RJ's Spot

Unintelligent Design

2012-01-17T10:06:00.003-06:00

Unintelligent Design...that is the best that current so-called science-based theories offer as to the reason we exist. Random acts of whatever leading to sophisticated biological order out of the chaos of unknowable, unidentified, unreasonable circumstances. Scientific minds ponder the puzzle of life and in an apparent moment of supreme arrogance they reason that intelligent design would be impossible, because, it is impossible to conceive of an intellect greater than their own in the vastness of the universe. They only believe that they are a possibility in this universe, because they are the living proof that something such as they exists.

We live in a vast unknown, unexplored universe and yet some of the greatest intellects on this tiny planet are convinced that intelligent design is impossible, because, there is no evidence of a greater intellect off world. So, mankind builds, toils and mismanages the planet convinced that "we" are the intellectual center of the universe. In our arrogance we suppose that it is unlikely for there to exist a God or creator, because it is almost as unlikely as our own existence. However; we do exist.

Our own implausible existence must lead us to the possibility that other (or another) intellect might exist elsewhere in this vast universe. Since we do indeed exist, it is a possibility--maybe a probability that we are not at the top of the universe's food chain. It is reasonable to assume that there exists a greater intellectual power somewhere off planet.

There was a time when the greatest scientific minds believed that the Sun revolved around the Earth. It made some sense given the knowable perspective of the time. However, as mankind developed the technology to "see" beyond the earth, knowledge led to a more accurate perception. We now know that the Earth is just one of a number of planets that is revolving around the Sun--and that our Sun is just one of an infinite numbers of stars that form the centers of other solar systems that saturate an ever expanding universe. Is all of this the result of random, unintelligent design?

In our secular society it is often popular to scoff at those that believe in intelligent design. They reason that to believe in a creator is foolish, as they view themselves as the center of the intellectual universe. I would suggest that they are blinded by their own arrogance and that the idea of intelligent design is as valid of a concept as is unintelligent design. What we know from scientific fact is that the biological order that exists on our tiny planet is amazingly complex and integrated. Was it by design or by accident?

As a person of faith. I find the idea of "God" (a rational being of greater intellect) to be entirely plausible. I do not believe that this planet, teeming with life, just happened and is the result of unintelligent design. When I look at nature, I am in agreement with Isaiah the Prophet who said, "The whole earth is filled with God's glory." "Yes," my belief in intelligent design is a matter of faith, but it is also an intellectual position that has as much merit as those that claim otherwise. Intelligent design is also less arrogant, believing that mankind is not the ultimate power or intellect in the universe. Is it possible that a rational being of greater power than mankind exists somewhere out there in the vast universe? "Yes"...it is possible!

When Love Trumps Tolerance

2012-01-04T14:45:00.002-06:00

Where should I (as a Believer in Christ) stand when it comes to the issue of tolerance? Tolerance is currently the most celebrated virtue in American pop culture; however, tolerance is a double-edged concept. It can be a tool that is used for good, but it can also cut the other way. Edmund Burke stated, "All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing." Doing nothing in the name of tolerance has a bad track record. As Adolf Hitler rose to power in Germany, there were few voices that offered opposition. Most of the population silently allowed Nazi propaganda to proceed without objection and Germany was swept into committing heinous crimes against its own citizens. When evil is certain and on the rise, tolerance can become a dangerous virtue.

In African American church circles it is often said, "If God has said it, let the church say, 'Amen.'" What are they trying to say? It means that if God, through the written Word, has declared something to be so, then it is so...and let the church say, "Amen!" Believers in Christ need to believe and support what God has declared in His Word (the Bible) without hesitation or reservation. So, does this mean that the church is to be intolerant? The answer is "yes" when it comes to tolerating sinful conduct or evil ideas within the ranks of the church. What about the behavior of people outside the church--should we be tolerant of their sin? This is where I find tolerance to be somewhat irrelevant. Let me explain: Firstly, I am not my neighbor's judge. That is a position reserved for God. Secondly, I do have a job with regard to my neighbor; I have been called to love them. This is my calling, my ministry, my purpose, my mission and my business! Love trumps tolerance in every respect.

I am not striving to be more tolerant of people--I am striving to be more loving. It is my prayer that people would know me by the most important expression of the Father's heart and not a shallow expression of man's best attempts to appear wise. Love is willing to speak the truth. Love is able to set people free. Love goes beyond tolerance to the point of forgiveness.

The Road in 2012

2012-01-04T10:52:00.003-06:00

I would be the first to admit that 2011 was a difficult year. (Can I get a witness?) Since only God knows the future, I do not presently know whether or not 2012 will be any better. I'm not sounding very optimistic and yet this is what I do know: Firstly, God is holding my future. Secondly, I have resolved to do my part in making life better.

Whatever happens to me in the coming year is no surprise to God. Since God loves me more than I love myself, I am entrusting my life and all of its surprises to Him. I don't feel like I have great faith, but life experience has taught me to trust in God and in His good favor towards me. Furthermore, since I have no control over the future, there is no reason to worry about it. (Worry--talk about a work of futility. Prayer is always a better alternative for the Believer)

Does God really help those that help themselves? (Not exactly a theological point supported by scripture) This is what I do know: The principle of sowing and reaping is as real as gravity. If I eat right--sleep more--exercise regularly--and am nice to my wife...life will be better. You know what? I do think that 2012 is going to be a better year than 2011... "God willing and the creek don't rise."

The Christmas Thang Retrospect

2011-12-28T12:47:00.000-06:00

This year the artists of Believers Fellowship performed a Christmas variety show called "The Christmas Thang." (This is the brain child of Gino Pena--Associate Pastor and Drama Team Leader/Actor Extraordinaire) "The Christmas Thang" was performed on two nights, December 17th and 18th. We had a small, but very supportive audience on Saturday night, and packed out Stage One on Sunday night. It was very encouraging to perform in front of a standing room only crowd.

Let's talk about the feedback from our visitors--which made up about half of the total crowd. I heard remarks like, "Awesome, Wonderful, Inspiring, What a Talented Group, Enjoyed it, Will Come Again..." From what I could discern, as a performer in the show, I felt that the show was outstanding and professional grade! The show was well-paced and interesting--the actors nailed it--the choir was powerful and the band was tight!

There are a couple of questions that always come to my mind when we present a "show" at church: "Did we represent Jesus well?" "Did the message of the Gospel come through?" I think the answer is "yes" to both questions. I also believe that the Good News deserves our very best. We need to continually strive for excellence in our presentation of the Gospel and then make sure that we give God the credit for what talent we have--and all the glory for what a difference He has made in each of our lives.

I do know this personally: I was blessed to participate in "The Christmas Thang!" To have the opportunity to use the God-given talent that I have in the presentation of the Gospel is a real and tangible blessing. I am not worthy of God's grace...but, I love to publicly express my gratitude to Him by singing out as loud as I can...and I can assure you of one thing...I am loud!

My gratitude and thanks to all the faithful and talented people that made "The Christmas Thang" such a wonderful experience for all who attended a performance!

The Eyes of God

2011-09-15T15:24:00.000-05:00

God is sovereign...that is a theological certainty. Does that mean that my life choices have no effect on the outcome of life? In other words, do the actions of my life make any difference to a sovereign God? Is there any blessing or fruit associated with my effort to do the right thing as I live my life and make decisions? The answer is a resounding "Yes!"

The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and His ears are open to their cry. The face of the Lord is against those who do evil, To cut off the remembrance of them from the earth. The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears, and delivers them out of all their troubles. The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart, and saves such as have a contrite spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all. Psalms 34:15-19 (NKJV)

The words of King David reveal a truth--a truth that is both inspiring and encouraging. God views those that belong to Him with favor. Everyone who lives on planet earth will face adversity, the difference between a Believer and those without a relationship to God is that a Believer has hope through every situation. Believers know that God has "their" best interest in mind. As Believers, we will face many afflictions, but God will deliver us! Even the impossible suddenly has possibilities. God is watching us--He is listening to us--He is near to us--He delivers us...Amen

Riding the Waves

2011-09-14T11:23:00.000-05:00

Life is full of events that slam into our lives--ready or not! They are as unpredictable as the waves of the ocean. Oh, we know that "they" are coming, we just don't know how big they are going to be. A couple of years ago, Jody and I went on a cruise to Alaska to celebrate my father's 80th birthday. ("Yes," my mom and dad were on the cruise along with my siblings and their spouses) For about 12 hours the ocean became unexpectedly rough and suddenly it was a challenge to walk and keep lunch down.

Life can be rough! Waves of different sizes roll over our lives and it is daunting just to keep our equilibrium. If you feel overwhelmed by the happenstance of life you just joined a global network that includes every sane person on planet earth. At some point in life everyone faces a crashing wave that is beyond simple solutions and trite platitudes. So, how can we cope with the unwelcome, unexpected, overwhelming circumstances of life that steal away our peace of mind? I think King David had some good advice:

I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth. 2 My soul shall make its boast in the Lord; The humble shall hear of it and be glad. 3 Oh, magnify the Lord with me, And let us exalt His name together. 4 I sought the Lord, and He heard me, And delivered me from all my fears.
Psalms 34:1-4 (NKJV)

There are two "things" or principles that speak to me in this Psalm:
1. If I focus on the Lord my life will be filled with praise and leave less room for worry.
2. When I hit the wall--and I will hit the wall, I serve a God (the only God) that will deliver me from all my fears.

I have personally been overwhelmed by life. Not often--but, sometimes I have been trapped by circumstances and felt the resulting pain and worry. It is in the midst of those times that I have also been aware of the God that will never leave or forsake me.

Osama's "Great Satan"

2011-05-03T11:23:00.000-05:00

Christianity is radically different than the other “Great” religions of this world. Osama bin Laden is an example of that difference. Authentic Christianity calls its followers to “Love” and “Pray for their enemies.” According to the words of Mohammad, infidels (which include everyone who does not subscribe to the teachings of Mohammad) are to be put to the sword.

Osama cast his eyes on the influence of Western Culture, particularly the pop culture propagated by Hollywood and came to the conclusion that the United States is the “Great Satan” and needs to be physically resisted with acts of terrorism. As Believers in Christ we look at the same problem of Hollywood’s influence and realize that our battle is not against flesh and blood, but against spiritual powers of darkness. In fighting this spiritual battle we are also cognizant of the fact that flying planes into buildings is a useless tactic; instead, we use weapons that are not carnal. We know from our own personal experience that God’s grace brings about spiritual rebirth and not physical destruction. Love is the weapon of God that brings hope and the promise of a better future. Hatred and violence are carnal weapons that only have the power to destroy and to perpetrate more of the same.

As a Christian Believer I am alarmed at how effective Hollywood is in exporting its influence around the world. Most of the values that are being propagated are not the virtuous values of the Bible. Am I an alarmist when I am convinced that Hollywood has a greater influence on the American Church than the American Church has on Hollywood? I would suggest that George Barna is correct in his assertion that the American Church is like the proverbial frog in the kettle. Many of our attitudes and values have been compromised and most of the church is unaware of the change. In the words of Jesus, “When the salt losses its saltiness it becomes worthless.” This is the reason that “we” have been tossed out and are being trampled upon. This is a contributing factor as to why the church has become a target of ridicule and derision by much of the secular press. As Christians, we need to ask ourselves, "who is salting who?"

There is a possibility that if America was to experience another great spiritual awakening that the church would then be the salt and light that would change the message that our culture is exporting to the rest of the world. Even the most radical follower of Mohammad would be hard pressed to compare our country to the “Great Satan” if Biblical values reigned and were reflected in our media. Let me speak an unfortunate truth: Many Islamic clerics equate and believe the Christianity of America and Hollywood to be one and the same. It has served as their rationale for renewing their vow to kill the infidels. This does not excuse the behavior of terrorism, but it helps us understand why they hate us.

I believe that justice was served as our Navy Seals took out Osama bin Laden; however, we will not be able to kill all the other young Osama’s that are being manufactured throughout the Middle East. There are simply too many of them! Radical Islam must be met by an equally radical Christianity. The main weapon in the arsenal of radical Christianity is love. Love of God—love of neighbor—love of one another, and “yes,” love of our enemies. Talk about radical!

What's in a Name?

2011-04-23T06:52:00.003-05:00

Grandpa Dugone and my Daughter, Gina

I grew up as a member of the Dugone (pronounced “Due—Gone”) family. Most of you already knew that, since my last name is Dugone, but there is more to the story. My surname is Italian in origin. My grandfather, Giuseppe Dugone, entered the United States through Ellis Island in the time between the two great World Wars. His family decided that they could make a living in the “States” as miners, so when they left New York they bought train tickets for Pittsburgh. When they stepped off the train, they were in Pittsburgh alright, Pittsburgh, Kansas. Someone played a cruel joke on these poor Italians and since no-one in the family spoke English they had no idea that they had been duped. So the Dugone (pronounced “Due-Go-Nay”) family settled in Kansas.

As a teenager, my grandfather did not like being discriminated against. So, he took a number of steps to separate himself from his Italian heritage. He stopped speaking Italian, period. He took night classes and learned how to become an accountant. He left home and moved to Texas while still in his teens. Most importantly, he “Americanized” the pronunciation of our surname from “Due-Go-Nay” to “Due-Gone.”

Years later, my family settled in Idaho. My dad moved the family there when his job as a Chemical Engineer for Phillip’s Petroleum landed us there. I grew up in Idaho Falls with the surname “Due-Gone.” That was how we pronounced our name and how we were known in our community as well as in Assembly of God circles. However, it was strange when other Dugone relatives would visit us, because their name was spelled the same as ours, but the pronunciation was different. As a kid I could never figure out why Uncle Johnnie was a “Due-Go-Nay” and not a “Due-Gone.” I later learned that every branch of our family were “Due-Go-Nays,” except us.

