Early Bird Cut-off For Banner Coming Up

I have mentioned the Banner of Truth Conference before. I was reminded today that the early bird cut off date is May 2nd. After that the prices go up. Head over to The Banner website and sign up in the conferences section.

Engineer's Guide To Cats

Worth the 7 minutes it runs.



(HT: Challies Dot Com)

Why Are Plastic Bags Bad?

With the growing anti-plastic bag movement including bans in various Canadian towns, I have been considering what lies behind this. I know the statements that generally are part of this movement is that plastic bags are environmentally unfriendly, but rarely do I find any actual support for that beyond an outright statement. While I can understand that other than some biodegradable bags these bags do not disappear particularly quickly, at the same time plastic bags are recyclable and can be reused. The study that claimed that animals were being killed by plastic bags in the ocean has been shown to be an outright lie and has been changed to reflect that (something that is not generally ever mentioned by the way).

Paper on the other hand requires the destruction of trees, and while it can be recycled will likely get soaked with various fluids that will require it to be garbaged and thus will end up in the landfill where it will take up the supposedly unavailable landfill space as much as plastic.

So, why are plastic bags bad? I want something more than opinion, I want facts, especially with supporting scientific literature to show the evil of plastic bags.

For Those Big Companies That Threaten Small Ones -- Some Turn About

While reading through Slashdot.com I found this link to a letter responding to Monster Cables who threatened Blue Jeans Cable, a small cable company. Little did those who sent the letter from Monster Cables know that the head of that company was a lawyer for 25 years before going to Blue Jeans Cable. His letter, which is both humorous and insightful, can be found here. It is long, but well worth the read. BTW, this is a lawyer I could actually like.


Technorati Tags: Humor, Litigation, Big Business Bullies

Sign On To Ban DiHydrogen Monxide

This substance that is used by pesticide companies, nuclear companies, chemical companies among others. It is found in the food and drink we consume, and tests have shown it is in everyones bodies.

Protest this ubiquitous threat.

Watch the following video for more information:

Luther on Charity and Unity in the Context of False Doctrine

As I was doing some preparations for next weeks morning sermon, I was reading through Luther's commentary on Galatians which I just recently added to one of my Bible Study programs. As I read the quote below, I started to wonder if Luther lived today and was facing the same doctrinal controversies that I am others face in the denomination I serve within. Even though he did not, his comments strike true even today.

Let others praise charity and concord to the skies; we magnify the authority of the Word and faith. Charity may be neglected at times without peril, but not the Word and faith. Charity suffers all things, it gives in. Faith suffers nothing; it never yields. Charity is often deceived but is never put out because it has nothing to lose; it continues to do well even to the ungrateful. When it comes to faith and salvation in the midst of lies and errors that parade as truth and deceive many, charity has no voice or vote. Let us not be influenced by the popular cry for charity and unity. If we do not love God and His Word what difference does it make if we love anything at all?

Paul, therefore, admonishes both teachers and hearers not to esteem lightly the doctrine of faith as if it were a toy with which to amuse oneself in idle hours.

—Luther's Commentary on Galatians

Weather Control

This article looks at China's intention to control the weather during the upcoming Olympic games. Personally, this seems like an exercise in futility and hubris.

Asian Carp, Don't Want Them

Check out this video. As an avid fisherman, I can say that I don't want them in the Great Lakes. However, my guess is it is only a matter of time.

Christ Has Risen

This Easter remember that it is not bunnies and chocolate that are important, it is this truth:

Christ Has Risen!

He Died For Sinners -- Romans 5:6-11

The sermon from our Good Friday service:

He Died For Sinners -- Romans 5:6-11

Sex -- Great Article

This is a very worthwhile read. Go to it. Read it. Read it again.

The Oldest Member Of The Congregation I Serve Just Died

Last night, technically early this morning, the eldest member of the congregation I serve was called home to be with the Lord in her 98th year. The last several months, if not the last couple of years, had been very difficult for her, but she kept on looking to her Lord, waiting for him to call her home. While there is sadness, I even found my emotions effected as I was by her bed earlier in the day yesterday reading the scriptures and praying, at the same time there is joy. Her last weeks and days were not plesant. Pain had started and her body was slowly shutting down, but now she is with her Lord. It brought to mind two texts from the Bible to me.

