I’m terribly sorry if that offended you. I’m not sorry that I said it, and I’ll say it again. I’m just sorry that you have become so sensitive and intolerant as to be offended by me wishing you joyfulness during the holiday that is about to be celebrated.
You have the right not to participate in the holiday. You have the right to get a job somewhere that doesn’t close for Christmas and work like it isn’t happening. You have the right not to return the greeting. You have the right not to give or accept any gifts. You have the right not to celebrate with a feast. You have the right not to put up a tree and decorate it. You have the right not to decorate your house with lights. You have the right to select music that has nothing to do with the holiday. You have the right not to watch the special programming on television. You have the right not to participate in the celebrations at your local church. You have the right to treat Christmas like an ordinary day just like any other. You even have the right to be offended when I say it and NOT have a merry Christmas, but you do not have the right to stop me from saying it.
In the United States, after the Constitution that established our country was ratified, some intelligent men realized that the ability to speak and worship freely was extremely important and should be protected. It became the highest priority to amend the Constitution to include that right. That Amendment says: “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof, or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”
So, you see, you have lots of rights, but the very first law passed after our constitution says I can say “Merry Christmas” to you … and I will because regardless of your ethnic background, beliefs, or creed, I truly want your Christmas to be merry.
Merry Christmas!
Pic of the Month
You know the economy is bad when people are growing their own hats
Friday, December 17, 2010
Friday, July 16, 2010
Saturday Morning
Concept: Power Over Death
Today’s question is: What scares you? What is that one thing that strikes fear in your heart, that seizes you up and leaves you shaking afterwards? What is your worst nightmare?
New question: What is the most powerful thing you can think of? 220V house current? Three phase electrical lines? A nuclear bomb? The sun? A quasar? Puny. Miniscule. Easily overcome.
People have always feared death. It is completely unknown. People can’t come back and report on it. It’s a one way ticket and always has been. Billions upon billions of dollars are spent each year pushing death just a few days further away. The entire medical industry counts on that reaction to pedal their newest drugs, newest treatments, and nice hotel-like hospitals. We have tablets and capsules and liquids and injections. Women spend hundreds and thousands and some even millions on makeup and creams and ointments and botox and lifts and tucks and implants just to give the illusion that death is further off than it really is. Men spend time in the gym and exercise like madmen to keep the same illusion. Yet death will come. It always does. We are powerless to change it.
About 2000 years ago, someone came on the scene that was able to supersede natural laws. Just as the law of gravity can be overcome by the laws of aerodynamics, he demonstrated that his new law overcame the old. Boundaries of nature and physics were crossed as easily as magnetism overcomes gravity to lift iron. He never violated laws, but showed that He knew higher laws. He controlled weather. He healed the sick. He multiplied food. He made water into wine. Then, near the end of his life, he did the unthinkable. He showed that he was superior to death. He brought a friend back from the dead (Lazarus – John 11:1-44) and he came back from death himself.
In spite of all the arguments against, the evidence that Jesus was executed by professionals in front of hundreds of witnesses, was buried in a tomb sealed by the Roman government, and rose from the dead and walked among people for forty days afterwards is irrefutable. Although they deny Jesus was the messiah, Jewish historians recorded it. Although they refused he was God, the Roman government recorded it. Though they don’t trust in him, modern theologians can’t explain it.
Jesus came. He showed who he was and that he had power over death. Then he returned to sender. He ascended back into heaven (Acts 1:9-11). Remember this concept: Jesus has power over death.
Let’s review our concepts. Sin requires blood. God offers salvation. Repentance is to turn back to God. We need to proclaim this message. Jesus has power over death. These concepts have the key to Return to Sender. As you travel back, some of you will relax and for you camp will be over. I hope it is not. I hope that each morning you seek the Sender and return to Him.
Today’s question is: What scares you? What is that one thing that strikes fear in your heart, that seizes you up and leaves you shaking afterwards? What is your worst nightmare?
New question: What is the most powerful thing you can think of? 220V house current? Three phase electrical lines? A nuclear bomb? The sun? A quasar? Puny. Miniscule. Easily overcome.
