Category Archives: grace

February 16, 2010 · 7:14 am

Islamic Terrorists Vs. Radical Christians: New Game. New Rules. (Part 8)

An Updated Rerun 2009 Series

Click on the following for earlier articles: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Part 6 and Part 7.

How to be a Radical Christian. (iii)

For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. (Romans 1:16)

Have you ever shuddered or cringed when somebody mentioned the name of Jesus to another person? Maybe at work or at a ballgame. Maybe, you thought to yourself, there are proper places and times to talk about Jesus, but not here, and not now.

Well, have you ever heard the tradition surrounding the Apostle Paul’s last few moments on earth? Talk about bad timings and bad places to mention the name of Jesus.

In 67 AD, Emperor Nero arrested Paul for insurrection and threw him into prison. The apostle’s first stay in prison had resulted in most of the guards and many in Nero’s household converting to Christianity. So this time, Nero made sure Paul had little contact with people or visitors.

On the day of Paul’s execution, Nero allowed just a few spectators and only the most hardened, veteran soldiers to escort the apostle to the execution site, outside Rome on the Tiber River.

Paul was unfazed by his fast approaching martyrdom. He preached the gospel as he walked along. His words touched the hearts of more than one soldier; and they, too, were executed with Paul that day.

Just think, Paul so believed in the life-giving message of the gospel that he was willing to seal the fates of any last-minute converts to the same death which was pronounced over him: beheading.

Now, that is a radical love for the gospel.

And that is what every radical Christian must have. A love for the gospel that can only be extinguished by the death of the believer.

(Continued in Part 9)

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February 13, 2010 · 6:43 am

Islamic Terrorists Vs. Radical Christians: New Game. New Rules. (Part 7)

An Updated Rerun 2009 Series

Click on the following for earlier articles: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5 and Part 6.

How to be a Radical Christian (ii).

If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels… (1 Cor. 13:1)

Now, I wish that you all spoke in tongues… (1 Cor. 14: 5

I thank God, I speak in tongues more than you all do. (1 Cor. 14: 18)

Once again, I can hear the groans and screams. “No, not tongues. Anything but that trivial twaddle. I ain’t doing it. No siree – no tongues for me. Never!”

Okay, relax. Take a deep, deep breath and hold it for a minute or so. Now slowly breathe out. Continue reading.

Let’s return to the same scenario as Part 2. Your family is staying at the luxurious Berverly Wilshire Hotel (where Pretty Woman was filmed), just off Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills, California. You, your wife and daughter are enjoying the shopping spree, and you are carrying enough plastic to pay for everything.

Then, three Mumbai-type terrorists enter the hotel lobby, AK-47’s blazing away and hand grenades exploding. Chaos and confusion reign as dead bodies are strewn on the floor.

Somehow, you grab your wife and daughter, and hide in the first floor’s Sidebar Lounge. As you crouch behind a table, you hear the sounds of people begging for their lives and the lives of their children. But then, bursts from the AK-47’s tell you that mercy is not a part of the terrorists’ makeup.

You hear their footsteps approaching the lounge. It will only be seconds before they enter the door. You look at your wife and daughter, tears are streaming down their faces; they don’t want to die. They want you to do something – NOW! Anything! Just do something!

Are you going to pray? If so, how?

Now remember, your mind will be a pile of mush. You will have thoughts about wishing you would have stayed home; or should have gone to Hawaii instead of California; or should have spent a sunny day anywhere, but not where you are at that moment. Plus, agonizing fear and not wanting your family to die. It will be total confusion.

How will you quiet your mind to pray at that moment?

Likewise, the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which can not be uttered.

Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God. (Romans 8: 27-28)

Remember: Radical Christians do not care what others think. They swim upstream against the religious current even if it means going against their own church’s teachings.

(Continued in Part 8)

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February 12, 2010 · 8:31 am

Why All The Outrage To Pat Robertson’s Remarks About Haiti? (Part 9)

Click on the following for earlier articles in the series: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Part 6, Part 7 and Part 8.

A Simple Illustration of Curses and Judgments.

One morning, because of a FaceBook game, you’re five minutes late in leaving the house for work. A heavy schedule and a grumpy boss awaited you ten miles down the road.

You placed the keys in the ignition of the Ford Taurus, tightened your seatbelt, adjusted the mirror and started the engine. As you headed out the driveway onto the highway, you grasped the steering wheel with a Mario Andretti racing grip.

Traffic was light. The sky was clear and the road was straight. You stomped on the gas pedal and soon you were exceeding the posted speed limit. “Please Lord, just give me grace this one time. Please!” you prayed aloud, hoping the Lord had His earphones turned on.

