SEPARATION: WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?

Today, it seems, every one is going to heaven, and it doesn't matter what you really believe or what church you belong to, or what God you believe in. When some one dies in the news, they are aways going to Heaven. You can be a Baptist, Catholic, Morman, Jevohah Witness, Reformer, Community, and a number of other religious belief and all are going to be saved in the end and all our going to heaven. Christian or Catholic, or Morman or Baptist, all are going to Heaven. OR, ARE THEY! SO who can we worship with, take communion with, fellowship with, allow our church to fellowship with?


• WHEN I PASTORED FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH

I remember I had a hard time with fellowship. And other churches had a hard time in having fellowship with us. I have a hard time with fellowship anyway. I don't have a lot of fellowship with unbeliever, but the problem is most people believe they are going to Heaven, therefore we should be able to have some fun with those people who say they are going to Heaven, right?


I think there might be a difference between fellowship and fun and going to

"Father, again as we have looked into Your Word we have been lifted above the mundane and the trivial, we have been transported into the supernatural, the divine. We have grasped profound realities that escape completely the thinking of the wisest of the world. Lord, we are so grateful of the richness of truth which Your Word contains. And, Lord, we would follow the instruction, the injunction, the mandate, the command for indeed it's an imperative not to be bound together with unbelievers in any enterprise that names Your name, any spiritual enterprise. We don't want Satan having the door throne wide open for him.gty

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  And, Lord, help us to be faithful and to do what verse 1 of chapter 7 says, "Cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh, perfecting holiness in the fear of God." Lord, make us holy, separate. Keep Your church separated so that our testimony and our proclamation is pure and clear. And may You be glorified in Your Son's name. Amen."

I AM BOUGHT WITH A PRICE

I KNOW WHO I AM

(You really should point the mouse on the verse and read)

1. I am God's child (John 1:12)
2. I am Christ's friend (John 15:15 )
3. I am united with the Lord (1 Cor. 6:17)
4. I am bought with a price (1 Cor 6:19-20)
5. I am a saint (set apart for God). (Eph. 1:1)
6. I am a personal witness of Christ. (Acts 1:8)
7. I am the salt & light of the earth (Matt 5:13-14)
8. I am a member of the body of Christ (1 Cor 12:27)
9. I am free forever from condemnation ( Rom. 8: 1-2)
10. I am a citizen of Heaven. I am significant (Phil 3:20)
11. I am free from any charge against me (Rom. 8:31 -34)
12. I am a minister of reconciliation for God (2 Cor 5:17-21)
13. I have access to God through the Holy Spirit (Eph. 2:18)
14. I am seated with Christ in the heavenly realms (Eph. 2:6)
15. I cannot be separated from the love of God (Rom 8:35-39)
16. I am established, anointed, sealed by God (2 Cor 1:21-22 )
17. I am assured all things work together for good (Rom. 8:28 )
18. I have been chosen and appointed to bear fruit (John 15:16)
19. I may approach God with freedom and confidence (Eph. 3: 12 )
20. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me (Phil. 4:13)
21. I am the branch of the true vine, a channel of His life (John 15: 1-5)
22. I am God's temple (1 Cor. 3: 16). I am complete in Christ (Col. 2: 10)
23. I am hidden with Christ in God (Col. 3:3).. I have been justified (Romans 5:1)
24. I am God's co-worker (1 Cor. 3:9; 2 Cor 6:1). I am God's workmanship (Eph. 2:10)
25. I am confident that the good works God has begun in me will be perfected. (Phil. 1: 5)
26. I have been redeemed and forgiven (Col 1:14).
27. I have been adopted as God's child (Eph 1:5)
28. I belong to God

DO YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE?

Thanks Bill (Hobo)

HOW SHALL WE PRAY

WHEN IS A CHURCH A CHURCH THAT GOD WILL ATTEND?

HOW SHALL WE PRAY FOR THIS GROUP OF PEOPLE?

Gunman Kills 2, Injures 7 In Tennessee Church
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. -- A gunman opened fire at a church youth performance Sunday, killing two people, including a man witnesses called a hero for shielding others from a shotgun blast.
Seven adults were injured, five seriously, but no children were harmed at the Tennessee Valley Unitarian Universalist Church.

