Wrinkled Wit

Ron Foxcraft the inventor of the Fox 40 Whistle, a pealess whistle, nearly lost his life while calling a Pan American Basketball game in Brazil. With just a few seconds left in the game (more…)

Where have all the Heretics Gone?

Is it possible that the Heretics of 30 years ago are now extinct? Have they gone the way of the dinosaur, black and white TV and 8 track tapes? Where have all the Heretics gone?

D.A Carson also noticed the absence of Heretics in our world today and said “For the first time in the history of the church…the only heresy that’s left is the view that there is such a thing as heresy – that is the one heretical view.”

Is it possible that Heretics still exist? Are they just hiding? I think there is a bigger crisis going on today. We don’t see them because we have been forced to see the world through the lens of “moral relativism.” What is moral relativism?

There is no longer a bold line between right and wrong. There was a time when such a line was etched in stone for all to see. It was clear, non-debatable, a true compass for morality. But now the line of morality is drawn in the sand. As the tide of relativism rises, the waves of tolerance have wash the line away, the same waves will destroy a nation. The foolish man who built his house upon the sand could only watch as his house went splat!

In 2002, Fox News analyst Bill O’Reilly wrote an article where he asked “Why is it wrong to be right?” In this same article he cites “recent Zogby poll findings regarding what is being taught in American universities. Studies indicate 75% of American college professors currently teach that there is no such thing as right and wrong. Rather, they treat the questions of good and evil as relative to individual values and cultural diversity.”

The problem is not that wolves have stop dressing up like sheep, but sheep have

been lead to believe that a “crossdresser” wolf has as much right to enter the fold as they do. Sheep are being told it’s an identity crisis and they should accept them, after all it’s a matter of personal choice and there is no right and wrong.

Personally, I agree with the worldview of the three little pigs, the wolf is “big and bad!”

Heretics still exist! But moral relativism has changed the way we see our world.

How do we solve the problem? How do we preach the “absolute” truth of God’s Word to a world that thinks and says, “you are right and I am right, nobody is wrong?” The main thing we can do is exactly what God has told us to do, share the Gospel of Jesus!

II Corinthians 10:3-5 says “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.”

Our God given weapons are not of the world, but are mighty through God! Although our weapons are many (prayer, Spirit, Truth), it’s the gospel message that leads to change and repentance. It’s the gospel that the Spirit uses to break down the faulty thinking of the world and bring every thought to obedience of Christ.

The fact is, that Heretics cannot hide from God. The Gospel of Christ will expose them and lead them to Christ.

Where have all the Heretics gone? Start sharing Christ and they will find you!

Snollygoster…sounds like something you might blow out your nose!

But the truth is much worse.

Snollygoster is defined as a politician who will go to any lengths to win public office, regardless of party affiliation or platform.

“One of the earliest references comes from the Columbus Dispatch in October 28,1895 which defined the term  as a fellow who wants office, regardless of party, platform, or principle, and who…gets there by sheer force of monumental talknophical asumnancy.”  (politicaldictionary.com)

President Harry Truman used the word snollygoster in 1952  when talking about politicians who like to make a show of public prayer. He said, “I wish some of these snollygosters would read the New Testament and perform accordingly.”

Amen!  Especially the need to perform accordingly.

I watched the last debate of the Presidential Hopefuls from the Republican party, but I didn’t see much hope. I thought for a moment that I was watching a rerun of “Saturday Night Live” from the 70’s. All that was missing was Rosanna Rosanndanna asking the questions. Of all the candidates running for president, not one has manifested the character the office of President deserves. This is the year of snollygosters!

But there is hope!

Our hope is not in a candidate for president. Our future is not determined by the rule of men. The foundation of our joy is not the government. We find hope, joy and life in Jesus Christ!

God is in control and He governs the affairs of men. Jesus told Pilate “You would have no authority over me at all unless it had been given you from above.” (John 9:11) Pilate thought he was in control. But Jesus makes it clear that God was sovereign even over Pilate’s decision. He is still sovereign.

“O Lord, God of our fathers, are you not God in heaven? You rule over all the kingdoms of the nations. In your hand are power and might, so that none is able to withstand you.” (2 Chronicles 20:6)

So next time you see a “snollygoster” about to “spruik,” don’t be like one of the “nattering nabobs of negativism.” 

Keep your eyes on Jesus!

Some time back mom bought a new oven…a Jewish oven!

Shortly after the oven was installed, she noticed an unusual code appeared on the screen (you know the part that flashes the wrong time).