People have always feared death. It is completely unknown. People can’t come back and report on it. It’s a one way ticket and always has been. Billions upon billions of dollars are spent each year pushing death just a few days further away. The entire medical industry counts on that reaction to pedal their newest drugs, newest treatments, and nice hotel-like hospitals. We have tablets and capsules and liquids and injections. Women spend hundreds and thousands and some even millions on makeup and creams and ointments and botox and lifts and tucks and implants just to give the illusion that death is further off than it really is. Men spend time in the gym and exercise like madmen to keep the same illusion. Yet death will come. It always does. We are powerless to change it.
About 2000 years ago, someone came on the scene that was able to supersede natural laws. Just as the law of gravity can be overcome by the laws of aerodynamics, he demonstrated that his new law overcame the old. Boundaries of nature and physics were crossed as easily as magnetism overcomes gravity to lift iron. He never violated laws, but showed that He knew higher laws. He controlled weather. He healed the sick. He multiplied food. He made water into wine. Then, near the end of his life, he did the unthinkable. He showed that he was superior to death. He brought a friend back from the dead (Lazarus – John 11:1-44) and he came back from death himself.
In spite of all the arguments against, the evidence that Jesus was executed by professionals in front of hundreds of witnesses, was buried in a tomb sealed by the Roman government, and rose from the dead and walked among people for forty days afterwards is irrefutable. Although they deny Jesus was the messiah, Jewish historians recorded it. Although they refused he was God, the Roman government recorded it. Though they don’t trust in him, modern theologians can’t explain it.
Jesus came. He showed who he was and that he had power over death. Then he returned to sender. He ascended back into heaven (Acts 1:9-11). Remember this concept: Jesus has power over death.
Let’s review our concepts. Sin requires blood. God offers salvation. Repentance is to turn back to God. We need to proclaim this message. Jesus has power over death. These concepts have the key to Return to Sender. As you travel back, some of you will relax and for you camp will be over. I hope it is not. I hope that each morning you seek the Sender and return to Him.
Friday Morning
Concept: Proclaim the Message
Today’s question is: If you discovered a new cure-all drug that would cure cancer, HIV/AIDS, diabetes, heart disease, malaria, tuberculosis, measles, whooping cough, tetanus, meningitis, the common cold, the flu (including H1N1), and allergies all in a single dosage of a homemade cure that can be easily put together with items to which everyone has free access, who would you tell? I discovered that a few years back. I figure maybe I’ll publish it some day.
No way! Unless you’re a sadistic jerk, you would tell everyone. In fact, you would try to spread the word fast enough that no one could try to control it. It’s information that can save lives! You would give it away a quickly as possible, giving it to all the sick people you can find. And you would tell the ones you told to pass it on to others.
The Jews were tired of the occupying Roman government. The messiah was supposed to be a deliverer from bondage. Naturally, they expected that to mean deliverance from Rome’s rule, but it was so, so much more. When John said the messiah was coming, people headed to the desert in droves to hear him. Then he hit them with his favorite word: Repent! Turn back to God! Return to Sender!
It’s an enduring message. If you haven’t yet, Return to Sender! Return postage is free! If you have embraced this message, it’s time to spread the word. This is the cure to the disease of sin that ails us all.
Remember this concept: Proclaim the Message.
Today’s question is: If you discovered a new cure-all drug that would cure cancer, HIV/AIDS, diabetes, heart disease, malaria, tuberculosis, measles, whooping cough, tetanus, meningitis, the common cold, the flu (including H1N1), and allergies all in a single dosage of a homemade cure that can be easily put together with items to which everyone has free access, who would you tell? I discovered that a few years back. I figure maybe I’ll publish it some day.
No way! Unless you’re a sadistic jerk, you would tell everyone. In fact, you would try to spread the word fast enough that no one could try to control it. It’s information that can save lives! You would give it away a quickly as possible, giving it to all the sick people you can find. And you would tell the ones you told to pass it on to others.
