MORNING GLORY & EVENING GRACE

CRAZY LOVE

2012-02-10T17:38:00.000-08:00

"For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him." John 3:16-18

God's love is crazy and amazing. There is no one like Him.

"God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While were were still sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8

We don't deserve God's love. And yet He loves us. We are His creation.

Crazy love.

He loved us soooo much, that He sent His Son Jesus Christ to earth to be born in the flesh and die a horrifying death for our sins, so that we could have intimate fellowship with Him and eternal life if we believe in Jesus.

How can we possibly respond to this kind of enormous, sacrificial loving act?

By loving Him back. With everything we have. Surrender all to Jesus.

Crazy love.

"Jesus replied: 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment." (Matthew 22:37)

Only after we have learned how much God loves us, and we desire to love Him back by surrendering our all, can we truly understand how to love others.

So, this Valentine's Day, as you think of dear loved ones, think about God's crazy love for you. Then love Him with your whole heart, soul and mind. Then love others with...

...CRAZY LOVE.

Wanted...

2012-01-30T16:12:00.000-08:00

a community of authentic Christ followers.

Spiritual Warfare

2012-01-25T16:53:00.000-08:00

What comes to mind when someone mentions "spiritual warfare"? Do you think of scheming charlatans who make a living "casting out demons"? Do you think of little devils running around in Halloween-type costumes, making small mischief in people's lives? Do you dismiss it as hocus-pocus nonsense?

None of these concepts are biblical.

Many of us simply don't understand.

And yet, spiritual warfare is an important reality taught in the Bible. See Ephesians 6:10-18.

"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people."

In this passage, Paul warns us to "take your stand against the devil's schemes." Peter also cautions us, "Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour." 1 Peter 5:8. James encourages us, "Resist the devil and he will flee from you." James 4:7

How can we resist the devil if we don't know who he is? How can we be "alert" and avoid being devoured if we don't know how to take our stand against the devil's schemes, because we don't know what they are!

I want to encourage you to put away ignorance and fear on the subject and dig into God's Word. Learn the truth about your enemy and his schemes. Then, and only then, will you be ready, able to resist him, and qualified to take your stand against him.

"Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light." 2 Cor. 11:14

Receive Christ

2012-01-10T13:20:00.000-08:00

(An excerpt from Joel C. Rosenberg's Blog today)

Have you given your life wholly and completely to Jesus Christ? Have you asked Him to forgive you of all your sins, to give you eternal life, and to fill you with His joy, His peace, and His wisdom and strength through the power of His Holy Spirit? If not, let this be the day you receive Christ into your heart by faith.

This is a great concise explanation of the Gospel! Click here.

Please read it. Please pray the suggested prayer at the end with a sincere, humble and repentant heart. And please post a comment below or go to our website and contact us to tell us that you’ve become a follower of Christ. Let us rejoice with you and encourage you and give you suggestions on how to grow in your new faith, and how to share your faith with others. You could start by sharing this message with others.

Freedom in Christ

2012-01-06T13:10:00.000-08:00

"It is for freedom that Christ has set us free." Galatians 5:1

Freedom in Christ does not mean the right to do as we please. Freedom in Christ means the ability to choose to do the right thing---faith expressing itself through love.

Happy Birthday Jesus!

2011-12-25T17:26:00.000-08:00

Best thing about Christmas after remembering Happy Birthday Jesus, is time with loved ones.

Holiday Blues and the Prince of Peace

2011-12-23T17:21:00.000-08:00

The holiday season can be a joyful and festive time of the year for some people, filled with parties, celebrations, and gatherings with family and friends. However, for others, it can be a very difficult time, filled with sadness, disappointment, loneliness, and anxiety about the future. It can be especially hard for those in unresolved broken relationships or those with unmet expectations. They get a bit of the holiday blues or experience more severe forms of depression.

The Scriptures tells us Jesus is the "Prince of Peace." (Isa 9:6) And God's peace "surpasses understanding and will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus." Phil. 4:7

How can we experience this peace during the Holiday Blues? Here are a few recommendations:

1. Pray ("Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray..." James 5:13)

2. Confide in others so they can pray for you ("Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective." James 5:16)

3. Sing (Music can lift our spirit, see 1 Sam. 16:14-23)

4. Praise God (God inhabits the praises of His people. Ps. 22:3)

5. Consider your trial pure joy (Yikes! This one is so much easier to say that to do. "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." James 1:2-4. This doesn't mean you must feel joy, but you must think of the trial with joy because you know God is maturing you.)

6. Be thankful ("Give thanks in all circumstances." 1 Thess. 5:18)

Don't rely on your feelings. Rely on God's promises. Trust and obey. He is trustworthy.

"Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ." Eph 1:2

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

2011-12-17T16:11:00.000-08:00

I loved my recent trip to Iowa to get sworn into the practice of law. I loved seeing my sister and her family. I loved cozying up by the fire with my husband for a rare moment of rest. I loved finishing Joel Rosenberg's new book The Tehran Initiative. I loved the snow. I even loved the cold.

As Christmas approaches, I am reminded once again of the Reason of the Season---God became flesh and dwelt among us in the person of Jesus Christ. He was born to die. For us. For me. Not because I deserve it. Not because I am worthy. I don't deserve it and I'm not worthy. And yet, Jesus died for me so I could be saved from the penalty I deserve for my sins, that is, death.

Thank you, Jesus, for revealing the Father to us, and for giving us the Spirit to guide us and empower us to do what we could not do on our own. Apart from you we can do nothing. John 15:5 Through you all things are possible. Phil. 4:13

Swearing In

2011-12-06T15:47:00.000-08:00

Now licensed to practice law in Iowa in addition to California!

Universities--a marketplace for only CERTAIN ideas

2011-11-28T16:47:00.001-08:00

Earlier this month I wrote a letter to the editor of Chapman University's student run newspaper, responding to previous articles printed by my alma mater about the gay marriage issue generally, and Professor John Eastman's appointment to National Organization for Marriage specifically. All the articles were from one perspective--in favor of same sex marriage. This was incredibly ironic seeing as how the editors boasted the university was a marketplace where ideas and views could be discussed and debated. Conveniently they had forgotten to print the other "side" of the gay marriage issue. I took them to task. Below is my letter, "edited" of course by the editors. Notice the title-- "Re: 'Gay marriage can be love story, too'." I had a different title for my letter. They made up this title to "control the debate." Interesting. As they say, "He who frames the question controls the debate..."

The Panther Online

Re: “Gay marriage can be love story, too”

By Laurie A. Messerly Stewart, Esq. 

Published: Sunday, November 13, 2011

Updated: Sunday, November 13, 2011 23:11

     It appears from the October and November issues of The Panther that the editors have a liberal political and social agenda. In October, The Panther wrote a news article about professor of law and former dean of Chapman's School of Law, being selected as the new chairman of National Organization for Marriage. It also printed a staff editorial and two opinion-editorials from guest columnists on the topic.    

    Ignoring the journalistic equivalent of "piling on," the editorial board, incredibly, boasted, "A compromise will only be reached through conversation, but it's hard to engage in conversation when only one party may speak."

    If anyone held out hope that The Panther would engage in "conversation" on the marriage debate, that hope was dashed in the November issue. It contains a guest column by President Jim Doti expressing his personal opinion in favor of same sex marriage and reminding us that Chapman is a "marketplace where ideas and views are discussed, deliberated and debated."

    Somehow, The Panther seems to have exempted itself from this marketplace, since neither the October nor November issues included any editorials or guest columns supporting Eastman's National Organization for Marriage appointment or traditional marriage.

