33 Pastors Openly Speak About Politics

Maybe you've heard on the news about the 33 pastors who openly spoke about politics from the pulpit recently. This will surely end up in the courts and will be watched intently by people in the Church concerned about free speech and those opposed to the Church having influence on culture and society in the realm of politics.

If you want to enlarge the video below, just click on the button on the video that enables that.

FireProof: Never Leave Your Partner Behind

Dear Mr. Obama

The Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir - I´m Amazed

Lyrics to I'm Amazed

No one knew how alone I was feeling
And the emptiness I tried so hard to hide
Through I laughed and said my life was fine without You.

I was covering up the secret tears I cried
Then one day someone told me of Your mercy
And the love You showed on a hill called Calvary
There you died and purchased my redemption
When you broke sin’s power and set my spirit free

I’m amazed that You love me
I’m amazed how You care
Through Your precious blood
I’ve fond pardon
And my sins are washed,
They’re all washed away
All my sins are washed away

It’s true there have been days when I’ve failed You
Lord, You know the many times I’ve gone astray
But I’ve learned that Your love is stronger than my weakness
And you ear is open every time I pray
No one else has ever cared for me like You, Lord
Other friends could never be as close to me
I’m not afraid to face the problems of tomorrow
Knowing You are everything I’ll ever need

I’m amazed that You love me
I’m amazed how You care
Through Your precious blood
I’ve fond pardon
And my sins are washed,
They’re all washed away
All my sins are washed away

Glory In The Highest

What a wonderful day when the multitude of angelic host gathered to lift their voices in praise to God at the coming of the Messiah (Luke 2:13-14). Likewise, what a privilege we have to join in and announce to our world and all creation, "Glory in the highest!"

And when we take time to look about at God's handiwork in His creation and to see that all of creation declares the glory of God (Psalms 19:1-3), the redeemed of the Lord can not help but be compelled to join in and to sing God's glorious praises.

But the greatest inspiration for giving glory to God is found in the cross of Christ; for those who are redeemed, have by the mercy and grace of God been chosen to sing praises to the Lamb of God who was slain (Revelation 5:12). As we lift our hearts in praise to the Lamb, and we value the work of Christ upon the cross for our forgiveness and the propitiation (wrath bearer) of our sins, we are indeed amazed by God's grace!

Though we praise God and give Him glory because He alone is worthy of praise, there is great personal benefit in giving God praise. The Bible says that Abraham "grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, fully convinced that God was able to do what he (God) had promised". (Romans 4:18-21 ESV) Likewise, we can grow strong in our faith through exercising praise and adoration to God.

I hope you will take time to sing along with the attached video below and sing "Glory in the Highest" and may you be strengthened in your faith as you give glory to God.

Glory In The Highest by Chris Tomlin

The Amazing Story of John and Donna Bishop

Below you will find the story of John & Donna Bishop as found at FamilyLife. It is an amazing story of faith and inspiration. It is the story of true commitment to one's spouse and God. It is the story of faith in the God who "works everything together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose" (Romans 8:28).
Still amazed by God's grace,
John
___________________________________
from: FamilyLife Marriage Memo
by Dave Boehi
In 1995, a man woke up in a hospital bed in Arkansas and had no idea who he was. In fact, he didn't know anything.

He didn't know that his name was John Bishop. That he had been married for 24 years to Donna, and they had three sons. That he served as pastor at a church in Heber Springs, Ark., and they lived on the grounds of a youth camp they had started.

But this was more than amnesia. John was suffering from aseptic meningitis, and for whatever reason, the disease wiped away all of his memory.

John didn't know how to read or write. He didn't even know how to walk, talk, or chew food. Everything was blank.

And so begins one of the more amazing stories I’ve ever heard. For the next three days (August 4-6) on FamilyLife Today you can hear John and Donna Bishop of Rosebud, Ark., talk about the trials they have faced over the last 13 years. For John, it's the story of a man who has had the ultimate second chance--the opportunity to start everything all over. "All I remember is from 1995 to this day," John says in the interview. "I remember nothing before that. Everything that happened in my life beforehand is what I've been told. When I woke up from meningitis, I did not know her. I did not know me, my name. I didn't know anything."

