"The Events of Christmas: Scripture vs. Handed Down Stories"

Textual points from Scripture found in Matthew 2 and Luke 2 about the events of Christmas are not always what we are told as handed down stories of the events of Christmas.  Here are a few to consider:

1.  When the magi see Jesus as a young child He is at least two years old and living in a house (Matt 2:10-11, 16).  

2. When the shepherds see Jesus in Luke 2 He is a newly born baby wrapped in swaddling clothes laying in a manger in a animal stable which was actually a cave not a modern animal barn as we are familiar with (Luke 2:7-20).  

3. There is also in Matthew 2 not three magi as is often told (Matt 2:1, 7).  The number of magi is more than one because the word 'magi' is given in the plural form; but what that number is, is not known.  The text says that there are three gifts or kinds of gifts which the unknown number of magi brought:  gold, frankincense, and myrrh (Matt 2:11). 

"A Roadway in the Wilderness and Rivers in the Desert"

"Behold, I will do something new, Now it will spring forth; Will you not be aware of it? I will even make a roadway in the wilderness, Rivers in the desert" (Isaiah 43:19 - NASB).
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This text in Isaiah 43:19 is a comforting reminder from the Lord that He will do things never before done in our lives both as individuals and as a collective.

He will "make roadways in the wilderness and rivers in the desert".

We all are sometimes or will be, at places of aloness and barrenness.  The comfort is in knowing that our Lord can change the situation to our advantage.  A lone wilderness can become a pathway out for you.  And also a pathway out of which others can trod with the assurance that as you made it through by His hand, so can they.  Also, no matter how barren and dry your life at times as a desert can be.  The Lord can bring a river flowing through to refresh your parched life and soul with the comfort you so desperately need.

So as you begin this new year 2020, have as my friend, Dustin Echols has said about the new year 2020...'what 20/20 stands for optically - "clear vision"'.

After all the text of Isaiah 43:19 also says' "Will you not be aware of it?"  The Lord wants our eyes open to His workings within our lives...a roadway in the wilderness...rivers in the desert.  Only He works that way!!!

Happy 2020 New Year!!!

MODELING THE LORD'S MINISTRY: The Ministry of the Gospel of Jesus Christ (Matthew 9:35; cf. 9:31, 36)

"And Jesus went throughout all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction." ~Matthew 9:35 ESV~
http://bible.com/59/mat.9.35.ESV

This is a clear prospective of how the LORD did ministry.  

1. (Discipleship) - Teach - "teaching in their synagogues" - within the fellowship of believers (the church) -- (9:35b). 

2. (Evangelism) - Preach - "proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom" - to those out of fellowship of believers (the lost) -- (9:35b).

3. (Benevolence) - Meeting needs -"healing" those with "disease" & "afflicted" with acts of charity/love (amongst the church and the lost - "every") -- (9:35c).

Confessing Sin as Culprits or Children: Which are you? Also, which are you doing?

"Father, I have sinned." -- Luke 15:18

 It is quite certain that those whom Christ has washed in His precious blood need not make a confession of sin, as culprits or criminals, before God the Judge, for Christ has taken away all their sins in a legal sense, so that they no longer stand where they can be condemned, but are once and for all accepted in the Beloved; but having become children, and offending as children, ought they not every day to go before their heavenly Father and confess their sin, and acknowledge their iniquity in that character?

There is a wide distinction between confessing sin as a culprit, and confessing sin as a child.

The Father's bosom is the place for penitent confessions.  We have been cleansed once for all, but our feet still need to be washed from the defilement of our daily walk as children of God.

                         --- Charles Haddon Spurgeon
                             "MORNING AND EVENING"

OBEDIENCE: The Enabling of the LORD in us for His Glory

 

The Apostle Paul says to the believers/saints at Philippi: 

"So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure."  ~ (NASB -Phil 2:13-14)

 
Obedience that the LORD requires is totally that place that is humanly impossible, but only with the LORD-possible...and when done, you know that you did not do this on your own strength.  There are for us, no bragging rights in obedience.  Only Christ-exalting, Christ-glorifying praise for His enabling!!!

GOOD WORKS: From Whence Do They Come?

Goods works are the fruit of faith (Epsesians 2:8, 10). Truth (aka God's Word - John 17:17) is the substance faith is to be built upon (Romans 10:17; Hebrews 11:1), and good works show the proof it (faith based on the truth) has taken place (James 2:17, 18).

