Presently (today), the Hate-Crime bill is expected to pass the House of Representatives. With the support of 30 Republicans along with Democrats, this new bill includes crimes against Gays as a hate-crime.
The problem with this of course is 2 fold: the singling out of protection for a group that's identity is an abomination against the Lord and this bill will be the justification of silencing Pastors who preach against Homosexuality.
We need not wonder if Pastoral Censor will come. In Canada and England, outspoken anti-gay Speakers have been arrested for their words. (see CBNNews.com) This had nothing to do with actions, but rather the preaching against homosexuality.
I would like to encourage you to call you U.S. Senator and Congressman. A KIND SECRETARY WILL ANSWER THE PHONE AND YOU JUST TELL HER YOU ARE AGAINST THE HATE-CRIMES BILL. IT IS VERY EASY AND SIMPLE. I just called all the numbers and it was not uncomfortable at all.
Delaware)
Sen. Ted Kaufman (302) 573-6345 or (302) 424-8090
Sen. Carper (302) 573-6291
(Maryland)
Maryland Senators of the 111th Congress
Cardin, Benjamin L. - (D - MD) Class I
509 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-4524
Web Form: cardin.senate.gov/contact/email.cfm
horizontal line
Mikulski, Barbara A. - (D - MD) Class III
503 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-4654
Web Form: mikulski.senate.gov/Contact/contact.cfm
Delaware Congressman Mike Castle:
Washington Office
1233 Longworth HOB
Washington, DC 20515
p: 202.225.4165
f: 202.225.2291
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Strange American Times?
1 Peter 4:12-14
12 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:
13 But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.
14 If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.
This morning, I was listening to Andrew's homeschooling DVD with him and this verse was being discussed in his Bible Class.
With all of the Christian bashing, the political correct Gay Marriage happenings, the threat to preachers of hate-crime preaching, etc., this verse speaks to the attitude that we must have. We are definitely approaching days of discrimination and probably persecution as Bible-standing Christians.
Some Christians are not handling this well. They love their country and are terribly upset that we are going this direction. It is true that we must stand very vocally against the sins of our country; however, to live "upset" each day is not right. The Lord told us that these days would come and that we should "rejoice" that we are partakers of Christ's sufferings. We are looked down upon because we identify with Christ, His Word, for God's truth.
Another aspect of this is the President Obama bashing that I hear from the mouths of believers. For one thing, just because he is President does not mean that he is personally responsible for ALL LIBERAL AGENDAS right now. For another - bashing your government is sinful. In II Peter 2 we are told of False Teachers that they would despise government. Also, God reasons there that even the angels do not bring accusations against dignities (government leaders), yet false teachers would bash them openly. We must not act like these false teachers. We can stand against sin without ugly words toward our President. God ordained that man and the angels won't speak against him - who are you to bash God's ordained?
I ask you to consider the right attitude in these days. As a Pastor, I must find the ground where I can stand for the things of the Lord with the right attitude from the pulpit. I must be serious and vocal against the sin of our country, but within my heart rejoicing that we are suffering for the cause of Jesus. The I Peter passage above says that God is glorified when I happily suffer. Will you glorify the Lord this way and refuse to allow the terrible sins of our country to rob your happiness to be identified with Christ?
12 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:
13 But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.
14 If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.
This morning, I was listening to Andrew's homeschooling DVD with him and this verse was being discussed in his Bible Class.
With all of the Christian bashing, the political correct Gay Marriage happenings, the threat to preachers of hate-crime preaching, etc., this verse speaks to the attitude that we must have. We are definitely approaching days of discrimination and probably persecution as Bible-standing Christians.
Some Christians are not handling this well. They love their country and are terribly upset that we are going this direction. It is true that we must stand very vocally against the sins of our country; however, to live "upset" each day is not right. The Lord told us that these days would come and that we should "rejoice" that we are partakers of Christ's sufferings. We are looked down upon because we identify with Christ, His Word, for God's truth.
Another aspect of this is the President Obama bashing that I hear from the mouths of believers. For one thing, just because he is President does not mean that he is personally responsible for ALL LIBERAL AGENDAS right now. For another - bashing your government is sinful. In II Peter 2 we are told of False Teachers that they would despise government. Also, God reasons there that even the angels do not bring accusations against dignities (government leaders), yet false teachers would bash them openly. We must not act like these false teachers. We can stand against sin without ugly words toward our President. God ordained that man and the angels won't speak against him - who are you to bash God's ordained?
