Why are we so Stupid!!

Today I read this post dealing with Alcohol and the church. The whole thing started when Al Mohler, president of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, said this "I can assure you of this: if you are associated with the use of beverage alcohol, I think I dare exaggerate not to say that 99% of all doors of ministry in the Southern Baptist Convention will be closed to you." (Basically saying if you drank, the southern baptist convention would not allow you to preach for them) The title of the post was, "Would Jesus be allowed to be a Southern Baptist Pastor?" Obviously you can see where this is headed!
The Author of this blog Dan Kimball, Pastor of Vintage Faith Church Ca., wrote the whole post revolved around the question.....Since Jesus drank wine and even made wine, would he be allowed to preach in the Southern Baptist Denomination? The post actually was a pretty good one, but the comments that followed is what really fired me up. People/Pastors began writing in, explaining how there were different meanings of wine. One commentor said, "There were various types of wine, when you look at the original Greek and Hebrew words used. You had the Hebrew word "tirosh" which was wine that had not been fermented. In fact, when you look at what was used in the last supper, it was kin to "tirosh." The Bible never speaks negatively of "tirosh." On the other hand "yayin," fermented wine, was spoken negatively against regularly."

Then there were people saying that there was only one type of wine. "In response to the second statement referring to the different meanings of the same word we all know God by His nature is not the author of confusion, so in saying this why would he use the word "wine" to mean two different things? If He did such a thing it would be in contradiction to His very nature."
Then there was one, that said "I get the feeling Mr. Mohler and his Southern Baptists counterparts might have a hard time with my being a worship pastor by day and bartender by night!" another who was in youth ministry said, "I love getting together with friends over a nice brew every now and then." It's pretty easy to tell, that the topic of alcohol in the Church is very unclear (to some).
By this point I was pretty ticked, but I have to admit that it wasn't until after these next two replies that I became steamed. One guy (and he wasn't the only one to say this) said, "When I'm sitting in my neighbor's driveway, around the grill, refusing a beer that he offers to me is a bit of a social slap in the face. I have one with him, I don't with my believer friends that might be offended." First of all let me just say that if this is you, then you are nothing more than a spineless coward! I mean, how much more of a coward can you be. The man says it's a "SOCIAL SLAP" in the face. Keep in mind, that these people are not just regular Joe's. These are leaders in the church saying this, the people who stand up in the pulpit every Sunday and preach to you about temptation, and the man basically says he drank a beer because he didn't want to offend someone. It truly is amazing to me, that we look past the church for the problems of this world. I mean goodnight, If the man offers you his urine are you going to drink that too? They both taste the same! (GAAAAHHHHH People are so spineless these days!!) I mean never mind what 1Timothy 3 says about leaders of the church.
Believe it or not, this really isn't what fired me up the most!! Again, there was more than one who said this, "It makes me wonder if people are so unsettled on "easy" issues (drinking) where do they really stand on more serious issues." I really can't believe he said this, and it's sad because there are soooo many more church leaders who think the same way. Most the time when people say something like this, is because they are jumping of the bandwagon of people who struggle with the "easy" issue. For those of you who agree with the drinking topic being an "easy" and irrelevant issue, here are some stats:
-More than 100,000 U.S. deaths are caused by excessive alcohol consumption each year. Direct and indirect causes of death include drunk driving, cirrhosis of the liver, falls, cancer, and stroke.1
-At least once a year, the guidelines for low risk drinking are exceeded by an estimated 74% of male drinkers and 72% of female drinkers aged 21 and older.2
-65% of youth surveyed said that they got the alcohol they drink from family and friends.7 (way to be a good example parents/PASTORS)
-Traffic crashes are the greatest single cause of death for persons aged 6–33. About 45% of these fatalities are in alcohol-related crashes.4
-Underage drinking costs the United States more than $58 billion every year — enough to buy every public school student a state-of-the-art computer.2 (yeh, that's pretty irrelevant)
-Alcohol is the most commonly used drug among young people.1 (The young people who seek there pastors for help)
-Alcohol kills 6½ times more youth than all other illicit drugs combined.2 (Who cares about young people, I KNOW. Not the pastors , because it's an easy and irrelevant issue)
WHY ARE WE SO STUPID? Instead, we talk about sexual immorality, a relevant and "hard" issue! Which don't get me wrong, should definitely be addressed in all churches across the world. But let me throw one more statistic out there. Since 1981, the most who have ever died in a single year from AIDS (the leading cause of any sex related death) was 51,414 which doesn't come close to the "MORE THAN 100,OOO" who are killed every year by something in relation to alcohol. You might say, well what does that have to do with the church? It has everything to do with the church. The sole purpose of the church, is to reach the lost and better ground the saved. How many of those "MORE THAN 100,000" people stepped into HELL because of Alcohol!
Maybe Jesus did drink fermented wine, maybe he didn't. What we have to understand, is that he WAS/IS PERFECT! Jesus laughed in the face of temptation, WE FALL. GOD gives every pastor a specific calling, and it is the highest calling in all of the world! It is to be his ambassador(2Cor. 5:20), his messenger, his representative! Each Pastor is the leader of a Church God has blesses him with. Inside of that church is the representation of God, and the way those who follow him should live. The fall of the Church comes after the fall of the leader. It's not like you don't go through enough temptation as it is, why put yourselves in a situation that could possibly result in your ultimate downfall and most importantly the downfall of the Church!
All through scripture God says the Love a man has for his wife, should be as the love God has for the Church(Eph. 5:25)! Men, you all know that you are very protective of your spouse.....So is God. You don't want someone messing around with your bride, so don't mess with His!! All those statistics that you read earlier, all started with "Just ONE." My best advice, is something my Mom always told me. "If you play with FIRE, you're gonna get BURNED! The only difference, is the fire that so many of you are PLAYING(key word) with, is the GOD'S BRIDE!!!

