mohawkvalleychristians

A new location!

2009-11-17T07:35:00.005-05:00

Yeah, right (at blogspot) and Mohawk Valley Christians have been combined into my own domain. Come and visit:

http://akagaga.com/

Word for Wednesday

2009-04-08T00:02:00.003-04:00

The Word for Wednesday meme has moved!

Go to yeah, right to follow or participate.

God bless you all!

The Word for Wednesday: Who Gets the Glory?

2009-04-01T00:01:00.003-04:00

Welcome to The Word for Wednesday meme! Today I'm asking some of my regular readers to take the next step, and actively participate in this meme.

As my topic this week will show, there are myriads of supposed Christians out there teaching stuff that has nothing to do with Christ. This meme is designed to counter that with the pure Word of the Lord.

C'mon, join us and post what God has put in your heart this week. Just pick a scripture passage that means something to you right now, copy it into a post with as much or as little commentary as you choose, and put your link below in Mr. Linky. It's that easy, and you may never know whose heart God touched because you took the time to share His Word.

* * *

When I was first saved fifteen years ago, an anonymous new Christian friend put me on Joyce Meyer's mailing list. Each month, I'd receive a glossy, full-color magazine with lots of photos and snappy sayings. The Lord must have been protecting me, though, because I never really paid much attention to the content.

With the receipt of my fourth or fifth issue, though, I realized that the cover - for the third month in a row - featured a full-sized shot of Joyce striking a pose before her adoring audience. The question the Lord put into my heart was this: Who gets the glory?

For we do not preach ourselves
but Christ Jesus as Lord,
and ourselves as your bond-servants
for Jesus' sake.
2 Corinthians 4:5

Joyce Meyer was promoting Joyce Meyer, not Jesus Christ. I cancelled my subscription.

Things have not improved since then. In fact, they've gotten much worse. A little tour around A Little Leaven will highlight some of the more blatant nonsense that masquerades as Christianity in America.

Today, though, I'm going to focus on a major proponent of what is called "the social gospel," a deception that's a little more subtle ... and a lot more popular. I did a little digging and found the best commentary on this at The Berean Call, written by T. A. McMahon and titled "The Shameful Social Gospel." If you're not familiar with this concept, I'd encourage you to go read the whole article, but here are a couple snippets, emphasis added.

Although the social gospel is common to many new movements among evangelicals, it is not new to Christendom. It had its modern beginning in the late 1800s, when it developed as a way to address the various conditions in society that caused suffering among the populace. The belief was, and is, that Christianity will attract followers when it demonstrates its love for mankind. This could be best accomplished by helping to alleviate the suffering of humanity caused by poverty, disease, oppressive work conditions, society's injustices, civil rights abuses, etc.

The history of the social gospel is, in nearly every case, a sincere attempt by Christians to do those things that they believe will honor God and benefit humanity. In every case, however, the practical working out of "benefiting humanity" has compromised biblical faith and dishonored God. Why is that? God's Word gives no commission to the church to fix the problems of the world. Those who attempt to do so are starting out under a false premise, "...a way which seemeth right unto a man," not God's way. So where can it go from there? "The end thereof are the ways of death," i.e., destruction (Proverbs 14:12). Furthermore, the problems of the world are all symptoms. The root cause is sin.

Today the most active and "successful" proponent of the social gospel is Rick Warren. While I could write for days about the dangers of his "P.E.A.C.E. Plan" and his purpose-driven movement, it's already been done by Lighthouse Trails, so instead I'm simply going to apply the same standard to him that I applied to Joyce Meyer: Who gets the glory?

If you never understand the social gospel or the purpose-driven movement, if you never read another word by or about Rick Warren, you can still take the measure of this man by the way he is promoting an upcoming baptism and membership at his Saddleback "church." [Hat tip to Slice of Laodicea] Who gets the glory?

EIGHT REASONS TO JOIN THIS SATURDAY & NOT PROCRASTINATE:
I'm personally teaching Class 101 for the first time in ten years.
I'm personally baptizing after Class and you'll receive a photo & baptism certificate.
You'll get a free one year subscription to Purpose Driven Connection magazine. (Never offered before)
You'll get free copy of The Purpose Driven Church book.
Your name will be included in the historical list of Saddleback Pioneer Members who joined in our first 30 years. (This Easter is our 30th Easter and I want you included in this list.)
The class is 1 hour shorter than normal. You can watch session 3 here online now.
You'll be a part of making Christian history! The largest membership class ever!
We love you & want you in our family. There is no good reason to procrastinate.

Many years ago, I made up my mind that I would never intentionally give glory to any man or woman, or to any church or ministry - not to Joyce Meyer, and definitely not to Rick Warren and his purpose-driven P.E.A.C.E. plan. In your life, who gets the glory?

I will bless the LORD at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul will make its boast in the LORD; The humble will hear it and rejoice. O magnify the LORD with me, And let us exalt His name together. I sought the LORD, and He answered me, And delivered me from all my fears. They looked to Him and were radiant, And their faces will never be ashamed. This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him And saved him out of all his troubles. The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear Him, And rescues them. O taste and see that the LORD is good; How blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him! O fear the LORD, you His saints; For to those who fear Him there is no want. (Psalms 34:1-9)

Then I heard something like the voice of a great multitude and like the sound of many waters and like the sound of mighty peals of thunder, saying, "Hallelujah! For the Lord our God, the Almighty, reigns. Let us rejoice and be glad and give the glory to Him, for the marriage of the Lamb has come and His bride has made herself ready." (Revelation 19:6-7)

The Coming Glory

2009-03-26T22:20:00.001-04:00

For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, "Abba! Father!" The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him. For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us. (Romans 8:14-18)

The Word for Wednesday: Lift up Your Heads

2009-03-24T22:32:00.034-04:00

Welcome to The Word for Wednesday meme. Each week, you're invited to post a scripture that has touched your heart, whether it's an old favorite, new light from the Holy Spirit, or something you're pondering.

If you'd like to participate and share what God has written on your heart - and I really wish some of you would ... you know who you are :) - use Mr. Linky below to let us all know you've posted. And your comments would be most welcome.

As we watch our churches disintegrate into apostasy, and the America we once knew crumble into mayhem and injustice, those who truly know Jesus have simple instructions. The Lord recently brought them to mind, so today I will share a snippet, emphasis added. This might also be a good time to re-read Matthew 24-25 and Luke 21 in their entirety.

