Your Time is Not Your Own

Hello, hello! "Blogger Boy? Is that you? It's been so long!!"  I'm back! How long? Who knows? God does. All right, enough with the two word sentences! Let's get to the reason for this post:

Recently, well, yesterday (that recently?) I experienced a demonstration of my hyper-active nature. Let me explain. So I was sitting in my big chair just doing some reading when I get a text from a friend saying, "Hey, would you like to play some ping-pong. If yes, could you pick me up?" or something like that. I love ping-pong so I respond, "Sure! On my way!" Now, a normal person would have waited until the friend actually responded to his text before he would jump in the car and head over to the friend's house. See? Hyper-active. It was only a ten minute drive, and I wanted to be all James Bond and call him while I was in the driveway before he even had a chance to call back...I'm hyper-active like that. Unbeknownst to me, my friend had to leave on short notice with his family to go do something, so when I called, he wasn't there. Now what? Feeling a little embarrassed, I began to make the drive home. 

As I'm driving home, I'm thinking about how strange I am to not confirm before I drive off. About this time, I notice that I am low on fuel. I said to myself, "Self, I don't want to waste this opportunity, I am going to take this time to give someone a tract at the gas station! This trip WILL NOT BE WASTED!!" Dramatic, eh? Well, as soon as I had that thought the excuses ran through, "What if my friend comes to my house? My car isn't THAT low on fuel. I really have some school to do." If you have ever tried to share your faith, you know what this is like. This time, though, I just had a special sense of "I must go." God had something for me to do.

Too often in our busy, American lives we forget that our purpose for living lies beyond our schedule. We get so caught up in what we have to do that we are blind to what God would have us do. This doesn't mean that we ignore our duties. The bills must be paid, groceries must be bought, kids must be clothed, fed, and educated, and oftentimes it is by fulfilling these duties that we do what God commands us. By the same token, however, we wrongly use these good things we must do as excuses to avoid other commands, namely, evangelism.

Back to my story.

So I'm driving down to the gas station rehearsing in my mind how this witnessing encounter might go, "All right, I am going to give a tract to someone at the pump next to me. Maybe I'll get to talk to them about the things of God. Oh boy, talking to people...God be with me!" I pull up to the gas station...and there is someone there at the pump! I've got my chance! "I'll give them the tract right after I'm done with all the credit card stuff." All I get to say is, "Good afternoon." They drive off. But! Someone else pulls in while I'm still filling up. I'm thinking, "Ok, maybe this is the person" But they leave and go inside to pay. I'm done filling up my tank at this point, and I can't just hang around until this person gets back. That'd creep her out. So I decide, "Well I am not going to leave this gas station with only a full tank." I'm going in.

Sometimes when it comes to evangelism, we need to make opportunity instead of waiting for it to fall in our lap. Many times it does just plop into our lap, but for those times it doesn't, we should seek to make opportunity. We shouldn't wait until its convenient to obey, we should obey. Honestly, what command could be better to obey?

Now I have decided that I am just going to have to get a soda or something to get to witness to the person behind the counter. Notice I said person, as in singular, because I was only planning on giving one tract out today. I walk in, and there are THREE people behind the counter! "Oh no," I think to myself, "if I look weird, I'll have to do so in front of THREE people!" But I determined that I am going to do it! I head up to the counter with my Gatorade (I'm trying to be more healthy these days. Hey, the NFL players drink it.) I pay for it and say, "Did you guys get your million dollar bill today?" That just gets peoples attention...including the another customer that is now behind me (different from the person at the pump). The three people just loved the million dollar bill. Encouraged by their reaction, I turned to the customer behind me as I was walking out and asked, "Would you like one?" She said yes and seemed really happy to get it!

All this happens after me being just too hyper-active that day in going to pick up my friend. Four people got tracts that day! 

Isn't God amazing in how He works through everything? He didn't allow my friend to respond to me in time, He caused me to ignore how low on gas I was until that day, He caused three people to be behind the counter that day, He caused me to pick the gas station EVERYTHING!! He is a real God Who really directs MY ways and YOUR ways. And you know what? He loves you. Why wouldn't you want to tell others about Him?

Until next time!

-Mark (Yeah, that's my name).

500 points to the person that got the Brian Regan reference!   

AAAAAAAAANNNNNNDDDDD.....We're Back (For a little while)

Whew! It has been a long semester! I am (almost) on Christmas break, and I just wanted to share something that I relearned this semester. Today, I have gone to the last Anthropology class for the semester. Now, for those who do not know what Anthropology is, it is, in a nutshell, the study of man. This study is obviously NOT from a Christian worldview. The thing that struck me (although I must say I was not surprised) is that none of these theories would or could apply to everyone. I got the same result from some psychology classes-many theories, no certainties. Despite the fact that the minds that are creating these theories are the best the world can offer, they all seem to fall short in identifying the human condition. They all seem to be chasing for something that will explain us but they are never able to reach it.