Get a Life, It's to Die for!!

I was asked by a friend today what I thought it meant to be a Christian and what it took to be one. I was sitting in the offices at NewSpring when I received the text, and the first thing that came to mind was dieing and 1Cor 15:31. This verse amazes me every time I read it, which is quite often. This verse should be memorized by all who profess the name of Jesus Christ. I am one who struggles with Temptation a great deal and often find comfort in this verse. I’m not sure, but I think that would be considered an oxy-moron (finding comfort in death).
What does “dieing daily” mean to you? To me dieing daily is a very specific command. To die daily is to die to this world. Be immune of the worldly and sinful human nature that we so often struggle with. God is our rock and strong tower, we are to stand for HIM and only HIM!! I wake every morning awaiting satan to tempt me in almost any and every way, because with the help of God I will DIE to it. Phil. 1:21 says, “To live is Christ, and to die is gain.” Our one and only purpose is to glorify God, no matter what we do. Whether it is by living or dieing! (Phili. 1:20)
“But why would you want to die, that’s dumb!” I totally agree, IF THERES STILL A BODY LEFT IN THE TOMB, but guess what, THERE ISN’T!! (1Cor. 15:20) We have a completely worthless faith and life if Jesus was not raised from the dead. It is insane for us (Christians) to put ourselves in danger every day for someone who is no better than us!(A Sinful GOD)
If Jesus had not raised from the dead, that would have made him and God a sinful liar and no better than us! The great thing, is that Jesus has already died our death raised our souls and set us free, all we have to do is believe. The only way is to receive your reward for having faith in God is to die. (1Cor. 15:36)
Every time we die to temptation, we uplift the name of Jesus. If we are not willing to die spiritually and physically, we are in the wrong profession. Everyday, I am reminded that nothing is mine. It all belongs to God, and to be a sucessful Christ follower I have to be willing to give it all back including my Life and worldly desires. As Christians we should quit focusing on how to live right, and start focusing on how to die right!!

THR3E!!