    Although I do not share Doti's opinion on same sex marriage, I have not demanded Chapman "dissolve affiliation" with Doti, nor would I imply such, unlike those calling for Chapman to take action against Eastman. Chapman really should be a marketplace of ideas where different opinions are openly discussed. Chapman has a diverse student body and organizations reflecting that diversity. The law school, for example, has a very active LGBT club. However, it is ironic that many gay rights groups don't provide forums where ideas and views really can be discussed, deliberated and debated.

    As one of Eastman's former law students, I speak from experience in saying that he is a brilliant legal scholar as well as a devoted family man. His professional and personal integrity and serious work ethic are some of the reasons for his amazing accomplishments. He deserved applause when he became dean of the law school. Now he deserves applause for courageously taking a public stand for traditional marriage as the chairman of National Organization for Marriage.  

    I caution those who demand respect and tolerance for their same sex marriage ideology and yet try to silence and intimidate those who oppose it, like the majority of California voters who voted twice to define marriage as between one man and one woman. After all, how is being a conservaphobe any different from an alleged homophobe?

Conflict Resolution Training

2011-11-07T16:46:00.000-08:00

Conflict is all around us, and even in us. Would you like to know how you can have God's peace in your life? Come find out this Wednesday night at "Life Streams." Last week, Pastor Tae Shin began a short three weeks series on Conflict Resolution. I had the privilege of joining him and Pastor Don Barkely in a panel discussion with the audience about sources of conflict.

I'll be joining the pastors for the next two weeks as we discuss styles of conflict and forgiveness & moving on.

Come join us for a delicious dinner and stimulating topic discussion. Check out the Life Streams website for more info for location and time.

[NO] Respect for Marriage Act

2011-10-28T14:18:00.000-07:00

You've probably heard of the Federal DOMA (Defense of Marriage Act), a bill signed into law in 1996 by President Clinton. It defines marriage for the Federal government as between one man and one woman; and it protects states who do not want same sex marriage in their state from being forced to recognize same sex marriages performed in other states.

Did you know about current efforts to get rid of DOMA? One effort is a bill introduced by the U.S. Congress called the "Respect for Marriage Act." Don't be mislead by the title. The goal of this bill is to force the Federal government to recognize same sex marriage, and eventually, force all the states. Are we surprised? We shouldn't be after the controversial repeal of "Don't Ask Don't Tell" (DADT). President Obama signed the repeal of DADT on September 22, 2011, thus ending the long-existing U.S. policy that prohibited homosexuals from being able to serve in the armed forces.

Earlier this year, Respect for Marriage Act bills were submitted to the House and the Senates' Judiciary Committees. Now, after having successfully repealed DADT, activists on Capitol Hill are preparing to destroy DOMA. Next week, on November 3, 2011, the Senate Judiciary Committee will commence debate on the bill, leading ultimately to a vote.

Respect for Marriage Act Talking points - From Concerned Women for America

Despite its deliberately deceptive name, the “Respect for Marriage Act” insidiously seeks to destroy the historical, traditional definition of marriage.

It seeks to repeal the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA).

DOMA does not prohibit states from recognizing same-sex “marriages.”

It defines marriage as we have always known it, the union between one man and one woman, for federal purposes.
DOMA also protects states from being forced to recognized same-sex “marriages” from other states, if a state chooses to do so.

The Respect for Marriage Act runs contrary to the will of the majority of Americans who support marriage as the union between one man and one woman.

The most comprehensive scientific national survey to date, completed by Public Opinion Strategies (May 16-19, 2011), reveals that 62 percent of Americans believe “marriage should be defined only as a union between one man and one woman.” 53% strongly agreed.

The Respect for Marriage Act circumvents the will of the 30 states that have already voted to protect marriage as the union between one man and one woman in their state constitutions, forcing the states to go against their own public policy goals to recognize same-sex “marriages” from other states.

More than 63 million Americans in 30 state elections have voted on constitutional marriage amendments. Around forty million in all (63 percent) voted to affirm marriage as a union between a man and a woman.

The Respect for Marriage Act forces states to recognize any kind of marriage that another state decides to sanction. It is by no means limited to same-sex “marriages.”

It was introduced by Representative Jerrold Nadler (D-New York) in the House (H.R. 1116) and Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-California) in the Senate (S.598).

Keep your eye on the status of these efforts. May the Lord have mercy on us.

In God's light, we see light. Psalm 36:9

Train yourselves

2011-10-20T14:37:00.000-07:00

This morning I was studying Hebrews chapter 5 with my Bible study group. I keep pondering verse 14: "But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil."

Constant use. If we want to mature as believers, move beyond "milk" into "solid food," we must constantly use biblical teaching, especially teaching about righteousness (v. 13). What is "constant"? Not only is it every day, but it is continually throughout each day.

Train themselves. OK, so we can't use the excuse that we don't have formal Bible school training or a seminary degree. The writer of Hebrews tells us we can train ourselves. We can study the Scriptures ourselves. We don't need a priest to tell us what the Bible says and/or means. The Holy Spirit teaches us through the Word. (John 14:26; John 16:13-15; 1 John 2:27) I've found the more I study the Word, the more I love the Word and want to study it!

Distinguish good from evil. This confirms there is good and evil. So much for post-modern teaching on relativism. This also tells us we can learn how to distinguish between the two. By learning, we mature. 2 Timothy 2:22 tells us to flee from evil desires. How can we flee from evil if we cannot recognize evil from good?!

Lord, help us to mature in our beliefs and in our walk with Jesus. Help us to constantly put your Word into practice in our lives. Help us learn to distinguish between good and evil. Help us to flee from evil and pursue that which is good.

Sh'ma Yisrael

2011-10-19T18:44:00.000-07:00

"Hear, O Israel: the Lord is our God, the Lord is one." Deut. 6:4

In Judaism, the Sh'ma is an important part of daily prayers, and it includes reciting Deut. 6:4-9.

"Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the door frames of your house and on your gates."

The photo above is a charming necklace John gave to me for my birthday while we were in Israel. It was handmade in Jerusalem in the Old City. Its unusual shape is a pomegranate, one of the delicious fruits cultivated in Israel. The ruby red stones are garnets. The engraving is the Sh'ma in Hebrew--Hear, O Israel: the Lord is our God, the Lord is one. I love the beauty of this necklace and its powerful message.

Love God with all your heart, soul and strength. Simple. And yet hard.

Impress them on your children. This strikes me as especially significant in light of our trip last weekend to visit Megan at college. Although children grow up, and sometimes even move away, while they learn to live out their faith in their own lives, parents should never stop impressing God's commands on their children. I thank God my parents have never stopped impressing on me God's love, truth, grace, and forgiveness.

Sh'ma Yisrael: Adonai Elohenu Adonai ehad.

Text Messages From God

2011-10-18T17:27:00.000-07:00

This comic strip reminded me of John's latest book Text Messages From God. If you haven't read it yet, grab a copy. It is a marvelous story!

With Love From Berkeley

2011-10-17T14:06:00.000-07:00

Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up. 1 Cor. 8:1b

Berkeley...What comes to your mind when you think of Berkeley? I used to think of the 1960's Free Speech Movement of course. But now I think of my daughter, who has chosen to live there for the next four years pursuing a Bachelor's Degree at the university.

John and I visited her at college this past weekend. It was Parent's Weekend and it was a blast. Not only did we get to catch up and find out all about college life, we toured the campus, ate delicious food, attended interesting faculty seminars, visited art and science museums, and made a quick trip to San Francisco.

We fell in love with Berkeley.

Yes, it is still a progressive town, but the university is a bit more tame these days. However, it still manages to makes the news occasionally. Just Google the recent "Diversity Cupcake Sale" and find out about the on-campus Republican protest to affirmative action. The opposition tried to stop them. But hey, isn't this Berkeley after all? Isn't this the one campus that should fiercely defend the right of Free Speech? Ah, this is where the rubber meets the road and progressives reveal their true agenda. Only certain kinds of speech are free. So much for "tolerance."

