The Covenant Chapel

Overture Submitted to The Ohio Presbytery Containing a Rebuke of State Senators

2012-01-30T09:05:00.000-08:00

[Below is an overture that I just submitted to my presbytery (the Ohio Presbytery, PCA) for consideration at their meeting this coming Saturday.]

Whereas,

this body represents the Lord Jesusand the members of PCA churches in the central and northern regions of Ohio;
the word of God has the power toact as a civil restraint; and
the Ohio Senate as a body has acted contrary to the Word of God in not protecting human life created in the image of God as evidenced by their delaying the vote for and passage of the Heartbeat Bill,which would prevent abortions the moment a heartbeat is detected and so savethousands of innocents a year in our state;

Therefore, let it be resolved that the Ohio Presbyterypublicly rebuke and admonish her esteemed state senators by sending theattached letter to…

Instruct them in the rightful dutyof public officers to act as God’s ministers to protect her citizenry;
Call them to repent of theirdilatory attitudes in regards to the Heartbeat Bill and this vital matter of rightfully preserving the lives of unborn Ohioans who are created in the image of God,
Direct them to demonstrate thispenitence by swiftly bringing to the floor and unanimously passing theHeartbeat Bill.

To our Esteemed Senators, February4, 2012

We, the members andrepresentatives of the Ohio Presbytery, do greet you in the strong Name of ourLord and King, Jesus Christ. We also sendyou our deepest regards and express our great appreciation for your faithful serviceto the people of Ohio.

Nevertheless, it is withgreat grief that we write to you today. For we understand that the lives of unborn children are lost dailybecause you delay in bringing to the floor the legislation known as HeartbeatBill.

The Word of God clearlyindicates that it is the duty of public magistrates to do all that is withintheir power to protect and preserve the lives of the people under theirauthority. While it is your duty touphold justice for all who reside within the boundaries of this state, it isespecially incumbent upon you to maintain the cause of those citizens who arethe weakest and most fail.

We, the elders and ministersof Christ’s church, wish to remind you of this charge that God has bestowedupon you. Moreover, we send this messageto you today as a public rebuke for your dilatory acts on this vital piece oflegislation.

On this the fourth day ofFebruary in the year of our Lord 2012, we call you to repent of your slothfulattitudes in regards to this bill and your negligence towards those childrenwho are daily being killed. We do summonsyou to show this penitent spirit by ceasing to delay the vote on and passage ofthe Heartbeat Bill.

You must remember that theKing of Kings holds the men of earth accountable for their actions. He will by no means permit the guilt ofbloodshed to go unpunished. Therefore itis incumbent upon you, our senators, to fulfill your divinely appointed callingby seeing to it that innocent blood is no longer spilt.

You may be assured that theJudge of the earth is good and abundant in mercy. When men turn from evil and do what is rightin His eyes, He prolongs their days and feeds them with gladness. He promises kindness to those who fear Himand restores the fortunes of those who seek his face.

Be it then resolved in yourhearts that you heed this admonition and uphold the commandments of God. Cease to sin against Him any longer and dothat which is right.

With deepest affection,

The Members and Representatives

of the churches belonging to Christ

in the Ohio Presbytery

On Preventing Further Suicides, pt 4: Finding Meaning and Purpose in Life

2012-01-17T12:06:00.000-08:00

Many, if not most, suicides occur as a result of the personseeing no real reason to live. They losethe drive to live because they do not see any reason to continue living. That is why, when considering the subject of “Howto prevent suicide,” it is important to consider not just man’s origins, butalso his meaning and purpose.

Again, this is where the Bible is so informative. The Bible emphasizes that each moment of lifehas a grand purpose, superseding any earthly or temporal connection. Life was given in the beginning by God forthe purpose of serving God. We werefashioned for Him and for His pleasure.

So, no matter what may occur on earth—be it the loss of aloved one, a loss of a job, or some other ill turn of events—one ought to seethat his life is not tied up in these fleeting and fickle things. His life is to be found in the Creator. Man was designed to live eternally and inharmonious communion with the Almighty.

This lively and eternal prospective radically differs from theprevailing philosophy of the day. Most people in America are taught and embrace(be it consciously or not) the evolutionary and materialistic[1]perspective that has been handed down from Darwin. According to this worldview a person’s life hasbut one end: the grave.

It is easy to see why this angle worldview enhances thepossibility of suicidal tendencies, particularly when one is afflicted with thedark and gloomy thoughts that accompany a depressed spirit. One can, in that cheerless moment, easily cometo believe that it is better to end one’s life sooner than later.

The most optimistic in this camp will say that life shouldbe lived for the benefit of others or that life’s meaning is what you make ofit. Yet even there one must confess that,despite great feats or pleasures, it is only a matter of time before the death belltolls. One may still wonder if there isany use in delaying the inevitable.

Certainly the “Let’s make the best of it” philosophy isquite dire. It only serves to highlightthe real means of preventing further suicides. Young people need to hear that life does have eternal and meaningful purpose. They need to understand that God has designedthem to forever enjoy the bliss of His majesty and benevolence. They need to know that they are a part of agrand story and that God has given them a particular role in that story. They need to understand that they weredesigned to serve Him and commune with Him all the days of their lives.

When such principles are grasped, one may see that each day isworth living. No matter how dark the daymay seem or how useless one may appear in the eyes of men, he or she has arelation to the divine and is called to fulfill their divinely appointedpurpose in that day.

[The above article is the fourth in a series on How to PreventFurther Suicides.]

[1] Materialism is the belief thatmatter is the only thing that exists. Itholds that there are no immaterial things such as a person’s soul, spiritualbeings, etc.

Get Your Presbyterian On!

2012-01-13T12:05:00.000-08:00

Image by milos.kravcik via Flickr

I've been listening to a great series on Presbyterian Ecclesiology* and I thought I'd link to it for your benefit.

While I would differ on a few points here and there from Rev. Morecraft, I find the series quite instructive overall. So far, he has done a smash up job explaining how the church is to be connectional in nature and that each local church is to be ruled by a plurality of elders (rather than by one professional pastor). I look forward to getting through all 22 of the lectures.

What I most enjoy is how he walks through the Scriptures pertaining to his points. I remember when I was being examined for the ministry: One of the questions I was asked was, "Why are you a Presbyterian?" The texts that Morecraft cites do a fine job summing up why.

*Ecclesiology is just the fancy word for "the study of the church."

On Preventing Further Suicides, pt 3: Dignity, Self-worth, and the Image of God (cont)

2012-01-12T03:34:00.001-08:00

In the last article I argued that preventing further suicides necessitates a vigorous promotion of the Christian view of man. God created man in His image and, as a result, man has inherent dignity and personal worth. This, in turn, boosts an individual’s self perception and lowers one’s possibility of taking his life.

Unfortunately this notion, which can help to boost any depressed soul, is not advocated in our day. The contemporary philosophy that receives acclaim is the evolutionary view of man, a view which robs man of his glory and personal nobility.

The Darwinian worldview advocates that man is essentially a cosmic accident. He is a descendent of a germ that materialized by molecules randomly bumping into each other. To put it another way, man is nothing more than a product of random happenchance, having no real distinction from the grass that we mow down with our lawn mowers.

While there might be a few strands of DNA that separate us from grass, Darwinism cannot deny that there is no essential dignity that distinguishes us. According to their own reasoning, a few molecules came together in just the right way. Some of those molecules became grass; some of them became you.

With such a worldview it is easy to see why one can come to believe that taking one’s life is ok. Man is nothing more than a blade of grass that can be mown down at will.

As a matter of fact, the existentialist philosopher Albert Camus has even given excellent insight into just how dreadful his own materialistic worldview really is. Camus said, “The greatest question that mankind faces is not if one should take his life, but when.”

The good news is that not everyone who holds the materialistic/evolutionary construct sees the logical consequences of their line of reasoning. For this we can be quite glad. The bad news is that some, like Camus, do see the implications of their beliefs.

Without dignity and inherent worth nobody has any reason to continue living one minute. This is why it is detrimental to society for our schools, television stations, public officials, museums, etc. to promote the materialistic, evolutionary worldview. In promoting this perspective they become accomplices to the acts of suicide.

If we wish to bring the number of suicides down, it is imperative that the evolutionary worldview be repudiated wherever possible. The Christian view of man be embraced, and our young people ought to be given the foundational principles that coalesce with prolonging life.

[This is a series on preventing further suicides. To view the other articles in the series click here.]

On Preventing Further Suicides, pt 2: Dignity, Self-worth, and the Image of God

2012-01-09T17:48:00.000-08:00

Suicide cannot happen unless one’s perception of one’s self has been denigrated. A depressed spirit and the feeling that one’s life is worthless are the incubators of suicide. As a result, the only sure way to prevent someone from taking their life is to help them realize their life is immensely valuable.

This is why the Christian notion of humanity needs to be advanced. The Bible expresses that man is unique among creation, possessing inherent dignity and worth. This is owing to the fact that man bears the image of God. When man was created in the beginning he was set apart from all other material and immaterial things because he was endowed with the likeness of God.

This likeness has been defined variously, and certainly it entails many diverse things. At the very least it indicates that some of God’s attributes are reflected in man. It should be obvious that man does not possess these attributes in the same way or degree that God does. But, in a much more muted fashion, man expresses some measure of the divine being. These qualities include, but are not limited to, things like compassion, rationality, love, and hatred.

As well, man’s nature points to the divine as man is not just a physical being. God distinguished him from the rest of the created things by giving him an immortal spirit.

Much more could be said on the matter. However, this should be enough for now to make the point clear: Man, as the image bearer of God, possesses inherent worth and a profound dignity.

Indeed, this is what gives credence to the Bible’s command not to murder (see my earlier post). The Bible forbids this because the unjust taking of a human life amounts to an attack on God Himself. Since man bears the image of God, seeking to snuff out that image is virtually equal to an attempt at snuffing out God.

Embedded within the fifth commandment is the fact that man’s dignity far surpasses any plant or animal. Each individual’s worth is so immense that one ought to do all they can to protect and preserve themselves and their neighbors.

Affirming the Christian perspective of man then, provides a sound basis for personal self-esteem. While depression will certainly occur, and not all suicides can be prevented, a definite diminishing can occur when young people come to terms with the substantial grandeur of their personal constitution as given by God.

Check Out the Latest Newsletter

2012-01-09T07:10:00.000-08:00

Our latest newsletter has been sent out. You can check it out here.

Articles include...Being Reformed-- so cool, yet so clueless; Origins of Reformed Theology, Directives Against Gluttony.

On Preventing Further Suicides, pt 1: Teach the Law of God

2012-01-06T03:26:00.000-08:00

Much of Ashland has been astir as of late due to the recent teen suicides that have occurred. That there has been a string of such incidents means that we should pause and consider the issue in light of biblical reflection.

I want to emphasize this point to: The best way to prevent suicide is to teach and embrace the truths presented in the Bible. Any other worldview will only help to enhance the tendency towards death.

What motivated the series of suicides locally is unknown to me. I will not pretend to know what issues those particular souls struggled with. Neither will I say that all the guidelines below will prevent suicide altogether. Man is sinful at heart, and will carry out his evil designs. Nevertheless, there are serious issues of a worldview nature that ought to be considered so that these types of episodes are less likely to be repeated.

The first issue regarding these questions of worldview is that of law and the public affirmation of what God has decreed in Scripture regarding murder.

Doubtfully anyone will object to the fact that taking one’s life is against the sixth commandment’s prohibition on murder. Suicide is, after all, self murder. The Bible makes it clear that such an act is a gross violation of God’s law. Moreover, the implication of the law is that we have the opposite responsibility of seeing to the welfare of our persons and possessions.

Teaching such a position then is helpful for it reinforces the notion of self preservation. Even if one does not believe in God per se, the active promotion of this commandment helps to restrain such actions (see The Restraint of Evil).

Since God’s law is not advanced in our day by the schools and public officials the culture has devolved into a relativistic mindset. Without this absolute moral base kids do not have any legitimate reason to stave off their own deaths. The choice of suicide has become just as viable as the choice to have breakfast in the morning.

What kids need now is to understand that there is a higher Lawgiver to whom they are accountable. In hearing this publicly proclaimed they will recognize that they are not the ones who determine right or wrong by their own accord.

To be sure, the commandments of God promote life. These statues need to be taught because they will put in the minds of young people the understanding that they ought to do their best to safeguard their lives.

[The above material is part 1 of a series on how we can help to prevent further suicides from occurring locally]

New Study to Commence: Prophets and Kings

2012-01-05T10:55:00.000-08:00

Our Sunday evening fellowship group would like to invite you to join us as we kick off our new series. We'll be watching and discussing That the World May Know: Faith Lessons from the Prophets and Kings. Ray VanderLaan is an expert in the land of Palestine, and in each video segment he brings new meaning and significance to a particular Bible passage by helping us understand the terrain and context of the day.

Time: Sunday's @ 6:30 pm
Place: 1010 Chestnut St.

We certainly welcome the opportunity to have your children join us as we watch too. The material will be informative for them as well.

If you'd like more information, feel free to contact me.

2011-12-30T15:29:00.000-08:00

It’s finished! I was charged with the duty of designing a website for The Ohio Presbytery. Feel free to give it a looksy and make any suggestions.

Better yet, if you know anyone who desires a sound church in their area, suggest they give it a glance. There’s a page that lists the churches affiliated with our presbytery.

You’ll also notice that those who are interested in a PCA church plant can begin the conversation through the site. Our presbytery is dedicated to advancing the gospel in northern Ohio through church planting.

Wars Abroad and Upon the Womb: Ron Paul for President

2011-12-29T16:37:00.000-08:00

A lot of people are against Ron Paul as a presidential candidate because of his foreign policy. A lot of that number will even express that they are against Ron Paul solely because of his foreign policy. They say that it is too isolationistic in its formulation.

I have the mind to object to such an objection. The video below gives some expression to that. This is my main protestation though: As a nation that slaughters its unborn by the millions each year, who are we to be jaunting around the world putting our guns up other people’s noses and telling them what to do. If we want to be the “defenders of freedom” on the international scene (assuming that is a legitimate policy), then we must first defend it within our own boarders by protecting the womb.

A Chip Off the Old Block

2011-12-23T02:53:00.000-08:00

Have you ever wondered where I get it from? Those of you who know the family know it is from my mother. And now you can see it first hand. My mother, who has always been politically active (which is just another way of saying she's widely outspoken like me), has started blogging. You can catch her work over at Ashland's Tea Party website, New American Patriots. I won't tell you which name she posts under though.

Just How Horrid Christmas is

2011-12-13T10:42:00.000-08:00

Here's a link to our church's latest newsletter. You may want to check it out. The lead article shows, contrary to popular opinion, just how horrid Christmas really is. It's also got some poetry, an update on Ohio's Heartbeat Bill, and other jolly good edifying stuff. Enjoy!

Perhaps a Reason Why Evil Triumphs in Ashland

2011-12-11T04:58:00.000-08:00

Image by Getty Images via @daylife

“I have fought the good fight, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness.”

Ashland is a swell of Anabaptism. There is a church affiliated with some strand of Brethren denomination on virtually every corner. The other 35% are composed of your run of the mill mainline church or generic non-denominational church. This, I feel, is the reason for the great spiritual lethargy in my town.

One of the main tenets of all of these groups is that of pacifism.[1] The pride of Anabaptism is her pacifism. They make it one of their foremost defining doctrines. Mainliners are basically pacifists too. They are your liberal types that forfeited the fight for truth and justice long ago. Non-denom.’s are of the same stream. They sprouted up as a result of the mainline apostasy. They thought they were fighting, but really they were bailing out of the fight by running away from denominations in order to create their own little independent island where they wouldn’t have to fight anyone.

Which brings me to my point: I wonder if this pacifistic/non-resistance belief is the reason why there is such a spiritual lethargy in this town. In my opinion, pacifism, and its ever more pliable cousin non-resistance/non-violence, is nothing more than appeasement. It shrinks from the fight and surrenders ground to the enemy. His motto is, “Let us keep peace!” Rather than fight to keep peace, he backs away. He would rather have the strained and tenuous peace that comes with an appeased tyrant than a free and robust peace that comes through warding off the enemy.

All in all, such is an act of forfeiture.

This is what takes place on the battlefield, of course (well, actually nothing takes place on the battlefield, but you know what I mean). I can’t help but think though that it translates into the everyday world around us. I feel that the spiritual battle is often lost because of the constant recoiling in the name of “peace.” The battlefield of the mind and heart is repeatedly forfeited because no one wishes to yield the sword of the Spirit by standing up to the encroaching evils and false teachers. Such would be a skirmish and clash, and that is intolerable because it is in all reality a crusade in miniature.

To put it another way, wars are simply ideas fought with weapons. It may be fought with machine guns and cannons, or it may come to blows on a lesser scale with a pen and one’s lips. Either way, it is a war, and pacifists will let evil triumph to avoid both.

[1] A friend of mine attempted to clarify this. He said: The Brethren would split hairs and contend that it is more aptly called “non-resistance.” I respond by saying, 1) I’d like to glue the hairs back together and 2) I really don’t think that pacifists /non-resistance types contend.

If you really would like to split hairs, let’s think of it this way: Pacifists are willing to take a stand and get slaughtered while doing holding their ground. Non-resistance people will continually concede ground in the name of appeasement and keeping the peace.

Some Quick Thoughts on Slavery and the Bible

2011-12-03T10:41:00.000-08:00

I’m preaching on 1 Peter 2.18f this week, a passage that talks about servants submitting to their masters. Such passages make you wonder about the ethical questions regarding slavery. I thought I would lay out some of the thoughts I’ve had this week regarding it. This is by no means meant to endorse slavery outright or even meant to be an exhaustive study. I merely put these thoughts out as some clarification.

In the Bible…

I. Forced slavery is absolutely wrong, except in the case of prisoners of war or the purchase of foreign slaves

The Bible sates in several places that it is illegal to compel someone to be their slave. For instance, in Deut. 24 it condemns this practice. It says that if someone is found stealing one of his brothers and forcing him to be his slave or selling him off as a slave, then he is to be put to death! Death mind you. This was a capital offense!

I want to make this clear because the issue of slavery is one of those things that is bandied about by anyone and everyone who is critical of the Bible. Someone will inevitably say that “The Bible allows slavery!” And they will make great cries of how terrible such a thing is. But look here. Forcing someone to become your slave was a crime punishable by death. To say that the Bible permits slavery in this capacity is simply wrongheaded.

The Apostle Paul is clear about this too. In 1 Timothy 1 he lists enslavers (i.e. those who kidnap and force people into slavery) among the types of murderers, perjurers and the sexually immoral. Hardly could it be said that Paul tolerated form of slavery.

Now, having said that, let me say that the Bible does tolerate the enslavement of foreigners. But when you think about the implications, you’ll realize that this was still not slavery as we may originally think of it. First, prisoners of war were permitted to be forced labor. Now what exactly are you supposed to do with people who attack you and you capture. You could let them go, but chances are they’ll be back to attack you again. Another thing you could do is kill them. I think that you will agree that putting them to work is a bit more humane.

Finally, foreign slaves could be bought by Israelites and made to work for them. Now, we don’t have any evidence of this happening, so we don’t know if it did happen. But let’s think together. Would you rather be a slave in Syria or Israel? Would it be better to be a slave in a pagan country where you were simply property to be battered and beat, or would it be better to be a slave in a country where your personal dignity would be regarded with the utmost respect? I submit to you that this kind of slavery was an act of mercy. I think this will become clearer in a few minutes too. So let me move on to the next item.

I just said that in most cases, forced slavery is wrong. But the Scripture says…

II. Slavery may be permitted on a voluntary basis.

In the Old Testament you could, by your own volition, become soemone’s slave. This was a means of survival in those days. If you could not provide for yourself—if you had become impoverished and had no means by which to live—you could give yourself as a slave to another person. And in doing so, you could be saved from your utter destitution.

Again, no one could force you to do this. Someone couldn’t come along and compel you to be their slave. That would be what we call man stealing or kidnapping, and the Bible is clear in its denunciation of that in both the Old Testament and the New Testament.

For it to be legal, slavery had to be voluntary. You had to come into it willingly and express your own personal desire to enter into that mode of living.

And this leads to the next item regarding slavery.

III. Biblical slavery was only to be for a limited amount of time.

It was never for life (unless you wanted it to be). There were a number of ways to be freed, most notably at the end of a 7 year cycle. To be sure, it wouldn’t have been a bad thing. Even if you worked all seven years, it wasn’t a long time.

