Faith

Credit crunch... Everyone's talking about it... People feeling the financial pressure... I'm gonna keep this short since I gotta go to church in a few minutes... The uncertainty of the future... Funny, when I 1st started uni, I started keeping track of how much I was earning and how much I was spending... As the weeks went on, I realised I was spending more than I earned... This then snowballed into thinking about what to buy, what not to buy, walking instead of taking the bus, even considering how much money I would spend on tithing...

But in the midst of all this, I was reminded through a sermon by pastor Bob Coy about how we should still be faithful in giving to God, even during these tough times... As I sat back and listened, all the lightbulbs in my head were going off... and my memory pulled me back to the story of Peter and Jesus in the sea, where Peter could walk on water when Jesus called him out of the boat... Then he started to sink when he saw how high the waves were... It just reminded me that, during these tough financial times, I should always be more concerned at looking at God, rather than the trouble around me... I should focus on the hope of something better ahead and how faithful God is instead of focusing on the problems surrounding me...

Funny, during the course of the next couple of days, I quit writing down how much I was earning and spending and just decided to trust God for daily provisions... and sooner than I think, I'm getting like 3 calls to do PAID gigs here and there... God is faithful, don't worry about your future... Keep serving Him faithfully and he will continue to bless you...

I'm off to church, be encouraged...

Contemplation

Without God, there is no direction.
No hope for the future.
Not even a desire to hope for some joy that awaits us at the end of the tunnel.
Without direction, we are just lost souls in time
Aimlessly wandering about, striving for temporary earthly objects and acheivements that will eventually pass away.
What is our aim, what is our end?
Everything in life is meaningless.

Still, there is a creator who craves each second, each minute, each hour, each day, each week, each month, each year, each decade, each century, each millenium to have an unbreakable, unchangeable and loving relationship with the people who hurt him the most.

What a mystery...

Frustration

I'm tired.
I'm tired of people assuming stuff about me which isn't even true.
I'm tired of tired of being the one every one's watching and waiting to see if I stumble and fall or if I live up to my so called responsibilities that I'm "supposed" to be doing.
I'm tired of being constantly disturbed when I need my space.
I'm tired of being forced to answer when I don't want to right at that moment.
I'm tired of reassuring other people that every thing's going to be all right for the umpteenth time and they still don't get it.
I'm tired of people assuming that I don't get what they are saying.
I'm tired of being an emotional punching bag.
I'm tired of being helpless and at a lost in what to do in comforting a loved one through an avenue I have no experience or familiarity in.
I'm tired of people forcing me to eat and then getting wrong ideas about me when I do not oblige.
I'm tired of becoming a better man, constantly improving myself at my own pace, because in the end, the efforts seem to go un-noticed.
I'm tired of pointless money issues.
I'm tired of being wrong.
I'm tired of being blamed for situations I have NO control over.
I'm tired of not having someone who can listen to me vent then emphatize and not just give me their "good advice".
I'm tired and afraid my ugly history will repeat itself again.
I'm tired of caring about the serious repercussions that are probably going to snowball from the moment people read this.
God, Show me how to love like you do.
Because I can never do it in my own human strength.
Not ever.

I'm just friggin' tired.

It's not fair...

It was not until I arrived back in Singapore that I realised my world and hers were different... I look back with hindsight the family's love that was showered upon me and that was yet taken for granted... I looked back at how God had blessed me with countless opportunities, directing my steps, reassuring me that he was there every waking and sleeping moment in my life... I look back at the friends he provided me with and the relationships that were strengthen by close fellowship. Friends and family who would look out for me whenever I was in trouble... I look back at God's provision... food, shelter, education... and yet I still had the nerve to complain...

How could I not have seen the tears which flowed from my Saviour's face when I was enjoying the comfort of red plush seats, dozing off periodically at Sunday sermons... when at the same time, my other half was being dragged away to some ritual by her mum, not knowing what she was doing, scared half to death by the chants of taoist priests... How could I not have felt his heart ache when I was hanging out with friends mulling over what the best hair product would be... when at the same time my gal was getting stressed about how much she could do for her family in order for them not to be so burdened financially with the cost of 3 of her siblings and her own education. How could I not have heard Jesus cry out to me, begging me to open my mouth and speak about his abundant life, when I was venting about my family not giving me enough space, when she and her family had to put up with a multitude of insults and unloving actions from relatives.

How could I have blocked God out of my life, desensitizing myself to every thing he asked me to do for him... How could I have been so blind to the fact that there were sincere individuals who were searching for eternal answers in this temporal world, desperately seeking out for truth but finding a people who were too ignorant and apathetic to care.

The Bible is clear about one thing, no Jesus, and you're headed for eternal damnation, there is no grey area about it. Could I really live with the fact that I would be enjoying the comforts of everlasting life while the people I would 'care' about in the future would be headed for hell?

Psalm 51:10 - "Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me."

Talk is Cheap, Actions are Deep

Darker days grow ahead as the morality of this world is being turned upside down... Sin is becoming the norm and there is a blurred line between right and wrong... Some Christians are living in ignorance and apathy and don't want to fight the spiritual battle we were all called to do... Some bored by long and tedious sermons, wanting to get caught up solely with fun church activities like a BBQ or sports session... missing important prayer and bible study meetings... Sometimes fights happen inside the church, the place where sacrificial love and forgiveness are supposed to be most present... Disputes about traditions, methods, doctrine, music, etc... They take away the focus from what our real purpose is... Non-Christian spectators observe everything going on within the church and are left confused and hurt, wanting to disassociate themselves with anyone who calls himself 'Christian'... Tired of countless arguments like, 'Does God exist?', 'Why is there suffering if there is a loving God?', 'Are morals absolute?'... Each side not listening to another...

I've found that a lot of the Christians who have grown up in the church, including myself, have had this 'I am saved, therefore I most know everything' kind of attitude... It only breeds disgust from many who are unsaved... 1st of all, I don't know it all, I'm still learning and I must check out whether everything I hear is true... Like the Bereans in Acts 17... check out everything from BOTH sides... both Non-Christians and Christians don't bother to do that a lot of the time... They seem to be stuck in their way of life, the way that works for them...