The funny thing is, the human condition can be identified. I can give you and all these psychological researchers the book where all their questions can be answered regarding the human condition on this here blog.....ready? THE BIBLE. Amazingly, despite the fact that the Bible is over 2000 years old and we have progressed sooooo much since then, (cough cough) the Bible nails the human condition, we are sinners. We are depraved. Researchers, you go ahead and study that. Go see if you can find someone who has not lied or stolen or lost their temper. Go ahead and see if you can find anyone who could avoid doing anything wrong for even an hour. And when you can't do that, tell them that a payment for their sins has been offered. Tell them that because of what they have done they should be judged as guilty before God and be sent to hell. But instead God sent His only Son to come down to the earth to live a perfect life on their behalf. Then He died on the cross to pay the penalty for our sins. Then He was buried and three days later rose again, proving that he was God. Tell them that this day He commands them to repent (turn from their sins) and trust in Christ to save them.

Now that would be a study that I would supply the funding for-it can't fail!!   

Grace and Peace-EM

Great Lyrics!

Sorry about the late post! Things have been busy lately.

Anyway, Yom Kippur occurred recently, so I thought that it would be appropriate to post some lyrics from one of my favorite artists, shai linne. (He usually spells his name in lower case.) Below are the lyrics from his song "High Priest", I think you'll like it! If you would like to visit his blog you can find it here.

High Priest
Written by s. linne

Verse 1

There’s commotion in my brain, strange is the notion
Words cannot explain my range of emotion
I’m speechless, my flaws exposed and my weakness
Each breath draws me closer to a deep test
It’s month number seven, it’s been ten days
I’ve been awake all night reflecting on my ways
A threat to my peace in this greatest of moments
Because I’m the High Priest and it’s the Day of Atonement
The LORD is so holy and perfect, I’m nervous
I’m floored that He chose me to worship through service
Don’t ask me why the God who crafted the sky
Drafted this weak guy from the clan of Levi
Preceding generation taught me to read the regulations
Deep meditation on decreed revelation
Extreme trepidation breeds hesitation
Yet I must lead and be the representation
My occupation- to intercede for the nation
But indeed my own sins need expiation
The wrath of Jehovah’s grim, sin is no joke to Him
The hope is slim for unholy men coming close to Him
He’s spoken in His Word the proper way of approach to Him
Nadab and Abihu got it wrong and He roasted them
These things I weigh as I sigh
This could either be the greatest day of my life or the day that I die!


Chorus
So you say that you wanna know the LORD?
Do you really wanna stand before the LORD?
Do you know what it takes to meet the LORD?
God is an all-consuming fire
So you say that you wanna know the LORD
Do you really wanna stand before the LORD?
Do you know what it takes to meet the LORD?
Be careful what you desire

Verse 2
For now, no time to focus on my sinning
I bathe in the laver though it seems extreme
I put on the holy coat made of white linen
Craving His favor- I’m ceremonially clean
I check to inspect- no tangible faltering
Next I must collect the animals for the offering
A spotless ram and a bull- the components
God gives to make atonement for my own sins
This part of the ritual makes me real cautious
Because the very sight of blood makes me feel nauseous
Still I proceed by snatching him close, slashing his throat
when his blood splashed on my coat
Reacting, I choke- gasping that’s when I’m grasping
God’s reaction that sin provokes
I take a moment to reflect on the blood spilled in this
Staring at the goat to be sent into the wilderness
I’ll confess Israel’s sins with my hands on his head
Symbolizing guilt transferred instead
to a substitute the living God provided and stamped
guilty of our sin, driven outside the camp
This beautiful picture of hope and grace motivates
And I don’t want my fear to make this dope occasion go to waste
Change my outer garments, slow my pace- yo I brace
myself to stand before Jehovah’s face in the Holy Place


Chorus

So you say that you wanna know the LORD?
Do you really wanna stand before the LORD?
Do you know what it takes to meet the LORD?
God is an all-consuming fire
So you say that you wanna know the LORD
Do you really wanna stand before the LORD?
Do you know what it takes to meet the LORD?
Be careful what you desire

