Thursday, December 31, 2009

Sin's Consequences Part II

I began a post several months ago that needs a part 2.

In that first post i asked what are the consequences of our sin? Are there any? Would I know it if I saw it, especially in light of a secret sin that no one know's about. As opposed to some obvious sin that effects other people around me.

Here is my own answer: whether anyone knows the sin or not and whether there are consequences or not my sin offends God. If we are looking for loop holes in our sin life, trying to hang on to those "darlings" of lust, anger, jealousy, vanity, envy, slander, gossip, gluttony, drunkenness, rebellion, etc infinity, then we had better be careful.

Why do we get worried over what will happen to us? Why aren't we more concerned with committing sin againt God. Do you wonder if Jesus rubs the scars in His hands everytime you sin?

Let our hearts be broken over our sin against our heavenly Father.

Monday, December 28, 2009

Survived Another Christmas

Like most of you I survived another Christmas. It has been a wonderful season of relaxing days off of work, playing more with my boys, spending time with my parents, working with my dad on various tasks like putting together a trampoline in the cold, and observing the celebration of Christ's advent more than the mall adventure.

My boys actually received fewer gifts this year (we are in get out of debt mode), yet they had a great time and there were no, "Is this it?", "Where's the XBox?" I was proud of my boys!

Although America is overly commercialized with newer and better, I am finding that a separated life from all the thrills and frills is quite possible. At one time I could not imagine not watching two or three movies a week, getting the newest CD available, or having the coolest new gadget or thing. Now, I realize how foolish most of those things have been. The Word of God tells me to be content with what I have and that true wealth is found in the knowledge and righteousness of God.

My prayer for you -- discover the wealth of God's righteousness and not the world's empty promises.

Sunday, November 15, 2009

"If God is for us, who can be against us?" The Apostle Paul

What are you doing to extend the Gospel Call to the masses? Are you speaking to co-workers? Are you going overseas to help plant a church?

What are you doing to minister to your neighbors? Do you have a game plan for preaching the Gospel to them? "I don't know how to start," you protest. How about just getting to know them. When you drive in and out of your neighborhood, simply wave, say hello. Take walks up and down your neighborhood and speak to the people you see. Get to know them!

Once you at least know their first name, plan your next stage of attack, building trust.

Tricia and I are planning on taking a pie to each of our immediate neighbors this Thanksgiving.

When they look at you like you're trying to sell them something, just tell them you want them to know you are here for them and want to be neighborly. Of course, if that is not true, then get in your prayer closet and plead for God to break you heart concerning your neighbors. That is the surest first step in evangelizing the lost.

Saying hello and being friendly will begin to give you credibility with them.

The KEY is to really, really, really have a genuine concern for their them!!!

Now, how about your family? Do you and your spouse spend time in prayer for the Kingdom of God to be extended on earth because of your lives?

Are you having family worship? "What is that?" you ask. It is simply the head of the household sitting the entire family down for Scripture reading and discussion, prayer, and the reading of biblical or missionary stories together.

The greatest mission field you have is right in your own home. How dare you think you can serve in the church with integrity while your family goes to hell! Watch quality shows together, play video games together. Spend time together! Ultimately, preach the Gospel to your children.

Let's go church! Let us do the business of the Kingdom!

Sunday, October 25, 2009

My Uncle Leon

My Uncle Leon passed this afternoon. Machines kept him alive, but his spirit was ready to go Home. We will be heading to Ohio for his funeral this weekend.


Uncle Leon, is a man of God, he served under Dr. Criswell, was President of Clear Creek Baptist College in Tennesee, served on the Southern Baptist Sunday School Board, and just recently pastored a church in northern Ohio. My Uncle was my kind of Pastor. He was always reading a dozen books and thinking about the sweet love of His Savior. He had such a tender heart in his preaching and in his day to day communicating. You never saw him without a smile on his face. He even learned the German language so he could read some of the fabulous German theologians! Brilliant man!


As his life hung in the balance the last couple of days I am struck by eternity. I just read a quote by Martin Luther in a book Tricia and I are reading together, he said, "There are only two days on my calendar, this day and that day." It is in moments like these that I am sobered by the reminder that "That day" governs "this day."


Oh, beloved of God. I will see my wonderful Uncle Leon again on "That Day." I am promised by my Lord that I have been sealed with a promise that I will praise Him for all eternity. I hope you will be there too, so I can introduce the two of you. You will like my Uncle Leon, he was one of our Father's prized sons. He spent his life for the Savior and for the preaching of the Gospel.


"I have come to seek and to save that which was lost." - Jesus

Saturday, October 10, 2009

Prayer

I understand better Jesus' words "Man does not live on bread alone, but on the very words of God."

