Act Like Men

This is merely an excerpt of a very enjoyable sermon about lazy and abusive men with a very powerful ending. If you appreciate the excerpt, I encourage you to listen to the entire sermon in it's context as there is a beautiful picture painted here and if you are anything like me, (a male), then you may find that the picture that was painted was a self portrait. If this offends you, then good, it was definitely for you.

Sensuality Accountability. Who Me?

But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction. And many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of truth will be blasphemed. And in their greed they will exploit you with false words. Their condemnation from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep. 2 Peter 2:1-3

I was listening to a radio show last week of one of my favorite preacher/teachers as he spoke of the problem with Christianity today. He gave some startling statistics of how there are more Christian family divorces in America today then secular family divorces and gave some other grave news about the state of our country pertaining to our faith, (or lack of). He then was giving some reasons for what has become of "American Christianity" as he gave a poll statistic of how over 50% of Christians in America do not read their bibles, as they get their theology from the Christian music they listen to. As I examined myself, I can see how in years past not only did I think I knew God through the songs that I sang, but I thought that it was my measurement of my spirituality.

I used to crave what worship music did to my senses. I thought that God wasn't moving unless the songs I sang gave me the tingles. I thought God wasn't forgiving me or was unhappy with me unless I could feel some euphoria during a praise song. Not only did I think these things, but I was told by my worship leaders that this was goal. We sang songs that brought glory to the singer which made me feel good to sing because they made me feel important (I'm Your Beloved). There were songs that contained such bad theology (though I didn't know it at the time) dealing with my importance in the grand scheme of things or that talked about the prosperity gospel (Peace of God, Let It Reign), but the bass line before the chorus was so cool that it made half the church raise their hands in awe. People get their theology from the Christian music they listen to? Yeah. He was talking about me. Again.

This weekend at church I came across this verse in 2 Peter which reads: And many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of truth will be blasphemed. As I read this I started thinking about what sensuality was. Sensuality is dealing with the senses right? The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2006 by Houghton Mifflin Company says that sensuality means: 1.The quality or state of being sensual. 2.Excessive devotion to sensual pleasure. So sensual pleasure is not necessarily sexual. I enjoy back rubs, watching sunsets, the taste of lasagna, the smell of Downy dryer sheets, and the relaxing sound of Fernando Ortega. If I had to have these 5 things in order to co-exist with humanity, might this be excessive devotion to sensual pleasure? If I have to have my favorite 5 praise songs played during church in order to allow my senses to achieve heightened levels of goodness so I can feel like I worshipped God, might that be excessive devotion to sensual pleasure? And since when is sensual pleasure a requirement for church? Oh yeah, American Christianity. I guarantee that our African brothers and sisters in Christ do not go to stand under a shade tree to listen to their preacher or missionary preach the gospel for 5 hours (without music) out of devotion to their sensual pleasure.

Now, I lead my congregation in song. I direct my team of singers and musicians as our praise team leader. I write some music, make my own arrangements, breathe new life into older traditional hymns, and also bring new popular praise songs in. I pick between 4 and 8 songs to sing on Sunday mornings. I am now in a position to have a control over the words that will come out of a corporate congregation for a period of around 20 minutes. At our nursing home ministry on Sundays, the sermons are only about 20 minutes, so we are talking about a serious amount of time to have control over lyrics. A teacher, is someone who takes material, learns it and teaches it to someone else. Since half of America gleans their theology (study of God) from the songs they sing, isn't it possible that this could mean that people in the position of praise leader could fall under the category of teacher? Quite an incredible thought, but we as praise leaders have the ability to teach false doctrine, bad theology and even secretly bring in destructive heresies and exploit you with false words.

James chapter 3 also speaks of taming the tongue: Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness. For with the tongue, words are spoken. Even so with a song, lyrics are spoken. If I have chosen a song to bring before another, let alone a group of people, giving it my stamp of approval, am I not now a teacher? Am I not now to be held responsible if someone is led astray in heresy because of my teachings? Am I also now not in a position to carefully choose songs that will be appropriate for a congregation and not only for personal praise? Am I not to look for songs that can be sung by all honestly before God. A simple example would be "I Surrender All". What would transition better into your pastors sermon? Telling God I surrender all even though many in your attendance aren't there in their life, or singing of God's sovereign grace and holiness?