Being vigilant, you looked to the left and right, searching for other motorists and the dreaded state police as you zipped down the road. Everything was A-okay. You smiled to yourself and relaxed a bit. “Thanks, Lord,” you whispered, content in thinking God had overlooked your minor transgression.

Then, you heard the siren. A quick look in the mirror revealed flashing red lights and a state policeman following directly behind you. You pulled off onto the side of the road.

As you waited for the policeman to approach your front window, you removed your driver’s license from a wallet. Maybe, you thought, he’ll just give me a warning ticket. Oh, I hope so!

As the officer reached for your driver’s license, he said, “Do you realize you were speeding fifteen miles per hour over the limit?”

You shrugged your shoulders. “Sorry, officer,” you said, “I’m late for work.”

He smiled and handed you a speeding ticket. “Next time, leave home earlier,” he said with a wink of his eye. “Your trial date is written on the bottom of the ticket. See you in court.”

You resumed your journey with a speeding ticket tucked under the visor above your seat and a costly excuse for being late to work.

Two weeks later, you appeared before a county judge. “How do you plead?” he asked, peering over the top of some official-looking papers.

“Guilty, your honor,” you said, resigning yourself to your fate.

“Okay, then,” he replied as he reviewed the papers in his hands. “You haven’t had a ticket in a long time and the officer says the road conditions were excellent. So, I’m just fining you the minimum amount: four hundred and thirty dollars. Pay the clerk before you leave.”

You mumbled a thanks for his kindness and headed toward the clerk with your checkbook in hand.

In this illustration, there was a speed limit law. The blessings of the law were safety to yourself and others if you obeyed it. When you disobeyed the law and were caught by the police, this was a type of curse of the law. A penalty was involved. A judge decided the severity of the penalty for your disobedience. It was called a judgment.

If you view Old Testament laws or New Testament truths, there are always positive sides (blessings) for obedience and negative sides (curses) for disobedience. Disobedience, especially continued rebellious disobedience, will eventually cause the Judge to place a judgment on a person, group or nation.

As you can see, curses and judgments go hand and hand. They are not separate entities, okay?

(Continued in Part 10)

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February 11, 2010 · 7:55 am

Islamic Terrorists Vs. Radical Christians: New Game. New Rules. (Part 6)

An Updated Rerun 2009 Series

Click on the following for earlier articles: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4 and Part 5.

How to be a Radical Christian (i.)

Pursue love, yet desire earnestly spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy. (1 Corinthians 14:1)

Maybe your first thought is, “Yuck! Who wants this Pentecostal/Charismatic phoney-baloney, plastic-banana, spiritual gifts stuff. Not me!”

Relax. Take a deep breath. Now, continue reading, okay?

Let’s say that you and your spouse take your daughter to the shopping mall. She is three years old and dressed up in just the cutest Bambi t-shirt and jeans outfit. Everyone looks at her and smiles. She’s a doll and you adore her, and would do anything for her.

But because you were in a hurry when you left home, you did not use the restroom, and you need to go – NOW. You tell your spouse, who rolls the eyes, and says, “Oh honey, use the one in Macy’s Department Store. We’ll wait here for you by the kids play area.”

You rush to the restroom, do your duty, wash your hands and leave. As you walk back out of the store, you see a flash and hear an explosion from an Islamic terrorist’s bomb. It knocks you down. Glass particles and debris cover your clothing.

Brushing yourself off, you run to where you spouse and daughter were waiting at the play area. When you get there, you see bodies strewn all over the floor. Somehow, you find your spouse and daughter. Sadly, they’re dead. Their bodies are mangled and shrouded in blood.

Now, what are you going to do?

Are you going to pull out you cell phone and call the police? Or the mayor? Or a doctor? Or your pastor? Or a funeral home? Or are you just going to fall down and weep, bemoaning your fate?

You see, at this disastrous moment, you need the gift of faith, the gift of healing, and the gift of miracles for an attempt to raise your loved ones from the dead. And I guarantee that you would do anything to have these gifts at that precise moment so you could at least give it your best shot, wouldn’t you?

So, what’s stopping you from seeking the spiritual gifts today? Pride. Bad teaching. Laziness. What? Because when bad things happen, it may be too late!

Remember: Radical Christians do not care what others think. They swim upstream against the religious current even if it means going against their own church’s teachings.

(Continued in Part 7)

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January 27, 2010 · 9:30 am

Why All The Outrage To Pat Robertson’s Remarks About Haiti? (Part 2)

Click on the following for an earlier article in the series: Part 1.

The siege of Jerusalem which I used as a time warp short story in Part 1 is the New Testament’s clearest example of God’s divine judgment being prophesied to a specific people, and then, falling upon them. The actual siege occurred in 70 AD, nearly forty years after the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus.

