Fortune Telling on the Rise in America

First atheism, then paganism. That's the trend that always develops.

No doubt that is exactly what is happening in our land today. Fox News is reporting that our down economy is giving a boost to psychics and tarot card readers as many are looking for good news regarding their financial future. To be sure, it will be long until we hear reports about how people have started reading chicken entrails.

How did we get to this point? It all began when we started denying God's rule and existence. Now that the comfort of His sovereign, caring hand has been vanquished from men's minds, people must turn to other avenues for some semblance of peace and hope. As a result, people look to supposed mediums and mediators that may provide that comfort.

Moreover, in atheism one understands that the events of the world are simply random and meaningless events strung together by nothing other than cause and effect. Fortune telling is a perfect follow up because it seeks to make sense of the random and meaningless. In tarot readings cards are turned over at random and chance is the name of the game. Crystal balls and palm reading are perfect matches too because everything is simply fate (determinism is the essence of atheistic cause and effect).

We all need reassurance regarding the state of things tomorrow. That is human nature. However, those who deny God are bound to flounder in the ocean of anxiety. They are forced to depend upon their own limited resources. Being that these do not provide any help in the long run, we must turn to those who pose as diagnosticians of the future (Unfortunately--pun intended, fortune tellers and gypsies are just as limited as anyone else).

Peering beyond the curtain of today requires contact with the God who creates tomorrow and sees the end from the beginning. As well, in Christianity one need not turn to a human mediator (priest or pastor) for answers. You can get what you need yourself by simply directing your attention to what God himself has revealed in His Word.

For those truly concerned about how things will turn out down the road, Christ's word is quite simple (Matt 5): Do not worry about tomorrow. Seek first the kingdom of God. All the things you need will be provided, just as they are for the rest of the earth's creatures. The sovereign God who controls the events of life upholds all things and keeps His eye particularly upon those who trust in Him.

Are You Emergent

I know that a number of folks in Ashland don't have a clue what it means to be "emergent." But if you are into the emergent church thing--or if you don't know what it is but know your pastor likes to try to be as hip or on the "cutting edge" of doing church as possible-- you should probably read the post Just One More Savage Wolf from the baylyblog.com.

As well, if you have books by Rob Bell and Bryan McLaren laying around your church, you will want to do some research on them. I highly recommend the book "Why We Are Not Emergent: by two guys who should be" by Kevin DeYoung and Ted Kluck. You will laugh as these guys explain how the emergent church strays from the faith that was once for all delivered up to the saints.

The Reformed View of Sex

Okay, here it is. The long expected sermon on the Reformed View of Sex, other wise known as the spirituality of sexual intercourse. It is my hope that this sermon stirs the body as much as it does the soul.

Keep the Marriage Bed Hot

This week I've been preparing to preach on the first half of 1 Corinthians 7... you know, the "better to marry than to burn with passion" passage!

One thing I love about this passage is its frankness. God not only instituted marriage for the satisfaction of our sexual desires, but he commands us to keep the marriage bed hot! And Paul spares none in making sure we realize this. He commands us to "give [our spouse his/her] conjugal rights." Then he reiterates it and goes so far as to say, "Do not deprive one another."

One of the greatest things I heard this week was that one church in the Puritan age put a man under church discipline because he was depriving his wife. That's fantastic! That's the kind of thing that should characterize the church: A people who are passionate about being passionate within marriage!

Not long ago Christians had a reputation for being prudish and sex was a taboo topic within the church. Gladly, things are changing. Of course, not all for the better. Today a lot of teaching on sex in the church tends to be a crude, focusing on sex techniques, sex therapists, etc. Nevertheless, most change is for the better, and a sex crazed culture needs solid teaching about proper sexual satisfaction.

That is actually a stupid thing to say. What I mean is "A sex crazed culture needs solid application of the Bible's teaching about proper sexual satisfaction." The fornication that is so rampant today would not be so prevalent if we had more of the sweetness of the marital bond.

That's why I want to encourage those of you who are married to keep the embers burning in the bedroom. Enjoy it, and be, as the Song of Solomon says, "sick with love." Initiate it, indulge in it, plan for it, play in it, serve in it, talk about it, and (above all) strive to excel in it!

I don't just want to emphasize the legitimacy of sexual intercourse between a husband and wife either. I want you to focus on the absolute elation of it! The pagan world does not have the corner on the market when it comes to the exhilaration of sex. God created sex, and he created it to be gratifying. Furthermore, when the Bible talks about proper sexual expression it emphasizes the ecstasy and euphoria of it, to the point where you start to blush (or perhaps better, sweat!).

I mentioned the Song of Solomon, but think also of Isaac and Rebbecca. In Gen. 26:8 it says that Isaac was sporting with Rebbecca. Now I don't want you to think that they were playing a game of Yahtzee or going bowling. The language is technically one of rousing sexual intimacy. You might say it was foreplay because it has to do with affectionate caressing.