A big reason there is so much sin in Christianity is because people do not see God for His holiness and majesty. They do not see God in truth. They are too busy singing about themselves, and whether realizing it or not, trying to make themselves on level with God. Who helps makes this possible? Christian music artists with songs on the CCM charts because their song had to do with being a better person, even though it is not biblical. Who is enabling them? Praise team leaders who keep singing their songs on Sunday mornings because the congregation will think they are hip for singing a song they heard on the radio.

Now I'm not knocking music ministers and I know how much work goes into what we do, but I have to battle this myself. Our pastors spend a full time 40 hour week (sometimes more like 80 hours) reading and studying, going to the Greek, going back to their study, ministering, visiting the sick and needy, going back to study, to make sure his sermon has all the nougats that God would have him to feed his flock with on Sunday morning. Music ministers spend 4 maybe 8 hours at best (maybe 7 minutes on Saturday night at 9:36 pm) putting together a dynamic set of songs of epic proportions to knock the congregations socks off. By the time we are done singing songs, is there any energy left for the preacher man, or is everyone coming down off their 'spiritual high' and ready for a visit with the back of their eyelids? Be fair to your pastor! If he asks you to choose and order your songs carefully, or limit your number of songs, or even to pay attention to what is man-centered versus God-centered then submit to him and make sure you are doing everything you can to fully understand what he wants. Make sure you understand that you are in a position of leadership and teaching and that the bible says it will not be taken lightly if you are to lead someone from the truth. Make sure you are accompanying the congregation in song and not putting on a laser light show of fluffy emotions and sensuality for everyone, and that you are honoring your pastors requests, otherwise you are in rebellion and should be removed from service.

Being a leader or member of a praise team is to be of service to one another and your congregation. Remember that people in service do not get to do what they want to do. A butler serving his master does not get to do what he wants, but what his master wants. How many of us are serving only to the extent that we are willing to go, but not to the extent that the master has requested of us? If the butler does what he wants rather then the wishes of the master, he will soon be an unemployed butler. We are not in service for ourselves, but for others. Christianity is not about I. It is about people. Yet, we still want to sing the me me, what about me songs.

Emotions are not the problem and using and enjoying the senses that God gave us is not bad. It's like a huge delicious cake. It appeals to all five of my senses. One piece is absolutely wonderful, and if my kids didn't finish it off then maybe I can have seconds. If I were to eat the whole thing, trying to help my senses into a euphoric goodness, I would have heartburn and would gain 10 pounds. If I wanted to do that everyday, I would go into diabetic shock and eventually lose my life to my sickness of wanting too much cake. I would be a destructive fool. If I got others to follow me and eat the cake every day because they trusted my judgement and eventually couldn't live without it either, then I would be partially responsible for their fate. Lets make sure we are serving modest hors d'oeuvre portions of praise (cake), and save room for everyone to feed on the healthy main course; the Word.

About Me Or God?

About Me Or God?

Who Am I Really Singing Praise to?

I wanted to introduce a new website that has been formed with the purpose of providing an open discussion about Christian music and more specifically praise and worship music. Our goal is to bring to the forefront the lyrics in the music we sing and hear, to show appreciation for the songs that bring glory to our God Almighty, and expose the songs that attempt to bring glory to us.

This is a multi authored blog. Everyone has the opportunity to comment on any post, but we have five contributors at this time. Please contact me if you are interested in becoming a contributor and you will be able to post blogs of song lyrics with your comments as well. The goal is not for anyone to hear my opinions on the matter, but for everyone to be able to be involved in all sides of the conversation as we search for the truth.

http://aboutmeorgod.blogspot.com

Worship: A Clue to Meaning in Life

This is a two part audio broadcast from Ravi Zacharias. I have found it very helpful and intriguing. It is definitely worth the listen.

Worship is a timely topic for followers of Jesus Christ as many churches are making changes and re-examining what worship is, what it should look like, and the role of worship in the life of a believer. Is the question of worship merely one of music? What has God Himself said to us in the Bible about worship? What does He desire in our worship? Is there a wrong way to worship? God has spoken about worship, and there’s much more to it than just music.

Part 1

Part 2

Suddenly, I saw the big lie...

Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness Is. 5:20

I have been "catching up" so to speak on a particular movement in our country and around the world. I say catching up because this series of thought has been around for years, but has finally made it around to my attention. The movement is one who's purpose is to get one of two outcomes. They either want Christianity to deny the Holy Scriptures and say that they accept homosexuality as NOT a sin, OR they want it to become a punishable crime for a Christian to say homosexuality is a sin. They want Christians to lovingly and openly accept them into their congregations without anyone thinking they are doing anything wrong and let them participate even into leadership positions because they are just people that love God. Suddenly I saw the big lie! This post is not about homosexuality. This post is about sin!

