"The Problem with Same-Sex Marriage"

In response to Washington State's newly approved right for same-sex partners to marry I share this documentary "The Problem with Same-Sex Marriage." In the case that knowledge is power, it should be our posture to take captive both the pros and the cons in consideration before we decide how we are to take action. As a fundamental Christian, I firstly submit to the Bible to renew my understanding of same-sex perspective. As such, I must and wish to seek the approval of my God, not only because of who He is to me, but how my renewed understanding is detailed in my affection for humanity. Though I have many wonderful friends who are and who support the union of same-sex endeavors it is my conviction that same-sex happenstance is not beneficial for our union with Jesus Christ and not suitable for the state of Washington. For the sack of utterance, I do not share this documentary in order to condemn anyone, but to inform. I wish you all nothing but the very best. Sincerely, Kelby Steele

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=egxB0dTajb4&feature=related

What Proceeds From The Mouth

In Matthews gospel, chapter 15, Jesus speaks of what defiles a person. Why is it that we say that “no one is perfect,” without argument we can assume that its because no one is. For who can say, “I am perfect.” It is impossible to justify one self as being perfect. And the reason for no one being perfect is because what Jesus says in Matthew 15:11, “what comes out of the mouth defiles a person.” In order for Jesus’ words to be true and for there to be no one perfect must mean that every person has said some article of speech that is defiling. I would propose for each person, whether Christian or not that there be some ground of ill-refutable acknowledgement of Jesus’ admonition. A person, defiled or not, is regarded either way by what they choose to say or what they don’t choose to say. But can a person be redeemed of such defilement? Are there such things that can absolve what comes out of ones mouth and tarnishes the whole person? And what are the implications of Jesus’ admonishment and what we find to be unscrupulously true.

For starters Jesus called a group of people to himself in Matthew 15 and implored them to “Hear and understand: It is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a person, but what comes out of the mouth, this defiles a person” (Matthew 15:11 ESV). What we know is that what goes into the mouth does not defile the words that come from our mouth, besides of course if we put something too hot in our mouth and choose to express some form profanity, than perhaps, but still it is the words coming from our mouth that defile. Growing up you probably heard the saying, “sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.” I have never met anyone who admitted that that phrase held any such truth. 

Think. Has anyone defiled you? Wronged you? Cheated you? Manipulated you? Said something that caused you to respond negatively, either with words or bitterness in your heart? I know people who have held on to hurtful words for 40 - 50 years. I still have bitterness in my heart for some of the things that have been done to me and I have chosen to speak bitterly to others. The things I have said have not improved my circumstances, they’ve made them worse and made me worse as well. We have all said and done things that would defile us. So its not what goes into our mouths that defiles us, but what comes out our mouths that defiles us. 

So what are we to do? We are defiled human beings, what is left? What would Jesus have us to do? Is there a way to absolve the words that we have spoken and the tarnishing effects of our actions? The truth is there is nothing we can do to remove or erase what we’ve said. We can’t wish upon a star, say a little prayer or confess our sins to a hundred priest. What is done is done. What Jesus commands from us now is that we lay down ourselves for our friends. We die to self, repent of sin and ask for forgiveness from those we’ve wronged. First we go to Jesus and repent for the bitterness in our hearts. Then we go to the people or person that we have committed the evil against and ask for their forgiveness, naming our sin for what it is and reconciling what we can to what has been previously severed. All of a Christian’s life is a life of repentance. Not until we die to self will we ever find ourselves.  

Indeed in calling you to repent there will be those of you who are offended and who will choose to oppose. But listen, every Christian before they became a Christian was offended by the gospel. We are not to be offensive, but we will offend. The Christian life will offend. After all they killed Jesus because he offended people. So be true to the Word, knowing that you will offend, but do all that you can to not be offensive. Love your neighbor as yourself and be willing to offend that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven. Be willing to offend that they may see Jesus and choose to follow after him. Jesus’ disciples came to him and told him that the Pharisees were offended by what he was saying. “He answered, ‘Every plant that my heavenly Father has not planted will be rooted up. Let them alone; they are blind guides. And if the blind lead the blind, both will fall into a pit’” (Matt. 15:13-14). Be willing to offend so that no one may fall into a pit.