And for Donna, it's the story of a wife who basically lost her first husband, and had to decide what to do with this grown man who, at first, had to be cared for and taught as though he were an infant.

She kept thinking John's memory would return, but it never did. She had to teach him how to eat again, starting with baby food. It took two years for him to walk well. He learned to speak by reading lips and matching the words he heard with the way a person's mouth moved. (In fact, even after 13 years, John is still learning to improve his grammar and syntax as he speaks.)
"It was almost like I had four boys instead of three," Donna says. She had to assume all responsibilities for the family. Yet she never wavered in her commitment to John. "My parents had a good marriage, and I was always taught that when you're married, you're married for life. When you say for better or for worse, in sickness and health, you're in for the long haul. I never even thought about divorce."

But how do you explain the concept of marriage to a man who doesn't remember you and doesn't even know what marriage is?

At one point, when she felt John had progressed enough to understand, Donna told him, "You’re John, I'm Donna, and we're married. That means you belong to me, and I belong to you."

"You're my Donna?" he asked.

He got it. And ever since then he has called her "My Donna."

"It was so easy to love her, she loved me so good," he says today. "Everything I know is what my wife taught me. I tell everybody she taught me reading, writing ... and my favorite subject, kissing."

John still suffers from a variety of health problems--seizures, cluster migraine headaches, an injured back ... in the last year he's lost much of his sight. But the impact God has had through him because of this long struggle may be greater than anything before 1995. He and Donna began God Is So Good Ministries to testify to the goodness of God even in the midst of an incredible struggle.

John says the ministry name is inspired by something God taught him during a time of depression and discouragement after his new life began. "I really loved the book of Psalms, because David been through trials too ... He kept saying God is good." He remembers laying on the couch one night after a difficult day. He read Psalm 34:8, which says, "O taste and see that the Lord is good; how blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him!"

John prayed, "God, I gonna believe You're good. If I never get better, I still gonna believe You're good because that what Your word says. Lord, this must be what faith means ... believing You, even when I don't feel like it."

There are many other stories I could tell about this remarkable couple, but then I'd be stealing too much thunder from the FamilyLife Today broadcasts! You can listen to the three-part series with the Bishops on your local Christian station, or online at our website.

Links:
Forgetting What Lies Behind...
"For Better or For Worse"
Making New Memories

How To Drink Orange Juice to the Glory of God

Recently my thoughts have been captured by the truths contained in Romans 3:23 "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (ESV). One evident truth in that verse is that anything in our lives that is not about the glory of God is sin. Paul also said it this way, "So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God" 1 Corinthians 10:31 (ESV). Below you will find a copy of a John Piper article titled "How To Drink Orange Juice to the Glory of God" that speaks to the issue of everything not of God's glory as being sin.

When I asked two weeks ago, "Is the Doctrine of Total Depravity Biblical" my answer was, Yes. And one thing I meant was that all of our actions (apart from saving grace) are morally ruined. In other words, everything an unbeliever does is sinful and thus unacceptable to God.

I said that one of my reasons for believing this comes from 1 Corinthians 10:31. "Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God." I asked, "Is it sin to disobey this Biblical commandment?" Yes.

So I draw this somber conclusion: It is sin to eat or drink or do anything NOT for the glory of God. In other words, sin is not just a list of harmful things (killing, stealing, etc.). Sin is leaving God out of account in the ordinary affairs of your life. Sin is anything you do that you don't do for the glory of God.

But what do unbelievers do for the glory of God? Nothing. Therefore everything they do is sinful. That is what I mean by saying that, apart from saving grace, all we do is morally ruined. Some of you then asked the practical question: Well, how do you "eat and drink" to the glory of God? Say, orange juice for breakfast?

One answer is found in 1 Timothy 4:3-5: "[Some] forbid marriage and advocate abstaining from foods which God has created to be gratefully shared in by those who believe and know the truth. For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with gratitude; for it is sanctified by means of the word of God and prayer."

Orange juice was "created to be received with gratitude by those who believe the truth." Therefore, unbelievers cannot use orange juice for the purpose God intended-namely, as a occasion for heartfelt thanksgiving to God from a true heart of faith.

