Chris Christie vs. Cory Booker
This video is popping up all over the internet. I laughed hysterically watching this! No matter what your political stripe may be, this is just funny! I suppose it would be more funny if I lived in New Jersey. But, these are two guys whose political careers fascinate me, even though Mayor Booker is far to my left and Governor Christie is probably not as conservative as I would like him to be on social issues. Regardless, they are both interesting folks to watch. They both seem to have a deep-rooted desire to help their constituents more than their own political agendas.
How Should the Church Address Mother’s Day?
For many Mother’s Day is a wonderful opportunity to once again take the time to show their love and appreciation for the woman who loves them more than they will ever know. However, for many others this day is a reminder of a painful loss or a reminder of a painful reality. This presents a challenge to churches everywhere. How do we celebrate Godly mothers and yet comfort the suffering? Here is how my church has decided to tackle this issue:
First of all, Mother’s Day is a very special day for many women in our church. We like it that way. It’s a great family day and there are many women who will be pampered by their loving families. At least, I hope that families one way or another take advantage of this holiday to show appreciation for their mothers. Nonetheless, at Morning Star Church we are discreet about Mother’s Day because it is also a very rough day for many people.
Having been married to an infertile woman for ten years, I know that Mother’s Day was an especially difficult day and I began to dislike the fact that churches totally ignored the pain of the barren woman on that day. I started realizing that Mother’s Day is a sentimental holiday, but Sunday is the Lord’s Day for ALL of God’s people. Mother’s Day is often difficult for single women also, knowing that they will probably never have a chance to be a mother. Having been in ministry for twenty years I have witnessed how Mother’s Day also conjures up bad memories of bad mothers for many dear Christian people or how it becomes an especially painful time for people who have lost their mother recently. In fact, my cousin will be taking his seven children from ages 14 down to 3 to the graveside of their mother this Sunday; the first Mother’s Day since she’s gone to heaven. Interestingly enough, we have found over the years that some women get offended if we do not hand out flowers or make a big deal on Mother’s Day so I thought that it would be a good thing to remind our core people (the ones that actually read this letter!) that we are thoughtful about the day and believe that we are most Christlike if we make Sunday primarily about the Lord and His Church where no one feels disenfranchised or inadequate or unloved.
Honoring mother is a commandment; one of the Ten. We should do it all the time. Therefore, we do encourage families to make a day of it. We do honor motherhood and we do want you to spoil that dear lady grandly. We have pared down our normal Sunday schedule to make that possible for you and we hope you take advantage of it.
For all the brothers and sisters that are not made happy by Mother’s Day, please know that our greatest joy is a shared joy: it’s Jesus Christ and Sunday is your day as much as it is anyone else’s.
- Pastor Bob Bixby
KevCast 09 – No Innocent Affair with Edward F. Mrkvicka, Jr.
Adultery is a horrible sin that rips apart the marriage covenant, a picture of the gospel relationship Christ has with His church. Yet, in our culture, adultery is seen as a momentary mistake or even an acceptable way of release for those struggling within a tough relationship. On this episode of the KevCast I talk with Edward J. Mrkvicka, Jr., author of the new book No Innocent Affair. Join us as we talk about what God’s Word has to say for those guilty an adulterous affair, those who are victimized by adultery and those who wish t safeguard their marriage from this destructive sin before the Lord.
For previous KevCast episodes, please log on to www.blogtalkradio.con/kevcast.