Let’s look at the facts as we know them today:

In Jesus’ time, the Romans had already been occupying Jerusalem for approximately ninety years. The Roman rule was harsh and exacted heavy taxes from the Jewish citizens. And of course, the Jews hated the Romans. Prosperity for most Jews would have been measured in the simplest of terms: food and a place to sleep.

The average Jewish male in 30 AD lived to the age of 42 years old while females lived to an average age of 38 years. Half of the Jewish children died before they were five years old. 90% of the people could not read and 95% could not write. Fifty per cent of the people in the Roman Empire were slaves and lived to an average age of 25 years old. Malnutrition was the single biggest threat to health.

Also, there was a religious revival going on. Herod was rebuilding the Temple to its former glory. (This was not fully completed until 60 AD.) And the Pharisees woke up the Jews to the importance of loving God, loving their neighbors and returning to the strict edicts of the Law and Prophets. They were known as the “hope of Israel.”

Josephus, the historian, estimated there were 120,000 people living in Jerusalem and a total of 3-4 million inhabitants in all of Palestine.

So, with these facts, we can better understand that when Jesus preached the gospel and performed miracles, the Jews were looking for an earthly king. One who would deliver them from the Romans and their everyday miseries.

However, Jesus preached a heavenly kingdom. A message which was so simple; and yet so hard for most Jews to swallow.

As a result of this many of His disciples withdrew and were not walking with Him anymore. (John 6:66)

Still, Josephus estimated that one third of Jerusalem and Palestine converted to Christianity during this time period. Plus, a large number of Pharisees were converted.

These facts should help us have a clearer understanding of the divine judgment carried out on Jerusalem in 70 AD.

(Continued in Part 3)

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January 25, 2010 · 6:40 am

Why All The Outrage To Pat Robertson’s Remarks About Haiti? (Part 1)

Let’s begin with a time warp short story looking back at the year 70 AD from today’s perspective:

The CBS Evening News opened with a shot of Katie Couric sitting at a desk, checking a laptop computer. As the camera zoomed in for a close-up, Couric turned and looked into the camera. Her face lacked its usual toothy smile, noticeable creases appeared under her blue eyes. She was not her usual bouncy self.

“Hi everyone, I’m Katie Couric,” she said. “Well, it’s over. The siege of Jerusalem has finally ended. For more on this tragic story, we go to our CBS Middle East correspondent, Lara Logan. ” Couric pivots to look at a TV monitor, sitting next to the laptop.

A beautiful blond woman, dressed in combat fatigues, appeared on the TV screen. She stood near a demolished wall, holding a microphone. “This is Lara Logan. I’m standing not far from what was the Jewish Temple, the center of Judaism. Earlier today, Roman soldiers under the command of General Titus, stormed the Temple and burned it to the ground.”

She paused as pictures were shown of grisly scenes. Fires burning out of control. Bodies stacked in heaps. Roman soldiers looting and plundering. Other soldiers toppling walls so that not one stone remained atop another.

“Josephus, the Jewish historian, stated that peaceful, unarmed Jewish citizens raised their arms in surrender to the onrushing Roman soldiers, but were butchered anyway. Pregnant woman had stomachs slashed open and their babies ripped out, and then the babies were smashed against walls. Men, women and children of all ages were slaughtered,” said Logan. “All in all, Josephus estimates that the destruction of Jerusalem resulted in 1.1 million people, mainly Jews, being killed or starved to death during the five-month long siege. Another 95,000 Jews were taken captive, to be used as slaves.”

The CBS Evening News switched back to Couric, sitting at her desk. “International leaders today have voiced their disapproval to the barbarity of this slaughter by the Roman soldiers. And at this moment, the U.N. Security Council is voting on a joint resolution, condemning Rome,” she said, looking down at her notes for a moment.

“But one Evangelical leader, Pat Robertson, is taking heat for his remarks about this tragedy,” she said as her eyes narrowed.

Then, a video appeared on the TV screen showing Pat Robertson talking to a young woman on the 700 Club program. “And you know, Christie,” said Robertson, “something happened a long time ago in Israel and the people may not want to talk about it. They were under the heels of the Romans and made a tough decision. And ever since, they have been cursed by one thing or another. They need to have a great turning to God. And out of this tragedy, I’m optimistic that something good may come. Right now, we are helping the suffering people and the suffering is unimaginable.”

Once again, the camera switched back to Couric. “How insensitive and sad for a so-called religious leader to paint Jerusalem and a whole nation as godless and deserving of destruction in one off-the-cuff statement,” she said, shaking her head. Then she added, “But you know, Robertson has a history of controversial statements like this.”