And He said, "See to it that you are not misled; for many will come in My name, saying, 'I am He,' and, 'The time is near.' Do not go after them. When you hear of wars and disturbances, do not be terrified; for these things must take place first, but the end does not follow immediately."

Then He continued by saying to them, "Nation will rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be great earthquakes, and in various places plagues and famines; and there will be terrors and great signs from heaven.

But before all these things, they will lay their hands on you and will persecute you, delivering you to the synagogues and prisons, bringing you before kings and governors for My name's sake. It will lead to an opportunity for your testimony. So make up your minds not to prepare beforehand to defend yourselves; for I will give you utterance and wisdom which none of your opponents will be able to resist or refute. But you will be betrayed even by parents and brothers and relatives and friends, and they will put some of you to death, and you will be hated by all because of My name. Yet not a hair of your head will perish. By your endurance you will gain your lives.

But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then recognize that her desolation is near. Then those who are in Judea must flee to the mountains, and those who are in the midst of the city must leave, and those who are in the country must not enter the city; because these are days of vengeance, so that all things which are written will be fulfilled. Woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days; for there will be great distress upon the land and wrath to this people; and they will fall by the edge of the sword, and will be led captive into all the nations; and Jerusalem will be trampled under foot by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.

There will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and on the earth dismay among nations, in perplexity at the roaring of the sea and the waves, men fainting from fear and the expectation of the things which are coming upon the world; for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then they will see THE SON OF MAN COMING IN A CLOUD with power and great glory. But when these things begin to take place, straighten up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near." (Luke 21:8-28)

Hallelujah. Come, Lord Jesus.

This is the Air I Breathe

2009-03-23T06:00:00.001-04:00

Draw Me Close to You

2009-03-22T10:02:00.004-04:00

Too Good to Perish

2009-03-21T09:59:00.004-04:00

It is the profound conviction that we are wholly unworthy of future blessedness, that we are indeed by nature fitted only for destruction, that leads to true repentance. The man who inwardly believes that he is too good to perish will certainly perish unless he experiences a radical change of heart about himself.

A. W. Tozer
Man: The Dwelling Place of God

Declining Morality

2009-03-20T06:06:00.006-04:00

The fault in declining morality is not radio or television [or internet] . The whole blame for the present international degeneration and corruption lies at the door of the Church!

Leonard Ravenhill
Why Revival Tarries, 1959

The Word for Wednesday: On Judgment Day

2009-03-18T00:01:00.056-04:00

Therefore we also have as our ambition,
whether at home or absent,
to be pleasing to Him.
For we must all appear
before the judgment seat of Christ
(2 Corinthians 5:9-10)

The following list contains paraphrases of things I've heard over the years from other Christians. On rare occasions they were spoken directly and clearly. Most often they were stated obliquely and often behind someone's back.

If I have any faith at all, however, I have faith that they are things I will not hear on Judgment Day from my Lord and Savior, when I cast my crowns at His feet.

You shouldn't have disagreed with other Christians so much. You were way too particular about the truth.

You'd have gotten farther ahead if you'd spent more time studying church doctrines and other Christian books, instead of the Bible.

You would have had more friends if you hadn't taken it all so seriously.

You should have submitted to the "official" church authorities, instead of clinging to Me as your Head.

Paul was just a guy. You put too much weight in what he wrote.

You shouldn't have spent so much time separating truth and error.

If you'd been more calvinist, arminian, lutheran, evangelical, baptist, ecumenical, inclusive, relevant, emerging, reforming, seeker-sensitive, green or purpose-driven, you'd have fit in better.

You shouldn't have taken My words so literally. I didn't really mean them.

You should have spent more time trying to please people and less trying to please Me.

Listen to No Man who Fails to Listen to God

2009-03-16T23:11:00.005-04:00

No man has any right to offer advice who has not first heard God speak. No man has any right to counsel others who is not ready to hear and follow the counsel of the Lord.

We are under no spiritual obligation to aid any man in any activity that has not upon it the marks of the cross. No appeal to our sympathies, no sad stories, no shocking pictures should move us to put our money and out time into schemes promoted by persons who are too busy to listen to God.

A. W. Tozer
The Root of the Righteous

Everyone Against Abortion Please Raise Your Hand

2009-03-16T22:27:00.006-04:00

The Word for Wednesday: Love & Marriage

2009-03-11T00:01:00.049-04:00

The Love Dare
Fireproof Your Marriage
Your Marriage and the Internet: Untangling Web Addictions and Fantasies
Communication: Key to Your Marriage
Now You're Speaking My Language: Honest Communication and Deeper Intimacy for a Stronger Marriage
The 10 Commandments of Marriage: The Do's and Don'ts for a Lifelong Covenant
The Total Marriage Makeover-A Proven Plan to Revolutionize Your Marriage

If this is the stuff that's selling, then a lot of Christians need a lot of advice on marriage, so today I'm going to give you some, free of charge. If you really want to know how to love your spouse, first take any "Christian" self-help books you may have - and toss them.

Then get out your Bible and turn to 1 Corinthians Chapter 13. God tells us how to love our spouses ... and our children, and our parents, and our neighbors, and our enemies. We don't need a special language or new man-made commandments or a forty-day challenge. We just need to meditate on God's Word ... and then apply it.

Love is patient,
love is kind and is not jealous;
love does not brag and is not arrogant,
does not act unbecomingly;
it does not seek its own,
is not provoked,
does not take into account a wrong suffered,
does not rejoice in unrighteousness,
but rejoices with the truth;
bears all things,
believes all things,
hopes all things,
endures all things.

(1 Corinthians 13:4-7)

Word for Wednesday: Revelation 12:7-12

2009-03-04T00:01:00.095-05:00

Welcome to The Word for Wednesday meme! Each week, you're invited to post a scripture that has touched your heart, whether it's an old favorite, new light from the Holy Spirit, or something you're pondering.

If you'd like to participate and share what God has written on your heart, use Mr. Linky below to let us all know you've posted. And your comments would be most welcome.

Admittedly, some of the Bible can be confusing. Some passages are open to interpretation. Some issues are not directly addressed, and must be discerned. Therefore, where we have passages that are clear and unequivocal, we would do well to heed them. The passage that contains our blog header is one of great clarity, and I will address it today.