I've had some uncomfortable experiences with both Christians and non-Christians... One would be the time where I decided in my head and heart that I knew it all and had this verbal sparring with a non-Christian and of course, God humbled me, I didn't know the answers to some of the questions... I checked it out afterwards though and realised that there were lots of things that I hadn't learnt. Another time was when I was sharing these experiences with various Christian brothers, one was a pastor... They however, would just shake their heads and contort their faces in unbelief and I could see that it was written on their face the 'How can they (non-Christians) be so stupid, I don't want to listen to this nonsense' kinda look... And they gave a sort of snort of disgust after I shared my experiences with them... In my head I'm like 'Come on man, they are not saved, obviously they won't know about moral absolutes and God's law so why the look?' I guess their reaction took me by surprise, especially with all this talk about loving the lost wherever we go...

So I questioned myself... What happened to a heart of compassion that Christians are supposed to have? Where is the love of God within a Christian that would want to see this soul saved and answer him in a meek and gentle spirit? Why are we segregating ourselves from the very people we are supposed to reach out to? I also questioned the non-Christian's viewpoint... Just because a Christian disrespects and hurts you, you are going deny a God? Aren't Christians human too? NONE of them are perfect, so why judge God based on the bad experiences of his representers? Why base your own salvation on that? All the questions could go on forever... None of them are conclusive so please refrain from emailing me with points that I might have missed out... XD

I watch movies about how missionaries go to the Amazon and sacrifice their lives for the gospel... Just with one powerful sentence when they were asked, 'Are you going to use the guns if the natives try to kill you?' And their response, 'We are ready for heaven, they aren't'... 5 of them died by the hands of the Waudani tribe... And today, the Waudani tribe is taking the gospel to its own people... And then I wonder why a lot of us complain about Sunday sermon being too long so that we can't have lunch... I wonder why we complain when a preacher prays too long about the very people who need God the most... I wonder why I was so selfish being a Christian from birth, maybe it's because I've never really experience extreme suffering at all... maybe suffering helps a person realise the value of life, the basic needs and all that stuff... Sure I got the times where I had fights with my family, fallouts with friends, but today I'm here living better than most of the people in the world... Why should I complain about my situation and how no one understands me? Why should I worry about my tomorrows when God has taken care of everything... Shouldn't I be more compassionate about those around me who are not as fortunate? Shouldn't I be more loving towards those who hurt me and call me stereotypical names like 'hypocrite'? Shouldn't I forgive them for what they say and bless them?

When I stop focusing on myself, I put God and others 1st, then I'll be able to see the change... Too many times, Christians want to change people's behaviours straight away... They see it more like a mission to be accomplished, they view the person more as an object to process rather than a human who need compassion, rather than a lost soul and wandering spirit, in need of the creator's love...

Let go, Let God...

When I was a teenager, my dreams were big... I wanted to be a superstar... I wanted everyone to look at me and see how great I was... How I could go against Singaporean society and stereotypical asian mentality and rise above the norm to acheive something greater than anyone from my background ever did... In short, it was all about me, what I was, what I could do, what I was all about... I, I, I, me, Me, ME...

So I worked for it, worked on my image, worked on my talent, worked on the things I was good at... And for a few years, it got me where I wanted to be... I could prove my family wrong about me, I could live a high life that I wasn't living when I was a nerd in school, it got me a few extra bucks too... doing a few gigs in hotels and restaurants, etc... And though I wasn't even close to believing it in the early stages, my dreams were starting to become a reality...

I finally went to study a Jazz degree in UK, got a 1st class, was the leader of a big band, interviewed at a radio station, got a £1000 merit award, played with some big names, toured to Scotland and even got a Hollywood offer, would be in L.A. for 6 months, everything paid for...

Yet I look at my life now and realise that all those things never satisfied... It's strange but the happiest moments in my life weren't performing in front of a large audience, getting interviewed on radio and it was definitely not a Hollywood job offer.

I can't remember what was the largest number of people I played too, I've forgotten a lot of songs I've written, I don't remember the number of bands I was in and certainly don't remember some big names I've played with.

I do remember vividly the joy I had when I was growing up with my brother, the relationships that were built in church back in Singapore, the friends from church camp, the seniors who helped my grow in the ACS chapel band, the many friends who supported me when I was in the dumps, even more friends in SYFC whom I had a great chance to hang out with and share loads with. The countless chinese dinner makan sessions with my aunts, uncles and cousins. And certainly it was the time when my girlfriend accepted Jesus into her heart to become Lord and Saviour of her life... on 6th July, 2 more days... I had more joy confessing to God that I had to live right and stop playing religious games... I had more joy being and serving alongside members of a loving Zimbabwean church in London... I had more joy when I was listening to online sermons instead of playing online games, I had more joy writing meaningful poetry rather than cool riffs and licks... I seem to have forgotten about that in the last few months...

So right now at the crossroads in my life, going on to complete a Masters, I am wondering where life's road will lead... As I ponder about my future, God keeps reminding me of how shallow human wisdom is... And as I look at the other people around me in my university and professional life strive for fame and fortune, the things they would do to get what they want, the things they have done, I wonder if in the end it's all really worth it... I take a huge step back and it makes me think if I'm just using people to get what I want and where I want to be... Am I that selfish and shallow? I would like to think not, although truth seems to point otherwise...

There have been many opportunities knocking at my door... It's definitely tempting to accept everyone I get... And a lot of people have encouraged me with seemingly "good" intentions... Something however is pulling me back, it's probably the Holy Spirit inside of me, guiding me although rarely been listening to him... Why do I strive for things that will fade when this world passes away? Wasn't there something in the Bible about storing up your treasures in heaven? Once you have a acheived everything you want to in life, will you be truly happy?

As I reflect on the constant stream of questions pouring out from within me I realise that a lot of people are happy, but they don't have JOY... the kinda joy that makes you feel mmm... I can't describe it... I've experienced that kinda joy before, I want it again... It is so easy to backslide and strive for the things your heart desires...

I guess I'm reminded of how God didn't make us to be isolated individuals focusing on ourselves... cos then it would be all about pride and self-worship, saying God I don't need you, the thing the devil and his minions want... But God made us so that we could have a loving relationship with Him through his son, Jesus Christ... It's all about relationships... I found more joy working on relationships rather than working on myself... so in the end it's not about ME, it's about being unselfish, serving others and being faithful to a loving Father... Just as much as he always is and has been faithful and has a special plan for my life... Which we can all find out about if we let go of our selfish ambitions and let God be the centre of of lives and rule our hearts with his divine love...