Universities and colleges used to be the marketplace for exchanging ideas, stimulating discussion, and promoting critical thought. Now it is a place for propaganda and indoctrination. Well, I have a message for the students...Keep thinking! Test all ideas. If you search for the truth, you will find it.

"The truth will set you free." John 8:31b

Amazing Blogs re Israel

2011-10-10T17:42:00.000-07:00

If you want to read some amazing posts and see some stunning photography by some of the students from the Bible college where John was just teaching in Jerusalem, check these out:

From End to End

88 Days in Israel

Also, be sure to check out the blog for the Bible college in Jerusalem:
CCBC Jerusalem Blog

Coast of Spain

2011-10-01T23:50:00.000-07:00

It is nice to have a few short days in Spain to vacation before heading back to the United States. This photo is a lovely view of Calpe, Spain, where we were fortunate enough to spend one night with a lovely Dutch couple. They took us to a lovely restaurant, talked about the Spanish and Holland cultures, and shared many wonderful stories of their travel adventures. It is wonderful to meet new friends!

Sagrada Familia

2011-09-30T23:45:00.000-07:00

Have you ever landed in a foreign country where you couldn't speak the language, didn't have the currency and got lost? Well it happened to us after we arrived in Spain. After we rented our car in Barcelona, we followed directions of the car rental people and headed south---the wrong way! We found ourselves trapped on a road with no escape and were forced to pay a toll. Since we didn't have any foreign currency, we were able to use our credit card. We tried to ask someone how to get back to Barcelona but no one spoke English. We finally found a way to turn around and head back, paying the toll again! John found a gas station where we tried to ask for directions. Again, no speak English. So we did the first smart thing---we bought a map! We figured out where we needed to go and headed there. Instead of taking 20 minutes to get to our hotel, it took 3 hours. What an adventure!

We saw many interesting things in our short stay in Barcelona but the highlight was the Sagrada Familia, an enormous Catholic church built by Gaudi. John and I decided it looked like something out of Gotham City in Batman meets cartoon. Unusual just doesn't begin to describe it.

Good bye Israel

2011-09-29T23:39:00.000-07:00

It was hard leaving Israel. After spending some time in the north, we missed Jerusalem and the students so much we returned to visit one more night before leaving Israel. Returning to Jerusalem and seeing the students again felt like coming home. Surprised to see us again, they greeted us warmly. It was hard to tear ourselves away.

We forgot that Rosh Hashanah (Jewish New Year) was the same day as my birthday. We were invited to a Rosh Hashanah celebration and went for a short while. Almost all places closed early--restaurants, too. Finding somewhere to have dinner proved a bit of a challenge. Finally we found that the YMCA across from the King David Hotel was serving a buffet dinner so we made our way there. It proved to be a most memorable experience. We had a good laugh. They were serving chicken--one of the few things John does not eat. There was no dressing for the salad and the bread was like store-bought white Wonder Bread, not the yummy fresh bread so common all over Israel. For birthday cake, we choose the only cake available, chocolate cake. I think they forgot to add the sugar. We had a good laugh about it.

Our plane left at 5am so we had to leave our hotel at 1am. We took an Arab taxi (Hebrew transportation was not running). Our driver took us another route--through the West Bank, to get to the airport. The road was one of the most excellent roads in Israel/Palestine and delivered us quickly to the airport. Once we checked in and got through security, we relaxed to wait for our plane. I ordered coffee and an almond croissant. They were so yummy I could hardly stand it! Hurrah for adventures!

Sermon on the Mount

2011-09-26T22:28:00.000-07:00

"Now when [Jesus] saw the crowds, He went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to Him, and He began to teach them..." Matthew 5:1-2

Words cannot begin to describe the "Awesome-amazing" experience at walking where Jesus walked. As John and I begin our short time by the Sea of Galilee, we are reminded of how much of Jesus' ministry was done in this area. One of the highlights for me was returning to visit the Mount of Beatitudes, where tradition holds is where Jesus gave His "Sermon on the Mount" in Matthew chapters 5, 6, and 7. The Sermon on the Mount is full of rich teaching, including the "beatitudes" and teaching on prayer. Thank you, Lord, for the privilege of serving You.

"Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God." Matt. 5:8

Teaching on prayer

2011-09-25T22:08:00.000-07:00

"Pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints." Eph. 6:18

I praise the Lord for the opportunity to return to the Golan Heights to resume my previous teaching on prayer. This time I taught on prayer in spiritual warfare. Did you realize that Paul mentions prayer in Ephesians 6 when he talks about putting on the "armor of God" in spiritual warfare? Prayer is one of our spiritual "weapons," so to speak. May our prayers please the Lord.

Garden teaching

2011-09-23T00:25:00.000-07:00

John teaching his class at the Garden Tomb yesterday.

Pray for Israel and Palestine

2011-09-20T16:30:00.000-07:00

If you are not already aware, this week is an important week at the United Nations, which is meeting in New York. Palestine will formally present its request for statehood recognition on Friday. Be sure to stay tuned to the news. This is an important event for the Middle East and the world.

Pray for Israel and her neighbors. Pray for peace.

For this is what the prophet has written...

2011-09-20T15:30:00.000-07:00

"After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem." Matthew 2:1

OK, I know I'm not too savvy when it comes to geography, but I really didn't know Bethlehem was sooooo close to Jerusalem. Yesterday we took a day trip to visit the site where tradition says Jesus was born. It was so very interesting in many ways.

First we met with some Palestinian believers and had some good fellowship over lunch. Then we visited the Church of the Nativity (and the Grotto of the Nativity, which is supposed to be the exact cave where Jesus was born), the Shepherd's Fields, and Rachel's Tomb.

My overall impression of Bethlehem was much better than I had expected. It reminded me of Jerusalem, some old and some new parts. I was pleasantly surprised at how much new building was taking place, beautiful buildings. I saw many sign with "U.N." on them. When I asked about the signs, I was told it has to do with the Palestinian bid for statehood at the U.N. this week. This news will be worth following.

Please pray for peace for Israel and her neighbors.

Walk About Zion

2011-09-18T22:02:00.000-07:00

"Walk about Zion, go around her, count her towers, consider well her ramparts, view her citadels, that you may tell of them to the next generation. For this God is our God for ever and ever; He will be our guide even to the end." Psalm 48:12-14

Have you heard the phrase, "my dogs are barkin'"? I'm told it means "my feet are hurting." I have no idea what hurting feet have to do with dogs barking. Odd American saying when you think about it...

Tonight my dogs are barking. But, it's a good bark, as far as barks go. After church this morning and lunch, John and I decided to walk around the Old City of Jerusalem. Actually, it kind of just happened that way. We ventured out the visit the Garden Tomb and Skull Hill, starting at Jaffa Gate. But by the time we actually found it (yeah, we did get a bit lost getting there), we discovered it was closed. Bummer. By that time, we realized we were by the Damascus Gate. Since we weren't too far from the Mount of Olives and the Garden of Gethsemane, we decided to keep hoofing it and visit my favorite place in Jerusalem. It was not a disappointment. In fact, this time, we made it all the way to the top of the Mount of Olives. Half way back down the Mount of Olives, we met a nice Palestinian man who gave me a bottle of olive oil and took our photo with the East Gate and Dome of the Rock in the background. He told us all kinds of great stories about living in America, and then moving back to Mount of Olives (where he lived) and meeting famous people like Richard Gere and Benny Hinn. By the time we got to the bottom, we decided to forgo taking a taxi back to Jaffa Gate, thinking it was only about a 20 minute walk. Well, the 20 minute walk turned into 50 minutes. We had already been walking about 4 hours by then. Although it was a challenge, I'll tell you it beats going to the gym back home for a work out!