And there was war in heaven, Michael and his angels waging war with the dragon. The dragon and his angels waged war, and they were not strong enough, and there was no longer a place found for them in heaven. And the great dragon was thrown down, the serpent of old who is called the devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him. Then I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, "Now the salvation, and the power, and the kingdom of our God and the authority of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren has been thrown down, he who accuses them before our God day and night. And they overcame him because of the blood of the Lamb and because of the word of their testimony, and they did not love their life even when faced with death. For this reason, rejoice, O heavens and you who dwell in them. Woe to the earth and the sea, because the devil has come down to you, having great wrath, knowing that he has only a short time." (Revelation 12:7-12)

There is a great spiritual battle raging around us, but most who claim to be Christians, despite moutains of biblical documentation, won't talk about it. "If I can't see it or touch it, I will ignore it," they seem to say, perhaps believing that ignorance is bliss.

Others acknowledge the spiritual battle, and will talk about nothing else. In fact, most churches that engage in so-called "spiritual warfare" have fallen prey to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons. Their "ministries" give glory to satan and the men he has deceived, instead of to our God and His Christ.

Both positions ignore the simplicity of the above passage. The spiritual battle is real. Satan lives to deceive the whole world, and he's currently enjoying great success, even among Christians, in part because we ignore God's Word and His clear, simple three-point plan to overcome.

the blood of the Lamb There are churches today that deny the atonement, even deny that we are sinners. Some say that sin is irrelevant, because God loves us too much to send anyone to hell. And there are those who say that hell isn't even real. On the other side, there are those who think that they are "good enough" and certainly better than a lot of people. They say that there are many paths to God. Because He is just and judges the intentions of the heart, they think that their good intentions or their good works will save them. God help them all. The only salvation available to any man is found in the finished work that Jesus did on the cross, and the only way to avail ourselves of it is on our knees. Our good works are indeed like filthy rags, and our intentions matter not unless we have been born again by the Holy Spirit.

the word of their testimony Have you ever gotten to know someone, then months or even years later, you were surprised to learn that they were Christians? As James would say, "these things ought not to be this way." If you are not proclaiming to the world what Jesus has done for you, if you refuse to testify on His behalf, you are denying your Savior. Everyone therefore who shall confess Me before men, I will also confess him before My Father who is in heaven. But whoever shall deny Me before men, I will also deny him before My Father who is in heaven. (Matthew 10:32-33)

they did not love their life even when faced with death Last fall, a dear sister in the Lord passed on after a long battle with cancer. She was only in her forties, leaving behind a much-loved husband and two young children. She had every worldly reason to want to live. Yet in the end, particularly the day she passed, everyone who saw her was amazed at the peace in her heart. It filled the room. She was not cursing God for her fate, she was submitting her life into His hands to do with as He pleased. She is one who would never compromise the gospel or sell out to avoid unpleasantness or pain. Would that we all could learn from her example.

For this reason, rejoice, O heavens
and you who dwell in them.
Woe to the earth and the sea,
because the devil has come down to you,
having great wrath,
knowing that he has only a short time.

The Word for Wednesday: John on The Holy Spirit

2009-02-25T00:01:00.009-05:00

Welcome to The Word for Wednesday meme! Each week, you're invited to post a scripture that has touched your heart, whether it's an old favorite, new light from the Holy Spirit, or something you're pondering.

If you'd like to participate and share what God has written on your heart, use Mr. Linky below to let us all know you've posted. And your comments would be most welcome.

Last fall I visited Dan's book sale and came away with a box full of used treasures for ten bucks. If I were Jewish, I'd say, "Such a deal!" I've slowly been making my way through the pile, and the most recent is a real gem: The Reformation of the Sixteenth Century by Roland H. Bainton, copyrighted in 1952. If you ever wanted a crash course on the Reformation, this is the place to start.

One particular passage has caught my attention. On April 17, 1521, Martin Luther was being pressured at the Diet of Worms:

"Do you or do you not repudiate your books and the errors which they contain?"

Luther answered, "Since Your Majesty and your lordships desire a simple reply, I will answer without horns and without teeth. Unless I am convicted by Scripture and plain reason - I do not accept the authority of popes and councils, for they have contradicted each other - my conscience is captive to the Word of God. I cannot and I will not recant anything, for to go against conscience is neither right nor safe. God help me. Amen."

Even after this unyielding reply an attempt was made to break him down in a committee. He was reminded that if he would not yield the outcome would be division, insurrection, and war. Luther's answer amounted to this, that whereas in practical matters one may compromise, and even as to principles may concede the possibility of error, never is it right to deny belief in what one believes.

"The pope," said he, "is no judge of matters pertaining to God's word and faith. But the Christian man must examine and judge for himself."

What a refreshing statement. The Christian man must examine and judge for himself. While you might hear some modern Protestant pastors deny the authority of the pope, you typically won't hear them tell their sheep to "examine and judge for yourself." No, what you'll hear is that pastor's understanding of scripture, or that church or denomination's understanding of scripture, presented as "the truth."

In fact, this very significant element of the Reformation - denying the church's place to interpret scripture - has been lost to us. The very churches birthed in the sixteenth century now have creeds and doctrines enough to compete with that box of books I brought home - or even the Catholic church itself.

Somehow, church "authorities" never trust the Holy Spirit to teach, and usurp His place in our lives. No wonder the Holy Spirit gets grieved. No wonder His Presence is missing in most churches.

To counter this grave error, I present to you words recorded by the apostle John. May the Holy Spirit write them on your heart in faith.

But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you. (John 14:26)

But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come. (John 16:13)

As for you, the anointing which you received from Him abides in you, and you have no need for anyone to teach you; but as His anointing teaches you about all things, and is true and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you abide in Him. (1 John 2:27)

I Just Want to Praise You

2009-02-22T04:37:00.013-05:00

We are supposed to thank God and praise God and worship God every day, in all circumstances. Some days it's a sacrifice. Some days it takes every ounce of strength we possess.

Other times, the Holy Spirit rises up from our innermost being, filling us up, spilling over, so that it's impossible to contain. Today is one of those days. Today, rivers of living water are flowing. Today, I will worship in Spirit and in truth. Join me, and watch the video I made this morning.

The Word for Wednesday: John 7:14-18

2009-02-18T00:01:00.037-05:00

Discerning God's Truth

The "church" in America today is as diverse as America itself: calvinist, evangelical, emergent, seeker-sensitive, baptist, charismatic, liberal, conservative. Everybody has a slant that they promote as "the truth," trying to get more people into their church than the church down the road.

