I may not live in California but ...

I realize that I don't live in California. But as they say, so goes California, so goes the country... Which brings me to Proposition 8. For those who are unaware -- The Passage of Proposition 8 would amend the state constitution to define marriage as the union of one man and one woman, negating a California Supreme Court decision in May that legalized same-sex "marriage" in the Golden State.

This then brings me to who is for and who is against this --

In support of Porp 8.

Rick Warren, Jim Garlow, Miles McPherson
The Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod
Roman Catholic Church, LDS Church


Opposed to Prop 8.

Google, Apple, Every Major Californian News Paper (10 in all)
All six Episcopal diocesan bishops in California, and Several Liberal Jewish Groups.


I would like to publicly say that I believe that Pastor Rick Warren, of whom I am often Critical, is acting in both a biblically sound and proper Christian Manner. Well Done sir, Well done.

To The Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod - You have done well to speak out on all three state issues that you have. If I were a Lutheran, I would most likely Go Missouri Synod.

To the six Episcopal Bishops - May God have mercy on your souls. I pray that you would repent and return to sound biblical thought. I hope the Anglican Communion gives you the left hand of fellowship. You openly blaspheme the name of Jesus Christ. Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.

Notes - Image of God 1

1.Introduction – New Series on The Image of God
2.Gen 1:26ff “Creation
1. “Let Us” “Our” “Very Good”
2.What is the Image of God?
1.Character
2.Nature
3.Appearance?
4.Male/Female
3.Gen 3:6ff “The Fall”
1.Image Distorted
2.Romans 5:12 – Sin/Death
3.Despite all of this
4.Gen 9:5 “Man's Life is Still Valued”
1.Why?
2.Because of the image of God
3.Dispite
4.Romans 3:10-18
5.Gospel “God Seeks”
1.Man Doesn't like God/Law
2.Grace - Jesus

Evangelism: Fun or Not Fun?

Today I was in a Chatroom that will remain unnamed, to protect the innocent. I made the comment that I believe that evangelism, esp. in the context of meeting with Mormons, is fun. I was instantly attacked for such a view. I thought to myself, are these people joking with me?

Answer: Nope!

Without getting to technical I would like to argue my point, and really defend what I had said.

Now I would argue that first of all we should obey Christ's command to share the gospel. Matthew 28:18ff makes that crystal clear. Now I would also argue that that Christians should Delight in the Law of God (Psalms 119:77, Romans 7:22). To delight in something means that we get pleasure from it. Here is where it gets technical - The Word 'Enjoy' is defined as - "derive or receive pleasure from." The Word fun is defined as - "activities that are enjoyable or amusing." So based on language alone it is clear that Keeping God's Law is Fun, and therefore, evangelism, apologetics, ect should also be considered fun.

Pastor Fights Back: A news Story.

Girl blowing a kiss song from an increasingly popular singer is still stirring controversy as well as criticism for a pastor for openly objecting to the song.

Pastor Dave Allison of Havens Corners Church of Christ in Christian Union in Blacklick, Ohio, heard about Katy Perry's song I Kissed a Girl (and I Liked it) -- and he did not like it. As he explains, he became especially upset while he and his family arrived at a camping site.

"And as we went to check in there, there was a CNN story about how this song is literally changing behavior across America," Allison explains. "Young girls Pastor Dave Allisonare acting out on it, experimenting with kisses in public and those kinds of things."

Allison was then inspired to put a message on the church's sign reading "I Kissed a Girl and I Liked It. Then I went to Hell." He contends he was just trying to get across a message on the Bible's firm statement about homosexual conduct among men and women.

"[W]e're living in a liberal culture today, a relativistic culture. They don't read their Bibles the way people used to read their Bible," Allison adds. "And the liberal churches in America have done us a great injustice by muddying the water on the issue of sin when it comes to homosexuality."

He says he intended the sign as a loving warning to young people who might be taken in by the song.

I have to say that I really understand where this guy is coming from. Homosexuality is on the rise as is fornication, and I would submit that pop culture has a lot to do with it. Liberals in and out of the church want and fight to get us to water down the Christian message, and I, like this pastor am tried of it. I say that we should fight back, we should show that we oppose such behavior. We must teach the truth of Sin and Judgment to come.

That said, I think this billboard was a swing and a miss. I like that he stepped up and did SOMETHING, however, I think this loving attempt will be misunderstood. That said perhaps a good discussion on if understanding of people should effect the message, and how this message could have been changed to be more effective.