Loosing the Foolishness of a Child

"Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child; The rod of discipline will remove it far from him." ~Proverbs 22:15~ This text in Proverbs 15:22 still proves that there is something wholesome and loving about corporal chastisement or spanking when needed. It shows love for the child by loosing he/she from the bonds of foolishness. Foolishness, which of course in our days of lately, still have children in bondage, as well as their parents, and our society. All of this foolishness is occuring simply because we won't do as this liberating truth is teaching us, in order that we would all be truly free.

Trust in the Lord or Confidence in Man:  Which do you possess?

"It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man." -Psalms 118:8

This eighth verse of Psalm 118 opens the reality of the danger of where we replace God with man in our lives.  The following passages:   Psalm 60:11; Psalm 62:9; Psalm 108:12; Psalm 146:3; Isaiah 2:22; Isaiah 31:3; Isaiah 37:6; Jeremiah 17:5-6, all share the same sentiment as Psalm 118:8.  There is no place for common ground between God and man in the dimensions of trust and confidence in our lives.  Man shares nothing in common with God other than the attributes which God has allowed to be communicable (those which, to a limited degree, He can also bestow upon his creatures) toward man.   Those are the capacity to love, have power, knowledge, wisdom, holiness, goodness, truth, and justice.   Others are incommunicable (those which cannot thus be bestowed, but which, of necessity, exist only in God) such as, self-existence, immutability, infinity, including immensity and eternality.

Now with that kind of knowledge about God doesn't it make real sense and show wisdom from above, to trust in the Lord instead of putting confidence in man?   As Dr. Steve Brown of Key Life Network and Professor Emeritus of Preaching and Pastoral Ministry at Reformed Theological Seminary often says, "Now you think about that!!!"

Misundestandings from I Corinthians 11 and Romans 12:6 concerning the ministry of women in the local church: "women to preach" or "women to prophesy".

In immediately getting to the point  I Corinthians 11 and Romans 12:6 shows that preaching is not the gift Paul is saying that a woman as well as a man can possess.   These together are also the texts used by many to say that a woman can preach.  However, after carefully examining the texts using careful exegesis (particularly arcing or tracing the argument), the texts show the opposite fact and isn't talking about preaching at all.  Especially, with relationship to women preaching. 

In going over I Corinthians 11 I want to show what is found concerning Paul's statement about women prophesying or praying in the church.  However what is noticed is that nowhere in that chapter does the discussion have anything to do with what some have considered preaching.  Not only is Paul misunderstood as having said that women could preach or pray.  The text says, "prophesying" and "prophesying" in the verses of I Corinthians 11 and it's context have nothing to do with women preaching, whether under the authority of their husbands or not.  It is not about that at all.

Actually prophesying in that chapter means nothing of the idea of being along the same line as the authority of Scripture.  Based on the context of I Corithians 11 it has to do with declarative statements from God through a person under the authority of Scripture for the test of authenticity, because of the fallibility of the human personality.  The issue is that it is not along the lines of Old Testament prophecy, or New Testament revelation.  Better said is it isn't in equality with Scripture as an infallible or inerrant authority.   The context must be taken under consideration when interpreting verses.  New Testament prophesy or "propheteias" that Paul discusses in the contexts of Romans 12:6 and I Corinthians 11, is rather a human report of something that God has brought to mind or prophetic utterances.  It is different from teaching, in that teaching is based on a written text of Scripture, while prophesy is based on the immediate impression that God is directing our thoughts to information that we would not otherwise have known or spoken. 

Also, in going over Romans 12:6 although 12:6a uses the same English word "prophecy" (propheteian) instead of "prophesy", the next portion of the verse, 12:6b, explains the use of the gift with relationship to "prophesyings" (propheteias) or prophetic utterances and is not refering to the text of Scripture or "prophecy of Scripture" as in II Peter 1:20 although the same Greek word "propheteia' is used.  Once again, the way in which a word is used in its context gives it proper meaning in a verse in which it is used.