Hear and understand. What goes into the mouth passes through the stomach and is expelled, but what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart and this defiles a person (v18). Repentance is more than watching what we say. Repentance and humble obedience is a turning a way from sin and its effects. Jesus says, “For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander. These are what defile a person” (v19-20). So the issue is a heart condition, because what proceeds from the mouth comes from the heart. All that the Father has planted will not be up rooted and repentance comes from being planted in good soil. Repentance is then an active change of heart and an up rooting of sin. Therefore to absolve sin requires that we turn to Jesus and turn a way from sin and its effects.  

Freshology

Refreshing the mind, the body, and the spirit

Do you ever find that when you get up in the morning and start your day, there are the things you know you should do and the things you would prefer to do instead of those things? You might say, "I'd rather go for a run in the mornings" or "I'd like to go downstairs before anyone else and make myself a cup of hot coffee and sit in my chair as I read the headlines in this mornings paper." I think if each one of us was asked what his or her's perfect morning would be, we all might answer this question slightly different from the other. I know for me a morning exercise of some sort (perhaps cycling or kaiaking or lifting), reading my Bible and the latest news report complimented with a cup of coffee with coconut cream and if possible on the shore over looking some calm water sounds copacitically benign. I know some of you, like Jamie (my fiancée), are probably thinking something entirely different, like sleeping in! Waking up early in the morning, going for a run, and reading are the farthest things from your mind when you think of your perfect morning I understand. But however you like to spend your morning, remember to take time at some point in the day to refresh.

Among a lot of things that fill our day or the long list of things that we would prefer to do, don't forget to eat. Now all the same, you never forget to eat at some point in the day, so don't forget to read, pray, and give thanks for the living daily bread that we have by the gospel in Jesus. 

From our physical bodies to our minds and to our spirits we need to take time to refresh ourselves. You might be thinking, "Well, I don't have time to read my Bible or do any extra curricular activities. I barely have time to eat." I understand, believe me. But if you don't soon begin to make time, you will run short of time. Physically if you refuse to eat, no matter how busy you are, your body will shut down and eventually die. The same is said psychologically, as well as spiritually. Really all three of these tightly intertwined elements of our lives are insurmountably bond, so that if one fails or is depleted it will soon look to the others for support. 

And when you are depleted and you can't find that extra "unff" that you are so desperately looking for, you will begin to compromise and soon forget who you are, because its been so long you've forgotten where or what your identity is in. This is how people reach points of "burnout" or physical collapse or divorce or loss of identity in anything other than what they are exerting all their energy towards. So at some point today even, make time to do what you forgot to do this morning and begin today to go into the quiet places of intercessory prayer and ask Jesus to help you refresh - to help remind you where your identity is and where it ought to be. Only then will you find peace, when you are able to refresh yourself in Jesus; mentally, bodily, and spiritually.  

Sorrow: Why did I not die at birth?

"'Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God.' Job received his answer when the Lord spoke to him out of the whirlwind, and said, 'Who is this that darkeneth counsel by words without knowledge?' What God said to him was not so much a vindication of the ways of providence, but a revelation of his matchless power as the Creator and the Ruler of the universe; and, though men may not like to hear it, yet there is, in the thunder of God's power, an answer, which, though it may not always answer the sceptic, but ultimately overpower and silence him. As for God's child, he sits down in the shadow of that black cloud which is the canopy of Deity, and he is well content to be still in the presence of the Lord of the whole earth." - C. H. Spurgeon, The Sorrowful Man's Questions


 Look to imitate him who sits down in the shadow of that black cloud, that canopy, and be still in the presence of the Lord. He is more than capable to deliver you from trouble. Rest and be satisfied in him, who is the Vindicator of our souls and the drink that restores our thirst. Lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven. Do not build up your store house on earth. If God taketh from you, do not question accuse him of taking what doesn't belong to him. Do not accuse God with your lips or within your heart of being crafty and artfully devious. For it will not go well for you! 


