Lance is Pretty Much the Best Spotter Ever

This weekend, quite a few people in the Wedgwood college and young adult department went for an overnighter at Camp El Har (which is Hebrew for "the mountain of God", although it was really just a large hill). The purpose of the retreat was to help build relationships and teamwork within the group. Let me just say right away that we had a blast!

Friday night we unloaded our stuff and gathered together for a friendly night game of capture the flag. It was the college group verses the young adult group. Nick and I decided to play guard at our base's jail. Since people get caught pretty easily and sent to jail, Style (one of the camp staff) would ring a bell three times to free everyone in jail on both sides. It got to the point where Nick and I just started releasing our prisoners for the fun of it. The college group ended up winning with one flag.

After that we met around a campfire (which Super Dave had to light) and sang praises to God led by Tommy and Jesse. Lance also gave a devotion about being busy about the Lord's work. Don't get caught standing around looking into the sky (Acts 1). While we were out there a raccoon decided to join us. I guess he smelled the hotdogs and smores that we had; either that or he wanted to sing. I consumed four hotdogs, two smores, some more graham crackers and chocolate, a few marshmellows, and a coke. Yeah, I was pretty hungry. Super Dave gave us a little magic show which I thought was quite humorous. In fact, he even did his own music. He's multi-talented.

When we finally got into our bunks, some of us stayed up talking and laughing. Josh was quite the entertainer, and Richard...well, he's just Richard. Shannon's snoring got so loud that Josh kicked the bottom of his bed. He got quite for a little while anyway. At one point, Jesse crawled over to where I was and told us to be quiet, which only encouraged me to laugh more. Then there was this mysterious chant music...we couldn't quite figure that one out.

After breakfast the next morning, we walked down to the ropes area where we would spend the remainder of the day (excluding lunch time of course). During the time spent before lunch, we broke up into two groups and worked on some activities (some were quite the challenge) designed to help us work together as a team.

After lunch, we headed back down for the personal challenges (the high ropes). A few of us started out on the climbing wall. Oh yeah, just so that you know, we had to learn a few commands for everyone's safety. Each challenge started like this (we'll use Coach and Norman as an example):

Norman: "On belay?"

Coach: "Belay on."

Norman: "Spotters ready?"

Bob and Lance (very enthusiasticly): "Ready."

Norman: "Climbing."

Coach: "Climb on."

Style told Lance that he was pretty much the best spotter ever. I have to admit that he was pretty good. Lance and I worked as a team for the rest of the day. It was during this time that he started calling me Raz'r (not really sure why, but it's cool).

All of the high ropes challenges were fun. It was great getting to know my friends a little better and getting to know some people for the first time.

Without Notes...

That is how I had to preach yesterday for my Preaching Lab class. Let me also add that this is really the first time I've preached a message without the use of notes in front of me. For those of you who have never done it, let me just say it is quite a scary experience.

One of my struggles in life is memorization. That is by far the main reason why learning Greek is so difficult. I can't stand having to take a test that is based on total recall (and no, I'm not refering to the movie). I've been off and on throughout the past twelve years memorizing Scripture verses with their addresses. More times than not I'm like, "There is a verse that says so and so (I remember what it says), but I can't remember where it is." I'm gradually improving because I've been practicing that discipline more.

Let me get back to preaching without notes. Once I started the sermon, the rest flowed quite nicely. There were certain things that I wanted to say, but somehow they were omitted from my memory at that critical point in my class experience. Regardless, the sermon got mostly good reviews from my classmates, and my professor, Dr. Steven Smith (highly recommended), gave me a B+. I'm definately not going to argue with that grade.

While a scary experience, I also feel it was an extremely helpful one. Now I know the two or three aspects that I really need to work on, like trying not to pace back and forth or making the introduction stronger. Perhaps one day I will post the sermon, but I want to develop it some more first.

I would like to thank those who have recently prayed for me and encouraged me. You are deeply appreciated!