Twenty-one years ago, I moved to Central Texas with my family. My children were very young and almost no-one in Texas had ever heard of Ron “Due-Gone.” It was at that time—in the name of embracing our heritage and unifying the family name—that my parents, siblings and my nuclear family decided to change the pronunciation of our last name back to the original “Due-Go-Nay.” It is the only surname that my children remember and I have to admit that “Due-Gone” sounds very weird to me at this point. So now you know the rest of the story. Hopefully, when we meet in person—and I introduce myself—and because you do not remember who I am—because the years have been cruel—and I say, “I am Ron ‘Due-Go-Nay,’ nice to see you again!” You will not be thrown by the change in my surname.

Rob Bell and Dangerous Ideas

2011-04-16T14:54:00.001-05:00

Rob Bell is not the first person to ever have a dangerous idea. At the dawning of dangerous ideas was a creature who considered and toyed with the idea that perhaps he would make a better god than the only God. (We all know how that turned out) In almost every case of heretical thinking, such thinking is accompanied by the Gnostic attitude of pride. (It is welcome to the “I know something that you don’t know” club) It is then presented as enlightened thinking—a more creative way of viewing truth—a more progressive approach to doctrine than ancient orthodoxy. At the core it is always the same story…pride!

I am continually reminded of Paul’s advice in 2 Cor 10:4-5: “For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.” I am certain that I have brought forth some dangerous ideas in the pulpit while presenting those bits of “insight” as the gospel truth. It is a bad habit that I strive to avoid. Anytime I twist scripture (and there are many effective techniques to do so), I am preaching my opinion as opposed to God’s truth. Here’s the kicker—my ideas will probably do more harm than good—God’s truth has the power to lead a soul to salvation. It really does not matter how enlightened I believe myself to be, any deviation from the clear and orthodox teachings of the Bible are indicative of pride and possible self-deception.

How important is the doctrine that I teach? In 1 Timothy 4:16, Paul gave Timothy the following advice: “Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you.” What does this tell me? That I would rather teach the truth and see people saved, than teach dangerous ideas and see people dammed. OK…I’ll be honest: I like it when people view me as a kind of insightful spiritual guru kind of a guy; but that is also coming from the same pit of ego-centricity that drives the formation of my dangerous ideas. Enough about me…

Rob Bell is toying with the ancient heresy of universalism. (The belief that everyone will ultimately be saved) It is a dangerous idea, because, it is built upon a foundation of wishful thinking and selective passages of scripture. One should avoid building a new gospel when it requires the author to exclude unwanted passages of scripture while including only passages that support the idea. Such an approach to developing doctrine will turn out to be “another gospel which is no gospel at all.” Is there such a place as Hell? Does the love of God allow the existence of eternal judgment? Will people remain outside of God’s favor and grace? I think that the answer is “yes.” At least for those willing to subordinate their dangerous ideas to Biblical truth.

In my own approach to preaching, I tend to be a pro-active, faith, hope and love kind of a preacher. That said, I know that there is a broad path that leads to destruction and that many people are on that path. I am also convinced that Jesus is the way, the truth and the life—and that no man comes to the Father, but through Him. My own dangerous ideas…I think I’ll just keep them to myself.

(Rob Bell is the pastor of Mars Hill Bible Church in Michigan. Mars Hill runs around 7,000 people every Sunday. The book that Bell has authored, that is at the center of controversy is called, “Love Wins: A Book about Heaven, Hell and the Fate of Every Person Who Ever Lived.”)

Have You Ever Dreamed of Going to Papua New Guinea?

2011-03-16T17:53:00.001-05:00

For several years, Believers Fellowship has sponsored the missionary efforts of Marsha Relyea Miles. Marsha and her first husband, John Relyea, went to Papua New Guinea on a mission to translate the Bible into the Aruamu language. For 19 years they raised their 3 children and worked on the project in the middle of the jungle where the Aruamu tribe lives. In order to translate the Bible into the Aruamu language, they had to develop an "Alphabet" and a written language for the Aruamu tribe. What a task!

Just as the translation for the New Testament was completed and about to be printed, John Relyea suffered a massive heart attack and died. (I don't want to say anything trite, but it is as if his mission was completed and God was calling one of the "good guys" home) Of course, it was a difficult time for Marsha and her three children, but she carried on with the mission. Recently, Marsha and her new husband, Nathan Miles (who also works in the field of Bible Translation) visited our fellowship. It didn't take long for me to "like" Nathan. (He is another one of the "good guys!") Towards the end of the visit Marsha talked to me about bringing a musical team to Papua New Guinea.

This is a project that I'm going to pursue. I want to take four acoustic guitar players, two percussionists, and a group of singers (who are skilled at carrying harmony parts, with good pitch control) as a musical team and teachers to the Aruamu tribe. Those who sign onto this project will need to be in top physical shape for the musical team will be singing at (up to) 39 different churches scattered throughout the jungles of Papua New Guinea. Lastly, we will teach the Aruamu people how to play the guitar and percussion, and teach some elementary song writing skills. Our intent would be to leave the instruments behind when we come back stateside. Of course, there will be many details to work out, so stayed tuned..

"Yes," this will be quite the adventure; but more importantly, Marsha shared that this could have a deep and lasting spiritual effect on a tribe of people who are fairly new to the Christian faith. Just imagine, setting the tone for the spiritual worship of an emerging Christian tribe for generations to come. So tell me, have you ever dreamed of going to Papua New Guinea?

Cindy Cruse Ratcliff - Twenty Three

2011-03-01T14:56:00.001-06:00

It has been a long time since I heard a Christian Album that I liked this much. As a singer/musician I have great appreciation for music that is...well, musical. There is a wide variety of musical styles represented on Twenty Three and yet the album "feels" cohesive and flows smoothly from song to song. So, let's get into the nuts and bolts of Cindy's latest work.

Cindy has (and has always had) one of my favorite female voices in music. She is an alto with great range, control, expression and power. No pitch correction needed here! (And let me assure you--I've heard her live and she doesn't need any studio "magic" to fix her voice) I also appreciate this album in the other category that counts for Christian music; she has both great lyrics and solid theology. Here is a quick review of each song:

Hurricane: Hurricane is kind of an alternative rock anthem. Excellent driving guitar work with shades of U2 mixed in for good measure.
Living in Me: Excellent song for Resurrection Sunday! Starts with Christ's resurrection and ends with Christ living in us. More wonderful guitar work and a very interesting drum beat. It's impossible for me to hear someone declare that "Jesus is alive and living in me" without getting inspired!!
23: A new take on the 23rd Psalm. This song rocks! A real adrenalin rush. This would be a great opening song for worship time in a fellowship that is both alive and young at heart.
Your Love: More of a piano-driven ballad, with a mix of driving guitars supporting the chorus. Quite beautiful--great bridge--wonderful message--nice ending vamp.
The Promise: Violins, piano set the stage for a tender prayer in the form of a song. Second verse picks up the pace with the addition of drums and guitar and then builds from there. I like songs that take me on a journey.
Love So Amazing: This song is a ballad through and through. It is all violins and piano, allowing Cindy's voice to provide the dynamics. She is up to the challenge.
Lord of All: I always enjoy a change in the time signature. This is a 6/8 song that both swings and rocks at the same time. It is hard to sit still when someone is singing about Jesus being Lord of All. Great power vamp at the end of the song!
Tuya Es Mi Vida: Sounds like Gloria Estefan and Miami Sound Machine on a good day. Impeccable percussion and horn section. Nice Santana-sounding guitar solo. Lots of fun.
I Cry Out: Nice mainstream pop selection with a cut time feel. This is also one of those songs that I generally yawn at the first time I hear it, but it grows on me every time I hear it! Once again, great ending.
I Want You to Know: Perhaps my least favorite song on the album, but even as I say that, it is a testimony to just how excellent this album is when a song of this quality is the weak sister. See, this is what I already know--this will be probably be "your" favorite song...
Shout it Out: Finally, another rocker! I recently heard Cindy perform this song live--Wow!! You will have a hard time staying in your chair when this song is launched.
Faithful: Rather than the usual throw-away quiet song that is tacked on the end of an album, Twenty Three ends with another Latin sounding ballad. Great Spanish guitar and a haunting musical bridge. Nice ending to a wonderful album!

Should you buy this album? "Yes," if you want people, such as Cindy, to continue to produce this kind of music, you owe it to both the artist and yourself to buy it. I don't think that you will be sorry! Check it out here: http://www.cindycruseratcliff.com/

Enjoy! RJ Dugone

Always Relevant

2011-02-25T14:40:00.000-06:00

I still remember the Bee Gee's craze. My last year in college the Bee Gee's hit the top of the BillBoard charts and they remained a fixture until a few years later when disco music became unpopular. I guess one could make the argument that they were a relevant part of America's pop culture for a couple of years, before becoming irrelevant and even despised by the very pop culture that had crowned them.

In some ministerial circles, I often hear my fellow colleagues talking about the importance of the Church remaining relevant. Quite often, their conversations are expressing a fear that the Church is becoming irrelevant to the pop culture and they are on a quest to find "new" ideas and styles that will be more appealing to the unchurched. While I agree that the Church needs to be concerned about those that are without Christ, I'm not sure that any new idea or style is going to make us relevant--at least not in the long run. I believe that there is actually an ancient idea that has always been relevant and will always remain so. It is the idea of "being" a loving community of people.

A few years ago I read the book, "The Celtic Style of Evangelism" and was struck by the fact that Saint Patrick's ancient technique of establishing loving Christian communities is as relevant now as it was way back when. People still respond to love and love is a Christian virtue that is necessary in the building of anything that is to be more than a passing fancy. Everyone needs to be loved! Everyone wants to be loved!! Everyone needs to share love!!!

I'm not suggesting that we stop singing Bee Gee sounding songs in our worship...sorry, that ceased to be relevant a long time ago. Maybe if we added a touch of New Country and a dash of Rap in our liturgy we would be able to truly relate to emerging generations, at least until our pop culture dictates another alternative "Alternative" style. What I'm really suggesting is that we need to get back to love and stay there. If we can embrace people and one another with the love of God we will always be relevant.

A Quick Look at My Family

2011-02-16T13:37:00.000-06:00

Most people are interested to see the changes that naturally occur as we and our family takes shape and ages. I don't kid myself, I don't look like the Ron Dugone that attended Northwest College '73-77. The first picture is of Jody and myself at the time of graduation from,what was then called Northwest College. It was the just after graduating in the spring of 1977. (If I look clueless--I was) Before I get ahead of myself, let me start near the beginning of my time at NU. Life for my family started at NU, because that is where I met Jody. She arrived as a Freshman at NU the same year I arrived. I discovered her on a double-date, where she was the date of the other guy...I know...a couple of weeks later we started our courtship. In the summer of 1975, just before I started my Junior year, Jody and I got married in her hometown of Roseburg, Oregon.

Short true story: Jody was popular at NU--even though she would say that she wasn't. Like I already mentioned, I met her on a double-date, and then after "I" started dating her, she already had another formal date on her calendar with still another guy. I asked her to go to an Andrae Crouch concert with me, but she was slated to go out to the concert with Steve Taylor. My first conversation with Steve Taylor went well, because he was gracious and kind. He released Jody to go with me. That was the beginning of a courtship and romance that has held up well through the years.

Someone mentioned the other day that Jody looked lovely at her wedding. She did look beautiful, but ask anyone who really knows Jody and they will verify what I'm about to say: "Jody is as beautiful on the inside as she is on the outside. She is a giver and enriches everyone's life who has the privilege to know her." In the last 35 years Jody has proven to be a fabulous wife, an amazing mother (whose children adore her), and a great partner in the work of the ministry. I was serving as the Senior Pastor of New Life Assembly of God in Idaho Falls, Idaho when "we" started our family. We have two children: First there is Gina, followed by her brother, Michael. Anyone with children should know this to be true. Our children help define our lives by filling life with purpose and challenges.

I spent most of the 80's in Idaho Falls, but decided that I wanted to raise my children in Texas. Why Texas you ask? Although I was raised in Idaho and attended Northwest University, my family has been a fixture in Austin, Texas. We have a ranch that has been in the family since 1877. My great-great-great grandfather sold the original 40 acres that is now known as the University of Texas. My grandfather graduated from UT. My father graduated from UT. My son is about to graduate from the UT Pharmacy D program. I'm the only one who broke the pattern by going to Northwest University. So, what do we and the kids look like now days?

A little information about my kids. Michael (in blue) and his wife Elisha. Michael is a talented guitar player and worship leader as well as finishing up his doctorate in Pharmacy. Elisha is a fourth grade teacher here in the Leander school district. (She is also leads our worship singers at our fellowship) Erick and my daughter, Gina. (Both in black) Erick just graduated from the Business School at Texas State University. He is an amazing drummer and blesses us every week with his gift. Gina is a "stay at home" mom with grandson, Adyen and yet to be named or arrive second grandson. Gina is a gifted singer working on her first album. We did not ever have the expectation that our children and spouses would want to stick around, but they did! We feel amazingly blessed. Isn't life great!

And "yes," that is what we actually look like today. This picture was taken this Thanksgiving, 2010.

Opinions that Control

2011-02-11T07:58:00.004-06:00

When the Apostle Paul wrote to his young apprentice, he instructed Timothy with the following advice: "Let no man despise your youth..." It has been my experience through years of working in ministry that people will judge and despise "you" for various personal reasons. (I had a friend, way back in college, who told me that he did not like me before he got to know me, because he did not like the way I looked. As if there was anything that I could do to change my genetic inheritance) People will despise and dislike you for various reasons, you can fill in your own blank.

