by Berean Wife ~ July 3, 2009
There are several warnings in the Bible to take seriously the urgency of the gospel and the shortness of time. None of us know how long we have or how long those we meet may have. Just yesterday reading in our little county newspaper, I happened to notice that there were two 22 year olds and a 21 year old all listed as having died in the last couple of days. That was very unusual for so many so young. Why those young people died I do not know? But I do know that everyone that knew them are getting a fresh sense of how short the time is.
Ephesians 5:15-17
15 Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise,
16 making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.
17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. ESV
Colossians 4:5 Conduct yourselves wisely toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. ESV
Psalms 90:12 So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom. ESV
The story of Lazarus and The Rich Man illustrates the urgency of the gospel and the punishment of judgment. Luke 16:19 – 31. Notice now that The Rich Man sees the importance of the gospel and wants to warn others.
Luke 16:27-28
27 And he said, ‘Then I beg you, father, to send him to my father’s house—
28 for I have five brothers —so that he may warn them, lest they also come into this place of torment.’ ESV
Luke 12:4-5
4 “I tell you, my friends, do not fear those who kill the body, and after that have nothing more that they can do.
5 But I will warn you whom to fear: fear him who, after he has killed, has authority to cast into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him! ESV
The Holy Spirit will convict another of their sins and separation from God. Yet, we are to be obedient.
John 16:7-11
7 Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you.
8 And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment:
9 concerning sin, because they do not believe in me;
10 concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father, and you will see me no longer;
11 concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged. ESV
Our obedience requires us to be urgent in sharing the gospel message.
“If sinners will be damned, at least let them leap to hell over our bodies. And if they will perish, let them perish with our arms around their knees, imploring them to stay. If hell must be filled, at least let it be filled in the teeth of our exertions, and let not one go there unwarned and unprayed for.” C.H. Spurgeon.
If we take the punishment of sin seriously then we will warn others seriously. If you see a neighbor’s house on fire, you do not wait until a convenient time to go warn them! You warn them with urgency.
There is a price we must pay for not warning others of the judgment to come.
Ezekiel 3:18-19
18 If I say to the wicked, ‘You shall surely die,’ and you give him no warning, nor speak to warn the wicked from his wicked way, in order to save his life, that wicked person shall die for his iniquity, but his blood I will require at your hand.
19 But if you warn the wicked, and he does not turn from his wickedness, or from his wicked way, he shall die for his iniquity, but you will have delivered your soul. ESV
If the truth were told, often our failure to share the gospel is not for love for our neighbor and the fear of offending them, but it is for a greater love for ourselves and the fear of our being rejected.
When we let our love for the Lord be our guide then we will share the gospel with any and everyone just as He commands.
How seriously do you take the gospel? Is it a matter of life and death?
by Berean Wife ~ July 2, 2009
In the study I’ve done lately about friendships, the Bible has repeatedly warned about friendships with the world.
The tragic news about the Governor of South Carolina serves as warning to those who flaunt the Bible’s warnings. Even if your friend is not of the opposite sex, the world cannot help but try to pull believers deeper into sin.
Governor Sanford who claims to be a Christian has shown that friendship with the world is dangerous. The things that he has been quoted as saying prove the point very clearly.
He quotes 1 Corinthians 13 in emails to his mistress. He says his mistress loves him like his mother did “unconditional love.”
Governor Sanford has a friend counseling him who has very wise words for all who will listen.
Culbertson told the AP he believes that “everybody’s vulnerable, and there are no boundaries on darkness.” He does not dine alone with other women and keeps his office door open when he has a female visitor.
He says he has counseled many men “who have fallen in the position that Mark’s in.”
“Everybody starts with the same exact story: ‘We got to be friends. We started talking. I didn’t mean for anything to happen,‘” he says. “That’s exactly where a sin begins.”
Did you notice that ‘We got to be friends. We started talking. I didn’t mean for anything to happen,’” he says. “That’s exactly where a sin begins.”
This applies to much more than affairs, it applies to all our relationships. It is real easy to be friends with the world and soon cross lines that you never would have thought possible.
by Berean Wife ~ July 1, 2009
~Bren~ At Pieces from Me has written a very wise and thoughtful look at her second chance at parenting, this time her adopted children.
Parenting…The Advanced Course
Another change in this round of parenting, is the social scene for our children. We spend time as a family more than when we were raising the boys. Bud was always too busy with baseball, friends, activities, and we encouraged that. This time around those activities are very limited.
Many of us will never have a second round of children to parent like ~Bren~ does. Although some us may have children that stretch out our parenting such that we can learn from our parenting with our oldest and apply that to our youngest children.
Nevertheless, it is so important for us to be willing to learn from our own mistakes and successes. But the Lord has also instructed us to learn from the older women in Titus 2, women such as ~Bren~.
Titus 2:3-5
3 Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good,
4 and so train the young women to love their husbands and children,
5 to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled. ESV
However, we seem to be short on Titus 2 women in today’s society. Although I think there are many, many more women willing and qualified to teach the younger women than when I was young. I found very few willing and able to guide and lead a young mom. Even fewer that would base their instructions on the Bible. 
Most of the women then were busy with their careers and most gave the impression, if not actually said, “I’ve served my time, I’m free, I’ll leave it all to the younger women.”
