About my last post…
I’m not proposing a political position, maybe a juxtaposition. I am against the promotion of gay marriage, abortion, and government-led education programs that seek to be the center of community. If that makes me against a man, an administration, so be it. I am against corruption in government, and that is not bound to a particular party. I am not one who believes all of our founding fathers were Christians. I do believe they established our country on Jude0-Christian principles, which is for the good of the people, but it doesn’t make us “Christian” – only Christ does that…individually.
I believe the church has wimped out for the most part in the West. I believe we have so sought growth and numbers that we have expected very little of those who claim to be members of our churches. I believe evangelical churches are full of well-intentioned, ethical, but unsaved members. I believe that the gospel must be front and center in the church above all else. I believe if the church would preach the Scriptures faithfully and disciple consistently, then the body of Christ will have a kingdom-mindedness that will pervade our political viewpoints and eventually produce a pronounced distinction from the world (while we are in the world and influencing it).
I believe we should pray for civic leaders at every level. As well, as citizens in a free society, we should hold them accountable, especially against corruption and the keeping of their word (I don’t care what party they represent).
I also believe this world is not going to get better. I believe it is heading toward a destructive / re-creative end, and that Jesus Christ will visibly return to establish His reign. Therefore, while I’m here, I will seek to first and foremost proclaim the gospel in every setting I’m in. I will also hope and pray for civil order and social good through the means provided for us so freely in our country. But I have to say, this pursuit pales in comparison to the pursuit of the glory of God in the Gospel of Christ for the joy of men in every country and society on the planet!
Socialism seeks to displace the family with government
Frankly, I’m not going to get near as political as I’m tempted to here. But watch and listen closely to the video of Arne Duncan, the Education Secretary. It’s clear that the government agenda of indoctrinating children with secularized ideals begins with the “progression” of the public school. This is the kind of thinking amongst our national leaders.
We can use all the platitudes we want. This administration consistently surrounds itself with people like Duncan, who along with Obama, seek to champion Gay and Lesbian rights in the public schools — in fact, going so far as to endorse such a SCHOOL.
The church better rise up and faithfully proclaim the truth of Scripture and equip whole families to live out the gospel at home and at school. The church better pray for those teachers who are believers, because my suspicion is that within a generation, Christians who teach will have to make some serious religious / ethical choices even to teach in the public school system.
I don’t have a clue why I’m posting this…
I can tell you it’s NOT because of the “cute” parts — nothing quite like watching a cat jump headlong into a wall!
Sid Robinson’s Funeral…
We will gather to celebrate the hope we have in Christ Jesus our Lord on Saturday, November 14th @ 2:00 pm in honor of our dear brother in Christ, Sid Robinson and his family.
There will be a visitation & viewing at Sisco Funeral Home on Friday from 5:00-7:00 pm.
The Gospel, Prosperity, and Africa
The Gospel prospers in the midst of suffering, NOT with riches outside of suffering!
This ARTICLE reminds me why I appreciate, and agree with, Piper’s quotes in this video (previously posted):
When you watch a dear friend struggle to breathe through a breathing tube, knowing that (apart from God’s intervention for healing) he only has hours or a day remaining, and remember the blessed Gospel-centered conversations you’ve had about Christ in the middle of leukemia, reading the kind of “gospel” that’s mentioned in the above article makes me sick. Nothing compares to the beauty and power of the Gospel on display for the believing and unbelieving in the backdrop of suffering, even death.
28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. 29 For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. 30 And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.
31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? 33 Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. 34 Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? 36 As it is written,
“For your sake we are being killed all the day long;
we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.”
37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 8:28-39
Healthcare & Abortion – a life debate
As Pelosi tries to “quick snap” her healthcare plan through, there is massive debate on the language of her bill and the ambition of those around her to make sure that at least one healthcare “option” provides for coverage for abortions. Read some of the NY Times article HERE.
