How does faith and repentance take place since the natural man is incapable of creating a right thought, generating a right affection, or originating a right volition (Rom. 3:11, 8:7; John 3:3, 6)?
When spoken in the power of the Holy Spirit, the word of God has the power to graciously open people's eyes, unplug their uncircumcised ears, change the disposition of their hearts, draw them to faith, and save them (James 1:18, 1 Peter 1:23, 25).
The word of God does not work "ex opere operato," rather, it is the work of the Holy Spirit sovereignly dispensing grace (John 3:8), quickening the heart through the word to bring forth life. So the written word is not the material of the spiritual new birth, but rather its means or medium.
"The word is not the begetting principle itself, but only that by which it works: the vehicle of the mysterious germinating power" [ALFORD]. It is because the Spirit of God accompanies it that the word carries in it the germ of life. The life is in God, yet it is communicated to us through the word.
~ Monergism Distinctives
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Who May Ascend & Who May Stand Before The Lord?
Psalm 24.4 says,
One Who has not lifted up his soul unto vanity - Unto that which is "vain," or which is "false."
This expression might refer to one who had not devoted himself to the worship of an idol - regarded as vain, or as nothing 1Corinthians 8:6; Isaiah 41:24; Psalm 115:4-8; or to one who had not embraced that which is false and vain in opinion; or to one who had not sworn falsely, or taken the name of God in vain, Exodus 20:7.
The probable meaning is, that he has not set his heart on vain things, or that which is false. He has sought after substantial truth, alike in the object of worship, in that which he professes to believe, and in the statements and promises which he makes to others. He aims to secure that which is true and real. He is in no sense "carried away" with that which is unreal and false.
~ Albert Barnes
My prayer is that God will protect our faith in Him, so that we will not get swept away by anything that is vain and false in our devotion to Him. I'm praying that we will not be too easily satisfied, but maintain a long, deep, and abiding desire for Christ.
One Who has not lifted up his soul unto vanity - Unto that which is "vain," or which is "false."
This expression might refer to one who had not devoted himself to the worship of an idol - regarded as vain, or as nothing 1Corinthians 8:6; Isaiah 41:24; Psalm 115:4-8; or to one who had not embraced that which is false and vain in opinion; or to one who had not sworn falsely, or taken the name of God in vain, Exodus 20:7.
The probable meaning is, that he has not set his heart on vain things, or that which is false. He has sought after substantial truth, alike in the object of worship, in that which he professes to believe, and in the statements and promises which he makes to others. He aims to secure that which is true and real. He is in no sense "carried away" with that which is unreal and false.
~ Albert Barnes
My prayer is that God will protect our faith in Him, so that we will not get swept away by anything that is vain and false in our devotion to Him. I'm praying that we will not be too easily satisfied, but maintain a long, deep, and abiding desire for Christ.
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Mission To El Higo, Mexico
God gave us a wonderful time visiting the children's home ministry in El Higo, Mexico. The name of the home is Casa Hogar De La Montana (which means home of the homeless in the mountains). It is located about 3 hours south of Laredo, Texas (which is a border town).
We learned that it is more of a foster home than an orphanage and all the children will remain there until they are 18. They currently have two houses. They are divided between the younger children (10 kids) and preteen and teenagers (14 kids). So they currently have 24 children, but some of them are from the two sets of indigenous parents that run the two houses. Their goal is to have 12 houses one day. It is truly a beautiful place that is snuggled in the Mexican mountains. I was told that the elevation is compared to Denver, Colorado.
We spent three days actually interacting with the leader of the ministry, Al Gatty and the family that oversees the ministry, Phillip and Rebbecca Askee and their two teenage daughters. The Askees are Americans who are from a town right outside of Dallas and they are a very sweet Christian family who have a desire not only to minister to the children, but an amazing desire to reach the village that is located next to their children's home.
The village next to the children's home is very poor. It probably has about 75-100 people who live in this village. Spiritually it is a very dark village and they are in desperate need of a true gospel presence. There is a lot of drunkenness and other kinds of sins that I would prefer not to mention.