When you have tasted of our Lord it will not be hard to seek nourishment from Him. To spend many days in prayer and seeking is never in vain. To deny yourself some worldy necessity, like food, and hunger after God is an amazing spiritual discipline.

The Lord will satisfy you on His hidden manna!!!

Whether or not the things I prayed for come to fruition, I know the Lord was pleased to see HIs child seeking Him with a captivated heart. Oh, to love the Lord my God is the greatest desire and pleasure of my entire life!

I love my Lord, I love His Word, I love HIs provision!

Be blessed in your prayer life. Find a closet and stay there!

Sunday, October 4, 2009

Life Without the One Eyed Devil

Through God's providence and other reasons to cut back on spending we turned off the cable to our TV. My wife and I had talked about this before in the past for several reasons. It cost $50 a month to watch a handful of channels and it would help us in helping our boys to watch less TV.

I feel I am a decent parent and I monitored closely what my sons watched. But, I began to notice a disturbing pattern-althouth the TV shows were mostly innocent, we had outlawed a bunch, it was the commercials that really bothered me. Every commercial was designed to create a need in my son for the next best toy, game, and movie. It was never ending. It was sick!

But, because of financial mismanagement on our part we had to cut out some unnecessary spending and TV was on the chopping block. Only one boy actually cried when we told him the TV shows were going bye-bye. I knew this was a sign we were doing the right thing. We prepared for helping our boys walk through this monumental tragedy in their young and preciouis lives. Well, wouldn't you know it, they haven't missed TV at all. They have no idea what new shows and games and toys are out there and that has helped our check book amazingly! They still play their games on PS2 and Wii and we watch movies, Disney and kids stuff.

My wife and I thought not having FOX news would be painful. Not really. My life has simplified substantially without that one eyed beast. Not knowing what the President said has been wonderful, not just because I don't approve of him, but it has brought freedom to me. Watching TV makes you care about unimportant things alot. I don't care anymore!!!

I find the information I want to be concerned about through the web on sites I trust and appreciate.

Also, in God's providence He is watching out for us too. Out original TV was loosing its color, everything was turning pink. Not to big of a deal, but annoying. Trying playing games where color makes the difference. Tough, to say the least. Anyway, my parents left us a TV from their RV, a small 19 inch, but beautiful color. We were content. At church, a brother heard about our plight and gave us his 39 inch. Wow! This was a movie theater for us. We got to enjoy it for a week and then the TV went out. I hope to try and get it fixed, but I have this feeling it will be vanity. So, the 19 inch is doing just fine, right next to the quiet and blank 39 incher.

In the end, removing your TV isn't as painful as you might expect. You will be amazed at how many hours you gain in a day.

Monday, August 3, 2009

Sin's Consequences

Is sin costly or does our salvation remove all of the consequences?

We know we are saved from the penalty of sin (justification) at the moment of our salvation. Sanctification is our being saved from sins power. When we stand in glory before Jesus we will be glorified, saved from sin's presence.

As believers all of our sin is covered by the blood. In salvation we come to that realization and acknowleding Jesus as our "personal" Savior. But, does that nullify the consequences of our sin? Let us say I have a hidden sin that no one knows about. I struggle with it daily, some days are better than others. On the days when I give into it what are the consequences? If no one knows, then I alone struggle with the misery of knowing I committed a sin before a holy God. How do I know if God is disciplining me? When I get sick is it sickness or God's rod? When I wreck my car, break my favorite item, smash my toe could this be consequences or coincidence?

What keeps God's children continuing to maturity? God knows I am not perfect, he knows I will struggle with my sin until the day I die. So, what should make me want to not sin? If I am completely forgiven what do I have to worry about? I got my "Ticket to Heaven!"

Tuesday, July 21, 2009

The Effects of Godly Fear

God is not to be feared, He is love and would never want us to fear Him. How else will the world come to accept His message of love in the gospel?

This may sound good, but "God is a consuming fire."

Evangelicals have lost their holy fear of the All-Consuming-Fire. God will seperate the sheep from the goats, without favoritism, without prejudice, and without emotional frenzy. He will allow those who have feared Him to come into His presence. Those who fear Him not, will be cast into the fire prepared for the devil and his angels.

Oh, church when will we awake to the supremacy of our God and His greatness? If we would, then we would see that His desire is to be the greatest power known to man. We would see that the un-redeemed have need to fear this God for thier soul's sake. As long as they refuse to make His name known through their lives, then they have every reason to fear.

As beleivers in Jesus Christ, then, we should fear this God who will one day burn up the earth with fire, and send the perishing into their eternal torment. To fear Him is to regard His absolute supremacy and desire to make Him well known through-out the earth.