After hours of research, we discovered the flashing code was actually flashing “Sabbath.” Who knew that some ovens come with a setting for those of Jewish faith that will render your oven kosher on the Sabbath day. This is a built in setting so you won’t forget that it’s the Sabbath day, making your oven “unclean.”

Once I discovered the significance of the code, I said, “Mom, we have a problem!”

Mom had that look of “now what?”

I said, “You have a Jewish oven and you can’t put a Jewish oven in the same kitchen with a Baptist refrigerator!” I continued, “we need to take it back and get a baptist oven!”

We laughed and fixed the problem by setting the codes to “baptist.”

What’s a “baptist” oven? One that is pre-set to poultry settings for Sunday at 11:00 am.

So why does an oven have “Sabbath” settings. Imagine the marketing group who thought this setting would sell more ovens. Is there a Jewish family somewhere who forgot it was the Sabbath day and accidentally cooked something, causing them to be kicked out of the synagogue? There has to be more to the story.

There is… but it may get technical!

“Halakha prohibits Jews from doing creative work on the Shabbat. Observant Jews interpret this to include various activities including making a fire, preparing food, or even closing a switch or pressing an electronic button. A range of technology solutions have been created for those who need to use electronic (or electronic-controlled) devices on the Shabbat, including a special “Sabbath mode” for otherwise standard appliances.” – Wikipedia, Shabbat Mode

Apparently, some Jewish families used to turn the oven on the day before the Sabbath and leave it on during the Sabbath day to cook food already prepared. However, newer appliances have instituted a fire prevention safety feature that automatically shuts off the heat after a number of hours. The Sabbath setting bypasses the safety shut off and disables all the lights and displays (example a light that might go on when the door is opened, causing a violation of Sabbath laws).

Now there is a debate among Orthodox Jews and others, that adjusting the heat of the oven is allowed, but changing a digital readout on the control panel is not. And there are other issues like, is turning a knob the same as pushing an electronic button.

There’s more… but I think we can all agree! Thank God for HIs GRACE!

Thank God for His amazing grace that sets us free from the law of sin and death! I’m so thankful that my eternal life is not dependent on an oven working correctly. But this is what happens when you have a religion built on works. It gets confusing and leads to chaos. There is no freedom and no future when our relationship with God is built on our works.

P.S. If you happen to know what a “baptist” refrigerator is, keep it quiet. We don’t want the preacher find out!

Emoji’s are not enough!

Gone are the days of pigeons and smoke signals, but the need to communicate with others is more important than ever before. It seems that the more ways we have of communicating the less we actually do communicate. We used to be a “front porch” society where neighbors would stop and sit down and have face to face dialogue. Now it’s hard to get our own family together around the supper table and converse without a smart phone or tablet near by.

Recently I was watching T.V. in my living room when I received a text. It was from my wife, who was in the bedroom asking me to turn the volume down on the T.V..

I texted her back, “I can’t find the remote.”

She responded “it’s on the couch.”

I replied, “I don’t see it.”

She responded “Just get up and turn the T.V. down!”

I replied, “That’s a little old fashion don’t you think?”

Her message back “it’ ok, you are an old man.”

Don’t you miss the “good ole days” when you could just yell from the other room!

The means of communication has changed, but the need to communicate has not. A good conversation can be felt and well as heard. We can never replace the power of face to face interactions with people. Nothing will replace the touch, smile and tears people share when they are together sharing words and thoughts from the heart, emoji’s are not enough!

In the Ray Stevens song entitled “The Streak” there is a phrase that is repeated several times, “don’t look Ethel!” Recently I have felt the urge to yell out “don’t look Christians!”
But I’m afraid it’s too late.

The Miley Cyrus episodes of twerking and suggestive dancing has caught the attention of many in the Christian community. Many have gone to great length to inform us how ungodly her behavior has been lately. They go so far as to show us pictures and give details that can only be known by watching the video. There has been a lot of posting and reposting about the actions of Miley on Facebook from parents to preachers. The discussion has opened the door to several questions that need to be asked.

Should Christians watch such videos? The Bible says “For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret.” (Eph. 5:12) In public or secret, it’s not something that christians should dwell on or promote, even if it is to point out how wrong something might be.

Has the Christian community digressed so much that we need christian watch dog groups or christian family organizations to point out sin for us? Are we no longer able to identify wrong or shameful acts?

Why have we singled out Miley? I have seen some touchdown dances that were inappropriate in my opinion but nothing is mentioned about such acts. Why are we so inconsistent?

Many years ago I was quick to point out the sinfulness of others. But I discovered that I was not helping the sinner but only fueling the imagination of my own mind while exposing my inconsistent message. I began to pray and study the Word of God looking for a solution to my problem. I soon discovered a Biblical and better way of dealing with the sin filled world.