There was a man from the desert with naps on his headJohn the Baptist was an interesting dude. He sported the newest line of camel hair with a leather belt. He lived in the wilderness. He ate bugs and honey … all the time. He was born obsessed with one thing: The messiah is coming. Get ready. Remember yesterday’s word, “repent”? That was John’s favorite word and he said it a lot.
The sand that he walked was also his bed
The words that he spoke made the people assume
There wasn't too much left in the upper room
With skins on his back and hair on his face
They thought he was strange by the locusts he ate
You see The Pharisees tripped when they heard him speak
Until the king took the head of this Jesus freak
-DC Talk (Jesus Freak) about John the Baptist
The Jews were tired of the occupying Roman government. The messiah was supposed to be a deliverer from bondage. Naturally, they expected that to mean deliverance from Rome’s rule, but it was so, so much more. When John said the messiah was coming, people headed to the desert in droves to hear him. Then he hit them with his favorite word: Repent! Turn back to God! Return to Sender!
It’s an enduring message. If you haven’t yet, Return to Sender! Return postage is free! If you have embraced this message, it’s time to spread the word. This is the cure to the disease of sin that ails us all.
Remember this concept: Proclaim the Message.
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Thursday Morning
Concept: Repentence
Have you ever left something important behind? Your glasses, sunscreen, keys, a favorite toy, your phone, a ring, that thing your sweetie asked you to hold, tickets to the event to which you are currently driving? We all have. Most of the time, there is usually a point of no return, a point at which it is better to leave it behind and get it later rather than go back and get it right then. However, many times deferring the pain of going back can get you in more trouble.
In last night’s teaching we heard about a bunch of kings. A few kings were good. Many kings were bad. Some kings were downright evil. Josiah was a good king. His father was a bad king – so bad that his officials conspired against him and assassinated him. His grandfather was evil – sacrificing his own son in the fire, building altars to stars, practicing sorcery and divination, consulting mediums and spiritists, even erecting objects of worship of other gods in the temple. Josiah didn’t have a great family legacy to fall back on.
Josiah was eight years old when he was made king. What were you doing when you were eight? Riding your bike? Jumping rope? Playing tag? Ever rule a country? Me either. Josiah didn’t have a great childhood, the wisdom of age, or an incredible stately presence to fall back on.
What did Josiah do that gets him a special mention? 2 Kings 22:2 says “He did what was right in the eyes of the Lord and walked in all the ways of his [fore]father David, not turning aside to the right or to the left.” Josiah’s strength was his willingness to follow God no matter what. In the eighteenth year of his reign, He ordered some repairs to the temple and a neglected scroll was found. All he had known was the evil reign of his father and grandfather. When the scroll was read, he immediately took action to get the country back on track. He cleaned all other influences out of the temple and brought it back to good repair. He destroyed all the altars and objects of worship to the false gods. He cleaned up the entire kingdom and led the people back to God.
This turning back is called “repentance”. To repent is to immediately turn back the way you came – like a military about face.
So, if you left something valuable behind, would you go get it? What if it were something that made the difference between life and death? God is the source of life. Where did you leave Him? He’s waiting for you to return. As soon as you turn around and take the first step, He will run the rest of the way to meet you. Do what needs to be done today to return.
Remember this concept: Repent.
Have you ever left something important behind? Your glasses, sunscreen, keys, a favorite toy, your phone, a ring, that thing your sweetie asked you to hold, tickets to the event to which you are currently driving? We all have. Most of the time, there is usually a point of no return, a point at which it is better to leave it behind and get it later rather than go back and get it right then. However, many times deferring the pain of going back can get you in more trouble.
In last night’s teaching we heard about a bunch of kings. A few kings were good. Many kings were bad. Some kings were downright evil. Josiah was a good king. His father was a bad king – so bad that his officials conspired against him and assassinated him. His grandfather was evil – sacrificing his own son in the fire, building altars to stars, practicing sorcery and divination, consulting mediums and spiritists, even erecting objects of worship of other gods in the temple. Josiah didn’t have a great family legacy to fall back on.