But today there is a resurgence of women staying home and caring for their families by giving up the supposed “glamour and fulfillment” of working away from home. There are even many women who have homeschooled their children for years and garnered much experience both good and bad. When I began my homeschooling journey I knew no homeschooled children or families. I would have loved to have a mom to guide me or let me ask questions.
Since we have graduated our oldest from homeschool I have become that older woman whether I want to or not. However, since we also have a four year old, it isn’t like I will be leaving the homeschool ranks anytime soon.
Older Women Wanted By Mary Pride
The younger women who responded to this call in 1985 found to their distress that few older women were available to serve as mentors and role models. Our parents’ generation had followed the model of a planned family of just a few kids, who were sent to public school. Our own mothers knew nothing about homeschooling; in fact, they were likely to be hostile to the notion. Far from supporting large families, older women in the church were more likely to treat any woman pregnant with her third or fourth child like she was mildly demented. Any women who wanted to stay at home and raise her own kids was automatically treated as a second-class citizen.
But I’m finding a different problem occurring today.
What is that problem?
Young women aren’t interested in having older Titus 2 women to guide and lead them.
Younger women seem to “know” everything and aren’t open to learning from the older Titus 2 women.
Why is that?
Is it an age issue, a cultural issue or just a maturity issue?
I think it is a maturity issue. Why? Because there are some young women who are desiring Titus 2 women to come alongside them, just not the majority of them.
Most of us have noticed the adult 20 – 30’s men who seem to be perpetual adolescents (Adultescents). They are characterized by their toys and video games even when they have a family and children to care for.
Many of today’s young women seem to be in a similar boat. They know everything and nothing can change their minds. Typical of the teenage years when many teens think they know everything and they are invincible to harm.
What happens when your peers are your biggest advisers?
1 Kings 12:6-11
6 Then King Rehoboam took counsel with the old men, who had stood before Solomon his father while he was yet alive, saying, “How do you advise me to answer this people?”
7 And they said to him, “If you will be a servant to this people today and serve them, and speak good words to them when you answer them, then they will be your servants forever.”
8 But he abandoned the counsel that the old men gave him and took counsel with the young men who had grown up with him and stood before him.
9 And he said to them, “What do you advise that we answer this people who have said to me, ‘Lighten the yoke that your father put on us’?”
10 And the young men who had grown up with him said to him, “Thus shall you speak to this people who said to you, ‘Your father made our yoke heavy, but you lighten it for us,’ thus shall you say to them, ‘My little finger is thicker than my father’s thighs.
11 And now, whereas my father laid on you a heavy yoke, I will add to your yoke. My father disciplined you with whips, but I will discipline you with scorpions.’” ESV
Read the rest of the passage to see what happened by following his peers advice.
Apollos exhibited a teachable spirit:
Acts 18:26 He began to speak boldly in the synagogue, but when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him and explained to him the way of God more accurately. ESV
Wisdom is learning from others.
Proverbs 1:7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction. ESV
Proverbs 9:7-9
7 Whoever corrects a scoffer gets himself abuse, and he who reproves a wicked man incurs injury.
8 Do not reprove a scoffer, or he will hate you; reprove a wise man, and he will love you.
9 Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be still wiser; teach a righteous man, and he will increase in learning. ESV
Treasure wisdom and instruction everywhere you can but always remember to be Berean and compare it to the Scriptures.
Acts 17:11 “Now the Bereans were of more noble character than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.” NIV
It just might save you alot of heartache later on.
So if you are the older Titus 2 woman be willing to teach the younger women to love their husbands and children and to serve the Lord so that the Word of God will not be blasphemed. Even in the face of rejection and scorn we should be obedient to God’s Word and His instructions. There is always someone younger than you that can benefit from Godly wisdom. Just make sure it is Godly wisdom and not worldly wisdom.
If you are the younger women (which we usually are younger than some) be willing to be taught by those older and wiser than yourself. You may save yourself much heartache in the long haul but most importantly you will be obedient to the Lord. Check all advice according to Scripture, you will learn no matter how bad the advice might could be, if you will go to God’s Word to see if the advice is true or not.
See also:
“Immature” Believers
What Is Your Response to a Rebuke?
Silly, Weak Willed Women Swayed by Strangers
by Berean Wife ~ June 30, 2009
Ever heard any of the quotes below?
Especially when sharing what the Bible says on a certain issue?
“This isn’t unconditional love, we are supposed to love unconditionally.”
“I am appalled by the unchristian tone of this … “
“Who gave you the right to judge these people?”
“Can’t we just focus on what we have in common?”
“Don’t be so dogmatic!”
“You may have quoted Scripture but your attitude was not loving.”
“You are so legalistic, Jesus condemned the Pharisees for that.”
“Look at the many people they are reaching with their loving acceptance.”
“If we don’t do ____________ then no one will become a Christian.”
Here is a satirical look at Paul’s letter to the Galatians Church.
If Paul’s Epistle to the Galatians was Published in Christianity Today
Dear Christianity Today:
In response to Paul D. Apostle’s article about the Galatian church in your January issue, I have to say how appalled I am by the unchristian tone of this hit piece. Why the negativity? Has he been to the Galatian church recently? I happen to know some of the people at that church, and they are the most loving, caring people I’ve ever met.