Here is a MSMBC video with Matt Barber debating Harry Knox. Mr. Knox is not just a gay rights activist, but is also the president of the Human Rights Campaign, a huge gay lobbying group. This group gathers together "Christian Clergy" from all 50 states that rally together to Washington each year to tell their legislators that "Christians" are ready for laws to restrict their beliefs and that more should be done from the "Christian" point of view to help homosexuals. Again, this post is not about homosexuals. I'll get there in a minute. Watch this video and listen carefully to the justification of sin.

Did you hear what this guy said?

“What’s clear from our experience and from science is that being gay or lesbian is an immutable, unchangeable gift from God, one for which I am very grateful. And it would fly in the face of my respect for God to give that gift back. It would simply be unethical and hurtful to our relationship with the Creator to give back gifts that God has given us….”

Thank you Mr. Knox for this great explanation of your thoughts! If I look at this agenda very closely, I can see that it is not new at all. It is as old as humanity! It is a total justification of sin by deciding that it is something that God gave to us. Lets look at some big lies:

- God wouldn't have given me this desire to lust or have created the opposite sex, if he didn't want me to indulge. (Pornography, pre or extra-marital sex)
- I am an extremely gifted thief and liar. I am very good at it and all good things come from God.
- God gave me freewill because he wants me to make my own choices and my own way (abortions).

Okay, so I had about 15 more when I was laying in bed last night, but you get the point. Is it so hard to drop that thing once and for all because we honestly believe that God wants us to have it? God is very clear in His Word what He wants us to have and what He doesn't want us to have. You want so badly to be allowed to hold that thing that you create your own rules and beliefs about the God of the Universe so you don't have to repent and so you can sleep at night feeling you are finally not doing anything wrong, but you are even more rooted in sin then before.

Okay I'll submit! But that doesn't mean I have to like it!

I have been thinking a lot lately about a friend who has gone astray, and is deep in rebellion. Now he doesn't think he is in rebellion. I have tried to figure out how he arrived where he is and came to an amazing conclusion. Refusing to be in submission is choosing to be in rebellion.

I found it very hard for most of my life to live in submission. I have a difficult time with laws that don't make any sense, or rules that take my freedom and give it to someone else. I lived for years as a "control freak", needing to have my hands in everything I was involved in, and wanting to have the final word. I'm not sure where that came from, but I am sure I was living in rebellion. I even look at a letter I wrote two years ago to someone I am now submitted under and cringe with total shame and embarrassment. Somewhere after writing that letter, I came to a startling life altering realization that being submitted to God and the full counsel of God through His Word was the only way I could be sure I was in His hand. It was the only way I was sure I could really call myself a Christian.

So where did my friend go wrong? He decided that if he didn't like something, that the rest of the world was going to know about it, and he was never going to budge until he got his way. He had no belief in or understanding of submission. I realize that all of us on our own level are this way, and especially toward church. After all, I give money in the offering so I should have a say in what happens right? Well, here was my light bulb moment: I have my place in the food chain of submission. Once I realized this, there was more freedom that I can explain in 50 blogs. There was freedom in worship. There was freedom in my bible reading. There was freedom in my marriage. There was freedom in my relationships with my children. How did I get there? I realized that my pastor was in a position of authority, but was very submitted to God. He has peers in the church fellowship, and community, but I was not one of them. My wife is my peer. My children are not. They are to be submitted to me, and I am to train them up in the way they should go my disciplining them when they leave that submission to taste rebellion. Learning my place in submission allowed me to concentrate on what was important for me, and allowed me to give to those in authority over me the task of making decisions, praying for decisions, executing decisions, disciplining, and keeping eye out for the things that I have always wasted so much time on.

I say wasted, because it was never my fight in the first place. I would be in church, and would be so upset about some stupid thing that bothered me about service that I had nothing to do with and had no control over that I missed church. Then I wouldn't talk to anyone afterwords because I was trying to decide whether or not to pull someone in authority over and spill my woes, or whether to take matters into my own hands, or whether to use gossip to manipulate my agenda forward. I was in rebellion, and had no idea. I had no idea because I didn't know what submission looked like.

The biggest realization was that if I couldn't even gather enough respect for my pastor to submit to his decisions, how could I ever think I was submitted to God?