IV. In any case, slaves were to be treated with the utmost respect

The slaves ought to be treated with the utmost respect. You are never allowed to violate their personal dignity. There is nothing in the Scriptures that permits men and women even in bondage to be denigrated or treated with the least disrepute. They always have to be cared for with fatherly affection and given the best possible means for their livelihood.

In this sense, a slave would be much like an employee that we would understand today. He might not make money, but at the very least he is giving his life and work in exchange for the basic provisions of life (i.e. protection, shelter, and food, perhaps also medical assistance and other physical cares).

Come Watch the Clash of the Titans

2011-12-01T10:09:00.001-08:00

The students that will dazzle us with their eloquence.

[The following is the press release I submitted to the TG. I’m putting it here as an invitation to you all to come and join us for the evening.]

For immediate release:

Students Clash in Debate

Thursday December 8 at 6:30 pm at Ashland Brethren in Christ Church

Minds and voices will come to a head on Thursday, clashing in a battle of opinions and eloquence.

For the last 10 weeks seven homeschool children have been learning the techniques of public speaking. Under the tutelage of Matt Timmons, a pastor and homeschool father, the class has discussed and presented various speeches, including informative, persuasive and emotive speeches.

All their training will now be put on open display as they enter into a public debate. Students have been paired off with an opponent and given a topic to research. They will attempt put their opponent to shame by winning their audience with the techniques discussed in class.

Timmons said that the class has done exceptionally well, demonstrating radical improvement with each passing speech. "This debate should be interesting," said Timmons. "Due to the odd number of students, I have to debate one of them. As well, there are some great personalities here. I wouldn't be surprised if some of the speeches get a little spirited."

Damned if You Do, Damned if You Don't: Review of Saki's The Storyteller

2011-11-29T10:03:00.000-08:00

Image via Wikipedia

We finished up my creative writing class by focusing on short stories. Yesterday we read and analyzed Saki's short story entitled The Storyteller. I found it so intriguing, that I thought I'd post my thoughts and analysis.

Summary

The Storyteller is about some rambunctious children riding in a carriage with their aunt and a greatly annoyed bachelor. The aunt attempts to charm the children (and relieve the bachelor's annoyance) by telling the children a story about a good little girl who is rescued from a mad bull because of her goodness. The children despise the story. The bachelor then tells a story about a good little girl (so good she's "horribly good") that gets devoured by wolf. The children love it while the aunt is aghast. (read the whole story here)

Analysis

Saki’s Storyteller ought to make you feel a bit uncomfortable. He is in a very real way making fun of your average, everyday children’s story. Your standard children’s story usually teaches a moral that is supposed to persuade you to be a good little boy or girl. But Saki, in essence, says such stories are dumb. His point is that, in the end, good kids die—sometimes even violently. That would be the first theme. The second (and perhaps main) theme is that there’s no such thing as a “good little boy or girl.” Kids are evil and like stories that have violence and evil in them. The stranger walks away at the end quite satisfied because he knows the kids will be pestering their aunt for an "improper" story for a long time to come.

In sum, Saki says, all are damned.

The story is rather depressing because it looks at man’s real nature as a sinner and the consequences of trying to live a good, moral life: “You are evil and even the best of us still die.” What's more is that its grim tone is intensified because it offers no salvation.

This is where the gospel brings good news. Man, in and of himself can do nothing to change his nature or escape death. Yet Christ died to take the curse of death away and he now sends the Holy Spirit into the hearts of those who turn to him in faith and repentance to change their wicked nature.

Saki's story is wonderful in that it gets at the real essence of the unbelieving life, and does not leave any fairy tail wish-fullness bouncing around in our heads. Unfortunately, due to his worldview, Saki's story depresses. It is sure to entertain, but without the understanding of Biblical salvation, you are left glorying in the grave and the evil that leads to it.

Help Being Sought for Prison Ministry

2011-11-28T04:36:00.000-08:00

This week I will begin teaching some college level theology courses at Richland County Correctional. I'm looking forward to digging through the Scriptures with these men.

For the last several weeks I have had opportunity to visit the prisoners there and attend their weekly Bible study. Out of the 60 or so guys who attend, 10 men qualify for the classes I will be teaching. I've been quite impressed with the caliber of these guys too. They throw around names like John MacAurther, Martin Lloyd-Jones, and Charles Spurgeon. A normal conversation will typically revolve around the sovereignty of God, the depravity of man, and the sufficiency of Christ for salvation too. To say that these guys are serious about studying the Bible is something of an understatement.

I am looking for some people who would be interested in supporting this ministry financially. We are trying to find 40-50 people who are willing to give $20-50 a month so that time might be devoted to instruction, preparations, and grading. If you would be interested in doing so, or would simply like to make a one time contribution, please let me know.

You can also visit my webpage to learn more about the ministry.

How to Get a Job in a Jobless Market

2011-11-10T12:29:00.000-08:00

With unemployment rates hovering around 10% in Ohio, and with another round of Seniors preparing to graduate into a lifeless market, it would be good to consider what it takes to get a job in today’s economy.

The first thing that we must do is adjust our understanding of what it means to “go get a job.” Too often today the job seeking process is limited to someone filling out an application or two and then waiting months on end for the phone to ring. In today’s economic climate though, unemployed people should realize that the job fairy isn’t making many house calls. One cannot passively sit by and expect a job to land in his or her lap.

With the market the way it is, job hunters should transform themselves into job creators. It is not enough to simply look for a possible opening around town or on the internet. Prospective workers need to take the work force by storm by either demonstrating their desire to work or putting their skills to good use.

When seeking a job the best thing to do is demonstrate the desire to work. If you go to a company, by all means, fill out their application. But do not just hand it in and leave. Ask to speak with someone in charge. Then, when you meet the boss, ask him what needs to be done. Tell them you will be glad to work for free until a position becomes available. Suggest possible things you could do, such as running errands or cleaning.

I once heard a story about a boy who went to a restaurant and started cleaning tables. The manager asked him what he was doing. He said he was showing the owner he was willing to work and ready to work hard. Do you think this went unnoticed? Absolutely not.

The point is that you are not going to be working anyway, so why not demonstrate your desire and ability to work. At the very least, you will be serving your neighbor—which is what being employed really is all about. Causing the company to take notice of you may even lead to a position.

While demonstrating your desire to work is important, a better way to go may be putting your skills to good use and developing a job on your own.

Perhaps you are good with a pen. Then why not start a newspaper or blog? Or maybe you can submit articles to an already existing newspaper in your town. If you are handy with a paintbrush, tell your friends and family members that you’d like to do some painting for them.

Are you good with people? Do you have a lot of relational skills? Then you might consider becoming a salesman at a small business nearby. If you know someone who sells widgets, ask if you can try and round up some clients for them. Make up some flyers and post them around town. Try and find people who might benefit from the products or services that particular company offers. If you show that you are able to bring in customers, that business may express their thanks by bringing you on board.

The idea is that God has given each person special gifts and abilities. He commands us to use those talents in the service of other people. So why not do it and see where it leads?

It all begins with a self evaluation. Consider what you do well. Figure out what things you are passionate about. Then find a way to use those skills and interests for someone else in your community.

You may end up being quite a valuable resource to someone. Who knows, you may start making even more money than you imagined you could. Perhaps you can even become your own boss!

The possibilities are limitless, for sure. But it all begins with a transformation of the mind. Instead of waiting for a job to come to you, take the market by force and create a job.

The Long and Short of the Shorter Catechism

2011-11-09T17:14:00.000-08:00

“It is worth while to be a Shorter Catechism boy. They grow up to be men. And better than that, they grow up to be men of God.” These were the word of famed Princeton theologian B.B. Warfield. We might also say that truer words have never been spoken.

For over 350 years the Westminster Shorter Catechism has been used to train children (and parents!) in the truths of the Scripture. This teaching tool has helped to ensconce many souls in the historic doctrines of the faith.

For this reason I want to introduce you to the Shorter Catechism (SC) and, Lord willing, give you some reasons why you might consider adding it to your child’s daily curriculum.

Since some of you might not be familiar with it, let’s begin by giving you a quick summation of what it is.

I. A quick synopsis of its make-up

If you want a quick breakdown, I might put it like this: the SC an easy way to study and commit to memory the main doctrines of the faith. It contains a simple question and answer format that facilitates memorization.[1]

For instance, the famous first question of the SC goes like this:

Q. 1. What is the chief end of man?

A. The chief end of man is to glorify God and enjoy him forever.

So you see, it’s simple, it’s short, and it really packs a wallop! If you ask any average Joe on the street what his purpose in life was, most likely you’d get a blank stare. The same may be true for a lot of Christians! At best, the untrained Christian would say something like, “Praise God.” But, as the SC points out, that’s only half the answer. Life isn’t fulfilled until we actually enjoy God.

Let me give you a few more examples. I particularly like question and answer number four because it packs so much into a brief statement. It deals with the greatest question of all time, and answers it in a simple, yet profound, manner.

Q. 4. What is God?

A. God is a Spirit, infinite, eternal, unchangeable, in his being, wisdom, power, holiness, justice, goodness and truth.

It’s not just hard core theology though. The SC deals with some of the most practical aspects of the Christian faith. For instance, in the second section it details in systematic fashion the meaning of each of the 10 commandments. So if you ever wondered what is encapsulated in the third commandment, you got a good start in the catechism:

Q. 54. What is required in the third commandment?

A. The third commandment requires the holy and reverent use of God’s names, titles, attributes, ordinances, Word and works.

Q. 55. What is forbidden in the third commandment?

A. The third commandment forbids all profaning or abusing of anything whereby God makes himself known.

The third and final section of the catechism deals with prayer. It summarizes the meaning of each line in the Lord’s Prayer, and provides you with a wonderful way to make the most of your prayer life.

Q. 101. What do we pray for in the second petition?

A. In the second petition, which is, “Thy kingdom come,” we pray that Satan’s kingdom may be destroyed; and that the kingdom of grace may be advanced, ourselves and others brought into it, and kept in it; and that the kingdom of glory may be hastened.

Perhaps the greatest attribute of the SC though is that it is flush with Scripture. Each Q. and A. typically has several proof texts that accompany it. So when one studies the catechism, what they are really doing is studying the Bible and asking, “What does the Bible say about this subject?”

In sum, the SC is a tool that help us (and most especially our children) understand the main doctrines of Christianity. Or, to put it another way, the SC provides you with those essential tenets necessary for a robust and distinctly Christian worldview.

Now that I’ve introduced you to the essence of the catechism, let me give you a brief synopsis of its history.

II. A quick look at its history

Life in Europe during the 15^th, 16^th, and 17^th centuries was a little crazy, to say the least. The Catholic church had over time developed a number of problems, both doctrinally and ethically. In the 1500’s some men who wished to reform the church started to rise up. This didn’t sit well with the Catholics, and a long battle ensued between the two. But in 1643 the Parliament in England called for an assembly of divines (or pastors) to help promote the reformation of the Church of England. These men created a number of documents, including the SC.

Westminster Assembly created this document because they desired a tool parents could use as they trained their children. The land had been ravaged with doctrinal errors, and they knew that the best way to preserve the faith was to commit it to the children.

As a matter of fact, the assembly stated in another doc how important it was to teach children at home. The church said that parents who failed to teach their children at home ought to be excommunicated! It probably sounds rather stringent to us today. Rarely do we see any teaching going on at home in our contemporary context. But you can understand the assembly’s mindset: If parents were not training their own kids, they were guilty of nothing less than paganizing their children (even if they were faithful in bringing them to church each week!).

Persecution in England drove many Christians to America. When they came, they brought their shorter catechism and it became a stable of American life. It was so widely acclaimed that it was part of the first text book printed in America, The New England Primmer (1690).

The founding fathers of America were raised on the Primmer. As such, it became one of the primary documents that shaped their minds for freedom. It is something to note that in 1900 The New England Primmer started to be laid aside. The Dick and Jane books came along and took its place as the primary reader. It has often been noted that this was a crucial turning point for America as Dick and Jane is a book that is purged, not only of real intelligence, but of Scriptural substance!

Yet the Primmer was the life shaping document for freedom minded people in the colonies. Political revisionists will tell us that the formative books of America were books by John Locke, Blackstone, and various pagan authors. They will repeatedly fail to mention the Primmer (and the SC within it) as a key component of equal, if not greater, weight.

Perhaps by now you are starting to note that the catechism has some real merit. But let me highlight for you something of its value.

III. A quick look at is value

I do want to encourage you to use the catechism, at least to some degree, in your children’s education. For it helps us to do three things. It helps us define, defend and declare the belief we as Christians hold.

The catechism is invaluable merely for the fact that it helps us define our faith. From the very beginning it was designed to help young people understand what a Christians is to believe. You might even say that it sets out in 107 questions and answers the whole counsel of God.

This is what we need too. After all, Jesus told us that we are to “make disciples, teaching them all that I have commanded you.” The easiest way to communicate the “all I have commanded” is by catechizing because the whole bible is summarized for you in just a handful of Q & A’s.

What’s more is that today’s youth are submerged in a secular and humanistic culture. Studies show that most kids who go off to college don’t stay with the church. The few who do likely do not know the slightest about major aspects of the faith, such as the Trinity, Creation, or any of the 10 commandments.

If our kids are steeped in the SC though, they will have a sound foundation for knowing the particulars of our faith.

On a side, let me give you a personal testimony here. I became a Christian when I was about 13. But it wasn’t until college that I actually started learning actual doctrine. When I entered seminary, I was still fairly ignorant. When my daughter came along, we were very dutiful to start her in the catechism. I now say that she knows more about the Bible at 7 than I did at 27.

All that is to say that the catechism will help you immensely when it comes to knowing the truth of Scripture..

But not only does it help us define our faith, it helps us defend our faith.

The church has always been subject to heresies. It’s no less true today. Satan and his minions are seeking to storm the fortress of Christ on a daily basis. And it is important that we be able to stand our ground.

This is especially true for our kids. Our job is to prepare them for life on their own. Education is nothing more than training our kids for life. But will our kids be able to defend themselves when they come out from under our wings? If they have been grounded in the SC, they will.

Certainly I’m not saying that if your kids memorize the SC they will automatically become Christians. I am saying that it can’t hurt them. And if they learn it, they will be able to spot imposters and errors a whole lot easier.

A couple of years ago the book, The Shack, hit the shelves and was an overnight success. People hailed it as one of the best Christian books of all time. The only problem was that it contained massive theological errors. I’m not just talking about baptism or mid-tribulation rapture type errors. Big ones, such as the doctrine of atonement and the exclusivity of Christ for salvation. Sadly, many were led astray.

We don’t want that to happen with our children. Moreover, even in the more particular aspects of the faith we want them to be able to discern right from wrong. If they are firmly planted in the SC, they’ll be less apt to be deceived.

Last of all, let me just say that the catechism helps us deepen our faith. As you become more aquainted with the truths of the SC, you will find yourself becoming more enthralled with God. As your children grapple with the truths contained in the SC, you will find them becoming more and more devoted to the God to whom the SC points.

I started out with the quote from B.B. Warfield: “It is worth while to be a Shorter Catechism boy. They grow up to be men. And better than that, they grow up to be men of God.” That’s so true. The SC digs deep into theology, but it ends up deepening your faith.

I don’t want to sugar coat it. It’s not altogether easy. After this I don’t want you to have some romantic notion that studying the catechism with your children will be all joy and without difficulty. It most certainly will have some rough going. But the time you spend grappling with the doctrines and talking about them with your children will pay off immensely. You will be building spiritual muscles…muscles that (you’ll notice) others in your church won’t have.

Let me conclude with this to show just how much impact the shorter can have. A general officer of the United States Army was in a great western city at a time of intense excitement and violent rioting. The streets were over-run daily by a dangerous crowd. One day he observed approaching him a man of singularly combined calmness and firmness of appearance, whose very demeanor inspired confidence. So impressed was he with his bearing amid the surrounding uproar that when he had passed he turned to look back at him, only to find that the stranger had done the same. On observing his turning the stranger at once came back to him, and touching his chest with his forefinger, demanded without preface: “What is the chief end of man?” On receiving the countersign, “Man’s chief end is to glorify God and to enjoy him forever” — “Ah!” said he, “I knew you were a Shorter Catechism boy by your looks!” “Why, that was just what I was thinking of you,” was the rejoinder.[2]

Such is the “indelible mark” of the Shorter catechism. It makes one’s faith in God that strong.

[1] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Westminster_Shorter_Catechism

[2] B. B. Warfield, "Is the Shorter Catechism Worth While?" in Selected Shorter Writings of Benjamin B. Warfield, Vol. 1, ed., John E. Meeter (Phillipsburg: Presbyterian and Reformed Publishing Company, 1980), pp. 383-84.

Shots Fired at Local School: Why You Should Consider Home Education Now!

2011-11-01T11:04:00.000-07:00

The chilling news of gunfire in the parking lot of Mansfield Senior High School yesterday reminds us of the serious safety issues existing in our current educational system. The Mansfield News Journal reported that a 16 year old boy pointed a gun at a group of three and fired one shot. Then, after walking away, he fired another shot into the air.

By God's grace, no one was injured. Yet the incident awakens us to the fact that each day that fathers send their children out among dangerous hoodlums, and mothers drop their kids off at institutions where ruffians who possess lethal weapons gather on a daily basis.

In the aftermath of this event we must take care to remember the words of Psalm 1. It is incumbent upon us to take every precaution to ensure that our children "stand not in the way of sinners nor sit in the seat of mockers." When we put our children in such environments, it is dangerous.

This is why home education is a growing and viable option for parents in our area today. Not only do children have the opportunity to receive the best possible education, but they may do so in the safety of their own home.

Thousands of wonderful curricula are available to parents, which makes teaching children at home is easier than ever. As well, both Mansfield and Ashland have active home school communities, where parents can find help with their questions and let their children interact with kids who are not to be feared.

To find out more about home education or the local community of home educators visit archenetwork.weebly.com. Or feel free to contact me about how you can get your child out of harm's way as fast as possible and start home schooling in a matter of a few days.

New Homeschool Classes Offered

2011-10-31T09:31:00.000-07:00

Friends,

I've been asked if I was going to offer any classes next semester. If there is enough interest, I might be able to swing it. Here is my list from which to choose:

Public Speaking (details here)

Creative Writing (details here)

Composition—In this class we will work through the basic components of research and composition. The students will begin by writing a simple book report. Then they will do a beginner level research paper (3-5 pages) on a historical figure. The class will end with a major research paper (10 pages) on a contemporary issue.

Journalism-- Students will learn the basics components of writing for newspapers and blogs. They will then be required to do basic journalistic research, conduct interviews and then write articles.

Basic Doctrine (Sr. High)

Basic Doctrine (Jr. High): Students will study some of the elementary principles of the faith through the Westminster Shorter Catechism (check out the textbook we’ll use here). They will be required to study and memorize the Westminster Shorter Catechism, as well as committing to memory the verses that accompany it.

Christian ethics:

I am also open to suggestions. If you have a class you would like to see taught, let me know!

Each class would be 10-12 weeks in length and cost $65 per student or $110 for multiple children.

2011-10-20T09:42:00.000-07:00

The Christian's Identity: Brothers

2011-10-18T12:22:00.000-07:00

Perhaps the most common way that Christians are identified in the New Testament is by the tag "brother" or "brothers." It is so prevalent because it emphasizes the intimacy and bond that Christians have with their savior and with one another.

Jesus was the first to used the language. In doing so he highlighted the kind of relationship he had with his disciples. When told that his mother and brothers were outside waiting for him, he replied, "Who is my mother and my brother?" Then he stretched out his hand, pointed to his disciples who were gathered around him, and said, "Here are my mother and my brothers." (Matt 12:49)

Jesus acknowledge that anyone who attended upon his word with faith had a bond with him that went far beyond that of a mere teacher student relationship. They were his family.

Jesus certainly was not knocking his biological mother and brothers. Being perfectly obedient to the fifth commandment would not permit such a thing. However, in these words he did emphasize that he loved his disciples with a greater affection than those who shared his own blood ties. His point was that there was a union between them that superseded biology.

The familial language points ultimately to our adoption as the sons of God. When the Son of God calls us his brothers he acknowledges that we have a unique place before God. He indicates that the enmity between the two has been removed and that we have become partakers of the household of God. Thus we are enabled to come boldly into the presence of God, calling Abba Father, allotted all the liberties and privileges of the children of God, have had his name put upon us, and are pitied, protected, provided for, and chastened by him, as by a Father.

We may even see in this nomenclature our eternal security as believers For the language of brother reminds us that God will never cast off those who he has made heirs of his salvation.