Laws are all about precedent. The more precedent established, the greater the possibility of going further with a law. The recent “Hate Crimes” legislation could bear that out. The bill’s language is careful to say what it protects as far as free speech related to religious convictions, but Obama did go on to say that in America we should be “free to live and love as we see fit.” Laws and social systems are designed by God to protect and provide order (Rom.13:1-7), NOT to allow for every individual to live life as they see fit. Is this not a slippery slope?
Obama has already established his defense for gay and lesbian rights, “I will not only be your friend, I will continue to be an ally and a champion and a president who fights with you and for you.” To “champion” this behavior? The ambition is to promote LGBT issues as race issues. It’s not a race issue, it’s a sinful lifestyle choice on (biblical) par with adultery, thieves, and idolaters (1 Cor.6:9-11).
Laurie Rubiner, VP of Planned Parenthood, has said this, “Abortion should not be treated any differently from any other medical benefit or procedure,” in defense of including stronger language for abortion provision in Pelosi’s (and others) healthcare bills. That makes sense. Just like the LGBT issues being likened to race, abortion is likened to just any other medical procedure. So, if you don’t want your baby, you can feel about that fetus the same way you feel about a tumor or cancer. The baby is just an illness. These people don’t even go so far as to say that breast implants, botox, or other cosmetically optional procedures should be provided for, but taking the life of a child? No problem.
Look, I’ve tried to make clear again and again that we are to battle on gospel grounds as believers and the local church. There is a socially redemptive element to the gospel as well. I have to be honest and tell you that I’m weary of those who overlook such watershed issues in defense and support of the “greater” good as they see it. I have often read that invading Iraq (or any “other” country), and the subsequent loss of life, is tantamount to abortion — killing the innocent. But decisions for war are much more complex and debatable. Is there anything debatable about abortion, at least to the Christian? Let’s not lose sight of these things.
It will be illegal at some point (if the Lord tarries) to preach against homosexuality. I’m thankful we’re in Leviticus NOW and not 10 years from now! But the truth is, the local church must wake up to sin altogether. As vile as gay and lesbian practices are, they are no different than adultery and deserve the same treatment. It is sin, and sin leads to death every time. So, we need to be more resolute NOT to tolerate certain views while SIMULTANEOUSLY raising our awareness of sin and its consequence.
This is not partisan. Truth is, I hate corruption in government on either side of the “aisle.” But I also want to clearly stand in defense of the innocent and the protection of civil order. I will pray for those I oppose, but I will also oppose them with civility. The local church in America has really allowed our condition as much as any. Our hope has never been in the politicalization of religion, but in the gospel itself. The Religious Right has done much good, but also harmed many longer-term causes due to the attitudes and approaches of many in their ranks.
If the western church was more consistent, less hypocritical, in living out the tenets of the gospel in daily life, then we would not need a “category” in the political realm. We would just have those who either live out their Christianity, or at the least live out Judeo-Christian principles (as many of our founding fathers did who did not claim Christianity). God used them to guard society, protecting the innocent, promoting order. You don’t have to be a Christian to be a great politician. But from where I sit, if you promote (or “champion”) things that God so clearly opposes, then there is NO WAY to be a blessing to a people from a political standpoint.
Our hope lies in the gospel, which produces REAL LIFE change. Read HERE.
So, my rant/charge comes to a close. My encouragement is to be consistent in your lifestyle and your doctrine. That would include your beliefs politically. You don’t have to have a label (or a party affiliation), but you do have to make choices.
2 The people who walked in darkness
have seen a great light;
those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness,
on them has light shined.
3 You have multiplied the nation;
you have increased its joy;
they rejoice before you
as with joy at the harvest,
as they are glad when they divide the spoil.
4 For the yoke of his burden,
and the staff for his shoulder,
the rod of his oppressor,
you have broken as on the day of Midian.
5 For every boot of the tramping warrior in battle tumult
and every garment rolled in blood
will be burned as fuel for the fire.