John 10:10, Jesus came that your joy may abound and that your store house might be laid up in him. Friend, do not question and ask, "Why did I not die at birth, come out from the womb and expire (Job 3:11)?" How could you, oh Lord, take from me? Can I not discern the cause of my calamity? Spurgeon says, "Divine Sovereignty is an ocean without a bottom." I shall not be in want. The Lord is my refuge, my salvation, and my everlasting. Say, "I will rejoice in the Lord, the Savior of my delight. I shall never lack or despair in the night of my most darkest moment."

Good Reminder: Repent & Delight

 
At this very moment you and I are either committing [selfishness], or about to commit it, or repenting it." - C. S. Lewis


C.S. Lewis also said that the life of a Christian is one of repentance. Martin Luther, John Calvin, Jonathan Edwards and Charles H. Spurgeon said variations of the same thing. Let us always be reminded on this simple truth, that our lives are to be continually basking in the reverence of our Lord Jesus Christ and our  thanksgiving should come from our contrite heart that God may delight in.  

When Belief Becomes Epistemology

"Epistemology is the investigation of what distinguishes justified belief from opinion." - dictionary.com. Like the present statement is written, epistemology must be investigated to justify our belief. Our opinions are not enough to justify our lives, rather our lives are only ever shaped and justified when belief becomes epistemology.

Proverbs 1:4-9

for giving prudence to the simple,

knowledge and discretion to the young—

let the wise listen and add to their learning,

and let the discerning get guidance—

for understanding proverbs and parables,

the sayings and riddles of the wise.

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge,

but fools despise wisdom and discipline.

Listen, my son, to your father’s instruction

and do not forsake your mother’s teaching.

They will be a garland to grace your head

and a chain to adorn your neck.

Why I want you to meet Christ?

Christ is the King. He is the drink of water that man thirst after, but spends his whole life pursuing without quenching thirst. Christ is the God man. He’s deity, nothing less. He’s all satisfying, nothing less. He’ll take you as you are and change you from the inside out. We all know there’s something wrong with us... it takes something greater than ourselves to fix us, God is enough to do that. At the end of the day, I can say, “God is enough,” because I know His gift. No, I’m not perfect. No, I’m not even deserving. I’m deserving of anything He’s given to me or for me. Christ is everything. I make my boast in Him alone, I don’t have anything else worthy of credit. He showers me like a son. All that I have is only an extension of His gift to me. 

Now as you’re sitting there, thirsty, ask the King to give you his water and He’ll fill you with living water. He’ll give you that peace to say, “He’s enough.” “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is that is saying to you, ‘Give me a drink,’ you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water” (John 4:10 ESV). Ask, receive and know His gift to you. 

Gender Roles: A New Perspective/ Solution

Its poor thinking when people say that women are incapable or even should not be permitted to go to college, travel or apply for certain jobs, in reason. In contrast to our culture, that views women, I would ague, like men and that women if they are to be equal to men must do or act similar to men. Don't get me wrong, I want to say it plainly that women are made to be equals with men, but women are not made to be men. I think we all can agree that women are not men, nor are they supposed to be men. Women have innate abilities that men biologically do not possess. Most importantly, those innate abilities do not make women inferior to men, but offer society something that is all satisfying, completely deserving respect that comes from women being women. What they may look like for each women may very, but I do not imagine it would very far from lets say motherhood, if a women happens to be a mother. For a women who is a mother has motherly responsibilities as a mother. Therefore, if she avoids those responsibilities, usually poor consequences occur because of neglecting of responsibility. The same is said and should be more heavily enforced about men who are fathers. Because fathers ought to care the most responsibility for their families. Additionally, fathers have a responsibility to their wives as husbands. Husbands ought to make accept their responsibility as husbands and the building up of their wives. I think for a lot of women this means activities outside the home. For example, like cycling or racquetball or times away with the girls; more or less things that build her up and encourage her to make much of her worth and well-rounded person, especially as a mother and wife. Keeping women locked up and stifled is not healthy for our marriages and our families as a whole. 

