Waxing on Praise to the King

As He was drawing near—already on the way down the Mount of Olives—the whole multitude of his disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen, saying, "Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!" And some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to him, "Teacher, rebuke your disciples." He answered, "I tell you, if these were silent, the very stones would cry out." (Luke 19:37-40)


I would have never guessed that I would be talking about American Idol in consecutive blogs but...wow! The opening song that the final 8 contestants sang was "Shout to the Lord." Yeah, last week we heard the Clark Brothers do "This Little Light of Mine" and this week the final eight do "Shout to the Lord!"
This is American Idol? Apparently the "Idol Gives Back" show ended last night with "Shout to the Lord" but replaced "My Jesus" with "My Shepherd." Tonight they sang the song with no changing of the words.

My Jesus, My Savior Lord there is none like You All of my days, I want to praise The wonders of Your mighty love My Comfort, My Shelter Tower of refuge and strength Let every breath, all that I am Never cease to worship You Shout to the Lord, all the earth Let us sing. Power and majesty, praise to the King. Mountains bow down and the seas will roar At the sound of Your name I sing for joy at the work of Your hands Forever I'll love you, forever I'll stand Nothing compares to the promise I have in YOU! -Darlene Zschech

Did I mention that this was on American Idol?

Shout for joy to God, all the earth; sing the glory of his name;give to him glorious praise! Say to God, "How awesome are your deeds! So great is your power that your enemies come cringing to you. All the earth worships you and sings praises to you; they sing praises to your name." (Psalms 66:1-4)

Waxing on God and TV

Some irony is just too much to ignore...this week on American Idol, The Clark Brothers sang "This Little Light of Mine," yeah, the same one you might remember from Bible School. It also included the chorus of "Jesus on the Mainline." In the same show, Dolly Parton sang "Jesus and Gravity." It wasn't great but conveyed a message of simple faith in Jesus as well as the need to stay humble...on American Idol! Also on Americal Idol, the show continued to talk about its upcoming "Idol Gives Back" and showed viewers some of the work that has been done from last year's show where 76 million dollars was given to help the needy in Africa and the United States. Pretty cool stuff, and I know I am not telling you something you probably don't already know but what made this so ironic to me was the same night (after American Idol) I was in the mood to hear some preaching and I flicked to one of the "Christian" networks...what I saw was disturbing and embarrassing.
After watching some of this, if I didn't know better I would think that God lived in Costa Mesa and unless I sent some money to Costa Mesa, He couldn't bless me. I heard all kinds of scripture, taken out of context, in an arrogant attempt to justify this incessant plea to send money to them, so that the blessing could be "released in my life." According to these people a "wealth transfer" was on the way and it was pretty easy to see where the wealth was being transferred to. It was enough to make me sick. All I heard was give us money, money, money and you will get all you want from God...I just don't see it in the scriptures.
Jesus said give but He said to give to the poor and the needy. I saw more real concern for the needy on American Idol than I saw on this "Christian" network. All I heard was send us money so you can get rich! Have the house you want, drive the car you want! "Your financial breakthrough is coming!" Jesus was pretty clear that these things are what the UNBELIEVERS spend their time thinking about...Jesus didn't say give to get! Not on this earth anyway. He said our treasure is in heaven. Wake up before it is too late!!

“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. (Matthew 6:19-21)
Jesus also said that out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks...pretty easy to see what the hearts of these speakers were full of...the love of money. That is all they talked about!!
“No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money. (Matthew 6:24)

So if earthly prosperity is what God is all about....what about the people of faith who live on the street (by the way, Jesus was homeless)? What about the Christians who have had their homes foreclosed on in the housing crunch?
What about the Christian war veterans, who have lost legs and eyesight and their families have spent everything they have just to make their life tolerable?
What about Christian parents of special needs children who have 6 digit medical bills?
And what about those Christians who have been believing these lies for 20 years and have sent so many "seeds" that they have NO MORE SEEDS LEFT?
Repent you who devour widow's homes and confuse the weak-minded! You who live on the earth in luxury and in self-indulgence, in the name of Jesus! You have fattened your hearts in a day of slaughter. Repent! Give your riches away to those in need! Open your eyes and give to the poor! Honor Christ with your riches!
Your gold and silver have corroded, and their corrosion will be evidence against you and will eat your flesh like fire. You have laid up treasure in the last days. (James 5:3)
Our God does not live in Costa Mesa and you don't have to send a dime there to receive His grace! His glory fills the whole earth and He gives liberally to all who asks! He gave His own Son to ransom your soul from eternal damnation! He loves you with an everlasting love and His love does not cost you a penny! The price for our sins has been paid by the precious blood of the Lamb Who alone is worthy to be praised!
“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. Or which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him! (Matthew 7:7-11)