Verse 3

The time has come, the great moment has arrived
About to enter in- what a lonely enterprise
Look at the other priests, they speak only with their eyes
Rope tied around my ankle just in case I don’t survive
I enter through the first curtain to a dark room
I’m standing in the Holy Place, my thoughts consumed
I’m caught off guard, I’m unraveling at this stage
My heartbeat so hard it’s rattling my ribcage
Feeling like I’m disintegrating and I can’t stand
Comforted by the light emanating from the lampstand
This helps my vision- I can see the showbread
I think of God’s provision, that helps me go ahead
I need courage to worship! Man, this is intense
I take burning coals off the altar for the incense
The sweet aroma fills the room
The smoke protects my eyes- one sight of Jehovah seals my doom
It’s no mere coincidence I’m here surrendering
With fear and trembling I’m nearly entering
I feel like running scared, hoping I’m not unprepared
Stunned with fear- no one comes in here but once a year
Nevertheless I’m at the point of no return
Besides, I don’t want my anointing to be spurned
After counting to three, next time I inhale
I’m in the Holy of Holies beyond the veil!
The first thing I realize is I’m thrilled that I’ve
entered into God’s presence and yet I’m still alive
I’m awestruck by the weight of His terrible beauty
It’s almost unbearable but I must fulfill my duty
Approach the ark, the first part of my work’s complete
when I sprinkle blood seven times on the mercy seat
Quickly I exit, impressed with the Hesed
that rescues the wretched and left us accepted!

Who Are Your Friends?

This is an important question to consider as students return to school and begin making new friends. Hear some wisdom from Steve Lawson:

Just a Small Thought

Don't waste time. It's not your time to waste.


Grace and Peace-EM

Watch Out!

Ah, those familiar words that we Christians hear quite a bit, "watch out". Sometimes, I think that We get tired of hearing those words. It is hard to stay vigilant all the time, especially these days. From prosperity preachers, to theologically terrible novels (cough) The Shack (cough), we sometimes just get tired of hearing yet another thing that we have to watch out for. This time, however, I think we need to pay much attention to this danger. He is a very influential man in the political right, and he is becoming more and more of a threat, his name is Glenn Beck.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa," you may say, "don't be knocking Glenn Beck. He is doing some amazing things for this country. Yeah, his theology isn't all there, but he is what America needs." Well, let's think about this for a second.Let's just look at the dangers. First, he is a Mormon, not a Christian, so his theology is more than just a little off. He does not see Jesus as Divine, he sees Jesus as a created being. He, as a Mormon, believes that you have to work your way to heaven. He may speak of forgiveness of sins, but he means that you can be forgiven of your sins after all you can do. In other words, you do your best, Jesus does the rest. That is NOT Christianity. Christianity teaches that you can do nothing to cause your salvation, zip, zero, zilch. That is a profound difference, in fact, that is the thing that separates Christianity from everything else. Every other religion teaches you have to work your way there, and Mormonism is no different.

Secondly, and probably most problematic, Glenn Beck is blurring the lines between Christianity and Mormonism. He is presenting them as one and the same. Further, he is uniting with other religions to "save America". No matter what Glenn Beck says, these religions are different. They all believe in different gods, not the true God of the Bible, and pretending that we can be united under some god as long as that god tells you not to hurt people, is just crazy. I think that this fosters the idea that we can put our religious convictions aside for a noble cause. But what could be more important than the gospel of Jesus? We CANNOT set that aside! I don't care how noble you think your political cause is, nothing and I mean NOTHING is worth the blurring of the gospel. That is why Glenn Beck is so dangerous.

Please, if you are a part of the rally around Glenn, think about what that is saying about the gospel. Please think about the confusion that this man is causing in such an important realm.
I would encourage you to listen to this interview Todd Friel did with Phil Johnson. You will hear some of the things that you have read here, and some other important topics to consider with this Glenn Beck situation that I am unable to write about here.

Please remember how precious the gospel is. Don't put it aside for some political goal.

Grace and Peace-EM

Update: For some strange reason, Wretched Radio's website is experiencing problems. I am, as of 7:38 AM CST,  unable to link to the interview. As soon as I can I will post a link to it. Check back soon!

Update: 8:57 AM CST I have the link now! Enjoy! 

Stay Strong

As the summer comes to a close, schools everywhere will open their doors once again to bring in the many students for yet another semester. This post is for two groups of people. Obviously, I want to talk to the students telling them to stay strong, but I also want to address the parents of these children. Let's start with the students.

Today, in our schools there is a lot of teaching that is anti-Christian. From evolution to redefinition of marriage, there is a lot of things that Christian students are going to have to be discerning about. The only thing that I can tell you is please, please, please be reading your Bible and praying EVERY DAY! You need it now more than ever (if it is possible to need the Bible more at one time or another).

Parents, please be asking your kids what they are studying in class. No matter how strong you think they are, please be asking them about what they are being taught. Even if they are going to be going to a Christian school, today, there is even danger there. Please help them in their discernment, you never know what you may find out. Know what they are doing online, know who they are hanging out with at school, please.

Remember above all, whether a student or a concerned parent, don't forget the gospel this semester. Students, you are in the mission field. I heard a saying that sums this all up and it went something like this,"Spread the gospel at school and while you're there get an education." Parents, your mission field is those kids you have. Preach the gospel to them every day. If they are Christians they will never tire of it.

Study hard!!

Grace and Peace-EM