Our purpose in going was to assess the possibility of starting a new church on the land of the children's home, but in order to reach the village of El Higo and other villages within the area.
Our mother church, Lakewood Baptist and Pastor Brent Wells are leading this effort and as a church planter asked me to go along to assess this possibility.
As the Lord would lead you please pray that God will give each of us wisdom and discernment as we continue the process of discussing with Al, Phillip, and Rebbecca about planting a church in El Higo, Mexico.
Thank you!
We learned that it is more of a foster home than an orphanage and all the children will remain there until they are 18. They currently have two houses. They are divided between the younger children (10 kids) and preteen and teenagers (14 kids). So they currently have 24 children, but some of them are from the two sets of indigenous parents that run the two houses. Their goal is to have 12 houses one day. It is truly a beautiful place that is snuggled in the Mexican mountains. I was told that the elevation is compared to Denver, Colorado.
We spent three days actually interacting with the leader of the ministry, Al Gatty and the family that oversees the ministry, Phillip and Rebbecca Askee and their two teenage daughters. The Askees are Americans who are from a town right outside of Dallas and they are a very sweet Christian family who have a desire not only to minister to the children, but an amazing desire to reach the village that is located next to their children's home.
The village next to the children's home is very poor. It probably has about 75-100 people who live in this village. Spiritually it is a very dark village and they are in desperate need of a true gospel presence. There is a lot of drunkenness and other kinds of sins that I would prefer not to mention.
Our purpose in going was to assess the possibility of starting a new church on the land of the children's home, but in order to reach the village of El Higo and other villages within the area.
Our mother church, Lakewood Baptist and Pastor Brent Wells are leading this effort and as a church planter asked me to go along to assess this possibility.
As the Lord would lead you please pray that God will give each of us wisdom and discernment as we continue the process of discussing with Al, Phillip, and Rebbecca about planting a church in El Higo, Mexico.
Thank you!
Why Are You Called A Christian?
Why are you called a Christian?
“Because I am a member of Christ by faith and thus share in His anointing, so that I may as prophet confess His Name, as priest present myself a living sacrifice of thankfulness to Him, and as king fight with a free and good conscience against sin and the devil in this life, and hereafter reign with Him eternally over all creatures.”
- The Heidelberg Catechism
(HT: Of First Importance)
“Because I am a member of Christ by faith and thus share in His anointing, so that I may as prophet confess His Name, as priest present myself a living sacrifice of thankfulness to Him, and as king fight with a free and good conscience against sin and the devil in this life, and hereafter reign with Him eternally over all creatures.”
- The Heidelberg Catechism
(HT: Of First Importance)
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Just Returned From Mission To Mexico
Just returned from our mission trip to Mexico yesterday (Saturday) evening.
Now it's Sunday morning....I'm feeling a little under the weather and wanted to let everyone know that I will post soon on our trip to Mexico.
Please pray for our family!
Now it's Sunday morning....I'm feeling a little under the weather and wanted to let everyone know that I will post soon on our trip to Mexico.
Please pray for our family!
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Moralism or The Gospel?
Here is an excellent article from Al Mohler that every pastor, parent and I'm trying to think of another 'P' word but I can't, needs to read.
Take 3-5 minutes to read this article on whether or not your preaching moralism and/or 'raising your kids right', but in the end all your doing is teaching people/children how to be moral.
This is NOT the gospel!
This is a really good article and worth the few minutes to read it.
Let me hear your thoughts on it!
http://www.albertmohler.com/blog_read.php?id=4388
Take 3-5 minutes to read this article on whether or not your preaching moralism and/or 'raising your kids right', but in the end all your doing is teaching people/children how to be moral.
This is NOT the gospel!
This is a really good article and worth the few minutes to read it.
Let me hear your thoughts on it!
http://www.albertmohler.com/blog_read.php?id=4388
Friday, August 21, 2009
The Gospel-Centered Church
Here is a pretty good post from Tullian Tchividjian on how a gospel-centered church functions.