Josiah was eight years old when he was made king. What were you doing when you were eight? Riding your bike? Jumping rope? Playing tag? Ever rule a country? Me either. Josiah didn’t have a great childhood, the wisdom of age, or an incredible stately presence to fall back on.
What did Josiah do that gets him a special mention? 2 Kings 22:2 says “He did what was right in the eyes of the Lord and walked in all the ways of his [fore]father David, not turning aside to the right or to the left.” Josiah’s strength was his willingness to follow God no matter what. In the eighteenth year of his reign, He ordered some repairs to the temple and a neglected scroll was found. All he had known was the evil reign of his father and grandfather. When the scroll was read, he immediately took action to get the country back on track. He cleaned all other influences out of the temple and brought it back to good repair. He destroyed all the altars and objects of worship to the false gods. He cleaned up the entire kingdom and led the people back to God.
This turning back is called “repentance”. To repent is to immediately turn back the way you came – like a military about face.
So, if you left something valuable behind, would you go get it? What if it were something that made the difference between life and death? God is the source of life. Where did you leave Him? He’s waiting for you to return. As soon as you turn around and take the first step, He will run the rest of the way to meet you. Do what needs to be done today to return.
Remember this concept: Repent.
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Wednesday Morning
Concept: God Offers Salvation
Here is today’s question: How many doves did Moses put on the ark? How many alligators? How many unicorns? The answer is the same for each. None! Moses didn’t put any animals on the ark! Noah did!
Have you ever stopped to think how difficult that was? What must it to have been like to build such a huge ship? … on land … nowhere near water … when it had never even rained before … and you’re following a voice of someone you can’t see for building instructions?
Emotionally, there would have been challenges. Maybe people looked at him weird. Maybe the neighborhood kids called him crazy and made interesting little sing-song chants about him. Maybe he got a terrible nickname. Maybe his family had to endure ridicule from their friends and they pressured him to stop. Maybe his best friends alienated him. Maybe he wasn’t welcome in places he wanted to go. Maybe places that had once been comfortable were now intolerable. Maybe he wanted to quit. Maybe he questioned his own sanity.
Building a multi-story cruise ship with built-in mega kennel using nothing but three sons to help is quite an undertaking. He probably got blisters. He probably fell off ladders. He probably smacked his thumb with a hammer. He probably got pinched between boards. He probably got splinters. He probably bumped his head. He probably pierced his skin. He probably bled. He probably got bruises. He probably had to carry heavy loads. He probably got sore muscles. He probably got really tired.
Spiritually, it would be tough too. It would have taken a long time to build such a large ship. It would be difficult to get up in the morning knowing that all you were going to do was work on the ark. It would be difficult going to bed knowing that all you were going to do tomorrow was work on the ark. It would be difficult to see the only thing on your to-do list for the day was “ark”. It would be difficult to see tomorrow’s to-do list was the same as today’s, …, and yesterday’s, … and last week’s, … and last month’s. It would be difficult to tell friends that you couldn’t do something fun because you needed to stay home and work on the ark. It would be difficult to work on the ark after a month of hating it.
Does any of this sound familiar? Sure, you may need to replace “building the ark” with some other point of obedience, but today’s pressures and consequences aren’t that much different. What is the payoff to following God?
The one sentence of Hebrews 11:7 sums it up: “By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in holy fear built an ark to save his family. By his faith he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness that comes by faith.”
Remember this concept: God offers salvation.
Here is today’s question: How many doves did Moses put on the ark? How many alligators? How many unicorns? The answer is the same for each. None! Moses didn’t put any animals on the ark! Noah did!
Have you ever stopped to think how difficult that was? What must it to have been like to build such a huge ship? … on land … nowhere near water … when it had never even rained before … and you’re following a voice of someone you can’t see for building instructions?