FROM THE NEWS.GOOGLE ARTICLE AND SEEN BY MILLIONS OF PEOPLE

As we arrived on scene, the thing that struck us most about the pleasant neighborhood where the church shooting took place was the sheer number of houses of worship — a Greek Orthodox church, various Protestant Christian denominations, a couple of synagogues.

These diverse religious institutions are pulling together and lending support in this time of crisis, while an entire community tries to make sense out of a senseless crime.

Why was this one Unitarian church targeted by a man with no apparent connection to the congregation? While investigators are looking into whether this was a “hate crime,” they have yet to determine a motive. And neighbors of the suspect describe 58-year-old Jim Adkisson as a “really nice guy” who did not seem like a threat.

Tonight, the community is mourning the deaths of two victims, while also counting its blessings. Had it not been for the heroic actions of church members who reportedly blocked the gunman’s shots and tackled him before he could reload, authorities say the outcome could have been far worse.

SUNDAY AFTERNOON

We like to think of our houses of worship as refuges — places that enable us to transcend the problems of the world, even if for only an hour each week.

Members of the Tennessee Valley Unitarian Universalist Church probably had the same presumption this morning, as they watched their children perform a play. But then the problems of the world came to church in the form of a gunman. This apparent stranger opened fire — killing at least one person and injuring more than half a dozen others before members of the congregation were able to subdue him until police arrived.

The church posted the following statement on its website:

• Our congregation is recovering from the violent incident that occurred during this morning’s worship service. Please keep us in your prayers.

AND FROM THE WORLD'S POINT OF VIEW THIS IS A CHURCH.

• The church, like many other Unitarian Universalist churches, promotes progressive social work, such as desegregation and fighting for the rights of women and gays. The Knoxville congregation has provided sanctuary for political refugees, fed the homeless and founded a chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union, according to its Web site.
  

HOW SHALL WE PRAY FOR A "CHURCH" WHO HAS A BELIEF SYSTEM THAT IS NOT CHRISTIAN?

Its statement of belief never mentions God or Jesus or the Holy Spirit or the Bible. It says, among other things, "WE BELIEVE in the tolerance of religious ideas. All religions, in every age and culture, possess not only intrinsic merit, but also potential value for those who have learned the art of listening." Thus, they do not believe the words of Jesus, "I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except by me." Do they believe Baal-worship and Satanism have intrinsic merit and potential value? Note this statement on Vine and Fig.

What do Unitarian Universalists believe?

From their website

WE BELIEVE in the freedom of religious expression. All individuals should be encouraged to develop their own personal theologies, and to present openly their religious opinions without fear of censure or reprisal.

WE BELIEVE in the tolerance of religious ideas. All religions, in every age and culture, possess not only intrinsic merit, but also potential value for those who have learned the art of listening.

WE BELIEVE in the authority of reason and conscience. The ultimate arbiter in religion is not a church, nor a document, nor an official, but the personal choice and decision of the individual.

WE BELIEVE in the never-ending search for Truth. If the mind and heart are truly free and open, the revelations that appear to the human spirit are infinitely numerous, eternally fruitful, and wondrously exciting.

WE BELIEVE in the unity of experience. There is no fundamental conflict between faith and knowledge, religion and the world, the sacred and the secular, since they all have their source in the same reality.

WE BELIEVE in the worth and dignity of each human being. All people on earth have an equal claim to life, liberty, and justice-and no idea, ideal, or philosophy is superior to a single human life.

WE BELIEVE in the ethical application of religion. Good works are the natural product of a good faith, the evidence of an inner grace that finds completion in social and community involvement.

THEREFORE HOW SHOULD WE VIEW WHAT A CHURCH IS, AND WHO SHALL WE PRAY FOR THESE GROUP OF PEOPLE

JULY 4, 2008 God Bless America?

WHAT IF OUR NATION: AMERICA WERE A NATION WHERE GOD IS THE LORD?

Christians sometimes suggest that Christianity was more influential in America's founding than it actually was. But proponents of a more secularized view of history or government often respond by going too far in the opposite direction. In reality, although many non-Christian influences were involved in the founding of the nation, and many of the founders held unorthodox theological beliefs, for example, the influence of Christianity was substantial, and America's founders were closer to today's religious right than today's secular left.