Homosexuality

Homosexuality is wrong; it is a sin, and there are no ifs, ands, or buts about it. In the beginning, God initiated the relationship between a man and a woman. He created Adam and Eve, not Adam and Steve, as some like to humorously assert. Homosexuality is no laughing matter. It was primarily this sin that led to the destruction of Sodom found in Genesis 19. The men of Sodom “called to Lot and said to him, ‘Where are the men who came to you tonight? Bring them out to us that we may have relations with them’” (Genesis 19:5). A strikingly similar situation can also be found in Judges 19. The law is specific in Leviticus 18:22, “You shall not lie with a male as one lies with a female; it is an abomination.” Leviticus 20:13 adds the punishment for such a sin, “If there is a man who lies with a male as those who lie with a woman, both of them have committed a detestable act; they shall surely be put to death. There bloodguiltiness is upon them.” Paul, in writing to the Roman church, describes those who have exchanged the truth of God for a lie, “For this reason God gave them over to degrading passions; for their women exchanged the natural function for that which is unnatural, and in the same way also the men abandoned the natural function of the woman and burned in their desire toward one another, men with men committing indecent acts” (Romans 1:26-27). Both 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 and 1 Timothy 1:10 contain list descriptions of people who are considered unrighteous (lawless and rebellious), and guess what, homosexuality is found in both lists.

It is quite obvious as to what God thinks about homosexuality, and since we (believers) are His children, we are to be likeminded in regards to this sin. However, we must keep in mind that we are not called to hate people. It is ok to hold a position one way or the other, but when it comes to name-calling and violence, that is where the line is crossed. That is when we fall into sin ourselves. How are we to treat homosexuals? We are to love them and share Christ with them as we would anyone else. We have a responsibility to let homosexuals, and all sinners for that matter, to know that Christ will one day sit as Judge; but we also have the responsibility to share the Good News of Jesus Christ with them. Repentance is an option, and forgiveness is available. I have heard of homosexuals coming to Christ for healing and forgiveness, and now they are serving Christ wholeheartedly. 1 John 1:9 says, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse from all unrighteousness.”

Obviously, if homosexuality is wrong (Scripture makes this clear), then no church of the living Christ should ever be led by a homosexual pastor. No homosexual should be allowed to serve as a deacon or in any other position in the Church. Unfortunately, our culture has had an effect on some churches in our nation. There are homosexual pastors leading churches. There are even churches which promote the homosexual agenda, and they do this in the name of being open to everyone and not being exclusive. With no apologies, I assert that Christianity is extremely exclusive. By that I mean that Jesus Christ is “the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6), and it is an imperative that we follow after Him and His Word. To be called Christian and not follow after Christ is ridiculous.

The day may very well come in this country when taking a stand against homosexuality will be considered a crime. It isn't a far stretch at all to say that pastors may be thrown in jail for preaching against it. God help us to stand firm on His word and endure what may come!

Up, Up, Up On the Roof

Last night, I had planned on going right to bed at an early time (11:30). However, when I got back to the dorm I ran into Jerry and Grant, who invited me to join them (along with Josh and Jason) on the roof of Fort Worth Hall. So, needless to say, I decided to spend a little bit of time hanging out with the boys, and I went up on the roof.

We were having a great time! The view was pretty good. A few stars (those that weren't masked by the lights of Fort Worth) could be seen. The moon was bright. We laughed together. Josh and I had a serious conversation. Then it happened.

We were spotted by two fellow Fort Worth Hall residents. These two proceeded to go to the second floor RA, Anthony, and tell on us. Everyone loves a tattle tale. Well, of course, Anthony, who is a really cool guy, marched up the steps to the roof and told us that we couldn't be up there. We all thought that he was joking.

Well, he wasn't joking. In fact, he threatened to call security. We were like, "You've got to be kidding me." We ended up sitting on the east steps of Fort Worth Hall. Josh and Grant werent too happy about what had transpired. Jerry, Jason, and I had the attitude of "whatever". The two guys who tattled on us came walking up with giant smiles on their faces. We remained silent. I found out that one of the guys was responsible for setting the fire alarm off because he had some trouble cooking popcorn in the microwave.

Today we recieved a message from the housing director about how we shouldn't go up on the roof for our safety (even though the roof has railing) and if anyone is caught, security would be called.

I will miss being on the roof. Even though I had only been up there three times, it had become a special place. I know Josh had been going up there for about a year. It's quiet. You can actually get a good cell phone signal up there. The first time I went up there was with Josh after he found out that his parents were selling his childhood home and buying a new house (visit Trigun's Universe for more info). The second time I went up was alone to read Scripture and pray. It was a beautiful night of worshiping my Creator and praying for my friends. The third time, I was kicked off.