We do not have to look too far to see that both fathers and mothers at home do produce happy families and good contributors to society. With divorce rates, for instance, skyrocketing more than 60% we can conclude that something is wrong. What I would like to suggest is a new perspective, one that challenges social norms of our day and begin to respectively evaluate where we are, where we have come, and where we want to be. I think women want to pursue and explore and have options to pursue other means outside of the home for whatever the reasons maybe, with careful consideration; if her motives are not edifying for her family then of course some things need to be addressed. I’m just thinking if she is putting her family at harm with a relationship she might have with someone outside of the home, such as a women who has harmful advice or is a poor influence; or a man who might be wanting more out of a relationship with her that would be harmful for the family and society at large. Likewise, I think men want what men have always wanted and that is respect. I think women want love and worth; while men want love and respect. Why can’t we accomplish relational satisfaction in both sexes, while at the same time be equipping the next generations, our kids. Our kids need these same basic emotional facets of affection in healthy relationships with both their father and mother. These facets of affection are so innate that I believe it to be essential for both a mother and a father to effectively create a stable household. The happiest marriages performed in a sociological study in the US showed that households where both the mother and the father were present and committed led to greater family success (Essentials of Sociology, 338). Sociologist Nicholas Stinnett found that happy families (1) spend more time together, (2) are quick to express appreciation, (3) are committed to promoting one another's welfare, (4) do a lot of talking and listening to one another, (5) are religious, and (6) deal with crisis in a positive manner (338). The point being and the solution that I encourage others to at least look into are the traditional advantages to marriage and what those heart felt desires are that I listed are that both women and men at the heart truly desire.  

Pastor Yousef Faces The Death Sentence

Christian pastor sentenced to death if he refuses to recant his faith in Jesus! 

To support the efforts of saving pastor Yousef please call 1-877-989-2255. The same number can be used to join the bill to try to release pastor Yousef. You can also get more information at csw.org.uk/nadarkhani. Of course, your prayers are needed. He is the father of two little boys and a husband. Battle still rages on for pastor Yousef's life, please give your support to free him from Iranian persecution.


Watch news feed by clicking on the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=
Read article available by clicking on the link: http://www.christianpost.com/news/prayer-working-for-imprisoned-iranian-pastor-youcef-nadarkhani-66296/

An Essay to My Professor

 “Socialization is the process of interacting with others by which we learn our culture and it becomes a part of us” (Lecture 2, Culwell). Society has an interesting influence on who we are, what we do, what we believe, and what we value. As a “born again” Christian, the message of the gospel of Jesus Christ has had an impact on my life at whole. Although my up bringing sheared me away from Christianity, may heart was taken captive to the gospel, at 16 years of age. Through the affluence of His Word, the gospel created in me an “impact of belonging” and an inevitable remolding of my behavior. Moreover, as a regenerate, I occupy new statuses and accompany new roles. The influence of this new social agent, my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, causes in me a new way of life, that I go out living everyday.

“We need socialization to survive” (Lecture 2, Culwell). At 16 years of age, I realized that I needed the socialization of the gospel to survive. It was not until then that my good Saviour regenerated my heart and gave it a kick-start. I was lying dead in my philosophies, dead in my passions, paralyzed to reason, and deceived of my true social status. “Just as culture is a key social force, socialization is a key social process by which we become participating members of society” (Lecture 2, Culwell). The socialization of the gospel is no different. The socialization of the gospel is the key social process by which we become participants of the gospel in society, to the glory of God. Therefore, the socialization of the gospel is imminent for survival.

James M. Henslin in his book, Essentials of Sociology writes, “Language is the basis of culture” (43). Language is the basis of culture because language provides a shared past, a shared future, a shared perspective, and shared goal-directed behavior. The Bible describes Jesus as the “Word,” because Jesus provides the basis for biblical-culture. Biblical culture, therein is a reflection of the Word.