6 For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given;
and the government shall be upon his shoulder,
and his name shall be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Isaiah 9:2-6
New Blog….
I’m blogging right now for the sake of blogging and just felt guilty for not blogging for a while. Blogging will resume shortly. I am excited that this blog has the greatest amount of “per word” uses of variations of the word “blog” of any blog I’ve ever posted in my relatively short history of blogdom.
Bloggingly yours,
Pastor Mike
Happy Reformation Day!
On October 31, 1517, Martin Luther posted the 95 Theses on the chapel door at Wittenberg. Though much had already been in progress for the Reformation by this time, this date usually marks the beginning of the greater movement of the Protestant Reformation.
Disputation of Doctor Martin Luther
on the Power and Efficacy of Indulgences
by Dr. Martin Luther (1517)
Published in:
Works of Martin Luther:
Adolph Spaeth, L.D. Reed, Henry Eyster Jacobs, et Al., Trans. & Eds.
(Philadelphia: A. J. Holman Company, 1915), Vol.1, pp. 29-38
_______________
Out of love for the truth and the desire to bring it to light, the following propositions will be discussed at Wittenberg, under the presidency of the Reverend Father Martin Luther, Master of Arts and of Sacred Theology, and Lecturer in Ordinary on the same at that place. Wherefore he requests that those who are unable to be present and debate orally with us, may do so by letter.
In the Name our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
1. Our Lord and Master Jesus Christ, when He said Poenitentiam agite, willed that the whole life of believers should be repentance.
2. This word cannot be understood to mean sacramental penance, i.e., confession and satisfaction, which is administered by the priests.
3. Yet it means not inward repentance only; nay, there is no inward repentance which does not outwardly work divers mortifications of the flesh.
4. The penalty [of sin], therefore, continues so long as hatred of self continues; for this is the true inward repentance, and continues until our entrance into the kingdom of heaven.
5. The pope does not intend to remit, and cannot remit any penalties other than those which he has imposed either by his own authority or by that of the Canons.
6. The pope cannot remit any guilt, except by declaring that it has been remitted by God and by assenting to God’s remission; though, to be sure, he may grant remission in cases reserved to his judgment. If his right to grant remission in such cases were despised, the guilt would remain entirely unforgiven.
7. God remits guilt to no one whom He does not, at the same time, humble in all things and bring into subjection to His vicar, the priest.
8. The penitential canons are imposed only on the living, and, according to them, nothing should be imposed on the dying.
9. Therefore the Holy Spirit in the pope is kind to us, because in his decrees he always makes exception of the article of death and of necessity.
10. Ignorant and wicked are the doings of those priests who, in the case of the dying, reserve canonical penances for purgatory.
11. This changing of the canonical penalty to the penalty of purgatory is quite evidently one of the tares that were sown while the bishops slept.
12. In former times the canonical penalties were imposed not after, but before absolution, as tests of true contrition.
13. The dying are freed by death from all penalties; they are already dead to canonical rules, and have a right to be released from them.
14. The imperfect health [of soul], that is to say, the imperfect love, of the dying brings with it, of necessity, great fear; and the smaller the love, the greater is the fear.
15. This fear and horror is sufficient of itself alone (to say nothing of other things) to constitute the penalty of purgatory, since it is very near to the horror of despair.
16. Hell, purgatory, and heaven seem to differ as do despair, almost-despair, and the assurance of safety.
17. With souls in purgatory it seems necessary that horror should grow less and love increase.
18. It seems unproved, either by reason or Scripture, that they are outside the state of merit, that is to say, of increasing love.
19. Again, it seems unproved that they, or at least that all of them, are certain or assured of their own blessedness, though we may be quite certain of it.
20. Therefore by “full remission of all penalties” the pope means not actually “of all,” but only of those imposed by himself.
