The most common "scientific" idea concerning dinosaurs is that they were killed off by a giant meteor (or the results thereof) millions of years ago. Several noted creationists in recent years have advanced another theory concerning dinosaurs....that they are still here!!!
Here's the idea in summary:
Before the flood, man lived hundreds of years longer than he does today (Methuselah...969 years, etc.) We can only assume that animals also lived much longer than they do today.
There is only one form of animal that continues to grow its entire life: reptiles.
Snakes, kimoda dragons, iguanas continue to grow their entire lives. If these animals were to live hundreds of years as man once did, how large would they have been???
Also, serpents apparently had legs before they were cursed by God. Genesis 3: 14, "Because thou hast done this, thou art cursed above all cattle, and above every beast of the field; upon thy belly thou shalt go, and dust shalt thou eat all the days of thy life..."
Let's see, a big serpent with legs might look like a......AGHHHHH! Dinosaurs among us!
Revolution (Barna)
George Barna, in his book "Revolution," asks some tough questions regarding modern believers and the local church. A few quotes to consider:
"One of the greatest frustrations of my life has been the disconnection between what our research consistently shows about churched Christians and what the Bible calls us to be...
if the local church is comprised of people who have been transformed by the grace of God through their redemption in Christ and the presence of the Holy Spirit, then their lives should be noticeably and compellingly different from the norm."
"Only one out of four believers will allocate some time to serving other people. Most of that time is dedicated to volunteering in church programs that serve congregants; little effort is invested in serving needy people outside the congregation. Most churched Christians admit to seeing homeless or hurting people in their community...a very small percentage admit to interacting with them."
"A large majority of churched believers rely upon their church, rather than their family, to train their children to become spiritually mature. In an average month, fewer than one out of ten churched families worship together outside of a church service; just as few pray together, other than at mealtimes..."
Statistics show that "participating in church-based activities does not necessarily draw you closer to God or prepare you for a life that satisfies Him or enhances your existence."
This book is controversial in many facets, yet convicting. Barna repeatedly states that he is not trying to disparage or dismiss local churches. His statistics clearly show, however, that for a majority of professed believers in America, their faith is not vibrant and growing in church as we know it. In fact, a high percentage of new believers become disallusioned in a short period of time. His research shows that alternatives, such as house church, cyberchurch, etc., is and will be exploding in growth in the future.
If church is not vibrant, exciting, and meaningful, who can we blame?
If our lives are no different than unbelievers, who can we blame?
If we lose the joy of God's salvation, who can we blame?
I suppose the answer is....ourselves.
"One of the greatest frustrations of my life has been the disconnection between what our research consistently shows about churched Christians and what the Bible calls us to be...
if the local church is comprised of people who have been transformed by the grace of God through their redemption in Christ and the presence of the Holy Spirit, then their lives should be noticeably and compellingly different from the norm."
"Only one out of four believers will allocate some time to serving other people. Most of that time is dedicated to volunteering in church programs that serve congregants; little effort is invested in serving needy people outside the congregation. Most churched Christians admit to seeing homeless or hurting people in their community...a very small percentage admit to interacting with them."
"A large majority of churched believers rely upon their church, rather than their family, to train their children to become spiritually mature. In an average month, fewer than one out of ten churched families worship together outside of a church service; just as few pray together, other than at mealtimes..."
Statistics show that "participating in church-based activities does not necessarily draw you closer to God or prepare you for a life that satisfies Him or enhances your existence."
This book is controversial in many facets, yet convicting. Barna repeatedly states that he is not trying to disparage or dismiss local churches. His statistics clearly show, however, that for a majority of professed believers in America, their faith is not vibrant and growing in church as we know it. In fact, a high percentage of new believers become disallusioned in a short period of time. His research shows that alternatives, such as house church, cyberchurch, etc., is and will be exploding in growth in the future.
If church is not vibrant, exciting, and meaningful, who can we blame?
If our lives are no different than unbelievers, who can we blame?
If we lose the joy of God's salvation, who can we blame?
I suppose the answer is....ourselves.
Lift Up Your Hands
I would like to think that I have a little "charisma," but that I certainly am not a "charismatic" as we define it. But a number of scriptures seem to promote and sanction what would give Baptists heart failure in church...such as...
Psalm 134:2 "Lift up your hands in the sanctuary, and bless the LORD."
We even sing "Let's just praise the Lord, praise the Lord, let's just lift our hands toward heaven, and p-r-a-i-s-e the Lord"
If they were to actually do it, we'd exclude 'em....or at least tell the pastor to go and talk to them. I am not promoting this...just curious why we as Missionary Baptists are so scared to do something that is permissible, even sanctioned in the scriptures.
(Perhaps this fits Michael Reese's "Castaway Blog")
Psalm 134:2 "Lift up your hands in the sanctuary, and bless the LORD."