The gospel is the story of God in Christ reaching down to a sinful world and our tri-fold response to the gospel (or, the gospel-centered life) is a life lived reaching up, reaching in, and reaching out. God intends the reality and power of the gospel to mold and shape us at every point and in every way–defining the way we think, feel, and live as a local church.
Churches often obscure the glory of the gospel by reducing it to something less than it is. Some understand the gospel only as doctrinal content to be believed. Others diminish it to a personal, subjective experience of God’s presence. Still others see it as a social cause to be championed. The gospel is none of these, and yet it is all of these. A truly gospel-centered church understands and embraces the fullness of the gospel as content, community, and cause.”
GOSPEL CONTENT The Gospel is a message that is to be preached or proclaimed (Mark 1:14; Acts 14:21; Rom 1:15; 1 Peter 1:12). It is the story of God’s redemption of his fallen creation. It is the good news that God has acted in history to conquer evil and reconcile sinners to himself through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus (1 Cor 15:1-12). A gospel-centered church is one where the gospel is proclaimed clearly, consistently, and compellingly (1 Cor 9:16-23).
GOSPEL COMMUNITY The gospel is not just a message to be believed, but a power to be experienced (Rom 1:16). The gospel shapes a new community as those who were formerly God’s enemies are reconciled to Him (Rom 5:10) and adopted into his family (Gal 4:4-7). The church is not a place, but a people – a community that is continually being reformed and renewed by the transforming power of the gospel (Col. 1:6).
GOSPEL CAUSE The gospel is a call to action – a declaration that “the kingdom of God is at hand” (Mark 1:15). God is not just interested in the salvation of humans, but in the restoration of all of creation to its original “good” (Gen 1:31; Rom 8:19-22). A gospel-centered church will be active in the work of mercy, justice, and cultural renewal, praying and working against the effects of sin so that God’s will might be done “on earth as it is in heaven” (Matt 6:10).
(HT: Tullian Tchividjian)
The gospel is the story of God in Christ reaching down to a sinful world and our tri-fold response to the gospel (or, the gospel-centered life) is a life lived reaching up, reaching in, and reaching out. God intends the reality and power of the gospel to mold and shape us at every point and in every way–defining the way we think, feel, and live as a local church.
Churches often obscure the glory of the gospel by reducing it to something less than it is. Some understand the gospel only as doctrinal content to be believed. Others diminish it to a personal, subjective experience of God’s presence. Still others see it as a social cause to be championed. The gospel is none of these, and yet it is all of these. A truly gospel-centered church understands and embraces the fullness of the gospel as content, community, and cause.”
GOSPEL CONTENT The Gospel is a message that is to be preached or proclaimed (Mark 1:14; Acts 14:21; Rom 1:15; 1 Peter 1:12). It is the story of God’s redemption of his fallen creation. It is the good news that God has acted in history to conquer evil and reconcile sinners to himself through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus (1 Cor 15:1-12). A gospel-centered church is one where the gospel is proclaimed clearly, consistently, and compellingly (1 Cor 9:16-23).
GOSPEL COMMUNITY The gospel is not just a message to be believed, but a power to be experienced (Rom 1:16). The gospel shapes a new community as those who were formerly God’s enemies are reconciled to Him (Rom 5:10) and adopted into his family (Gal 4:4-7). The church is not a place, but a people – a community that is continually being reformed and renewed by the transforming power of the gospel (Col. 1:6).
GOSPEL CAUSE The gospel is a call to action – a declaration that “the kingdom of God is at hand” (Mark 1:15). God is not just interested in the salvation of humans, but in the restoration of all of creation to its original “good” (Gen 1:31; Rom 8:19-22). A gospel-centered church will be active in the work of mercy, justice, and cultural renewal, praying and working against the effects of sin so that God’s will might be done “on earth as it is in heaven” (Matt 6:10).
