chapel in Budapest and loves what the Lord is doing through the college. He had the right channels and the wherewithal to push it through so now the this school serves all of Europe. If you can take some time out and want to further your education and have a great experience with people who really love the Lord, consider applying for CCBCE -Calvary Chapel Bible College Europe.

There are a few students here having stayed for the SOS, Summer of Service, program. The others should arrive in a day or two. There should be about 70 students. Along with the staff there is a whole little community of believers here. They run church on Sundays and you can pray the locals will come out.

Hungarian is a tough language and yesterday at the store I found out hat most people are not very interested in listening to a goober like me try to hammer out a few words. I sort of backed up the whole little market with my need for detergent and cheese. This morning I read how God confounded languages at the tower of Babel. Then I remembered how He reversed that at Pentecost when He gave the gift of tongues to the believers. Jesus said, "You have not because you ask not" so I started asking fervently, "give me this Hungarian tongue." Please pray for me (us) in this thing. You can also pray that the Lord keeps the kids healthy. We are already seeing and hearing the phlegm in their chests and the lack of proper sleep is not helping.

If you would like to send us anything, letters or a package, I am still trying to find out our address. Surely if you sent it to the school care of the Stonebrakers we would get it. We love you who we have left back home. We miss you already and you are in our prayers. Viszontlatasra

Hearing and Seeing Prayer

2010-08-30T17:59:00.000-10:00

Jesus said we must worship God in spirit and truth. Andrew Murray points out in his book "Lord Teach us to pray" that we have to look for both the organ and the substance made for it. The eye was designed for light. The ear was made to receive sound. So our souls were designed to function in the spirit. In other words we were made to worship in spirit and in truth. Worship isn't alway a production of words and songs as much as to receive and commune with God by His spirit. As much as the eyes rejoice to see in the light and the ears celebrate the vibrations of sound so our lives are truly functioning properly when we simply receive of His Spirit. Waiting on God is worship. Listening to revelation as Jesus said the Spirit will disclose who the father and the son are to us. This is worship as well. True prayer can say nothing while only listening.

Heavy Handed

2010-08-30T17:58:00.000-10:00

Got a taste of what the totalitarian antichrist state will be like today when I went through security at Heathrow Airport in London. After nearly twenty hours of travel we went through our third security checkpoint since leaving Hawaii. My five year old daughter, Meimei, beeped going through the metal detector. They told me they were going to pet her down, search her because of the alarm. I said, "No way, she is a five year old girl. Nobody is putting their hards on her." Now some background here...as we went through our first and second security spots I Hawaii and LAX it struck me that my children, so innocent and trusting, compliantly removed their shoes and belts and emptied their pockets. "What kind of slavish mentality is that imbedding in them?" I thought. is a whole generation of people giving up their rights and logic for the idea of "security?" Anyway a whole slew of thoughts on human rights, dignity, privacy and the like flashed through my mind and I let it go until this time. This time they want to feel my girls little body for some threat. I said "No." They called the chief of security who when he arrived walked right past us while his logic was still turned on. In a fleeting moment of rationality ho overlooked us. But engaging me he said the rules are the rules and either she is searched or we are escorted out and kicked off the flight. Ridiculous? Sure but this is a country with a billion cameras monitoring every aspect of their life and whose citizens are apparently not too concerned with freedom.

I was getting angry. My ears were getting warm...hot. The adrenalin was flowing. What should I do? Cave in to the insanity and demonstrated for my kids that we should always obey big brother? Or stand on principal and so "no way?" Having no support system in the UK and not wanting to jeopardize our mission I yielded. But I was going to film it on my iPhone for the heck of it. After all we were being monitored by cameras, even being told they were ready to review the film and saying they were now going to search another daughter, Chooch, hearing that her retainer set off the metal detector too. Whoa man that is enough to make a father want to fight. Anyway I got my camera out and started only to be confronted by a twenty something year old girl guard demanding that I stop. I didn't so she tried to take my phone. I didn't give it and i don't think she wanted to get too aggressive in he attempt to remove it from me so she demanded i delete it. I refused. She immediately got her supervisor and went to call the police. All of this because a father didn't want to let a stranger grope her offer an outrageous premise that she was a security threat. I capitulated and deleted the video under the close scrutiny of numerous officers. Holy moley my blood was racing. The adrenalin was pumping. I am still heated over it half hour later.

How close are we getting to a police state? If you are an American do not take your inalienable rights for granted. Don't let your leaders trample on the constitution. Fight oppressive draconian laws now before it is too late. The direction of society is slavery. It is scary when you come against it firsthand. I want no other god but God. It may not be too long when the government demands not only your dignity but your worship. I will take gereat courage and even sacrifice to resist when it comes to that level.

Let the blogging begin

2010-08-29T13:10:00.000-10:00

We are on our way. Seven of us pack our things and headed out on an adventure to Hungary. Sitting on a plane for our first leg, the kids stare out the windows of the plane looking down with excitement on the clouds. Keren has her eyes gently closed with a satisfied smile so fitting her. I have my earbuds in listening to Keith Green poking my heart with his passion.

Coming to this point was a journey of prayer and preparation. Many months ago it was on our heart to get out, to step out in faith and break the monotony of life. There is a craving to do something significant in every person i think, and especially as Christians we want to do something for the Lord that matters. The chance to teach at a Bible College in Europe would be just that.

It would serve as a learning experience for the kids who we hope will pick up Magyar quickly and interact with other missionary children. Maybe they'll pick it up fast enough to become our little translators. For Keren...she'll shine in her teaching and bringing her perennial joy to new families.

My hope for this trip is to simply serve. I want to teach these students to have a love for the Lord and His Word, discipling them and giving them a vision for their own futures. But there is a more selfish desire, though good, to rekindle a missionary heart in myself. My calling from the Lord became clear to me on the mission field as a teenager and evangelism was an integral part of that. Those things --outreach and witnessing, I confess with some regret, have gone unstirred for some time. The wonderful duties of pastoring and family have distracted from the early gifts from the Lord. There is a longing in my heart to recapture those simpler times. Maybe it'll never be simple again but I believe we can always move closer toward that singular focus of loving Jesus. Simple sharing of faith, telling people about Jesus and what He has done in my life. I want to invest more personally in my own spiritual growth. I want to write songs and play lots of guitar. I want to read more and run more. I want to journal and pray more fervently. In some respects this is somewhat of a Sabbatical for me. I pray that it brings me home refreshed and more effective as a pastor.

I appreciate your prayers toward these things. I'll keep you posted on our progress.

This Month's Manologue

2010-06-05T14:21:00.001-10:00

We have mens fellowship one a month at SSCF. I give a liitle speech about menstuff. Here is this month's.

Rites of Passage. Passing from boyhood to manhood, growing up, coming of age. Most cultures have a formal rite of passage where a boy faces his fears, shows courage and embraces pain to enter the fellowship of the men.

The Maasai in Africa hunt a lion. The Aborigines in Australia take a walkabout. Hamar boys in Ethiopia run naked over the backs of 20 castrated bulls. The Mardudjaran undergo circumcision and swallow their own foreskin. Kind of makes your first shave look like a cakewalk doesn't it? Some cultures do downright barbaric things. Its all part of making manlier men able to man up for the man sized task of life.

We don't do much of this is our culture...thankfully. We have things like, the first paper route, the prom, graduation but they aren't the same. And while were glad we aren't torturing our teenagers into adulthood there is something to be said about passing from immaturity to maturity. Were learning in our culture that hardships make a man and that growing up isn't a given. We all know that a 45 year old without a job living on his mom's social security is an overgrown baby and a burden to society (not to mention a guy in dire need of a wedgie).

We are better off for those pubescent seasons of discomfort and suffering. Without some pain a young man might mistake instant gratification for maturity, but getting the high score is no great accomplishment in life.

Now we don't have formal rites of passage but we do grow into men through a series of life events that shape us. Our rites are diffused over some years, our first car, spring training, acne, mild stuff mostly. Sometimes these things even come later.

I just tasted some of it this past week in fact. Though I'm in my late thirties I've never siphoned gas. I'd seen my dad do it with our Volkswagen growing up but I never sucked that hose myself. There we were, dad and I and generator. I had to get the gas out of the tank so with one end of the hose in my hand and the other in the tank. I sucked. It sucked. The whole thing was awful, the fumes the pressure then only a trickle. I couldn't get a flow going. Then I got a mouthful of gas, then another and another. My beard was soaked, my lips were burning, my dad chuckling with delight "Try it again!" he smiled.

I reminded myself it wasn't as bad as that guy i heard about who was stealing gas from motor homes one night when he tapped the wrong tank and got a mouthful from the sewage well. When the cops arrested him he was vomiting on the ground.

The gas wasn't that bad, but still I couldn't get it. Going to wash my mouth out my dad gave it a go. One shot, full flow. I burped fossil fuels for an hour and he gets it on the first try. Oh well I guess at this phase of life a rite of passage like that makes me feel younger rather than older, all in all a good deal.

I'm still glad we don't have barbaric rites of passage like the guys you'll see on today's "So You Think You're Tough" segment, but there is something to be said for a little suffering in youth. A woman can give birth to a boy but only men can make a boy a man. Growing up can be hard but life is harder if you don't. We need to provide the model of maturity to the younger guys, the fellowship of men. It's good for us, for the kids and the culture. Plus it's kind of fun watching teenage boys suffer. Lets be men, the elders, the fellowship of the manly for the next generation.

A Rough Day

2010-06-01T20:20:00.003-10:00

Boy its been a rough day today. Mostly its come down on my wife but I have felt it too. First, her purse was stolen from her car today. She stopped by JoAnne's place to use the bathroom before her drive home. The car was locked and parked in the driveway (with the carport open mind you) when they nabbed it out of the front seat. It was less than ten minutes but they must've slim jimmed it quick and zipped out of there. 15 minutes later charges were being made at Aloha Gas and Jack in the Box out in Waipahu. Thankfully I called the card and cancelled it making those charges fraudulent thus freeing us from obligation to pay. Well Keren filed the charges and did the whole paperwork rigmarole while I went online at home to close that phone account.

Keren went down to the DMV to get her license replaced but guess what? They were close in honor of Memorial Day. But that was yesterday!! Yes City Workers get two days off for Memorial Day! Unreal. The kids are out for the furlough Fridays. The library is open only four days a week (but they have a full time security guard). Ever team at the local school is doing endless fundraisers to stay afloat (even though the state allocates about $14K per year per kid). But our taxes haven't gone down while these services have waned. It is the sickening entitlement mentality and systemic corruption in this state. Anyway that rant over the DMV being closed because of yesterday's holiday. grrrrr. The day gets worse though.

Later at the track as the kids did their team running and Keren walked, the oversized football coach told her to get off the track. Now this guy had told her to get of the track last week because his team was working out. I guess it's spring training and he is a brand new coach with a new way of doing things. He says its for safety (not the kids or parent's but for the heavily padded testosterone filled football players). Keep in mind that dozens of kids are running on the track (not even the football field). Well last week I called the school to complain and told my wife to just keep walking. Kaiser High School is a public school, we pay taxes for it, I graduated there and our kid's track fees pay them even extra. Well today this guy confronts my wife again. She asks why the parents can't walk this week too, after all the sign says the field was closed till May 28th and today is June 1st. "The sign is wrong" he says. And then, get this, he adds, "It's for the safety of the kids, for all I know you could be Al Queda." Keren replies, "Did you just call me Al Queda?" "YES!" he answers back. Keep in mind that this guy is a huge local guy and my wife a mother of five...and JEWISH. The irony (and insult) couldn't be more potent.

When I got this story I called the school. Again, nobody was there so I left a message with the athletic director. Hopefully he gives me a call. Strange things happen to a man when his wife is verbally abused. I am a little worked up over this.

Churning inside, I decided we'd get Panda Express for dinner and head out to get a new iPhone. I was shocked to find out it costs 3 times as much to replace the phone as it does when we bought it new. They will not allow you to insure it either. I have been more than happy with our iPhones and AT&T but this is just screwing people over. If I want to upgrade to a 3Gs for my wife it costs $399. Last week at Walmart they were $97. We lefts phoneless and defeated.

At home Keren called the car insurance to file a claim. They would only cover any loss if the car was stolen so were out there too.

Amidst all this I thought, "God is going to do something really good right around the corner." Usually these kind of "when it rains it pours" attacks come just before awesome stuff. I am looking forward to the awesome stuff.

Same Sex Marriage

2010-05-25T14:32:00.003-10:00

Jesse Hall attends my dads church. After a recent editorial by a local "pastor" said opposition to gay marriage was on tha same level as terrorism, Jesse wrote this rebuttal to her remarks.

Logic/reason missing in gay marriage debate

A recent commentary in the Honolulu Star Bulletin superbly illustrates all that's gone wrong in the debate on gay marriage. In the article “Same-sex non-vote is religious terrorism,” the author ascribes sinister religious motives to local legislators who refused to vote on homosexual unions (an action they've since reversed).

She writes, “This form of terrorism, in the name of God and the Bible, is the same terrorism that legalized slavery, legally kept women out of the public sector, and legally banned people of different races from marrying.” The author, by the way, is a “Christian” minister.

One would think such a transformational social issue would be framed in honest, factual public discourse. However, the reverend's comment is symptomatic of a debate marked not by logic and reason, but rather emotion and hyperbole.

Gay union advocates' misguided ideology demonizes politicians and marriage traditionalists, most of whom bear no hatred toward homosexuals. We simply refuse to believe the sacred, age-old union of man and woman needs “updating.” When stable, this union has proven the foundation of history's healthiest and most prosperous societies. Contending that “alternative” family groups are equally viable shamelessly ignores irrefutable historical and anthropological evidence to the contrary.

In its report, “Comparing the Lifestyles of Homosexual Couples to Married Couples,” the Family Research Council cites 56 highly credible sources in a brilliant refutation of “normalized homosexuality.” The report draws from the U.S. Census, the Center for Disease Control, academia, and gay- and lesbian-oriented publications.

Additionally, CDC figures show that gay men account for more than 500,000 cases of AIDs in the United States, half the total number of Americans afflicted. While the CDC estimates that gay men make up only 4 percent of the U.S. males over age 13, new HIV diagnoses among this group are 44 times that of other men.

“(Gay men) are the only risk group in the U.S. in which new HIV infections are increasing,” reports the CDC.

Such health risks aren't the only impetus for gay marriage opposition.

Stanley Kurtz, a social anthropologist and research fellow at Stanford University, writes that the gay marriage is a verifiable assault on the traditional family unit.

“It detaches marriage from the distinctive dynamics of heterosexual sexuality…and opens the way to the replacement of marriage by a series of infinitely flexible contractual arrangements,” Kurtz related. In essence, marriage becomes a temporary union of convenience with little fidelity or commitment to long-term objectives, such as raising children.

Kurtz adds that vast sections of the gay community support gay marriage not simply as a road to social acceptance, but in the hopes it will be a “critical step in the undoing of marriage itself.”

The image, then, of gay couples united in blissful, permanent bonds is simply a mirage crafted by advocates. In truth, scientific studies bear out a much different picture of homosexual partnering.

A study of the sexual profiles of nearly 3,000 older homosexuals published in the Journal of Sex Research, found that the average homosexual male reported between 100 and 500 sex partners. Amazingly, roughly 30 percent had more than 500 lifetime partners. Though lesbians proved better at longer-term relationships, the July 2000 National Violence against Women Survey showed they had a higher rate of domestic abuse (39 percent) when compared to co-habitating heterosexual females (21 percent).

Most importantly, nature itself argues against such a biological pairing.

Any honest biologist will admit the rare incidence of homosexuality among higher animals is a deviation and never an “alternate” norm meant to supplement male-female relationships. In fact, the most intelligent of all animals, birds and whales, are heterosexually monogamous their entire lives; one life, one mate, male-female.

A mutation resulting in widespread homosexuality among such animals would ultimately bring the species to extinction. Homosexuality, then, must be considered an unfavorable trait, one that would fall prey to natural selection in the evolutionary process.

Unfortunately, many gay marriage proponents are disinterested in weighing such facts; they instead strive to foster a climate of superficial “progressive” intellectualism. In other words, they're making gay marriage yet another politically correct fad; even employing religion in their public overtures.

We get a good dose of this in the Star-Bulletin piece.

Reflecting a liberal religious worldview, the author admonishes Christians to practice Biblical righteousness toward homosexuals, calling for acceptance of gay and lesbian lifestyles in the name of justice. Her use of the word righteousness is skewed and misleading. The full meaning of the word in original Hebrew (tsedaqah) means to practice justice as part of an overall state of godliness or God-likeness.

The Biblical record demonstrates God never allows his true followers to wallow in their instinctive, brutish behaviors. We're all born with the propensity to lie, cheat, gossip, blaspheme, fornicate and hate. However, no one who consistently practices such things--even those who appear to be Christian--can lay claim to the Biblical Christ. God's mercy is inextricably tied to his power to transform; one is never offered without the other; thus, Christ's telling words to an adulteress he rescued from a stoning: “Go and sin no more!”

Like-minded Christians, then, offer the hand of compassion to homosexuals and anyone else seeking forgiveness and renewal. However, they demonstrate true righteousness by speaking truth that transforms; contrary to the reverend's patronizing flattery.

Clearly, a grip on sound theology, objective social research and astute observation of nature weigh heavily against normalized homosexuality. Americans should carefully consider this when evaluating emotion-laden rhetoric that clouds the gay marriage issue.

444

2010-04-30T12:10:00.003-10:00

Aw man, I was just settling down to dig in and break down Hebrews 2 for this Sunday morning's message. It's a great passage about why God the Son came to earth. You should check it out. Anyway, I check my inbox only to find that HB444 passed our legislature and is on its way to the Gov for signature. She will most likely sign it. Now instead of joyfully immersing myself in study I feel the need to blog on what this means for us (BTW thanx for the nice comments on my man-ologue).

House Bill 444 is the civil unions measure that's been contentiously ping ponging back and forth over the past couple of years. It marks a further erosion of the sanctity of marriage and family. It also goes another step in affirming the legitimacy of homosexual relationships. Wait a second, I guess nobody can deny the "legitimacy" of gay relationships, but when the government takes action affirming them it goes toward institutionalizing them. What does that mean --institutionalizing gay relationships? How do I explain that?

Well, I have a brother in law who is gay. He has a "friend" that he travels with and lives with and, for all practical purposes, is a "partner." They have developed a real relationship. Who am I to say what they mean to each other? Isn't their relationship "legitimate?" Yes it is legitimate...and it is wrong.

I don't want to get into all the moral and natural laws that make homosexuality wrong but suffice it to say, the laws of nature and the laws of nature's God place same gender sexual relations out of bounds. It is both unnatural and sinful.

While I care for my brother in law I do not affirm nor approve of his relationship. Now, I don't treat him any differently. In fact he and his friend visited a while ago. I still remember them sitting on the couch as we ate. There was an uneasy understanding that it would be inappropriate to display any inkling of physical affection in front of our kids. They didn't. It is simple respect for our values and morals. It all went fine.