Interestingly, after we returned to our room to collapse, elevate our feet and cool down, John found the passage in Psalm 48:12-14. Wow! We had just done what the Psalmist had said to do. We had walked around Zion, full circle around the Old City! Hallelujah!

God's work in my life

2011-09-16T22:00:00.000-07:00

"O Lord, you are my God; I will exalt you and praise your name, for in perfect faithfulness you have done marvelous things, things planned long ago." Isaiah 25:1

This morning I was blessed to share my testimony with the students at early morning chapel. What a privilege to speak following their worship time. These students know how to worship! Can I take them home with me, please?

Later, after John finished teaching his afternoon class, we had some girl time! That meant heading to the local mall for coffee with the girls. (No shopping this time.) Except it really is too hot here to have coffee so most of us opted for cold coffee drinks. Yum! When they closed up the shop for the start of shabbat (Jewish sabbath which starts on Fridays at sunset), we headed back to the lobby of our hotel to continue our conversation. Mostly I shared about my experience in ministry, marriage, and travel. But it was also an informative briefing time, as I talked about the local customs, politics and security. Really neat gals. Our time here seems too short.

John teaching in Jerusalem.

2011-09-15T08:13:00.000-07:00

Tunnels to the ancient city

2011-09-12T23:16:00.000-07:00

Shalom!

Saturday we arrived in Israel safe and sound, after having totally rescheduled all our connections when we arrived at LAX on Friday morning due to our first flight being cancelled (entirely different airlines going through entirely different cities and countries). Blessed are the flexible, for they will not be broken.

Sunday and Monday were spent mainly settling in, getting acquainted with the students, and lots of walking to get the best deals on fresh groceries. We managed to squeeze in a walking tour of the underground tunnels at the Western Wall. Fascinating! I had no idea the current "Old City" of Jerusalem is built on top of an ancient city. In the tunnels, we could see much more of the Western Wall and the ancient streets and city of the Herodian period when the second temple was built. We're talking over two thousand years old! There is a special spot underground called "The Cave" and is purported to be the closest access to the Holy of Holies, if one presumes the temple is directly under the current Dome of the Rock, which many believe it is. The Western Wall or "Wailing Wall" as it is known, is the only area of the Western Wall that is accessible above ground. It is presumed to be the closest spot--above ground and open air--to the Holy of Holies, making it an incredibly popular place for prayer. John and I visited the Western Wall and offered up our own prayers, knowing that God hears our prayers no matter where we are.

After visiting the market, we stocked up on a few days provisions, namely fresh pita bread, hummus, peaches, plums, honey, milk, cherry preserves, almonds, pistachios, and coffee. Last night we had a slice of pizza from a restaurant around the corner. Mine had veggies, salami and lots of green olives. Yum!

Today John begins his teaching. I can't wait. It is so refreshing to meet college age students who really love the Lord, know how to worship, and have already mastered the daily discipline of personal time for prayer and devotion. It gives me great hope for our future. They come from a variety of backgrounds, locations and experiences. Each one has an interesting story and a special purpose in being here. Precious.

Return to the Holy Land

2011-09-08T15:43:00.000-07:00

We're on our way back to Israel tomorrow to teach!

Why I am no longer "Pro-Choice"

2011-06-26T19:24:00.000-07:00

I used to be "Pro-Choice." I used to be a feminist. Not any more. Why? A few years ago (while in law school actually) I learned to think and to reason. I learned to use my God-given brain and ask questions and search for truth. I stopped blindly following everyone else's agenda.

Truth?

Yes, truth. You see, I used to buy into the post-modern definition of truth, that truth is relative--Your truth is true for you but my truth is true for me. But I wanted to know. If there was an objective "truth" to be found, then I wanted to find it.

I found it.

Jesus said, "... for this reason I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me."(John 18:37) And "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." (John 14:6) If we seek Him, we will find Him. (Rev. 3:20)

Jesus is the Truth.

So what does Jesus have to do with the abortion issue?

Well, if Jesus is the truth, and if everyone on the side of truth listens to Him and obeys Him, and if He is the only way to the Father, then I decided maybe I should find out if there is a truth about the abortion issue.

The question is, like the line made famous by Jack Nicholson in the movie A Few Good Men, "Can you handle the truth?"

When I surrendered my life to follow Christ in the late 1990's, I didn't instantly lose my feminist pro-choice ideas. It look time for the Lord to work in my heart. But I continued to pray for God to show me His truth on the matter. I was prepared to follow His truth and conform my life to His truth. This was contrary to what I had been doing as a prodigal daughter running away from a loving Father, conforming my truth to fit my life.

One summer day in 2001, while visiting the National Cathedral as a tourist in Washington D.C., I heard a poignant sermon by a Catholic priest. He brought up stem cell research and Psalm 139.

"For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be." Psalm 139:13-16

I got it! God alone is the creator of life. He created each one of us, specifically and purposefully. Once this really sank in, I began to wonder, "Why in the world do I believe a woman has the 'right to choose to terminate a pregnancy,' to end a life that God alone created?" I shuddered to think. Why did man/woman think he/she can destroy what God created?

Then I remembered who was the Destroyer (Rev. 9:11). I sure didn't want to be aligned with this Destroyer. I wanted to be aligned with the Giver of life.

When you come to know the truth, it will set you free. (John 8:32)

Now I know the truth, I am free from the "pro choice" lie. I choose to align myself with the Giver of LIFE.

Who do you align with?

How I Came to Believe...

2011-06-15T16:53:00.000-07:00

Recently someone asked me if my testimony was posted online. I realized it wasn't and decided it was a very good thing to share. I hope you are blessed...

When I was 8 years old, my parents took my sisters and me to a new evangelical church in Des Moines, Iowa. That first Sunday visit was the first time I heard the Good News about Jesus Christ. I believed and accepted Jesus as my personal savior. As my family continued to attend church, my younger sisters and I become involved with various youth activities and musicals.

After graduating from high school, I moved to Southern California to attend a public university where my worldview was instantly challenged. I was not equipped for the battle. Initially I boldly defended my conservative Christian views. However, influenced by carnal sorority life and liberal Hollywood politics (I was an acting major in the Theater department), eventually I came to embrace progressive feminist and socialist ideals.

I got married, graduated, and moved to the Los Angeles area so I could pursue the dream of becoming a Hollywood actress in film and television. It was a short-lived tepid career, to say the least. Those were my prodigal years.

Eventually we moved back to Orange County where I pursued acting and producing Theatre. I gave birth to my beautiful daughter. Soon after, I found myself a single mother, hurting and searching for answers to difficult questions. Secular counseling, self-help books, and a return to the dating scene failed to provide answers. Lost and confused, I decided to go to back to church and see if God had anything to say. Did He ever! Within a year I was involved in my first Bible Study. I fell on my knees and surrendered my life to Christ.

Since that time I developed a deeper relationship with God through His Son Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit. I love to study God’s Word, pray, and worship. I have been honored to lead several Bible Studies which have resulted in good fruit and beautiful fellowship.

My newfound commitment to follow Christ led me to pursue a dream always on my heart, to go to law school. Many folks now ask me how I made it through law school as a single mother. It is “by the grace of God.”

After passing the bar and practicing law for some time, I met a wonderful man, John Stewart, who became my husband. I became his partner in law and ministry. Our hearts desire to serve the living God, whether defending religious liberties, sanctity of life or traditional marriage, or helping others resolve conflict through Christian Conciliation, or traveling to other countries to teach and train leaders. My greatest prayer is that in surrendering my will and my life to Christ, that I will humbly be used to accomplish the Father’s great purpose for my life.

Epicenter Conference 2011

2011-05-17T07:49:00.000-07:00

I just finished watching several videos online of speakers from Joel Rosenberg’s Epicenter Conference 2011 in Jerusalem. I highly recommend them!