Shout it from the roof tops, "Yahweh, He is the Lord!"

Monday, July 13, 2009

We need to get our priorities straight!!!

This is written by a young soldier serving his third tour of duty in Iraq. Thought you might find his take on the Michael Jackson news interesting and he's right.

We need to get our priorities straight!!!


Okay, I need to rant.

I was just watching the news, and I caught part of a report on Michael Jackson. As we all know, Jackson died the other day. He was an entertainer who performed for decades. He made millions, he spent millions, and he did a lot of things that make him a villain to many people. I understand that his death would affect a lot of people, and I respect those people who mourn his death, but that isn't the point of my rant.

Why is it that when ONE man dies, the whole of America loses their minds with grief. When a man dies whose only contribution to the country was to ENTERTAIN people, the American people find the need to flock to a memorial in Hollywood, and even Congress sees the need to hold a "moment of silence" for his passing?

Am I missing something here? ONE man dies, and all of a sudden he's a freaking martyr because he entertained us for a few decades? What about all those SOLDIERS who have died to give us freedom? All those Soldiers who, knowing that they would be asked to fight in a war, still raised their hands and swore to defend the Constitution and the United States of America. Where is their moment of silence? Where are the people flocking to their graves or memorials and mourning over them because they made the ultimate sacrifice? Why is it when a Soldier dies, there are more people saying "good riddence," and "thank God for IEDs?" When did this country become so calloused to the sacrifice of GOOD MEN and WOMEN, that they can arbitrarily blow off their deaths, and instead, throw themselves into mourning for a "Pop Icon?"

I think that if they are going to hold a moment of silence IN CONGRESS for Michael Jackson, they need to hold a moment of silence for every service member killed in Iraq and Afghanistan. They need to PUBLICLY recognize every life that has been lost so that the American people can live their callous little lives in the luxury and freedom that WE, those that are living and those that have gone on, have provided for them. But, wait, that would take too much time, because there have been so many willing to make that sacrifice. After all, we will never make millions of dollars. We will never star in movies, or write hit songs that the world will listen too. We only shed our blood, sweat and tears so that people can enjoy what they have.

Sorry if I have offended, but I needed to say it. Remember these five words the next time you think of someone who is serving in the military;

"So that others may live..."

Isaac

P.S.- "So that other's may live.. ." was also the creed of the Air Rescue & Recovery Service during Vietnam & is still today.

Monday, June 29, 2009

Fear Yahweh and Serve Him, 1 Samuel 12

Who can deliver me from my enemies? Yahweh, the sovereign Lord!

Does anyone or anything love me like Yahweh? NO!

Then why does my heart desire cheap, useless, base, corrupt things as satisfaction? Why do I sit down and waste an hour in front of the TV? I say to relax, to drain off the days rubbish piled up on my shoulders. But, why don't I sit and listen to glorious music that lifts my soul to heaven? Why don't I read a refreshing word from an amazing saint? Why do I engage in frivolous talk with other people, as if talking about the weather and what hollywood icon just died could make any eternal dfference? Why do I not instead speak of Jesus Christ, His pleasure over us, His displeasure over sin, His glorious work in my life and the life of others?

No one can rescue me from my sin saturated soul, like Jesus.

No one can give me peace and rest, like Jesus. No one can raise me above my adversities and heart-breaks, like Jesus.

Fear Yahweh and Serve Him, 1 Samuel 12

Monday, June 8, 2009

Do I Miss God daily?

Israel's stubborn hearts are seen all the way back to Egypt when the people would grumble at Moses for their predicament. Israel never did seem to remain consistent in their love and obedience of their Saving God. How is it they saw the hand of God time after time and still they would grumble and rebel. Makes me wonder how obvious God is in my life and i don't see Him at work. Did only the Old Testament writers inspired by the Spirit of God see God at work? Did all the rest not see Him? Were they really that blinded? Did they not remember their grandparents telling them about the Exodus or the Jordan splitting or the walls of Jericho falling down? And yet they continually disobeyed God?

How bad off am I? Do I refuse to acknowledge God and His benevolence over me everyday for lack of spiritual clarity?

Am I missing God in my wife's embrace, in the warm sun on my face? Am I mistaking the joy of being a parent because I have to discipline my children?

Scripture reveals to me this awesome and ridiculously dangerous God. When I begin trying to find Him in my daily choices I idolize Him as self-help. How dare I reduce this untrappable God into my human viewpoint.

I have the privilege of living in the days of "The Book." People had to seek out the seer to discern the will of God, yet I can open this book and see Yahweh working and interacting with His people. I can read the apostle's words as they clarify how I am to worship, serve, and love others.