21. Therefore those preachers of indulgences are in error, who say that by the pope’s indulgences a man is freed from every penalty, and saved;
22. Whereas he remits to souls in purgatory no penalty which, according to the canons, they would have had to pay in this life.
23. If it is at all possible to grant to any one the remission of all penalties whatsoever, it is certain that this remission can be granted only to the most perfect, that is, to the very fewest.
24. It must needs be, therefore, that the greater part of the people are deceived by that indiscriminate and highsounding promise of release from penalty.
25. The power which the pope has, in a general way, over purgatory, is just like the power which any bishop or curate has, in a special way, within his own diocese or parish.
26. The pope does well when he grants remission to souls [in purgatory], not by the power of the keys (which he does not possess), but by way of intercession.
27. They preach man who say that so soon as the penny jingles into the money-box, the soul flies out [of purgatory].
28. It is certain that when the penny jingles into the money-box, gain and avarice can be increased, but the result of the intercession of the Church is in the power of God alone.
29. Who knows whether all the souls in purgatory wish to be bought out of it, as in the legend of Sts. Severinus and Paschal.
30. No one is sure that his own contrition is sincere; much less that he has attained full remission.
31. Rare as is the man that is truly penitent, so rare is also the man who truly buys indulgences, i.e., such men are most rare.
32. They will be condemned eternally, together with their teachers, who believe themselves sure of their salvation because they have letters of pardon.
33. Men must be on their guard against those who say that the pope’s pardons are that inestimable gift of God by which man is reconciled to Him;
34. For these “graces of pardon” concern only the penalties of sacramental satisfaction, and these are appointed by man.
35. They preach no Christian doctrine who teach that contrition is not necessary in those who intend to buy souls out of purgatory or to buy confessionalia.
36. Every truly repentant Christian has a right to full remission of penalty and guilt, even without letters of pardon.
37. Every true Christian, whether living or dead, has part in all the blessings of Christ and the Church; and this is granted him by God, even without letters of pardon.
38. Nevertheless, the remission and participation [in the blessings of the Church] which are granted by the pope are in no way to be despised, for they are, as I have said, the declaration of divine remission.
39. It is most difficult, even for the very keenest theologians, at one and the same time to commend to the people the abundance of pardons and [the need of] true contrition.
40. True contrition seeks and loves penalties, but liberal pardons only relax penalties and cause them to be hated, or at least, furnish an occasion [for hating them].
41. Apostolic pardons are to be preached with caution, lest the people may falsely think them preferable to other good works of love.
42. Christians are to be taught that the pope does not intend the buying of pardons to be compared in any way to works of mercy.
43. Christians are to be taught that he who gives to the poor or lends to the needy does a better work than buying pardons;
44. Because love grows by works of love, and man becomes better; but by pardons man does not grow better, only more free from penalty.
45. 45. Christians are to be taught that he who sees a man in need, and passes him by, and gives [his money] for pardons, purchases not the indulgences of the pope, but the indignation of God.
46. Christians are to be taught that unless they have more than they need, they are bound to keep back what is necessary for their own families, and by no means to squander it on pardons.
47. Christians are to be taught that the buying of pardons is a matter of free will, and not of commandment.
48. Christians are to be taught that the pope, in granting pardons, needs, and therefore desires, their devout prayer for him more than the money they bring.
49. Christians are to be taught that the pope’s pardons are useful, if they do not put their trust in them; but altogether harmful, if through them they lose their fear of God.
50. Christians are to be taught that if the pope knew the exactions of the pardon-preachers, he would rather that St. Peter’s church should go to ashes, than that it should be built up with the skin, flesh and bones of his sheep.
51. Christians are to be taught that it would be the pope’s wish, as it is his duty, to give of his own money to very many of those from whom certain hawkers of pardons cajole money, even though the church of St. Peter might have to be sold.
52. The assurance of salvation by letters of pardon is vain, even though the commissary, nay, even though the pope himself, were to stake his soul upon it.
