Terri's Last Hope

It would seem that the murder of Terri Schiavo is almost complete. It is such a shame that our nation does not value life more than it does, but what did I expect with millions of babies dead. In these last hours my hope for Terri wanes. I would seem that Jeb Bush is Terri's last hope. From what I understand he has the power to stop this fiasco and cause a completely new trial.

If Governor Bush does intervene and the eventual verdict does not change, his political career is over, but if a new trial reveals that Terri did not want to die, he would the the hero of our century. Whatever the case wouldn't it be better to save a life regardless of risking a career? If someone told me I would lose my job if I saved a drowning swimmer, I would be looking for a new job.

Governor Bush, please save this woman. People all over the nation will stand with you and you will be this woman's hero.

Email Governor Bush: mailto:jeb.bush@myflorida.com

Check out how Governor Bush has the power to save Terri at:
http://www.renewamerica.us/columns/stock/050325
http://www.earnedmedia.org/tf0325.htm
http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=43472

Prayer for Terri

Lord,

I want to lift up Terri Schiavo. She is being used as a political pawn. I realize that you are in control of every situation. At times like these when I can not see the end and hope wanes, I pray that your direction would be known. Lord, please protect Terri and spare her life. Please help all people realize that you created life and believe it is special and precious. I pray the judges of the supreme court would take up the case and rule to save Terri. Please be with the family and give them hope and comfort in this difficult hour. Lord everything is in your capable hands. Please help Terri.

Amen


For more info on the Terri Schiavo murder check out:
http://www.hughhewitt.com/
http://www.radioblogger.com/
http://www.lauraingraham.com/
http://www.foxnews.com/

Save Terri Schiavo II

I am writing on this subject again, because I can not believe that people all over the country, some in congress, are clamoring for Terri to die. This is a person’s life we are talking about.

Recent news had broken of a nurse Carla Iyer that attended Terri for over a year. During that time she saw many improvements in Terri’s condition including movement, recognition of people, and even words being spoken. However, this was not known because Michael Schiavo and possibly another nurse had the reports erased. She accuses Michael of making comments about wishing she would die and what he would do with the money he would get when she died. She even recalls times when Terri’s blood sugar would be unusually low after Michael visited and once found insulin concealed in the trash.

All the evidence that this women brings forward begs the question, what are Michael’s motives? Was he the one that caused the initial heart failure that put her in this condition? Their must be an investigation as to why the original accident happened.

There are so many rumors going around right now. It is hard to tell who is right and who is wrong. One argument still stands that has not been answered. When a person is on death row, we do not kill them even if there is a small chance the person is innocent, why now are people rushing to kill Terri. She is not a criminal. She is not brain dead. She is a living breathing woman that responds and even speaks words to people. Please join the fight to keep Terri alive.

Find out how at http://www.terrisfight.net/

For the news story about Carla Iyer check out:
http://www.newsmax.com/archives/ic/2005/3/22/122830.shtml
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1006944/posts

Save Terri Schiavo

The issue revolving around Terri Schiavo is a major one for all Christians. I believe God has charged us will helping and protecting those that can not help themselves. In the Bible Jews and Christians were charged with caring for orphans, widows, and foreigners. Terri Schiavo is in trouble, while she can not speak for herself, her parents remain convinced that Terri would have wanted to live. If the parents want to take care of her and require no help from her "husband" then why are people trying so hard to kill her?

Now Congress is stepping in and intervening, usually I would not want the government to take over and make a decision for the state, in this case Florida is not right. When a person is on death row they have appeal after appeal in which the inmate will sit for years and years before he or she is killed. There is no reason to be in such a hurry to end this woman's life.

I believe that Congress is right to try to save Terri and I stand with our President in stepping in on this state issue. Write your senators and representatives to encourage them to take action and please continue to pray for her and her family.

For the lastest on the story check out:
http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory?id=599112

Find and write your Representative:
http://www.house.gov/writerep/

Find and writer your Senator:
http://www.senate.gov/

Jesus and Drinking

My message on Sunday to the students deals with Jesus’ servant attitude and how we must put others before ourselves like Jesus did. The passage is the Wedding in Cana (John 2) where Jesus does his first miracle by turning water into wine. This passage has become a topic of discussion not because Jesus performed a miracle, but rather because Jesus seems to be okay with drinking.