First from 2 Corinthians 5,

For we know that if the tent that is our earthly home is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. 2 For in this tent we groan, longing to put on our heavenly dwelling, 3 if indeed by putting it on we may not be found naked. 4 For while we are still in this tent, we groan, being burdened—not that we would be unclothed, but that we would be further clothed, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. 5 He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who has given us the Spirit as a guarantee. 6 So we are always of good courage. We know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, 7 for we walk by faith, not by sight. 8 Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord. 9 So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him. 10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.

2 Cor 5:1-10 (ESV)

And the other from Philippians:

For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. 22 If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell. 23 I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better.

Phil 1:21-23 (ESV)

For one whose faith is in the Lord Jesus Christ, death is not to lose anything. It is to gain all things. It is to be with Christ who is better, more beautiful, more amazing, than anything else this world has to offer. She groaned in those last days of her life with pain, weakness, loneliness, and more, to be with her Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

Pray for the family as they go through this difficult time. Pray for me as well as with Good Friday and Easter, this makes for a very busy weekend which I enter with a cold seeming to be coming on. Most of all, pray that in this the glory of Christ may shine out that those who do not know him may see him and know him and trust him.

Pocket PC is Missing

Today I was looking for my Dell Pocket PC. After having looked where I thought it should be, and looked where I did not think it should be, I have officially declared it missing. This is troubling to me, not so much because of the information on it, although there is some that I will miss such as mileage information and the like. the biggest thing is that I have gotten very used to using it, and if I cannot track it down, I will have to start shopping for another one. Not something I want to do from an expenditure standpoint.

That Cat Again

Banner 2008 -- Be There

The last couple of weeks have been very difficult for me physically. My schedule was very busy with many late nights, followed by a week of being ill which put me behind in my preparations for Good Friday/Easter not to mention various other tasks that are part of ministry. I know from past experience I have always found myself feeling very run down after the Easter season, and entering it still feeling a little of the after effects of the stomach ailment I had and the tiredness of those two very busy weeks that have left me with two busy weeks to catch up, I am guessing I will be even more run down.

Due to this, I am looking forward to the Banner of Truth Minister's Conference. I started going to this particular conference 5 years back (or was it 6?) I found it one of the most spiritually rejuvenating time I had experienced in a long time. It was a time where I had the great opportunity to sit under the preaching of the Word by many excellent preachers. Better yet, it was a time of great fellowship where I was able to make many minister friends, many of whom faced the same struggles as I do in ministry. Finally, there is always opportunity to spend time speaking with the speakers and some of the other people who attend who you have only interacted with before in the books and articles they have written.

With all that said, I encourage Pastors, Elders and men training to minister as pastors to seriously consider attending this conference. For more information you can check out the Banner of Truth website.

Again, this has been one of the best things I have done for my own spiritual health and for the ministry God has called me to.

New Members Class

In the past I have used a course with the senior high class I teach called What We Beleive. However, while I like that study it is set up as a 24 week study and is lacking in some areas. I would like to do something more condensed 5-6 weeks, but I cannot even remember what was used with me as a pre-confession course. Thus this post.

What things have those of you who read here who have lead new member/pre-confession classes used? If you could actually e-mail it to me I would appreciate it a great deal as it would help me to put something together that would fit our needs here.

It Was One Of Those Weeks

This week was marked for me by this . . . I was ill for most of it. I was achy and my stomach was upset through most of the day every day so that I kept feeling like throwing up. On top of it all my mind didn't seem to want to work. Apparently my Mother has the same thing. Thankfully, we are both getting better, and I am at least sort of ready to tomorrow. Today I felt well until early afternoon, and even then I felt better than I did yesterday. I am hoping a good nights rest will be had tonight, and that tomorrow God will give me what I need to lead his people in worship and point them to him in Jesus Christ.

Worst Police Dog, But At Least He Had Fun

Not a particularly good Police Dog.