But believers can, and this is how they glorify God. Their drinking orange juice is "sanctified by means of the word of God and prayer." The word of God teaches us that juice, and even our strength to drink it, is a free gift of God (1 Corinthians 4:7; 1 Peter 4:11). The prayer is our humble response of thanks from the heart. Believing this truth in the word, and offering thanks in prayer is one way we drink orange juice to the glory of God.

The other way is to drink lovingly. For example, don't insist on the biggest helping. This is taught in the context of 1 Corinthians 10:33, "I try to please all men in everything I do, not seeking my own advantage, but that of many, that they may be saved" (RSV). "Be imitators of me, just as I also am of Christ" (1 Corinthians 11:1).

Everything we do-even drinking orange juice-can be done with the intention and hope that it will be to the advantage of many that they may be saved.

Let us praise God that we have escaped by his grace from the total ruin of all our deeds. And let us do everything, whether we eat or drink, to the glory of our great God!

Click here to find original article at http://www.desiringgod.org/.

Baptism: A Testimony of Changed Lives

Don't Worry! They'll Be Just Fine...

Dear Mom,

Scoutmaster Webb told us to write our parents in case you heard about the flood and got worried. We're all OK. Only one of our tents and two of our sleeping bags got washed away. Nobody drowned because we were all on the mountain looking for Chad when it happened. Oh yeah, please call Chad's mother and tell her he's OK. He can't write her because of the cast on his arm.

I got to ride in one of the search and rescue jeeps! It was neat! We never would have found him in the dark if it hadn't been for all the lightning.

Scoutmaster Webb got mad at Chad for going on a hike alone without telling anyone. Chad said he did tell him, but it was during the fire, so he probably didn't hear him.

Did you know that if you put gas on a fire, the gas can will blow up? It was so cool! The wet wood still wouldn't burn, but one of our tents did, and some of our clothes. Boy, Johnny is going to look weird until his hair grows back!

We'll be home Saturday if Scoutmaster Webb gets the car fixed. It wasn't his fault about the wreck. The brakes worked when we left, but he said with a car that old you have to expect something to break down. That's probably why he can't get insurance. We think it's a neat car. He doesn't care if we get it dirty, and if it's hot, sometimes he lets us ride on the tailgate. It gets pretty hot with 15 people in the car. He let us take turns riding in the trailer until the highway patrolman stopped and yelled at him.

This morning all of the guys were diving off the rocks and swimming out in the lake. Scoutmaster Webb wouldn't let me because I can't swim, and Chad was afraid he would sink because of his cast, so he let us take the canoe across the lake. It was great. You still can see some of the trees under the water from the flood. Scoutmaster Webb isn't crabby like some Scoutmasters. He didn't even get mad about us leaving the life jackets behind. He has to spend a lot of time working on the car, so we're trying not to cause him any trouble.

Guess what? We passed our First Aid merit badges. When Dave dove in the lake and cut his arm, we got to see how a tourniquet works. Also, Wade and I threw up. Scoutmaster Webb said it probably was just food poisoning from the leftover chicken. He said they got sick like that with the food they ate in prison. I'm so glad he got out and became our Scoutmaster. He said he figured out how to do things better while he was doing time.

I have to go now. We are going into town to mail this and buy some bullets and more gasoline. Don't worry about anything. We are doing just fine.

Love,
Your son

Source: http://www.preaching.com/resources/illustrations/11579697/

The Robertson McQuilkin Story

Robertson McQuilkin was president of Columbia Bible College when his wife of 40 years was diagnosed with Alzheimer's. In honor of his marriage commitment, Robertson resigned to take care of her full time. (Click on video below to see)

• To see other inspirational videos from the Weekend To Remember Conferences click here.
• To explore and/or register for a Weekend To Remember Conference to build, renew and strengthen your marriage click here.
• To save on a Weekend To Remember Conference click here (deadline is August 1st)

How You Respond Depends On Your Perspective

Today (07-28-08), my wife Bonnie called me excited about a recent purchase. She had just bought gas for $3.75 a gallon, down nearly $0.25 a gallon from a week ago. Wow, can you imagine anyone being excited about $3.75 gas a year ago? This just goes to show how important our perspective is.

How we view our world also depends on what we view as being truly big. When we view God as being truly big then our circumstances are put into perspective for what they are. Though they may be overwhelming and massive for us, they are small, in light of God and who He is.

