Staver: Judge helping Obama 'sabotage marriage'
Read More:

http://www.onenewsnow.com/Legal/Default.aspx?id=1543232

What Makes The Difference?

As most of us keep up with the events surrounding Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani and perhaps his imminent execution, I have wondered (and perhaps you have too) what would the outcome look like if there was a  Christian (in any country) who had converted to Islam and their life was being threatened? Muslims would be furious to say the least.  Iran is suppose to be a country with religious freedom.  Hmmm?  Perhaps so, so long as you're talking about Muslim freedom.  We need to let our voices be heard!

For more information follow this link:
http://aclj.org/iran/pastor-youcef-life-imminent-danger

I have a passion for both evangelism and discipleship. In fact, I have always argued that they are two sides of the same coin. The lack of discipleship within many churches has been one of the number one reasons that churches are no longer growing and/or declining.

I read the article Who's Raising Up Future Pastors, and I tell you, it really got my attention and as you read it, I sure hope it gets your attention as well.

Raising up Future Pastors
by Wade Brown

In a time when pastors are leaving the ministry at a very rapid rate, here's a question in which every church needs to engage: Who will the next generation of pastors be? More importantly, who will shoulder the majority of the responsibility in helping to equip young men to serve as pastors?

Hopefully, the church will rise to this challenge. It certainly did 2,000 years ago. Paul and Barnabas were sent out by the local church (Acts 13:1-3). In 2 Timothy 2:2, Paul exhorts Timothy, the pastor at Ephesus, to entrust biblical truths and principles to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others.

While Bible colleges and seminaries do a good job of further preparing pastors through the content heavy curricula of church history, systematic theology, the languages and other topics, we shouldn't expect them to identify and ultimately raise up pastors. That responsibility rests with the Church. How can you, in your role as a pastor, help set that tone?

First, pray that God will help you to remain faithful to biblical teaching and your disciple-making efforts.

Second, pray that God will help you identify those young men who He has already called into the pastorate.

Third, prayerfully consider starting an internship ministry for these young men—a place where they can process their calling out loud and, along with others, be more fully equipped for ministry.

Finally, find time to hang out with these young men. Allow them to ask questions about what's stirring in their hearts concerning their calling. Encourage them to share their fears and their excitement. In time, give them opportunities to serve, to teach, to preach. In doing so, you are helping to prepare the next generation of pastors.

I am a pastor today ultimately by God's grace. Though, I know He used my church of 20 years ago, and especially the pastor of that church to help me (and many others) to discern and embrace His calling on my life to pursue the pastorate. While it has been a bumpy ride at times, I'm grateful for my calling and for the church that helped equip me and sent me out!

Enjoy the journey!

Wade Brown Director, Church and Community Care Focus on the Family

Fantastic Week

This week has been fantastic! We had a wonderful time Wednesday morning at the Coffee Break  (with the Pastor) good fellowship and good discussion on David Platt's book "Radical." Wednesday eve was great also as we continued our study on "Christian History." Thursday in our Discipleship class we are doing the Truth Project by Focus on the Family and it seems to get better and better each week. 


I love what I see our Lord doing at Calvary Baptist! 


Just a note to say to our Faith Family, how much I appreciate you and love y'all... keep on keeping on for the glory of our Lord!

Bible Illiteracy

In my devotion time, I read an article by Dr. David Jeremiah that simply amazed me.  Let me share it with you and then I will make some additional comments at the end.

Matthew, Mark, Luke, & Ringo

Listen to the statutes... teach them to your children and your grandchildren.
Deuteronomy 4:1, 9

Recommended Reading Deuteronomy 4:1-9

Recently comedian Jay Leno asked his television audience to name one of the Ten Commandments.  One person ventured: "God helps those who help themselves.”  Leno asked if anyone could name the four Gospels.  No one could; but responding to another question, almost everyone in the audience could name the four Beatles.