(HT: Tullian Tchividjian)
Four Great Quotes On Idolatry
“It is the normal state of the human heart to try to build its identity around something besides God.” Soren Kierkegaard
“Spiritual pride is the illusion that you are competent to run your own life, achieve your own sense of self worth, and find a purpose big enough to give you meaning in life without God.”
Tim Keller
“Idolatry is worshipping anything that ought to be used, or using anything that is meant to be worshipped.” St. Augustine
“An idol is anything we trust in for deliverance in the place of Jesus and his grace.” Scotty Smith
"By the way, idolatry is not just a problem for non-Christians; it’s a problem for Christians too (read 1 John 5:21). We Christians are also guilty of trusting in something–or someone–smaller than God to give our lives meaning and significance. We look to our achievements, our reputation, our relationships, our strengths, our place in society, our stuff, our smarts, our good looks, and on and on it goes.
So, let’s not make the mistake of thinking the above quotes don’t apply to Christians. They do. What are your idols? What are you trusting in other than Jesus to gain acceptance and approval–to give your life meaning and to make life worth living?"
(HT: Tullian Tchividjian)
“Spiritual pride is the illusion that you are competent to run your own life, achieve your own sense of self worth, and find a purpose big enough to give you meaning in life without God.”
Tim Keller
“Idolatry is worshipping anything that ought to be used, or using anything that is meant to be worshipped.” St. Augustine
“An idol is anything we trust in for deliverance in the place of Jesus and his grace.” Scotty Smith
"By the way, idolatry is not just a problem for non-Christians; it’s a problem for Christians too (read 1 John 5:21). We Christians are also guilty of trusting in something–or someone–smaller than God to give our lives meaning and significance. We look to our achievements, our reputation, our relationships, our strengths, our place in society, our stuff, our smarts, our good looks, and on and on it goes.
So, let’s not make the mistake of thinking the above quotes don’t apply to Christians. They do. What are your idols? What are you trusting in other than Jesus to gain acceptance and approval–to give your life meaning and to make life worth living?"
(HT: Tullian Tchividjian)
Ahhh, The Legacy Of Socialism
"Socialism in general has a record of failure so blatant that only an intellectual could ignore or evade it."
~ Thomas Sowell
(HT: Tim Challies...tweet)
~ Thomas Sowell
(HT: Tim Challies...tweet)
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Psalm 118.24
"This is the day which the Lord has made; Let us rejoice and be glad in it."
This is a very common Psalm. And I really enjoyed Barnes' Notes this morning on this Psalm. I have copied them below and I hope it encourages your soul today!
Psalm 118:24
This is the day which the Lord hath made - As if it were a new day, made for this very occasion; a day which the writer of the psalm did not expect to see, and which seemed therefore to have been created out of the ordinary course, and added to the other days.
He was in danger of death; his days were likely to be cut off and ended, so that he should see no more. But God had spared him, and added this joyous day to his life; and it was meet that for this he should be praised. It was so full of joy, so unexpected, so bright, so cheerful, that it appeared to be a new day coming fresh from the hand of the Almighty, unlike the other days of the year.
So the Sabbath - the day that commemorates the resurrection of the Redeemer - is God’s day. He claims it. He seems to have made it anew for man. Amidst the other days of the week - in a world where the ordinary days are filled up with so much of earth, so much toil, trouble, care, vexation, vanity, wickedness - it seems like one of the days that God made when he first made the world; before sin and sorrow entered; when all was calm, serene, happy.
The Sabbath is so calm, so bright, so cheerful, so benign in its influence; it is so full of pleasant and holy associations and reminiscences, that it seems to be a day fresh from the hand of God, unlike the other days of the week, and made especially, as if by a new act of creation, for the good of mankind. So when a man is raised up from sickness - from the borders of the grave - it seems to be a new life given to him. Each day, week, month, year that he may live, is so much added to his life, as if it were created anew for this very purpose. He should, therefore, regard it not as his own, but as so much given to him by the special mercy and providence of God - as if added on to his life.