An example of what the New Testament gift of prophesy was, would be for example, if someone in a prayer meeting or other occasion said, "I feel that we need to pray for a certain church in a certain city, because it is undergoing some attack," and the next day a report came by email or postal service confirming that was the case, and the prayers of the people were answered.  Also, another example would be, suppose you were under stress about some situation involving a report that was placed on a table in your office and you needed to find the report, but was uncertain of where to look because someone removed it to another location.  Then you felt the leading of the Lord or as we sometimes say, "Something told me to --- look in a certain drawer in an unusual place and there it would be found.”  Here are some texts that I think go along with this kind of and explanation concerning the "New Testament gift of prophesy" of which I believe women as well as men could possess, and it did not mean preaching the gospel:

1. Acts 2:17 

2. I Corinthians 14:1-4

3. I Corinthians 14:29-32 (cf. Matthew 7:15-16)

4. I Thessalonians 5:20-21**

5. I Corinthians 14:1

6. I Corinthians 14:37-38

All of the texts above show how the above mentioned issue concerning women preaching is misunderstood because biblical theology, the theology of the Bible, is not considered. This is also because the exegesis of the above mentioned texts have not always been considered as well.

The context for the above discussed biblical teaching from Romans 12:6 and I Corinthians 11 concerning the "New Testament gift of prophesy" that Paul discusses is not the same as "the prophecy of Scripture"; "word of prophecy"; or "prophecy" as Peter is talking about in II Peter 1:19-21.  Actually when the Scriptures themselves are being discussed the text uses the word "prophecy" with the "c" at the end before the "y".  When it is talking about a unction from the Lord concerning and immediate matter which is not Scripture but sifted through Scripture, the text uses the word "prophesy" with the "s" at the end before the "y". 

  

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Note** (In I Thessalonians 5:20 in the other literal translations the word is "prophesyings" but the NIV has it wrong as "prophecies".  It is good to have a good literal (formal) translation rather than a dynamic (equivalence) translation.  This is one of the reasons that I tell people all the time to study the Bible in various translations.)

Making a Motto for Ministry a Biblical Reality

I have had for years a motto for my life and ministry as a biblical Christian husband, father, friend, brother, preacher, pastor-teacher, and president & professor of a divinity school.   The motto simply states, "Training Disciples to Think and Act Biblically". 

If we, the Church of Jesus Christ, would train disciples to think biblically, then most assuredly they would at the least learn to act biblically...but then that reveals three possible and probable realities: 

(1) the actions being displayed are telling that the Bible is or isn't thought of; 

(2) the training is or isn't from the Bible;

(3) but then again, there are those who just aren't "DISCIPLES" -- whether they are doing the training, or are the one's being trained.

MARRIAGE: A Portrait of Our Unbreakable God and His Unbreakable Bond

I believe sanctity of marriage as the Lord expresses it in commandment form in Mark 10:9 has much to say about the common and demonic debilitation brought upon it by divorce. It states in Mark 10:9, "What therefore God has joined together, let no man separate." (NASB)----

It's true that God is and always has been the link that men and women don't link up with...so in disobedience they link up with mess ups which leads to nothing but breakups of themselves and others...when He is our fulfillment entirely, then the one He blesses us with makes the link ups God designed and God glorifying...

What an unbreakable bond by and unbreakable God!!!!

Christmas Day: A Day To Do Birthdays Right!!!

Praises to our Lord on this day (December 25th), the celebration of His birthday!

It amazes me how we would be greatly offended if on our birthdays those who say they love us and are our family and friends, gave gifts to others and not us. But we do this very thing to the Lord every year. Yet He kindly let’s us see our birthdays with the gifts and blessings to match.

Someone may say, "Yes, but how am I to give Jesus a birthday gift? How is that possible?"

May I suggest that since since we give gifts to persons in bodily form; that is, we present or have them presented to a person in or at a location where we and they can meet each other. Then it should follow that the Lord is given a gift in the same fashion. What is the body of Christ on earth? The local church -- the body of baptized believers in Jesus Christ, the Lord, who meet regularly together in fellowship and worship toward Him and live in obedience to His commands as set forth in His Holy Word, which is each week to be regularly proclaimed and taught by leaders called pastor-teachers (Ephesians 3:17-21; 4:10-13; 5:15-21, 30; Acts 1:8; 2:41-47; Hebrews 10:23-25; I Timothy 4:16; I Peter 5:2).

So then, why not present on Christmas Day the gift you would bring to the Lord, by giving it to Him in worship as a member of His body the local church where you worship.

