The Sinner’s Prayer

My good friend Heath Stapleton has an excellent blog post on the sinner’s prayer.

J. W. McGarvey: Commentary on Acts and the Civil War

In the fall of 1863 the manuscript of the Commentary on Acts was completed. The composition had occupied all spare time for three years. Twice the work had been slightly interrupted by Military operations; once by the siege of Lexington, Mo. When a Federal brigade which had established a fortified camp there was besieged and forced to surrender by the army of Gen. Sterling Price. The cannonading was distinctly heard at my desk, and the excitement such that writing suspended till the struggle was over. Oldest half-brother was in the battle on Confederate side and was prostrated by a spent minnie ball that struck him on the head.

The second interruption was in Lexington, Ky. when, after the battle at Richmond, the first Confederate army was seen marching into the city under Gen. Kirby Smith. Was at my desk writing when the roll of drums announced the approach of the victorious army, and I went out to the sidewalk to see them march by. Had I been as much excited over the war as most men no such work as a sober commentary on a sacred book could have been prosecuted. Most men then read nothing but newspapers, and when, not thus engaged they were discussing the incidents and prospects of the great struggle.  When the manuscript was completed it was a serious question whether amid the absorption of all minds in the issues of the war, it would be wise to publish the book. On counseling with Franklin and Rice, then publishing the American Christian Review at Cincinnati, decided to publish the Introduction and call upon such brethren as were willing to encourage the publication of the book to make advance subscriptions for it. In a short time subscriptions were made for 1600 copies, and this more than justified the undertaking. It was published by the firm of Franklin and Rice, and met with a gratifying sale until it was superseded thirty years later by a new and enlarged edition of which we will speak farther on.

Autobiography of J. W. McGarvey, pp. 29-30.

The Red Menace

“We Are All Socialists Now,” proclaimed the cover of Newsweek for February 16. In the featured article, the authors described how American political culture has changed to embrace a more “European” approach of governmental control of the economy. As a citizen and a Christian, I find this notion troubling.

Big Brother

As a lover of freedom, I oppose socialism for the reasons outlined by Friedrich Hayek in his 1944 classic The Road to Serfdom. Providing a defense of capitalism, Hayek demonstrated that all forms of collectivism create tyranny. Within a centrally planned economic system, a small group uses the coercive power of government to impose their vision on the whole of society. Central planning of the economy is the destruction of all individual economic and personal freedom. As the government increases its control of our lives through taxation and regulation, it transforms us from free men and women into slaves.

Socialism is also unattractive for practical reasons. Looking to the bottom line, the record of the 20^th century should be evidence enough that socialism is not effective in producing prosperity. Repeatedly, as governments move toward socialism, productivity plummets whereas free-market reforms uniformly produce economic growth.

Political Atheism

More important than economic success and even more important than civil liberty, I am opposed to socialism because it is an enemy of Christian faith. Not all atheists are socialist, and not all socialists are atheist. There is, however, a strong correlation between atheism and socialism. Abandoning the God of the Bible, atheists are prone to make a god out of the state.

The animosity between socialism and religion runs deep. From its origin in the 19^th century, socialism has often positioned itself as an opponent of Christian values. The more thoroughly socialist a nation becomes, the more it is prone to persecute religious conviction.

Christianity teaches that human nature is not perfectible. This understanding argues strongly for limited government because all people are prone to sin and may abuse power if given the chance.

The Bible consistently champions the right to own and to enjoy private property. In the book of Philemon, Paul showed the freedom we have in Christ has a social dimension as well. Christianity has been the greatest source of liberty throughout the world.

Although the Lord’s church is not called to be involved in political activism, Christians must let their faith inform our politics. We must consistently stand for the truth that God has revealed, and we must stand opposed to any political system that undercuts the message of the Bible.

Gregory Alan Tidwell – Gospel Advocate, May, 2009. P. 5.

Bible Rebind by McSpadden

Being inspired by the blog of J. Mark Bertrand, Bible Design and Binding, I decided it was time to get one of my favorite Bibles rebound.  After reading reviews of several recommended Bible restorers, calling and emailing about specific details and materials, McSpadden Bookbindery was chosen.

I recently sent my much worn NKJV topical study reference Bible published by Nelson in 1994 to McSpadden Bookbindery in Shawnee, Oklahoma.  www.mcspaddenbookbindery.com.  When they received the Bible (April 15), Gayle McSpadden called to go over the details of the rebind.  I decided that I would go with black grained calfskin, turned edge (yapp), 3 red ribbons, raised bands on the spine, Holy Bible NKJV on the spine and Steve Miller on the cover.

