O Holy Night

December 6th, 2005 | 9 Comments | Posted in » Song of the Day

Ever notice how a simple song can do so much in aiding you in your daily walk with our Lord? Maybe it’s just me (although I doubt it), but some songs really just seem to hit hard and draw your focus to Jesus.

“O Holy Night” (performed by Barlowgirl on the WOW Christmas Green album, disc 1, track 13… preview here) did that for me today. It’s a powerful song anyway, but their version just struck me as meaningful today… particularly the chorus where the lyrics proclaim “Christ is the Lord! O praise His name forever!”

What a simple, yet powerful proclamation! Such a great reminder of who Jesus is and how we should respond to Him!

Posted in Song of the Day | 9 Comments »

Calvinism vs. Arminianism — Worth Debating?

December 5th, 2005 | 5 Comments | Posted in » Baptist Issues

A couple interesting threads over in the Baptist forum at christianforums.com, both basically centering on the debate over Calvinism vs. Arminianism:
http://www.christianforums.com/t2365854-you-have-a-destiny.html
http://www.christianforums.com/t2294654-is-god-sovereign.html

Both of these threads were closed because of the intense debate and rhetoric they generated….

So, what do you think? Is such debate really necessary or worthwhile?

What are your thoughts on the doctrine of election? Are we truly pre-destined to salvation or damnation? What is the role of free-will in the matter? Was Christ’s sacrifice just for the elect, or for everyone?

(BTW, in case you’re not familiar with Calvinism and Arminianism, here’s a rather detailed page about both:

http://www.bible-truth.org/election.htm

I haven’t reviewed this fully, so as with any web link, be cautious what you accept as truth.)

Posted in Baptist Issues | 5 Comments »

Taking a Stand for Christmas

December 2nd, 2005 | 7 Comments | Posted in » My Life / Family

This coming Christmas will be my first year with my new employer. In my new company, management level employees are expected to send Christmas cards (or rather, holiday cards) to individuals we’ve worked with or done business with over the past year. We’re allowed to select and order our own cards, to reflect our individual tastes.

This expectation presented an interesting quandary: be politically correct and send generic holiday cards (as everyone else has planned to do), or take a stand for Christ by sending cards reflecting the true meaning of Christmas? It really shouldn’t have been a difficult decision, but ask my wife how I struggled with this.

Yes. Even something as seemingly trivial as selection of a Christmas card brought fear and uneasiness. Kind of a sad statement about my trust in Christ… about how I live a life that demonstrates commitment to Him. At least it seems that way to me, looking back on the decision.

Anyway, here’s the text of the card I selected:

Front of card:

(Image of magi following the star)
The wise still seek Him…

Inside of card:

Wishing you the gift of faith
the blessing of hope
and the peace of His love
at Christmas and always.

MY COMPANY’S NAME

So what do you think?

Personally? I think our Lord will be pleased.

Anyway, like I said, this wasn’t an easy decision for me, but the following passages about persecution helped…

Matthew 10:26-33
²⁶“So do not be afraid of them. There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. ²⁷What I tell you in the dark, speak in the daylight; what is whispered in your ear, proclaim from the roofs. ²⁸Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell. ²⁹Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father. ³⁰And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. ³¹So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.”

³²“Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven. ³³But whoever disowns me before men, I will disown him before my Father in heaven.”

Luke 21:12-19
¹²“But before all this, they will lay hands on you and persecute you. They will deliver you to synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors, and all on account of my name. ¹³This will result in your being witnesses to them. ¹⁴But make up your mind not to worry beforehand how you will defend yourselves. ¹⁵For I will give you words and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict. ¹⁶You will be betrayed even by parents, brothers, relatives and friends, and they will put some of you to death. ¹⁷All men will hate you because of me. ¹⁸But not a hair of your head will perish. ¹⁹By standing firm you will gain life.”

No doubt… whatever consequences I might receive as a result of sending a few Christ-centered Christmas cards are far less than those so many of our missionaries face each day… but it’s small steps of faith that strengthen us in our walk.

This seemed like a giant step for me.

Posted in My Life / Family | 7 Comments »

A story of failure for World AIDS Day

December 1st, 2005 | Comments Off | Posted in » In the News...

Interesting article on MSNBC.com: A story of failure for World AIDS Day – AIDS – MSNBC.com

It blames failure to control the AIDS crisis on anything but it’s true source… moral failure.

Now, I understand their point about ensuring medications are equally available for people of all social classes… it is truly unfortunate that AIDS patients who are poor or underprivileged have poor access to medication. I don’t disagree with that at all.

But the issue of the “epidemics preparing to erupt”? It’s simple… moral issues! Keep your pants on, and don’t do intravenous drugs! AIDS is still a disease that is generally acquired either sexually or by swapping needles with an infected person. It’s not an airborne virus… it’s not something you get by drinking impure water… it’s not something you get by being in close proximity with the diseased… it’s something most commonly acquired when moral failures occur!

So what do they propose for prevention? Public education about the disease… promoting “safe-sex”… promotion of use of clean needles and syringes… more widespread testing of at-risk individuals.

All of these are just band-aids, and aren’t 100% effective at halting the spread of this disease!

So long as society fails to acknowledge the root of this problem, AIDS / HIV infection rates will continue to rise, and this issue will continue to become a bigger problem.

Posted in In the News... | Comments Off