Let us rejoice and be glad in it. The psalmist, and all who united with him in his thanksgivings. So the Christian Sabbath. It is a day of joy - all joy, and no sorrow. It is a day to be happy in; a day of rest; a day, when the cares and toils of life are suspended; a day, when we are no longer harassed with those things which vex us in the worldliness of the week; a day, when we think of God, of redemption, of hope, of heaven. The Sabbath should be a day of joy, and not of gloom; it would be the happiest of all days to weary and jaded people everywhere, if they observed it aright. In a world of toil and sorrow, it is among the richest of God’s blessings to people; it strengthens, refreshes, and cheers the heart of burdened and sorrowful man here; it lifts the soul to joyous contemplation of that eternal Sabbath where wearisome toll and sorrow shall be no more.
This is a very common Psalm. And I really enjoyed Barnes' Notes this morning on this Psalm. I have copied them below and I hope it encourages your soul today!
Psalm 118:24
This is the day which the Lord hath made - As if it were a new day, made for this very occasion; a day which the writer of the psalm did not expect to see, and which seemed therefore to have been created out of the ordinary course, and added to the other days.
He was in danger of death; his days were likely to be cut off and ended, so that he should see no more. But God had spared him, and added this joyous day to his life; and it was meet that for this he should be praised. It was so full of joy, so unexpected, so bright, so cheerful, that it appeared to be a new day coming fresh from the hand of the Almighty, unlike the other days of the year.
So the Sabbath - the day that commemorates the resurrection of the Redeemer - is God’s day. He claims it. He seems to have made it anew for man. Amidst the other days of the week - in a world where the ordinary days are filled up with so much of earth, so much toil, trouble, care, vexation, vanity, wickedness - it seems like one of the days that God made when he first made the world; before sin and sorrow entered; when all was calm, serene, happy.
The Sabbath is so calm, so bright, so cheerful, so benign in its influence; it is so full of pleasant and holy associations and reminiscences, that it seems to be a day fresh from the hand of God, unlike the other days of the week, and made especially, as if by a new act of creation, for the good of mankind. So when a man is raised up from sickness - from the borders of the grave - it seems to be a new life given to him. Each day, week, month, year that he may live, is so much added to his life, as if it were created anew for this very purpose. He should, therefore, regard it not as his own, but as so much given to him by the special mercy and providence of God - as if added on to his life.
Let us rejoice and be glad in it. The psalmist, and all who united with him in his thanksgivings. So the Christian Sabbath. It is a day of joy - all joy, and no sorrow. It is a day to be happy in; a day of rest; a day, when the cares and toils of life are suspended; a day, when we are no longer harassed with those things which vex us in the worldliness of the week; a day, when we think of God, of redemption, of hope, of heaven. The Sabbath should be a day of joy, and not of gloom; it would be the happiest of all days to weary and jaded people everywhere, if they observed it aright. In a world of toil and sorrow, it is among the richest of God’s blessings to people; it strengthens, refreshes, and cheers the heart of burdened and sorrowful man here; it lifts the soul to joyous contemplation of that eternal Sabbath where wearisome toll and sorrow shall be no more.
Friday, August 14, 2009
Two Kingdom Theology and Neo-Kuyperians
When you have 7 minutes to read a blog post and you want to stretch your thinking about the Kingdom of God, the church and her ministry for today, then check out Kevin DeYoung's post by clicking here.
It is well worth the time to read and think through the implications of not only what you believe, but more importantly how you live out what you believe concerning the Kingdom of God.
Enjoy and discuss it!
It is well worth the time to read and think through the implications of not only what you believe, but more importantly how you live out what you believe concerning the Kingdom of God.
Enjoy and discuss it!
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Every Church Is Dying
This is a pretty interesting take on churches today from Tullian Tchividjian's blog.
"My friend Darryl Dash notes that every church is a dying church in one of three ways:
Some churches are literally dying. They are slowly losing people and will likely shut down.