I ask you to consider the right attitude in these days. As a Pastor, I must find the ground where I can stand for the things of the Lord with the right attitude from the pulpit. I must be serious and vocal against the sin of our country, but within my heart rejoicing that we are suffering for the cause of Jesus. The I Peter passage above says that God is glorified when I happily suffer. Will you glorify the Lord this way and refuse to allow the terrible sins of our country to rob your happiness to be identified with Christ?
Monday, April 13, 2009
He is Risen Indeed
I praise the Lord for the opportunity to make much of Jesus Christ yesterday at "Bread of Life" (the Resurrection Cantata)
It was a great blessing to think of the music, drama, and then see those things in John 6 from our Bibles.
I praise the Lord for those that called upon the Lord to save them. The increase is God's business and we praise Him for working.
I was also so very excited about the response of our people by involvement, attendance, interest, etc. The 2 Cantata's back to back was a bit of an experiment I should think. We did not know who would come to what, but it was important to Pastor Pritt that everyone be there "in person" and not in the video overflow. I was amazed in the 9am service as the auditorium filled to capacity. Then, we prepared the choir and all for the shock of emptiness in the second service....but.....low and behold, there we where at about 70% I guess in the second service. I am told that there were a lot of visitors. I did meet some of them, but with the rush, could not make my normal "rounds".
I did miss the evening service I must confess, and though there were many very good reasons that we did not have it, we will revisit it in our thinking next year. I just know that no matter the fact that I am preaching, the evening service lends to a very good and wonderful Lord's Day of Worship each Sunday.
Well, much love to all and grace and peace from our Lord Jesus and His Father: Jehovah. (Read I Peter 1) :)
It was a great blessing to think of the music, drama, and then see those things in John 6 from our Bibles.
I praise the Lord for those that called upon the Lord to save them. The increase is God's business and we praise Him for working.
I was also so very excited about the response of our people by involvement, attendance, interest, etc. The 2 Cantata's back to back was a bit of an experiment I should think. We did not know who would come to what, but it was important to Pastor Pritt that everyone be there "in person" and not in the video overflow. I was amazed in the 9am service as the auditorium filled to capacity. Then, we prepared the choir and all for the shock of emptiness in the second service....but.....low and behold, there we where at about 70% I guess in the second service. I am told that there were a lot of visitors. I did meet some of them, but with the rush, could not make my normal "rounds".
I did miss the evening service I must confess, and though there were many very good reasons that we did not have it, we will revisit it in our thinking next year. I just know that no matter the fact that I am preaching, the evening service lends to a very good and wonderful Lord's Day of Worship each Sunday.
Well, much love to all and grace and peace from our Lord Jesus and His Father: Jehovah. (Read I Peter 1) :)
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Rick Warren
This past Monday night on Larry King Live, Pastor Rick Warren disavowed support of the marriage protection amendment and said that he had apologized to his homosexual friends. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pHPIhI5WDM8
Rick is the celebrated pastor of the Saddleback Church and the author of The Purpose Driven Life. I want to explain to you the road that would lead a self-proclaimed Bible-believing Evangelical to become friendly with the Gay and Lesbian Community:
Pastor Rick and present "New Evangelicals" (now Old-Evangelicals) believe in removing walls of doctrine or division that may keep believers or potential believers apart. New-Evangelicals arrive at their place of compromise by trying to have a "loving" welcome of sinners that calls them to Jesus. That sounds terrific but neglects both Prophets, Jesus, John the Baptist, Disciples, and Apostles continual preaching of Repentance from the abomination of personal sin.
Warren appears in Aids Concerts to raise money for the Aids Agenda. Warren publicly apologizes for believers who say that Aids is God's Plague on sin (Larry King Live). The disconnect here that has brought Warren to a place where he forgets Sodom and Gomorrah, forgets Romans 1:26-27, etc. is the Armenian view that man's salvation is of the greatest value in the universe. This view is willing to go to the "nth" degree to see a soul saved, even if it means removing all offensiveness toward sinners from our Bible. They want to "love" people into salvation instead of exposing the truth that they are hopeless sinners that must repent and THEN turn to the love of God through Jesus Christ.
