Ohhhhh! It was not RAPE rape!

Whoopi Wisdom 101

There are certain things in life that just make you wonder. One of those things is The View television show. Are these the individuals whose experiences and wisdom are to be shining examples for us all? Who even watches this show? (probably the same folks watching Oprah).

Nonetheless in the true style that only she can, Whoopi Goldberg proceeds to explain why Roman Polanski's molestation of a 13 year old girl 30 years ago wasn't "RAPE rape". You know, it was only "rape"...maybe....but not "RAPE rape".

The Church's 'Garden of Gethsemane' Moment

Choose Ye This Day

I received a message yesterday from a brother in the Lord where he basically just poured out his heart about areas in which He is seeking God's face right now. One particular concern he had was for how few Christians seem to understand the times in which we are living.

Too many preachers are spending all of their time telling you how to gain material wealth, how to have your best life now, how to have a purpose-driven life...yet they are neglecting the food which is needed for growing your spiritual life. They point people's affections back to this temporal life and as a result, many are simply unaware and unprepared regarding spiritual matters.

As part of his email, he mentioned that this was the church's "Garden of Gethsemane" moment. And I agree with him. But before we can understand what that means, we must review what happened in the Garden of Gethsemane.

It's All Good

Or, IS it?

In recent discussions about our article on "Getting Crunk", it seems that some may not understand what praise and worship is. It is not something we do for God; it is something He does through us. If praise/worship is not born of His Spirit, then God will not receive it.

The Threshing Floor

Praise and worship is first and foremost an offering.

"Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name: bring an offering, and come before him: worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness." I Chronicles 16:29

"And now shall mine head be lifted up above mine enemies round about me: therefore will I offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy; I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the LORD. " Psalms 27:6

"I will freely sacrifice unto thee: I will praise thy name, O LORD; for it is good." Psalms 54:6

"The voice of joy, and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom, and the voice of the bride, the voice of them that shall say, Praise the LORD of hosts: for the LORD is good; for his mercy endureth for ever: and of them that shall bring the sacrifice of praise into the house of the LORD. For I will cause to return the captivity of the land, as at the first, saith the LORD." Jeremiah 33:11

ASK

A Word of Encouragement

My brother-in-law once asked me a question he had for a college homework assignment. "Who was the wisest man in the Bible?" he asked. I thought about for a moment as names of biblical figures ran through my head. It seemed like a tall order to fill.

"In the WHOLE Bible? I don't know." I responded. It seemed like a silly question. How could we pick just one?

Then - like a lightbulb going off - all of a sudden I knew the answer, "Solomon! The answer is Solomon. The Bible says that he was the wisest man who ever lived."

Our Daily Bread

Sufficiency in Christ

"After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread." Matthew 6:9-11

I am learning more and more what it means for God to give us our daily bread. I used to be a big planner, always thinking of and making plans for down the road. What is going to happen tomorrow? How should we handle the bills? What should we do about the kids schooling? Are our jobs secure? Should we start looking for other jobs? Where should we live? Should we relocate? What should we do to stay healthy?

However, lately, the questions are so large that my prayers cannot even seem to cover them. Now, it is all I can do just to ask God to get me through one particular day. Lord, the questions are so many, I don't know where to begin. Can you just help me make it through today? Jesus, please give me the strength and wisdom to deal with what I face this day. That is more than enough on its own. Our daily bread.

"Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof." Matthew 6:34