There is no antidote that can solve this problem. We cannot control other people or control the way they view us; however, we can limit the damage by "being" people of character. Paul suggested that Timothy counteract other people's unmerited judgment with the following actions: "Be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith and in purity." In other words, live and walk in such character that the mud that is thrown your direction doesn't stick. Walking in Godly character does not--I stress--does not stop the mud from being thrown, but it does help mitigate the damage.

Ultimately, we cannot allow other people's opinions control us, or to drive us into timidity. Bold, courageous leadership always comes at a price. There will be those people who believe in you and follow, and there will always be a group of detractors who stand in opposition. Just a general observation: Those who stand in judgment, who oppose you with unkind words spoken behind your back, tend to be cowards. They do not want to submit and follow--nor do they have the mantle to lead. Dr. Walter Martin once gave me the following advice: "Be so busy following God that you don't take the time to throw rocks at barking dogs."

With God's grace, control what you can control. Live a life of integrity and good moral character. Do not give any ammunition to those who have joined The Enemy as an accuser of the brethren. Keep your nose clean and your eyes fixed on Jesus. Above all else, do not let the opinions of others keep you from being the leader that God has called you to be.

MoreThan Just Another Christmas Card

2011-02-03T22:19:00.011-06:00

During the Christmas Season, Jody and I get lots of Christmas cards. As we receive your cards they are all opened, read and then put in a special Christmas card box. Now, I want you to be assured that I appreciate every single card; however, there are Christmas cards that are "more than just another Christmas card." If your Christmas card had a picture of you or your family on it--guess what? Those "picture" cards make it up on the bulletin board above my computer and that is where they will stay for the next calendar year. My bulletin board is a colorful collage of this year's edition of your families. There are a number of logical reasons why I take such an action:

I like seeing your faces!
I remember to pray for you throughout the year!!
It helps me keep track of your kids. (Both how many and their approximate ages)
Did I say, "I like seeing your faces?"

Here are some of the cards with pictures that we received this year--great-looking families!

Your pictures serve as a constant reminder of what is important in life. The people that I call my friends are seriously priceless.

Donna Dugone-Anami and Art Journaling

2011-01-19T16:35:00.003-06:00

My sister is a well-known, often published art journalist. I know what you're thinking, "what in the world is an art journalist?" It is an art form that happens when art expressions find their way into a journal. Donna's art has been widely accepted both by the critics and by fellow artists and publishers. (She is really good!) As her (much) younger brother, I'm just pleased to have someone in the family that is famous. Actually, I'm quite proud of my sister. I love her creativity, I respect her work ethic and I admire her character!

Donna and I grew up like typical siblings--"yes," we used to even fight, but somewhere during high school we became friends--good friends. Since that time, we have collaborated as song writers and arrangers.

Most of you who know Donna, know her as a gifted piano player, writer, arranger musician type; but, her other creative "artful" expressions are making an impact in the Art Journaling field. You can check out her latest creations in the 2011 Winter Edition of Art Journaling Magazine. About 10 years ago, Donna's life took a weird turn. Her marriage of 26 years came to an end and she was diagnosed with breast cancer. I don't know that I could ever be more proud than I was witnessing my sister lose her hair, but not her dignity. She was pleasant through chemo and an inspiration to everyone around her. (She was really extraordinary) As a survivor of breast cancer, Donna has found a way to express the deep and personal faith that carried her through that time of crisis. In the field of Art Journaling, there are very few Christians that get published, so Donna's work is unique.

Her "stuff" is also very creative! I often wish that my sister's life had been an easier road, but I know that God does take the life of a submitted Believer and they become a living fulfillment of Romans 8:28. "And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose." There is no doubt that Donna's faith is a very bright light that is having an effect on the world around her. Did I say that I was "proud" of my sister? "Yea--I'm proud!"

Notice how Donna has woven her faith into the art itself. This isn't a subtle ploy on her part--it is a part of who she is.

The Passing of a Legend

2010-12-24T15:33:00.000-06:00

Linfield Crowder passed away this morning. For those of us who grew up in the Southern Idaho District of the Assemblies of God, Linfield Crowder was a legend. For many of us, who would later try to take up the spiritual mantel of this man of God, Linfield was the apostolic ("yes" apostolic) voice that encouraged us to do so. Outside of my family, Linfield had the greatest spiritual impact of anyone in my life. I think that it is safe to say that I am in the ministry, because of both his direct influence and extraordinary example.

I was 17 years old when Linfield took me on as a project. (I was trouble looking for a place to happen) I served as his driver, along with two of his nephews, and worked at the youth camps where he was speaking. It was the beginning of a shift in my mindset, as I observed the difference that Linfield was making in the lives of young people. God became real to me and the calling in my heart was birthed. Linfield used to tell young pastors, "Pray that God will give you sons and daughters in the ministry." Well, I am one of Linfield's sons.

I am incredibly grateful for the life of Linfield Crowder. I will miss my friend and mentor. He will be missed, but not forgotten. His work lives on in the lives of those he touched. One of these days, I'm going to climb into the pulpit on a Sunday morning and cry in a loud voice, "Eternity, eternity, where will you spend eternity, and what will you do with Jesus!"

Blessed are the Meek

2010-05-07T22:17:00.000-05:00

Matthew 5:5 NIV “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.”

Some secular thinkers have labeled our American culture as the “me first” culture. This is a nation of citizens who are (too often) looking out for themselves--seeking an advantage over their neighbors. Vulnerability is viewed as weakness. Honestly is viewed as pitifully dumb. Self-sacrifice is viewed with suspicion. Some people find it hard to understand why someone would do something kind to another. “What’s their angle?” They ask.

The mantra of the meek comes from Philippians 2:3,4. “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.” This is what it means to be meek. Only the ignorant would consider this to be a sign of weakness. It takes great strength, personal integrity and Godly character to be selfless.

The next time you continue to argue to prove your point—the next time you insist on having your way—the next time you “strong arm” someone into doing something that they don’t want to do—the next time you defend your actions (even when you know deep down inside that you were wrong)…consider the blessing of being meek. People may actually “like” you. Your friends may feel that they are blessed by being associated with you. Your family may feel that they can’t live without having you around. When it’s all said and done, the meek make life on this planet bearable for the rest of us.

Those that Mourn

2010-05-03T12:45:00.000-05:00

Matthew 5:4 NIV “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.”

Romans 2:23 simply states: “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God…” That is an accurate picture of humanity. There are many among the human crowd who would dispute this truth—they do not accept the idea of original sin and do not believe that they are fundamentally flawed. (This is made very clear in the Humanist Manifesto) According to humanist creed, mankind can and will evolve into a more perfected being—through human effort. Sometimes I wish that this was true--that human kind would progress to the point where we could solve the problems of the world and tame our own wayward natures. It is simply not going to happen. We may be more sophisticated than ancient man and more technologically advanced, but our nature has not evolved.

In Orthodox Christianity, we believe that we need Jesus, living in us, in order to change. That change begins with a heart that is “mourning” over its condition. When we recognize our sin—are broken and repentant before God, the Bible tells us that He (Jesus) is faithful and just to forgive us of our sins. Our source of comfort comes from the fact that God loves a broken and a contrite heart and embraces our sorrow with His love, restoration and forgiveness.

King David was a man in need of comforting. He fell into sin. He committed adultery and then to “cover” his sin he murdered the husband of woman he committed adultery with. As hideous as his sin was—it’s not that surprising given the nature of man. The good news is that when David was forced to “see” his sin, by the word of the prophet Nathan, his heart was filled with sorrow. David poured out his heart before the Lord, confessed his sin and asked for forgiveness. Although David suffered for the natural results of his sin, God restored David and ultimately called David, “A man after my own heart.”

Poor in Spirit

2010-04-30T21:15:00.001-05:00

Matthew 5:3 NIV “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” What does it mean to be poor in spirit? It is really a matter of where you have placed your confidence. Are you confident in yourself, or in the Lord?

We live in a country of self-sufficiency. If you travel in the northwest United States you will cross the Oregon Trail a number of times. Emigrants who just arrived on the eastern coast and precocious people who, in the words of Daniel Boone, needed more elbow space, traveled across the mid-west, connected with the Oregon Trail, and traversed the Rockies to settle in the west. The risk was tremendous and many a pioneer perished. In spite of the hardships and hazards the self-sufficient attitude of the pioneers prevailed.

Self-sufficiency is almost as American as hot-dogs and apple pie. It is in our “blood.” It is a part of our heritage and national identity. This attitude is not, however, particularly Christian. In order to be “strong” in the Lord, each Christian must embrace the blessing of being poor in spirit. Being poor in spirit is a rejection of self-sufficiency and an embracing of our total dependence upon the Lord. We must never forget the sobering words of Jesus, “Apart from me you can do nothing…”

Warren Wiersbe states that in order to be full we must first empty ourselves. We empty ourselves of self-sufficiency and “fill” ourselves with Jesus and His mighty power. Being poor in spirit is a sign that we are convinced that our strength comes from the Lord. Do we need God's strength? It doesn't matter how self-sufficient a person is, at some point in life every person hits the wall of impossible circumstances. At that point it is important to have a faith and a life that is built upon a foundation of more than self-confidence.

Now let me talk about what "poor in spirit" isn't. It is not a pity party. It is not low self-esteem. It is not false humility. It is not a pessimistic view of life. It is simply acknowledging God in all things. "I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength!"

"Believe!" in Retrospect

2010-04-10T10:33:00.003-05:00

"Yes," we completed the project "Believe!" in time for Easter this year. "Whew..." A lot of work, a lot of discovery, a lot of dedication, a lot of music...a GREAT team of people. The first question that must be asked when looking back on a project such as "Believe!" is this: "Was all the effort worth it?"

One person came up to me after the 2nd performance and said, (with tears in their eyes) "I rededicated my life to the Lord tonight--thank you for such a moving program." He wasn't the only "good" report that I heard, but just those few words seemed to justify the expenditure of time and effort. Of course we want our efforts to have an enormous effect on the whole world (at least that's the way I think); however, if we, through our presentation, changed the course of one life to serve our God and King, then our work was well worth the price.

I think the value of "Believe!" goes beyond the proclaiming of the gospel alone. Proclamation is absolutely important, but the team building and strengthening of relationships cannot be overlooked. I personally have a greater love, affinity, respect and connection with everyone who was a part of the "Believe!" team. Furthermore, I feel grateful to have the opportunity to serve with a wonderful group of people who are talented and possess beautiful character. For me personally, "Believe!" became a real labor of love.

Now we are shifting our effort to the production side of the project. We are planning to record both audio CD's and video DVD's for "Believe!" We will be aiming for top professional quality--knowing that the story of Christ's Passion deserves our best efforts. For all of you who came and watched--for all of you who participated--for all of you who continue to work with the production... Thank You!!!

Fighting in a Carnal War with Non-Carnal Weapons

2010-04-01T22:03:00.000-05:00

Christians are at war--they always have been. Paul talks about spiritual warfare and describes the individual pieces that compose our spiritual armor. Peter talks about spiritual warfare and the fact that it is expected and shouldn't take us by surprise. As Believers in Christ we have our own internal battles and struggles with temptation and sin, but Christians are beginning to understand that we are also involved in a spiritual struggle for the soul of our nation. The stakes are high and the battle is raging.

The battlefield is everywhere--surrounding us. The war rages in our courts, our schools, our legislatures and in our media. I am personally alarmed at what I see happening and I wonder what can I do? How can I fight against the evil that I clearly see without becoming corrupted with hatred towards those that are in the ranks of those promoting evil? You see--I don't want to become a dragon while fighting dragons...I don't want to fight fire with fire...I don't want to return evil for evil. This is the challenge of fighting in a carnal war with non-carnal weapons.

For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ. 2 Cor 10:4-5a (NKJV)

What is the main weapon in our arsenal? You already know the answer. The answer is love. We speak the truth loudly and boldly--and we extend love, even to those that we consider "enemies." What has the power to cast down arguments, to change the opinion of an enemy, to disarm those that have a chip on their shoulder? Acts of love--words of encouragement--returning good for evil--and all the other fine behavioral "stuff" that Jesus taught us.

Where do we start? Start with everyone in your own home. Make sure that love rules. Then take the powerful weapon of love and unleash it upon everyone in your sphere of influence. You will be an agent of change in your world. Who knows, you might be an agent of change in "the" world. Go ahead--be aggressive--fight with everything in your being--just use the right weapon.

A World Without Women

2010-02-06T13:18:00.001-06:00

Can you imagine a world without women. Valentine's Day and Mother's Day would no longer hold any meaning. The world would have less pink--less laughter--less creativity--simply less... I was given birth by a woman--I am married to a woman--I work with women--I have a daughter, a sister and many friends that are women. I know that I would not want to be in a world without women. Let me restate that: "I would not be in this world if it wasn't for a woman, and I absolutely could not tolerate living in a world without women.

Throughout history women have often been taken advantage of--taken for granted--and had to fight to be accorded the same basic rights that we men have generally had handed to us on the basis of our gender. The cultures of the world have not been kind to the fairer (by far) gender. It is no wonder that in more enlightened societies women have come together to fight for equal rights. Even in the United States, a country based upon the idea of equality, the slaves of the South were set free before women had the right to vote.

One of the hottest political issues being fought on all fronts in the Unites States deals with a woman's right to choose. Of course I am talking about a woman's right to terminate a pregnancy. This is where things get tricky. On the one hand I believe that a woman should been free to make choices, on the other hand, needlessly ending the life of an unborn child is an intrusion on the basic rights of another being. The issue of abortion has been shaped by the argument that a woman has the right to determine what happens with "her" body. No one is arguing that a woman doesn't have the right over her own body--the argument from those that are pro-life is centered on the entity that lives in her body, that is in fact, not "her" body. When does life begin? When is the unborn child a child? What rights should be afforded to an unborn child? These are grave questions that need to be explored and answered.