Many Christians as well as non-Christians point to this passage to find approval for drinking. While it is true that Jesus did drink wine, as did most people of that day. Their have been several attempts to legitimize this passage; one being that some saying the wine was not as strong as today. I am not sure that there is a way to prove the alcohol content back in Jesus’ day. This argument seems to fall flat. Other arguments that are extra-biblical seem to also fall flat. The answer, I believe, is found in the scriptures.

When trying to interpret the Bible, the rule of thumb is that any unclear passage is always interpreted by clear passages. With this in mind I looked into other passage dealing with drinking. The Bible frequently refers to being drunk as a sin. (Romans 13:13) The scriptures never show that Jesus was drunk or endorsed heavy drinking. The wine that Jesus drank was always with dinner and appeared to be enough to satisfy thirst.

So does this mean it is okay for Christians to drink? A couple rules apply before I answer that question. Being drunk is a sin and should never be allowed in a Christian’s life, also we must obey any laws in place about drinking (i.e. legal drinking age being 21) I believe it is up to each individual Christians to decide for himself. My wife and I have chosen not to drink at all even casually. The reason lies in one more scripture that we have not discussed. Paul examines the issue of eating meat that has been sacrificed to idols in 1 Corinthians 10.

You say, "I am allowed to do anything"--but not everything is helpful. You say, "I am allowed to do anything"--but not everything is beneficial. Don't think only of your own good. Think of other Christians and what is best for them. 1 Corinthians 10:23-24

If someone who isn't a Christian asks you home for dinner, go ahead; accept the invitation if you want to. Eat whatever is offered to you and don't ask any questions about it. Your conscience should not be bothered by this. But suppose someone warns you that this meat has been offered to an idol. Don't eat it, out of consideration for the conscience of the one who told you. It might not be a matter of conscience for you, but it is for the other person. Now, why should my freedom be limited by what someone else thinks? If I can thank God for the food and enjoy it, why should I be condemned for eating it? Whatever you eat or drink or whatever you do, you must do all for the glory of God. 1 Corinthians 10:27-31

Paul answers the problem by saying that even though you are allowed to eat the meat that has been sacrificed to idols you shouldn’t if it will cause another person to stumble. I never want to be the reason that some other Christians decide to drink. I want to be an example of godliness. I believe that it is wrong for a Christian in our society to drink, because it would cause himself or others to grow further from Christ. Our goal as Christians is not to drink, but rather to grow closer to Christ everyday and drinking is not a part of that growth.

Who is the Livng Church of God?

Yesterday, I expressed my deepest sympathy for the families of the church shooting. I continue to pray for the families of the affected people. However, this event has prompted me to research the Living Church of God, which is the domination of the church where this tragedy took place.

The Living Church of God is one that is referred to by many organizations as a cult. Whether they are or not, their beliefs are outside of the realm of normal conservative Christian theology. Many rumor are circling this event, including that the reason Terry Ratzmann committed this crime was because he recently lost his job because he refused to work on Saturday, one of the foundational teaching of the LCG. They still hold to many of the old Jewish customs including all the major feast and all the Sabbath rules.

I am sure that much more information will come out before this case is over. I simply want to provide information for anyone with questions about the LCG. To see a brief history and theology of the LCG check out the links below.

http://home.datawest.net/esn-recovery/artcls/meredith.htm

http://www.rapidnet.com/~jbeard/bdm/Cults/armstrong.htm

Church Tragedy

I want to express my deepest sympathy for the families of the church shooting in Milwaukee this past weekend. I know this story is still new and all the facts are not out yet, but some questions come to mind. The biggest being “Why”? Why would this man come in during a Saturday worship service and kill seven people? The early reports say it had something to do with a sermon that the Pastor preached at another service. As a pastor this can mean one of two things.