Jesus, please restore the years that were wasted and help me to serve you willingly without complaining for perfect love casts out all fear. May my life be used as you wish, forgetting about me, caring about others around me more... And please guard my heart so I do not serve out of selfishness and greed for treasures in heaven, create in me a clean heart, pure, holy and acceptable in your sight... I want to win souls for your kingdom... how I do not know, but I trust in you and I know you will guide me and be right beside me all the way till your kingdom come. I commit all of my life into your hands... In your name I pray, Amen...

Pastor Joe Wright's Prayer

Heavenly Father, we come before you today to ask your forgiveness and seek your direction and guidance. We know your Word says, "Woe to those who call evil good," but that's exactly what we've done. We have lost our spiritual equilibrium and inverted our values.

We confess that we have ridiculed the absolute truth of your Word and called it moral pluralism. We have worshipped other gods and called it multi-culturalism.
We have endorsed perversion and called it an alternative lifestyle.
We have exploited the poor and called it the lottery.
We have neglected the needy and called it self-preservation.
We have rewarded laziness and called it welfare.
We have killed our unborn and called it choice.
We have shot abortionists and called it justifiable.
We have neglected to discipline our children and called it building esteem.
We have abused power and called it political savvy.
We have coveted our neighbors' possessions and called it ambition.
We have polluted the air with profanity and pornography and called it freedom of expression. We have ridiculed the time-honored values of our fore-fathers and called it enlightenment.

Search us O God and know our hearts today; try us and see if there be some wicked way in us; cleanse us from every sin and set us free. Guide and bless these men and women who have been sent here by the people of Kansas, and who have been ordained by you, to govern this great state. Grant them your wisdom to rule and may their decisions direct us to the center of your will. I ask it in the name of your son, the living savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.

Hand of God

Had a mad trip to Ireland on Saturday... Was supposed to go with my friend Skippo to an evangelistic event... 5 of us going, Skippo(drums), Tinu(singer), Olmo(saxophone), Bambo(bass) and me(piano)... 4 of us were supposed to meet at Tottenham Hale Rail Station and Skippo would meet us at the airport... I woke at 7am at dragged my sleepy feet to the tube station and halfway during the journey to the meeting place I discover that I had left my passport back at my place... gah... took the train back and then took a cab to my halls to grab the passport and headed towards the station... Skippo called from the airport 5 min before I arrived at Tottenham Hale...

Tinu was there already calling Olmo and Bambo trying to find out where they were... Our check-in time was supposed to be around 11am and we were going to miss the 9.07 fast train... I had to grab some cash but the cash machine wasn't working so I paid for the train ticket with my debit card... Tinu and me decided to get some breakfast at KFC since the guys hadn't showed up yet and the next train was 9.22 fast train... KFC was closed so we went to Burger King and they didn't accept cash there, I placed my order and ran across the road to the nearby petrol kiosk cash machine... ran back and Tinu said that the other guys were here so we had to leave... it was 9:18... had to leave my breakfast at Burger King... Met up with the other guys and Olmo said he had forgotten his passport... we had to decide in about 3 minutes what to do and whether he was going on the plane or whether he still had time to rush back then go to the airport... We took his saxophone and music stand though...

Tinu, Bambo and me met Skippo at Stanstead airport... Skippo and Tinu were on one flight and the rest of us were on another, apparently there was some mix up with the planes... Bambo and me checked in 1st, had a slight hiccup with the metal saxophone and music stand but it worked out, it went on Skippo's flight instead... Skippo was trying to call Olmo... This was about 1030am... Me and Bambo headed towards the departure gates 1st... Skippo and Tinu were still outside waiting but Olmo didn't show... So we all met up near the lounge area...

So anyway, here we are about to leave London and Skippo's phone dies... He was the only one with Olmo's number... I had the old ones... tried calling them but got one of Olmo's friends... Skippo and Tinu head towards the final departure gates... Me and Bambo followe... Skippo found a power supply near the water cooler, so he managed to get in touch with Olmo... This was about 1128... The boarding gates closed at 1130am... 1129, Olmo comes shooting down the walkway, panting for breath... How he managed with the tube closures, I don't know... He was supposed to be able to take a straight train down to where he lived, but he had to change trains 3 times... End of story? Nope, just the beginning...

So we went to Ireland, seperate flights, got picked up by this woman, very nice but didn't know where she was going... so after driving round about the roundabout 3 times, we got dizzy and just followed some road blindly... Olmo calls Skippo and Tinu to find out where the venue was and how we were supposed to get there... Skippo said he was already at the venue but had to go back to the airport because he left his bag in the plane with all his drumsticks and books etc...

We arrived at the venue and there was some mix up with the rooms so we didn't get one to rest in at the end... so we lounged around the hotel... 4 of us waiting for a reply from Skippo... sound check was at 330pm... Skippo still hadn't arrived by 3:15... And we couldn't call him either because his phone was dead!!!

3.20pm Skippo shows up and he says that the plane had left for Paris and would be back later that night... So he had to get new drumsticks... We had sound check with was horrendous cause nobody on stage could hear what we were playing... Had the actual performance and had to play some songs I didn't know at all... Oh well... Another lady comes up and tells us that 2 of the band members from the other act hadn't showed up so we had to cover for them... The other thing, our 9pm flight got cancelled and moved to 7pm so we had to leave early... we went on stage again for another performance and this guy shows up telling us that our flight had been moved to 11pm... so we sat and waited for a bit... then he comes back again saying that we have to go now cause it got shifted again... So we had about half an hour to get to the airport...

We arrived there at 8pm and started checking in, Skippo found his bag at the lost and found... amazing... it has Tinu's shoes in there as well... Anyway, we headed towards the boarding gates... Grabbed a few Burger King bites and started gobbling down our food... The security guy told us we had time so we chilled out a bit... at 8.30pm we headed towards the plane... and we heard FINAL CALL for our flight... so all 5 of us started running... it was really funny... what a day... managed to catch our flight...

There's more... we landed at Luton Airport and tried calling a cab but the 1st one didn't want to pick us up cause we were over the passenger limit... we called a 7 seater instead and the cab driver was something else... after arguing about the price... which was like £100... insane... we had to drop Olmo off 1st in Central London and then all of us around North London... He wasted A LOT of time playing with the sat nav... gah... and he turned right when the sign said NO RIGHT TURN... Then he travelled from the North West down to Central and the back up to North East... I got back home in one piece though and so did the rest... Was about 1.15 in the morning, I plonked myself on the bed and went to sleep... Wonder what kinda of adventures God has in store for me next... That was fun test of faith...