Yet the richness of the term brother is not yet exhausted. All this is packed into the single usage of Christ. The main usage of the term in the New Testament has to do with the fellowship that believers share and the bond they have. For instance, the Apostles often use this word when addressing those to whom they were writing. This expresses the fact that the apostles, though having authority over them due to their God appointed office, they had a great deal of commonality with them in their spiritual life before God.

As well, John says that we know we have pass from death into life "if we love the brothers." When used this way it indicates the unity and close ties that Christians have with one another.

In the early church this intimate fellowship must have been displayed quite vividly. One of the accusations the Roman Empire made against the Christians was that they were guilty of incest. The Roman world could not understand how someone could marry "their brother."

In sum, the term brother should remind us how we ought to view and treat our fellow Christians. Despite one's particular denominational affiliation or view on tertiary doctrine, they ought to be given our utmost respect and sacrificial love. They deserve our most affectionate communion, gifts, and respect. To be sure, brotherly rivalries and squabbles will inevitably arise. However, these ought to be considered petty sibling rivalries that are easily overcome and forgiven.

Lifewalk 2011

2011-10-12T19:02:00.000-07:00

Providence church participated in the Ashland Care Center's annual Lifewalk this past September. The event raised almost $15,000 for the Care Center through the combined efforts of the total walkers.

I'm proud to say that Providence had the greatest representation (per capita) of all the churches in Ashland. That is what I really like most about Providence church: they heartily care about this, the greatest need of our day.

Check out the October Newsletter for Providence Church!

2011-10-08T10:15:00.000-07:00

The October newsletter is here!

It's got a lot of stuff. The lead article is on the pain and payoff of a family integrated church (as opposed to the ease and destruction of a church that isn't!). Other articles include a review of the new movie Courageous, a recipe for baked custard, and other tid bits of news from Providence church.

Juice Up Your Devotions with the Proverbs Study Guide

2011-10-06T11:13:00.000-07:00

My girls have recently started using the Proverbs Study Guide for their morning Bible time. I have picked it up as well and started flipping through it. I've listened to Kevin Swanson's radio program for the past 5 years and enjoyed every minute of it. Swanson does an excellent job in his show of applying God's Word to everyday issues and seeing the world through a biblical worldview. The same is true for his Proverbs Study Guide.

The book includes a brief explanation of a given proverb and questions for discussion, reflection, or personal application. It works well for individual study, but it was originally designed as a resource for family devotion. The book of Proverbs is God's curriculum for raising children, and this study guide is a great assistance in passing on the tenets of the faith to the next generation.

Let Us be Rid of this Annoying, Supreme Law Giver

2011-10-05T13:38:00.000-07:00

In my last sermon, I mentioned at the very outset that the godlessness of our country is not only growing in breadth, but also growing in its aggressiveness. This has proven true, right in the congregation in which I am serving.

Judge James Deweese, one of the elders at Providence Church, has been fighting to keep the 10 Commandments posted in his courtroom for the last few years. The fight ended this week as the US Supreme Court decided not to take his appeal and let the lower courts ruling against the commandments stand.

What's significant is in this case is what will take the place of the 10 commandments: Nothing. It is symbolic that the rule of God will be replaced with nothing. No longer is the Law of the King of Kings to be the law of the land. Instead, there will be no law to guide the moral judgments of men and all will be left to "do what is right in their own eyes."

Thankfully, Judge Deweese is a man of honor and will continue to uphold righteousness by means of his court decisions. While they may force him to take the commandments off his wall, they cannot take them out of his heart--until the apostasy of land seeks to eradicate that too.

The Christian as Disciple

2011-09-27T13:30:00.001-07:00

The idea of being a disciple serves as bookends to Christ's earthly ministry. When Jesus formally started his work he gathered 12 men around him who would be his disciples. Then, at the end of his ministry, he underscored how important this concept was when he commissioned those disciples to "Go into all the world and make disciples."

In this unique framing of his ministry we see something of the importance Christ places on this particular aspect of our identity, and it behooves us to take seriously what it means to be a disciple of Christ. Moreover, of all the descriptions Jesus could have used to denominate his people in his Great Commission, he chose the word disciples. This should catch our attention!

To be a disciple of Christ is to be a student of Christ. It is someone who studies and is dedicated to research. So Jesus intended his followers to be people who fastidiously sought to learn more about him and his ways.

The original 12 disciples were men who were, of course, enrolled in the school of Christ. Their only job was to hang around with Christ for three years in order to learn everything they could from Jesus' life and teaching. Then, upon graduating from this prestigious institution, they were required to gather to themselves students of their own to teach and train.

From this we learn two things regarding the concept of "disciple." First, it explains that one of the chief aspects of our identity is that we are to be learners. We are to learn everything we can from Jesus about Jesus.

Of course, this means that we are to be engaged in the diligent study of the Bible, for that is the record of Christ's teaching. Prior to their demise the original disciples committed to writing all that we would need for our course of study. They knew we would not be able to sit at Jesus' feet like they themselves did. So, under the guidance of the Spirit, they wrote down the words and acts of Jesus that would best compliment what Christ had already inscribed in the Old Testament.

This book has been passed down as the main text for Christians. As disciples we scrupulously study it. On a weekly basis we listen to it at church. We gather in groups in homes to talk about it and to read it. On a daily basis we dig through it individually and as a family. The core of our lives is dedicated to the doctrines contained in it.

Christians have always been known as "a people of the book." That is to say that the Bible has been the main focus of our daily attention throughout history. So, whether it be reading it for pleasure, in-depth study of it, or discussing the morning's sermon with friends over coffee, the term disciple reminds us that Bible is to be a regular part of the warp and woof of the Christian's life.

Secondly, the term disciple reminds us of the God ordained pattern for propagating the faith. As disciples of Christ, we are to make it our aim to make disciples. That is to say, we are to make it our aim to glean all that we can from the Scriptures. Then, once we've become somewhat familiar with the doctrines of the Bible and adept at applying the Truth of Christ to our own lives, we are to seek to disciple others. Particularly we are to seek out souls that are not learned in the ways of Christ, and teach them.

In recent history a great deal of emphasis has been put on one-time, staged events where a call is made for people to "make a decision for Jesus." These decisions are then calculated as souls won for Christ, and little is done to continue the nurture in the faith. This focus is quite wrong headed. Certainly it is a wonderful thing that the gospel is being presented and that people are called to make a real, conscious act of faith and repentance. However, the emphasis has been on the decision making, rather than the lifelong process of discipleship as Christ instructed.

What's more is that this mentality has affected the generational flow of the faith. One of the main ways God intended the faith grows throughout the world was through families. The greatest growth is supposed to be through what has often been called biological evangelism. Parents are to literally "make disciples" as they have children. These offspring are then to be trained in the faith all their days. Unfortunately, parents have not seen their children as disciples of Christ, and have waited for them to make some sort of spontaneous decision for Christ before offering any serious Christian nurture.

This of course gets at the two aspects of being a disciple of Christ. We often think that a disciple of Christ is one who possesses true faith in Christ. But this is not always the case. Remember, a disciple is merely someone who may be considered a student of Jesus. Though he may be dedicated to learning about Christ and affiliate with a particular church, it does not necessarily mean that he possesses true faith.

For instance, in John 6 we read the story where a huge crowd decided not to follow Jesus any longer due to his hard teaching. The word "disciples" is used three times in this passage in reference to this mass of people. Verse 66 is perhaps the most specific when it says, "After this many of his disciples turned back and no longer walked with him."

This is why our children can be considered "disciples of Christ" from their early stages despite never having made a public profession of faith. While under a parent's tutelage, he is a disciple. There may come a day where he or she shows his true heart by choosing to turn back and no longer walk with him. But until that time, he is a disciple in a real, though external, sense.

As well, when it comes to our evangelism, we ought to press our heathen friends and family to become disciples, rather than simply to make a decision. In doing so we will allow them the opportunity to get a fuller understanding of who Christ is and what he has done. And above all, we will afford the Spirit of God many more opportunities to change that person inwardly.

Spiteful People

2011-09-25T04:56:00.001-07:00

Almighty King and precious Redeemer,

Your hand has been outstretched to do us good. Yet we have not been obedient to your word. We have not returned kindness for the favor you have shown us, or warmed to the way of the Lord.

Like the Israelites of old, we have grumbled against you. Like them we have become experts in complaining. For we have grieved your all wise providence and expressed contempt when you made our bellies full.

Have you not given us what we did not deserve? Yet we said it was not enough. Then, when you allotted us an even greater portion of the good things in life, we gave you no thanks, nor honored the Source of our blessing.

Father, our ways have been the ways of sinners. And we confess before you that we ought to be stripped of all that we have.

But we pray that one thing would not be taken away from us, and that is your grace and mercy. Let your unfailing love be ours, and let it be ours in abundance. And should you you take away all our possessions, we pray that you would take our sin away with it.

Should you grant that we continue with these gifts, we pray that they would not become a curse to us or used against us in any way. Rather we pray, with ever such boldness, that you would give us one thing more: that is, that you would give us a spirit by which we may enjoy and use these gifts properly. That we would have a heart that looks to you, rather to what you have bestowed.

Lord, in all these things we look to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and we hold fast to his mediation. For there and there alone do we find our courage to come to you even now. And we pray that the wounds of our great High Priest would intercede for us even now before you.

For we ask this in His strong Name.

Chips off the Old, Wicked Block

2011-09-18T05:55:00.001-07:00

Gracious and everlasting Father,

You are worthy of all our praise and devotion. The chorus of creation resounds with a single voice, lifting up glad adoration to the One who gives them life and breath.

Yet we confess that we are a dissonance and a disruption to that universal refrain. We are as raging noises intruding on a glorious symphony, for we are sinners and our transgressions are great.

Yet we come to you for cleansing, asking that you might pardon our offenses and remove the blot of sin from our names. Our bloodline is that of Adam, and the wickedness of our ways distinguish us as his children. Like our first parents we have not trusted you and given you our full devotion. We have erred by despising your word and neglecting to put our full confidence in you.

You have told us to discipline and disciple our children. You asked us to speak of truth when we rise up and lie down, while we sit at home and walk along the road. Yet we have failed in this duty. We have used the rod sparingly and indulged their carnality with permissive spirits. Rather than encouraging them in things godly and promoting their interest in Christ, we have so often provoked them to anger or let precious teachable moments pass.

In these and the many other sins we have committed we have not only transgressed you, but we have passed on our impiety and nurtured another generation in devilish ways. God we have had little passion for things good and grand, and now we are held responsible for the sins of our family and friends.

So we cast ourselves at your mercy, asking that you would purge from us this satanic spirit. And we ask that you not let those under our tutelage copy our foolery. We pray that you might purify us from our lukewarm spirits, from our spiritual negligence, and from our forgetfulness in the things of the Lord. Moreover we ask that you might put blinders on our children's eyes that they might not witness these sins and so walk in them. Instead would you send your Spirit forth to bolster within them a zeal for godliness and lead them in righteousness.

We make this petition, God, knowing that Christ is the one and only Savior of men. And it is only though him that we find the consolation that we shall be accepted before you. But now we confess our deep need for his atoning work, and we pray that his merits might be accepted on our behalf. May our sins be forgotten and your mercies be remembered forever and ever. Let our Advocate speak and may his testimony be heard, for he alone is our hope. And all this we pray in his strong and glorious name.

Buy Books; Save Babies!

2011-09-17T17:16:00.001-07:00

Want to know how you can help save unborn children? Do something outrageous, like buy a book.

At my website I've created a bookstore. What's great is that you can not only get good books at bargain prices, but a portion of your purchase will be donated to our local pregnancy center.

And that's not all! The store is associated with Amazon.com. So you can shop for virtually anything…and the money you generate will fuel the fight against the greatest atrocity of our time.

Just visit www.kindledfire.com and start becoming a life saver.

First Issue of Newsletter for Providence Church

2011-09-17T06:25:00.001-07:00

Our church just started up a super cool and informative e-newsletter. Here is the first issue if you would like to check it out. After you click it, you can subscribe to continue getting the goods each month.

Christianity is Distinct Among Religions

2011-09-16T03:34:00.001-07:00

Many people say that all religous paths are equally valid and that there are many roads to God and salvation. A recent survey even revealed that over half of those who profess to be evangelical Christians believe this to be true.

But if you think about it logically, you will understand that this simply cannot be.

Let's pretend for a moment that all religions are equally legitimate and that all religions do lead to God. Now let's pick out Christianity as one of the many different roads, and think about how absurd Christianity is in comparison.

Here you have a God who has his Son killed. He lets Jesus be beaten, bloodied and hung on a cross to die. Now why would a god do that? If there are many different roads that he provided, why would he have one of those roads be through the gruesome death of his Son.

If Christianity is simply "one of many roads" then God is to be considered malicious and cruel for treating his Son this way. All the other roads are very neat and clean, not needing a single drop of blood. But this one has God choosing to viciously torment and kill his Only Begotten when other viable options (supposedly) are available.

In essence, the death of Christ becomes nothing more than a cruel and most unnecessary act.

But it is precisely because of the cross that Christianity is distinguished from all other religions. Christ is the sole means of salvation because his death provides the only way for sinners like us to be justified in the sight of a holy God.

Before any of us can have communion with God blood must be shed. The wrath of God due to us for sin must be appeased. And that is exactly what happens in the cross. On the cross Christ voluntarily stood in the place of sinners and took God's wrath upon himself. Thus he allows all who turn to him in repentance to escape death and inherit eternal life.

Seeing the cross in this light then helps you then to understand that God is not a sadistic monster.

The cross then is the crux of the matter when it comes to religion. Not only because it affirms what Jesus said—that no one comes to the Father but by him (Jn. 14:6). But also because it expels the notion that any other religion poses a viable way to heaven.

Ashland Seminary Returns to Its Vomit: Shack Author to Speak Again

2011-08-30T17:58:00.001-07:00

"As a dog returns to its vomit, so a fool repeats his folly." Proverbs 26:11.

When Ashland Seminary brought the heretic Paul Young, author of The Shack, to town to spread his lies I spoke out against them. I said that they were helping to ravage the flock of God. And ravage he did! People came out by the hundreds to hear Young speak. No doubt the seminary made a killing on the episode with $20 per ticket. You could say that the wages of sin are pretty nice.

Well, they are doing it again. The seminary is intent on displaying their disgust of good theology and disregard for the pure Word of God by bringing Young back to speak at their Columbus and Detroit campus. So no, it wasn't that they were just checking it out and "having an open mind to all things new." They love it, want to propagate it, and desire to gain worldly profit from it.

So once again I call you to take heed to the seminary's wayward spirit and distance yourself from them. They do not have the things of Christ in mind. They are enchanted with men who use smooth speech and flattery to deceive the hearts of the naïve (Rom. 16:18).

And once again I call the seminary to repent of their embrace of Young and his errors. As an institution that prides itself in Biblical and theological acumen they ought to recognize the doctrines that are contrary to the Bible's teachings and be the first to decry them. Instead they have done everything in their power to promote them, and so they lead all those under their influence astray. They have returned to their vomit and found it glorious.

Should they not heed these calls, do recognize that the Scripture will be fulfilled: It will be better for them to have a millstone tied around their necks and be tossed into the sea.

Words for Today’s Baptism

2011-08-21T14:56:00.001-07:00

Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them. For to such belongs the kingdom of heaven."

And in saying this Jesus reinforced the notion that these children, little as they be, are members of the visible church, just like the Jews of old. As such, they are entitled to all the rights and privileges of the church.

Being that this is so, these children are presented here today for baptism. In so doing we mark them out as distinct persons in this world—ones who belong to God and are set apart for his service.

Yet we remember that this sign points to a deeper reality. This initiation into the church through water signifies greater spiritual reality. It points us to that cleansing that comes through the blood of Jesus Christ. It reminds us that the only way to enter the society of heaven is through the washing away of the filth of our sin by the Holy Spirit.

Sometimes my daughter and I will go for walks in the woods. One of the things she likes to do is find bottles in the creekbed that flows through the woods. And when she finds one, she wipes the dirt and filth off of it, and then she brings it home and plays with it out in the back yard. There is one catch though: She can't bring them inside the house. That's because the bottles, though they've been cleaned on the outside, are still filthy on the inside.

The only way they can come into the house is if they have been thoroughly cleansed.

Baptism is much like that. We can say that our children are much like those bottles. They get to enjoy so many privileges. When they are first born, they receive a washing of baptism. And so they get to come and live in God's yard, the church. They get to enjoy the protection and care of God, just as the bottles enjoy the tender love of my daughter as she plays with them. And these children may even enjoy a sweet life, just as the bottles would be better off than they were back in that creekbed.

Yet the only way these children can be brought into the Father's house is by being cleansed on the inside by the power of the Holy Spirit. And we rely on the steadfast love and faithfulness of God to make that a reality in their lives.

Parents you have a responsibility to making that reality come true. God uses means. And so you must be diligent to train your child up in the way he should go, to teach him the doctrines of our faith, to pray with them and for them. All the while you are to remind them of their special position and their relation to God. And that they have the responsibility to respond in faith to Jesus Christ and the promises of salvation.

Our God is a gracious God, steadfast in mercy and forgiving iniquity transgression and sin. He delights to call sinners unto himself and see godly seed raised up within the church. And this is seen in the promises of Scripture. The Holy Spirit says,

For to you is the promise, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call unto him. And I will establish my covenant between me and thee and thy seed after thee throughout their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto thee and to thy seed after thee. Believe on the Lord Jesus, and thou shalt be saved, thou and thy house. (Acts 2:39; Gen. 17:7; Acts 16:31)

Having read these great promises, I shall now ask the parents the questions for baptism.

Do you acknowledge you child's need of the cleansing blood of Jesus Christ, and the renewing grace of the Holy Spirit?
Do you claim God's covenant promises in (his/her) behalf, and do you look in faith to the Lord Jesus Christ for (his/her) salvation as you do your own?
Do you now unreservedly dedicate your child to God, and promise, in humble reliance upon divine grace, that you will endeavor to set before (him/her) a godly example, that you will pray with and for (him/her), that you will teach (him/her) the doctrines of our holy religion, and that you will strive, by all the means of God's appointment, to bring (him/her) up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord?

Being that you, the congregation of Providence Church, are also in covenant with God and personally responsible for the spiritual development of these children, I will ask you:

Do you as a congregation undertake the responsibility of assisting the parents in the Christian nurture of this child?

Homeschool Courses Offered in Mansfield and Ashland

2011-08-17T03:12:00.001-07:00

There is still time to sign your child up for the homeschool speech and creative writing classes. Mansfield area home educators ought to know that there is a speech class being offered in Mansfield. It will be held at the Covenant Orthodox Presbyterian Church on Cook Road for approximately one hour each Monday morning for 10-12 weeks. Any students in the 6^th -12^th grade levels may participate. See my website page for more detailed information on the class.

For those in Ashland we’ll be offering both Jr. and Sr. high speech and creative writing classes, which will be held on Monday afternoons. These classes will be held at the Ashland Brethren in Christ Church.

Cost for the classes is $65 for one child and $110 for two or more children. Feel free to contact me for more information.

It’s Different When Someone Preaches

2011-07-31T14:07:00.001-07:00

Ordination is a doctrine that needs to be revived if we are going to see the church revived in our day. It is all but neglected because any old soul thinks he can do something for Jesus by becoming a campus parachurch worker or by jumping up in pulpit and "preaching." However, standing in a pulpit does not make one a preacher.

Preaching is an act only of the officially ordained (or licensed) man. In Romans 10:14-15 it says,

How are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!"

The preaching in this passage is done by someone who is officially "sent." The OT quote emphasizes this as it references an official messenger who has been given the special charge to go announce a victory. When a man is ordained, he assumes the office as God's ambassador charged with the duty of formally declaring the gospel. That is what preaching is: A man specifically charged by God to make God's official declaration.

In the ordination service the church publicly testifies that this particular man who they are ordaining has been raised up and equipped by God for that role. Then, as they lay hands on him, they formally invest him with the authority that is rightfully his as one who holds this office. It is not until that has happened that he actually preaches.So anything that happens before that moment is not what is technically known as "preaching." This is why theologians have differentiated between preaching and exhortation. Preaching is what preachers do (that is, ordained men). Everyone else who speaks biblical truth exhorts (i.e. encourages or instructs).