This and That 05-12-12
President Obama’s Scriptural Defense of Gay Marriage- He implies that Jesus’ words conflict with Paul’s words in both clarity and priority. In terms of clarity, he is suggesting that the apostle Paul’s condemnation of homosexual acts in Romans 1:26-27 is less than transparent. In terms of the priority, he says that Paul’s teaching—whatever that may be—has to give way to Jesus’ words in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7), as if the two were somehow contradictory. Candidate Obama called Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount “more central” and labeled Paul’s words to the Romans as “obscure.” Although this makes some sense of the president’s remarks today, we have to conclude that this is not a “Christian” way of reading the Bible for a number of reasons. – Denny Burk
Five Reasons Christians Should Continue to Oppose Gay Marriage - The temptation, then, is for Christians go silent and give up the marriage fight: “It’s no use staying in this battle,” we think to ourselves. “We don’t have to change our personal position. We’ll keep speaking the truth and upholding the Bible in our churches, but getting worked up over gay marriage in the public square is counter productive. It’s a waste of time. It makes us look bad. It ruins our witness. And we’ve already lost. Time to throw in the towel.” I understand that temptation. It is an easier way. But I do not think it is the right way, the God glorifying way, or the way of love. – Kevin DeYoung
What is Better? - But there’s nothing else in me God wants to change except who I am. And this comes through the cross — Christ’s cross becoming my cross. What is better? To be warring all the life in Romans 7, denying urges and not feeling good inside, or doing what we feel is right simply because it feels good, better? One voice answers the latter, and it strokes the ear. The other strikes terror sometimes — okay, many times — but it takes us from Romans 7 to Romans 8. – Jared C. Wilson
Same-Sex Marriage Makes a Lot of Sense - Same-sex marriage makes sense if you assume that the individual is the center of the universe, that God—if he exists—is there to make us happy, and that our choices are not grounded in a nature created by God but in arbitrary self-construction. To the extent that this sort of “moralistic-therapeutic-deism” prevails in our churches, can we expect the world to think any differently? If we treat God as a product we sell to consumers for their self-improvement programs and make personal choice the trigger of salvation itself, then it may come as a big surprise (even contradiction) to the world when we tell them that truth (the way things are) trumps feelings and personal choice (what we want to make things to be). – Michael Horton
Mothers Day and the Infertile - It is good and right to honor mothers. The Bible calls us to do so. Jesus does so with his own mother. We must recognize though that many infertile women find this day almost unbearable. This is not because these women are (necessarily) bitter or covetous or envious. The day is simply a reminder of unfulfilled longings, longings that are good. – Russell Moore
Mother’s Day is not Joyful for Everyone - I would encourage you to remember your friends that might be in anyone of these places. It can seem awkward, but I promise you, they will be grateful. Tell them you are thinking about them, especially on Mother’s Day. Write them a card. However small, acknowledge that you understand that this day is difficult. Don’t just do nothing. I remember last year going up to my friend and telling her I was thinking about her. I had a 3-year-old grabbing onto my leg, I was holding my daughter, and I was visibly pregnant. Sometimes because we don’t want to make them more sad we just keep our distance. But, thankfully I have had friends tell me that that is much worse. Obviously, I have not struggled with infertility, and yes, that means I don’t truly understand. But I do care. And letting my friends know I care means a lot. – Johanna Hanson
Preaching the Gospel to Politicians
For the past four years it has been by delight to organize a National Day of Prayer event at Rock County Christian School. For the past three years we have opened it up for the public to come. The past two years I’ve made it a point to invite local politicians to come and speak, asking them to tell all of us how we can be better praying for them. The best part is knowing that all of these politicians will be sitting through a very thorough and hard-hitting gospel presentation.
Pastor Ken Hereford is the pastor of the Grace and Truth Church in Beloit, WI. Ken has a firm gospel foundation and a love of sound doctrine. He is warrior for the truth and has taken costly stands for the Lord complete with battle scars to prove it. He has more than earned my respect. I consider Him a friend and fellow-laborer. I say all of that to say this, you’ve got to listen to his sermon at this National Day of Prayer. It is excellent. Keep in mind that he not only speaking to Christian School students, but people from the community and local politicians including our own Wisconsin Attorney General.
Here are a few of my favorite quotes:
“Many of our country’s leaders conveniently become Christians during election season.”
“What difference does it make if we can implement every policy that we can, but the foundation is crumbled? I am not referring to the Founding Fathers some of whom may have promoted an idea of moral virtue and spirituality by recognizing there is only one God… but I am referring to I Corinthians 3:11 which says, ‘For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.’ “
“What is the problem with America? I can emphatically tell you, it’s not the economy, stupid. It’s not the lack of jobs or even the lack prayer or anything else.. We ave always had to deal with an ideology that wants to do away with the true God. It doesn’t matter what aspect of society we are talking about. The real issue is not whether a bunch of non-believers are following the ways of God or not. The over-arching issues are within the walls of the church.”
“Love America, but never put the Founding Fathers ahead of the Heavenly Father. Love America, but never think that social help is a substitute for the Holy Spirit. Love America, but never consider jobs before Jesus. “
And it gets even better than this. You can watch the video below. His message begins at about the 41 minute mark.
My Final “Gleanings in Grace” Column for the School Year
This week marks the final Word on the Street publication for the 2011-2012 school year. For those of you who don’t recall, the Word on the Street is the offical student newspaper at Rock County Christian School. So, here are my last 200 word column (“Gleanings in Grace”) till September:
Colossians 2:14 is one of my favorite verses. “…by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross.”
First we see a “record of debt.” I am a sinner. But, that’s easy to admit. What is troubling here is that there is a record. A record suggests that there is an account of all my sins. There’s a specific list of my many sins. This record screams my guilt with no excuses. This exposes me for who I really am. It’s easy to admit I’m a sinner, just like everyone else, but it is embarrassing to know there is One who knows all of my sins in particular.
But, second, there is the good news. This entire record of debt has been erased! It was nailed to the Cross of Calvary. Just like Pilgrim before the cross, my burdens have rolled away! I am not saved because God suddenly realized I’m a great guy. No, that record says otherwise. I am saved because of the death of Jesus. His work cancels my debt. He paid the price I refused to pay!
His grace truly is amazing!