Some aren't content to allow for a Biblical world view. They don't want tolerance. They want affirmation and approval. They want homosexual relationships to be deemed moral so first they must be legal. This is what I mean by "institutionalized." Civil Union laws do just that. They redefine what a family is. Since the authority of the government has approved gay relationships it will be considered "unfair" and "bigoted" for teachers in elementary schools to speak about family in the traditional sense. In fact in Canada where these laws have had their effect it is illegal not to include same sex relationships in any conversation about family. It is the equivalent of affirmative action for homosexuals. When a relationship becomes an institution of the state (legal) it is on the level of being moral. If you disagree you are in trouble with the law.

I was in the legislature when hate crimes were passed. I fought it vociferously, knowing you cannot legislate into the heart of a person. Laws can only touch actions not opinions. Hate crime laws are ultimately thought crime laws elevating classes of victims. All over the world these laws are now being used to arrest and intimidate Christians.

In England a man named Gary McFarlane refused to provide counseling to homosexuals because he was a Christian. He lost his job and a court appeal. The judge said of his religious conviction, "It is irrational...But it is also divisive, capricious and arbitrary." You lose your job now if you disagree with homosexual relationships. That is the result of institutionalization. You will soon be arrested for disagreeing.

In July of last year Pauline Howe was verbally abused while witnessing to homosexual men in Norwich England. When she complained to her local council they wrote back saying she could be arrested for hate crimes. This is what they wrote to the 67 year old grandmother: "The content of your letter has been assessed as potentially being hate related...the contents of your letter have been recorded as such and passed to the police."

In 2008 Canadian Pastor Stephen Boissoin was ordered to stop all criticism of homosexuality and award a plaintiff $5,000 after he wrote a letter critical of homosexuality.

Cardinal Varela of Madrid is on trial in Spain for preaching against homosexuality in a homily he gave in the Madrid Cathedral on the feast of the Holy Family.

In 2004 Pastor Ake Green was sentenced to a month in prison by a Swedish court for a message he preached quoting the Bible on homosexuality.

Cardinal Gustaaf Joos is facing a lawsuit under Belgian discrimination laws because his comments about homosexuality and church teaching against it were quoted in a magazine.

A British couple was denied adoption because they were told their Christian faith would prejudice them against a potentially homosexual child put in their care.

In 2004 eleven Philadelphia Christians were arrested under hate crimes laws for preaching to homosexuals and five face 47 years in prison.

Civil Unions bills like the one sitting on the Governor's desk are another prong on the attack of traditional morality because they institutionalize and solidify a place for what true believers still find offensive and immoral.

Men at Work

2010-04-24T20:40:00.002-10:00

Today at our Men at Work fellowship I read some thoughts I had on being a man. Here they are.

Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit ye like men, be strong (1 Cor.16:13).

How did we go from Carey Grant to Hugh Grant, DiMaggio to DiCapprio, John Wayne to Nathan Lane, tough guy to queer eye, the mountain man to the Brokeback Mountain? How’d we go from the greatest generation to this latest generation?

The world forgot men.

What’s it mean to be a man? Really, what is a man. Does God wanty ou to just be a good boy or a nice guy? No, He wants you to be a man.

You see what the world wants you to become by how men are portrayed on TV. Men are either harmless idiots who need guidance from their adolescent children or burping fools in a perpetual state of adolescence gawking at half dressed women.

If it’s not that, the world is effeminizing men, turning stallions into geldings. Find me one movie or a TV show without a prancing primping gratuitous nod to the gay community. Even for kids they’re making it gay. Whether it’s the Wiggles or Teletubbies. GI Joe is gone. Arthur the metrosexual Aardvark is here.

Even the church has allowed Jesus to be portrayed as Richard Simmons-esque. He’s the sensitive type who would never denounce sin or overturn tables, a flamboyant Dr Phil here to help you help yourself and boost your ego. But a sissy savior isn’t the masculine messiah of the Bible. Jesus is a real man, a carpenter with a hammer in his calloused hands. He worked with nails in His life and worked with them in His death. Building houses on earth and mansions in heaven. “There is one mediator…the man Christ Jesus.” So we shouldn’t think that when Jesus gets a hold of a man that He’ll make him a sissified pushover. No. Jesus gives us spine. He makes us bold, confident –assertive and even confrontational when the situation calls for it.

Jesus called us to be meek, not weak. He gave us a Spirit of power and not a spirit of fear. The Apostle Paul motivated men with examples of sport, soldiers, boxing and wrestling. “I have fought the good fight and finished the race.”

Men fight. Its what they do. Its what they’ve always done. You fight too. Oh not physically unless you’re defending your family. You fight the cultural and spiritual battle for truth and righteousness. Politics concerns you. The state of the church concerns you. You’ve got your eye on the headlines because you know we are in the last days. You fight earnestly for the faith. You’re not shy about your love for God. You’re glad to pray aloud in public. You’re not ashamed of the gospel or to carry your bible in public.

Men know what to get angry at. Men know that hate is an appropriate feeling toward some things in the world. We know that hating evil is the fear of the Lord and the beginning of wisdom. That’s why we hate lies and love the truth. We hate injustice and indifference. We hate pornography and the objectification of women, not because its not tempting but because it warps Gods purpose for our lives and brings men into bondage. We hate pride even when its in ourselves.

As men we like strength, not just outer muscle but inner metal. We admire character, loyalty, faithfulness and integrity. A tempered will, a sharp focus and an ability to grit teeth to get a job done. We love to show courage and to see it in others. It’s why we like war and cowboy movies. It’s not the gore, we still like to see the good guys win…and the bad guys lose or die if they need to. We recognize heroism and we aspire to it.

We might be a bit rough around the edges and not always so well mannered but that’s ok. We aren’t preoccupied with excessive primping because we know that God made men to be a little rugged. You chafe when your gay waiter brings your buffalo wings and says, “Is there anything else I can get you?” because it’s so damned effeminate. Nobody is born like that. It is purely learned behavior. Quit confusing the kids. Not all men grunt when they’re changing a tire but for Pete’s sake, “get on the Mister Scale.” You know the Mister scale right? You got Mister T is on one end and Mister Rogers on the other, real masculine and less masculine, but still masculine. You might be closer to one side or the other but get on there somewhere.

Manliness is also being a protector. It takes a real man to defend a woman. You’re a man because you know manliness is part of gentlemanliness. You don’t just open jars, you open doors. You know how to treat a lady. You know to keep your mouth shut and nod in agreement even when you have no idea what she is talking about. Chances are she doesn’t either. Just kidding.

King David had his mighty men who risked their lives to serve their king. We want to be mighty men for our king Jesus by loving our wives, protecting our kids and being an example of manliness in this confused world. Men let's man up. Quit ye like men and be strong.

This is a call for men to be men. I want men to come out of their shells and be glad they’re men. We need a man-ifesto and a manifestival, a men-aissance. Remember without the fellows were just South Shore Christian Ship. And a sinking ship at that. What is fellowship but fellows in a ship going the same direction, were in the same broboat pulling hard on the oars. So stand up and stand strong. As iron sharpens iron so one man sharpens another.

The Lord doesn’t need better methods or better machines. He needs men, men of faith and men of prayer men of truth. Amen? Eh, Men!

My Yoke is Easy

2010-04-14T16:50:00.002-10:00

Jesus said, "Come to me all who are tired and heavy burdened and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn of Me because I am gentle and humble and you will find rest for your souls. My yoke is easy, my burden is light."

It is hard to find a greater promise and invitation in the whole Bible. Jesus invites "all" to come to Him. The only qualification is that you're tired, worn out and burdened. What wears us out and loads us down? Life. Work. Sin. Stuff. Hebrews 12 says we should lay aside every weight and sin that slows us down."

In this context though, Jesus is speaking to a very religious culture with a heavy system of works. Religion is a burden that can put people under unwarranted guilt and harshness. Jesus railed those religious leaders for "laying up heavy burdens on men's shoulders but not being willing to move a finger to lift." Jesus welcomes any and all who have been a beast of burden for the baggage of sin, religion, and just the heaviness of life.

"Come to me and I will give you rest." Look how clear that promise is. Jesus says, "I will give you." Jesus wants to give, to bless, to answer. Remember in John 4 when Jesus told the woman, "If you knew the gift of God and who you were talking to, you would have asked He would have given you living water." You have not because you ask not. Jesus waits for us to come to Him, to ask, so He can give us rest.

He says, "take my yoke." The yoke was a wooden beam that rested on the back of the neck of an ox with a "U" shaped collar under it to hold it snug. Farmers knew that to plow with a team of oxen the yoke had to be well fitted. If it chaffed or choked because it was poorly made the animal would be uncomfortable and reluctant to work. Jesus likens a person to being under a severe yoke, heavy, painful, irritating. His invitation is to be freed from it.

The invitation to take His yoke is twofold. First remove the other yoke, that oppression of dead religion, sin or this worldly life and, second, come yield to His yoke. That means to come under and into His service, to become subservient to Him. Sometimes people forget that the "easy" yoke is still a yoke. We are called to a life of serving God. I wonder if the rest you're looking for isn't eluding you because you're looking for it in pure unfettered freedom. We weren't made for that. We were made to worship and serve God, apart from which we will never be satisfied.

The word translated "easy" is chrestos and carries the meaning of "fitted." Jesus, as a carpenter, made yokes for farmers. They had to be "fit" otherwise the yoke would pinch, chafe or bruise. But a "fit" yoke maximized the animals potential enabling it to pull and plow with its full capacity. Jesus wants us to come to our full potential in serving Him. He can make you far more productive and strong than we could ever make ourselves apart from His yoke.

See how Jesus says, "learn of Me." What a crucial dynamic in the believer's life and what an opportunity. Who gets the invitation to learn from Jesus. Training jujitsu, I know the privilege it is to learn from the best. Not everyone gets to learn from Relson Gracie like I have and the invitation is not open to all. It is a privilege. But that is only on man's level. Jesus' invitation is so much greater because He is infinitely more important. He offers us the chance to be His disciples and train with Him.

"You will find rest for your souls." Remember the rest we have is internal, in the soul. That can be the hardest place to have rest. A body can be rested but the soul can be exhausted. Jesus can give us that deep internal peace and rest in our souls, and will as we come and yoke up with Him.

Excerpts from Wednesday's Message (St Patrick's Day)

2010-03-19T17:00:00.005-10:00

These are some ideas the Lord had put on my heart as we looked at Matthew 7 (Christian Discernment) this past Saint Patrick's day. Hope they might be helpful to you.

Saint Patrick was not Irish. He was born in England around 387 AD. His Father was a deacon but young Patrick didn’t really have a faith of his own. He was a bit of a rebellious teenager and at 16 cut school to go to the beach instead. Irish pirates had been patrolling the waters and when they saw they kidnapped him and took him back to Ireland to be sold as a slave.

He was bought by a man named Michael who made young Patrick watch his sheep and pigs in the mountains of the Slemish countryside.

It was there that he turned his heart over to the Lord. He wrote: “I was 16 and didn’t know the true God, but in that strange land the Lord opened my unbelieving eyes and I was converted with my whole heart to the Lord my God who had pity on my youth and ignorance.”

Every day, for six years, Patrick worked in those mountains. He began to pray intensely that God would release him and set him free so he could go home. He says:

“I used to stay out in the forests and on the mountain and I would wake up before daylight to pray in the snow, in icy coldness, and in rain. I felt neither ill nor any slothfulness, because, as I now see, the Spirit was burning in me at that time.”

One day in his early twenties he felt like God was telling him to run to the sea where there was a ship waiting for him. So he took off and ran 200 miles to the port and found a boat willing to hire him as a dog keeper. After some time at sea he finally made it home back to the shores of his home country. When he got home his mother didn’t even recognize him until he told her his name. They never imagined they would see him again. It was an awesome reunion with his family and they were overjoyed to hear of his faith in the Lord.

Not long after this Patrick began to have strange dreams at night. Like the Apostle Paul who saw a man from Macedonia calling him to help, Patrick saw a man from Ireland calling him and he heard the voices of the Irish together saying, “Come holy slave boy and walk among us.” He decided to go back to Ireland as a missionary.

And after years of study and preparation Patrick took a group of men back to Ireland to preach the gospel. Christianity hadn’t spread to Ireland. They followed a Celtic religion led by the druid priests who worshipped the sun and moon. They followed what we might call Paganism; witchcraft, superstition, earth worship and magic was practiced in their sacred groves. They were incredibly hostile to the gospel.

Patrick writes that the druids almost killed him at least 12 times. But God protected him and the people began to come to faith in Jesus. For thirty years Patrick worked in Ireland. To help the people understand the trinity, Patrick used the Shamrock, the three leaf clover as an illustration of Father Son and Holy Spirit. They loved him. God used him to do miracles too. He healed the blind and deaf. He cleansed lepers and even raised nine people from the dead. He baptized 120,000 people and planted over 300 churches.

He was such a powerful figure that legends grew up after him. Some of them may have their basis in truth. For example, there is a legend that Patrick used his staff to drive the snakes into the sea but many understand this to mean that he drove the druids (who worshipped snakes) out of Ireland.

On March 17 460 AD Saint Patrick died. He was in his 70’s. He left the church strong and growing with many trained ministers and the scriptures being copied and distributed. They said of him that “He found Ireland all heathen and left it all Christian.”

Right around the time of Patrick another missionary named Boniface was battling paganism inEurope. They worshipped a giant oak tree in their village and one day as Boniface was passing by they were preparing to plunge a knife into a young mans chest to honor the god Thor. Boniface freaked out, set the kid free and challenged the village to a contest of whose god was greater. Like Elijah of old, he ridiculed their pagan gods and with his axe he chopped down the tree they worshipped. It was 6 feet across and took many hours. They watched, waiting for Thor to strike him down but when the Oak finally fell Boniface said, “How stands your god now? My God is mightier than he.” People were converted and they used that wood to build the first church there.

It is interesting that this ancient paganism is making a resurgence in the world today. This stuff is what crept into ancient Israel and is becoming popular in our media, culture and even politics today. Much of the so called "green" movement, though oftentimes noble in its pursuit is based in Gaia worship. Not all environmentalists worship "Mother Earth" but you'd have to live under a rock not to see this nature venerating taking huge strides in our culture. Paganism has become popular once again.

The movie Avatar really pushed this worldview. Its funny, the word Avatar is from "avatara" in Hinduism (from the Bhagavad Gita) and relates to the incarnations of Vishnu. who appears on earth in blue human form and rides, standing on the shoulders of his winged beast Garuda. Krishna (the name of Vishnu's avatara) has his counterpart with the divine mother Devi. In the film the avatar Jake finally becomes one with the divine mother earth Eywa under the tree of souls.

Sounds a lot like Avatar doesn't it? James Cameron even managed to get his color schemes correct when he puts blue Jake on the back of the red gold Toruk to swoop in and save the day. Hinduism is filled with this sort of imagery (image search "Garuda" on google). As beautiful as the film was made and no matter how much one may have enjoyed it, it truly is unfiltered Hindu mythology.

Film watchers are led through a sort of discipleship course (following and cheering our protagonist Jake) of Paganism. We are invited to believe and root for the force of nature connecting all things. Our main character is discipled to connect with nature through his tail-like sexual organ (kinda makes you wonder about that whole riding the Toruk thing eh?), communicate with the dead, and practice shamanism. In the climactic scene where the natives writhe and chant to the Earth Spirit “Eywa” to save them. There is even a shot across the bow to Christians when the lead scientist declares “I’m a scientist, I don’t believe in fairy tales” as if to say Eywa is real. I was surprised more people did not pick up that the film was unapologetically religious.

But more and more movies are surfacing these themes of the “circle of life,” the great spirits, totem poles, animism, shamanism, pantheism, wicca and mysticism. Whether it’s Pocahontas, Brother Bear, Harry Potter, Charmed, FernGully (Avatar has been called "FernGully on Steroids"), neopaganism is making a comeback in our culture. Even the latest film “The Princess and the Frog” uses Ouija boards and Tarot cards to get its point across. I guess it has been going on for a long time. When I was a kid we watched “Star Wars” and were conditioned to believe in the force which held all things together and connected all life. The Jedi, by far the coolest dodes to be when we were growing up, acted as the shamans wielding the force as the all life energy field. It was magical and powerful for us as we grew up but now I realize how the whole worldveiw was framed: paganism. All these ideas have their root in ancient druidism and paganism. The great downside is that the movies, especially geared for kids, do not show the downright grisly nature of paganism. Whether in ancient Israel, Medieval Europe or the days of Saint Patrick, paganism and earth worship is a cruel and wicked practice involving orgies and human sacrifice.

In Hawaii a similar thing happened with the move of God in the 1800s. The Hawaiian people lived in fear under their form of paganism, the Kapu system with, the Kahuna acting as the shamans and spirits were connected to everything. Princess Kapiolani came to Jesus and led a group of people to the volcano on the Big Island to defy Pele the goddess of fire. Confronted by a crazed woman she was warned not to go to the lava caldron. The demon possessed woman held up a tapa cloth with a curse written on it, “I have a palapala from Pele.” “Read it!” demanded Kapiolani. She began to writhe and contort with unintelligible words coming out of her mouth. Then Kapiolani held up her Bible and said, “I have a palapala from God whose words you can understand.” Then she read several passages about the Lord’s greatness and how Jesus came to save the lost. The crazy woman’s head dropped and she said that spirits had left her. She joined the group as they came to the volcano. Kapiolani ate the sacred ohelo berries, threw stones into the fire and read the Bible aloud to defy Pele. “Jehovah is my God. He made these fires. I don’t fear Pele. If I die by Pele then fear Pele, but if I don’t die then fear and serve Jehovah. All the gods of Hawaii are vain, but great is the goodness of Jehovah.” And so the people of Hawaii were saved from their idols.

It is amazing to think of the contests between the living God of the Bible and the false gods of this world through history. Whether Moses vs Jannes and Jambres in the court of Pharaoh or Elijah with the Prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel our God is the true and living God infinitely greater than the spirits and demons of this world.

Jesus said to be wise as serpents but as innocent as doves. Many believers are the opposite, innocent as serpents and as wise as doves, but I encourage you to observe your culture with caution. Hebrews 5:14 tells us that mature believers have their senses trained to know good or evil through using discernment.

Don’t fall in love with the themes or agendas that are being pushed and please don’t try to Christianize them. Just understand what they are and where they come from. But let’s not go backwards in our culture to worshipping spirits and idols and romanticize them.

Saint Patrick's message is as potent now as ever in our day when we see a momentum gaining with neo-paganism. It is a chance for us to preach the gospel like never before.

Movie Reviews

2010-03-15T12:55:00.002-10:00

I hope you engage your critical factor when watching films and you are able to be like the prophet Jeremiah.

Jeremiah was complaining to God because he felt alone and ostracized from his own people. He didn't agree with the direction his culture was going and suffered for it. I can see Jeremiah looking at the arts, plays and music around him and feeling at odds with it. He couldn't give it a good review because of the vile nature of it. And because he didn't offer praise for prevailing message of his day he was an outsider.

He says, "Lord you know that for your sake I suffer rebuke. I didn't sit with the mockers and I didn't rejoice. I sat alone because of your hand and You filled me with anger."