Reality

Rantings

leave me alone
i'd rather die in solitude
then have 7 people ask me for favours every day
the work doesn't end
the money doesn't roll
why should i care

so what if i hurt those closest to me
i have everything to lose
yet i feel nothing

my folks probably care more about topical bible studies
and housegroup meetings
what's important to me
how i feel
untouched
call me selfish
i'm still human

never a close knit relationship
my past haunts me
my disease afflicts me
my future uncertain
do people understand
maybe, maybe not

lecturers put me in the spotlight
my life is under watch
every moment
every waking moment
i prepare myself mentally for someone waiting for me to slip up

church pressure
a losing battle with sin
i would be freer on sundays
but i grew out of waking early

pointless questions
tasteless jokes
hurt me and i hurt you
emotionally
i've gotten good
let's see if you recover from that

i don't hear God's voice no more
call me unfaithful, call me a backslider
do you think it's going to solve anything

i want to run through the forest
in the cold of the night
screaming my lungs out
laziness envelops
i stay in my room
it facilitates my addictions

my siblings grow distant
my partner?
she's got her own problems
i can't be her superman
love her still
need space
too many questions
i'm not an emotional punching bag
do i care more about other people than her
no
breaks my heart
when i can't be her rock

my gift
a curse
a blessing
i'm sick of people exploiting it
grow a brain and think
people slow me down

a vision of a face
smashed through a glass window
sew the stitches up yourself
if you don't drown first in the pool of blood

this is reality
not some dude in church on sunday
asking me how i am
then walking away without even listening
saying good to see you here
people tire me
trying to impress me
with their scriptural or musical knowledge

my own development
hampered
inspired, uninspired
maybe if i stopped helping people with their deficiencies
i could be great
yea right

assumptions
patronizing elder generations
a never ending list of seemingly good-intentioned people
they make me sick
barbers in uk
should go back to school

my patience
exhausted
no more favours
once i graduate
nothing's free
take it or leave it

out
J

Don't Bother Me

Don't bother me
With souls to save.
I have my own agenda.
There's school to do,
Sports to play,
Important stuff to attend to.

Don't bother me
With my friend at work.
He's got his own religion.
I don't have time
to change his mind.
He'll make his own decision.

Don't bother me
With that little girl,
That girl playing in the street.
She's much too young
To understand
The Saviour she could meet.

Don't bother me
With sounds I hear.
The sounds of people shrieking.
Although I wonder who they are,
Who are these people screaming?

Don't bother me
With who they are
I really don't want the blame.
Cause it's my friend
And the little girl
Who, from hell,
scream out my name.

1st Away From Shore Fishing Experience

I thought I'd shut up with the judgemental views on Christians not doing enough on sharing the gospel and get round to doing something rather than complaining about it... was quite nervous cause it's my 1st attempt at doing anything like this... I'm praying that I'll be better prepared next time... Anyway, here's my friend Hugh...

Motives

I've been doing a lot of thinking these past few months... About friends and how to witness to them... It feels like so much of a challenge sometimes when whatever you're saying is not going through to them... I've been giving trying to prove biblical facts, giving out gospel tracks, inviting some to church, debating with a few... All this to no avail... And I wonder, God, why is what I'm doing not working... These past few weeks, months, I've been constantly discouraged, disheartened at the response of a lot of friends...

A few weeks ago, I came back to Basingstoke... and saw a DVD my father bought... it was about the end times and revelation and all... we were watching behind the scenes footage at lunch one day... I suddenly saw this interesting video of how there was on-the-street evangelism going on... I checked out the website www.wayofthemaster.com

Then I suddenly realised my approach in evagenlising... too many people go for the intellect... proving God exists... this website talks about going for the conscience... interesting... It dawned on me that I had to really show I cared about the people I was talking to... instead of trying to prove them wrong, trying to win arguments, etc... I saw how they talked to gang members, druggies, rebels... etc...

People can tell if you really care about them or if you have that self-righteous look on your face... saying I'm right about this and you're not... Time to re-think my approach in talking with people... I'm gonna put some missions up on the blog soon... exciting :)

Peace...

Easter

Found an article about Easter... what do you guys think?

Should Christians Celebrate Easter?
By Pastor Jeff Alexander

Easter is commonly understood to be a Christian holiday celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ. The date for it is set as the Sunday immediately following the fourteenth day of the paschal (Passover) moon, which happens on or after the vernal equinox. However, as is explained in the Schaff-Herzog Encyclopedia of Religious Knowledge (Vol. 2, p. 682), “The present variable time [for fixing the date of Easter] was appointed by early Romanism in amalgamation with the very ancient pagan spring festival to the goddess of the spring.”

The resurrection of Christ occurred the Sunday following the fourteenth of Nisan. Unlike Christmas, we can be fairly certain that we are celebrating our Lord’s triumph over death on its approximate anniversary date. A complication arises when we discover that the pagan festival to the goddess of spring was also celebrated at the same time. This leads us to question whether Easter has not been corrupted by considerable pagan baggage. Abundant evidence supports the fact that the Greco-Roman church tended to amalgamate idolatrous rites into the Christianity they were introducing to heathen cultures. The philosophy was that non-Christians would be more likely to embrace Christianity if they were allowed to retained their pagan practices, especially if some Christian correspondence with their traditions could be established.

As a result, pagan symbols have been so thoroughly embedded that they are now generally thought to be Christian in origin. An example is the Easter lily. Where is there biblical authority for its prevalence at Easter? Merrill Unger (Archeology and the Old Testament, pp. 173, 174) describes the Canaanite goddess “as a nude woman bestride a lion with a lily in one hand and a serpent in the other.” The lily “bespeaks the grace and sex appeal of the bearer” and the serpent “symbolizes her fecundity” (fertility).