(For those of you who may not understand the technical language: they were making out! If you would like to object to this interpretation, you have to find a better way to explain why Abimelech was so incensed with Isaac regarding his treatment of Rebbecca.)

I wanted to cite this line from a recent Generations Radio program on the Puritan View of Sex. One puritan they quote says that our spouse is a "playfellow who has come to make our age merry!" Think of that, a playmate!

I might add a word to the ladies here too: This passion is also something that is to characterize you too. I like how the Westminster Larger Catechism cites Proverbs 31:11, "The heart of her husband trusts in her and he will have no lack of gain." as applying to the seventh commandment. Their insight into the word of God was great: A husband who is sexually gratified isn't going to be worrying about his wife all the time! What's more is that he is going to thrive in his business affairs because his wife is fulfilling all his desires.

Ladies also might want to consider a series like this in your women's discipleship classes, or perhaps regular conversations with those you mentor. Paul did say that the older women were to teach the younger women to "love their husbands." (Titus 2:3-4) We would be downright numb to limit that to taking care of the house and fixing meals.

Finally, I will leave you with this message that Mark Driscol preached on 1 Cor. 7. Mine will be nothing like it, but this message is really good. Some might consider it crude. But Driscol's earthy-ness is part of what makes the message appropriate.

Who's the Man?

I have had the privilege of leading a couple of classes for the Ashland Care Center the last several weeks. The class is entitled, "Authentic Manhood" and, as you may surmise, deals with the Biblical notion of true manliness.

In the first class we looked at how God created man to be the foundation of society. Adam was created first and Eve (and their children) was derived from him, and therefore dependent upon him. If the family is the basic building block of society, man is the most crucial element to society as he is the pillar of the family.

We also talked about some false conceptions of manliness that are prevalent in our contemporary culture (such as the macho man/bully, the goofball, the perpetual child, the sluggard, and the sexual conquistador). We ended by looking at some factors that have lead to the decay of true manliness in our day.

In the second class we talked about man's primary purpose. Of course we drew on the Westminster Shorter Catechism's 1st question and answer--Man's chief end is to glorify God and enjoy him forever. Our main illustration was that of trying to use a wrench as a hammer. You can do it, but it doesn't make the wrench or nail very happy. So too, when we don't get our purpose right, we end up making ourselves and everyone around us very unhappy.

In the third class we talked about man's divine design. That is to say, we looked at how God created men to be leaders, providers and protectors.

Our final class will be entitled, "Men of Honor," and we will deal with how a man's primary virtue is that of honor. Today the idea of honor is virtually extinct, though it has been well preserved within the ranks of the military. In the days of knights honor was of supreme importance. You might say that these were the days when men were men. During this stage of history boys were raise to be gentlemen of the highest order, devoting themselves to self sacrifice, valor, courage, acts of chivalry.

These are concepts that need to be recaptured in our day. It has been well put that we have many males today, but very few men. Going back to the lesson of our first class: A society that doesn't have men cannot stand for long.

In doing some research for this last class on manhood that I've been teaching I came across this article on Manners and Showing Respect. I wanted to tag it for my own files, and I thought others might want to give it a read. It is not so much "what manners need to be taught" as it is how important it is to teach manners and show respect." It provides a lot of definition and clarity as to what makes for respect in and around the home.

Kid's Rock & Homeschool Family

I could watch Tim Hawkin's stuff all day

Ashland's November Ballot

Those ubiquitous yard signs are starting to pop up around town. That means it is almost election time. I thought I would take a moment and reflect on the issues from a Biblical perspective.

ISSUES FOR THE SATE OF OHIO

Issue 1: Bonds for Vets

Those who have dedicated their lives to protecting our country deserve the highest honor. Certainly that means they deserve to have adequate compensation for their service. Sadly, our state officials do not know how to do it.

The state wishes to issue 2 million dollars in bonds to cover the expenses to cover our veterans. This means that some day the state, which currently doesn't have any money, will have to pay back those bonds with interest. What our officials do is nothing other than a quick fix. They may solve the short term problem, but they end up creating a bigger one in the long run. Down the road, our children will be responsible for paying the debts we have incurred.

The Bible says that we are to leave no debt outstanding and that we are to leave an inheritance for our children's children. This means that, for one, we who have been protected by our soldiers are responsible to care for them. It is not our children's duty. They will have their own vets to take care of.

Secondly it means our children should experience a greater quality of life than we did. If we load them up with debt, what we do is stifle the possibility of them having that higher quality of life. That is a wicked thing.

What our governing officials should do is cut the social programs that they are currently running (and which are currently soaking up a great deal of revenue that is due to those who served our land). If, after having done that, there is still a shortage of money, they should levy a tax.