What a movie! This past Friday night at our bible study we watched this Ted Dekker best seller. THR3E, is an action-packed movie that has mind boggling twist to go along.
"Passion of The Christ" a Mel Gibson movie, has sparked a revolution in the christian movie industry. THR3E is a faith based movie, appealing to all people. Believe It or not, this is what the world needs. There are too many people that think the word of God has limitations, and that technology can only be used in worldly ways. If people want come to church, we'll take the Church to the people. About.com said, "As a Christian movie enthusiast, there's no doubt the options in Christian entertainment are getting better in quality, quantity and diversity. Yes, all thr3e."
I have said it before and I'll will say it again. If there is something out there that can be used in a way to bring God glory and praise (music, movies, games, etc...) it's no longer a worldly thing but a God thing. I think it's a shame, that we as Christians think it's ok for Satan to use technology for his gain but NOT GOD!!
If Christians as a whole ever begin to accept churches on fire for Christ like NewSpring, Willow Creek, Seacoast Church, Mars Hill Church, the whole world could be turned upside down. We need to learn to accept the truth and orders of God. The truth = GOD(John 14:6) The order = GO(Acts 1:8). As a follower of Christ, we are to know God is King and the only way to eternal life, we are then to take that truth into all the WORLD!! (Not just the Five pews in our church) God puts it in bold letters, he is the TRUTH.
I think we should all watch the movie THR3E and see how being deprived from the TRUTH and isolated in a tiny world can cause much pain and agony! But remember when watching this movie, it was made to do what God called it to do. WITNESS TO ALL!!

PORN!!!

Check out this other blog about the addiction of porn!! Please read this, if you have this problem. Porn addiction can lead you down a quick path of destruction.

CHECK THIS OUT!!!

WOW!!! check out this blog. Perry talks on a topic that definitely needs to be addressed to the public population. The sad part about this blog, is that the only people who criticize this post will all be "Religious" people. Let me just add one thing. If you are one that takes offense to this post, it's probably because it referred to you.

FAT Christian!!

I don't think that I have ever been more excited to work than I was today. It was my first day on the job at Newspring as an intern. I have been thinking of planting a Church for some time and working at Newspring gives me the opportunity to see the effort that goes on behind the scenes. I have seen what goes on Sunday during the service, but I have never seen the numerous hours that it takes throughout the week to make it work. I think we should all keep the Newspring staff in our prayers, as well as the other church staffs around the world that sell out for the glory of God.
I believe Newsring church has around 80 staff members that work full time. We look at the success of Newspring and wander how? The number one reason, is simply God. The second reason is the staff and countless number of people who pitch in to make it nothing less of amazing. I think it's a shame when people put the church second, and complain about the lack of success it has. If we began to focus on the church as much as we focused on our overtime hours and retirement plan things might change. I am a kineseology(sports medicine) major at Anderson University so I am really big on fitness and proper diet. Saturday I was sitting at Walmart when I saw a huge woman probably in her mid to upper 20s riding one of those motorized buggy's. Now before you call me mean and inconsiderate, I gave her the benefit of the doubt and figured she may have some injury. Then I saw her drive to the door of walmart, and she got up and walked out. NOW!!! If I am an actual handicap person, I might track her down and slap her in the back of the neck. For those of you out there who are saying fat is a handicap, I'm here to tell you that NO it's NOT! I can't even begin to describe how disgusted I was when I saw that. She wasn't fat, she was HUGE! I mean, there really is no since in that. She's going to get home and wander why she is the way she is. Well maybe it's because she doesn't do anything to improve her condition. She could have got some exercise while she was walking around wal-mart, but she didn't she got a buggy.
This is the same problem with the church, and the christian of today. The church is going down hill and we know it, but we're too lazy to fix it. For all of you people out there who are saying "God will bless us on his own time." Memorize this quote. "Without God, I can not, but without me God will not." God has a plan for each individual person and will reveal it on his own time, IF we do our part to serve him and give him our life to make and mold. I thinks it's so stupid when a church is going down hill, and are content. What the church needs is for someone to show them how to get off the motorized buggy. We look around and ask what we need to do, to get the church headed back in the right direction. The answer is really quite simple, get out of your pue and head out into all the world and spread the word of God. It's time the church stops being lazy and instead of doing things half-way, sell out for God!

Temptation Part: 2!!

First of all let me go ahead and say that the reason I am talking so much on this is, because I struggle with it hourly. Every time before I write a post, I pray that Gods words will overshadow mine and this his name would be uplifted like no other! Normally when I start to write a blog, it starts out in one direction but through the process, God leads it down a completely different route. Yesterday I said, I believed that there were two false teachings about Temptation. I talked on the first one yesterday, and today I will hit on the second.