Peacemaking in Kenya

2011-04-22T08:06:00.000-07:00

Our dear friends, Pastor Sammy and his wife Anne, invited me to teach at their new church plant in Kitengela, just outside Nairobi, Kenya. It is a quickly growing church. The building already has a roof!

It was an amazing three days! I thank God for the opportunity to teach biblical peacemaking at a three-day women’s conference in Kitengela, Kenya. While the drive there and back each day was an enormous challenge (taking between 2-3 hours to drive there and then about 2 hours back—EACH DAY!), it was a blessing to teach conflict resolution to eager learners.

The week after the conference, Anne told me that the women from the conference were already applying the peacemaking skills they learned. Apparently two women who attended the conference were in conflict with other, but they reconciled their differences! Others reported reconciling with their neighbors and co-workers. What a privilege to pass along what I have learned. May God be glorified!

Israel - Love the People!

2011-03-23T07:36:00.000-07:00

An amazing thing happened when I went to Israel for the first time recently. I fell in love with the people. It is true that before I left for Israel I already had a love for them in my heart. But I didn’t really know how deep that love was until I spent time in Israel among the people.

Our first day in Israel, while we were visiting Old Jerusalem, I witnessed the deep cultural tensions so present in the land. On our way to visit the Western Wall, we walked through the narrow city streets and perused the colorful vendor shops. There I observed a hostile confrontation between a Sabra (native Jewish person) and an Arab. Perhaps the gold Star of David charm hanging from the Sabra’s necklace provoked the initial comment from the Arab. Another Arab joined in with some verbal jabs. Sensing the clash, I quietly moved away from the conflict. Wisely, the Sabra held his tongue and slowly moved away from the area, never taking his eyes off the aggressors. There was no fear in his eyes, only anger.

Although I was thankful my Jewish friend held his tongue, I wondered where was the love of Jesus. You see, this Sabra was a Messianic believer. Jesus tells us to love our brothers, our neighbors, and even our enemies. Jesus’ amazing radical love is what sets believers apart from other faiths. Witnessing this exchange between my brother and the Arab, I got it. I got how the historical clash of people groups in Israel is deep-rooted. And a stronghold. I determined then and there that I must love the people—all people, Jews, Arabs, other immigrants—I mean really show them love and breathe grace.

While visiting Yad Vashem a few days later, John and I tried to save a few shekels by not purchasing a map to guide us around the property. After wandering around in the cold wind for a while on our own, trying unsuccessfully to find certain interests, I headed back to the main building to buy a map. I stood in line at the desk behind an Orthodox Jewish couple also trying to buy a map. The man held out a few shekels in his hand with a look of disappointment. Obviously the couple did not have enough shekels to buy a map. As they slowly turned away, I asked the couple how much they needed. The man did not answer me. In fact, he did his best to avoid eye contact with me altogether. I asked again. The man did not answer. I persisted in asking how much they needed. I spoke to the woman and shared I had just been around the property without a map and realized one really needed one. Shyly, the woman looked at me and told me how much they were short. I gladly put the money on the counter for them. She looked at me with grateful eyes and said it was their first time there. After they received their map, the woman thanked me again. I smiled and told them to “be blessed.”

“Love the people.” This was just the beginning…

Israel: Do you love the land? Or do you love the people?

2011-02-10T12:37:00.000-08:00

          The question echoed in my mind. A friend in my Christian writer’s group went to Israel earlier this year and she relayed this story. While at the airport on her way to the Holy Land, a couple asked her, “Do you love the land? Or do you love the people?” Surprised by the question, my friend replied that she loved the people, of course. Sometimes loving is easier said than done.
          Why do I love Israel? It is different from Kenya and India--it is not third world. (Although approximately 25% of the Israelis currently live below the poverty line.) Despite Israel’s rich Holy Land heritage, to some it seems even more secular than America, spiritually poor. It is hard to imagine a country that exists against all odds, due to faith, miracles, and God’s promises, and yet so many people there do not know the one true living God. Less than 1/10 of 1% of Israeli Jews believe in Y’shua, Jesus.
          I view the Jews with love as the Bible describes them--God’s chosen people (Deut. 7:6). And there is a blessing for those who bless Israel (Gen. 12:3). The prophet Isaiah urges us to proclaim Good News to the Jews: “How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, ‘Your God reigns!’” (Isaiah 52:7). Paul tells us “I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes, first for the Jew, then for the Gentile” (Rom. 1:16).
          For two years I prayed and waited for the day God would call us to Israel to teach. Here we are, Lord! Send us! I knew it was coming. I just didn’t know when. The time is now. Hallelujah! So off we go! This trip to Israel will be my first, and John’s second. I have high hopes but I try not to have expectations. We are called to serve. We are called to love and bless God’s chosen people.
          “And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love” (1 Cor. 13:13).

Blessed are the Peacemakers (Matt 5:9)

2010-12-09T11:17:00.000-08:00

Jesus says, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.” Matthew 5:9

Conflict is all around us. Turn on the news and we see it locally, nationally, and globally. As we examine our own relationships with our families, our friends, our neighbors, and even our brothers and sisters in Christ, we find occasional, and sometimes constant, conflict. Why so much conflict in the world?

Jesus warned us that life on this side of eternity would not be perfect. He said, “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

So how are we supposed to deal with conflict? Biblically, of course. But how many of us really know how to do that?

Ken Sande wrote an incredibly popular and practical book called The Peace Maker, a tool used around the world to help individuals, families, churches, ministry and business leaders resolve conflict. Ken “gives practical biblical guidance for conflict resolution that takes you beyond resolving conflicts to true, life-changing reconciliation with family, coworkers, and fellow believers.” When Christians learn how to be biblical peacemakers, they are able to turn conflict into opportunities to strengthen relationships, preserve valuable resources, and make their lives a testimony to the love and power of Christ. The book teaches a straightforward approach to resolving conflict, summarized in the four basic principles, referred to as the “Four G’s”:

Glorify God (1 Cor. 10:31)
Get the log out of your eye (Matt. 7:5)
Gently restore (Gal. 6:1)
Go and be reconciled (Matt. 5:24)

These principles are countercultural. In our natural state, it is difficult for us to forgive and be reconciled when we feel we’ve been wronged by others. However, there is One who came to save us from our sins. The message of the gospel helps us learn how to resist temptation, obey His commands, and live a life that honors Him. As Ken says, “Peacemakers are people who breathe grace.”

This book is for anyone interested in learning how to biblically resolve personal and/or professional conflict. Imagine the impact of our churches if they were full of trained Christian conciliators, able to wisely help others resolve their conflicts! We might actually restore relationships, save marriages, avoid court (1 Corinthians 6:1-8), and testify with our lives to the grace and mercy of God’s forgiving love.

“If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” Romans 12:18

Grace and peace to you.

No 1st Amendment Protection for Mosque at Ground Zero?

2010-08-30T17:07:00.000-07:00

Islamic leaders have a constitutional right to build the mosque at Ground Zero because of "religious freedom," but they should be sensitive to the complaints of others and not build it. This sentiment is frequently repeated in the news by well-meaning conservatives. The question is, do they really have a constitutional right to build it? Not if it is financed by terrorists or those bent on destroying America--that would be treason. There is no constitutional protection for treason.

Bryan Fischer recently wrote an interesting article for American Family Association worth pondering, arguing against 1st Amendment protection for building the mosque near Ground Zero. Fischer wrote, "Our enemy is authentic Islam and our enemies are devout Muslims who actually believe in their holy scripture and are determined to follow the sacred teachings of their god. They are our enemies for the simple reason that their god commands them to kill us...All this blather about religious liberty is just that—blather. The First Amendment, for devout Muslims in the U.S., is nothing more than a borrowed cloak of righteousness to conceal a heart of darkness."

