As I lay on my couch sick and trying to relax, my 5-year-old son rolls into the living room to Play a little Lego Star Wars X-box style After about 10 minutes of watching what he was doing, my attention shifted to him. He was sitting on the floor in front of my eyes locked straight ahead. His body wincing and twitching with the moves of Yoda on the screen. I found myself captivated by him. I love my boy so much. And although I could only see the back of his buzzed little head and his cute little ears, I adored him.

It hit me hard at that very moment, just as my love for my son was not dependent upon his focus on me. God’s love for us isn’t dependent upon our focus on Him.  At that moment my son had probably forgotten I was in the room. I smiled a little shamefully thinking of my constant efforts to earn God’s love realizing that even when my eyes are off Jesus he still adores me because I am His…

Today I want to share what I would say has to be my biggest takeaway of the day. I think one of the biggest apologies that we need to make not only to the Gay & Lesbian Community, but to ourselves, and to the world is that we have not maintain a true community. That is one of the things that hit me the hardest as I stood up and took questions. The LGBTQ community is immediately and openly welcoming of people that share in their lifestyle. Their community sees, beyond color, economics, gender and education. We seem to be constantly divided,  why would people want to be involved in with us.  I heard this over and over in the large group as well as in the smaller discussion after the Forum. Why would we expose our hearts when inevitably we will be rejected. We get all the love all the support all the family and fellowship that you could want. Why would we come to the church where even of some might look past our sexual gender surely we will be rejected, its just a matter of time.

As someone that has run in the Criminal community, there is a greater understanding of a general acceptance than in Christianity. Now certainly I am generalizing, and I have people that I have incredible community with some in the Faith. But I think we need to really examine what is the state of our community. How does it look to the outsider? And shouldn’t the Body of Christ bring from the world because of the love we demonstrate to one another?  It was the Commandment that Christ gave us that if we obeyed the world would recognize us without a banner of a building.

Later on Tuesday the group of guys (the Barbarians) that I meet with took a long hard look at Psalm 133

Psalm 133: 1 Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity!2 It is like the precious oil on the head, running down on the beard, on the beard of Aaron, running down on the collar of his robes!3 It is like the dew of Hermon, which falls on the mountains of Zion! For there the Lord has commanded the blessing, life forevermore.

Do we realize that our fellowship, our unity is not only just holy, and good, and right before the Lord. But that it is beautiful, and life giving, and it is a demonstration of grace and hope?

Consider this, do  your relationships  say more to the world than your religion.

I hope to have a audio and video link uo in the next week for The Forum

Blessings

I’ll be honest the question for me is simple. YES, We owe a huge apology. The tough part is for what, and how that looks.

Now before you get to freaked out on their sin being an abomination, etc… Lets start with this, Lets assume for the sake of the argument it is. I still say we own Our Brothers and Sisters an apology. Why you ask? Let me tell you a story and then I would love your feed back.

Many of you know that once upon a time I was a professional fighter. I fought in the MMA Arena (mixed martial arts) for years and had the opportunity to travel  all over the world, meet tons of people and grow deeply in my walk with Christ.  While training at AMC (One of the top gyms in the world) in Kirkland, WA. I had the privilege of meeting a great guy named Kim Mason.  Kim came to AMC and showed tremendous potential. He became close friends with all the guys, attended our bible study,  sweat, bleed, and had fellowship with  the rest of us daily. After a few years I retired and moved to Tucson, AZ to pursue full time ministry. Kim stayed in the Seattle area and did very well in the fight game. A couple of years later, I received a phone call from a friend and was told that our friend Kim was arrested for murder. What? I was shocked, how could this be, what happened?

The details where sketchy but it turns out that Kim had broken into the victims house, cut his throat, stabbed him repeatedly and then disposed of the body (which has never been found) and then took the car to the airport, to make it look like the victim had left town. It took two years for the police to put together all the evidence and now Kim was being arrested.  I was sick, it turns out the victim was Hartanto Santoso, a friend of Kim’s that used to come to the Gym occasionally with Kim. A nice guy but really quite, not a fighter. Why? Why did this happen, I was in shock?