Waxing on Angola

The Lord is merciful and gracious,slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. He will not always chide, nor will he keep his anger forever.He does not deal with us according to our sins,nor repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth,so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him;as far as the east is from the west,so far does he remove our transgressions from us.As a father shows compassion to his children, so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear him. (Psalm 103:8-13)

I had the incredible privilege of attending the "Miracle of Hope Conference" yesterday at Louisiana State Penitentiary, otherwise known as "Angola." This institution has a long and violent history and was once known as the "bloodiest prison in the nation." The average sentence is 80+ years and many of the 5,000 inmates are "lifers." But the miracle of hope found in the Gospel of Jesus Christ has transformed "Angola."

Pastor Jim Cymbala of the Brooklyn Tabernacle was the main speaker yesterday and Pastor Michael Durso from Christ Tabernacle in Queens spoke last night. We were also blessed with Gospel singing legend Babbie Mason. This was all tremendous but what overwhelmed us was the amazing grace of God that was so evident in the inmates. We had the opportunity to spend time with men who were serving life sentences but were absolutely overflowing with the joy of the Lord.

Last night's worship was just incredible! What gratitude and thanksgiving was expressed by these men who had been forgiven and "set free" through Jesus Christ!

One inmate who had served 20 years said that if he had the choice to go home tomorrow without Jesus, or stay in with Jesus he would choose to stay in prison.

Another, convicted of murder, said that the Lord has never reminded him of who he used to be!

They offered no excuses for their crimes and made no claims of innocence, they merely expressed exuberant joy, passionate love for the Lord and patient love for one another.

These men are offered education opportunities as well as Seminary training and Bible college, along with trade skills, etc. Violence is way down in the prison. Death Row inmates are singing the praises of God with all of their hearts! It is truly a miracle.

The Lord has boldly used Warden Burl Cain and others to create an atmosphere of hope in what could be a hopeless place and it is all centered in the grace and mercy offered through Jesus Christ. Jesus has been exalted in Angola and God has worked a miracle!!
One inmate described it like this "The Holy Spirit has come like a whirlwind and nothing is what it used to be!"

Praise Him for His great salvation and may we all remember that we are just as hopelessly lost in our sins as these inmates without the miracle of hope found in Him!!!

Speechless

Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions;he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray;we have turned—every one—to his own way;and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all. He was oppressed, and he was afflicted,yet he opened not his mouth;like a lamb that is led to the slaughter,and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so he opened not his mouth. (Isaiah 53:4-7)

For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die— but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:7-8)

God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God. And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, so that, as it is written, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.” (1 Corinthians 1:28-31)

Waxing on Flint

As we approach Palm Sunday, I have been thinking about the determination of Christ as He made His way to Jerusalem, knowing what He would face. Going up at Passover to be The Passover Lamb for the sins of the world. Scripture says He set His face like a flint to accomplish the will of the Father. The will of God for man to be redeemed. The prophet Isaiah wrote of this coming Deliverer, The Messiah, Jesus Christ our Lord, 700 years before He came. He wrote of the redeeming work of the Cross.

Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken,smitten by God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions;he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his stripes we are healed.
All we like sheep have gone astray;we have turned—every one—to his own way;and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all. (Isaiah 53)

We who are in Christ are redeemed and called to follow Him...Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him. (John 12)

We cannot stop! We cannot quit! We cannot shrink back in fear as the enemy lines up against us! We must set our faces like flint! Be determined to press on and finish the course! Will it get tough? Probably...but when it does, just remember what Christ endured.

Waxing on The Absurd

The San Francisco Chronicle is reporting that “shock waves” have been sent throughout the state’s home-schooling community after the California Court of Appeals issued a ruling which found no legal right of parents to home school their children.

“Parents who fail to [comply with state school enrollment laws] may be subject to a criminal complaint against them, found guilty of an infraction, and subject to imposition of fines or an order to complete a parent education and counseling program,” wrote Justice H. Walter Croskey, whose opinion was joined by the other two members of an appellate panel. The opinion, which was issued February 28, reversed a superior court judge’s ruling that “parents have a constitutional right to school their children in their own home.”