God's response is interesting. He says, "If you separate the precious from the vile you will be like my mouth. Let them come to you but don't turn and go after them."

What a truth for us today. Examine and separate what is true and good from what is vile and evil. Point it out and show it. Let the culture come to you but don't chase after them and you will speak my mouth to that generation.

Speaking of separating the "precious from the vile" lets look at the movie "Precious."

This flick has gotten all kinds of press and won a bunch of awards. Noticing this, I watched it with my wife the other day. Based on the novel "Push" by Sapphire, it follows the 16 year old illiterate, obese and chronically abused "Precious" as she navigates through the hardships of an intolerably cruel mother and the bearing of her own father's children. Yeah, its that tragic....heart wrenching and vile.

I will sometimes expose myself to films or documentaries that reveal the horrible side of culture simply because it breaks my heart for the lost who need Jesus in this world. I once lived above a woman who yelled the meanest things to her little kids. I could hear it through the floor, "Get in the f***kin bath you little f***in c**t b***ch." That was to a three year old. It was verbal abuse at its worst and this film reminded me of it.

We tolerated the incessant cursing and downright wretched content thinking, "How awful that someone went through this tragedy but how amazing that this young girl triumphed in the end." (I was under the mistaken impression that this was based on a true story). Nope, just a work of fiction from a woman with an agenda.

The hero in the film is her new teacher Blu Rain (played by the beautiful Paula Patton) who turns out to be (surprise surprise) a lesbian. She inspires and supports Precious till she is able to get out and stand on her own two feet, even living with the teacher and her lesbian partner till she can do so.

Though very well acted and flawlessly presented I felt robbed afterward. Checking the production credits I realized this was an agenda driven piece by a lesbian author. Why did I even watch this crap in the first place? Save yourself the trouble, avoid this film. And if you want to foster a compassionate heart for the lost get out there and find the hurting to minister to. Don't depend on a lesbian author to do it for you.

The next movie I want to lambaste is "The Fantastic Mr. Fox." What could possible be wrong with this movie? It scored 93% on Rotten Tomatoes and features the voices of George Clooney, Meryl Streep, Bill Murray and Owen Wilson. In fact I even liked it. "Wow that was a great film" I thought, "The characters, plot and comedic timing were all great." Unfortunately I could not recommend it nor let my kids watch it. I guess my criticism is not a pure lambasting but a concern over an unseen plot line. Clooney's fox character, "Foxy" as his friends call him, is a retired chicken thief turned bored newspaper writer. The plot revolves around his return to crime and its consequences. His son Ash is "different" because he dresses in a cape and tucks his pants into his socks. It seems Ash is also confused with his gender.

The Beaver character complains that Ash "always dresses like a girl." The stop motion character even looks like he is wearing eyeliner throughout the film. In one exchange with his father, ash even momentarily protests that he was born as a boy. It is as follows:

Mr. Fox: The whole time I was putting paw over paw with your mother digging beside me, and I thought to myself: I wonder who this little boy...
Ash: Or girl!

Mr. Fox: Right, 'cause at the time we didn't know. I wonder who this little boy or girl is gonna be? Ash, I'm so glad he was you.

The final scene in the whole movie shows Ash who, drinking grape juice, looks as if he is wearing heavy lipstick while dancing limp wristed.

Now somebody is going to say "What the cuss Bud, You're being too critical." Maybe, but some chatter over at tvtropes.com seems to agree. One commenter posted of another's observation, "...he's not the only one who thought there was a gay subtext. Ash's whole character arc comes off as the story of a kid who hasn't realized he's gay yet, and whose parents have but don't know how to react."

Hmm. Is this a kids film or adults? Interesting nonetheless.

Use sound judgment when renting your movies. Look for what is good and wholesome and you will be blessed in the end. God bless you.

An Offal Place

2010-01-28T09:28:00.003-10:00

Jonah 2 "Then Jonah prayed to the LORD His God from the fish's belly.

This is an understatement. I cannot imagine the absolute torture this must've been for three days but I am sure this was no ordinary prayer. It was a cry to God.

Jonah calls it the "belly of hell." In his prayer he says weeds "wrapped around his head." Literally it was seaweed "bandaged" around his head, mummified. It was covered like a body prepared for burial the way Jesus' head was wrapped. If you don't like small spaces and constriction you won't want to imagine this. Picture being buried alive. He says he was soaked "to the soul". What is it like to marinate in stomach juiceanne salt water for days? then there was the pressure. He knew when they were diving deeper and deeper. "I went down to the base of the mountains." Imagine the smell of other digesting animals. Later the creature vomited. You wonder what kind gas and gastric juices were churning in there. I think of the heat but what if it was a true "fish" and cold blooded? How cold would it be in the chilly depths? A bit like the coldness of death.

All this is to tell us that God loved Nineveh enough to put his prophet through hell to save them. It is a picture of Jesus who suffered incalculably so we could be saved. It makes it all the more amazing when you learn of the absolute depravity and cruelty of the Assyrians (Nineveh was their capital). Inscriptions on their monuments testify of their cruelty. One reads, “Bubo, son of Buba, I flayed in the city of Arbela and I spread his skin upon the city wall." Another king boasts of a bonfire he made with 3000 people. It was a kind of holocaust with them but God loved them!?! How great is God's love?

Now we should never question God's love for us. Certain challenges tempt us to doubt God's love but one look at the cross should settle that. "As Jonah was in the belly of the whale three days and three nights so will the Son of Man be in the heart of the earth."

How would you like your fish prepared?

2010-01-21T09:44:00.004-10:00

Jonah 1:17 Now the LORD had prepared a great fish to swallow Jonah. And Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights.

Usually when someone prepares fish it goes into our bellies, not the other way around. Now why this account is hard for some people to swallow is beyond me. Critics like to say this didnt or couldn't happen, that it's a whale of a tale, that the whole story sounds fishy. How could a fish swallow a man? How could he breathe? We don't know the details but we could imagine how it could have happened.

There are fossils of huge fish that could easily have swallowed a man whole. The Dunkleosteus had a skull about four feet high. Sharks have been caught with entire suits of armor in the belly. Surely Jonah didn't recline comfortably like Guisseppe and Pinnoccio but survival, albeit hellish, is possible. We know many fish gulp their prey whole in one rapid snatch. Whales are large enough. In 1955 a 400 lb intact squid was taken from the belly of a Sperm Whale. They've also found whole shark skeletons, 16' long, in a whale's stomachs. In the 1700s a man was swallowed by a 40' "Sea Dog" in the Mediterranean. The captain fired the cannon at it causing it to belch out the man, alive and uninjured. What about Magalodon, the massive shark whose 7" teeth have been found? The Guinness book of records show men standing in it's gaping jaws. They say it reached 70 feet long but that's just the one they found. How big were the big ones?

All this points out that we know very little about what is possible or what conditions were present. What we do know is that the Bible says God prepared this creature to do an unsavory task and eat a bitter prophet.

Surfing the other day out at Rabbit Island I saw a whale breach about a hundred yards out. It was a most spectacular event to see. Already about a mile out, to see a creature that massive and powerful bursting from the water will give you goose bumps. God is awesome. His creation is amazing. God got a fish to be obedient when He had a prophet who wasn't.

Jonah's words in chapter two show what kind of wretched nightmare those three days were in a burning hot, acidic, smelly, smothering flesh coffin he was in. Can you imagine being zipped up in a wet sleeping bag and buried alive for three days? It's aweful even to think about but maybe God did it so the cold hearted prophet would have some compassion on the coming audience who would perish without the message.

Then the men feared the LORD

2010-01-15T15:29:00.001-10:00

Jonah 1:14-16 They cried out to the Lord and said, "We pray, O Lord, please do not let us perish for this man's life, and do not charge us with innocent blood; for You, O Lord, have done as it pleased You." So they picked up Jonah and threw him into the sea, and the sea ceased from its raging. Then the men feared the LORD exceedingly, and offered a sacrifice to the Lord and took vows.

Do you think the Lord had a plan for these men all along? I do.

Even though Jonah wanted to get out of service, his bad example led to the salvation of these men. They all took vows to the Lord, that is, they swore allegiance to Him. It has been said, "No man's life is a total waste. At least he can be a bad example."

We see the men on the deck of that boat rejoicing and high fiving each other as the wind just stopped and the sun came out. They are celebrating their new found faith in the Lord, the living God who created the heaven and earth but what of Jonah? I am sure he thought it was over for him. It was sure death to be thrown into the sea like that. How frightening to be cast into the darkness of a wet grave, surely to be consumed by a monster wave or pulled down by a sucking current.

Have you ever imagined how scary that was? Jonah didn't know the next verse; "Now the Lord had prepared a great fish to swallow up Jonah." The prophet didn't know he'd survive death in the bowels of a fish. He hit the waters fully believing it was over for him. But it wasn't.

The men rowed hard

2010-01-15T15:12:00.003-10:00

Jonah 1:12-13 He said to them, "Pick me up and throw me into the sea; then the sea will become calm for you. For I know that this great tempest is because of me." Nevertheless the men rowed hard to return to land, but they could not, for the sea continued to grow more tempestuous against them.

It is amazing the help these mariners show to Jonah. Who knows how long they toiled at the oars but they actually tried to get the prophet back to land. It tells a few things about the scenario. First, they must have just left port to opt to go back. Second, either the boat was smaller than we think (to have oars reach the water) or there was a large crew on board with a rowing system like a galley. The latter seems more likely since they were unloading cargo and Jonah was able to sleep below. You couldn't do that on a smaller boat.

If it was a galley type vessel you'd have dozens of men pulling against the wind to help a rebel prophet who put them all in harms way. That is a funny picture, the kindness of pagans being showered on a notably in-compassionate prophet. They'd dumped all their valuables but they hold on to this man who was a liability. Amazing how God can use the kindness of non-believers to urge His own people to get back on track.

Jonah was right, the only thing they could do to save themselves was to throw him over. It is the same with Jesus. There is no other way for us to be saved but for Him to go to the cross.

Why have you done this?

2010-01-15T09:10:00.002-10:00

Jonah 1:9-10 9 So he said to them, "I am a Hebrew; and I fear the Lord, the God of heaven, who made the sea and the dry land." 10 Then the men were exceedingly afraid, and said to him, "Why have you done this?" For the men knew that he fled from the presence of the Lord, because he had told them.

Jonah wakes up to find the sailors praying and chucking their valuables from the deck. Seeing the storm is unusual and supernatural they press him for info. Who are you? Where are you from? 'Did you do anything to deserve this?' sort of a thing. When Jonah tells them his story, how he is running from God, they freak out. What can they do? He has put them at risk by his own disobedience. They ask, "Why have you done this?"

Good question. For Jonah it was because he hated Nineveh and didn't want God to show them mercy. We aren't that different. Why do we disobey God? Same reason, a lack of love for others and little fear of God. Jonah would be cured of that part by now. He was as frightened as he ever was before.

I wonder about the world sometimes. People seem to love it when believers stumble, but deep down I get the feeling they really want us to do what we say we believe. There is a comfort knowing someone is doing right even if they don't want to. They want somebody who believes in the truth even if they choose to ignore it. But when a believer joins in the world's party and begins disobeying they ask, "Why have you done this?" Good question.

Get Up Sleepy Head

2010-01-14T12:36:00.003-10:00

Jonah 1:6 So the captain came to him, and said to him, "What do you mean, sleeper? Arise, call on your God; perhaps your God will consider us, so that we may not perish."

It is a sad day when the pagans say to God's people, "What do you mean, sleeper? Arise, call on your God."

Jonah is a flawed type of Christ. God in His grace uses the reluctant prophet to foreshadow the coming Lord, but his attitude and compassion are grossly lacking and unlike the Lord.

What about our compassion? In the tempest of the world people are panicking and throwing their cargo overboard. They will do anything if it might save them. Are we like the three in Gethsemane who slumbered? "Couldn't you pray with me for an hour?" Jesus asked. These were the ones who cried out in their storm, "Lord don't you care that we are perishing?" Of course Jesus, unlike Jonah, did care. He saved them with a word.

But that is the question for me; Am I like Jonah or Jesus? Am I sleeping on earth's sinking ship, grogily unaware of the screams of those perishing around me. Do we need a stiff rebuke from the world demanding, "Wake up sleeper and pray for us!"

Scared Sailors

2010-01-14T07:08:00.004-10:00

Jonah 1:4-5 - The Lord sent out a great wind on the sea, and there was a mighty tempest on the sea, so that the ship was about to be broken up. Then the mariners were afraid; and every man cried out to his god, and threw the cargo that was in the ship into the sea, to lighten the load. But Jonah had gone down into the lowest parts of the ship, had lain down, and was fast asleep.

"The mariners were afraid."

When you read those words, the "mariners were afraid", you've gotta know the storm was serious. Mariners learn quickly to deal with fear out at sea. I watch "Deadliest Catch" sometimes and those crab fishermen don't even wince at forty foot waves in the Bering sea. The was a tempestuous storm from heaven. It says the wind was about to blow the ship into pieces.

"Jonah had gone down into the lowest parts of the ship and was fast asleep."

This reminds us of Jesus asleep in the disciple's boat during the storm. How can you sleep like that? For Jesus it was a pure conscience and all night prayer. For Jonah it was dread and the exhaustion of fighting God's call. But how worn out do you have to be to sleep while even the mariners are afraid? Was it that or was he so cold and hard hearted that he was at peace in his rebellion? Either way the description is apt, he was in the "lowest part."

Coulter on Hume

2010-01-12T15:53:00.002-10:00

This is Ann Coulter's latest column from Townhall.com

Someone mentioned Christianity on television recently and liberals reacted with their usual howls of rage and blinking incomprehension.

On a Fox News panel discussing Tiger Woods, Brit Hume said, perfectly accurately:

"The extent to which he can recover, it seems to me, depends on his faith. He is said to be a Buddhist. I don't think that faith offers the kind of forgiveness and redemption that is offered by the Christian faith. So, my message to Tiger would be, 'Tiger, turn to the Christian faith and you can make a total recovery and be a great example to the world."

Hume's words, being 100 percent factually correct, sent liberals into a tizzy of sputtering rage, once again illustrating liberals' copious ignorance of Christianity. (Also illustrating the words of the Bible: "How is it you do not understand me when I speak? It is because you cannot bear to listen to my words." John 8:43.)

In The Washington Post, Tom Shales demanded that Hume apologize, saying he had "dissed about half a billion Buddhists on the planet."

Is Buddhism about forgiveness? Because, if so, Buddhists had better start demanding corrections from every book, magazine article and blog posting ever written on the subject, which claims Buddhists don't believe in God, but try to become their own gods.

I can't imagine that anyone thinks Tiger's problem was that he didn't sufficiently think of himself as a god, especially after that final putt in the Arnold Palmer Invitational last year.

In light of Shales' warning Hume about "what people are saying" about him, I hope Hume's a Christian, but that's not apparent from his inarguable description of Christianity. Of course, given the reaction to his remarks, apparently one has to be a regular New Testament scholar to have so much as a passing familiarity with the basic concept of Christianity.

On MSNBC, David Shuster invoked the "separation of church and television" (a phrase that also doesn't appear in the Constitution), bitterly complaining that Hume had brought up Christianity "out-of-the-blue" on "a political talk show."

Why on earth would Hume mention religion while discussing a public figure who had fallen from grace and was in need of redemption and forgiveness? Boy, talk about coming out of left field!

What religion -- what topic -- induces this sort of babbling idiocy? (If liberals really want to keep people from hearing about God, they should give Him his own show on MSNBC.)

Most perplexing was columnist Dan Savage's indignant accusation that Hume was claiming that Christianity "offers the best deal -- it gives you the get-out-of-adultery-free card that other religions just can't."

In fact, that's exactly what Christianity does. It's the best deal in the universe. (I know it seems strange that a self-described atheist and "radical sex advice columnist f*****" like Savage would miss the central point of Christianity, but there it is.)

God sent his only son to get the crap beaten out of him, die for our sins and rise from the dead. If you believe that, you're in. Your sins are washed away from you -- sins even worse than adultery! -- because of the cross.

"He canceled the record of the charges against us and took it away by nailing it to the cross." Colossians 2:14.

Surely you remember the cross, liberals -- the symbol banned by ACLU lawsuits from public property throughout the land?

Christianity is simultaneously the easiest religion in the world and the hardest religion in the world.

In the no-frills, economy-class version, you don't need a church, a teacher, candles, incense, special food or clothing; you don't need to pass a test or prove yourself in any way. All you'll need is a Bible (in order to grasp the amazing deal you're getting) and probably a water baptism, though even that's disputed.

You can be washing the dishes or walking your dog or just sitting there minding your business hating Susan Sarandon and accept that God sent his only son to die for your sins and rise from the dead ... and you're in!

"Because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved." Romans 10:9.

If you do that, every rotten, sinful thing you've ever done is gone from you. You're every bit as much a Christian as the pope or Billy Graham.

No fine print, no "your mileage may vary," no blackout dates. God ought to do a TV spot: "I'm God Almighty, and if you can find a better deal than the one I'm offering, take it."

The Gospel makes this point approximately 1,000 times. Here are a few examples at random:

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16.

"For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God." Ephesians 2:8.

"For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 6:23.

In a boiling rage, liberals constantly accuse Christians of being "judgmental." No, we're relieved.

Christianity is also the hardest religion in the world because, if you believe Christ died for your sins and rose from the dead, you have no choice but to give your life entirely over to Him. No more sexual promiscuity, no lying, no cheating, no stealing, no killing inconvenient old people or unborn babies -- no doing what all the other kids do.

And no more caring what the world thinks of you -- because, as Jesus warned in a prophecy constantly fulfilled by liberals: The world will hate you.

With Christianity, your sins are forgiven, the slate is wiped clean and your eternal life is guaranteed through nothing you did yourself, even though you don't deserve it. It's the best deal in the universe.

Do-Gooders

2010-01-11T07:50:00.002-10:00

This was the most recent "Days of Praise" sent to me from ICR. For more info, visit the Institute for Creation Research @ www.icr.org.

Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doeth good is of God: but he that doeth evil hath not seen God." (3 John 11)

The term "do-gooder" has come to be sort of a sarcastic putdown of people who are actively doing good deeds and trying to persuade others also to do good. Standards today have become so confused that actions once considered wrong are now considered quite normal, as easily seen from the plots of Hollywood movies, radio talk shows, and newspaper sports pages. Those who try to call people back to righteousness are ridiculed as officious do-gooders.

But it should be remembered that God Himself was doing good first. "He did good, and gave us rain from heaven, and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness" (Acts 14:17). Not only did the Lord do good in creating and upholding our beautiful world, but He continued to do good when He became man. As Jesus of Nazareth, He "went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him" (Acts 10:38).

Therefore, if we who know Him as our Savior would be like Him in our lives, we also must do good. Human standards of goodness may change, but God's standards do not. As our text confirms, the very mark of the born-again nature is doing good, for "he that doeth good is of God," while he who follows evil "hath not seen God." Many other Scriptures remind us of the same truth: "To do good and to communicate |that is, 'share with others'| forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased" (Hebrews 13:16). Christ even commanded us to do good to our enemies. "Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you" (Luke 6:27).