So if you think something is good, and your pastor thinks something is good, it is probably real good. If you think something stinks, and your pastor thinks it is good, IT IS STILL GOOD! Stop worrying about the things in church that you think need to change and start making sure you are not someone else's stumbling block. Start making sure you are being a good steward over those that are supposed to be in submission to you. Submission is not saying you'll submit, but you don't have to like it. Submission is allowing someone else to tell you what is good, and liking it because you know they are submitted to God.

Is it harmless, or is this worth paying attention to?

I have a topic I have tossed around to friends and have gotten extremely different answers to. I have molded my own opinions, (that I may be completely wrong about), but I place it here for it's discernment qualities.

Let me first say that I will keep the specifics very basic, and that I am not here to be a book burner or a extremest in any way. I enjoyed Ben-Hur, which has done much of the same thing. I just see how easy it is to stray from the truth in so many ways, but the easiest being when you are led astray thinking you are in the truth. My son came home from school with a book from the school library a few weeks ago that he was excited about. It was recommended to him by the librarian as a Christian Fiction book. I was happy about that and asked him what it was about. As he told me, my discern-o-meter began to go into red alert. I stopped myself to make sure I wasn't about to go on a witch hunt, and asked my son the question I am about to ask you. I told him that I wasn't going to tell him not to finish the book, or that his opinion didn't matter to me, and that this time there was no wrong answer. Next time may be a different story.

The story too place about 30 A.D. and the first half of the book revolves around the life of a man and the bad things that happen to him and his family at the hands of the Romans. The man is outraged and decides to go to Rome and avenge his family by doing evil back to the Romans. Mid book, he meets a man named Jesus who speaks to him and causes him to change his mind about hurting the Romans, forgiving them instead.

This all seems very benign from a 10 year olds point of view, but I began to ask, "What kind of things did Jesus say to the man?" There were many bible references there like Jesus reciting the Lords prayer, and Psalm 23 to the man. There were also conversations where Jesus said things you could not find in the Bible. Here is where I have my problem. I am afraid that we have no idea what Jesus would have said to the man, but the words written in the book were probably not them. Then there will be those who will say it doesn't matter if there are blatant heresies in the book. If only there is one soul that is led to Christ by the book, or as long as it ministers to the person leading them to change their life. Those were excuses given to me about two other books that are just really bad, and I'm sure would be the most common excuse for this one. Lastly, by using Jesus in a fiction story, are Christians helping along the worldview that Jesus is finally where He belongs: in the fiction category?

My question is: When is it okay to use Jesus Christ in a fiction story.

Moodymergent?

I keep Moody radio on in my truck always, as I have no CD player, and they generally have the best programming out of all other Christian radio I have sampled. There is a particular show in the afternoon that has got my goat on more than one occasion. Moody appears very proud of this show, though it strays from the biblical teaching I am used to on this station. The show seems to concentrate on 'Feel Good Christianity'. I have heard many unwise thoughts and opinions on this show, but today was a doozie.

Today's topic was: How to leave a church. The topic was changed ever so slightly by callers who began to ask when is it okay to leave a church. They are two different questions, but I believe they have the same answer: Be submitted to the Word and seeking truth, be honest at all times with others and yourself, and be sent by the leadership of your current church, having their agreement. Here is the show's answer: Leave quickly. Leave quietly. Leave graciously."

Basically, once you have decided to leave the church you are at, don't look back as Lot's wife did was one comment. Move forward quickly, quietly, and graciously. They said quickly, because your relationships with those in your church will never be the same, so don't concentrate on them, but rather concentrate on new relationships at your new church. Quietly, because there are those who will not understand why. They said, do not try to talk to leadership or your pastor, because they just will not understand your reason. And lastly, graciously, do not trample on your old congregation by blabbing about them to the new congregation. I only agree with the last of these, but it gets worse than this.

Callers began to call in and ask, "When is it okay to leave my church?" One caller explained how they love their church, and her and her husband are getting fed, and their pastor preaches the truth, but they belong to a small church where there is no youth program. Their pastor offered some workbooks for the kids to work through with the parents, but they didn't feel that was enough. What should they do? They were told by the show that children's spiritual growth is the most important thing parents should be worried about, and that they thought this was the #1 reason why people should leave their church for another. Children's ministry is important and the family should go where they feel good that their children have the tools they need to grow. What happened to training up a child in the way he should go? That ends: even when he is old he will not depart from it. When did kids stop respecting their parents? When parents decided to submit to their kids. If we are not showing them how to sit through church obediently, and exposing them to real truth through the preaching of the word, how do we expect them to appreciate it or submit and be obedient when they are older?