In the world we live in today, it is so important that we keep our eyes on God, who is truly Sovereign and Great. When we do that, it impacts how we see things. All of sudden, things that once might have been disheartening, begin to look like opportunities for God to be glorified.

What about how we view our sins and the sins of others. How do we view these sins in light of the cross of Christ?

When viewed in light of the cross of Christ we see sin as:

• Tragically offensive against God: God went to an extreme measure to satisfy His justice and wrath in dying for my sins and your sins. Sin can no longer be taken as trivial. Our sins are a serious offense against God for which we are in serious trouble.

When viewed in light of the cross of Christ we see sin as:

• Taken care of by God's mercy and grace: Because Jesus was sacrificed for our sins [those who believe in Christ], we do not get what we deserve - the justice of God and His wrath. That is the mercy of God. Because of what God has done on the cross, we are graced with favor, having been given the righteousness of Jesus Christ [2 Cor 5:21]. Where sin had once abounded, grace abounded much, much - so much more!

As stated in the wonderful hymn, Grace Greater Than Our Sin:

Marvelous grace of our loving Lord, Grace that exceeds our sin and our guilt! Yonder on Calvary’s mount out poured, There where the blood of the Lamb was spilled.

Refrain
Grace, grace, God’s grace, Grace that will pardon and cleanse within; Grace, grace, God’s grace, Grace that is greater than all our sin.

Sin and despair, like the sea waves cold, Threaten the soul with infinite loss; Grace that is greater, yes, grace untold, Points to the refuge, the mighty cross.

Refrain

Dark is the stain that we cannot hide. What can avail to wash it away? Look! There is flowing a crimson tide, Brighter than snow you may be today.

Refrain

Marvelous, infinite, matchless grace, Freely bestowed on all who believe! You that are longing to see His face, Will you this moment His grace receive?

Refrain

So Goes the Church, So Goes the Nation By Vic Dove

Again, another great article from Vic Dove...

“Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord.” Psalm 33:12

I was recently traveling out of town, and while driving down the road I was listening to a recorded sermon on CD. The pastor’s name was Bro. Scott Smith and he was preaching a revival in a church in Eastern Tennessee. The sermon was on the church and how the church has lost its influence on our society and our culture. Bro. Scott in his sermon reminded me that while teaching to His disciples in the book of Matthew; Jesus told them: "You are the salt of the earth, but if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men" Matthew 5:13.

After hearing this sermon I realized I have been looking at the problems of our great nation and blaming them on the wrong people. For sometime now I have been blaming politicians for the moral decay in our country. Not so my friend, the church is the problem. We have lost our saltiness. The church is virtually non- existent in our society today. We are like a salt shaker full of salt just sitting on the table. The salt is no good to anyone or anything if it stays in the shaker, you got to put it on the food in order for it to make a difference.

If you are sitting around this election year and thinking that if a Right Wing Conservative is elected President, or to any other office for that matter, will make a hill of beans difference; you are sadly mistaken my friend. The only thing that will change the direction of this great country is the Church- So goes the Church so goes the Nation. The answers to our cultural decline can not be found in a Republican, a Democrat, or any other party; they are found in the church.

The Church needs to get out of the salt shaker and start making a difference. The only way the salt can get out of the shaker is if someone turns it upside down and shakes it. Will you be that person in your church? Start shaking the salt shaker, spread some salt this week.

Abraham Lincoln was spreading the salt in his speech to the Congress of the United States of America when he used Psalm 33:12 “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord”. So goes the Church, so goes the Nation.

May God Bless You and Your family
Bro. Vic

Seeing The Truth About Ourselves

A man was having difficulty communicating with his wife and grew very frustrated and critical. He concluded that she must be becoming hard of hearing, so he decided to conduct a test without her knowing about it. One evening he sat in a chair on the far side of the room. Her back was to him and she could not see him. Very quietly he whispered, "Can you hear me?" There was no response. Moving a little closer, he asked again, "Can you hear me now?" Still no reply. Quietly he edged closer and whispered the same words, but for the third time there was no answer. Finally, he moved right in behind her chair and said, "Can you hear me now?" To his surprise and chagrin she responded with irritation in her voice, "For the fourth time, yes!"