"As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith" (Galatians 6:10).

Jonah goes down

2010-01-06T12:50:00.001-10:00

Jonah 1:1-3 Now the word of the Lord came to Jonah the son of Amittai, saying, 2 "Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry out against it; for their wickedness has come up before Me." 3 But Jonah arose to flee to Tarshish from the presence of the Lord. He went down to Joppa, and found a ship going to Tarshish; so he paid the fare, and went down into it, to go with them to Tarshish from the presence of the Lord.

Jonah wants anything but to go to nineveh because He know God will do a work there. As a pastor, I fear God not working, but this man ran from God doing a work.

It bugged him so much that he 'fled from the presence of the Lord.' It says this impossible thing twice in verse 3. We can't run out of God's presence. David said, "where can I go from your presence?"

Was God just bugging him so much that he wanted to put himself outside of the realm of usefulness? If I get far enough away from God I won't have to serve Him? Do people do that?Yes. That is their excuse often times for not doing what God is putting on their heart, 'I'm not as spiritual as I should be' they say, 'I can't serve God.' the problem with this attitude is that my level of spirituality does not change the plan of God. He still wants to work no matter the distance or diversions I may throw up.

It says in verse 3 "He found a ship, paid the fare and went down onto it." These words are telling. Aside from the picture Jonah paints for us of Jesus, who would sleep in the boat till he got up to calm the storm and then be swallowed for three days only to emerge and bring salvation, Jonah is a picture of a backslider. He finds a ship going in the opposite direction from the will of God. There will always be vessels ready to carry you far from God's plan. The world's sails are always set and ready to depart. The devil is ready to weigh anchor at any time to set the child of God adrift on the sea of waywardness. It is not hard to find such a ship.

It says "he paid the fare." No matter what discount you might get on that cruise it is too expensive a price to pay. It cost the child of God far more than they ever imagined when they sail away from the Lord's will. What has it cost others?Their joy, peace, fellowship, family, reputation, kids, health?? Sin is an expensive boat to ride.

"He went down onto it." When we find a boat and pay the fare to get away from God's call we always go down. We lose elevation. We start sinking like Peter the moment we take our eyes off of Jesus. The rebellious son who took his inheirtance and left the father found he had gone down when he ended up in the pig slop. When he came to his senses he said, "I will get UP and go to my father." When we go away from the father it is a downward path but when we return we go up.

Jonah is the reluctant and eve rebellious prophet, running from the assurance of God's work, finding a ship, paying the price and going down. He won't get far. God's plan will prevail and He will do His work in spite of Jonah

Not of this world

2010-01-05T05:41:00.002-10:00

I went to youtube this morning looking for lyrics and the melody for some worship music. I clicked on Bill Batstone's song "Jesus name above all names." You know the words. They continue, "Beautiful Savior, Glorious Lord, Emmanuel, God is with us, Blessed Redeemer, Living Word." What a beautiful and true song that is. I saw that it had been viewed less than 4,000 times. "Thats cool" I thought, "that many people have been blessed to worship along with this song."

Then I saw that some random Kim Kashardian slideshow had 1.5 million views. Then I saw that Lady Gaga had 93 Million views on one of her music videos. How can these celebrities be so much more popular than Jesus? If you haven't noticed, this world is not interested in Jesus.

"My Kingdom is not of this world."

Jesus said "Don't be surprised when the world hates you. They hated me too." The world will snub and sneer at you with indifference and disdain. You are a fool. Irrelevant. Superstitious. A religious nut. When persecution or even the simple reality that this world doesn't want you; there is nothing is sweeter than the presence of the Lord.

Are you a First Corinthian or Second Corinthian?

2010-01-04T10:44:00.003-10:00

I have been taking my kids through Paul's letter to the Corinthians and it dawned on me that this church mirrors the experience of many believers today. First they were fired up and then they cooled down (not for the better).

What do I mean?

The first letter Paul wrote was to a wild bunch of believers who were sinning a lot but still saw lots of spiritual activity. This was a carnal bunch of folks; spiritually partisan, immature, striving, ripping each other off, sexually impure...some were even getting drunk on the communion wine. But early on they are praised that they "came short in no spiritual gift." It was a place where sin abounded but grace abounded more. The gifts and activity of the Spirit was obvious. It was exciting. 1 Corinthians is full of exhortation to live pure, to love one another and to get a grip when it came to spiritual gifts (ie. do things in control and in love).

This seems to be the experience of new believers; excitement and spiritual activity even though they are rough around the edges. God is working mightily even thought they are still acting like the world. I like to see that grace of God. I might be a little messy but the life and work of the Spirit is undeniable. New believers are fired up for the Lord. I heard of a guy, freshly saved, coming out of a prayer meeting saying, "that was the best damned prayer meeting I ever been to."

Unfortunately some time goes by for the Corinthians. They seemed to clean up their act a little and mature, but something else happened -they got religious. II Corinthians has a totally different feel. Paul is addressing legalism. Some guys had come in telling them they needed to add works to the grace of God. It looked good because they would deal with all these carnal things. Little did they know it was just a different sort of carnality; legalism. The people had grown austere and stiff and proper, but in the meantime they had lost the zeal. They'd grown proud of how religious they'd gotten. Paul questions their legalism and fears for them. He says "I am afraid that, as the serpent deceived Eve, you too might be drawn away from the simplicity in Christ." II Corinthians looks a lot like Galatians where it says, "having begun in the Spirit will you be made perfect in the flesh?"

This is the trend for many believers. We go from an initial zeal to a more moderate, may I say, "lukewarm" faith. We might call it maturity, "mellowing out," or even "growth," but it is a downward trend we have to avoid. Getting "religious" is never God's plan for our sanctification. Alan Redpath used to say that we go from a state of spirituality at conversion to unspirituality as we get older in the Lord, that our Christian struggle is to maintain the excitement of our "first love" that we had when we were born again. I concur. I can see it in our churches as a whole and I can see the tendency in myself. I need to stoke the flames of abandoned passion and love for the Lord, not performance and Pharisaical rightness. Lord save us from this.

They say zeal without knowledge is bad but I think knowledge without zeal is worse. Vance Havner used to say "I'd rather cool down a fanatic than warm up a corpse." Religiosity can cripple a persons Christian life and make them useless for God.

I wonder where you are today spiritually speaking? Are you in 1 Corinthians or 2 Corinthians?

Are you fired up about the things of God, seeing the move of the Holy Spirit even though you are rough around the edges and need a little direction and exhortation? Or are you right proper religious? No need for correction because you have your moral ducks in a row. Are you better than others? You even do some things God hasn't required of you just to keep your conscience extra clear. You are religious...but have no zeal?

Paul told Timothy to "Stir up (fan to flame) the Spiritual gift that is within you." We can do that. Come back to the reckless abandon that allowed Him to do miracles in your life. Come back to 1 Corinthians (without the lawsuits and infidelity). Strive for the real maturity that is shown in love. Stay in the place of simplicity where God is happy to pour out His Spirit.

3 minute video

2009-12-16T12:37:00.000-10:00

Moses is dead

2009-12-10T15:29:00.004-10:00

Joshua 1:2-3 “Moses My servant is dead. Now therefore, arise, go over this Jordan, you and all this people, to the land which I am giving to them; the children of Israel. Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given you, as I said to Moses.”

This is our spot for this Sunday. It's funny how long I find myself meditating on the verses I will teach. As I read these first five words, "Moses my servant is dead" they echo in my head again and again. Like a diamond with a new sparkle it every turn, the phrase glistens with each angle we hold it at.

"Moses my servant is dead." How could these words come from almighty God? If Moses was a good servant why did God let him die? This question has been on many grieving lips. It brings up the question of death and tragedy. Why do bad things happen to good people? Many people have asked, "Why did you take them from me God? Why did you let them die?" We may never have answers that satisfy our broken hearts, but one thing stands out here; the inclusion of the two words "my servant." God could have said, "Moses is dead" and it would have been enough. But God calls Moses "My servant." It is in the present tense meaning Moses is still God's servant, only now in heaven.

God has servants on earth and He has them in heaven. Like any master, He has the right to move His workers from His fields to His house. Moses was just moved from earth to heaven. So God may take us home one day. He may bring a loved one that we enjoy out from the labor of this life into the rest of heaven.

The phrase "my servant" also tells us that God takes our service personally. Moses served the people but God didn't call him the "servant of the people." When you serve people in the name of God you serve God. That is the way He sees it and recieves it. When you give, He receives it. When you change that bedpan, God sees it. When you feed the poor, God thanks you. "Inasmuch as you have done it to the least of these you have don eit unto me." That makes things easier when people aren't grateful doesn't it? If I am serving God, who cares if anyone notices or gives me credit. God will reward me in the end.

This speaks of God's kindness to. Think of how gracious God is. What if God gave Moses perpetual life as the leader of Israel? Moses, the poor guy, would have worked forever serving an ungrateful people. Would it be fair to leave him working with no end? No, God in His goodness took Moses home. God knows we can't go on forever. We need rest. God takes us home so we can end our labor here on earth and enter the rest of heaven. Don't grow weary in well doing knowing that you will reap a reward.

Also, the painfully obvious truth here is that servants die. This teaches us that servants are needed. Servants don't live forever do they? I don't have any servants but our washing machine is a kind of servant. That poor thing moans and groans with every cycle. Soon it will die and go to laundry machine heaven. We will need to get a new one. God's people who serve are the same way. They move away, they get tired, they get sick, they even die. Servants need to be replaced. Moses is dead, so Joshua will be called to fill the void and step up to serve. There is always a need for servants because no one lasts forever. "Servants needed" could be a sign above our church doors. Do you serve God in church?

The most profound thing here is that Moses (the Law) will not lead us into the promise. God tells Joshua, "Arise and cross this Jordan." The picture here is simple. Religion with all its rules and regulations cannot get us into heaven. Moses can't bring you into the Promise Land. Only Jesus will. That is Joshua's name in Greek. God designed it so that the name of Moses' successor, the one who would lead them into territory and win victories that Moses couldn't, would be named Joshua the NT equivalent of Jesus. Joshua means "Jehovah Saves" and of Jesus the angel said "you shall call His name Jesus (Jehovah saves) for He shall save His people." Do you know what this means for us?

Jesus leads us into the promised land of victory and fruitfulness.

We have a tendancy to think that our entrance into God's blessing comes by rigid adhearance to Moses, but in reality, we enter into fruitfulness, that joy filled life, by Jesus. John 1 says "the law came through Moses but grace and truth come through Jesus." This means when I walk with Jesus --grace and truth-- I begin to posess all that God has for me. Religion wont do it. Rituals wont take me in. Ceremony and liturgy can't bring fruit into my life. Walking with Jesus enables me to take my inheritance.

I need to live under grace. That is, freely accepting God's forgiveness and not living under a cloud of defeat and depression until I feel worthy of forgiveness. Sometimes we feel as if we need to punish ourselves until forgiveness can come. It's like we say, "Move over Jesus, let me up on the cross so I can die for my own sins." We flagellate and afflict ourselves hoping that God will feel sorry for us and give us treats the way a father spoils a pouting child. Not the way into the promise land. No, receive grace. Accept forgiveness and walk with Jesus.

I also learn that walking with Jesus means dispensing grace toward others. We don't enter the blessing of God's promise with bitterness and unforgiveness in our hearts. We can't really worship God if we are snarling at our brother. I used to travel through traffic to get to midweek church. By the time I got there I was so worked up by bad drivers that I could hardly sing to the Lord. I had to let it all go before I could enter His holy place. Jesus said "if you're about to offer something and you remember a problem with someone, go work that out first and then come make your offering." Don't let the sun go down on your anger. Been wronged? Let it go! You feel ripped off? Release it! You get the short end of the stick? Give them the whole stick. Freely you have received (forgiveness), freely give (forgiveness)."

When I begin to treat my wife and kids this way, with grace and forgiveness, I begin to taste a little bit of heaven in my home. It is the promised land. When I treat you like this and you me, we begin to see the fruit of the Spirit growing. Love joy and peace sprout up. Faithfulness goodness and patience start growing from our lives. Kindness gentleness and self control are soon harvested. We are walking with our Joshua and wherever He walks is given to us.

Walk with Jesus. Walk with Him in every area of your life. Stroll Him around your heart, your mind, your thoughts. Let Him walk around the aisles of your entertainment. Let Him survey the music you listen to and the movies you choose. If He wants to change anything, let Him. Let Him walk around your tongue and observe what you say and how you respond to people. He will start directing your language in such a way that your speech is changed. You will have grace and kindness like Him. Your words will bring healing and you will see His rich blessing in your marriage, your work, your parenting and your witness. Walk with our Joshua and you will have victory in every area of life.

Israel

2009-11-28T16:54:00.004-10:00

I love this land. It's 5am and I just finished a long run up through the streets of Migdal where Mary Magdalene was from. The stars
were out and the air was cold. I listened to Paul Baloche's CD "Glorious" again. Get that cd! Today we head south to the Dead sea. First we will visit some of Keren's family who work a Kibbutz here (kibbutz gvat which makes plastor drip systems).

The group is doing great. John had a blood clot in his leg and went to the hospital. It was a less serious type and though they told him to stay off it he toured on (at my urging). Other than that they all seem sufficiently blown away. For me this is the ideal trip. Keren and I miss the kids alot but are feeling like it's another honeymoon. I have eaten so much but i am trying to excercise to burn it off.

Yesterdays baptism at the Jordad was a highlight for many. Rick and I baptized together and the folks was exilarated (it could have been that the water was freezing). Those guys are awesome. Rick is a fantastic Bible teacher an the Okinawa ppl are a blessing.

If you haven't checked out my Twitter posts you might like to see the pics and videos there. You'll have to sign up and request to follow. Don't worry, I will let you in. I closed it because of the spam. Funny thing is that vies post easier than pics so I will do more of those. http://twitter.com/budstonebraker

Please pray for us as we move on to new things.

Gilgal

2009-11-19T11:19:00.002-10:00

Judges 3:15-23 "When the children of Israel cried out to the Lord, the Lord raised up a deliverer for them: Ehud the son of Gera, the Benjamite, a left-handed man. By him the children of Israel sent tribute to Eglon king of Moab. 16 Now Ehud made himself a dagger (it was double-edged and a cubit in length) and fastened it under his clothes on his right thigh. 17 So he brought the tribute to Eglon king of Moab. (Now Eglon was a very fat man.) 18 And when he had finished presenting the tribute, he sent away the people who had carried the tribute. 19 But he himself turned back from the stone images that were at Gilgal, and said, "I have a secret message for you, O king." He said, "Keep silence!" And all who attended him went out from him. 20 So Ehud came to him (now he was sitting upstairs in his cool private chamber). Then Ehud said, "I have a message from God for you." So he arose from his seat. 21 Then Ehud reached with his left hand, took the dagger from his right thigh, and thrust it into his belly. 22 Even the hilt went in after the blade, and the fat closed over the blade, for he did not draw the dagger out of his belly; and his entrails came out. 23 Then Ehud went out through the porch and shut the doors of the upper room behind him and locked them."

The book of judges is about the heroes that God raised up to protect Israel and lead them back to God. It is amazing to see how ordinary people embrace their calling to step up and stand against the evil in their culture. Ehud was one of those people.

For eighteen years king Eglon of the Moabites had kept Israel down. Now, Eglon was a big guy made chubby by oppressing God's people. When I say chubby I mean enormous. Eglon means "cow" and from verse 17 we know he was a "very fat man." Eglon may not be his real name but a name Israel gave him.

Ehud, we read, was left handed. Through history left handed people have been looked on with suspicion partly because they make up only 10% of the population. In fact the word "sinister" is from the Latin word for "left" and "dexterous" from "right." I've heard of people named Dexter but never "Sinister." Of course there is actor Gary Sinise (hmmm wonder if he is left handed). OK back to point, Ehud may not have had the best public image as a southpaw. It is just a guess but maybe this is why they sent him on the unenviable task of taking money to Eglon.

God would use Ehud though because He like to use unlikely people that aren't thought of much by the world. He uses ordinary people to do extraordinary things doesn't He? In this case God will use Ehud's unique abilities as a left handed man.

One of my favorite missionaries is Gladys Aylward who went to China in the 1900s. She always wanted to be taller (she was barely 5' or 1.6m) and she wanted glamorous blonde hair (hers was black). Little did she know that her looks would be crucial to her being accepted in Chinese culture. She saved hundreds of children during Japan's invasion partly because of her ability to blend in. What she'd have changed about herself God used to save others.

Now, in verse 16, we read that Ehud made his own sword. It was about 1' 6" (.5m) long so he could hide it along his right thigh. It was sharpened on both sides so it could cut both ways. Ephesians 6 calls the Word of God the "Sword of the Spirit." The Bible "is sharper than any two edged sword able to pierce to the division of soul and spirit" (Heb 4). As he hammers out his own sword Ehud is a good example of how we need to get a good grip on the Bible. Paul told Timothy, Study to show yourself approved...rightly handling the Word of God." Do you have a handle on the Bible? The time Ehud spent at the smithing fire would pay off and your time pouring over the Bible will give you the familiarity and skill to wield the powerful Word of God in the time of trouble.

We read that Ehud presented the tribute to Eglon but did nothing with his dagger. What happened? Why didn't he pull his weapon? We don't know. It is possible that he got afraid. Maybe the opportunity didn't open. He went with the intention and plan to finish off this mad but couldn't muster the courage to use his sword. Did you ever feel that way? You wanted to share the sWord of God with someone but got scared? Maybe you didn't see an opening and kept your mouth closed. Later you regretted it.

We read that Ehud turned around at Gilgal when he saw the stone images. What is that about? Well these were the stones that Israel set up some years earlier with Joshua once Israel crossed over. The whole generation of men was circumcised that day so they said their reproach was rolled away. Gilgal means "rolled." Actually the word is an onomatopoeia like "boing" or "vroom" made to replicate the sound it makes. So a wheel goes gilgal-gilgal and means rolled.

Interesting to note that the word in Hebrew for Golgotha (Calvary) is Golgolet. It is related to the word Giglal. This may be because skulls roll. At any rate, it is our New Testament Gilgal. It is where our shame was rolled away. We aren't sanctified to God because of circumcision or any other thing we do but because of what He did on the cross at Golgolet. Our sin is rolled away just like the stone that covered the tomb.

It was here that Ehud mustered the courage to go back and follow through with his plan. He went to fat king Eglon with a "secret message." Intrigued the king dismissed all his servants to he alone could hear this "good news." With the traditional right handshake and embrace Ehud pulled the sword from his thigh and buried into the belly of Eglon. It went in all the way, blade handle and all. Ehud didn't even try to pull it out. The belly that had consumed so much also consumed the dagger. As Ehud turned to leave the wallowing king he could see the waste and crap pouring out onto the ground. It is a graphic picture that the Bible includes for us. The Old King James puts it poetically, "and the dirt came out."