After examining many of these doctrines, I have rejected them all. While most contain some truth, most contain error, as well, and I will not align myself with anything beyond God's Word.

How did I arrive at this position? How can we tell the truth from the self-promoting lies? Sometime ago, the Lord wrote the following on my heart:

But when it was now the midst of the feast Jesus went up into the temple, and began to teach. The Jews then were astonished, saying, "How has this man become learned, having never been educated?" So Jesus answered them and said, "My teaching is not Mine, but His who sent Me. If anyone is willing to do His will, he will know of the teaching, whether it is of God or whether I speak from Myself. He who speaks from himself seeks his own glory; but He who is seeking the glory of the One who sent Him, He is true, and there is no unrighteousness in Him." (John 7:14-18)

God reveals the truth to Christians who are willing to do God's will, regardless of the cost. Just as Jesus told us not to give what is holy to dogs or cast our pearls before swine (Matthew 7:6) so, too, God will not reveal truth to people who will ignore it or malign it.

The way to God's truth is a heart committed to living it.

More About Oaths

2009-02-11T17:59:00.006-05:00

As God would have it, Herescope today has posted an excellent discussion about oaths entitled, "Manifestos, Declarations and Covenants." From "The Evangelical Manifesto" to Bono's "Make Poverty History," there really is a sinister purpose behind their use. I encourage you to read the whole thing, but here's an excerpt:

A key element of these “common ground for the common good” pronouncements and manifestos is the idea of signing a “covenant.” These open declarations with signatories often serve as a means to cement commitment to the cause. Rick Warren, and his mentor Peter Drucker, were masters at using this method:

Purpose-Driven churches have a built-in mechanism upon which to eventually pressure or compel their members to volunteer: the membership covenant that is to be signed. This covenant-signing is connected to the idea of “human capital.” One management expert has proposed that “organizational capital” (“a kind of human capital”) is increased when there is a formal “joining-up process,” a type of psychological contract in which one aligns their life’s purpose with the organization’s purpose. Which raises the obvious question – did the Purpose-Driven “covenant” idea actually originate in “organizational capital” theories? Has a psycho-social concept been dressed up in biblical language to make it palatable?

Interestingly, these church covenants are so vaguely worded and undefined that new meanings could be assigned to the terminology as time goes on.[1]

The Word for Wednesday: Matthew 5:33-37

2009-02-11T00:01:00.008-05:00

Oaths

In the summer of 2007, the son of a good friend was doing the official Explorer scout deal, and we were invited to attend the ceremony at a local church. As scouts are wont to do, they started with the pledge of allegiance. I got this far: "I pledge allegiance to the fl-" before the Holy Spirit stopped me. I was surprised, but just stood there silently until it was finished.

When I had a little time to think, it occurred to me that pledging allegiance to a piece of fabric was probably a pretty silly thing to do, even though it was ingrained in any of us who attended public schools. In fact, I can recall that when I was a kid, the pledge and the Lord's prayer were the two things I had been forced to memorize ... and I would end both of them with "Amen." That's probably not a good thing, either.

So, of course, I started seeking the Lord about this, and he brought to mind this passage:

"Again, you have heard that the ancients were told, 'YOU SHALL NOT MAKE FALSE VOWS, BUT SHALL FULFILL YOUR VOWS TO THE LORD.' But I say to you, make no oath at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of God, or by the earth, for it is the footstool of His feet, or by Jerusalem, for it is THE CITY OF THE GREAT KING. Nor shall you make an oath by your head, for you cannot make one hair white or black. But let your statement be, 'Yes, yes' or 'No, no'; anything beyond these is of evil. (Matthew 5:33-37)

That led me to this one.

But above all, my brethren, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or with any other oath; but your yes is to be yes, and your no, no, so that you may not fall under judgment. (James 5:12)

With some prayer, I realized that making an oath was a snare of satan. How could I promise before God to obey my government when that same government does not obey God? I'm not recommending anarchy, but if it comes right down to a choice between serving God and serving my country, I must stand with Peter and John:

Whether it is right in the sight of God to give heed to you rather than to God, you be the judge; for we cannot stop speaking about what we have seen and heard. (Acts 4:18-20)

And then I found one more.

A Psalm of David. O LORD, who may abide in Your tent? Who may dwell on Your holy hill? He who walks with integrity, and works righteousness, And speaks truth in his heart. He does not slander with his tongue, Nor does evil to his neighbor, Nor takes up a reproach against his friend; In whose eyes a reprobate is despised, But who honors those who fear the LORD; He swears to his own hurt and does not change; (Psalms 15:1-4)

Since that explorer meeting, I have not recited the pledge of allegiance, and suspect that I never will again. I also will not officially join a church or a club or anything else that requires any kind of loyalty statement.

If you'd like to dig into this a little more, there's a good discussion about oaths here and in the book Come Out of Her My People by Paul Shirk, available here.

What Do You Think About the State of Today's Church?

2009-02-04T21:07:00.006-05:00

This is a thought-provoking video, that relates the opinions of several different people.

However, I would have asked the question this way: What Do You Think About the State of Today's Church Organizations? This is not semantics, but a vital difference.

"The Church" is the bride of Christ, without spot or blemish, a holy nation, the temple of the Holy Spirit. Unfortunately, "the church" is usually just a handful of people within the larger "church organization," which is where this video is really directed.

The Word for Wednesday: Isaiah 62:10

2009-02-04T00:01:00.069-05:00

Last week, I posted about various types of evangelism, ending with this passage:

But He said to him, "A man was giving a big dinner, and he invited many; and at the dinner hour he sent his slave to say to those who had been invited, 'Come; for everything is ready now.' But they all alike began to make excuses. The first one said to him, 'I have bought a piece of land and I need to go out and look at it; please consider me excused.' Another one said, 'I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I am going to try them out; please consider me excused.' Another one said, 'I have married a wife, and for that reason I cannot come.' And the slave came back and reported this to his master. Then the head of the household became angry and said to his slave, 'Go out at once into the streets and lanes of the city and bring in here the poor and crippled and blind and lame.' And the slave said, 'Master, what you commanded has been done, and still there is room.' And the master said to the slave, 'Go out into the highways and along the hedges, and compel them to come in, so that my house may be filled. For I tell you, none of those men who were invited shall taste of my dinner.' (Luke 14:16-24)

That's the verse that God was writing on my heart: compel them to come in. I was puzzled as to just what this meant, but I knew the Lord was speaking to my heart, so I prayed, and listened, and went about my life.

