Here is the quote of the week for May 12.
“Here is found the most fundamental difference between liberalism and Christianity - liberalism is altogether in the imperative mood, while Christianity begins with a triumphant indicative; liberalism appeals to man’s will, while Christianity announces, first, a gracious act of God.”
J. Gresham Machen
MIAMI — The instructions are simple: Read the Prayer … Drink the Water … Believe in God! Believe in Yourself! Spiritual Water, the faith-inspired venture of two Sunrise, Fla., businessmen, offers its drinkers clearer focus, positive thinking and connection to a higher power. Below is a quote from the article.
“You drink it, and you just feel like you are in church,” says Cecilia Joseph, a Sunrise real estate agent who liked Spiritual Water so much she became a distributor. “The pictures are so beautiful. You look at them and read the prayer, and it just feels good.”
It seems that the creators of this “spiritual drink” have mistaken the words of Jesus, just as the Samaritan at the well did in John chaper 4. Salvation is by grace through faith. There is no short cut or substitute. Are you trusting in Christ for the forgiveness of your sins and hope of eternal life? He is our only hope, not some bottled water.
My friend Matt Hall has posted a great review of the new Stephen Nichols book titled Jesus Made in America: A Cultural History from the Purtians to “The Passion of the Christ”. Below is a quote form the review.
One suspects that evangelicals of every stripe will find something that makes them squeamish. But then again, perhaps that’s just what Nichols is going for here. If American evangelicals are to recover any cultural capital and religious credibility, they will likely have to dispense with their penchant for sentimentalized caricatures of Jesus and mass-marketed religion.
Desiring God writes a helpful article on 6 ways to React to the Cyclone.
As the carnage from Cyclone Nargis moves toward 50,000 dead and beyond, there is a way to pray and act:
1. Be softened to the pain nearby.
The Good Samaritan knew nothing of the calamities in first century Burma, but was commended by the Lord for mercies at hand (Luke 10:25-37).
2. Pray for the followers of Christ in Myanmar:
3. Pray for the millions of unbelievers near the calamity and far from it:
4. Pray for those of us who live in the seeming security and prosperity of America:
5. Give money to replenish the coffers of compassion “since you also are in the body” (Hebrews 13:3).
6. Muster a team from your church, and when the doors are open, be ready to go.
This kind of going always has the promise of a special, “I will be with you to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:20).
ESPN has a great article about Heisman winner Tim Tebow. No, this isn’t so much about football stats, but rather how he has used his status to open doors to speak the gospel.
“No matter where I am, if I’m preaching to Muslims or in a prison, if you’re in the will of God, that’s safer than driving down the interstate,” Tebow said. “That’s how I feel about it. He’s in control of whatever happens. I’m thinking more about their needs than my needs. They need to hear what I’m sharing, so I don’t think about any sense of fear. The Lord has it under control, and he’ll take care of me.”
One day, this [championship] ring is going to rust. There are only four things that are going to last forever: God, his word, people and rewards.
This young man is a breath of fresh air when it comes to a sports figure role model. He knows that championship rings, money, and prestige will not impress God on judment day. May our vapor like lives also be spent for the cause of the gospel.
Here is some more bio info on Tim Tebow from my friend Barry Joslin.
Here is the quote of the week for April 28.
“But if we have this for a foundation truth, that there is more mercy in Christ than sin in us, there can be no danger in thorough dealing. It is better to go bruised to heaven than sound to hell.”
Richard Sibbes
The following is a review of the new Ben Stein movie Expelled, by my friend Daniel Wiginton.
I went to see Ben Stein’s new movie Expelled on Friday. It is a documentary, but I can say with certainty that you will not find it boring because none of the nearly twenty high school and junior high kids I took with me did. Stein interviews most all of the major players on both sides of the Darwinism / ID debate and exposes some frightening truths.
The main thrust of the movie is that the “Big Science” establishment has been severely and unjustly punishing free thinkers who dare to question Darwinian theory, labeling them as creationists, religious fanatics, and even terrorists, regardless of their backgrounds. Stein has an excellent grasp on the philosophy of science, which truly is the issue in this case more than the science itself. Stein does not attempt to prove that Intelligent Design is correct but to expose the disturbing level of hypocrisy and censorship that exists in the Darwinian establishment.
He also prods the Darwinists enough that some of them–including Richard Dawkins–make some unexpected statements about the possibility of intelligence in biological design and the philosophical implications of Darwinian theory. One of the most shocking moments in the film is an interview with a caretaker at one of the historical sites of the holocaust . . . but I don’t want to give away too much. I would recommend this movie to anyone, but especially to those who are concerned with issues of social justice, free speech, and scientific inquiry.
This is amazing…
Here is the quote of the week for April 21.
“The lives of Christians are the transcripts of their doctrine.”
Richard Allestree
Edna Parker from Indiana turns 115 tomorrow on April 20th.
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