Another caller gave a long explanation of how he was intimate with his now wife before they were married, and how the church at the time placed sanctions on their relationship by not allowing them private communication outside of the church. Sounds like church discipline to me. They made it sound so awful, and asked if it was okay to leave the church because of how hard they were making it on this guy. The answer was that he needed to go where he would feel accepted and loved, and that this is a good time for quickly, quietly, graciously. I turned the radio off at this point, and began to pray.

Believers who feel a desire to leave a church should be clear on their reasons. If the church does not proclaim truth, cling to the Bible and revere Christ as its head, and there is another church in the area that does, then there are probably grounds to leave. A case can be made, however, for staying and working to bring about changes for the better. We are exhorted to “contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints” Jude 3. If one is strongly convicted of the need to move the church in a more Bible-based, Christ-honoring direction, and feels they can do that in a loving and non-divisive manner, then that would seem to be the better course of action. If in a good church that just doesn't have their ministry needs, then they should be counseled to start their own youth ministry in their church for their own children! If they are desiring to leave a church that does proclaim the truth, seeking out a church that more suits their fancy, feelings, or freedom to do what they want, then the counsel should always be to seek truth first, and not to seek the god that makes them happy in their sin.

How in the world is this stuff accepted on the same airways as Erwin Lutzer, Michael Easley, and Alister Begg? What happens when these good men are gone? They are already being pushed out the door! Why are we worried about the Fairness Doctrine, when this is the 'Christian Radio' we would be protecting?

If we want to be more thankful, we only need to eat more fish?

State of the Pulpit

During the the Justin Peters videos, Mr. Peters played a clip of Joel Osteen. This clip was basically benign compared to the seriousness of the other clips we had seen. It was a clip where Osteen is being interviewed (how unusual), and is remarking about how he does not understand how anyone thinks he is a prosperity preacher. He even asks what the prosperity message means, and acts as though he has no idea what it means or how anyone could call him that.

I watch Osteen from time to time, looking for there to be something more obvious to discern him by then his remark on that video. For someone to only watch a few minutes of him twice a month, it could be difficult to see him jump off the biblically sound bridge into the deep prosperity river. I have been watching to hear him do this as to be able to witness to my Osteen following friends. They have said, "Joel Osteen, he's my boy! He's coming to Jacksonville, and I can't wait! I'm taking my family there as our family Christmas present!" Shouldn't we be ready to share the problem about this false gospel with our potentially not saved friends? What they are won with, is what they are won to. If they became "Christians" not from reading the bible, but rather from reading "Becoming A Better You", then they are probably still lost. It is our duty to present to them the truth of the Gospel. This video shows a very nice contrast from the prosperity gospel, and the True Gospel. Though it is probably not the worst of bad theology that has ever come from Lakewood Church, it holds 'straight from the pulpit' evidence that he is not only swimming in the prosperity river, but that he has gills.

Dead Theologians: Confused

This was a great post found at Dead Theologians. It sums up a question I have been asking for weeks. I have met many "Christians" around Central Florida that sweat with excitement over Obama, and glow with pride, wearing thir Obama supporter badges proudly as though the guy they have had a huge crush on asked them to wear their pin. I ask how? How can you support this guy, and consider yourself a real Christian.

Thank you Dead Theologians.

We, as Christians, can disagree over the issue of taxes, war, spending, healthcare and other issues. From a scriptural point of view I cannot see where Christians can politically support a candidate who supports abortion, homosexual rights/marriage, and the disdain toward Israel. How can a Christian support someone who does support things that are contrary to scripture?

Click Here To Read The Entire Post

Though Obama is elected......

Though Obama is elected
and there are no conservatives in the Congress,
though the moral values of my country fail,
and Wal-Mart has no food,
though there are not even Ramen Noodles in the pantry
and no cash in the wallet,

yet I will rejoice in the LORD,
I will be joyful in God my Savior.

Reference: Habakkuk 3:17-18

10 easy steps to follow if you want to pack out your church!

Do you have a suped up church with a cool pastor, a kicking band, and lots of activities? You do? Does it sound anything like this? Hmmm.

Are you crying, or is that saline solution in your eyes?