As biblical instruction wanes, large numbers of young people are biblically illiterate.  Our society is developing a profound ignorance of Jesus.  Many do not understand the term "Good Friday" or the meaning of our basic Christian vocabulary--grace, sin, redemption, and salvation.

The number of people who read the Bible "occasionally" has declined from 79 percent in the 1980s to 59 percent.  Only 16 percent of Christians say they read the Bible daily.¹

Read your Bible every day.  Teach it to your children.  Do not depend on others to do it.  Offer to lead Bible classes at your church, and volunteer to work in the children's ministry.  Reversing the tide of biblical illiteracy is going to take all of us doing our part.

Many Christians expect the world to respect the book they neglect.
Quoted by E.C. McKenzie

As a pastor, I began to wonder if the Faith Family I lead where among the illiterate.  After pondering on it for quite a while, I am convinced they are not.  We have amazing teachers throughout our education programs and I know they are very familiar with the Word of God.

I see the problem as being a generational problem.  The ones following the baby boomers has for one reason or another, seem to have dropped the ball in going to church and teaching their children even the basics of the Bible.

So, how to we change these sad facts?  Discipleship!  Go after that generation, bring them into God’s family, and teach them.  Disciple them and teach them to do the same at home.

The Need For Theology

Allow me to share my reading for this evening with you:

The Need for Theology

But is there really a need for theology? If I love Jesus, is that not sufficient? Indeed, theology seems to have certain disadvantages. It complicates the Christian message, making it confusing and difficult for the lay person to understand. It thus seems to hinder, rather than help, the communication of the Christian truth. Does not theology divide rather than unite the church, the body of Christ? Note the number of denominational divisions that have taken place because of a difference of understanding and belief in some minute areas. Is theology, then, really desirable, and is it helpful? Several considerations suggest that the answer to this question is yes.

1. Theology is important because correct doctrinal beliefs are essential to the relationship between the believer and God. One of these beliefs deals with God’s existence and character. The writer to the Hebrews, in describing those who, like Abel and Enoch, pleased God, stated: "And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him" (11:6). The author does not mean that one who attempts to approach God may be rejected because of lack of such a faith in him, but that one would not even attempt to approach God without this belief.

Belief in the deity of Jesus Christ also seems essential to the relationship. After Jesus had asked his disciples what people thought of him, he also asked, "Who do you say I am?" Peter’s response, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God," met with Jesus’ resounding approval (Matt. 16:13–19). It is not sufficient to have a warm, positive, affirming feeling toward Jesus. One must have correct understanding and belief. Similarly, Jesus’ humanity is important. First John was written to combat the teachings of some who said that Jesus had not really become human. These "docetists" maintained that Jesus’ humanity was merely an appearance. John pointed out the importance of belief in the humanity of Jesus when he wrote: "This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God" (1 John 4:2–3). Finally, in Romans 10:9–10, Paul ties belief in Christ’s resurrection (both a historical event and a doctrine) directly into the salvation experience: "If you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved." These are but a few examples of the importance of correct belief. Theology, which concerns itself with defining and establishing correct belief, is consequently important.

2. Theology is necessary because truth and experience are related. While some would deny or at least question this connection, in the long run the truth will affect our experience. A person who falls from the tenth story of a building may shout while passing each window on the way down, "I’m still doing fine," and may mean it, but eventually the facts of the matter will catch up with the person’s experience. We may continue to live on happily for hours and even days after a close loved one has, unknown to us, passed away, but again the truth will come with crushing effect on our experience. Since the meaning and truth of the Christian faith will eventually have ultimate bearing on our experience, we must come to grips with them.