My Bible came in the mail on May 9^th.  The Bible is better than I expected.  This is a Bible that I use in classes and study and so I was not focusing on the look of the Bible as much as I was on the usability of it.  It has a stately, high quality look to it.  The cover is very soft and smooth with its texture being a joy to handle.  When holding the Bible, the raised bands help anchor it in my hands without slipping.  The Bible stays open wherever I open it.

They were able to rebind the presentation page and the original page after the map section in the back which had notations that I wanted to keep.

This was my first Bible rebind.  I have several waiting in the wings that I would like to have rebound one day.  This NKJV has a topical index in the front consisting of 296 pages covering over 8,000 subjects.  The Bible features center column references with 9-point type for the text and 7-point for the column references. It also includes the words of Christ in red,  Harmony of the Gospels and color maps.

I am extremely pleased with the rebinding of my NKJV by McSpadden.  I plan to use them again in the future.

Have You Heard About The Green Bible?

“What is The Green Bible, then? Despite its worthwhile intentions, its packaging, assumptions, and interpretive shortcuts suggest it’s not the rigorous guide to biblical creation care we need, but a hybrid of two things: an ideological fashion accessory, and a vehicle for promoting conventional progressive environmentalism.”  Read more…Meager Harvest by Telford Work.

“I Don’t Take Sides”

Every Christian is divinely obligated to do all within his power to promote peace and unity among the saints. (Eph. 4: 1-3, et al.) God hates division and has commanded that faithful disciples turn away from those who instigate strife and cause occasions of stumbling. (Rom. 16: 17.) However, the cause of unity is not served by the philosophy that the way to maintain peace is to simply refrain from taking a stand. Though we have no sympathy with “side taking” in religious personality contests, we do believe that Christians must be willing to take the side of right in any controversy.

Please observe: “Then Moses stood in the gate or the camp, and said, Who is on the Lord’s side? let him come unto me. And all the sons of Levi gathered themselves together unto him. And he said unto them, Thus saith the Lord God of Israel, Put everyman his sword by his side, and go in and out from gate to gate throughout the camp, and slay every man his brother, and every man his companion, and every man his neighbor,” (Ex. 32: 26, 27.) It is quite obvious that the Lord required Israel to “take sides” with him! ‘ Consider the challenge which Elijah issued to Israel at Mount Carmel. “And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye between two opinions? if the Lord be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him.” (1 Kings 18: 21.) No amount of reasoning can remove the fact that Elijah commanded the children of Israel to “take sides.”

Let us observe one more important fact! One who does not “take sides” by exercising his ability to decide will automatically do so by failing to exercise his ability, In a word, if one does not take sides with the Lord by choice, he will thereby take sides with the devil by default! “He that Is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth  not with me scattereth.” (Matt. 12: 30.)

The question therefore is not “Shall I take sides?” but, rather, “Which side shall I take?” One may choose between Christ and Satan; he may choose between right and wrong; he may choose between life and death- but he must choose!

May we re-emphasize that we have no sympathy for a factious spirit, but we “exhort that ye should earnestly contend for the faith ” (Jude 3.). We despise discord, but we are “set for the defense of the gospel” (Phil. 1: 16.) A shrug of the shoulders and an “I don’t take sides” attitude was never characteristic of the Lord nor his apostles. They died for the side which they took! May the Lord give us the courage to take sides for him today!

Written by L.M. Rogers. Gospel Advocate, April 23, 1964

Promoting Sin…1 Corinthians 6:9-11

THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary

___________________________________________________________
For Immediate Release                                     June 1, 2009

LESBIAN, GAY, BISEXUAL, AND TRANSGENDER PRIDE MONTH, 2009
- – - – - – -
BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
A PROCLAMATION

Forty years ago, patrons and supporters of the Stonewall Inn in New York City resisted police harassment that had become all too common for members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community. Out of this resistance, the LGBT rights movement in America was born. During LGBT Pride Month, we commemorate the events of June 1969 and commit to achieving equal justice under law for LGBT Americans.

LGBT Americans have made, and continue to make, great and lasting contributions that continue to strengthen the fabric of American society. There are many well-respected LGBT leaders in all professional fields, including the arts and business communities. LGBT Americans also mobilized the Nation to respond to the domestic HIV/AIDS epidemic and have played a vital role in broadening this country’s response to the HIV pandemic.

Due in no small part to the determination and dedication of the LGBT rights movement, more LGBT Americans are living their lives openly today than ever before. I am proud to be the first President to appoint openly LGBT candidates to Senate-confirmed positions in the first 100 days of an Administration. These individuals embody the best qualities we seek in public servants, and across my Administration — in both the White House and the Federal agencies — openly LGBT employees are doing their jobs with distinction and professionalism.