This is not to say that what a non-ordained person says is not effective or that God cannot use this person to convert people or edify the church. It's just not technically preaching. Why is it important to consider this? For one, we are required to sit under the preaching of God's word from week to week. Paul tells Timothy to "Preach the Word." As a result, the people to whom he is to preach are to submit themselves to that word. So when we gather together for worship, we are mandated to listen to the officially appointed man declare what God has to say.

What's the big deal? Isn't that what any non-ordained person does? The truth is that there is a large difference. It is one thing to hear a brother speak to us and teach us truth from the Scripture, it is another to hear someone who has the authority of the office preach.Let me illustrate. Suppose you are driving down the highway and your speed exceeds the set speed limit. The person in the passenger seat can tell you that you are going too fast and need to slow down. That would be a useful exhortation. However, it is quite a different thing to have a police officer pull you over and tell you that you were going too fast. Both said virtually the same thing, but they were vastly different as to their nature and power.

Secondly, understanding this doctrine will help us sift through the scads of men who wish to serve as pastor (funny, I almost said "who wish to play pastor", which is a blog in and of itself!). Men who do not have the skills required to preach ought not to preach. If they cannot speak well, put together a coherent message, or interpret Scripture with any sort of meaningful intelligence, they should not act in the capacity that requires them to do so. Similarly, men who have not the theological acumen for this work ought to leave well enough alone. Men who are ordained ought to be thoroughly examined as to their knowledge and beliefs. We would not want any old schmo walking off to some country to act as a representive of our country. We want someone who has some intelligence and expertise in his area of work to act in that capacity.

Finally, and perhaps most importantly, after worship the congregation should be able to walk away saying, "I heard from God today." The words might have had the intonations of a man, but the message most certainly had the authority and weight of God's very word. And when a man preaches, that's exactly what happens.

So Vile A Heart

2011-07-23T08:38:00.001-07:00

Sung to the tune "God Moves in a Mysterious Way"

So vile a heart do I possess
Its evil never ends.
It flows in floods as black as night,
And to the foul it tends.

A worthless man, a wretch am I!
What cure is there for me?
I cannot find within myself
A moral remedy!

Lo, here am I poor destitute
A man condemned to die.
Justice demands my life, my blood,
And everlasting sighs.

I look to God my single source
Of pardon and of grace.
He only can atone for sin,
And blot out its disgrace.

With confidence I do confess;
This is my sole refrain:
"T'is Christ alone, the Son of God!
His death removes the stain."

T'was he, t'was he that gave his life
To rectify my guilt.
He took the nails, he took the curse!
For me his blood was spilt.

First Presbyterian of Mansfield Parts Ways with PCUSA

2011-07-15T08:43:00.001-07:00

I often lament the things that are happening in the PCUSA. One reason is because it makes me, a Presbyterian in a more conservative denomination, look bad—not to mention the ill it brings upon the Name of Christ. One of the latest woes is the decision by the denomination to toss out its fidelity and chastity clause, which affirmed marriage as being between one man and one woman.

A brighter note is that this move has been the final straw among many of the conservative congregations within the PCUSA. One of the faithful congregations that has decided to leave the PCUSA is First Presbyterian Church in Mansfield. In an article in the Mansfield News Journal they admit that the theology of the PCUSA has been changed and that Christ is no longer regarded as the only way of salvation. You may read the article recounting their move here.

These saints are to be praised for their faithfulness to Christ.

The Atheism of Government Controlled Schools

2011-07-12T19:29:00.001-07:00

After reading the previous post, a friend asked me why I say that the government schools are atheistic. It was a great question and one that I think everyone needs to understand.

The schools are atheistic in that they have nothing to do with God and deny Him his rights as Lord over all. Christians are supposed to recognize that the fear of God is the beginning of wisdom and knowledge (Prov. 1:7). His law is to be learned and obeyed. God is to be put first above all subjects and honored in them (when was the last time a teacher said, "Kids, this is amazing. Let's praise God for the awesome animals he created." or heard someone stand up in Science class and say, "God created all things out of nothing in the span of six days."). On top of this we see how prayer is disallowed and reading the Scripture is virtually never done.

Instead, the fundamental view of man is darwinistic, the universe is considered a random accident and product of chance, history is nothing more than just "One damn thing after another," (to quote Henry Ford-- this is obviously opposed to the Christian view that history is His Story, the outworking of God's ultimate plan and providence.). Though many teachers are not committed atheists, they have learned their teaching styles and methods from those who were (BF Skinner, Mann, Dewey). On the other hand, many teachers are explicit in their denial of God (shacking up, homosexual, or proudly divorced).

In sum, kids learn that they are nothing more than sacks of cells with no dignity or purpose. While they are given rules here and there and told to "be nice" from time to time, they are not taught that they will be held liable to the absolute standard of God's law (or openly accepted by Him due to His gracious acceptance and the blood atonement of Christ).

Studies show that 85% of kids who grew up in Christian homes are do not stay in the church by the end of their freshman year of college. After being indoctrinated in unbelief and materialism (as opposed to the material and spiritual worlds that God has created) for 8 hours a day 180 days a year, how could we blame them for their unbelief? As it stands, kids know nothing about God when they graduate, if they even acknowledge a god at all by that point.

I personally can attest to this. By God's grace I remained a Christian through my years in Ashland City Schools. However, this is despite the school's work. In science I learned that I evolved from an ape purely by chance, as opposed to being created in the image of God. Math was just a bunch of equations (rather than a reflection of the glorious ordered nature of God himself). None of my teachers spoke of Christ openly. None of them prayed with me or taught me to pray. The one time the students did ask about spiritual things, the teacher said, "This is a good conversation. Unfortunately I cannot talk about it during school hours. If you would like to come back and talk about it after class, I would be more than willing to do so." In sum, he willingly denied Christ to keep his job.

As I just mentioned, I never denied the faith. Yet I was never built up in the faith either. I remained weak against temptation and ignorant of spiritual things.

This is why we must opt out of the government system. If we cherish our children and desire them to grow up (and thrive!) in the faith, they must be given a distinctly Christian education.

We are in This Together!

2011-07-12T08:50:00.000-07:00

I thought I would demonstrate something of the folly of Mr. Lefelhoc's case for building a new atheistic school. The following is a rendition of his response to my question adapted to one of the most significant parts of the local community: McDonald's.

Dear Matt:

Thank you for your question. I believe the answer lies in the definition of "community." No matter who we are, what we believe or how we view the world, we are all in this together. There is a place in our community for you ... for me ... and for our McDonalds restaurant chain.

McDonalds is a major part of the fabric of who we are. You may work for, or employ, people who have eaten at McDonalds. Your children may someday have children who will benefit from our McDonalds. Perhaps you have eaten a McDonalds hamburger yourself, or are married to one. Directly or indirectly, the McDonalds impacts our lives every day.

Perhaps a senior citizen wonders why he or she should pay when they've already done their part. Perhaps vegans or people who eat at Wendy's or people who despise potatoes drenched in fatty oil feel this issue should not apply to them. But we're all in this together. Generations past have made the commitment to McDonald's hamburgers. Future generations will as well. This is our time ... and our turn. In truth, this new McDonalds is intertwined with the past and with the future in such a way that every one of us will benefit from our proposed answer to the McDonald's hamburger issues in our community.

Because McDonalds is so important and such a vital part of our community, I propose that we raise everyone's taxes and spend millions of dollars to give McDonald's a new building.

The truth is, just because some people think that it is important, it doesn't mean that we should require people who don't like it to pay for it.

The City School Board Publically Displays Their Ignorance and Desperation

2011-07-11T03:30:00.001-07:00

The Times-Gazette is trying their best to give the school board's levy a boost. After the sound thumping it received by the people of Ashland on this last ballot, it certainly is necessary. So to help sell it the TG has opened up an online forum where you can post your questions and have them answered by a school board member. Knowing that they could not give an adequate answer, I submitted the following question:

Why are people who home-school and/or have religious objection to the atheistic/materialistic world view of the public education system required to pay for this [building] project?

Below is the desperate attempt to respond by Ashland City Schools Board of Education president Bryan Lefelhoc. I cannot help but say that it was a valiant effort. Should the Lord grant me time, I will be writing a response. My opening will go something like this:

I thank Mr. Lefelhoc for taking the time to respond to my question and I deeply appreciate his skill of persuasion. He most certainly demonstrates that he is a top rated salesman. Unfortunately, he also demonstrates that he has absolutely no understanding of education, economics, or freedom—which is of great concern being that he is a leader of the city's educational program.

But I digress. Here is Mr. Lefelhoc's response. Please feel free to comment.

Dear Matt:

Ashland's public school system is a major part of the fabric of who we are. You may work for, or employ, graduates of Ashland City Schools. Your children may someday have children who will benefit from our schools. Perhaps you are a graduate yourself, or are married to one. Directly or indirectly, the Ashland city public school system impacts our lives every day.

Perhaps a senior citizen wonders why he or she should pay when they've already done their part. Perhaps single people or couples with no children feel this issue should not apply to them. But we're all in this together. Generations past have made the commitment to education. Future generations will as well. This is our time ... and our turn. In truth, these new school buildings are intertwined with the past and with the future in such a way that every one of us will benefit from our proposed answer to the middle school issues in our community.

If you don't believe in the public schools, then I encourage you to think about your tax money. If this bond issue passes, we will be saving millions of future taxpayer dollars (your dollars) in the closing of current elementary buildings, and the plan to address our facilities for the next 50 years. And we'll be bringing in $20 million in state funds ... your money!

By building a new high school, and using our current high school as a middle school, we're saving money, making the best use of your tax dollars. No one will be knocking on your door (or mine) in 15 years to build a new high school, (say, for another $40 million?) and that's a lot of money saved.

In my mind, no matter where you stand on your usage of our school system, this bond issue is good for Ashland's community. And that includes you.

Please also see my first response here.

To the God Who Answers Prayer

2011-07-10T04:52:00.001-07:00

Over the last month or so, we have had many reasons to give thanks to God. I wanted to take a moment here and give praise to God and public testimony to how He in His kind providence has answered our specific prayers.

He has answered many personal prayers

The provision of a baby
Our family has longed to adopt another child for quite some time. In the last six months to a year we have been praying quite earnestly for a new baby. This past June the Lord saw fit to answer that prayer. We are now the proud parents of another baby girl.
The provision of a new van
The addition to our family meant that we out grew our Toyota Camry. We felt terrible for our oldest child, who would squish in between her younger sister's car seats when we had to hit the road. We recognized that it would be almost impossible to find a reliable upgrade within our price range. This proved to be all too easy for the Lord. Yesterday He provided a sweet deal on a top of the line vehicle. My oldest daughter is most grateful!
The sustaining grace towards our old car
I should not fail to mention too that the Lord's goodness has been manifested towards us in that He has sustained our material possessions quite extensively. The car that we have had has gone the distance with minimal work needing done to it.

He has answered many corporate prayers
For 6 years our church prayed for the persecuted church in Sudan. These Christians mainly live in the southern region and have been hounded by the Muslims in the north for over 20 years. God has answered our prayers by his establishing South Sudan as a free and independent country. While there are still many hostilities that are being addressed, and most likely a long way from being at peace as the northerners are corrupt pagans, the new country has a great deal of potential. The jubilation of the South Sudanese gives open witness to this. In another article I read this past week I saw that the leaders of the country gave open acknowledgment of God and his power in their speeches—a great reason for praise in itself!

God has indeed been good in this a national scale work. Having had the encouragement of this answered prayer I shall now be greedy enough to ask that He would re-unite the countries through the evangelization of northern, Muslim-laden Sudan. I will also begin to re-focus my prayers on the country which is the worst persecutor of Christians, North Korea.

SDG

Creative Writing Course Offered for Homeschoolers

2011-06-29T13:11:00.000-07:00

As mentioned before, I'm offering a few classes for Jr. & Sr. High homeschool kids. Below is something of an introduction to the creative writing class (click here to view the Public Speaking / Speech class outline). I still need a few more students to make a go of it. So if you would like to have your child(ren) participate, please contact me as soon as possible at timmons.m1@gmail.com or 419-289-2552.

I have not yet nailed down a cost for the classes, but I'm thinking between 50-75 dollars per class--with an attempt to accomodate multiple siblings, of course.

Creative Writing

Course Objectives:

1. To familiarize students with dynamics of prose and poetry.

2. To stimulate the student's 'creative juices' and imagination and focus it into writing.

3. To hone student's skill of composing and editing.

Course Content

1. Story Scrabble: This is a fun project where students are given the first line of a story. Each student then begins to unfold that story on their own. After a set time limit, students must pass their papers to the next student to continue the story. Things are always interesting!

2. Perception and Description: Students will be required to "notice something new"--that is, something they have never been cognizant of it before. Then they must write a poem about it.

3. Poetry & Hymnody: Students will learn some of the dynamics of poetry (meter, rhyme, aliteration, etc) and be required to implement these in several poems. We will also see how the church's hymnody also utilizes these elements. Students will attempt then to integrate biblical truth to create a modern hymn.

4. Short Story: We will examine some of the elements of a short story (foreshaddowing, symbolism, description, backflash, etc.) as well as plot and storyline. Students will then create their own short story, edit it, submit it to a peer to review and edit, and complete a final draft.

A Tale of Two Kingdoms: Communism vs. Christ

2011-06-29T12:40:00.000-07:00

Lately I've been making my way through a book entitled DUPES: How America's Adversaries Have Manipulated Progressives for a Century. It chronicles how Soviet Russia sought to spread its evil tyranny throughout the word, particularly here in America.

Kengor quite aptly demonstrates that the Communistic leaders had nothing other than world domination as their main objective.

While reading it I can't help but see something of a parallel between the dead evil, advancement of the humanistic forces and the growing kingdom of the Lord Jesus. The Satanic regeim had (has?) sought to implement its own Great Commission.

Both had a single head and king to whom all were/are directed. The communistic adherents here in the foreign land of the USA sent reports along with their homage to Moscow ceaselessly. Then they religiously obeyed any and all directives their highly esteemed leader would decree. In my reading I could not help but be impressed by the tenacity of their preaching and their effectiveness in adding converts to their way. At times I must ashamedly admit that they might have outdone the church in this respect.

Yet, just as clear, and just as diametrically opposed, are the means used to accomplish their desired goals. The communists have an “anything goes” mentality. They have no qualms about slaying people by the hundreds of millions—to the point where it almost seems like they would destroy their whole territory and citizenry. Christ, on the other hand, commands that his rule be advanced only by the force of love.

Just as the sword has no place in the militant advance of King Jesus, neither does lying. Truth and honesty are marks of the armies of Christ, but not of those who are anti-Christ. Certainly, the communists prized the truth when they could exploit it. Their main means of persuasion though was through deceit. Thus the title of Kengor’s book, “Dupes.” Dupes were the useful idiots that could be manipulated and used for Moscow’s purposes.

Finally, it must be remembered that ends of the two kingdoms, though generally the same (that of world domination), diverge significantly in their ultimate realization. Communism enslaves its subjects—at least those that are permitted to live. It promises the bliss of “peace on earth and goodwill to men” that Christ came to impart, but it renders nothing other than radical tyranny, poverty, and misery.

In sum, the devilish work of sinful man can only impose a woeful imposter to the glories that will be revealed in Christ's eschaton.

Homeschool Public Speaking Course Offered

2011-06-20T17:48:00.001-07:00

Some of you have expressed interest in taking the classes that I wish to offer this fall. For this reason I thought I would spell out in more detail what will be entailed in each. The following regards the public speaking course. I am still looking for more young people to participate in the classes. So please do let me know as soon as you can if you have any interest. As well, please feel free to contact me about any further questions you may have.

Email: timmons.m1@gmail.com

Phone: 419-289-2552

Speech

Objectives:

To understand the basis for coherent communication and the Christian's duty to hone skills of public discourse.
To gain confidence in public discourse and conquer speech apprehension.
To understand the impact of purpose, occasion, and audience on spoken discourse ;
To develop basic concepts in speech which include adequate volume, pitch, variety and varied rate, gestures, body movement, and eye contact;
To use standard grammar usage and mature diction which includes a clarity of enunciation and expression;
To choose suitable topics and organize them in a logical manner;
To develop familiarity with activities such as impromptu speaking and argumentation;
To organize, develop, and support a chosen topic within a specific time limit;
To gain effective listening skills.

Content:
In this class each student will be required to…

Participate in class lecture and discussion, which will cover the above material;
Listen to and discuss famous speeches (Patrick Henry, Give me Liberty or Give me death. Martin Luther King Jr., "I have a dream");*
Deliver 5-7 speeches and participate in a public debate; Students must also turn in manuscripts for each assigned speech.
Conduct critiques of peer's speeches

Speeches to be delivered:

Personal introduction: A warm up exercise where you will introduce a fellow class member to the rest of the class. The exercise will help students become acquainted and begin to develop a comfort when speaking in front of audiences. (20-30 seconds)
Skits: A warm up exercise where you will act out a scene. The exercise will help to develop a comfort when standing before audiences. Students will also begin to critique their peers' presentations. (45-60 seconds)
*Personal experience: This more advanced warm up exercise seeks to develop your story telling skills. You will be required to recount a personal experience. In this assignment you must integrate vivid language, description, gesture, posture, enthusiasm, diction, as discussed in class.
*Impromptu speech: another warm-up exercise where you will be given a topic at class time and required to speak to or about it. This exercise will develop a students ability to organize thoughts quickly and deal with the pressure of a "think on your feet" moment.
Informative speech: In this first major assignment you will choose a topic of an informative nature (i.e. a "how to speech"). You will be required to put into practice the topics covered in class, particularly the distinctive elements of an informative speech.
Persuasive speech: In this first major assignment you will choose a topic which you will try to persuade the audience (i.e. a "you must speech"). You will be required to put into practice the topics covered in class, particularly the distinctive elements of an persuasive speech.
Opinion (or pet peeve) speech: In this speech you will have the opportunity to rant on any personal pet peeve. You will be required to use language of a more forceful nature, while all the while demonstrating a courteous tone. In this exercise you will seek to develop the idea of speaking the truth boldly, yet in a loving spirit.
Debate: This final speech will be a debate which will be open to the community. The event will have three parts. First, after receiving your topic, you must thoroughly research it and compose your argument. Second, you must present your speech on the designated night before the assembly. Finally, you must question and counter the person presenting the opposing position.

Evaluation: Students will be evaluated according to…

Participation in classroom discussion.
Their individual speeches;
Their peer critiques

*Note of Qualification: The inclusion of these items are dependent upon class size and amount of time available for classes.

Paedo-communion and Worthy Partaking

2011-06-20T13:34:00.001-07:00

The issue of Paedo-communion came up at this past PCA General Assembly. Teaching Elder Wes White has been putting out some good articles concerning the issue, including this last post dealing with what the Westminster Larger Catechism says regarding "worthy partaking." As I've had opportunity to discuss the issue a number of times, I would like to offer some commentary on the pertinent Westminster Q & A's.

Q. 170. How do they that worthily communicate in the Lord's supper feed upon the body and blood of Christ therein?

A. As the body and blood of Christ are not corporally or carnally present in, with, or under the bread and wine in the Lord's supper, and yet are spiritually present to the faith of the receiver, no less truly and really than the elements themselves are to their outward senses; so they that worthily communicate in the sacrament of the Lord's supper, do therein feed upon the body and blood of Christ, not after a corporal and carnal, but in a spiritual manner; yet truly and really, while by faith they receive and apply unto themselves Christ crucified, and all the benefits of his death.

Here we see, among other things, what the Westminster men understood the Bible to mean when Paul says that the Corinthians needed to "discern the body of Christ." Many paedo communion adherents take "the body of Christ" to represent the congregation. Paul does use this terminology in chapter 12. However, this does not necessarily mean that it must mean such in chapter 11. The Westminster men understood that Paul's usage in chapter 11 (the chapter dealing with the Lord's Supper) was conforming to Christ's own institution of the sacrament, where he said, "This is my body."

This understanding gives great weight to who should partake of communion. For the sacrament then takes on a much greater significance. The participant "truly and really" "feeds upon the body and blood of Christ" in a spiritual manner. The gravity of this moment ought to give a paedo-communionist pause.

Here too we ought to recognize that faith plays an optimal role in the sacrament. The infant or ignorant participant cannot "receive and apply unto themselves Christ crucified and all the benefits of his death."

Perhaps this is why paedo-communion adherents prefer the interpretation that "the body of Christ" refers to the church body. This understanding helps to numb the gravity of the spiritual activity in the communion service. Yet, despite this alteration of the text the paedo position still falls short. For one, we still have the testimony of the gospel accounts that "This is my body." Moreover, the word "discern" in 1 Corinthians 11 still stands as an unmovable obstacle. Even the most staunch advocate of paedo communion is forced to admit that an infantile child cannot discern the congregation of the Lord any more than he can discern the literal body of Christ.