I'm not really angry. I'm just disappointed. There's really nothing for us to do on this campus. I really feel sorry for the college students. Well, I've ranted on enough for now. Until next time, behave; and if you can't behave, be careful!

Abortion

I have heard it said that the ultimate test of any civilization is what it does with its children. The American legal system has decided quite some time ago that the murder of innocent babies is alright. Doctors are legally allowed to practice this gruesome procedure. Many debate whether or not the “fetus” is alive or not, but medical studies have shown time and time again that the child is in fact living. In all of my reading of Scripture, I have not come across any explicit command dealing with the subject of abortion. It was practiced. History has shown us that. Then why is the Bible silent on the issue? It is because I believe that abortion falls under the category of murder. Abortion is murder! In Exodus 20:13, God gives this commandment, “You shall not murder.” This is talking about the premeditated killing of a life. An abortion is definitely premeditated. An abortion also leaves the mother scarred physically and mentally for life. Just listen to the testimonies of women who have had an abortion.

Does God consider the fetus a person? In Psalm 139, David writes about how well God knows him. In verses 13-14, he says, “For You formed my inward parts; You wove me in my mother’s womb. I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; wonderful are Your works, and my soul knows it very well.” In calling Jeremiah, God said, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I have appointed you a prophet to the nations” (Jeremiah 1:5). In Proverbs 6:17, God hates the “hands that shed innocent blood.”

Should we as Christians take a stand against abortion? Well, consider some more of the Proverbs. Proverbs 24:11 says, “Deliver those who are being taken away to death, and those who are staggering to slaughter, oh hold them back.” The next verse tells us that we cannot plead ignorance. Millions of unborn babies are being slaughtered here in America and around the world. We must be a voice to those who cannot speak. Proverbs 31:8 says, “Open your mouth for the mute, for the rights of all the unfortunate.” We should not support the doctors who practice abortions either. Proverbs 28:17 says, “A man who is laden with the guilt of human blood will be a fugitive until death; let no one support him.”

Divorce

My position is as follows: a married couple should not ever get divorced, except in the case where one or the other has been unfaithful to his or her partner. Why do I say that? It is because Malachi is explicit in quoting God, “I hate divorce” (Malachi 2:16). Those are pretty strong words. It is not too often in Scripture that God is quoted as hating something. Why then is this ignored so often? Paul teaches in 1 Corinthians 7:10-11, “But to the married I give instructions, not I, but the Lord, that the wife should not leave her husband…and that the husband should not divorce his wife.” That can only mean one thing—do not get divorced!

Jesus Christ gave only one situation in which divorce is allowable, and that is in the case of unchastity. In Matthew 5:31-32, Jesus teaches, “It was said, ‘Whoever sends his wife away, let him give her a certificate of divorce’; but I say to you that everyone who divorces his wife, except for the reason of unchastity, makes her commit adultery; and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery.” Jesus repeats this statement in Matthew 19 and in Mark 10. Not only is divorce a sin, but it leads to more sin, namely adultery. Joseph was going to divorce Mary quietly because he thought she had been unfaithful to him.

Marriage is designed to be a lifetime commitment. Jesus says in Mark 10:9, “What therefore God has joined together, let no man separate.” Paul Hamar writes concerning the subject, “God made one husband for one wife, and anything contrary in this setting is breaking Christ’s command.”[1] We have always heard in marriage ceremonies, “Until death do us part.” The death of a spouse releases the other person from the bonds of marriage. That really is the only honorable way for a marriage to end. Paul states in 1 Corinthians 7:39, “A wife is bound as long as her husband lives; but if her husband is dead, she is free to be married to whom she wishes, only in the Lord” (see Marriage to a non-Christian). Furthermore, Paul goes on to say in Romans 7:2-3, “The married woman is bound by law to her husband while he is living; but if her husband dies, she is released from the law concerning her husband.”

Brother and sisters, let us live our lives with love for one another through the good times and the bad times, the thick and the thin. How tragic it is that statistics show that the divorce rate in the Church matches that of the world at 50 percent! This should not be the case. Divorce is wrong in God’s eyes, and therefore, it is wrong in my eyes as well.

[1] Paul A. Hamar. The Book of First Corinthians. (Gospel Publishing House: Springfield, 1980), 58.