We even sing "Let's just praise the Lord, praise the Lord, let's just lift our hands toward heaven, and p-r-a-i-s-e the Lord"
If they were to actually do it, we'd exclude 'em....or at least tell the pastor to go and talk to them. I am not promoting this...just curious why we as Missionary Baptists are so scared to do something that is permissible, even sanctioned in the scriptures.
(Perhaps this fits Michael Reese's "Castaway Blog")
Missing In Action
Some of the "blogging brethren" are missing in action. I know a few of them, but I only know others through their interesting blogs in the past. Rumors are now circulating as to why they have not blogged recently. Here they are:
Mike Wilkes has not blogged becasuse he is travelling around the country doing research for his soon to be released book "The Beauty of Steeples In America." (He is buying lotto tickets to fund his journeys, I hear)
Joseph Pemberton took a wrong turn in Arkansas and ended up in Alaska. He keeps saying something about what the sign meant in "the Greek."
Tim Herrington is being held for picking up shed antlers on government land without a permit.
His last words were "Touch me not!"
Micah Carter joined Casting Crowns as a roadie. He wears a bandana, says "dude" all the time, and keeps pestering Mark Hall to let him preach during the concerts.
BroT was hit in the head by a huge KJV Bible which fell off a shelf. He forgot how to blog and keeps telling everyone that he is a lawyer who is going to put Obama on trial for being a Christian.
I hope you guys take this as a compliment. Like most of you, with families, ministry, etc., etc., I have little time to blog. But I enjoy your posts. Look forward to hearing from you in the future.
Mike Wilkes has not blogged becasuse he is travelling around the country doing research for his soon to be released book "The Beauty of Steeples In America." (He is buying lotto tickets to fund his journeys, I hear)
Joseph Pemberton took a wrong turn in Arkansas and ended up in Alaska. He keeps saying something about what the sign meant in "the Greek."
Tim Herrington is being held for picking up shed antlers on government land without a permit.
His last words were "Touch me not!"
Micah Carter joined Casting Crowns as a roadie. He wears a bandana, says "dude" all the time, and keeps pestering Mark Hall to let him preach during the concerts.
BroT was hit in the head by a huge KJV Bible which fell off a shelf. He forgot how to blog and keeps telling everyone that he is a lawyer who is going to put Obama on trial for being a Christian.
I hope you guys take this as a compliment. Like most of you, with families, ministry, etc., etc., I have little time to blog. But I enjoy your posts. Look forward to hearing from you in the future.
Limiting God
I wonder if I'm guilty of limiting God. Perhaps we all are to some degree.
Jeremiah 33:3 Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.
Ephesians 3:20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that workesth in us...
Psalm 78:41 Yea, they turned back and tempted God, and limited the Holy One of Israel.
Father, forgive me for limiting you. Live through me according to your will. Amen.
Jeremiah 33:3 Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.
Ephesians 3:20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that workesth in us...
Psalm 78:41 Yea, they turned back and tempted God, and limited the Holy One of Israel.
Father, forgive me for limiting you. Live through me according to your will. Amen.
"Unpastorable"
Occassionally you hear a church described as "unpastorable."
What would indicate that a church is "unpastorable?"
What would indicate that a church is "unpastorable?"
Solitude
How much solitude do we have....simply enjoying God's presence?
Jesus spent forty days and nights in solitude with His Father before beginning His earthly ministry. He was able to deal with the tempter who tempted Jesus with the three compulsions that Christians, and especially preachers, are tempted with.
1)to be relevant (turn stones into bread)
2)to be spectacular (throw yourself down)
3)to be powerful (I will give you all these kingdoms)
Jesus simply affirmed God as the only source of His identity (Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve). We worry about being affirmed in our identities hoping others will validate us as smart, or a good preacher, or great Christian.
A Christian writer penned this: "There is freedom in an identity that is anchored in a place beyond all human praise and blame."
Solitude, or time spent alone with God, is the best place to reclaim that identity and to be strengthened spiritually. Then church, witnessing, preaching, living...become all the more worthwhile.
Not trying to preach today...just sharing my thoughts.
Jesus spent forty days and nights in solitude with His Father before beginning His earthly ministry. He was able to deal with the tempter who tempted Jesus with the three compulsions that Christians, and especially preachers, are tempted with.
1)to be relevant (turn stones into bread)
2)to be spectacular (throw yourself down)
3)to be powerful (I will give you all these kingdoms)
Jesus simply affirmed God as the only source of His identity (Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve). We worry about being affirmed in our identities hoping others will validate us as smart, or a good preacher, or great Christian.
A Christian writer penned this: "There is freedom in an identity that is anchored in a place beyond all human praise and blame."
Solitude, or time spent alone with God, is the best place to reclaim that identity and to be strengthened spiritually. Then church, witnessing, preaching, living...become all the more worthwhile.
Not trying to preach today...just sharing my thoughts.
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