tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28127450341101279872024-03-12T22:27:34.957-07:00WORDS OF THE PREACHER"The words of the Preacher......." (Eccl. 1:1)preacherpraterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13644819369409725433noreply@blogger.comBlogger171125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2812745034110127987.post-25512217638054369042013-06-28T10:00:00.002-07:002013-06-28T10:00:31.021-07:00Same-Sex Marriage, the Supreme Court and the Gospel <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBW4bXMmSLMan6R2GzT2cCs1a5Lt6t3VdMke5dhyphenhyphenTAfKBUKcsXXsUu2iuBRKu9utUIh_iUsXN8TmRxE_N5tYUZRRAHpSSnznQ1zDr2CbKOp7gVFwLaOFhUkIx0HM1sPYQjNgfoCUVE-s8/s749/171424648.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBW4bXMmSLMan6R2GzT2cCs1a5Lt6t3VdMke5dhyphenhyphenTAfKBUKcsXXsUu2iuBRKu9utUIh_iUsXN8TmRxE_N5tYUZRRAHpSSnznQ1zDr2CbKOp7gVFwLaOFhUkIx0HM1sPYQjNgfoCUVE-s8/s749/171424648.jpg" /></a></div>This past week, the Supreme Court weighed in on the subject of same-sex marriage. This decision reflects our culture and where we are as a nation. Yes, we would like the laws of our country to follow our beliefs, but many of them do not. Our nation is not a Christian nation, though in past times it followed Christian principles. <br />
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To be clear the Bible’s teaching on homosexuality is unequivocal, and stems from the fact that God created humanity to be male and female, and ordained marriage as the only appropriate context for sexual intimacy. (cf. Genesis 1:26-28; 2:18-25) It is often alleged that Jesus has nothing to say about homosexuality, but this is inaccurate. Jesus addressed this issue when he brought the standards of marriage and sexuality back to the creation (Matt. 19:4, 5). Jesus certainly associated with sinners, but he did so in order to call them to repentance, not to affirm them in their sinful behavior which would lead to God’s judgment. (cf. Matt. 5:28; 15:18; 19:9)<br />
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This is where the gospel of Jesus Christ comes into play. Because the reality is that homosexuality is a sin and like any other sin, it needs to be dealt with in the only way possible. It needs to be laid at the cross of Jesus and repented of. The gospel is good news precisely because it has the power to rescue people from a life of sin which includes sexuality immorality and homosexual lifestyle. (cf. 1 Cor. 6:9-11, “such were some of you) <br />
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We need to also be reminded that it will always be the case that as Christians we live in the tension of confidently proclaiming the Bible’s teaching while respectfully and lovingly pursuing relationships with those who live contrary to the Word of God. We must always make “lovingness” our method and the manner in which we say and do all things. (cf. Eph. 4:15; Col. 4:4-6) We cannot settle for truth without love nor love without truth. We should treat homosexuals with the same dignity and respect as we would anyone else because, they are made in the image of God. By failing to do so, we as Christians cannot be an effective witness to those around us. <br />
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I am not ultimately saddened by the prospect of the government taking a position that may be contrary to Scripture. My hope rests, not in horses or chariots, but in the name of the Lord. I will continue to follow Paul’s advice no matter what the government decides. I have been and will continue to love God, lift up Truth, and love and show compassion to people who are sinful, just as I am sinful. <br />
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The church needs to rededicate itself not to advancing the kingdom through the political process, but to the preaching of the Gospel. I believe the Lord is presenting His church a great challenge and opportunity. We can proclaim the Word of God in a clear and fresh manner. We can offer real, eternal hope to sinners whom God loves. <br />
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For Christ,<br />
Robert Praterpreacherpraterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13644819369409725433noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2812745034110127987.post-49352375904944267072013-01-16T07:38:00.000-08:002013-01-16T07:38:59.730-08:00Foot-in-mouth epidemic<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPvpmwKl1g_K86_e-JOt8XPGb9Yr7x-znB1s3zWtEhBUdH6SDwFVc0yE7CRpeGFguJwlp6BWnSZHYXFZAjRlQfjjCUyyNpVXHLjNl6NYwKTEIOsbVMahq11YWix5Jm29GNxpAGHIOiujg/s1600/Foot-in-mouth.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="158" width="176" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPvpmwKl1g_K86_e-JOt8XPGb9Yr7x-znB1s3zWtEhBUdH6SDwFVc0yE7CRpeGFguJwlp6BWnSZHYXFZAjRlQfjjCUyyNpVXHLjNl6NYwKTEIOsbVMahq11YWix5Jm29GNxpAGHIOiujg/s400/Foot-in-mouth.jpg" /></a></div><br />
What do you do after putting your foot in your mouth? No one is immune from the foot-in-mouth epidemic. And for those who heard me make the announcements Sunday evening at Central, you know this includes your preacher:) Let’s just say for those who weren’t there, instead of saying “The Old Testament ladies class……”, I goofed badly and let off the critical word “Testament” in the announcement! (insert foot in mouth here) <br />
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I imagine sooner or later it happens to all of us. We say the wrong thing. To the wrong person. At the wrong time. You hurt someone’s feelings. You offend them. You put them in an awkward position. Usually the best thing to do is admit the error and ask for forgiveness. I’m thankful for the gracious and forgiving Christian ladies here at Central:)!<br />
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Of course, in more serious situations and relationships in our lives, this is even more important to consider. Saying the thing you wish you’d never said, that hurt someone deeply…..we should continually strive to never do that intentionally (and do it less spontaneously). <br />
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The Bible references to the tongue over 150 times. James reminds us that the tongue cannot be tamed—only controlled. (cf. James 3:1-8) It has incredible power to hurt or bless depending on our choices. (cf. James 3:9-10)The apostle Paul wrote to the Christians in Ephesus, “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” And in Colossians 4:6 he says: “Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.” (NIV) Perhaps one of the most chilling of statements about the power of the tongue comes from the lips of our Savior as recorded in Matthew 12:36 where he said: “I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, 37 for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.” (ESV) <br />
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A humorous sign in a place of business describes an all too common truth about the tongue. It reads, “If you cannot think of anything good to say about someone else, then pull up a chair and sit down here beside me!” <br />
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In a recent issue of House to House/Heart to Heart, it included the following piece about the tongue.<br />
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<b>The Tongue </b><br />
“The boneless tongue, so small and weak, can crush and kill,” declared the Greek.<br />
The Persian proverb wisely saith, “A lengthy tongue, an early death.”<br />
Sometimes it takes this form instead: “Don’t let your tongue cut off your head.”<br />
While Arab sages this impart: “The tongue’s great storehouse is the heart.”<br />
From Hebrew wit, the maxim’s sprung: “Though feet should slip, don’t let the tongue.”<br />
A verse from Scripture crowns the whole: “Who keeps the tongue doth keep his soul.” [Proverbs 21:23].<br />
~ Author Unknown<br />
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Our daily prayer should be like that found in Psalms 19:14: May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.” (NIV)<br />
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God bless,<br />
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Rob<br />
preacherpraterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13644819369409725433noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2812745034110127987.post-40991642811158015232012-07-30T11:54:00.001-07:002012-07-30T12:00:35.132-07:00Chick-fil-a, "gays", and the Gospel<strike></strike><b></b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJCty4feztL9SHSUb0IKXBVPS5Qls-fVcthFoiW4wJLY5bNjzprbo9QAD-VCO3R-NNKhWBJ_nqTXmpjuuN8NMjAnzJsX_K39baboyoolTuR7hoiJWqHsfIDODCoZEHYiCfo5juzTmS3rY/s1600/chick-fil-a-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="300" width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJCty4feztL9SHSUb0IKXBVPS5Qls-fVcthFoiW4wJLY5bNjzprbo9QAD-VCO3R-NNKhWBJ_nqTXmpjuuN8NMjAnzJsX_K39baboyoolTuR7hoiJWqHsfIDODCoZEHYiCfo5juzTmS3rY/s400/chick-fil-a-1.jpg" /></a></div>Have you been paying attention to the Chick-fil-a controversy recently in the news and through social media? <br />
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Now, trust me, I like so many of you on Facebook who are my Christian family and friends, I too initially got genuinely offended at once again, another attack by the media and political liberals on our Christian beliefs and values. And yes I’m glad that the Cathy’s do share similar faith values that I hold and I’m thankful that Chick-fil-A strives to operate as a business with Christian morals and think it’s very commendable how they are closed on Sundays for their workers can worship the Lord and all of that good stuff. <br />
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But when it really comes down to it: I choose to eat at Chick-fil-a, not because of the Cathy’s shared values we have about Christianity, but well, because the quality and product of their food is excellent! I’ve known a few Christian business owners and even members of the church of Christ who I did not give my business regularly too because of their poor product:)!<br />
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Now, regarding this issue and controvesary, I have blogged in the past about such national hot topics in the past especially regarding same-sex marriage and homosexuality. This article will be more of the same. <br />
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How should we as Christ's followers respond to all of this? Well, I am not talking about going through the drive-thru on Wednesday. (Although I not opposed or would discourage doing such to show support to this company) No, I’m talking about the larger discussion and issue of how to respond to the issue of same-sex marriage and homosexuality. Well, first of all, we should be bothered by it. I am bothered by sin. It dishonors God. I dislike lust, lies, murder, oppression, hatred, etc. I regularly stand in a pulpit and strive to communicate God's plan of having sent Christ to die in our place for the punishment of sin and to set us free from sin. I need to be bothered most by my own sin. <br />
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But, again, I think this issue poses some interesting questions as to how Christ followers are to respond.<br />
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First of all, let me be clear about my viewpoint and beliefs. I believe God defines marriage in His Word. (Matt. 19:4-9; Ephesians 5:22-33; Genesis 1-2 for starters) God also describes in Romans 1 that the individual that denies God will be demonstrated in many evil ways, one of which will be homosexual tendencies and lifestyle. (Rom. 1:26,27). This means that homosexuality along with a host of other God-denying lifestyle choices (1:29-32) is sin. Why does it surprise us that a nation that does not know God, would begin to ignore God's definitions or His Word. Should we really be surprised by what we have heard in regard to this Chick-fil-a controversary.<br />
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But the question still remains: So what can we do as Christians? This sounds really simple but I'm going to say it... we need to start by obeying God. When I say that I am not conjuring up images of rallies to Washington or letters to our elected officials. Those may have their place, I just think they lose their weight when not backed with sincerity and our own life example of cross-bearing obedience. So what type of obedience am I talking about? How about these for starters...loving.... loving God.... loving your spouse.... being reminded of the definition and characteristics of marriage we find in the Bible, and then living them out.... mirroring in your marriage Christ's love for the church.... allowing Christ-followers to be defined as those people who actually keep their promises, even their marriage covenants. <br />
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Does it make sense for us to enter the public and political arenas fighting for the definition of marriage when we fail to live out the very characteristics God commands a biblically defined marriage to have? What's worse a broken marriage covenant or same-sex lust and union? How sad if a homosexual relationship is far less broken than a marriage that supposedly has followed God's way. Both have failed God's standard to reflect Christ's love for the church. Both have broken God's law. Both can be repented of and forgiven. (cf. 1 Cor. 6:9-11)<br />
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So should we mistreat homosexuals? Of course not. (BTW, I also don’t equate racism and gender biais to be the same as opposing a redefinition of marriage. "Gay" is not the new black.) But no, of course, we oppose mistreatment of sinners. After all, do we mistreat each other for sinning? Not mistreating sinners does not mean we stand idly by and not speak out and live out what Christ in us is to look like, nor does it mean we should fail to live out and speak out about what a natural and healthy marriage looks like. It doesn't mean that if you own a nationwide corporation that you must remain silent concerning your beliefs. Christ-followers must not be shy about God's definition of marriage; nor should we try to redefine God's words if we don't like them. <br />
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God didn't get it wrong when he put a man and a woman together for the first time in Genesis 2:21-25. It was also no accident that He said "a man shall leave father and mother and shall cleave unto his wife and they shall be one flesh." This was a universal directive, He chose to say "a man" and "his wife" not "Adam" and "Eve" - these instructions were for all God's children. No, we should not falter as His followers in this area. <br />
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Now, I think we also need to consider another question related to this issue: "Should we expect the world to get it right (the marriage definition) when they don't know God?" Romans seems clear in reminding us that this is one of the characteristics of a people that deny God and worship themselves. It serves us well to note that any spiritual battle to be fought is best raged with a firm grasp on the gospel and its power to transform rather than on a political agenda promoting godly morals on a people that have chosen not to live it out. (And no, I’m not saying we shouldn’t then try to legislate any morality, of course we should and still do thankful in the United States).<br />
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But I'm saying let’s try to stay focused on our real agenda as Christians. Sharing the saving gospel message of Jesus Christ with the lost (and not get overly distracted on these side bar minor issues)(. <br />
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You see friends, my concern with the heated political rhetoric is that if we’re not careful (and I know I’ve been guilty of such), we will allow the message of Christianity to be misunderstood as saying, “We hate you and will discriminate against you.” Rather it is our responsibly to strive to make sure it is heard as “We love you and want you to know the deliverance and freedom that comes by making Jesus the Lord of your life.” It is the same message to homosexuals that we speak to adulterers, thieves, liars, blasphemers, atheists, agnostics, other world religions.<br />
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And let’s never, ever confuse our task as Christians. Our mission is not seek to make America a Christian nation, but to make Christians in America. And there is a major difference between those two agenda’s. The early church and Christians did not seek to transform hearts and lives through socio-political agendas of the Roman culture but rather through the proclamation of the Gospel! We cannot change hearts and minds by political fighting. (And yes I believe it is possible to talk about the issue of same-sex marriage in a Godly and loving manner with those who support it)<br />
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But at some point, as Christians, we must begin to accept the reality that whatever our nation was in the past regarding being a “Christian nation” and however upset we may get about where she stands now, clearly our nation has become a “<b>post-Christian</b>” nation with tremendous diversity not only ethnically and socially but also regarding <i>morality and religiously</i>. It will never be the same or what it once was!!<br />
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We must accept this reality as Christians. I’m not arguing that we can’t push back against this drift. But our push can’t simply be in the political arena. We cannot neglect politics, but the core of the problem is in the hearts and minds of the individuals in society. The only way the real problem will ever be solved is for Christians to be faithful in sharing the gospel of Christ with our ever increasingly non-Christian society that is America. <br />
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And we must also get serious in our lives and marriages about living out Christ; forgiving the way Christ forgave, forbearing the way our Sovereign God forbears, and advancing daily to love our spouses the way Christ loves us. <br />
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Now having said all that, and in a much less meaningful step, enjoy Chik-fil-a soon near you! <br />
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“5 Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. 6 Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.” (Colossians 4:5-6)<br />
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God bless,<br />
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Robert Prater<br />
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For more on this issue, check out an excellent blog article by my fellow preaching friend <b>Tim Pyles</b>, who preaches at the Broken Arrow Church of Christ in Broken Arrow, OK dealing with the recent Chick-Fil-A controversy. <br />
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Some of you may not agree with all of his perspective. But I know I needed this reminder he gives about Christians not having a “Christian over reaction” to these type of news stories. <br />
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http://timpyles.com/2012/07/28/the-politics-of-chicken-why-i-will-and-wont-be-eating-at-chik-fil-a-this-wednesday/<br />