Emotionally, there would have been challenges. Maybe people looked at him weird. Maybe the neighborhood kids called him crazy and made interesting little sing-song chants about him. Maybe he got a terrible nickname. Maybe his family had to endure ridicule from their friends and they pressured him to stop. Maybe his best friends alienated him. Maybe he wasn’t welcome in places he wanted to go. Maybe places that had once been comfortable were now intolerable. Maybe he wanted to quit. Maybe he questioned his own sanity.
Building a multi-story cruise ship with built-in mega kennel using nothing but three sons to help is quite an undertaking. He probably got blisters. He probably fell off ladders. He probably smacked his thumb with a hammer. He probably got pinched between boards. He probably got splinters. He probably bumped his head. He probably pierced his skin. He probably bled. He probably got bruises. He probably had to carry heavy loads. He probably got sore muscles. He probably got really tired.
Spiritually, it would be tough too. It would have taken a long time to build such a large ship. It would be difficult to get up in the morning knowing that all you were going to do was work on the ark. It would be difficult going to bed knowing that all you were going to do tomorrow was work on the ark. It would be difficult to see the only thing on your to-do list for the day was “ark”. It would be difficult to see tomorrow’s to-do list was the same as today’s, …, and yesterday’s, … and last week’s, … and last month’s. It would be difficult to tell friends that you couldn’t do something fun because you needed to stay home and work on the ark. It would be difficult to work on the ark after a month of hating it.
Does any of this sound familiar? Sure, you may need to replace “building the ark” with some other point of obedience, but today’s pressures and consequences aren’t that much different. What is the payoff to following God?
The one sentence of Hebrews 11:7 sums it up: “By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in holy fear built an ark to save his family. By his faith he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness that comes by faith.”
Remember this concept: God offers salvation.
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Tuesday Morning
Concept: Sin Requires Blood to be Spilled
Here’s a tricky question: When was the first blood spilled on Earth? Did you catch it in the teaching last night? Was is when Cain killed Abel? Nope. It’s earlier and much more subtle. Here’s a hint. Adam and Eve were naked, then they sinned, realized they were naked and made clothing. From what was the clothing made? They made loincloths made of fig leaves. I’m sure it was quite fashionable. After all everyone was wearing it … literally.
After God enters the picture and pronounces punishment, it says in Genesis 3:21, “And the Lord God made for Adam and his wife garments of skins and clothed them.” Skins?! Where did He get skins? Genesis 2:2 clearly says that God was finished with creation. He couldn’t have created more skins. And what was wrong with their own high fashion apparel? Does God have something against clothes made from plant fibers? I hope not. I’m a jeans and T-shirt kind of guy. Most of what I wear is cotton.
The truth is that sin always requires blood to be spilled. Read this excerpt from Hebrews 9:15-28:
Remember this concept: sin requires blood.
Here’s a tricky question: When was the first blood spilled on Earth? Did you catch it in the teaching last night? Was is when Cain killed Abel? Nope. It’s earlier and much more subtle. Here’s a hint. Adam and Eve were naked, then they sinned, realized they were naked and made clothing. From what was the clothing made? They made loincloths made of fig leaves. I’m sure it was quite fashionable. After all everyone was wearing it … literally.
After God enters the picture and pronounces punishment, it says in Genesis 3:21, “And the Lord God made for Adam and his wife garments of skins and clothed them.” Skins?! Where did He get skins? Genesis 2:2 clearly says that God was finished with creation. He couldn’t have created more skins. And what was wrong with their own high fashion apparel? Does God have something against clothes made from plant fibers? I hope not. I’m a jeans and T-shirt kind of guy. Most of what I wear is cotton.
The truth is that sin always requires blood to be spilled. Read this excerpt from Hebrews 9:15-28:
For this reason Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance — now that he has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant.From the earliest sin to the ones you’ve already committed this morning, blood was required. Adam and Eve’s sin required an animal or animals to die to cover them. Your sin required Jesus to die to cover you.
