Monday, June 30, 2008
Ed on Local TV
I was a guest of Dean Welty's on the Valley Family Forum television show on Friday, June 27th. You can see a link to the show at www.wazt.com by clicking on the Valley Faith in Action button. We discussed issues facing America and what we as Christians can do. Rita Dunaway of the Rutherford Institute was also a guest on the show. It was a fun experience and a great time of interaction.
Sunday, June 29, 2008
Williamsburg Christian Retreat Center
Our family enjoyed a week of tent camping at the Williamsburg Christian Retreat Center in Taono, Virginia. Jeannette, Crystal & Eric and little Kyan, and Aaron joined us for a time of rest, competition, and fun. For the first time in years, we survived without getting rained on. (We actually pulled up one night early because of the threat of severe weather).
For us guys, the competition included a running total of first (3), second (2) and third (1) place points in frisbee golf, basketball 21, pool basketball and minature golf. Aaron won the competition, Eric came in second and I came in dead last ... but close! We also had fun building campfires and swimming.
The ladies enjoyed time by the pool, shopping and taking turns caring for little Kyan.
This year, there were no raccoons, whipperwills or snakes. We did see deer, squirrels and heard a wild turkey hen instructing her chicks and of course the barking dog.
Tent camping is a wonderful way to make family memories. Every year we end up laughing around the campfire telling stories of past years. It offers a time to take life at a much slower pace and it helps to break the routines of life that we so easily fall into. We have been doing this for all our married life together.
For us guys, the competition included a running total of first (3), second (2) and third (1) place points in frisbee golf, basketball 21, pool basketball and minature golf. Aaron won the competition, Eric came in second and I came in dead last ... but close! We also had fun building campfires and swimming.
The ladies enjoyed time by the pool, shopping and taking turns caring for little Kyan.
This year, there were no raccoons, whipperwills or snakes. We did see deer, squirrels and heard a wild turkey hen instructing her chicks and of course the barking dog.
Tent camping is a wonderful way to make family memories. Every year we end up laughing around the campfire telling stories of past years. It offers a time to take life at a much slower pace and it helps to break the routines of life that we so easily fall into. We have been doing this for all our married life together.
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
It's a dark day in America
Today, in California, and across the nation, gay and lesbian couples are celebrating a victory. Going against God's moral law, common sense and the establish law of the land for centuries (Proverbs 22:28), they have convinced themselves to be right. As I reflected on that this morning, I thought about the words of the scripture which reads, "There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death." (NIV) (Proverbs 14:12, 16:25) Legalizing sin does not make it moral or right in God's sight.
Jeremiah says, "My people have committed two sins: They have forsaken me, the spring of living water, and have dug their own cisterns, broken cisterns that cannot hold water." (NIV)
In our society people use the argument that they have a relationship with the Lord. Sometimes it is difficult to know how to respond when someone claims to have a personal relationship with the Lord yet their lifestyle does not reflect a life of holiness. Jesus said, “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. 16 By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? 17 Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them. 21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ 23 Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’" (NIV) You can be fruit watchers. Touting a personal relationship with Jesus does not give one liberty to change the moral law of God. Neither does it give us a right to forfeit a life holiness and purity.
I call us to seek God in these times. Join with thousands who will be going to Washington DC on August 16th of this year to call on the name of the Lord. Visit http://www.thecall.com/ for more information.
May God help us during these days.
Jeremiah says, "My people have committed two sins: They have forsaken me, the spring of living water, and have dug their own cisterns, broken cisterns that cannot hold water." (NIV)
In our society people use the argument that they have a relationship with the Lord. Sometimes it is difficult to know how to respond when someone claims to have a personal relationship with the Lord yet their lifestyle does not reflect a life of holiness. Jesus said, “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. 16 By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? 17 Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them. 21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ 23 Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’" (NIV) You can be fruit watchers. Touting a personal relationship with Jesus does not give one liberty to change the moral law of God. Neither does it give us a right to forfeit a life holiness and purity.
I call us to seek God in these times. Join with thousands who will be going to Washington DC on August 16th of this year to call on the name of the Lord. Visit http://www.thecall.com/ for more information.
May God help us during these days.
Monday, June 16, 2008
Camping at Big Meadows
Well, what a weekend!! Eileen made the comment as we entered Shenandoah National Park, "sure hope we see some bears!" In fact, we saw a total of 14 black bear over a two day period. Another highlight was watching two Peregrine Falcons feeding through the spotter scope of a park ranger up on Hawksbill Peak. (sorry this photo is blurred). The weather was ideal for tent camping. However, on Saturday night a huge storm roared through dumping inches of rain. Good news?? Our tent stayed dry! We also saw about a zillion deer. Many of them just wander around within arms reach. Give an opportunity for excellent photo shoot. Our two oldest daughters Jeannette and Crystal -- husband, Eric and Kyan joined us.