I don’t know if you can relate to that story, but I certainly can. I have often blamed Bonnie only to find out later that it was my fault for my lack of hearing.

One of the things my Mother taught me is to remember that when I point my finger at someone, I’ve got 3 other ones pointing right back at me. That was her way of saying, “When you are tempted to be critical of others, first examine your own life.”

Jesus said it this way,

"Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. "Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye. (Mat 7:1-5 NIV)

But how do we examine ourselves unless we can find an unbiased opinion? I believe Proverbs 21:2 gives us the principles to follow concerning where we can go to find a truthful assessment of ourselves.

Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the heart. (Proverbs 21:2 ESV).

We see three principles to be applied in our lives concerning this verse.
1. “Every way of a man is right in his own eyes” – When there is no recognized authority or standard of truth, then one man’s “way” is as valid as another man’s “way”. That was true in the time of the Judges in Israel. The Bible says, “In those days there was no king in Israel; every man did what was right in his own eyes.” (Judges 17:6 NASB).

2. “the Lord weighs the heart” – The picture here is that God weighs the “scales” of truth; that God has determined and judges what is true. It is God that we will answer to in our lives for our actions, by His standard and His alone.

3. “the Lord weighs the heart” – The picture also is that God weighs the heart – the motives behind our actions. Nothing is hidden from God’s sight. He sees our hearts and knows our thoughts and motives (Psalms 139:2). The Bible says, “The heart is deceitful above all things, And desperately wicked; Who can know it?” (Jer 17:9 NKJV) Only God can truly see and give us guidance into assessing our motives and actions.

It is through God’s Word, His standard that we can assess what is right and what is wrong. God’s Word is not subjective but objective – it is black and white. God’s Word, the Bible, is not just another man’s opinion but His truth. We need to submit to God’s Word and His assessment of our lives so that we can experience the abundant life that Jesus has provided for us.

Thank God that we are not left to our own opinions or the opinions of men but God has provided a revelation of Himself and His ways that we are to walk in. “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.” (Psa 119:105 NIV)

May God’s Word be our lamp as we walk together in His light!

The Election & The Supreme Court by Kelly Boggs

Many hot button issues will be debated in the forthcoming presidential campaign. Among the hottest topics likely will be the war against terrorism, rising energy costs and the softening American economy. Many voters, however, will be oblivious to perhaps the most searing issue -– the likely appointment of one or more Supreme Court justices.

Supreme Court justices, once confirmed, are appointed for life. Hence, their influence over American society and its laws can span more than three decades. Long after a president leaves office, his appointee(s) will be rendering decisions that will impact the life and liberty of all Americans.

(For example, President Ford left office more than 30 years ago, but one of his nominees, John Paul Stevens, remains on the court.)

More times than not, a Supreme Court nominee will possess ideological and philosophical views that closely mirror those of the president making the appointment. Hence, a president with a more liberal view of the Constitution will usually nominate a like-minded jurist. A president with a conservative or constructionist view of our nation's guiding document will be more likely to favor an individual with the same understanding.

A recent Supreme Court ruling on the Second Amendment illustrates just how significant a president's appoints can be.

In June, the Supreme Court ruled that individual Americans do have the right to own guns. The decision overturned a Washington D.C. law that banned private handgun possession.

What I found most interesting about the decision was that it was a 5-4 ruling, meaning that four of the justices were more than willing to uphold the law. Two of the judges that voted to uphold gun ownership were recent appointments -- Chief Justice John Roberts and Justice Samuel Alito -- made by President Bush.

Click here for remainder of article...

Quotes from Do Hard Things

Bonnie, Ben, Laura and I are reading through Do Hard Things: A Teenage Rebellion Against Low Expectations by Alex & Brett Harris. The following are some noteworthy quotes applicable to all of us from the book that definitely challenged me.

On trials as a gift to build our character...

Smith Wigglesworth didn't learn to read until he was an adult, and he was unable to speak publicly for most of his life due to a terrible stammer. Against all odds he overcame this impediment and turned out to be one of England's greatest evangelist during his later years, leading thousands to Christ.