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<br />preacherpraterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13644819369409725433noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2812745034110127987.post-59216000470534153322012-04-05T08:43:00.000-07:002012-04-05T10:32:45.291-07:00EASTER SUNDAY<b></b> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhCbgc7cAt1OsZ1KncQR03-hHMnStIDLhUQ-gOINMkzO4__bI7BV_cEy4bVlAK_jiaa8wEdiHHULH0XvfJWoGElQ2yu64b9-w5O2s0iRJwyhEaCAWg6hlIVSxL4zU6uVsxGZeVPC6guSw/s1600/hoppy-easter-revised1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="300" width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhCbgc7cAt1OsZ1KncQR03-hHMnStIDLhUQ-gOINMkzO4__bI7BV_cEy4bVlAK_jiaa8wEdiHHULH0XvfJWoGElQ2yu64b9-w5O2s0iRJwyhEaCAWg6hlIVSxL4zU6uVsxGZeVPC6guSw/s400/hoppy-easter-revised1.jpg" /></a></div><br />
This coming Sunday is Easter, a day of togetherness and celebration for families far and wide. Hams will be devoured! Sweet potatoes will meet their doom, and thousands of chocolates will melt as the sun beats down on their plastic-egg-ovens. It’s a special time, a fun time for children. It will be in the Prater household I promise (with three children under the age of 10). <br />
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Easter is also a special “holiday” for hundreds of millions of “believers” in the Christian religion who remember that first “Resurrection Sunday.” Because of this attendance at church gatherings will swell. In many churches, the normal program of worship will be altered to accommodate special Easter services.<br />
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Easter is an important opportunity for churches. Many will be present at worship services that haven’t attended all year and may not again until this time next year. Therefore, it’s an infrequent opportunity for churches to make an impression on folks who believe at some level, but haven’t yet made a commitment to Christ.<br />
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Now it should be observed about the interesting historical origin of Easter. It actually seems to have risen from the ancient Saxons who celebrated the return of spring with an uproarious festival commemorating their goddess of offspring and of springtime, <i>Eostre</i>. Later Catholic missionaries in trying to ease the transition of pagans into Catholicism, “Christianized” the celebration by incorporating some of the pre-existing traditional festivities into the celebration of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, which took place in the same season. So they moved its date to the first Sunday after Passover, and making it a celebration of Christ’ resurrection from the dead. Today, both Catholics and Protestants celebrate Easter as a religious holiday.<br />
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Though some have veered from tradition, historically, churches of Christ have no special programs honoring Easter. It’s not because we disdain the day, or wish to be judgmental, nor is there anything inherently wrong with the personal celebration of holy days (Romans 14:5-6). It’s because we’re committed to simple Christianity as described in the New Testament that we strive not to do anything in our assemblies for which we find no New Testament precedent, or that would bind one man’s opinion upon another (Galatians 4:10-11). <br />
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The truth of the matter is that the New Testament says nothing about celebrating Easter (or Christmas) on specific days. Besides, nobody knows when Jesus was born and nobody knows the Sunday on which Jesus was raised from the dead. <br />
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What we do find in the New Testament is that the early church always emphasized the resurrection on the Lord’s Day and in the weekly <i>remembrance of the Lord’s Supper on every first day of the week</i>. (cf. Acts 2:42; 20:7; 1 Cor. 11:23-24; 16:1-2) In reality, every day of a Christian’s life is supposed to be a celebration of “the first-born of the dead” (Revelation 1:5). <br />
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Having said all this, let me be very clear: I don’t want to ever come across as one who think's that Christ’s sacrifice and resurrection are unimportant and certainly not rooted in historical truth. As a matter of fact, I’ve already taught my oldest daughter who has become old enough now to know the truth about Santa Claus, Tooth Fairy, etc. I have no problem with fun and imagination (make-believe stories) so long as the kids also know that the Resurrection of Jesus is a historical fact and not a fanciful myth. But they need to enjoy them in their proper context. We are for fun. We are for Jesus! <br />
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But make no mistake about it; the truth that Jesus came out of the grave means everything to us as Christians. (cf. Rom. 1:4; 1 Cor. 15:14-17; 1 Peter 3:21-22) As a matter of fact, the New Testament teaches that the resurrection of Christ is the central fact of New Testament Christianity. (cf. 1 Cor. 15:3-4) If Jesus were not raised from the dead, then nothing in the scriptures—or for that matter, outside the scriptures—is of eternal value. This is what Paul meant when he wrote, “<i>If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied</i>.” (1 Cor. 15:19 NIV). Christianity without the resurrection of Christ is no Christianity. It would be absolutely meaningless. <br />
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Not only that, the resurrection of Jesus Christ certainly gives meaning to the Lord’s Supper we observe each first day of the week. (cf. Rom. 4:25; 8:34) Indeed this exciting fact gives meaning to every aspect of our worship. So anytime we study the resurrection it will certainly strengthen our faith and its truth will enhance our worship. <br />
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Now, it is because of these things mentioned above, that I am always thankful when people anytime are thinking about Jesus and His life, death, burial and resurrection. I am thankful that many souls will come out Sunday interested in the resurrection of Jesus Christ. If a person doesn’t’ ordinarily come to church, but plans to on Easter, I praise God that they do that, and hope they’ll hear something that will make them want to attend regularly, and more than that, to make a commitment to Christ! <br />
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Though I personally don’t believe the church should have special “Easter services,” so to speak (I don’t have a problem with egg hunts and the like—things outside of the worship service), every church should try to reach out to those who’ve come to church in honor of the day. Their intentions are good. <br />
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So for me rhere’s nothing wrong with preaching about the resurrection on “Easter Sunday,” (I’m going too) but nothing in the Bible requires it either. I hope all of us who are committed to sharing the message of the gospel will be prepared to reach out to the souls who visit our churches this Lord's Day, <i>the day of resurrection! <br />
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God bless,<br />
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Robert Prater<br />
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<br />preacherpraterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13644819369409725433noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2812745034110127987.post-82391670629281103902012-03-28T08:02:00.001-07:002012-03-28T08:02:33.391-07:00Thoughts on the tragic death of Trayvon Martin<b></b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyIwImvira6sc-G-b6lohWpOeBt5JdubAjvkiRsvQqjcytk8HC_sNx6YZaBVRLXZ12h2voLEbY3bY619984fTGoWxtZxye02CzUibjATObAnAUay2BPxBPe1TeND4q4y5KSfJLXWCWWPA/s1600/untitled.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="274" width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyIwImvira6sc-G-b6lohWpOeBt5JdubAjvkiRsvQqjcytk8HC_sNx6YZaBVRLXZ12h2voLEbY3bY619984fTGoWxtZxye02CzUibjATObAnAUay2BPxBPe1TeND4q4y5KSfJLXWCWWPA/s400/untitled.png" /></a></div><br />
I’ll try not to get myself in too much hot water here in commenting on the national hot potato topic concerning the sad and tragic <b>shooting death of Trayvon Martin death</b>. We certainly do grieve and pray for his parents and family who have endured a terrible loss. As we do for all families who experience the senseless loss of children and young people all of races due to violence in our nation everyday.<br />
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Now yes in partciular we should be very sympathetic and understanding about the victimization the Afrifican-American community is feeling. Further I have no problem with calls for further investigation from the Justice department or the Governor’s office as long as it isn’t used for political purposes for one party or the other. I think all good morally decent Americans from every race and political parties would want a thorough investigation into the case and see if any mishandling or injustice has been done by the Sanford police department and if evidence warrants it, bring any possible charages against George Zimmerman<br />
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But I’ll be completely honest with you; I’m getting alittle tired of all the “kangaroo court” being played out on national TV, blogs, and media in general. From preachers, politicians, political pundits (i.e.,MSNBC news), and even race baiters (i.e., Black Panthers, Jackson, Sharpton, Farrakhan) who stand to profit of such a tragedy. <br />
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I think everyone needs to step back, take a deep breath and wait until all the facts can clearly come out before making definitive conclusions either way. After all, we are now really just beginning to get more details on Martin’s death from the police reports. The police claim to have a witnesses that says Martin, at some point during the altercation, was on top of Zimmerman, beating him. <br />
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Was this a case of justified self-defense or more about an overzealous neighborhood watchman (or want-to-be-cop/vigilante??) who racially profiled, stocked and provoked the situation into violence. We do know that Zimmerman was armed with a gun, and headed toward Martin, despite the explicit instructions of a police dispatcher. Maybe both can make the claim of defending themselves under Florida’s “Stand Your Ground Law." I don’t know. But neither <i>do you</i>! None of us just don’t know everything that transpired. <br />
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I like what <b>David Shane</b>, wrote on PolicyMic.com: “Now, it's quite possible that Zimmerman is guilty of everything his worst foes accuse him of. There is plenty about this case that troubles me. But that's exactly the point—I don't know. Neither does anyone else, and both the scope and tone of the media coverage ought to reflect that fact."<br />
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<b>Erick Erickson</b>, who is often seen on CNN debating fellow analyst Roland Martin, is editor of redstate.com which I think has a pretty good , well balanced article in presenting what we do know a this point and what we don’t know as of yet. He makes the following conclusion: <br />
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“The best thing as a nation we can do is to demand justice, but not a preconceived justice. This is why we have the justice system in this country, so we can try to find out what happened when there is such a situation. If it is clear that Zimmerman was acting out of place, he will likely be judged by a jury of his peers: until the case becomes clearer, it does no one any good to project hatred into an already volatile situation. The sad thing is, that is what we are seeing.” http://www.redstate.com/center77/2012/03/26/for-trayvon-martin-we-need-more-civility-until-facts-are-known/<br />
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Now, it should hardly go without saying that we’ve been reminded once again that <b>race and racism </b>are still issues in the US. And yes, some, folks aren’t even conscious of this heavy blank of prejudice that they carry around that causes them to see and be more suspicious of people whose skin and language are not the same as their own. And many of this same people can’t fathom that this could ever lead to the kind of misperception that ends in death. <br />
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Now, I certainly believe America has made much progress in the area of race relations. I’m thankful that many new strides forward have been made regarding race and racism espeically in regard to the civil rights movement of the 1960's which saw many of our country's discrimanting laws changed. Despite so much that is good about our nation's history and pursuit of freedom and liberty, we should never forget our country's sad history of prejudice, biogotry and racism towards people of color. And I do think that the majority of Americans realize this and believe that racial discrimination is evil and both unjust and unworthy of this nation and the God we claim to put our trust in. <br />
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However, it would be terribly naive to also realize and deny that too often what has happened has only a covering over, not a fundamental change. To be sure, we have much room for improvement. So, yes, I do think what the Trayvon Martin case says about us is that we still have a long way to go in regard to race issues. <br />
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But let's like more closely and carefully about the Martin shooting death and back to the issue getting all the facts straight and out before making pronouncements of innonence or guilt of those involved in the Martin case. <br />
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I do like what conservative author Victor Davis Hanson has said in his thought-provoking column out this morning which examines the public uproar over the Treyvon Martin case and what it means for race relations in the United States today: <br />
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http://www.nationalreview.com/corner/294520/racial-relations-regression-victor-davis-hanson <br />
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He writes:<br />
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“The Trayvon Martin tragedy, by the time the entire process is played out, will reflect poorly on lots of people and groups, who in mob-like fashion have weighed in before all the facts in the case are fully aired. We have reached the nadir when the civil-rights community decries the release of further pertinent information about Mr. Martin as gratuitously defaming the deceased — with the implicit understanding that incomplete and leaked information so far has been welcomed if it reflected poorly on the alleged perpetrator.”<br />
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Hanson continues: <br />
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“The narrative of the shooting unfortunately changes every 24 hours, which suggests the media saw a preliminary narrative it liked and then adorned it in a manner to ensure sensationalism and polarization. …<br />
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So what does all this mean for race relations in the U.S.? Again, Davis explains: (emphasis mine):<br />
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“The net result of the demagoguery will be more racial polarization, as African-Americans believe that young black males are unfairly stereotyped by society and treated less fairly by police, while non-African-Americans will only be further convinced that the African-American leadership is not concerned with the vastly inordinate rates of black violent crime, given the small percentage of the African-American community within the general population, much less the much higher rates of black-on-white crime – and as both sides argue either for more money to be invested in social programs, or that too much has already been spent in counter-productive fashion.”<br />
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Now, if you don't know me, I'm a Christian and a preacher. So I want to address and look at this issue of racism always from the lens of Scripture (my worldview). I don’t hesitate one second to submit to you what I think we find the Bible teaches us. <br />
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First, we find in Exodus 20:13, <b>God’s commandment against murder</b>. But how are we to apply this commandment, does it mean that we can do anything to our fellow man short of murder? Could you denigrate and verbally abuse him? Our Lord corrects our thinking in Matt. 5:20-22 where He informs us that murder-like behavior is not only actual murder, but unjustified anger and abusive language. (Read also 1 John 3:11-12 where the apostle John equates hatred with murder using the example of Cain---and remember we are our brother’s keeper!) No, we cannot justify our hatred or abusive language on the basis of race or anything else. Life is to be treated as sacred.<br />
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Second, we need to realize that <b>man made in the image of God from one blood</b>. Acts 17:26 states that God made from one blood every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the earth. From where did Caucasians, Hispanics, Asians, Blacks, etc., originate? Everyone originated from two parents, Adam and Eve. Thus, no one is inferior to another since we’re all part of the same race, the human race. Further, in whose image was man made? Gen. 1:26-27 tells us that we were made in God’s image and Jam. 3:9 reveals how wrong it is to curse one another since we are made in His image.<br />
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Now, while it is certainly true that I believe we can show from the two points above where God emphatically forbids racism in the world at large, but <b>God forbids it even more so in the church.</b> In Galatians 3:26-28 the apostle Paul teaches us in the kingdom of God all stand on equal footing and value before the Lord: “There is neither Jew nor Greek, ... neither slave nor free, ... male nor female. At to this the fact that Christ’s body cannot be divided. (1 Cor. 12:25) Paul I believe in principle condemns racism and any form of it as being apart of the works of the flesh which includes hatred. (Gal. 5:20) <br />
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I’d add that as Christians, we <b>are commanded to consider others more important than ourselves.</b> Rather than seeing others as inferior because of race, we are to esteem others better than ourselves, Phil. 2:3. This flies in the face of racism, which dictates that one race is better than another.<br />
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Let me just also add two important instructions from the New Testament for believers regarding racism. First<i>, victims of racism, prejudice, and discrimination</i> <b>need to forgive</b>. Ephesians 4:32 declares, “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” Racists may not deserve your forgiveness, but we deserved God’s forgiveness far less. Second<i>, those who practice racism, prejudice, and discrimination</i> <b>need to repent</b>. “Present yourselves to God as being alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God” (Romans 6:13). <br />
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So I think without any doubt, we as a believer in Jesus Christ, I believe we are mandated by God to repudiate racism. And of course we should resist, oppose and speak out against such evils in whenever we see it in our soceityand world. We should repent where we have contributed negatively in perpetuating racism and have done nothing to oppose it and renew our efforts to help bring about racial reconciliation whenever we can in our nation in our communities in which we live.<br />