If anyone thinks it is too great a leap from the pagan symbolism of the lily to its place at Easter, one need only investigate the name Easter. W. E. Vine writes, “The term Easter is not of Christian origin. It is another form of Astarte, one of the titles of the Chaldean goddess, the queen of heaven” (Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words, entry “Easter” loc. cit.). The Chaldean Semeramis, the wife of Nimrod, was the original impersonation of the “queen of heaven,” the goddess of spring. The Babylonians called her Ishtar. To the Canaanites she was known as Astarte. She is Venus of the Greeks, Aphrodite of the Romans, and Ashtoreth of the Zidonians. These all represent fertility and were worshipped in the spring as new life burst forth after the death grip of winter. Hastings Encyclopedia on Religious Ethics describes these ancient Easters as “spring feasts . . . marked with great sexual license” (p. 117).

In Anglo-Saxon culture Astarte was known as Eostre (the Saxon origin of the English word Easter), in whose honor the Druids held religious festivals in April, calling it Easter Month (Eostre-monath). This may be the reason for the careless insertion of the word Easter instead of Passover to translate pascha in Acts 12:4 in the King James Version.
Other objects associated with the modern celebration of Easter join the lily as suspect. The egg as a symbol of fertility is found universally in ancient cultures. The Egyptians, Persians, and Chinese all had customs of coloring eggs. Babylonian legend teaches that an egg of great size fell from heaven into the Euphrates River, where fishes rolled it onto the bank. There it was incubated by doves until it hatched out (who else?) the “queen of heaven.”

The Roman Church incorporated the egg as an emblem of Christ’s resurrection. Pope Paul V taught people to pray at Easter, “Bless, O Lord, we beseech thee this, thy creature of eggs, that it may become a wholesome sustenance unto thy servants, eating it in remembrance of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Again, where is the biblical authority to support such a notion?
The Easter bunny, actually a hare, was associated with the moon because of its nocturnal habits. The Egyptians called the hare, un, which means “to open”—to open spring at the vernal equinox. Un also means “period”—both lunar and human cycles, the hare having prolific fertility.

The modern Easter egg hunt can be traced back to pagan Germany. Children were told that if they were good, a white hare would steal into the house while they were asleep and put a number of beautifully colored eggs in odd corners of the house for them to find when they awoke. Again, what have hares and colored eggs to do with the risen Lord?

Lent is also of Babylonian origin. The English word Lent comes from the Saxon Lenct, meaning “spring.” It represents a period of mourning for Tammuz, the supposed reincarnation of Semeramis’ husband, Nimrod, whose death and reappearance was celebrated in the spring. Forty days of mourning preceded the one day of joy over the return of Tammuz. God condemned Israel’s partaking in this celebration: “And He said to me, ‘Turn again, and you will see greater abominations that they are doing.’ So He brought me to the door of the north gate of the LORD’s house; and to my dismay, women were sitting there weeping for Tammuz” (Ezek. 8:13-14, NKJV). How has Satan so cleverly corrupted the truth!

And what of hot cross buns? A sacrificial “cake” made with fine flour and honey was offered to the “queen of heaven” on Friday. It was called a “boun,” from which we get our word “bun.” “The children gather wood, the fathers kindle the fire, and the women knead dough, to make cakes for the queen of heaven; and they pour out drink offerings to other gods, that they may provoke Me to anger” (Jeremiah 7:18, NKJV). “The women also said, ‘And when we burned incense to the queen of heaven and poured out drink offerings to her, did we make cakes for her, to worship her, and pour out drink offerings to her without our husbands’ permission?’” (Jeremiah 44:19, NKJV).

Believers need to know that the early church did not celebrate a special day either to commemorate the Lord’s incarnation or His resurrection. Believers should also know that people did not widely celebrate Easter in America until after the Civil War (late 1800s) when there was a large immigration of European Catholics to this country.
There is no celebration of any Christian holidays in the New Testament. Early Jewish Christians linked the resurrection with the Passover, observed on the fourteenth day of Nisan in accord with Christ’s command to “do this in remembrance of Me” (Luke 22:19, NKJV). Only later did Gentile churches, unfamiliar with Jewish customs, begin to celebrate the resurrection on the Lord’s Day (Sunday). The Council of Nicea (A. D. 325) ruled that Easter should be celebrated on the first Sunday after the full moon following the vernal equinox. This is the system followed today.

The question before us remains. Should Christians celebrate Easter? Certainly no one, especially Christians in our day, would associate chocolate bunnies with the vile and sensual rites of ancient fertility cults. However, I believe that we must look deeper. First, do our customs distract us from the real message? It is certain that the world will use any tactic to deflect attention from Christ and His truth in order to avoid dealing with sin. Are believers not helping them by indulging in these seemingly innocent though unauthorized additions? Further, in our increasingly pagan culture, where the Lord is summarily dismissed and substituted by Santa and the Easter Bunny, are we not compromising our Lord by partaking in these inane diversions?

Second, if we were merely ignorant of the origin and meaning of these extra-biblical adornments to the seasons, we might have excuse for participation; however, since we know the truth, should we not abstain from them? Israel was continually attracted to the pagan practices of her neighbors, provoking God to anger. Are we not in danger of offending our Lord by taking part in things that are rooted in the same pagan idolatry that caused Israel’s fall?

Paul warns us, “Have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them” (Eph. 5:11, NKJV). Again he writes: “What agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God. . . Therefore ‘Come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean’” (2 Cor. 6:16, 17, NKJV). Jesus said, “You are those who justify yourselves before men, but God knows your hearts. For what is highly esteemed among men is an abomination in the sight of God” (Luke 16:15, NKJV).
Of course, we must celebrate our Lord’s triumph over sin and the grave. However, as gospel-preaching churches, let us call it by a biblical designation—Resurrection Sunday—instead of a derivative of the idolatrous goddess of spring. Churches must also avoid the worldly and commercial baggage associated with these holidays for two reasons. (1) They are unauthorized by the Word of God. (2) They actually distract from, rather than promote, the gospel of Christ.

Murmurs

As I reflect back on these past few weeks, I realise how much complaining I have done... How the weather sucks, how my school isn't going the way I want to, how I have too much schoolwork, how I need to lose weight, how I'm uncertain about the future... etc, etc... I believe all of us are there at some points in our lives...

Philippians 2:14-16

Do all things without murmurings and disputings:
That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;
Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain.

Re-thinking...

Tears

I've been watching a couple of Hollywood films the last few days... Hulk, Jurrasic Park, Spiderman 3, Last Mohican... Lots of action, lots of science, lots of bloodshed... something however was making me go why am I watching people killing each other? maybe it was this verse...