We must understand that even in Salvation, CHRIST, not man is the central figure. God's character of holiness cannot be compromised to make sinners feel more comfortable so that they "may feel like" receiving Christ. This view places an unbiblical sales presentation on the gospel that aims to persuade the lost to come to Christ by kind arguments, fads, and acts that turns the gospel into a trendy product that appeals to everyone. A man does not need a Savior until he knows that he is drowning in the wages of his own sin. This is what the law taught as a schoolmaster. A sinner must realize he falls short of the glory of God before he is converted. He must by the Word, God's grace, and God's calling be brought to repentance of his sins before God. A homosexual cannot be saved unless he is told from Scripture that his sin must be admitted and forsaken before God at the moment of salvation. He cannot repent without the power of God, and his repenting is not an act of reforming before the Lord can save him. Repentance is an acknowledgment and willingness of the mind to abandon sin at the moment of salvation.
This slippy road does not even include Rick Warren's quest for popularity and world prominence. I cannot judge his heart motives on that, but I certainly can view his fruit.
It is obvious to you now that I totally reject and condemn Rick Warren's compromising stand. His compromise and form of evangelism perverts the gospel and keeps people from true salvation. This is not "loving the lost" - this is blinding the lost to their sin and their offensiveness to a perfect Creator. This form of evangelism removes the need for Christ's atonement at God's hand. It removes the meaning of our sin's being laid upon Christ. It creates a mighty congregation of those "sold" into Christianity with marketing techniques without being Born-Again.
I compel true believers that read this to reject any Pastor that is clearly standing against the Scriptures. Our examples are Preachers of old that went against the grain of political correctness and were even martyred for that. The Prophets and Apostles preached strongly against sin. Roger Williams, John Huss, Martin Luther, Lester Roloff, Billy Sunday, Charles Spurgeon, Gypsy Smith, Bob Jones, Monk Parker, George Whitefield, Conrad Grebel, etc. all stood and preached stongly against sin. Warren stated on one of his several Larry King appearances that he certainly did not equate marriage with pedophilia or incest. REALLY RICK? You cannot call homosexuality perversion?!??
We have sunk to an all time low spirituality in our Country . Rick Warren would say that he was a Fundamentalist in the sense of believing the Fundamentals of the faith. He would certainly say he believed the same major doctrine as Lighthouse Baptist Church. A Fundamental Pastor apologizing for opposing Homosexual Marriage. This is only equaled this month by our President informing the world that we are no longer only a Christian nation.
Amazing. Listen for the Trumpet or the Police coming to drag believers away!
PW
Rick is the celebrated pastor of the Saddleback Church and the author of The Purpose Driven Life. I want to explain to you the road that would lead a self-proclaimed Bible-believing Evangelical to become friendly with the Gay and Lesbian Community:
Pastor Rick and present "New Evangelicals" (now Old-Evangelicals) believe in removing walls of doctrine or division that may keep believers or potential believers apart. New-Evangelicals arrive at their place of compromise by trying to have a "loving" welcome of sinners that calls them to Jesus. That sounds terrific but neglects both Prophets, Jesus, John the Baptist, Disciples, and Apostles continual preaching of Repentance from the abomination of personal sin.
Warren appears in Aids Concerts to raise money for the Aids Agenda. Warren publicly apologizes for believers who say that Aids is God's Plague on sin (Larry King Live). The disconnect here that has brought Warren to a place where he forgets Sodom and Gomorrah, forgets Romans 1:26-27, etc. is the Armenian view that man's salvation is of the greatest value in the universe. This view is willing to go to the "nth" degree to see a soul saved, even if it means removing all offensiveness toward sinners from our Bible. They want to "love" people into salvation instead of exposing the truth that they are hopeless sinners that must repent and THEN turn to the love of God through Jesus Christ.