Some churches are glitzy and successful. They look vibrant and alive, but they’re really only alive to themselves and their institution. They look alive, but they’re dying and they don’t know it.
Then there’s the church that could be big or small, glitzy or drab, that dies to itself daily – that has taken up the cross and is more concerned with following Christ, no matter what it costs, than its survival.
All churches are dying. Only the third type of church, however, will experience a resurrection. What kind of church are we?"
"My friend Darryl Dash notes that every church is a dying church in one of three ways:
Some churches are literally dying. They are slowly losing people and will likely shut down.
Some churches are glitzy and successful. They look vibrant and alive, but they’re really only alive to themselves and their institution. They look alive, but they’re dying and they don’t know it.
Then there’s the church that could be big or small, glitzy or drab, that dies to itself daily – that has taken up the cross and is more concerned with following Christ, no matter what it costs, than its survival.
All churches are dying. Only the third type of church, however, will experience a resurrection. What kind of church are we?"
Saturday, August 8, 2009
What's Jesus' Strength To Do God's Will?
Jesus' strength to do God's will is....to do God's will. “My food is to do the will of him who sent me” (Jo 4:34).
~ John Piper (twitter)
~ John Piper (twitter)
It's 4 AM. Do You Know Where Your Kids Are?
Well it's about 4.15 am. I just finished my sermon for this Sunday and I'm exhausted. The reason for the late night is, my three oldest children are coming home tomorrow or today actually! Seth, Micah and Abby should be on their way to Memphis right now from spending time with my folks in Louisiana. My dad likes to leave early!
I finished up my sermon, so that I could spend the rest of the day with them. I usually polish up my sermon on Saturdays, but I really wanted to be unhindered so I can hang out with my kids for the first time in over a month.
God I pray that you keep them safe today as they travel. Help them to enjoy You and Your creation as they travel the countryside. May they think much about Your handy work. Keep those around them safe as well. Amen!
I finished up my sermon, so that I could spend the rest of the day with them. I usually polish up my sermon on Saturdays, but I really wanted to be unhindered so I can hang out with my kids for the first time in over a month.
God I pray that you keep them safe today as they travel. Help them to enjoy You and Your creation as they travel the countryside. May they think much about Your handy work. Keep those around them safe as well. Amen!
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
How George Whitefield Studied The Bible
"There he is at five in the morning . . . . on his knees with his English Bible, his Greek New Testament and Henry's Commentary spread out before him. He reads a portion in the English, gains a fuller insight into it as he studies words and tenses in the Greek and then considers Matthew Henry's explanation of it all.
Finally, there comes the unique practice that he has developed: that of 'praying over every line and word' of both the English and the Greek till the passage, in its essential message, has veritably become part of his own soul."
Arnold Dallimore, George Whitefield, I:82-83.
(HT: Ray Ortlund)
Finally, there comes the unique practice that he has developed: that of 'praying over every line and word' of both the English and the Greek till the passage, in its essential message, has veritably become part of his own soul."
Arnold Dallimore, George Whitefield, I:82-83.
(HT: Ray Ortlund)
Saturday, August 1, 2009
I'm Now A Bi-Vocational Pastor!
Well about 4 weeks ago I became a bi-vocational pastor. God provided a sweet job to help us meet some financial needs. A church just outside of Memphis was needing someone to work as their maintenance guy and so I pursued it and it was a good fit.
It has been a blessing for our family, but has taken me away from blogging, which I really enjoy doing.
Anyway, we are thankful to God for providing for our needs. Please pray that I will be able to juggle this new schedule.
Also, I start back at school in a couple of weeks. My classes will be every Monday evening. I am attending Union University and pursuing a degree in Organizational Leadership. Hopefully over the next few weeks I'll have a pretty good routine down, so I would appreciate you praying for me!
It has been a blessing for our family, but has taken me away from blogging, which I really enjoy doing.
Anyway, we are thankful to God for providing for our needs. Please pray that I will be able to juggle this new schedule.