A banner day for liberalism...and communism!! Lenin would be so proud! Hang in there Fidel, you just may see your dream realized in America before you die!! Maybe I am being fanatical...maybe the judges in California just want the best for the children...after all public schools are offering some wonderful opportunities to our children. Things we could never offer them at home like:
Drugs, Random Shootings, The Theory of Evolution taught as fact, the importance of the public approval and acceptance of what God says is an abomination. Maybe your child will get to study:
“Angels in America : A Gay Fantasia on National Themes” — which includes vile language and graphic depictions of sexuality, including homosexuality — as a required student reading project-a high school in Deerfield , Ill. , had assigned the book.
And if you get your child enrolled soon maybe their school will be participating on April 25 in:
"The Day of Silence, a project coordinated by GLSEN is a day in which people of all sexual orientations and gender identities who support lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) rights take a vow of silence to recognize and protest the silence that LGBT people face each day."
Ah yes, the land of the brave! The home of the free! What a proud day! Repent America! Repent! The Lord is mighty to save! He does not take pleasure in the death of the wicked! He is not willing that any should perish! God has demonstrated His love for us in that while we were yet sinners (and yes that includes homosexuals) Christ died for us! Call on Him now! Plead for His mercy! He loves you!! But we all must repent and put our faith in Christ! Turn from destruction before it is too late!!!
Oh yeah, while I am blogging about the absurd and what our "free press" will not publish, Senator Barak Hussein Obama made some interesting comments recently that the Family Research Council reported. I quote Tony Perkins:


"On the campaign trail yesterday, Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) defended his support of abortion and same-sex unions. In response to a question at a stop at Hocking College in Nelsonville, Ohio, Obama said he does not support calling same-sex unions marriage, but thinks same-sex couples should be given the recognition and benefits granted to married couples. "I think that it is a legal right that they [homosexuals] should have that is recognized by the state. If people find that controversial then I would just refer them to the Sermon on the Mount, which I think is, in my mind, for my faith, more central than an obscure passage in Romans." Jesus teaches on a number of issues central to the Christian life in the Sermon on the Mount: being witnesses to the world, loving our enemies, honoring marriage - but there is no instruction on same-sex unions. As for St. Paul's writing in Romans, it is distinguished not by its obscurity but by its clarity and consistency with all of Christian teaching about the nature of sexuality and marriage. Paul writes: "They [the unrighteous] exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator - who is forever praised. Amen. Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones. In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed indecent acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their perversion." (Romans 1:24-27, NIV) Obama also defended his support of abortion (he voted against banning partial-birth abortion, and against notifying the parents of minors prior to their having an abortion)"

So to sum up this long blog: I praise God that we have been able to homeschool for 11 years! Thank you Becky! Thank you Virginia! Thank you HSLDA! Thank you Lord! And to Christian parents: If you are unable to homeschool, teach your children what the Lord commands us to. Don't rely on the public schools. To Christian teachers, administrators in public schools, God bless you! Be strong and courageous! This country needs you to be more bold than ever! For the children! Tell them the truth!
You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes.You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates. (Deuteronomy 6:5-9)

And to anybody that reads this and is offended, please know that I write this because I fear the Lord and he has given me a burden for the lost...I don't hate you...I don't regard you as my enemy. Please read this last scripture and repent before it is too late!

16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. 19 And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. 20 For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed. 21 But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God.”
(John 3:16-21)

Waxing on Mortal Muscles

So yesterday it reached 71 degrees here in "Weirdweatherville USA," otherwise known as Central Virginia. And of course, Jordyn and I took some time to head to the Tennis Court..."Hello old man!"

I tell you what, my entire body is now out to prove to my mind that I am, in fact, 44 years old. Everything from my neck to my feet hurt! We played one stinkin' set! I could blame it on the Winter and lack of opportunity to exercise. I could blame it on the demands of the ministry schedule. I could find an excuse for feeling this way but the plain truth is, I will be 45 years old this year and in some ways my mind still believes I am 25.

After warming up and playing one whole set my feet refused to cooperate with my mind and won the battle...I relegated myself to standing in a stationary position and "feeding" Jordyn so she could work on her forehand and backhand...and as I watched her fifteen year-old feet so nimbly covering the court, I just peacefully succombed to the fact that I was a middle-aged man with middle-aged muscles and very tired, heavy feet.
And as depressing as that may sound, it really is not. It is quite the contrary! While I may wistfully long for the bygone days of fleetfootedness, I have a greater longing for the eternal days where no cinder blocks will keep me down and no earthly weights will burden me ever again!

For while we are still in this tent, we groan, being burdened—not that we would be unclothed, but that we would be further clothed, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who has given us the Spirit as a guarantee.2 Corinthians 5


Oh do I ever feel mortal today! And how I long for the life that will swallow up this mortality! Praise God for His great Salvation through Jesus Christ our Lord! Feeling mortal? Need to get in shape? Me too, but I will not devote much time on this old tent! I am going to train for real life!
Bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. 1 Timothy 4