You can read the entire article here.

Irony of Same-Sex Marriage Arguments

2010-08-21T13:33:00.000-07:00

I should not have been surprised that a California Federal District Court struck down the state marriage amendment (Proposition 8). But I was. Maybe I was a fool. Maybe I was just hopeful that Judge Walker might open his eyes to the truth about the sanctity of marriage and make a right ruling.

Regardless, the decision to strike down the marriage amendment stands, for now. It is already on appeal. Most people believe this issue will continue in active controversy until the U.S. Supreme Court finally weighs and decides once and for all if states can define marriage or if there is some new fundamental right to same sex marriage to be implied from our Constitution.

What I find particularly ironic is how Judge Walker and others can claim states cannot mandate morals, that is, morality has no basis in forming laws. And yet, that is exactly what gay activists want, to legislative morality. Just a different kind of morality.

LGBT activist Chai Feldblum, a recent EEOC appointee by President Obama, has gone on record with a clear strategy to promote homosexual rights. She claims gay sex is morally good, and as such, government has a duty to teach it. Wait a minute—isn’t that government mandating morality? Ah, yes, but it is a different kind of morality.

This kind of hypocrisy reminds me of how the liberals initially used the buzzword tolerance to push their agenda. Social conservatives and people of faith needed to be tolerant of homosexual conduct and the desire for same-sex marriage. However, their demand for tolerance is only a one-way street. Progressives are intolerant of anyone who opposes their agenda, especially if there is a moral or religious reason for opposing homosexual conduct and relationships.

That reminds me of another buzzword used by LGBT activists, equality. They assert state recognized civil unions or domestic partnerships are not equal to traditional marriages, but instead makes them second-class citizens and inferior. Therefore, they demand their committed relationships be recognized as the same, as marriage. Gay partnerships equal traditional marriage. Now, religious and moral arguments aside, equal protection under our Constitution does not mean that things that are different in fact or opinion must be treated the same in law. There is one huge obvious difference between homosexual couples and heterosexual couples—gay couples cannot make babies. No matter how activist courts choose to define marriage, we simply cannot make something that is not the same, the same.

One final irony worth pointing out, gay activists consistently use the interracial marriage analogy to promote same sex marriage. They justify court intervention in defining marriage because they point to the U.S. Supreme Court appropriately striking down anti-miscegenation laws (laws banning interracial marriage). However, the analogy not only fails, it actually hurts the gay marriage argument. At common law, there was no ban on interracial marriages. Americans passed anti-miscegenation laws only after the institution of enslavement of Africans on American soil. This means interracial marriage was a common law liberty before anti-miscegenation laws. Court abolishment of anti-miscegenation laws merely returned us to common law. Moreover, the purpose of anti-miscegenation laws (awful as they were) was racial purity, because interracial couples could naturally produce interracial children.

Same sex marriage, on the other hand, was never a common law liberty before traditional marriage laws were passed. The purpose of traditional marriage laws is not to preserve anything akin to racial purity, because it goes without saying that same sex couples can never produce children. Traditional marriage is a naturally emerging social institution because when men and women come together, they create children, totally independent of government recognition. Same-sex marriage, on the other hand, is completely a creation of the state. Not only does the interracial marriage argument not help same-sex marriage advocates, it may actually work against them.

I cannot close without mentioning the issue of immutability. Do you remember back when special legal protections were first granted to homosexuals to prevent discrimination, like bullying and physical harm? Back then, arguments were made that homosexual orientation was genetic and could not be changed. Sympathetic to the claim that gays were born that way and not exercising choice in conduct, special protections were enacted. This paved the way for additional gay rights, which led to gay marriage and the new argument that gay sex is morally good. The issue of whether sexual orientation is an immutable characteristic is hotly contested today by the fact that there are now many ex-gays. Studies show that sexual orientation is fluid and hard to define. Ex-gays exist, but I don’t know any ex-blacks.

It is true that we are all born with a sinful nature. But by faith in Jesus, we are set free from the penalty and power of all sin. (1 Cor. 6:9-11) As believers, we have a choice to follow the flesh or follow the Spirit. We will be accountable to God for the choices we make. God “will give to each person according to what he has done.” Romans 2:6

Let us be aware of how fuzzy notions of equality, tolerance, and morality have been deceptively twisted to distort the truth about marriage. Marriage is a sacred institution between one man and one woman, a physical representation of the ultimate marriage yet to take place between the bride (the church) and the groom (Jesus Christ). Anything else is a cheap masquerade.

Understanding the Times-High School Senior Worldview Class

2010-08-18T10:18:00.000-07:00

Do you know statistics show that a high percentage of students walk away from their Christian faith in college? Christians need to understand that the truth of God’s word applies to all of life. They need to be able to discern truth from error, whether sitting in a university classroom or watching the evening news. We need to protect Christian youth from deception by anti-Christian worldviews. We need to train up Christian leaders who can actively champion the truth of Christianity in a culture of relativism, paganism, hedonism and confusion.

This fall in Orange County, CA, I will begin teaching a two-semester High School worldview and apologetics class, Understanding the Times, a Summit Ministries curriculum endorsed by Dr. James Dobson, the late Dr. James Kennedy, Josh McDowell, Norman Geisler, and Chuck Colson. This curriculum helps students clearly understand the tenets of the Christian worldview and how they compare and contrast with other leading worldviews of today: Islam, Postmodernism, Secular Humanism, Marxism, and New Age. In a time when more than half of all Christians lose their faith in college, no other curriculum so effectively prepares students to defend the Christian worldview against all its competitors. Students also consider a number of other relevant topics, including abortion, euthanasia, philosophy, radical feminism, biotechnology, the arts, law, cults, the problem of evil, religious pluralism, homosexuality, scriptural reliability, and more.

“See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and basic principles of the world rather than on Christ.” — Colossians 2:8

Defamation of Religion Law May Silence Christians

2010-08-03T13:28:00.000-07:00

Are you following the news? I mean, the real news. And, are you following world events? It is interesting, as John and I travel the world, I have come to discover that much of the rest of the world is quite knowledgeable and conversant with world events, even those in developing third world nations. At home in America though, I find fewer people taking the time to stay abreast of global events. At a time such as this, I urge Americans to wake up and pay attention. Global events are impacting law, culture, and religious liberty in America.

Have you heard about the Defamation of Religion resolution? The ACLJ had this to say:

The United Nations (U.N.) is currently considering a ''Defamation of Religions'' resolution being pushed by the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC), the largest group of nations within the U.N.The resolution would criminalize the proclamation of the Gospel worldwide - an issue with such international ramifications, we've responded with force.We're sending legal teams to our New York City office, which is just down the street from the U.N., in order to speak out - and loudly - against this very anti-Christian move.

You can read an interesting article from USA Today by Jonathan Turley about the Obama Administration’s support of an effort to restrict religious speech that may bear watching. Click here to read.

Where is our Focus?

2010-08-03T13:12:00.000-07:00

Where is our focus today? When we look around us and observe the culture war taking place, what do we see? When we hear about judges redefining marriage, where is our focus? When we hear about government inculcation of secular values to our children through public, where is our focus? When we see a decline in morals on television, film, and radio, where is our focus? Are we focusing on the circumstances? Or are we focusing on Jesus?

I am not suggesting we bury our heads in the sand and ignore what we see happening around us. We are supposed to be alert (Ephesians 6:18, I Peter 5:8) and as wise as serpents but harmless as doves (Matthew 10:16). We should be salt and light (Matthew 5:13-16). What does this mean?