First, when we stand up ever week to preach the Word of God, we must realize that it will be controversial and will convict people. We have to accept that fact that some people will be angry. However, the anger should not be taken out on the pastor just because he is preaching the Word of God.

Second, some pastors stand up every week and preach a message based not on the Bible, but on tradition. There are many churches that force rules that are not found in the Bible on their members. We as pastors have to be careful not to preach some legalist rules that are not found in the Bible.

Again, I don’t want to pass judgment on the church or the pastor. I am not saying that he preached a message apart from the Bible. I simply think this is a time for all pastors to examine what we preach. If we are preaching Biblical truth we should do it unapologetically. As it says in Hebrews 4:12, “For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.”

My prayers go out the Pastor’s family and the families of the others killed or wounded in this awful tragedy.

If you would like to read the full story check out:
http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory?id=579198&CMP=OTC-RSSFeeds0312

Thoughts on Evangelism

Yesterday, I attended the Evangelism Renewal Conference that is put on annually by the State Convention of Indiana Baptist. While I was listening to the great speakers I was overwhelmed by feeling of conviction. As a youth pastor you would think that I would have a lot of opportunities to share the gospel. However, since my wife and I have moved to Indiana most of the people that we know are from our church. I have not made a conscious effort to build relationships with lost people. When you work in a church there are a lot of little things that sometimes take priority over the most important thing. Paul reminds of the main thing in 1 Corinthians 2:2, “For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.” The Corinthian church got of track by arguing about small stuff like who baptized who, who follows Apollos, who follows Paul, etc. Paul points them back to Jesus saying when he was with them he only preached Jesus Christ and him crucified. In my own ministry I have to work on the small stuff, but I need to keep Jesus as the main thing. I have to make a conscious effort to build relationships with people that I can share the gospel with. Brothers and Sister, It is time to stop playing church and starting making a difference for Christ.

Check out the Indiana Baptist:www.scbi.org

Persecution - Thank God we live in America!!!

I have been reading through Paul’s letters for my daily devotion time. This morning I looked at 2 Timothy. In this letter Paul is trying to encourage Timothy, who is a young Pastor, to keep working hard no matter how bad things get. Paul knew what it was like for things to be bad. He spent countless hours in prison; he was tortured and eventually murdered for his faith. Paul not only endured the persecution, but thanked God for it. Living in America I have not had much exposure to persecution, but that does not mean it does not exist. All over the world Christians are facing persecution. If you look to Middle East, Christians are imprisoned and killed by Muslim believers. In China, where communism reigns supreme, Christians are also imprisoned and killed daily. We in America should thank God everyday we do not face persecution or should we? Paul tells us in 2 Timothy 3:12, “…everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.” Persecution is intended to discourage Christians, but churches all over the world that are faced with persecution experience a strengthening and some experience growth. While we are fortunate here in America not to be persecuted, we also are faced with many nominal Christians that are not serious about their faith. American Christians, it is time to take stock and realize that all over the world our brothers and sisters are suffering for the gospel. The least we can do is live passionately for Jesus, sharing the gospel every opportunity we get.

To read actual modern day persecution stories check out:
http://www.persecution.com/

Welcome to My Blog

Welcome to my very first blog entry. Recently, I have become convinced that I need to keep a blog. I am a big fan of Hugh Hewitt, who encourages all people to start and maintain a blog. This blog is probably more for myself than anyone else, but if you do happen to come across it, I hope you find it helpful and entertaining. You can expect to find subjects from my daily life discussed here. I am a youth pastor in northwest Indiana. However, I am originally from Arkansas and spent most of my life growing up in Kentucky. Since I am a Christian my passion for Jesus supersedes all else in my life. Most of my blogs will be thoughts from my daily bible readings, but I also will discuss moral issues, movies, television, politics, and other subjects from my daily life. I look forward to writing this blog daily and hope any readers will be gracious as this process is new to me.

Check out our church at:
http://www.roadtohope.org/
http://www.clinestudents.org/

Check out some good blogs at:
http://www.hughhewitt.com/
http://www.crosswalk.com/news/weblogs/mohler/