Should God continue to bless America? http://www.foxnews.com/politics/first100days/2009/01/23/obama-lift-ban-overseas-abortion-funding/
After reading the story above you really need to watch this video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V2CaBR3z85c
And this video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WJETjte7Os8
Here was President Obama's statement on abortion yesterday, released late in the day:
On the 36th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, we are reminded that this decision not only protects women's health and reproductive freedom, but stands for a broader principle: that government should not intrude on our most private family matters. I remain committed to protecting a woman's right to choose.
While this is a sensitive and often divisive issue, no matter what our views, we are united in our determination to prevent unintended pregnancies, reduce the need for abortion, and support women and families in the choices they make. To accomplish these goals, we must work to find common ground to expand access to affordable contraception, accurate health information, and preventative services.
On this anniversary, we must also recommit ourselves more broadly to ensuring that our daughters have the same rights and opportunities as our sons: the chance to attain a world-class education; to have fulfilling careers in any industry; to be treated fairly and paid equally for their work; and to have no limits on their dreams. That is what I want for women everywhere.
By "daughters" and "sons" he means "daughters and sons" outside the womb. Let us continue to pray for the true Church, our church leaders, and our political leaders.
Friday, January 23, 2009
Monday, January 19, 2009
2009
2009 is here! Hopefully you have made some time to think back over 2008 to evaluate your personal (spiritual) growth. As we move into 2009 may the Church strive to be more like the Lord of the Church (Jesus) with each passing day. Make some personal resolutions for 09 because if you aim at nothing you will hit it every time.
We enjoyed a very nice weekend with some great friends from Carmel (see pics above). Despite being 15 below zero we managed to have a very good time.
We enjoyed a very nice weekend with some great friends from Carmel (see pics above). Despite being 15 below zero we managed to have a very good time.
Kim the Purdue outfit picture is for you. Do you think he has what it takes?
Monday, January 12, 2009
Class Act Retires
As a NFL fan I have never liked Peyton Manning or the Indianapolis Colts. As a Christian, i can not help but love Hall of Fame to be coach Tony Dungy.
He retired today and you can read about it here http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/columns/story?columnist=mortensen_chris&id=3827287
It is interesting that even many non-Christians respected his character and his faith in Christ.
He retired today and you can read about it here http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/columns/story?columnist=mortensen_chris&id=3827287
It is interesting that even many non-Christians respected his character and his faith in Christ.
Wednesday, January 07, 2009
A Theology of Worship
I am currently presenting a lecture series on Sunday nights on WORSHIP. You can check it out on our new website at http://www.fbcfreeport.com/sermon/january2009.html or http://www.fbcfreeport.com/
Defining Worship
Article by Bob Kauflin
Dutch humanist Desiderius Erasmus (1466-1536) once said “Every definition is dangerous.” That may explain why when we try to define a word simply and precisely we often end up missing significant aspects of the word we’re defining. Attempts at explaining worship as “love,” or “intimacy,” or “relationship” say something true, but end up leaving out more than they contribute to our understanding of worship.
In spite of Erasmus’ warning, over the years I’ve come across numerous definitions of “worship” that have caused me think about worship more biblically.
Harold Best, in his book Music Through the Eyes of Faith defines worship in the broadest sense as “acknowledging that someone or something else is greater – worth more – and by consequence, to be obeyed, feared, and adored…Worship is the sign that in giving myself completely to someone or something, I want to be mastered by it. (pg. 143)
We want to be mastered the objects of our worship. And indeed we are. We worship whatever rules our time, energy, thoughts, longings, and choices. “Those who make them [idols] become like them; so do all who trust in them.” (Psa. 115:8, ESV)
A definition of worship that I appreciate for its simplicity and clarity is by Warren Wiersbe, who writes:Worship is the believer’s response of all that they are – mind, emotions, will, body – to what God is and says and does. (Warren Wiersbe, Real Worship, p. 26)
I’ve used that definition, or something similar, when I want to accent that worship can’t be half-hearted, and is all about God’s character, words, and acts.