First, we remember that our God is good, all the time. He is sovereign, which means He is in control of everything that happens. That is not to say that God causes everything to happen, because God cannot cause evil. However, God does allow bad things to happen because somehow He mysteriously is able to use it for His eternal glory and to bring about His plan. Probably because He knows what we are going to do before we ever do it. Take the story of Joseph for example. He was sold into slavery by his jealous brothers who had considered murdering him, and later was wrongly imprisoned after being falsely accused of attempted rape. Clearly bad stuff happened to Joseph. But did Joseph focus on the circumstances? He focused on God and God’s plan. After joyfully being reunited with his brothers many years later, Joseph said to them, “You meant evil against me, but God meant it for good in order to bring about this present result [to save lives].” (Genesis 50:20)

Do we believe as Joseph did, that what others mean to do, which may seem harmful to us, God may use for good to save lives? Let’s be clear, this doesn’t mean God condones, approves or causes harmful behavior and choices. Or that we are free to engage in whatever wrongful thoughts, words and actions we want because we rely on God’s ability to use bad stuff for some good eternal purpose. That’s known as cheap grace. Christ didn’t suffer on the cross and bear the sins of the world so that we could go on living our own way, apart from God’s way. God graciously and mercifully forgives. But forgiveness requires a heart that repents. (Acts 2:38, 3:19; 8:22)

Second, knowing God is good all the time, do we trust Him? Do we live like we trust Him? Not merely talking about it, but actually living out God’s truths and promises so that our lives are living proof that God is good and we trust Him? Sounds great, but how do we do that? How do we live like “salt and light” when we see the culture war taking place right in our face, in our marriages, our homes, our schools, our churches, and our government? Paul says if we have all the words, gifts, knowledge, and faith, but we don’t have love, we are nothing and gain nothing. Nothing, without love. (I Corinthians 13:1-3).

So how should we respond to what we see happening in the culture war around us? Keep our eyes focused on Jesus. Know God. Know His Word. Be alert. Speak truth. But most importantly, live a life of love for God and for others. After all, isn’t this what Jesus told us are the two greatest commandments? “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind...Love your neighbor as yourself.” (Matthew 22:37-39)

Focus on Jesus.

Something to Consider...a Biblical Worldview of Government Healthcare Plans

2010-08-03T13:08:00.000-07:00

Let me preface this post with a personal statement, lest I am accused of being partisan or too political. As a follower of Christ, I seek the Scriptures for truth in all areas of life. The Bible is the basis for Christian faith and practice. "Practice" means "how to live my life" as a follower of Jesus. Paul tells us in II Timothy 3:16, "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good works." I believe God's Word and the Holy Spirit are able to guide us in daily decisions we make, transforming how we think, speak, and act. (Romans 12:1-2) This necessarily must include decisions we make about civic affairs. It is true the Lord instructs us that "Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established." (Romans 13:1). It is also true that "We must obey God rather than men." (Acts 5:29) Therefore, when men act, including acting in the civic arena, we must examine the actions or proposed actions, through the lens of Scripture. Because in God's light we see light. (Psalm 36:9)

Having said this, I was recently provoked to deeper thought about proposed government run health care after receiving an email sent to me by a friend and after reading a blog posted on August 19, 2009 in the Wall Street Journal which was titled, "Obama Tells Religious Leaders Health Care Is a Moral Issue."

"President Barack Obama joined a health care conference call with religious organizations just past 5:30 p.m. this evening, and didn’t waste a moment before putting the debate onto a higher plane: 'The one thing you all share is a moral conviction. You know this debate over health care goes to the heart of who we are in America,' he said." Read more here.

Is health care a "moral" issue? I suppose it could be, if we turn to the government to provide for our needs instead of turning to God for our needs. Consider Genesis 47:13-27.

Below is story circulating on the internet. It may or may not be apocryphal. The point is the sermon's simple message is worthy of prayerful consideration. By the way, to avoid any misunderstanding, I want to make clear that just because I am sharing this story, I am NOT claiming President Obama is Pharaoh.

IS HISTORY REPEATING ITSELF?

Sermon from a church in Virginia recently
Gen 47:13-27

Good morning, brothers and sisters; it's always a delight to see the pews crowded on Sunday morning, and so eager to get into God's Word. Turn with me in your Bibles, if you will, to the 47th chapter of Genesis; we'll begin our reading at verse 13, and go through verse 27.

Brother Ray, would you stand and read that great passage for us?

Thank you for that fine reading, Brother Ray. So we see that economic hard times fell upon Egypt, and the people turned to the government of Pharaoh to deal with this for them. And Pharaoh nationalized the grain harvest, and placed the grain in great storehouses that he had built. So the people brought their money to Pharaoh, like a great tax increase, and gave it all to him willingly in return for grain. And this went on until their money ran out, and they were hungry again.

So when they went to Pharaoh after that, they brought their livestock - their cattle, their horses, their sheep, and their donkey - to barter for grain, and verse 17 says that only took them through the end of that year. But the famine wasn't over, was it?

So the next year, the people came before Pharaoh and admitted they had nothing left, except their land and their own lives. "There is nothing left in the sight of my lord but our bodies and our land. Why should we die before your eyes, both we and our land? Buy us and our land for food, and we with our land will be servants to Pharaoh." So they surrendered their homes, their land, and their real estate to Pharaoh's government, and then sold themselves into slavery to him, in return for grain.

What can we learn from this, brothers and sisters?

That turning to the government instead of to God to be our provider in hard times only leads to slavery? Yes. That the only reason government wants to be our provider is to also become our master? Yes.

But look how that passage ends, brothers and sisters! "Thus Israel settled in the land of Egypt, in the land of Goshen. And they gained possessions in it, and were fruitful and multiplied greatly." God provided for His people, just as He always has! They didn't end up giving all their possessions to the government, no, it says they gained possessions!

But I also tell you a great truth today, and an ominous one. We see the same thing happening today - the government today wants to "share the wealth" once again, to take it from us and redistribute it back to us. It wants to take control of healthcare, just as it has taken control of education, and ration it back to us, and when government rations it, then government decides who gets it, and how much, and what kind.

And if we go along with it, and do it willingly, then we will wind up no differently than the people of Egypt did four thousand years ago - as slaves to the government, and as slaves to our leaders.

What Mr. Obama's government is doing now is no different from what Pharaoh's government did then, and it will end the same. And a lot of people like to call Mr. Obama a "Messiah," don't they? Is he a Messiah, a savior? Didn't the Egyptians say, after Pharaoh made them his slaves, "You have saved our lives; may it please my lord, we will be servants to Pharaoh"?

Well, I tell you this - I know the Messiah; the Messiah is a friend of mine; and Mr. Obama is no Messiah! No, brothers and sisters, if Mr Obama is a character from the Bible, then he is Pharaoh.

Bow with me in prayer, if you will.

“Zero to Five Plan” – Government as the New Parents?

2010-08-03T12:30:00.000-07:00

President Obama hums a familiar tune — we need education reform to better prepare our children to be successful in college and the workplace. But exactly what does he propose? In his education initiative, the Zero to Five Plan, President Obama proposes “early care and education for infants.” To implement this, states will be given grants to start moving towards universal preschools.

Obama’s theory is the earlier children begin formal education, the better chance they have to compete in the global economy. However, a 2005 Stanford University study found, “attendance in preschool centers, even for short periods of time each week, hinders the rate at which young children develop social skills and display the motivation to engage classroom task.” According to a report by the Southwest Policy Institute, "Contrary to common belief, early institutional schooling can harm children emotionally, intellectually and socially, and may later lead to greater peer dependency."

Child psychologist, David Elkind, has researched early education and written several book on the subject. He found pushing elementary academic education into the very early years of a child could actually have lasting harm on children, putting them at risk for short-term stress and long-term personality damage, especially hindering social development.

