Tuesday, July 28, 2009

Contradictory Behavior

As a pastor I have seen a lot of contradictory behavior, like someone stealing a Bible from the church. Yeah, I know, that isn't just a cliche, it really has and does (once in awhile) happen. My real hope for anyone who does that is that they actually end up reading it, at least until they get to Exodus 20:15, and then just ask for a Bible which we would gladly give to anyone who asks. Speaking of contradictory behavior, I actually read a news item recently reported by Scripps News Service that took place in St. Lucie, Flordia. A person who was employed as a Weight Watchers Demonstrator (how do you demonstrate that?) was caught shoplifting cupcakes at the local grocery store. How embarassing to make headlines with that! I wonder if they lost their job? I wonder what their excuse might have been?

These things of course are contradictory behaviors, like getting the Diet Coke with your Big Mac and Super Sized french fries. I wonder how many times I am guilty of contradictory behavior? (That's OK, you don't have to tell me.) One thing we do know for sure, is that as Christians we are always under observation for contradictory behavior. Just respond to someone in anything less than a completely patient way and pow, you get nailed as a Hypocrite. Hypocrite is the name for someone who practices contrary behavior frequently.

It's so easy to act contrary to our message, isn't it? Someone just today was telling me about an incident of road rage they got caught in the middle of. Even though they weren't the one driving on the shoulder of the road and making rude gestures, their blood was pumping hard and they were feeling both fear and anger at the same time. Responding correctly sometimes is really tough.

That is why it is a necessity for us to walk in the Spirit all the time. Be Spirit controlled. Be Spirit led. The Bible promises us that if we "Walk in the Spirit", that we "shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. (Galatians 5:16)." So, if you love Jesus, alow Him to help you keep from acting out any contradictory behavior. It may keep you out of the headlines.

Thursday, July 16, 2009

Men's Do Something!!

This past Saturday, our Men's Ministry sponsored another Do Something! activity day. Dennis Merkes and Ray Schemanski hosted a King Salmon Derby. We had the best weather - sun, warm, blue skies, good food - brauts and hot links on the grill, lots of boats and equipment and about 20 guys ready to fish. The fishing was great! The catching was a little on the slow side. Tommy Brister hooked a large fish but had to release it. Near the end of the day, Aaron Broyles hooked and landed the derby winning King Salmon on Ray Schemanski's boat. It was great to have a winner after such a long day fishing on the river!

It was a great day, another great Men's Do Something event and everyone had a lot of fun. For a little live video action of the lunch break.

A Preacher's Day Off

I have made a commitment to post to this blog at least once a week to keep it current and worth coming back to. I am a little later than usual as my summer (like yours) really heated up this past week with activity. This past Monday, I had the great privilege to spend the day fishing for halibut with two other Assemblies of God pastors. Pastor Mike Rose from Juneau and Pastor Greg Newell from Homer. What a day the Lord gave us! I have to admit the seas were a little choppy in the morning, by noon, the sun had burned throught the fog and it was warm and calm. Fishing for halibut in t-shirts is a fine thing to do on a day off! I was blessed with two really nice fish, one a "30 pounder" and one in the 60 pound class. It was a great day in several respects, the weather was wonderful as I have already mentioned, we were able to reach our limit of fish easily and with nice sized fish, and most of all, the chance to fellowship with two other preachers who are also great friends is a rare occasion indeed.


Tuesday, July 7, 2009

Michael Jackson

As perhaps a billion people (media estimate) will watch the memorial service for Michael Jackson today, I wonder how many of them, Christians included will believe he is in heaven. I have not said a lot about this but I have heard much around town, on the television and in conversations.

First of all, let me say that I am not God, I am not the judge of the living or the dead. However, it is my place to warn all that I can to know that there is a heaven, and there is a hell. Sincere faith in Christ for the forgiveness of our sin is the ONLY way to salvation, everything else does not avail us whatsoever when it comes to salvation. This is what we know for sure because the Bible makes this very clear to us.

Unfortunately, many people assume that God thinks and feels the same way we do. That God makes decisions based upon His like or dislike of things or people the way we do. So, if we happen to like Michael Jackson for some reason, well then God must also and since we like him, he must be eligible for heaven. News flash: it doesn't work that way.

We don't go to heaven by majority rule. We can't gain entrance to heaven by the title, "King of Pop". We don't go to heaven by being a nice person. We will not be granted entrance to heaven by doing good things, selling millions of records or being tolerant of every lifestyle or being "cool".

A lot of people want to take charge of God's heaven and become the one who gives permission to enter or not. Do not be deceived, God isn't giving anyone the right to decide who enters His heaven or not, including me. He alone will be the judge and the one who makes the laws we must abide by to enter. So, if you think I have said that Michael Jackson is going to hell, read this again carefully, I haven't said that. If you ask what I think will happen to him, I might say that most of the external evidence I have seen would lead me to believe that Michael Jackson was not a believer in Jesus as his personal savior. I am not God, I do not get to say if Michael makes it or not, I do not see Michael's heart as God does. Despite all of the visual evidence to the contrary, if Michael knew Jesus as his savior and Lord, then I am sure he will be in heaven. However, if he did not, there is not any amount of talent or popularity that can make up for the most important relationship of all.

God is "... not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance." (2 Peter 3:9) So, the path to heaven was as open to Michael Jackson as it is to anyone else, just like the rest of mankind, we must choose it. I hope that he did. I am glad I have. I hope you do too.