53. They are enemies of Christ and of the pope, who bid the Word of God be altogether silent in some Churches, in order that pardons may be preached in others.
54. Injury is done the Word of God when, in the same sermon, an equal or a longer time is spent on pardons than on this Word.
55. It must be the intention of the pope that if pardons, which are a very small thing, are celebrated with one bell, with single processions and ceremonies, then the Gospel, which is the very greatest thing, should be preached with a hundred bells, a hundred processions, a hundred ceremonies.
56. The “treasures of the Church,” out of which the pope. grants indulgences, are not sufficiently named or known among the people of Christ.
57. That they are not temporal treasures is certainly evident, for many of the vendors do not pour out such treasures so easily, but only gather them.
58. Nor are they the merits of Christ and the Saints, for even without the pope, these always work grace for the inner man, and the cross, death, and hell for the outward man.
59. St. Lawrence said that the treasures of the Church were the Church’s poor, but he spoke according to the usage of the word in his own time.
60. Without rashness we say that the keys of the Church, given by Christ’s merit, are that treasure;
61. For it is clear that for the remission of penalties and of reserved cases, the power of the pope is of itself sufficient.
62. The true treasure of the Church is the Most Holy Gospel of the glory and the grace of God.
63. But this treasure is naturally most odious, for it makes the first to be last.
64. On the other hand, the treasure of indulgences is naturally most acceptable, for it makes the last to be first.
65. Therefore the treasures of the Gospel are nets with which they formerly were wont to fish for men of riches.
66. The treasures of the indulgences are nets with which they now fish for the riches of men.
67. The indulgences which the preachers cry as the “greatest graces” are known to be truly such, in so far as they promote gain.
68. Yet they are in truth the very smallest graces compared with the grace of God and the piety of the Cross.
69. Bishops and curates are bound to admit the commissaries of apostolic pardons, with all reverence.
70. But still more are they bound to strain all their eyes and attend with all their ears, lest these men preach their own dreams instead of the commission of the pope.
71. He who speaks against the truth of apostolic pardons, let him be anathema and accursed!
72. But he who guards against the lust and license of the pardon-preachers, let him be blessed!
73. The pope justly thunders against those who, by any art, contrive the injury of the traffic in pardons.
74. But much more does he intend to thunder against those who use the pretext of pardons to contrive the injury of holy love and truth.
75. To think the papal pardons so great that they could absolve a man even if he had committed an impossible sin and violated the Mother of God — this is madness.
76. We say, on the contrary, that the papal pardons are not able to remove the very least of venial sins, so far as its guilt is concerned.
77. It is said that even St. Peter, if he were now Pope, could not bestow greater graces; this is blasphemy against St. Peter and against the pope.
78. We say, on the contrary, that even the present pope, and any pope at all, has greater graces at his disposal; to wit, the Gospel, powers, gifts of healing, etc., as it is written in I. Corinthians xii.
79. To say that the cross, emblazoned with the papal arms, which is set up [by the preachers of indulgences], is of equal worth with the Cross of Christ, is blasphemy.
80. The bishops, curates and theologians who allow such talk to be spread among the people, will have an account to render.
81. This unbridled preaching of pardons makes it no easy matter, even for learned men, to rescue the reverence due to the pope from slander, or even from the shrewd questionings of the laity.
82. To wit: — “Why does not the pope empty purgatory, for the sake of holy love and of the dire need of the souls that are there, if he redeems an infinite number of souls for the sake of miserable money with which to build a Church? The former reasons would be most just; the latter is most trivial.”
83. Again: — “Why are mortuary and anniversary masses for the dead continued, and why does he not return or permit the withdrawal of the endowments founded on their behalf, since it is wrong to pray for the redeemed?”
84. Again: — “What is this new piety of God and the pope, that for money they allow a man who is impious and their enemy to buy out of purgatory the pious soul of a friend of God, and do not rather, because of that pious and beloved soul’s own need, free it for pure love’s sake?”