Phyllis Snodgrass; Ann Arbor, MI
…
Kind Editors:
I happen to be a member of First Christian Church of Galatia, and I take issue with Mr. Apostle’s article. How can he criticize a ministry that has been so blessed by God? Our church has baptized many new members and has made huge in-roads in the Jewish community with our pragmatic view on circumcision. Such a “seeker-sensitive” approach has given the Jews the respect they deserve for being God’s chosen people for thousands of years. In addition, every Gentile in our midst has felt honored to engage in the many edifying rituals of the Hebrew heritage, including circumcision, without losing their passion for Jesus. My advice to Mr. Apostle is to stick to spreading the gospel message of Christ’s unconditional love, and quit criticizing what God is clearly blessing in other churches.
Miriam “Betty” Ben-Hur; Galatia, Turkey
HT: DefCom
I remember a lady at a previous church who would often say the Apostle Paul didn’t like women. Why? Because she didn’t like his instructions to women, they weren’t considered to be loving.
The piece from Sacred Sandwich would be more humorous if it wasn’t so true.
by Berean Wife ~ June 29, 2009
Paul Washer was in Birmingham, Alabama preaching last night at:
Grace Coventant Baptist Church
2059 Columbiana Road, Suite 103
Vestavia Hills, Alabama 35216
Todd Wilson is the Pastor
Pastor – twilson@gracecovenantbaptist.org
Recorded sermons (CD or audio cassette) – media@gracecovenantbaptist.org
The sermons there can be found in the sermon archives.
We have visited at Grace Covenant but we found the hour drive through Birmingham to be too difficult for every service.
However, we might have have gone to hear Paul Washer but we had other commitments. My husband was preaching at another church that evening in the opposite direction. 
by Berean Wife ~ June 29, 2009
Dr. George Ella will be speaking in Gadsden for the 2009 Gadsden Conference on the English Bible on Friday and Saturday, July 17 and 18, 2009.
He will also be speaking in several area churches during the two weeks he will be in the Southeastern part of the USA.
Dr. Ella has written Biographical works on:
William Cowper,
William Huntington,
James Hervey,
John Gill,
Augustus Montague Toplady,
Andrew Fuller,
Henry Bullinger,
Isaac McCoy
Dr. Ella has also published shorter works on over ninety Christian leaders.
He has written several theological books also.
Emmanuel Baptist Church, Enid, OK, has had him write their church history and has hosted Dr. Ella several times.
Some samples of Dr. Ella’s work available online include:
Hugh Latimer
Martin Bucer - several other topics can be found from this link.
The Dumbing Down of Doctrine – at Monergism.com
Biographia Evangelica - is Dr. Ella’s own site with a multitude of online articles.
I have to admit that I had never heard of Dr. George Ella before the Gadsden Conference on the English Bible planning was being done. The story about how a small town like Gadsden ended up with Dr. Ella coming to speak is rather interesting.
Somehow Dr. Ella’s email address was in one of the pastor’s Outlook address book so when the first information about the Conference was emailed out to everyone in the address book Dr. Ella received one. Through a few emails back and forth it was found out that Dr. Ella had distant relatives who had lived in the Southeastern USA.
When Dr. Ella expressed a slight interest in visiting Alabama arraignments were made to gather enough money for flying him to Alabama for speaking at the conference and several local churches. What started out as involving a handful of people has since become a much larger undertaking involving several churches, church associations, the Gadsden Public Library, Gadsden State Community College, Gadsden Museum of Art, and the Gadsden Cultural Arts Center.
The other locations for Dr. Ella’s speaking schedule can be found through this link. They include the Gadsden Public Library, several Primitive Baptist Churches, a Southern Baptist Church and a Reformed Baptist Church in addition to the Gadsden Conference on the English Bible.
Dr. George Ella will be speaking in Gadsden for the 2009 Gadsden Conference on the English Bible on Friday and Saturday, July 17 and 18, 2009.
He will also be speaking in several area churches during the two weeks he will be in the Southeastern part of the USA.
Dr. Ella has written Biographical works on:
William Cowper,
William Huntington,
James Hervey,
John Gill,
Augustus Montague Toplady,
Andrew Fuller,
Henry Bullinger,
Isaac McCoy
Dr. Ella has also published shorter works on over ninety Christian leaders.
He has written several theological books also.
Emmanuel Baptist Church, Enid, OK, has had him write their church history and has hosted Dr. Ella several times.
Some samples of Dr. Ella’s work available online include:
Hugh Latimer
Martin Bucer - several other topics can be found from this link.
The Dumbing Down of Doctrine – at Monergism.com
Biographia Evangelica - is Dr. Ella’s own site with a multitude of online articles.
I have to admit that I had never heard of Dr. George Ella before the Gadsden Conference on the English Bible planning was being done. The story about how a small town like Gadsden ended up with Dr. Ella coming to speak is rather interesting.
Somehow Dr. Ella’s email address was in one of the pastor’s Outlook address book so when the first information about the Conference was emailed out to everyone in the address book Dr. Ella received one. Through a few emails back and forth it was found out that Dr. Ella had distant relatives who had lived in the Southeastern USA.
When Dr. Ella expressed a slight interest in visiting Alabama arraignments were made to gather enough money for flying him to Alabama for speaking at the conference and several local churches. What started out as involving a handful of people has since become a much larger undertaking involving several churches, church associations, the Gadsden Public Library, Gadsden State Community College, Gadsden Museum of Art, and the Gadsden Cultural Arts Center.
