The Wal-Mart Jesus…
Posted by Pastor Kurt | Filed under Christianity In Crisis, My Family, The Moral Decline, Web Clips
The new Wal-Mart Supercenter just opened up in my town, and man, what a sight! It’s a mammoth structure of utilitarian architecture that houses everything from a grocery to a garden center, along with every dry good you can imagine from fashion wear to office supplies. And people just flock there because it’s one-stop shopping, famous low prices, and a quick get in and get out affair. It is an amazing achievement in the history of American consumerism.
Oh, and don’t forget about the official Smiley Face mascot greeting you on every sign. It just makes you feel all warm and fuzzy inside as you spend your money to save money.
The only problem is that the former Wal-Mart building in town is now vacant since the retail giant moved its local operation to the new Supercenter facility. Hard to believe that twenty years ago this smaller Wal-Mart store was the shining Camelot on the hill for local shoppers. Now it’s just a castle ruin, an empty shell of its former glory as the company moves on to bigger and better things. Alas, a sign of the times, I’m afraid.
Tags: Christian, Consumerism, Wal-Mart
The Day God Spilled The Paint
Posted by Pastor Kurt | Filed under Photos, Web Clips
The east side of the Carrizo Plain, in the Temblor Range, about 50 miles due west of Bakersfield, California. Photo taken on May 14, 2005.
What is a Sound Heart?
Posted by Pastor Kurt | Filed under My Faith, Randomness
Let my heart be sound in Your statutes, that I be not ashamed. Psalms 119:80
Some characteristics of a sound heart.
- A simplicity in serving God.
- A humble spirit.
- A godly sincerity.
- A brokenness of heart.
- A love for the Savior.
- A dependence on His grace.
Tags: Humility, Simplicity, Sincerity
Is their anything more important than prayer and Bible study?
Posted by Pastor Kurt | Filed under My Faith, Randomness
This last Wednesday during our prayer and Bible study it dawned on me that this is the most important duty of a Christian. People get so caught up in doing good deeds that they neglect the most important thing. Some people will do good deeds to cover up their poor or non-existent relationship with God. All the while they feel good for doing good, but neglected the Lord. Jesus talked about this in Matthew 7
Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. Matthew 7:21-23
The bottom line is prayer is talking to God and Bible study is God talking to the Christian, and if there is no communication, there is no relationship! All all the good deeds in the world cant make up for that!
Tags: Bible Study, Prayer
Obama side-steps the abortion question…
Posted by Pastor Kurt | Filed under Christianity In Crisis, My Faith, The Moral Decline, Web Clips
DALLAS - U.S. Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama side-stepped a pointed query about abortion on Saturday by mega-pastor Rick Warren during a televised forum.
Asked at what point a baby gets human rights, Obama, who strongly supports abortion rights, said: whether you’re looking at it from a theological perspective or a scientific perspective, answering that question with specificity is above my pay grade.
He went on to reiterate his view that it was important to reduce the number of unwanted pregnancies.
Republican presidential candidate John McCain, who followed Obama onto the stage of the nationally televised event, was more blunt and more emphatic.
He said a baby’s human rights began at the moment of conception I have a 25-year pro-life record.
Church Rejects Tithes Donation from Lottery Winner
Posted by Pastor Kurt | Filed under Web Clips
ORANGE PARK, FL — After Robert Powell hit the Florida Lottery jackpot last month and took home more than $6 million, he thought of his church.
And he offered to drop his tithe, around $600,000, in the collection plate of First Baptist Orange Park.
But the church and Pastor David Tarkington politely declined and told Powell they will not accept the lottery winnings.
Many churches do not approve of the lottery and gambling but on the other hand Pastor Dr. Lorenzo Hall of the El-Beth-El Divine Holiness Church says $600,000 can do a lot of good.
Tags: Church, Convictions, Lottery, Money, Pastor, Tithe, Tithes
Three Points About Victoria Osteen Being Sued…
Posted by Pastor Kurt | Filed under Christianity In Crisis, My Faith, Randomness, Web Clips
Their has been much news lately about the lawsuit filed against Victoria Osteen (Co-pastor of Houston’s Lakewood Church - one of the largest churches in America and wife of Joel Osteen) for assaulting a flight attendant on a 2005 Continental Airlines flight to Vail, Colorado.
While I have many opinions about Victoria Osteen and the Lakewood church, I will keep them to myself. I would however like to share some thoughts about the law suit and all the publicity surrounding it.
Tags: Christianity, Church, Joel Osteen, Lakewood Church, Lawsuit, Victoria Osteen
Love Your Enemies
Posted by Pastor Kurt | Filed under My Faith, Web Clips
Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.
Matthew 5:43-45
The Pharisees taught the people to hate the enemies of Israel. The implication was that this hatred was God’s means of judging their enemies. Jesus taught the people just the opposite. “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.
The Christian is to love others as God loves them. This is God’s standard of love. God doesn’t have to love us. He loves us because He chooses to love; it’s only by His grace. He loves us while we were alienated from Him as His enemies. The sinful mind is hostile toward God.
Read the rest of this entry »
Tags: Christian, Christianity, Enemies, love
