Decades ago in his sermon, David Martyn Lloyd-Jones told his church, “This is an age of bewilderment, uncertainty and an age of fear.” He said, “The commonest way to show fear is to indulge in a riot of pleasure. It is nothing but a terrible spirit of fear and bewilderment.” More. “It’s pure escapism – drugging itself in a riot of pleasure because it dare not sit down and face reality.” He died thirty-four years ago, but I wonder what he would tell his church if he were around today. Some biblical meanings of ‘fear’ – be afraid exceedingly,anxiety, quaking, trembling, dread, terror, terribleness, horror. Some secular meanings: panic, agitation, trepidation, distress and consternation. Continue reading “Dare to Sit Down and Face Reality”
Talker or Maker – Which One for You?
Informing me that he had a mind of his own, “therefore I can reason things out for myself,” the University student shared his views as to why he believed the Bible to be not only, “irrelevant in this age of modern science,” but also why those who do believe in it, “don’t have a mind of their own, therefore they are unable to reason things out for themselves.” Given that it’s over twenty -five years since I heard him make that statement, I wonder where he might be today, at the age of around forty-five. Is he in journalism? Radio and TV? Entertainment? Academia? Lecturing? Psychology? Social work? Politics? It’s more likely he’s in the talking business than the making business.
Continue reading “Talker or Maker – Which One for You?”
Near Death Experiences
Years ago as a Gospel messenger out on the streets of my community I was asked from time to time to give thoughts regarding those claiming to have died and gone to heaven or hell, then came back again. “I’ve just read a book about this woman who had a near death experience; fascinating!” they’d say. “Sounds like heaven is a lovely place.” Or, “Sounds like there really could be such a place as hell.” A couple of years earlier I had made it my goal to read and study only the Bible, plus any Christian books that would help achieve that goal. I believed then as I do today, that the Bible will give me all the answers I need on any topic, including near death experiences. Continue reading “Near Death Experiences”
The Me Crowd
Decades ago, a principled businessman said, “A business absolutely devoted to service will have only one worry about profits. They will be embarrassingly large.” Asked to compare work differences in her day with today, the much sought after studio musician of the 1950-60’s said, “Back then it was always us, us, us. Today it’s all about me, me, me.” Responding to questions regarding serious clashes over leadership within our Federal Government, one member says the Party must return to the values, standards, principles and integrity they’ve previously stood on for over 50 years. “Show-ponies with super-sized egos, self-interest and self-indulgence” being current hindrances. Continue reading “The Me Crowd”
The Arrogant Atheist
A well-known British atheist and entertainment personality was recently asked what he would say if he came face-to-face with God. Response: “I’ll say: bone cancer in children, what’s that about? How dare you; how dare you create a world where there is such misery that is not our fault? It’s not right. It’s utterly, utterly evil. Why should I respect a capricious, mean-minded, stupid God who creates a world which is so full of injustice and pain?” I know nothing of the man’s heart but in listening to more of his vitriol, it didn’t seem to me that he was truly an atheist, but rather, a man who is deeply and bitterly angry with God. Blaming God for the world’s injustice and pain? Continue reading “The Arrogant Atheist”
This Grand Problem
The politician was asked on National Television if he believed in God and quickly he replied, “No.” However, he was equally quick to use the words, “morally wrong” and “heartless” when accusing his political opponent on asylum seekers and climate change. His opponent said he did believe in God, but failed to take the godless man to task over those accusations. My concern is not for the politicians, it is for my Bible-based brothers and sisters in Christ who are often charged with the same sort of silly accusations simply because we don’t agree with them. When the godless speak about what’s morally wrong – or right, the question must be asked, “Where do you get your beliefs and values from?” Continue reading “This Grand Problem”
So What’s the Story with this Old Heretic and Fool?
I see yet another “church” representative has come out of the woodwork to bring us the tired old mantra, “The Bible is not the word of God; the Bible contains the word of God.” This time it is being “sung” by a 93 year-old sodomite-sympathizing Italian Roman Catholic priest. Surprise! Surprise! Never mind that the Bible itself says, All Scripture is given by inspiration of God 2 Timothy 3:16. Never mind that the Bible itself says, The entirety of Your word is truth….. Psalm 119:160. Never mind that Jesus Himself told us, the Scripture cannot be broken John 10:35. Never mind that Jesus Christ, the One whom he claims to represent, is revealed in the Bible from Genesis to Revelation. Continue reading “So What’s the Story with this Old Heretic and Fool?”
God’s Universal Absolutes
A question thinking people ask at some point in their life: “Why do people hate the Jews?” A disciplined study of both Testaments of the Bible reveals the only meaningful answer. 1) God revealed Himself to the world through the Jews. 2) The Jews are the chosen people of God. 3) God gave us the Scriptures through the Jews. 4) Through the Jews God gave the world the Messiah, Jesus Christ. 5) God has promised to save a remnant of Jews who will one day rule the world with their Messiah. These are the primary reasons for people to hate the Jews; other reasons (of which there are many to be found on the Internet), are secondary reasons. Continue reading “God’s Universal Absolutes”
How Did It Get To This?
“How did it get to this?” That’s the nagging question on the lips of thinking, concerned people who once lived in a time when, “it was not like this.” Not like what? Corruption in high places and low places across the nations. Immoral, unethical and unprincipled political candidates, current politicians, legal people, businessman, big bankers etc. Society’s indifference to sexual perversion and gross immorality. Society’s disrespect for born and unborn human life. Society’s disregard for the true, good and right, but its regard for the lie, bad and wrong. Society’s rejection of law, but its acceptance of lawlessness. Continue reading “How Did It Get To This?”
Political Correctness is the Bastard Child of isms
“Sticks and stones will break my bones, but words will never harm me.” True with the first part, false with the second part! “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but names will never hurt me.” Same again – true and false! These old adages may have been effective restraints upon people when written back in the 1860’s, when society’s values were Bible-based, but not so today. The world’s isms have replaced that. Through their harmful and hurtful words plus harmful and hurtful names people world-wide are capitulating more than they ever did from knives, guns and bombs. Even Adolf Hitler might have changed tack if he could see what isms have achieved today! Continue reading “Political Correctness is the Bastard Child of isms”