Also, I start back at school in a couple of weeks. My classes will be every Monday evening. I am attending Union University and pursuing a degree in Organizational Leadership. Hopefully over the next few weeks I'll have a pretty good routine down, so I would appreciate you praying for me!
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Do You Often Remember The Gospel's Effectual Work In Your Life?
Colossians 2.13-14
"And when you were dead in your transgressions and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He made you alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our transgressions,
having canceled out the certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us and which was hostile to us; and He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross."
Friday, July 24, 2009
Don't Be Ashamed....Go Ahead And Tell Others!
“When we preach Christ crucified, we have no reason to stammer, or stutter, or hesitate, or apologize; there is nothing in the gospel of which we have any cause to be ashamed.”
~ Charles H. Spurgeon, "Spurgeon Quotes on the Gospel"
(HT: Of First Importance)
~ Charles H. Spurgeon, "Spurgeon Quotes on the Gospel"
(HT: Of First Importance)
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Can You Get De-Baptized?
I picked up this post from Denny Burk. Thought you all might like to read about a new 'trend'.
It would seem that atheists would be among the most dispassionate people on earth vis a vis religion. But that is not the case. In too many instances, they are not content to disbelieve. Their unbelief (far from giving them objectivity) compels them to berate those who do not hold their view. They are like the fool of Proverbs 19:3, “The foolishness of man ruins his way, And his heart rages against the LORD.”
Here’s an article from USA Today explaining the new trend among atheists, ‘de-baptism.’
‘Up until last summer, Jennifer Gray of Columbus, Ohio, considered herself “a weak Christian” whose baptism at age 11 in a Kentucky church came to mean less and less to her as she gradually lost faith in God.
‘Then the 32-year-old medical transcriptionist took a decisive step, one that previously hadn’t been available. She got “de-baptized.
In a type of mock ceremony that’s now been performed in at least four states, a robed “priest” used a hairdryer marked “reason” in an apparent bid to blow away the waters of baptism once and for all. Several dozen participants then fed on a “de-sacrament” (crackers with peanut butter) and received certificates assuring they had “freely renounced a previous mistake, and accepted Reason over Superstition.”
Whatever you do....don't shake your head and think "this girl is absolutely pitiful"! This ought to break your heart for those who are so blind and calloused to the Truth of Christ. This girl apparently grew up in the church. If it were not for God's sustaining grace, we too would reject everything that we have been taught about the gloriousness of God in Christ. Pray for her! Pray that God will open the eyes of her heart that she may see Christ for who He is. Pray that she would seek God while He still may be found!
It would seem that atheists would be among the most dispassionate people on earth vis a vis religion. But that is not the case. In too many instances, they are not content to disbelieve. Their unbelief (far from giving them objectivity) compels them to berate those who do not hold their view. They are like the fool of Proverbs 19:3, “The foolishness of man ruins his way, And his heart rages against the LORD.”
Here’s an article from USA Today explaining the new trend among atheists, ‘de-baptism.’
‘Up until last summer, Jennifer Gray of Columbus, Ohio, considered herself “a weak Christian” whose baptism at age 11 in a Kentucky church came to mean less and less to her as she gradually lost faith in God.
‘Then the 32-year-old medical transcriptionist took a decisive step, one that previously hadn’t been available. She got “de-baptized.
In a type of mock ceremony that’s now been performed in at least four states, a robed “priest” used a hairdryer marked “reason” in an apparent bid to blow away the waters of baptism once and for all. Several dozen participants then fed on a “de-sacrament” (crackers with peanut butter) and received certificates assuring they had “freely renounced a previous mistake, and accepted Reason over Superstition.”
Whatever you do....don't shake your head and think "this girl is absolutely pitiful"! This ought to break your heart for those who are so blind and calloused to the Truth of Christ. This girl apparently grew up in the church. If it were not for God's sustaining grace, we too would reject everything that we have been taught about the gloriousness of God in Christ. Pray for her! Pray that God will open the eyes of her heart that she may see Christ for who He is. Pray that she would seek God while He still may be found!
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