Obama’s Zero to Five Plan encourages less parental involvement and more governmental involvement in child development because preschool will be offered for free. Who do you want indoctrinating our babies and toddlers? Parents, let’s not abdicate parental responsibility to the state, which has become increasingly hostile towards Christianity. Instead, let’s spend more time together with our children, teaching them biblical truth (Deuteronomy 6:4-7). Children, parents and society will all reap the benefits.

Marriage Matters to Kids

2010-08-03T12:27:00.000-07:00

For a brief moment in time (mid June to early November 2008), California allowed same sex couples to marry. How did this happen?

In May 2008, in the Marriage Cases, the California Supreme Court struck down Proposition 22, a statute that had defined marriage as between a man and a woman. This allowed same sex couples to marry. However, in November, the people of the state voted to amend its constitution to restore the traditional definition of marriage by passing Proposition 8. This essentially "constitutionalized" the earlier marriage statute. Many people were left perplexed as to how the state's highest Court could have allowed same sex marriage to begin with. Great legal scholars have debated the issue. So, how in the world are every day people supposed to understand the Court's ruling? In September 2008, I gave an interview to Marriage Matters To Kids in an effort to give a simple explanation to a complex and complicated Court ruling. The interview can be found here.

Proponents of same sex marriage argue that homosexuals couples have a constitutional right to be treated as equally as opposite sex couples, specifically the right to marry. And without this right to marry, they argue, they will lack dignity and respect and be treated as second class citizens. "Dignity" and "respect" are noble words. However, what same sex marriage advocates really want is not so noble. To be clear, even without the right to "marry," same sex couples were already afforded substantially all the same rights and benefits as traditional marriage couples under the law in California (California Family Code section 297.5). Obviously by demanding dignity and respect, what they really want is to force opponents of same sex marriage to accept it, even if it violates their deeply held religious beliefs or rights of conscience. Special treatment for a "suspect class" based on sexual orientation leaves no room for disagreement. This conflict has resulted in a greater legal and social problem, competing interests between sexual liberty and religious liberty. Even once the California Supreme Court resolves the current attack on the recent Marriage Amendment (Prop. 8), the conflict between sexual liberty and religious liberty will not be resolved. I predict until the U.S. Supreme Court has addressed the issue of the alleged "right" of same sex marriage, the conflict between sexual liberty and religion liberty will only increase.

Marriage matters. For the sake of our children. For the sake of society. For the sake of our future.

Reflections on Teaching in India

2010-08-03T12:11:00.000-07:00

A few years ago I first heard a song by Mercy Me, “Here I am.” As I sang the song, I prayed the chorus which was based on Isaiah 6:8, “Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, ‘Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?’ And I said, ‘Here I am. Send me!’ ” As John and I prepared for our trip to India in January 2009, the Lord reminded me how often I had petitioned the Lord with the lyrics, “Here I am. Send me!” I paused to thank Him and praise Him for answering my prayer. I did not yet know how I would be called upon specifically to minister in India. But I was willing to go.

Because of some mix up with email, I did not discover how I was needed to minister until after we arrived in Chennai, India. First, much to my delight, I found out that I was asked to teach a three day seminar, mornings and afternoons, to a group of ladies who had traveled 12 hours by train. I smiled. The Lord knows that prayer is an important area He has been grooming me in recent years. Thankfully, I had brought my notes on prayer with me, which I am sure the Holy Spirit prompted me to do, albeit unknown to me at the time. Second, I discovered, much to my surprise, that I was also asked to teach for three afternoons to the Evangelism staff at the Bible institute. I was asked to speak to a long list of specific issues, e.g. depression, sexual abuse, parental abandonment, marital failure and suicide. I wondered to the Lord why I was called upon to teach about some issues when I did not consider them areas of my expertise or even experience. I earnestly sought the Lord. Third, John and I were asked to lead the daily community chapel for the second week of our visit.

I was worried. John was calm. But John is usually calm. He is enormously talented and gifted as a Bible teacher and has a wealth of treasured knowledge and experience in his brilliant mind which he can draw upon to speak at any given time. I prayed. And I prayed. I prayed fervently that the Lord would equip me to do the job He had brought me to India to do. Each morning I arose alone very early, sometimes awakening to the Muslim call to prayer from a neighboring mosque. As Muslims everywhere were praying to Allah, I prayed to Yahweh, the only living God. I worshipped, soaked in God’s Word, and prayed with my head covered, as I observed some of my students do in my prayer class. God met me there in that quiet time of the morning, in a way I will never forget.

The first week of teaching on prayer went by fast. I treasured the students. They were hungry for God’s Word. Every time I referenced Scripture, we paused for everyone to look it up, and then someone read it out loud. It was beautiful and memorable. God’s Word has the power to transform. In addition to my teaching them on prayer, they taught me a valuable lesson—the power of reading God’s Word when teaching. Let us learn from our Indian brothers and sisters and take the time to bring our Bibles to church, Sunday School and Bible study. Let us open our Bibles and read God’s Word together.

The second week teaching on counseling to the Evangelism staff was an incredible experience in the power of God. The first day was well spent getting to know each other. I shared with them about myself and they shared with me the issues they hoped I could help them with. I told them I would seek the Lord and planned to address their issues the next day. As much as I repeatedly sought the Lord on how I could help the staff with their significant concerns, including life or death issues, I had no practical advice for them. I confessed this to the Lord. I was empty. Though I was willing, I was not able. Or so I thought. As I returned the second day to teach the staff. I began by telling them I had no practical advice to give them on such grave issues. Then, miraculously, as I opened my mouth, I began to teach and counsel them through God’s Word on the very issues they had asked me to address. When they asked a question, I took them to Scripture to find the answer. Time flew. They were blessed. I was blessed. I left that meeting stunned. “That was the Lord, not me,” I said to myself. The third and last day was similar to the day before. The Lord guided our discussion. I pray to never forget that lesson!

I thank God for sending us. On our own, we are not able. However, if we are willing, through Christ, we become able. Phil 4:13, “I can do everything through Him who gives me strength.” In His grip.

Fresh Manna Daily

2010-08-03T11:58:00.000-07:00

Can you imagine, right now, the intoxicating aroma and delicious taste of fresh, baked bread? Yum!

Now, can you imagine the sight and smell of yucky, old, moldy bread? Just the thought takes away your appetite, and can make you feel rather sick.

In Exodus 16, God teaches us that while His children wandered in the desert for 40 years after He delivered them from captivity in Egypt, He sustained them with all the "bread" they needed to eat--fresh each and every morning. It was called manna and tasted like wafers made with honey. But the manna was only good for one day. The day after, it was full of maggots and began to smell. Except on the Sabbath. Miraculously, the manna did not decay on the Sabbath.

God sustained His people with manna, which neither they nor their fathers had known, to teach them that man does not live on bread alone but on every Word that comes from the mouth of the Lord. (Deuteronomy 8:3) Meditate on these living, breathing words because God still sustains His people with the Bread of Life, the very Word of God.

Amazingly, Jesus tells us he is the Bread of Life, claiming, “Just as the living Father sent me and I live because of the Father, so the one who feeds on me will live because of me. This is the bread that came down from heaven. Your forefathers ate manna and died, but he who feeds on this bread will live forever.” John 6:57-58.

So the question is—are we feasting on the Bread of Life, Jesus Christ? Are we feasting daily or are we trying to sustain ourselves by living on yesterday’s manna, or even last Sunday’s manna? Old, stale manna has no nourishment. Living on old manna makes us weak Christians. We need fresh manna, fresh bread, daily for God to sustain us. We need the Bread of Life, the very Word of God, Jesus Christ, every day.

How committed are we to Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior who died so that our sins would be forgiven, so that we would be covered by God’s undeserved grace? Are we prepared to devote time every day to spend time with Him, studying Scripture and communicating through prayer? Jesus is worth that, and so much more. Come, let us feast together on the Bread of Life.

“For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” Matthew 6:21.