Speaking of a world without women, in some cultures, the female gender is still viewed as less valuable than their male counterparts. As abortion has become an acceptable form of literal "birth control," unborn girl babies are discovered by ultrasound and aborted before they are born. This means that two of the most populated countries in our world are quickly becoming cultures with a disproportionate population of males. So, as womens' groups fight for the right to have abortions, they are unwittingly allowing a genocide of their own gender to take place. If unborn females continue to be eliminated at the present rate--there will be countries that are virtually without women. (That is certainly one way of controlling the world's population)

Maybe women need to start a movement that is actually concerned with protecting the most vulnerable of their gender and fight against the abortion of female babies. Female babies are necessary if the fight for equal rights is to continue--for without female babies this could become a world without women.

What Happens When the Truth Isn't Politically Correct

2010-01-31T00:33:00.000-06:00

Facts are facts and truth is truth--unless it isn't politically correct. There is a pro-life commercial slated to be broadcast during the upcoming Super Bowl, and it has created a storm of opposition. At the center of the controversy is Tim Tebow, a former Heisman Trophy winner and the quarterback who led the University of Florida to two BCS titles in football. What is the controversy you ask? It must be that Tim Tebow is alive and he wants to tell the story of how he came to be.

When Tebow's mother was pregnant she had some serious health issues and was advised by her doctor that she needed to have an abortion in order to address her own needs. She made the "choice" to give birth and the result was the baby that would one day be one of the greatest college football players that ever played. Sounds like a wonderful movie--not the kind of story that would be offensive. Let's look at the facts: Tim Tebow's mother lived and overcame her physical problems--Tim Tebow grew up in a family that loved him--He became a college football legend--and he proclaims the Gospel of Christ boldly...

You have to admit that this is a story that ended well, so what is creating such consternation? It must be the truth. Tim is alive and some believe that this is the wrong message to broadcast to America. Those that say that they are pro-choice are not being honest with America, because Tim's mother chose life and they are throwing a fit over telling the story of the choice that she made. Too often, political correctness isn't intellectually honest. This is one of those cases.

For the record--I am pro-life. I believe in fighting for those that are the least advantaged in society. I know that anyone who is "pro-choice" will dislike this short article, but please admit one thing: If you are truly pro-choice and not simply pro-death, then you should celebrate the courage of a mother who made a choice that resulted in Tim Tebow.

Why Corporate Prayer?

2010-01-06T19:44:00.000-06:00

Phil 4:4-7 (NIV) Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Did you see the essential elements for conducting a time of corporate prayer? The Apostle Paul talks about rejoicing, praying, petitioning--all being accompanied by thanksgiving or praise. I am convinced that praise, which is the acknowledgment and celebration of God's awesomeness, (is that even a word?) puts us in the right frame of mind for effective prayer. It leads us to prayer that is more God-centered and not so much about us. Any way we can break away from our tendency towards self-focus is helpful, especially when we consider the needs of others and the purposes of God.

The Elders have decided to make corporate prayer a point of emphasis for the year 2010 at Believers Fellowship. (A great way to "take on" the new decade) We are not praying in the hope of manipulating or influencing God--we are praying, because we are aware of our great need for God to be in control of our lives. We seek His wisdom, we seek His will, we seek His favor, and above all else, we seek to be the people that He wants us to be.

Be watching the church calendar and church bulletin for the upcoming dates.

John Elefante, Mastedon 3

2009-10-09T14:59:00.014-05:00

There is a new John Elefante album coming out! This is actually the third album of Mastedon amply named Mastedon 3. (It looks like the release in the United States may actually be called, John Elefante and Mastedon "Revolution of Mind") Now let me tell you why this is exciting to me. It is really good music that is the work of a fine Christian artist. John's music is not another attempt to make money off the current musical fad or a sound alike of an existing popular group...it all sounds like vintage John Elefante.

For those of you who don't know who John Elefante is--John was the lead singer for the group Kansas after Steve Walsh left. After his time with Kansas, he and his brother, Dino, produced two Mastedon albums, three John Elefante solo albums and several albums as producers for a number of groups and artists. (My favorite Elefante produced album was probably Michael Gleason's "Children of Choice") Typically, Elefante music would fit in the middle of what is now called the Adult Oriented Rock or Melodic Rock genre of music. (The style of music that was once dominated by groups ranging from Boston to Journey)

There are two things that I generally enjoy in the music that comes from John Elefante. Firstly, it is truly musical. Which means lots of chords, great melodies, time changes, fabulous musicianship and song craftsmanship. Secondly, I appreciate the depth of the spiritual content. In other words, the lyrics communicate spiritual depth in an artistic conveyance. It's simply good art!

I can't wait for November 6th to roll around--when this album is released! "Yes" it is going to be a good day for the ears and a great day for the soul!

A Lesson for Whoppi Goldberg

2009-10-07T12:55:00.005-05:00

I know that people speak before they think--I am an expert in the field. I'm guessing that Whoppi has had a chance to think about the words she spoke the other day on The View, but just in case she hasn't figured out "why" her words upset people, I want to offer a simple lesson. OK--I know that I'm coming across as arrogant, but it upsets me when the rich and famous go to bat for the rich and famous--even when that rich and famous person has committed a heinous crime.

Whoppi Goldberg defended Roman Polansky by saying that his crime against a 13 year old girl "Wasn't a rape-rape." (Polansky was recently arrested in Switzerland for this 1978 crime) The details of Polansky's crime are despicable and too sorted to go into the details, so let it suffice to say that Roman Polansky drugged and had sex with a 13 year old girl who repeatedly said, "No" to his advances. Here is my simple lesson for Whoppi. Drugging a 13 year old is a crime. Having sex with a 13 year old is a crime. Having sex with a 13 year old who is saying, "No" is rape. Every aspect of Polansky's crime is degrading and such behavior should not be defended.

When Roman Polansky fled the United States (he was awaiting sentencing for his crime) he was asked about the nature of his transgression and he defended his actions by saying that every man wants to have sex with young women. (I paraphrased his more graphic language) I do believe that testosterone does make men the greatest predators on planet earth; however, that said, most of us do not want, nor would we ever consider having sex with a 13 year old girl under any circumstance.

To maintain any pretense of being even the slightest bit civilized--we must protect our young and punish those that commit crimes against them...even if they are from the ranks of the rich and famous.

Andrae Crouch Revisited

2009-07-04T10:11:00.003-05:00

It was 34 years ago--I was on my 2nd official date with my future wife (Jody). We were going to an Andrae Crouch concert at the Seattle Center Opera House. Wow!!! It was the most inspiring concert I have ever had the privilege to experience. It was a racially integrated crowd, a melting pot of people from every corner of the earth on their feet dancing and worshiping God--including yours truly, who truly shouldn't dance. To say that it was great doesn't even scratch the surface of the impact Andrae made on the crowd that night, much less the impact he was making on the emerging Contemporary Christian Music scene. God used Andrae to breathe new life into the music of the American church. We even started singing Andrae songs in our services at the local Assembly of God. To say that Andrae was a pioneer is a gross understatement--he started a spiritual renewal that still burns brightly in the church today.

Over the years I forgot about Andrea. I just discovered the last three albums that he made. ("Mercy" from 1995, "Pray" from 1997, and "Mighty Wind" from 2005) He still has the "Wow" factor. Three incredible--musically interesting--theologically sound--personally communicative--inspiring, anointed albums is what you'll experience in these three offerings. I was emotionally moved to tears as God used this extraordinary art to touch deeply into my soul. From a musical standpoint--I feel that Andrae's music ranks right up there with Stevie Wonder. In other words, this is the best of the best in the field of Christian R&B offerings!

I would highly, highly recommend that you find and download these albums. (They can be downloaded at iTunes or Amazon)

Kelo v. City of New London

2009-06-27T16:56:00.004-05:00

This jewel of a decision almost got no press, and yet it is the clearest assault on the 5th Amendment of the Constitution of the United States to date. In a 5 to 4 ruling the Supreme Court paved the way for local governments to "steal" a person's property for any reason that could be construed as a "public purpose." In the case of Kelo v. City of New London a private developer wanted to use the land of other private owners for a new development, replacing their homes with office buildings, upscale housing, a marina and other commercial buildings. This sounds like an old western movie where the large land owner uses the law to take another man's land. It's shameful.

Opponents of this decision, which includes property-rights advocates, argued before the court that shifting ownership of land from private owner to another private owner, is a violation of the Fifth Amendment, which prohibits the taking of property by government except for "public use." Even if the original owner is "fairly compensated" (and who determines that?) an owner that wants to live on the land that they own should not be removed by another individual who covets what is not theirs.

Justice John Paul Stevens, writing for the majority, said that the court determined that "public use" should include not only traditional projects such as bridges or highways, but should also include slum clearance and land redistribution. The "public purpose" could also be established by the jobs that were created by new development and by the new tax revenues that would be received.

Justice Sandra Day O'Connor wrote a blistering response in dissent. She wrote, "the specter of condemnation hangs over all property. Nothing is to prevent the State from replacing any Motel 6 with a Ritz-Carlton, any home with a shopping mall, or any farm with a factory."

As tax exempt organizations, churches that sit on a valuable piece of land have much to fear from this ruling, because any other use--other than another church--will bring in new tax revenue and could be construed as being in the best interest of the public. This is a very dangerous ruling by the high court and the impact is going to allow the rich to become richer while exploiting those who can't afford the costs associated with a court case and lawyer's fees.

Do Students Have the Right to Pray?

2009-04-11T19:41:00.004-05:00

Two students at the College of Alameda were threatened with suspension...the charge??? They prayed with a teacher who was ill. Since when did praying for a teacher in the teacher's office qualify as "disruptive behavior?" Most liberal college campuses encourage their students to express themselves and to be disruptive.

According to the First Amendment of the Constitution of the United States--the government does not have the right to deny free speech or the practice of religion. These rights extend into the public forum. In other words, free speech and the practice of religion are not barred from being exercised in our public institutions. If the First Amendment does not apply to institutions of higher learning we are starting down a road of institutional intolerance and doing serious damage to the ideal of freedom.

The students, Kandy Kyriacou and Ojoma Omaga have taken their case to court. The lawsuit is seeking an acknowledgment of their rights, an apology from the school and for the removal of all disciplinary action from their school records. U.S. District Judge Susan Illston has given their suit a green-light. Let's hope they win their case.

Red Letters

2009-03-01T15:58:00.000-06:00

There are a bunch of Red Letters in my Bible. The Red Letters are the words that Jesus spoke. Jesus stated that the person who "Put His Words into Practice" was like the wise man that built his house upon the rock. The tempest of life assaulted the house of the wise man and it stood firm. Building our lives upon the teachings of Christ should be the norm for Christians--and it certainly seems to be the wise and prudent action that all of us should consider.

I recently read a book by Tony Campolo called "Red Letter Christians." The book calls itself "A Citizen's Guide to Faith and Politics." Although I generally like Tony Campolo's writing I'm not a huge fan of this book. I like the fact that Tony is able to step out of the "Evangelical Box," but dismayed by some of his conclusions. The bottom-line is that Tony is convinced that if a Christian reads and follows the teachings of Christ, they would politically swing to the left. The only thing I'm convinced of when I read the Red Letters in my Bible is that this world is not my home.

I am also convinced by my experiences with the bureaucracy of government that the government is not very compassionate even when it is administering benevolence. (Did you enjoy the last time you stood in line to renew your driver's license?) Government is good at making rules and passing laws, but end up violating the spirit of their own mandate. There is nothing in the Red Letters that causes me to believe that a bigger government is a good thing for people. Who was it that crucified the author of the Red Letters anyway?

Worst Person in the World??? Ridiculous!

2008-10-31T13:28:00.000-05:00

I have to start by saying that Keith Olbermann was my favorite sports announcer/commentator that ever worked for ESPN. He was clever, funny, interesting and always had intelligent things to say. Keith Olbermann now works as a commentator for MSMBC. His show is called "Countdown with Keith Olbermann." Most of what he talks about is politically-centric and more than a little bit mean-spirited. He has a segment on his show that he calls, "The Worst Person in the World." By his selection of individuals upon which he bestows this "honor" it is obvious that Olbermann hates anyone that is politically right of Fidel Castro. His personal bias against anyone who is remotely conservative makes him poisonous and intolerant.

Linda Bloodworth-Thomason, a self-proclaimed Liberal Democrat and famous Hollywood producer, said that she would prefer a lunch date with the conservative Fox commentator Sean Hannity rather than Keith Olbermann. Why does she feel this way? Perhaps it is the fact that Olbermann is so far gone in his hatred of anything or anyone remotely conservative as to lose all credibility of being a fundementally sound and logical thinker. Olbermann actually makes Bill O'Reilly seem fair and balanced by contrast.

Let me see if I can put things into perspective. I have never been a Rush Limbaugh fan. It is not that I don't identify with portions of his political thinking; however, I really don't appreciate the lack of basic civility. I believe that our country is best served when men and women of different political philosophies are able to reason and work together for the common good of the country. I don't think that voices such as Limbaugh or Olbermann are contributing to our ability to work together.

Do I think that these voices should be censored? Not at all, but they should be viewed with an understanding of what they are. Have you ever lived in a neighborhood where the dogs kept on barking 24/7? It's kind of like that...

Election Issues for Believers

2008-10-22T14:13:00.000-05:00

I know that many of you are wrestling with the presidential election that will be taking place November 5th. What has made this election challenging is the present state of our country and a seeming lack of answers and responses from those in positions of power. The election has further been confused by a number of Evangelical leaders who have come out and specifically endorsed a candidate. You may be disappointed in that I am not writing this document in order to endorse a specific candidate; however, I do want to talk about some of the specifics that will determine which candidate I will ultimately vote for.