David Peterson, in his wonderful book Engaging with God unpacks what at first blush is a more sterile, but nevertheless insightful, definition: “Worship of the living and true God is essentially an engagement with him on the terms that he proposes and in the way that he alone makes possible.
Peterson’s definition highlights God’s initiative, authority, and enabling power in our worship.
Dr. Dan Block, who until recently was a Professor of Old Testament at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, defines true worship as “reverential human acts of submission and homage before the divine Sovereign, in response to his gracious revelation of himself, and in accordance with his will.” (from Dr. Block’s For the Glory of God. course notes)
This is the first definition that specifically mentions what many of the biblical words for worship imply - submission and homage.
Well, this post is already longer than I anticipated. But, here’s one more from William Temple’s (1881-1944) Readings in St. John’s Gospel. “Worship is the submission of all our nature to God. It is the quickening of conscience by His holiness; the nourishment of mind with His truth; the purifying of imagination by His Beauty; the opening of the heart to His love; the surrender of will to His purpose – and all of this gathered up in adoration, the most selfless emotion of which our nature is capable and therefore the chief remedy for that self-centeredness which is our original sin and the source of all actual sin”.
Amen.
Defining Worship
Article by Bob Kauflin
Dutch humanist Desiderius Erasmus (1466-1536) once said “Every definition is dangerous.” That may explain why when we try to define a word simply and precisely we often end up missing significant aspects of the word we’re defining. Attempts at explaining worship as “love,” or “intimacy,” or “relationship” say something true, but end up leaving out more than they contribute to our understanding of worship.
In spite of Erasmus’ warning, over the years I’ve come across numerous definitions of “worship” that have caused me think about worship more biblically.
Harold Best, in his book Music Through the Eyes of Faith defines worship in the broadest sense as “acknowledging that someone or something else is greater – worth more – and by consequence, to be obeyed, feared, and adored…Worship is the sign that in giving myself completely to someone or something, I want to be mastered by it. (pg. 143)
We want to be mastered the objects of our worship. And indeed we are. We worship whatever rules our time, energy, thoughts, longings, and choices. “Those who make them [idols] become like them; so do all who trust in them.” (Psa. 115:8, ESV)
A definition of worship that I appreciate for its simplicity and clarity is by Warren Wiersbe, who writes:Worship is the believer’s response of all that they are – mind, emotions, will, body – to what God is and says and does. (Warren Wiersbe, Real Worship, p. 26)
I’ve used that definition, or something similar, when I want to accent that worship can’t be half-hearted, and is all about God’s character, words, and acts.
David Peterson, in his wonderful book Engaging with God unpacks what at first blush is a more sterile, but nevertheless insightful, definition: “Worship of the living and true God is essentially an engagement with him on the terms that he proposes and in the way that he alone makes possible.
Peterson’s definition highlights God’s initiative, authority, and enabling power in our worship.
Dr. Dan Block, who until recently was a Professor of Old Testament at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, defines true worship as “reverential human acts of submission and homage before the divine Sovereign, in response to his gracious revelation of himself, and in accordance with his will.” (from Dr. Block’s For the Glory of God. course notes)
This is the first definition that specifically mentions what many of the biblical words for worship imply - submission and homage.
Well, this post is already longer than I anticipated. But, here’s one more from William Temple’s (1881-1944) Readings in St. John’s Gospel. “Worship is the submission of all our nature to God. It is the quickening of conscience by His holiness; the nourishment of mind with His truth; the purifying of imagination by His Beauty; the opening of the heart to His love; the surrender of will to His purpose – and all of this gathered up in adoration, the most selfless emotion of which our nature is capable and therefore the chief remedy for that self-centeredness which is our original sin and the source of all actual sin”.
Amen.
Monday, January 05, 2009
A Visit from some Friends
Some good friends from Carmel stopped by for a visit and some fellowship. These pictures are especially for Mrs. Marshall. :)
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