Fast forward to me visiting with  Kim in prison (being a pastor has its privileges). Bro what happened, I asked. The answer changed me forever. Kim and Haranto had been having a relationship together and Haranto was going to expose Kim. I could hardly breath, Why, why did you have to kill him? Why didn’t you come to us? We are your brothers. The answer, “You would have never accepted me, I heard what you guys called people like me, I came to the bible studies, I knew God wouldn’t  love me because of who I am…

My apology had to start that day, after a tragedy that can never be taken back, with a friend a brother that will be in jail for the rest of his life without the possibility of parole. To “Kim the Sensation Mason” and to Hartanto Santoso my heart breaks and I am eternally sorry, my heart breaks for you your families and your community.

Have we brought so much shame that there is no room at the foot of the Cross?

What are your thoughts, please share.

On November 3rd, we will be taking on this issue @ Bellevue College. We are going tackle this issue head on seeking after truth without apology. So join us if you can 12:30pm in room N201

Would Jesus Smoke with me? If so what would he smoke, a cigar, a cigarette, or how about a “J”?

I would love your opinions on this topic. Is this a cultural issue or a moral one? If you think he would Why, and if you think he wouldn’t why not?

Does the time 2009 vs. 32AD vs. 1920s make a difference?

This is a topic that I will be taking on at the Forum at Bellevue College on Oct 20th.  So sound off and tell me what you think.

Praise be to the Lord my Rock, who trains my hands for war, my fingers for battle. Psalm 144:1

David was a man skilled in war. From his days as a shepherd boy to the days of serving in Saul’s army to leading his own army, David learned to be a skillful warrior. How does one become a skillful warrior?

The only way one can become a skillful warrior is to be trained and placed in the middle of the battle. It is only when we are placed in the furnace of battle that we truly learn to fight the real battles. Practice doesn’t make you battle ready. War games won’t prepare you for facing your real enemy in the battlefield. The stark reality of being in the midst of the battle makes us effective warriors.

Simply reading your Bible will not make you a warrior for the Kingdom. Knowledge without experience is mere folly. Only when you are placed in situations where there is nothing or no one who can save you but God will you learn the lessons of warrior faith. This is the training ground of God, which will make you into a soldier for Christ. Consider it to be suicidal faith-faith that says I want to be dead to anything that keeps me from fulfilling God’s purposes for my life. It is when your efforts can do nothing to change your circumstances and you are at the mercy of God. These are the real training grounds of God. Do not shrink back from the battle that God may be leading you to today. It may be a training ground that is necessary for the calling He has on your life.

If you can trust Him in these times, you’ll know that you have gained a faith that will move mountains and will sustain you in the most difficult of circumstances. “Praise be to the Lord my Rock, who trains my hands for war, my fingers for battle.”

Blessing to all. I wanted to share this awesome writing by Os Hillman with you.

“While we have seen God do tremendous things here the past couple of
evenings, yes, it is true that a great healing and a great many salvations
have occurred within the confines of this auditorium. Still yet,
there lies a great mountain in this city which needs to be conquered.”

Then taking from the Biblical Book of Joshua, Chapter 14, he read, “I am
this day, eighty-five years old. As yet, I am as strong this Day as on the
day that Moses sent me; just as my strength was then, so now is my strength
for war, both for going out and for coming in. Now therefore, give me this
mountain of which the Lord spoke in that day,” his voice suddenly sounding
more forceful than during his 22 minute sermon.

“I last preached in the City of New Orleans in1954 and I felt then that
there was some unfinished business. Tonight, in what very well might be my
last evangelistic service, I aim to finish that business and lead as
many of you that would follow me to the multitude of lost souls that fill
Bourbon Street tonight. That is my mountain !