So, am I missing God daily? Yes, when I fail to open the Holy Book of Scripture and read.

May we all have such a deep longing for God that we begin to ingest the Word as if it were a fabulous steak dinner.

Tuesday, June 2, 2009

Fasting is Hard

Even though I have preached two sermons on the topic, to do it is so hard. I can do a 24 hour fast, but man, I eat everything in site at hour 24:01. I'm thinking that to fast for longer I may have to go into it slow, eat less food, than no food, than eat more food, and than back to normal.

I did it for a 24 hour period and all hell broke loose. I am confident that the enemy has been extra active because I have taken my prayers more seriously. The attacks have come mostly in my mind, stuff that really hurts, or really frightens me. Those attacks are causing me to get more serious about fasting. My plan is to do a 24 hour fast every week. Check with me later and see if I am keeping up with that! The flesh is so strong.

The attacks have also caused me to pray for intentionally. I find myself turning my thought more to prayer rather than just allowing them to be thoughts that go no where.

How is your fasting going?

Monday, May 25, 2009

Memorial Day

My church family helped Tricia and I host a block party at our home on Memorial Day.

It was awonderful time. We had probably 6 or 7 homes from our street represented at the party.

Thanks to my Baptist brethren we were able to have a bounce house, snowcone, and popcorn machines for fun. We had a ton of kids, probably 25 -30. It was really cool.

What was really neat, was how our church family jumped in and really did a great job of serving and talking to my neigbors.

We had a little memorial ceremony with our local Marine Corps League presenting the colors. It was pretty cool!

This gives me grand ideas of hoping to reach our neighbors for Jesus.

Sunday, May 24, 2009

Making Your Voice Heard on High

Remember in the movie "The Goonies" when Sloth discovered his echo in the cave. He thought it was great to yell his name and hear it echo off the walls further away. I love that movie.

Anyway, in Isaiah 58, the Lord speaking through Isaiah announces the sin of his fasting people. Although they fast, they do not do it in such a way as to be heard by God.

The Lord tells them that their fast is done with a sinful motive and so their voice is not heard on high. I love that imagery. I can imagine my desperate prayer in a time of fasting echoing off the halls of heaven. An echo calling for God to do a greater work in my life. An echo crying to God to save the lost around me. An echo screaming for my Rescuer to come and restore me after my dreadful sin.

Fasting is a deep desire on our part to tell God how serious we are to hear from Him.

Fast this week and listen for your echo and watch for your Redeemer riding in on His thunderous clouds to save you!!!

Sunday, May 17, 2009

What is a church to do when church leaders are bowing to the winds of culture?


The Episcopal Church USA has lost its focus by turning its resources to hunger, primary education, and AIDS instead of the proclomation of the gospel.


The Presbyterian Church USA has successfully negotiated changing their constitution to allow homosexuals to serve as ministers in their churches. This may sound good, but to know that the vote was lost by one is rather disheartening. The majority won, but only by one vote. This means close to half of their denomination was supportive of homosexuals serving. Did I miss something?

The Pope, who visited Jordan recently, has expressed his "deep respect" to the Muslim community. Sadly, the Pope and Catholic doctrine says that anyone holding a beleif in the monotheistic Creator of Abraham is welcome into the Kingdom of God. (For more check albertmohler.com "R-E-S-P-E-C-T: Should Christians "Respect" Other Religions?")

Your church, my church, any church needs to ask "Who is God?" "Who is Jesus?" and "What do we beleive?" Is the church to be influencing culture through reform or through the gospel.

I believe Jesus said it best, "Upon this rock my church will stand and gates of Hades will not overpower it."

First, it is His church.

Second, Hell cannot stop it.

Hell cannot stop it, but the culture can sure dictate some local congregations direction and focus.

Lord, forgive us for defacing your Body, your Bride.

Have mercy on us.

Sunday, May 10, 2009

Stop Growing the Church

The church was and is being built by the Lord Jesus Christ and the gates of Hell will not overpower it. Yet, it can remain in-effective as long as we use worldy gimmicks and models to try and prop up God's work.

The Lord has called every church to be a sold-out and surrendered church for His use. If we add anything other than that, we prostitute the church for the world's pleasure. When pastors preach sermons based on media hype or based on some wild e-mail forward making its rounds we deny the people of God true pure milk of the Word of God. When we apply worldly models of bigger and better, more shiny, new model, faster, happier, prettier, better results, all we do is deny God His place in His church. This is why many churches are sick.