What has been accepted is that we regularly and systematically buy gifts with the resources which the Lord has blessed us to have; from most places and persons that sell during this time of year to make merchandise and profit in the name of the very One of whom they aren't willing to even acknowledge on that day as the real reason for the season which they profit from. Then we turn around and do somewhat of a similiar thing as the persons and places of merchandise and profit. We give those gifts we purchase to persons of whom this day is not their birthday.

What we need to do on Christmas Day is give to the places that represent the Lord and His work. Starting with the local church, and then other parachurch minstries and charities. What would be right is to give gifts to our children and others as they should do with us as well...on one another's birthdays. For some their birthday is Christmas Day! All this means is that gifts should be given to Christ and to them. Why? It's their birthday!!!

Now let me ask this question: Which of us are really doing birthdays right????

A Danger to the Gospel of Jesus Christ: Co-belligerency by Ecumenism

I still find it a blatant disregard for the sake of the gospel of Jesus Christ that we should seek to be in a co-belligerency of any sort with anyone except in the first cause, and ultimacy of our responsibility as Christians, that being the spread of the gospel. Also, if this is done it ought to be with those who share our common faith. The gospel is always at stake when there is the unequally yoking of ourselves with unbelievers (II Corinthians 6:14).

We are not brothers and sister with unbelievers in Jesus Christ!! The kind of talk and those kind of statements such as: "we are brothers and sister" and “we must learn to live as brothers and sisters, or die together as fools” are not true or biblical. I just see the fact that the Muslims, Hindus, and Sikhs, as well as any other followers of the religions of this world are going to in their system of belief – do what they will to reach or proselytize converts to their system. So we as Christians and followers of Jesus Christ are within the system He has handed down in Scripture, to share the gospel with unbelievers that they might come to know HIM as the one true Lord and Saviour of all. These other religions do not share that sentiment. More so in the fact that they exist apart from any desire to surrender to Jesus Christ as Lord.

Ecumenism is becoming more and more a deception that is leading to the destruction of the message the Church of Jesus Christ has. It is my conviction that we should in the system that Jesus Christ has laid down in His Word; reach the masses of humanity with the liberating truth of the Gospel. After all that is what the other religious groups are going to do anyway within their own system. They and their beliefs are diametrically opposed to Biblical Christianity either way. Let them do what they are going to do, and we should do what we are going to do to reach humanity. But I don’t see that there is any need to lay down our standards and think that they are going to do the same and we should just throw our arms around them and their system and think that it will all work out.

The Apostle Paul warns us of this kind of strategy in Romans 16:17-18, “(17) I urge you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them. (18) For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the minds of naive people (NIV).”

Again in II Corinthians 11:12-15 he says, “(12) And what I do I will continue to do, in order to undermine the claim of those who would like to claim that in their boasted mission they work on the same terms as we do. (13) For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. (14) And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. (15) So it is no surprise if his servants, also, disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their deeds (ESV).”

So for me to be a fellow worker with such things that are contrary to Scripture and conscience is a sin and I cannot go against either.

"Living With A Giant: The Life of a Great Man of Faith"

I write this blog with a heart of gratitude to God in appreciation for the life and ministry of Dr. Robert H. Wilson, Sr., affectionately known by those who know him as "Dr. Bob!" He has just celebrated 76 years of the ministry in preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ. On November 22, 2009, The Baptist Ministers' Conference of Dallas, Texas along with many other accross the nation convened at Cornerstone Baptist Church of Christ (founded by Dr. Wilson in 1981) where Dr. Craig E. White is currently serving as pastor.

Dr. Wilson is currently Pastor Emeritus of Cornerstone Baptist Church of Christ. He began preaching at the age of 9, and pastored his first congregation in Columbia, South Carolina at 16. He has pastored congregations until he founded Cornerstone in 1981 and after 25 years of serving as Senior Pastor retired in 2006 at the age of 82. He has served in a myriad of areas including, the National Baptist Convention of America, Inc. in which he provided illustrious leadership as Executive Director of the Foreign Mission Board and then the Congress of Christian Education. He is the proud husband of his wife of 64 years, Elise Wider Wilson, and father of Roberta Wilson Nicholson and Robert H. Wilson, Jr. He most enjoys time spent with his grandchildren and great grandchildren.