What? Did Matt just say raise taxes? I don't think it would be necessary if they got rid of the illegitimate programs that are out there. If it was though, this is an instance where a tax would be lawful. It is within the bounds of the government "bearing the sword."

Issue 2: The Meat Board

This issue, if passed, will create a meat board which will regulate the procedures farmers use in raising their animals. At the county fair it was explained to me that this committee is being formed to protect farmers against the rising cry of PETA and the like and, as a result, keep meat prices low.

I have a real beef with this issue, and believe that this issue should be defeated for a number of reasons. First, the government does not have the power to regulate how anyone raises their animals. What I do with my animals is my business. Moreover, farmers are business people. They know what way of raising animals is best for business. The average farmer doesn't need a committee telling him what he can and can't do.

To some degree, it is a lot like having a government committee formed to tell you how to raise your kids. You are obviously not smart enough or caring enough to do it right, but a bunch of bureaucrats are!

Secondly, the ballot says that the governor of Ohio is the one who will appoint the board members. One should easily see that a left leaning governor will produce a board that is not friendly to Ohio's farmers. Though those who desire the board's existence may have "conservative" interests, regulation is a liberal's friend and will quickly backfire.

Issue 3: Casino Gambling
This issue doesn't seem to go away, no matter how many times Ohioans defeat it. The argument for casino gambling is that it will create jobs and revenue for Ohio. The justification ultimately is an "ends justifies the means" argument. We could just as easily say, pornography is big business. It will create jobs and help many single mothers pay their bills.

For Christians voting is not based on outcomes, but upon Biblical principles. The Bible tells us to that gambling is wrong for two basic reasons. By gambling people are seeking to gain wealth without work and at the expense of others. God ordained that wealth be accumulated through diligence in a lawful calling. Adam was given a hoe, not a lottery ticket or slot machine.

Moreover, gambling defies "doing unto others as we would have done unto us." When a casino goes up, it preys upon people--that they may dump their hard earned money into a venture that most likely will not produce a profit.


ISSUES FOR ASHLAND COUNTY

Increase in Sales Tax
The county is looking to raise the sales tax by a quarter of a percentage. Unfortunately, the county is still paying for a host of social programs that need to be cut before a tax is levied. If they would purge these programs, most likely they would be able to run just fine.

I am also against a sales tax as a form of taxation. Sales taxes are exalted as the best form of tax because it hits people who come to the area from different towns. However, governments are to be supported by those who are under their authority. Moreover, sales taxes typically hit larger families harder because they have more things they need to purchase. Why should those who are obedient to the Scripture's admonition to have children be punished and made to pay more?


ISSUES FOR ASHLAND CITY

Charter amendment: change the finance officer to an appointed position
Let's see, do you think that our city officials have a good reason for wanting to make the person in charge of Ashland's money no longer a person appointed by the people of Ashland? Do you think it might be because they want to get someone in who is a little more loose and free with the expenditures? To me, this seems like nothing more than a money grab.

Yes, there have been many problems regarding this position in the last couple of years. That does not mean though that it needs to be changed. Such reasoning is actually an argument for keeping it the way it is. It has worked relatively fine up until this point, so why change it? Just because you had a few troubles at one particular moment in history doesn't mean you ditch it all together.

Imagine if my wife and I had a bumpy year in our marriage. Should we divorce, even though everything has run relatively smoothly up until this point?


Ashland City Schools and JVS levies
If you read these blogs, you probably already know where I stand on this one. First, the government is not authorized to educate our children. Secondly, not a dime of the taxes that are designated for education come to my kids! Why should I support some other kid's education, especially when that child is not going to be instructed in the fear of the Lord? I am more than willing to help a child go to the Christian school, but no one has the right to tell me that I must contribute to it.


Ashland Public Library levy
First, let me say that my family frequents the library and takes great joy in its services. We thoroughly enjoy it.

Nevertheless, why should I make Joe Schmo down the street pay for it if he never goes there? Libraries are wonderful, but it is better to let individual people pay for the services they enjoy. This is the principle of "Thou shalt not steal."

One may only look at all the other libraries to see how they operate on this principle. I have a library right here in my study. I've paid for (or received as gifts) the books I have. I also borrow books from other individual's libraries on occasion. The college and seminary also have a wide array of books that are useful. These they accumulated with their own finances. If I wanted to check out books there, I could purchase a card and become a member (or just go and read it there for free!). I make use of other types of libraries too, like Netflix and the local movie rental store. These operate on individual memberships and do quite well.

My wife and I are also willing to pay for a membership at the public library (if it is within reason of course). Since APL is quite popular in town, they probably would do quite well if they went the privatized route. As well, fund raisers and "friends of the library" donations would probably go over swimmingly within our community.