Pastor, stop trying to grow the church. Preach the Word, disciple believers, discipline the wayward, make prayer a vital part of all that your church does. Go back to Acts and count up the number of verses that reveal that "God was adding to their number daily those who are being saved." The early church had no slick campaigns, no million dollar facilities, no sermonettes. They had one another and the apostles teaching. Pastors, ministers, leaders, if you are not drawing upon God and His Word to feed the sheep, protect the sheep, and nurture the sheep, then you have no business this Sunday trying to fake your way through the service or teaching hour. If you aren't prepared to be an honorable vessel for the Master's use, then step away. You are called to shepherd the Lord's flock until He returns. Be a faithful steward, not a slick salesman trying to sale your Jesus product to one more potential customer.

Church members, go to church to meet with God. Pray all week long that you will anticipate and expect to hear from God at worship. Pray for the leadership--musicians, Pastor, and other ministers that they will have had adequate prayer and preparation time so that they can HELP you come into the throne room and worship your God. If your Pastor does not teach the Word, go where it is. If the musicians sing for their glory and not for God's, go somewhere else. But, go to be fed, nourished, challenged, and encouraged. Do not go to see how the staff beefs up Jesus to make Him more interesting or culturally relevant.

The church is the body of Jesus. Do not pollute it with the world's standards or idealogies. Don't make Him come in there with a whip and overturn tables. His house is a house of prayer, a place of communicating with your Savior and God, Jesus Christ.

Wednesday, April 8, 2009

An Young Adult's Indictment Againt Youth Ministry

This was on a blog I have recently found. It is AWESOME! May this be the driving passion of youth ministry!

A Young Adult’s Indictment Against Youth Ministry
Posted by Brian Thornton on April 1, 2009

Her name is Erica. She is fifteen. Though her family has moved about an hour away from us, and we rarely see them anymore, I still consider her mom and dad to be close friends. Her dad and I met back in college in the late 80’s (I am responsible for getting him his first real job, but he probably doesn’t like to admit that!). She is two years older than my daughter. We have video and pictures of her when she was three at my daughter’s first birthday party. I guess you can say that I have known her for her entire life. And now she is exhibiting the kind of godly wisdom and discernment that I could only dream about at her age. She is a product of two parents who take their faith and their parenting seriously. And it shows.

Erica is a no nonsense young adult. She has wisdom beyond her years. And she can see right through thinly veiled facades of what most churches would call “youth ministry”. What most would call vibrant programs that are reaching the young people of unchurched parents, Erica would call garbage. Erica represents what I hope and pray are the youth who truly are followers of the risen Christ. She doesn’t want hype. She can’t stand fluff. What she wants is to be taught the truth from Scripture. Period. And she demands it. Oh, that we all would be so bold and require from our churches such clear and direct and unadulterated proclamation of the Word. I wonder what the American church landscape would look like if that were the case.

Erica had an assignment at school. She was charged with writing an editorial on the subject of her choice. She chose to write about youth groups. As her mom states proudly (and rightly so), “she came up with the topic herself and all observations are her own.”
So, here it is. From a fifteen-year-old. Straight from the mind and convictions of an actual youth. Posted here exactly as it was forwarded to me:

A new phenomena is going on in churches these days. Picture this: You enter into the youth group of a church on a Sunday or Wednesday night. You see at least fifty kids around. Some are off talking or playing a game, but most are in a circle watching and laughing at something. You move closer into the circle and see the youth pastor and a kid trying to eat a banana through pantyhose covering their heads. You look around and notice no open Bibles, no sound of hymns or worship music, and no one praying. All you see is just a group of teenagers watching an adult and one of their peers awkwardly trying to eat a banana. You think to yourself, “Is this supposed to be church? This looks more like a party!” Well, unfortunately, this is church now. Youth group used to be opening your Bible and hearing what God had to say to you. It used to be led by someone older, someone with more experience and wisdom on how to live a godly life. It used to be about learning to listen to God and keeping Him close to your heart. Not anymore. Don’t get me wrong, though, they still do open Bibles, and maybe sing a few praise songs. The youth pastor might read a verse or two, but only after losing the kids’ attention and respect because of his display of looking like a fool.