The other locations for Dr. Ella’s speaking schedule can be found through this link. They include the Gadsden Public Library, several Primitive Baptist Churches, a Southern Baptist Church and a Reformed Baptist Church in addition to the Gadsden Conference on the English Bible.
by Berean Wife ~ June 28, 2009
Why share the gospel? For the sake of the unbelieving? Or For Christ’s Sake?
Philippians 2:8-11
8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.
9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name,
10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. ESV
For Christ’s sake because unbelievers are profaning the Lord’s name.
Isaiah 48:11 For my own sake, for my own sake, I do it, for how should my name be profaned? My glory I will not give to another. ESV
Ezekiel 20:9
9 But I acted for the sake of my name, that it should not be profaned in the sight of the nations among whom they lived, … ESV
Ezekiel 20:14 But I acted for the sake of my name, that it should not be profaned in the sight of the nations,… ESV
Ezekiel 20:22 But I withheld my hand and acted for the sake of my name, that it should not be profaned in the sight of the nations, ESV
Ezekiel 36:22-23
22 … It is not for your sake, O house of Israel, that I am about to act, but for the sake of my holy name, which you have profaned among the nations to which you came.
23 And I will vindicate the holiness of my great name, which has been profaned among the nations, and which you have profaned among them. And the nations will know that I am the Lord, declares the Lord God, when through you I vindicate my holiness before their eyes. ESV
Romans 1:5-6
5 through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith for the sake of his name among all the nations,
6 including you who are called to belong to Jesus Christ, ESV
The NIV gives an easier understood reading of Romans 1:5.
Romans 1:5 Through him and for his name’s sake, we received grace and apostleship to call people from among all the Gentiles to the obedience that comes from faith. NIV
3 John 5-8
5 Beloved, it is a faithful thing you do in all your efforts for these brothers, strangers as they are,
6 who testified to your love before the church. You will do well to send them on their journey in a manner worthy of God.
7 For they have gone out for the sake of the name, accepting nothing from the Gentiles.
8 Therefore we ought to support people like these, that we may be fellow workers for the truth. ESV
If we are sharing the gospel just for the sake of the unbeliever then we run the risk of defaming and profaning the Lord’s name. We are doing the right thing with the wrong motive.
If we are witnessing and sharing the gospel to other’s for the sake of the Lord’s name then it behooves us to be sure to be witnessing in a manner that does not profane His name and that it is in obedience to the Lord.
Colossians 3:16-17
16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.
17 And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. ESV
by Berean Wife ~ June 27, 2009
We need to be careful of how we relate to the world and unbelievers. Although we are called to share the gospel, we are still warned repeatedly about how we are to use caution when we interact with the world. If we are not careful, unbelieving worldly people will lead us astray.
Even those that claim to believe in Jesus Christ can lead us astray if they are living like the world and listening to the world’s message.
Psalms 1:1-2
1 Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers;
2 but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. ESV
1 Corinthians 15:33 Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals.” ESV
Proverbs 4:14-15
14 Do not enter the path of the wicked, and do not walk in the way of the evil.
15 Avoid it; do not go on it; turn away from it and pass on. ESV
Job 21:16,18 The counsel of the wicked is far from me. … That they are like straw before the wind, and like chaff that the storm carries away? ESV
Proverbs 1:10 My son, if sinners entice you, do not consent. ESV
Psalms 26:4-5
4 I do not sit with men of falsehood, nor do I consort with hypocrites.
5 I hate the assembly of evildoers, and I will not sit with the wicked. ESV
Psalms 119:47-48
47 for I find my delight in your commandments, which I love.
48 I will lift up my hands toward your commandments, which I love, and I will meditate on your statutes. ESV
Proverbs 18:24 A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. ESV
John 17:14 I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. ESV
James 1:27 Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world. ESV
This Iron sharpens Iron post was talking about how our Christian friends are to encourage us in our walk with the Lord.
“In the Word of God: If either of us are taking on a worldly view or just taking on the “acceptable” view on a topic and not using the Scripture as a guide, it’s not really iron sharpening iron. We’re just having a heated discussion.”
Proverbs 27:17 Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another. ESV
Proverbs 27:6 Faithful are the wounds of a friend; profuse are the kisses of an enemy. ESV
Hebrews 3:13-14
13 But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called “today,” that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.
14 For we share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original confidence firm to the end. ESV
1 Thessalonians 5:11 Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing. ESV
Colossians 3:16-17
16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.
17 And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. ESV
We can’t have serious discussions of this type with a nonbeliever because we are not using the same guide, God’s Word. Even if a nonbeliever quotes Scripture, you can be sure they will often quote it out of context or without looking at all of Scripture, such as ignoring other verses.
We are to share the gospel and make disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Mark 16:15-16
15 And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.
16 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. ESV
Matthew 28:19-20
19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” ESV
But while we are going about sharing the gospel we must be sure to not become stained by the world.
James 1:27 Religion that is pure and undefiled
before God, the Father, is this:
to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and
to keep oneself unstained from the world. ESV
by Berean Wife ~ June 27, 2009
Can you believe that right in the “Bible belt” of Alabama we now have a billboard up promoting freedom from religion?