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And I do also think that at the end of the day, we can’t get too caught up in all the “political focus” and remember for us as Christians that ultimately we are charged from Christ to go into all the world (that begins with first the world/communities in which we live) and speak a word for the saving <b>Gospel of Jesus Christ </b>(which deals with all people’s heart/sin problem which includes racism) and allowing that message to bring <i>true reconciatlion </i>all peoples and every race into one united body, the church. (cf. Eph. 2:11-22)<br />
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<b>What’s my conclusion?</b><br />
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Well, I do think this is indeed a time of much prayer, wisdom, racial reconciliation and healing with our neighbors of every race and ethnicity. Let's help build bridges and not put up more fences. Let's have open, frank discussions with people in our communities of different colors and race. See if we have been unknowingly contributing or helping stop racism and begin to work together to bring more racial harmony. <br />
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Yet, having said that, I do also believe it’s a time for speaking and addressing openly and honestly the racial issues and problems facing our country and the tough solutions and ideas which might be needed to turn the tide for the better of our society for people of all races and ethnicities and cultures in America.<br />
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No, we won't always agree on all the answers and solutions but again, we need to be having real, genuine and tough discussions about race matters and what we might do as a nation to address these problems. <br />
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I guess bottom line, for me, yes I’m saddened over the tragic shooting death of young Trayvon Martin. And I will be just as appalled and angry as I hope would any morally decent American of any race would be if the truth is discovered that Mr. Zimmerman deserves to be arrested for committing a crime (possible murder)against Mr. Martin. <br />
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I do want to put myself in the shoes of those in the African-American community who are no doubt feeling confusion, hurt and anger about this terrible death of a young black teenager.<br />
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But I guess I’m just trying in between all this national media hysteria to be a supporter of the truth (and justice for the guilty) but not the circus media and political show that this has sadly turned into. <br />
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"<i>Buy the truth and do not sell it; get wisdom, discipline and understanding</i>." (Proverbs 23:23)<br />
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“<i>But we know that the law is good, if one uses it lawfully, realizing the fact that law is not made for a righteous man, but for those who are lawless and rebellious, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for those who kill their fathers and mothers, for murderers and immoral men and homosexuals.” </i>(1 Timothy 1:8-10)<br />
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Robert Prater<br />preacherpraterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13644819369409725433noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2812745034110127987.post-26655313076246987922012-01-13T12:36:00.000-08:002012-01-13T12:51:22.713-08:00Can you Hate Religion and Still Love Jesus?<b></b> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyfPaEUFn9DI5-TblunAszC87-QTh7w-siRQmyR8ukYm49KaQytAbVlxylob50k03t5MWHIhNWqIUvc2tyHNx_wSRl3it2uiuIQgqt-cySMTYAO0mwgN6izCYx1L5_sV2EvO3BO3X239c/s1600/Screen-Shot-2012-01-11-at-2_04_51-PM-590x400.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="271" width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyfPaEUFn9DI5-TblunAszC87-QTh7w-siRQmyR8ukYm49KaQytAbVlxylob50k03t5MWHIhNWqIUvc2tyHNx_wSRl3it2uiuIQgqt-cySMTYAO0mwgN6izCYx1L5_sV2EvO3BO3X239c/s400/Screen-Shot-2012-01-11-at-2_04_51-PM-590x400.png" /></a></div><br />
This video, entitled, "<b>Why I Hate Religion, But Love Jesus</b>" has risen to fame via Facebook and YouTube, almost overnight. Jefferson Bethke is the author of the poem and is also the man performing a dramatic reading of the poem in the video.<br />
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Many of my friends on facebook are liking it and sharing it. If you haven’t seen it, you can view it here at this linkhttp://youtu.be/1IAhDGYlpqY<br />
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But again, I’ve been thinking about it more carefully. <br />
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Now it probably resonates with so many different people because first, no doubt many folks have been “burned” by their encounters with Christians and churches. No question. Hypocrisy and the bad practice of the religion of Jesus Christ. It’s the principle of what Gandhi said, “I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ.”<br />
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But second, I also think that this video resonates with folks sadly because it doesn’t take any obvious stances other than a basic rebellious attitude that claims the higher ground by supporting “Jesus” over “religion,” whatever “religion” is supposed to mean.<br />
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So let’s talk about this video. Yes, this is a strong artsy video with some great editing, good background music, a strong emotional appeal, a catchy rhyme. But it is a weak theological video. Don’t get me wrong. He makes some good points. Some denominations and individual churches do not do some of these things like feeding the poor and judging divorced people, etc. Some people assume your faith based on your political vote. And I do wish some would take “Christian” off their religious status on Facebook based on how their act. Again, I think I understand about encounters with bad and loveless Christianity and of the institutional church which in too many places only focused on “rituals” and often interferes with their personal relationship with Christ and does not changes the core of my heart and how I live my life. So yes, there are some things that he says that modern “Christians’ need to hear.<br />
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But (you knew that was coming) there are too many other false messages I take away from this video. I am not breaking down each point this guy makes but I do care, strongly on a few.<br />
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First, he says (and many others have said), <b>that Jesus came to get rid of religion</b>, Jesus didn’t. In fact he said the opposite if anything. (Read Matthew 5:17-19) <br />
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It is true that in the Gospels, the Pharisees and Sadducees are depicted as the representatives of organized religion at the time of Christ. Jesus constantly confronted them about their hypocritical lifestyles. But remember the definition of a hypocrite: a person who acts in contradiction to his or her stated beliefs or feelings. Jesus actually told the disciples that they should DO what the scribes and Pharisees tell them...“…practice and observe whatever they tell you, but not what they do; for they preach, but do not practice” (Matthew 23:3). <br />
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Now we are also read in many of the NT epistles how there were “organized groups” that mixed the gospel with certain lists of required works and rituals. They also sought to put pressure on believers to change and accept these “Christianity plus” religions. Galatians and Colossians give warnings about such religions.<br />
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So yes, it is true that in many cases, the end result of organized religion is a distraction from the intent of Jesus Christ. <br />
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However, the Bible does speak of organized believers who are part of His plan. God calls these groups of organized believers “churches.” Now the New Testament often refers to "the church" in a universal sense, encompassing the entire saved body or family of God throughout the world (Mt. 16:16-18; Eph. 1:21-22;19-22; 5:23-25) Also, the scriptures frequently refer to "the church" in a local sense (1 Cor. 1:2).<br />
Furthermore, what do we do with Jesus’ declaration “on this rock I will build my church” if we think Jesus hated organized religion? (Matt. 16:16-18)<br />
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The Bible authorizes no organization for the universal church, except Jesus, who is the absolute ruler and head (Eph. 1:21-22) with absolute authority (Matt. 28:18). The New Testament does present Christ's plan for the organization of the local church. (Acts 14:23; Phil. 1:1; 1 Timothy 3:1-12; Titus 1:5-11)<br />
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From the descriptions from the book of Acts and the NT letters clearly indicate that the church is to be organized and interdependent. The organization leads to protection, productivity, and outreach (Acts 2:41-47). In the case of the church, it could better be called an “organized relationship.”<br />
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So, again, yes, Jesus confronts religious people and challenges them, but he never does away with religion because of the people that are misguided. He actually comes to bring religion to its fullness, what it is really meant to be, steeped in relationship with Him. (cf. John 14:7) <br />
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Further Jesus did give further instructions on how we as His followers should actually live out our relationship with Him. You can say that the whole of the Sermon on the Mount is about how to live properly in “religion”.<br />
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So, no God doesn’t hate religion. Jesus didn’t come to throw it away. God made religion, Jesus is it’s fulfillment. (Mt. 5:13-16) God’s displeasure is not in religion, but its misuse, in religiosity that misses the point of using the system of religion to be in relationship with the One who created it.<br />
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Ultimately, as many others who have written a negative response to this video has said, there is a false dichotomy; you cannot love Jesus and hate religion. Jesus himself was VERY religious. Now the thing about religion is that it is composed of people. The thing about people is that they are not perfect. Therefore the people who practice the religion of their faith (the church) will never be perfect! Yet, God is still works through people and His church, every day!<br />
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Some other problems I had with this video.<br />
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In the video Bethke says that religion is just “<b>behavior modification, like a long list of chores.” </b>I think this speaks to a profound “don’t tell me what to do” attitude that dominates, if not defines, my generation. If you don’t what to be told that you’re not perfect and are in need of change, then Jesus is not the guy you want to speak to. To claim that “religion” is trying to tell you how to behave, but Jesus doesn’t want to tell you what to do demonstrates at best a profound ignorance of the Bible, in particular the Gospels themselves, and at worst a dangerous self-centeredness that is fundamentally antithetical not only to the Christian faith, but to Jesus himself. Jesus’ entire ministry was centered around how to live a particular way of life, or as Bethke said it “behavior modification.” To call it “a long list of chores” reveals a true lack of interest in fulling Jesus’ command to bring the kingdom of God “to earth as it is in heaven.”<br />
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And in this connection, where does James 1:27 fit in the hatred towards “religion?” James said, Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.”<br />
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Now, keep in mind that James 1:27 is NOT intended to be an exhaustive or comprehensive definition of true religion as some have mistakenly thought. But James clearly says that the real outward manifestioan of a genuine faith is in the practical life. True religion or worship will best express itself by action.<br />
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Here’s a side bar observation: I’ve noticed that one difference between emerging progressive and more traditional evangelical Christians is how they conceive holiness. Emergents seem to often more than not to see it primarily in terms of social action. A holy person is one who cares for the poor, and they tend to be less concerned about that person’s swearing, drinking, gambling, or sexual activity. By contrast conservative evangelicals tend to view holiness much more in terms of sin avoidance. Thus you can be considered “holy” by avoiding a long list of sins, but without ever lifting a finger to serve the needy.<br />
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James reminds us about the balanced definition of pure religion.<br />
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Now, also, Bethke promotes what is at the heart of modern Protestant doctrine and it’s idea that we are saved by “faith alone.” He says “<b>which is why salvation is freely mine and forgiveness is my own. Not based on my merits but Jesus’s obedience alone.” </b>Well, yes and no. As Dietrich Bonhoeffer would be quick to remind us “ye were bought with a price…and what was costly for God must also be costly for us.” Likewise, we don’t have ownership of our forgiveness. If we did then it would be something we purchased or earned which would be counter-intuitive to Bethke’s argument. And while he’s right that that forgiveness stems from the actions of Jesus and not us or what we do, nonetheless, we are saved by “grace through faith.” (Eph. 2:8-9) Grace is God’s part. Faith is our part. And true saving faith is obedient. (cf. John 3:36; Rom. 1:5; 16:26; 2 Thess. 1:7-9; James 2:22-24) Our obedience is the demonstration of our acceptance of that grace and forgiveness. The two are not as separate as soon many have come to believe.<br />
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Bethke also says, “<b>See because religion says do; Jesus says done</b>.” – So is he implying Jesus doesn’t want us to “do” anything? That he doesn’t want us to act a certain way? That he doesn’t want us to treat other as we would like to be treated? Your interpretation of Jesus as something that is already “done” implies that there is nothing left to do. That is a very dangerous assertion, and one that is very damaging to the church you claim to love. We can appreciate, love, and worship what Jesus has done without throwing our hands up in the air and saying “well, I guess that’s it then, let’s go do what we like!”.<br />
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Again, what about what James said about true and undefiled religion: Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.” (James 1:27) <br />
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Sounds an awful lot like we’ve got something to “do.”<br />
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I like what <b>J.F. Arnold </b>wrote when he blogged about this video: “The problem with the ‘relationship’-exclusive language–particularly when it jettisons ‘religion’ language–is that we have a generation of people who ignore or deny the importance of church (be that fellowship or history or wisdom of old), which strikes me as problematic. It isn’t that I think we need to be extremely strict with how this plays out, but if we end up systematically opposed to all things that sound like ‘religion,’ then suddenly it doesn’t matter whether I have fellowship with other believers. All that matters is me and Jesus.”<br />
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Exctly. We hear a lot of the popular sentiment, It’s not a religion, but it’s a relationship” from people are not active or apart of local congregation of Christians. But when we seperate Jesus from the religious community then we are left with a Jesus out of context whom we are free to shape and mold in any way we see fit.<br />
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So for me this video is a mixed bag of some good but too many erroneous thoughts. And I do care when Christians do not know the Bible enough to even recognize when a lot of this is questionable.<br />
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Now let me say I hope that some of the good things he does say in this video will be remembered and taken to heart and even the errors make the truth to shine all the more brightly. <br />
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I’d also encourage you to check out <b>Trevin Wax </b>who works as managing editor at LifeWay Christian Resources and his excellent review of this video at:http://taidochino.wordpress.com/2012/01/12/should-have-kept-my-mouth-shut-aka-thoughts-on-why-i-hate-religion-but-love-jesus/<br />
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Sincerely,<br />
Robert Prater<br />
<br />preacherpraterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13644819369409725433noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2812745034110127987.post-18365042620941447412012-01-05T12:19:00.000-08:002012-01-05T12:28:04.291-08:00Praise Him 2012!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHfL-Z1JY4pffYW_fK1uaKWYKL4iOKR15EJqCXlUdXisRBPV2maGywRVJ-QkgfJ7y-IbguGIzSzSjWI5dXcavU5QqwKhH31kYkAXJKH2L_HRHiL2J__KNwkOOzhyBhIDLBSuGPI0INENI/s1600/PraiseHimSea_lg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="300" width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHfL-Z1JY4pffYW_fK1uaKWYKL4iOKR15EJqCXlUdXisRBPV2maGywRVJ-QkgfJ7y-IbguGIzSzSjWI5dXcavU5QqwKhH31kYkAXJKH2L_HRHiL2J__KNwkOOzhyBhIDLBSuGPI0INENI/s400/PraiseHimSea_lg.jpg" /></a></div><br />
This past Sunday night nearly 600 members from the Shawnee area churches of Christ came together for Praise Him 2012. We once again, rented out the Shawnee Expo Center and had a guest speaker, Tim Lewis and guest song leader Gary Jones Jr. <br />
It was a terrific night of worship, unity and fellowship for the body of Christ in the Shawnee area. The event was sponsored by the five Shawnee area churches of Christ including Central where I preach, and I’d guess there were probably at least 5-10 other area congregations represented in attendance.<br />
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It hasn’t been that many years ago when congregations in a local area made it a point to join together for regular fellowship, worship and Christian service. Many remember the uplifting “area wide singings” of the past when Christians from a wide area would meet at one of their buildings and raise their voices in unity to God.<br />
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In today’s culture of churches we tend to withdraw and isolate ourselves, not so much because of differences, but because we rut ourselves in the routine of what we do. Sunday night at the Expo truly uplifted us spiritually as it lead to an increased sense of brotherhood with our neighboring congregations. We joined together to praise God for what He has done for us in Christ and our hope of eternal heaven.<br />