The LGBT rights movement has achieved great progress, but there is more work to be done. LGBT youth should feel safe to learn without the fear of harassment, and LGBT families and seniors should be allowed to live their lives with dignity and respect.

My Administration has partnered with the LGBT community to advance a wide range of initiatives. At the international level, I have joined efforts at the United Nations to decriminalize homosexuality around the world. Here at home, I continue to support measures to bring the full spectrum of equal rights to LGBT Americans. These measures include enhancing hate crimes laws, supporting civil unions and Federal rights for LGBT couples, outlawing discrimination in the workplace, ensuring adoption rights, and ending the existing “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy in a way that strengthens our Armed Forces and our national security. We must also commit ourselves to fighting the HIV/AIDS epidemic by both reducing the number of HIV infections and providing care and support services to people living with HIV/AIDS across the United States.

These issues affect not only the LGBT community, but also our entire Nation. As long as the promise of equality for all remains unfulfilled, all Americans are affected. If we can work together to advance the principles upon which our Nation was founded, every American will benefit. During LGBT Pride Month, I call upon the LGBT community, the Congress, and the American people to work together to promote equal rights for all, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim June 2009 as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Pride Month. I call upon the people of the United States to turn back discrimination and prejudice everywhere it exists.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this first day of June, in the year of our Lord two thousand nine, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-third.

BARACK OBAMA

30 Ways to Honor God This Summer

1. Sit outside in the cool of the morning and meditate and pray.

2. Give $20, $50 or $100 anonymously to someone in your congregation who is struggling financially.

3. Read through the book of Psalms aloud with the entire family.

4. If it has been a while since you had a child in your house and you are missing the stomp, stomp, crash of little feet … borrow some kids for a day from their harried parents. Take them outside and show them how to have fun unplugged from electronic devices.

5. Write a letter of encouragement to a missionary or a member serving in the military overseas.

6. Mow the grass for a widow or elderly person.

7. Buy a DVD and, after watching it, send it to a missionary family with your “review” of the movie.

8. Ask each of your children to invite a friend from a less fortunate family to go with you on vacation.

9. Stay home, save gas and skip eating out one night, and donate the money to a soup kitchen or another
ministry that helps the homeless.

10. Put together a family prayer list.

11. Send a thank-you card and a gift certificate to that older member who greets you with a warm smile and handshake each Sunday.

12. Make it a point to think about others. Overcome your self-focus.

13. Vacation close to home so that you will have money with which to be generous.

14. Don’t just take a good book to the beach — take the Good Book.

15. Visit someone who shaped your life spiritually and thank them.

16. Bake cookies for Vacation Bible School.

17. Make a list of 10 ways God has blessed your life this year. Pick two or three and make them a blessing in somebody else’s life.

18. Stop what you are doing in the afternoon and just think about God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit.

19. Pay the toll or the lunch bill for the car behind you in line.

20. Give your preacher an unexpected Sunday off and pay for him and his family to enjoy a special weekend doing something fun.

21. Read that book with a spiritual message that a friend recommended.

22. Plan a service project for your community and get teenagers involved in it.

23. Write or call a favorite childhood teacher to let that person know how your life turned out and how much you owe him or her.

24. Go on a mission trip instead of a vacation.

25. Make a list of New Year’s resolutions that you didn’t have time for in December. Complete them over the next six months.

26. Pretend one day this summer is Thanksgiving and volunteer at the homeless shelter downtown.

27. Pick up the phone and call a couple of people just to tell them you are thinking of them.

28. Go to a Little League baseball game and buy the losing team something from the snack bar.

29. Treat each day as a special gift from God and thank him for your many blessings.

30. Make a list like this of your own, only better.

(Borrowed from the Christian Chronicle editorial council, June 19, 2008)

Recommended Reading on Music in Worship

Instrumental Music in the Public Worship of the Church by John L. Girardeau.

This Will Preach!

The following points are from an article titled “Ten Things America Needs To Know – Now!” By Russ McCullough (Carolina Messenger, March 2009, p. 8).

Consider these truths as we all ponder our own economic circumstances:

1. God creates wealth, not the Federal Reserve – Deuteronomy 8: 18.

2. Just one soul exceeds the value of everything else – Matthew 16:26

3. Debt is slavery – Proverbs 22:7

4. Prosperity is not our top priority -Matthew 6:33

5. Life does not consist of the abundance of possessions – Luke 12: 15

6. There is more value in the giving than in the receiving – Acts 20:35

7. Subsidizing the idle is wrong – II Thessalonians 3: 10

8. Look to God for your substance, not the government – Genesis 14:22-24

9. Greed is not good, in fact, it is idolatry – Colossians 3:5

10. Sin is our greatest national problem by far – Proverbs 13 :44