According to Life Way research, 70% of 18-22 year olds drop out of church for at least one year. Ninety-seven percent of these church drop-outs reported that a “life change” was their reason for leaving the church. One of these “life changes” included wanting a break from church. Now why would someone who had gone to church for years and years, suddenly just want a break? There are many reasons for this, I suppose, but here’s my theory: These kids have grown to perceive church as being a joke. Watching their youth pastor do lame “gross out” games, and listening to music that is more like a copy-cat version of secular music, with Jesus thrown in here and there, has made teenagers see church as uncool and fake. Church, especially youth group, is no longer about conviction and growing closer to God, but has instead turned into a hang-out for people who don’t “do” church. Because of this, a lot of teenagers, who have grown up in the church, don’t even know that they are sinners.
So what’s the solution to this church problem? Well, I believe the perfect answer comes from C.S. Lewis when he was asked the question,“ Do you feel, then, that modern culture is being de-Christianized?” and answered with this: “…I have some definite views on the de-Christianizing of the church. I believe that there are many accommodating preachers, and too many practitioners in the church who are not believers. Jesus Christ did not say, ‘Go into all the world and tell the world that it is quite right.’ The Gospel is something completely different. In fact, it is directly the opposed to the world.” What C.S. Lewis says here is so true, in that, churches should not be accommodating to the world, but be different and set apart. We are to be, as Christ Himself said, “the light and salt of the earth.” We must be the opposite of this dark world. We must be the light.

Amen, Erica. May God bless you, protect you, and continue to grow you in the grace and knowledge of Him.

Tuesday, April 7, 2009

Forgiving a Sinner Like Me

Christ's love - amazing!

Christ's forgiveness - astounding!!

As I think about my own sinfulness, I am amazed at Christ's forgiveness.  I have never killed anyone, raped, abducted, or done anything too heinous.  Yet, my sinfulness would have sent me to eternal damnation unless Christ had opened my eyes to reveal my need for Him.  Wow!  

Scripture tells me that to even break one of the laws makes me guilty of breaking all of them.  

Scripture also tells me that One Man died for all sins.

I am eternally grateful to Jesus, and this is why I worship Him, teach His principles to my children, and this is what drives me when I preach the Book.  

No matter how detestable our sins, His blood is potent enough to wash it away.  Amazing!

Absolutely amazing!!!


Monday, March 30, 2009

Who can stand before this holy God?

As I reflect upon my last couple of sermons I am struck by a common thread of God in His awesomeness. 1 Samuel 4-6 really showcase God. The God who struck down Eygpt and rescued His people. The God who used pagan nations to bring destruction to His people Israel. Wow! I have read Revelations and I see a really mad God. A God who gave promise after promise that if His people did not keep their end of the covenant He would fulfill what He promised.

I feel bad for the Isrealites, they did not have the Spirit of God to guide them like we do today. I am so thankful that this awesome and holy God is now personal and living inside of me, His temple. I shall never fear the heavy hand of God like the Philistines in 1 Sam 5. I won't ask, "Who can stand before this Holy God?" like the Beth-shemesh people who looked in the ark and were struck dead for it.

I can look into my heart and see that Jesus, my Savior, lives and resides there.

Oh, what a Savior!

Oh, what a Prince of Peace, who rules my heart!

Who can stand before this Holy God? I can, because His blood has washed away my sin.

Sunday, February 1, 2009

My personal favorites

Here is the entire listing of web sites I use. I hope you can find something of value within these for your ministry and life. --paul

apologetics
Apologetics 101
site description here
Trinity Graduate School: Dmin
FREE distance-education in theology, apologetics, counseling. Masters thru Doctorates. ALL textbooks supplied FREE on CDs. BEST faculty. Mentor for each student. Dr. Johnson C. Philip, Dean. www.TrinityTheology.Com
free Apologetics courses, bible correspondence courses
Christian Apologetics- Welcome to the Institute of Biblical Defense
Worldview Weekend
Reasons To Believe: Hugh Ross, Fazale Rana, Kenneth Samples, David Rogstad, Jeff Zweerink
The mission of Reasons To Believe is to show that science and faith are, and always will be, allies, not enemies.
bible doctrine
Biblical Training
bible.org
NET Bible : new Bible translation, free Bible software, Bible studies and related Bible materials, .
Country Bible Church, Brenham Texas
DOCTRINE OF THE FORTY THINGS
Monergism.com Classic Articles and Resources of the Historic Christian Faith
OnePlace.com - Ministries
Live and archived Christian broadcasts from radio stations across the country and from top speakers such as James Dobson, Chuck Swindoll, and Charles Stanley. Listen for Life!
P-R-E-C-E-P-T A-U-S-T-I-N