Psalm 101:3 "I shall set no wicked thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside: it shall not cleave to me"

Another thing, I've also seen how media can influence people a whole lot... Like telling people how great science is, telling them to believe that dinosaurs lived 65 million years ago, how getting revenge is ok...

How emotions are evoked through visuals and how this generation listens with its eyes and thinks with its feelings... No wonder so many people don't believe in a God who loves them dearly...

Somewhere along the way, media has filtered out any sense of reason to the spiritual realm... Computer graphics has killed imagination... People chasing elusive dreams, running after stardom... For what? Love, Fame, Money?

Attempts to be religious fail...

- Give money to the poor so that God will bless you more, isn't that selfish?

- Go on a mission trip far away and ask the church to sponsor you because you're running away from social and financial obligations, isn't that irresponsible?

- Ignore the people God has place around you to make a difference in their lives because you think they aren't worth the time and effort and you're caught up with your own problems, isn't that unloving?

Lord, help me to remember you... and do what you say...

So many questions racing around in my mind
To which the answers I'm trying to find
Uncertainty embraces every thought
Of the One whom I nearly forgot

Where the nails pierced His hands
Was I truly forgiven?
Did a crown of thorns save my soul?
Did a voice shouting out pave a way to heaven?

Do I still believe what I'm told?
He said trust me and you'll see a purpose for your life
I need guidance and direction in searching for the meaning of my life

This is reality, not hollywood...

Still complain you're fat? or unhappy?

Beyond Yourself

Past few weeks have been eventful... My big band played and rocked the house at the middlesex university "scratch festival"... The place was packed till the doors... After 85+ hours of composing, rehearsing, hard work finally paid off... Was a great day... Mentioned it to my mum that night... she however was more concerned about whether my pastor needed any help in moving house, especially with a new baby and all... Then it hit me, I needed to stop being so selfish, attending to my needs 1st then considering others... Sometimes I wonder why I complain about not having any inspiration in music making, about band members turning up late, about how no one appreciates the sophisticated artistry behind creating new skins for old songs..

Anyway, it amazes me how humans always look out for themselves 1st... Like in my case, though I wasn't completely oblivious to the fact that my pastor and his wife needed help moving, the weight of the matter only dawned on me when the phone call to home was made... Here were two individuals who had given all their love, time, basically their whole life in building up members in the church with the word of God... As I reflected how they made a difference in my life, I realised one thing about them... They made me know how much they cared instead of telling me how much they knew...

Another thing, my girlfriend hasn't seen her family in 2 years, she's surviving on her sister's and dad's income and working and studying at the same time so she can do her family proud... And she still finds the time to cook for me whenever she can... what more can I say... One of her flatmates has had a mum in prison, cheated on in relationships and her dad's near his death bed... Unsaved...

Yep, there may be a lot more stories to tell if I actually sit down and reflect... But sometimes, just sometimes, I wonder if I'm taking my blessed life for granted...

Finishing a race well...

Ok, for the past few months this theme has kept coming back to me... to be in this world but not of it... Maybe God's trying to tell me something... I dunno... here are a few verses to help...

"...the whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one." 1 John 5:19

"...do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.... Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good." Romans 12:2, 9

"Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world -- the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life -- is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever." 1 John 2:15-17

"Jesus answered, 'My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now My kingdom is not from here." John 18:36

"Friendship with the world is enmity to God." James 4:4

"...the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed." John 3:19-20

"...the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it." John 1:5
"Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; who put darkness for light, and light for darkness.... Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight!" Isaiah 5:20-21

"He [Jesus] turned and said to Peter, 'Get behind Me, Satan! You are an offense to Me, for you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men.'" Matthew 16:23

"Blessed is that man who makes the Lord his trust, and does not respect the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies." Psalm 40:4

"Do not be deceived: 'Evil company corrupts good habits.' Awake to righteousness, and do not sin...." 1 Corinthians 15:33-34

"My son, if sinners entice you, do not consent." Proverbs 1:10"Do not enter the path of the wicked, and do not walk in the way of evil. Avoid it, do not travel on it; turn away from it and pass on." Proverbs 4:14

"...all seek their own, not the things which are of Christ Jesus." Philippians 2:21

"Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. Those by the wayside are the ones who hear; then the devil comes and takes away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved. But the ones on the rock are those who, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, who believe for a while and in time of temptation fall away. Now the ones that fell among thorns are those who, when they have heard, go out and are choked with cares, riches, and pleasures of life, and bring no fruit to maturity. But the ones that fell on the good ground are those who, having heard the word with a noble and good heart, keep it and bear fruit with patience." Luke 8:11-15

"... in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away! "...all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived. But you must continue in the things which you have learned..." 2 Timothy 3:1-14

In the world -- sharing His Truth and love - but not part of it!

"As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.” John 20:21

“Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place. For we are to God the fragrance of Christ among those who are saved and among those who are perishing. To the one we are the aroma of death leading to death, and to the other the aroma of life leading to life. And who is sufficient for these things?" 2 Corinthians 2:14-16

Those who refuse to love the world face hostility

"If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will keep yours also. But all these things they will do to you for My name’s sake, because they do not know Him who sent Me. " John 15:18-21

"I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth. As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world." John 17:14-18

"...the time is coming that whoever kills you will think that he offers God service. And these things they will do to you because they have not known the Father nor Me." John 16:2-3

"Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place. For we are to God the fragrance of Christ among those who are saved and among those who are perishing. To the one we are the aroma of death leading to death, and to the other the aroma of life leading to life." 2 Corinthians 2:14-16

"Just as they have chosen their own ways,
And their soul delights in their abominations,
So will I choose their delusions and bring their fears on them;
Because when I called, no one answered,
When I spoke they did not hear;
But they did evil before My eyes
And chose that in which I do not delight."
Hear the word of the Lord, you who tremble at His Word;
Your brethren who hated you,
Who cast you out for My name's sake, said,
'Let the Lord be glorified that we may see your joy,'
But they shall be ashamed." Isaiah 66:3-4

“These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

Choose your position - whom will you follow?

"Walk as children of light (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), finding out what is acceptable to the Lord. And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them. For it is shameful even to speak of those things which are done by them in secret.... "See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit...." Ephesians 5:8-18

And if it seems evil to you to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." Joshua 24:15

"For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body...." Philippians 3:20

Been facing a bit of hostility and segregation from former close friends ever since I started taking Jesus a bit more seriously... Hard? yes... Impossible? No... Press on and keep showing others around you God's love...