First freethought message appears on billboard
The release goes on to say “this is the first such freethought (atheist, agnostic) message ever placed in Alabama. The colorful billboard went up just in time to for the annual ‘Glorious Fourth’ celebration in rural Talladega County sponsored by the Alabama Freethought Association this year July 3 through 5. The event is held at a freethought ‘advance’ (not retreat), which includes a lake, air conditioned auditorium and facilities. (It) has attracted as many as 200 freethinkers from all over the south and all over the United States.”
The billboard, the release goes on to say, “is part of a national educational campaign sponsored by the Freedom From Religion Foundation, the nation’s largest association of freethinkers, which works to keep church and state separate…The Alabama Freethought Association is an FFRF chapter.”
Billboards have been placed in 26 different cities in 16 states.
Alabama Freethought Association claims their definition is to “form opinions about religion, independently of tradition, authority or established belief, in favor of rational inquiry.”
The problem is that if you arrive at the decision in favor of religion then you are wrong and deceived! So much for free thought!
Christians have been involved in caring for others since the death of Christ. They took to heart this verse:
Matthew 25:35-36
35 For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me,
36 I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ ESV
To read some about the Christian contribution to medicine – The Christian Contribution to Medicine
Maybe a Derecho windstorm will get it. Similar to the story of the Ark of the Covenant and Dagon.
1 Samuel 5:1-5
1 When the Philistines captured the ark of God, they brought it from Ebenezer to Ashdod.
2 Then the Philistines took the ark of God and brought it into the house of Dagon and set it up beside Dagon.
3 And when the people of Ashdod rose early the next day, behold, Dagon had fallen face downward on the ground before the ark of the Lord. So they took Dagon and put him back in his place.
4 But when they rose early on the next morning, behold, Dagon had fallen face downward on the ground before the ark of the Lord, and the head of Dagon and both his hands were lying cut off on the threshold. Only the trunk of Dagon was left to him.
5 This is why the priests of Dagon and all who enter the house of Dagon do not tread on the threshold of Dagon in Ashdod to this day. ESV
by Berean Wife ~ June 26, 2009
Motions: Messengers endorse GCR task force, criticize Driscoll’s entity influence
Two motions were referred to all SBC entities:
– that “all SBC entities should monitor” funds spent in “activities related to or cooperative efforts with Mark Driscoll and/or the Acts 29 organization” and entity heads should submit a report of expenditures to appear in the 2010 Book of Reports, submitted by Kent Cochran, a messenger from Calvary Baptist Church in Republic, Mo.
– that SBC entities avoid “inviting event speakers” who “are known for publicly exhibiting unregenerate behavior … such as cursing and sexual vulgarity, immorality, or who publicly state their support for the consumption or production of alcohol,” submitted by Ida South, a messenger from First Baptist Church in Mathiston, Miss.
…
On the recommendation of the Committee on Order of Business, Hunt ruled several motions “not in order.”
The committee chairman’s, Render, said three resolutions were not in order because of reflecting harshly on particular individuals.
…
– that author Mark Driscoll’s books be removed from LifeWay Christian Bookstores because of his “reputation for abusive and ungodly language and … promotions of sex toys on his church web site,” submitted by Jim Wilson, pastor, First Baptist Church in Seneca, Mo.”We need to live holy lives and bringing this man to our college campuses and promoting his books in the bookstore … I believe is a violation of Scripture.”
…
– that messengers encourage all SBC entities “to refrain from inviting event speakers” who engage in “cursing and sexual vulgarity, or who publicly state their support for the consumption or production of alcohol,” submitted by Larry Reagan, pastor, Adams Chapel Baptist Church in Dresden, Tenn.
…
A motion by Brian LeStourgeon, pastor of First Southern Baptist Church in Camp Verde, Ariz., sought to have Mark Driscoll “address the concerns of his accusers” at the 2010 annual meeting. Render said the committee declined LeStourgeon’s motion since it could have put the Convention in the role of exercising church discipline.
At least some are seriously questioning Mark Driscoll and his language in the pulpit. It is a shame though that nothing will be done until next year. What is there to think about? Hopefully this will serve as a wake up call to Mark Driscoll and his church.
Where are the men like this taking a stand for their Lord and their families I’ve had it with Mark Driscoll and his mouth. Now it’s personal!
If only the SBC would take a stand.
by Berean Wife ~ June 26, 2009
Whom does Jesus call His Friends?
Jesus calls Lazarus His friend.
John 11:11 After saying these things, he said to them, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but I go to awaken him.” ESV
Abraham was called God’s friend.
James 2:23 Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness”—and he was called a friend of God. ESV
We are the friends of Jesus if we are obedient to His commands.
John 15:13-15
13 Greater love has no one than this, that someone lays down his life for his friends.
14 You are my friends if you do what I command you.
15 No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you. ESV
Thus Jesus was not the friend of those in disobedience. Jesus was accused of being the friend of sinners, gluttons, and drunkards by the Pharisees. Although all people are sinners only repentant, obedient sinners are Jesus’ friend. Jesus did associate with with unrepentant sinners but they were not His friends.
Notice Jesus was also accused of being a glutton and a drunkard by the Pharisees.
Matthew 11:19 The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Look at him! A glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ Yet wisdom is justified by her deeds.” ESV
Luke 7:34 The Son of Man has come eating and drinking, and you say, ‘Look at him! A glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ ESV
Friendship with the world is condemned because then you become an enemy of God.
James 4:4 You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. ESV
Philippians 3:17-19
17 Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us.