I believe the second biggest false teaching about temptation, is that you should try to stay away from it. My next comment, will sum up my entire view about this teaching. If you are a person who has found some way to stay completely away from temptation, then you need to do two things. 1) Repent 2)Get off your butt and do something for God. Now, I am not saying you should go out and look for temptation because we are faced with enough of it as it is. If/Though we are faced with it, that doesn't mean we have done wrong or have dishonored God. Temptation is designed for those who are doing great works for Christ. We have to understand, that Sat ans main goal is to keep as many people out of Heaven as possible. So does this mean he's after the drunk or the murderer, NO! he's going after the preachers and the teachers, the ones who people look up to as a good example. If Satan can mess up the lives and christian walk of those who play big roles in the ministry of God, it's going to have a domino effect on those that follow him, possibly turning them away from God!!
I say it all the time, the biggest problem with the world today is not the unchurched or unsaved, but rather the ones who are churched and saved but live as though they're not. As I said yesterday, Satan tempted Jesus numerously as he was on earth. He wasn't worried about Billy who was smoking crack on the side of the road and selling it to little kids. He was worried about the perfect one, Jesus, the one whose shoulders the whole christian movement sat on. Satan is not as dumb as you think, he knew that if he could get Jesus to fall under temptation, the whole movement of Christianity would be lost forever. We shouldn't get discouraged when things aren't going our way or we feel as though the temptation is getting too hard to overcome.
We know, that we are attracted to it, and we can't escape it if we Serve God. Temptation will always stare us in the face and try to side track us from our calling. We should anticipate falling into temptation, and know the ways I could respond that give Glory to God. Again, if you have no temptation you really should repent and live life for God.

Temptation!!

There are many things about biology tests that I don't like. There is however one thing that is good about them, THEY DON'T LAST FOREVER. I was up almost all last night absolutely dreading a test I had to take today. I must have studied five hours for just that one test, but it's over now and I no longer have to worry about studying for it.

This is a great reality, that I wish held true to temptation. Temptation is a test of much greater stress and intensity. There are two false teachings about temptation, that are taught so well by the christian population. The first, is that it's so bad. I guess the question I have is that if it's really that bad, "why do we always fall into it?" (Just a thought) The only times we say Temptation is bad, are the times right after we have fallen for it! I don't care who you are, you cant say Temptation is bad. I mean think about the meaning of the word TEMPTATION, "n. The act of tempting; enticement to evil by arguments, by flattery, or by the offer of some real or apparent good." It's pretty simple, if you aren't enticed by a sin, or don't see it as good, you aren't in temptation. On the other hand if you do see it as good, you are in temptation. (Easy Right?)

Before I go any further, I know there are those of you out there who are asking......So let me go ahead and spare you the breath and say "No!! I'm not saying we should be excited about temptation." Temptation is a clever scheme put on by Satan. He takes something that would seem horrible and put just the slightest twist to it, so it no longer seems horrible but enjoyable. Gen 2:17, "but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die." This is what God says about the tree in the garden which he told Adam and Eve not to eat of. Gen 3:4-5 "And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die: for God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as God, knowing good and evil." As we see, Satan takes what God says about the tree of knowledge of good and evil and twists just a little bit. Now pay close attention to what Eve has to say next! Gen 3:6 "And when the woman saw that the tree was GOOD for food, and that it was a DELIGHT TO THE EYES, and that the tree was to be DESIRED TO MAKE ONE WISE, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat; and she gave also unto her husband with her, and he did eat." In my opinion, I really don't think Eve thought temptation was a bad thing.