I am grateful to God for the life and ministry of Dr. Robert H. Wilson, Sr. For me like so many others across this nation he has been a mentor and friend. In the many years I have known him, which began by way of my local church association’s (Eastern 7th District Baptist Association) past moderator, Dr. M. L. Thomas. I must say that he has always been a giant among preachers of the 20th and 21st centuries.



My mind goes to the book by Warren Weirsbe entitled, "Living With the Giants: Lives of Great Men of the Faith", in which Weirsbe chose men of God/great preachers of the 17th -20th centuries as examples of faith to be emulated.


Well, I must dare to say the same is true of Dr. Robert H. Wilson, Sr. He is a man of God to be emulated as an example of genuine faith, anointed Biblical preaching, and godly shepherding as a pastor-teacher. I take a pun from Weirsbe with relation to the kind of giant we have in Dr. Wilson. Weirsbe says, "We are prone to be so fascinated with the latest religious fads and Christian celebrities that we forget that 'there were giants in the earth in those days...' Well, I would say we still have giants of a godly variety in the earth in our days, in the person of Dr. Robert H. Wilson!!!!!

Long may he live! And may all of his years be blessed!!!!

Prayer -- A Grace and A Lifestyle: To Be Ever Before Him

The reality of prayer for the believer and its long term effects is what many never consider. They would prefer the short term thrill, and miss the eternal rewards. What a travesty of Christian discipleship and practice!!!!

In Scripture prayer is totally a lifestyle (Philippians 4:6; Ephesians 6:18) and a grace (Psalm 145:18; Hebrews 4:16) given us by God to keep us ever before Him (I Kings 8:28-30).

May that grace dominate our lives. To be ever before Him!!!

May that lifestyle be the practice of our lives. To be ever before Him!!!

These two have a long term and eternal affect!

Living Life for the Expression of God’s Glory: Lessons from the Icon and Idol of Michael Jackson

It is so much too the liking of where we stand to where we aught to be standing, that shines in the face of life lived and ended.

Death for all is not as realistic as when it occurs. It is all too often that life is lived by so many except for the expressed recognition of God's glory. I pray that many who have opportunity would do so in taking and making the most of it to express it to the glory of God.

The iconic reality of Michael Jackson is and was. The idolatry of the nation and world with relation to Michael Jackson was and is. The lessons learned are still for many obvious but not so attentive.

Living a life to the glory of God is still without vain (Ecclesiastes 3:14-15; 5:7). But as Solomon teaches us living a life without God is and always will be with vanity, and vanity of vanities (Ecclesiastes 2:1-11; 5:7; 6:1-12). Thank God for a life lived!

To God be the Glory for lives lived for the expression of His Glory!

Turnabout isn't always fair play: Responding to Warren's sudden change on the issue of "same sex" marriage

Some things are just too obvious to deny!

In a recent April 9, 2009 OneNewsNow.com article by Jim Brown, entitled, “Warren’s ‘backsliding’ on marriage damages the church” Bishop Harry Jackson, Jr. of Washington, D. C.’s High Impact Leadership Coalition was outraged that Rick Warren of Saddleback Church of Lake Forest, California would offer his apology Monday, April 6, 2009 on CNN’s Larry King Live(1) concerning his support during the fall of 2008 of California’s marriage proposition 8 amendment.(2) Jackson said, Warren has done “tremendous damage” by his apology. Warren stated that he “has never been and never will be an anti-gay marriage activist.”(3)

It's apparent to me that the Bible, which many like Warren purports to believe in, truly disagrees with them. So it is obvious to me that they just don't believe or agree with the Bible or what it says. But the desire is to fit into both camps to gain from each what is most influential rather than to "from the start", just please God or what God has said in the Bible regarding this and other matters, that He regards as sin and unrighteousness, as well as those that are holy and righteousness.

Also, I don’t want to be judgmental in the since of knowing for certain; but I seem to want to think and sense that men like Warren, Osteen, Ted Haggard and the like are hiding indiscretions. Maybe even the likelihood of just such sins in their own lives. After all, if you notice in Paul's statement to the Romans in chapter one verse 32 he states, "Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them."

I believe these two phrases show the two reasons for the sudden turn-about by many in agreement to support homosexuality and other sexual perversions.

Notice the phrases "not only do the same" and "but have pleasure in them that do them".