We must understand that even in Salvation, CHRIST, not man is the central figure. God's character of holiness cannot be compromised to make sinners feel more comfortable so that they "may feel like" receiving Christ. This view places an unbiblical sales presentation on the gospel that aims to persuade the lost to come to Christ by kind arguments, fads, and acts that turns the gospel into a trendy product that appeals to everyone. A man does not need a Savior until he knows that he is drowning in the wages of his own sin. This is what the law taught as a schoolmaster. A sinner must realize he falls short of the glory of God before he is converted. He must by the Word, God's grace, and God's calling be brought to repentance of his sins before God. A homosexual cannot be saved unless he is told from Scripture that his sin must be admitted and forsaken before God at the moment of salvation. He cannot repent without the power of God, and his repenting is not an act of reforming before the Lord can save him. Repentance is an acknowledgment and willingness of the mind to abandon sin at the moment of salvation.
This slippy road does not even include Rick Warren's quest for popularity and world prominence. I cannot judge his heart motives on that, but I certainly can view his fruit.
It is obvious to you now that I totally reject and condemn Rick Warren's compromising stand. His compromise and form of evangelism perverts the gospel and keeps people from true salvation. This is not "loving the lost" - this is blinding the lost to their sin and their offensiveness to a perfect Creator. This form of evangelism removes the need for Christ's atonement at God's hand. It removes the meaning of our sin's being laid upon Christ. It creates a mighty congregation of those "sold" into Christianity with marketing techniques without being Born-Again.
I compel true believers that read this to reject any Pastor that is clearly standing against the Scriptures. Our examples are Preachers of old that went against the grain of political correctness and were even martyred for that. The Prophets and Apostles preached strongly against sin. Roger Williams, John Huss, Martin Luther, Lester Roloff, Billy Sunday, Charles Spurgeon, Gypsy Smith, Bob Jones, Monk Parker, George Whitefield, Conrad Grebel, etc. all stood and preached stongly against sin. Warren stated on one of his several Larry King appearances that he certainly did not equate marriage with pedophilia or incest. REALLY RICK? You cannot call homosexuality perversion?!??
We have sunk to an all time low spirituality in our Country . Rick Warren would say that he was a Fundamentalist in the sense of believing the Fundamentals of the faith. He would certainly say he believed the same major doctrine as Lighthouse Baptist Church. A Fundamental Pastor apologizing for opposing Homosexual Marriage. This is only equaled this month by our President informing the world that we are no longer only a Christian nation.
Amazing. Listen for the Trumpet or the Police coming to drag believers away!
PW
Kuler or Color Website 2.0
Would you like to have an input in the new color scheme of our "soon to launch" Website 2.0? We would like to know the preferences of those who use our website.
You can help choose the main color scheme by doing the following:
1. Go to www.kuler.adobe.com
2. Type in the Search field "lbc"
3. You will see 4 color palettes pop up for lbc that you can choose from.
4. Choose the color palette that you like most.
5. Email the name of your choice to me at pastor@lbcde.org
Thanks for voting !
PW
You can help choose the main color scheme by doing the following:
1. Go to www.kuler.adobe.com
2. Type in the Search field "lbc"
3. You will see 4 color palettes pop up for lbc that you can choose from.
4. Choose the color palette that you like most.
5. Email the name of your choice to me at pastor@lbcde.org
Thanks for voting !
PW
Faith Promise Giving
I praise the Lord for the tremendous response to the Faith Promise Commitment. We are at almost $87,000!
Pastor Barber (our Conference speaker)called the other day and was so excited at the great response. Please begin giving your new Commitment immediately.
We will be voting on the new missionaries (the Ruleys and van Reijns) on April 19th. We are excited to expand our Missions' Vision further into Brazil and the Netherlands.
Pray for our Easter service to be powerful. Pray that the Sermon would work with the Cantata to touch people's hearts in a great way.
I hope each of you are rejoicing and praising the Lord today...remember, Jesus came that we may have life, and that we may have it more abundantly.
PW
Pastor Barber (our Conference speaker)called the other day and was so excited at the great response. Please begin giving your new Commitment immediately.
We will be voting on the new missionaries (the Ruleys and van Reijns) on April 19th. We are excited to expand our Missions' Vision further into Brazil and the Netherlands.
Pray for our Easter service to be powerful. Pray that the Sermon would work with the Cantata to touch people's hearts in a great way.
I hope each of you are rejoicing and praising the Lord today...remember, Jesus came that we may have life, and that we may have it more abundantly.
PW
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)