The first step to take in defeating Temptation is admitting that you alone can't beat it, and that it is appealing to the flesh. The second step is understanding what it really is. Temptation is designed as a test that intrigues us to do wrong. The only way to pass this test, is to study long and hard out of the textbook (Bible). Three times Satan tempted Jesus, and three time Jesus quoted scripture that brought him out on top. Jesus has a very extensive knowledge of the word of God, and was able to use it as the ultimate truth when Satan was twisting it. The third step in defeating temptation, is understanding that there is never a temptation too great to overcome.
1Co 10:13
"There hath no temptation taken you but such as man can bear: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation make also the way of escape, that ye may be able to endure it." If we take the proper steps in defeating temptation, we will overcome it and enjoy the riches God has in store for us!!! James 1:12 "Blessed is the man that endureth temptation; for when he hath been approved, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord promised to them that love him."

Sell Out!!

Wow!! It's been a while since my last post, and I have hated not being able to write it. I was in Alabama as most of you know over Memorial Day weekend and was unable to write posts. I then left straight from there and went to the Clemson game against Florida St. (GO TIGERS!!) So I didn't get back to the apartment until 2 Tuesday morning. That pretty much explains the lack of Posts, but now I'm back and refreshed and God as showed me a lot in the past week. All of which I will be sharing within the next few posts.

First of all I want to say thanks to God, for giving me a wonderful opportunity to work at Newspring where I will get to see what goes on behind the scenes of a place that is on Fire for God. I am also excited about doing something that a good friend of mine, Chris Pitts, and I have talked about doing for a while. Tonight was the first meeting of a bible study we started, that we hope will do great things for God. It's going to be an awesome time. It isn't set in stone yet, but as of now we will meet every Wednesday at 10PM in the Ashton Park Theatre. This will be a time that us set in the middle of the week for a reason. It gives students a chance to get away from the campus and the stress of school work and go to a place where we can reflect on the greatness of God. There will also be a movie night, that as of now will be set for Fridays at 9. This will provide a time that gives students a place fellowship with friends outside of party's and unnecessary activities. I ask that everyone prays that this will be a success for God and God alone!!

The times are always ahead of us, it's up to us to make them the best of times. A biblical story that pops into mind is that of the promised land. God offered a Land that was flowing with milk and honey as well as fruit like no other. Why wouldn't someone jump at the opportunity at living in a place like that? Probably because they were scared, Numbers 13:31 says "But the men that went up with him said, We are not able to go up against the people; for they are stronger than we." See God was offering the Israelites THE PROMISED LAND, but he put an obstacle in front of them (warriors). All God wanted them to do is put their faith in him and he would provide the victory, and the land would be theirs. An abundant and joyful Life is offered to everyone (John 10:10) all we have to do is put our faith in God and the victory will be ours. If you want something, put your trust in God and go after it! Romans 8:31-32 says, " What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us? He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not also with him freely give us all things?" These are verses we should live by when trying to live a life for God. There are no limitations to what God can do, he has never done enough through you and is never looking to reach a point of satisfaction, NEVER!!! God wants to reach the ends of the Earth with his Love, the best part is that he wants to do it through us. Who is willing to FIGHT, who is willing to LIVE, and who is willing to DIE? These are all questions we must ask ourselves before selling out for God. If you aren't willing to do ALL THREE, you might as well just stay in your box so you don't get hurt. Just keep in mind, God isn't a God that likes to play things safe, or even consider doing so. At least that's not the impression I get when reading these verses, "And I saw the heaven opened; and behold, a white horse, and he that sat thereon called Faithful and True; and in righteous he doth judge and make war. And his eyes are a flame of fire, and upon his head are many diadems; and he hath a name written which no one knoweth but he himself. And he is arrayed in a garment sprinkled with blood: and his name is called The Word of God." Rev. 19:11-13

Alabama!!

I am currently in Alabama for the weekend which explains the reason for not posting. My Girlfriend is now an Aunt and we drove up here to see her brothers new born baby boy. (Nathaniel Owen Rusnak) We will be driving back early Monday morning, in hopes to get back in time to go to the Clemson, Florida St. game. We ask that you pray for us as we travel, as we expect the traffic to be bad. It took us three hours to Atlanta from Anderson on Friday. Actually it only took us 1 1/2 hours to get to Atlanta and another 2 to get through it. IT WAS LOTS OF FUN!!!! I will begin posting on the blog again Tuesday afternoon. Thanks for reading the blog and pray that God will keep us safe on our way back home on Monday!!