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Now, check out this link and video: http://youtu.be/o_MGG8j4aMY whcih was shown Sunday night in which members from the various congregations were interviewed and asked the question: "Why they want to go to heaven?" (Our theme for the night was “Why I Want to Go to Heaven”) Some of you might recognize that pretty little girl on the thumbnail:), my daughter Megan. Daddy's very proud of her that already at her young age she's talking about her real home!<br />
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“<b>How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity</b>! (Psalm 133:1)<br />
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<br />preacherpraterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13644819369409725433noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2812745034110127987.post-71604979583181093822011-11-10T08:22:00.000-08:002011-11-10T08:22:27.264-08:00Penn State, Joe Paterno and Doing the Right Thing<b></b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhQ6EcpUCAHxib2AMN5x5tDUYNBoZJGXmO5cSRUsbi800oZegyCkJ6isv7-pTbTLQjxLcHk3LHeY6RfT-wsz2SF1F3yD9dvht23zT-CYfqpVCQfxIdn2ILTdA5_NLKxcMii2OJjiVKb8s/s1600/JoePa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="266" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhQ6EcpUCAHxib2AMN5x5tDUYNBoZJGXmO5cSRUsbi800oZegyCkJ6isv7-pTbTLQjxLcHk3LHeY6RfT-wsz2SF1F3yD9dvht23zT-CYfqpVCQfxIdn2ILTdA5_NLKxcMii2OJjiVKb8s/s400/JoePa.jpg" /></a></div><br />
Finally, the trustees at Penn State knew what needed to be done and finally, someone with the Nittany Lions got something right. <br />
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Those who follow the news in the sporting world are well aware that Penn State’s most beloved head football coach Joe Paterno was fired late yesterday. Apologies to the victims came in so many ways, but none louder than the trustees showing the legendary football coach the door. Prayers must continue for those who should have been protected above a football program that protected itself instead. <br />
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Those innocent young boys deserved to be put in front of recruiting, fundraising, and a coach's winning legacy.<br />
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And speaking of JoePa’s legacy, writer Jason Chatraw wrote, “Joe Paterno may have won a lot of football games, but his failure to protect the innocent doesn’t taint his legacy – it is his legacy.”<br />
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It’s kind of difficult to understand how anyone is defending “JoePa’s” actions or, in this case, inactions. The emotions are complicated I know; but this is not a complicated situation. He in no way did the “right” thing, he only did what was legally obligated to do. He failed miserably to do the moral thing.<br />
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Of course Paterno made a public plea for his job on Wednesday morning. He announced he'd retire at the end of the season. He promised fresh prayers for the same victims he should have been praying for in 2002, right after he'd made a call to police telling them that his old defensive coordinator, Jerry Sandusky, had apparently sexually assaulted, i.e., raped a young boy in the football showers. (Sandusky has of course now been charged with molesting eight boys over 15 years with more of the abuses taking place at the Penn State football complex) Paterno knew of the allegations in 2002 and told his supervisor, but he didn't do enough to stop his old friend. <br />
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Dear friends, let us not waste this opportunity to remember that choosing to do the right thing in every situation is the right thing. <br />
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“<i>Defend the poor and fatherless: Do justice to the afflicted and needy. Deliver the poor and needy: rid them out of the hand of the wicked</i>.” – <b>Psalm 82:3-4<br />
<br />
</b>Also check out this excellent article by <b>Al Mohler</b>, president of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. He has written a sobering but necessary article in light of the Penn State sexual abuse scandal. His words are insightful and prophetic and hold many lessons for churches, elders, ministers, Bible school teachers, ministry leaders, children's homes, camp counselors, etc.<br />
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Robert Prater<br />
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________________________<br />
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<b>The Tragic Lessons of Penn State — A Call to Action, Al Mohler<br />
</b>--<i>What would prevent this scandal at your school or church?<br />
</i><br />
No one thought it would end this way. Joe Paterno, the legendary head football coach at Penn State University heard of his firing by the school’s board of trustees by phone last night. Just two weeks after achieving the most wins of any NCAA Division One football coach in history, Paterno was fired. His firing — a necessary action by the Penn State board of trustees — holds lessons for us all.<br />
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Almost a decade ago, a graduate assistant told Coach Paterno that an assistant coach, Jerry Sandusky, had been observed forcing a young boy into a sexual act in the school’s football locker room showers. Sandusky was himself a big name in Penn State football, and he was considered a likely successor to Paterno if the head coach had retired. Sandusky also ran a non-profit organization for boys, and he brought the boys onto the Penn State campus. He continued to do so even after his own retirement from Penn State’s coaching staff.<br />
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After hearing the report, Paterno informed university officials of the accusation. At that point, little or nothing seems to have happened. The scandal broke into public view last Saturday, when Sandusky was arrested and charged with 40 felony counts of sexual abuse involving young boys. Penn State had been harboring a serial child sex abuser. Also arrested were the university’s athletic director and its senior vice president of business and finance. Both were charged with failure to report the abuse and with perjury.<br />
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What about Paterno and the university’s president, Graham B. Spanier? The Pennsylvania grand jury said that both men had knowledge of the 2002 first-hand report of abuse, and neither contacted the police. Furthermore, Sandusky was allowed some use of university facilities even long after this report. Paterno went back to coaching football. Spanier went back to raising money and building the school’s reputation. Jerry Sandusky had every opportunity to keep on sexually abusing young boys.<br />
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When the facts became known, the firings of both Paterno and Spanier were inevitable and necessary. Both men had credible knowledge that young boys were being sexually abused, and neither did anything effective to stop it. Most crucially, neither man did what they should have done within minutes of hearing the first report — contact law enforcement immediately.<br />
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Every single coach, athletic director, and college or university president awoke this morning to a changed world. Nothing will ever be the same again. The firing of Joe Paterno will send shock waves through the entire world of higher education. A man who a day before had announced under pressure that he would retire at the end of the season was told by phone that he would never coach another game. Penn State University will forever be associated with a scandal the likes of which college athletics has, thankfully, never seen before.<br />
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But the world has not only changed for college athletics. The detonation of the Penn State scandal must shake the entire nation into a new moral awareness. Any failure to report and to stop the sexual abuse of children must be made inconceivable. The moral irresponsibility that Penn State officials demonstrated in this tragedy may well be criminal. There can be no doubt that all of these officials bear responsibility for allowing a sexual predator to continue his attacks.<br />
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What about churches, Christian institutions, and Christian schools? The Penn State disaster must serve as a warning to us as well, for we bear an even higher moral responsibility.<br />
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The moral and legal responsibility of every Christian — and especially every Christian leader and minister — must be to report any suspicion of the abuse of a child to law enforcement authorities. Christians are sometimes reluctant to do this, but this reluctance is both deadly and wrong.<br />
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Sometimes Christians are reluctant to report suspected sexual abuse because they do not feel that they know enough about the situation. They are afraid of making a false accusation. This is the wrong instinct. We do not have the ability to conduct the kind of investigation that is needed, nor is this assigned to the church. This is the function of government as instituted by God (Romans 13). Waiting for further information allows a predator to continue and puts children at risk. This is itself an immoral act that needs to be seen for what it is.<br />
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A Christian hearing a report of sexual abuse within a church, Christian organization, or Christian school, needs to act in exactly the same manner called for if the abuse is reported in any other context. The church and Christian organizations must not become safe places for abusers. These must be safe places for children, and for all. Any report of sexual abuse must lead immediately to action. That action cannot fall short of contacting law enforcement authorities. A clear lesson of the Penn State scandal is this: Internal reporting is simply not enough.<br />
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After law enforcement authorities have been notified, the church must conduct its own work of pastoral ministry, care, and church discipline. This is the church’s responsibility and charge. But these essential Christian ministries and responsibilities are not substitutes for the proper function of law enforcement authorities and the legal system. As Christians, we respect those authorities because we are commanded to do so.<br />
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There may well be further arrests in connection with the Penn State scandal. One can only imagine the lawsuits that will consume the university’s time and treasury in years ahead. Christian institutions and churches looking at this scandal had better act immediately to ensure that all operate under adequate policies and guidelines. What would prevent this scandal at your school or church?<br />
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Church leaders and pastors must decide now — not later — that we will respond to any report of sexual abuse with immediate action and an immediate call to law enforcement officials. We must decide in advance what we will do, and not allow ourselves to think that we can handle such a challenge on our own. Every church and Christian institution needs a full set of policies, procedures, and accountability structures. As leaders, we must develop the right instincts for right action.<br />
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The leaders of Penn State University must have acted, or failed to have acted, out of many motivations. One may well have been to protect the image and reputation of the university. Well, we now see where that leads. A scandal reported and ended in 2002 would be horrible enough. A scandal that began there, was known by officials, and explodes almost a decade later is too horrible to contemplate.<br />
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We all need an immediate reality check. I discovered yesterday that the policy handbook of the institution I am proud to lead calls for any employee receiving a report of child abuse, including child sexual abuse, to contact his or her supervisor with that report. That changes today. The new policy statement will direct employees receiving such a report to contact law enforcement authorities without delay. Then, after acting in the interests of the child, they should contact their supervisor.<br />
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In a real sense, the whole world changed today. We all know more than we knew before, and we are all responsible for that knowledge. The costs of acting wrongly in such a situation, or acting inadequately, are written across today’s headlines and the moral conscience of the nation. The tragedy at Penn State is teaching the entire nation a lesson it dare not fail to learn.<br />preacherpraterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13644819369409725433noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2812745034110127987.post-4667877225804226722011-09-08T09:01:00.000-07:002011-09-08T09:06:43.776-07:00WTC Memorial: The Offense of the Cross<b></b><b></b><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg10jVzZKTe_r9grctP2226f4EzAYRm_G-sz-h69lOZ9-0sZqzTwcTc-Ii9aa61N74gUtm3WRaivQ3po3d-mANC2QGiy-RHXJIgVb6t3LXSQ1Mr2XxUsXvFeYUuMwMMrgoGVXKfQPEOtYU/s1600/ground-zero-cross.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 338px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg10jVzZKTe_r9grctP2226f4EzAYRm_G-sz-h69lOZ9-0sZqzTwcTc-Ii9aa61N74gUtm3WRaivQ3po3d-mANC2QGiy-RHXJIgVb6t3LXSQ1Mr2XxUsXvFeYUuMwMMrgoGVXKfQPEOtYU/s400/ground-zero-cross.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5650003168849192434" /></a><br />
It’s hard to believe it’s been ten years since the dark and horrid day that was 9/11. Most of us remembers as <strong>Alan Jackson </strong>so beautifully sung “<em>Where Were You (When The World Stopped Turning that September day.</em>” One of the iconic images to emerge from among the rubble of the World Trade Center after the 9/11 attacks was two ton section of <strong>cross beams </strong>that looked like a rugged cross. (picture above) This cross became a beacon of hope of Christian rescue workers and mourners. In 2006 the cross was temporarily moved from ground zero to nearby St. Peter’s Church and a plaque was placed on it that read:<br />
<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMO_ErhQOmU9VrGpbaYh1FqzFcslVL4UXmHkA4d3XQxSi4bUqRkcMSY-ddyPySl5mvd8cKST0-kYDUyh-zh3rMBb9CLR2HFU8Bc20W-Of-5ZNatW1zqqkuzOfY9isscGVcc80hWVxd-PE/s1600/GroundZeroIronCross9_2010.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMO_ErhQOmU9VrGpbaYh1FqzFcslVL4UXmHkA4d3XQxSi4bUqRkcMSY-ddyPySl5mvd8cKST0-kYDUyh-zh3rMBb9CLR2HFU8Bc20W-Of-5ZNatW1zqqkuzOfY9isscGVcc80hWVxd-PE/s400/GroundZeroIronCross9_2010.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5650006609901503874" /></a><br />
Now the group, American Atheists, claiming a violation of church and state, saying its inclusion "constitutes an unlawful attempt to promote a specific religion on governmental land.” They have sued in an effort to block the cross from being included at the World trade Center Memorial and Museum. <br />
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These atheists further claim: “the mere existence of the cross has brought on headaches, indigestion, even mental pain.”<br />
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If you’re an atheist how does ”A cross formed by two intersecting steel beams that survived the Twin Towers collapse on 9-11″ cause you such pain and suffering that it can’t be displayed in a museum with other artifacts taken from the site.<br />
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I can understand going to the museum and seeing the artifacts bringing up feelings of pain. But if you are an atheist the cross shouldn't’t bring up any more pain than anything else. You don’t believe, right?<br />
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Unless there is more spiritually going on than “meets the eye.” <br />
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Check out below this article I recently ran across that is worthy of much consideration especially in light of this protest over a cross shaped beams. It’s written by <strong>Ryan Halliday </strong>and appeared as a web-only piece at <strong><em>Christianity Today </em></strong>under the title 9<strong>/11 Cross Should Offend. </strong>Why the 9/11 Cross Should Offend All of Us<br />
___________________<br />
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<strong>Why the 9/11 Cross Should Offend All of Us</strong><br />
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In a recent debate surrounding a cross displayed at the World Trade Center 9/11 memorial site, both sides agree on at least one point: the complaints by atheist litigants that the presence of the cross has caused them to suffer “dyspepsia, symptoms of depression, headaches, anxiety, and mental pain and anguish” are less than credible. Even the commentators who have argued against the inclusion of the cross in the 9/11 memorial have nevertheless ridiculed these purported symptoms, assuming they are nothing but a thinly-veiled attempt at establishing legal standing.<br />
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But Christians should recognize that these seem to be the sort of symptoms many sane and thoughtful persons experience upon encountering an unwanted vision of the cross. Far from being silly, these four atheists seem to take the cross more seriously than many believers do.<br />
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Because the cross tells the world’s strangest story in an image, it has always provoked a variety of responses, most of which have been negative. In the first century, the idea that the crucified Jesus was God-in-the-flesh was considered, depending on one’s background, either a scandal or a joke. (As the Jewish-turned Christian theologian St. Paul put it, “a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles.”) A weak, suffering deity held little appeal and would have been easily dismissed, were it not for the early Christians’ insistence that the death of Christ was everyone’s problem.<br />
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Jesus’ first followers did not only assert that God came to earth and died, but also that culpability for his death was universal. “This Jesus, whom you crucified,” were the words chosen by St. Peter to conclude the first Christian sermon, directed to an ethnically diverse crowd, most of whom were not even present in Jerusalem on the day of Jesus’ death.<br />
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For the two millennia since Jesus’ resurrection, Christian orthodoxy has been consistent in repeating this same message: the whole world stands equally guilty of committing history’s greatest atrocity, an atrocity in light of which the events of 9/11 pale in comparison. God came to earth, and we killed him.<br />
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The Book of Acts records that upon hearing this indictment for the first time, many of Peter’s listeners were “cut to the heart.” Understandably so—the charge is enough to turn the stomach, darken the mind, and plunge the heart into despair. Or, in other words, Peter’s words were enough to cause “dyspepsia, symptoms of depression, headaches, anxiety, and mental pain and anguish.” The atheist litigants have called the 9/11 cross “an ugly piece of wreckage,” arguing that it speaks of “horror and death.” On the basis of the New Testament, these statements are difficult to contradict.<br />