Q. 171. How are they that receive the sacrament of the Lord's supper to prepare themselves before they come unto it?
A. They that receive the sacrament of the Lord's supper are, before they come, to prepare themselves thereunto, by examining themselves of their being in Christ, of their sins and wants; of the truth and measure of their knowledge, faith, repentance; love to God and the brethren, charity to all men, forgiving those that have done them wrong; of their desires after Christ, and of their new obedience; and by renewing the exercise of these graces, by serious meditation, and fervent prayer.

In my personal opinion, this is one of the strongest arguments for credo-communion. If what we say about Christ being present in the Lord's Supper and it being an important means of growing in grace, then should we not prepare for it? Shouldn't we at least spend a few moments contemplating the heinousness of our sin and the glory of Christ's redemptive work? Should we not seek reconciliation with those whom we have offended? At the very least, does not the holy meal demand that we call out to God for his blessing and forgiveness of sin.

It would be preposterous to simply grab a nugget of bread and slurp down the cup without having given any thought to the meaning and significance of them.

But is that not what an infant does? How could an undeveloped child rightly orient his heart towards the sacrament beforehand? The truth is he cannot.

Q. 172. May one who doubteth of his being in Christ, or of his due preparation, come to the Lord's supper?
A. One who doubteth of his being in Christ, or of his due preparation to the sacrament of the Lord's supper, may have true interest in Christ, though he be not yet assured thereof; and in God's account hath it, if he be duly affected with the apprehension of the want of it, and unfeignedly desires to be found in Christ, and to depart from iniquity: in which case (because promises are made, and this sacrament is appointed, for the relief even of weak and doubting Christians) he is to bewail his unbelief, and labor to have his doubts resolved; and, so doing, he may and ought to come to the Lord's supper, that he may be further strengthened.

I think this one speaks for itself: A child doesn't doubt, and neither does he yearn (except in a carnal manner, as babes will take any crumb or drink). But notice that it does not say, "May one who not careth of his being in Christ…come to the Lord's supper? The Catechism assumes that one is in a tangle over whether or not they should come. The person, in other words, desires it, but questions his motives, lifestyle, and personal belief.

Classes Offered for Fall of 2011

2011-06-10T06:30:00.000-07:00

Hello home school friends!

I know that many of you have just finished (or are in the process of finishing up) the year. So you probably don't want to think about next year yet. But I wanted to see if there might be any interest in a couple of classes I'd like to teach this fall. I'd like to offer the following: a speech class, a creative writing class, a classic Christian literature class, and/or a basic Christian doctrine class.

The classes would be for Jr. & Sr. High levels (most likely separate). They would meet for about an hour once a week for about 10-12 weeks. I know that cost would be a factor in your decision, and I'm open to negotiating that at this point. Right now I'm just seeing if there is any initial interest in any or all of the classes.
If you are in the least bit interested (though not ready to commit), please let me know by the end of the month. If there is enough desire, I can get further details worked out and give you a better indication of the material we'll cover.

You can call (419-289-2552) or email (timmons.m1@gmail.com) to ask questions or to let me know you would be interested. It would also help if you would let me know the age of your child(ren) too.

Acts by Any Other Name Would Not Smell As Foul

2011-05-22T06:48:00.001-07:00

"And the people of Israel did what was evil in the sight of the LORD and served the Baals."

Judges 2:11

"What's in a name? that which we call a rose
By any other name would smell as sweet;"

Are any of you are literary geeks? Do you know from whence that phrase came? It is one of the more popular phrases of Shakespeare's play Romeo and Juliet. It's a good question though. "What's in a name?" If you called a rose a pineapple, it wouldn't change the aroma that it gives off, would it? It would still have the same fragrance.

Shakespeare was trying to make a point. He was trying to communicate that what you call something doesn't really matter. What matters is what it is.

But Shakespeare is dead wrong. Biblically speaking, of course. Language IS important. The way you speak about something gets at the essence of something. Or at least gives the impression of what you think the essence of a thing is.

What do I mean? Well, let me read this Scripture passage again. "And the people of Israel did what was EVIL in the sight of the Lord." You'll notice that it did not say, "And the people of Israel had a slip up in the sight of the Lord." It doesn't say that the people of Israel goofed or made a miss judgment. It says that they did EVIL in the sight of the Lord.

What's in a name? I would suggest to you that everything is in a name! This passage is giving us the divine perspective on Israel's rebellion. God doesn't see us as making blunders or mistakes. When we sin we do EVIL in the sight of the Lord.

Unfortunately we like to pad it and pretty it up. When it comes to our rebellious acts, we don't put the same emphasis on it or attribute the same degree of heinousness to it. We'll rename it and call it a foible, a bad habit, or (maybe if we are really holy) we'll say we did something wrong. But typically we don't want to admit that we do things that are evil.

Would a sin by any other name still smell so foul? Yes, at least to God. But we change what we call it because want to change the nature of it. We don't want to tone it down and relieve some of its abhorrence. We don't want to think that the things we do are as gross and vile as they really are. Do we really want to admit that our sins are so foul that they may be termed evil in the sight of God?

But if we want to be right with God, we must. The only way we can escape the wrath of God is through repentance. And repentance means having a true sense of our sin. It means owning up to the severity of our offenses and recognizing something of how truly revolting our acts have been.

Imagine your little girl coming in and holding up a big bouquet of green flowers she found while she was outside. She's so proud and you know you are supposed to take them, make a big deal out of it and put them in a pot. But as she holds them up to you you can't bring yourself to take hold of it. And you say to her, "Honey, that's poison ivy." Once that girl comes to that realization, what's she going to do? She's going to drop it and scream.

Well that's what God wants us to do. He wants us to face up to the truth of our depravity. He wants us to see it as he does, so that we might cast them off and flee from them. And that is what we are going to do as we pray.

Our Father,

You are the one who dwells in heaven, where perfection, purity and holiness exist in all their splendid brilliance. We are of the earth and cannot even attempt to ascend that height. For our deeds are evil. Our ways have been fraught with corruption. And we wish to confess that to you now. We grieve the way we make light of our sin. We joke about it and carry on like it is nothing. Instead of being filled with a holy revulsion at them, we frolic in them and enjoy them as if they were toys and flavorful delicacies. And that only compounds the loathsomeness of our actions. But we recognize now that, while in the sight of man they may be pleasantries and objects of adoration, in your sight they are contemptible and full of evil. They are crimes against the Most High God.

And we confess that to you now and declare our desire to turn away from them. And as we come to you we plead for your mercy, asking that you would blot out these iniquities and not count our vile acts against us. Moreover we pray that we would be washed by your Holy Spirit and so cleanse of them that we would not return to them. We desire that we would be given a new mind so that we would not even think of sin lightly any longer.

We remember the cross of Christ, O God. And there we behold the true nature of our sin. But we also behold the beauty of your grace in the sacrifice of your Son. And we come to you now only by virtue of his life and death, asking for the deliverance promised therein.

The Offense of Sin: How it is Multiplied and Punished

2011-05-15T13:54:00.001-07:00

After today's message a brother posed a question with regards to the degrees of sin. The Bible speaks to this issue clearly, and our catechism captures the teaching well.
First, let's be clear that each sin is absolute in its evil, even those which we might call "small sins." It is true that for even the smallest of sins the punishment is death and damnation. As the Larger Catechism states,

Q. 152. What doth every sin deserve at the hands of God?

A. Every sin, even the least, being against the sovereignty,[982] goodness,[983] and holiness of God,[984] and against his righteous law,[985] deserveth his wrath and curse,[986] both in this life,[987] and that which is to come;[988] and cannot be expiated but by the blood of Christ.[989]

The infinite holiness of God makes even the least sin infinitely evil and so worthy of an infinite punishment. That alone should be enough to sober us up when it comes to our sin.
However, the Bible acknowledges that there are "small sins" and "big sins." The catechism captures this in the question above when it says that even "the least of sins" deserves God's wrath and curse. It also acknowledges this doctrine when it states,

Q. 150. Are all transgressions of the law of God equally heinous in themselves, and in the sight of God?

A. All transgressions of the law of God are not equally heinous; but some sins in themselves, and by reason of several aggravations, are more heinous in the sight of God than others.[921]

Some might argue that we see differing degrees of sin, but God does not. The catechism, however, acknowledges otherwise. These sins are "more heinous in the sight of God." In each of the citations the one who acknowledges the sin's amplified evil is God himself. In John 19:11 it was Jesus who pointed out the greater of the sins between Pilate and his betrayers. In Ezekiel 8 it is the Lord who is speaking to Ezekiel about the atrocious deeds that are taking place within the Lord's sanctuary. Under the inspiration of the Spirit John differentiates between sins that do not lead unto death and the greatest of all sin, which leads to death. The same holds true for the Psalmist (78:11f). He points out that the Israelites compiled the evil of their sin by continually provoking God.
Furthermore, we must recognize that God inflicts those who commit greater sins with greater punishments. For instance, Jesus recounts how one who knows the will of God but does not act accordingly will receive a severe beating. But the one who did not know and did what deserved a beating, will receive fewer stripes. (Luke 12:47-48)
In another place (Mt. 26:24) Jesus talks about his betrayer and says that his punishment would be so severe that it would "have been better for him if he had not been born." Certainly the pains of hell are severe and no one who is there wishes they had been born. However, the language that Jesus uses is not attributed to anyone else except he who committed one of the most egregious acts of all time (if not the most!).
In Matthew 23 Jesus acknowledges the principle again. He says of the Pharisees that they work hard to make proselytes, and when they do he becomes "twice the son of hell." This phraseology acknowledges that his sins, being more wicked and consistent with the ways of evil than his Pharisaical teacher, receive twice the punishment.
These are but a few examples found in Scripture about the greater and lesser punishments for the greater and lesser sins. But the question rises as to how your sins can be qualified as greater or lesser. The Catechism again is helpful here in explaining the Bible's teaching on the matter. (With regard to my sermon today, see the fourth category regarding circumstances surrounding the sin).

Q. 151. What are those aggravations that make some sins more heinous than others?

A. Sins receive their aggravations,

1. From the persons offending[922] if they be of riper age,[923] greater experience or grace,[924] eminent for profession,[925] gifts,[926] place,[927] office,[928] guides to others,[929] and whose example is likely to be followed by others.[930]

2. From the parties offended:[931] if immediately against God,[932] his attributes,[933] and worship;[934] against Christ, and his grace;[935] the Holy Spirit,[936] his witness,[937] and workings[938] against superiors, men of eminency,[939] and such as we stand especially related and engaged unto;[940] against any of the saints,[941] particularly weak brethren,[942] the souls of them, or any other,[943] and the common good of all or many.[944]

3. From the nature and quality of the offense:[945] if it be against the express letter of the law,[946] break many commandments, contain in it many sins:[947] if not only conceived in the heart, but breaks forth in words and actions,[948] scandalize others,[949] and admit of no reparation:[950] if against means,[951] mercies,[952] judgments,[953] light of nature,[954] conviction of conscience,[955] public or private admonition,[956] censures of the church,[957] civil punishments;[958] and our prayers, purposes, promises,[959] vows,[960] covenants,[961] and engagements to God or men:[962] if done deliberately,[963] wilfully,[964] presumptuously,[965] impudently,[966] boastingly,[967] maliciously,[968] frequently,[969] obstinately,[970] with delight,[971] continuance,[972] or relapsing after repentance.[973]

4. From circumstances of time[974] and place:[975] if on the Lord's day,[976] or other times of divine worship;[977] or immediately before[978] or after these,[979] or other helps to prevent or remedy such miscarriages;[980] if in public, or in the presence of others, who are thereby likely to be provoked or defiled[981].

Beginning a Siege: PCA Presbyters Meet in Oberlin, OH

2011-05-08T19:56:00.001-07:00

I would call it something of a reconnaissance mission. Perhaps even a first shot of what will hopefully be an ensuing battle for souls.

When it first was birthed the Ohio Presbytery, of which I am a member, agreed to meet in cities and towns in the region that needed a sound gospel witness. Harvest Presbyterian Church of Medina, OH took it upon themselves to organized the first of such meetings. This weekend, thanks to Harvest's diligence and deep-rooted desire to see the gospel propagated in that region, our presbytery met in Oberlin, OH.

Harvest has been attempting to reach out to Oberlin College and to the people living in that community for the last several years. They have made some headway on campus as they have held Bible studies with students and have some faculty members attending their church. In the last few months they have extended their ministry to the rest of the town as they have held two community wide worship services, with another one to follow in the next week.

The city has been a great burden to the pastor of Harvest, Rev. Dr. David Wallover, because of its historic and depraved uniqueness. During the presbytery meeting Wallover said that Oberlin, from its beginning, was designed to be a city that was "forward thinking." Some of this was good, as it was a participant and leader in the abolitionist movement. Much of it though, was simply to embrace what was radical and laden with progressive thought.

Of particular historical note is the fact that Charles Finney was president of the college for a stretch of time. Finney is remembered as a preacher in the Second Great Awakening who denied the doctrines of original sin, imputed righteousness and penal, substitutionary atonement. He also is credited with having used what were called "the new measures," which included things like the anxious bench—the forerunner of today's alter call.

In sum, he represents all things repugnant to Reformed and Presbyterian belief. And putting a PCA church in his yard would be much like putting up a chapel in Satan's lair.

[It may also be noted that Finney started out as a Presbyterian minister, before his moving into the Congregationalist church. When asked during his exams if he wholeheartedly subscribed to the Westminster Standards, he responded by saying, "In so far as I have read them, yes." It came out later in his autobiography that he had never read them.]

The city's ill way continued down to today. While the college can boast premier status in the world of the arts and music, it has become a place known for sins of a scandalous nature (this being one example).

After the presbytery ended its formal business the elders toured some of the city and campus, stopping occasionally to pray for the furtherance of the kingdom of God and the work of Harvest church in that area.

Doctrine on Fire: R.A. Torry develops "A Startling Question"

2011-05-04T08:59:00.000-07:00

The conversation typically goes like this:

Person A: What's the difference between teaching and preaching?
Person B: If you don't know, then you've never heard good preaching.

Most today haven't heard good preaching. Not the kind that would be characterized as "doctrine on fire" anyway. However, you can get a taste of such preaching in R.A. Torry's sermon, "A Startling Question for Every Man Who is Not a Christian." His captivating message develops Hebrews 2:3, "How shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation."

Taste the audio or purchase the full mp3 by clicking the link above.

New Calvinism in Ashland: Alive and Advancing

2011-04-26T15:20:00.000-07:00

About 2 years ago Time Magazine had an article devoted to the top movements in America today. The third on their list was what they called the New Calvinism, those evangelical Christians who embrace the concepts of Calvinism (also known as the doctrines of grace), an overall view of the sovereignty of God and authority & inspiration of Scripture, and who are interested in developing a holistic Christian worldview in the line of Abraham Kyper.

This movement, while national, has some growing roots locally. Some of which I would like to detail. The following is a list of persons and works.

1. The Fuse @ Grace Brethren Church. Rich Policz, Ronnie Martin and Ben Roby have been conducting worship and teaching meetings with quite a group of college /career age young adults for the last year or so. This last week I was able to stop in and see the goings on. I have to commend them for their teaching and the large interest that their audience had.

2. I should not neglect to say that each of the above mentioned men have other spheres of influence which are of note: Ben Roby is the pastor of Heritage Baptist Church here in Ashland and frequently conducts Bible studies on the university campus. Ronnie Martin is the worship leader there at GBC. His prayers and sprinkling in of puritan quotes provides a noticeable difference in their worship services from years past. Rich Policz serves as the director of development and worldview at the Christian School. That title is as broad and encompassing as his duties, but of particular note is his work leading his adult Bible Fellowship "Veritas" at Grace.

3. Another GBC figure of note is Joe Maggelet. Joe does great work with his Sunday School class. His prime work though, is serving as the Ashland University's FCA chaplin. Joe's passion and skill with the students have enabled him to disciples what may be myriads over the course of his tenure.

4. I could talk extensively about the things I do not like about Ashland University, but amidst the rubbish there is great work going on by those who would identify themselves as Neo-Calvinists. Tim Dernlan works as the wrestling coach. He not only is teaching them the techniques of wrestling, but is also discipling them in the truths of Scripture along with his father, a retired pastor. Dr. Justin Lyons is a professor in the History and Poli-Sci department. He is known for making his students read Scripture for his Western Civ. class and focusing heavily on the Reformers during his Reformation & Renaissance class.

5. Dr. Mark Hamilton could also be tagged amongst that crowd as he teaches in the Philosophy department. I separate him out because he is one of the leaders at Providence Church in Mifflin, the only church I know of in Ashland that would be professedly Calvinistic. My family has linked in here for this reason.

6. Honors are also due to Pastor Andy Gerhart who has been at First Presbyterian Church the last few years. His confessional stance and expositional preaching have not gone unnoticed within that church and around the wider community. Unfortunately, he will be leaving that post in the upcoming months. I'd pay him to stay if I could.

7. I would be remiss if I didn't call attention to the valiant efforts of our Neo-Calvinistic women in the area. Two that come to mind are Susan Peoples and Renee Maggelet. Susan has devoted much of her time to discipling various groups of ladies in the region. Renee has been instrumental in assisting her husband Joe in his work on campus by working with ladies.

8. Though they are not in Ashland, I would also like to give recognition to Westwood Alliance Church and Covenant Presbyterian Church in Mansfield. These are some professedly Calvinistic churches that I consider brothers-in-arms.

Before concluding, I should point out two qualifications. First, this list is certainly not exhaustive. These are only those that I personally am aware of. There very well could be more with whom I have not had any personal association. As well, I have not counted all the fathers and mothers who are training their children, or those who may be businessmen or your ordinary, everyday church goer. These men and women number scores more.

Secondly, I acknowledge that some of those mentioned above would be considered "paleo-Calvinists" if we were using precision in language. The paleo's are those of us who adhere more strictly to the Reformed confessions (such as the Westminster Confession of Faith) and are more thoroughgoingly Reformed and covenantal in our hermeneutical perspective. I lump us together because, though we have a few areas of difference, we are in the main homogeneous; having the same ends and working together for them.

Freedom and Education

2011-04-22T16:15:00.000-07:00

The other day my niece asked me why we homeschool. Here is a crisp and concise explanation.

Local Pastor on Rob Bell and Calvinistists

2011-04-14T18:37:00.000-07:00

I subscribe to a lot of local blogs, just to keep tabs on what's going on around town. When I saw that the pastor over at 5 Stones Community church posted a blog on the latest book by Rob Bell my interest was peeked, to say the least.

Rob Bell, if you haven't heard, is one of those cutting edge, postmodern pastors who always likes to push the envelope. He recently published a book entitled, "Love Wins: Heaven, Hell, and the fate of every person who ever lived." He recieved a tsunami of criticism because he denies the doctrine of eternal concious torment in hell and expouses a form of universalism where hell is essencially purgatory-esc at best. His premise is that God is too loving to punish someone forever as the church has believed for her long history.

A simple search will supply you an infinite amount of material on Bell. What I found intriquing was the Pastor of 5 Stones Community Church's review. I confess that I was wary due to his earlier enthusiasm and embrace of The Shack by William Young. I believed that his review of Bell would fall upon similar lines.

I was extremely glad to see that Pastor Sherwood began by speaking to Bell's errors, identifying in bullet point form where Bell steers off. Most especially I was glad to see a clear critique of the emergent church and postmodern leaders, a firm regard for historical orthodoxy and a definate affirmation of the Bible's clear teaching on wrath, atonement, hell and such.

Unfortunately, he couldn't keep from giving a ripe slap at the Calvinists. Sherwood, in sum, decries the Calvinists who sided with orthodoxy and spoke out against Bell's heresy with vigor. What's more is that his criticism of the Calvinists is more harsh than his criticism of Bell. He paints Calvinists as uncompassionate gossips because they have sought to stem some of the title wave power that Rob Bell has in evangelicalism today. Whiile I wouldn't doubt that some Calvinists might come across abruptly in their criticisms, the portrayal of the whole camp as such is amazingly unfounded. As well, we can detect a hypocritical spirit in Pastor Sherwood as he criticizes the Calvinists for speaking out in blogs and not following Matthew 18--which is exactly what he did in his blog towards the Calvinists.