Then you have dogs like Skidboot.

He Is Almost Potty Trained

I was reminded today of how close to being potty trained Justin is. He was busy playing, but suddenly he stopped, pulled down his pants and went to the potty all on his own. I know it is a strange thing to blog about, but I am so happy that he did that rather than poop in his pants.

ER on January 17th 2008

Update: Apparently the clip of this interaction is now on Youtube (see below)

I don't usually watch ER (not like Heros), but I did watch it last night. I did watch it last night, and I was pleasantly surprised. No, they didn't get rid of the gratuitous sex. Instead, what I was amazing and surprised in a good way about was a section of dialog between the so called "chaplain" and an older patient who was a doctor in the prison who would administer lethal injections to those sentenced to death.

He ended up in the ER because he had jumped into the frozen lake to save a boy who fell in. As the show continued we find out that the reason he did this was because he had administered the lethal injection that killed the boys father only to find out later that the police officer who testified at his trial lied and the boys father was not guilty. He was racked by remorse and wanted forgiveness because he was dying of cancer. So Pratt brings in the relatively new character who is the hospital chaplain, Julia.

Julia is one of those make up your religion from a little of this and a little of that. Here is the dialog of her interaction with this man seeking to have his sins and guilt dealt with:

Man: (Recounts how when he first administered the lethal injection it did not work, and the family considered it a sign from God of innocence. Instead of listening he administered a second injection which kill the man in 90 seconds) Seven months later a police officer came forward. The boy was framed for the murder. He didn't do it.

Julia: (Look at him with sad eyes) You couldn't have known that.

Man: God tried to stop me from killing and innocent man and I ignored the sign. How can I even hope for forgiveness?

Julia: I think sometimes it's easier to feel guilty than forgiven.

Man: (Looks in confusion) Which means what?

Julia: That maybe your guilt over these deaths has become your reason for living. Maybe you need a new reason to go on. (Pratt enters in background)

Man: I..I..I don't want to go on. Can't you see I'm old. I have cancer. I've had enough. The only thing that is holding me back is that I am afraid. I'm afraid of what comes next.

Julia: What do you think that is?

Man: (Looking more surprised) You tell me. Is atonement even possible? What does God want from me?

Julia: I think it's up to each one of us to interpret what God wants.

Man: (Flabbergasted) So people can do anything? They can rape, murder they can steal all in the name of God and it's ok?

Julia: No! That's not what I'm saying.

Man: (Agitated interrupts) What are you saying? Because all I'm hearing is some New Age, God is love, one size fits all crap.

Pratt: Hey Dr. Truman.

Man: No! I don't have time for this now!

Julia: Greg, it's ok. I understand . . .

Man: (Interrupts angry) No you don't understand. You don't understand! How could you possibly say that. Now you listen to me. I want a real chaplain who believes in a real God and a real hell.

Julia: I hear that you're frustrated, but you need to ask yourself . . .

Man: (Interrupts again) No I don't need to ask myself. I need answers, and all your questions and your uncertainty are only making things worse.

Julia: I . . I know you're upset . . .

Man: God, I need someone who will look me in the eye and tell me how to find forgiveness because I am running out of time.

Julia: I'm trying to help.

Man: Well don't! Get out! Get out! Get out!

(Julia leaves upset)

What amazed me is how a show like ER. A show that is so in the dark on the things of God, would have even one writer who would write such dialog. In the end the conclusion of this situation was not very satisfactory, but it does show that this user friendly gospel light that is so prevalent today will not satisfy. What a man like the one portrayed in this episode of ER needed to hear was the gospel. Is there hope of forgiveness for someone like him? Is their atonement? Yes! In Jesus, God's own Son who died for him. He thought the only one he had put to death that was innocent was that young man. But the only innocent to ever die is Jesus and he did so for sin of people like me and like him.

Update:

At last this is hitting the blogosphere. It probably had to wait until the clip showed up on YouTube as most people will not type out the dialog as I did.

Here is the clip:


Dan Phillips posted on this today (2/26/2008) over at Pyromaniacs.