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But if the image of the cross represents humanity’s greatest collective failure, why would a nation cling to it as a sign of hope in the days after 9/11? The exchange that follows Peter’s sermon sheds some further light.<br />
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When asked to suggest a course of action, Peter advised his hearers, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins”—advice which makes little sense unless one assumes certain premises. These premises, implicit in the Christian religion from day one, were intricately explored over the next several decades in the writings of St. Paul, who advanced what would become the best-known but least-understood tenet of Christian theology: that somehow the death of the perfectly sinless Christ was itself the event which atoned for all the wrongdoing of the sinful human race.<br />
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If true, this turns the cross into a profound paradox. The same event that condemns humanity also justifies it, standing at once as damning evidence of guilt and a doorway to forgiveness and innocence. What’s more, the very episode that shows humanity at its worst shows God at his best, as he transforms an act of wickedness into a display of mercy and love. It is difficult to imagine themes more relevant to the attacks of September 11.<br />
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Suppose God himself has suffered and died at the hands of evil men. Suppose God himself has shown the capacity for taking what was intended for harm and using it for good. Might this affect the way we ourselves face evil and suffering? Might this be a source of strength to someone who is waist-deep in ash and rubble, trying to loosen bodies from steel and concrete?<br />
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For the person who accepts this narrative, the cross is the only thing that makes sense in the face of a senseless tragedy. But for the person who rejects it, the cross serves as a reminder of an offensive and seemingly absurd accusation, adding insult to injury. The trouble with the cross is that it refuses to be the universal symbol of beauty that some would make it out to be—it speaks life to those who believe, but death to those who do not.<br />
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No wonder people disagree about where it should be displayed.<br />
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<strong><em></strong>Ryan Holladay is pastor of Lower Manhattan Community Church, which meets two blocks from the World Trade Center site</em>.<br />
http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2011/augustweb-only/911crossshouldoffend.html<br />
______________________<br />
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Friends, there is also something to keep in mind as our nation will observe the 10th Anniversary of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. Yes, it is right, much like we do with Pearl Harbor, that we, on September 11, remember and honor those who died on that day. We continue to ask God for His continued blessings upon our nation and for those who help keep our nation safe at home and abroad.<br />
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Now it just so happens that the 10th anniversary falls on a Sunday. And as meaningful and important as the day is being the 10th Anniversary of 9/11, the day is far more meaningful as the Lord’s Day. <em>As much as the honoring of those who died is, <strong>the honoring of the Savior who died for us is more </strong><b>important</</b>em>.<br />
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<strong>God bless<br />
Robert Prater</strong><br />
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preacherpraterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13644819369409725433noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2812745034110127987.post-34925439211825156802011-06-02T07:36:00.000-07:002011-06-02T07:51:47.151-07:00The Presbyterian Church and Homosexaulity<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirYliqqH5D4dgwcU9lB3ipceEHKd9kQKYmup73Lx_eQVbo-IzHG9YFSbM96v1dpDHsD5W2EWWo42t4t4oU65mLBmWVpQIwNYm0VJpgM7jk6_zlt7IxoEDuvtAdpVXPKktw1p07LjYwMpo/s1600/presbyterian-gay.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 191px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirYliqqH5D4dgwcU9lB3ipceEHKd9kQKYmup73Lx_eQVbo-IzHG9YFSbM96v1dpDHsD5W2EWWo42t4t4oU65mLBmWVpQIwNYm0VJpgM7jk6_zlt7IxoEDuvtAdpVXPKktw1p07LjYwMpo/s400/presbyterian-gay.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613633790512532562" /></a><br />Maybe you saw in the news recently about how the <strong>Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) </strong>became the latest in a string of Protestant denominations to vote to accept homosexuals into its clergy. They join <strong>Episcopals, Lutherans</strong>, and the <strong>United Church of Christ</strong>. <strong>Methodists, Disciples of Christ</strong>, and other mainline denominations are receiving both external and internal pressure to follow suit. <br /><br />I read one article online about their decision which identified a few of the reasons for this new policy. One of the reasons was "the change in broader American society toward accepting same-sex relationships." In other words, they changed to accommodate and please the culture.<br /><br />What this means, of course, is that the god they are really serving is the world. No matter how much people insist that they are worshiping and serving the God of the Bible, when they shape their values by the world's moral standards rather than the Word of God, they are worshiping and serving the world. For those who seek to serve God, He tells them, "do not be conformed to this world" (Rom. 12:2). I like how JB Philips translates this verse: "don't let the world around you squeeze you into its own mold." And that is precisely what is happening in denominations like the Presbyterian Church USA—they are letting the world squeeze them into its mold.<br /><br />Now, from the beginning, God made it clear about sexual relations and intimate companionship. He made a woman for the man (Gen. 2:18-23). He did not make another man for Adam. He also said the man is to leave father and mother and be joined to his wife, not his husband (Gen. 2:24).<br /><br />Jesus addressed this issue when he brought the standards of marriage and sexuality back to the Creation (Matt. 19:4, 5). At creation, Jesus claimed that God made “male and female.” And that because of this creation of human beings “a man will leave his father and mother and cling to his wife.” By limiting the marriage relationship to men and women, Jesus did speak against homosexual practice (and much of our common divorce and remarriage practices as well).<br /><br />Jesus also uses in Matthew 19:9 the Greek word “porneia” which condemns “unlawful sexual relationships.” God intends sex to be between a man and woman are married to each other. Any sex outside of marriage is sinful and wrong. Period. This would include homosexuality. In fact, it was commonly understood that “porneia” in first century Jewish circles represented a sort of short-hand reference to all of the sexual behaviors forbidden in Leviticus 18, including once again, homosexual behavior (Leviticus 18:22).<br /><br />The apostle Paul inspired by the Holy Spirit deals with sexual immorality when he writes: “Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.” (1 Cor. 6:9-10; see also Romans 1:18-32; 1 Tim. 1:10; 2 Peter 2:6; Jude 7) Now it is not that homosexuality is the only sin condemned, but it is a sin and must be forsaken.<br /><br />So clearly in the realm of human sexuality–heterosexual immorality and homosexual activity–both are impulses and activities which must be brought under control. Once again, all sexual expression outside heterosexual monogamous marriage falls under the wrath of God. The Hebrew writer says: “Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral.” (Heb. 13:4) <br /><br />The good news is that Paul says some who engaged in sexual sex were changed and forgiven. “Such were some of you; but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God." (1 Cor. 6:11) Adulterers, fornicators, and homosexuals can be forgiven of their sins, just like an idolaters, thieves and drunkards can A person who has lived these kinds of lives, but has repented and stopped living in them, can be saved.<br /><br />Please observe that this passage makes no distinction of the degree that each of the listed behaviors is abhorrent to God. It lumps alcoholism with fornication, and homosexuality with covetousness. If God didn’t bother separating one sin out from that list, why do we? Especially when it comes to homosexuality??<br /><br />One possible reason that believers call this one sin out of the list for special derision is that many of us, at least in 21st-Century America, can identify with most of the items on that list. We can understand how easy it is to fall into the sins of drunkenness or fornication, because we remember ourselves how it was when we were young. But most of us can’t say the same for homosexuality, so we make a distinction. <br /><br />However, in this passage, God makes no such distinction. The listed sins seem to be all the same to Him. I believe this is what Paul means when he says “such were some of you.” He’s reminding the Christians in Corinth (as well as you and me) that we all have a past consisting of things displeasing to God. The fact that the Holy Spirit pulled some of us out of the mire means our role is to help others come out of similar (if not the same) sin, so that we all may enjoy a life-giving relationship with Jesus Christ. It goes without saying that being hateful toward any person does not help them come out of anything. <br /><br />Let me give you a practical application of this. Do you have a co-worker or neighbor who is living with someone to whom they are not married? Are you friendly with them? Would you be as friendly if their live-in lover were of the same sex? This is really what it boils down to. Both types of sexual sin in this example are equally displeasing to God. <br /><br />If it is commonly known at your workplace that you are a Christian, the fact that you are nicer to the straight co-worker who is living in sin than the gay one will be perceived by the gay person as typical of Christians, further driving them away from believers, and reducing the chance of their ever being receptive to the good news of the Gospel<br /><br />Friends, <em>we cannot settle for truth without love nor love without truth</em>. Homosexuality is a sin and like any other sin, it needs to be dealt with in the only way possible. It needs to be laid at the cross and repented of. As Christians, we should pray for the salvation of the homosexual the same they would any other person in sin. We should treat homosexuals with the same dignity as they would anyone else because, they are made in the image of God. <br /><br />We need to also keep in mind that many homosexuals have some serious hurts based on events in their past. When I say "many," I mean a much higher percentage than in the general population.These hurts have come as a result of events that happened to them that they did not bring upon themselves. They need healing as much as any cancer patient, as much as any of the lame or blind people that Jesus took the time to heal. How can we have any attitude toward them but compassion? This is why God says to speak with wisdom, grace and love. (Col. 4:5-6) <br /><br />Friends, we reject the sin, but we love the sinner, because we are all sinners. We teach and preach the Word of God, the Bible, without compromising it. We teach and preach the Word of God whether it is popular or not, whether it is politically correct or not, even when it doesn’t conform to the latest moral trends. And when we teach and preach the Word of God, we always do so in love. We don’t belittle and call people names. We aren’t arrogant and self-righteous. We<em> always remember that we are all sinners saved by the grace of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ</em>. (1 Tim. 1:15)<br /><br />God bless,<br /><br />Robert Praterpreacherpraterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13644819369409725433noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2812745034110127987.post-9978942492651234772011-05-02T14:51:00.000-07:002011-05-02T14:57:34.586-07:00Thoughts on Osama Bin Laden's Death <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZv87Ec79zwAcARta70nAh8JC2cnc8sVMJnwpPoCn4rBHr4HN8XKTRLhDSEMlEZGAIWtbkC_L6Ryhqa7lP9bUQRE7283RjKhXzc1PVyD5rU_4OfEuHV3Z7nAg7Q90BDOMnNBriEQTtIDQ/s1600/osama_binladen_1238702c.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 250px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZv87Ec79zwAcARta70nAh8JC2cnc8sVMJnwpPoCn4rBHr4HN8XKTRLhDSEMlEZGAIWtbkC_L6Ryhqa7lP9bUQRE7283RjKhXzc1PVyD5rU_4OfEuHV3Z7nAg7Q90BDOMnNBriEQTtIDQ/s400/osama_binladen_1238702c.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602240284132091746" /></a> Surely by now most on planet Earth have heard about the terrorist leader Osama bin Laden’s death. Few would argue that the world is not a better place for his absence. <br /><br />That being said, however, and whatever your stance on capital punishment is, it is still a strange and somewhat unsettling thing to be cheering the death of another human being. I think we should have a healthy respect for death - to acknowledge that it comes for everyone in time, and that we should in general take no more pleasure in someone else’s death than we would want someone to take in our own.<br /><br />I’ve also seen several quotations making the rounds on Twitter and Facebook since the announcement last night of bin Laden’s death, though it’s been misattributed to <em>Mark Twain </em>and misquoted to boot: the real quotation, by famed lawyer <strong>Clarence Darrow</strong>, is (with the line before it that improves it) “<em>All men have an emotion to kill; when they strongly dislike someone they involuntarily wish he was dead. I have never killed anyone, but I have read some obituary notices with great satisfaction</em>.”<br /><br />That really sums it up nicely: You don’t have to think that someone deserved to die to be pleased at their passing. Truthfully, my first reactions were to “rejoice” for bin Laden’s death. Not because a human being is dead but because a man who in my mind was far more evil than good, and who was responsible for the murder of thousands of innocent people, will never be able to hurt anyone ever again. And that is surely a good thing.<br /><br />Now, I also have no doubt that in this military killing the United States' government exercised its divinely ordained task, wielding the sword to administer justice and constrain evil. I believe this to be so largely because I am one of those Christians for whom the question of the proper task and character of government cannot be answered without reference to Romans 13:4 "<em>if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer.” </em>(Rom. 13:4)<br /><br />Yet, I still think Bin Laden’s death serves as a challenge for us as Christians to evaluate our reactions, not only to his death, but to the reactions we have when those who have harmed us stumble or suffer. It should remind us that God takes no pleasure Himself in the death of the wicked. He would rather that they repent. (cf. Ezek. 18:32; 33:11) <br /><br /><strong>Therefore I believe that God’s heart is grieved about Osama bin Laden – his life AND his death.</strong> We should honor God with our reaction to the death of Osama Bin Laden. <br /><br />So, instead of taking to the streets and rejoicing gleefully with the American flag, I’m think the better Christian response is to pray for the families who were impacted by the tragedy of September 11, 2001 – the families who lost loved ones, the First Responders who gave their all, our troops, and our leaders. Let us pray for our world and pray that this will mean that peace and security will come, and soon.<br /><br />And, let us pray for those who desire to kill, to persecute, and to engage in these terrorist activities. Let us pray that they may see the errors in their ways, find forgiveness, seek the face of God, and be restored into the image of God through glorious gospel of Jesus Christ.<br /><br />Sincerely,<br />Robert Praterpreacherpraterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13644819369409725433noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2812745034110127987.post-66555836637094459992011-04-19T11:15:00.001-07:002011-04-19T11:18:10.910-07:00The Resurrection of Christ<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN1Jx1lCPp2ourx8f0jm8Mbs9LWz1zOvhKaHB8FL6pDSbnN6BbCmVK82y_F1gkwFOztVFyRtWu7pskZKfEI393FDFoHHcA9DR3y0GvEj_BMkJcHsLtyHub-I32p_DNi0AvAv31N5JfhYc/s1600/Jesus_Resurrection.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 284px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN1Jx1lCPp2ourx8f0jm8Mbs9LWz1zOvhKaHB8FL6pDSbnN6BbCmVK82y_F1gkwFOztVFyRtWu7pskZKfEI393FDFoHHcA9DR3y0GvEj_BMkJcHsLtyHub-I32p_DNi0AvAv31N5JfhYc/s400/Jesus_Resurrection.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5597360176658980034" /></a> Easter has its fair share of chocolate bunnies, big bonnets and baked ham dinners with the family. It’s a special time fun time for children. Of course, the Easter “holiday” also has a spiritual significance for hundreds of millions of “believers” who remember that first “Resurrection Sunday.” <br /><br />Knowing that I am a preacher, I am often asked by people this time of the year, “<em>How does your church plan to celebrate Easter</em>?” You can imagine I’m sure from similar responses you have no doubt experienced when people are very surprised to hear when I tell them that we don’t have any special elaborate Easter programs. Rather I say every single Sunday is to be revered as the day of resurrection. The New Testament makes no specific reference to the apostles or early church celebrating “Easter” or Christmas on specific days. Instead, the resurrection of Christ was always emphasized on the Lord’s Day and in the weekly remembrance of the <strong>Lord’s Supper </strong>on every first day of the week. (cf. Acts 2:42; 20:7; 1 Cor. 11:23-24; 16:1-2) <br /><br />Having said that, let me be very clear: Now, we don’t want to ever come across as ones who do <strong>not</strong> believe that Christ's sacrifice and resurrection are important. The Bible teaches that the resurrection of Christ is the central fact of New Testament Christianity. (cf. 1 Cor. 15:3-4) If Jesus were not raised from the dead, then nothing in the scriptures--or for that matter, outside the scriptures--is of eternal value. This is what Paul meant when he wrote, “If <em>only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied</em>.” (1 Cor. 15:19 NIV) Christianity without the resurrection of Christ is no Christianity. It would be absolutely meaningless.<br /><br />One final thought to keep in mind. I am always <em>thankful</em> when people anytime are thinking about Jesus and His life, death, burial and resurrection. Therefore I have always believed that these occasions provide us wonderful opportunities to invite and <em>look for visitors</em>. This could be our only opportunity to connect with some people who may be searching for a purpose to their life. Take the opportunity to especially invite someone this week to Bible class and worship with you. <br /><br />God bless,<br />Robert Praterpreacherpraterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13644819369409725433noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2812745034110127987.post-60610850430778995472011-03-15T13:35:00.001-07:002011-03-15T13:39:35.239-07:00The End of the Miraculous Age<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0HyDrkTb88MoDAheDgdIc-U7tcIYfOLZM3E4VIy2kAPkTtnT864UfFiMugUT5KL8GmIN9CxuaKbeZHG0x7OGpBxkSHaELNKSnGkwnbkcM-QujelMWIPnYf2f1K6N9x8SrNGs6hl7W9cw/s1600/3%252520and%252520sunbeam.