The truth is, when someone has published a book or blog or some other form of public expression of heresy, it is right and appropriate to speak out just as publically against it. How else will the error be corrected? Again, Bell has enormous influence throughout the broader church. And to remain speaking in hushed tones about his radical departure from orthodox Christianity would only allow the hand of Satan to gain great stregnth.

If you read the blog, you'll notice that Sherwood then wobbles on the teter toter of unorthodoxy himself. He puts forth a very good basic gospel and his personal identification with Christ's redemptive work. However, this is followed imediatley by twice acknowledging the possibility of alternative ways to heaven other than through Christ. He begins by saying that while the gospel is true for him,

There are vague scriptures that do allude to other possibilities, but they offer us only speculation. And speculation cannot offer hope. The hope of the nations and the world is Jesus.
but what about those who never heard
what about those who have a limited IQ
what about an infant who dies

Scripture is vague on the issue of those who have never heard the gospel? Since when? It would seem that "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father but by me" is rather clear. As is "There is one name under heaven given among men by which you must be saved."

A bit later Pastor Sherwood touches on what Jesus said regarding him having "sheep that are not of this fold." He seems to take something of a mormon position where sheep come unto God other than by the revelation of Christ in the gospel. Traditional orthodox teaching on that passage though, has said that those "not of this fold" are the Gentiles who would come into this (Jewish) fold through the preaching of the Apostles and subsequent believers throughout the world.

Sherwood then wraps up his article by embracing Rob Bell despite his heretical beliefs. Yes, we ought to show compassion for Bell since he is so lost. We should pray for him. But we ought to keep our distance from him and warn everyone else to do the same! Paul says to Titus, "Warn a man once, then twice, then have nothing to do with him. Such a person is warped." In essence, what fellowship does light have with darkness?

If anything the later half of Pastor Sherwood's blog reveals a great deal of ignorance of Scripture and doctrine. I would like to give him the benefit of the doubt and just say he is a poor writer. However, it would seem that, despite his initial good start, his post inclines towards a heretical spirit.

At the very least I would encourage people who attend 5 Stones to talk further with their pastor regarding these things to find where he stands. But, given Sherwood's record, I'm more inclined to just encourage you to seek another place to worship.

Why Johnny Can't Preach or Sing Hymns

2011-04-07T03:39:00.000-07:00

Dr. T. David Gordon has written some most timely books for our age: Why Johnny Can't Preach and Why Johnny Can't Sing Hymns. These are excellent works that examine how today's culture, and particularly forms of media, have robbed preachers and congregants of strong worship capabilities.

If you don't get the books, be sure to listen to the podcast of Dr. Al Mohler's interview with Dr. Gordon: Media Ecology and the Modern Mind.

If you'd like to check out the books, click one of these links below.

Mansfield City Schools Show Their True Anti-Christian Colors

2011-04-05T08:58:00.000-07:00

They are not with us. They are against us.

Last week the Mansfield North Central Ohio Tea Party Association invited a Christian man from Egypt to speak on the Muslim religion. The event was to be held at one of the city schools. However, due to pressure from the NAACP and the Islamic Society of Mansfield the superintendent put the nix on the Tea Party's event by telling them they could not use the facility. The event was forced to move to another site at the last minute.

While it will be admitted that not every educator within the city schools will agree with the administration's actions, we should note carefully where the public education system's sympathies lie. The public school officials reveal that they are opposed to education in general, and Christianity in particular. They may mask their views with silly notions of "public safety", but their true colors are most certainly apparent: They do not wish to allow for the free speech and promotion of Christian beliefs. And what they do with this public event, they will do in the classroom too.

How can I say that? It is because the superintendent and his associates are the ones who are in charge of hiring teachers. As they go about choosing who will communicate ideas to the students of Mansfield, they will choose carefully. They will not wish to have someone in there who will bring Biblical principles to bear on their subjects nor tolerate anyone who might cause children to consider humanism and Islam false.

It ought to behoove Christians to think about how their children are being educated, and by whom they are being educated. I would urge any and all in the area public schools to begin checking into home education so that you can disciple your children in a way that comports with the fear of God. Our area homeschool network is a good place to start (found here).

Woman's Rights: Upheld and Established by Christ

2011-04-03T06:24:00.000-07:00

Does the Bible suppress women? That's the common thought today. The feminist movement tells us that we must cast off the chains of its gender oppression and break through the glass ceiling of Christianity’s totalitarian patriarchy.

That's what makes Numbers 27:1-11 stand out like Lady Gaga at a convent. In this passage five women come to Moses to inquire about the status of their father's inheritance. Their father had died without a son. So in a patriarchal society, what would become of them? They were concerned that when the Promised Land was divided among the tribes of Israel they might lose their property rights. Then, in losing the rights to their estate, they themselves could essentially be lost. Were this any other nation, these women would likely find themselves auctioned off along with their land or left out in the streets without any means of survival.

But of course, this wasn't any other nation. The case was presented to the Lord, and the Lord guaranteed that the inheritance that rightfully belonged to their father would be granted unto them. The Lord then established a rule in Israel that “If a man dies and has no son, then you shall transfer his inheritance to his daughter.”

That the women were even given an opportunity to come to Moses to pose their case is significant. What nation at this time would have given a band of ladies the time of day, let alone their day in court? But Moses not only granted them an audience, he guaranteed them what no other nation would have even imagined: proper access to their father’s territory.

To be sure, we cannot forget the spiritual implications of this story. God had promised Abraham and his children the land of Canaan, which was fundamentally a promise of full redemption in and lot in His eternal kingdom. Ultimately these ladies were seeking no less than their share of that redemption. God’s granting their request reminds us that His grace is extended towards all sinners who look to him in faith, be they male or female.

That noted, we should not skip over lightly how this passage speaks to our age of the rights and high esteem God grants women. The Bible does not speak begrudgingly of women. Neither does it put them in a place of slavish subjection. As a matter of fact, the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments are the only standards that exalt femininity and treat women with maximum esteem.

Without Biblical guidance women are robbed of their due rights and status. William Cary watched with great horror as the Indians buried women alive along side their deceased husbands. When Muslim women take to the streets, their burqa’s proclaim the shadow of a life they must live. And you need only to look at the women in our society who, having climbed the corporate ladder all their lives to find success and fulfillment, now live with the agonies of loneliness and barrenness—the tombstone of feminism’s depriving effects.

Christians certainly do not have a perfect record in these matters. However, we can say that wherever society has been built on the truth of Scripture women have been enjoyed greater esteem and social privileges. Ancient Israel was merely one example.

When the matter is considered closely, we find that only Christ affords women their due respect and place. Those whom he created the fairest of the species, receive the fairest treatment and honor.

Egalitarian-ism: Nothing New Under the Sun

2011-03-27T04:10:00.000-07:00

This morning's devotions led me to Numbers 16-18, the story regarding Korah's rebellion. What struck me about it is that it was nothing more than an egalitarian movement.

Korah and his posse contended that Moses and Aaron were not special and did not have a place of prominence or authority because everyone in the congregation of Israel was holy and that the LORD was among them all. To be sure, there is a kernel of truth to this: All were holy and the Lord was among the whole lot of them. Their mistake though--and what eventually led to their being swallowed up by the earth!--was their denial of the distinct position and role Moses and Aaron held as divinely appointed leaders. In other words, the sanctity of the many does not negate the authoritative and hierarchical structure God has put in place.

What's more, the passage points out that what is truly behind Korah and Dathan's push for radical democratization. Moses states, "Would you seek the priesthood also?" Though they were attempting to flatten the leadership plain, what they were really attempting to do was gain a greater place of influence. In short, their cry for equality was nothing more than a power grab.

This simply shows that there is nothing new under the sun. Everywhere we look today we see people raging against any and all lines of authority. Politicians seek to advance socialistic and communistic causes so as to bring down the division of rich and poor. Feminists and their supporters wish to erase any scent of headship within the home, church or society. The heretics disavow the fact that Christ was, by his divinely natural position, in submission to the Father (as is evidenced here).

Those chapters in Numbers go to great lengths to express that the Lord will not tolerate such notions and has most definitely established positions of prominence among men. Korah and his gang met with a death that can only be described as "from the Lord's miraculous hand." The radical nature of which was only for the purpose of illustrating that their actions was nothing more than utterly offensive. This was followed by a plague within the rest of Israel because, for some reason, the people didn't get the message that Moses was the man in charge. After that, God confirmed Aaron's role among the people with the budding of his staff--the budding being much more than a little sprout (It was virtually a full grown tree!). Finally, just in case you haven't gotten the picture, the Lord establishes Aaron's preeminence in that he is to receive a special tithe. This one being from the Levites.

What's comforting is that the passage rounds out with a message of grace to the people, particularly the Levites. While Aaron's role is affirmed, God reminds him that he is to bear the iniquity of the people and offer sacrifices for their (the Levites!) purification. As well, the role of the Levites is affirmed. They continue, despite their recent actions, to maintain their role of prominence among the people of Israel. Their rations are not even revoked as God states that they ought to continue receiving the first fruits of the people and hefty portions of the daily offerings for food.

So yes, God is a loving and forgiving God. But he is also a God who has delineated certain lines of authority. And He expects us to respect these roles--particularly His. He knows that ultimately, any flattening of these roles is an attack on his position and an feeble attempt at usurping his authority. As we tear down the walls of heirarchy, we expresss our yearning for power and desire to become like God.

Good Reads on Birth Control and Church Membership

2011-03-25T09:09:00.000-07:00

I've talked a great deal on the necessity of membership in a local church on this blog. This post from the Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals does a great job of giving a reasonable explanation.

I also wanted to post this article from the Baylyblog on the use of birth control. Tim Bayly does an excellent job of stating that it is the duty of Christians to be fruitful and multiply and that Christians frequently abuse means of preventing conception in the name of the very same reasons people give for aborting children. I might also add that those who use birth control ought to be very aware that some items that go under the banner of birth control contain abortificients. So take time to check into it if you do have a lawful reason for using.

Calculate Your Losses on Ashland City School's Buildilng and Renovation Project

2011-03-16T18:03:00.000-07:00

Christ tells us to count the cost of following him. You should do the same when following the wooing of the humanistic public school system.

With the OEA Levy Calculator you can see how much more the Ashland City School's new building and renovation project will end up burning you. My humble abode took over $120, bringing our total property tax to approximately $1000. A friend of mine said he was going to see an increase of $600. If you own multiple properties, start thinking about how much you'll need to raise rent on your tenants. You will no doubt be hammered.

Ching!

Don't think that the costs stop there either. I already posted an article regarding the financial instability of the state of Ohio and how the building project will most likely end up costing us dearly in the future (see Mo' Money.) So as you do your calculation don't forget to add greater amounts the state will undoubtedly have to take from you to fund this expense that they cannot presently afford.

Cha-Ching!

And that's not all! My resource from "Mo' Money" sent another little tid-bit to me today:

Here's the thing - when this building is paid off in 30 years, they will want a levy for the same amount using the rationale, "Well, you've already been paying this for 30 years. You'll never miss it if we just continue that amount on forever."

In other words, don't ever think that you'll be getting this little tax hike back.

CHING!

You'll have to remember too that this is the positive side of things. On the dimmer side is the fact that over 40 million dollars will not be used to strengthen our incredibly weak economy. This is what I find most mind boggling about the whole project that is being proposed. The economic conditions of Ohio are dismal. John Michael Spinelli, from The Columbus Government Examiner, reported that Ohio lost 595,200 jobs in the last decade, making Ohio one of the top job losing states in the Union. This number [says Spinelli] represents a change in private sector jobs of 12.6%, second only to Michigan with 19.6 %.”

This project proposal could not come at a worse time. Passing this issue will only tighten the noose that is strangling our state.

Submitting to Elders and Attending Worship

2011-03-13T19:48:00.000-07:00

On my walk today I happened to remember that part of the elders' role is to call the people to corporate worship on Sunday's. The elders have oversight of both worship and the congregation. And part of their oversight of the congregation is establishing set times for worship.

It is true that they are to use discretion in setting the time for the services. We want the congregation to be able to attend (i.e. setting the time of worship for 8:00 on Sunday morning might not be conducive to a lot of people). However, once it is set it is not optional.

We tend to think that corporate worship is a lot like a burger at a fast food restaurant. The cooks (i.e elders) make it "available" and we can stop by if we feel like it. This is quite unfortunate for a variety of reasons. Yet this mindset is partially due to the fact that we do not understand what it means to submit to our elders. If the elders say, "This is an official service of worship," then it is incumbent upon us to make every effort to attend.

This obviously pertains to morning worship. It's different when it comes to the evening service though. A lot of people will have the burger mentality, "I had one this morning. I don't really need another tonight."

While there are legitimate reasons that may keep one from attending a service, be it morning or evening. We would do well to remember that it is our duty to our leaders to submit to their authority in this matter. If they deem that two services ought to be held on Sunday, we should make every effort to faithfully attend. And we should remember that this is not just a good option that they are providing for the congregation to take advantage of if and when they can. It is the official time of worship for this church. It is a time where the elders are calling us to bring homage to God and share our mutual gifts and graces with our brethren.

Elders need to watch slipping into the "It's here if you want it" mentality too. They ought to make efforts to enforce the rule they have set down. Not that someone has to have charges brought against them for being "once-ers." But on visitations they can say, "We see you haven't been attending the evening service. Is there any reason why? We believe it is in the best spiritual interest of this body that everyone be there. We would ask that you make every effort to submit to our authority in this matter."

Rally for Heartbeat Bill

2011-03-13T16:23:00.000-07:00

Below is a message that comes from the people at our local pregnancy center. They have been on the front lines of passing the new legislation in Columbus known as the Heartbeat Bill. If you have not heard, this would make incredible restrictions on abortion if passed. Our pregnancy center is asking for particular support from women around the state. As you may know, Planned Parenthood is spreading the lie that this piece of legislation is "anti-woman." The presence of pro life women at the capital building would help to prove otherwise.

WOMEN - WE NEED YOU!!
When: Wednesday, March 16, 2011 @ 9:00 AM
Where: House Hearing Room #116
The Ohio Statehouse
1 Capitol Square
Columbus, Ohio

Help us pass the Heartbeat Bill - HB 125 - which if passed will insure that once a heartbeat is detected a pre-born infant will be protected from abortion. Come to Columbus for "Women's Day" this Wednesday and stand with other women as a show of unity to our State Representatives that we as women stand together in support of the Heartbeat Bill. For more information, call Ducia Hamm 419.281.1111

FYI - Giving opportunity: http://www.heartbeatbill.com/images/fundraiser.pdf

Mo' Money, Mo' Money: It's Time to Consider the Tax Burden of Ashland's Schools

2011-03-11T08:43:00.000-08:00

The City Schools have been ramping up their engines to promote their new school building and renovation project. No doubt you will be hearing how wonderful public education is and how this is a much needed work for our community (as if Ashland won't be able to go on without it!). I asked a person who has a great deal of familiarity with the funding of such works (and who would like to remain nameless) to give some detail on the economics of it all. This was the response I got:

New buildings are funded by something called a bond issue. The taxpayers must approve of raising money specifically for constructing a building. In this case, I think they need to raise something like $50+ million to build a new HS and renovate the old HS to accomodate grades 5-8. The cost was something like $56 million but I think they revised that number down - maybe to $52??) I haven't paid that much attention lately and so am not sure if they included a new elementary building in that final decision.

Bond issue funding is different from a "levy" which in Ashland involves raising money either for the general fund (which pays for salaries & benefits, books, etc.) or for permanent improvement issues (repair to roofs, boilers, etc., new school buses, equipment that has a life of over 5 years). Bond issues can't be used for everyday things and they will be for a specific length of time - 30 or 40 years usually.

The State of Ohio has determined that the Ashland district is eligible for a "rebate" of around 36% of the cost of building to be paid from a special State Facilities Fund that was originally set up with tobacco settlement monies. This percentage was raised recently and I think it might be up to 39% now. This is not 39% of $50+ million because there are certain things the State won't pay for, e.g. the State will not pay for a stadium, or athletic practice facilities. The cash rebate from the state is a generalized number that will essentially be negotiated as the project progresses. Sometimes architects and engineers can redesign things or call them different names and get the State to pay for things they might not otherwise pay for. E.g. the State will not pay for an auditorium but it will pay for a cafe-torium, cafeteria/auditorium combo usually found in an elementary school. They will only pay for a certain number of offices in a school bldg but if you call the rooms other names, e.g."tutor rooms," you can get more offices by taking down the "tutor room" signs after the final inspection is over. The rules, exceptions, and name-game-playing go on and on. You want architects who will squeeze the most out of the State - and we do have what I think are the best.

A point to note is that the school district will pay for this building upfront and then get the State money when our "number" comes up. My concern is (and has been from the beginning) that the State will be in such dire straits that it will spend that set-aside-for-building-money on other things and the money won't be there to reimburse school districts. This hasn't happened yet but is always a possibility that we reality people feel must be considered given the State's huge budget deficit.

Two other points to note: (1) An operating levy almost always follows a bond issue because a new building will prove more expensive to operate. AHS sat empty for a year or more after it was built because people wouldn't pass the operating levy to run it. (2) Given the location chosen for this new HS, a levy will surely follow to locate a stadium, practice fields, etc. out there. It will be deemed too cumbersome, too costly, too ??? to keep running back and forth to Community Stadium and the powers-that-be will want facilities out by I-71 so "people driving up and down I-71 can see the stadium lights and think, 'What a great place that must be!'." In other words, in my opinion, you are looking at a bond issue, an operating levy, and eventually some type of levy to build new athletic facilities.

Ashland Pushing the Laws for Life

2011-03-11T06:30:00.000-08:00

Ohio is considering one of the most restrictive legislation acts on abortion in the land. Praise God!

One of the great things is that some local Ashlanders are involved in the testimony for the law. You can read about the proposed legislation and the role of Ducia Hamm, from the Ashland Care Center, and Heather Raubenolt, member of Grace Brethren Church, in the process here.

Keep this in your most earnest prayers!

Adolescence: How the Church Has Caved to the World

2011-03-07T15:03:00.000-08:00

Something random I came across on Facebook and thought it deserved to be posted:

One of the most destructive things we have done in the church is adopt the humanistic, worldly idea of the "adolescent" which finds its roots in evolutionary psychology and teaches us to expect our "teenagers" to be rebellious, self-willed, independent-minded egoists. The world, as would be expected, has accommodated this unbiblical demographic in the "youth subculture" that has its own dress, style, music, language, etc.

But strikingly, the modern evangelical church has blindly followed suit in many circles, destroying the practical oneness of the body, so that in many churches the "youth" (an unbiblical demographic) have their own music, style, language, Bible, dress, church service, and "pastor."

This is hardly a reflection of the unity in diversity presented both in Ephesians and 1 Corinthians. ~ Brian

Doctrine on Fire

2011-03-01T08:50:00.000-08:00

Doctrine on fire. That's the kind of preaching that will ignite souls and fan the flame of piety. Unfortunately, very rarely do you find preaching like that anymore.

However, you can find such sermons in ages past. And you can find it over at the Town Crier or Kindled Fire sites too!

I'm seeking to put together some audio recordings of great sermons from history's great preachers. The first sermon has already been put out. Here's the description:

In the 1800's it was common for the leaders of the civil sector to call for days of repentance and prayer in times of need. In 1854, after a certain providence had afflicted the well-being of the Commonwealth of South Carolina, the legislature called upon Thornwell to render a message fitting for the occasion. The text he chose for the occasion was Isaiah 26:9, "For when thy Judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness." The message explains that God's judgment for sin is often manifested in wars, pestilence, and famine and such times requires

Audio length: 47 minutes

Click here to check it out or try a sample of the audio.

You Love the Church? Are You Crazy?

2011-02-28T03:49:00.000-08:00

I had a great time with Ted Kluck on my show this last weekend talking about his latest book Why We Love the Church: In Praise of Institutions and Organized Religion. Ted's love for the church, despite all her warts, came through quite vividly. What also stuck out was his cordial spirit. He could have easily jumped all over the emergent church crowd and those who are dumping the church. However, he doesn't. He offers a critique, but he in no wise goes into any ad hominem bashing.

If anything, this show was extremely edifying. I simply found his admiration for the church personal and heart warming.

Some Suggested Steps on How to Get Started in Home Education

2011-02-22T03:46:00.000-08:00

So you want to start homeschooling? Fantastic! You are beginning a venture that will be most beneficial for you and your children. This page is designed to help you with the first steps towards accomplishing that goal. You will be happy to know that there are tons of resources out there to help you. A simple Google search will give you scads of information. However, this site will give you a few simple steps to serve as an initial guide through the process.