This included picking up a book that I had bought several years ago, but had never read. It's called Come Out of Her My People by Paul Shirk and is available here. As happens so often, this book includes a discussion about the very verse that God was speaking to my heart.

Shirk's main purpose in this discussion [p. 140-141] was to refute the usage of compel by Augustine, and later Luther and Calvin. They used it to justify compulsory church attendance and membership. In other words, they forced people to become "Christians." In Geneva, Switzerland, Calvin dealt with those who would not comply by throwing them in prison, banishing them from the city, or beheading and quartering them, hanging their body parts about the city as a warning to others. [What Love Is This? by Dave Hunt, p.71-73]

Like Shirk, I don't think this is what Jesus had in mind when he related the parable of the dinner. To see what Jesus did mean, we need to look at the whole parable, which included three types of guests.

The first group were those who had previously been invited. They comprised the official guest list as plans were being made. In today's terms, I suspect these are the people who fill our churches on Sunday morning, the ones who claim to be Christians. But when the dinner is ready, one by one, they have more important things to do. The Master accepted them at their words, and did not send his slaves to compel them to come.

The second group were the poor, the crippled, the blind, and the lame. In addition to those with physical problems, I think this group refers to those who are spiritually poor, crippled, blind, and lame. These are the ones on the periphery of church life, on the streets of the city. The official guests probably pass by them every day, but have never told them about The Master.

The third group are farther away, out on the highways and along the hedges. These are the ones The Master said to compel. Shirk [p.141] said this about them:

Those who were compelled were those who would have thought themselves unworthy to come. The supper was planned for those that had possessions of their own, but upon their refusal, is extended to those who had little ... These then need to be compelled, for they are reluctant to dine with those whom they feel to be above themselves. Compel does not mean "physically force" but rather "strongly urge or constain." Nowhere does the passage suggest that men were brought in forcibly, but rather needed to be urged and constrained in spite of all protests. This is how the gospel is presented to the sinner who thinks God will not accept him.

I believe this is what Jesus meant, and I was one of them. Being convinced that my sins had put me beyond the forgiveness of God, I did not reach out to Him. It took an obedient Christian 1200 miles away, with the help of the Holy Spirit, five hours to convince me that God could forgive me, that I wasn't past hope.

All this leads to the scripture that the Lord recently wrote on my heart, and the point of this Word for Wednesday:

Go through, go through the gates, Clear the way for the people; Build up, build up the highway, Remove the stones, lift up a standard over the peoples.
(Isaiah 62:10)

If we as the church are truly The Master's slaves, then we need to clear the way to The Master's dinner. Just as that man in Florida did for me 15 years ago, we need to remove the stones of unbelief that stand in the way of those who are far away, those who think that God doesn't love them and can't forgive them, those who think the church building will fall on them if they enter.

We need to be prepared to counter whatever lies about God that they have believed. We need to set aside their objections and convince them they are welcome at the dinner, so that His house may be filled. We need to tell them the truth about his grace and his abounding mercy. We need to compel them to come in.

The Gospel of Jesus Christ

2009-02-01T05:45:00.061-05:00

When I became a Christian, I didn't really understand all that was happening to me. I just knew that when I decided to do things God's way instead of mine, I was forgiven and the Holy Spirit entered my heart.

In the fifteen years since then, God has shown me that what I went through was my own personal version of His Master Plan of salvation. While the circumstances and details will be different for each one of us, what follows is my understanding of that plan. I believe these are the things you need to know in order to become a Christian.

The Gospel of Jesus Christ

1) God loves you

He made you and formed you in the womb. Do not fear. Isaiah 44:2

The very hairs of your head are numbered. Therefore, do not fear. Matthew 10:30-31

God is love. There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. 1John 4:16;18

God is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abundant in lovingkindness and truth. Psalms 86:15

2) You are a sinner

All of us like sheep have gone astray. Each of us has turned to his own way. Isaiah 53:6

If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us. 1 John 1:8

For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Romans 3:23

If you love the world, the love of the Father is not in you. 1 John 2:15

Whoever keeps the whole law yet stumbles on one point, he has become guilty of all. James 2:10

3) God hates sin

Everyone who acts unjustly is an abomination to the LORD your God. Deuteronomy 25:16

There are six things which the LORD hates, Yes, seven which are an abomination to Him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, A heart that devises wicked plans, feet that run rapidly to evil, a false witness who utters lies, and one who spreads strife among brothers. Proverbs 6:16-19

'Also let none of you devise evil in your heart against another, and do not love perjury; for all these are what I hate,' declares the LORD. Zechariah 8:17

3) Sin separates you from God

Your iniquities have made a separation between you and God, and your sins have hidden His face from you so that He does not hear. Isaiah 59:2

The boastful shall not stand before His eyes; He hates all who do iniquity. He destroys all who speak falsehood; The Lord abhors the man of bloodshed and deceit. Psalms 5:5-6

If you cherish sin in your heart, the Lord will not hear. Psalms 66:18

What fellowship has light with darkness? 2 Corinthians 6:14

4) Your way will fail

There is a way that seems right to you, but its end is the way of death. Proverbs 14:12

All your righteous deeds are like a filthy garment Isaiah 64:6

You cannot go to the Father except through Jesus. John 14:6

If you do not enter by the door [Jesus] into the fold of the sheep, but climb up some other way, you are a thief and a robber. John 10:1

By the works of the Law no flesh will be justified. Galatians 2:16

Wretched man that I am!

Who will set me free

from the body of this death?