3. Theology is needful because of the large number of alternatives and challenges abroad at the present time. Secular alternatives abound, including the humanism that makes the human being the highest object of value, and the scientific method that seeks truth without recourse to revelation from a divine being. Other religions now compete with Christianity, even in once supposedly secure Western civilization. Not merely automobiles, electronic devices, and cameras are exported to the United States from the East. Eastern religion is now also challenging the once virtually exclusive domain of Christianity. Islam is growing rapidly in the United States, especially among African American males.³² Numerous quasi-religions also make their appeal. Countless psychological self-help systems are advocated. Cults are not restricted to the big-name varieties (e.g., Jehovah’s Witnesses, Mormonism). Numerous groups, some of which practice virtual brainwashing and mind control, now attract individuals who desire an alternative to conventional Christianity. Finally, many varieties of teaching, some mutually contradictory, exist within Christianity.

The solution to the confusion is not merely to determine which are false views and attempt to refute them. Bank employees learn to detect counterfeit money not by studying false bills, but by examining numerous samples of genuine money. They look at it, feel it, scrutinize it in every way. Then, when finally given bogus bills, they immediately recognize the difference. Similarly, correctly understanding the doctrinal teachings of Christianity is the solution to the confusion created by the myriad of claimants to belief. [1]

 

³² Russell Chandler, Racing Toward 2001: The Forces Shaping America’s Religious Future (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, and San Francisco: Harper San Francisco, 1992), pp. 183–85.

^[1] Millard J. Erickson, Christian Theology, 2nd ed. (Grand Rapids, Mich.: Baker Book House, 1998), 29-31.

Where Do You Stand?

Although Joel Osteen pastors the largest congregation in the America, it is extremely difficult (if not impossible) to pin his theological ideologies down.

Osteen, should run for president (kidding). The way he evades important moral/ethical issues reminds me of a good politician.

Although he reluctantly admits that homosexuality is sin, he also indicates that he would attend (not officiate) a same sex wedding. He also points out “there are other sins that the Bible indicates that he would try to change.” as well. My question then would be: "would he attend a robbery to see someone murdered?" “What about an attack where someone is raped?” Of course not!  But what is the difference one might ask? I contend his attending a same-sex wedding would give the appearance of his condoning it.

When asked about faith he replied, “to me, faith is all about learning to be happy where you are..”  I think he might get confused at times.  Faith is confidence in knowing that God is working ‘now’ in the present for your good and His glory. 

Every time Osteen is interviewed he walks away leaving question marks about Christianity. With the exception of promoting his books, I cannot think of one good reason for him submitting to be interviewed.  The last time he was interviewed by Larry King, he left questions concerning salvation.  However he did later recant and apologize.

What about the death penalty?  Where does Osteen stand?  I do not know either.

http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/bestoftv/2011/10/04/piers-osteen-death-penalty.cnn

Would a Muslim vote for a Christian president? Should a Christian vote for a Muslim president? Should it matter?

Poll at the bottom of this page

http://cnnpressroom.blogs.cnn.com/2011/10/04/piers-morgan-tonight-would-joel-osteen-vote-for-a-jewish-or-muslim-president/

I guess of the statements that Osteen made, the one that really tears my heart strings is when he said: “I can’t grab on part and say God wants you to blessed and live an abundant life...” I have often wondered if the Apostle Paul would challenge Osteen’s definition of “an abundant life” or to be “blessed.” When you compare the lives of each, you see to life that contradict each other. However you look at it, for me, “I am no longer my own. I have been bought with a price.” That being the very blood of Christ.

Who likes hamburgers any way?

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP)--A decision by a local Pennsylvania Chick-fil-A restaurant
to donate food to a pro-biblical marriage seminar has sparked controversy in the
homosexual community and caused a university to pull the franchise's food, but
it also has led to an outpouring of support from Chick-fil-A's customers as the
company has refused to back down.

At issue is the donation of food to a
marriage enrichment seminar sponsored by the Pennsylvania Family Institute.
Although the "Art of Marriage" seminar itself has little if anything to do with
politics and "gay marriage" -- ads say the video-guided seminar will "help
couples apply what the Bible teaches about marriage" -- the fact that the
Pennsylvania Family Institute has taken positions opposing "gay marriage" has
led some in the homosexual community to say they'll take their business
elsewhere. The video curriculum wasn't created by the Pennsylvania Family
Institute but by FamilyLife, an Arkansas-based pro-family group.