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"I now make it my earnest prayer, that God would have you, and the State over which you preside, in his holy protection, that he would incline the hearts of the Citizens to cultivate a spirit of subordination and obedience to Government, to entertain a brotherly affection and love for one another, for their fellow Citizens of the United States at large, and particularly for their brethren who have served in the Field, and finally, that he would most graciously be pleased to dispose us all, to do Justice, to love mercy, and to demean ourselves with that Charity, humility and pacific temper of mind, which were the Characteristicks of the Divine Author of our blessed Religion, and without an humble imitation of whose example in these things, we can never hope to be a happy Nation." (George Washington)

"The general Principles, on which the Fathers Atchieved Independence, were the only Principles in which that beautiful Assembly of young Gentlemen could Unite, and these Principles only could be intended by them in their Address, or by me in my Answer. And what were these general Principles? I answer, the general Principles of Christianity, in which all those Sects were United: And the general Principles of English and American Liberty, in which all those young Men United, and which had United all Parties in America, in Majorities sufficient to assert and maintain her Independence. Now I will avow, that I then believed, and now believe, that those general Principles of Christianity, are as eternal and immutable, as the Existence and Attributes of God" (John Adams, The Adams-Jefferson Letters, Lester J. Cappon, ed. [Chapel Hill and London: The University of North Carolina Press, 1987], pp. 339-340)

TODAY IS THE UNITED STATES A NATION UNDER GOD? God is sovereign over all nations of the world.

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John MacArthur in his messages "God Bless America"

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• "Obviously over the last number of weeks we have on Sunday nights been addressing issues that are on our minds and hearts at this time in our nation when we had been subjected to terrorists' attacks. I'm trying to keep up with all of the nuances, all of the twists and turns in the road as we go and try to shed some biblical light on the issues at hand."
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  "One of the new features in our country in recent weeks is this obsession with "God Bless America." In itself certainly a nice tune and a well-crafted song that was sung on many occasions for many years in our country, but now has become our sort of new national anthem, if not, our national prayer. And apparently from all that I can tell, as I see the emotion that is attached with the singing of the song, there is not just symbolism here. There is not just shallow sentimentality. I get the feeling that Americans really want God's blessing, and by that they mean protection. Blessing means, "God, don't let me die." It means, "Don't let my children die...don't let my spouse die." It means, "God, don't let the stock market keep going the way it's going." "God, stop the decline in unemployment." "God, maintain our freedoms, don't put us in a position so we have to make all kinds of laws against terrorism that wind up impinging upon our cherished liberties."

Will God bless America? Can God bless America? Should God bless America? And if God did bless America, what would He be saying about His holiness? If God did bless America, what would He be saying about our morality? About our spiritual condition? Could God bless America and protect His reputation as holy God?

I suggest when you have a moment to read John message that you download these series of messages.

WHAT SHOULD BE THE CHRISTIAN VIEW POINT OF STEROIDS IN SPORTS? Part three

Sylvester Stallone, 61, has stated publicly that he took human growth hormone and testosterone, substances that supposedly promote a lean, muscular body. (USA Today February 2008) A new movie RAMBO coming this month.

But doctors and scientists who study these potent hormones say Stallone may be playing with more fire power than even John James RAMBO can handle. or Rocky Balboa

• In popular culture, the name Rambo has become an eponym for a tactic of military aggression or, alternatively, a person demonstrating heroism through extreme violence, especially when outnumbered. However, the term can also be used somewhat derogatorily to describe someone who thoughtlessly charges into a fight with no rregard for personal safety or careful planning. This term is commonly referred to as "Going Rambo"ular culture (or pop culture) can be deemed as what is popular within the social context - that of which is most strongly represented by what is perceived to be popularly accepted among society

Within the Christian community, we live within the society that surrounds us. Often what society deems popular becomes the norm for Christians. Think for a moment what society was doing twenty years ago, that they no longer deem popular to do? Think again for a moment and ask, what do Christians do today that is deemed wrong twenty or thirty years ago, but is okay today? Then ask yourselves, did society set the standards, or did Christains set the standards or is there bibical gounds for the standards?