True Story at XXXChurch...

Jennifer’s Testimony:

I’m so excited about what you are doing at XXX Church. I’ve got to share my story. It’s amazing that I am even sharing it, because I lived withmy “dirty little secret” for 11 years. That’s right, I struggled withporn addiction for ELEVEN years. And what’s even more surprising, I am a woman.

My parents gave their lives to Christ when I was four years old, so I grew up in the church. I never missed a service and was the “perfect” little church girl. Growing up, I was very insecure and tended to enjoy attention from any guy I could get it from. When I was 17, I started attending college which opened me up to the “real” world – no longer was I sheltered girl. My addiction started in the computer lab of the school library when no one was around (which was a lot believe it or not). It started as harmless chat with guys, which then turned sexual, and I was so naive of what was beginning to happen. Soon sexual chat turned to pictures of porn, and then to videos of porn, and then I was caught. My porn addiction grew as I got my own computer and internet connection in my bedroom. I was 18 years old, and I guess my parents were totally oblivious. Soon late nights at home were filled with a horrible secret that I kept completely silent. I still maintained the “perfect” girl on the outside and evenwas involved in ministry at my church. I was a musician, I was a youth worker in the youth group, and was involved in several other ministries in the church. The shame and guilt of my addiction was with me DAILY. I thought something was terribly wrong with me. Porn addiction was for men only right? I was terrified that someone would find me out, and my life would be over.

My porn and sex addiction even bled over into real life. At 19, I lost my virginity and began a stream of promiscuity that led up to my marriage – all the while still attending church and still keeping my “front” up. NO ONE KNEW – or so I thought. I even tried attending a Bible college, but my porn and sex addiction caught up with me when I was caught sleeping with a guy and I was asked to leave. I returned home ashamed and embarrassed.

You would think that was my bottom, but no – there was more to come.
At 22, I met the man I married. I sure lucked out, because he was a Godly man who must have seen something inside of me worth loving – I don’t know how, because I was such a broken person inside because of the secret sin I had now been hiding for five years.

I thought my porn addiction would go away when I got married. After all, sex was available to me any time I wanted it right? I was so wrong. It got worse. Soon, it began affecting my sex life with my husband. I thought he had no idea what was going on – but he must have.

At 24, we had our first son. I would say the porn addiction laid dormant for a little while and I thought I had it beat. Of course I hadn’t, because I had never dealt with the issues that kept me going back to porn. So soon after my son was born, I started the porn again. My husband must have been praying, and he one day asked me, “Something has me worried about you and computer and I can’t figure out what it is.” Of course I lied and TOTALLY covered it up, and even gave up porn for a short while because I was terrified he would find me out. But eventually, it came right back.

We moved to a new church, and got involved in ministry right away. The porn was like a cancer eating me alive. It has totally infiltrated my marriage totally unaware to my husband, and I finally hit rock bottom. The day came when my son – who was four at the time - walked in on me viewing porn. Although he did not see anything, he could have. I had to stop this cycle of addiction and sin. I had since had another son, and every day was just a gamble on whether or not I would get caught.

I decided the “dirty little secret” had to come out. The shame and guilt were so strong, I was so afraid of someone finding out – I kept this secret at ANY cost. And the cost was going to be my marriage, and my sons. First, I decided to tell my husband. I thought he would be so angry and leave me, or expose me to the world for the rotten person I was and had become. But he didn’t – he had such a forgiving spirit and told me that I needed to share my story with others. I decided to start an Addiction Group at church and decided that I wanted to help those like me, but in turn I was helping myself. Through this group (which only consisted of two women and myself), I shared my problem, and one of them ended up having the same problem as me. Weeks and weeks we worked through the issues which made us turn to porn, and slowly God had begun to heal us.

Something definitely had been wrong inside my heart, because I was not afraid of God being able to see all that I was doing. But just because people weren’t, somehow I made that okay in my mind. A few other people came my way – and I shared my story. Men and women alike opened themselves up to me sharing that they had the SAME problem! I was amazed at the number of women though, who struggle with porn addiction. I was not alone. With every person I shared my testimony with, my shame and guilt melted away and I felt like God was showing me how this could be used for good. Eleven years of struggling with porn was finally turning around – and it was making a difference one person at a time.

It has been one year since I have been porn free. Do I ever have temptations? SURE, we all do. Thoughts sometimes enter my mind….but I have made myself accountable with the X3 Watch software and now have two accountability partners who check up on me.
I hope my testimony helps someone else out there. God has called me to share it to help the unlikely addicts of porn – WOMEN. You are not alone, you just have to get past the shame and fear, and reach out and open your mouth and talk about it.

I have already gone to our pastor about Porn Sunday, and my burden toshare my testimony. Some in our church think that’s it’s too shocking of a topic to deal with, but I am living proof of the need – even in ministry.

XXX Church, don’t stop what you are doing. This must be talked about. Silence is what kept me in addiction for so many years, and now that the fear is gone, there is such freedom!

Jennifer
29 years old
Wife and Mom

The Crosswalk

Does this look familiar to you?

Sinner's Lament

Disclaimer: In no way is this poem referring to anyone in particular and in no way do I want to sound like I'm judging any one. Pictures below are me and my gf before Christ and after Christ... I tried to write this poem imagining myself as a non-Christian. All hypothetical...

You really must be joking
You assume I don't have ears
Yet tales of things you say and do
Get round for me to hear

You look, condemn and judge my life
With beady, questioning eyes
You call yourself a child of God
And each day pass me by

I hear the words "you heathen"
It's written on your face
It's why I'm not in church, no more
I couldn't stand the place

Did God not ever tell you
Judge not lest ye be judged?
Surprised I know a Bible verse?
Or too caught up with a grudge?

I've seen right through the fakeness
"Praise God!" on Sunday morn
When service stops you head your way
Cuss, swear and watch some porn

You quote all memory verses
Like some doctrinal star
I've always clocked you downing pints
And smoking at the bar

I'm living in lasciviousness
It's all I ever knew
At least there's no facade unlike a
Hypocrite like you

You think I want to be here?
Where sin and evil dwell?
You really think I'd rather spend
Eternity in hell?