“Language allows culture to develop by freeing people to move beyond their immediate experiences” (Essentials of Sociology, pg. 42). Jesus identically, as the “Word” in the gospel allows culture to develop by freeing people to move beyond their immediate and past experiences. The essentials of sociology are fundamentally rooted in the Word as the basis of culture.    

The specificity of the ways of who I am, what I do, what I believe, and what I value have been influenced by the God-man, Jesus Christ. The process of His interaction with me is leveraged by the inerrancy of His Word. By regenerating me He woke me from my sleepy slumber and came to occupy a new status in my spirit. Jesus changed the way I slept, He changed the way I worked, He changed the way I studied, He changed the way I treated my family, He changed the way treated others, He changed my friends, He changed the girls I lusted after, He changed everything... and He is still changing me. In doing so, Jesus gave me a beautiful bride with beautiful blue eyes and a heart that I envy. Jesus gave me a community that shares my testimony, Jesus gave me friendships with non-regenerates and professors I can share the gospel with. Jesus gave me everything I was not deserving of.

The impact of belonging to this structure has evidently changed my behavior. Before I was 16 years of age I did not believe in love, I hated God, I hated people, and I hated who I was. To be sure my status changed. Before I would not have been found in good relationships, now I am. Before I would not have been found ever leading people to know more about Jesus, as God, but now I facilitate a Bible study on Saturday mornings to create Christ-centered community and Christ-centered trust.  Before I would not have dated, spoke to (nicely) or hung out with a Christian, but now regenerates feel closer than family. The impact of belonging to this structure changes the influence I have on society.

A key element to Christianity establishes the biblical importance of others. We take on the roles of significant others, “individuals who significantly influence our lives, such as parents or siblings. By assuming their roles... we cultivate the ability to put ourselves in the place of significant others” (Essentials of Sociology, pg. 64). The necessity of elders, mentors, teachers, peers, and spiritual “parents or siblings” is the purpose of cultivating the attributes in the likeness of Christ. Cultivating the likeness of others in Christ is a key element in why we are called Christians. We essentially clothe ourselves in the spiritual attributes as sons and daughters of Christ. “As our [new] self gradually develops, we internalize the expectations of more and more people. Our ability to take the role of others eventually extends to being able to take the role of “‘the group as a whole’” (Essentials of Sociology, pg. 64), the bride of Christ.

In conclusion, society and our socialization has an influence on who we are, what we do, what we believe, and what we value. As a regenerate, I shared how the socialization of the gospel has had an impact on my personal life. Although, my social and personal natures sheared me away from Christianity, my heart and mind were taken captive to the Word of God, as a sophomore in high school. Through the affluence of His Word, the payment of His life, Jesus wrote a check with His life and at the sign of the resurrection we all cheered, because that meant the check cleared. We are then were adopted as sons and daughters of a mighty and good God, in whom we are being clothed in spiritual likeness with distinct roles. Therefore, socialization is the process by which we interact with social agents, like Christianity, and learn about culture and how it becomes a part of who we are.

5 Pointers For Single Women

I had a young gal come up to me the other day and ask me if I had any advice for her, when looking for a guy. Many women struggle with what to look for before they get into a relationship. The common misconception by men and women alike is that they believe that once they fall into love (e.g. true love) they will live happily ever after. I am not saying that I believe in "true love," but if true love has any substance then it is only found in Jesus Christ. Therefore, all my answers will be Christ-centered, because everlasting intimacy is only found in Jesus Christ. If salvation is in no one else, then there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we might fall into true love. 

True happiness is not found in any other man, besides Jesus Christ. Therein, my answers will be focused and allotted to Christ and him alone. If in Christ the full assurance of humanity is secure to eternities future, then the full assurance of his love is ever applicable in our daily lives, moreover in our relationships. Lastly, without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to Love must believe that he exist and that he rewards those who seek him (Heb. 11:6).

Advice for single women:
1. Never date a man you would not want your sons to aspire to be like.
2. Never pursue a man, he must ALWAYS pursue you first. 
3. Be modest. Show him you respect yourself, otherwise he will not respect you.
4. Be whole. No one should ever date someone who is not content being alone.
5. Do not settle.