Thursday, June 5, 2008
Presidential Elections
Our nation is in trouble. It is no longer the right verses the left or Democrats verses Republicans. I don't think it is even about the liberal verses the conservative. It is more about good verses evil and the godly verses the ungodly. We are running rapidly toward the prophetic fulfillment of Romans 1: 18-32.
"The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness, 19 since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. 20 For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.
21 For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools 23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles.
24 Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another. 25 They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. Amen.
26 Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones. 27 In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed indecent acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their perversion.
28 Furthermore, since they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, he gave them over to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done. 29 They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips, 30 slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents; 31 they are senseless, faithless, heartless, ruthless. 32 Although they know God’s righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them." NIV Bible
Isaish 5:18-21 speaks about the seriousness of distorting Truth and a culture running wild.
"18 Woe to those who draw sin along with cords of deceit,
and wickedness as with cart ropes,
19 to those who say, “Let God hurry,
let him hasten his work
so we may see it.
Let it approach,
let the plan of the Holy One of Israel come,
so we may know it.”
20 Woe to those who call evil good
and good evil,
who put darkness for light
and light for darkness,
who put bitter for sweet
and sweet for bitter.
21 Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes
and clever in their own sight." NIV Bible
There is hope for our nation. I was reading in Daniel 11 this morning. Verse 31-32 stood out to me. It says, "His armed forces (King of the North) will rise up to desecrate the temple fortress and will abolish the daily sacrifice. Then they will set up the abomination that causes desolation. 32 With flattery he will corrupt those who have violated the covenant, but the people who know their God will firmly resist him." NIV Bible
My friends we have a moral and spiritual obligation to our nation and our people. We the people of God need to take a courageous stand for the Lord. This is no time to run and hide. This is a time to take our call and faith seriously, stand up and be counted. The verses following in Daniel speak about suffering and persecution of those who resist evil.
I am concerned about our nation. Personally, this is the most disparing election pool I have ever seen. I think that we need to turn our attention to the the election of our Senate and House. We can make a difference in this branch of government.
I would also direct your attention to a national solemn assembly on the Washington Mall on August 16th of this summer. You can find more information at http://www.thecall.com/ . I hope you will consider joining us on this important occassion in our nations history.
"The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness, 19 since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. 20 For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.
21 For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools 23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles.
24 Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another. 25 They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. Amen.
26 Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones. 27 In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed indecent acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their perversion.
28 Furthermore, since they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, he gave them over to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done. 29 They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips, 30 slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents; 31 they are senseless, faithless, heartless, ruthless. 32 Although they know God’s righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them." NIV Bible
Isaish 5:18-21 speaks about the seriousness of distorting Truth and a culture running wild.
"18 Woe to those who draw sin along with cords of deceit,
and wickedness as with cart ropes,
19 to those who say, “Let God hurry,
let him hasten his work
so we may see it.
Let it approach,
let the plan of the Holy One of Israel come,
so we may know it.”
20 Woe to those who call evil good
and good evil,
who put darkness for light
and light for darkness,
who put bitter for sweet
and sweet for bitter.
21 Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes
and clever in their own sight." NIV Bible
There is hope for our nation. I was reading in Daniel 11 this morning. Verse 31-32 stood out to me. It says, "His armed forces (King of the North) will rise up to desecrate the temple fortress and will abolish the daily sacrifice. Then they will set up the abomination that causes desolation. 32 With flattery he will corrupt those who have violated the covenant, but the people who know their God will firmly resist him." NIV Bible
My friends we have a moral and spiritual obligation to our nation and our people. We the people of God need to take a courageous stand for the Lord. This is no time to run and hide. This is a time to take our call and faith seriously, stand up and be counted. The verses following in Daniel speak about suffering and persecution of those who resist evil.
I am concerned about our nation. Personally, this is the most disparing election pool I have ever seen. I think that we need to turn our attention to the the election of our Senate and House. We can make a difference in this branch of government.
I would also direct your attention to a national solemn assembly on the Washington Mall on August 16th of this summer. You can find more information at http://www.thecall.com/ . I hope you will consider joining us on this important occassion in our nations history.
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