The questions to this life
Mine's always in a mess
I wanted something genuine
Much more than just "God bless"

But no, you hang with friends
And organize your worship "shows"
2 blocks down I hurt and there's
No one to help me grow

You've preached on how to reach
The lost in distant lands
And yet you never love the ones
Beside you when you can

You argue with the leaders
'Bout litugical traditions
You're sorting annual business plans
Ignoring my condition

You want to look real pious
So you help out Uncle Dave
Hope for God to bless you with
10 fold of what you gave

What happened to agape love
When all I had was hate?
Just guess the reason why I'm in
This sad demential state

I did not hear the truth because
You've kept it all this while
Although one verse from Mark or John
Would've helped to make me smile

So go about your weekly chores
But know each passing day
Drifts by as you enjoy God's love
As my life wastes away

P.S. What would happen if this was a real non-Christian writing the poem and Christians got offended by the very people they are trying to reach? What happens to people left in the peripherary because Christians got offended at something a non-believer said?

Chosen

I'm amazed at how He loves me
Even though I trip and fall
I'm amazed at how He holds me
Whenever I cry and call

I'm amazed at His sufficient grace
Each time I'm stuck in sin
I'm amazed at His forgiveness
He corrects and disciplines

I'm amazed at how He chose me
To use me for His plan
I don't deserve his mercy
I'm merely just a man

I don't know why He picked me
I'm not fit to call Him Lord
I guess I'll never understand
The sovereignty of God

Yet one thing I have realised
It makes me more enthralled
He doesn't call the qualified
He qualifies the called

Wolves among Sheep...

I found this on the internet... Quite thought provoking...

There is real hypocrisy going on in the name of ecumenism today. More and more churches are saying that they want to come together in unity in the name of Christ, while at the same time working on ways to steal sheep away from the very churches they attend prayer breakfasts with. The "church growth" movement is not about bringing people to Christ; it is about bringing Christians into your congregation. That is known as "transfer growth." Churchianity has become a very competitive business at a time when very few unchurched people are open to hearing the truth of the Gospel.

The recent television commercials by a variety of churches and cults all say, "come to our church where you will be accepted and be a part of a real faith community." The commercials recently released by the United Church of Christ reveal just how desperate these dying churches are for persons to warm their pews. Their motto is: "The United Church of Christ seeks to be Multiracial Multicultural, Open and Affirming, and Accessible to All - A Church where everyone is welcome!" In the commercial, a variety of people sitting in the pews get ejected up and out, including two gay men snuggling together. The UCC’s definition of "Open and Affirming (OAA)" means "it has publicly declared that ‘gay, lesbian, bisexual’ (GLB) people or those of all ‘sexual orientations’ are welcome in its full life and ministry; e.g. membership, leadership, employment etc."

The words "Open and Affirming" mentioned on UCC’s website links to a website sponsored by the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force. The program is called "Shower of Stoles" which "is a collection of over a thousand liturgical stoles and other sacred items from gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender persons from twenty-six denominations in six countries. Each stole contains the story of a GLBT person who is active in the life and leadership of their faith community in some way: minister, elder, deacon, teacher, missionary, musician, administrator or active layperson." The page has listings of OAA churches around the world so that GLB people can find a congregation that doesn’t expect them to reject their sinful lifestyles in order to be accepted in the "faith community." These include congregations from just about all the Protestant churches such as Methodist, Presbyterian, Lutheran, Baptist, Disciples of Christ, Mennonite, Quaker, Church of the Brethren, and a host of newer churches like the Metropolitan Community Church.

So as the Protestant churches place ads to get others in the faith community to join their group, the Catholics are working overtime to bring former Catholics back to fill their own dwindling pews. During a recent visit to a Marian shrine in Santa Clara, I bought some Catholic tracts at the parish gift shop. One was fashioned after David Letterman’s "Top Ten" list that counts down from the tenth to the number one response. Here is the tract’s list without the elaboration they included under each heading.

My counter-list is next to theirs.
From the Catholic tract, "Top 10 Reasons to Come Back to the Catholic Church"

10. Because they want meaning in life.

9. Because childhood memories surface.

8. Because they made mistakes.

7. Because they need to forgive others.

6. Because they want to be healed.

5. Because the Catholic Church has the fullness of truth and grace.

4. Because they want their children to have a faith foundation.

3. Because they want to be part of a faith community.

2. Because they want to help other people.

1. Because they hunger for the Eucharist.

My list of 10 reasons practicing Catholics do (or should) leave the Catholic Church

10. Because they need to lose their life in this world to find it.
9. Because childhood memories of abuse at the hands of priests and nuns resurface.
8. Because they realize the mistake they made in joining Catholicism in the first place.
7. Because they have forgiven those who raised them Catholic and chose to move on.
6. Because they realize only Jesus can heal their souls.
5. Because the Catholic Church has the fullness of apostasy.
4. Because they don’t want to abuse their own children by feeding them man’s religion.
3. Because they want to join the true body of Christ.
2. Because they want to minister the truth to others and lead them to Christ.
1. Because they love the real Jesus and not the idol of the eucharist.

In a time of growing apostasy in the church of Jesus Christ, it is so important for the believer to know what the Bible teaches and to test all things, holding fast that which is true. Those coming after our souls are getting more and more clever at finding ways to direct us away from the foundation of the Word of God and get us to conform to this world’s programs under the banner of "liberty," "tolerance" and "love". We must hold fast our confession until He comes for us.
♥♥♥

Dear Jesus, rescue your people from the mouths of the hungry wolves. Strengthen us so that we do not tire of testing all things. Help us to take the risk of being unpopular in this world, and even in our churches, in order to fellowship with You outside the camp. Thank You for the joy of our salvation and that You loved us before we even knew who You are. Tighten up our armor so that we can take our stand against the wiles of the enemy. We look to You today for the grace to keep our feet from stumbling. To God be the glory, Amen!

Preaching on the streets should be fun this Sunday :D

Be Christ-like

I've always had
I must confess
The strong will to
Pursue sucess

The finest food
Hip clothes and cash
I have amassed
Just one big stash

2 cars, 3 kids
1 gorgeous wife
Surely I've won
I've conquered life?

It's just not right
Something's amiss
God show me how
To live in bliss

God are you there?
God do you care?
Common questions
People share

And then a sound
In sleep and dream
It pierces through
My silent scream

A still small voice
Whispers to thee
Quit doing you
Start being me