1. PREP YOURSELF
The first thing you must do is prepare yourself. This ain't going to be a walk in the park. Raising children is never easy. And venturing into home education will only add to the challenges. As a matter of fact, just saying "I'm going to start homeschooling" is almost like saying, "I'm going to take a jaunt through the Amazon." You'll have to wade through a lot of information and do a lot of preparations before you get to school day #1. And after that, there is each day which will have challenges of its own.

To be sure, you will find yourself growing closer to your children and building fond memories with them. These years will be rewarding beyond your wildest expectations. Nevertheless, before you is a venture filled with as many surprises, setbacks, tears, frustrations, and toil, as there are excitements, laughs, joys, and successes. All that's to say you need to be prepared mentally for the task before you.

Think of it as analogous to farming. A farmer cannot enjoy a harvest without some blood, sweat and tears. So too, rearing your little ones will be long labor of love. As well, remember that you will be involved in spiritual warfare. Raising your children and training them to comprehend life as a Christian will be a battle against the world, the flesh (both yours and your child's) and the devil. So take heed to the Scripture's command to "Gird up your loins of your mind" (1 Peter 1:13), and get ready to plunge ahead with the help of God.

2. START READING AND RESEARCHING
What's important during this initial stage is to try and learn everything you can. Don't take one person's advice (like mine!), or read only one website's counsel. Immerse yourself in all that you can to get a feel for the lay of the land. Whether it is curriculum, support groups, activities, government requirements or scheduling/routine, find out as much as you can. This will only serve to give you an understanding how your family can best practice home education. Each family is different and each child has different needs. By availing yourself to other home educators and advisors, you will be able to discern what best suits your personal situation.

3. CHECK OUT YOUR LOCAL HOMESCHOOL COMMUNITY

You may also like to know that there is a thriving homeschool community in Ashland. There are lots of activities and many ways to even serve other home educators. You can begin to check them out at their website: http://www.archenetwork.weebly.com/.

Even if you are not technically a “homeschooler” yet, feel free to get on the home education email list and facebook fan page. Through these outlets you will be able to keep up with all the events that are being scheduled and (what I call) the other homeschool chatter. You may also simply attend a homeschool event or find a homeschool family with whom you can chat. Our group is always willing to help. At the very least, we’ll try and point you in the right direction for whatever you may need.

Above all, remember this: checking into the rest of the homeschool community is a wise thing to do because it will help you form a network of support and encouragement.

4. PERUSE YOUR STATE’S RULES AND REGULATIONS.

At some point you will have to wade through some of the regulatory gobblely gook from our good friends at the state. If this turns you off, just remember that being somewhat familiar with the laws will help to keep them out of your hair.

One of the items you will need to tend to is proper notification to the superintendent. This information (along with easy-to-follow examples) is provided for you on the “Forms and Info” page.

Do note that if you are pulling your child out of the public school system after the year has begun, this is perfectly fine to do. However, you will need to contact the superintendent and let him/her know that your child will no longer be attending that school. We do provide excellent guidance for you on how to do this at the “Recommended Procedure for Home Education Notification” page (under Forms and Info).

You may also want to check out the Homeschool Legal Defense Association. They provide good legal advice and advocacy for home educators, as well as loads more good information. They also have a very nice “Get Started in Homeschooling” page if you’d like to check it out.

5. CHOOSE YOUR CURRICULUM

The first thing you should know is that there are lots of great resources out there to help you give your children the best education they can receive. You don’t have to feel like you are not smart enough to do the “home education thing.” What’s great about home education is that you can learn right alongside your kids—and sometimes this is the best part!

As well, don’t feel like you need to stick with any particular curriculum. You can tweak and revamp as you feel led. What’s more, you don’t have to choose any if you do not want to. You can start homeschooling with as little as a library card if you so desire. What’s most important is that you take charge and raise your child in the fear of God.

You might want some help doing that though, and that’s where the curriculum comes in. As I mentioned earlier, there are lots of great resources from which to choose. You can check out some of them at www.homeschool-curriculum.org. But again, talking with other local home educators will be helpful in wading through it.

6. DESIGNATE YOUR HOMESCHOOL AREA

This might sound silly, but it’s a good idea. This will help your child understand that “It’s time to do school.” Some use the kitchen table. Others use the living room couch. Some even designate a whole room with desks and all. Whatever avenue you choose, just make sure it is conducive to your child’s needs.

You’ll most certainly have questions come up as you begin working towards educating your child at home. So let me just reiterate here: Please feel free to contact any of us in the homeschool community. We’ll be happy to do what we can.

May God bless you and your children as you pursue Christ and his wisdom.

Some Suggested Steps to Take When Starting to Homeschool

2011-02-22T03:35:00.000-08:00

3. CHECK OUT YOUR LOCAL HOMESCHOOL COMMUNITY

You may like to know that there is a thriving homeschool community in Ashland. There are lots of activities and many ways to even serve other home educators. You can begin to check it out at their website: http://www.archenetwork.weebly.com/.

Above all, remember this: checking into the rest of the homeschool community is a wise thing to do because it will help you form a network of support and encouragement.

4. PERUSE YOUR STATE’S RULES AND REGULATIONS.

One of the items you will need to tend to is proper notification to the superintendent. This information (along with easy-to-follow examples) is provided for you on the “Forms and Info” page.

5. CHOOSE YOUR CURRICULUM

6. DESIGNATE YOUR HOMESCHOOL AREA

May God bless you and your children as you pursue Christ and his wisdom.

Home Education Geography Fair

2011-02-20T04:16:00.000-08:00

I continue to be impressed with our local homeschool community. The latest reason being the geography fair that they held in the conference room at the library. About 25 kids participated, putting up displays, showing reports, and cooking authentic foods from their respective countries. Mothers ought to be commended too for their obvious involvement. As you may easily tell from the picture on the left, there was no doubt a lot of work done by both parent and child.

I've also heard that another nursing home visitation is being planned. A few months ago one of the mothers organized a trip to one of the local homes, and the kids put on a talent show of sorts--singing songs and playing instruments.

This simply demolishes the "unsocialized" myth people have about kids who are home schooled. While public school kids sit in their classrooms day after day, our home school kids are out in the community learning and serving.

Men, Males and feMALES

2011-02-19T09:00:00.000-08:00

It has been said that there are plenty of males today, but few men. Iowa high school wrestler, Joel Northrup, proved himself as belonging to the latter group in his recent disply of chivalry. Northrup chose to lay aside his bid for the Iowa championship rather than wrestle Cassy Herkelman, a girl.

What is interesting in this event are the worldviews that come to the fore. Christian Northrup recognizes the divinely ordained place of feminity. A woman is to be treated with respect and not man-handled on a mat with close physical contact. We may see his Biblical sense in the statement he released regarding his decision to forfeit,

I have a tremendous amount of respect for Cassy and Megan (Black, the tournament’s other female entrant) and their accomplishments. However, wrestling is a combat sport and it can get violent at times. As a matter of conscience and my faith, I do not believe that it is appropriate for a boy to engage a girl in this manner. It is unfortunate that I have been placed in a situation not seen in most of the high school sports in Iowa.

Humanistic Herkelman displays her belief that femininity is a bygone concept. She can be just as much "one of the boys", and doesn't mind being groped by her male opponents so long as she can have mastery over them. [You'll note too that the article cited above displays its worldview, slightly siding with Humanistic Herkelman. She is depicted as one who was "deprived" of showing her skill in the match].

The various media reporting this event have also picked up on the different worldviews in play here. They are quick to note that Northrup's virtues were shaped through his home education, while Herkelman is a
product of the public education system.

Free Ken Ham Conference and Homeschool/Education Event

2011-02-04T04:46:00.000-08:00

Super wow! Two great conferences in the same month, right here in the neighborhood!

Earlier I mentioned the Ted Kluck conference at Ashland Christian School. I just learned that Ken Ham from the Creation museum and http://www.answersingenesis.org/ is coming to Crossroads Community Church in Mansfield March 26-28th (view details here)!

The Ham conference is free. What's great about it is that on the 28th Ham is also putting on classes designed just for kids. This is great for any youth, but homeschoolers should have a special interest. However, if you're kid is in school, yank 'em out and give them a day of refreshing Bible centered science.

The Craze of Mental Illness at America's Colleges: How the Humanistic Worldview is Driving us Crazy

2011-02-04T03:07:00.000-08:00

I love the old one hit wonder "They're coming to take me away". A mentally ill man talks about the nice men in their clean white jackets haulling him off to the funny farm.

This characterizes well what's happening on America's college campuses.

The latest Town Crier episode examines an article recently put out which notes that mental illness is on the rise in our nation. College campuses are seeing a incredible spike in mental illness cases. How ought we to think about such things? Whence cometh the mental illness craze? Find out here.

Awesome Conference! Ted Kluck, Author of Why We Love the Church.

2011-01-21T11:45:00.000-08:00

Ashland is going to be blessed with another great speaker coming to town. Ashland Christian School is bringing in Ted Kluck to speak on his latest book Why We Love the Church.

(Just for your FYI: Kluck has also written a great book on the Emergent church movement entitled, Why We Are Not Emergent.)

The event is scheduled for Saturday March 12th at 7 pm and will be held at Grace Brethren Church. Tickets are by donation.

I'll be having a chance to interview Kluck on the Town Crier Show in a couple of weeks too. Be sure to tune in to get your interests peeked.

Babies and Tyrants: Two New Episodes from the Town Crier Show

2011-01-21T11:20:00.000-08:00

Make sure you head over to the Town Crier Show for the latest two episodes.

The year started off with The Life and Death of First Baby 2011. This episode takes a in-depth look at what life will be like for the children born in 2011. Real life statistics are used to reveal how the governing worldview of today's culture will affect the lives of the next generation.

In the second episode the show turned political. I voiced my opinion on the speech President Obama gave at the recent memorial for the Tuson, AZ shooting. Be sure to leave your comments on the matter too: When A Raging Tyrant Calls for Civility: Thinking critically about President Obama's Memorial Address.

Don't forget to subscribe to the show too, either by email or itunes. There are some great episodes on their way. The next show will deal with the recent rise in mental illness among college students. Some good interviews are forthcoming in the next few weeks as well. I'll be talking with Ted Kluck, author of Why We Love the Church. Also planned is a discussion with Arnold Frank who has written a book entitled, "The Fear of God: A forgotten Doctrine."

Worth Its Weight in Gold: A Discussion of Economics on the Town Crier Show

2010-12-19T19:11:00.000-08:00

I can't thank Sacha Walicord enough for coming on The Town Crier Show this weekend. It was perhaps the best show yet (actually, it went so well that I had to break it into two different shows!).

Sacha is fellow Presbyterian minister and an economics professor at Franklin University in Columbus, OH. So you can guarentee that a thoroughgoing Biblical worldview was brought out on the issues we addressed.

The first segment Sacha and I discussed a general approach to Biblical economics. Even though we didn't probe too deeply, it was clear that the financial order God commands isn't what most people are going for these days.

We spent the majority of our time discussing the current water boarding of the American economy through inflation. As I mention in the show, I believe this is one of the top issues of our day, and awareness of it needs to be propagated widely--especially among those in the Christian community. I don't typically use words lightly. So when the dollar is being spoken of as "toxic waste" and "trashed" it is important that we tune in and listen to what's going on.

Prudence means knowing something of what's happening and where things are heading. That's why I find this show to be so important and am glad that the Lord provided the opportunity.

Good without God? The Pomp and Delusion of Atheists

2010-12-13T17:30:00.000-08:00

Atheists have begun proselytizing in order to recruit more adherents through a recent advertising campaign. Billboards proclaiming, “Good without God” are their attempts to reach out to non atheists throughout America.

Click here to listen to today's podcast which further discusses the religion of atheism and the absurd notion of goodness without God.

Concerned Parents Have Education Options

2010-12-13T17:25:00.000-08:00

As a parent, you are no doubt familiar with the difficulties presented with your child’s education.

Much of the grief may have little to do with the education itself. The greater burden most likely lies in the adverse social relations that your children experience from day to day. Parents easily tire of seeing their children come home emotionally distressed because of the relentless anxieties school produces. Mornings can be particularly exasperating as your child sickens with the haunting thoughts of walking the halls and facing another day of duress.

Many times you might have tried to convince yourself that they just need to go through it and come out a little stronger on the other side. It was something you had to endure, right? However, you cannot help but sympathize with them. Neither can you shake the feeling that you want something better for your child.

Then again, you perhaps could justify it, if it were it not for the alternative (and defiant) education they are gleaning from their classmates. You can sense your child is receiving a double education from the institution they attend, which far supersedes mere ABC’s.

In early years you could detect a bit of estrangement. Many parents feel it. Many more witness how grows into a defiant attitude as the child gets older. Needless to say, this is what we should expect when our kids spend extensive amounts of time with other adolescents—many of whom are not the best of companions, to say the least.

Then, of course, there are the sexual perversities with which they are relentlessly inculcated.
These are only some of countless reasons why so many parents in our region have opted to educate their children at home. We recognize the importance of raising our children in an environment where they may find personal security and proper socialization.

I acknowledge that other parents in the Ashland area would like to do that which is most beneficial for their children’s personal wellbeing. However, those parents might not be aware of any other means of educating their little ones.

If you are one such person, you may like to know that home education is not just a viable option you can choose. It is a most worthy investment of your affection in your children. The time spent interacting with them, be it teaching them or learning along with them, pays dividends that can never be surpassed.

What’s more is that Ashland has a thriving home school community where you can easily connect with other families for support, encouragement, tips, answers and (above all!) good old fashioned fun. To be sure, assimilating into the home school network is quite easy as social outings, educational activities, field trips, clubs and service projects are organized on a regular basis throughout the year.

As you consider the mental, emotional, and spiritual development of your child, you may wish to visit the Ashland homeschool website: http://www.archenetwork.weebly.com/. This site can serve as a portal through which you can begin to check out home education and connect with others who have sought to provide an educational haven for their children.

The Town Crier Show is Up and Running

2010-11-12T19:18:00.000-08:00

Hear ye, Hear ye! This is the Town Crier!

Now you can catch the podcasts of my new program, The Town Crier Show. If you want to download to a mobile playing device or subscribe to the program by email, you can grab it on the Radio Broadcast tab.

I got a few shows under my belt. Today's show was on the growing phenomena of stay at home dads. Prior shows dealt with the transgender push within Title IX, the new generation of Christians, and the rage and ravages of a culture of divorce.

While there are still some bugs to work out, its going pretty good so far. Your comments are more than welcome as to hints and reflective thoughts for each show.

Advertisers Needed for New Radio Show

2010-09-28T08:56:00.000-07:00

Image via Wikipedia

I've been talking with WHKW 1220 AM, a Christian radio station based in Cleveland, about doing a weekly talk show with them. They've given me a spot and I'm currently working on raising funding for the show. It is a great opportunity to take this blog to a deeper and more refined level, not to mention a larger audience. It's also going to be a good way to promote Reformed theology and a Biblical worldview.

Right now I'm looking for some financial backers. Besides some individual donors I'd like to find some businesses who would like to sponsor the show by purchasing some aired commercials and/or web page advertisements. If you or someone you know would like to do so, please feel free to contact me.

My buddy, Tim Dernlan, and I will be attempting to record a pilot show in the upcoming weeks. Stay tuned for the developments. You can also check out The Town Crier Show's website. It is under construction right now, so expect that there is more development to come.

Girls Gone Wild: Ashland Seminary to Host Feminist Conference

2010-09-26T18:46:00.000-07:00

I'm sure that there will not be any casting off of brassieres for a quick camera shot. However, the faculty and staff of Ashland Seminary are calling women to cast off any modest, Biblical restraints which befits a Christian woman in their fall conference.

Breaking Stained Glass Ceilings: Women Called to Preach and to Lead, the title of the conference scheduled for this October, is a fitting follow-up to the seminary's Paul Young/Shack conference of last year. Young and his Shack book oozed with egalitarianism and helped to blur the ever fading line of orthodoxy. Now that some significant holes have been poked in the Biblical notions of Scripture's authority ATS is seeking to ram a truck in to finish off what may be left of any sort of Scriptural understanding of manhood and womanhood.

At least ATS is not being anywise subtle about what they are seeking to accomplish. The phrase "Breaking Glass Ceilings" is an overt feminist motto. The only way they could be more accurate would be to label their conference "Breaking Eternal Truth."

You might say that the only glass ceiling ATS will be breaking with this conference is their own. Up until this time the seminary has seemed to be somewhat quiet in their promotion of feminism. With this conference they seem to be now making a public declaration that they are full blooded feminists and biblical frauds.

Those who call themselves Bible scholars should easily understand the plain teaching of the Scripture on the matter of women in office. The Bible is quite clear on the subject. It says that there isn't supposed to be any.

In the beginning God created man to be the leader and head of the family. This is evident from the fact that Adam was the representative of mankind in the fall. And because society and churches are merely groups of families, it naturally follows that men are to be the leaders in those spheres.

With the fall the battle of the sexes began. God says to Eve that her desire will be for her husband, a reference to the desire to usurp his rightful position as leader. The sinful nature now produces a discontent with her God given position of submission.

In the book of Isaiah 3 (particularly verse 12) we see this curse played out. The passage make it clear that women leading is a sign of God's curse upon that society. The state of Israel at this time was one of complete apostasy. With the declension of spirituality there came a deficit of good, manly leadership. Women and children came to be authoritative heads. In a mocking tone Isaiah prophesies, "Women and children rule over you." For an in depth study of this passage, please refer to this message entitled, "When Women Rule Us."

It is interesting that the ATS "scholars" cannot bring together a biblical theology of womanhood up to this point. What's even more distressing is that they gloss over 1 Timothy 2:12, which billboards God's disapproval of women in office. The Spirit expressly says, "I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man; rather she is to remain quiet." The various Biblical studies Ph.D's at ATS would be able to tell you that the words "to teach or to exercise authority" is a literary device called hendiadys, where two words are used to describe one thing. In this case the referent is the authoritative teaching office of minister/pastor/elder.

Were that not enough, God mentions immediately afterwards in verse 13 His creational structure as the reason for this command, "For Adam was formed first, then Eve."

Of course, there his that whole notion of an elder being the "husband of one wife." But obviously this is the next stained glass ceiling that will need to be broken. Elders won't have to have just one wife. And the women pastors won't either.

From what I know ATS has not reached that level of their apostasy yet. I pray they never do. As I walk through the campus, I pray that the Spirit will bring a spirit of repentance to the administrators and faculty.

Until then, steer clear of the cesspool.

Its Not of Works, or of Workouts!

2010-09-16T03:45:00.000-07:00

How far can it go?

Evangelicalism is in a tailspin.

It will soon die.

Ecclesiastical silliness has reached a new low. We have so despised the power of preaching the gospel and the explosive nature of sound doctrine that we have jettisoned the pulpit altogether. Our churches were once places of spiritual exercise as souls gathered for worship. Now it is just a place of exercise.

From Caller.com (click here to see the video):

CORPUS CHRISTI — Pastor Bil Cornelius of Bay Area Fellowship isn’t just preaching the word. He’s preaching it while working out.

He is issuing a challenge to his congregation and the entire city: If you’re not happy with your health, do something about it.

The pastor gave six sermons Saturday and Sunday while sweating and huffing on an elliptical machine.

Of course, the only thing to do next is to replace the pews with stair climbers or rowing machines. Hey, then we could charge a good amount of money for the service like Bally's or Gold's Gym. We could give it a kooky name too: God's Gym! That would really be good!
The devil must be so excited. He has disarmed the one weapon that is most destructive to him and his kingdom.

The only way to stay off this apostasy is to remember that salvation is not of works, or of workouts. It is by grace alone. And that grace must be preached with all due reverence and in all its glory. And the ordinances of God must not be profaned in such a atrocious manner.

A Handbook for Leading Divine Worship

2010-09-04T09:20:00.000-07:00

[Note: You may have to disable the pop up blocker on your web browser to view any content you click.]

Here it is, my first book! I hope that it is as beneficial to other worship leaders as it has been for me. You can read the book's description below. If you click through the pages on the ad above you can read the preface which gives you some of the purpose and background.

Book's Description:

The highest calling of a minister of the gospel is leading the people of God in the sacred worship of the Almighty Lord. Sometimes though, pastors are crunched for time. Unexpected pastoral calls, secular work, family crisis or ministerial inexperience can hinder a minister from spending the adequate amount of time needed to prepare for this holy work. A Handbook for Leading Divine Worship is a compilation of Scripture and common elements of worship to help pastors build edifying services in such instances. A Handbook enables the time tight minister to walk into the pulpit with Calls to Worship, Assurances of Pardon, Benedictions and aids for Communion services in hand so that a congregations' edification may not be hindered.