We could look at this story and say, "What a shame. If only speaking had come easily and early to him, think of how much more fruitful he could have been." But Wigglesworth recognized that the difficulties he overcame were vital to the effectiveness of his ministry. He liked to say, "Great faith is the product of great fights. Great testimonies are the outcome of great test. Great triumphs can only come out of great trials." - page 71

Being known for what we do as well as what we don't do...

God's Word is clear. Our culture's standard of simply not doing bad stuff is really no standard at all. Psalm 1:1 tells us, "Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers" (ESV). A lot of people, though, seem to quit reading there and miss the next verse: "But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night."

Our Culture seems to hear the don'ts but miss the dos.

Charles Spurgeon, the great preacher of the nineteenth century, commented, "Perhaps some of you can claim a sort of negative purity, because you do not walk in the way of the ungodly; but let me ask you - Is you delight in the law of God? Do you study God's Word? Do you make it the man of your right hand - your best companion and hourly guide?" If not, Spurgeon said, the blessing of Psalm 1 does not belong to you.

To live by God's standards for young people and to enjoy the blessing He promises, we must get beyond simply avoiding bad stuff. To see this we need only look at the theme verse of the Rebelulution, 1 Timothy 4:12: "Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity" (NIV). We're not just supposed to avoid sinning; we're supposed to pursue righteousness in a way that others will want to imitate. - page 97-98

Prodigals: Let Them Come Home by Abraham Piper

When I was 19, I decided I’d be honest and stop saying I was a Christian.

At first I pretended that my reasoning was high-minded and philosophical. But really I just wanted to drink gallons of cheap sangria and sleep around. Four years of this and I was strung out, stupefied and generally pretty low. Especially when I was sober or alone.

My parents, who are strong believers and who raised their kids as well as any parents I’ve ever seen, were brokenhearted and baffled. (See sidebar story below.) I’m sure they were wondering why the child they tried to raise right was such a ridiculous screw-up now. But God was in control.

One Tuesday morning, before 8 o’clock, I went to the library to check my e-mail. I had a message from a girl I’d met a few weeks before, and her e-mail mentioned a verse in Romans. I went down to the Circle K and bought a 40-ounce can of Miller High Life for $1.29. Then I went back to where I was staying, rolled a few cigarettes, cracked open my drink, and started reading Romans. I wanted to read the verse from the e-mail, but I couldn’t remember what it was, so I started at the beginning of the book. By the time I got to chapter 10, the beer was gone, the ashtray needed emptying and I was a Christian.

The best way I know to describe what happened to me that morning is that God made it possible for me to love Jesus. When He makes this possible and at the same time gives you a glimpse of the true wonder of Jesus, it is impossible to resist His call.

Looking back on my years of rejecting Christ, I offer these suggestions to help you reach out to your wayward child so that they, too, would wake up to Christ’s amazing power to save even the worst of us.

Click here for remainder of article

A Choice

Yesterday I read an article by Vic Dove in our local paper that appears on a weekly basis. Vic's life is a testament to the transforming power of God. Vic is a member of Southside Baptist Church where he teaches Sunday School. Years ago, many would have never dreamed he'd be serving the Lord as he does now. Our God is an awesome God!

Vic offers great advice to those who might say, "There is not much of a difference between the two major candidates for president".

By Vic Dove

“Blessed is the man who walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.” Psalm 1: 1-2

Psalm 1 is a great place to start when you’re looking for direction. This Psalm is about two men, two ways, and two destinies. Two choices, each choice with its own set of consequences. The truth is we do have a choice. We make choices everyday; some of the choices we make are lack luster, example: where and what to eat for lunch, and some choices affect our health and financial well being. Other choices may determine whether we live or die. But, the fact of the matter is we do have a choice. The amount of success we have in making the right choices depends on which one of these men we choose to follow.

First, we must realize it is impossible to make the right choice without accurate information about the choices at hand. Bad information leads to bad choices; bad counsel leads to bad choices. If you make all your choices by the world’s standards, you will reap what you sow my friend. We are free to make our choices, but we are not free to choose the consequences of those choices. The consequences come with the choice; it is a package deal.

Second, not all choices are a clear cut right or wrong. Sometimes we are confronted with a choice that neither seems to be completely and totally right or completely and totally wrong. So what do we do?

