Random Bits

The World Is Not My Home

I tend to rail against large churches, but more against churches that want to be large. Here's a really good reason why being "seeker sensitive" is such a bad idea. Concentrating on church growth leads to stunts like this. (As the guy who does the sign at church I automatically recoil at any sign that attributes a quote from God. I don't need to make up a phoney quote from God, I got a whole bunch right here.)

After suspending Ray Rice for two entire games for nearly killing his wife, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell  has suddenly come to the realization that bad behavior is BAD. He's instituted a policy of lifetime bans for a second offence. I'm not sure how well a sports venue requiring participants to behave is going to hold up in today's world.

The state of California now requires that Catholic colleges provide murder abortion coverage. This is an executive order from Governor Jerry Brown who claims to be a Catholic. Maybe I'm wrong but after watching Jerry Brown, Nancy Pelosi, and Joe Biden in action I'm getting the impression that there is no longer any church discipline in the Catholic Church.

After It Gets Worse, It Will Get Better

I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3:14)

Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. (James 1:12)

'Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to cast some of you into prison, so that you will be tested, and you will have tribulation for ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life. (Revelation 2:10) 

It's Only Going To Get Worse

¹² Indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. ¹³ But evil men and impostors will proceed from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. (2 Timothy 3:12)

"Then they will deliver you to tribulation, and will kill you, and you will be hated by all nations because of My name. (Matthew 24:9)

21 "Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; and children will rise up against parents and cause them to be put to death. 22 You will be hated by all because of My name, but it is the one who has endured to the end who will be saved. (Matthew 10:21-22)

What is the Apocrypha and what's it doing in my Bible?

The Apocrypha is a set of books written between 400 BC and the time of Jesus' ministry on Earth. These books consist of 1 and 2 Esdras, Tobit, Judith, the Rest of Esther, the Wisdom of Solomon, Ecclesiasticus (also known as Sirach), Baruch, The Letter of Jeremiah, Song of the Three Young Men, Susanna, Bel and the Dragon, The Additions to Daniel, The Prayer of Manasseh, and 1 and 2 Maccabees.

Protestants reject the apocrypha as being inspired for one very good reason - the creators of the Old Testament, the Jewish community, rejects the apocrypha. So why does it exist in some bibles? 

Random Bits

Every life is precious... unless it's inconvenient, then according to Richard Dawkins it is Immoral to let that child live. This man is arguing for the pre-natal slaughter of the most sweetest, loving human beings I've ever met: people with Downs Sysdrome. This is the man that argues that human fetus is less human than an adult pig. Mr Dawkins would probably be surprised to find out that God disagrees:

12 Even the darkness is not dark to You, And the night is as bright as the day. Darkness and light are alike to You. 13 For You formed my inward parts; You wove me in my mother's womb. 14 I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Wonderful are Your works, And my soul knows it very well. (Psalm 139:12-14)

In an act of what I call "Spiritual Broadcasting" the Holy Spirit asked Jason at the Cripplegate to tackle the same subject, Jason does a wonderful job explaining Mr. Dawkins heartless attacks on such wonderful beautiful children.