Read more http://www.bpnews.net/bpnews.asp?id=34564&ref=BPNews-RSSFeed0201

'Bum' speaks in chapel, shocks students

"Loneliness and rejection is a terrible feeling," Headrick said. "but it makes
it much easier to understand why Jesus [before His resurrection] died of a
broken heart."

http://www.bpnews.net/bpnews.asp?id=34265&ref=BPNews-RSSFeed1215

This is a must read.

Calvary Baptist Church Christmas Cantatas

I would like to invite you and your family to a day of worshiping the King of Kings - the Lord of Lords as we celebrate the true meaning of Christmas.

Sunday, December 19, 2010, our Children/Youth Choir will perform in the morning service which begins at 10:45 am.

The Adult Sancturary will perform in the evening service which begins at 6:00 pm.

Bring the whole family and bring your friends with you!

May our Lord bless you!

Granite City native's first big Hollywood role is in faith-based film

Make me proud to read articles like this.

Friends and family members know Amy Holland Pennell as a kind-hearted, religious young woman who often reaches out to people in need.
It's only fitting her first big role in a Hollywood movie would be that of a cancer survivor and single mother who overcomes bad choices in life and finds her way to God.
"She had gotten really mad at God because she was sick," said Amy, 29, of Los Angeles, who grew up in Granite City.


Read more: http://www.bnd.com/2010/10/18/1438727/look-whos-a-professional-actress.html#ixzz12jrYKIle

Obama says he is a Christian "by Choice."

I realize that this is not new news to anyone, but I cannot help but to note that Obama falls short of what is means to be Christian.

Obama says he's Christian 'by choice'

At a campaign stop in Albuquerque, the president responds
to a question about his faith by saying 'the precepts of Jesus Christ spoke to
me in terms of the kind of life that I would want to lead.'

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — President Obama said Tuesday that he is a "Christian by choice" and that his decision was influenced by gospel teachings about salvation and the importance of loving one another.

His mother and the grandparents who helped raised him weren't regular churchgoers, Obama told a group of voters here. But he became a Christian "later in life" because of the religion's basic principles,
he said  "It was because the precepts of Jesus Christ spoke to me in terms of the kind of life that I would want to lead," Obama said.

"Being my brother's and sister's keeper. Treating others as they would treat me."

Notice he refers only to the precepts of Jesus.  This is very important.  The Apostle Paul instructs one that "if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and ^bbelieve in your heart that ^cGod raised Him from the dead, you will be saved;  for with the heart a person believes, ¹resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, ²resulting in salvation.

This is to acknowledge His deity - to admit that He is God!  It involeves more that admiring even applying the precepts Jesus taught. This would mean a "works salvation" as we can conclude as we examine the rest of the article.

Obama met with the voters group as part of a nationwide
political swing as he tries to rally Democratic voters in advance of the Nov. 2
congressional elections. Later Tuesday, Obama traveled to Madison, Wis., to speak to a large
gathering of students and others at the University of Wisconsin.

His remarks in Albuquerque came in response to a question from the crowd about his religious faith, allowing the president to veer away from economics, the subject matter dominating the meeting.

The issue of Obama's beliefs is a popular subject of debate on cable talk shows and the Internet. Recent polling data suggests that a growing number of Americans think Obama is a Muslim.

But Obama on Tuesday gave a personal accounting of his faith more intimate than any since he published a 1999 memoir of his life.

"Understanding that Jesus Christ dying for my sins spoke to the humility we all have to have as human beings, that we're sinful and we're flawed, we make mistakes," Obama said Tuesday.

"And that we achieve salvation through the grace of God." Although flawed, individuals can "still see God in other people" and help others to find "their own grace."

Notice his statement: "we achieve salvation througth the grace of God."  It is true salvation is extended by the grace of God, but there is nothing one can do to achieve it. The Apostle Paul makes this point clear in Eph. 2:8-9.