Eglon is a picture of my enemy, the flesh with its appetites. How do I deal with this tyrant that wants to rule and steal from me? What do I do to put this part of me to death? The solution is to bury the sWord of God deep in my heart. As the dagger disappeared from Ehud's hand so we need to say "You Word have I hidden in my heart that I might not sin against You." When the Word goes into my life the junk comes out. All the fleshly garbage that I have consumed and taken into my life has to come out once the powerful sword of the Spirit comes in. But, here is the secret, let the whole thing go in, blade handle and all. Proverbs 30:5 says, "Every word of God is pure a shield to those who trust it." 2 Timothy 3 says, "All scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable." Jesus said, "Man will not live by bread alone but by every Word of God." Don't tinker around with little bits of Bible. Take the whole thing in. Let it pierce the deepest parts of your soul.Be like Ehud and push it deep inside. Make sure it penetrates deep within and then let it go. Release it and trust the power of His Word. Let it do it's work in you. You'll see, the just will start to come out of your life.

Love

2009-11-13T10:04:00.003-10:00

A friend sent me this snippet from Max Lucado. I thought it was encouarging, convicting and worth consideration. Thanks Adam.

"But the fruit of the Spirit is: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law." Galatians 5:22-23

I CHOOSE LOVE      by Max Lucado

            It’s quiet. It’s early. My coffee is hot. The sky is still black. The world is still asleep. The day is coming.
            In a few moments the day will arrive. It will roar down the track with the rising of the sun. The stillness of the dawn will be exchanged for the noise of the day. The calm of solitude will be replaced by the pounding pace of the human race. The refuge of the early morning will be invaded by decisions to be made and deadlines to be met.
            For the next twelve hours I will be exposed to the day’s demands. It is now that I must make a choice. Because of Calvary. I’m free to choose. And so I choose.
            I choose love…
            No occasion justifies hatred: no injustice warrants bitterness. I choose love. Today I will love God and what God loves.
            I choose joy…
            I will invite my God to be the God of circumstance. I will refuse the temptation to be cynical…the tool of the lazy thinker. I will refuse to see people as anything less than human beings, created by God. I will refuse to see any problem as anything less than an opportunity to see God.
            I choose peace…
            I will live forgiven. I will forgive so that I may live.
            I choose patience…
            I will overlook the inconveniences of the world. Instead of cursing the one who takes my place, I’ll invite him to do so. Rather than complain that the wait is too long, I will thank God for a moment to pray. Instead of clinching my fist at new assignments, I will face them with joy and courage.
            I choose kindness…
            I will be kind to the poor, for they are alone. Kind to the rich, for they are afraid. And kind to the unkind, for such is how God has treated me.
            I choose goodness…
            I will go without a dollar before I take a dishonest one. I will be overlooked before I will boast. I will confess before I will accuse. I choose goodness.
            I choose faithfulness…
            Today I will keep my promises. My debtors will not regret their trust. My associates will not question my word. My wife will not question my love. And my children will never fear that their father will not come home.
            I choose gentleness…
            Nothing is won by force. I choose to be gentle. If I raise my voice may it be only in praise. If I clench my fist, may it be only in prayer. If I make a demand, may it be only of myself.
            I choose self-control…
            I am a spiritual being. After this body is dead, my spirit will soar. I refuse to let what will rot, rule the eternal. I choose self-control. I will be drunk only by joy. I will be impassioned only by my faith. I will be influenced only by God. I will be taught only by Christ. I choose self-control.
           Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. To these I commit my day. If I succeed, I will give thanks. If I fail, I will seek His grace. And then, when this day is done, I will place my head on my pillow and rest.

Getting a hold on the tongue

2009-11-12T22:34:00.003-10:00

A 73 year old Kenyan named Daniel Mburugu killed a leopard with his bare hands.

Daniel was in his potato garden with machete in hand when he heard a blood curdling roar and saw a leopard charging at him. He says he heard a voice telling him to drop the machete and stuff his hand into the mouth of the big cat and he did it Why? He says it was the voice of God and he obeyed it.

As the leopard sunk it's teeth into Daniel's arm he fought. As he kept pulling he could see the animal struggling to breathe. Finally he ripped the tongue out and the leopard was dead on the ground at his feet. It was a miracle. Sounds like Daniel is a Christian and God gave him the grace and strength to live another day. Reminds me of Samson when he was confronted by a lion and he tore it apart by the power of the Holy Spirit.

In spite of all that, the Kenya Wildlife service said, "He was lucky." Different perspectives I guess.

But wouldn't you love that kind of "luck" in your life. The ability to do the right thing in the right moment and get life saving results?

Guess what. You can. God's word is always available to you. We can hear His voice everyday and walk in the power of His Spirit.

The Hero Janitor

2009-11-12T10:29:00.003-10:00

Pervaiz Masih was a janitor at a girl's school in Islamabad's International Islamic University. Last month a suicide bomber tried to blow up hundreds of young women in their school cafeteria, but Masih intercepted him and forced the detonation to happen out of range. By doing so he saved he stopped a Muslim man from killing Muslim women in a Muslim University. The irony here is that Masih is not Muslim. He is a Christian.

CNN reports the story telling how on October 20th Masih was sweeping up near the cafeteria where close to 400 girls were gathered. He saw a man dressed as a woman rapidly approaching the doorway. He confronted the man and told him he could not go in. They began arguing until the frustrated bomber detonated just outside the doorway, killing them both but leaving most of the blast in the parking lot. The rector of the University, Professor Fateh Muhamamd Malik said, "Pervaiz Masih rose above the barriers of caste, creed and sectarian terrorism. Despite being a Christian, he sacrificed his life to save the Muslim girls." Government Minister Shabaz Bhatti said, "As a Christian he stood in front of the Taliban to protect the university."

But being a Christian, Masih was part of the lower class in Pakistan. Believers are often mistreated, paid poorly or left to live in slums. Masih made just $60 a month and lived with seven other family members in a single room. His family had to borrow money for his coffin and fell behind in rent after his passing. He leaves his 3 year old girl behind with his grieving mother Siddique.

The college is giving Masih's family a million rupees ($12,000) for his bravery and offering to give his little girls a scholarship when she gets old enough, a nice gesture but Masih's mom is taking it hard. "My hero is dead" she says. He is buried next to a garbage strewn muddy road in the poorer Christian cemetery seemingly unhailed. But now word is getting out that Masih was a a great man.

He is great because he was a witness and example of the love of Jesus. What is more amazing is that he did it to save people who are in darkness to the religion of hatred and violence; Islam. Orthodox Islam leaves no room for freedom. It doesn't matter who they are, Hindus, Christians or even less zealous Muslims, this cult of darkness has sown the seeds of murder into and entire culture. Most Muslims are victims of it, but many are the perpetrators of hatred. I cannot imagine a better way to reach with the love Jesus than my the kind of sacrifice that Masih has made. He is a hero and an example to me.

Imagine yourself as one of those students in the cafe, unaware of a seemingly ignorant peasant sweeping outside. Then he gets in a scuffle with a man outside. Why? You look through the windows when BOOM the blast shatters everything. You are alive and in the chaos you realize that the man was saving your life. You never thought much of him and he didn't know you. What would make him give his life for you?

This is what Jesus did for us, but in a bigger and more amazing way. Going to the cross for millions of lost bystanders like us, Jesus gladly took the blast from sin so that we could be forgiven. We are saved, washed clean and born again by His Spirit. Now Jesus gives us His life and His love so that we can be a witness to others. Masih is a witness of how great our God's grace is. "No man has greater love than to lay down his life for a friend."

Miserly: a follow up

2009-11-10T19:48:00.002-10:00

They say the squeaky wheel gets the grease. Sometimes all your attention goes toward what is going wrong and not what is right. My last post (The Miser) could give the idea that there isn't much going on at SSCF in the way of people serving. Nothing could be further from the truth.

It was funny that after seeing little activity in the AM service my wife said she glimpsed one of our older guys getting so into the worship on Sunday night that he was dancing. He sort of caught himself and stopped, but if it were up to me, I'd like everyone to do a little dancing before the Lord like David.

In line with that, I think about the incredible servants we have serving Jesus at the church and it blows my mind. Truly, there are some families that work for God on Sundays. When God said "six days you shall work" they took Him seriously by taking Saturday off and punching in on heaven's time clock on Sunday morning. They come to both services so they can serve in the kid's ministry. They make the drive twice on Sundays so they can give a ride to someone who need it. They wake up earlier so the coffee can be ready for others. They lug equipment up around so the music sounds good. They take ownership of their ministry because God has given them a vision to do it excellently.

I am so grateful for those who serve the Lord without credit, without pay, without the need for recognition. They are the wealthiest in heaven.

The Mathemagician

2009-11-10T18:43:00.000-10:00

The Miser

2009-11-10T13:12:00.006-10:00

Pro 23:6-8 Do not eat the bread of a miser, nor desire his delicacies; For as he thinks in his heart, so is he. "Eat and drink!" he says to you, But his heart is not with you. The morsel you have eaten, you will vomit up, And waste your pleasant words.

The Lord really spoke to me from these verses over the past few days. The proverb is pretty simple, that a stingy person, even if they act generous, really gives grudgingly. Be careful when you accept favors from miserly people because they will hold it against you.

I recall living with a family in Bible college who showed me generosity but did it grudgingly. I paid a small rent and worked with the man as a tile setter. They had kids and we ate family style. At every meal I felt like I was eating them out of house and home. I was made to feel guilty for my own appetite and eyed like I was taking food out of the mouths of their children. It created an awkward situation and it was not a good feeling, sort of sickening. It was a little like the Proverb here says, "The morsel you have eaten you will vomit up."

This is not only a warning about accepting favors from a miser. This is a lesson about true generosity. True generosity is on the inside. It is of the heart. It's not just a handout, it is a "heart-out."

This is where I am convicted. That's right, this isn't a lesson about others who are "misers" but me...and you if this speaks to you.

It started on Sunday. I had read this last week and after my teaching on Sunday it dawned on me that I always sort of inject demands on the people when I speak. There is a coloring of correction or requirement that I place on the audience when I teach. I don't always do it all the time and you might not notice it, but it bothers me when I notice it in my heart.

The message was on the simplicity and wonder of the gospel, how easy it is, how light Jesus' burden is. Then it struck me (or I felt anyway) that I somehow turned the generous gospel into something that required work from the folks.

Now these are my own feelings. If you sat in service you may disagree. It may have seemed wonderful and uplifting. How I could think that way? Well I tell you those personal thoughts to illustrate a point; I want to be more generous. I feel like the miser sometimes, giving out the bread of the word of God but demanding action on the part of my listeners. It is hard for me to absolutely expect nothing from people. Sunday was a good example.

I want so much to see people come out of their shell and embrace the love of God. When I led the worship this Sunday I looked out on some people who have come to church for a long time. They sat and stared up at the screens, lips locked, inexpressive, unresponsive, indifferent to the worship of God. A good part of the congregation will not sing.

It broke my heart. "Are you even born again?" I thought. "How do you come to the house of God with the people of God but refuse to sing songs to God?" One woman sat with arms folded and a scowl on her face almost as if to say "I dare you to try to get me to worship God."

So when the message wrapped up, I came to the application portion. It could have been as simple as "enjoy Jesus" or "cast your cares on Him because He cares for you." But wanting some action on the part of the hearers I brought it home by calling people to deal with legalism. I don't want to beat people up with demands or requirements but there is a deep seated fear that if I don't they won't do anything.

Preaching the true undiluted gospel of grace takes God's grace because when you tell people they don't have to do anything...they usually don't. Religion is built on guilting people into service. They'll work hard if they have to, to make it into heaven. You don't even need the Holy Spirit to be successful. The Mormons and JW's are incredibly successful but without the Spirit.

I don't want to do that. I don't want to build a religion built on works. I want to see a genuine revival where people are bringing others to Christ, people are serving without being asked, ministries aren't being cooked up and carried by the staff but the people are "volunteering freely" ("Your people will volunteer freely in the day of your power" Ps 110:3) and there is a hunger to worship the true and living God.

I want all that from the people so when I feed the bread of God's word I do it with a grudge sometimes. I am sorry.

Miserly people are miserable people. A miser lives in misery. Why? Even when they give they are taking on the inside.

We need to be careful not to hold a grudge against those we give to, be it money, advise, or love in general. Selfish love isn't really love at all. It can be tiring to teach your kids or give counsel or show leadership to coworkers and get little response. You feel like they are not returning the investment of your time and concern. Have you ever tried to help somene only to be ignored? It hurts. The next time you help it is with caution. Then it is with strings attached. Finally you give advice, lend a hand, loan some money, serve in church or just show love, but it's all with a grudge. "They won't listen to me." "They'll never pay me back." "I'll never see them again after this."

I tell you, these thoughts are the challenge of my life. Am I a miser? Do I give and not expect in return?

Jesus said not to invite people over to dinner who could pay you back but give to those who couldn't give anything in return. That's the way to give, with no strings attached. Jesus talked alot about generosity from the heart.

The original Hebrew word for "miser" is "evil eye." The Jews thought of the evil eye as grudge holding. That has grown into a superstition that the evil eye is a curse put on someone but originally it had to do with looking on someone with envy or malice. Jesus used this analogy when he said, "If your eye is evil you will be filled with darkness" (Matt 6, Luke 11). In His parable in Matthew 20 the landowner asked, "Is your eye evil because I am good?" In other words "Are you envious because I am generous?" In Matthew 7 Jesus said that all sorts of evil flow from a persons heart and defile. These included "adultery, fornication, murder, theft, wickedness and an evil eye."

Grudge giving is not what we want to receive and it is not what we want to give. If you are like me pray for the freedom to pour out blessings on others expecting nothing in return. Here is my prayer.

God, teach me to be generous like you are, giving because it is a joy to give and not so I can make demands. Show me what real grace can do. Prove to me that your grace will turn sitters into servers and watchers into worshipers. I don't want to build upon correction and demands. I turn away from trying to build up your people by guilt, but I need your help. I am afraid the whole thing will far apart if I don't get them working. I need the faith to trust that you are working. I need genuine love that extends with no strings attached. I pray with David, "Restore to me the joy of Your salvation and uphold me by your generous Spirit." You are generous. You give and you forgive. I want to be like You.

The Gaza Stripe

2009-10-31T12:30:00.004-10:00

Here is a funny article about a Gaza strip zoo that is painting stripes on donkeys to pass them for zebras. They were pretty clever about it and did a good job with the paint (hair dye really) as far as the pictures tell, but I was soon struck with a sense that the author was jabbing Israel. The tragic sadness of a striped donkey became a springboard to say (use whiny voice), "Israel is sooo mean. They have mean and bad restrictions that make it soooo hard. That is soooo mean to children...whine whine."

I see this kind of bias all the time but this one was pretty pathetic. "I should blog about this" I thought. After all, both the subject and the author's credibility were pretty funny. Plus I could highlight the bias against Israel we see so often in the world. Then I read the comments and Mike Perry's nailed it as well as anyone could. I posted it below (before its removed). He will probably never know, but thanks anyway Mike. BTW you have to read the article to understand the comment.

Mike Perry wrote: Actually, there is a combined Egyptian/Israeli restrictions on the flow of goods into Gaza. Look on any map. Gaza shares borders with both countries and the Egyptians are far more restrictive than the Israelis. It really amazing how ignorant the media (in this case the LA Times) is about basic geography. Ignorant or willingly anti-Semitic. Otherwise, why blame Israel for this but not Egypt?

A more credible newspaper would ask if this might be just a money-saving scam by the zoo owner. (My own experience living there suggests it was.) That would make this story roughly similar to an earlier one in which an Israeli shut-off of power led to news photographs showing Palestinian officials meeting by candlelight. A more-honest-than-most photographer caught both the officials and cameraman as thick curtains were closed to block out the bright Middle-eastern sun, so they could stage that fake candlelight meeting. Fake candlelight, fake zebras, same thing. Anyone who's lived in the Middle East knows Arabs have a serious problem with honesty. Anyone, that is, but reporters like this Lindsay Barnett.

There's also little reason to feel sorry for the adult residents of Gaza. For some sixty years they have had a choice between giving up their hate, settling down, and taking good paying jobs in Tel Avi or continuing to fall prey to the anti-Semitic xenophobia of their own corrupt politicians. They chose the latter and the result is that they and their children wallow in misery.

As Golda Meir put it, "Peace will come to the Middle East when the Arabs love their children more than they hate us."

Old enough to be her great great great grandfather

2009-10-30T10:36:00.003-10:00

A Somalian Man who is 112 years just got married for the sixth time...she is 17. Ahmed Muhamed Dore said, "Today God helped me realize my dream." He has 18 children from his other marriages (marriages which we presume he outlived). His oldest son is 80.

Now that would be a scene:

Dad: "Son, this is my new wife. She is young enough to be your great grand daughter."

Son: "Does she have a sister?"

Dore is proud to say that it was his smooth talking that sealed the deal, "I didn't force her but used my experience to convince her of my love and then we agreed to marry." He said that he waited for his teenage bride to grow up before proposing and that he wants to have more kids with her. We hope he survives the honeymoon.

Who was that masked idiot?

2009-10-30T10:16:00.003-10:00

Finally. I have found something funny to blog about. I was getting tired of all my own political tirades and even tweeted if there were ideas for something more lighthearted. Well here it is.

A couple of young men in Iowa decided to break into break into an apartment. Get this, they wore false beards and had their masks drawn on by Sharpie...that is a "permanent ink" Sharpie marker. When police, responding to a call, pulled over a 1994 Buick and saw Matt McNelly and Joey Miller whose faces were covered in scrawl they knew they had nabbed their idiots.

The cops refer to them "Dumb and Dumber" calling their facial scribbles the "worst disguise ever." Sure enough, alcohol was a key factor in the dumb duo's adventure even adding a drunk driving charge to one of them. Their break-in failed (too drunk?) leading to lesser charges and release on bail. Lawyers for the two declined to comment. What is there to say?

Harry Knox

2009-10-29T11:14:00.006-10:00

Isaiah said (5:20), "Woe to those who call evil good and good evil." Here is an article about Harry Knox, Obama's advisor on faith based partnerships. He professes to be a Christian but is a homosexual activist who says the New Testament is wrong about gay issues. Knox says Romans 1 is not true because Paul was an "educated rich heterosexual man" who could never understand his gay love. He lobbies hard for homosexual marriage and even said that Obama having the overly generous Rick Warren at the inauguration "tainted" the event. Why?

This man sees everything through the eyes of his own sexuality? The world, the Bible, society and human existence is measured under one standard; sex.

Nothing else matters in the universe but a "right" to broadcast sexuality. In this mental construct, all else must bow to sexuality. "Comply! Yield! Affirm my sexual preference!" It used to be "tolerance" but now it is affirmation. "You must give in, you must change, you must agree, you must redefine your faith, you must capitulate for this one thing; my sexual expression." Whether it is your opinion, the definition of marriage or the teachings of every religion for thousands of years, the new trump card has arrived; "me." Sometimes I don't even think it is about sex. I think it's pure undiluted gross selfism.

If I talked about my sex life half as much as these activists I'd be labeled a nut. Who cares what I do with my wife? But if I went around asking if I could tell them the details of my private life people would (and should) shun me. It is just inappropriate. If every subject somehow came back to my sexual desires you'd call it a mental disorder.