Let me digress and talk about myself briefly: I am not a Democrat and I am not a Republican. I am a strange mix of political thought. I believe what the Apostle Paul taught long ago: “Whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it for the glory of God.” When it comes to my political persuasion, I am first and foremost a Believer in Jesus Christ. As a pastor I do not plan to use the pulpit or my position as a Senior Pastor to be an advocate for a political party; I believe that the pulpit must be reserved for the declaration of the Gospel of Christ. Further, I do not believe that either the Democrats or the Republicans truly represent the concerns or the cause of Christ.

That leads to the question—“Who should I vote for?”

On most issues I am not convinced that there is a dime’s worth of difference between the political parties. Both parties have proven to be fiscally irresponsible—both parties voted to go to war in Iraq—both parties voted to bail out Wall Street—and both parties seem to be equally corrupted by power. The Democrats blame the hard times we are facing in America on the Bush administration, but don’t take any responsibility for being in control of the Legislative branch over the last four years. Needless to say, whoever is the next President of the United States will have some huge challenges to face—and most of the challenges are frankly self-inflicted wounds for which both the Republicans and Democrats share the blame.

So—“Who should I vote for?”

For me personally, it comes down to two basic issues:

· The sanctity of life. (I simply believe that the rights of the unborn should be protected)

· The sanctity of marriage. (I believe that the Biblical standard and definition of marriage should be protected)

Let me start by talking about the sanctity of life. At the very roots of the pro-abortion movement is the idea of social engineering. Abortion is not an effective means of contraception, but it is a very effective methodology for the elimination of unwanted people groups. Margaret Sanger, the founder of Planned Parenthood was very much an advocate of abortion for the purpose of racial purification. In 1977, Rev. Jesse Jackson called abortion “the genocide of the black race.” In India, abortion has proven to be a holocaust against unborn female babies, who are being aborted, because that specific gender is not considered as valuable in that culture. In the United States, the majority of either physically or mentally handicapped unborn babies are being aborted. What this boils down to is massive discrimination and the destruction of whole classes of people that would have made up our society. Does this make us a better people? To destroy the unwanted—to eliminate the most helpless—to engineer the very makeup of society by playing god? Roe verses Wade opened a Pandora’s Box that needs to be shut.

When it comes to the sanctity of marriage I am opposed to laws and legislation that would redefine marriage. The Biblical standard for marriage has always been one man and one woman bound together in a monogamous covenant. Even most secular psychologists would admit that this is the best “platform” from which to raise children. From a Biblical perspective, it is simply God’s plan and structure for the family—and there is no alternative structure for the formation of a family offered in scripture. It has become politically correct in our media to promote the idea of marriage for homosexual couples. The homosexual agenda runs even deeper. Homosexual activists are advocating that their alternative life style be taught and offered as another choice in the sex education classes of public schools. They are also advocating that speaking against homosexuality should be prosecuted as a hate crime—which would render teaching certain portions of scripture in the pulpit a criminal act.

Do these things matter to you? If they are important to you then you should find out where the candidate of your choice stands on the issues before you vote. I am going to vote for a candidate who is Pro-life and Pro-family…that’s what really matters to me. For more information: http://www.citizenlink.org/

Choosing the Right Side

2008-10-21T09:42:00.000-05:00

As we close in on the elections of 2008 and people choose sides and vote for their candidates of choice, many Christians feel pulled in different directions at the same time. I guess we all have a desire to choose the "right side," but may have no idea which is the right side. I'm reminded of something that C.S. Lewis wrote:

Now is our chance to choose the right side. God is holding back to give us that chance. It won't last forever. We must take it or leave it. (The Case for Christianity)

As important as the presidential elections are--they pale in comparison to a more important decision. What are you going to decide when it comes to God? In this case, there is a right choice--a clear winner! The Apostle Paul brings reality home with the words: "Every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus is Lord." Every president of every nation throughout history, every author, every believer, every cynic, every gender, every religious person...will find their place before the Creator--and in that moment being on the right side will mean everything. In this life, we are all travelers and our time is brief, but choosing the right side has an everlasting implication that we dare not overlook.

Let us not think that the current election is more important than it really is--for in terms of history it is a drop in the bucket--a passing fad--perhaps a momentary madness...but choosing to live for God is a choice that will forever bless your future.

A Time of Crisis

2008-10-15T21:31:00.000-05:00

Today the Dow lost 733 points--which translates into billions of dollars that are no longer invested in Wall Street. It is indicative of the fact that people have lost confidence in the market place. It also is a sign that tough economic times are in front of us. What should be the Christian response to this national and even international crisis?

I have two thoughts in response to this financial crisis:

Firstly, I believe that God will take care of His people regardless of the circumstances that surround us. It's not that God's people don't go through difficult times, but that in the midst of circumstances God is with us.
Secondly, during times of national crisis the church has always prospered. In what way does the church prosper? People turn to God--they pray--they return to church--people repent and are saved.

It is possible that "we" the church are on the verge of a new, sustained revival. That is good news and reason enough to have hope in the face of troubled times.

Newsweek Promotes Atheism

2008-09-23T09:51:00.000-05:00

Sam Harris is an atheist. You might think that I'm being less than kind; however, not only would Sam Harris admit the truth of the statement--he would tell you that the promotion of an atheistic worldview is his life calling. Sam Harris is an Atheist and he is proud of the fact. His books, "The End of Faith," and "Letter to a Christian Nation" were on the New York Times Best Seller List. The clear target of his books is painted on the back of the American Church. In a word Sam Harris "hates" Christianity and despises those who express a faith in Jesus. His antagonistic view of people of faith is unmitigated and fueled by fervor to make converts.

This last week (Sept. 20, 2008) Harris wrote an article that showed up in curious place, Newsweek magazine. (As far as I can discover, this is the first article by Harris that Newsweek has ever published) Now it is not surprising that he would have an article in Newsweek, after-all, he is a famous author; what is surprising is that he wrote an article on Sarah Palin and politics. (Here we go again...) After reading Harris' article I can only conclude that Newsweek has become a puppet of the political left wing; further, I must conclude that atheists must be in large part a part of the left wing and the article was written with the expectation of solidifying the atheist part of the left wing base. If Newsweek wanted to write an article that was critical of Sarah Palin, what better person to write the article than a famous atheist who would have an established ax to grind with Palin who has publicly acknowledged her Christian faith.

I find it curious that Barak Obama, who has also publicly acknowledged a faith in Jesus Christ is not seriously taken to task by Harris. Why is that? What is it about Obama's faith that makes him safe, and Palin's faith that makes her dangerous? Is Palin's faith more sincere than Obama's or is Obama more sympathetic to the secular agenda of those who consider themselves atheists? I think that it is a safe assumption that Obama's faith is not viewed as something that will "get in the way" of the secular agenda of the far left.

One thing that has become crystal clear--Newsweek itself is in bed with the far left. Despite the name "Newsweek," the magazine is not simply reporting the news, they are attempting to shape public opinion and therefore shape our culture. It is hard to imagine that the executives of Newsweek could say the words "One Nation Under God" with a straight face. Not when you have an atheist act as one of your political writers.

Sarah Palin is Being Persecuted

2008-09-12T20:40:00.001-05:00

Is Sarah Palin being persecuted? I think the answer is, "yes." Listening to the hysteria of the liberal press and the left-leaning celebrities fire a continual barrage of verbal shots at Governor Sarah Palin has made me feel that America has suddenly become a very unsafe place to be a Christian. You see, Sarah reminds me of my mom, my sister, my wife, my daughter, my daughter in-law and the sisters in Christ that I have shared life with over the span of my lifetime. These women--Godly women do not pose a threat to anyone--unless you are afraid of someone who will love you, help you, care about you, serve you, and heaven forbid, pray for you. These are the kind of women that you want as your neighbors--the kind of lady that you pray your son marries--the kind of woman you want as the mother of your children.

Sarah Palin has openly confessed a "real" faith in God. It is not a faith filled with political liberation theology--it is a simple faith in Jesus Christ. I am convinced that it is her faith that has drawn the ire of those, who in the name of enlightenment, have become openly antagonistic towards the Evangelical Church. Every night--another celebrity takes a shot at Sarah...Pink, Pamela Anderson, Matt Damon, Rosie O'Donnell, Kathy Griffin, Bill Maher, Meg Ryan... The list is endless.

If America follows in the footsteps of Europe and increasingly becomes a secular state, you will witness the persecution of the Church become a reality. Already some personalities, such as Bill Maher, who serves as the host of the self-named HBO's Real Time with Bill Maher, is calling for the taxation of the Church. I shouldn't be surprised, but I am shocked by the mean-spirited nature of the attack on Palin for praying, for believing in God's guidance, for believing in God as revealed in the Bible, etc. We, as Believers are entering into a new era of spiritual warfare.

What is the solution? "If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land." (2 Chronicles 7:14)

The Last Lecture

2008-09-03T14:08:00.000-05:00

I just finished reading "The Last Lecture" by Randy Pausch. I read the book after a local Sunday School class showed the video of Professor Pausch's lecture and one of the participants said that it was the "most amazing religious experience" she had ever had. Well...I enjoyed reading it--and my heart went out to Randy and his family--and he did give some good advice for everyday life; but, I didn't experience an amazing religious experience. (Randy Pausch passed away the same week I purchased his book)

"The Last Lecture" is based upon a lecture that Randy Pausch, a computer science professor at Carnegie Mellon, was asked to give. For most professors, the series of presentations called "The Last Lecture" is based upon the idea of sharing what is important to them in light of their demise. Understand, that in most cases, the "demise" is simply an idea; however, in Randy Paush's case, his actual demise was more than fiction. He was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and was given mere months to live at the time of his lecture.

Randy Pausch, who was raised in a Presbetarian church, purposefully didn't talk about God or the life here after. His lecture is not about faith--it is about the human spirit and the ability to be optimistic in the face of tragic loss. It is not easy to leave a wife and three young children behind, especially when you love them passionately. Life is not easy to leave behind when you live it passionately. This was the great tragedy and conflict that Randy was facing.

Rather than focusing on his own demise, Randy delivers what can only be decribed as a "how to live your life and make the most out of it" guidebook, with the specific purpose of being a living document of things that he wants to say to his children when they are grown up. (His book is an impartation of values that he wants to pass down to his children) His advice--I would sum it up in four words: "Live Life with Passion."

I expecially liked the two page chapter called, 'Be a Communitarian." In a few pages Randy champions the value of community. This is an undervalued, misunderstood, largely ignored concept in our post-modern world. This is a part of the second theme that runs throughout the book--which is the theme that relationships are so important that they define our lives.

All in all, I enjoyed "The Last Lecture," but it didn't change my life.

"Laying Hands Off"

2008-09-03T13:12:00.000-05:00

Todd Bentley was asked to leave the revival in Lakeland, Florida. Seems that he and his wife have had marital problems and that Todd had an "inappropriate" relationship with a woman on his personal staff. When it comes to judgment--we must be careful. That includes handing out endorsements to revivalists who are unproven and have not yet gone through the process of being vetted properly. Years ago I heard John Wimber state, "It is easier to lay hands on people than it is to lay hands off of people; be very careful who you anoint to be a spiritual leader in your church." That's excellent advice, particularly in light of Jesus' stern warning: "Many false prophets will appear and deceive many people."

So is Todd Bentley a false prophet--a wolf in sheep's clothing--or just another man who fell into sin? It is hard to say. In fact, I never knew Todd Bentley well enough to endorse him in the first place. I saw a few videos of him in action. I heard some of the things that he taught. I read what people were saying about him, but I did not know him personally or have enough personal information to pass judgment on him one way or another. Oh--I did take exception to some of the things he was doing and saying; however, I didn't know and still don't know Todd Bentley.

The question begs an answer: Nobody seemed to know the "real" Todd Bentley, so why was he given such a position of spiritual authority and influence? J. Lee Grady, the editor of Charisma magazine simply stated: "To put it bluntly, we're just plain gullible." Grady went on to say: From the first week of the Lakeland revival, many discerning Christians raised questions about Bentley’s beliefs and practices. They felt uneasy when he said he talked to an angel in his hotel room. They sensed something amiss when he wore a T-shirt with a skeleton on it. They wondered why a man of God would cover himself with tattoos. They were horrified when they heard him describe how he tackled a man and knocked his tooth out during prayer.

Given Jesus' warning concerning false teachers, prophets and Apostles--a warning that was echoed by the early Apostles--we (the church) should be much more careful when we anoint people to be our spiritual leaders. In other words--maybe we should assume the worst until we have properly vetted those that we are putting into positions of spiritual influence.

What About Tattoos?

2008-08-14T01:00:00.000-05:00

Since I pastor a fellowship that is "young" in age, one of the questions that I get asked with frequency concerns tattoos. Should Christians join in the pop culture rage of covering their bodies with tattoos? That's a pretty good question and the answer isn't as easy as you might think. One thing that I've learned by experience is that if a person is already convinced that their life is going to be enriched by getting a tattoo--there is nothing that I can say that is going to detour them. That said, it still doesn't answer the basic question--should Christians get tattoos? I think a better question would be this: "If you are getting a tattoo, are you taking that action specifically for the glory of God?" I am reminded of Paul's instructions concerning a cultural conflict in his time (the practice of eating meat offered to idols) and in his argument, calling for sensitivity, he said, "Whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it for the glory of God. Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God..." What this means is that if you get a tattoo, it must be an action whereby God is glorified and secondly, that it is not unnecessarily offensive to others.