Romans 7:24

5) The Only Way

Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! Romans 7:25

For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. John 3:16

For Christ also died for sins once for all, the just for the unjust, so that He might bring you to God. 1 Peter 3:18

For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and you, the man Jesus Christ 1 Timothy 2:5

But God demonstrates His own love toward you, in that while you were yet a sinner, Christ died for you. Romans 5:8

He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on your behalf, so that you might become the righteousness of God in Him. 2 Corinthians 5:21

6) You Need to Decide

Behold, I [Jesus] stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me. Revelation 3:20

But as many as received Him [Jesus], to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name. John 1:12

Unless you are born again you cannot see the kingdom of God. John 3:3

Unless you repent, you will perish. Luke 13:3

Therefore repent and return, so that your sins may be wiped away Acts 3:19

7) If you say yes

Repent, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Acts 2:38

In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation--having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise Ephesians 1:13

"My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand. John 10:27-29

But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name John 1:12

There is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents. Luke 15:10

"Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and YOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light." Matthew 11:28-30

8) If you say no

For this you know with certainty, that no immoral or impure person or covetous man, who is an idolater, has an inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Ephesians 5:5-6

Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. Galatians 5:19-21

For if we go on sinning willfully after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a terrifying expectation of judgment and the fury of a fire which will consume the adversaries. Hebrews 10:26-27

9) What will you decide?

How will you escape if you neglect so great a salvation? Hebrews 2:3

For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:15-16

"If it is disagreeable in your sight to serve the LORD, choose for yourselves today whom you will serve: whether the gods which your fathers served which were beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living; but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD." Joshua 24:15

Today if you hear His voice, do not harden your heart. Hebrews 4:7

10) How to receive new life

If you know that you are a sinner; if you believe that Jesus died for your sins; if you want to change your life, then pray. If you can't think of words to say, then with an honest heart, try something like this:

God, I admit to you that I am a sinner, and I need forgiveness. I do believe that Jesus died to pay the price for my sins, so I can be forgiven. I want to change. Cleanse me of my unrighteousness. Set me free from my sins, and show me how to live a new life for You. Jesus, I ask You to come into my heart, and be my Lord and Savior. Touch me in a way that is real to me. Amen.

Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come. 2 Corinthians 5:17

Tell someone that you have a new life. Tell them what Jesus has done for you.

If you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation. Romans 10:9-10

Get a Bible and read. Try the book of John.

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. Psalms 119:105

Pray! Talk to God and listen for His voice.

My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. John 10:27-28

Ask God to help you find other Christians.

Let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near. Hebrews 10:24-25

If you decided to become a Christian today, I will rejoice with you if you leave a comment or send me an email. I will also do my best to answer any questions you may have.

[Note: This post is also available here as a printable flyer. Feel free to copy and distribute.]

The Word for Wednesday: Luke 14:16-24

2009-01-28T00:01:00.002-05:00

Evangelism

Across the Christian blogosphere the past few months, I've seen many exhortations that mirror what the Holy Spirit has been speaking to my heart: seek and save the lost. Some are being called to witness in distant lands, but for most of us, we only need to open our eyes. We are surrounded by lost and dying people, who have been deceived by the father of lies.

There are two common approaches to evangelism. The first is taken by the preaching and teaching crowd, which I'll call active evangelism. It includes the Billy Graham's and the pass-out-tracts gang, who hit-and-run hoping something will stick. It also includes the line-upon-line folks, who hope that just hearing scripture will lead to salvation.

Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. (Mark 16:15)

Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age. (Matthew 28:19-20)

The second approach I'll call passive evangelism. These are the ones who don't talk about Jesus, but try to do the right things, good things, in the hope that others will notice and want what they've got.

You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt has become tasteless, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled under foot by men. You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven. (Matthew 5:13-16)

I don't fit neatly into either one of those categories, of course. I never fit anywhere. But I've definitely got the burn to evangelize. As usual, I gave it back to God with a big question mark at the end. He lead me here:

But He said to him, "A man was giving a big dinner, and he invited many; and at the dinner hour he sent his slave to say to those who had been invited, 'Come; for everything is ready now.' But they all alike began to make excuses. The first one said to him, 'I have bought a piece of land and I need to go out and look at it; please consider me excused.' Another one said, 'I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I am going to try them out; please consider me excused.' Another one said, 'I have married a wife, and for that reason I cannot come.' And the slave came back and reported this to his master. Then the head of the household became angry and said to his slave, 'Go out at once into the streets and lanes of the city and bring in here the poor and crippled and blind and lame.' And the slave said, 'Master, what you commanded has been done, and still there is room.' And the master said to the slave, 'Go out into the highways and along the hedges, and compel them to come in, so that my house may be filled. For I tell you, none of those men who were invited shall taste of my dinner.' (Luke 14:16-24)

I'm not sure just what this approach would be called: "Drag 'em in by the hair, and make 'em" evangelism? Can I do that without getting arrested? Should I, anyhow? I'm obviously still at a loss as to what I'm supposed to do with this, so if anybody has any suggestions, I'm all ears. If not, I'll keep you posted when the Lord gives me "the rest of the story."

Thanks for stopping by. If you've posted, don't forget to leave your link!

Mohawk River Almost Frozen Solid

2009-01-21T11:57:00.003-05:00

The Word for Wednesday

2009-01-21T00:01:00.002-05:00

The Bible truly is "living and active" and this meme is designed to demonstrate that fact. Each week, I'll post a scripture that has touched my heart, whether it's an old favorite or new light from the Holy Spirit.

If you'd like to participate and share what God has written on your heart, just leave your link in a comment, and I'll come eagerly to see what you have shared. Next week I hope to have Mr. Linky figured out to make it easier for us all.

Feel free to copy my Bible photo to use if you'd like. With a little manipulation, I thought it looked like the words were coming right up off the page, and that seemed appropriate.

When I was first saved, I landed in a boisterous charismatic/pentecostal church. We sang, we clapped, we danced, and generally got a good workout. And then we prayed and worshipped and listened to a sermon. But when the service was over, I was a bit disconcerted that the conversation turned to ... football and recipes. Huh?

I guess I was being a bit single-minded, but the only thing I wanted to talk about was God. I wanted to tell everyone how Jesus had saved me. I wanted to hear about how He had saved them. I was so grateful that I had been forgiven, so grateful that I had a new beginning in life, that I truly didn't understand why everyone else wanted to talk about ... football and recipes.

As has become my habit, when I don't understand something, I pray about it. In those days, my answers were almost instantaneous - probably because God knew I was sorely lacking in patience - and this time was no exception.

When I settled into bed to do my Bible reading that night, this passage jumped off the page and hit me in the face.

Now one of the Pharisees was requesting Him to dine with him, and He entered the Pharisee's house and reclined at the table. And there was a woman in the city who was a sinner; and when she learned that He was reclining at the table in the Pharisee's house, she brought an alabaster vial of perfume, and standing behind Him at His feet, weeping, she began to wet His feet with her tears, and kept wiping them with the hair of her head, and kissing His feet and anointing them with the perfume. Now when the Pharisee who had invited Him saw this, he said to himself, "If this man were a prophet He would know who and what sort of person this woman is who is touching Him, that she is a sinner." And Jesus answered him, "Simon, I have something to say to you." And he replied, "Say it, Teacher."