Person: "What a beautiful day it is today." Me: "Yes reminds me of my sex life. Can I tell you?"

Person: "Wow, gas is getting expensive." Me: "Speaking of gas, have I told you about my high octane sex life?"

Person: "This is good manicotti." Me: "Not as good as the sex I had last night."

Don't you see how inappropriate it is? (By the way, that is all pure hyperbole.) To force all things to the measure of one's sexuality is wrong, no matter who does it. We are sick of hearing about it.

Sadly, the debate is framed that anyone who disagrees is labeled some egregious name like bigot, homophobe or, in the case of Obama detractors, a racist. It's not OK to disagree anymore. It isn't even OK to be offended. Even when you take offense it is offensive to them. Now crimes of thought and opinion are being created. No matter, Obama is pushing this one area very strongly. Watch for it.

Obummer, We made a mistake.

2009-10-28T14:03:00.002-10:00

Just a few days after his big promise to end "don't ask don't tell" Obama squeezes in more pro-homo legislation in a military bill. With the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) and other Gay groups in tow, President O reached 11 years into the past to bring up Matthew Shepard's plight. Then GLAAD spokesperson Jarrett Barrios said, "This is a landmark step in eliminating the kind of hate motivated violence that has taken the lives of so many in our community." Hey, no offense Jarrett, but why are you guys bringing up poor Matthew Shepard if there are "so many" that are suffering from "hate motivated violence." Where are the new martyrs? I think your whole 'victim' role has been overplayed.

Alright, I am gonna get some hateful posts for that. Maybe we should pass a law against hateful comment posters. Christians are suffering all over the world everyday being killed or at least mistreated (in our own country) for adherence to our moral code. Sheesh, in our country the courts mandate that the homosexual lifestyle is taught but Christianity is outlawed in school. If you disagree you could be arrested and sent to jail. Who is the victim here? Enough with the "were suffering" bit.

But seriously, what does an military appropriations bill have to do with homosexual rights or "hate crimes." Here we are spending money to blow the crap out of some Afghani but, hey at least we feel no animosity for gays. Is it just me, or are these guys out of control? They're always into everybody's business. They seem to be fixated on sexuality. No matter what the context, they can force it in. Like my brother in law who, a couple of years ago called my wife on her birthday. He said, "I have two surprises for your birthday. Happy birthday and I am gay."

Now I couldn't care much less about what he does but the mere idea that he believed his sexuality was important enough to be offered as a gift for his sister on her birthday shows the shallowness of this movement. It is so thoroughly drenched in gross selfism that it cannot see anything other than its own sexuality.

Narcissus, the mythological character, was so engrossed in his own beauty that after having sex with all the men and women in is town (including his sister) he fell in love with a reflection of himself in a pool. Trapped there in his own vanity he died.

OK Obama, we get the point. You lied about being a Christian. We can see that you are a radical agenda driven ideologue hoping to undermine everything that the Christian faith and the USA stands for. Now that you have fully (I pray there is no more) shown your cards please fail to implement your version of the USSA upon us. We are neither ready nor willing to accept a homosexual, population control, universal health care, socialist politburo.

*vent closed.

A Proper Rendering

2009-10-27T11:31:00.005-10:00

The nine most terrifying words in the English language, according to the late Ronald Reagan, are, "I'm from he government and I'm here to help." Reagan had a few zingers when it came to government. He also said, "Government is not the solution to our problem, it is the problem." What does the Bible say?

While scripture validates the place of government in the world, the general tenor on the power of the state is that we should be wary of it.

Government is God ordained. He established law and order in the form of government when He told Noah that violence must be met with violence in order to keep the peace on the earth (Gen 9 -"Whoever sheds man's blood, by man his blood shall be shed"). Romans 13 is another place where we read about the God given authority in the power of governing authorities to "execute" justice. Even Jesus confirmed that the state had a valid place when He said, "Render unto Caesar that which is Caesar's." But Jesus added that it had a limit by continuing, "and render unto God the things which are God's." God is not into big government. In fact when Israel wanted a king, both Moses and Samuel offered grave warnings about the heaviness of taxation and the loss of personal rights. This is evident in the case of King Ahab condemning Naboth to seize his vineyard. The Bible knows well and warns that power corrupts and tends to crush people in its gears. It is good for us to look at our own government and its expansion so we can make a proper rendering.

With this in mind I have viewed a few stories in the news with interest. In the past few days there are more and more moves to increase the size and scope of government. Our fear is that those who hold positions of authority see no limit as to how much they can take from individuals, nationally or even globally in the not too distant future.

In our own country the takeover of General Motors and subsequent firing of its CEO (Rick Wagoner) raised many eyebrows. But the trend continued with the stimulus bill. Those who have received a cash infusion are now being told to cut top executive pay by 50%-90% (incl Citigroup, Bank of America, GM and AIG). Some will argue that they're overpaid but the issue here is not of opinion but the position of the Government to dictate salaries. The fact that Obama has a "Pay Czar" proves that State authority has flooded its banks.

Health care is another area this power tide is washing up. New Yorkers were up in arms when they were told flu vaccines were mandatory. Now to push the takeover of the health industry some are saying the Gov can mandate that you buy health insurance. Is it good to have insurance? Yes, but do they have the right to force me to buy it anymore than they can force me to eat broccoli? No, it violates even the most basic principles of freedom described in the constitution.

So whether its the kids in school working for the census bureau or punishing news organizations for not reporting the way they like, this administration is feeding and getting bigger. Barney Frank said it clearly, "We are trying to increase on every front the role of government." Some have called it a gangster government or Chicago style politics (Chicago is soliciting help from citizens to snitch on neighbors who might not pay all their taxes. They'll get rewarded for it too.)

On top of all that, this morning I read that I have to become a vegetarian to save the planet. Hilarious! It's getting to be too much. It can be maddening so I am going to quit reading the news and go out and get a burger.

Ken Lee...tulibu dibu douchoo

2009-10-22T15:30:00.001-10:00

Every once in a while you have to watch "Ken Lee" to brighten your day. It will make you smile (or at least smirk).

Messy Business

2009-10-21T11:17:00.004-10:00

Proverbs 14:4 says, "Where there are no oxen the trough is clean but much increase comes by the strength of an ox."

In an agrarian culture, animal husbandry was tough but profitable. Oxen were like tractors in the old days. With them you could plow more, move more and do more. They do a lot but they doo a lot too. The mess they make needs cleaning. Without them, the work in the barn is light but the produce of the field is sparse.

We have a similar saying, "If you want to make an omelette you have to crack some eggs." The Russians have a proverb, "When you chop wood, the chips fly." The idea to all these is the same, that when you begin to achieve something you have to break the status quo. There is going to be a small price to pay. Whether its wood chips, eggs or oxen, progress and increased revenue comes with some hassles. Are you willing to clean up some dung if it means a pay increase? Sometimes that is what it takes.

I wonder what God has put in your heart to do or to be. What vision has He placed in you? Reaching that may not be as clean as you imagined. It might come with a few twists and turns in the road. It might mean some risk. It could mean some mess.

Never avoid the dirty work in fulfilling your calling in life. What has God called you to do? Do it, even if it means picking up stuff nobody else wants to. Be willing to move some manure if it means plowing another acre or two. The Bible says, "He who sows sparingly will reap sparingly but he who sows bountifully will reap bountifully." Doing that little extra goes a long way so shovel the dung till the job gets done!

Eh Bra, You Muslim?

2009-10-20T18:08:00.002-10:00

I found an interesting article about Somali hard-line Muslims caning women who wear bras. Bras, according to sharia law, provide "deceptive firmness" and are therefore un-islamic. Young masked men are now forcing women at gunpoint to shake their breasts to see if they are wearing bras. If they are they are immediately caned and forced to remove their bra.Link

I am so grateful that Jesus gave the honor and dignity due to women who are created in the image of God. No other person in history has done as much to elevate women to their rightful and equal state in society.

Proverbs 15:8

2009-10-20T14:08:00.003-10:00

"The prayer of the upright is His delight."

Have you ever considered what brings God joy? What makes Him happy or brings a smile to His face (using human language)? Well here is one way; when we pray. We can forget how God loves to simply spend time with us while we commune with Him.

There are different kind of prayer. There is intercession, supplication, confession, petition, praise, tongues, adoration, meditation and I am sure other ways to pray. Paul told the Ephesians to pray with "all kinds of prayer." I would say that all of these are pleasing to God or as the verse says "His delight." Delight means to bring pleasure, to gain approval or to be acceptable. David used this word when he said, "Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight oh Lord."

There is a condition though. The first part of Proverbs 15:8 says, "The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord."

Delighting the Lord in prayer comes by way of contrast. It is not just any prayer that is acceptable or delightful to the Lord. It is the prayer of the upright. This word, upright, means straight or honest, as opposed to "wicked" which means crooked or guilty. Even if the gift is more costly, the way a sacrifice is compared to a prayer, if the heart is not right it won't impress God. God wants fellowship with you more than service or sacrifice.

God is delighted when we simply talk to Him. The amount I spend or the intensity I have or even the time involved doesn't matter as much as the condition of my heart.

What an incredible thing, that we can effect God in such a way; being His delight.

Take a few minutes right now to bring delight to God's heart by presenting your heart. Tell Him you are thankful for how good He has been to you. Begin to praise Him for things in your life even if they are mundane or even trials. Pray. By doing so you bring God pleasure. One day you will hear those sweet words from His mouth, "Well done good and faithful servant, enter into the joy of your Lord."

Give me this mountain!

2009-10-19T10:55:00.005-10:00

Sometimes I linger in the hair color section pondering how those tiny beard combs and coloring kits work. Just kidding. I enjoy getting older, and it helps that my wife loves my silver hair. I am not even 40 yet but the idea of age is creeping up. It is weird at this age. In your late 30's the seniors call you a "pup" and the kids think you're ancient. Hopefully there is some perspective from the middle.

People are trying hard to stay young, aren't they? Surgeries, hair coloring, wrinkle creams, and other "cures" are out there to preserve some youthful ideal. Nothing is more pitiful than a bad comb-over or botox gone wrong. You could get caught up in the whole thing, if you didn't have the Bible to set you straight. Caleb was a man in the Bible who didn't let age slow him down. Joshua chapter 14 relays the story of how Caleb claimed a promise made to him 45 years earlier.

Joshua 14:7-12 -I was 40 years old when Moses sent me to spy out the land. I brought back word to him as it was in my heart, but my brothers who went with me made the heart of the people melt. But I wholly followed the Lord my God, so Moses swore on that day, saying, 'Surely the land where your foot has trodden shall be your inheritance and your children's forever, because you have wholly followed the Lord my God.' Now, behold, the Lord has kept me alive, these 45 years, and here I am, 85 years old, and just as strong today as on the day that Moses sent me. As my strength was then, so it is now; strength to wage war. Therefore, give me this mountain of which the Lord spoke in that day.

Age happens, just give it time.

But getting older doesn't mean getting weaker or becoming less useful. That is what the world says. I used to work with this old crusty Czech guy. As we worked he would say, "Whats the difference between wine and women?" Then he'd grin and say, "Wine gets better with age." His poor wife. But that is the sad way our culture looks at aging. Little respect is given to the years and experience of seniors but the Bible paints a different picture.

Caleb is testimony that when we walk with the Lord we are preserved and retain our strength. How do you think of age? Are you still happy when your birthday comes around or do you roll your eyes and say "Oh my, another year?" Not only does Caleb show strength in age but the value in getting older.

The Bible teaches us some things about getting older. We are called to respect the aged in Leviticus 19:32, "Rise up before the gray headed and honor the presence of an older man." Paul told Timothy not to rebuke an older man (1 Tim 5:1). The way youth treats elders is the barometer of our society. Isaiah pointed out the rottenness of his day by saying (3:5) "The child is insolent to the elder." But we have to be careful not to adopt this attitude toward ourselves if we are getting on in years. We hear people lament getting older. Maybe we've done it ourselves saying, "I'm getting so old" as if it is a bad thing. It isn't.

Oh, we may get tired more quickly or get out of bed slower, but getting older is, with the right attitude, getting better. The strength of youth can do many things better than age, but the experience of age will always testify better of God's faithfulness. Youth can look forward in faith but age looks back on God's faithfulness. It is always good to hear an older person talk about how good God has been through the years.

In a day and age that usefulness and youthfulness are thought of as the same thing, we need to remember what the Bible says. Psalm 92:14 says, "The Righteous will still bear fruit in old age and be fresh and flourishing." David prayed (Ps 71:18), "When I am old and grayheaded, O God, do not forsake me till I declare your strength to this generation." Paul the Apostle was older and facing death, but still charging forward for God when he asked Timothy to bring him the scrolls so he could study the Word of God in the twilight years.

Are you old? Start learning a language. Go on a mission trip. Volunteer at the youth center. Enroll in Bible College. Don't slow down. Let your years give you momentum and a growing passion for Jesus as you look back on His faithfulness to you. Be like Caleb, faithful in youth and strong in age. Call upon God for His promises made to you in years gone by. He is still good to His Word. Say to Him "Give me this mountain."

"Wash your hands" says the Dear Leader

2009-10-15T22:54:00.003-10:00

Tonight Keren, the kids and I had some dinner over at some friends' house. Their little girl is 8 and when she came in from washing her hands for dinner her mother said, "Oh good you're listening to what I am teaching about washing you hand before dinner." "No mom" she said "President Obama tells us to wash our hands."

Apparently in a local school, as in many around the country, the praises of Obama are being sung. Never in the history of our country has the government had such a focused interest on children. From using kids to carry water for the US census bureau to preaching the specious claims of "climate change and global warming", this government is waaaay to interested in kids. Any stranger in the park this overly interested in children should be watched closely and maybe beaten severely. You just don't get that comfy with other people's kids...unless you are Obama.

Earlier this year Obama wanted all the attention of America's children for his school address. According to the event guides from the white house, teachers were to tell students to ask themselves during the speech; "what is the president asking me to do?" In some places kids are being propped up to push for Obamacare by singing for it on national TV. It is downright creepy to see kids singing to the president. I of course refer to the numerous reports and videos of children being led in song in honor of Obama.

In Farminton Utah kids watched anvideo entitled "I Pledge" where Hollywood stars tell how they should not have SUV's and to flush the toilet less (only after #2). Stars and starletttes vow servitude to the Prez as an example of what the little ones can do too. Demi Moore says she vows "To be a servant to our President." Music artist Anthony Kiedis swears "To be of service to Barack Obama."

In New Jersey the song "Jesus loves the little children" was re-written with Jesus' name replaced by Obama's. They sang, "He said red and yellow black and white/ all are equal in his sight/ Barack Hussein Obama." Second graders rewrote the famous "Battle Hymn of the Republic" to say "Mr President we honor you today/For all your great accomplishments, we do say hooray...and it goes on.

Are kids the new political guinea pigs? I feel sorry for parents who don't or can't homeschool. The kids in government schools are getting more of an indoctrination than an education. And it's even happening in the schools in our own backyard.

Validation

2009-10-14T13:35:00.005-10:00

This past Sunday we were going through the requirements for Israel's king (Deut 17). The first thing God said is that he could not be a foreigner but had to be a brother. I applied this to the leaders that we choose for ourselves and how we ought to vote. We need to choose a brother or sister in the Lord or at least someone who holds closely to our Biblical values.

Then I mentioned the concerns I had with Obama. I was excruciatingly gentle but firm regarding the appointments he has made and the choices regarding moral issues. I mentioned his first act to fund overseas abortions, the repealing of "don't ask don't tell," the appointments of Van Jones, John Holdren and Kevin Jennings. Then I said, in no uncertain terms, that it is impossible to conclude that Obama is a brother in the Lord. He is not a Christian.

Already I have heard some blowback. Some will leave. I don't rejoice in that but I never forget a couple of Pastor Chuck Smith's comments on those who leave. He calls them "blessed subtractions" or says, "God is trimming the fat so He can do a greater work." One of my favorites is "Don't leave angry...just leave." The issue at hand is the straightness of God's truth against the crookedness of people's standards. Apparently some folks love Obama more than the Word of God.

Still, it breaks my heart for the children that are pulled away from fellowship and Bible teaching. I grieve for the grown ups who retract from being influenced by the Bible. Just today I got a call from a brother who, at his wifes request, went to a church with less Bible teaching. It isn't working out as well as they'd hoped. I think of another person who pulled their children out and went off all disgruntled. Wow, the more I think about it the more people I realize have left.

Why am I writing all this? It looks like I am documenting pastoral mistakes, what with all these people leaving. No. Pastors have a tough enough time examining their own messages and errors, feeling guilty and frustrated over their own shortcomings on top of fickle people's ways. No, I am not airing that. But with those questions looming, it is good to have some validation from others in the Lord.

For me this came in the form of a call yesterday from a brother who was just angry at the endless assault on Christians and morality. He was ticked off that anyone would dare come into a church and try to dictate what the pastor might say about the Bible or politics (he's seen people leave our church after hearing about hell and the exclusivity of Jesus). He went on and on about how this humanism is creeping into the church and how frustrated it makes him. I shared some verses about how Lot's righteous soul was vexed everyday and how the Bible says "be angry and don't sin." I assured him that his feelings are valid and that they are prompted by the Holy Spirit in him being grieved. It was good to hear from him.

But when you make a statement that is so divisive in today's culture you wonder if you've crossed the line. Then today I found a recent audio clip from Pastor John MacArthur who said what I said just ten times more clearly and powerfully. A little validation is always nice. Here is the youtube clip. Enjoy and have a blessed day.

Hanging Doors

2009-10-14T11:24:00.003-10:00

Someone gave us a new bathroom door. With five kids (4 of them girls) you can bet that bathroom door gets its fair share of use. The kids had beat that thing to a pulp so a generous friend picked one up from a jobsite. Well I got to hanging the new one yesterday. I'm shaking my head right now cuz I don't know where to begin. That was tough. I had to leave it and finish today.

Getting the new holes for the knob was alright and mounting the hinges seemed to go smoothly. Then came the hanging. It seemed that everything that could go wrong did. Murphy's Law right? First the mounts were 1/8" off so I had to redo. Then they were a hair too low so I shaved the bottom off (planer was broken so I used a skil-saw). Still, something was wrong. Ahh, I could see the new door had a slight warp to it which mounted it at an angle. Next, it was a teeeny bit too wide after the fresh coats of paint my buddy put on it for me. Now I had to shave the length with the saw. Somehow I felt undaunted and wondered how my dad's personality was showing up in me.

My dad is the most diligent and persistent home repair guy ever. He will work and rework a project till he gets it right no matter how many experimental tries it takes. My dad will fix a toilet 100 times before he buys a new one and he'd never call a plumber. One of his favorite verses is "Diligence is a man's precious possession" (Pro 12:27) along with "The soul of the diligent shall be made fat" (Pro 13:4).

So, thinking of my dad and what kind of carpenter Jesus must have been, I shaved and chiseled on. If I kept trimming and shrinking this door it was going to look like a doll house door. Finally, it fit. I re-cut the hinge insets and hung-it. A little paint to touch up the dings and all the flaws are covered (mostly).