Don’t be against something but be for something!

I’m for the gospel of Jesus Christ! I’m for the Word of God! I’m for Spirit led living that glorifies God! I’m for decency and respect for my fellow man! I’m for the Truth that sets men free from the bondage of sin and death! I’m for a brotherly love that touches lives! I’m for hiding the Word of God in my heart that I might not sin against God! I’m looking for the return of Christ!

Why do we feel the need to expose sin in others when we can shine the light of Jesus?

And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret. But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light. (Ephesians 5:11-13 KJV)

So what do I think about Miley’s newest video involving a wrecking ball and sledgehammer? (DON’T LOOK ETHEL!!) I’m FOR the One who died on the cross shedding His blood so that all who believe and repent of their sins will find forgiveness and grace!

Blue lights interrupt our slow yet peaceful trip. A State Trooper walks up slowly beside the car I was driving and says “Sir can I see your driver license and registration?”
“What did I do that was wrong?” I asked.
“You were doing 56 mph in a 40 mph zone!”
“I’m sorry, this is not my car and I’m not used to driving it. It belongs to our youth pastor who is at Bogg Springs Youth Camp with a group of kids who need to get closer to God and some who need to hear the glorious gospel of Jesus. Being the Sr. Pastor I brought our group down this morning and I’m taking his car home. Our youth pastor went down early to get things ready for a great week at church camp where lots of people will trust Christ. My grandson and I were just singing deep and wide and about to sing Jesus Loves Me. We want everyone to know God’s Love!”
The Trooper replies “I’ll be right back.” He takes all my paper work and returns to his car and leaves me sitting and hoping that he loves Jesus too. Surely he will appreciate our devotion and love for God!

He’s an Atheists! He doesn’t love Jesus!

He handed my two pieces of paper. One was a ticket for speeding and the other was a warning citation because our (ex) youth pastor didn’t sign the back of his car registration! Really!??
I was speechless! He obviously doesn’t love Jesus, and He enjoys persecuting those who do!
The Trooper informs me of my court date and as he turns to walk away he says “Oh, God Bless!” Blasphemy!!!

There are several lessons to be learn from this experience. First, sign the back of your car registration. I believe that’s why he gave me a ticket for speeding instead of a warning ( I’m sure it had nothing to do with me speeding).

Second, why do we feel the need to use our Christianity for personal gain? We play the Christian trump card to get out of trouble or to get the upper hand. Does our Christianity serve us or do we serve Christ? Did Paul say that he was following Christ because of personal gain or did he say “what was gain to me I count loss, that I may know Him?” Do we believe in Jesus so that we can have a better life or do we follow Christ because He is Life? Wearing the cloak of Christianity for personal gain is a form of idolatry.

The truth; I was speeding and guilty of breaking the law. I was not speeding on purpose but I deserved a ticket and I was wrong for hoping my good deeds would out weigh my wrong. It doesn’t work that way with God, why am I surprised that it didn’t work that way with the State Trooper? But thankfully God is merciful and forgives our trespasses through Christ.

If you feel lead by God to help pay my speeding ticket……let me know!

Just so you know, the State Trooper was very nice and professional! I appreciate our law enforcement officers very much. We have several in our church family and they are a blessing to our church!

“For if I still pleased men; I would no longer be a bondservant of Christ” (Galatians 1:10)

Our annual Living Nativity Drive Thru was set and ready for guest. We worked hard getting everything just right. Lights, sound, and scenes were set with precession and purpose ready to transport guest back in time. Then it happen! The camel got loose!

Running down the road through Bethlehem goes the camel. Wise men dressed in royal attire chasing, robes and head dress flowing against the wind. Camel bellowing, wise men yelling! One angel utter words only God could understand! (Some called it a spiritual language) One lady making bread in the market place, said ” there goes a camel……. and there goes the wise men!.

The Wise men, not thinking about what do you do when you catch a camel, tried to secure the 1400 pound beast. The first Wise men reach to grab the halter, he went air-born! The second Wise men decided to be a rodeo clown and save his falling comrade! The camel step on his toes, crushing his pride. The third Wise men went for help. Under the watchful eye of the skilled animal trainer the camel was returned to her place.

There is a new expression around our church these days. When things don’t go as planned you will hear some one say “Dang, there goes the camel!”

Life is full of surprises! Some times our plans don’t go as planned. About all you can do is smile and go on, knowing that ultimately God is in control.

Thankfully God’s plans never fail! He is faithful to fulfill what He has promised!