She collected her notes and looked at the camera. “Thanks for joining us and that’s the news for August 1o, 70 AD. Good night.”

So, in this time warp short story, was Pat Robertson insensitive and over the top with his remarks?

(Continued in Part 2)

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December 31, 2009 · 3:12 pm

2009 Sucked! How’s 2010 Look?

The day after 911 occurred, several ministry leaders announced, “This is a judgment from the Lord…because of America’s sins of abortion and homosexuality.”

Only hours later, every ministry leader recanted of his statements.

Why did they withdraw their words? Was 911 not a judgment of the Lord? Or was it not a judgment on abortion and homosexuality? Which was it?

Last year, a ministry head prophesied that 2009 would be a disastrous year for the American economy and employment. Then he added, “The economy and employment picture will turn around at the end of the year.”

Why did he add that the economy and employment picture would straighten out at the end of 2009?

The answer for all of the above questions can be expressed in one word: money.

The leaders’ views concerning 911 stopped the phones from ringing. No more kaChing at the cash registers. So, in order to keep fighting the good fight (with money in hand), they stuck their tails between their legs and recanted.

And how much money would you donate if you believed the economy was sliding into a depression without any hope in sight? Not much, right? Thus, the leader added some light at the end of the tunnel. “Keep those checks coming folks! Because everything will turn out well toward the latter part of 2009!”

Hey, all of the secularists and pagans have labeled us church-going Christians as money-hungry whores for years, haven’t they? And guess what? For the most part, they’re right!

2009 sucked, right? And the biggest reason was that finances were sucked out of the economy for not only the present time period, but also for our futures. Trillions of dollars gone!

So what about 2010? How’s the year look?

2010 will make 2009 look like the good old days. You remember the good old days, don’t you? That’s back when everything was much, much better than now!

America’s economic slide will continue in 2010. Many trillions more will be sucked out of the economy. Churches and ministries by the thousands will close their doors – not enough kaChing to keep their engines running.

You see, 911 was a judgment of the Lord, but not on the sins of homosexuality and abortions. It was a judgment on the American Church.

And sadly, the Church has not repented of our money-hungry ways as yet.

For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God? (1 Peter 4:17)

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December 24, 2009 · 8:18 am

Want To Make A Difference Today?

Everyone loves heroes; and I’m no different. But my heroes don’t dribble basketballs, swing baseball bats or act in movies. Mine are those who actually make a difference in other people’s lives.

Mark and Christine Pedder are two such heroes for me. These Aussies live and work in BASECO, a 60-acre slum located in Manilla, Philippines. One look at the above picture will tell you it’s not prime real estate.

If you want more information on the couple’s ministry, check out Mark’s blog; and be sure to look at the pictures. They will grab your heart.

Now, the purpose of this article is to ask you to pray for Christine. She is facing major surgery in January.

So, if you can, take a moment and pray for a miracle healing for Christine.

Remember the Poor This Christmas

On September 5, 1997, Mother Teresa of Calcutta died. Her legacy of how one believer – backed by God – can make a difference in the world is still something to ponder on today.

Something Beautiful for God, by Malcolm Muggeridge, describes Mother Teresa’s first act as a missionary to the poor in Calcutta.

She was walking down a Calcutta street, wondering where she should go and what she should do. She glanced toward a gutter and saw a dying beggar being chewed on by rats. Other people walked past the man and ignored his agony.

Mother Teresa chased off the rats, picked up the man and carried him to a hospital. There she was told that the hospital did not care for dying indigents. She was ordered to leave. Refusing to obey their commands, she caused such a ruckus, the hospital decided to make an exception that one time. The man ended up dying on a clean bed with Mother Teresa sitting next to him.

It was this experience which framed her ministry for her next forty-nine years.

Mother Teresa’s quotes still inspire believers today:

“Do not wait for leaders; do it alone, person to person.”

“Each one of them [the poor] is Jesus in disguise.”

“If you can’t feed a hundred people, then just feed one.”

“It is a kingly act to assist the fallen.”

“We think sometimes that poverty is only being hungry, naked and homeless. The poverty of being unwanted, unloved and uncared for is the greatest poverty. We must start in our own homes to remedy this kind of poverty.”

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December 19, 2009 · 11:56 am

Charles Finney’s Words Still Ring True Today

Charles Finney (1792 – 1895) was the most well-known preacher of the Second Great Awakening. His use of extemporaneous preaching and the “anxious seat” were innovative evangelistic tools for his day.

When the revival fires died down, he became a professor, and later the president of Oberlin College. It was his abolitionist influence which caused the college to be among the first in America to co-educate blacks and women with white men.

In 1857, Charles Finney was asked what he thought of the Businessman’s Prayer Revival. His words still ring true today: