Terror-Proofing Your Life

 

2 Timothy 1:7 for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.

 

Last week America was delivered yet another warning that we are not in a time of peace and that terrorist groups like Al Qaeda are not defeated, nor are they retreating. As a matter of fact they have once again struck America in a new way, the struck us while enjoying the freedom of being in America without the necessity of armed guards at a sporting event. Maybe even more significant than the act of terrorism was the response of fear that screamed across our nation.

You might be saying, “Great, that’s wonderful; but how do I not have fear? How do I deal with seemingly random acts of terror?” I believe the Scriptures give us the answer to living a terror-proof life and over the next few weeks I will write about what that terror-proof life looks like.

In my opinion, the single most important thing in terror-proofing your life is to remember the Scriptures tell us that we are not to fear! The Bible tells us that we are not to fear, even if it is in the midst of tragedy, terror, or natural disasters, because God didn’t give us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-control.

The truth is that we as believers should not fear, because we are confident that God is in control. Yes, life happens. We live in a fallen world where tragedy, illness, death, terrorism, and natural disasters happen. BUT GOD is in control and has a plan for our life. God has given you a spirit of power, love, and self-control. So fear not!

Read more: http://clashdaily.com/2013/04/response-to-the-boston-bombing-terror-proofing-your-life/#ixzz2SAhQwfDM 
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Stop the Hate

Today I found an internet article by Michael Weinstein where he viciously attacks Christians with the most vile hate filled and bigoted comments I have ever seen.  I have included my appeal to the Southern Poverty Law Center to classify him and his organization MRFF as a Hate Group.  I will further be looking to contact the Department of Defense and ask them if he is indeed a consultant for them.  

Email to SPLC dated May 2nd, 2013 at 3:10pm

“I am inquiring to see if your organization is a politically motivated organization or if you are an organization that will categorize all groups as hate groups if they meet your qualifications.  One such group in particular is the MRFF headed by Michael Weinstein.  Recently he wrote this article that is full of comments that meet your requirements.  http://www.huffingtonpost.com/michael-l-weinstein/fundamentalist-christian-_b_3072651.html

 

Here are just a few samples of your definition of a hate group which is defined as “All hate groups have beliefs or practices that attack or malign an entire class of people, typically for their immutable characteristics.”

 

 

“Today, we face incredibly well-funded gangs of fundamentalist Christian monsters who terrorize their fellow Americans by forcing their weaponized and twisted version of Christianity upon their helpless subordinates in our nation’s armed forces.”

 

“Queasy with the bright and promising lights of the cultural realities of the present day, those evil, fundamentalist Christian creatures and their spiritual heirs have taken refuge behind flimsy, well-worn, gauze-like euphemistic facades such as “family values” and “religious liberty.” These bandits coagulate their stenchful substances in organizations such as the American Family Association (AFA), the ultra-fundamentalist Family Research Council (FRC), and the Chaplains Alliance for Religious Liberty (CARL).”

 

“But we are compelled to venture even further. We MUST vigorously support the continuing efforts to expose pathologically anti-gay, Islamophobic, and rabidly intolerant agitators for what they are: die-hard enemies of the United States Constitution.  Monsters, one and all. ”

 

I believe if the SPLC is to maintain their credibility they must immediately place MRFF and Michael Weinstine on your list of Hate Groups.” end of email.

Remember Boston: Fear Not But Be Alert, Strong, and Courageous

Joshua 1:9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.

April 16th, 2013 will go down in American history as another attack against our great nation by Extremists. According to current information it looks like two suspects are from Chechnya, which is know as an Islamic hotbed of terrorism. Is this an act of terrorism? Absolutely. Is it another statement of war from Islamic radicals? That is still to be determined, but I think it is safe to say it was.

When terror and tragedy strike I think it is probably pretty natural to begin to worry and maybe even to let fear begin to creep into our hearts,; but if we can, for just a second, put that worry and fear aside to look at a few things.

Since 9/11 Islamic terrorists have carried out 20,730 attacks across the world with 115,000 killed and another 187,000 critically injured by a very limited estimate. If that wasn’t enough to wake you up, according to a Pew Report 1/3 of Muslims believe that Islamic Extremism is ok and somewhere between 18-22% of Muslims polled believe that suicide bombings are ok.

So let me break that down to you in layman’s terms (because I am not very bright when it comes to math). If this survey is accurate 330,000,000 Muslims believe that extremism is ok and, out of those, 240,000,000 of them believe suicide bombings or IED bombings like Boston are ok.

In a day when terrorism can strike at any time, we should be vigilant. God reminds us to be sober-minded which is being vigilant, cautious, careful, alert, and aware of your surroundings. Being sober-minded isn’t being fearful.

Take a deep breath, rest in Him and let’s go back to the idea of worry and fear. The Bible tells us that we are not to be a people consumed by fear. On many occasions God re-affirms His statement to Joshua to “be strong and courageous”; and not fear the things of this world. In 1 Timothy we are told, “For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.”

In times of uncertainty, fear, terror, random attacks, schemes of evil the God of creation tells us not to fear but to rest in Him. So: Be Strong and Courageous!

Read more: http://clashdaily.com/2013/04/remember-boston-fear-not-but-be-alertstrong-and-courageous/#ixzz2R0oQbNqz 
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As An Army Ranger and Pastor, I Am Insulted

John 15:18-19   “If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. 19 If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.

So late last week, the Department of Defense announced that Evangelicals and Catholics have been added to the Extremist list (here). They have since then issued an apology and retraction to this power point slide from the briefing.

I am a little shocked that so many Christians were so surprised by this move. This should not have been a surprise to anyone who reads his or her Bible. Jesus clearly prophesied that these days are coming. It is still something to be upset about.

I am outraged because I am a patriot. I love my country and I love God and I have been branded as an Extremist equal to those who would destroy our freedom such as Al Quaeda, according to this article. I served in the United States Army as an Infantryman.  While serving in the Army I earned my ranger tab, airborne and air assault wings. In 1996 I was honorably discharged from the Army so that I could pursue God’s calling on my life to full time ministry. After getting out of Bible college I returned to Fort Campbell where I continue to serve God and the US ARMY as a Combatives Instructor teaching hand-to-hand combat to America’s finest men and women- warriors who have sacrificed life, limb and time with family so that we can live in peace, security and freedom.

Yet in light of that outrage I find a deep peace in knowing that my God and my Savior told me there was coming a day when the world and even the US Government would hate me on behalf of Him.

I am reading a great book right now called “It Cant Happen Here” by Sinclair Lewis.  It was written in the early part of the last century about Socialism and Communism.  There are some awesome parallels in it that can be drawn with our Christian faith.

There was a time in the history of our faith where Christians were hated and persecuted above all others; then came a time of peace.  Shortly after the peace came complacency and spiritual gluttony.  The people of God didn’t know what it was like to live a life of hardship on behalf of Christ.  We, just like the 3^rd Century believers, have lived in the land of plenty with little or no strife, conflict, struggle or persecution.  We have become spiritual gluttons and, just like in the book, “It Cant Happen Here”, Christians all over our nation hold the same false belief according to what I hear.

I have a couple of observations.  First, we live in an age where people are rapidly abandoning any semblance or appearance of righteousness, which will lead to the persecution and hate of believers.  We are just beginning to see the first stages of it now in America.  But take comfort- because Jesus said it would be so. Secondly, Jesus was an extremist.  He rebelled against the rebellion of Satan and sin, which gave him that label among the religious and godless people of that time.  Now, some 2100 years later, even though I honorably serve my government, I am now labeled like Christ.  The question is- as this judgment has been falsely given to us, is there enough evidence in your life that you have the label too?

Read more: http://clashdaily.com/2013/04/army-ranger-pastor-insulted-that-dod-would-label-christians-terrorists/#ixzz2QmJxAjz4 
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Changing The Language To Change The Culture

Proverbs 25:11 – A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver.

In America, we have a whole world of politicians and special interest groups. These people have figured out that winning the ideological war can be as simple as changing the comfort zones of people – and that is accomplished through a subtle shift in language. This shift is a well thought out and a very deliberate plan. The plan is simple and only needs a little patience, planning and the use of new words. In layman’s terms, if you change the words and their meaning, then give the people new words favoring your position you will have successfully shifted the entire culture towards your ideology. This strategy is pretty apparent if you were just to look at a variety of political and religious topics.  

Take for example, the topic that just hit the national scene this week: the AP determined it would no longer be using the language of “Illegal Immigrant” and “Islamist”. You might be asking yourself what is the big deal? Well a lot actually. It is a huge deal. Regardless of all of the issues surrounding immigration, those who cross the borders illegally are illegal immigrants, especially when you compare them with those who came through the process legally so they could become citizens; but in case you missed it, let me explain what happened: The AP changed the language and the meaning of that language. There was a softening of the language, which, over the course of the next year or maybe even a few years, will change the perspective of the American people to where they don’t even consider it a crime.

This has happened on a variety of issues. If you remember prior to President Obama’s official address of the Sandy Hook Massacre, the AR-15 and weapons like it where referred to as “assault rifles”, then conveniently, at his address, that language was changed to “assault weapons”. This is significant for a variety of reasons as we saw in Sen. Feinstein’s bill which all of a sudden had shotguns and pistols included in its to ban list.

Another great example is how we went from “Global War on Terrorism” to “Overseas Contingency Operation” or when we went from “Terrorism” to “Work Place Violence” or when we went from “Welfare to Public Assistance” to “Entitlements” or when we went from “Pornography” to “Adult Entertainment”.

Imagine the possibilities as our government, and quite frankly the people, become more godless and corrupt? Just for a second consider the ramifications of the power of language. Now imagine what would happen if there was a move to change the language of “rape” to “indentured sex” or “child molestation” to “sexual exposure to minors”?

What do these examples tell us? They tell us our language is important. It tells us that the choice of words is as important! It tells us that if we want to change and remain relevant in our culture we must begin engaging in the war of words.

This is especially important for Christians. For far too long we have been letting those outside the church set the tone, the debate, and the words for living a holy and God-pleasing life. However, if the church is to thrive we must be setting the tone, the debate, and the very words that frame any discussing. Let us be the church that changes a culture by changing the language to the language of the Kingdom of God.

Read more: http://clashdaily.com/2013/04/changing-the-language-to-change-the-culture/#ixzz2QmI507et 
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Dont Judge Me Bro

“Only God has a right to judge me and even you.”

“Jesus told us to love one another. Jesus never spoke against gays or homosexuality. Jesus talked about love and service to all our neighbors. Jesus loves me, this I know.”

“But I will just say that homosexuality dates back HUNDREDS of years with it not being such a huge controversy. People should be allowed to love whoever they want to love and not feel guilty because a BOOK tells them they are wrong. Doesn’t “god” teach you to love?”  

This week the Supreme Court of the United States will be hearing two cases, one case is about proposition 8 and the other is about the Defense of Marriage Act. During this time I have heard a bunch of people talk about how Jesus tells us not to judge and how love is more important than doing the right things. These statements are false and grossly used out of context to escape the consequences of the text in dealing with our sin.

It is true that Jesus told us not to judge, but in the Matthew 7 when He said, “Judge Not”, He is referring to a very specific situation, He is not giving a prescription for every scenario in life. Jesus said “Judge not, that you be not judged…Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?”

In case you are having trouble understanding the nuances of the passage let me break it down to you. Basically if you are sleeping with your girlfriend don’t judge someone for kissing his girlfriend. In other words don’t be a hypocrite in judging. Nowhere did Jesus intent for that to be a prohibition for calling sin what it is. SIN! As a matter of fact later in the Gospel of John, Jesus says this about judging, “The one who rejects me and does not receive my words has a judge; the word that I have spoken will judge him on the last day.” (John 12:45)

Paul later tells us that it is our responsibility to judge those inside the church and their activities when he says, “For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Is it not those inside the church whom you are to judge?” (1 Corinthians 5:12)

Here is the big idea. If you are sinning STOP IT. Don’t get mad if someone calls you on what you are doing, just STOP IT. It is right and just for them to say, “hey dude what you are doing offends God. Get over yourself.”

I have a very good friend who is a homosexual and we regularly engaged in spirited conversation about the call of the Gospel and Jesus’s words concerning sin. I constantly struggle in my own life with loving him as Christ loves him, yet being bold and upfront with the truth of the Gospel. In other words, I am trying on a daily basis trying to love him and show him his activities are sin without condemning him. It is a challenge and one I hope, that he can honestly say I am doing a good job at.

Recently, I have noticed this idea that “doesn’t God tell you to love us?”  It is true that God is love and teaches His followers to love one another and those who are in bondage to sin. However lets be careful to not throw that up as a get out of jail free card when we are disobeying God and sinning.

Jesus actually said the same thing when he said, “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.” (John 14:23)

We are called to love, but in that love we are called to obey God. Regardless of your beliefs as Christians we are commanded to love and we are simultaneously called to stand up for righteousness. To be honest the church has done a poor job at loving Homosexuals. We have often started with condemnation and judgment instead of love and they like any of us have rejected not only the messenger, but the message of Jesus Christ as well.

Jesus’ overall message to His followers was this. Be like me. Love sinners, stand up for righteousness, ridicule religious idiots at every opportunity, give grace to those who need it, and the tell the truth seasoned with love and grace for everybody.

Read more: http://clashdaily.com/2013/03/todays-refrain-dont-judge-me-bro/#ixzz2QmB7RB00 
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Unplugged

 

Luke 5:16 But he would withdraw to desolate places and pray.

This week I went to Yonah Mountain to unplug.  It was where after being saved I first experienced the God of Creation.  I remember standing over the cliff going to the bathroom and literally tear struck at the beauty of it.  I connected with God in a way that day I never thought was possible, but it was possible because I was unplugged then and again this week.

I am probably what you would call an extreme extravert.  I love being with and around people.  As a matter of fact between pastoring and being a combatives instructor I find myself interacting with over a 100 people every day.  I don’t mean just Hi how are you, but during work in detailed conversations both in the technique and philosophy of fighting as it applies to our soldiers.  It doesn’t seem to wear on me that much when I take a look at myself on a daily basis but over the long haul I begin to really feel the effects of not taking the time to unplug from technology, the demands of work, people, and training myself. 

If I don’t force myself to take breaks and unplug I will self-destruct.  When I read through the gospel accounts of the Ministry of Jesus we see Him unplugging from ministry and people often.  Maybe He was like me and an extreme extrovert or maybe He was a guy that was easily distracted from being able to hear His Father’s voice or maybe it is just the pressure of being the Son of God sent to die for you and me.  The Scripture never really tells us what the reasons were but it tells us He did it regularly.

Don’t let the busyness of life keep you from God. Get out and connect with Him. As much as possible every week try to take time to unplug and connect.  At least every other month try and take a weekend.  Every year take a vacation where you unplug for a week.  Take the time to emotionally, spiritually, and physically you unplug and connect with God.