I generally instruct Christian young people to wait--because if they still are burning to get tattooed in the future they have plenty of time to make an informed decision. Leviticus 19:28 makes a very clear statement for the nation of Israel: "Do not...put tattoos on your bodies." Now this verse is a part of Moses' Law and as Christians we are living under grace, so I would argue that this verse doesn't directly apply to Christians today; however, if you are ever called to do Evangelism reaching out to Orthodox Jews you will not want to have visible tattoos--and if they ask you if you have tattoos--you may have to visit the shop where they remove them through a series of (what I understand to be) painful sessions. I hear that the business of removing tattoos is one of the fastest growing industries in the USA. There are many other people groups who object to tattoos including those who are Islamic--so, you might want to wait on getting a tattoo until you understand the ministry that God has purposed for you. Never forget--our purpose in life as a Believer is to accomplish whatever God has called us to do. It is possible that a tattoo might help you in your mission--but, it is possible that it might be a stumbling block to the people that you are trying to reach...so, wait.

Now I will admit that some tattoos are amazing works of art, period. Others are embarrassingly poorly rendered art. Some of them--especially on the face or other body parts--are obviously meant to draw attention. The message of some are crass and suggestive, and still others are messages that are saying positive and maybe Gospel kinds of things. All that said--it is my opinion that "we" are fearfully and beautifully created by the greatest artist of all--and that what God created is good enough as it is. Our bodies are the literal temples of the Lord--so whatever we do, we really should do it for the glory of God. If you keep the "for the glory of God" thing in mind--and you go ahead and get a tattoo--I'm trusting that the tattoo won't be sending the wrong message to a world that needs to hear the right message.

Long ago I heard Linfield Crowder (the apostle that raised me up) give the following advice. "Love God with all of your heart and then do anything that you want to do." That was the best advice I ever heard.

Who is Katy Perry?

2008-07-26T11:02:00.000-05:00

Katy Hudson was a young 16 year old contemporary Christian artist. She turned out her first album back in 2001--an album all about a Christ-centered life. Fast forward to the summer of 2008 and the hottest popular song on the Billboard Top Forty is "I Kissed a Girl" by Katy Perry. Unfortunately, Katy Hudson is Katy Perry. How does one go from singing about Christ to a song with lesbian overtones? In a recent interview Katy Perry was asked straight out if she still believed in Jesus. She said, "yes," and then tried to mask that conviction by making some wishy washy statements that were ambiguous at best. (She certainly seemed ashamed of Jesus but didn't hesitate to give props to Madonna)

It is my observation that fame at a young age--or even the striving for fame at a young age seems to have a very negative effect on the young artist. We have many tragic examples to choose from: The Spears sisters, the Simpson sisters, Miley Cyrus, etc. All of these young women came from Christian backgrounds and at one time called themselves "Christians." However, it seems that the desire for popularity became more important than the relationship with Christ and it is reflected in lifestyle choices and changing values. This seems to be the case in Katy Perry's life as well. Although I can't look into her heart, when I witness her using the "F" word in a live concert, I'm fairly convinced that it is not well with her soul.

I have a daughter that could have been a "star." She is pretty--has an amazing voice--and it is probably time for her to "cut" an album. (I would certainly love to listen to her) As a parent, I'm glad that we didn't encourage her to do this as a teen, because I love where my daughter is today. Happily married--young mother--and most importantly, she loves Jesus and is not ashamed of Him. Where would she be today if she had been seeking fame as a teen? I don't have a definitive answer, but the odds would have been stacked against her. It is very difficult not to be corrupted by fame, money and power.

Please pray for Katy Perry. She is in a dangerous place, because she has no idea who she really is.

California Supreme Court Redefines Marriage

2008-05-16T15:56:00.000-05:00

On May 15, 2008 the California Supreme Court redefined marriage. An ancient and holy institution has been reshaped by politically correct judges who made this judgment in open defiance of the will of the people living in California. In 2000, the people of California overwhelmingly approved Proposition 22 which was passed to both define and protect the idea that marriage is the legal union of a man and a woman. By a vote of 4-3 the California judges have decided to ignore the will of the people and to force alternative definitions of marriage.

Why is this so dangerous? The danger is this--the judges are sanctioning a new standard of morality while ignoring the majority of its citizens and their traditional values. It is at the same time opening a Pandora's Box of new ways to define marriage.

The Traditional, Historic Definition of Marriage: One Man + One Woman.
The California Supreme Court's Definition of Marriage: Two Consenting Adults. (Gender not important)
Next Stage of Definition: Consenting Persons. (Age not important) (Number of persons not important) (Gender not important)

Once marriage is redefined by man--who has the right to say what is right and wrong? Who says that polygamy is wrong? Who says that consenting children are denied the right to form a marriage? Who says that people should be denied the right to form a marriage with as many people as they want to? The bottom-line is this: If marriage is redefined by the ideas of a group of judges in power, marriage can be redefined anyway that suits those in authority and at that point the institution of marriage has no real meaning. When the institution of marriage is completely corrupted--our civilization may be beyond the point of return.

Bill Cantos "Movie in the Night Sky"

2008-05-07T23:08:00.000-05:00

"Movie in the Night Sky" is a great album...if you like this kind of music. Bill Cantos is a jazz piano player/singer extraodinaire. Bill also happens to be a Christian and His witness is in evidence on this secular release. Bill has made it in the music business as a studio player and has also anchored many tours with famous artists as the band leader. He has traveled as a member of Grammy winner Jay Graydon's All-Star Band. He also has led the time of worship at some of the national Promise Keeper events.
If you like a pop-jazz blend of music--with excellent vocals, instrumental expertise and smart lyrics, this might be the album for you.

"Movie in the Night Sky" starts with an up tempo, tongue in cheek song called "Red Coat." It is a very clever presentation of the Gospel. I wonder how many people have listened to this song and gone the rest of the day singing, "I've Got a New Red Coat," never understanding the meaning behind it? Trust me--some of the very best studio players are a part of the supporting cast on this album. Vinnie Colaiuta (Sting) is holding down the drums--Jerry Watts makes the bass stand on its head--and of course, Bill Cantos plays some of the best jazz moves on the piano and electric piano that you could hope for.

With so much "junk" being passed off as music these days--you may want to give Bill Cantos a try. You can read more about Bill Cantos at http://www.myspace.com/billcantos

You can also buy this album from Amazon ($17) or you can download the MP3's at Amazon for $5.99. Now that's a pretty good deal.

People for the Ethical Treatment of Plants

2008-05-07T17:34:00.000-05:00

The Apostle Paul spoke of the wicked who "exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator." (Romans 1:25) In contemporary America we are surrounded by examples of this. We will defend the rights of animals and abort our unborn children. Organizations such as PETA are literally "pushing" for animals to have the same rights as humans. I am absolutely opposed to treating animals with cruelty, but I do not equate animal life as having the same intrinsic value as human life. Jesus did not come to earth--suffer temptation--and pay the ultimate price for the sake of animal life. He came to rescue mankind.

As our culture turns from God, it is natural to fill the void with other causes. One example of this is happening in Switzerland where a panel has been appointed to explore the ethical treatment of plant life. (I'm not kidding) A few years ago Switzerland adopted a constitutional clause that demands Swiss citizens to recognize "the dignity of creation when handling animals, plants and other organisms." The Swiss panel's report, "The Dignity of Living Beings with Regard to Plants," includes some of the following ideas:

Plants must be considered morally for their own sake because they are alive.
Humans cannot claim absolute ownership over plants because they are living beings.
Humans may not use plants as they wish.
Vegetation should have an absolute right to life.

This is a gross example of worshiping the creation rather than the Creator. So tell me--what is the ethical treatment for a weed that is growing in your yard? I don't have a problem with being a responsible care-taker of God's creation, but I refuse to feel guilty for pulling a Dandelion from my flowerbed. In the long run I don't think that we have much to fear from the people promoting the ethical treatment of plants, because if they are serious they will not live that long--potatoes have their rights.

A Thankful Father

2008-04-29T00:07:00.000-05:00

Sometimes I hesitate to talk about "stuff" that gets too personal. It is particularly difficult to talk about your children, because it is tricky to say anything nice to "others" about your children without it seeming like you might be a bit nepotistic. I guess every good parent loves their children and I feel a certain amount of "pride" in the accomplishments of my children--but, those feelings extend to my friends' children as well. In other words--I rejoice and feel good all over when I see the offspring of God's people growing in God and doing well in life.

For two 1/2 years I have been praying a prayer for and over Michael. "Lord, Your will be done in Michael's life--please hear your servant and open a door for him to attend the pharmacy school at the University of Texas." A little over a week ago, the Lord answered my prayer. And although, I am sure that others were praying as well, I must thank the Lord and publicly express how grateful I am to my heavenly Father. If life has convinced me of anything it is this: "God really does love me--even more than I love myself."

One of Michael's greatest concerns when the possibility of leaving the Austin area to attend a pharmacy school seemed like a certainty, was that he felt and continues to feel a call to spiritual leadership in the area of worship. Let me say something about Michael that I would have said sooner and louder if I wasn't his father: "Michael has been faithful and vigilant in his service to God and to Believers Fellowship--we are blessed by his ministry and the ministry of his beautiful side-kick Elisha. May the Lord continue to bless Michael and Elisha as they serve the purposes of the Kingdom." Amen!

15 Year Old Girls ARE NOT Hot!

2008-04-28T19:03:00.000-05:00

What was Vanity Fair thinking when they put a picture of a very famous half-clothed 15 year old girl in their magazine? (I'm guessing that they knew they would get a lot of publicity and sell more magazines than usual) What were the parents of Miley Cyrus thinking when they gave the green light to this project? (Is it about fame--more money--infamy--or do they want their 15 year old to be viewed as a sexual object?) I am alarmed, because 15 year old girls should not be viewed as sexual objects--it is inappropriate--it is disgusting--and ultimately it is dangerous. There is a very thin line between being sexually objectified and sexually active, just ask 17 year old Jamie Lynn Spears who is about to bring a baby into the world.

There are two extreme dangers involved with our sensual pop culture. Firstly, young girls are increasingly being convinced that their personal worth is based upon their sexual appeal, physical looks and risqué behavior. (Think of Lindsey Lohan, Paris Hilton, Britney Spears, etc.) Since acceptance by peers is a powerful motivation at this time in life, sexual barriers will be broached just to fit in with the crowd. The second problem is that this mind-set is being sold to younger and younger kids. (You would probably be surprised if you knew what was going on at the local middle school) That is why it hurts when the most famous teenaged celebrity in America sets herself up as a sexual object.

Let me make it clear--outside the polygamist compound in West Texas (heavy sarcasm)--15 year old girls should not be considered "hot." It is simply wrong.

Steve-O is Getting It

2008-04-28T05:47:00.000-05:00

The Apostle Paul gave us the instruction to set our thoughts on things that meet a specific criteria. "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things." Phil 4:8 (NIV) It could be argued that there are very few things left in American Pop Culture that could actually be considered noble or admirable.

Steve-O, the former star of "Jackass" spoke the following sentiments after completing his time in rehab. "I'm proud of what I've done in the past to distract people from the fact that the world can be a bad place, but I think I could have reached for a better sort of things to be looked up for than to be an alcoholic drug addict that hurts himself for a living."

Steve-O just plead "Not Guilty" to drug charges in L.A., which is ironic considering the fact that he was so high at the time of his arrest that he claims that he can't remember any of the events surrounding his arrest. "I honestly can say I don't remember it...I was in such bad shape...I was a mess." Steve-O wants to stay clean. "What I know from being clean for 44 days is if I go back to using alcohol and drugs, I'm going to go right back to being that bad. There is nowhere in between."

Have You Heard Fireflight?

2008-04-22T18:35:00.000-05:00

Fireflight is a band--a Christian band. From the lyrical content of their songs it doesn't seem like they are trying to "cross over" into the mainstream. The message is very Christian and even a bit preachy, but that's not all bad. The music fits into the alternative rock genre, and as far as that genre is concerned Fireflight is the equal of any secular band. They are good at their craft. Their song "Unbreakable" was used as song in the new television series "The Bionic Woman." The Bionic Woman was recently canceled, but in my opinion Fireflight's music was the best thing in that show.

You may not be a fan of "Alternative", but this band is musical. It starts with some better-than-usual writing. The arrangements are also interesting and energetic. Lead singer, Dawn can really sing--good range, control and a ton of passion. Phee pounds the drums, making a joyful noise and providing an anchor for the rhythm section. You can get a closer look and more information on myspace. http://www.myspace.com/fireflight

I watched Dawn interviewed and I was pleased with her straight forward witness for Christ. She didn't act ashamed of the gospel--wasn't afraid to speak out for what she believed--and made no apology for being a Christian artist. Fireflight's song "Stand Up" seems to be an appropriate theme song for this band who is "preaching" on the front line of the battle.

Josh Hamilton Comes Home

2008-04-22T12:42:00.000-05:00

Josh Hamilton is a name that most people don't recognize unless they are a serious fan of Major League Baseball. Standing at 6' 4", 240 lbs. Josh was the first pick of the Tampa Bay Devil Rays in the 1999 MLB draft. Even more impressive is the fact that he was the first high school player picked as the over-all number one since Alex Rodriguez was selected in 1993, and almost everyone has heard of A-Rod.

Fast forward to 2008. Josh Hamilton is an emerging star with the Texas Rangers. Ranger fans are holding their breath--hoping that Hamilton stays on the straight and the narrow. Why would anyone be concerned? When Josh was playing high school baseball, he was a clean-cut, emotionally well-adjusted kid with a strong, supportive family. Two years into his baseball career Josh was named the top prospect in all of the minors, but things were about to take a turn for the worst.