85. Again: — “Why are the penitential canons long since in actual fact and through disuse abrogated and dead, now satisfied by the granting of indulgences, as though they were still alive and in force?”
86. Again: — “Why does not the pope, whose wealth is to-day greater than the riches of the richest, build just this one church of St. Peter with his own money, rather than with the money of poor believers?”
87. Again: — “What is it that the pope remits, and what participation does he grant to those who, by perfect contrition, have a right to full remission and participation?”
88. Again: — “What greater blessing could come to the Church than if the pope were to do a hundred times a day what he now does once, and bestow on every believer these remissions and participations?”
89. “Since the pope, by his pardons, seeks the salvation of souls rather than money, why does he suspend the indulgences and pardons granted heretofore, since these have equal efficacy?”
90. To repress these arguments and scruples of the laity by force alone, and not to resolve them by giving reasons, is to expose the Church and the pope to the ridicule of their enemies, and to make Christians unhappy.
91. If, therefore, pardons were preached according to the spirit and mind of the pope, all these doubts would be readily resolved; nay, they would not exist.
92. Away, then, with all those prophets who say to the people of Christ, “Peace, peace,” and there is no peace!
93. Blessed be all those prophets who say to the people of Christ, “Cross, cross,” and there is no cross!
94. Christians are to be exhorted that they be diligent in following Christ, their Head, through penalties, deaths, and hell;
95. And thus be confident of entering into heaven rather through many tribulations, than through the assurance of peace.
My way of “killing” the planet…
Sorry for the title… still reeling from Hobson’s article.
Ruth Michelle Lumpkin entered the world on Thursday, October 29th at approximately 4:45am after 36.5 weeks in the God-designed safety bubble called the womb (Psalm 139). She was 7lbs / 20.5 inches. As far as we can tell, she looks like all the other girls did…just beautiful.
Our due date was November 20th, with a scheduled C-section of November 12th. God desired to start the number of her days a bit earlier. We arrived at the hospital around 1:45am or so. After some initial examination, everything was “go” for a C-section. Jan and I read Psalm 29, 89 and 139 together. We prayed and then they wheeled her out.
I then put on this get up…
Not 15 minutes later, I was asked to go back with Jan (same routine we’d done before…this was just quicker). Now, we didn’t find out the sex of the baby, so we had the added excitement of “finding out.” The doctors and nurses were great to let me “identify” the little human.
After what seems like a few Greco-Roman wrestling moves by doctors performed on my wife’s abdomen, they say, “Dad, you want to know what you have?” I stood up, looked for a good while (doctors know to keep that umbilical cord out of the way — daddy’s eyes get fuzzy in that setting), and told Jan, “We have a Ruth.”
After an initial wipedown, but before her bath, this is what I saw…
We had some good time together from here. I just stood and stared at her in the nursery, while waiting for Jan to come out of recovery (how anxious wives who have C-sections must be to wait). After we were in a room for a short time, Ruth was brought in to nurse. She did great!
Well, to just continue the “life” with a larger (than norm) family, I had 3 doctor appointments to get the other 3 girls to by 9am. Poor Lydia had to have 4 immunization shots. She handled them like a trooper!
We got back to the hospital and had the family all together…
All was well. At least until Lydia came down with a stomach virus and a high fever…
After the day ended, I was left at home to care for Lydia and leave Jan and Ruth with the very capable and kind hands of those at Willow Creek Women’s Hospital.
It was a huge, long (often surreal) day of sleeplessness, joy, reality, illness, fatigue… I’ll choose the “joy” part. A day when you’d love to focus on the new baby demanded teamwork by a husband and wife, most often not together, to meet the physical and spiritual needs of the family overall. All the while, we texted and called to stay connected just between us.
Joy is not always pretty, but it is always beautiful!
11 May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy, 12 giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. 13 He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
Colossians 1:11-14
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