First, the phrase "not only do the same" is quite suggestive from Paul that these, to whom it is apparent, knowing of God's judgment of death to all who practice these lifestyles of sin, also themselves "do the same". This is why I stated that there seems to be a 'hiding of indiscretions'. Why else would anyone knowing the judgment of God against this, not condemn these lifestyles?

Finally, the phrase "but have pleasure in them that do them". This is also obvious that Paul is showing that there is the carrying out of these sins in the lives of these persons (who know the death judgment of God against these sins and upon those who practice it), but also, the pleasure they have with the persons who practice these sins. There is also a since of pleasure with these persons if you think about it in our day, in which they (homosexuals and the like) are large supporters to "ministries" that support their causes rather than condemn those causes. So in that since, there is a pleasure by many who "have pleasure in them that do them". That is why I said at the start that the desire by men such as these is to fit into both camps to gain from each what is most influential rather than please God. God will take care of any ministry and minister He has called if they would just do the work of ministry to which He has called them.

This is why I believe there is this sudden turnabout by Warren and others to support these lifestyles and the persons who practice them.
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1. http://www.onenewsnow.com/Culture/Default.aspx?id=481280
2. http://www.onenewsnow.com/Church/Default.aspx?id=483576
3. Ibid., http://www.onenewsnow.com/Church/Default.aspx?id=483516

Our Prayers for God's Glory and Grace in the Winter's and First Baptist Church of Marryville, IL Families

Dr. Fred Winters of First Baptist Church of Marryville, Illinois was killed on yesterday while preaching during moring church services. A 27 year old gunman opened fired on him while he was preaching from the pulpit. He attempted to shield himself with his Bible as the gunman opened fire. He recieved gunshot wounds to his chest. The pistol then jammed. He then pull a knife out and lashed out at church members, who tried to subdue him. Some were injured in the attempt. The gunman then, stabbed himself. Dr. Winters however, is the only reported death at this time.

May the Lord keep, strengthen, and comfort the Winter's family and the First Baptist Church of Maryville, Illinois' church family. Our prayers go out to them in the tragic loss of their husband, father, and pastor on yesterday. May He display His glory in the midst of this moment of tragedy!

May he use this time to alert all of us to the reality of the uncertainty of the next moment. But the glorious certainty of a definite destiny with Him to those who know Him, and a tragic damnation of a definite destiny without Him, to those who know Him not. This is without doubt, a time for these and others, when they are in need, of our showing forth godly love and support.

Always remember, "Except for the grace of God, there we would be!"

God knows how do display His glory and grace even in the midst of this tragic situation. His grace is upon all who believe even in death. The Apostle Paul said to the Corinthian Christians, "....absent from the body, and present with the Lord" (II Corinthians 5:8b-c --KJV).

That same grace is available even to those who remain, "For we walk by faith, not by sight:)" (II Corinthians 5:7). Remember David says, "(15) The eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous and His ears are attentive to their cry; (17) The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; He delivers them from all their troubles. (18) The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. (19) A righteous man may have troubles, but the Lord delivers him from them all;" (Psalm 34:15, 17-19 --NIV).

We pray for God's justice to be done in this murder of this pastor. As David says in Psalm 34:16, "the face of the Lord is against those who do evil, to cut off the memory of them from the earth." But we are tempered with an attitude of prayer for the salvation of the soul of those to whom justice will be, and should be done upon (Genesis 5:5-6). For God would rather see the wicked turn from the sin and error of their ways, and turn to Him rather than die in their sin (Ezekiel 18:23, 32; 33:11).

Let us not forget that the young man that commited this act has family who are also affected by the tragic repercussions of the actions he carried out.

The Training in the "Bent" of a Child: An exegesis of Proverbs 22:6

We are inundated with people who either realistically have never had children, don't plan on having any, or will never handle children of any sort; who are affecting the decision-making processes of parents who deal with children everyday. The sad thing is; I have always known that to be an expert in an area, you definitely must have experience in that area as far a practice is concerned.

There are tons of people in our society that are academicians and theoriticians and not practitioners. Especially, when it comes to the subject of rearing children. I find it most beneficial that doctors in any science who practice are on the real cutting edge of breakthroughs, as far as diagnosis and treatment is concerned, and that doctors in any science who are academicians and have never practiced are just theoretic in most cases with regard to diagnosis and treatment.