18 For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ.
19 Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things. ESV
What are we to do when another is an enemy of Jesus. We are to pray for them, love them and share the truth of the gospel with them.
Luke 6:34 But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil. ESV
An unbeliever is an “enemy of God” so were we until God called us. We show unbelievers the same Mercy and Grace the Lord showed to us in His calling us.
Romans 5:10-11
10 For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life.
11 More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation. ESV
by Berean Wife ~ June 25, 2009
Reading yesterday I found several references to God’s unconditional love and that we are to love others unconditionally. That is a concept that people say they believe but it really has no basis in Scripture the way they interpret it.
So I thought I’d see what really the Bible says about God’s Love and whether it is unconditional or not. I’ll start with John Piper’s explanation so you can see the verses he references.
Is God’s Love Unconditional?
There is such a thing as unconditional love in God, but it’s not what most people mean by it.
* It’s not a saving love that he has for everybody. Else everybody would be saved, since they would not have to meet any conditions, not even faith. But Jesus said everybody is not saved (Matthew 25:46).* It’s not the love that justifies sinners since the Bible says we are justified by faith, and faith is a condition (Romans 5:1).
* It’s not the love of working all things together for our good because Paul says that happens “to those who love God” (Romans 8:28).
* It’s not the love of the most intimate fellowship with the Father because Jesus said, “He who loves me will be loved by my Father” (John 14:21). And James said, “Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you” (James 4:8).
* It’s not the love that will admit us into heaven when we die because John says, “Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life” (Revelation 2:10). And faithfulness is a condition.
How then does God love unconditionally? Two ways (at least):
1. He loves us with electing love unconditionally. “He chose us in him before the foundation of the world . . . for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ” (Ephesians 1:4-5).
He does not base this election on foreseeing our faith. On the contrary, our faith is the result of being chosen and appointed to believe, as Acts 13:48 says, “As many as were appointed to eternal life believed.”
2. He loves us with regenerating love before we meet any condition. The new birth is not God’s response to our meeting the condition of faith. On the contrary, the new birth enables us to believe.
“Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been [already!] born of God,” (1John 5:1). “[We] were born, not . . . of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God” (John 1:13).
Let us pray that thousands of people who speak of the unconditional love of God would discover the biblical meaning of what they say. If that happened many would find their feet on solid ground.
Is God’s Love Unconditional?
February 20, 2009 By: John Piper
Category: Commentary
by Berean Wife ~ June 24, 2009
Repentance a ‘dire need’ in SBC, Hunt says
… The 9/11 terrorist attacks and recent economic downturn have caused many Christians to say, “God is trying to get America’s attention,” Hunt said.
“God is not trying to get America’s attention. God is trying to get our attention,” Hunt declared. “The Bible says, ‘It is now time for judgment to begin at the house of God [1 Peter 4:17]. If I understand that, from my own background and vernacular, God is saying, ‘Quit predicting what I am going to do to America, I am about to let the hammer fall on my own people. I’m trying to get their attention.’”
When God gets Southern Baptists’ attention and they begin to conduct themselves with tenderness, holiness and compassion, God will get the nation’s attention, Hunt said. …
This quote of Hunt’s is so true. (Just a note of clarification I don’t normally quote Hunt since I think much of what he says is way off.) We as individuals need repentance. Southern Baptists as a denomination need repentance. Christians as a whole need repentance. We need to repent of our sins of commission and omission. We need to repent of thinking to highly of ourselves. But most importantly we need to remember that we are slaves to a most HOLY, HOLY, HOLY GOD. We have no understanding of how worthless our “good” deeds are.
Isaiah 64:6 But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; KJV
The Lord God will vindicate His Holiness before the nations. He will not forever stand by and let us who claim to be His people profane His name.
Ezekiel 36:23 …And I will vindicate the holiness of my great name, which has been profaned among the nations, and which you have profaned among them. And the nations will know that I am the Lord, declares the Lord God, when through you I vindicate my holiness before their eyes. ESV
by Berean Wife ~ June 23, 2009
Southern Baptists are quite different then just a few years ago! I know because I grew up Southern Baptist and we didn’t have ballet for worship services or worry about other churches having known homosexuals on staff.
Classical ballet at Pastors’ Conference
… Riley and her church, First Baptist Church of North Mobile, are working to reclaim the arts in worship. While the choir sings, artist Brian Daniel will paint with his hands during one song. In another set, Riley will move in fluid rhythm to an orchestra of violins, electric guitars and other instruments.
“We want to add another dimension to worship,” music minister Jason Breland said. “It will be wonderful if people experience the presence of God and the worship of God in a way that they haven’t experienced before.”…
Southern Baptist EC recommends ceasing relationship with church over homosexuality
The Southern Baptist Convention’s Executive Committee recommended in a unanimous vote Monday afternoon that the denomination cease its relationship with Broadway Baptist Church, a Fort Worth, Texas, congregation that has been the source of controversy over its stance on homosexuality.
The Executive Committee’s recommendation will be considered by SBC messengers during the annual meeting Tuesday or Wednesday.
At issue is whether the church is in violation of Article III of the SBC Constitution, which states that churches “which act to affirm, approve, or endorse homosexual behavior” are not in friendly cooperation. Broadway Baptist has approximately five open homosexual members, including two male couples, according to church leaders. Some of the homosexuals serve on church committees. …
What Rick Warren talks about with the Islamic Convention attenders will be very interesting. You think he will say anything about them believing in a false god?