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0HyDrkTb88MoDAheDgdIc-U7tcIYfOLZM3E4VIy2kAPkTtnT864UfFiMugUT5KL8GmIN9CxuaKbeZHG0x7OGpBxkSHaELNKSnGkwnbkcM-QujelMWIPnYf2f1K6N9x8SrNGs6hl7W9cw/s400/3%252520and%252520sunbeam.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584408230808089842" /></a> In recent Sunday evening sermons at Central I focused our attention on the "gift of the Holy Spirit" as discussed in Acts 2:38. I pointed out how there is a difference between the <strong>ordinary indwelling (non-miraculous) gift of the Holy Spirit people receive after they have repented and have been baptized into Christ (cf. Acts 2:38; 5:32; Rom. 8:9-11; 1 Cor. 6:19) and the supernatural miraculous gift(s) of the Holy. </strong>It must always be remembered that miracles had very specific purposes in the first century. Miracles performed by Jesus were performed and designed to be the proof that Jesus was the Divine Son of God (John 20:30-31; cf. Acts 2:22). As the apostles went about teaching the message of Jesus, the fact that they were messengers from God was established by the miracles they performed (2 Cor. 12:12).<br /><br />Miracles were not performed to satisfy people’s curiosity (Matt. 12:38ff; 13:58; John 6:30ff; 1 Cor. 1:22). True faith is not produced by witnessing a miracle (Luke 16:30-31; John 12:37ff; Acts 4:16-17); rather faith is developed by absorbing the Word of God (Rom. 10:17). Miracles were intended to confirm the word of God. It was (and is) the confirmed word of God, not the miracles themselves, that produced faith. <br /><br />The ability to perform miracles was transmitted by the <strong>laying on of the Apostles’ hands</strong>. Jesus sent the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles, giving them the ability to perform miracles (Luke 9:1-2; 10:19-20; Acts 1:8). They were given this ability to demonstrate to the hearers that their message was true (Acts 4:29-30; Heb. 2:1-4; John 15:26). These miracles were given “first” (1 Cor. 12:28) so that the foundation of the church would be established by the apostles and prophets (Eph. 2:20). The Apostles had the power to transfer miraculous power to other believers (Acts 8:18; 14:3; 2 Tim. 1:6). Miraculous powers (the miraculous measure of the Holy Spirit) were only obtained by the laying on of an Apostle’s hand (Acts 8:14-24). <br /><br />The only exception to this is found in the <strong>case of Cornelius </strong>who received a baptism of the Holy Spirit directly from heaven before he became a Christian in order to prove to the Jews that the Gentiles too had a right to hear the gospel and become a part of Christ’ kingdom. (cf. Acts 10:45-47; 11:17-18) Others (besides the Apostles) that had miraculous abilities were unable to pass this gift on to others. Philip could perform miracles himself (Acts 8:6), but he was unable to give this ability to others (Acts 8:18-19). With the death of the Apostles and those who had miraculous ability, miracles through human agency rapidly ceased.<br /><br />A key in understanding the end of the miraculous age is Paul’s use of “<strong>the perfect</strong>” in 1 Corinthians 13. The inspired apostle states that there would be an end to miracles. He wrote to the Corinthian brethren, " Love never fails; but if there are gifts of prophecy, they will be done away; if there are tongues, they will cease; if there is knowledge, it will be done away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part; but when the perfect comes, the partial will be done away" (1 Cor 13:8-10). This passage explicitly says that there would be a time when miraculous gifts would be "done away" and would "cease." The question, however, is when would this occur? Again, the text is clear; this would happen when "the perfect" comes. But to what does "the perfect" refer?<br /><br />We must investigate what the original Greek text says and how its terminology is used in this passage and in others using the same term. In the original text, the phrase is "<em>to teleion</em>." The word is from "<strong>telios</strong>" which means "to bring to an end, finish" or it can mean "full-grown, adult, of full-age, mature." To properly understand what Paul means by using this word in this passage, it proves helpful to examine his usage of the same terminology in a very similar passage in another of his letters.<br /><br />The same word is used once in the book of Ephesians. The book of Ephesians deals with the nature of the Lord's church. In the discussion of the development and growth of the church, Paul lists the various roles of service and leadership that existed as the church developed (4:11). The purpose of these various roles was to "equip the saints" for the work of the ministry. The work of these leaders were crucial in helping an infintile church grow into adulthood (4:13). Having only a portion of God's message revealed, the church would easily be "tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine" (4:14). God's message was given progressively over the decades from time of the church's establishment. <br /><br />Eventually, the complete message would be completely given (around A.D. 96 with the completion of the last book of the New Testament). Thus, there was no longer any need for the miraculous confirmation of oral teaching (a major purpose of miracles as we previously noted, cf. Mark 16:20; Heb. 2:2-4). <br /><br />The complete record was finished and the church had matured and was complete (until some would begin falling away from the faith once delivered for all--see 1 Tim. 4:1ff; 2 Tim. 4:1ff; Jude 3). When "the perfect" mature church developed with a complete message from God, the "partial" of miraculous gifts ceased.<br /><br />Keep in mind also that once a message is confirmed as true, there is no longer any need for further confirmation. God’s word was revealed in “bits and pieces” through various prophets and inspired teachers (cf. 1 Cor. 14:29-33). Once the complete message of God was revealed and the church was no longer in its infancy (Eph. 4:11-16), there was no longer a need for the confirming purpose of miracles. he “partial” of miracles gave way to the “completeness” of God’s revealed will (1 Cor. 13:8-13; Eph. 4:13; 2 Pet. 1:3).<br /><br />Surely, if one has the same power that the apostles had, then that one can do the same things that the apostles did. If not, why not? The fact that none can do what the apostles did in the first century speaks loud and clear. It simply says that mankind today does not possess the power that the apostles had. <br /><br />This is not to say that God no longer works in <em>powerfully in the lives of His people. </em>(cf. Eph. 3:20-21) This applies especially to God’s healing of sickness in answer to prayer. Through prayer we can call upon our Heavenly Father in times of sickness and need, with the assurance that He will answer providentially the prayer that is offered in faith and in harmony with His revealed will. (cf. James 1:6-8; 5:13-16; 1 John 5:14-15) <br /><br />We must not “deny the power” of God when we pray by limiting what He will and will not do (2 Tim. 3:5) God’s ways are indescribable and amazing. (Rom. 11:33-36)! Do you believe it?<br /><br />God bless,<br />Robert Praterpreacherpraterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13644819369409725433noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2812745034110127987.post-89292960752066392862011-02-07T11:12:00.001-08:002011-02-07T11:16:12.261-08:00Can You Sleep When the Wind Blows?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxXJKKlfDnkslb9CSkeYc8H5usWH8Yfhz0OVMAJYZnCOpg9gY3blc9ZL_r7yUGngaPmOYlsku1sahbcCNn1SMTSdVrqbSQpAoKEF-jxUpErsRfb9gd6uGKtXrhwb7ftxrYIdrKIkwmFOo/s1600/stormFarm-300x225.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxXJKKlfDnkslb9CSkeYc8H5usWH8Yfhz0OVMAJYZnCOpg9gY3blc9ZL_r7yUGngaPmOYlsku1sahbcCNn1SMTSdVrqbSQpAoKEF-jxUpErsRfb9gd6uGKtXrhwb7ftxrYIdrKIkwmFOo/s400/stormFarm-300x225.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571027800726293218" /></a><br />Years ago a farmer owned land along the Atlantic seacoast. He constantly advertised for hired hands. Most people were reluctant to work on farms along the Atlantic. They dreaded the awful storms that raged across the Atlantic, wreaking havoc on the buildings and crops. As the farmer interviewed applicants for the job, he received nothing but refusals. Finally, a short, thin man, well past middle age, approached the farmer. "Are you a good farm hand?" the farmer asked him. "<strong>Well, I can sleep when the wind blows</strong>," answered the little man.<br /><br />Although puzzled by this answer, the farmer, desperate for help, hired him. The little man worked well around the farm, busy from dawn to dusk, and the farmer felt satisfied with the man's work. Then one night the wind howled loudly in from offshore. Jumping out of bed, the farmer grabbed a lantern and rushed next door to the hired hand's sleeping quarters. He shook the little man and yelled, "Get up! A storm is coming! Tie things down before they blow away!"<br /><br />The little man rolled over in bed and said firmly, "No sir. I told you, I can sleep when the wind blows." Enraged by the old man's response, the farmer was tempted to fire him on the spot. Instead, he hurried outside to prepare for the storm. To his amazement, he discovered that all of the haystacks had been covered with tarpaulins. The cows were in the barn, the chickens were in the coops, and the doors were barred. The shutters were tightly secured. Everything was tied down. Nothing could blow away. The farmer then understood what his hired hand meant, and he returned to bed to also sleep while the wind blew. <br /><br />When you are prepared, you have nothing to fear. Can you sleep when the wind blows through your life? The hired hand in the story was able to sleep because he had secured the farm against the storm. We secure ourselves against the storms of life by “receiving Christ Jesus as Lord” (Col. 2:6; cf. Acts 2:36-38) and by grounding ourselves firmly in the Word of God. (cf. Col. 2:7; Matt. 7:24-27)<br /><br />Yes, as the hymn says, “the <em>Lord's our rock, in him we hide, a shelter in the time of storm.” </em>We don’t need to understand, we just need to hold His hand to have peace in the middle of storms. “<em>We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure</em>.” (Heb. 6:19 NIV)<br />(Adapted from a story by <strong>Arthur Maxwell</strong>)<br /><br />In Christ,<br />Robertpreacherpraterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13644819369409725433noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2812745034110127987.post-36626823776243132322011-01-24T12:31:00.000-08:002011-01-24T12:47:56.195-08:00The Prodigal Son<iframe title="YouTube video player" class="youtube-player" type="text/html" width="480" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/nxfdChYCKYA" frameborder="0" allowFullScreen></iframe><br /><br />I loved the video above. It will put tears in your eyes! It was filmed by <strong>Alex Meinert</strong><br /><br />Of course Luke 15:11-32 and the story of the Prodigal Son is one of the most beloved stories and teaching ever given by Jesus. <br /><br />We remember the father of the prodigal son never stopped looking for the son, and he prayed for him and even though that young man had squandered away his inheritance, lived a scandalous life, and ended up living with the pigs. <br /><br />Fortunately, the story didn’t end with the son’s leaving. Times of rejoicing were yet to be written when he fully returned. Our Heavenly Father longingly is watching for the return of his wandering children.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzuK5rSAdk711HsK7HQg74Oik4r0E-Ofu3Em-Kr88S_RE_MsO8JegN-vebN00J9cuqcNs9fxjVy8xReahWYqbBrywQgFOUX1swQC8sbNzhRiw6DiSAQIoswE5WyRAZ20_1QSnWYpkQToM/s1600/prodigal-son.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 336px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzuK5rSAdk711HsK7HQg74Oik4r0E-Ofu3Em-Kr88S_RE_MsO8JegN-vebN00J9cuqcNs9fxjVy8xReahWYqbBrywQgFOUX1swQC8sbNzhRiw6DiSAQIoswE5WyRAZ20_1QSnWYpkQToM/s400/prodigal-son.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565853946457806194" /></a><br />Here's why favorite part of the story.<br /><br />"<strong>And he ran and embraced his son, and kissed him</strong>” (Luke 15:20)<br /><br />Here we see the Father of the prodigal son running down the road to find his estranged son. When this story was told by Jesus to first century hearers they would have been shocked by this statement; a patriarch (or respectable father of a community) does not gird himself, pulling up his garments, and run. But this is what the father did when he left his place of honor to go to his shameful son. The father became worthless to bestow honor on his son that was deserving of little just as Jesus became poor to make those who are poor very rich. (2 Cor. 8:9)<br /><br />Our Father is willing to leave His lofty place of honor and run to us in your weakness. He runs full speed to show mercy when our heart is seemingly filled with lust, anger, greed, and hate?. He is willing to crucify His reputation to give dignity to us. <br /><br />The God of the Bible runs undignified to give value to the broken prodigals and wayward children who aren’t deserving. Lift up your eyes, He is running to you now.<br /><br />God bless,<br />Robert Praterpreacherpraterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13644819369409725433noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2812745034110127987.post-48293073580520835092011-01-11T13:11:00.000-08:002011-01-11T13:24:44.465-08:00TREY CANARD<object width="640" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/LSjgqlGt3r4?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/LSjgqlGt3r4?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="385"></embed></object> <br /><br />Check out the video above which features <strong>Trey Canard</strong>. Trey and his mother and young brother are members of the Central Church of Christ congregation where I preach. <br /><br />Trey is a professional motocross champion. But more importantly, Trey is using his talents and skills and opportunities before thousands of people each weekend as he rides to share God’s Word. Despite ridicule, Trey continues to put God first in his life and on the podium. He and his family are a wonderful blessing to our Central church family.<br /><br />Also check out this link http://www.christianchronicle.org/blog/2011/01/video-and-story-motocross-champion-trey-canard-uses-talents-for-god/<br /><br />This is a great article and interview that <strong>Bobby Ross </strong>and the <em>Christian Chronicle </em>have on him in the February 2011 issue. Trey talks more about his faith and how he considers motocross his ministry to reach others for Christ. He also talks about some of the challenges and obstacles he had faced including the tragic death of his father<br /><br />Trey is active in leading singing and reading scripture and helping with our teens. As a matter of fact, he is probably going to be the guest preacher when Central hosts the AWTG next year on April 6, 2011.<br /><br />Robert Prater<br />___________________________________<br /><br /><strong>THE CHRISTIAN CHRONICLE<br />'This is what the Lord made me for' — motocross champion Trey Canard</strong>By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle<br />January 7, 2011 <br /><br />--------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /><br />SHAWNEE, Okla. - Out of his racing uniform, Trey Canard seems an unassuming presence, especially for someone known for performing high-speed, bone-jarring exploits in front of 30,000 to 60,000 fans.<br /><br />However, the toughness and quiet confidence of the 5-foot-6, 150-pound Canard shine through as he reflects on his motorcycle racing career and the long list of injuries he has overcome.<br /><br />“Yeah, I’ve broken my wrists four times,” said the 20-year-old professional motocross racer, the reigning national champion in the sport’s 250 class of smaller cycles. “I’ve broken my collarbone twice. I’ve broken my femur.”<br /><br />That’s not to mention nagging little injuries involving fingers and toes, ankle sprains and “stuff of that sort.”<br /><br />Given all the painful spills, what keeps him climbing back on the bike?<br /><br />Must be the thrills, right? <br /><br />Yeah, that’s part of it.<br /><br />But for Canard, the passion to race goes deeper than that. <br /><br />“I believe this is what the Lord made me for,” he told The Christian Chronicle. “This is my talent. This is my ministry, I believe, so that gives me hope. And I just really enjoy it. The good stuff outweighs the bad stuff for me.”<br /><br /><strong>CHURCH FEELS THE NEED FOR SPEED</strong><br />When Canard achieved his most superb feat on wheels last fall, fellow members of the Central Church of Christ — many of whom have fallen in love with the Speed channel — cheered at the top of their lungs.<br /><br />“Amazingly, Trey won five of the final seven races of the season to overcome a 57-point deficit to win his first career motocross championship,” said Robert Prater, pulpit minister of the Central church, a 250-member congregation about 35 miles east of Oklahoma City.<br /><br />“But more than being a great rider, Trey always gives glory to God and has such a strong faith,” Prater added. “He is a great role model for young people from all around the world.”<br /><br />Apparently, he’s a role model for older people, too.<br /><br />“I get these older women — 70 and 80 years old — and they’re telling me that they’re watching me ride a motorcycle,” said Canard, who leads singing, reads Scriptures and helps with the youth group at the Central church. “It’s kind of funny.”<br /><br /><strong>PASSION OF HIS FATHER</strong><br />As a new season of indoor and outdoor racing begins, Canard will again spend about 30 Saturdays on the road from January through September.<br /><br />This year, he’s moving up to a bigger class of bikes. He’ll ride a Honda CRF450.<br /><br />Raised in western Oklahoma, he started racing at age 3 when his late father, Roy Canard, built him a tiny, single-speed cycle that topped out at 20 mph. <br /><br />By age 9, Trey signed his first racing contract.<br /><br />“Then it kind of got a little more serious,” he said with a laugh. “It’s funny how quickly we kind of have to become professionals.”<br /><br />For the first 18 years of his life, Canard and his family lived in Elk City, Okla., where they attended the Second and Adams Church of Christ. “That will always kind of be my home congregation,” he said.<br /><br />Roy Canard, a motocross fanatic, died in a tragic accident when Trey was 12. Trey’s father was using a front-end loader to clear rocks from a small track where Trey and his older brother Aaron, now 24, practiced. The family doesn’t know exactly what happened, but Trey’s mother, Kari Canard, found the tractor upside down on her husband.<br /><br />“My dad was a huge part of my racing. He got me riding,” Trey said. “It was his passion, and he kind of passed it on to myself and my brother.<br /><br />“He was just a great man, a strong Christian man, and really my inspiration to be a strong character for Christ. … It’s unfortunate that I lost him when I was a young kid. … When I feel down or sad about that, I’ve just got to remember that God knows what he’s doing.”<br /><br /><strong>HEART OF A CHAMPION</strong><br />Focus. Heart. Effort. Fun. Dedication. Put them all together and they equal this: Success.