This is going to sound like a bad novel: Hamilton was involved in a car accident and he ended up on the disabled list. Out of boredom he started hanging out at a tattoo parlor (getting 26 tattoos), socializing with the other patrons. That is when, according to Hamilton that he took his first drink and snorted his first line of cocaine. In short order he "ran" through over 3 million dollars being the life of the party and staying high. Major League Baseball eventually threw him out of the league for violating the league's drug policy. He remained in a state of self-destructive behavior until he finally hit bottom.

In June 2006 after being sober for eight months, MLB lifted Hamilton's suspension and Josh was on his way back. How did Josh make it back? Faith and family. Josh became a believer in Jesus Christ. "I haven't gotten tired of telling this story yet. It's my obligation--no, it's my privilege--to tell it to whoever wants to hear it," says Hamilton. Let us hope and pray that Josh continues to stay straight and let us rejoice that another prodigal made it home.

Jesus--Our Reason for Optimism

2008-04-11T16:39:00.000-05:00

It is hard to read the headlines of any newspaper and not become somewhat pessimistic. It is the rare event where the leading story is positive or redemptive in nature. We are bombarded with “bad” news. Everywhere we turn our senses are assaulted with images of violence, sensuality, tragedy and hopelessness. This trend does have its profound effects on us all. Over time we tend to become desensitized and demoralized. We become demoralized in that we lose heart and also we face the danger of compromising our values.

Author George Barna describes this process in his book “The Frog in the Kettle.” The process of being desensitized moves so slowly that most of us remain unaware of its effects—but, never-the-less we are being changed. Some would say that even Christians are being affected; however, I would say that Christians are especially being affected, because we are morally opposed to most of the values that are being promoted by secular culture. Therefore; if we are compromised over time, we have the farthest to fall.

The effects of moral compromise will be felt in our marriages, in the way we raise children, in the kind of church communities that we form and ultimately in our evangelistic and missionary efforts. Jesus described this in Matthew 5:13: "You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men.”

I have long thought about the idea of the American Church being thrown out and trampled by men. I believe that this process is already happening. Time Magazine talked about this problem in an article by David Van Biema entitled, “Christianity’s Image Problem.” (Oct. 2, 2006) The short of it is that the Christian Church is facing increased hostility from non-Christians, who, in the past viewed the Church as a trusted institution. How can we turn this perception around?

I think the answer is found in a word that God spoke to the nation of Israel. 2 Chronicles 7:14. “If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” We cannot hope to influence and change the world until we ourselves are changed and we cannot change unless we are transformed by God Himself. If we are to be optimistic, may our optimism be built the sure foundation of Jesus Christ our Solid Rock.

When Nice Isn't Enough

2008-04-11T16:05:00.000-05:00

I know that Oprah is a nice person--at least that is the way that she presents herself on television. She comes across as a caring, loving, compassionate, insightful, intelligent human being. Someone that you would like to have as a neighbor--or perhaps as a part of your family. In no small way her persona has garnered the affections and the admiration of many Americans. Her television show is absurdly popular and her influence is massive.

I part ways with Oprah when it comes to the Christian faith. Authentic Christianity is built on a foundation of a specific truth and revelation--the truth that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God. As the head of the Christian Church Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth and the life, no man comes to the Father except through me." This is not vague or ambiguous. When it comes to matters of Christian Theology--I am a follower of Christ rather than Oprah. In other words, Jesus has all authority to speak for and to the Church...And Oprah?--well, Oprah is nice, but not an authority. In a recent broadcast Oprah said some things that concern me. Oprah: "There are many paths to what you call God." Audience Member: "There is one way and only one way and is through Jesus Christ." Oprah: "There couldn't possibly be only one way!"

The Bible is clear and Oprah is clearly wrong. The Apostle Paul stated: "There is one God and one mediator between God and man, the man Christ Jesus." 1 Timothy 2:5. I guess when it comes to the issue of eternal life--I would rather put my trust in Jesus than Oprah. As far as pop icons go--Oprah's one of the best, but she doesn't hold the keys to eternal life.

J.I. Packer and the Anglican Church Controversy

2008-03-22T20:17:00.001-05:00

When one writes an article that includes the name of the great Canadian author and theologian J.I. Packer, one does not usually associate Packer with anything remotely controversial; however Packer has found himself in the middle of a firestorm that has been burning through the Anglican church for some time.

Being a Bible scholar, Packer has found himself at odds with some of the new practices of the Diocese of New Westminster, which has embraced and given its blessing to the idea of same-sex unions. 81 year old Packer, who has authored some of the most beloved books in the Christian Church, such as "Knowing God", has come under fire for his part in encouraging his church, St John’s Shaughnessy, to leave the Diocese of New Westminster and to submit to the oversight of a more conservative Bishop.

In response to this move, The Bishop of New Westminster, Rev Michael Ingham, has issued a “Notice of Presumption of Abandonment of the Exercise of the Ministry” to Dr Packer and three other clerics in the church. In other words--Rev Michael Ingham wants to force all the churches and ministers under his jurisdiction to endorse homosexuality as alternative Christian lifestyle.

I have a couple of responses:

Firstly, I believe that it is disgraceful for a bishop to persecute Christians under their care, especially when those people are following the clear teaching of God's Word.
Secondly, I believe that when the leadership of a church abandons the teachings of God's Word in order to be politically correct, they are the ones who should be charged with a "Notice of Presumption of Abandonment of the Exercise of the Ministry."

If judgment begins in the house of the Lord--there are some bishops that are going to have a visit from God in the near future. Pray for those, such as J.I. Packer who are standing strong.

Michael English: The Prodigal Comes Home

2008-03-22T18:57:00.001-05:00

Michael English was a very popular Christian artist. He was the lead singer with the Gaither Vocal Band. (Who can forget his version of "Mary Did You Know"?) He released a few solo albums and became a Christian icon. 13 years ago he won a Dove award for being the top Christian artist in the world. (Artist of the Year) Within a few days it was revealed that he had been unfaithful to his wife and his world began to fall apart. This was only the beginning of a downward spiral that would last for close to a decade. Divorce, drug addiction and a heavy dose of self-loathing eventually drove Michael to his knees.

The Bible states that "All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." So, I'm not surprised that Michael English fell into sin; that said--those of us who represent Christ in a public forum carry the extra responsibility of being a role-model for others. Michael writes that he is now actively walking in relationships that hold him spiritually accountable. It is certainly my hope and prayer that the Lord will continue to be his strength and that the sin problem of the past will remain a distant memory. On to the album review.

"The Prodigal Comes Home" is an outstanding album. Although Michael is no youngster, his album sounds fresh and could easily pass as the work of a much younger artist. He has an outstanding production crew including Jay DeMarcus of Rascal Flatts fame. Michael is not a writer, but this is a selection of some very well written songs--both in terms of music and lyric. The album starts with the light alternative rocker, "Sanctuary"--and honestly, it's hard to tell that this is Michael English singing. Other highlights would include "Breakthrough" which is a powerful worship anthem. I also did a rewind (a hold-over phrase from the days of cassette tape) on "Don't Think I'm Not Thankful", which sounds like it would work on a Rascal Flatts album. Over-all the songs are worth listening to--which means it's an album that I let run through without skipping any songs.

Hopefully this album will serve as an inspiration for all of us that have failed and experienced the saving and keeping grace and mercy of our loving God. For more information, check out the Michael English spot on the net.

Hillsong: Saviour King

2008-03-14T19:41:00.000-05:00

To every Believer--knowing that the Father (the one in heaven) desires a people that will worship Him in spirit and in truth, should make live music like Hillsong-Savior King a must in your home. If you can't afford a trip down-under, the next best thing is to purchase a DVD of a live Hillsong concert and to play it loud--it kind of helps you feel like you're there.

According to tradition, when King George II heard the Hallelujah Chorus of Handel's Messiah, he was so moved that he stood to his feet. (It has been a tradition ever since) Music--particularly music that glorifies God is spiritually and emotionally moving. I know what prompted King George to stand--because when I feel God stirring in a piece of music--it is my heart that is stirred. This is quite often the case when I watch a performance by Hillsong.

Hillsong-Savior King is an excellent concert. It starts with a bang--both "I'm Not Ashamed" and "Break Free" should have you on your feet moving. The fourth song "Hosanna" is one of the best songs I've heard in recent years--what a wonderful anthem for the Church to declare! The music is well-written, well-played and the singers are generally outstanding; however, what I like the most is that the audience gets it--they join in and worship with an openness that is absolutely contagious. This is worth checking out!

A Very Scary Ruling

2008-03-08T21:36:00.000-06:00

According to state appeals court in California, parents in that state without teaching credentials do not have a constitutional right to home-school their children. This has sent a chill into the hearts of parents who have lost confidence in public schools and are home-schooling an estimated 166,000 children.

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger reacted immediately to the ruling and vowed that he would protect homeschooling. He said, "Every California child deserves a quality education, and parents should have the right to decide what is best for their children." He went on to say, "Parents should not be penalized for acting in the best interests of their children's education. This outrageous ruling must be overturned by the courts, and if the courts don't protect parents' rights then, as elected officials, we will."

The Second District Court of Appeal in Los Angeles ruled that all children ages 6 to 18 must attend public or private school full time until they graduate from high school or must be tutored by a credentialed teacher. This is a very frightening ruling, because according to the Bible, the responsibility to raise up, educate and mentor children is vested in their parents and not the government. As a Christian Believer, there are just too many ungodly ideas, values and morals that are presented as the truth in many of our public schools. To have these things forced upon our children by law--turns this land of the free into something that more closely resembles the socialism of the old Soviet Union.

"May God have mercy--and may the Governor prevail."

There Will Be No Peace

2008-03-06T22:39:00.000-06:00

A Palestinian opened fire on a group of religious students having dinner. He took out his semi-automatic rifle and sprayed the room, killing eight and wounding eight others. The gunman was eventually eliminated by a reserve paratrooper who lived next door to the seminary, or many others would have perished. Does it really matter that the students were Jewish? Evidently, it is a culturally acceptable act in Palestinian circles if you terrorize and murder Jews. The evidence is found in the reaction of the Gaza Palestinians who responded to the news by honking automobile horns, cheering and passing out candy in the streets. In other words they celebrated!

This comes at a time when the Israeli government and Palestinian leaders are meeting to work out a peace agreement, that has the potential to lead to the establishment of a Palestinian state. The Palestinians argue that the terrorist attack was justified, because the Israeli military had conducted an offensive into Gaza days earlier. (Do you think that maybe the Israeli military had a reason for such actions? Such as stopping the rockets that were being fired into Israel?)

There is no justification for murdering students at dinner time...period. As long as hatred is extended and exercised against innocent people there will be no peace in Israel. Those who lose family members and friends do not easily forget such travesties. And who in their right mind would ever celebrate the brutal murder of seminary students? I think that Calvin had it right--mankind is totally depraved..."Come quickly, Lord Jesus!"

Albert Mohler Speaks

2008-03-03T08:13:00.000-06:00

Albert Mohler has written an excellent article entitled, Transforming Culture: Christian Truth Confronts Post-Christian America. This is an article that should not be missed by any Believer that is interested in standing strong in the midst of a pop culture that has lost its moral compass. You can find the whole article here: Albert Mohler

Are you familiar with Albert Mohler? The following information comes from the Bio found on Albert Mohler's blog: Dr. R. Albert Mohler, Jr., serves as the ninth president of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary-the flagship school of the Southern Baptist Convention and one of the largest seminaries in the world. Dr. Mohler has been recognized by such influential publications as Time and Christianity Today as a leader among American evangelicals. In fact, Time.com called him the "reigning intellectual of the evangelical movement in the U.S".

Dr. Mohler is an important voice among Evangelicals. He makes reasonable arguments to support his assertions. Some will dismiss him as just another hateful Evangelical conservative; however, a careful examination of his writings leads me to believe that he is a compassionate Bible believing scholar. Just because a person actually believes the Bible to be an accurate revelation from God does not make them unenlightened. That said, it is true that people who revere and believe the Bible are becoming anathema to a culture that loves the darkness.

A New Look at Country Music

2008-02-28T11:43:00.001-06:00

I've never been a fan of Country Music. As a kid, growing up in Idaho, I often heard Country Music playing and the lyrics were usually depressing if not sorted. Well, some things do change. "New" Country is often performed by artists who grew up in the church and it often shows in the lyrics of their songs. (Just as sure as I write this someone is going to point out to me that Country Music has always had close ties with the church. I know it...but they didn't play many of Christian influenced songs on the radio when I was growing up)

The group, Little Big Town, is an example of what I'm talking about. All four members grew up singing in church. On their latest album, "A Place to Land," they have a song with a blatantly Christian message called, "Vapor." It is a call to live life to the fullest, starting by doing the things that are most important. Loving family, loving God, making the most of every moment.

I can't tell you that every lyric on this album glorifies God, but most of the lyrics are uplifting and the music is great. Please remember, this is a Country Album--well, it's a New Country or Contemporary Country album--which means that it has more in common with the Eagles than it does with Conway Twitty. On a personal note: I actually enjoy listening to this brand of Country Music.

There are a number of other New Country groups with Christian roots that might be worth checking out if you like this kind of music: Blue County, Rascal Flatts, Carrie Underwood, Brooks & Dunn, Brad Paisley and Sawyer Brown--just to name a few. Finally, I must say that I'm not an expert on Country Music; however, before you completely dismiss my musings, the late Minnie Pearl is my cousin.

The Most Sinful Cities in America

2008-02-28T08:27:00.000-06:00

It’s hard to believe, but Forbes magazine just published an article about the “Most Sinful” cities in America. They set the categories of sin based on the seven deadly sins of church tradition and then evaluated the cities of America on the basis of known statistics. How sinful is the city that you live in? Do you have any idea?