That is where we shall see the harvest!” said Graham as the stadium
erupted in cheers that lasted the next several minutes. Utilizing a waiting
mobility scooter, the elder Graham joined his son and heir to the ministry,
Franklin across the Arena floor and through the opened doors leading towards
the French Quarter. In a show of solidarity and determination reminiscent of
civil rights marches of the 1960’s, nearly the entire capacity crowd joined
in the 20 minute trek while singing, “When the Saints Go Marching In”.

As the march crossed Canal Street and headed northward towards Bourbon
Street, many onlookers stood in stunned silence as the massive crowd of
people began singing in unison the Christian hymn, Amazing Grace.
Upon entering the west end of Bourbon Street, Billy Graham was soon
recognized by partiers.

Soon, those joining in the march began to approach those partying on
Bourbon Street with the Gospel message that they had heard preached just a
half hour before. Graham himself joined with a group of local street evangelists in ministering to a man who had survived Hurricane Katrina in the lower 9th Ward.

Within 30 minutes, the entirety of Bourbon Street was packed with
Christians and the once blaring music of nightclubs and strip joints had
been replaced by weeping and worship as people poured out their drinks and
sought prayer from the Christians who were now reaching out to them.

“I have never seen anything like this in my life,” said 20 years New
OrleansPolice Department veteran, Tom Phillips. “This is unbelievable! We
thought a riot was going to break out, but this looks more like a revival
than a riot!”

Two hours later, a glowing Graham sat back down on his scooter and
smiled. “Now I know how the Apostle Paul must have felt at the end of his
ministry. Do the work of an evangelist; make full proof of thy ministry. For
I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I
have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.”

Hours later, hundreds of Christians remained on the street ministering to
the many people eagerly waiting to receive prayer and ministry. New Orleans
will never be the same.

And the press remained mute on this “news item?”

Did anyone see it on TV/hear it on radio/read it in the paper?

Well, unfortunately you didn’t see it because it didn’t happen. As you read the above story, didn’t you think, that is just awesome?  I truly believe the only thing keeping an amazing event like this from occuring is us.  Let’s get off the side line of being spectators and become God’s players in the game.

Sam Harris is the author of the New York Times best sellers, “Letter to a Christian Nation” and “The End of Faith.”  He also recently wrote an article that was published in Newsweek, A Dissent: The Case Against Faith.

When I first read the article in Newsweek, I initially thought ‘here is a guy that is not only bitter – he is either uneducated or ignorant on Faith’. And to be honest, I didn’t think this article would cause much stir. Well, as the weeks have gone by, I have heard more than a few people discussing Sam Harris and his writing. So, I thought, why not take a trip or two down memory lane and see what Sammy is talking about…

Sam’s first point: A Full Century of Scientific Insight
To say this is an uneducated statement would be kind.  If you have searched the Internet, or attended a local university, it is easy to see the immense reemergence of creation science.   It is becoming obvious that as science develops, there is a greater recognition of the signature of a Creator.

Sam’s second point: a 6000-Year-Old Universe – Light Created En-Route
I can only think that Sam was just trying to bring as much criticism as possible to Creation theories.  The age of the earth is a mystery to most and age isn’t as important as its origin.  There are some fantastic creation scientists, as well as theologians, who indicate a broad potential range for the age of the earth.  I am personally a believer of the 10 –12k year range, which has a tremendous amount of scientific evidence behind it.

Sam’s third point: The First Members of our Species were Fashioned out of Dirt and Divine Breath
Here is the funny part: take away the divine breath and Sam Harris would have no problems with the theory.  Sam, is it really easier to believe that we happened by chance out of nothing without causation?  Or, maybe you believe that aliens brought us here?