When I first entered the School of Business at Valdosta State University my first Management professor stood before the class and said “Management is about making decisions, and sometimes you will be faced with a decision that’s neither right nor wrong, it’s just the best decision. But, the worst thing you can ever do is not make a decision.” Dr. Bill Fredenberger’s comments stuck with me the whole time I was at Valdosta State University and I still have them etched in my memory today.

A good example of this scenario maybe a political candidate or a political issue. After you have heard all the speeches and listened to the platforms of all the candidates, you are still unable to make a decision. The best way to choose the better of the two is to disqualify the one you know is totally not what you want. The other may not be exactly what you want in a candidate, but he is better than the alternative. If you choose to do nothing, however; then someone will pick for you, and you will have to live with the consequences of someone else’s choice, and you don’t want that.

May God Bless You and Your family

Bro. Vic

Meditations On the Substitutionary Death of Jesus Christ

J.I. Packer, wrote the following in the book “In My Place Condemned He Stood” concerning the substitutionary sacrifice of Jesus Christ.

1) God “condones nothing”, but judges all sin as it deserves: which Scripture affirms, and my conscience confirms, to be right.
2) My sins merit ultimate penal suffering and rejection from God’s presence (conscience also confirms this), and nothing I do can blot them out.
3) The penalty due to me for my sins, whatever it was, was paid for me by Jesus Christ, the Son of God, in his death on the cross.
4) Because this is so, I through faith in him am made “the righteousness of God in him” i.e., I am justified, pardon, acceptance, and sonship [to God] become mine.
5) Christ’ death for me is my sole ground of hope before God. “If he fulfilled not justice, I must; if he underwent not wrath, I must to eternity” (John Owen).
6) My faith in Christ is God’s own gift to me, given in virtue of Christ’ death for me: i.e., the cross procured it.
7) Christ’ death for me guarantees my preservation to glory.
8) Christ’ death for me is the measure and pledge of the love of the Father and the Son to me.
9) Christ’ death for me calls and constrains me to trust, to worship, to love, and to serve.

*From In My Place Condemned He Stood by J.I. Packer and Mark Dever, page 25-26.

From Our Recent Beach Trip To St. George Island, FL

Choices

Often times people will use the words "I didn't have a choice" or "There is not really a good choice". But we need to remind ourselves, and I need to be reminded, that God always presents us with a choice. We are never forced into sinning or forced into making choices. No one ties our hands. God has left the issue of choice or our God given responsibility to ourselves.

A good friend brought it to my attention that my reference to Senator McCain could be interpreted as a lack of respect for the Senator. I want to acknowledge without a public endorsement of him for president (though I would be more than glad to give you my personal opinion if you want to talk to me) that I have utmost respect for John McCain as a person and as a candidate for the presidency of the United States.

Of utmost importance to our nation is the appointment of justices to the Supreme Court. Senator McCain has demonstrated, by his voting for and support of conservative justices who will not legislate from the bench and who will support the protection of human life in the womb, that he is to be admired. I believe he has done a very good job of supporting The War on Terror. He has been at times critical of the strategies but supportive of the overall efforts of our Armed Forces and as a result of his input, corrections have been made and the war effort is headed in the right direction.

There are other issues very vital to the future of our nations and I believe there is a very clear choice between the major candidates for the presidency of the United States.

Embrace The Mystery In God

I have a friend who recently came to Christ as his personal Lord and Savior. One of the things he is going through is the phenomenon of "I don't know". He feels there is so much to learn and that he knows so little. In his field of business he has mastered so much and he knows so much.

No matter how long you walk with God through the person of His Son, Jesus Christ, you will always say, "I just don't know". Thank God that even the more we know Him the more we will have to acknowledge "I just don't know". For how else can a finite person respond in their encounter with the Infinite Awesome God? We will spend eternity savoring in amazement, God's infinite and glorious wisdom and marvelous grace. Thank God for the mystery in God, for if you or I could figure God out, He wouldn't be a very marvelous and awesome God.

(Rom 11:33-36 NIV) Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out! {34} "Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor?" {35} "Who has ever given to God, that God should repay him?" {36} For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen.

Below is a segment from a message by C.J. Mahaney titled The Mystery of Election which coveys that reality of "I just don't know".