One of the most tragic stories in the Bible is the story of Lot. Lot decided to pitch his tent in the twin cities. He chose to raise his family in the city environment, never realizing that Sodom and Gomorrah was a dangerous place. Over time, Lot’s family became integrated into the culture and adopted the values of Sodom and Gomorrah. When the judgment of God destroyed the twin cities, most of Lot’s family perished along with everyone else. Lot did not realize the consequences of his choice until it was too late.

Here is Forbes list of the Most Sinful Cities in America:

Most Lustful: Denver, San Antonio, Portland. (Based upon the amount of sex toys and other sex related items sold)

Most Jealous: Memphis, Charlotte, San Antonio. (Based upon crime rates associated with personal property)

Most Obese: Memphis, Birmingham, San Antonio. (Based upon health statistics)

Most Greedy: San Jose, San Francisco, Seattle. (Based upon the cities with the most concentrated wealth)

Most Slothful: Memphis, New Orleans, Las Vegas. (Based upon unemployment verses available job rates)

Most Murderous: Detroit, Baltimore, New Orleans. (Based upon crime statistics)

Most Vain: Salt Lake City, San Francisco, San Diego. (Based on the amount of money spent on plastic surgery)

Perhaps being aware of the cultural environment of our cities is helpful if we are to follow the instruction of Jesus to “be in the world, but not of the world.” Wherever we live, we have been called to be God’s agents to challenge and change the culture. We must never allow the culture to mold us according to its dictates and values—if we give in, we are apt to become a part of the problem rather than the solution.

The following is a link to Forbes Special Report: http://www.forbes.com/lifestyle/2008/02/14/cities-sinful-lander-forbeslife-cx_lm_0213sinful_land.html

Album Review: Natalie Grant

2008-02-21T14:10:00.001-06:00

I must admit that I like people to talk to me straight. This is true when it comes to the lyrics from a Christian artist. Too often, for cross-over purposes, the lyrics are so watered down that they don't present a clear message. Natalie Grant's album is a powerful presentation of the gospel...and the music is equally good.

Relentless starts with the rock anthem "I Will Not Be Moved." Great dynamic--great vocals--great song...one of the songs that was penned by Natalie. The second cut, "In Better Hands," could have come from a Faith Hill album in that it is done in a contemporary country style.

This album is fairly diverse, full of different styles and moods of music. There are a couple of songs that feature a real horn section, others are driven by acoustic guitar, a yet some are filled with soaring electric guitar leads. In spite of the diversity, the album sounds surprisingly cohesive. The variety will no doubt keep me interested and listening to Relentless for some time to come.

By the time you come to the song, "Make a Way," Natalie will have your complete attention--and if you have ever cried at a movie this ballad of hope will leave you breathless. (If you are embarrassed by expressing emotion in front of other people, I would suggest that you listen to this song alone) All and all--this is a wonderful album! I highly recommend it. You can listen to some of Relentless at the following link: http://www.myspace.com/nataliegrant

Wrong Path

2008-02-16T10:36:00.001-06:00

For the next five months Ramonce Taylor is going to be cooling his jets in jail. He has violated his probation multiple times and has tested positive for drugs. As the judge sentenced the ex-Longhorn football player, Taylor said, "I'd rather be a role model and put God first in my life. I lost God when I went to college and stopped going to church."

Ramonce scored 15 touchdowns in the Longhorn's national championship year. He was a star who made exciting things happen on the field. NFL scouts loved his 4.4 speed and figured that he had the potential to be an impact player in the league. Off the field problems changed everything. When Ramonce was recruited by Mack Brown, he was a clean-cut, church-going, high school student who maintained a 3.5 GPA. Everything changed at UT.

Gangster Rap--Guns--Drugs--Parties--Woman--late nights--and hanging with the wrong crowd began to take Ramonce down a path of destruction. Grades suffered--football performance suffered--his family suffered--his reputation suffered...ultimately--he got in trouble with the law. When the judge handed down the sentence, Taylor's mother, Ramona Clark, was inconsolable in her sorrow and had to be removed from the courtroom.

Will Ramonce ever reach the potential that he showed before he took the wrong path in life? That's the important question at this point in time. He recently had a tryout with the Kansas City Chiefs and they were talking about signing him. It probably won't happen now--since it is rather hard to practice in Kansas City when you're in jail in Texas.

What does the future hold for this young man? I hope and pray that he comes to his senses and realizes that it's time to leave the pig trough and go home. It's not too late for Ramonce to turn around.

Dangerous Ideas

2008-02-15T11:41:00.000-06:00

What is going on in the head of a person who anonymously opens fire on a group of people that he does not personally know? Does that person not realize that they are not playing the latest shoot 'n up computer game? We are talking about real people losing their lives. People that had future plans--people that had families and friends--people that were beloved--young people that had the sparkle of life shining in their eyes. What happened on the campus of Northern Illinois University is a national tragedy. A tragedy that is unfortunately being repeated too often.

When you read about the violence happening in other countries--such as the Sudan, Kenya, Israel, Iraq, etc--You have to come to the conclusion that the value of human life is not celebrated throughout our world. One of the values that has traditionally set America on a moral plane above many of the other nations is that we have this deeply-held notion that life is valuable. As a nation, we have engaged in war, risked and lost lives--fighting and defending the opportunity to live in freedom with the right to pursue happiness. In this country we value the sanctity of life.

It is the reason we have seat-belt laws. It is the reason we have speed limits. It is the reason we inspect the food supply. It is the reason we have standards for drinking water. It is the reason there are safety warnings on everything you buy. It is the reason we are waging war against drugs. (I could go on and on) We value life...but, maybe not as much as we used to.

Most of our laws (apart from the over abundance of procedures and bureaucratic red tape) are written to protect the public from physical harm; However, the greatest threat to our well-being may be philosophical in nature. Ideas can be dangerous. The idea that you can legally take the life of an unborn child is a dangerous idea. The idea that you can euthanize a patient with a terminal disease is a dangerous idea. The idea (championed in gangster rap) that you can and should oppose civil authorities, such as the police, is a dangerous idea. The idea of the moral promiscuity that is promoted in our media is a dangerous idea. All of these dangerous and vain philosophies are leading us to the place where human life is being devalued.

A person does not go into a room of people and begin to shoot unless they have come to believe that human life is not that valuable. There is also the possiblity that dangerous ideas have taken root in that person's thinking patterns and that they are lashing out in pain and utter ignorance. It has been said that suicide is the ultimate selfish act...I think that inflicting pain, suffering and death on other people is actually a step beyond. Five students were killed at Northern Illinois University...five students killed by a man preoccupied with dangerous ideas.

The Big Winner

2008-02-11T17:16:00.000-06:00

"And the winner is...Amy Winehouse." Winehouse actually won five Grammy awards last night, including best female artist, best female pop vocal performance, best song, record of the year and best pop vocal album. Natalie Cole offered her opinion saying that the troubled singer didn't deserve the Grammys. What is it that bothers Natalie Cole about Amy Winehouse? She referred to Winehouse as "crazy" and went on to say that "we" are teaching youngsters that they can get rewarded for bad behavior. (Amy Winehouse has a well-publicized Rock 'n Roll life of drug abuse and problems with the law)

I read one music critic (where do they find these people) who said that Amy Winehouse was the best thing that had happened to the music scene in the last 30 years. Really??? Is it the uplifting song writing? Songs like, "Rehab" or maybe, "You Know I'm No Good?" Is it the quality of her singing--replete with pitch problems, unclear enunciation, a strong nasal presence and out of control oscillation?

Let's be honest--Amy Winehouse is popular because she is purposely strange. It's not really about the music--it's about the pop culture. Her beehive hairdo, colorful tattoos, distinct makeup and erratic behavior are impossible to ignore. It doesn't surprise me that Amy Winehouse has sold an extraordinary amount of CD's. (Well, maybe it surprises me a little bit) What really does surprise me is that the music industry--the industry that is about music--the industry that should understand what constitutes good, no make that great music--just gave Amy Winehouse the highest awards the Grammys has to offer.

What message is this sending to the children that are singing in choirs, playing in bands and taking private lessons to improve their musical skill set? That in order to make your mark in music--it is more important to be weird than it is to be good. And the loser is...all of us that love music!

The Frog in the Kettle

2008-02-07T23:26:00.000-06:00

Have you ever heard about the frog in the kettle? It is said that if you put a live frog in a kettle of water--put it on a stove--and then very slowly heat up the water--you can actually cook the frog to death. (Now, I have never actually done this, so it might be an urban myth--but it would be more fun than what I was forced to do to some unfortunate frogs in my high school biology class) Why doesn't the frog just jump out of the kettle to safety when the water starts to get dangerously hot? Because, it has been lulled into lethargy and doesn't realize that danger is imminent.

George Barna actually wrote a book called, "The Frog in the Kettle" back in 1990. The basic thesis of his book was articulated on the sleeve of the book. "In just a few years, we will enter the 21st century. And Life as we know it will have radically changed. but those changes won't all come at once. They'll come subtly and imperceptibly. And that's what makes the coming changes so dangerous. Like a frog in a slowly boiling kettle of water, the Church has found itself in an environment that is gradually changing. And that environment could become life-threatening if we don't stay aware of the changes and how to respond."

Is it possible that Christians (living in the US) are being influenced and impacted by the culture more than they are influencing and impacting the culture? Jesus called His followers "The Salt of the Earth." He went on to say that if the salt was no longer salty that it was "worthless." So...are you salty? Are you an influence on and in your world or are you satisfied with the status-quo? Are you willing to stand up and be counted for a righteous cause, or do you wish to remain anonymous? Are you solving problems or have you become a part of the problem?

My prayer for the American church is that we wake up and realize that the kettle is getting hot while we have a chance to do something about it.

Impress Them On Your Children

2008-02-07T10:45:00.000-06:00

We (those of us who are parents) are defined by our children. Our children reflect us and the investment that we made in them. That is why parents must make the right kind of deposits into the lives of their children. If this is true, then we must always ask ourselves the question, "What kind of deposits have I made?" The moral values, the system of belief, the idea of faith, the strength to cope with stress, the ability to make friends, the work ethic, the use of money...all of these things are shaped by the relationship between parents and their children.

Above all else, Christian parents have the responsibility to impress the following commandment on their children: Deut 6:4-9 (NIV) 4 Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. 5 Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. 6 These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. 7 Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. 8 Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. 9 Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.

If you are a person of faith--the first area of responsibility must be the passing of your faith to your children.

Music Review: Heather Powers "Undone"

2008-02-06T12:56:00.000-06:00

Most of you, at least those of you who know me personally, know that I am a music lover. I am not a person who exclusively listens to "Christian" music; However, I try to listen to music that is...well, musical. If an artist writes their own music, actually plays an instrument and is involved in the arranging--I am even more impressed. You will find such an artist when you listen to Heather Power's newly released "Undone" album.

Heather's singing is impeccable and stylish. Think of Norah Jones--with the ability to stay on pitch. Heather has great command of her voice and the richness of her vocals make her sound like another instrument in the ensemble.

Perhaps the greatest bonus is the song-writing. I found things to like and admire about every song. There is the epic "Undone"--the profoundly funny "Say Goodbye"--the warmth of "Lullaby", a song that celebrates the life of her baby--and finally, there is "Tonite" a powerful anthem that makes me want to stand strong in my faith.

I don't know Heather personally, but I would highly recommend this album to any person who loves music that is full of artistic and cultural integrity. You can find out more about Heather at the following link: http://www.heatherpowersonline.com/

You can also hear some of Heather's music at: http://www.myspace.com/heatherpowers

Newest Addition to the Family

2008-02-05T23:06:00.000-06:00

January 3rd was a great event in our family. Our beautiful daughter, Gina, gave birth to Ayden Michael Frank. He is our (Jody and RJ) first grandchild. We are glad that he has come into our world and we are praying that God will keep him safe and guide him through the journey of life.

The Super Super Bowl

2008-02-05T21:49:00.000-06:00

The Super Bowl was really super this year. All the elements that make a game great were represented in abundance. It was a game that was closely contested throughout--one of the greatest upsets in NFL history--two epic fourth quarter drives and perhaps the most amazing reception ever. I don't think that I have ever enjoyed a game more that I cared about less in my many years of watching football. (My team--the Dallas Cowboys--"I know...don't hold it against me"--didn't make it to the big dance) But, the game was so intense that I had to remind myself to breathe.

Sandwiched between the war on the field was the halftime show. One would think that if the Super Bowl is the event of the year that whoever is in charge of halftime would book an artist or a group that was up to the level of the event. I know that someone somewhere must love Tom Petty. He has been turning out albums for a major label for years. But how talented is he? How can you laugh at some of the contestants that are so cruelly tossed from American Idol and adore Tom? Tom Petty has long been a darling of the same people that awarded Milli Vanilli a Grammy. (And even if the boys had really been the voices singing they didn't merit music's highest honor) If three chords, a monotone melody line and a nasal enriched voice is music to your ears--then Tom Petty is great--make that super; but if you really love music...OK, I really do like the song "Free Falling." It's not great music, but it's better than the Rolling Stones. (Wow--some people are really going to hate the fact that the Emperor is naked)

Friends, please listen to me for a moment. You may really be a fan of Tom Petty and the Rolling Stones. You might still have a copy of Milli Vanilli hiding beneath a stack of CDs. I do not object to anyone's freedom to like what they want like, for beauty is in the eye of the beholder; however, you need to start thinking for yourself and not "buy" into pop culture hype. Pop culture hype is anything that has primarily had its value established by nothing more than hype. We--the public are influenced to believe that the Emperor's new clothes are beautiful when in reality they are nothing more than a scheme that has been dreamed up, hyped up and sold. What was it that P.T. Barnum once said?

If enough of us begin to think for ourselves and not be swayed by public opinion or the hype of the secular media, just maybe we will see a halftime show in the Super Bowl that is super.