The foundation for the belief or faith, as Sam Harris ascribes, is not science – but an unfounded belief that no God exists.  It is from here, this faith in ‘self’, that Humanism seeks to develop a foundation against God’s creation. Here is a Question: does anyone really think we would really be any better without the existence of faith — even theistic faith?  Many noted philosophers and theologians have espoused the idea that faith is the basis of all knowledge.  One example is St. Augustine of Hippo.  Known as one of his key contributions to philosophy, the idea of “faith seeking understanding” was set forth by St. Augustine in his statement “Crede, ut intelligas” (“Believe in order that you may understand”). This statement extends beyond the sphere of religion to encompass the totality of knowledge.  In essence, faith must be present in order to know anything.  In other words, one must assume, believe, or have faith in the credibility of a person, place, thing, or idea in order to have a basis for knowledge.  Check out some of the following links:

Answers in Genesis

Institute For Creation Research

Jonathan Edwards (Not the Presidential candidate) was a dynamic pastor in the First Great Awakening who took his faith extremely seriously. In several sittings over a one-year period, Edwards drafted 70 resolutions by which he governed his life and ministry.

For such a young man, he wrote a life’s code that was amazingly well-rounded. He addressed personal spiritual growth and physical temperance, and matters of attitude, behavior, and relationship. Edwards wanted to live as if he had “already seen the happiness of heaven, and hell torments.”

He pledged that he would “never speak anything but the pure and simple verity.” “Let there be something of benevolence in all that I speak.” In a pledge that he would speak evil of no one, Edwards added the caveat, “except I have some particular good call for it.”

Let’s take a look at some of his resolutions that we should possibly take to heart.

Being sensible that I am unable to do any thing without God’s help, I do humbly in-treat him by his grace to enable me to keep these resolutions, so far as they are agreeable to His will, for Christ’s sake.Resolved, That I will do whatsoever I think to be most to God’s glory, and my own good, profit and pleasure, in the whole of my duration.

Resolved to do whatever I think to be my duty, and most for the good and advantage of mankind in general.

Resolved to do this, whatever difficulties I meet with, how many and how great soever.

Resolved, Never to lose one moment of time, but improve it the most profitable way I possibly can.

Resolved, Never to do any thing, which I should be afraid to do, if it were the last hour of my life.

Resolved, To be endeavoring to find out fit objects of charity and liberality.

Resolved, To maintain the strictest temperance in eating and drinking.

Resolved, Never to do any thing, which if I should see in another, I should count a just occasion to despise Him for, or to think any way the more meanly of Him.

Resolved, To study the Scriptures so steadily, constantly and frequently, as that I may find, and plainly perceive myself to grow in the knowledge of the same.

Resolved, To strive to my utmost every week to be brought higher in religion, and to a higher excercise of grace, than I was the week before.

Resolved, To ask myself at the end of every day, week, month and year, wherein I could possibly in any respect have done better.

Resolved, Frequently to renew the dedication of myself to God, which was made at my baptism, which I solemnly renewed, when I was received into the communion of the church; and which I have solemnly re-made this twelfth day of January, 1722-3.

Resolved, Never hence-forward, till I die, to act as if I were any way my own, but entirely and altogether God’s.

Resolved, I will act so as I think I shall judge would have been best, and most prudent, when I come into the future world.

Resolved, Never to give over, nor in the least to slacken my fight with my corruptions, however unsuccessful I may be.

Resolved, After afflictions, to inquire, what I am the better for them, what good I have got by them, and what I might have got by them.

Well with all that being said I think I should maybe reconsider my new years resolutions to lose weight, get to the gym on a more regular basis and to read the Bible in a year.

Have a great new year!

I can’t help but think, here was a man who lived his life turning away from the one true God and will live an eternity separated from God.  No matter how cruel and mercilessly he lived his life, it is still horrible that even to the point of his death he chose a lie over the truth.

No one that I know has earned this tragedy more than Saddam.  Yet, I still wish that at some point he would have chosen God’s truth and love.

Hopefully I can remember Saddam’s death as a reminder to myself to be even more diligent in sharing God’s truth with this world.