All Hail Broke Loose -Joshua 10

2009-10-14T09:07:00.002-10:00

Joshua 10 lists a bunch of victories that Israel has over the cities of the land. What is interesting is the plea from the Gibeonites and Joshua's reaction. You remember these guys tricked Israel into swearing peace with them by wearing worn out clothes and showing them stale bread. It may have been a mistake for Israel but it sure was good for the city of Gibeon. Once Joshua swore an oath to them by the Lord they were under Israel's protection.

They needed that protection too because all their neighbors would turn on them, surrounding their city and attacking them. What a change for Gibeon, their enemy became their friend and their old friends became their enemy.

This is a picture of conversion for us. When we come to our Joshua (Y'shua is the name for Jesus) dressed with humility and with the bread of mourning we are received as servants. Blessed are the poor in spirit for yours is the kingdom of heaven. The metaphor breaks down in that they deceived to gain peace, but we come to the Lord open and honest. Still, the end result is that the war with God is ended and we have peace through Jesus.

Sadly the world turns on us and hates us for our shift in allegiance. The animosity we feel from our former friends is incredible and can be shocking just as it was for Gibeon. We are surrounded and besieged with hatred and marginalization (and in some places deadly persecution), but our response should be the same as those converts. Joshua 10:6 says, "The men of Gibeon sent to Joshua saying, 'Do not forsake your servants; come quickly, save us and help us.'"

What I find incredible is the power and thorough destruction God unleashes from heaven on behalf of those tricky Gibeonites. Once under covenant with God there is complete and total allegiance. Joshua 10 records the most miraculous intervention for war in Israel's history. We read that God cause huge hailstones to pelt the attackers and extended the the daylight for a full day. Who knows the physics of this, whether it was a polar reversal or some heavenly spectacle but God extended the day so that Joshua might beat back those attackers who came against Gibeon.

See how God honors people who at one time were His enemies but who come to him humbly asking for mercy? It is not a tepid response when we are attacked but God thunders from heaven crushing our opposition.

Rewards of Honoring God

2009-10-13T18:05:00.003-10:00

I have seen a pattern in peoples lives that when they honor God they get blessed. No surprise, God spoke through Samuel and said, "Those who honor me I will honor" (1 Sa 2:30). It is an indefinable quality that I've observed where people simply stand on God's Word. They do what it says unquestioning, are faithful in service, giving, prayer and living. If the Bible says it, they do it, no questions asked. If thats what God wants, thats what they'll do. This attitude pays dividends. What has been amazing is how dramatically it plays out in a persons' life. A couple examples.

Josh was an alcoholic drug user who'd been arrested a bunch of times but. He came to Jesus and started taking God at His word. It wasn't long till his life was being blessed. He married a girl from the fellowship and now is an engineer in CA with a home and a couple of boys. Dave was homeless, and had been a pretty hard drug user by the time I met him. He gave God's Word priority in his life and was faithful in church. I watched him grow and thrive in church. Now he runs a company and lives in his own home with his beautiful wife and three kids.

One guy that I saw this character in is Dino. He has been blessed immensely too. Working as an assistant pastor I was reading in a classroom when William, another pastor, popped his head in and asked if I could be a witness for a wedding. Turns out Dino and his girlfriend had just started coming to church and wanted marriage counseling. When giving their contact info, William saw that they shared an address and asked if they were living together. "Yes" they said. Willy responded, "You don't need counseling. You need to get married."

Dino and Tanya went out and bought rings, returned within the hour, and asked Willy to marry them. I was asked to sign the certificate along with our church accountant Lori. For Dino, if getting married honored God, he do it. That was his attitude and something God regards highly.

So over the next couple years I got to know Dino quite well. We played racquetball together, worked together (I helped him set up his parking lot striping business), and even went skiing together a couple of times in Whistler (tho I snowboard). He is the guy that turned me on to "Super Food" the green stuff I drink in the morning.

Over these last 10 years Dino has been building his window washing business from storefronts and shops to high rise buildings. He has always been fair and generous with his employees and always puts God first being ethical in a tough business. From the day that I met him at that pop wedding till today he has honored God in his family, business and personal life. He even started playing worship at the home Bible study he started in his house. He is still faithfully serving over at my dad's church, Calvary Chapel of Honolulu at Komo Mai.

How has God blessed Dino? World Wide Window Cleaning now maintains hundreds of buildings in Honolulu and is the largest high rise window company in the state (and he has other businesses now too). Tonight Dino and his company is being featured on "Dirty Jobs with Mike Rowe." He also appeared on the Larry King program as part of the promotion.

He and his family have been blessed beyond their dreams simply because they've honored God and do what pleases Him.

What a Day

2009-10-12T21:59:00.002-10:00

Usually Mondays are the Pastor's day off. I needed one considering I had double duty yesterday, both leading the worship and teaching for both services in the morning and covering a few chapters in the evening. Man, I can tell you Sunday afternoons are tumultuous for me. I need to study for the PM but the eyelids get sooo heavy. Mondays are great.

Today i got up just before 8, drank my greenish vitamin super food concoction (with fiber) and sat down with coffee to my Bible. I resist the temptation to check the news first thing because that seems to set the tone of the day. Read in Joshua, Psalms, and Proverbs. Then I opened the laptop to check in on the world. You know whats happening out there? Same thing as before only worse. What a bummer.

Got a text from a buddy Antonio -"Want to train today?" We got in an hour of jujitsu at 10am.

Around 11:30 some bros from church and I went off to stand up paddling at Baby Makapuu beach. For 2.5 hours the four of us (Cliff, Bob, Brandon and I) worked the waves. What a beautiful day. The water was UNBELIEVABLE. I was exhausted after and had the guys over for lunch and the jaccuz.

Keren and I took the kids to a little shin-dig at a friends house at 6 followed by another jitsu practice at 7-9.

I can't believe I am still typing. My limbs are about to fall off. I am overwhelmed by God's goodness to let me play like this. I have been blessed with an amazing wife and family, living in one of the most beautiful places in the world. Makes me want to just praise the Lord...and then go to sleep.

Hasty Descisions

2009-10-12T09:05:00.002-10:00

Joshua 9 tells the story of the Gibeonites who cleverly devised a plan, complete with the props of moldy bread and costumes, to trick Israel into a peace treaty. The People of Gibeon lived in the Promised Land and were doomed to destruction at the hand of Israel. But coming to the leaders of Israel with their clothes worn out, their wineskins torn and repaired, their bread dry and moldy and with award winning performances they acted as if they were from a distant land, far away. In verse 14 it says Israel's "leaders examined the bread but did not consult the Lord." That was how they sealed the deal. Joshua and the elders were so impressed, honored that their fame had spread so far, that they swore before God to not touch these people. A couple days later they found out that these people were right around the corner --neighbors.

How many times do we "examine the bread but don't consult the Lord" by making decisions too quickly? We look at circumstances and lean on our own understanding and then commit to a direction. Have we really given God space to speak or give us His peace for that decision. Some of the biggest headaches have come trough my hasty choices. Be careful about making choices. Consult the Lord.

Nobel Peace SurPrize

2009-10-09T14:57:00.002-10:00

President Obama received the Nobel Peace Prize today. Supporters and detractors alike were surprised and had interesting things to say. Many were saying it was too early or that he had not accomplished anything yet. Lech Walensa of Poland said "Too early, too soon. He has no contribution so far." Even sympathizers like Michael Moore said "Congratulations now earn it." Kofi Annan called it "surprising and imaginative." Matt Lauer said, "Not to be rude, but Obama hasn't done anything." These are staunchly Obama people too. The White House even asked if it was April 1st. Obama himself said "this is a call to action" -read, "this is premature at best and I'll work to justify it." The President, to his credit, is taking it in stride sending the $1.5M award to charity (but keep an eye on that money).

The critics are laughing, saying the Nobel Peace Prize has completley discredited itself. The award itself is becoming more and more drenched in political ideology with recipients like Al Gore (bypassing Irena Sendler), Jimmy Carter and Yasser Arafat. In fact three of the last six recipients were Bush detractors. Makes you wonder what level of accomplishment they are looking for in a person. It shouldn't come as a surprise though, when 5 Norwegian Socialist pick an American Socialist to win. It just makes me a little ashamed to be Norwegian. Wait, Nah thats impossible. As my grandma used to say, "It's hart to be humble ven yor Norveegen."

The Bully Pulpit

2009-10-06T11:21:00.004-10:00

Comedian and actor Will Rogers once quipped that the sweetest 5 words in the English language are in the first amendment -"Congress shall make no law." I concur. The more government touches, the more it pollutes. For example, the Office of Safe and Drug Free Schools (OSDFS)was created in 2002 by GW Bush as part of the No Child Left Behind act. This program was meant to prevent violence and drugs in school. Government programs are always well meaning (or sold as such) at first but quickly become the clumsy cumbersome vehicle that force an ideology down the public throat. Case in point; in May of 09 Kevin Jennings was appointed to be the czar of OSDFS.

Jennings is close to Obama even co-chairing his campaign fundraising in 2008. He also has an interesting history as a homosexual activist. He co founded GLSEN (Gay Lesbian Straight Education Network) which has spent the last 20 years promoting perversion in school.

In 2000 GLSEN was busted in Massachusetts for what became known as "fistgate." Supported by the DOE in Mass, GLSEN bussed in teenagers (at taxpayers expense) for a conference on sexuality. On workshop (listed "for youth only") was led by three gay presenters who asked the kids if they knew what "fisting" was and then preceded to describe how to insert the hand into the anal cavity of their partner. When a 16 year old said it didn't sound appealing the teacher argued that it was "an experience of letting somebody into your body you want to be that close and intimate with." We know this because two brave and concerned parents secretly taped the session to expose what GLSEN was all about.

A couple yars later Jennings group GLSEN had another conference wherein they urged ways to set "the tone for nontraditional gender role play" for kids in preschool in a seminar called "Gender in the early childhood classroom."

Jennings would also write the foreward to a book called "Queering Elementary Education" which instructs educators on "Locating a Place for Gay and Lesbian Themes in Elementary Reading, Writing and Talking."

Hmmmm, the guy in the Obama team has a solid track record of promoting the teaching of homosexuality to 6 and 7 year olds. Man, and I got emails from so called Christians to vote for this guys and even took flak from people who attended our church when others spoke about how grieved they were by his policies. Unbelievable. I shouldn't be surprised though, Jennings was speaking in a NYC church days before fistgate when he said, "We need to ignore the bigots...Thats what our strategy has to be...F**k em!"

Jennings' comments to GLSEN were recently exposed when he said, "Kids are aggresively being recruited to be heterosexual in this country." Only in the looney world of the left can homosexuality be a virtue and heterosexuality be a vice. Who is really being bullied here? Obama supports this agenda and has consistently (albeit quietly) working to undermine traditional Biblical values in our country.

Stay Away from My Kids

2009-09-22T12:09:00.003-10:00

The Obama administration has made unprecedented overtures to the young people in it's first year in office. Its getting a little sickening.

First it was the tapping of elementary school children to run the US census. Materials will be sent out to 56 million students so they can help get the 2010 census numbers. This data is collected every 10 years and used redraw political maps for local, city, state and federal elections. Hmmm, isn't this what ACORN was supposed to be heavily involved in before they were exposed? I don't especially like using kids to carry this water.

Then Obama had a nationwide address to school kids. Thankfully the protest over it created a tamed down "do good in school" speech without any political overtones. To be fair, it was a good speech, but imagine if there was no bright light of public scrutiny. Now were learning that school administrators who didn't carve out time for that are losing their jobs. Makes me glad we homeschool especially with these stories: Mandatory Gay Day for kids K-5 in CA, Gay High School in Wisconsin.

Now, here is the latest gesture toward kids. The EPA, under the leadership of Dr. Stephen Chu, is going cross country selling global warming to schoolchildren. Of course we don't call it "global

warming" anymore because its getting cooler and will continue to do so as we experience a season of low sun spots. So now its called "Climate Change" and we have to "fight it" or "confront

it" according to chairman Chu. Talk about a nebulous battle..."fight climate change?" Are you kidding? Nope. Read it five times in their press release (linked above). This is the new windmill children are being told to chase down, the mythical cult of manmade global warming.

Now this latest story about the National Endowment for the Arts being used as a mouthpiece to parrot the healthcare party line if individuals want extra funding from the Government. Most of these groups target and advertise to the younger generation.

It is enough to drive you mad. I never thought I'd quote Pink Floyd but, "Hey [Government] leave those kids alone."

Catastrophic Administration

2009-09-21T10:14:00.001-10:00

This morning I used the term "catastrophic administration" along with "incompetent congress" and "complicit media." Sometimes ppl are irritated when pastors touch on politics. And though it wasn't the subject of the whole message, I chose my words wisely and deliberately. One reason is the continued debacle of the czars chosen by Obama. Who can justify the Van Jones appointment? Or what about the science czar Holdren who says babies might ultimately develop into "human beings?" A person is known by the company he keeps and whether it be the ACORN nuts, the Alinski radicals , the Ayers crowd or Jeremiah Wright and black dominion theology, the president is proving who he is by his bedfellows.

Hawaii Triple Crown Grappling Tourney

2009-09-12T16:24:00.004-10:00

The Triple Crown has been running for a few years now. Three times a year various schools bring out their guys for submission wrestling or Jiujitsu. I have been training for a couple of months now (once a week) and consistently for a couple of weeks. I decided to enter this thing partly as a challenge and partly to have a goal to cut the weight and get in shape.

A month ago the scale read 239 and my goal was to get to the 216 division. Running, dieting and jiujitsu brought me down to my weight. It was fun and I think it will motivate me to keep my weight down. I feel so good lighter and I can barely remember the 265 I weighed two years ago.

Today was the day. Grappling is finished. I entered the white belt in gi division (it was the 5th time I wore that awkward thing) at 216 lbs. It didnt matter because they grouped the unlimiteds with us so there'd be enough guys (5). My guys are pictured above. My first match went about a minute of two before he tapped out under my choke (blue). Then came a big boy who was originally at unlimited. He was what I weighed 2 years ago (265). Tough match. 2-2 at the end so it had to go to overtime where I scored first and won. Yay! Gold medal.

Then came the no-gi division. This is closer to wrestling without the cumbersome and more technical uniforms. Traditional Jiujitsu wears them and I have heard it helps to practice with it. Anyway, with that robe shed my match was with a good friend and training partner Antonio. Only the two of us entered the advanced division. We go back and forth in practice so I wasn't sure how it would turn out. He is a tough guy but I had him today. Points after 7 minutes: 18-0. Whew, two golds.

I'm gonna continue training in this sport. It is a good discipline, a good outlet and full of comraderie. I pray for the guys I train with and many of them are believers. I also think it would be a blast to visit training camps oversees when doing mission work to build bridges through sport. Maybe we should do missions in Brazil??

How I am doing

2009-09-03T12:49:00.002-10:00

My tweets are killing my posts. Unfortunately I tweet so much about politics and excercise that I rarely have the space to give meaningful spiritual content. I thought I'd post some reflections about how I am doing right now. In short -fantastic!

A number of things have coalesced for me that, by the grace of God, have brought me to a stong place of peace and serenity. For a while I have felt burdened down, heavy hearted and heavy minded. My perspective on my life, my family and my calling were a little out of focus --obscured by something, maybe just distraction. Little things became overwhelming. Its not like life was out of hand but it seemed a struggle just to get by. Things were cloudy even on clear days. I cant put my finger on it but it was like I wasn't running at 100%.

David praised the Lord for taking his feet from the miry clay and setting him in a broad place and I fell like He has done the same for me. Lately He has brought me to a new balance and perspective. Ironically much of it has come with simple physical changes. Here is how.

For a while I was taking some excercise suppliments that were throwing my hormones off kilter. I guess it's common for a guy in his thirties to augment his levels of testosterone, but I regret the ups and downs I experienced taking those pills and drinks. There is some benefit, I suppose, but the extra water retention and moodiness imho is not worth it. I remember years ago when I told my wife to get off her birth control pills because I could see a difference in her. She did and things were sweetly better. For a couple of months I have shifted approaches to my physical health and with that the supps are out. As subtle as it is I still feel there is a greater level of clarity and self control. I like it.

In addition to this I took up jiujitsu as a pastime. My wrestling background gives me a basic advantage and helps accelerate my learning. The benefits are manifold. First, the excercise is great. Second, I am learning which is always more exciting than staying static. Thirdly, I am motivated to watch my diet. Fourthly, I have met a number of guys that God has given me a heart to reach. I pray for them often. Finally, a diversion from misistry proper enables me to have some perspective and even energizes me to serve the Lord even more (if that makes sense).

I am entering a tournament on Sept. 12 for grappling. Submission grappling is like wresting and jiujitsu put together. It has motivated me to cut weight and really watch my diet. I firmly believe that the dramatic decrease in junk (ie sugar and simple carbs) has stabilized my mood. I may not have a ton of energy bouncing off the walls but there is a steady easy flow going here. I like it.

Why am I writing all this. Well I guess I can cuz its my blog, sort of an online diary. But I hope I can encourage you to pay attention to some of the more physiological aspects of your life seeing they touch on spiritual and emotional things. As a pastor I come across people who are facing depression, mood swings, tension, a sense of purposelessness and a host of other things. Many times the solution is simpler than they think. Some people are depressed because they are moody, overweight, bored and tired all the time. A visit to the doc will tell you that you need meds, but a change in diet and excercise might do the trick. Change your behavior and you change your atitude.

Watch what you eat. Guard your sleep time (invest in that bank). Be careful about things that can affect your hormones. Don't stop learning, you'll be refreshed by new things. Change the usual riggamorole up with a new sport or hobby, you'll see God give you a passion for it and the people you meet.

The Submergent Church

2009-08-26T11:07:00.002-10:00

Brian MacLaren, the default leader of the latest liberal movement in the visible church; the emergent church, has recently announced that they will be celebrating Ramadan with Muslims. Ramadan is the 30 days of fasting to celebrate Allah's giving of the Koran.

MacLaren says:

"We, as Christians, humbly seek to join Muslims in this observance of Ramadan as a God-honoring expression of peace."

Doesn't the Bible clearly teach that apart from faith in Jesus we are at war with God? Yes. How can you call embracing a pagan ritual that celebrates a pedophile religious zealot and a perveted lie called the Koran a "God honoring expression of peace?" The Bible says, "Do not be bound together with unbelievers. WHat fellowship has light with darkness?"

He goes on to say:

Just as Jesus, a devout Jew, overcame religious prejudice and learned from a Syrophonecian woman and was inspired by her faith two thousand years ago, we seek to learn from our Muslim sisters and brothers today."

So let me get this straight Brian, You are saying that Jesus needed to "overcome religious prejudice"? You think Jesus "learned" and "was inspired by" the Syrophonecian woman. You may want to appease Muslims but I am offended as a Christian.

I don't know what Jesus they believe in but the Son of God, the second person of the Trinity, Yahweh in the flesh, did not have to "overcome religious prejudice" and "be inspired by others". I think it is an insult to Jesus and every Christian.

The emergent church is the latest mission field. We need to save people out of this cult of lukewarmness.