• For example: Today in our society, men can wear ear rings (again) Generally our society doesn't even thinking about this. Women can percies their skin in just about any place and place a ring there. Today divorce is no longer looked as a major factor in our lives. Marriage seems less important than a few years ago. Attending a local church seems less importance. The list could continue.

The Biblical Worldview is even different from the Christian worldview. A Christian today has many viewpoints different from one another. Even the difinition of the term Christian has changed.

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Worldviews embrace the world as it exists in one's time, but only in relation to how the world is pictured by this or that person, this or that community or institution, tainted by possible agenda. A religious worldview can not only describe the beliefs and agenda of a group, but the style and tone of that worldview can reflect a general emotional state of those who speak for that group.

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Now this leads me finally to the subject of steroids in sports in this post today.

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As we have shown in the last several post, often people set the viewpoint about a certain view. In our subject the use of steroids in sports, in the entertainment field, etc.

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Popular culture (or pop culture) can be deemed as what is popular within the social context - that which is most strongly represented by what is perceived to be popularly accepted among society.

• Otherwise, popular culture is also suggested to be the widespread cultural elements in any given society that are perpetuated through that society's vernacular language or lingua franca.
  

• It comprises the daily interactions, needs and desires and cultural 'moments' that make up the everyday lives of the mainstream. It can include any number of practices, including those pertaining to cooking, clothing, consumption, mass media and the many facets of entertainment such as sports and literature. (Compare meme.)
  

• Popular culture often contrasts with a more exclusive, even elitist "high culture," that is, the culture of ruling social groups. The earliest use of "popular" in English was during the fifteenth century in law and politics, meaning "low", "base", "vulgar", and "of the common people" till the late eighteenth century by which time it began to mean "widespread" and gain in positive connotation. (Williams 1985) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Popular_culture

As I said in yesterday’s post, wrestling has shown the pop culture of our day. When Eric (my oldest son) and I went to pro wrestling in the early 80's in Coffeyville, Kansas, in a Jr Hi gym, there was no cussing, and no vulgar language, no drinking. Later in the late 80's there was an amazing change. The wrestlers were getting bigger and the crowds were getting vulgar in their language.

Athletes and bodybuilders were getting bigger

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Growth hormone stimulates growth and cell reproduction. It is produced in the pituitary glands, the pea-sized "master gland" that sits at the base of the brain. It has been popular in recent years with bodybuilders (as we have stated) and athletes because they believe it will increase muscle mass, decrease fat and allow them to more quickly recuperate after punishing workouts.

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What was first a useful drug, now has been abused: How?
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What Dr. Ziegler developed, with the help of the Ciba pharmaceutical company was called "Methandrostenolone" or Dianabol. This was the creation of the first anabolic steroid that wasn’t simply testosterone. That was late in 1956. By the time the early 1960s rolled around, Ziegler’s weightlifters were dominating American weightlifting. And since then, many different steroids, each with their own different set of characteristics, have been developed

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Of course, there have been other documented instances of athletes taking various drugs and other substances in an attempt to enhance their performance. Thomas Hicks, an American marathoner in the 1904 Olympics, had to be revived after he drank Brandy laced with cocaine and strychnine. He won the gold medal, although I believe the Brandy/Cocaine/Strychnine cocktail never really took off in popularity among his fellow athletes. His fellow runners, the sprinters attempted to use nitroglycerine a couple of decades later, to dilate (expand) their coronary arteries; they later switched to experimenting with Benzidrine, an amphetamine.

• So what am I saying, to attempt to enhance performance didn’t just happen in the last twenty years. And it’s been known for more than fifty years. So why are we just now beginning to say it’s wrong?
  



• Many such compounds had been used, but none are as powerful or provided such rapid increases in strength and powerful as anabolic steroids. For this reason, after its invention by Dr.Ziegler, Dianabol was quickly made available to anyone looking for an extra edge. It helped many bodybuilders, weightlifters, football players, and Olympic athletes train harder, longer, and more efficiently. As all steroids can do, it enhanced protein synthesis and allowed new muscle to be built at a rate that was much more rapid than would otherwise be possible. And that increased muscle power and strength translated into financial rewards for the athletes who were taking them
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