Bible Bulletin Board
An electronic ministry of the Word of God, preaching Jesus Christ, His love, death, resurrection, and salvation. We address the key issues of life: Death, Life, Love, Marriages, Men and Women, Divorces, Remarriage and articles of a very practical nature, from preachers of the past. Many articles on God the Father,Jesus, the Holy Spirit, Heaven, and Hell. Holding forth the Bible as the source of truth for mankind.
1689 London Baptist Confession of Faith The Reformed Reader
The Reformed Reader is committed to the historic Baptist and Reformed faith. Learn and research Baptist history, doctrine, theology and biographies.
A Faith to Confess: The 1689 Baptist Confession of Faith
A Faith to Confess: The 1689 Baptist Confession of Faith, Carey Publication, 1975. Reprinted by permission
SLJ Institute Home

bible products
e-Sword Home - the best free Bible study software for Windows
Free Bible Study Software - Books on CD
Logos Bible Software for Bible Study and Exegesis
Rejoice Christian Software
Precept Ministries International: Bible Study Tools : Inductive Bible Study Resources : Bible Lessons : The Inductive Bible Study People
Bible Study Tools and Bible Lesson Resources; Precept Ministry offers Bible Studies, Bibles and training workshops to inductively study God's Word. Discover Truth, Go Deeper and Be Transformed by studying God's Word the Inductive Bible Study way.
bible study sites
http--hermeneutics.kulikovskyonline.net-
NET Bible The Biblical Studies Foundation
Grace to You
Bible teaching media ministry of John MacArthur features the radio broadcasts, books, audiocassette lessons, devotionals, and an issues and answers page.
BiblePlaces.com - Photos of Israel from the Pictorial Library of Bible Lands
Photographs and descriptions of biblical and archaeological sites in Israel, Jordan, Egypt, Turkey and Greece
BibleGateway.com: A searchable online Bible in over 50 versions and 35 languages.
Bible Bulletin Board
An electronic ministry of the Word of God, preaching Jesus Christ, His love, death, resurrection, and salvation. We address the key issues of life: Death, Life, Love, Marriages, Men and Women, Divorces, Remarriage and articles of a very practical nature, from preachers of the past. Many articles on God the Father,Jesus, the Holy Spirit, Heaven, and Hell. Holding forth the Bible as the source of truth for mankind.
AT&T Yahoo! High Speed Internet
Welcome Christian Classics Ethereal Library
Hall of Church History—The Recent Stalwarts
HEARTLIGHT® Magazine: Daily Devotionals, Articles, Art and More for Christians
HEARTLIGHT Magazine is a daily Christian electronic publication dedicated to providing resources for living victoriously for Jesus in today's world.
bible.org: Home
1689 London Baptist Confession of Faith The Reformed Reader
The Reformed Reader is committed to the historic Baptist and Reformed faith. Learn and research Baptist history, doctrine, theology and biographies.
A Faith to Confess: The 1689 Baptist Confession of Faith
A Faith to Confess: The 1689 Baptist Confession of Faith, Carey Publication, 1975. Reprinted by permission
Desiring God :: God-centered resources from the ministry of John Piper
Desiring God takes happiness seriously. So we offer books, sermons, articles and more to help you find your joy in God.
Dore Bible Gallery: Main Page
Precept Ministries International: Bible Study Tools : Inductive Bible Study Resources : Bible Lessons : The Inductive Bible Study People
Bible Study Tools and Bible Lesson Resources; Precept Ministry offers Bible Studies, Bibles and training workshops to inductively study God's Word. Discover Truth, Go Deeper and Be Transformed by studying God's Word the Inductive Bible Study way.
OpenBible.info
Basic Bible data available free to remix and mashup

blogs
Blogger: Create your Blog Now -- FREE
Provocations & Pantings
Pyromaniacs
CAMPONTHIS
Steve Camp CampOnThis AudienceONE A1M Apologist Christian Singer Songwriter Speaker Evangelist
Desiring God :: God-centered resources from the ministry of John Piper
Desiring God takes happiness seriously. So we offer books, sermons, articles and more to help you find your joy in God.
Founders Ministries Blog
Blogger: Dashboard
Solid Food for Fellow Pilgrims
The Scrawny Pulpit
Grace's Journal
Family Reformation

books
Amazon.com Welcome
Christianbook.com's Home Page
TextbookLand.com - Compare Textbook Prices At 20 Stores In Seconds
Site: Product Details - Youth Ministry in the 21st Century
Antiquarian books, used books, out of print books: Antiqbook
Welcome Christian Classics Ethereal Library
Hall of Church History—The Recent Stalwarts
Reformation Heritage Books
RHB publishes and distributes Puritan and Reformed books at discount prices. We carry works by Jonathan Edwards, John Calvin, John Owen, C.H. Spurgeon, J.C. Ryle, Octavius Winslow, Joel Beeke, Sinclair Ferguson, and many others.
Recommended Book List Anchored In Truth Ministries
Anchored in Truth Ministries is the expository preaching ministry of Jeff Noblit, Senior Pastor-Teacher of First Baptist Church of Muscle Shoals, Alabama. He has served as Senior Pastor-Teacher since 1989 and God has enabled him to preach expostionally through some of the great doctrinal books of the Bible. Anchored in Truth Ministries is the distribution mechanism for those teachings. This site gives you daily radio broadcasts, message archives, resources, and other information about Anchored in Truth Ministries. It is our desire that this site will serve as a resource for you and your personal growth and ministry.
Lighthouse Trails Publishing - Something About Us
Lewis & Roth Publishers - Elders
Precept Ministries International: Resources
Home - Bible-Based Character Training - Doorposts
Precept Ministries International