"A moneylender had two debtors: one owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. When they were unable to repay, he graciously forgave them both. So which of them will love him more?" Simon answered and said, "I suppose the one whom he forgave more." And He said to him, "You have judged correctly." Turning toward the woman, He said to Simon, "Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave Me no water for My feet, but she has wet My feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You gave Me no kiss; but she, since the time I came in, has not ceased to kiss My feet. You did not anoint My head with oil, but she anointed My feet with perfume. For this reason I say to you, her sins, which are many, have been forgiven, for she loved much; but he who is forgiven little, loves little." Then He said to her, "Your sins have been forgiven." Those who were reclining at the table with Him began to say to themselves, "Who is this man who even forgives sins?" And He said to the woman, "Your faith has saved you; go in peace." (Luke 7:36-50)

I was thirty-nine-years old when I was saved. I had been forgiven, all at once, for thirty-nine-years of sin. No wonder I was so full of love for Jesus. No wonder, fifteen years later, that I still am.

Verse 47 is my verse: I say to you, her sins, which are many, have been forgiven. It's the first one that God wrote on my heart, and I cling to it still.

The Tale of a Survivor

2009-01-20T18:31:00.010-05:00

My almost 28-year-old son has cerebral palsy, probably because he was born prematurely. Gianna Jessen has cerebral palsy, probably because she was born prematurely ... during an abortion. If you can listen to her and still parrot "women's rights," then your heart is harder than my head. Thanks to Thomas for posting this one.

How I Became a Christian

2009-01-09T09:41:00.000-05:00

I sinned. This didn't make me a Christian, of course. Everybody screws up, and and they don't all become Christians. On the flip side, no one becomes a Christian unless they know in their heart that they have sinned, so that's where my story starts. I sinned and I knew it.

I violated my own set of standards when I was 33 years old, and I couldn't get away from it. None of my old rationalizations would work anymore. I told myself that I was no worse than anybody else ... but it didn't help. I told myself I was doing the best I could do in difficult circumstances ... but it didn't help. I said to myself that nobody's perfect ... and it made no difference whatsoever.

For almost seven years, I lived under a cloud of guilt that would not go away. There was a gigantic empty place in my heart. Oh, I looked the same on the outside. I still went to work, and took care of my kids and the house. I still went out with friends, and generally functioned normally, but inside I was dead.

I knew that God could not be pleased with me. I was convinced, in fact, that I was beyond His forgiveness, and I was resigned to living the rest of my life paying for my sin, because that's what I deserved.

Enter God.

Through a complicated set of circumstances, I left my very secure job. As I had some income, I didn't need to rush into another 9 - 5, so I decided I would start a little dried flower and herb shop in my unused back room. All summer I dug up the yard and made new flower beds. I avoided most everybody I knew, and spent my time alone with the sun and the earth and little green plants. Instead of starting my day by hitting the alarm clock and swearing, I awoke gradually to bird calls as the sun came over the horizon. It was an extended time of peace for my sore heart.

Toward the end of summer, I decided I had neglected my friends long enough and scheduled a party. My teenaged daughter and her friends went to a concert, but joined us later in the day, challenging the old folks to a game of volleyball. They won, of course, and one of her friends just couldn't stop rubbing it in. When he made some comment about sending us back to our rocking chairs, my friend and I took off after him. Just as I grabbed hold of his shirt tail, he jumped over a bush, pulling me with him. Arm extended, I landed on my shoulder, generating extreme pain. After the requisite trip to the emergency room, my arm wound up in a sling for about three months. End of gardening for the year.

With limited options and time on my hands, I decided to try my hand at freelance writing, which I had always wanted to do, so I bought a top-of-the-line personal computer: an IBM PS/1 486 with Windows 3.1, for those of you who can remember back to 1993. As my computer experience to that point had been on clunky mainframes at work, there was a pretty big learning curve. Who knew you had to save stuff? But I soon got comfortable, and with my dog-eared Writer's Market, I sold my first piece in December: no byline, but a real check that cashed. Yeehah! In the meantime, I had also picked up a little desktop publishing job, so things were moving along.

After the holidays, I decided to play around and figure out this online thing. Connection options in my area at that time were limited to AOL and Compuserve, both a long-distance call, both on dial-up - with a 9K modem. Talk about slow! I decided on AOL, and proceeded to inflate my phone bill to an outrageous size. I spent a lot of time in the chat rooms, particularly Thirtysomething, and eventually met a guy from Florida. We chatted, we flirted, and after a few days moved into a private room for more serious discussions.

On February 27, 1994, he asked me if I believed in God. I gave him my stock response:

"Sure. I believe in a higher power, that makes acorns turn into oaks, and the snow melt in spring, and babies be born with all their toes and fingers."

In what turned into a five-hour conversation, fingers racing over keyboards, phone lines connecting us over a 1200-mile span, he told me about his own experience with God. I cried. I told him about my sin, and that God couldn't possibly forgive me. I cried some more. Using various Bible verses and stories that he knew by heart, he worked to convince me otherwise, and eventually I believed. God would forgive me! I could live again! That hole in my heart could be filled! Through my tears and his, I asked him what I needed to do, and he led me in this prayer:

Father God, I come to you as a sinner with pain in my heart, which I can't contain. Forgive me, Father God, of my sins. Cleanse me of my unrighteousness. Make my soul as white as freshly fallen snow. Jesus, I do realize that you died and hung on the cross for MY sin, and if I was the only one on this earth, you still would have hung on the cross for me. I accept the fact Lord God that you are my Savior and, tonight, I invite you into my heart. Touch me in a way that is real to me.

As we prayed, I felt my body being covered with this incredible, gossamer-thin blanket of warmth. The Holy Spirit took up residence in my sinful, but forgiven heart, and I was born again.

And that's how I became a Christian.

A Memoir

2008-12-29T17:14:00.005-05:00

My friend Dan has posted the first chapter of a memoir he is writing about growing up in a large Fundamentalist Baptist family in the 1960's and 1970's. It's titled "The Bones of our Fathers" and well worth your time.

Fair warning, though. You're going to be chomping at the bit for the next installment!

The Coming Days in America

2008-12-27T19:53:00.010-05:00

This afternoon, my husband and I were discussing some of the trials that we believe are coming to America. I was trying to explain the burden I feel to share the gospel, to encourage people to get to know Jesus and the Bible; and to seek the baptism of the Holy Spirit, because these are the only things that will get us through the days ahead.

In that amazing way the Holy Spirit has of confirming things, a little later I stumbled across this video at Persecution Times:

Miss Corrie Ten Boom was a Dutch survivor of the Nazi Concentration Camps, and a lifelong missionary. Corrie was a believer in facing tribulation. She was one of the many people who were persecuted in concentration camps during the World War II.

Her family was murdered before her eyes, but though her life was threatened, God led her through that terrible time. She lived to testify all over the world of how God brought her out of that time of trouble. In the worst days in the concentration camp she and her sister Betsy discovered that “there is no pit so deep that the Presence of God is not there with us”.

In the following message she shared a plea for the saints to prepare themselves for the possibility that at some point their faith may be tested. It serves today as a timely warning to us in the comfortable and complacent western church as we approach the threshold of the endtime drama.

Here is her exhortation to us from a letter she wrote in 1974:

Welcome to Our New Blog!

2008-12-27T09:00:00.005-05:00

For the first post on our new blog, it seemed appropriate to explain the title, so I'll start with a little geography lesson. The Mohawk River Valley runs through the center of upstate New York, west to east, where it empties into the Hudson River. It also serves as the southern boundary of The Adirondack Mountains. It's comprised mostly of farm country, with a few smallish cities and villages scattered along its banks. This is a beautiful area, rich in historical sites, and I'm sure we'll be posting pictures as time goes by.

The header photo was taken on the south bank looking north across the river. There have been at least two crosses placed on rock outcroppings like this that are visible from the river, the NYS Thruway (I90), and Routes 5 and 5S, which all run through the valley parallel to the river. No one seems to know who put them up, but they have been there at least forty-five years that I know of. It seemed fitting to adopt one of these crosses as our masthead.

Now that you know where we are, we should discuss who we are. We are Christians. Depending on the survey you look at, we are among the 76% to 86% of Americans who say that they are Christians.

As Webster's 1989 Unabridged Dictionary has twelve different definitions for Christian, and more from the earlier editions, and there are a myriad of different Christian churches, each with their own doctrines and structures, I feel the need to try to narrow my definition. I'm going to start by ruling out some of Webster's definitions that are still commonly understood today, and explain my objection to them, based on biblical principles. [The year shown reflects the Webster's edition that carries that particular definition. The 1828 and 1913 editions are available here. Thanks to the Founder's Bookshelf for the link. The 1989 edition sits by my desk.]

1913 - One born in a Christian country or of Christian parents, and who has not definitely become an adherent of an opposing system If you are born in America or of American parents, you are an American. The same, however, does not apply to becoming a Christian. As David du Plessis said in The Spirit Bade Me Go, God has no grandsons, only sons. We can't ride our parents' shirttails to heaven. We can only become Christians through an individual encounter with the Holy Spirit, as Jesus told us: "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God." Nicodemus said to Him, "How can a man be born when he is old? He cannot enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born, can he?" Jesus answered, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. (John 3:3-6)

1989 - a decent or presentable person: Dress like a Christian and not like something the cat dragged in Unfortunately, many people still define a Christian by their outward appearance - Jesus does not. Scripture repeatedly points out that God looks at the heart, not at the clothing or hair. "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you clean the outside of the cup and of the dish, but inside they are full of robbery and self-indulgence. You blind Pharisee, first clean the inside of the cup and of the dish, so that the outside of it may become clean also." (Matthew 23:25-26)
1913 - civilized; kind; kindly; gentle; beneficent While these characteristics should apply to every Christian, they can apply to others, as well. Being "nice" and fitting into society does not get us into heaven. Doing "more good than bad" does not get us into heaven. The only way we can get to heaven is to acknowledge our sins and repent. Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. (Acts 2:38)
1989 - a member of certain Protestant churches Many believe that making an oath to a specific church and attending that church makes one a Christian. The Bible, however, gives no basis for this belief. In fact, Jesus told us just the opposite: But I say to you, make no oath at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of God, or by the earth, for it is the footstool of His feet, or by Jerusalem, for it is THE CITY OF THE GREAT KING. Nor shall you make an oath by your head, for you cannot make one hair white or black. But let your statement be, 'Yes, yes' or 'No, no'; anything beyond these is of evil. (Matthew 5:34-37)

The Pew Forum conducted a survey this past summer, in which the majority (52%) of Americans who said they are Christians stated that at least some non-Christian faiths can lead to eternal life. When that 52% was asked which faiths, other than their own, can lead to eternal life, they responded "yes" as follows:

Catholicism 73%
Protestantism 74%
Judaism 69%
Islam 52%
Hinduism 53%
Atheists 42%
People with no religion 56%

Let me state emphatically that this 52% who believe we don't need Christ for eternal life are not Christians.

I can say that I am a mother, but if I have never had any children, my words are meaningless. A relationship with a child defines the term "mother." In the same way, I can say that I am a Christian, but if I have no relationship with Jesus Christ, my words are meaningless. Christ defines the term "Christian." Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me." (John 14:6)

The following definitions of a Christian, while not perfect, are much closer to the truth.

1828 - A real disciple of Christ; one who believes in the truth of the Christian religion, and studies to follow the example, and obey the precepts, of Christ; a believer in Christ who is characterized by real piety

1913 - One who believes, or professes or is assumed to believe, in Jesus Christ, and the truth as taught by Him; especially, one whose inward and outward life is conformed to the doctrines of Christ.

1989 - one who believes in Jesus Christ; adherent of Christianity; one who exemplifies in his life the teachings of Christ: He died like a true Christian; exhibiting a spirit proper to a follower of Jesus Christ: Christlike: She displayed true Christian charity

As our best source for truth is the Bible, however, I will let God have the last Word.

For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him. He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. (John 3:16-18)

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

For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. (Ephesians 2:8-9)

But what does it say? "THE WORD IS NEAR YOU, IN YOUR MOUTH AND IN YOUR HEART"--that is, the word of faith which we are preaching, that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation. (Romans 10:8-10)

The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance. (2 Peter 3:9)