A father and son once went on a camping trip. When they arrived at the site, the father put up the tent and said, "Son, see that river? It is full of crocodiles. Stay out of the water, and if you are going to do any fishing, fish off the wharf." The son reluctantly agreed that he would stay on the wharf. After three days of fishing, he began to think about the excitement of fishing among the crocodiles in the safety of the boat, so that's what he did. In a sense of bravado he rowed into the center of the river. He had only been fishing for a short time when a large crocodile came along side the boat and hit it with it's tail. The boat turned over and the terrified boy screamed as he was being thrown into the water. The father heard him scream, turned and saw what happened, and without hesitation ran and dove into the crocodile infested water. He grabbed his beloved son and pulled him back into the safety of the boat. When the boy opened his eyes he saw a terrible sight. A massive crocodile had wrapped it's huge jaws around his fathers legs leaving him in bleeding shreds.

Imagine if that boy then turned to his father who was now in total agony, bleeding to death and said, "Dad, I really appreciate what you just did for me. Yet I found it exciting out there among the crocodiles. You wouldn't mind if I went back out in the boat again tomorrow would you?"

If the boy could think such a thing, let alone speak it, then the fool was too blind to see the sacrifice the father had just made for him.

If you and I willfully desire to go back into sinful excitement of the world, then we haven't seen the sacrifice of the Father. If that son has seen what his father has just done for him, a sense of horror will consume him at the cost that his father has just gone through to save him. He would pour contempt on the very drops of water that still cling to his flesh. The Christian has seen that God in the person of Jesus Christ, without hesitation, dove into the very jaws of hell to save him from the folly of sin. A sense of horror consumes him at the cost the Father went through to save him. He'll pour contempt upon the very sinful desires that still cling to his flesh.

After seeing the sacrifice of the Father, how could you and I ever go back to the exciting pleasures of sin? To do that, we would have to despise the father's sacrifice, and trample under foot the blood of Jesus Christ. No, in the light of that sacrifice I willfully crucify myself to the world, and the world to myself.

The Greek word translated repentance means "to change one's mind." It is a changing of mind about God, about sin, and about one's self. The ten commandments and Jesus' sacrifice make us to feel how terrible our sin is before a holy God and this in turn leads us to turn away from our sin. Repentance is a vital part of the gospel message. Our Lord Jesus said "Except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish" (Luke 13:3). The apostle Paul preached "repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ" (Acts 20:21). Real "believing" on the Lord Jesus Christ then includes both repentance and faith. See also Luke 5:32, Acts 17:30,31 and 2 Peter 3:9.

To repent is not only to apologize and say your 'sorry', but it is to admit you were wrong, and turn away from whatever it is you are repenting of. If my son says, "Dad, I was wrong, and I'm sorry", and 15 minutes later he is doing the very same thing he said sorry for, knowing he would only have to say sorry again and get out of it, then it was not true repentance. If 15 minutes later he does it again, and immediately stops and comes to me first and says, "Dad, I messed up, but I have changed my mind about this thing. I truly believe it is bad, and I need your help and forgiveness to get through it", then this is repentance. (I think I would fall over if my kids ever said that to me.)

I verbally committed my life to Jesus when I was 13. Then again when I was 15, 16, 18, 19, 21, 23, 25, and yes 26 years old. What happened all those times? I committed myself to Jesus and felt justified by faith, but realized how easy it was to feel justified, and how much I missed the exciting pleasures of sin, so decided to just play sin Russian roulette. I'd pull the sin trigger over and over again hoping that when things get real bad, I could just come running back to Jesus and to justification. I never really repented. Maybe of certain things, but only from what suited my turning away from, or whatever I was changing my mind about anyway. I was defecating and throwing it on the cross. Why? Because I never saw the cross for what it really was. I never saw the sacrifice the Father had made for me. Once I saw sin for what it really is, I was (like the photo above) able to admit that they weren't really accidents. All these times I have come to a holy God asking for forgiveness of my accidents, though they never were. They were solid decisions to stay in sin, though I believed in Jesus and knew of what he had done for me.

So if you are being honest with yourself, are they really accidents? Are you really crying, or is that saline solution in your eyes?


Crocodile story courtesy of Ray Comfort, Kirk Cameron, and the Way of the Master.

More discernment of bad teachers and false doctrines

Todd Friel Presents the False Teacher Montage Part 1

Many of you who are reading this have been blessed by the Justin Peters Ministries. In the same way, I have been blessed and received confirmation from these montages. We hear the crazy false doctrines from some of the same names we are familiar with, and some that Justin did not get into in his videos. This is only part 1, and there are many. Just click Todd's name under the video above to go to the additional videos. Todd Friel is the radio host of the Way of the Master ministries.