Never date a man you would not want your sons to aspire to be like. Ladies choose men that are going to raise godly, honorable, young men. Men that respect women and who love God. Ladies only date a man that treats you the way you want your daughters to be treated like. If he is abusive, he will be abusive to your daughters to. If he is not gentle with you, he will not be gentle to your daughters. Your daughters will turn around and pursue men that are just like their father, because he is the spiritual head of the household. Women date men that are like their fathers. If daughter's fathers are pour fathers, then men will take advantage of your daughters. Also, date men that will teach your sons and daughters the gospel.

Never pursue a man, he must ALWAYS pursue you first. Ladies you want to date and marry a man that is always going to pursue you. You want a man that is in love with you. You want a man that proves he will always pursue, provide, and protect you and your family. You also want a man that not only will pursue you romantically, but holistically. After all Jesus is the man who pursues us, like wise men pursue your brides. Jesus' bride understands the value in Jesus as a man pursuing them for relationship. Why should we, men pursue our brides any different than Jesus?

Men that continue to pursue women holistically are Jesus men. "Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her" (Eph. 5:25).  Men that understand this love their wives holistically, even to death. Jesus men are men that provide, work hard, are gentle, honorable to their wives, role models to their sons, and reflections of what kind of man their daughters should marry. 

Be modest. Show him you respect yourself, otherwise he will never respect you. Ladies dress to be reflections of the women you want your sons to marry. Ladies, you are the most influential women to your sons of the kind of women that they ought to pursue. Be women of valor, strong, unshakeable, prudent,  wise women that understand they are daughters of Christ. Call men to be men. This begins by not dating boys that can shave, but men that can be men. 

Be whole. No one should ever date someone who is not content being alone. Ladies before you can get into a relationship you must be complete on your own, you must be content to be content with Christ alone. If Christ is not enough for you in your singleness, your husband will not be enough for you in your marriage. Hearts that are not captivated and completely in love with Jesus are in no way capable of becoming whole without him. Two sinners married does not produce fulfillment, but more sin. Likewise, two cups half full does not produce two whole cups. That is a prime reason why so many marriages end up in divorce, because the cups are not full. Jesus is the only one who can fill the cups and cause them to overflow. No one should ever marry someone who has only half a cup.  

Do not settle. Ladies it is better to be alone, than to be with a man that tears down your home. Too gals settle for mediocrity. Ladies do not settle for a man that promises, "you can have it all," but does not have it all. Do not be foolish. Their promises are like chaff that the wind drives away, but a man who delights in the Word of truth is like a man who leads his family well. Ladies it is better for you to live on the corner of the housetop than in a house shared with a destructive man (Prov. 25:24).

The Enablement of Society

Topic: Do you believe that external social forces are more or less important than individual internal characteristics and motivations in shaping our lives?

C. Wright Mills said that, “The sociological imagination enables us to grasp the connection between history and biography” (Essentials of Sociology, pg. 4). Society’s influence is what “enables” us to connect to the timely flow of history and stimulates the perspective of personhood in structural facets. External social forces are more heavily influential than individual internal characteristics and motivations. In a big way because external social forces give direction to latent functions. We all have relative tendencies to varying characteristics and motivations, but it is those external social forces that give those individual characteristics and motivations kinetic stimuli.

Ask someone what they are passionate about and why they are passionate about it. They will tell you a story of a person, an advertisement, a social event, a life transforming day when their heart ignited with passion. They will tell you they are passionate about what it is because they saw something that attracted them to what it was. Now, that can be external or internal, but what gave them the idea about what they are now passionate about was an outside force that motivated them. But why were they motivated by that one thing in the first place?

Although outside forces are at work, inside forces are at work as well. Inside forces or internal forces, are build in, designed intentions of a Creator. The witness is is that you look in any family and you will see what motivates them by what they do and who they are individually. Not only that but you will acknowledge that each individual in a household, dorm, club, community, office has varying characteristics and motivations even though they are operating in the same nuclear family or social location. The point is is that, though internal forces are at work and present, external forces are what give manifested desire guidance to what is socially functional.