<br /><br />That’s the message on a whiteboard in a large metal building on the rural property near Shawnee where Canard lives with his mother and younger brother, Jaxon, 9. <br /><br />At the end of a gravel road but just a few miles from Interstate 40, this is where Canard hangs out in the offseason. Here, trophies and motorcycles, including the tiny one that his father made him, mix with weight equipment that the motocross champion uses to keep in shape.<br /><br />Two years ago, Canard used his own cash to buy this property, which includes a house and an outdoor practice track.<br /><br />“I’m making a decent living,” he said. “I’m thankful for that, and I know that’s a blessing. I try to give back any way that I can.”<br /><br />Said Prater, the Central minister: “Kari and Trey are very generous givers and always are willing to help out those in need.”<br /><br />The Canards didn’t want to leave Elk City, but it was a two-hour drive to Will Rogers World Airport in Oklahoma City. <br /><br />Since he flies nearly every week, Canard wanted to be closer. Shawnee, a city of about 30,000, is roughly 45 minutes from the airport.<br /><br />What he didn’t know when he moved to Shawnee, Canard said, was what a terrific congregation he’d stumble upon.<br /><br />He didn’t go out of his way to tell Central members about his profession, but word spread.<br /><br />“I normally don’t like to talk about it too much at the congregation. I kind of like to stay to my worship, you know, the reason we’re there,” he said. “But people ask me what’s my job and am I in school, and it kind of came up like that. <br /><br />“So it’s just a neat thing, and I feel like it’s been a blessing in my life, and it’s brought me really close to a lot of great people in our congregation. I think everyone’s enjoyed it, so it’s been fun.”<br /><br />The church also has embraced Trey’s mother and brother Jaxon, who’s active in the Leadership Training for Christ program.<br /><br />“We’re not anything special, I don’t think,” Kari Canard said. “It’s funny because no matter where we seem to live, people young and old get pretty excited about motocross. <br /><br />“I’ve signed up so many people for the Speed channel that I should be getting a kickback on it,” she joked.<br /><br /><strong>THE COOL CHRISTIAN LIFE</strong><br />Scriptural references on his crossbar pad help Canard maintain his Christian focus.<br /><br />Verses such as Philippians 4:13 (“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me”) provide inspiration and motivation.<br /><br />In his podium speeches, Canard — whose cycle is No. 41, like his dad’s — always gives God the credit for his success.<br /><br />“A lot of people think of motocross and motorcycle riders, and they’re associated with tattoos and drinking and partying and all that stuff,” Canard said. “So I think anything I can do … is hopefully well-accepted and good.<br /><br />“Christianity, especially in the Church of Christ, gets a label of being kind of boring or not cool, just all these rules. I just hope my story kind of shows teens and people in general that … you can use your talents to glorify God.”<br /><br />Given the hard knocks of a sport where age 35 is considered ancient, the Oklahoma church member knows his racing career won’t last forever.<br /><br />When he stops revving his motor, though, he has an inkling what he’d like to do.<br /><br />“I’d like to be a youth minister or just work in a church,” he said. “I’ve really enjoyed a lot of the youth ministers I’ve had and people who were really crucial to my Christian walk. And I feel like I could be an asset someday in the church."preacherpraterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13644819369409725433noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2812745034110127987.post-69964571459880433252010-12-28T13:40:00.001-08:002010-12-28T14:17:42.157-08:00TRUE GRIT<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk1qDtJt0HDOabYyZh64oX3kQp5INWCN9wHVSTbIjUe3mw7xkT4VQXQJ5EoTxm4jJoxJ4mPYpRFhuTuXebqzk1LEqKXko5KQPa2m8gIwJuKYy15F7l_dYcfleQ7WahA6wmTwAf7tRr0v0/s1600/true-grit-main.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 236px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk1qDtJt0HDOabYyZh64oX3kQp5INWCN9wHVSTbIjUe3mw7xkT4VQXQJ5EoTxm4jJoxJ4mPYpRFhuTuXebqzk1LEqKXko5KQPa2m8gIwJuKYy15F7l_dYcfleQ7WahA6wmTwAf7tRr0v0/s400/true-grit-main.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555851501330883938" /></a> Last week during the holiday week, me and my two brothers went to see “True Grit.” I am a big fan of both the 1968 novel of the same name by Charles Portis and of course the 1969 version featuring the great John Wayne, and Glen Campbell and Kim Darby. <br /><br />Almost everyone in the free world is at least somewhat familiar with the storyline. A 14 year old girl leaves home to track down her father’s killer, a former hired man named Tom Chaney, who has since joined up with a gang of thieves lead by Lucky Ned Pepper. To aid her, she hires a US deputy marshal, Reuben “Rooster” Cogburn. A Texas Ranger, LaBoeuf, becomes the third of their party. The story covers the elements of this adventure. <br /><br />First of all, let's get this out of the way right now: <strong>Jeff Bridges and Hailee Steinfeld</strong> own this film, every inch of it. The entire cast is fantastic, but there's not a moment that goes by in the film when you're not itching to see Bridges' Marshal Reuben J. Cogburn and Steinfeld's Mattie Ross share the screen. Every scene they share is one we’re going to want to watch again for years to come.<br /><br />While thoroughly entertaining, “True Grit” also <em>plumbs deeper spiritually</em>. It opens with a quotation from the King James translation of the Book of Proverbs: “The wicked flee when no man pursueth,” the first of several biblical and religious references scattered through the script. And the music in the background was old Christian hymns: “Hold to God’s Unchanging Hand,” “Gloryland Way,” “Leaning on the Everlasting Arms,” and “What a Friend We Have in Jesus.” <br /><br />But, clearly the theme song and a major idea of the movie is, “Leaning <strong>on the Everlasting Arms</strong>.” The film begins, as a now adult Mattie does her voiceover setting the story, with a piano playing this beautiful old gospel hymn. And once again, the movie plays an instrumental version of “Leaning on the Everlasting Arms,” at varying tempos throughout the film is a subtle reminder that not only is Hattie relying on God’s providence to help her bring about justice and avenge her father’s death legally, but that we all are, whether we realize it or not, leaning on those same everlasting arms. There is a powerful scene in the climax where this comes into full view under a starlit sky—a scene that won’t leave my memory anytime soon. <br /><br />At one point in the film the narrator says: “<em>You pay for everything in this world. There is nothing free, except the grace of God</em>.”<br /><br />This is also a central theme to the film as characterized by Hattie’s measuring out the cost of every transaction in life with such meticulous detail. But there is no hiding the grace of God. Even a criminal about to be hanged repents aloud to the crowd and asks for mercy and grace to be extended to his family after his death.<br /><br />Mattie later writes her mother not to worry when she's on her quest to avenge her father's death: "The author of all things watches over me." When a mortician asks her whether she'd like to kiss her father's dead face, she says, "Thank you, his spirit is flown." In town without money, she's forced to sleep in a coffin at the mortuary, telling someone later that she "felt like Ezekiel in the valley of the dry bones." A dying criminal makes Rooster promise to tell his brother, a Methodist pastor, of his fate, adding, "I will meet him later, walking the streets of glory."<br /><br />Now, keep in mind that the storyline cannot be separated from either its period in U.S. History or its reliance upon Christian virtue as the order of the day in that society. <br /><br />But these allusions draw attention to the film’s serious reflections on the violent undertow of frontier life. Witnessed from Mattie’s sensitive perspective, the shootouts and other death-dealing confrontations that take place here are never glossed over, but are shown instead to be unnatural and difficult to absorb.<br /><br /><strong>Rating</strong><br />True Grit is rated PG-13 for some intense sequences of western violence including a few disturbing violent images and some mildly salty language. Gunfights and a scary sequence involving some snakes make for some intense, although not horribly graphic PG-13 moments. This is not a film for children, by any means. Mature teens or adults are the only ones I could recommend seeing the film. <br /><br />In conclusion, I did enjoy the many Biblical themes and ideas raised in this Coen brother’s movie. This movie unlike say their movie, <strong>O Brother Where Art Thou?</strong> where the underlying faith message was far more tongue in cheek than something worth regarding seriously. But the deeper spiritual truths in <em>True Grit </em>are ultimately the basis for what's an engaging tale of a man who learns the meaning of sacrifice from a much younger woman who wasn't afraid to stand up for what's right—even if it meant endangering her own life in the process.<br /><br />So if you can’t tell from my review, I thoroughly enjoyed <em>True Grit</em>. It has an old-fashioned fighting spirit in this classic quest for wrongs being made right. And truth be told, it takes some "true grit" to remake a beloved classic movie where John Wayne won his first Oscar and do it as well as they did.<br /><br />Check out the trailer below which really captures the spiritual overtones of the movie:<br /><br /><object width="640" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/1msKC356_kY?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/1msKC356_kY?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="385"></embed></object><br /><br />Now, speaking of the Duke, check out the following YouTube link: <br /><br />http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7qQhODwivLU <br /><br />This video shows John Wayne winning the Best Actor Oscar for his performance in “True Grit” in 1970. Of course we know this really wasn’t just for “True Grit.” It was for a lifetime’s worth of great films. His speech was thoughtful, heartfelt and humble, paying homage to everyone before himself, obviously a deeply moving moment for him. (You can tell I'm a BIG fan hopefully).<br /><br />It makes me wonder just a bit where have men like John Wayne and the values and “true grit” he represented have gone today…..Lord knows we sure need them today……the Duke had class you just don’t see today! <br /><br />His Congressional Medal says it all: <em>John Wayne – American</em>.preacherpraterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13644819369409725433noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2812745034110127987.post-42074159171641454932010-12-20T06:09:00.000-08:002010-12-20T06:20:57.392-08:00MERRY CHRISTMAS!!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLXY6vLpPOe8Ht8Xc1PPklslh9ySWNWRjTFeJ7dFpAZC_NRf3BA8VVw3FBwjPlS1C9BxObIopYwsDqMkIyjC79s91eanQSn1ma5Xt6ewYNGGShAslcv-FlIt89RR6d7yYY_ASthvhfCvY/s1600/merry_christmas-1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 398px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLXY6vLpPOe8Ht8Xc1PPklslh9ySWNWRjTFeJ7dFpAZC_NRf3BA8VVw3FBwjPlS1C9BxObIopYwsDqMkIyjC79s91eanQSn1ma5Xt6ewYNGGShAslcv-FlIt89RR6d7yYY_ASthvhfCvY/s400/merry_christmas-1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552769226621468514" /></a><br />Only 5 days until the big day -- Christmas! Are you ready? May your Christmas be blessed in every way, with love, joy, peace, and many happy memories.<br /><br />The following video below I thought was pretty clever and made me laugh! <em>How social media, web and mobile tell the story of the Nativity.</em>While it is true that we do not know exactly when Jesus was born, December 25 is the date that our culture long ago began to honor our Lord and Savior for His birth. For that reason, this is the time of year that the vast majority of Americans give thought to Him.<br /><br />As Christians, we are to remember the Lord every first day of the week as we participate in the Lord's Supper. (cf. Acts 20:7; 1 Cor. 11:17-32) There we commemorate His death for our sins, we proclaim our faith in Him as we wait for His return, and we examine our hearts in relationship to His body, the church. <br /><br />Yet, long before there was a cross, there was a manger. Though we are not commanded to formally celebrate His birth, that does not mean that we should forget it, even at Christmas time. The cross would not have taken place apart from the so-called "first Christmas."<br /><br />So, if indeed you remember Christ this Christmas, remember that He was not born to remain a child wrapped in swaddling clothes laying in a manger. He was born to become our Savior by dying on a cross and to be the Lord of our lives (Luke 2:11). <br /><br />The message of the manger must always point people to the cross – the death, burial and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. The important thing is that He was born and that He died for our sins. We’re not worshiping a helpless infant lying in a manger. We’re worshiping a risen and exalted Christ who has all power in heaven and in earth. <br /><br />Robert<br /><br /><object width="640" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/GkHNNPM7pJA?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/GkHNNPM7pJA?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="385"></embed></object>preacherpraterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13644819369409725433noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2812745034110127987.post-13337958107315480222010-12-13T14:14:00.000-08:002010-12-13T14:31:23.011-08:00The Pursuit of Excellence with Integrity<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvGoO1Pc5wgywB9Alkkpk5hzKMcsbPmnHUcT7r9HQsFlxAbgPn-AkpV0UAgjcZgIuB8_BKEhCgPQtUoBk8e5FSVLI5cFBf37ZlUixUKs2UyQBFAGwUdej6VAunTJ-U8_R729-fndP614o/s1600/s_newton1_1213.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 381px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvGoO1Pc5wgywB9Alkkpk5hzKMcsbPmnHUcT7r9HQsFlxAbgPn-AkpV0UAgjcZgIuB8_BKEhCgPQtUoBk8e5FSVLI5cFBf37ZlUixUKs2UyQBFAGwUdej6VAunTJ-U8_R729-fndP614o/s400/s_newton1_1213.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5550295931421387730" /></a> Below is an excellent article written by Bob Frantz, a freelance journalist and regular contributor to The San Francisco Examiner. <br /><br />Folks, there is nothing wrong with giving someone the benefit of the doubt, but only when that person has shown good moral conduct prior to an allegation of wrong doing. Newton’s history suggests otherwise. <br /><br />Saturday night in New York City Cameron Newton came up to the podium and accepted the greatest award in sports knowing he has shown a lack of integrity in the past. And for that night he was the greatest player in college football, but it is fair to say he was not be the <strong>best example </strong>of someone who exhibits <em>the pursuit of excellence with integrity.</em><br /><br />"<em>Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart</em>." (2 Timothy 2:22)<br /><br />"<em>Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity</em>." (1 Timothy 4:12)<br />_____________________________<br /><br /><strong>Newton winning Heisman sends the wrong message</strong> by Bob Frantz<br /><br />‘<em>The Heisman Memorial Trophy annually recognizes the outstanding college football player whose performance best exhibits the pursuit of excellence with integrity</em>.”<br /><br />Take note of the final word in that sentence. You may never see it again. <br /><br />At least not in the same sentence as the words “college sports.”<br /><br />The sentence above is the very first line of the Heisman Trust’s mission statement, and it was once recognized as an important criterion when evaluating potential recipients of the trophy. Not anymore.<br /><br />When Heisman voters across the country placed that trophy in Cam Newton’s outstretched hand on Saturday — a position in which his hand is apparently very comfortable — they stated quite clearly that integrity, morality and ethics have no place in the high-stakes, professional world of amateur sports.<br /><br />Integrity is something that has plagued not only the NCAA, but the Heisman Trust as recently as this past year with the Reggie Bush scandal.<br />Newton’s well-told, yet simultaneously ignored story belongs in an FBI case file as much as it does any college football record book.<br /><br />This isn’t the first issue with Newton. In fact, Newton first ran into trouble under Urban Meyer at Florida twice when he was a sophomore.<br /><br />While at Florida, Newton was arrested for felony charges of burglary, larceny and obstruction of justice when it was found the he stole a student’s laptop from a dormitory and threw it out the window when police came to question him.<br /><br />Also in Gainesville, Fla., Newton was reportedly caught cheating on three separate occasions as a freshman and sophomore, including a case in which he purchased a paper online and turned it in as his own. Only his transfer to Blinn College in Texas saved him from expulsion from Florida.<br /><br />And this “ethical” young man accomplished all this even before the pay-for-play scandal engineered by his father that landed him at Auburn. <br /><br />Newton was the most dominant player in America, which is undoubtedly what saved him from the NCAA’s eligibility guillotine. Too many dollars and television viewers were at risk for the NCAA to sideline its top attraction and risk an Auburn loss in the SEC championship game. A Tigers’ defeat would have put TCU in the BCS title game, and the NCAA hypocrites would rather have canceled the game than accept such a travesty.<br /><br />How else can they explain away Cecil Newton’s admission to soliciting his son’s services to the highest bidder? Cecil acted as a de facto agent for Cam, but because he happens to share his client’s bloodline, the player’s amateur status is secure?<br /><br />The NCAA’s, and Newton’s, excuse is that Cam allegedly didn’t know what his father was up to.<br /><br />If you believe that, I’ve got a slightly damaged laptop to sell you. It’s not stolen. I swear.<br /><br />As Sports Illustrated reported last month, Cam wanted to go to Mississippi State, but agreed to let his father make the decision for him. “A few days before Christmas, while sitting at the dinner table in his brother’s house in Jacksonville, Cecil Sr. uttered two words. ‘It’s Auburn.’”<br /><br />What star athlete would allow his father to completely ignore his own wishes to play at a certain school without demanding to know the father’s reasons?<br /><br />Even in defending himself, as he tried to do in an ESPN interview Thursday, Newton couldn’t declare himself innocent.<br /><br />“Everything I’ve done at this university, I did it the right way,” he said. <br /><br />The disclaimer “at this university,” speaks volumes, as it obviously neglects the solicitation scheme that Pops put into action “before” he arrived at Auburn.<br /><br />Maybe nothing can be done to the powers-that-be that run the NCAA and its investigation committee, but the Heisman voters had a real chance to do the right thing. They had a chance to restore the word “integrity” to the mission statement, a necessity in the wake of the Reggie Bush forfeiture of the once-sacred <br />trophy.<br /><br />They failed.