Blind Sided?

LifeWay Stores of the SBC recently took a movie, The Blind Side, off the shelves. There was a complaint it was offensive due to racial slurs and other language.

Maybe they should pull the SBC Holman Christian Standard Bible. I just read Song of Songs. There is some stuff in there that may not be appropriate for the younger crowd.

Ridiculous you say? I agree.

If the church is going to touch the lost world, we better move out of our pious circles. The Blind Side tells a real life story of hope and courage. God help us if we are caught like Jesus at a well telling a woman of salvation.

And God help us if we bow to cultural correctness.

Bro. Ron

Change You Can Believe In?

Yesterday (5-8-12), North Carolina voters went to the polls. One item on the ballot was a constitutional amendment that defines marriage as between a man and a woman. It is hard to believe we are debating this issue in America.

A few days ago Vice President Biden said he was absolutely comfortable with same sex marriage. The next day Secretary of Education Arne Duncan endorsed marriage equality. Their boss, President Obama, has said in the past that while he opposes same sex marriage his view is evolving. Today (5-9-12), President Obama came forward and said he indorses same sex marriage. This is a hotly debated topic in our nation.

So what are we to think? Many wonder what the problem is with allowing people of the same sex to marry. What will it hurt? This is a slippery slope. If we allow marriage between same sex individuals what keeps the definition from including three or more? Or what of wedding between siblings? Or why not marriage across species like a man and a goat? Many say that is foolish talk. We would never allow such. Not many years ago we said that of same sex marriage.

In reality same sex marriage is not marriage at all. Biblical and natural law tells us that marriage is a two-in-one-flesh communion of persons. This communion is consummated by sexual acts that are reproductive. Only a man and a woman can be capable of human procreation. This is true even if the couple is incapable of having children due to infertility.

Romans 1:24-27 speaks of the same sex act as being unnatural. You see, same sex marriage is not marriage at all. Marriage is a basic building block of society and reproduction is a large part of that. Same sex partners are physically incapable of marriage. Only male and female can become one flesh.

This is not a political issue but a moral issue. God's Word is clear and has always been clear on this issue. God has not changed His mind nor will he change His mind on this issue or any other issue cleary defined in His Word.  

Bro. Ron

A Muzzled Pulpit?

For years there has been a movement against having God mentioned in any
fashion when connected to the state. No prayer or Bible reading in school was
the beginning. Crosses being removed from public ground is common place.
Christmas is given very little space if a manger is involved. But this week
America changed.

Our nation took a dangerous step down a slippery slope. The US government
walked right into the pulpit of Army chaplains and told them what they could and
could not proclaim regarding abortion and the health care debate.

When the government begins to silence the pulpit you can know America is no
longer seeking neutral ground. The state wants to control the church and its
message.

An unfettered pulpit has always been a hallmark of religious liberty in this
country. I realize many will think this over the top. But in Germany the pulpit
was muzzled when Hitler came to power. We cannot stand for such behavior. Some
will be called on to speak when told to be silent.

May God give us boldness to speak, persistence to stand and courage to count
the cost. God help America.

Bro. Ron

Giving In The New Year!

Imagine what your life would look like if you only committed 2.56% of
yourself to what you do. Marriage? Career? Recreation? Think about this during
this New Year.

The average church member only gives 2.56% of his/her
income to any church or charity. The church will never get all of its assignment
accomplished with that low financial investment from the membership.

As we begin this New Year, we need to evaluate our giving as well as
planning our 2012 giving. Here are 4 things to ponder:

1. Give at least the first tenth of your income to your local church.

2. Give over and above the first tenth of your income.

3. Leave a legacy of at least one-tenth of your estate to your local
church.

4. Leave a legacy of at least five percent of your estate to Great
Commission ministries, or enities of our state: Children's Home, ALCAP, etc.

You are never more like Jesus than when you are giving. Think about
it!


Bro. Ron