evangelism
servantevangelism.com - servant evangelism ideas
International Evangelism Association
International Evangelism Association's Operation Multiplication helps churches close the back door through discipling relationships.
American Tract Society Gospel Tracts - 180 Years of Printing the Gospel
Explore the truth of the gospel, find gospel tracts with relevant messages, send e-tracts to a friend, or view a multimedia presentation of the gospel. Over 30 million tracts distributed each year.
Outreach: Church communication and marketing tools
Church communication and outreach marketing tools featuring impactful graphics in postcards, banners, bulletins, and hundreds of communication and direct mail resources
International Evangelism Association
International Evangelism Association's Operation Multiplication helps churches close the back door through discipling relationships.
Evangelism Resources
LivingWaters.com is an evangelism resource and training site that helps Christians "share their faith" (evangelism) effectively, biblically--the way Jesus did.
MSG Webs
..::Planet Students - Student Evangelism::..
The Way of the Master
Kidology - Evangelism Zone
Intentional Evangelism - KidzPlace.org
Christianity Explained / home
The home site of Christianity Explained, a twenty -year old evangelism course by author Michael Bennett.
About Neighborly Evangelism
http://www.deathbeth.com/
Custom Bumper Stickers
Custom bumper sticker printing service with no minimum quantity.
MakeSigns.com - Design your own signs, banners, and posters online!
Fish With Trish
Welcome to Fish With Trish, the website of Trisha Ramos a regular phone fisher on the Way of the Master Radio.
Fish With Trish
Welcome to Fish With Trish, the website of Trisha Ramos a regular phone fisher on the Way of the Master Radio.


Prayer
Pray for souls to be saved
The Prayer Closet Ministry, prayerclosetministries.org

ministries
Church Transitions, Inc. - Leading Your Church Through Change
Crown Financial Ministries
Insight for Living The Bible Teaching Ministry of Charles Swindoll
Official Denominational Web Sites
Plugged In Online
Truth for Life
Bible Bulletin Board
An electronic ministry of the Word of God, preaching Jesus Christ, His love, death, resurrection, and salvation. We address the key issues of life: Death, Life, Love, Marriages, Men and Women, Divorces, Remarriage and articles of a very practical nature, from preachers of the past. Many articles on God the Father,Jesus, the Holy Spirit, Heaven, and Hell. Holding forth the Bible as the source of truth for mankind.
kids
LifeWay: Biblical Solutions for Life - TeamKID FAQs and Updates
Welcome to Jack Hayford Ministries
Welcome to Ligonier Ministries
Welcome to Ligonier Ministries from R.C. Sproul.


youth organizations
Doug Fields' Simply Youth Ministry
Group Publishing Inc. - Life-changing Ideas for Ch
Group's Church Volunteer Central--The Association That Equips Churches for Volunteer Effectiveness
home Youth Specialties
See You at the Pole™ 2005 Home
Simply Junior High
T-Shirts For Christian Groups, Tee Shirt Logo Design Art For Youth Pastors, Youth Ministry
The Source Welcome
welcome to Dash Student Leadership online
Welcome to Frontliners
Welcome to Ministry and Media
Young Endeavors
Youth Glue Online Student Management Solutions
sbcstudents missions & ministry missions education
Leadertreks - Home
Developing Students to Fulfill the Great Commission. We partner with youth workers in providing short term missions and wilderness trips, training, and student ministry curriculum for student leadership development.
Blaine Bartel
THRIVE is a breakthrough in ministry training, designed for today's youth leader. Features America's most respected youth specialist Blaine Bartel.
Club Worship :: West Reading, PA
- PlanetWisdom.com
PlanetWisdom is an online community for Christian students learning how to live life from God's perspective
What's New : Student Life
What's New : Student Life

youth study resources
Cutting Edge Youth Bible Studies
Free Youth Resources, lessons, powerpoint games, weird pics, articles, youth ministry
Resources Fit 4 Life Youth Ministries
Student Discipleship Ministries
Student Life Bible Study
Willow Creek Association - Search
Youthministry.com - Resources for youth leaders