"Gas Stove Squirrel"

2009-08-17T11:19:00.000-10:00

Big Bang or Big Bust

2009-08-17T11:08:00.007-10:00

I found an interesting video of Marcus Chown talking about the big bang.

Chown says, "There is a really big idea missing. There is something missing in our picture of the universe." I can tell you what's missing; God. He explains that because 13.7 billion years is not enough time they've added super fast inflation, dark matter, dark energy and other ideas the big bang still doesn't work. Funny to hear a scientist say this and be well respected. If a Creation Scientist questioned it they'd have him thrown out as a heretic.

If you have a hard time with the video you can watch the original here.

Hang In There

2009-08-13T12:42:00.004-10:00

My wife and I had a little tiff the other day. That's right, I'm admitting it. Pastor Bud and his near perfect wife had some domestic tension at home. This post is not about our spat. It is about our kids, but I am trying to be transparent. Our difficulty stemmed from me not helping out around the house as much as I should have. Keren, worn out from the kids and the house, got exasperated and let me know it. I didn't appreciate her exasperation and let her know it. And so it went. We worked it out like married couples have to and hopefully grew stronger though it.

I know she was right and I guess it is a common source of home tension; the man not engaging. Sometimes my wife will quote "The Incredibles" movie to me --"Engage Bob. Engage." I am trying, but it is not a natural nor comfortable foray for me. As a generally solitary person the duties of home and fathering can be tiresome. It seems the formal, more professional pastoring duties come easier than the everyday care of kids. I can engage with the needy soul and communicate for hours on end with the congregation, but when it comes to picking up laundry and coaching the kids in grammar I have a tougher time. I admit it, it is hard to be "on" all the time.

Today I tried to do a little extra for Keren and the kids. I had her go out for a while while I did the homeschooling. I got a little taste of what she goes through and can understand a little more the emotional fatigue of five children.

People without kids can't come close to understanding the incessant demands on the soul of a parent. People think were crazy to have 5. We weren't crazy before we had them but we're heading there.

The Bible says that children are a blessing from the Lord. You have to take that by faith sometimes. How is it a blessing when sometimes it seems like a nightmare. There is the endless squawking and near constant arguing. The house is littered with small foot piercing toys. There is always noise, never a moments rest for the parents. They must be fed, bathed, clothed, taught and put to bed (if they stay down without continuing the noisy interaction that dominated the day). We put our kids down 2-3 times everynight. They get up before six in the morning for the same routine everyday. It seems that no matter how much you scold or discipline they disobey. They learn to manipulate the situation and deflect responsibility.

The duty of a parent is to turn little sinners into little saints and it is exhausting. You feel that you can hardly do that task for your own soul much less do it in another's. Add to that the guilt a parent feels for losing their temper or failing to be a good example. It leaves a mom and dad frustrated, emotionally raw and hopelessly wondering if the work will ever be done. Will it?

This is a small portion of a parents day. How many loads of laundry are there? Somebody pooped on the carpet!! Who drew on the wall with a sharpie? Why did you poke your sister in the eye? Quit slamming the door over and over again. Did you wet your bed again? Eat your vegetables and don't complain about whats for dinner. Why would you rub toothpaste on the mirror? Get off of the computer. Don't put that in your mouth. Quit screaming!!! Don't squish raisins into the screen. Why are there puzzle pieces in the bathtub? Flush the toilet. Will this house stay clean for longer than three minutes? We live in squalor despite constant cleaning up.

My wife adjusted a proverb (14:4) to say, "Where there are no children the house is clean." It is true. Sometimes I feel like my kids are sucking my life from me everyday. It is so hard you wouldn't believe it. It is truly death to self. Romance suffers. Finances suffer. It is the hardest thing in life. No wonder God commands kids to honor their parents.

Why am I posting this? I don't know. Maybe a catharsis for myself. Maybe as a tribute to my wife --recognition for her work that few human being could do. Maybe I am hoping you are encouraged to know that even the pastor struggles with the demands of life. Maybe I want you to work out marital and parental difficulties knowing others go through it too. Hang in there.

1017 pages that will make you sick

2009-08-11T10:25:00.008-10:00

I have read so much about the 1017 page health care reform bill before congress. I even went online to browse through the bill myself. This is more than many members of our congress have done. In a rush to drive through this legislation elected officials have snubbed the actually reading of the bill. Even President O says he's unfamiliar with the Bill and he is the biggest proponent.

The one good thing about this is that now regular people are doing the work of a lazy congress. They're reading the bill!! The media and regular working class people are checking this thing out (and freaking out). Why?

Well, there is a ton of junk in here that will cripple the American way of life. Anytime the government promises to insure 47 million people and reduce costs you know they are using false promises to increase the size and power of government. Will Rogers once sais the sweetest five words in the English language are in the first amendment; "Congress shall make no law." This is the opposite of that sweetness. Congress is making a law and a bitter one at that, 1017 pages of bitter language to broaden the socialist state.

It creates dozens of entitlement programs and over 50 different programs, bureaus, and commissions. It will vastly increase the size of government and destroy healthcare as we know it. It will use tax dollars to buy abortions. It will "prioritize care" (read: let people die who arent worth medical time and attention). It subsidizes (pays for) abortion and forces religious hospitals to perform them against their conscience or go out of business (there are no conscience clauses despite repeated efforts to add them in by pro life legislators).

Page 16 will effectively do away with private insurance companies. Remember when Obama said he would drive the coal industry out of business? Well He wants to do the same for health insurance. Your enrollment to your own health care will be so severely limited and the punitive nature of the bill's language toward private insurance so egregious that within a short time there will be no other way to get health care. This will lead to a single payer system which is something Obama has long promoted, universal government run health care. check it here or here or here. Though backpeddling now, he said in 2003 to a labor union, "I happen to be a proponent of single payer universal health care plan." This week he said, "I have not said I was a single payer supporter." Lies. He even claimed AARP endorsed his plan. They have not. More lies.

In spite of all this, his surrogates are claiming otherwise and slandering those who would claim such a thing. The anger at townhall meetings has been relegated to organized political manuverings of "rich republicans" and "birthers" even though 70% oppose this plan.

The heart of this legislation is to destroy private health care in this country. It is being done with the same Saul Alinsky tactics used before, "rub raw the sores of discontent" and then enact the change you want. The Obama admin is even asking people to send in names of folks who post online videos opposing the bill. Is this a communist country now? Names of people opposing legislation? If you don't chant the mantra. If you don't agree with the term "crisis" and the tactics of bait and switch you get tagged? No wonder his approval ratings are going down. It is a wonder they still hover where they are.

There is no "health care crisis" in this country. We have the best doctors, the best medicine and the best services of anywhere in the world. Most new procedures and drugs are developed in this country because of our system. There are no waiting periods, no limited procedures, and freedom to choose. I went through this debate on a local level when I served in the State House. In that discussion (and research) we disovered the dirty little secret of public run healthcare. In England a woman is twice as likely to die of breast cancer than in the US. People die waiting line for treatment in Canada. They come across the border to get medication. Is it any wonder it is so inefficient when the people who run the DMV are running the hospitals?

Without debating the general concept of a single payer system (which I have already started doing) consider the nefarious details of the bill itself.

Page 426. If you are on Medicare you will have a counseling session with a government official every five years to discuss end of life options. I don't know about you but talking about living or dying with an agent Smith character doesn't sit well with me. This is in keeping with the Bill's creation of a "Health Choices Commissioner" who will sit at the helm of all descisions on your treatment. This is scary considering the czars the big O has chosen up to now. These characters are insane.

Add to that page 838 where the government will have visitation rights to parents of small children to educate them of how to raise their own children. This is to teach parents "child development," "social," "emotional" and other "skills to interact with their child to enhance development." The government wants to take us "coaching on parenting practices." This is the actual language of the bill and if it doesn’t scare you read it again. It should.

Add to this the huge debt that Universal Health Care will incur. Two sayings come to mind about government. The first is from Will Rogers who said, "Be thankful you're not getting all the government you're paying for." And the second is, "If you think healthcare is expensive now, see how much it costs when its free." What it will ultimately cost is freedom. My freedom, your freedom and American freedom.

Last year Tom Daschle outlined the way Obama would have to pass this bill. Two strategies would have to be employed. First, pass the bill early in his term while he is still popular and there wont be much fuss over it (this is why the rush over this thing). Second, leave out the ugly details so that people won't fuss much over it (this is why they are so vague on this thing).

Thankfully people are ticked off. They are shouting down members of congress at town hall meetings and writing angry letters. The Obama administration and others have dismissed these people as loonies, called them Nazis and part of a well crafted well monied and well organized attempt to overthrow a great plan. They similarly called the tea parties of this past year full of racist haters. Anytime you don't want the government snooping around your life they call you a racist, hatemonger and somewhat of a Nazi. But I am glad to see people getting so angry over this. It gives me hope that there are still sensible folks in our great country that won't sit down while the foundation and heritage is ripped from our hands.

President Reagan used to say that government thinks this way, "If it moves, tax it. If it keeps moving, regulate it. If it stops moving, subsidize it." This has been true of every program ever creates by the the government, It will be true of HR 3200 too and will create a monster that will crush and invade our lives till we collapse under the weight of it.

God have mercy on our country and give us grace for the midterm elections.

For God's sake get off birth control

2009-08-03T16:03:00.001-10:00

Fedor's Faith

2009-08-03T15:00:00.005-10:00

This past January Fedor Emelianenko defended his title against Belarussian monster Andre Arlovski. Arlovski looks like he was pulled out of Greek mythology at 6'4" 250lbs and ripped. Amazingly after taking the brunt of the damage in round one, Fedor dropped Andre the giant with a looping right hand leaving Arlovski face down on the canvas.

I just watched it here on my day off.

Fedor, an unusually softspoken guy from the small Russian town of Stary Oskol, speaks Russian. It is hard to know to much about him form the few interviews that he does. I had noticed a while back that Fedor would often refer to his faith. In a recent interview he was asked what he does in his spare time. His answer: "I don't distract myself from my favorite thing. I spend my free time with family and friends, go to church and read church literature." Hmm, here is a guy who spends time training and going to church. I like this guy.

In his prefight interveiw this January he said, "I try to do whatever the God's will is. If He gives me the strength to win thats wonderful, but I try to contain my emotions with respect to that because at any time the tables can turn. My victories are thanks to God, thanks to my faith." He seems like a genuinely humble guy.

Then after his stunning victory over Arlovski, Fedor quickly put on his rough wooden cross (pictured above) before being interviewed by a highly unintelligible Tito Ortiz. Tito has been hit too many times I think. I understood Fedor's Russian better than Tito's English. Not a skilled wordsmith, Tito. I have to say his commenating throughout the fight was spot on.

Anyway, Fedor was asked about being the best fighter in the world etcetera etcetera. And then I watched as the translator relayed the question to Fedor. Fedor paused and then spoke some Russian. At this point the translator gave one of those generic "I thank God for the win" type of answers. But I know enough Russian to know it was a watered down version of what Fedor actually said (I lived in Moscow for half a year).

So I went back and translated it myself. It is a pretty strong declaration of faith.

Fedor Emelianenko said, "Glory to God, Glory to God. That is the trophy. Thats the whole trophy. Christianity is the true faith. (something I couldn't make out) Thank you Lord."

That is pretty cool when the best mixed martial arts fighter of all time says the real trophy is the glory of God.

Obama's Picks

2009-07-31T16:09:00.002-10:00

John Holdren, Obama's top Science Advisor, believes that babies will eventually become human beings if we feed and clothe them long enough.

An article over at CSN starts thus:

President Obama’s top science adviser said in a book he co-authored in 1973 that a newborn child “will ultimately develop into a human being” if he or she is properly fed and socialized. “The fetus, given the opportunity to develop properly before birth, and given the essential early socializing experiences and sufficient nourishing food during the crucial early years after birth, will ultimately develop into a human being,” John P. Holdren, director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, wrote in “Human Ecology: Problems and Solutions.”

What does that mean? It means if we kill newborn infants it's not really killing, just terminating a fetus. This is a page out of the playbook of Peter Singer, the Philosopher at Princeton University who fights for animal rights but believes killing newborns is cool. He says since babies can't enunciate their preferences they aren't human...yet. "Killing a newborn is never equivalent to killing a person, that is, a being who really wants to go on living." If the state of being a being depends on strength, mental acuity or the amount a person contributes to society, why not decide for them? Singer took that line of reasoning from the third Reich scientists. It now finds its home in our presidents new science guy.

But wait there's more. John Holdren also authored a paper suggesting that trees should have legal rights. That's right our presidents science advisor hopes for the day when trees will have the legal standing to sue others in court. I am not making this up. He says, "this would have a most salubrious effect on the quality of the environment." I think anyone who uses the word "salubrious" has gotta be a pompous jerk. In this case it only adds to him being evil. I had to go look salubrious up. It means "favorable to health and well being."

How far we wander from the truth once we reject it. I think it was Chesterton who said, "When people stop believing the truth they don't believe in nothing but they begin to believe anything."

So lets get this straight. The president's top advisor on science and technology believes that babies are only "potentially human" but that trees should have rights? God have mercy on our nation.

Shedding Light on the Honduras Situation

2009-07-26T13:18:00.004-10:00

My wife is part on a number of homeschool forums and other online moms groups. I have been amazed at the collective wisdom she has been able to glean from the variety of ladies who post threads on the web. From cooking ideas to bed wetting cures this motherly mindhive is a ton of good information.

Recently the subject of Honduras came up. Now, like you, I only see the headlines and read briefly about the "coup" that has taken place there. Up till now I was pretty sympathetic for this character Zelaya who was ousted from office and removed from the country. I discounted it as "another rogue state with some ambitious leader seizing government with the force of the military."

Then my wife told me the real story from a homeschool mom in Honduras who watched the whole thing from her back window. The situation is not as the main stream media would have you think. Not even close.

In 2005 Manuel Zelaya was elected as President. He came from Honduras' Liberal Party. They are more moderate than what we think of when we say "liberal." There is no 'far left in Honduras, only moderate and conservative. For example, on social issues their Liberals are more conservative than our Republicans (imagine that). Abortion is illegal there across the board and a couple years ago they banned the morning after pill. The UN even condemned them for being too pro life. But I digress.

The point here is that Zelaya was duly elected to office in a generally conservative country, but he raised eyebrows when he went radically left. Since Zelaya took office crime, scandals and corruption went up and his ratings went down. Only 1 in 4 supported Zelaya prior to his removal. He tried to veto his own parties ban on the abortion pill. He shocked even his own party when he supported ALBA, an alliance of nations forged by Hugo Chavez and Fidel Castro. This was way out of line but the straw that broke the burro's back was when when he called for a referendum to suspend his term limits (the way Chavez did). According to Constitution Article 239 any president who even suggests a suspension of term limits will be immediately removed from office. Congress initiated the impeachment process immediately, but the people had already taken to the streets. Thousands were marching against Zelaya in the streets. Zelaya's own party and the government was forced them to take immediate action.

On Thursday June 25, the Honduran Attorney General issued an arrest warrant against Zelaya for “acting against the government, treason, abuse of authority, and usurpation of power.” He was later arrested (also warranted by Article 306) and removed from country to avoid conflict.

Taking Zelaya's place in the interim government is a man from the same party, Roberto Michelleti, In response to world criticism Michelleti has said he will be happy to leave office so long as Zelaya does not return. Still there is universal pressure from other governments the US and the UN to reinstate Zelaya (of course the media outlets are parroting this too). In a response to this pressure Honduran Congress voted unanamously to pass (33-0) a resolution asking neighboring countries to review the situation carefully before condemning them. Why the bent in favor of a would be tyrant who was cut short before he could hijack the country?

This was not a coup where the military wrests power from a peaceful leader. It is the opposite, the people hold the power that was being pried from their own hands by corrupt politicians. The people of Honduras have used their own constitution to protect themselves from radical election rigging thugs like Chavez. According to court order and the rule of law, they forced out a man who clearly does not represent Honduran's interests.

Right now Zelaya is camping out with about 150 of his supporters demanding to be let back in Honduras. The military is keeping him out. Chavez is criticising the US for not forcing Honduras to get his buddy back in power. But it seems the US is wising up and taking a less hostile view of the so called "coup."

It seems to me that the situation there is exactly opposite to what the news is reporting. Nobody seems to be speaking up for Hondurans except the Hondurans. The moms typing on homeschool forums are giving us a glimpse of the real story.

The story is far from over, and far more extensive than I have written. I have given you enough insight so you can adjust your "take" on what the media outlets are saying. Let the people stay conservative and give would be dictators the boot. Maybe we in the US should take a page from their playbook and get involved enough to take back the freedoms laid out in our Declaration of Independence and Constitution.

A few donuts shy of a picnic

2009-07-24T20:00:00.004-10:00

We hardly can get a Krispy Kreme unless we are in Maui and now I find out about a new donut shop that won't be here very soon. Introducing "Psycho Donuts" based out of California. This is what they say about themselves on their website: Psycho Donuts has taken donuts to the next demented level. We bid a fond farewell to the tired, round ring of lameness, and the drab, time-weathered environment of donut past. Psycho Donuts has taken the neighborhood donut and put it on medication, and given it shock treatment.

A quick perusal of their site will show you the "manic malt" loaded with "Whoppers" malt balls crushed on the top, or the "cereal killer" a sort of fruitloops treat (ala rice crispy treat style). I'd like to try their "Massive Head Trauma" and expecially their "Apricotology" (looks like an apricot fritter and fritters are my weakness).

They have gotten in trouble with "The Bipolar" though (pictured above). Seems some mental health advocates are upset over the "insensitivity" of Psycho Donuts. The Sacramento based "United Adovacates of Children and Families" is demanding an apology. They say a that Psycho is trivializing mental illness which could lead to violence against people who aren't playing with a full deck. I say 'that's insane" bring me another "ButterNUT" with some milk. Its another case of the political correctness gone mad or the patients taking over the asylum. Are they nuts? No, but that donut is loaded with nuts, youd be insane not to try it.

Smile...or you'll have to repeat this grade.

2009-07-23T12:35:00.004-10:00

I read an interesting article about a new computer system in Japan that monitors the smiles of train workers to keep the platforms upbeat and "happy." Before heading out to usher commuters the uniformed officers look into their computer monitors for a "grade" on their smile. Score a "0" and you fail. Score "100" and you may be in a tooth whitening commercial. If I got to shove people on trains like those guys I'd be smiling all day.

I think I would like this program on my laptop. It would be a steady reminder to smile big all the time. Sometimes I smile just to cheer myself up. Smiling tends to make you happy. You know your body tells your mind as much as your mind tells your body. Try this; nod your head up and down. What word comes to mind? Now shrug your shoulders with your palms facing up. What thought comes to mind? Try shaking your head back and forth. Even if the word "no" doesnt come to mind, the feelings associated with it does. We can't help experiencing the feeling connected to certain body language.

Attitudes are adjustable and even though circumstances may not be agreeable we are better suited to deal with life by putting on the right face. This is why the Bible tells us, as a command, to "Rejoice in the Lord always." We don't need a computer program to keep us smiling (or even the possibility of shoving people around). We have the Lord. Smile.