Islamic Society reaches out to other faiths
For Warren, author of the best-selling “The Purpose Driven Life” who gave the invocation at Obama’s inauguration, the visit to a Muslim convention also fits, said Tulane University assistant sociology professor Shayne Lee, co-author of “Holy Mavericks: Evangelical Innovators and the Spiritual Marketplace.”
Warren has conducted workshops with Jewish rabbis, Lee said, offering tips on how to build their congregations, and established ties with the gay rights community in California. He also was unafraid to endure criticism from conservatives about his role in the Obama inauguration.
by Berean Wife ~ June 23, 2009
Alabama governor, AG at odds over electronic bingo
The feuding between the Alabama governor and his hand-picked attorney general over electronic bingo gambling machines has become so intense that the state Supreme Court is having to sort out who’s right.
A lawsuit appeal from St. Clair County — the latest Alabama county to allow electronic bingo machines — could decide which Republican official wins, Gov. Bob Riley or Attorney General Troy King. It might also determine the legality of thousands of machines across the state.
Riley picked King as his legal adviser in 2003 and appointed him attorney general in 2004. But the feud between the two Republicans now finds King accusing Riley of trying to usurp his authority as the state’s chief legal voice.
“At the end of the day, there is an important constitutional principle at issue here: Is the governor also the attorney general or is he just the governor?” King said.
Riley is accusing King of trying to take over an electronic bingo lawsuit from St. Clair County so he can sidestep the most important legal question about gambling: Are electronic bingo machines really illegal slot machines? …
See other posts about Bingo / Gambling
by Berean Wife ~ June 22, 2009
Sacred Harp syllables take shape at National Convention in Birmingham, Ala.
Fortissimo is the preferred volume level — the only one, in fact. Singers in four voice categories sit in a “hollow square” — altos facing tenors, basses facing trebles — with the leader in the center.
Sacred Harp singing going strong with younger, non-Southern devotees
“When (director) Anthony Minghella came to do ‘Cold Mountain,’ one of the things he ran across was Sacred Harp,” says Buell Cobb, the Birmingham author whose research is documented in his book, “Sacred Harp: A Tradition and Its Music.” “He said that when he heard it, he knew he had a film.”
Some of the singers that will gather next weekend for the 29th National Sacred Harp Convention were in the movie. Most of the 500 or so expected at First Christian Church in North Shelby County are part of a changing demographic that includes more young people and more from outside the South.
“When I first got started in Sacred Harp, many of us had serious doubts about its ability to survive into the new century,” Cobb reflected. “Then a curious thing began to happen on its way out. It began to be discovered and popularized in folk festivals and college music departments. It’s almost like two orbs that were about to pass each other collided and spawned a whole new wave.”
See also Sacred Harp Singing – Losing Its Heart
by Berean Wife ~ June 22, 2009
This weekend we attended the National Sacred Harp Convention in the Birmingham, Alabama area. I enjoyed getting to hear the style singing that I grew up listening to. Although I found I was seriously out of practice. I could not sing as fast as they did.
The National Convention draws some of the best Sacred Harp singers from around the world.
There were around a dozen singers from the UK, lots from Canada, one lady was from Holland, and many from all over the USA. Singers drove or flew from Oregon, Montana, New York, and California. There was one lady that has flown from England for ten years for this conference.
We didn’t see anyone we really knew this year. Most of the older individuals aren’t able to travel any longer or else they have passed away. We saw several that we are familiar with but really don’t know, many that are part of promoting Sacred Harp Singing nationally. And of course there was the eclectic older individual man that is a regular each year. You never know what to expect from him. I guess you would call him a modern day hippy. The day we saw him he wore shorts, a printed shirt, black knee high socks, and some kind of rolled beret hat. The day before he was proudly wearing a NO WAR shirt.
That was a symptom of a larger problem which I have noticed for years but never so much as this year. What is the problem? The fact that although in some ways Sacred Harp Singing is thriving and being introduced to more and more younger generations, it has lost its heart.
What do I mean about losing its heart?
The National Convention has become a singing for the sake of singing and promoting Sacred Harp singing. But the real reason for singing is lost, just like Christmas today has no evidence of the purpose intended. The heart of Sacred Harp singing is worshiping our Lord, singing praise to His name and His wonderful provisions for us. But that was missing. Now granted there were those there that were singing to praise and worship the Lord, particularly the older individuals. But many, many were there to sing a style of music and they had never caught the reason for the singing.
Sacred Harp singing was a method of learning to sing notes and carry tunes in order that hymn singing in worship services might be beautiful praise to the Lord. It was developed at a time when reading music was not known by the general population and tunes were sung differently in different churches just from memory.
Within a generation or two, the Puritans forgot many of their psalm tunes, and the pace of singing slowed. Lining out, a practice in which a clerk or precentor sang or read a line followed by the people’s singing of that line, gradually became more popular. This call-response pattern and the slowed tempo encouraged individuals to improvise their own variations on the psalm tunes ever more loudly in an increasingly cacophonous sea of sound. Ministers like Thomas Walter found this “singing by rote” intolerable and began in the second and third decades of the eighteenth century to argue for a return to “regular singing.” By 1800 the practice of “lining out” had died in New England and moved South, more of its own accord than by argument, but concern for “regular singing” helped to create singing schools.