Well, the line in the rearing of children is not a one, two, or three step as some of these people assume. The mental framework of children are based on a "bent" or as the Scripture states in Proverbs 22:6, "Train up a child in the way that he should go, even when he is old he will not depart from it." The phrase "in the way that he should go" is literally rendered in the Hebrew, " `al- piy darkow" {`al- (in); piy (he should go); darkow (the way)} or in English "according to his way".

The phrase, "the way" in English is translated from the Hebrew "darkow" in the Septuagint (LXX --Greek translation of the Hebrew scriptures) and Masoretic Text. Both however, use the noun "derek" (deh-rek) which means literally "a road (as trodden)". Figuratively it means "a course of life or mode of action". The real catch is that this word or noun "derek" is derived from the root word or verb "darak" (daw-rak) which means "to tread; by implication, to walk; also to string a bow (by treading on it in bending)". Hence the key idea is that a child's training or "chanak" (to initiate, to teach, to dedicate, to consecrate, to inaugurate), should be according to his "bent" or "bending". This simply indicates that if a child's bent or bend is a certain way then that is how he should be consecrated, dedicated, initiated, inaugurated, or taught.

Let's face it some children are harder to bend than others. Better yet, it is hard to teach\train children who are bent in a certain direction. The whole idea of bending and training them is just so that they do as a bow does for an arrow, "shoot straight".

On many occasions I have had parents say that their son or daughter did change some things for the better, after being embarrased on a particular occasion. Then the son or daughter did say that he or she was embarrassed, and that the embarrassment did get the point across to them. So their emotional and psychological makeup was not hindered, it was bent right and now they are shooting arrows properly.

On other occasions with children an embrace was more responsive than an embarrassment, which caused the same result; a child "shooting strait".

I must say the Scriptures always work out for the sake of those who properly apply understanding to the truths they (Scriptures) tend to teach.

The Crystal Cathedral and Personality Driven Churches: A lesson in Affinity for men and Allegiance to Christ

Many in the church world have proven my point for years by what has been going on for the last twenty years or so. Their allegiance is not to Christ! I have said for some time now, "We may have an affinity for men, but our allegiance belongs to Christ!"

One News Now has on its website an online article dated 02-01-09 written by Associated Press writer Gillian Flaccus entitled, "Televangelism empire in chaos over family split". An excerpt from the article states:

"Once one of the nation's most popular televangelists, the Rev. Robert H. Schuller is watching his life's work crumble.

His son and recent successor, the Rev. Robert A. Schuller, has abruptly resigned as senior pastor
of the Crystal Cathedral. The shimmering, glass-walled megachurch is home to the "Hour of Power" broadcast, an evangelism staple that's been on the air for more than three decades.

The church is in financial turmoil: It plans to sell more than $65 million worth of its Orange County property to pay off debt. Revenue dropped by nearly $5 million last year, according to a recent letter from the elder Schuller to elite donors. In the letter, Schuller Sr. implored
the Eagle's Club members - who supply 30 percent of the church's revenue - for donations and hinted that the show might go off the air without their support."

Chrystal Cathedral is not going down as a church if it is founded on Christ. However, it is the televison programming "Hour of Power" that is going down as of this moment. Perhaps there is a time of judgement for this kind of thing. People have been substituting the local church for television church. One is biblical and the other is not! I agree with the interjection, "OH, WELL!" Parachurch ministries should spring from the local church but not be a substitute for it.

That's the problem with these personality (the best name for Rick Warren's "purpose driven") driven churches. The only person to whom the church should be driven is Jesus Christ. There is to much man-center preaching, rather than Christ-honoring, God-glorifying, expository preaching that gives biblical doctrine ahead of seeker sensitivism. Suffice it to say the fact that the theology of Robert H. Schuller (the dad) is different that Robert A. Schuller (the son). You can even tell it in their preaching.

Church history teaches us that this kind of thing (personality driven church) is never ever going to work, because it does not have God's support or blessings upon it; no matter how long it has been in operation. Swaggart found that out. Check out most of his preaching now. It is totally different than it was years ago.

True biblical exposition doesn't seek to draw crowds. It is exhalts God, and equips and draws saints. Evangelism is how you reach lost men (Matthew 28:19; Mark 16:15-16). Discipleship and biblical expository doctrinal preaching is how you "keep" saved men (I Timothy 4:11-16; Acts 2:42-47).