Crash Combat Games & Adventure Sports

2010-09-01T14:45:00.000-07:00

My buddy Todd Schoch has started up a great new business called Crash Combat Games & Adventure Sports. In short, it is high end laser tag. The great idea behind it though is that Todd brings the game & equipment to you. You don't need to travel anywhere. All you need is an area where you can play, like a woods or farm. In all reality, you could have it in your back yard if you have the space.

I've had a chance to play, and it is quite awesome. The equipment that he has is simply amazing. From talking with him I've found that he has gone all out in terms of engineering. Of course, I didn't really need to talk to him to realize this! Handling it speaks for itself.

Todd is also a solid Christian guy, and has priced everything quite reasonably. So, if you are looking for an exciting outing for your buddies, or perhaps a fall activity for your youth group that will certainly have a large draw, this is sure to be it.

James Caldwell, Presbyterian Chaplain in the War for Independence

2010-08-18T15:40:00.000-07:00

While doing some more research on the influence of Presbyterianism on the founding of our country I found this little piece from another presbyterian site:

There were many clergy who served as chaplains during the War of Independence. One was James Caldwell (1734-1781), a Presbyterian minister at Elizabeth, New Jersey. At the battle of Springfield, New Jersey, on June 23, 1780, when his company ran out of paper wadding to load bullets for their rifles, Caldwell reportedly dashed into the Springfield Presbyterian Church (established in 1745), scooped up as many Isaac Watts hymnals (left) as he could carry, and distributed them to the troops, shouting "put Watts into them, boys." Caldwell and his wife were both killed before the war ended. The British burned the church and much of the town, but were turned back by the American forces. The Springfield Presbyterian Church was rebuilt in 1791 and continues to be active today.

Homeschoolers Featured in TG

2010-08-10T13:13:00.000-07:00

I just wanted to point out a great article about three local homeschooling families gearing up for another year of home education. Ms. Albon did a great job of writing it. I really appreciate how she brought out how much the mothers actually love their children, how successful they are at parenting and yet still possessing a entrepreneurial spirit. Way to go moms!

Presbyterianism: The Foundation of and Hope for Freedom in America

2010-08-02T17:20:00.000-07:00

As I've mentioned before, people frequently tell me that my sermons are too political. The more I study though, the more I find that this kind of preaching has a long history within Presbyterianism. The things I've been learning have made me want to pitch a possible lecture topic for the local Tea Party group (the theme being the same as this post's title).

(This post, "The Presbyterian Rebellion," is a good place to start if you think that I'm full of bunk.)

It all starts back with John Knox, the great Scottish Presbyterian whose life was dedicated to denouncing popish and monarchical tyrants. From what I've gathered, he very rarely spared any language when he spoke out against freedom suppressors.

The Presbyterian influence at the time of the American Revolution was quite substantial too. It is said that 2/3 of the population was Presbyterian at that time, and that is not counting Reformed Anglicans. The Scotch Irish and French Huguenots had migrated here in droves to escape persecutions in their own countries. (So we owe the tyrants of Europe a great thanks for driving them out!)

It is also much due to the Presbyterian preaching that the colonies were rallied to make the break with England. Then, it was Presbyterian polity (which is republican in form) and doctrine that provided the basis for freedom within our country. Many have also said that it was because of America's Presbyterian base that our revolution did not turn out like that of the French Revolution.

This article, Calvinism in America, also seems to be a good primer on the subject. I love the quote from Prime Minister Horace Walpole. In in Parliament he said, "Cousin America has run off with a Presbyterian parson."

Unfortunately, we don't have that same base today. We are too overrun with Arminian and independent sentiments. I don't even believe that on the whole Americans today have it in them to stand up for freedom. (Though, if it were a video game they might.) At the present, we are in love with our tyranny.

Our only hope for freedom in America is the fire that rests in true Presbyterianism. May the Lord grant that freedom loving people everywhere come to recognize it, and may He bestow upon us ministers who have the fervor and zeal that our brave Presbyterian fathers possessed.

2010-07-26T17:46:00.000-07:00

Like you've never seen 'em before!

Glenn Beck discovers George Whitfield, But Not Whitfield's Faith

2010-07-24T16:11:00.000-07:00

Everyone is talking about Glenn Beck's surge in all things spiritual. It is amazing, and certainly part of his broad appeal. The following clips from his show on 18th century evangelist George Whitfield certainly show that he is getting warmer when it comes to the true faith.

In these clips Beck talks about how he discovered George Whitfield. He then rightly says that if it were not for Whitfield, we wouldn't have an America to talk about. The revolution would have never got going were it not for the revivals that came through the Great Awakening.

Unfortunately, Beck has not yet discovered the faith that Whitfield's preached and made America. Beck claims adherence to Mormonism, and Joseph Smith didn't come on the scene until 100 years after Whitfield. What's more, Mormonism claims that Christianity fell into disrepair after the time of the Apostles and was not restored until Smith's supposed receiving of the "Melchizedekian priesthood." (All this is to say that, according to the Mormons, George Whitfield wouldn't have been among the godly throng of orthodox.)

While these clips are interesting, I am sad to see that the "Whitfield scholars" talked so little about Whitfield's message and didn't really bring it home to Glenn Beck. It would have been nice to hear them say, "Glenn, Whitfield preached that men were sinners who denied the true and living God. They needed to experience the new birth and turn from their idols. He preached that there was one God only, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. He didn't believe that they were three different gods, and he certainly didn't believe that we could become gods ourselves. Glenn, you are right in saying that Whitfield's preaching is what gave birth to America as we know it. And if you want America to really experience the kind of renewal you want, then you must turn from your idolatry and start to worship this God."

It's funny too. Glenn Beck is so anti-tyranny, anti-top down government. Yet, that is exactly what Mormonism has as its governing structure.

All of us ought to take heed though: Its air preaching that changes hearts and nations.

Clash of Worldviews: Winning the Battle, Losing the War

2010-07-23T11:20:00.000-07:00

Onenewsnow.com is reporting a story about Jennifer Keeton, a 24 year old counseling major at Augusta State University. Ms. Keeton has filed a suit against Augusta State because she claims the school is forcing her to abandon her beliefs in order to graduate. The story reads,

"After her professors learned of her biblical beliefs -- specifically her views on homosexual conduct -- from both classroom discussions and private conversations with other students, the school imposed a "remediation plan."

The article goes on to say that the remediation plans include attending a gay pride parade and writing her reflections on the event.

This article is interesting for a variety of reasons. For one, it displays the antithesis we face in a secularist school (and, of course, in our wider secular society). This is a perfect example of the clash of worldviews that is so prevelant in our day. The educational elites are telling us that you are not going to go anyhwere in life if you don't abandon Christianity. If you don't accept the forincators and the homosexuals and bow to the materialist worldview, then you cannot possibly be ready to counsel someone--so they say.

The real message is this: if you are a Christan, you are the one who needs counseling! Your mind needs to be purged of these ideas. And the way they'll do that is by forcing you to undergo "remediation." (reminicent of the thought police in 1984) They are going to indoctrinate you and make you submit to their humanistic, materialistic ways one way or another.

The other issue of interest is regards this girl's attendance at this school. The question we have to ask is, "What was she doing there in the first place?" If we send our kids out into the lion's pit of secularism, shouldn't we realize that they are going to be devoured? At the very least, they will be severely maimed.

We have to wonder about the whole of this girl's education. After all, if they oppose her on this issue, it is most likely that they were teaching her a secular view of counseling all along the way. Most likely the foundation given to her was not a biblical one. She probably wasn't taught that man is a sinner and is miserable because he isn't repenting of his sin. Most likely she learned a mix of humanistic beliefs: Freudian theory, the behaviorism of Skinner, and the rest of their unbelieving posse.

I'm glad to see that this girl has some form of Christian worldview. At least she knows enough to say that homosexuality is wrong. However, I can't help but think about how much has been lost, even if she wins the lawsuit and gets her degree. So much has already been conceded. The girl will most likely go out with a profound secular base due to her lack of Biblical training. She will get a job counseling others. Those she influences will then go on to become twice the son of hell because they will take those secular principles that she has passed on and apply them more consistently. In the end, what she fought in the court will become a live reality in her own clients. She may win a battle, but the ultimate war of worldviews will be lost.

It is absolutely necessary that we bring Christ to the fore when thinking about how or where we send our children to school--be it college, high school or elemetary school. If we send them away, we need to be aware of who we are allowing to teach our kids (and, subsequently, what we are allowing them to learn).

Public Schools are a Drag (Queen): Are Perverts Teaching Your Kids?

2010-07-19T08:58:00.000-07:00

I'm very upset. I cannot believe what I am reading. Onenewsnow.com is reporting that the National Educators Association, the premier public school union, has recognized a new caucus within its ranks: The NEA Drag Queen Caucus.

I am furious! Why is it that the rapists and the pedophiles always get neglected? Why is it that every pervert and pervert organization except the rapists and the pedophiles get all the acclaim? The GLBT's already have their seats at the table in the NEA, and now they are making room for the dress wearing men. I say that it is about time for all of us to unite and stand up for the rights and recognition of the rapists and the pedophiles.

And what about the loyal and upstanding teachers who dabble in bestiality? Shouldn't they have a chance to band together and put forward their values? It is outrageous that our children are not being given the well rounded education that they should from our humanist instructors. It can be nothing more than prejudice. When one pervert is overlooked and another given such a prominent position it is nothing more than bigotry.

The truth is folks, it is long past time to get your children out of the public school system. Recognizing the cross dressing perverts is just another step past Sodom and miles past Gomorrah. That's right! We are past Sodom and Gomorrah. There's no question about it. In Sodom, the perverts were knocking at Lot's door trying to push their way in. We're to the point where we just hand our children over to them by sending them to sit in their classrooms where they can be taught what pumps go best with evening wear.

Some will say that this is what we get when we take prayer out of school. Sorry to say though: having a transvestite pray with your children will not save the institution of public funded education. If you love your children and want them to grow in the fear of God, it is time to hit the eject button and get them out.

Oh, I know. I know. "This is too conservative of an area for such things to happen. Our public schools are pure because we are small town." If you are thinking that, then you need to start asking a few more pointed questions at your parent teacher conferences. We have a "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy when it comes to hiring teachers. They might not be walking into the classroom with hairy legs hanging out from under the skirt, but the schools in our region are not lacking in perverts and fornicators.

If you would like, being a graduate of Ashland High School, I can tell you about the gay man who came in taught us the importance of using condoms sometime.

No, don't give me that lame excuse either. It is not just math or English. You know that more is caught than taught. Even if the perverts are not explicitly teaching their brand of sexual deviancy in the classroom (yeah, right they aren't!), the kids know what they are doing. You don't have to talk about it for the kids get the message loud and clear.

If you haven't already and you are a Christian, it is time to get your kids out of the public schools and start giving them an education that will protect their purity and guide them into the priciples of Christ.

[Please note that you can begin to safeguard your child's well being by looking into homeschooling. Our area has a great network of home educators who are always willing to give advice and come along side those who begin the homeschool venture. You can begin by looking at our website: www.archenetwork.weebly.com/]

2010-07-17T14:11:00.000-07:00

I've been asked innumerable times if I am going to pursue a Ph.D.  While I have nothing against those who have or those who do, I most likely will not seek one. Here's why:

1. It would mean taking on a significant amount of debt
It would take a lot of money that I don't have to get a degree. And with where our country is right now, I believe that you need to be very careful about whether or not you should take out a number of loans.   America is wracked with debt, which puts us in a most precarious position. Moreover, God does not overlook our commitment to abortion. We will be held accountable for these atrocities, and I want to be ready when He brings our nation down. I personally believe that one of the best ways to prepare for this collapse is by being debt free.

2. It would mean postponing the growth of my family
I want babies. I want to adopt and raise as many kids as I can. If I were to incur debt and go off to school, this desire would be greatly hindered.

Here's another thing: I've heard a lot of people ask how they can change the direction of America. My answer is: out breed our opponents! We have a horrendous birth rate in America. According to one report, the average number of children per family is 1.87! That means we are experiencing a birth implosion. The best way to bring about a renewal in America then is to forgo that Ph.D (new car, house, etc) and start having more children who are raised in the fear of the Lord.

3. The world needs pastors
My job is to preach and pray. I'm a pastor at heart. And I recognize that it is through such means that God brings about transformation of cultures and societies.

I know a lot of guys whose sole reason for getting a Ph.D because they want to get into academia. They believe that once they do that then they can really start to change the world for the Lord. This simply isn't true. Not that college professors cannot be of great benefit--all the great Reformers were involved somehow in training the upcoming stars. I too profited greatly too from my college instructors. And if I were offered a position at a college or university, I would take it if it could serve as an extension of my pastoral office.

However, Jesus didn't start with the doctors of the church. He started with simple fisherman. He endowed them with the Spirit and gave them a boldness in preaching the gospel.

The Greatest Needs in Ashland

2010-07-17T13:15:00.000-07:00

Ironically, the Times Gazette has as one of its lead articles this morning, "County's Greatest Need is Jobs, says survey of residents."

It is ironic because I started making a list of our area's greatest needs just yesterday! Jobs was not number one though. Topping my list was more pastors who hold faithfully to the Scripture and can preach it with informed boldness. The economic depression cannot even begin to compare with the spiritual depression in this region. To put it another way: the spiritual famine exceeds the physical famine. I would submit too that if you cure the former, the ills of the latter will dissipate as well.

At the present time we have many filling pulpits who have either forsaken the gospel or prefer to emphasize the frivolous and fleeting over and above it.  I rarely see men who possess the holy boldness to confront sin, declare the gospel, visit house to house, and administer church discipline when it is necessary. As a result, we have people falling into and becoming more pronounced in the existentialist life.

The second greatest need on my list was the destruction of the public school system. The godless worldview that kids are inculcated with is creating a world of immorality.  When kids are trained to think that they are nothing more that glorified chimps, that's not going to produce a high morality.  And when the character of a people collapses, societal collapse is inevitable.

Coupled alongside this is the fact that kids are not given the opportunity to work.  Since they spend most of their day chained to a desk, they do not have the chance to develop skills and entrepreneurial senses. In the olden days, kids spent 2-3 hours with school (all you really need, btw) and then went out to labor in dad's shop or on the farm. As they worked, they put their education to work. Moreover, they learned as they worked.

This brings me to the third greatest need of our town, which has to do with building families. James Dobson was correct when he said that the greatest detriment today is the breakdown of the family. Families in Ashland (and America in general) are becoming virtually extinct. This has been the trend since the Industrial Revolution. Prior to the IR, men stayed home on the farm with their families, and the family worked together as a team. After the IR took off, the family unit splintered as men went their way in the morning, women went another way, and children went their way.

If the foundation of society is the family, then stable homes ought to be our highest priority.

As you may have guessed number two on our list fits in with this. If our community is going to improve, we need to stop pawning out children out to the state for 8 hours a day. We need to bring them home and start integrating them into the household affairs.

This of course implies that their are household affairs to integrate them into! And I will label this as number 4 on my list of highest priorities of Ashland.

This will sound scandalous to some, I know, but we need to stop begging corporate giants and large factories to come to Ashland (as the Times Gazette article seems to imply). We need to be doing our best to promote the upstart of family based businesses.

We need to recognize that large corporations do not promote family stability. They typically work against the family and, as a result, contribute to the breakdown of a community.

My wife's Bible study addressed this just the other day. They were talking about how a wife needs to look good for her husband when he comes home at the end of the day because he most likely will be around other classy looking ladies throughout the day. I say, "Perhaps the real solution is that he shouldn't be around the other ladies throughout the day."

Think about it: A guy goes off to work. He's not near his beloved and helpmate. He is, however, around other women--and that for a significant portion of a day. Is it a surprise that they form a bond which ends up replacing the initial marriage?

I've already mentioned that the father child relationship also breaks down through giant industry models. After a long day at Whatever Inc. dad comes home tired. He's already been gone for a large portion of the day.  Now that he is home he has little time or energy to devote to his kids.

The old TV shows like The Brady Bunch or Leave It to Beaver picture the Industrial Revolution dad at his best. He's a wise sage who may or may not show up in an episode.  If he does get some camera time, it's probably just a scene or two. He looks good, but essentially he's not a significant part of the script. He's a guy who is not really in the picture.

Family based businesses, on the other hand, tend to establish the family as a full unit and team.  There is a common goal and driving force that makes them interdependent upon one another.

Are hundreds of family based businesses a far fetched idea? Of course not. God has given each person talents and skills so that he can contribute profitably to society.  God intends that families relate to each other and assist one another in the building of society. If these things are true, then it most certainly is possible.

The Christian Duty to Overthrow Tyranny

2010-07-07T03:14:00.000-07:00

I was watching some of the bonus features of our last video series. One of the most interesting parts was a discussion of John Knox and his belief that it is not only the right of individuals to overthrow a government when it becomes oppressive, but it is their duty. This was even encapsulated in The Scots Confession of 1560, which he helped to write. It says that one of the works that God commands is that his people "repress tyranny."

I believe that this is important for all Christians to take heed to given the direction of our country and the increasing tyranny we are experiencing. I would especially like to encourage all of my ministerial friends to take heed to this divine precept and be willing not only to preach it, but stand valiantly when called upon to do so.

How Should We Then Live? Video Series to Begin Sunday

2010-07-07T03:05:00.000-07:00

This Sunday we're embarking on a new video series for our Sunday evening Bible study (6:30). Francis Schaeffer's How Should We Then Live? takes you through the development of Western culture and the philosophical beliefs that have developed along with it. Your eyes will be opened to the direction of culture and the worldviews that you must contend with as a Christian in today's society.

You are more than welcome to attend. To find out more, just contact me.

The Town Crier and the Havoc Humanism Has Caused

2010-06-24T03:34:00.000-07:00

All week I've been entertaining myself by playing with my computer. This little podcast is what I came up with.

I called the show The Town Crier because that is somewhat what I've been since I came to Ashland. A town crier used to be one who would go out on the main streets of a city and proclaim the news of the day. These were the days when most of the populous was illiterate (and there weren’t any newspapers to read anyway). So men would be sent out to proclaim the important messages that needed to be diseminated to the wider society.

Well, that’s basically what I've been doing. We are living in a day where most people are illiterate–illiterate on how to live. So someone needs raise their voice and cry out for the King.

To say that this production is done by an amature would be to flatter myself. It obviously is rough. Nevertheless, the content makes for a good blog. It overviews some of the disasterous effects the humanism which has been promoted through our public education system has had on our culture.

I'd love to hear any comments you would have to offer. Feel free to email them.

Did the PCA Shrink?: Sarafolean Exposes Statistical Manipulation

2010-06-18T03:17:00.000-07:00

Pastor Sarafolean has done some digging on the PCA Strategic Plan. Wowsers! The plan was created on the premise that the PCA has shrunk this year for the first time. Yet Rev. Sarafolean shows that there is no conclusive way to show that such a premise is true: Less than 45% of PCA churches submitted statistical reports for the year ending in 2008! With those analytics we could say that the PCA grew exponentially rather than shrank!

Why Johnny Can't Sing Hymns

2010-06-16T17:10:00.000-07:00

I wish I could buy this book for every pastor in Ashland. Since I can't, I'll do the next best thing and suggest they all listen to Dr. Gordon's free audio presentation on Why Johnny Can't Sing Hymns. (see below to play)

You can listen too, of course. I highly recommend it because he hits so many vital chords (pun intended) when it comes to understanding modern worship practices.

Dr. Gordon, who also wrote Why Johnny Can't Preach: The Media Have Shaped the Messengers, contends that most are illiterate when it comes to good church music. One reason for this lies in our constant exposure to poor/pop music. Music, he says, comes from a Greek word having to do with the divine. Yet hardly would we qualify much of what passes as music today as 'divine,' particularly given the fact that we put it in the background to whatever we do rather than give it our full attenion.

Perhaps the best part of the lecture comes at the end. While there were many solid points thoughout, the best is his discussion of how form must fit content when it comes to church music. This is a must listen for all worship leaders (and pastors of course), as few seem to be informed on this subject.

Dumb and Dumber

2010-06-15T17:40:00.000-07:00

This past Lord's Day I had the opportunity to preach at the Presbyterian church in Savannahagain . I preached a fun sermon on Proverbs 10:8 entitled, "Dumb and Dumber." If you want to find out how dumb you are, make sure you take a listen.