Dictionary of Christianity in America
So villanous had church-singing at last become that the clergymen arose in a body and demanded better performances; while a desperate and disgusted party was also formed which was opposed to all singing. Still another band of old fogies was strong in force who wished to cling to the same way of singing that they were accustomed to; and they gave many objections to the new-fangled idea of singing by note, the chief item on the list being the everlasting objection of all such old fossils, that “the old way was good enough for our fathers,” &c. They also asserted that “the names of the notes were blasphemous;” that it was “popish;” that it was a contrivance to get money; that it would bring musical instruments into the churches; and that “no one could learn the tunes any way.”
Sabbath In Puritan New England by Alice Morse Earle
So Sacred Harp singing developed as a way to teach the hymns and tunes to the congregations in order that the hymn singing could be done “decently and in order”.
If you visit a small Sacred Harp singing in a church there is often praying and testimonies given during the singing. Even the songs attest to the Lord’s Grace and faithfulness to us worthless sinners. Although the singings may be doing the right things and saying the right words, they are becoming lacking in the truly important things – worshiping the Lord with all the heart and spirit.
by Berean Wife ~ June 21, 2009
The attack on men and fathers.
Stupid. Lazy. Uninvolved. Ignorant. Timid. Detached. Neurotic. Weak. Powerless. Unreliable. Ineffectual. Irresponsible.
What do all these words have in common? They are all descriptions of how men and fathers are depicted in today’s Western culture. …
Watch Out for Myths About Fatherhood
The role of the father is increasingly problematic in the context of modern American culture. Fatherhood has been marginalized and the rule and authority of fathers have been depreciated, ridiculed, and continuously redefined. From the Berenstain Bears to The Simpsons, fathers are all too often the object of ridicule or the subject of the laugh line.
Of course, some fathers bring this marginalization upon themselves as they either neglect or forfeit their own fatherly responsibilities. In many sectors of our society, fathers are most noted by their absence. Indeed, millions of American children are growing up without any significant father figure, much less their biological father. …
Family Series Part 3 (Responsibility, The Duty of Fathers) by Paul Washer Audio Sermon
Ephesians 6:1-4
1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.
2 “Honor your father and mother” (this is the first commandment with a promise),
3 “that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land.”
4 Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. ESV
Proverbs 4:1-4
1 Hear, O sons, a father’s instruction, and be attentive, that you may gain insight,
2 for I give you good precepts; do not forsake my teaching.
3 When I was a son with my father, tender, the only one in the sight of my mother,
4 he taught me and said to me, “Let your heart hold fast my words; keep my commandments, and live. ESV
by Berean Wife ~ June 20, 2009
This is what Britian has to look forward to due to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC). How long until we have to deal with this?
UN Treaty Jeopardizes Homeschool Freedom in Britain from HSLDA
Mr. Badman has a solution for the lack of access of the state to homeschooled children in order to fulfill this provision of the UNCRC.
He proposed the following:
That designated local authority officers should:
~ have the right of access to the home
~ have the right to speak with each child alone
And:
That a requirement is placed upon local authorities to secure the monitoring of the effectiveness of elective home education.
This is for England today but it will be soon coming here if the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) is voted on in Congress!
Report to the Secretary of State on the Review of Elective Home Education in England by Graham Badman (Don’t you think the name is ironic?)
3.3 The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) giveschildren and young people over forty substantive rights which include the right to express their views freely, the right to be heard in any legal or administrative matters that affect them and the right to seek, receive and impart information and ideas.
…
And the Education Division of the Church of England states its concern:
“that children and young people not in formal education are missing the benefits and challenges of learning in community with their peers. Children who do not go to school may not experience the social and cultural diversity encountered there; they will not learn how to deal with the rough and tumble of everyday life; they may never meet people with different faith and value systems. All such encounters, even the difficult or painful ones are enriching. We are concerned not only with the five Every Child Matters outcomes, but also with the spiritual well-being of all children and young people. Spiritual well-being arises not only from being cared for in a loving family and/or faith community, but also in encounters with people of different opinions and backgrounds; in learning to listen to a variety of opinions; to encounter diversity and the riches and life-enhancement it can bring. Spiritual well-being depends on living and taking a full part in community life. Children and young people in schools learn about and from the five major religions. This may be a difficult part of the curriculum for home educators to provide, yet it is vital for the Government’s community cohesion agenda that all children learn in a balanced way about the variety of religious values and practices, and to be encouraged to question their own beliefs and practices.”
….
8.2 Many home educators argue that press coverage of this review has cast them as “guilty” with a need to prove “innocence” just by virtue of being a home educator. And many have argued for a measured response to prevent “hard cases becoming bad law”. In addressing this issue I have tried to answer two fundamental questions:
■■ First, if there is abuse of children within the home education community, is it disproportionally high, relative to the general population?
■■ Secondly where abuse does exist, would a change of regulation with regard to elective home education have either prevented or ameliorated such abuse?
by Berean Wife ~ June 19, 2009
Gospel Healing for Hurting Marriages by Voddie Baucham
In an age when Christians seek therapy before the seek the Lord, it is important to be reminded that God is a primary, not a secondary source when it comes to healing hurting marriages. Far from being silent on the issue of conflict resolution, the Bible has much to say on the subject.