In the case of a will, it is necessary to prove the death of the one who made it, because a will is in force only when somebody has died; it never takes effect while the one who made it is living. This is why even the first covenant was not put into effect without blood. When Moses had proclaimed every commandment of the law to all the people, he took the blood of calves, together with water, scarlet wool and branches of hyssop, and sprinkled the scroll and all the people. He said, "This is the blood of the covenant, which God has commanded you to keep." In the same way, he sprinkled with the blood both the tabernacle and everything used in its ceremonies. In fact, the law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.
It was necessary, then, for the copies of the heavenly things to be purified with these sacrifices, but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. For Christ did not enter a man-made sanctuary that was only a copy of the true one; he entered heaven itself, now to appear for us in God's presence. Nor did he enter heaven to offer himself again and again, the way the high priest enters the Most Holy Place every year with blood that is not his own. Then Christ would have had to suffer many times since the creation of the world. But now he has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to do away with sin by the sacrifice of himself. Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.
Remember this concept: sin requires blood.
Monday, July 12, 2010
Timmy's Letter Home
Revolution Parents,
We are taking great care of your students. Relax and enjoy a week free from active parenting. Now would be a great time to enjoy a good book (I've got some parenting book suggestions if you are interested), take a spontaneous road trip, or just spend some alone time with your spouse. It was a hot trip down and it's incredibly muggy, but all is going well and all the students are responding well to leadership, the speaker, and the worship. Before leaving for camp, I came across this letter that was forwarded to me in an email. I assure you that we will be taking better care of your kids than this. Enjoy!
We are taking great care of your students. Relax and enjoy a week free from active parenting. Now would be a great time to enjoy a good book (I've got some parenting book suggestions if you are interested), take a spontaneous road trip, or just spend some alone time with your spouse. It was a hot trip down and it's incredibly muggy, but all is going well and all the students are responding well to leadership, the speaker, and the worship. Before leaving for camp, I came across this letter that was forwarded to me in an email. I assure you that we will be taking better care of your kids than this. Enjoy!
Dear Mom and Dad:
Our Scoutmaster told us to write our parents in case you saw the flood on TV and are worried. We are all okay, only one of our tents and two sleeping bags got washed away. Luckily, none of us drowned because we were all up on the mountain looking for Chad when it happened.
Oh yes, please call Chad's mother and tell her he is okay. He can't write because of the cast. I got to ride on one of the search and rescue jeeps. It was neat. We would never have found Chad in the dark if it wasn't for the lightning.
Scoutmaster Don got mad at Chad for going on a hike alone without telling anyone. Chad says he did tell him, but it was during the fire so he probably didn't hear him.
Did you know if you put gasoline on a campfire, the gasoline will blow up? The wet wood didn't burn but one of the tents did and a lot of our clothes. David is going to look weird until his hair grows back.
We should be home on Saturday if Scoutmaster Don gets the car fixed. It wasn't his fault about the wreck. The brakes worked fine when we left. Scoutmaster Don said that 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 all dirty, and if it's hot he sometimes lets us ride on the fenders. It gets pretty hot with ten people in a car. He let us take turns riding in the trailer until the highway patrol man stopped and talked to us. Scoutmaster Don is a neat guy. Don't worry, he's a good driver. In fact, he is teaching Terry how to drive on the mountain roads where there isn't any traffic. All we ever see up there are logging trucks. Scoutmaster Don hopes that Terry can drive us home.
This morning all of the guys were diving off the rocks and swimming out in the lake. Scoutmaster Don 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 can still see some of the tree tops under the water from the flood. Scoutmaster Don isn't crabby like some Scoutmasters. He didn't even get mad about the lifejackets. He has to spend a lot of time working on the car so we are trying not to cause him any trouble.
Guess what? We have all passed our first merit badge. When David dived into the lake and cut his arm, we got to see how a tourniquet works. Wade and I threw up, but Scoutmaster Don said it was probably food poisoning from the left-over chicken and not the blood. He said he got sick that way from food he ate in prison. I'm glad he got out and became our Scoutmaster. He said he sure figured out how to get things done better while he was doing time.
I have to go now. We are going to town to mail our letters and buy some more beer. Don't worry about anything, we are all fine.
Love,
Timmy
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