<br /><br />Bob Frantz is a freelance journalist and regular contributor to The San Francisco Examinerpreacherpraterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13644819369409725433noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2812745034110127987.post-73084525445918313022010-12-07T15:37:00.000-08:002010-12-07T15:41:00.792-08:00Don’t Be Caught Off-Guard <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTC9Anv3HV0gAJMtxP0aSoau9YUSGpWZeC9J4EsM0NBJANwj1RNQqvpjSVGSzYSs4jJ_O02Y3qCQg04g3Q7S7bB6NKzIt_AjKJ9TRjLYiwdQcQ-gSKdh0gozPawzuutuRV_fxgk5yGeV0/s1600/pearl.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTC9Anv3HV0gAJMtxP0aSoau9YUSGpWZeC9J4EsM0NBJANwj1RNQqvpjSVGSzYSs4jJ_O02Y3qCQg04g3Q7S7bB6NKzIt_AjKJ9TRjLYiwdQcQ-gSKdh0gozPawzuutuRV_fxgk5yGeV0/s400/pearl.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5548089339245855282" /></a><br />Today marks the 69th anniversary of the Japanese attack on the American fleet at Pearl Harbor. We should always remember the day that would “live in infamy” – and learn from it.<br /><br />What happened on December 7, 1941? Simply put, we were caught off guard. In the decades since the attack, there has been a great deal of investigation, speculation and debate over how this could have happened and who is to blame for “dropping the ball”. What seems fairly certain is that there were some warning signs and data available that, if taken through the proper channels, might have changed the complexion of this attack or thwarted it altogether. Well, I’m not writing this to debate such things, but to make a simple point: It’s not good to be caught off-guard. And even though the attack on Pearl Harbor would have a positive outcome, many lives were lost and many more would perish in the ensuing war in the Pacific.<br /><br />As Christians, we have a dangerous enemy – an empire of evil, plotting surprise attacks against us. Satan’s greatest advantage is the element of surprise. Many times we just don’t see it coming. The good news is that our Lord has given us “classified” information about our enemy to alert us and keep us from being taken by surprise (2 Cor 2:11)! Consider the apostle Peter’s inspired words: “<em>Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you, but rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed</em>.” (1 Peter 4:12-13) <br /><br />We shouldn’t be surprised when, because of our devotion to Christ, we feel pressure and opposition from those of the world. Notice that Peter didn’t say “if” this would occur, but “when”. Paul declares that persecution would happen to everyone who lives a godly life in Christ (2 Tim 3:12). Jesus also forewarned us of trouble and “tribulation” in the world (John 15:18-21; 16:1-4 & 33) By knowing these things beforehand, we can be prepared and not “freak out”, “melt down” or give in to temptation.<br /><br />Later in his letter, Peter advises: “Be<em> sober minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world</em>.” (1 Peter 5:8-9) We shouldn’t be surprised when we feel the pull of temptation, rather we should be prepared! We are all subject to the devil’s attacks and need to be on high alert at all times -- never letting down our guard (Eph 6:10-18).<br /><br />In summary, whether there was sufficient data and resources to thwart the attack on Pearl Harbor 69 years ago we may never know for sure. But this we know for sure: Our “Commander” has given us sufficient data and resources to thwart the devil’s attacks. <em>We need never be caught off-guard</em>!preacherpraterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13644819369409725433noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2812745034110127987.post-83073580778238192482010-11-30T12:58:00.000-08:002010-11-30T13:03:56.641-08:00Before Winter or Never!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWWibuxPH7k3YdrM7AIs4hQxDOhasanyuP1qSkMLncz4MTWjpjuGb0862RnileZoWFvAWtV5du0W8mRMeQTvUG1-oHaxJ5eGbDgP3OdiHzM_o7VM_gHj4hj1qeqf1B0UTm_skhngexkeY/s1600/Screen_shot_2010-09-10_at_6_44_14_PM.png"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 338px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWWibuxPH7k3YdrM7AIs4hQxDOhasanyuP1qSkMLncz4MTWjpjuGb0862RnileZoWFvAWtV5du0W8mRMeQTvUG1-oHaxJ5eGbDgP3OdiHzM_o7VM_gHj4hj1qeqf1B0UTm_skhngexkeY/s400/Screen_shot_2010-09-10_at_6_44_14_PM.png" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545450466183258194" /></a> From the depths of a Roman prison while awaiting execution as a prisoner of Nero’s in Rome, Paul wrote to Timothy, his beloved friend and brother in Christ: “<em>Do your best to come before winter</em>.” (2 Timothy 4:21). Paul knew that in the winter, the Mediterranean Sea trade all but ceased. Ships would anchor in a safe harbor so as to avoid the violent storms that plagued the Mediterranean during the winter months. If Timothy was going to make the voyage from Ephesus to Rome, it would have to be before the ships stopped sailing. <br /><br />Now if Timothy waits until winter, he will have to wait until spring; and Paul himself knew that his death sentence was imminent, “the time of my departure is at hand” (2 Timothy 4:6). Paul knows that he is living his last winter. Timothy needed to drop everything and get to Rome as fast as possible. We like to think that Timothy did not wait a single day after that letter from Paul reached him and indeed he was able to fulfill Paul’s request. <br /><br /><strong>Before winter or never</strong>! There are some things which will never be done unless they are done “before winter.” Winter’s arrival is a sober reminder of fading opportunities. Winter should bring home to us all the sense of the preciousness of life’s opportunities, but also its brevity. <br /><br />You can’t wait forever to respond to things that are important. Yet how many times have we had good intentions but somehow we never got around to doing it. We truly meant well, we meant for things to be different. All too often we end up with the “ifs and buts” of life. Some things need to be said now, done now. The opportunity is today, not tomorrow. We must not wait or delay or put things off. <br /><br />What is it that God is calling you to do? What good deed? What act of forgiveness? What step of faith? What prayer should you pray? What sin should you confess? What bad habit must be broken? What service could you render for the Lord and His church? What class could you teach? What call must you make? What email must you write? What relationship must you repair? Who in your life needs to know Jesus and you’ve been putting off telling them? Whatever it is, do it “<em>before winter</em>.” <br /><br />Robert,<br /><br />I recently ran across this very beautiful poem that captures some of my thoughts from above.<br /><br /><strong>Come Before Winter</strong><br /><br />"Come before winter." are words old and wise <br />Let us set sail now for the harbor <br />Of the things we truly prize!<br /><br />For life's voyage is brief, uncertain, <br />Soon winter's snows may fall. <br />How sad to see ships meant for sailing <br />Which have not sailed far at all.<br /><br />Ships meant to explore life's oceans, <br />To know waters deep and wide. <br />Yet still we lie at anchor <br />Resisting the outgoing tide.<br /><br />Life's saddest sight is not the scene <br />Of souls storm tossed at sea. <br />For without the storm, the struggle and faith, <br />How else comes the victory?<br /><br />No, life's saddest sight is of souls <br />Who have never yet set sail. <br />Those who refuse to live much or dare, <br />These are the ones who fail!<br /><br />Still move the seasons swiftly, <br />The Spring, the Summer, the Fall. <br />"O come" says the Spirit, "come before winter, <br />Miss not the joy God intends for us all"!<br />-- <strong>James Clark Brown</strong>preacherpraterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13644819369409725433noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2812745034110127987.post-66243238159348021652010-11-23T08:03:00.000-08:002010-11-23T08:09:38.439-08:0010% THANKS<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9kCzm80FSSOwvmzjGVlf3TmSbCcVCl6zt-qROF2CGwZ7eLQ_GkRblbvfHNuHolBdP_kj_oWzADYXRj67QkIsYUU5EI16TxsZHWRaChIAdB7VFxkXN1glU9p057clCgUPhIc5ceHoOPnE/s1600/thanksgiving.gif"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 295px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9kCzm80FSSOwvmzjGVlf3TmSbCcVCl6zt-qROF2CGwZ7eLQ_GkRblbvfHNuHolBdP_kj_oWzADYXRj67QkIsYUU5EI16TxsZHWRaChIAdB7VFxkXN1glU9p057clCgUPhIc5ceHoOPnE/s400/thanksgiving.gif" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5542776883064994434" /></a><br />I love Thanksgiving because it's so simple and straightforward. It's not about a lot of decorating or buying gifts. It is very basic – it's about getting together with family and friends, eating a meal (one of my favorite part), watching a little football – and most importantly, giving thanks to God for our many blessings. <br /><br />In Luke 17 we read the following account. <br />“<em>As he was going into a village, ten men who had leprosy met him. They stood at a distance and called out in a loud voice, "Jesus, Master, have pity on us!" When he saw them, he said, "Go, show yourselves to the priests." And as they went, they were cleansed. One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. He threw himself at Jesus' feet and thanked him--and he was a Samaritan. Jesus asked, "Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?" Then he said to him, "Rise and go; your faith has made you well</em>." (Luke 17:11-19 NIV)<br /><br />The purpose of my article is not to ask if you or I would be the one in the <br />above story who gave thanks. I’m sure we all would like to think of ourselves as the one who went back to Jesus to give thanks. Rather I am asking each one of us what percentage of gratefulness do we maintain for the good things God gives us? <br /><br />The percentage of healed lepers in Luke who immediately gave thanks to Jesus was 10%. Jesus is grateful for the 10% but He comments negatively on the 90% not showing thanks. What about our lives? What percentage of thanks do we give?<br /><br />Think about last week. Most of us would not have any trouble recalling ten good and wonderful blessings we experienced from the Lord during the week. Now the reflection question, “<strong>What’s your and my thanksgiving percentage rate for those ten blessings?” </strong> If I were to be honest, and I am here, my thanksgiving percentage rate probably is not much better than the one in Luke’s story: 10%. <br /><br />Oh, I have my general “thank you-for-everything” prayer I fall back on to cover the week. What I tend to lack is the immediate praise and thanks when I first receive the blessing. Jesus indicates that a 10% instant-thanks-to-blessing ratio is not very good!<br /><br />Let’s each one continually move our instant-thanks-to-blessing ratio toward 100%. Friends with all the blessings that God has bestowed upon us let us always approach the throne of God with Thanksgiving. <br /><br />Our young people sing the words to the beautiful song, “<em>For all that You've done, I will thank You For all that You're going to do! For all that You've promised and all that You are is all that has carried me through, Jesus, I thank You</em>.” <br /><br />Which reminds me: I am thankful for each of you, my friends, my brothers, my sisters and my family. Enjoy the holiday and be safe. Go with God.<br /><br />Robertpreacherpraterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13644819369409725433noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2812745034110127987.post-16900242614694013022010-11-09T11:21:00.000-08:002010-11-09T11:37:23.934-08:00Time to Invite Ssomeone to Church <object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/a2CZCF9TnqY?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/a2CZCF9TnqY?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object> <br /><br />Recently we had a visitor attend worship at Central where I preach. She was invited by one of our members. She is greatly struggling. Here's what she wrote on the back of her visitor card:<br /><br /><em>"I am a single mother of 3 daughters and one has a lot of anger issues and I am in need of prayer and help to help her get her life straight. She is 14 years old and has spent 10 days in detention at school. We don't have a great relationship</em>."<br /><br />Friends there are so many people out there hurting, wanting help, needing to find God, needing answers, they want to go to church and have a relationship with Christ. But so many of them don't know where to go and are worried about what people may think about them just showing up there out of the blue. Many would jump at the chance to be invited by YOU. Some will say no, but some will say yes. You could save a life today. <br /><br />Who will you invite?<br /><br />"Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, was one of the two who heard what John had said and who had followed Jesus. 41 The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon and tell him, “We have found the Messiah” (that is, the Christ). 42 And <em>he brought him to Jesus</em>." (John 1:40-42)<br /><br />Robertpreacherpraterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13644819369409725433noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2812745034110127987.post-80690006372524570402010-11-02T08:00:00.000-07:002010-11-02T08:12:13.683-07:00WHO CRUCIFIED JESUS?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7Xc10wON3jmTvOYmx5hhXW2u_pZ1gEq-ZfJwnPnH0QXbSLYUucJe-2eal-7nKnXX75TtyfOjjR2Jgcn55It-teV-IjLS-H2Vox_aoYSmbM-DUzhgNpYvDQBCHKLQU2I9xBYhNNrx4OPY/s1600/etching_ai.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 356px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7Xc10wON3jmTvOYmx5hhXW2u_pZ1gEq-ZfJwnPnH0QXbSLYUucJe-2eal-7nKnXX75TtyfOjjR2Jgcn55It-teV-IjLS-H2Vox_aoYSmbM-DUzhgNpYvDQBCHKLQU2I9xBYhNNrx4OPY/s400/etching_ai.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534969815529284386" /></a>One of Rembrandt's more famous paintings is entitled The Three Crosses. When one looks at the painting, your attention is drawn first to the cross on which Jesus died. Then as you look at the crowd gathered around the foot of that cross, you are impressed by the various facial expressions and actions of the people involved in the awful crime of crucifying the Son of God. Finally, your eyes drift to the edge of the painting to catch sight of another figure, almost hidden in the shadows. Some art critics say this is a representation of Rembrandt himself, for he recognized that by his sins he helped nail Jesus to the cross.<br /><br />The old spiritual asks, “<em>Were you there when they crucified my Lord</em>?” And we must answer, “yes, we were there.” Not as spectators only; but as participants, guilty participants. <br /><br />One author has written, "It is a simple thing to say Christ died for the sins of the world. It is quite another thing to say that Christ died for my sins. It may make us feel better to point the finger at those who put Jesus on the cross, but it is a shocking thought that we can be as indifferent as Pilate, as scheming as Caiaphas, as calloused as the soldiers, as ruthless as the mob, or as cowardly as the disciples. It isn't just what they did --- it was I who nailed Him to the tree. I crucified the Christ of God, I joined the mockery."<br /><br />It was each of us who participated in Christ’s death and yet He willingly took the cross upon Himself to reveal to the best of God’s love and bring us salvation. The prophet Isaiah said, “<em>Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering, yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by him, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed</em>.” (Isaiah 53:4-5)<br /><br />Friends place yourself in the shadows with Rembrandt. You too are standing there. But then recall what Jesus said as He hung on that cross, “<em>Father, forgive them</em>.” Thank God, that includes you and me. <strong>Horatius Bonar </strong>(1808-89), who has been called the 'prince of Scottish hymn-writers', expressed it well about the sacrifice of Christ:<br /><br /><em><em><em><em>Twas I that shed that sacred Blood,<br />I nailed him to the Tree,<br />I crucified the Christ of God,<br />I joined the mockery.<br />Yet not the less that Blood avails<br />To cleanse me from sin,<br />And not the less that Cross prevails<br />To give me peace within</em></em></em></em><br /><br />Robertpreacherpraterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13644819369409725433noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2812745034110127987.post-20679298123415190092010-10-25T07:56:00.000-07:002010-10-25T08:10:06.506-07:00Redemption and Josh Hamilton<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLy1YCStG6AllHMl7F11hD-__lGP7P32wRBRs0mvFAtO8KgDMiOMtt_r9UQs5pu-qgqjZRv6cf2tdcyGdCVGo8zfstxmDTemP2MfNOwNhEF9-41d1WcqeDpMH2vOR3ndBVyI2IWVeo30A/s1600/16hamilton-blogSpan.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 239px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLy1YCStG6AllHMl7F11hD-__lGP7P32wRBRs0mvFAtO8KgDMiOMtt_r9UQs5pu-qgqjZRv6cf2tdcyGdCVGo8zfstxmDTemP2MfNOwNhEF9-41d1WcqeDpMH2vOR3ndBVyI2IWVeo30A/s400/16hamilton-blogSpan.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532000980795701522" /></a><br />Way to go, Rangers! Yes, Texas, of all teams, is this year's American League champion and is headed to the World Series for the first time in the franchise's 49-year history.<br /><br />The Rangers are truly the feel good story of baseball and the postseason this year. Their best player, Josh Hamilton, nearly ruined his life and his career by substance abuse and addiction. Their manger, Ron Washington, nearly lost his job after testing positive for cocaine last year. He, like Hamilton, gratefully got a second chance.<br /><br />Now, back to Josh Hamilton. He truly is an amazing story of God’s power to redeem and change a life. <br /><br />And Josh's life and commitment are having an influence on his teammates. <br />Back at the end of the regular season a few weeks ago, like most teams, the Rangers celebrated their winning season and playoff berth with a champagne locker room celebration, but one person was missing, Josh Hamilton. The reason of course was because Josh happens to be a recovering alcoholic and drug addict. So in order to avoid any temptations, he left the celebration when the alcohol came out. 1 Corinthians 10:13 says, “No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.” Hamilton was offered that way of escape and took it, but in doing so missed the celebration with teammates. However after the Rangers won the American League Divisional Series against the Tampa Bay Rays, the team recognized his faithful commitment and honored him with a ginger ale celebration instead. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4Wf9S_M_LYYxXtE7dMJsDfdzXW6Ootn4eZkZBs9OzPGj0ap-TJOj-6tHsIQTSoC0xFnIaktu3_3vpwYf9GUW4oEr1j6QlzXgKTTwwDEJ7XOr-YREvVM3J2cXyTtDnpv7S1SWNcNg52kw/s1600/Hamilton-ginger-ale.gif"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 185px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4Wf9S_M_LYYxXtE7dMJsDfdzXW6Ootn4eZkZBs9OzPGj0ap-TJOj-6tHsIQTSoC0xFnIaktu3_3vpwYf9GUW4oEr1j6QlzXgKTTwwDEJ7XOr-YREvVM3J2cXyTtDnpv7S1SWNcNg52kw/s400/Hamilton-ginger-ale.gif" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5531999762842500978" /></a><br /><br />Check out the video below which tells some about Josh Hamilton’s rise and fall and rising again feel good story of how God turned his life around.<br /><br /><object width="640" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/fXOrKT7SUoY?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/fXOrKT7SUoY?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="385"></embed></object><br /><br />“15Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. 16But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life. 17Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.” (1 Timothy 1:15-17)<br /><br /><br />Robertpreacherpraterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13644819369409725433noreply@blogger.com0