Landmarkism - More Theological Terms

I will be honest with you, and say that I had not heard of this (cult like) idea until I purchased two dictionary's of theological terms.. but I have learned that seemingly nothing good came out of the 1800's in American Theology...

A theological movement originating in Tennessee in the Mid-nineteenth century, holding that only Baptist Churches are true churches, that baptism is only valid when administered by a Baptist Congregation and that communion is to be restricted to the members of a particular congregation, for there is no such thing as the universal church. Landmarkism also hold that there is an uninterrupted line of succession of true Baptists, linking the present-day congregations with Jesus and the apostles. In order to show this, Landmarkist historians seek to reinstate many in the past whom the church at large considered heretics, and whose views are now reinterpreted in order to bring them in line with Baptist teachings.[From Essential Theological Terms, Justo Gonzalez].


So what we have is a group of Baptists, who now Join the ranks of The Roman Catholics and the Eastern Orthodox churches to have Succession (Though they call it church succession, as opposed to Apostolic succession) . But they also take on the classic American Cult Mantra --- Unless you are one of US you can't be saved. (Jehovah's Witness', Mormons, perhaps even SDA's fall into this [not all of them mind you] All American, all abhorrent).

Well that is your Term of the Day. Enjoy!

More Bathroom/Shower Issues

Remember how it is that there is no longer segregation in term of sex in Colorado? This is now going to be voted on in Maryland. OneNewsNow.com Reports:

Baltimore residents have lost their battle against an ordinance protecting transgendered people.



Under the controversial "gender identity" law, a man would be allowed to walk into a women's restroom or shower room claiming he believes himself to be a woman, essentially opening the door for rape or sexual molestation. In July a lower Montgomery County court agreed more than 900,000 petition signers had the right to see it on the ballot to choose whether to overturn it -- but it was appealed.

"A group that supports rights for cross-dressing transsexuals came into court at the last minute and raised a number of technical objections, many of them quite far-fetched," says Alliance Defense Fund attorney Jordan Lorence.

But the Maryland Court of Appeals apparently did not see the objections in that light, and ruled that the measure will not go on the ballot. Consequently, says Lorence, voters are "stuck" with the transgender discrimination ordinance. "And there's nothing they can do about it unless they start all over again to gather signatures," the attorney laments.

There is no provision in the law to protect citizens from predators, and there is no exception for religious organizations -- including the church, says Lorence. For example, he states it would be a violation of the ordinance if two men, one of whom claims to be a woman, wish to get married but are denied by a church that defines marriage as a man and a woman.

Wow, this is a great day for horny teen-age boys who want to use the womens locker room. Moreover, lets make it so that not only is Gay Marriage legal, but so that Churches can get sued over not marrying a Man and a Women, or a man who believes he is a Women. This is just foolishness. Man has desired for equality with such vigor that now we have equality in our bathroom usage. This is exciting... When will we come to our senses and stop allowing perversion to dictate morality? Stand up for Truth!

A sad day Down Under

I was Browsing through OneNewsNow (which has a Church Section) only to find this story. I have to say I was, angry to say the least. I have to say that I am ashamed of this man, for this church, and most of all I am sorrowful for all the people who wrongly supported, prayed and gave to this man. May God Have mercy on his soul?

About two years ago, Pastor Michael Guglielmucci announced to his congregation that he had terminal cancer. Today, he is cancer-free.

To the shock of many church members and fellow pastors, at a recent Australian Christian Churches (ACC) – formerly named The Assemblies of God – national executive meeting, the pastor admitted to having a lied about his battle with cancer. The Advertiser stated that the ACC was going to audit Mr. Guglielmucci's bank accounts, which were filled with donations he willingly accepted from people who prayed for his plight.

After inventing his cancer story, the pastor wrote a hit song titled Healer, which – according to the newspaper account – became "an anthem of faith for believers, many of whom are suffering illnesses and were praying for Mr. Guglielmucci." While performing it live at his church called Planetshakers – a subset of the church Guglielmucci's parents founded called Edge Church International – he wore an oxygen tube in his nose. The song, which is on Hillsong's latest album, appeared at No. 2 on the ARIA charts.

In the Healer video, Guglielmucci talks about his feelings after he found out about his so-called "aggressive form of cancer."

"I just went home," he said. "I knew I had to go home and needed to get alone with God."

And his followers were not the only one surprised by the deception. Among them also were his wife and family. Guglielmucci's parents are with him while he seeks professional help. Sources in the church community report that he attended his medical appointments alone.

Jonathan Fontanarosa, Edge Church's executive pastor, says everyone is waiting on a better explanation pending further investigation.